Chapter Text

28: A STORY OF A START

「 She never likes coming here. To Papa's hometown. But she needed to because she's Mr Riki's daughter. Only because of this title she holds. 

Don't misunderstand. She likes the title. She likes to be Papa's daughter. But she didn't like the people who never accepted it. However, she wasn't one to force people to accept her. She is not related by blood after all.

That's why she stayed silent. And never say anything bad to them.

"You pick some bastard child somewhere and give her our family name, Riki. What a disgrace!"

"Mother. Akane is my daughter, your granddaughter."

"Huh, the only grandchild you ever gave me is Akito."

Well, that was when she was 10 years old. Akito was only 2 years old at that time. And the first time she met her grandmother, Mrs Remiko, apparently.

If Remiko didn't like her, why would she try hard to take her heart, right? She didn't care one bit when she was called an insult or anything.

However, not when Remiko does that to someone else.

"Is it not enough that you marry one bastard child and bring shame to our family? I already disagree! One bastard ruined our family! And now you take another!"

That time, little Akane fully understood who Remiko talked about.

"And I already said Kurumi is my wife. She's not everything you said and better than anyone else. Akane and Kurumi are my top priority. And if you continue to act like this, you don't want to know what I'll do. I don't care if you're the one who gives birth to me."

Papa protected them. Akane knew Papa loved his mother. But he also loves his wife and family so much. But if he needed to make a choice, he'd choose Kurumi.

The second time is a turning point, and the last time they went to Papa's hometown. It is just when she's 12.

"You are the one! I always hate you, bastard! If my child didn't marry you, he would not become like this with me!!"

"Mother, please. Don't do this." Kurumi grabbed the cane that Remiko swung at her way.

"Don't call me that! That's disgusting! You came from a whore and will always be a bastard!"

"I'm... not a bastard, mother. Please, stop this." Kurumi snatched the cane away, bringing it away from Remiko.

"I have done everything, mother. I'm the one who took care of father when he was sick. I'm the one who brought you to the hospital when you fell in the bathroom. I try to become a good daughter for you. Why can't you... accept me?" 

"Because you are a bastard child! I don't want him to marry you! Your blood is dirty! You have dirtied my family!"

Remiko grabbed Kurumi's shirt in anger.

Just because of that. Just because Mama's mother is a prostitute with an unknown father, she was the one who was blamed.

"Mother, stop it! Let my wife go!"

Akane called her Papa to save Mama. Papa and Remiko argued again. But she didn't bother to hear. But what she knew, they won't be coming back until Remiko apologised to Mama.

Now, here she is. Looking at the same woman who always knows how to spit insults and degrade her family. Lying on the hospital bed, unable to move.

Where are her other trophy children she loves so much? 

Why must Mama be the one take care of her now?

So unfair.

But Akane's Mama is so kind. So gentle. So warm.

Mama forgave Remiko, even though Remiko never apologised. How can Mama be so kind?

One week later, Remiko passed away. The process went in the blink of an eye. Remiko's other children only came after her death. What a bastard.

After the funeral, while the adults talked about inheritance, she and Akito decided to go outside and buy something to pass the time. The discussion looked intense, but Papa would win anyway. Remiko has written a will to pass down everything to Papa and Akito.

In the end, Kurumi and Akane were never accepted by that old woman.

"Oi, you bastard child."

Akane sighed, gripping onto Akito's hand tighter. Never look back.

"Oi! You don't hear me or what?!"

Someone grabbed her shoulder harshly, pulling her back.

"What do you want? Don't touch my sister!" Akito pushed the boy away, glaring.

"Shut up." The boy raised his hand, ready to slap Akito but Akane caught it.

"Don't touch my brother."

The boy freed his hand, looking repulsive from her touch.

"Eww, a bastard child touched me. Yuck!"

"You gotta wash it ten times now, Teru!"

"Yuck, so unlucky!"

3 boys and 2 girls, around her age. They were... if by title... her and Akito's cousins. She never acknowledged them as one.

"You dare touch me?"

"I'd rather not. I think I need to wash my hands too." Akane grabbed Akito's hand again. "Let's go, Aki."

But obviously, they won't let her go easily.

"Grab her."

"What are you- let me go!"

"Let nee-san go! Nee-san!"

"Shut up!"

They pushed her into an alley, away from people. Akito was nowhere but she knew one of them had dragged him somewhere else.

"Where is Akito?" She has no time to play. Childish tactic from stupid people.

"I heard about it. Why did uncle and that brat get all the inheritance? It's not fair. My father is the eldest!"

"And you think I know? Why did you ask me? Why not ask your grandma when she still breathing before?"

"You-"

"Oh yes, you can't, because she's dead. And you guys only come when it benefits you."

Akane looked at the four people. "Want money?" She smirked.

"Why not beg on your knees instead? Just like how you guys parents always beg your grandma to lend money to them?"

