Chapter 1 (Violence/Rape)
~*Alarm clock going off*~
As you rolled over to your left to turn off the blaring alarm clock the weight of your drowsy eyelids was battling your body on whether to get up or not. After 2 minutes of just laying in your bed to sober up, you flung off the warm and comfy covers and head straight for the shower. About 10 minutes, that's how long you took in the shower. When you got out, you threw your towel on the bed and head straight for you closet to pick out an outfit for the day. But before you got there, the tall mirror that showed off your whole reflection caught your attention; or rather the red bruise on your skin. Your right hand wrapped around your stomach to hold the bruise. There was a frown on your face.
'I hope this isn't permanent.' You though to yourself then walked out of the mirrors way. "Yujiro, time to wake up." With your clothes finally on you shook the small boy, lightly, up from his slumber. At first he didn't get up, but then managed to muster up all the strength he could to rise up out of bed.
'Our day, always starts out like this. It's basically our routine.'
"Come on, let's get you washed up." You scooped him up out of your bed and took him in the bathroom to wash him up. Right after, you got him dressed and ready for the day ahead.
'Wake up, take a shower, get dressed, eat breakfast and leave for work.'
"Let's go eat breakfast so we'll have energy for the day, okay?" You encouraged him with a smile; a smile that got his lips to fold up the same way. "Just with your smile alone, it gives me the courage to go on." A peck was given to him as you both walked downstairs. You sat him down on his boost chair and gave him a plastic fork and his breakfast. "Does it taste good?"
"Mm! Mama makes the best food in the world!"
You chuckled. "I try my best." Right after breakfast you got the rest of your and his stuff and head out the door. You hopped in your car and head off to work. 'My job requires that I work with kids, meaning that I work with kindergartners, who are just a bunch of lovely kids. Since I work at a daycare I don't have to worry about Yujiro, since he's always with me.' "Okay, we're here." you got out of the car and went to get Yujiro out. When you stepped out, your eyes shifted from left to right frantically, as if you were searching for someone. 'Living in fear like this, it's not healthy.'
With him in his arms you entered the school and was greeted by a bunch of energetic children. "Good morning (f/n) sensei~!" They rang out towards you with the loudest tone they could to show their excitement. Their little feet carried them over to you so that you could be glomped by little bodies filled with their undying energy.
'But my fear always disappears when I see the glowing smiles on their faces. I just love interacting with these kids. The same way they care for me, I care twice as much for them. I treat them all as if they were my own.'
"Good morning everyone! I hope everyone got themselves a healthy breakfast this morning." You crouched down in front of their crowd and placed Yujiro down.
"Yes~!"
"Good morning (l/n)-sensei." A man walked up towards you with a sweet smile on his lips. It was one of the other teachers that shared the class with you.
"Sugawara-sensei. Good morning." You smiled back at him.
'Sugawara -sensei is my co-worker. He also loves to interact with these small children, the same way as me, probably even more.'
"Here, your apron." He unhooked it off the hook and passed it off to you.
"Thank you." 'Sugawara-sensei has been working here longer than I have, and I've been working here for about 4 years now. When I first started out, Sugawara-sensei was always there to help me out. He's a very nice person that staff loves to talk with. He's a trusted person and has great compatibility with the kids. His personality is overall gentle but always has the energy to keep up with the kids. It's just unbelievable how he's still single at his age.'
"Sensei, are you alright? You're just standing there." Sugawara's hand waved in front of your face to bring you back to your senses.
"Ah, yes. I'm fine. Sorry about that. Okay, let's have another fun day just like yesterday!" With a fist bump to the air, the kids and Sugawara-sensei followed behind you along with a gleeful cheer.
"Okay, its time for circle time! Lets get to the rug. Sugawara said.
"Yes~!" They replied. Right up until lunch time the morning was cheery and joyful, just like any other. One of the kids fell while running around outside on the playground, but was fine by the time for lunch.
"Yujiro-chan, sit next to me." One of the boys urged him to take a seat. He patted down the spot next to him at the table and with a smile, Yujiro followed towards him with his lunch in hand. Hibari, he was a good friend, or rather best friend of Yujiro and they always stuck together since their first time meeting.
'It always makes me feel good seeing him surrounded with good friends.'
"Sensei, come on before lunch time is over." Sugawara called you over to the teachers table. His wrapped up lunch box dangled from his fingers as he called your over while heading towards the table.
"Ah, right. Let me just get my--Oh no." You faced palmed while giving a look of distress.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"I forgot my lunch at the house." You sighed in saying. "How did I manage to forget my own lunch. Well at least Yujiro has his."
"Oh no, would you like me to share mine with you? It's no problem."
"No, no. That's alright. I'll just run down to the convenience store down the street and get myself something." You waved your hands in front of you to tell him it was fine.
"Alright, but be careful." He gave you a stern look.
You knew what that look meant. "Yeah, I know. I'll try and hurry back." You took off your apron, grabbed your bag and head out the door.
The reason was for that stern look on his face was because he knew about your situation. The first time he had heard about it, he was in shock and attempted to call the police, just like you, but you plead for him not to. You didn't want him, a precious friend, to end up hurt because of something you couldn't handle on your own. He understood, but still looked out for you whenever he could.
"Welcome." The cashier said to you with a smile on his face. It was pretty much quiet in the store, no one else there but himself.
"Good morning." You bowed slightly out of respect. Right away you found yourself looking in the isle for a bento box. "This one should do." You picked it up and then went over to the refrigerator to pick up and ice tea. You came back to the cashier and placed your stuff in front of him.
"Did you forget your lunch today?" He mumbled to himself in a way.
"Excuse me?" You looked up at him in question.
"Oh, it's nothing really. It's just that whenever someone comes in here in the middle of the day and decided to pick up something quick, it's usually because they forgot their lunch or need to get lunch in general."
"I see..." You quieted down, not knowing how to respond to him.
"That'll be 1000 yen."
"Oh, right." You reached in your bag and took out the money. You handed it over and he bagged up your stuff for you. "Thank you very much."
"You're really beautiful y 'know, you should smile more."
"Eh?" Just as you were leaving the store the cashier had said something that caught your attention. "What did you say?" You turned back to face him.
"I said your beautiful." He said with a bold confidence. "Am I wrong?"
You just stood there dumbfounded. What was wrong with this guy, saying such a thing out of nowhere. You neither blushed nor got angry, but you were oddly confused. "Um...thank you?"
"What's your name?"
"Um-"
"Will you stop by here again? Are you single?"
"Excuse me! I need to go." With your eyebrows narrowed out of annoyance you gave him a small stern look that gave him a bit of shock. Without him getting a chance to say anything, you walk out of the store. 'What's wrong with him? Do people normally say something like that out of the blue to a complete stranger?' You walked back to the school and sat down to eat your lunch with Sugawara.
"What's wrong now?" He asked you while taking up a piece of rice with his chopstick and feeding it to himself. "Did something happen out there?"
"Well...--Actually no. It's nothing to worry much about."
"Did you find a creep while outside?"
"I'm wouldn't say a creep--well maybe he was...I don't know. Right when I was leaving the store, the cashier gave me a compliment and started bombarding me with personal questions."
"Really? That doesn't sound creepy to me."
"It doesn't?! But, it's the way he addressed me, acting so bold. I don't know what his intentions were by saying that, but I don't like or accept them."
"Well I'm sure he was just admiring you without trying to be creepy."
"Well he's still weird though."After lunch time had ended the rest of the day was cheerful as well. When then school had ended everyone's mothers or fathers came to pick them up to take them home after a long day. Each small child waved their goodbye until tomorrow and left. "I'll see tomorrow Koushi." You waved to him after taking up your bag and Yujiro to leave.
"See you tomorrow, be safe on your way home."
"I will, thank you." And with that, you left the school and hopped in your car after strapping Yujiro in his car seat. 'It look like I had nothing to worry about today. I'm glad.' As you pulled up to your house, you got out of the car, took the keys out of the ignition and Yuijiro out of his car seat and walked inside the house. Yujiro was clinging onto your shirt, yawning with lazy eyes. "Hey, don't fall asleep on me now. We have to have dinner soon." You placed him down on the floor and watched as he rubbed his eyes so that he could stay awake to eat. "Good boy, I'll try and have dinner ready in a few." Your ruffled his hair and sent him upstairs to take a bath.
'I hope we'll be alright toni-.' Just as you were taking the ingredients out of the fridge the doorbell rang. You paused and so did the beating of your heart. "N-" The doorbell rang again. Loud pounding followed right after, turning louder and louder by the second.
"(f/n) open the door!"
'Go away! Go away! Go away! Please just leave us alone!' Your heart was hiding in your throat and tears were forcing their way out. Your breathing became heavy as you took a step back. All of a sudden, it became quiet, at the same time your body became still. Had he gone? Did he give up?
~*Bam*~
No, he didn't. "*screams*" With the sudden loud noise of the door being kicked open, you crouched down and covered your head, as if you were ducking from something.
"Why don't you ever open the door when I ask you to!" While you were trembling violently, in came your drunk ex-husband. A hazy red dusted across his face as he wobbled in with a bottle of strong sake. "Dumb bitch! Get your ass over here!"
Trying to block him out, you kept to yourself, but that only made him more angry than he already was. "Please just go...." You mumbled quietly. Your voice was shaky and it hurt to speak with the large lump in your throat.
"What'd you say!?" He shut back the door and made his way down the hall and into the kitchen, where you were found. As he loomed over you with his intense aura he reached down towards you and raked you up from the locks of your silky hair. "Say that again! I didn't here you the first time!" He threatened you.
Your hands automatically reached up to your hair so that it would try to ease the pain of his grip. "N-no! Let go of m-!" Without letting you finish your sentence, he crashed his lips into your. He shoved your body against the fridge with a 'bam' sound. 'H-he reeks of alcohol!' While applying more pressure on your lips, it was getting harder to breathe, until he finally let go on your last second of air. "*Gasp*"
"Tch! You could never last long in a kiss, could you. It's just one of the things I hate about you."
"Y-you're hurting me!" Your tears were still flowing down your cheeks and dropping off when they reached the end of your chin. "It hurts! Renji!"
Oddly, he seemed affected by your words and released his strong clutch on your hair. When you dropped back down to the floor on your knees he crouched down to your level. While rubbing your pained head, you opened your eyes and found yourself face to face with him. You immediately backed up against the fridge in a rush to get away from him. His hands reached out towards you again and found yourself flinching by his future touch. His eyebrows narrowed and he grabbed your face from your chin to make you look at him directly.
You could smell the strong scent off the sake emitting of his person. It was making you nauseous. "Let me fuck you." His face stern and dead serious, that was what got your heart to really shake.
"N-no!" You pushed his hand away to keep his touch away from you.
"Don't act like you don't want it. When was the last time you had any dick since me, huh? I know you're just waiting for the days that I come over so that you could satisfy your lewd and horny fantasies."
"What?" 'You're wrong! My only fantasy that involves you, is the day you get what's coming to you!' He bit down on your neck and made you cry out."Ow!"
"Shut up. I know you like it when I fuck you rough. Get's you excited, right?"
"You're wrong!" You shouted.
"Am I? Well then I guess we'll have to confirm that, now won't we." He grinned and took hold of your blouse. He stretched out the clothing until it ripped in half. One after another, the clothes that were once on your body were now on the floor in shreds. You were completely naked with only your hand and legs to cover you, and shaking under him. The chill of the white-tiled floor wasn't helping out either.
'I hate this. I hate this so much! Why am I so weak? Every time I gain the smallest bit of courage to take him on, he smashes it down with just his fist alone.'
Renji took a hand to his belt and undid it, then his zipper and zipped it down. His hand reached past that, to inside his boxers to take out his hard erection. As it stood out, he held it in his hand with an evil grin on his face. When he opened up your legs, you closed them back, but he just punched you in the face. "Don't make me angry (f/n). I'm actually calm for once, so take this as my gratitude." As you looked down to the ground, you closed your eyes tightly and had your trembling spread themselves open. "That's a good girl." With his hand on your waist, he slammed himself into you and made a hurt cry leak out your mouth. His pants were slack. Right from the start his thrusts were fast and rough and not even the slightest pleasurable. He was only fucking you for his benefit. He only did this so that he would get to feel good. It didn't matter if you felt good or not, as long as he got what he wanted, he was A-okay.
Every time he came, he changed to a different position. And in every position, he was ruthless. But that was just the type of man he was. Being violent was his nature. How he caught your attention in the first place is still a mystery till this day. But it was also the reason you left him. "Renji! S-stop! I can't breathe!" Renji had you pinned to the floor with his hands clutched around your neck. Both his thumbs pressed down in the middle of your throat. Your hand were up to your neck as well, trying to loosen his grip, but he was too strong.
"Mama?" A small and gentle voice resonated in your ears throughout Renji's grunts.
"!" 'No...Please don't tell me-!' Just when you were praying the padding of small feet wouldn't get closer, those same feet stopped at the doorway of the kitchen. As you followed the feet upwards, you found your innocent son standing right there.
He was rubbing his eyes from the short nap that he had just woke up from. "Mama is dinner ready?" When his eyes laid on you, his eyes shifted over to his father and his eyes widened. He found his mother pinned down on the floor by his father with her legs spread open and tears of hurt and sorrow running down her painfully expressed face. The image was burned heavily into his mind. "Ma-"
"Oh, Yujiro, you're awake." Renji glanced over at Yujiro from the corner of his eyes while he continued to thrust into you, undaunted by his presence. "Were you sleeping? You look tired."
"R-Renji stop! Stop! I don't want him to see this!" 'No! No! No! This was the one thing I definitely didn't want him to see!'
"You came at a good time, son." He gripped tighter around your neck.
"Ah!"
"You can watch your lewd and horny mother get fucked by me. You're going to have to learn about sex sooner or later, so I guess now is a good enough time."
"What's wrong with you!? Yujiro, go back upstairs! Please! I don't want you to-"
"Shut up (f/n)! I'm trying to cum." He kept thrusting until he finally thrust out his seed.
"Papa stop! Mama is crying!" Yujiro ran up towards the both of you with tears leaking out of his sockets. "Mama!" He tried to pull his father's hands from around your neck but his strength could only carry him so far. He fell down on his behind, but got right back up and tried again. His face turning red in the attempt to set you free.
"Stop!" Renji pushed his adorable down to the ground. "You can't do anything the way you are right now. Maybe when you grow up you can take me on, but until then you're just in the way."
"Leave him alone! He didn't do anything!" 'No.'
"Hm?" His vision redirected back to you with a scary look on his face. "You never know when to stop running that mouth of yours!" He stood up on his feet and gave one heavy stomp down on your stomach. He saw your eyes bulge out a bit from the sudden impact. Spit forcefully flew out from your mouth. You were so close to puking out all your food from this afternoon and the day before. Finally he turned back to Yujiro and walked over to him.
'This is not the life I wanted for my son.'
He picked the small boy up from the floor from his neck. The small boy wriggled around as his oxygen was slowly dying out.
"M-Ma...ma."
'He shouldn't have to watch his mother cower in fear like this. He shouldn't have to cry those painful tears as his mother get's abused by his own father.' "Put him down!!" The tears started back again. "He has nothing to do with our situation! How could you do this to your own child?! He's just an innocent baby!" You crawled over to them and took Renji's ankle in hand. Just seeing the expression on your face got heated. He dropped Yujiro on his butt and went back over to you. His foot reached back to only started kicking you. His foot repetitively kicked you in all places.
"You're nothing without me (f/n)! Don't you fucking forget that!" He finally stopped kicking and turned around. He shoved his dick back in his boxers and fixed his pants to the way they were when he first got here. He fixed his shirt lastly and took his half bottle of sake and left the house. He left you with oozing semen dripping out your ass and onto the floor. Expect for the coughing and sniffling of your son, all was quiet.
"*Sigh* Yujiro...I'm so glad you're safe." You were laid out on the floor, unable to move. "Mama is so sorry that you had to see something like that. You're not hurting are you?"
"Mama~!" He ran over to you and hugged you. Trying to comfort him, your hand came up to his back and rubbed it lightly.
"Don't worry, mama is alright." You cupped his soft cheek. "Did you know? Just your smile alone gives mommy strength, so smile." You closed your eyes gently with a smile on your lips. But given the situation, there was no way he could just smile, not when you were hurt. When you were hurt, so was he. He hugged you around your neck and stayed there by your side until morning.
