Broken Strings (Len x reader)

Chapter 25

(Y/n)'s POV

"Haku-nii."

He didn't bother looking at me. All he did was grab the guitar and sit down on the chair I had pulled out for him. He plucked at the strings randomly although it seemed to form a little tune.

Dad's crying had died down. Now, he was silent. No one said a word. All that could be heard was Haku-nii's guitar and the tick-tock of the clock.

I gave Haku-nii a reassuring hug before sitting down beside dad. To be honest, I was still afraid of him. I didn't know how to behave properly around him.

Soon, we could both hear my brother's singing. His voice was soft yet powerful. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the sound of his voice.

As I glanced at dad, I noticed tears slide down his cheeks. He was looking at Haku-nii with a sorrowful glint in his eyes.

Soon enough, he stopped singing because the song had ended...but it was also because he had started crying. Unexpectedly, dad got up and pulled him into a tight hug.

Haku-nii froze in shock. He wasn't able to relax. I flashed him a gentle smile. He smiled back and had an arm around dad.

"...I'm sorry, I had forgotten...about how you two were feeling," exclaimed dad.
"Tch, don't you dare get all emotional with me," Haku-nii replied while looking away.
"Aww, Haku-nii's being shy."

He gave me a small glare with a slight blush on his cheeks. I couldn't help but laugh. Dad joined in and pulled us both into a long hug.

"I'm sorry, I was too caught up in my own feelings. I treated you two like tools...please forgive me," dad said with so much guilt and regret.
"Before my naive sister forgives you, I want to know something. Why did you become an abusive old man? Why the hell did you hurt (Y/n)? She did nothing wrong. Why couldn't you let go of mum and move on? Why...now? Why stop and ask for forgiveness now?..."
"...Haku, I'm sorry. Your mother was the only one to look at me when no one would. I fell in love with her at first sight. That's why I couldn't get over it. She was my first and only love..."
"...then what about us? Didn't you love us too? We saw you as a father..."
"(Y/n)..."

I stood up and walked to the front door. Haku-nii immediately grabbed onto my hand, refusing to let me go. I turned around and gave him a smile.

"I'll be back soon. I just need some time alone, okay?"

He stayed silent so I just ruffled his hair before going out. I headed to the park and just stared up at the sky. What now? Why did I leave? What was I so afraid of? Was it just too much for me to handle?

Tch, I couldn't even cry anymore. I couldn't do anything. I just wanted to go to sleep and never wake up again...I wanted to escape this pain...

"(Y/n)."

I was pulled into a passionate kiss as I felt him pull me closer. Len's strong arms caught me as my legs gave way. How did he know that I was here?

"(Y/n), I love you," he exclaimed with a gentle look in his eyes.
"I love you too."

He pulled me into another kiss before letting me lean against him. I could feel a warmth spreading in my heart. As I looked up at him, someone quickly covered my eyes.

"Guess who."
"I don't know. It sounds like Kazuki but I can tell it's not him."
"Aww, why can't I fool you?" Kazuki asked with a pout.

The person uncovered my eyes. I turned around to come face to face with Tsuchiura. He just gave me a half-hearted wave before sitting down on the bench. Keii was here too, along with Yunoki.

"What are you guys doing here?"
"I heard from Tsukimori. He told us to come," replied Kazuki.
"And how did you know I was here?"
"I got a call from your brother. He said to go make sure you were okay," Len said.

Haku-nii...I shouldn't have left like that. Maybe I should've just stayed at home. I wasn't thinking about him...

"Hey (Y/n), let's go. I bought tickets for a movie," Len told me.
"What movie?"
"(Favourite movie), your favourite."
"Wait, how did you know?"
"Your brother told me."
"Was there anything else that he told you? I'd like to hear it now rather than later."
"And what you consider fun. He suggested I do all those things with you...and with everyone else."
"(Y/n), there's no time for brooding. Let's go see the movie!" Kazuki exclaimed happily.
"*smiles* Okay."

Keii gently took my hand before leading me towards the others. While walking, I couldn't help but think that I should call Haku-nii out here.

Well, maybe I am going to invite him. It'd be mean of me to not think of him at all. As I was just about to get out my phone, someone covered my eyes from behind.

"Yo sis."
"Haku-nii?!"
"What? Did you think I'd actually miss being the third wheel in your date?" he asked with a smirk.
"W-what?"
"Ahaha, your brother's funny," exclaimed Kazuki.

The others simply either stayed quiet or sighed with a small smile. Well, it seemed that Kazuki got along well with my brother. And for some odd reason, Keii was pulled into the group as well.

"(Y/n), can you please tell them to stop goofing around? We're going to be late for the movie," said Len.
"Hehe, let's just go. Hopefully they're not stupid enough to stay behind."

He just nodded and took my hand. As we headed to the cinemas, I found myself smiling at Len. He looked at me like I was weird but then just let it go.