Cherry Blossoms ✔️

t e n

Cherry | 10 | Blossoms

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The weight of her backpack felt heavier than usual. Instead of it being a few couple pounds due to her school textbooks, it felt like it weighed a ton—like she was carrying bricks.

It was almost midnight by the time she arrived home after her shift at One For All had ended. She'd discussed her new schedule with Mr. Toshinori and he'd been more than understanding with her. Y/N felt guilty for lying to him. Especially, when it was something ridiculous like having to help her father at his job. Like Chisaki would ever be caught dead with her in his company.

Thinking about Chisaki, the only good thing that came from working late, was that he wasn't up by the time she got home, and she didn't have to deal with him. At least, that's what she'd expected, but when she unlocked the door and walked in, she was greeted by all the lights in the living room and kitchen being on.

"About time you were back."

Y/N stopped in her tracks. Her heart started pounding faster, and her hands had gone clammy. She bit her mouth to keep from screaming.

"Sorry," Y/N was proud of her steady voice. "I was studying for a test tomorrow with a friend. I lost track of time."

Y/N started preparing herself to face him. She always made sure she left her work uniform in her locker at work, and sprayed a lot of perfume on herself before leaving work just in case she ever ran into Chisaki, so he wouldn't smell food on her and ask her questions.

"I thought I told you not to be late anymore," he told her. Compared to the last time she'd seen him in the elegant suit, he looked homeless standing by the kitchen table. He wasn't wearing shades, so his dark circles and the redness in his eyes were more visible than usual. He was wearing baggy clothes and he looked like he hadn't showered all day. She wasn't sure how he was able to change so drastically.

"Sorry," she repeated herself. She set her back pack down by the kitchen entrance and then walked towards him. He pointed at the seat in front of him. She sat down, but he didn't. Instead, he decided to lean against the stove and stare down at her. It made her feel on edge. Like she was about to be interrogated. Her nails dug into her palms. Had he found out about her job? Were her lies not enough?

"Tomorrow's Wednesday." he said plainly, like that would make up for the pounding in her ears he'd caused. "Have you read the documents?"

"Y-Yes." She chided herself for stuttering. Chisaki hated when she did so. She could still remember the feeling of his palm striking her cheek. "Yes," she said again more forcefully. "I signed them and left them on the kitchen counter before I left this morning."

He smiled wryly at her. "I was simply testing you." he tapped his fingers against the table. "I saw them this morning. I'm only saying this once—this whole ordeal is top secret. Open your mouth, and well—" he shrugged a shoulder. "Let's say you won't ever open your mouth again. Am I understood?"

"Yes, sir." she said through gritted teeth.

"Now, what did I say about calling me sir?" he stood straight and made his way towards her. He brought his pointer finger to her chin and lifted it so she was making eye contact with him. "I'm your dad."

"Yes, dad." Y/N clenched her fists under the table.

Chisaki forcefully let go of her chin, making her jerk forward for a second.

"I need a report about this at the end of every week. I don't have time to be babying you." He glared at her. "I think you should earn your keep. Do this job right." He walked to her side and clutched her shoulder. For that split second, she thought of Shouto and wondered if that was how he had felt yesterday: terrified and frozen in place. "And don't think your little 'study nights' are going to go unnoticed by me. Try harder. Goodnight, daughter."