As you rolled over to your left to turn off the blaring alarm clock the weight of your drowsy eyelids was battling your body on whether to get up or not. After 2 minutes of just laying in your bed to sober up, you flung off the warm and comfy covers and head straight for the shower. About 10 minutes, that's how long you took in the shower. When you got out, you threw your towel on the bed and head straight for you closet to pick out an outfit for the day. But before you got there, the tall mirror that showed off your whole reflection caught your attention; or rather the red bruise on your skin. Your right hand wrapped around your stomach to hold the bruise. There was a frown on your face.
'I hope this isn't permanent.' You though to yourself then walked out of the mirrors way. "Yujiro, time to wake up." With your clothes finally on you shook the small boy, lightly, up from his slumber. At first he didn't get up, but then managed to muster up all the strength he could to rise up out of bed.
'Our day, always starts out like this. It's basically our routine.'
"Come on, let's get you washed up." You scooped him up out of your bed and took him in the bathroom to wash him up. Right after, you got him dressed and ready for the day ahead.
'Wake up, take a shower, get dressed, eat breakfast and leave for work.'
"Let's go eat breakfast so we'll have energy for the day, okay?" You encouraged him with a smile; a smile that got his lips to fold up the same way. "Just with your smile alone, it gives me the courage to go on." A peck was given to him as you both walked downstairs. You sat him down on his boost chair and gave him a plastic fork and his breakfast. "Does it taste good?"
"Mm! Mama makes the best food in the world!"
You chuckled. "I try my best." Right after breakfast you got the rest of your and his stuff and head out the door. You hopped in your car and head off to work. 'My job requires that I work with kids, meaning that I work with kindergartners, who are just a bunch of lovely kids. Since I work at a daycare I don't have to worry about Yujiro, since he's always with me.' "Okay, we're here." you got out of the car and went to get Yujiro out. When you stepped out, your eyes shifted from left to right frantically, as if you were searching for someone. 'Living in fear like this, it's not healthy.'
With him in his arms you entered the school and was greeted by a bunch of energetic children. "Good morning (f/n) sensei~!" They rang out towards you with the loudest tone they could to show their excitement. Their little feet carried them over to you so that you could be glomped by little bodies filled with their undying energy.
'But my fear always disappears when I see the glowing smiles on their faces. I just love interacting with these kids. The same way they care for me, I care twice as much for them. I treat them all as if they were my own.'
"Good morning everyone! I hope everyone got themselves a healthy breakfast this morning." You crouched down in front of their crowd and placed Yujiro down.
"Yes~!"
"Good morning (l/n)-sensei." A man walked up towards you with a sweet smile on his lips. It was one of the other teachers that shared the class with you.
"Sugawara-sensei. Good morning." You smiled back at him.
'Sugawara -sensei is my co-worker. He also loves to interact with these small children, the same way as me, probably even more.'
"Here, your apron." He unhooked it off the hook and passed it off to you.
"Thank you." 'Sugawara-sensei has been working here longer than I have, and I've been working here for about 4 years now. When I first started out, Sugawara-sensei was always there to help me out. He's a very nice person that staff loves to talk with. He's a trusted person and has great compatibility with the kids. His personality is overall gentle but always has the energy to keep up with the kids. It's just unbelievable how he's still single at his age.'
"Sensei, are you alright? You're just standing there." Sugawara's hand waved in front of your face to bring you back to your senses.
"Ah, yes. I'm fine. Sorry about that. Okay, let's have another fun day just like yesterday!" With a fist bump to the air, the kids and Sugawara-sensei followed behind you along with a gleeful cheer.
"Okay, its time for circle time! Lets get to the rug. Sugawara said.
"Yes~!" They replied. Right up until lunch time the morning was cheery and joyful, just like any other. One of the kids fell while running around outside on the playground, but was fine by the time for lunch.
"Yujiro-chan, sit next to me." One of the boys urged him to take a seat. He patted down the spot next to him at the table and with a smile, Yujiro followed towards him with his lunch in hand. Hibari, he was a good friend, or rather best friend of Yujiro and they always stuck together since their first time meeting.
'It always makes me feel good seeing him surrounded with good friends.'
"Sensei, come on before lunch time is over." Sugawara called you over to the teachers table. His wrapped up lunch box dangled from his fingers as he called your over while heading towards the table.
"Ah, right. Let me just get my--Oh no." You faced palmed while giving a look of distress.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"I forgot my lunch at the house." You sighed in saying. "How did I manage to forget my own lunch. Well at least Yujiro has his."
"Oh no, would you like me to share mine with you? It's no problem."
"No, no. That's alright. I'll just run down to the convenience store down the street and get myself something." You waved your hands in front of you to tell him it was fine.
"Alright, but be careful." He gave you a stern look.
You knew what that look meant. "Yeah, I know. I'll try and hurry back." You took off your apron, grabbed your bag and head out the door.
The reason was for that stern look on his face was because he knew about your situation. The first time he had heard about it, he was in shock and attempted to call the police, just like you, but you plead for him not to. You didn't want him, a precious friend, to end up hurt because of something you couldn't handle on your own. He understood, but still looked out for you whenever he could.
"Welcome." The cashier said to you with a smile on his face. It was pretty much quiet in the store, no one else there but himself.
"Good morning." You bowed slightly out of respect. Right away you found yourself looking in the isle for a bento box. "This one should do." You picked it up and then went over to the refrigerator to pick up and ice tea. You came back to the cashier and placed your stuff in front of him.
"Did you forget your lunch today?" He mumbled to himself in a way.
"Excuse me?" You looked up at him in question.
"Oh, it's nothing really. It's just that whenever someone comes in here in the middle of the day and decided to pick up something quick, it's usually because they forgot their lunch or need to get lunch in general."
"I see..." You quieted down, not knowing how to respond to him.
"That'll be 1000 yen."
"Oh, right." You reached in your bag and took out the money. You handed it over and he bagged up your stuff for you. "Thank you very much."
"You're really beautiful y 'know, you should smile more."
"Eh?" Just as you were leaving the store the cashier had said something that caught your attention. "What did you say?" You turned back to face him.
"I said your beautiful." He said with a bold confidence. "Am I wrong?"
You just stood there dumbfounded. What was wrong with this guy, saying such a thing out of nowhere. You neither blushed nor got angry, but you were oddly confused. "Um...thank you?"
"What's your name?"
"Um-"
"Will you stop by here again? Are you single?"
"Excuse me! I need to go." With your eyebrows narrowed out of annoyance you gave him a small stern look that gave him a bit of shock. Without him getting a chance to say anything, you walk out of the store. 'What's wrong with him? Do people normally say something like that out of the blue to a complete stranger?' You walked back to the school and sat down to eat your lunch with Sugawara.
"What's wrong now?" He asked you while taking up a piece of rice with his chopstick and feeding it to himself. "Did something happen out there?"
"Well...--Actually no. It's nothing to worry much about."
"Did you find a creep while outside?"
"I'm wouldn't say a creep--well maybe he was...I don't know. Right when I was leaving the store, the cashier gave me a compliment and started bombarding me with personal questions."
"Really? That doesn't sound creepy to me."
"It doesn't?! But, it's the way he addressed me, acting so bold. I don't know what his intentions were by saying that, but I don't like or accept them."
"Well I'm sure he was just admiring you without trying to be creepy."
"Well he's still weird though."After lunch time had ended the rest of the day was cheerful as well. When then school had ended everyone's mothers or fathers came to pick them up to take them home after a long day. Each small child waved their goodbye until tomorrow and left. "I'll see tomorrow Koushi." You waved to him after taking up your bag and Yujiro to leave.
"See you tomorrow, be safe on your way home."
"I will, thank you." And with that, you left the school and hopped in your car after strapping Yujiro in his car seat. 'It look like I had nothing to worry about today. I'm glad.' As you pulled up to your house, you got out of the car, took the keys out of the ignition and Yuijiro out of his car seat and walked inside the house. Yujiro was clinging onto your shirt, yawning with lazy eyes. "Hey, don't fall asleep on me now. We have to have dinner soon." You placed him down on the floor and watched as he rubbed his eyes so that he could stay awake to eat. "Good boy, I'll try and have dinner ready in a few." Your ruffled his hair and sent him upstairs to take a bath.
'I hope we'll be alright toni-.' Just as you were taking the ingredients out of the fridge the doorbell rang. You paused and so did the beating of your heart. "N-" The doorbell rang again. Loud pounding followed right after, turning louder and louder by the second.
"(f/n) open the door!"
'Go away! Go away! Go away! Please just leave us alone!' Your heart was hiding in your throat and tears were forcing their way out. Your breathing became heavy as you took a step back. All of a sudden, it became quiet, at the same time your body became still. Had he gone? Did he give up?
~*Bam*~
No, he didn't. "*screams*" With the sudden loud noise of the door being kicked open, you crouched down and covered your head, as if you were ducking from something.
"Why don't you ever open the door when I ask you to!" While you were trembling violently, in came your drunk ex-husband. A hazy red dusted across his face as he wobbled in with a bottle of strong sake. "Dumb bitch! Get your ass over here!"
Trying to block him out, you kept to yourself, but that only made him more angry than he already was. "Please just go...." You mumbled quietly. Your voice was shaky and it hurt to speak with the large lump in your throat.
"What'd you say!?" He shut back the door and made his way down the hall and into the kitchen, where you were found. As he loomed over you with his intense aura he reached down towards you and raked you up from the locks of your silky hair. "Say that again! I didn't here you the first time!" He threatened you.
Your hands automatically reached up to your hair so that it would try to ease the pain of his grip. "N-no! Let go of m-!" Without letting you finish your sentence, he crashed his lips into your. He shoved your body against the fridge with a 'bam' sound. 'H-he reeks of alcohol!' While applying more pressure on your lips, it was getting harder to breathe, until he finally let go on your last second of air. "*Gasp*"
"Tch! You could never last long in a kiss, could you. It's just one of the things I hate about you."
"Y-you're hurting me!" Your tears were still flowing down your cheeks and dropping off when they reached the end of your chin. "It hurts! Renji!"
Oddly, he seemed affected by your words and released his strong clutch on your hair. When you dropped back down to the floor on your knees he crouched down to your level. While rubbing your pained head, you opened your eyes and found yourself face to face with him. You immediately backed up against the fridge in a rush to get away from him. His hands reached out towards you again and found yourself flinching by his future touch. His eyebrows narrowed and he grabbed your face from your chin to make you look at him directly.
You could smell the strong scent off the sake emitting of his person. It was making you nauseous. "Let me fuck you." His face stern and dead serious, that was what got your heart to really shake.
"N-no!" You pushed his hand away to keep his touch away from you.
"Don't act like you don't want it. When was the last time you had any dick since me, huh? I know you're just waiting for the days that I come over so that you could satisfy your lewd and horny fantasies."
"What?" 'You're wrong! My only fantasy that involves you, is the day you get what's coming to you!' He bit down on your neck and made you cry out."Ow!"
"Shut up. I know you like it when I fuck you rough. Get's you excited, right?"
"You're wrong!" You shouted.
"Am I? Well then I guess we'll have to confirm that, now won't we." He grinned and took hold of your blouse. He stretched out the clothing until it ripped in half. One after another, the clothes that were once on your body were now on the floor in shreds. You were completely naked with only your hand and legs to cover you, and shaking under him. The chill of the white-tiled floor wasn't helping out either.
'I hate this. I hate this so much! Why am I so weak? Every time I gain the smallest bit of courage to take him on, he smashes it down with just his fist alone.'
Renji took a hand to his belt and undid it, then his zipper and zipped it down. His hand reached past that, to inside his boxers to take out his hard erection. As it stood out, he held it in his hand with an evil grin on his face. When he opened up your legs, you closed them back, but he just punched you in the face. "Don't make me angry (f/n). I'm actually calm for once, so take this as my gratitude." As you looked down to the ground, you closed your eyes tightly and had your trembling spread themselves open. "That's a good girl." With his hand on your waist, he slammed himself into you and made a hurt cry leak out your mouth. His pants were slack. Right from the start his thrusts were fast and rough and not even the slightest pleasurable. He was only fucking you for his benefit. He only did this so that he would get to feel good. It didn't matter if you felt good or not, as long as he got what he wanted, he was A-okay.
Every time he came, he changed to a different position. And in every position, he was ruthless. But that was just the type of man he was. Being violent was his nature. How he caught your attention in the first place is still a mystery till this day. But it was also the reason you left him. "Renji! S-stop! I can't breathe!" Renji had you pinned to the floor with his hands clutched around your neck. Both his thumbs pressed down in the middle of your throat. Your hand were up to your neck as well, trying to loosen his grip, but he was too strong.
"Mama?" A small and gentle voice resonated in your ears throughout Renji's grunts.
"!" 'No...Please don't tell me-!' Just when you were praying the padding of small feet wouldn't get closer, those same feet stopped at the doorway of the kitchen. As you followed the feet upwards, you found your innocent son standing right there.
He was rubbing his eyes from the short nap that he had just woke up from. "Mama is dinner ready?" When his eyes laid on you, his eyes shifted over to his father and his eyes widened. He found his mother pinned down on the floor by his father with her legs spread open and tears of hurt and sorrow running down her painfully expressed face. The image was burned heavily into his mind. "Ma-"
"Oh, Yujiro, you're awake." Renji glanced over at Yujiro from the corner of his eyes while he continued to thrust into you, undaunted by his presence. "Were you sleeping? You look tired."
"R-Renji stop! Stop! I don't want him to see this!" 'No! No! No! This was the one thing I definitely didn't want him to see!'
"You came at a good time, son." He gripped tighter around your neck.
"Ah!"
"You can watch your lewd and horny mother get fucked by me. You're going to have to learn about sex sooner or later, so I guess now is a good enough time."
"What's wrong with you!? Yujiro, go back upstairs! Please! I don't want you to-"
"Shut up (f/n)! I'm trying to cum." He kept thrusting until he finally thrust out his seed.
"Papa stop! Mama is crying!" Yujiro ran up towards the both of you with tears leaking out of his sockets. "Mama!" He tried to pull his father's hands from around your neck but his strength could only carry him so far. He fell down on his behind, but got right back up and tried again. His face turning red in the attempt to set you free.
"Stop!" Renji pushed his adorable down to the ground. "You can't do anything the way you are right now. Maybe when you grow up you can take me on, but until then you're just in the way."
"Leave him alone! He didn't do anything!" 'No.'
"Hm?" His vision redirected back to you with a scary look on his face. "You never know when to stop running that mouth of yours!" He stood up on his feet and gave one heavy stomp down on your stomach. He saw your eyes bulge out a bit from the sudden impact. Spit forcefully flew out from your mouth. You were so close to puking out all your food from this afternoon and the day before. Finally he turned back to Yujiro and walked over to him.
'This is not the life I wanted for my son.'
He picked the small boy up from the floor from his neck. The small boy wriggled around as his oxygen was slowly dying out.
"M-Ma...ma."
'He shouldn't have to watch his mother cower in fear like this. He shouldn't have to cry those painful tears as his mother get's abused by his own father.' "Put him down!!" The tears started back again. "He has nothing to do with our situation! How could you do this to your own child?! He's just an innocent baby!" You crawled over to them and took Renji's ankle in hand. Just seeing the expression on your face got heated. He dropped Yujiro on his butt and went back over to you. His foot reached back to only started kicking you. His foot repetitively kicked you in all places.
"You're nothing without me (f/n)! Don't you fucking forget that!" He finally stopped kicking and turned around. He shoved his dick back in his boxers and fixed his pants to the way they were when he first got here. He fixed his shirt lastly and took his half bottle of sake and left the house. He left you with oozing semen dripping out your ass and onto the floor. Expect for the coughing and sniffling of your son, all was quiet.
"*Sigh* Yujiro...I'm so glad you're safe." You were laid out on the floor, unable to move. "Mama is so sorry that you had to see something like that. You're not hurting are you?"
"Mama~!" He ran over to you and hugged you. Trying to comfort him, your hand came up to his back and rubbed it lightly.
"Don't worry, mama is alright." You cupped his soft cheek. "Did you know? Just your smile alone gives mommy strength, so smile." You closed your eyes gently with a smile on your lips. But given the situation, there was no way he could just smile, not when you were hurt. When you were hurt, so was he. He hugged you around your neck and stayed there by your side until morning.
