Love and Hate ‒ ʰᶦᵗᵒˢʰᶦ ˢ.

fourteen

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THE LAST FEW WEEKS OF SUMMER CONSISTED OF HITOSHI, NAOMI, AND YOU LOOKING FOR A NICE PLACE FOR HIM TO STAY. Considering that Shota was going to be home anytime, you had to make desperate measures. Eri was in Yshi's house since nobody was left with her. When it was done, Naomi helped Hitoshi get on his own feet and gave him a small allowance for the next half of the school year. After that talk with Naomi and Yshi the past week, you haven't been yourself lately. You began to distance yourself from Hitoshi once again and you started recollecting your own thoughts and feelings. When your mother noticed this, she grabbed your hand and dragged you out of Hitoshi's apartment while he settles his things.

"You're doing it again..." she eyed you carefully, placing a hand on top of your shoulder causing you to tilt your head and squint your eyes. "Doing what, mom?" The question was genuine but with Naomi's half-lidded eyes gazing down on you and her arms crossed on her chest, you were correct about your speculations on what it meant. "I'm sorry, I just don't know what I'd do if I kept talking with him especially with what I know..."

"But does he know what you know?" Naomi cocked her eyebrows, her golden orbs tainted with worry. "He has been worried about you, you know?" You nodded and let out a sigh, the blue-haired woman now placing her hands on her hips. "Mom, I know that it might sound selfish but if he knew, he'd... probably stop pursuing me..."

"And you don't want him to stop?"

You shook your head.

Naomi groaned as she pinched the bridge of her nose with her fingers, inhaling a sharp breath right after. "Then you better stop acting like you want him to... He may not show it but he even started asking me if you had a problem with him... please, (your name)..." Before she could continue, her phone beeped making the two of you look to her skirts' pocket. She slid it out of the said pocket and read the message. "It's from your father. He's back in town."

"Then it's a good thing we got Hitoshi an apartment today..." you shivered at the thought of your father finding out about him staying over for the summer. "Are you going to pick him up?" your dark eyes scanned your mother's figure as she placed her phone back in her pocket, nodding. "Yes, and you need to go home on your own by then..." She sighed as she looked back at you, both of your eyes meeting. "Wait, why?!"

"You still need to settle things with your somewhat boyfriend," Naomi smirked as she fixed her blue strands and tugged them behind her ear. "Just explain to him what you can and can't do, okay?" Naomi pecked your forehead before leaving you at the front door of Hitoshi's apartment. As Naomi entered the room, Hitoshi whipped his head at the door and lightly scratched the back of his neck. "M-mom, I—," he tried to speak to her but Naomi only gave him a small hug, apologizing that she needs to cut the conversation short. "I have to pick up Shota at the airport. I'll be visiting tomorrow."