Chained together

Chapter 1

Mirais POV:
I'm a coward.

Arina didn't need me to weigh her down, to distract or confuse her. That's what I told myself for a whole year. I thought that distancing myself from her would be for the best. It was too late to stop once it got easy. But when she enrolled in the same high-school as me, it became clear that running away from my feelings wasn't an option anymore.

On the morning of our first day, I wanted to leave earlier, even packed my bag the previous night. But just as I ran downstairs, my mothers voice stopped me, "Mirai, sweetie, can you help me set the table for breakfast?"

I groaned, stomping my foot, but agreed anyway, leaving my bag onto the couch and rolling up the sleeves on my shirt.

"Is Arina awake?", she asked, as we carefully placed the plates filled with food.

"No, I don't think so.", I blurted out quickly, before turning to walk back to my bag and leave.

"Can you go wake her up?", mum asked, turning to wash her hands.

"I'm sure she can wake up on her own mum.", I told her, only to be served an annoyed look, "Mirai."

With a sigh, I walked up the stairs and to our room, but before I could even knock, the door opened and Arina and we both stopped dead in our tracks. My heart felt like it stoped. She looked so pretty with her blonde hair tied into braids, the school uniform also fitting her perfectly. I looked away, probably blushing and cleared my throat, "Breakfast's ready. Mums waiting downstairs."

"R-Right."

I practically bolted downstairs and to my backpack, "I have to go mum!"

"Come have breakfast first!", she exclaimed back and I honestly felt that at this point, she knew that I was just trying to avoid Arina.

"But I told Mari that I would meet her before class!", I tried, even pouted at her.

"Wait for Arina at least.", she said, gesturing to my seat at the table, the tamagoyaki she made smelt way too good to pass by, but I still resisted, rolling my eyes at her, "She knows the way to school."

Mum crossed her arms, "What is going on with you? You barely even eat breakfast at home anymore. And I thought that you would be happy to go to the same school."

"I am.", I mumbled, looking down.

Her expression softened, a sigh leaving her, "Then? Whats wrong? Did you two fight?"

"N-No."

Mum stood up and walked to me, "Then please. Go to school together. Look out for her.", she said, putting her hands on my shoulders. Her expression was pained. She looked so worried.

I frowned, putting my hands over hers, "Did something happen?"

Mum sighed, patting me on the cheek, "Her mother, she was released."

"What?", the words barely left my mouth, my eyes looking around.

"Good morning auntie!", Arina exclaimed from the stairs, before running over and hugging mum tightly, receiving a smile and gasp once they pulled away, "Arina, you look wonderful!"

"Thank you."

Mum smiled and grabbed both of our hands, "Now come on, you two, let's eat breakfast before we're all late."

"I smell pudding!", Arina shrieked, startling me.

"Yep, woke up early to make it.", my mum told her, smiling brightly.

"Aww, auntie you're the best!", Arina thanked, hugging her once again.

The three of us ate, with mum and Arina talking whilst I sat in silence, mind racing. If Arinas mum came to see her... what would happen? Would she take her away? Hurt her?