Chapter 2
'Hm? What's this?' As your body shifts, you felt this small warmth covering the front of your body, while behind you felt cold and hard. Trying to open your heavy eyelids, you lift your head and look down at your person. 'A blanket?' You were confused. Trying to travel back to previous event's until it hit you, what had happened last night; why you were like this. When you looked to your right, you found your son snuggled up next to you, shivering. His arms wrapped around his body and only in his pajamas to keep him warm. "Yujiro!" You exclaimed in reflex to seeing him, but he didn't wake up. He was sort of a heavy sleeper. Then it finally clicked. '...You're my only light through this pitch black nightmare.' Yujiro had brought you his blanket so you wouldn't catch a cold. You grabbed the small boy in your arms and brought him closer to your body. You wanted to stay like this for a while longer but not wanting to risk catching a cold for real, you mustered up all the little strength you had at the moment and picked up both Yujiro and yourself and took the both of you upstairs. You placed his small body in your bed and tucked him in. While in his sleep he pulled the sheet over him more and snuggled down in comfort.
"You have to leave for school in 3 hours. Before then should be enough time to catch a nice rest." You patted his head while he slept soundly. With a sigh, you looked over to your dresser where you phone was placed. You walked over towards the dresser and picked up your phone to dial someone. After a few seconds of ringing, the person picked up.
"Hello? (f/n)?"
"Koushi, I don't think I'll be able to come to work today."
"What? Why not?" He sounded concerned.
"I just don't have the energy. But, will you please come by to pick up Yujiro?"
"But-"
"Please Koushi." You cut him off while biting your lip and griping onto the edge of the dresser. "I promise I'll be back in for tomorrow." You turned around to come face to face with the tall mirror again. A blank expression took over your features as your eyes roamed your body for the 3, red and new bruises that were distributed on your fair skin."...Just not today."
He took a pause and a sigh before answering you. "Alright, I'll come get him."
"Thank you." Then you hung up on him. You looked over to Yujiro again and faintly smiled. "Don't worry, I'll always protect you." You mumbled. Finally you went to your closet and picked yourself out some pajamas. Later on, after three hours you woke up Yujiro and served him his breakfast. "Yujiro, Suga-sensei is coming to the house to pick you up for school, since I can't."
"But why mama?" He put a pause in chewing.
"I don't have the energy for it today, but tomorrow, when I'm all charged up, we'll go to together again like usual."
"Okay." He continued chewing, and swallowed. He seemed kind of down about the idea, but understood what you were saying.
"Good boy." You ruffled his hair and went to go put your dish away in the sink. Right in the middle of him eating breakfast, the doorbell rang and you walked out to go answer it.
"(f/n)...is your face swollen?" Sugawara stepped closer to you with narrowed brows and eyes of suspicion."And those marks around your neck..."
You had forgotten the marks on your neck. "O-oh....yeah. I--I sort of slipped and fell y 'know." Saying that, but you knew fully well how you got that swollen cheek. You tried to laugh it off, to not make him worry any further, but it came out too weak.
"(f/n), you cannot get a swollen cheek from slipping and falling." His voice was the sternest you ever heard. "This isn't a joke (f/n)! If we don't do anything, you're going to end up-!" Sugawara wanted to finish, but thought if he said anymore it would upset everyone.
"Koushi...you don't have to w-"
"Don't tell me not to worry! You're a very close friend of mine and I care for you very much! Just let me report this guy so that you can live peacefully!"
"It's not that simple!"
"If you're worried about him hurting me then stop worrying! I'm a man too! I can take care of myself!"
"You don't get it! He's seriously dangerous!"
"How so?!"
"Suga-sensei! Please don't yell at mama! It wasn't her fault!" Yujiro came from around the corner of the kitchen and ran straight up to him, tugging on his leg and pleading that he not yell at you.
"Yuijiro?" Sugawara looked surprised when he saw the tears on Yujiro's face. He didn't expect that from him, really.
'He...He killed my older brother. All because I asked him for help...my older brother was killed.' You stood there with your head down, biting your lip to help subside the stabbing pain in your heart. You could remember it all too well. The weight of his body when he had tumbled over on you in the middle of your hallway. The wet feeling of his crimson blood spilling out of his back and staining the palm of your hands. The sound of his cell phone clattering to the floor. And the surprised look on his face right after he had been stabbed. You could remember screaming to the top of your lungs and crying for days on end. Left with a warning from him, you swore you would never get anyone you cared for involved and that you would handle the situation yourself.
"Nii-san..." You mumbled. You covered your mouth, feeling the sting of the tears that were urging on.
"....Come on Yujiro." Sugawara took his backpack from the floor and turned around. Out the door he left with Yujiro's hand in his. He left you standing there at the entrance, dazed by the past. As the both of them got in Sugawara's car, Sugawara strapped Yujiro in and left for school. On the way there, Sugawara decided to talk to Yujiro. "Yujiro, I want to talk to you about your father, if that's alright."
"..." Yujiro kept silent.
"How often does your father come over for a 'visit'?" Yujiro kept silent. "He came over last night, didn't he?" He still didn't open his mouth. "Yujiro, I want to-"
"I don't want to talk about stupid papa!" He shouted.
"Yujiro." Sugawara looked back at the boy, from his rear view mirror, who had his fists clenched up and ready to cry. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you about something like this. You're only 4 years old, so it's hard to take in. Forgive me, alright." 'But, even though he's 4 he's seems really stressed out about this situation. He must have seen something seriously bad.'
"..." Not another word was said from Yujiro. As the two of them arrived at the school, they were greeted by the rest of the kids.
"Suga-sensei, where is (l/n)-sensei?" All the kids crowded around him and Yujiro, asking for you whereabouts.
"Well," He tried to put on a smile for them. "(l/n)-sensei came down with a little cold, but she'll be back tomorrow. She just needs a lot of rest, that's all."
"Hey, how about we make her a card?" One of the girls said.
"That's a good idea!" Another one agreed.
"It should a big one!" One of the boys said while stretching out his hands to describe the size.
"We should use a lot of decorations on it too!"
"I bet (l/n)-sensei would love that very, very much. Especially if it's coming from you hearts." Sugawara said to them, earning a grin and smile from them all. "How about we get started on it now?"
"Yay~!!" They cheered while running to the big and colorful round rug. While they were sitting and chatting about what to put on the card, Sugawara went to the big cubbyhole and took out all the stuff they would need. Meanwhile, Yujiro went to the tables and excluded himself from the fun.
Sugawara had came back to the other kids with their 'tools' and set them down, along with a big piece of folded white paper. Right away they got started, some of them even fought on what they wanted to use and who got to use what first. All types of things went on that card. Their handwriting was still bad, but it was the thought that counted. But even though, the kids were able to have another fun day, Yujiro was not. He just sat away from their group and kept to himself, which had concerned Sugawara of course but he had excused it.
At the end of the school day, everyone was getting picked up by their parents, leaving happily with the the though of doing a good deed. The only one to stay back, was Yujiro. Sugawara found him staring out the window with his hands printed on the glass. He was searching for someone.
"Yujiro, it's time to go, why don't you have your stuff together?"
"I want to wait for mama."
"But-"
"I want mama to come pick me up!" As soon as he yelled he grabbed up his bag and ran right out the door. With his eyes shut, he ran as fast as his little legs could carry him. He started running down the block in the direction of the convince store.
"Yujiro!" Sugawara yelled after him. In a panic and fear for what would happen if he didn't stop him, Sugawara dashed after him. Yujiro ran and ran, his feet not getting him far though. All of a sudden, Yujiro tripped over himself and fell into the street. He hadn't realized their was a scratch on his knee until he looked down and felt a dull stinging pain on the injury. He immediately started crying.
"Yujiro! Look out!" At the sound of Sugawara's voice, Yujiro turned around and found Sugawara running towards him with a look of desperation. He tried to wipe his tears, but the tears just kept coming. Little did Yujiro know, there was a car coming straight for him
"Look out!" A sudden voice called out from a different direction. When Yujiro looked around for the voice, he saw a young man darting towards him with his arms out wide. Next thing Yujiro knew, he was being grabbed up in the same man's arms. Both Yujiro and the man tumbled over onto the sidewalk. "Hey, what were you doing in the street kid?" He gave him a stern look.
"I-I'm sorry~! I just wanted my mommy~!"
"Your mommy?" His eyebrow raised, but the his eyes flashed in remembrance of something. "*Sigh* That was a close call though. Are you alright?" The man let Yujiro go and dusted off his clothes.
"Y-Yes. Thank you very much, Oniisan." Yujiro sniffed while ribbing his eye.
"Yujiro!" Sugawara, who was now out of breathe finally caught up with the young boy. When he stopped, his hands were attached to his knees, panting his way back to a steady heart rate.
"Hey, are you this kids guardian?" The man asked.
"No, I'm his teacher. Thank you so much for saving him."
"Like that makes it any better." He mumbled. "You should keep an eye on all your students."
"I was, but he flew out of the school before I knew it."
"..."
"Yujiro." A deep voice came from out of nowhere and interrupted them.
"Papa?" Yujiro responded when realizing the man behind the voice.
"Papa?!" Sugawara looked behind him and found a handsome man with 5 o' clock shadow and in a suit. He was taller than Sugawara and slightly larger, in muscles." 'So this...Yujiro's father. He's also the same person who's been...' Sugawara's fists reflexively clenched.
"Who are you guys?" Renji looked down at them with threatening eyes.
"Are you Yujiro's father?" Sugawara asked anxiously. He finally stood up properly and turned to face Renji fully.
"What of it?" Renji then shifted his vision over to his son and stepped up to him. When he saw Yujiro flinch and take a step back, he stopped walking and crouched down to his eye level. He knew very well why Yujiro decided to take that sudden action against him. He reached in his back pocket and took out a candy bar, which just happened to be Yujiro's favorite. "Do you want it?"
".....Yes."
"Then get in the car. You want to see your mother right?"
"!" Yujiro realized his fathers words and started walking towards him, and into his arms. After getting his hair riffled by a big hand, Yujiro was picked up with one hand. Renji then whispered something in Yujiro's ear that made him cry and cling onto him.
"Were you the one who saved Yujiro?" He looked over to the man.
"I was." He stood up and dusted himself off.
"....Thank you, for saving him. His mother would have been devastated if he had gotten hurt, or worse." Taking his stern face and son away, Renji walked back to the car. When Yuijiro was secure, he drove off down the road, fast."
Still standing there dazed, Sugawara was brought to realization of what just happened. 'Oh crap! Yujiro. How could I be so dumb and let him take him like that!' Sugawara started running back to the school, but not before waving to the stranger, "Thanks again!" 'I have to tell (f/n)!' Sugawara busted through the schools doors and grabbed his phone, which was sitting on the teachers desk. He started dialing the numbers to your phone, letting it ring, but no one had picked up. He was determined to keep calling, until he got a hold of you.
Meanwhile, Renji was now pulling up to the house. "Come on." After taking Yujiro out the car seat, he lifted him up again and walked all the way up to the door, ringing the bell. Within a few seconds, the door opened with a smiling you behind it. But once your eyes laid on him, the smile disappeared and your lip quivering. He stood right at the door way, towering over you.
"What are you doing...with Yujiro?" You asked, your words coming out shaky.
"I was on my way someplace when I saw him. When I didn't see you with him, I decided to pick him up for you." He rubbed the back of his neck while looking away from you.
"......" You had no words for him, because you were speechless. He actually did something for you? You weren't buying it, but realizing Yujiro was still in his arms, you snatched him back into yours, holding him close to your body and then began glaring at him. "Please leave." Tears started to from. You were scared that another peaceful day would end up with a frightful evening. Looking upon his stern and silent face that glared down at you, was not helping either.
"....Yujiro, be good for your mom." He said to the boy, and turned to leave. Yujiro told his father goodbye and watched him wave back, with his back still turned, in response.
You watched him the whole time. From when he got in the car, to when he drove off. You were completely dumbfounded by his actions just now. How were you supposed to react. This guy actually came to your house without even raising a hand. All he did was hand over your unharmed child back his mother.
"Yujiro, are you okay? Did he do anything to you!?"
Yujiro shook his head. "No. Papa gave me my favorite candy and drove me home, that's it." You sighed in relief to his words. A huge weight was lifted off your chest.
"W-what happened to Suga-sensei?!" You had realized.
"Papa took me from him."
"..." 'They met?' Just then, the door bell rang. "Yujiro, go upstairs and wash up for dinner. You set him down to the floor and watched him run off. When you heard no more footsteps on the stairs, you turned back to the door and opened it. "Koushi!" 'He looks exhausted.'
"(f/n), I'm so sorry, I let him take Yujiro away!"
"Are you okay? You're out of breathe."
"Oh, I was sort of running a lot today." He awkwardly smiled. "But that's not the point!" He snapped himself back. "Where is he!?"
"He dropped Yujiro off and left right after I asked him to leave."
"What?!"
"I don't understand it myself. This is the first time he's ever listened to me when asking him to leave."
"I see..."
"You didn't get hurt did you? He didn't do anything to you did he?"
"No, but he sure did surprise me. He just came out of nowhere."
"That's good." You smiled lightly. "What's that in your hand?" You tilted your head to the side to try and get a better look at it.
"Ah, it's a get-well card for you. The kids decided to make you one since you didn't come in today."
You chuckled. "They're all so thoughtful. Oh, would you like to come in for dinner Koushi?"
"Oh no, that's alright. Thanks though. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Yujiro was saved today by someone."
"'Saved'? You repeated back to him. "What do you mean?" You raised a brow in question.
"Well, y' see...Yujiro almost got hit by a car this evening." He slightly hesitated in saying. He looked away from you when he said it too.
"What? A car!?"
"Yeah. He flew out of the school because he wanted you to come pick him up. Right after, he fell down into the street, right in the way of a speeding car. I was too far away to reach him, but just when he was about to get hit, a guy came just in the nick of time and grabbed him out of the way. To think if he wasn't there..."
"Who is this guy?"
"Well, he had crazy hair, basically it was like bed hair. Also, he was wearing a clerks apron."
"Bed hair?" You pondered on the characteristic. You knew you had seen someone with that kind of hair, but couldn't put a finger on it. It was a faint memory actually.
"Well, I'll see you at school tomorrow, get's a good rest tonight, alright."
"Yes, thank you for taking care of him today. I really appreciate it."
"It's nothing." He smiled. "Goodnight." He waved while pulling in the door behind him
"Goodnight." You waved back until the door shut back closed.
"You have to leave for school in 3 hours. Before then should be enough time to catch a nice rest." You patted his head while he slept soundly. With a sigh, you looked over to your dresser where you phone was placed. You walked over towards the dresser and picked up your phone to dial someone. After a few seconds of ringing, the person picked up.
"Hello? (f/n)?"
"Koushi, I don't think I'll be able to come to work today."
"What? Why not?" He sounded concerned.
"I just don't have the energy. But, will you please come by to pick up Yujiro?"
"But-"
"Please Koushi." You cut him off while biting your lip and griping onto the edge of the dresser. "I promise I'll be back in for tomorrow." You turned around to come face to face with the tall mirror again. A blank expression took over your features as your eyes roamed your body for the 3, red and new bruises that were distributed on your fair skin."...Just not today."
He took a pause and a sigh before answering you. "Alright, I'll come get him."
"Thank you." Then you hung up on him. You looked over to Yujiro again and faintly smiled. "Don't worry, I'll always protect you." You mumbled. Finally you went to your closet and picked yourself out some pajamas. Later on, after three hours you woke up Yujiro and served him his breakfast. "Yujiro, Suga-sensei is coming to the house to pick you up for school, since I can't."
"But why mama?" He put a pause in chewing.
"I don't have the energy for it today, but tomorrow, when I'm all charged up, we'll go to together again like usual."
"Okay." He continued chewing, and swallowed. He seemed kind of down about the idea, but understood what you were saying.
"Good boy." You ruffled his hair and went to go put your dish away in the sink. Right in the middle of him eating breakfast, the doorbell rang and you walked out to go answer it.
"(f/n)...is your face swollen?" Sugawara stepped closer to you with narrowed brows and eyes of suspicion."And those marks around your neck..."
You had forgotten the marks on your neck. "O-oh....yeah. I--I sort of slipped and fell y 'know." Saying that, but you knew fully well how you got that swollen cheek. You tried to laugh it off, to not make him worry any further, but it came out too weak.
"(f/n), you cannot get a swollen cheek from slipping and falling." His voice was the sternest you ever heard. "This isn't a joke (f/n)! If we don't do anything, you're going to end up-!" Sugawara wanted to finish, but thought if he said anymore it would upset everyone.
"Koushi...you don't have to w-"
"Don't tell me not to worry! You're a very close friend of mine and I care for you very much! Just let me report this guy so that you can live peacefully!"
"It's not that simple!"
"If you're worried about him hurting me then stop worrying! I'm a man too! I can take care of myself!"
"You don't get it! He's seriously dangerous!"
"How so?!"
