Death

Chapter 10: Connections and Regret

TW:

Implied Child Abuse, Manipulation, Mentioning Psychological Torture, Trauma, Mentions Death

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"Did you hear, Mei? Did you hear? Haru and I are going to go to Kaibara High School with Yuki, Kyo and Tohru!!" An excited Momiji said, running up to me beaming while a calm and spacy Hatsuharu followed him.

"Kaibara? The co-ed school?" I ask the boy.

"Ja! We're going to be able to hang out with Tohru everyday! It's going to be wunderbar!!" Momiji cheered.

I frown and look at Haru, "And Akito-san allowed this?"

He shrugged, "Seemingly so, we put the request in and just like that it was allowed."

I hum and nod.

"I can't wait! It's going to be so fun!" Momiji exclaimed.

I couldn't help but smile at the boy's enthusiasm. "That's all well and good, Momiji, but remember this is a co-ed school, you'll have to be careful not to bump into any girls or else you'll transform, both of you." I say looking at Haru as well.

"Okay, Mei! I promise." Momiji smiled at me.

I smiled softly at him as well, "Very well, see you later, kleiner Hase."

Momiji waved goodbye and skipped away. I turned to Hatsuharu. "You'll keep an eye on him won't you, Otōto-kun?"

"I will, don't worry, Oshinda-sama." Haru nodded.

"And you? You'll be careful too. I don't know why Akito agreed to this but for whatever reason, I hope everything will turn out alright." I sigh.

"As do I." Haru said solemnly before leaving.

~:~

"The Kaibara High School Entrance Ceremony is tomorrow and I want you two to come with me to it." Akito said, her presence commanding.

"Why of course I'll join you, Akito-san, afterall, Haa-kun and momicchi are like little brothers to me." Shigure said with a smirk.

He was looking up at Akito through his lashes from his kneeling position next to me.

I glared at the man annoyed before I turned to Akito. "Are you sure it's safe for me to go with you Akito? It may be dangerous for me to join you considering the potential crowd." I state.

Akito frowned in thought for a moment until the mutt decided to open his mouth, "Say, Mei didn't you go to the culture festival with Hatori last year? Surely the crowds won't be any bigger than that."

I sent a deadly glare at Shigure whose smirk seemed to widen.

"Shigure is right. You'll be fine, Mei." Akito said without room for argument.

I sigh, "Yes, Akito-san."

"You're both dismissed." Akito stated before turning her back on us.

"Welp," Shigure started jubiously as he stood up, "I'm off, see you both tomorrow."

He sent a fleeting wave paired with a smirk to the both of us before walking away.

Akito grumbled and sat down on the ground in front of me, "That man! How he gets on my nerves. He shows zero respect. It's infuriating."

I almost chuckle aloud at how Akito's words perfectly voice my own thoughts. "Come here, Mei. I need you." Akito says, stretching her arms out towards me.