cttro
~
Three days had passed since Etsuko had returned to her hometown, immersing herself in the company of her friends. Laughter filled the air as they shared stories of the past years, playfully scolding each other for missing important events.
As the night wore on, Shinsuke's words echoed in Etsuko's mind, preventing her from finding solace in sleep.
"I never wanted to break up with you."
Frustration overwhelmed her, and she buried her face in a throw pillow, unable to comprehend his words. She didn't have the luxury of time to dwell on it, as today marked an important day for Kenma.
Should I reach out to him? But she feared that her message might cause him to ditch his own event.
"You're more important to me." Kenma's last words haunted her, tormenting her for days. If she could, she would have split herself in two to give equal attention to both of her loved ones. But such a feat was impossible.
Ever since Etsuko returned to her hometown, Kenma had not sent her a single message or a call. She couldn't help but wonder if he was still angry with her.
The following morning, Etsuko busied herself in the kitchen, preparing a soup to help the five friends sober up. Osamu, the first to awaken, offered his assistance, only to be politely declined.
Surprisingly, Shinsuke remained silent about the events of the previous night, possibly due to his drunken state. Etsuko couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze.
In the afternoon, Etsuko and Osamu bid them farewell as they prepared to leave.
"See you next time, Miya's!" Aran waved, bidding him goodbye.
Suna yawned, his hands tucked in his pockets. "Yeah, bye."
"Thank you for inviting us." Shinsuke bowed, offering his farewell.
"Yeah, yeah, go home safely!" Osamu yelled, waving in response.
As they retreated back inside, Etsuko already immersed herself in washing the dishes.
Osamu sighed and approached her. "What happened to you? Did you stay up all night? The bags under your eyes are terrible," he remarked, grabbing an apron to assist her.
"I'm fine, you don't have to help. Just rest on the sofa. I can handle this," Etsuko firmly stated, pushing his hands away from the sponge. She avoided making eye contact.
Osamu couldn't help but wonder if she was in a sour mood.
"Heh, alright," he replied, exhaling softly, and followed her instructions. Before heading to the living room to watch some mindless television, he stole a final glance at her. He respected her need for privacy and space, refraining from prying into her emotions.
As Osamu settled on the sofa, mindlessly flipping through channels, his attention was caught by a news segment.
"Bouncing Corp. CEO Kenma Kozume successfully launched a new clothing line, KOZD."
"Hey, ugly brat! Kenma's on the news!"
At the sound of Osamu's words, Etsuko accidentally dropped a plate, shattering the moment.
"Fireworks illuminated the night sky, celebrating the success of Kenma's new venture."
Concerned, Osamu rushed to Etsuko's side. "Hey, Tsuko! Are you okay?"
"Only a select few close friends and family had been invited to the event, with rumors circulating about the presence of famous models like Lev Haiba and other renowned athletes. Kenma certainly knew how to make an impression."
A wide grin spread across Etsuko's face. "Oh, right," she chuckled, her laughter tinged with a touch of melancholy. What am I thinking? I can't keep running away.
Confusion clouded Osamu's mind as he witnessed her emotional turmoil. Another heartbreak, he mused silently.
Suddenly, Atsumu rushed downstairs, alarmed by the sound of the broken plate. "I heard something break! Did she hurt herself? Should I call an ambulance?"
"Calm down, Tsumu. Tsuko's fine. Could you clean up this mess first? We'll be in the backyard. Join us when you're done, okay?" Osamu reassured him as he held Etsuko in his arms.
"Alright, yeah, sure," Atsumu replied, blinking slowly. He mouthed a question to Osamu, "What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything," Osamu mouthed back before leading Etsuko to the backyard, accompanied by the medical aid he had brought along.
As Etsuko sobbed in Osamu's arms, he held her tightly, comforting her as best he could. His mind raced with concern, trying to understand what had caused her to break down like this. But he knew that pushing for answers wouldn't be helpful in this moment. Instead, he focused on being there for her, providing a safe space for her to let out her emotions.
"I'm here for you, Etsuko," Osamu whispered, his voice filled with tenderness. "You don't have to say anything. Just take your time and let it out."
Etsuko's tears continued to flow, her emotions overwhelming her. Osamu gently kissed her forehead, his touch offering solace and reassurance. He knew that sometimes, all a person needed was someone to be there, to listen without judgment or expectations.
As they sat in the backyard, away from prying eyes, Osamu pondered what could have caused Etsuko's distress. He couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness towards her, wanting to shield her from any pain or heartbreak.
In the midst of Etsuko's tears, Osamu's mind drifted back to the news he had seen earlier about Kenma's successful clothing line launch. He wondered if there was a connection between Etsuko's emotional state and the mention of Kenma.
However, he chose not to pry or ask questions. He respected Etsuko's privacy and understood that she would share when she was ready. For now, he focused on comforting her, offering a safe space for her to lean on.
Time passed, and eventually, Etsuko's tears subsided. Osamu gently wiped away the remaining tears from her eyes, his touch filled with care and affection.
"I'm sorry..."
"You don't have to apologize, Etsuko," he reassured her once again. "I'm here for you, no matter what. Whenever you're ready to talk, I'll be here to listen."
Etsuko nodded, her expression a mix of gratitude and exhaustion. She leaned into Osamu's comforting embrace, finding solace in his presence.
In that moment, Osamu understood that sometimes, words weren't necessary. Being there for someone, offering support and understanding, could speak volumes.
Atsumu's interruption shattered the moment, his voice echoing through the house. "Samu! Did you fucking buy another car?!" he yelled from inside.
"Why would I buy another car when I can't even use my car?!" Osamu retorted, his voice filled with frustration.
"Really? Well, there's a black car parked outside our house! That's illegal, right?! Should I call the police?"
Etsuko's heart raced as she heard Atsumu's words. Without a second thought, she sprang to her feet, rushing outside.
"Hey! Etsuko, where the fuck are you going?" Atsumu shouted as she ran past him.
The cut on her leg stung as she moved, but she paid no mind. Someone more important awaited her outside. She could only hope it was the person she longed to see.
With determination in her eyes, Etsuko swung open the gate to meet him. And there he was. "Kenma."