"Suga-sensei! Please don't yell at mama! It wasn't her fault!" Yujiro came from around the corner of the kitchen and ran straight up to him, tugging on his leg and pleading that he not yell at you.
"Yuijiro?" Sugawara looked surprised when he saw the tears on Yujiro's face. He didn't expect that from him, really.
'He...He killed my older brother. All because I asked him for help...my older brother was killed.' You stood there with your head down, biting your lip to help subside the stabbing pain in your heart. You could remember it all too well. The weight of his body when he had tumbled over on you in the middle of your hallway. The wet feeling of his crimson blood spilling out of his back and staining the palm of your hands. The sound of his cell phone clattering to the floor. And the surprised look on his face right after he had been stabbed. You could remember screaming to the top of your lungs and crying for days on end. Left with a warning from him, you swore you would never get anyone you cared for involved and that you would handle the situation yourself.
"Nii-san..." You mumbled. You covered your mouth, feeling the sting of the tears that were urging on.
"....Come on Yujiro." Sugawara took his backpack from the floor and turned around. Out the door he left with Yujiro's hand in his. He left you standing there at the entrance, dazed by the past. As the both of them got in Sugawara's car, Sugawara strapped Yujiro in and left for school. On the way there, Sugawara decided to talk to Yujiro. "Yujiro, I want to talk to you about your father, if that's alright."
"..." Yujiro kept silent.
"How often does your father come over for a 'visit'?" Yujiro kept silent. "He came over last night, didn't he?" He still didn't open his mouth. "Yujiro, I want to-"
"I don't want to talk about stupid papa!" He shouted.
"Yujiro." Sugawara looked back at the boy, from his rear view mirror, who had his fists clenched up and ready to cry. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you about something like this. You're only 4 years old, so it's hard to take in. Forgive me, alright." 'But, even though he's 4 he's seems really stressed out about this situation. He must have seen something seriously bad.'
"..." Not another word was said from Yujiro. As the two of them arrived at the school, they were greeted by the rest of the kids.
"Suga-sensei, where is (l/n)-sensei?" All the kids crowded around him and Yujiro, asking for you whereabouts.
"Well," He tried to put on a smile for them. "(l/n)-sensei came down with a little cold, but she'll be back tomorrow. She just needs a lot of rest, that's all."
"Hey, how about we make her a card?" One of the girls said.
"That's a good idea!" Another one agreed.
"It should a big one!" One of the boys said while stretching out his hands to describe the size.
"We should use a lot of decorations on it too!"
"I bet (l/n)-sensei would love that very, very much. Especially if it's coming from you hearts." Sugawara said to them, earning a grin and smile from them all. "How about we get started on it now?"
"Yay~!!" They cheered while running to the big and colorful round rug. While they were sitting and chatting about what to put on the card, Sugawara went to the big cubbyhole and took out all the stuff they would need. Meanwhile, Yujiro went to the tables and excluded himself from the fun.
Sugawara had came back to the other kids with their 'tools' and set them down, along with a big piece of folded white paper. Right away they got started, some of them even fought on what they wanted to use and who got to use what first. All types of things went on that card. Their handwriting was still bad, but it was the thought that counted. But even though, the kids were able to have another fun day, Yujiro was not. He just sat away from their group and kept to himself, which had concerned Sugawara of course but he had excused it.
At the end of the school day, everyone was getting picked up by their parents, leaving happily with the the though of doing a good deed. The only one to stay back, was Yujiro. Sugawara found him staring out the window with his hands printed on the glass. He was searching for someone.
"Yujiro, it's time to go, why don't you have your stuff together?"
"I want to wait for mama."
"But-"
"I want mama to come pick me up!" As soon as he yelled he grabbed up his bag and ran right out the door. With his eyes shut, he ran as fast as his little legs could carry him. He started running down the block in the direction of the convince store.
"Yujiro!" Sugawara yelled after him. In a panic and fear for what would happen if he didn't stop him, Sugawara dashed after him. Yujiro ran and ran, his feet not getting him far though. All of a sudden, Yujiro tripped over himself and fell into the street. He hadn't realized their was a scratch on his knee until he looked down and felt a dull stinging pain on the injury. He immediately started crying.
"Yujiro! Look out!" At the sound of Sugawara's voice, Yujiro turned around and found Sugawara running towards him with a look of desperation. He tried to wipe his tears, but the tears just kept coming. Little did Yujiro know, there was a car coming straight for him
"Look out!" A sudden voice called out from a different direction. When Yujiro looked around for the voice, he saw a young man darting towards him with his arms out wide. Next thing Yujiro knew, he was being grabbed up in the same man's arms. Both Yujiro and the man tumbled over onto the sidewalk. "Hey, what were you doing in the street kid?" He gave him a stern look.
"I-I'm sorry~! I just wanted my mommy~!"
"Your mommy?" His eyebrow raised, but the his eyes flashed in remembrance of something. "*Sigh* That was a close call though. Are you alright?" The man let Yujiro go and dusted off his clothes.
"Y-Yes. Thank you very much, Oniisan." Yujiro sniffed while ribbing his eye.
"Yujiro!" Sugawara, who was now out of breathe finally caught up with the young boy. When he stopped, his hands were attached to his knees, panting his way back to a steady heart rate.
"Hey, are you this kids guardian?" The man asked.
"No, I'm his teacher. Thank you so much for saving him."
"Like that makes it any better." He mumbled. "You should keep an eye on all your students."
"I was, but he flew out of the school before I knew it."
"..."
"Yujiro." A deep voice came from out of nowhere and interrupted them.
"Papa?" Yujiro responded when realizing the man behind the voice.
"Papa?!" Sugawara looked behind him and found a handsome man with 5 o' clock shadow and in a suit. He was taller than Sugawara and slightly larger, in muscles." 'So this...Yujiro's father. He's also the same person who's been...' Sugawara's fists reflexively clenched.
"Who are you guys?" Renji looked down at them with threatening eyes.
"Are you Yujiro's father?" Sugawara asked anxiously. He finally stood up properly and turned to face Renji fully.
"What of it?" Renji then shifted his vision over to his son and stepped up to him. When he saw Yujiro flinch and take a step back, he stopped walking and crouched down to his eye level. He knew very well why Yujiro decided to take that sudden action against him. He reached in his back pocket and took out a candy bar, which just happened to be Yujiro's favorite. "Do you want it?"
".....Yes."
"Then get in the car. You want to see your mother right?"
"!" Yujiro realized his fathers words and started walking towards him, and into his arms. After getting his hair riffled by a big hand, Yujiro was picked up with one hand. Renji then whispered something in Yujiro's ear that made him cry and cling onto him.
"Were you the one who saved Yujiro?" He looked over to the man.
"I was." He stood up and dusted himself off.
"....Thank you, for saving him. His mother would have been devastated if he had gotten hurt, or worse." Taking his stern face and son away, Renji walked back to the car. When Yuijiro was secure, he drove off down the road, fast."
Still standing there dazed, Sugawara was brought to realization of what just happened. 'Oh crap! Yujiro. How could I be so dumb and let him take him like that!' Sugawara started running back to the school, but not before waving to the stranger, "Thanks again!" 'I have to tell (f/n)!' Sugawara busted through the schools doors and grabbed his phone, which was sitting on the teachers desk. He started dialing the numbers to your phone, letting it ring, but no one had picked up. He was determined to keep calling, until he got a hold of you.
Meanwhile, Renji was now pulling up to the house. "Come on." After taking Yujiro out the car seat, he lifted him up again and walked all the way up to the door, ringing the bell. Within a few seconds, the door opened with a smiling you behind it. But once your eyes laid on him, the smile disappeared and your lip quivering. He stood right at the door way, towering over you.
"What are you doing...with Yujiro?" You asked, your words coming out shaky.
"I was on my way someplace when I saw him. When I didn't see you with him, I decided to pick him up for you." He rubbed the back of his neck while looking away from you.
"......" You had no words for him, because you were speechless. He actually did something for you? You weren't buying it, but realizing Yujiro was still in his arms, you snatched him back into yours, holding him close to your body and then began glaring at him. "Please leave." Tears started to from. You were scared that another peaceful day would end up with a frightful evening. Looking upon his stern and silent face that glared down at you, was not helping either.
"....Yujiro, be good for your mom." He said to the boy, and turned to leave. Yujiro told his father goodbye and watched him wave back, with his back still turned, in response.
You watched him the whole time. From when he got in the car, to when he drove off. You were completely dumbfounded by his actions just now. How were you supposed to react. This guy actually came to your house without even raising a hand. All he did was hand over your unharmed child back his mother.
"Yujiro, are you okay? Did he do anything to you!?"
Yujiro shook his head. "No. Papa gave me my favorite candy and drove me home, that's it." You sighed in relief to his words. A huge weight was lifted off your chest.
"W-what happened to Suga-sensei?!" You had realized.
"Papa took me from him."
"..." 'They met?' Just then, the door bell rang. "Yujiro, go upstairs and wash up for dinner. You set him down to the floor and watched him run off. When you heard no more footsteps on the stairs, you turned back to the door and opened it. "Koushi!" 'He looks exhausted.'
"(f/n), I'm so sorry, I let him take Yujiro away!"
"Are you okay? You're out of breathe."
"Oh, I was sort of running a lot today." He awkwardly smiled. "But that's not the point!" He snapped himself back. "Where is he!?"
"He dropped Yujiro off and left right after I asked him to leave."
"What?!"
"I don't understand it myself. This is the first time he's ever listened to me when asking him to leave."
"I see..."
"You didn't get hurt did you? He didn't do anything to you did he?"
"No, but he sure did surprise me. He just came out of nowhere."
"That's good." You smiled lightly. "What's that in your hand?" You tilted your head to the side to try and get a better look at it.
"Ah, it's a get-well card for you. The kids decided to make you one since you didn't come in today."
You chuckled. "They're all so thoughtful. Oh, would you like to come in for dinner Koushi?"
"Oh no, that's alright. Thanks though. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Yujiro was saved today by someone."
"'Saved'? You repeated back to him. "What do you mean?" You raised a brow in question.
"Well, y' see...Yujiro almost got hit by a car this evening." He slightly hesitated in saying. He looked away from you when he said it too.
"What? A car!?"
"Yeah. He flew out of the school because he wanted you to come pick him up. Right after, he fell down into the street, right in the way of a speeding car. I was too far away to reach him, but just when he was about to get hit, a guy came just in the nick of time and grabbed him out of the way. To think if he wasn't there..."
"Who is this guy?"
"Well, he had crazy hair, basically it was like bed hair. Also, he was wearing a clerks apron."
"Bed hair?" You pondered on the characteristic. You knew you had seen someone with that kind of hair, but couldn't put a finger on it. It was a faint memory actually.
"Well, I'll see you at school tomorrow, get's a good rest tonight, alright."
"Yes, thank you for taking care of him today. I really appreciate it."
"It's nothing." He smiled. "Goodnight." He waved while pulling in the door behind him
"Goodnight." You waved back until the door shut back closed.
Chapter 3
After another usual you day, you woke up to your blaring alarm again. Trying to widen your heavy eyelids, you stretched out your arms and legs to give them a good stretch. Once your body relaxed again, you removed the covers from off you and sat up, to only then stand up and walk off to the shower. On the way, you felt your cheek and felt your once swollen cheek, not swollen anymore. Once in the bathroom, you shed off your sleepwear and stepped into the shower. As your hand reached out to turn the temperature to suit you, you began to think about Sugawara's words, about the man who saved Yujiro.
'I need to find out who this guy is, so I can thank him properly for saving Yujiro.' While standing under the hot shower, it gave you feel-good goosebumps as it soaked your skin and ran through your hair smoothly. You rubbed the soapy lathered cloth over your skin. From your legs to your thighs; to your waist to your stomach and belly button; to your arms to your chest; then from your neck to your face. All were lathered, then washed away in an instant. When you stepped out, you grabbed your white towel and wrapped it around your frame. When you walked out, your grabbed another towel and started to dry your hair.
You plopped down on the bed with a light bounce. 'Crazy hair? I doubt someone like that would be hard to miss though, so I guess he shouldn't be hard to find.' As you dried your hair, the ends dripped droplets of water onto your skin as you tried to dry it with your towel. Finally with everything dry, you went to the closet and found something to wear for the day. Before putting anything on, you put lotion on your skin, then a panty and bra went first. A pair of white jeans, and a yellow and white top that's sleeves stopped down at your elbows. all you had to do was brush your hair and that was it. After putting on clothes, you went down to make some breakfast for the both of you. And right after setting up the table and laying out the breakfast for the day, you went back upstairs to wake up Yujiro.
"Good morning." You said to him as he rose up with closed eyes. "Time to get up. Let's get you to the bath and then down to breakfast." You said while lifting him up to get him to the bathroom. When you were sure he was awake, you got him in the bath and left him alone to bathe. In about 7 minutes, he was finished and called for you to help dry him off.
"Mama, you look pretty again today." He stated. You took it upon yourself to blush.
"T-thank you. You're so sweet." You kissed his cheek and sent him to his room to get ready. In his room, Yujiro put on his outfit for the day and came out, seeking a yummy breakfast. Right after breakfast, you grabbed your lunches, his bag and yours and head straight out the door for another day with everyone. You both got in the car and sped off all the way towards the school. Once out of the car, you went around and let Yujiro out first, so you could circle back around to the other side of the car and get your things.
While the small boy stood there waiting for you, his eyes were wondering all over the place. His head whipping from side to side at the all the passing people. When his eyes laid on a particular person, his eyes widened. "Oniisan!" He called out with a bright smile and started running towards that person.
"'Oniisan'?" You had heard him say. You looked up and saw your son running away from the car. "Wait, Yujiro! Where are you going?!" You dropped your stuff and sprinted after him. When he stopped, you saw his arms wrap around someone's leg, that's when you stopped as well, in question to his actions. Yujiro was then lifted up into the strangers arms. The first thing that cam to mind was: He's going to take my baby. "Yujiro!" You picked up your feet and started running towards them. As you got up to them, you snatched Yujiro back out of the mans's hand. Your sudden action surprised both males. "What are you doing with him!?" You asked while glaring at the man. But upon staring him down, your brain was connecting and you had soon realized who this guy was. "Wait, you're the cashier from the convenience store." 'But where is his apron?'
"And you're that beautiful customer who forgot her lunch." He stated with a smile.
"Wait, Yujiro, do you know him?" You looked at him and he nodded furiously.
"Oniisan saved me yesterday!"
"Saved you?!" After a few more connections, it finally all came together. Crazy hair that was basically bed hair, it was him, he was the one who Sugawara was talking about. "You're the one who saved Yujiro!?"
"So I was right, he was your son." He said while looking over to him.
"I--I-" You had no idea what to say. The same creep guy that had randomly asked for your personal information the other day, was the savior of your 4 year old son.
He put a frown on his face. "Where were you yesterday?"
"Excuse me?" You asked him with confused features.
"I usually see the both of you together in the morning, getting in and out of the car for school."
"Usually...?" You were getting creeped out again. What was this usually? Did that mean that he was stalking you? If so, for how long?! You took a step back away from him so you could get ready to run at any second.
"Wait, I didn't mean it like that!" He took a step forward towards you to try and fix your understanding. "I just happen to notice you guys all the time. When I see you, you always seem to have a smile on your face, no matter what. Whether the weather is bad or not, you always go in and come out of that school smiling. It's a just one of those things, that a guy like me can't help but notice. And by the way, you have a beautiful smile." He said with a soft smile.
During his explanation, you were just a bit weirded out, but when he talked about your smile, red marks dusted over your cheeks. "Thank you." You said.
"No problem."
"Um...thank you so much for saving him, I appreciate it very much. I don't know what I would do without him, because, he's the only thing that makes me smile in truth. Everything I do is for him." A smiled graced your lips when you looked at Yujiro and he was affected by it, giving you a kiss to your cheek. "Anyway, if there's anything I can do for you in return for this, please let me know." You turned around to walk away.
"Your name."
"Eh?" You stopped in your tracks and looked back at him.
"What's your name? I want to know."
"Wha--" You caught yourself in an upcoming complaint, but then smiled. "It's (f/n). (l/n) (f/n)." You said in reply to his request.
"That's a nice name, (f/n)." He said.
"Thank you. If you'll excuse us now." You turned your head back and went back to the car to gather up your things so that you could get to the school.
"Bye Oniisan! See you later!" Yujiro waved to him, and he did the same. When you entered, Sugawara's grinning face was the first thing you saw when you put one foot inside. You placed Yujiro and the bags down. "W-what is it?" Both his fists were on his hips, his legs spread apart. He was standing in a rather 'confident' position.
"Welcome back!" He said.
"Where is everyone?" You looked around to see the place empty except for the three of you inside.
"Welcome back (l/n)-sensei!" Out of nowhere, the kids jumped out from hiding places and ran out towards you. With their small hands, they grabbed onto you. Their beaming and smiling faces confused you for a moment, until you understand what they were trying to do.
With a chuckle you respond, "I'm back." With grins and smiles all, the children get off you so you can stand. "I missed you all so much. And thank you all for making me that wonderfully made card, I loved it very much."
"Did you really?!" A girl asked.
"I did! You all are so creative! Sensei is very fortunate to have wonderful students like you all."
"See, I knew she would love it!" She exclaimed to others behind her.
"Here you go, sensei." Sugawara passed you your apron with a warming smile, his left hand behind behind his back.
"Thank you, you smiled." You took it from him and slipped it on over your head. 'Feels good to be back to this bubbly and happy atmosphere.'
About 1 month prior to this event, Renji was on his way somewhere. This was happening in the afternoon. When he arrived at his destination, he stepped out the car, slammed the car door shut and slipped his hands in his pockets. Where had arrived at the place, was a white building that read the words, "Anger Management Center" Renji took a sigh and then walked away to the building. When he walked inside, he could smell a mix of new furniture and incense permeating throughout the whole place.
As he looked around he saw the front desk and the woman sitting behind it. As he walked up to her, he took his hands out his pockets. "Excuse me, I have an appointment with Dr. Yoshino." He said to her.
"Ah yes, you must be Mr. Kazunori." She said with a smile. "The doctor should be finished with his his appointment in about 3 minutes, until then, you may have a seat over on the couch there." She pointed out to the comfy red couch with black buttons on it and a magazine rack next to it.
"Alright." Renji walked over to the couch and sat there as instructed, waiting for his appointment to begin with his Doctor. As Renji looked around, he noticed that this place was actually very calming. With it's solid colors, he seemed actually a bit relaxed. While sitting there he couldn't help but think about his past, and all the wrong things he's done, just because of his anger. He had felt like his anger was the source of all his downfall, but knew it was mainly his fault for letting his anger get the best of him.
"Mr. Kazunori, Dr. Yoshino will see you now." The woman called to him. Before he had knew it, it was time. "He's in room 3." As he got up, he thanked her once more and made his way down to room 3.
With a knock, followed up by a turning doorknob, Renji walked inside and found a man who looked like he was in his mid 40's sitting in a comfy red recliner chair. His hair was all black and it was slicked back. He wore a white dress shirt with it's sleeves rolled up to his elbows and black dark blue tie. He had on black suit pants with a black belt to keep his pants up. "Dr. Yoshino?"
"Yes, you must be Mr. Kazunori. Please have a seat." He directed him to the red therapy chair across from him. Dr. Yoshino watched Renji's every move from when he closed the door behind him, to when he sat in the chair. "So, Mr. Kazunori, what seems to be your problem?" Dr, Yoshino sat forward with his elbows on his knees and his clenched fists to keep his head up. "What would you like to achieve at the end of these sessions?"
Renji looked towards the floor with his hands lazily clasped together. "I want more than anything...to restore my family. I also want to atone for what I've done." He sounded serious in his words.
"I see, so you're anger is interfering with your family." Dr. Yoshino's tone was calm and collected.
"More then you know."
"Tell me, about your life, Mr. Kazunori. Where do you work, and other stuff like that."
"...I'm actually the CEO of a big automotive company."
"Oh? What company?"
"A new and uprising one, "Core"."
"Ah, I've heard of that one. So you're the CEO, huh."
"Yeah. I have one kid, a son. His name is Yujiro, and he stays with my ex-wife, (f/n). I usually just come over whenever I want." In the last sentence, Renji sort of mumbled to himself, but Dr. Yoshino was still able to hear his words.
"So you're divorced."
"Yes, but we divorced because our marriage was falling apart. In all honesty, I think it was my fault." Renji took his hand to his head and began rubbing his temples.
"And why is that?" He asked.
"My low patience, my short temper span, and the fact that I get irritated easily sometimes." Renji answered. "We were so happy together, until we one day got into an argument over me going to anger management, because I kept breaking a lot of stuff in the house. She thought it would help me. All she was doing was caring about me, but I got snapped at her, and hit her. Right then, I had broken our promise. I said I would never hit her, but then I did."
"When did you both divorce?"
"We separated half a year ago; but we were married for 4 years."
"And how old is your son?"
"He's 4. As soon as we got married, (f/n) got pregnant. I was so happy to finally be a father."
"I see...Another question towards you, Mr. Kazunori. Have you ever beaten on your child?"
"No!" Renji lashed out while finally looking up at the doctor. His eyes filled with sincerity.
"What about you ex-wife, (f/n)?"
"!!" As the question was asked, Renji's heart stopped. He clenched his fists up tight into a ball and bit down hard on his bottom lip from the burning guilt in his heart.
"Looks like a 'yes' to me. Could there be something--anything at all-- that makes you tick, about your ex-wife? Do you fine any faults in her?"
"No. She's perfect, and she's a wonderful mother. She takes care of our son with all the love and care that he needs. The problem is me."
"Mr. Kazunori, do you by any chance drink or do drugs, maybe smoke?"
"I go out drinking a times. People tell me that I can get out of control when I'm drunk, but that doesn't stop me."
"Well that's one problem." The doctor grabbed a clipboard off his desk along with a pen and wrote something down. "Let's see...Did (f/n) know you had an anger problem, before you got married?"
"She knew, but she still loved me enough to stay. Knowing that something like that wasn't enough to scare her off, made me seriously happy. No other girl I have dated before has stayed with me for so long knowing how I act, they always leave me, calling me a 'monster' or saying that I'm 'crazy' and that I 'need help', but not her. I knew she was the one for me, so I asked for her hand in marriage and she happily said yes with that gorgeous smile of hers."
"The way you talk about your ex-wife (f/n), it sounds like you have a deep and undying love for her."
"You're not wrong there. But she's terrified of me now."
'I'm not surprised.' "Have you tried to patch things up with her?"
"N-no...not yet. It never works out."
"Alright, this is what I think we should do about your 'habits' Mr. Kazunori. I want you try, and I mean really try to tone down your drinking. I mean, if you really care about your family, then there's no other way, right. Come back to me at the end of the month, and we shall take care of the rest of your problems. Also, do not step foot near (f/n)'s house. You shouldn't go there when you're not 'healthy'. Being there will just escalate the problem to even more greater heights. But we can only start to rebuild your relationship with your child's mother, if you're serious about kicking your habit, alright?"
"Yeah. Thank you, Dr. Yoshino. If it's for them, I'll try." Renji stood up, getting ready to head out of the room.
"Oh, and Mr. Kazunori,"
"Yes?" Renji turned around to face the doctor.
"Try and relax your head for a while."
"...Yes."
*****
"I said that, but I fucked up in the last week." Renji was sitting in his car with his head rested back on the headrest lazily. Half of his arm lazily hanging out the winded down car window. "Forgive me, (f/n). You really are the love of my life. No one--and I mean no one--understands me, like you do." Renji sighed softly to himself. His car was parked out side of the Anger Management Center. He opened the car door, and it took him a second before he could actually get out the car. He slammed the car door back shut and proceeded in going inside the building.
Once again, the place smelled like new furniture. It was weird smell because this building had been around for about 4 years now, why did it still smell like new furniture. Could they have possibly rented new furniture recently? Well, building smells were the least of Renji's worries. As Renji walked inside, he went to the front desk, where the usual lady was. "I'm here to see Dr, Yoshino." He explained once again to her.
"Ah, Mr. Kazunori, Dr. Yoshino is open right now, so you can just go right in. Do you remember which room he is in?"
"Yes, I do. Thank you." He bowed slightly in respect, and so did she. She watched as Renji disappeared into the hallway before talking with the next person after him. As Renji knocked on the door, he turned the knob and pushed the door open to where Dr. Yoshino was found sitting in his chair sipping his beverage out of a teacup. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wrapped around Renji's nose as he stepped further into the room, so it was obvious of what he were drinking. He closed the door behind him and progressed in taking a seat.
"Good morning Mr. Kazunori. Care for some coffee?"
"No, thank you." Renji watched as the doctor sipped his coffee and reach back his hand to place it down on his desk. A small *thunk* noise followed after it was placed down.
"How are you feeling these days?" Asked Dr. Yoshino, that was sitting in a chair with his leg crossed over the next. A clipboard in his left hand and a pen in his right.
"...Fine." Renji answered with his usual stern voice. But the way he answered was more, calm.
"Have you been able to kick your habit?"
"Sort of..."
'Sort of? That must mean he gave in at the last moment. I'll give him props for trying though.' "What about your behavior? Have you been doing what I've been suggesting?" Renji kept quiet. He wrote something down again, then proceeded in speaking. "Mr. Kazunori, where are the places you have been to this past week?"
"...."
"...Did you go over to her house?" He asked, uncrossing his legs and leaning forward. When he asked that, Renji lowered his head and gave a somber look. His right hand fitting snug over the left, clenching the both in guilt. "I see." He put the clipboard and pen down and decided not to use them. "Tell me, what did you do when you went for your 'visit'. He emphasized. "Please, be specific if you could."
"2 days ago, I went to her place, when I was drunk. I kicked down the door again, cursed at her, tore off all her clothes, punched her in the face...then I raped her. Right on the kitchen floor...I raped her again." Renji looked like he was struggling as he confessed to the man. "Yujiro, came down from his nap and saw us in the kitchen. I didn't know how to play it off so I just...I just-!" Renji couldn't fill in the unknown words he was struggling to find. "He saw what I was doing to his mother, and tried to stop me, but then I turned on him and got rough with him..."
"Even though you said you've never hit Yujiro, what made you get rough with him?"
"I don't know!! I'm a such a shitty father! Yet, he still manages to call me 'papa'...He's good kid and he'll grow up to be a great person, just like his beautiful mother."
"(f/n).... she was crying so hard, the whole time I did it to her. She plead and plead, but I wouldn't let up! I kicked her, said more hurtful words and then left her there."
'He really did fuck up...'
"It's just---When I want to go see her, I have good intentions, and I want to make our relationship better again! But every time I go up to the door, I just get so angry, because I'm reminded that she divorced me, and that she might not ever want to work it out! Every time she sees my face, she just starts to shake! Just knowing that I'm the one who put all that fear and terror into that gentle heart, makes me sick and I feel like dying. I've wanted to try suicide, but just when I'm a second away from ending it all, a flashing image of her just pops up, along with special moments that we've shared, and I chicken out."
Dr. Yoshino leaned back in his chair and crossed his leg over the other again. "Like you're life flashing before your eyes?"
"Yes! It's and endless loop and I can't stop!"
"Don't say you can't stop, because saying that will just keep the loop in play. If you really want to stop the endless cycle with her, then do the opposite of what you're doing."
"The opposite?"
"If you really want to win her back-"
"I do!"
"Then you'll have to start with kicking your drinking habit--seriously this time. Once you complete that, distance yourself away from her for a while. Help her out when she needs the help. If she feels you're going to be violent again, then back away. Show her you're no longer a threat to her or your son. Slowly, and I mean very slowly get closer to her. Instead of kicking, try knocking and ringing the doorbell. If she doesn't answer, then retreat. I suggest you ring or knock at most three time, but again, if she doesn't respond, then leave in peace. Do you really, and honestly love this woman?"
"So much." He huffed out in saying.
"Show her you want nothing but peace between the both of you, and I guarantee, she will open up her closed cage. Treat her like she's themost precious flower on this whole entire planet, because it's most likely that at this point and time, it will become very difficult for her to trust another man again, maybe even for the rest of her life." Doctor Yujiro's words caught onto Renji. He was right in so many ways. If he didn't make a change, neither would his current relationship with his family. He was the only person who could put a stop to this madness. "Well, it seems like time is up for this session, please come back next week. Same time.
"Thank you Dr. Yoshino." Yujiro stood up and bowed slightly towards the relaxed doctor. Renji went to the door and opened it, closing it right behind when he stepped out of the room. Renji walked all the way back out to the front desk and out the center's doors and into his car. As he sat down in the passenger seat, he winded down the window on his side, slipped his phone out his pocket and dialed the number to his secretary's phone.
"Hello? Takeshi, I'm not going to be able to come to work today, so please take care of everything for today."
"Wait, wh-" Before Takeshi was even able to ask a proper question, Renji hung up on him and closed is phone, slipping it back into his pocket. After inhaling and exhaling to try and calm himself, Renji placed his hand on the steering wheel, his foot on the accelerator and then sped off right away from the center.
*****
Right after school, the kids flocked to their parents who arrived to pick them up and take them back home. Before you went out the door with Yujiro, you said goodbye to Sugawara, and went on your way. When you got to the car, you placed Yujiro in his car seat and placed all your stuff beside him in the empty space and drove off after you got in.
As soon as you got home, you tried to get dinner started. "Yujiro, go take a bath while I get dinner started, okay."
"Yes!" He rang out and ran up the stairs, careful not to trip over. Looking up at the clock to see the time, you thought it was better to make something simple for dinner. Taking out pots and ingredients, you decided to make a hot pot. You were able to makes and finish dinner without any interruptions, and by interruptions, you meant Renji. You sent Yujiro up to his room to wait for you, so that you could wash up the dishes. After that, you went up stairs and tucked him in, watching him fall fast asleep.
You walked back to the door and stooped, your hand reaching up to the switch. 'Why can't we have peaceful times like these everyday?' You thought as you flicked the switch down to shut of the light.
'I need to find out who this guy is, so I can thank him properly for saving Yujiro.' While standing under the hot shower, it gave you feel-good goosebumps as it soaked your skin and ran through your hair smoothly. You rubbed the soapy lathered cloth over your skin. From your legs to your thighs; to your waist to your stomach and belly button; to your arms to your chest; then from your neck to your face. All were lathered, then washed away in an instant. When you stepped out, you grabbed your white towel and wrapped it around your frame. When you walked out, your grabbed another towel and started to dry your hair.
You plopped down on the bed with a light bounce. 'Crazy hair? I doubt someone like that would be hard to miss though, so I guess he shouldn't be hard to find.' As you dried your hair, the ends dripped droplets of water onto your skin as you tried to dry it with your towel. Finally with everything dry, you went to the closet and found something to wear for the day. Before putting anything on, you put lotion on your skin, then a panty and bra went first. A pair of white jeans, and a yellow and white top that's sleeves stopped down at your elbows. all you had to do was brush your hair and that was it. After putting on clothes, you went down to make some breakfast for the both of you. And right after setting up the table and laying out the breakfast for the day, you went back upstairs to wake up Yujiro.
"Good morning." You said to him as he rose up with closed eyes. "Time to get up. Let's get you to the bath and then down to breakfast." You said while lifting him up to get him to the bathroom. When you were sure he was awake, you got him in the bath and left him alone to bathe. In about 7 minutes, he was finished and called for you to help dry him off.
"Mama, you look pretty again today." He stated. You took it upon yourself to blush.
"T-thank you. You're so sweet." You kissed his cheek and sent him to his room to get ready. In his room, Yujiro put on his outfit for the day and came out, seeking a yummy breakfast. Right after breakfast, you grabbed your lunches, his bag and yours and head straight out the door for another day with everyone. You both got in the car and sped off all the way towards the school. Once out of the car, you went around and let Yujiro out first, so you could circle back around to the other side of the car and get your things.
While the small boy stood there waiting for you, his eyes were wondering all over the place. His head whipping from side to side at the all the passing people. When his eyes laid on a particular person, his eyes widened. "Oniisan!" He called out with a bright smile and started running towards that person.
"'Oniisan'?" You had heard him say. You looked up and saw your son running away from the car. "Wait, Yujiro! Where are you going?!" You dropped your stuff and sprinted after him. When he stopped, you saw his arms wrap around someone's leg, that's when you stopped as well, in question to his actions. Yujiro was then lifted up into the strangers arms. The first thing that cam to mind was: He's going to take my baby. "Yujiro!" You picked up your feet and started running towards them. As you got up to them, you snatched Yujiro back out of the mans's hand. Your sudden action surprised both males. "What are you doing with him!?" You asked while glaring at the man. But upon staring him down, your brain was connecting and you had soon realized who this guy was. "Wait, you're the cashier from the convenience store." 'But where is his apron?'
"And you're that beautiful customer who forgot her lunch." He stated with a smile.
"Wait, Yujiro, do you know him?" You looked at him and he nodded furiously.
"Oniisan saved me yesterday!"
"Saved you?!" After a few more connections, it finally all came together. Crazy hair that was basically bed hair, it was him, he was the one who Sugawara was talking about. "You're the one who saved Yujiro!?"
"So I was right, he was your son." He said while looking over to him.
"I--I-" You had no idea what to say. The same creep guy that had randomly asked for your personal information the other day, was the savior of your 4 year old son.
He put a frown on his face. "Where were you yesterday?"
"Excuse me?" You asked him with confused features.
"I usually see the both of you together in the morning, getting in and out of the car for school."
"Usually...?" You were getting creeped out again. What was this usually? Did that mean that he was stalking you? If so, for how long?! You took a step back away from him so you could get ready to run at any second.
"Wait, I didn't mean it like that!" He took a step forward towards you to try and fix your understanding. "I just happen to notice you guys all the time. When I see you, you always seem to have a smile on your face, no matter what. Whether the weather is bad or not, you always go in and come out of that school smiling. It's a just one of those things, that a guy like me can't help but notice. And by the way, you have a beautiful smile." He said with a soft smile.
During his explanation, you were just a bit weirded out, but when he talked about your smile, red marks dusted over your cheeks. "Thank you." You said.
"No problem."
"Um...thank you so much for saving him, I appreciate it very much. I don't know what I would do without him, because, he's the only thing that makes me smile in truth. Everything I do is for him." A smiled graced your lips when you looked at Yujiro and he was affected by it, giving you a kiss to your cheek. "Anyway, if there's anything I can do for you in return for this, please let me know." You turned around to walk away.
"Your name."
"Eh?" You stopped in your tracks and looked back at him.
"What's your name? I want to know."
"Wha--" You caught yourself in an upcoming complaint, but then smiled. "It's (f/n). (l/n) (f/n)." You said in reply to his request.
"That's a nice name, (f/n)." He said.
"Thank you. If you'll excuse us now." You turned your head back and went back to the car to gather up your things so that you could get to the school.
"Bye Oniisan! See you later!" Yujiro waved to him, and he did the same. When you entered, Sugawara's grinning face was the first thing you saw when you put one foot inside. You placed Yujiro and the bags down. "W-what is it?" Both his fists were on his hips, his legs spread apart. He was standing in a rather 'confident' position.
"Welcome back!" He said.
"Where is everyone?" You looked around to see the place empty except for the three of you inside.
"Welcome back (l/n)-sensei!" Out of nowhere, the kids jumped out from hiding places and ran out towards you. With their small hands, they grabbed onto you. Their beaming and smiling faces confused you for a moment, until you understand what they were trying to do.
With a chuckle you respond, "I'm back." With grins and smiles all, the children get off you so you can stand. "I missed you all so much. And thank you all for making me that wonderfully made card, I loved it very much."
"Did you really?!" A girl asked.
"I did! You all are so creative! Sensei is very fortunate to have wonderful students like you all."
"See, I knew she would love it!" She exclaimed to others behind her.
"Here you go, sensei." Sugawara passed you your apron with a warming smile, his left hand behind behind his back.
"Thank you, you smiled." You took it from him and slipped it on over your head. 'Feels good to be back to this bubbly and happy atmosphere.'
About 1 month prior to this event, Renji was on his way somewhere. This was happening in the afternoon. When he arrived at his destination, he stepped out the car, slammed the car door shut and slipped his hands in his pockets. Where had arrived at the place, was a white building that read the words, "Anger Management Center" Renji took a sigh and then walked away to the building. When he walked inside, he could smell a mix of new furniture and incense permeating throughout the whole place.
As he looked around he saw the front desk and the woman sitting behind it. As he walked up to her, he took his hands out his pockets. "Excuse me, I have an appointment with Dr. Yoshino." He said to her.
"Ah yes, you must be Mr. Kazunori." She said with a smile. "The doctor should be finished with his his appointment in about 3 minutes, until then, you may have a seat over on the couch there." She pointed out to the comfy red couch with black buttons on it and a magazine rack next to it.
"Alright." Renji walked over to the couch and sat there as instructed, waiting for his appointment to begin with his Doctor. As Renji looked around, he noticed that this place was actually very calming. With it's solid colors, he seemed actually a bit relaxed. While sitting there he couldn't help but think about his past, and all the wrong things he's done, just because of his anger. He had felt like his anger was the source of all his downfall, but knew it was mainly his fault for letting his anger get the best of him.
"Mr. Kazunori, Dr. Yoshino will see you now." The woman called to him. Before he had knew it, it was time. "He's in room 3." As he got up, he thanked her once more and made his way down to room 3.
With a knock, followed up by a turning doorknob, Renji walked inside and found a man who looked like he was in his mid 40's sitting in a comfy red recliner chair. His hair was all black and it was slicked back. He wore a white dress shirt with it's sleeves rolled up to his elbows and black dark blue tie. He had on black suit pants with a black belt to keep his pants up. "Dr. Yoshino?"
"Yes, you must be Mr. Kazunori. Please have a seat." He directed him to the red therapy chair across from him. Dr. Yoshino watched Renji's every move from when he closed the door behind him, to when he sat in the chair. "So, Mr. Kazunori, what seems to be your problem?" Dr, Yoshino sat forward with his elbows on his knees and his clenched fists to keep his head up. "What would you like to achieve at the end of these sessions?"
Renji looked towards the floor with his hands lazily clasped together. "I want more than anything...to restore my family. I also want to atone for what I've done." He sounded serious in his words.
"I see, so you're anger is interfering with your family." Dr. Yoshino's tone was calm and collected.
"More then you know."
"Tell me, about your life, Mr. Kazunori. Where do you work, and other stuff like that."
"...I'm actually the CEO of a big automotive company."
"Oh? What company?"
"A new and uprising one, "Core"."
"Ah, I've heard of that one. So you're the CEO, huh."
"Yeah. I have one kid, a son. His name is Yujiro, and he stays with my ex-wife, (f/n). I usually just come over whenever I want." In the last sentence, Renji sort of mumbled to himself, but Dr. Yoshino was still able to hear his words.
"So you're divorced."
"Yes, but we divorced because our marriage was falling apart. In all honesty, I think it was my fault." Renji took his hand to his head and began rubbing his temples.
"And why is that?" He asked.
"My low patience, my short temper span, and the fact that I get irritated easily sometimes." Renji answered. "We were so happy together, until we one day got into an argument over me going to anger management, because I kept breaking a lot of stuff in the house. She thought it would help me. All she was doing was caring about me, but I got snapped at her, and hit her. Right then, I had broken our promise. I said I would never hit her, but then I did."
"When did you both divorce?"
"We separated half a year ago; but we were married for 4 years."
"And how old is your son?"
"He's 4. As soon as we got married, (f/n) got pregnant. I was so happy to finally be a father."
"I see...Another question towards you, Mr. Kazunori. Have you ever beaten on your child?"
"No!" Renji lashed out while finally looking up at the doctor. His eyes filled with sincerity.
"What about you ex-wife, (f/n)?"
"!!" As the question was asked, Renji's heart stopped. He clenched his fists up tight into a ball and bit down hard on his bottom lip from the burning guilt in his heart.
"Looks like a 'yes' to me. Could there be something--anything at all-- that makes you tick, about your ex-wife? Do you fine any faults in her?"
"No. She's perfect, and she's a wonderful mother. She takes care of our son with all the love and care that he needs. The problem is me."
"Mr. Kazunori, do you by any chance drink or do drugs, maybe smoke?"
"I go out drinking a times. People tell me that I can get out of control when I'm drunk, but that doesn't stop me."
"Well that's one problem." The doctor grabbed a clipboard off his desk along with a pen and wrote something down. "Let's see...Did (f/n) know you had an anger problem, before you got married?"
"She knew, but she still loved me enough to stay. Knowing that something like that wasn't enough to scare her off, made me seriously happy. No other girl I have dated before has stayed with me for so long knowing how I act, they always leave me, calling me a 'monster' or saying that I'm 'crazy' and that I 'need help', but not her. I knew she was the one for me, so I asked for her hand in marriage and she happily said yes with that gorgeous smile of hers."
"The way you talk about your ex-wife (f/n), it sounds like you have a deep and undying love for her."
"You're not wrong there. But she's terrified of me now."
'I'm not surprised.' "Have you tried to patch things up with her?"
"N-no...not yet. It never works out."
"Alright, this is what I think we should do about your 'habits' Mr. Kazunori. I want you try, and I mean really try to tone down your drinking. I mean, if you really care about your family, then there's no other way, right. Come back to me at the end of the month, and we shall take care of the rest of your problems. Also, do not step foot near (f/n)'s house. You shouldn't go there when you're not 'healthy'. Being there will just escalate the problem to even more greater heights. But we can only start to rebuild your relationship with your child's mother, if you're serious about kicking your habit, alright?"
"Yeah. Thank you, Dr. Yoshino. If it's for them, I'll try." Renji stood up, getting ready to head out of the room.
"Oh, and Mr. Kazunori,"
"Yes?" Renji turned around to face the doctor.
"Try and relax your head for a while."
"...Yes."
*****
"I said that, but I fucked up in the last week." Renji was sitting in his car with his head rested back on the headrest lazily. Half of his arm lazily hanging out the winded down car window. "Forgive me, (f/n). You really are the love of my life. No one--and I mean no one--understands me, like you do." Renji sighed softly to himself. His car was parked out side of the Anger Management Center. He opened the car door, and it took him a second before he could actually get out the car. He slammed the car door back shut and proceeded in going inside the building.
Once again, the place smelled like new furniture. It was weird smell because this building had been around for about 4 years now, why did it still smell like new furniture. Could they have possibly rented new furniture recently? Well, building smells were the least of Renji's worries. As Renji walked inside, he went to the front desk, where the usual lady was. "I'm here to see Dr, Yoshino." He explained once again to her.
"Ah, Mr. Kazunori, Dr. Yoshino is open right now, so you can just go right in. Do you remember which room he is in?"
"Yes, I do. Thank you." He bowed slightly in respect, and so did she. She watched as Renji disappeared into the hallway before talking with the next person after him. As Renji knocked on the door, he turned the knob and pushed the door open to where Dr. Yoshino was found sitting in his chair sipping his beverage out of a teacup. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wrapped around Renji's nose as he stepped further into the room, so it was obvious of what he were drinking. He closed the door behind him and progressed in taking a seat.
"Good morning Mr. Kazunori. Care for some coffee?"
"No, thank you." Renji watched as the doctor sipped his coffee and reach back his hand to place it down on his desk. A small *thunk* noise followed after it was placed down.
"How are you feeling these days?" Asked Dr. Yoshino, that was sitting in a chair with his leg crossed over the next. A clipboard in his left hand and a pen in his right.
"...Fine." Renji answered with his usual stern voice. But the way he answered was more, calm.
"Have you been able to kick your habit?"
"Sort of..."
'Sort of? That must mean he gave in at the last moment. I'll give him props for trying though.' "What about your behavior? Have you been doing what I've been suggesting?" Renji kept quiet. He wrote something down again, then proceeded in speaking. "Mr. Kazunori, where are the places you have been to this past week?"
"...."
"...Did you go over to her house?" He asked, uncrossing his legs and leaning forward. When he asked that, Renji lowered his head and gave a somber look. His right hand fitting snug over the left, clenching the both in guilt. "I see." He put the clipboard and pen down and decided not to use them. "Tell me, what did you do when you went for your 'visit'. He emphasized. "Please, be specific if you could."
"2 days ago, I went to her place, when I was drunk. I kicked down the door again, cursed at her, tore off all her clothes, punched her in the face...then I raped her. Right on the kitchen floor...I raped her again." Renji looked like he was struggling as he confessed to the man. "Yujiro, came down from his nap and saw us in the kitchen. I didn't know how to play it off so I just...I just-!" Renji couldn't fill in the unknown words he was struggling to find. "He saw what I was doing to his mother, and tried to stop me, but then I turned on him and got rough with him..."
"Even though you said you've never hit Yujiro, what made you get rough with him?"
"I don't know!! I'm a such a shitty father! Yet, he still manages to call me 'papa'...He's good kid and he'll grow up to be a great person, just like his beautiful mother."
"(f/n).... she was crying so hard, the whole time I did it to her. She plead and plead, but I wouldn't let up! I kicked her, said more hurtful words and then left her there."
'He really did fuck up...'
"It's just---When I want to go see her, I have good intentions, and I want to make our relationship better again! But every time I go up to the door, I just get so angry, because I'm reminded that she divorced me, and that she might not ever want to work it out! Every time she sees my face, she just starts to shake! Just knowing that I'm the one who put all that fear and terror into that gentle heart, makes me sick and I feel like dying. I've wanted to try suicide, but just when I'm a second away from ending it all, a flashing image of her just pops up, along with special moments that we've shared, and I chicken out."
Dr. Yoshino leaned back in his chair and crossed his leg over the other again. "Like you're life flashing before your eyes?"
"Yes! It's and endless loop and I can't stop!"
"Don't say you can't stop, because saying that will just keep the loop in play. If you really want to stop the endless cycle with her, then do the opposite of what you're doing."
"The opposite?"
"If you really want to win her back-"
"I do!"
"Then you'll have to start with kicking your drinking habit--seriously this time. Once you complete that, distance yourself away from her for a while. Help her out when she needs the help. If she feels you're going to be violent again, then back away. Show her you're no longer a threat to her or your son. Slowly, and I mean very slowly get closer to her. Instead of kicking, try knocking and ringing the doorbell. If she doesn't answer, then retreat. I suggest you ring or knock at most three time, but again, if she doesn't respond, then leave in peace. Do you really, and honestly love this woman?"
"So much." He huffed out in saying.
"Show her you want nothing but peace between the both of you, and I guarantee, she will open up her closed cage. Treat her like she's themost precious flower on this whole entire planet, because it's most likely that at this point and time, it will become very difficult for her to trust another man again, maybe even for the rest of her life." Doctor Yujiro's words caught onto Renji. He was right in so many ways. If he didn't make a change, neither would his current relationship with his family. He was the only person who could put a stop to this madness. "Well, it seems like time is up for this session, please come back next week. Same time.
"Thank you Dr. Yoshino." Yujiro stood up and bowed slightly towards the relaxed doctor. Renji went to the door and opened it, closing it right behind when he stepped out of the room. Renji walked all the way back out to the front desk and out the center's doors and into his car. As he sat down in the passenger seat, he winded down the window on his side, slipped his phone out his pocket and dialed the number to his secretary's phone.
"Hello? Takeshi, I'm not going to be able to come to work today, so please take care of everything for today."
"Wait, wh-" Before Takeshi was even able to ask a proper question, Renji hung up on him and closed is phone, slipping it back into his pocket. After inhaling and exhaling to try and calm himself, Renji placed his hand on the steering wheel, his foot on the accelerator and then sped off right away from the center.
*****
Right after school, the kids flocked to their parents who arrived to pick them up and take them back home. Before you went out the door with Yujiro, you said goodbye to Sugawara, and went on your way. When you got to the car, you placed Yujiro in his car seat and placed all your stuff beside him in the empty space and drove off after you got in.
As soon as you got home, you tried to get dinner started. "Yujiro, go take a bath while I get dinner started, okay."
"Yes!" He rang out and ran up the stairs, careful not to trip over. Looking up at the clock to see the time, you thought it was better to make something simple for dinner. Taking out pots and ingredients, you decided to make a hot pot. You were able to makes and finish dinner without any interruptions, and by interruptions, you meant Renji. You sent Yujiro up to his room to wait for you, so that you could wash up the dishes. After that, you went up stairs and tucked him in, watching him fall fast asleep.
You walked back to the door and stooped, your hand reaching up to the switch. 'Why can't we have peaceful times like these everyday?' You thought as you flicked the switch down to shut of the light.
Chapter 4
"Oniisan!" Shouted Yujiro as he jumped out of your arms with a big leap. As soon as his feet touched the concrete, he started running at full speed, then jumped into Kuroo's arms, just like he did the last time. His face screamed 'happy' as he saw Kuroo once again. Kuroo had also seemed happy to see him again.
"Not again." You groaned. "Yujiro!" You called out to him. You quickly shut the car door and started running after him with your bags in hand. Your breasts bouncing as you ran. The bags in your hands were flopping all over the place, until you bettered their potions on your shoulder and kept them in place with one hand.
"Morning Yujiro, (f/n)." Kuroo said as you finally caught up to him. You were bent over with your hands on your knees, trying to catch your breath. The bags on your arms were slacking off your shoulder. "Aren't you a little too young to be out of shape?"
"Be quiet." You looked up at him. "I'm in perfectly good shape, it's just that it's hard to run with bags in your hands." You explained.
"Uh huh." Kuroo placed Yujiro down on his feet and bent down his level, his hand coming up to his head to rub it. "Yujiro, you shouldn't leave your mothers side every time you see me. You shouldn't leave her side at all, it's dangerous and you could get taken away from her. You wouldn't want that, would you?"
"Okay! I won't do it again!" Yujiro beamed up a smile to Kuroo, which made him smile back.
As you watched the both of them, you noticed that Kuroo didn't have his apron on again. 'He wasn't wearing his apron yesterday either.' Instead he was wearing the work clothes of a waiter. A red dress shirt with a black vest, tie and pants. "Hey, where's your apron?" You spoke out, interrupting them.
"Huh?" Kuroo looked up at you. He finally stood back up so that he could conversate with you properly.
"Your apron. I noticed yesterday as well, but your not wearing it, why? Did you get fired?"
"Why would getting 'fired' be the first thing that came to your mind?" Kuroo crossed his arms with an entertained smile.
"I don't know, maybe because you look like a slacker right off the bat."
"Ouch. Well, I'll have you know that I didn't get fired. I quit me job there. And I've heard lot's of women say they think my bed hair quite sexy."
'Sexy? Anything but 'sexy' is the word to describe that mess. It looks like there's a jungle sitting on his head.' You chuckled. "Why?"
'She laughed.' Kuroo took notice. "I wasn't making as much as I wanted there, so I got a new job."
"Where?"
"Are asking me so that you could watch me work when I'm not looking?" Kuroo stepped up to you, grinning his teeth off.
"No." You said bluntly. "I'm just curious is all. But I'm guessing it has something to do with the occupation of a waiter."
"Bingo. I work at the cafe down the street." Kuroo pointed with his thumb over to the medium sized brown building across the street with a fair amount of decorations on it. The banner had clocks around their name, "Timeless Roses". It was a shop that recently opened up 3 months ago. A rather upcoming popular shop that would catch the attention of pedestrians or people driving by. People would spread the word about how good the service, food and beverages, were.
"Timeless Roses? Ah, I've passed there lots of times, but I've never actually gone inside to have anything, since I'm mostly busy and stuff. Though I guess I could plan to go with my friends one day on the weekend."
"That's perfect then. Whenever you have the free time, you should stop by. I'll serve you whatever you'd like."
"No that's alright. Thank you for the invitation though." You briefly smiled as you took Yujiro's hand in yours. Just as you turn around with your back facing him, you looked back to say, "Have a nice day." And walked away with your son off to school.
'I just got rejected,' Kuroo raised his brows in surprise. 'That's a first.' Kuroo thought to himself as he watched you walk away. 'But that also means she's a keeper.' Kuroo couldn't help but smile to himself. "I want to be able to get you in my arms, and hold you as soon as possible, (f/n)."
"Bye Oniisan!" Yujiro turned to wave back at him, and Kuroo did indeed wave back. "Work hard!" He cheered him on.
"Thank you, you do the same." Kuroo couldn't help but smile at the energized youth.
"Kuroo-san! We're about to open soon!" A young girl wearing a similar attire to Kuroo's called out to him from the cafe. She waved out to him with half her body sticking out the door while the other half was inside the cafe.
"I'm coming." Kuroo looked out for any passing cars before jogging over towards his new workplace.
"Was that your girlfriend?" The smiling girl asked while opening the door wider for him to come inside. She backed up while Kuroo stepped forward so he could have enough room to walk around. "She's really pretty."
"No." He stated while going past the cashier's desk and into the back room. "But I hope one day she will be. She's acting cold to me right now, but I know she'll come around. It'll only be a matter of time before I get to call her mine."
"Hm~ If she doesn't," The girl followed right behind him until she got to cashier's desk. "Then you can date me, right~" She started to grin with her hands hidden behind her back as she called out to him through the door so he could hear.
"We'll see." Kuroo shrugged his shoulders as he called out back to her. Since then, the same scenario had been playing out. Kuroo greeted both you and Yujiro and tried to interact with you, but you just basically pushed him away. Sometimes he would even go so far as to walk you both to the door of the school. This went on for about a good 2 weeks. "You're looking lovely again this morning."
"Um...Thank you." 'Seriously what is wrong with him. He's creeping me out. Doesn't he have work or something to go to. Since the first time we met, this guy has been giving me nothing but compliments, nonstop, and now he's trying to get even closer to me by asking me personal questions. It's creepy. He's making me weary and I'm tired of seeing him.' You looked down at Yujiro, who was smiling while watching Kuroo talk to you. 'But Yujiro doesn't seem to feel that way when it comes to this guy. I think he's liking him even more every time he sees him.'
"(f/n), do you want to go on a date with me this weekend? It'll be my treat." Kuroo jogged up to your car to greet both you and Yujiro. A smile plastered on his face as he saw you get out your car. "I know a great place where we can get some grub."
"No thank you." You declined sounding exhausted. You started walking away from both the car and him.
"How about next weekend?"
"No thank you, I'm not interested in dating right now or ever. I just want to focus on taking care of Yujiro and my job." 'Besides, it's not like I get any help in the first place.'
'She's not interested in dating? Even though she's still so young, that's waste of he beauty.' "What about your phone number?"
As your hand reached out to push open the schools door you stopped. "What about it?" You turned back to him.
"May I have it?"
"No you may not."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to give it to you," Your eyebrows furrowed at him. Now please leave me alone!" You yelled at him and walked inside the school without another word. You left him standing outside stunned by your sudden tone of voice.
"Sensei~! Good morning!" The kids rushed up to you with big smiles and grins. You greeted the kids and then they made way for you so you could walk. Sugawara came up to you as well. "What's the matter (f/n)? The day just started and you're already tired?"
"I'll tell you at lunch time." You said while walking past the kids and to the hooks and grabbed your apron and slipped it on over your head.
"Alright." Once lunch time came, you were already sitting at the teachers lunch table alone and Sugawara walked up to you and sat beside you while setting his lunch down on the table beside yours. "So, what's the matter with you? Why do you look so tired?"
"Well, it's just that...That guy won't leave me alone." You sighed.
"What guy?" Sugawara unraveled the cloth tied around his lunch box, then opened up his lunchbox afterwards.
"The guy from the convenience store. You know that guy with the crazy hair, aka Yujiro's savior." You explained while opening up your lunch box. You gave thanks for your food and picked up your chopsticks to eat.
"Oh~ Him?"
"Yeah." You took in a bite of rice. "At first I didn't really mind him, but every time I get out of the car, he's just there, ready to greet us and talk up a storm. Yujiro doesn't seem to mind one bit though. Everyday it's either a compliment or a question about going on a date and stuff."
"Well if he's doing that, then doesn't that mean that he likes you."
"Even if that's the case-"
"Which it is." Sugawara interrupted to say.
"I don't want to get involved with him, or any other man for that matter. All men, are just...the worst. I don't trust them, I don't think I ever will. None of them have any good intentions, ever." The grim look on your face while you spoke.
"Hey, I'm a man too."
"Well, you're an exception Koushi, I obviously trust you. You're different from the rest of them."
"(f/n), not every single guy in the world is like 'him'. I won't let you ruin the rest of your youth and dating life all because of some guy who...y 'know." You kept silent and listened to him. "You shouldn't completely close off your heart. This is your chance to turn your life around, don't you think so? I see how he acts around Yujiro sometimes, he has good chemistry with kids. That's a plus. And, he's seems like he's really nice guy."
"He 'seems' that way, that doesn't exactly mean his is. I just don't really see the goodness in dating again. And even if I decided to do that, I have Yujiro to worry about, and my jo-"
"Stop using Yujiro and your job as an excuse to hide behind."
"..."
"(f/n), you're a beautiful young woman. You're going to waste your life away, not knowing what real love is, just because you're insecure about men. It's really is waste." Sugawara sighed. "I know tons of guys who would love to meet up with you too. At least say you'll try to warm up to him. And if you're not going to do it for you, at least do it for Yujiro."
".....Fine, but just a little." You used your index and thumb and closed a space between to show how little you would put in the effort.
"Atta girl."
*****
At the end of the day, the parents came to pick their children up once again. For the first time, and unexpectedly Kuroo came to the kindergarten. 'What the heck! Why is he here?!' You looked over to Sugawara who in return shrugged his shoulders. "Um...what are you doing here?" You walked up to him but kept a good distance, fearing his answer.
'Why is she distancing herself away from me like that? Is she that creeped and weirded out by me? That's not good, she probably hates me now for being too clingy.' "I'm here to pick my nephew."
"You're nephew?!" Your eyes bulged out slightly. 'W-who could his nephew you be?' Just as you looked back, one kid--the last one to get picked up--started running towards him.
"Uncle Kuroo!" The small child, running at a face speed, spread open his arms wide so that he could get picked up. His bag jumping up and down with him.
"'Uncle?!'" Your head followed up along with the boy as he jumped into Kuroo's arms. Both you and Sugawara were surprised.
"Hey Takahiro." Kuroo scooped up your student up in his arms and sat him in his arms while his small arms wrapped around Kuroo's neck.
"You're Takahiro-kun's 'Uncle'?"
"Yeah. Didn't I tell you?" He joked.
"Of course not!"
"Sensei! Sensei! Come meet my uncle Kuroo!" Takahiro called out for you. You awkwardly stepped forward as Kuroo put out his open hand towards you to shake. You hesitated before reaching out your right hand to him to grasp. As your hand held his, he gave you a firm grasp along with a shake.
'Her hand is so soft and small. It's a perfect fit in mine.' "It's nice to meet you, sensei." Kuroo smirked. "Thank you so much for much taking care of Takahiro at school."
"Y-yes, Kuroo-san." 'So his name is Kuroo...Huh.'
"Well, thanks again sensei. I'll see tomorrow." Both Kuroo and Takahiro waved to you, then Kuroo turned on his heel and left out the school doors.
"Well that was unexpected." Sugawara said as he grabbed onto his apron and pulled it over his head. He placed his apron on a hook and turned to get his things ready.
"Yes, it was." You took off your as well and placed it on the hook.
"Mama, is it time to go yet~?" A dragged out voice caught your attention. Yujiro came up to you with his jacket and bag on. You could tell from the drowsiness in his eyebrows that he was tired and wasn't able to stay up much longer. He was struggling alone just to keep his head up.
"O-Oh, yeah, let's go." You rushed to put on your coat and grab your bags. "See you tomorrow Koushi!" You waved to him and left the school. "Come on, let's get you home fast so that you can get some sleep." Once you got to the car, you placed Yujiro in his car seat and strapped him in. He immediately fell asleep. His head leaned over to the side and kept there the whole way home.
*****
The next day Kuroo came up to you once again, "K-Kuroo-san...Good morning." But this time, he had something in his hand. It was a white box held together with a single, long blue string. He held it from the bottom of the box and came right up to you with a smile. "What is that?" You asked trying to get Yujiro out of the car.
"Good morning. This is a cake, for you." You held it out in front of you. "It's from the cafe. It's really good cake."
"A cake for me? But why?" You pulled Yujiro from out of his car seat and into your arms. He clung to you while he flashed Kuroo a smile.
"Well, it's more like an apology cake." He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck while looking away from your you.
"An apology? What for?"
"For bothering you everyday."
"O-oh..."
"Yeah...I didn't mean to get you mad or anything, I just thought, 'Maybe if I try my best to get close to her, then she'll come around and change her mind about me,' basically. I wouldn't blame you if you thought I was a creep, but I just didn't want you to hate me so I brought this to you."
"U-um...thank you very much." 'I may think he's a bit creepy, but I don't 'hate' the guy.' "That's very sweet and thoughtful of you." You smiled earnestly at him.
"There we go, the smile I've been waiting to see for ages." He said. 'Good, it looks like she doesn't hate me after all.' Kuroo's heart now felt at ease.
"You-" You caught on and started to blush. "Thank you, again."
"Mama, you're all red!" Yujiro exclaimed as your flushed cheeks and slowly turning face caught his attention.
"Anyways, I want to start all over with you, if that's okay."
"Yes, that would be fine. I don't mind that at all."
"Then, how about we go to the amusement park tomorrow, the 3 of us together." Kuroo suggested.
"The 3 of us?" You cocked your head to the side in question to this '3'.
"Yeah. Me you and Yujiro. But if you're busy, then we can do it some other time."
"O-oh!" You looked at Yujiro who had stars in his eyes. "Well, I have to see if he wants to go. Yujiro, do you want to go to the amusement park with Kuroo-san?"
"Yes! I want to go! I want to go!"
"Well, if he wants to, then I'll go as well." You smiled at him. "I think it'll be nice to get out somewhere instead of being cooped up in the house all day. Plus, I hear tomorrow is going to be wonderful with sunny weather.
"Kuroo felt his eyes bulge out in excitement. A smile formed on his mouth as he started thinking about 'Yes! She wants to go!' "That's great! I'll pick you up at 9:00."
'How is going to pick me up if he doesn't even know my address.' "Kuroo-san, you don't know my address."
"That's right. Well, it's the perfect time to tell me now so I can learn the way and get there."
"How about, we meet you at there."
“Meeting is a good idea too.” ‘Damn, she saw right though me.’
“Then, we’ll see you tomorrow, Kuroo-san.” You waved to him and so do Yujiro. Yujiro’s wave was more of an excited one then a gentle on like yours. You then walked away with Yujiro to the school.
As Kuroo started to see you walk off, he got an idea. “Oh, I’ll walk with you there, to the school.” Kuroo jogged up to you and started walking beside you. You honestly couldn't help but crack a small smile on your lips.
“Thank you.” You said to him. The same small smile was transferred onto Kuroo’s lips.
“It’s no problem.” As you guys arrived to the school’s doors, Kuroo opened them up for you so you wouldn't have to struggle. “Have a nice day.”
“And to you as well.” You stepped right on through as you said so. Kuroo then closed the door and left for work down the street.
“(f/n)-sensei~!” The kids ran up to you to greet you.
“Was that Kuroo-san just now?” Sugawara came up to you and asked with his hand propped finely on his hip.
“Hm? Oh, yes.” You answered his question.
“What did he want? Did Takahiro forget something?”
“No, he just walked us to the door.”
“What’s that?” Sugawara pointed to the small white box with the blue string tied around it. “Is that a cake?”
“Oh this?” You held it up. “It is. He gave it to me as an apology.”
“An apology? For what?”
“For bothering me every day. He must have figured out that I was annoyed, especially with the way I kind of lashed out at him. You looked down feeling a bit guilty in your action. “He said he wanted to start over with me.”
“Sensei, is that cake?!”
“Did you buy it for us!?” The kids started getting curious about the cake. “Can we have some?”
“Hey, hey, don’t be greedy about the cake now.” Sugawara told them.
“Sorry.” They apologized to you.
“It’s alright.” You crouched down to their level with a smile. “Why don’t we share the cake after lunch time? How does that sound?” The kids cheered happily and that made you laugh. Right at lunch time, the kids started to eat, eagerly waiting for the cake that was to be shared among them and you and Sugawara. “Oh that’s right, I forgot to tell you, he asked me out this morning.” You popped a piece of food in your mouth with your chopsticks.
After you saying so, Sugawara paused in the action of about to place another piece of rice in his mouth. “He what!?” He turned to you. “How could you just ‘forget’ to tell me something like that? What did he say?” What did you say?
“It’s not like it’s that important.”
“Of course it is!”
“Well, he asked me, if we would like to go to the amusement park with him tomorrow, and I said yes.”
“Wait, ‘we’? Whose ‘we’?”
“‘We’ as in me, Yujiro and him.” You continued to eat after explaining it to him.
Sugawara just sighed. ‘I knew it. No wonder she said it wasn’t that important. Well, at least she said ‘yes’ to the guy.’ “I’m glad you decided to give him a chance.”
“It’s just a friendly outing. It’s nothing special to get so worked up about.”
“I guess so. Well, I hope you bo-" Sugawara caught himself for correction. “You three, have fun.”
“Thank you. Ah, maybe you could come with us.”
“(f/n), that would be wrong for so many reasons. Just go with amount you have now, you don’t need anyone else to interrupt.”
“Really? Well, it didn't hurt to ask.” But to be honest, you really asked him to come, because you were unsure about this whole thing.
"Not again." You groaned. "Yujiro!" You called out to him. You quickly shut the car door and started running after him with your bags in hand. Your breasts bouncing as you ran. The bags in your hands were flopping all over the place, until you bettered their potions on your shoulder and kept them in place with one hand.
"Morning Yujiro, (f/n)." Kuroo said as you finally caught up to him. You were bent over with your hands on your knees, trying to catch your breath. The bags on your arms were slacking off your shoulder. "Aren't you a little too young to be out of shape?"
"Be quiet." You looked up at him. "I'm in perfectly good shape, it's just that it's hard to run with bags in your hands." You explained.
"Uh huh." Kuroo placed Yujiro down on his feet and bent down his level, his hand coming up to his head to rub it. "Yujiro, you shouldn't leave your mothers side every time you see me. You shouldn't leave her side at all, it's dangerous and you could get taken away from her. You wouldn't want that, would you?"
"Okay! I won't do it again!" Yujiro beamed up a smile to Kuroo, which made him smile back.
As you watched the both of them, you noticed that Kuroo didn't have his apron on again. 'He wasn't wearing his apron yesterday either.' Instead he was wearing the work clothes of a waiter. A red dress shirt with a black vest, tie and pants. "Hey, where's your apron?" You spoke out, interrupting them.
"Huh?" Kuroo looked up at you. He finally stood back up so that he could conversate with you properly.
"Your apron. I noticed yesterday as well, but your not wearing it, why? Did you get fired?"
"Why would getting 'fired' be the first thing that came to your mind?" Kuroo crossed his arms with an entertained smile.
"I don't know, maybe because you look like a slacker right off the bat."
"Ouch. Well, I'll have you know that I didn't get fired. I quit me job there. And I've heard lot's of women say they think my bed hair quite sexy."
'Sexy? Anything but 'sexy' is the word to describe that mess. It looks like there's a jungle sitting on his head.' You chuckled. "Why?"
'She laughed.' Kuroo took notice. "I wasn't making as much as I wanted there, so I got a new job."
"Where?"
"Are asking me so that you could watch me work when I'm not looking?" Kuroo stepped up to you, grinning his teeth off.
"No." You said bluntly. "I'm just curious is all. But I'm guessing it has something to do with the occupation of a waiter."
"Bingo. I work at the cafe down the street." Kuroo pointed with his thumb over to the medium sized brown building across the street with a fair amount of decorations on it. The banner had clocks around their name, "Timeless Roses". It was a shop that recently opened up 3 months ago. A rather upcoming popular shop that would catch the attention of pedestrians or people driving by. People would spread the word about how good the service, food and beverages, were.
"Timeless Roses? Ah, I've passed there lots of times, but I've never actually gone inside to have anything, since I'm mostly busy and stuff. Though I guess I could plan to go with my friends one day on the weekend."
"That's perfect then. Whenever you have the free time, you should stop by. I'll serve you whatever you'd like."
"No that's alright. Thank you for the invitation though." You briefly smiled as you took Yujiro's hand in yours. Just as you turn around with your back facing him, you looked back to say, "Have a nice day." And walked away with your son off to school.
'I just got rejected,' Kuroo raised his brows in surprise. 'That's a first.' Kuroo thought to himself as he watched you walk away. 'But that also means she's a keeper.' Kuroo couldn't help but smile to himself. "I want to be able to get you in my arms, and hold you as soon as possible, (f/n)."
"Bye Oniisan!" Yujiro turned to wave back at him, and Kuroo did indeed wave back. "Work hard!" He cheered him on.
"Thank you, you do the same." Kuroo couldn't help but smile at the energized youth.
"Kuroo-san! We're about to open soon!" A young girl wearing a similar attire to Kuroo's called out to him from the cafe. She waved out to him with half her body sticking out the door while the other half was inside the cafe.
"I'm coming." Kuroo looked out for any passing cars before jogging over towards his new workplace.
"Was that your girlfriend?" The smiling girl asked while opening the door wider for him to come inside. She backed up while Kuroo stepped forward so he could have enough room to walk around. "She's really pretty."
"No." He stated while going past the cashier's desk and into the back room. "But I hope one day she will be. She's acting cold to me right now, but I know she'll come around. It'll only be a matter of time before I get to call her mine."
"Hm~ If she doesn't," The girl followed right behind him until she got to cashier's desk. "Then you can date me, right~" She started to grin with her hands hidden behind her back as she called out to him through the door so he could hear.
"We'll see." Kuroo shrugged his shoulders as he called out back to her. Since then, the same scenario had been playing out. Kuroo greeted both you and Yujiro and tried to interact with you, but you just basically pushed him away. Sometimes he would even go so far as to walk you both to the door of the school. This went on for about a good 2 weeks. "You're looking lovely again this morning."
"Um...Thank you." 'Seriously what is wrong with him. He's creeping me out. Doesn't he have work or something to go to. Since the first time we met, this guy has been giving me nothing but compliments, nonstop, and now he's trying to get even closer to me by asking me personal questions. It's creepy. He's making me weary and I'm tired of seeing him.' You looked down at Yujiro, who was smiling while watching Kuroo talk to you. 'But Yujiro doesn't seem to feel that way when it comes to this guy. I think he's liking him even more every time he sees him.'
"(f/n), do you want to go on a date with me this weekend? It'll be my treat." Kuroo jogged up to your car to greet both you and Yujiro. A smile plastered on his face as he saw you get out your car. "I know a great place where we can get some grub."
"No thank you." You declined sounding exhausted. You started walking away from both the car and him.
"How about next weekend?"
"No thank you, I'm not interested in dating right now or ever. I just want to focus on taking care of Yujiro and my job." 'Besides, it's not like I get any help in the first place.'
'She's not interested in dating? Even though she's still so young, that's waste of he beauty.' "What about your phone number?"
As your hand reached out to push open the schools door you stopped. "What about it?" You turned back to him.
"May I have it?"
"No you may not."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to give it to you," Your eyebrows furrowed at him. Now please leave me alone!" You yelled at him and walked inside the school without another word. You left him standing outside stunned by your sudden tone of voice.
"Sensei~! Good morning!" The kids rushed up to you with big smiles and grins. You greeted the kids and then they made way for you so you could walk. Sugawara came up to you as well. "What's the matter (f/n)? The day just started and you're already tired?"
"I'll tell you at lunch time." You said while walking past the kids and to the hooks and grabbed your apron and slipped it on over your head.
"Alright." Once lunch time came, you were already sitting at the teachers lunch table alone and Sugawara walked up to you and sat beside you while setting his lunch down on the table beside yours. "So, what's the matter with you? Why do you look so tired?"
"Well, it's just that...That guy won't leave me alone." You sighed.
"What guy?" Sugawara unraveled the cloth tied around his lunch box, then opened up his lunchbox afterwards.
"The guy from the convenience store. You know that guy with the crazy hair, aka Yujiro's savior." You explained while opening up your lunch box. You gave thanks for your food and picked up your chopsticks to eat.
"Oh~ Him?"
"Yeah." You took in a bite of rice. "At first I didn't really mind him, but every time I get out of the car, he's just there, ready to greet us and talk up a storm. Yujiro doesn't seem to mind one bit though. Everyday it's either a compliment or a question about going on a date and stuff."
"Well if he's doing that, then doesn't that mean that he likes you."
"Even if that's the case-"
"Which it is." Sugawara interrupted to say.
"I don't want to get involved with him, or any other man for that matter. All men, are just...the worst. I don't trust them, I don't think I ever will. None of them have any good intentions, ever." The grim look on your face while you spoke.
"Hey, I'm a man too."
"Well, you're an exception Koushi, I obviously trust you. You're different from the rest of them."
"(f/n), not every single guy in the world is like 'him'. I won't let you ruin the rest of your youth and dating life all because of some guy who...y 'know." You kept silent and listened to him. "You shouldn't completely close off your heart. This is your chance to turn your life around, don't you think so? I see how he acts around Yujiro sometimes, he has good chemistry with kids. That's a plus. And, he's seems like he's really nice guy."
"He 'seems' that way, that doesn't exactly mean his is. I just don't really see the goodness in dating again. And even if I decided to do that, I have Yujiro to worry about, and my jo-"
"Stop using Yujiro and your job as an excuse to hide behind."
"..."
"(f/n), you're a beautiful young woman. You're going to waste your life away, not knowing what real love is, just because you're insecure about men. It's really is waste." Sugawara sighed. "I know tons of guys who would love to meet up with you too. At least say you'll try to warm up to him. And if you're not going to do it for you, at least do it for Yujiro."
".....Fine, but just a little." You used your index and thumb and closed a space between to show how little you would put in the effort.
"Atta girl."
*****
At the end of the day, the parents came to pick their children up once again. For the first time, and unexpectedly Kuroo came to the kindergarten. 'What the heck! Why is he here?!' You looked over to Sugawara who in return shrugged his shoulders. "Um...what are you doing here?" You walked up to him but kept a good distance, fearing his answer.
'Why is she distancing herself away from me like that? Is she that creeped and weirded out by me? That's not good, she probably hates me now for being too clingy.' "I'm here to pick my nephew."
"You're nephew?!" Your eyes bulged out slightly. 'W-who could his nephew you be?' Just as you looked back, one kid--the last one to get picked up--started running towards him.
"Uncle Kuroo!" The small child, running at a face speed, spread open his arms wide so that he could get picked up. His bag jumping up and down with him.
"'Uncle?!'" Your head followed up along with the boy as he jumped into Kuroo's arms. Both you and Sugawara were surprised.
"Hey Takahiro." Kuroo scooped up your student up in his arms and sat him in his arms while his small arms wrapped around Kuroo's neck.
"You're Takahiro-kun's 'Uncle'?"
"Yeah. Didn't I tell you?" He joked.
"Of course not!"
"Sensei! Sensei! Come meet my uncle Kuroo!" Takahiro called out for you. You awkwardly stepped forward as Kuroo put out his open hand towards you to shake. You hesitated before reaching out your right hand to him to grasp. As your hand held his, he gave you a firm grasp along with a shake.
'Her hand is so soft and small. It's a perfect fit in mine.' "It's nice to meet you, sensei." Kuroo smirked. "Thank you so much for much taking care of Takahiro at school."
"Y-yes, Kuroo-san." 'So his name is Kuroo...Huh.'
"Well, thanks again sensei. I'll see tomorrow." Both Kuroo and Takahiro waved to you, then Kuroo turned on his heel and left out the school doors.
"Well that was unexpected." Sugawara said as he grabbed onto his apron and pulled it over his head. He placed his apron on a hook and turned to get his things ready.
"Yes, it was." You took off your as well and placed it on the hook.
"Mama, is it time to go yet~?" A dragged out voice caught your attention. Yujiro came up to you with his jacket and bag on. You could tell from the drowsiness in his eyebrows that he was tired and wasn't able to stay up much longer. He was struggling alone just to keep his head up.
"O-Oh, yeah, let's go." You rushed to put on your coat and grab your bags. "See you tomorrow Koushi!" You waved to him and left the school. "Come on, let's get you home fast so that you can get some sleep." Once you got to the car, you placed Yujiro in his car seat and strapped him in. He immediately fell asleep. His head leaned over to the side and kept there the whole way home.
*****
The next day Kuroo came up to you once again, "K-Kuroo-san...Good morning." But this time, he had something in his hand. It was a white box held together with a single, long blue string. He held it from the bottom of the box and came right up to you with a smile. "What is that?" You asked trying to get Yujiro out of the car.
"Good morning. This is a cake, for you." You held it out in front of you. "It's from the cafe. It's really good cake."
"A cake for me? But why?" You pulled Yujiro from out of his car seat and into your arms. He clung to you while he flashed Kuroo a smile.
"Well, it's more like an apology cake." He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck while looking away from your you.
"An apology? What for?"
"For bothering you everyday."
"O-oh..."
"Yeah...I didn't mean to get you mad or anything, I just thought, 'Maybe if I try my best to get close to her, then she'll come around and change her mind about me,' basically. I wouldn't blame you if you thought I was a creep, but I just didn't want you to hate me so I brought this to you."
"U-um...thank you very much." 'I may think he's a bit creepy, but I don't 'hate' the guy.' "That's very sweet and thoughtful of you." You smiled earnestly at him.
"There we go, the smile I've been waiting to see for ages." He said. 'Good, it looks like she doesn't hate me after all.' Kuroo's heart now felt at ease.
"You-" You caught on and started to blush. "Thank you, again."
"Mama, you're all red!" Yujiro exclaimed as your flushed cheeks and slowly turning face caught his attention.
"Anyways, I want to start all over with you, if that's okay."
"Yes, that would be fine. I don't mind that at all."
"Then, how about we go to the amusement park tomorrow, the 3 of us together." Kuroo suggested.
"The 3 of us?" You cocked your head to the side in question to this '3'.
"Yeah. Me you and Yujiro. But if you're busy, then we can do it some other time."
"O-oh!" You looked at Yujiro who had stars in his eyes. "Well, I have to see if he wants to go. Yujiro, do you want to go to the amusement park with Kuroo-san?"
"Yes! I want to go! I want to go!"
"Well, if he wants to, then I'll go as well." You smiled at him. "I think it'll be nice to get out somewhere instead of being cooped up in the house all day. Plus, I hear tomorrow is going to be wonderful with sunny weather.
"Kuroo felt his eyes bulge out in excitement. A smile formed on his mouth as he started thinking about 'Yes! She wants to go!' "That's great! I'll pick you up at 9:00."
'How is going to pick me up if he doesn't even know my address.' "Kuroo-san, you don't know my address."
"That's right. Well, it's the perfect time to tell me now so I can learn the way and get there."
"How about, we meet you at there."
“Meeting is a good idea too.” ‘Damn, she saw right though me.’
“Then, we’ll see you tomorrow, Kuroo-san.” You waved to him and so do Yujiro. Yujiro’s wave was more of an excited one then a gentle on like yours. You then walked away with Yujiro to the school.
As Kuroo started to see you walk off, he got an idea. “Oh, I’ll walk with you there, to the school.” Kuroo jogged up to you and started walking beside you. You honestly couldn't help but crack a small smile on your lips.
“Thank you.” You said to him. The same small smile was transferred onto Kuroo’s lips.
“It’s no problem.” As you guys arrived to the school’s doors, Kuroo opened them up for you so you wouldn't have to struggle. “Have a nice day.”
“And to you as well.” You stepped right on through as you said so. Kuroo then closed the door and left for work down the street.
“(f/n)-sensei~!” The kids ran up to you to greet you.
“Was that Kuroo-san just now?” Sugawara came up to you and asked with his hand propped finely on his hip.
“Hm? Oh, yes.” You answered his question.
“What did he want? Did Takahiro forget something?”
“No, he just walked us to the door.”
“What’s that?” Sugawara pointed to the small white box with the blue string tied around it. “Is that a cake?”
“Oh this?” You held it up. “It is. He gave it to me as an apology.”
“An apology? For what?”
“For bothering me every day. He must have figured out that I was annoyed, especially with the way I kind of lashed out at him. You looked down feeling a bit guilty in your action. “He said he wanted to start over with me.”
“Sensei, is that cake?!”
“Did you buy it for us!?” The kids started getting curious about the cake. “Can we have some?”
“Hey, hey, don’t be greedy about the cake now.” Sugawara told them.
“Sorry.” They apologized to you.
“It’s alright.” You crouched down to their level with a smile. “Why don’t we share the cake after lunch time? How does that sound?” The kids cheered happily and that made you laugh. Right at lunch time, the kids started to eat, eagerly waiting for the cake that was to be shared among them and you and Sugawara. “Oh that’s right, I forgot to tell you, he asked me out this morning.” You popped a piece of food in your mouth with your chopsticks.
After you saying so, Sugawara paused in the action of about to place another piece of rice in his mouth. “He what!?” He turned to you. “How could you just ‘forget’ to tell me something like that? What did he say?” What did you say?
“It’s not like it’s that important.”
“Of course it is!”
“Well, he asked me, if we would like to go to the amusement park with him tomorrow, and I said yes.”
“Wait, ‘we’? Whose ‘we’?”
“‘We’ as in me, Yujiro and him.” You continued to eat after explaining it to him.
Sugawara just sighed. ‘I knew it. No wonder she said it wasn’t that important. Well, at least she said ‘yes’ to the guy.’ “I’m glad you decided to give him a chance.”
“It’s just a friendly outing. It’s nothing special to get so worked up about.”
“I guess so. Well, I hope you bo-" Sugawara caught himself for correction. “You three, have fun.”
“Thank you. Ah, maybe you could come with us.”
“(f/n), that would be wrong for so many reasons. Just go with amount you have now, you don’t need anyone else to interrupt.”
“Really? Well, it didn't hurt to ask.” But to be honest, you really asked him to come, because you were unsure about this whole thing.