"This will shut your mouth!" He swung his fist, but she dodged.

She may be weak, but that doesn't mean she didn't know how to dodge a slow punch. Those scum that came into Furin have much faster movement.

"I don't have time to play, just tell me where Akito is."

"This will shut your damn mouth, bastard."

And they ganged up on her. Locking her arms behind her and punching her. The first punch kinda hurt. When the second punch came, she lowered her head, evading the punch. But it looks like that made him mad more. So he grabbed her face and slapped her.

That's... humiliating.

"Done?"

"Not- ah!"

She kicked his shin. Then she bumped her head with the one behind her so hard. "Aw, my nose!" She was finally free.

"Expect a hit when you hit others." She grabbed the boy's hair before she punched him. Uh, well... who said punching someone would not hurt her hand? Her knuckle was stinging.

Anyways, she was still alone. And she's weak. That's why she lost due to the number.

Fortunately, an adult came by to stop them.

After Papa heard about this, pray tell... he would make his siblings go bankrupt, and their children would fail in life.

Papa promised, and he never broke it. 

Anyway, they won't be coming to Papa's hometown anymore. 」

●●●○○○

Smooch!

His breath hitched. "H... Hey! D... don't do that suddenly!"

Sakura's face went red, hand on his cheek where she just smooch him just now. It is not enough that she suddenly hugged him.

"I'd do it millions of times after this. So be prepared." Akane buried her face on his neck, fingers gripping onto the back of his shirt tightly.

How dare he smile when he tells her his story?

She tightened the hug around him.
"I'll hug you. I'll hold your hand. I'll kiss you. Many, many times after this."

She declared, voice muffled against his neck. With this proximity, she could clearly feel his wild beating heart.

"Get used to it. I may attack you suddenly."

"Why you-?" His face red, but he realised her hands were shaking when holding onto him.

They were now in his house. Right after he... uh... kissed her at the playground just now, they walked back. But she said she wanted to buy a take-out for dinner. So he followed.

But then, he has... the urge... to share his story with her. She once shared hers, so he wanted to tell her too. If they're doing this together, he wanted her to know everything about him too. Just like how she tells him everything about her.

So he asked her if she wanted to eat dinner with him. She agreed and they ordered take-out to bring back home. After they finished eating, he asked if she wanted to hear his story.

At that time, she just smiled and nodded. The same as what he wants, she said she wanted to know more about him.

Then, he told her. Everything. With a smile.

Just like everyone else on the rooftop before, she has the same reaction.

Like Nirei, like Suo, like Tsubakino, like everyone.

And then she suddenly hugged him. He was flustered at first, but recalled that Tsubakino also did the same after hearing his story.

What he didn't expect was for her to kiss his cheek. That made his heartbeat spike, obviously.

He leaned onto her. He was aware she was also not one too fond of hugging because she always pushed every hug made by Umemiya and Tsubakino. But now she hugged him willingly. Just like when she does with Akito.

It felt comforting. A hug from someone was comforting.

Especially her.

He guessed that he really needs to get used to these kinds of gestures.

Akane bite her lips hard, preventing herself from crying. She never thought she'd cry after hearing someone's story. Oh, she almost did when Umemiya told his story, though. That time too, she didn't let herself cry. Because Sakura was the one who experienced all those. He was the one who deserved to cry.

But he smiled instead.

How dare... how dare those people make him think he doesn't deserve love?

How dare his father... no, that man doesn't even deserve to be called a father.

How dare that man accuse a child of murdering his mother? Who has given birth to a beautiful child like this?

It is not the child's fault. Not Haruka's fault!

That man was so stupid. So foolish. So ungrateful that his child survive!

How dare he? How dare they?

Akane took a deep breath, calming the raging in her heart.
"Haruka-kun."

Sakura hummed, feeling her hug loosened a bit.

Ah, he still want to feel her hug. Don't let go yet.

"You are pretty."

He was taken aback. "H-" He wanted to say something but her grip tightened a bit, making him shut his mouth again.

"So, so, pretty." She let his shirt go, slowly releasing him from the hug.

Her eyes met his gold and black eyes. She smiled.

"I'm so grateful, your mother gave birth to you."

His breath hitched, eyes shaking.

"Because of that, we could meet."

His throat was dry. She grabbed his hand, warmth spreading on his palm when she squeezed it.

"And I could fall for you."

She grinned.
"I'm so grateful you're the one I like. Thank you for coming into my life, Haruka-kun."

She raised his hand and kissed his knuckle with eyes closing.
"I already said this before but... let me take care of you. But this time... for the rest of our lives."

She opened her eyes again and gazed onto him. So warmth. So gentle. That gaze. Someone could look at him with that kind of gaze.

Sakura completely froze. Eyes wide with red face. He was at a loss for words. He was so... happy. So... overwhelmed.

How can... someone like him? How can someone love him like this? This is not a dream, right? Even if it, he didn't want to wake up anymore.

Let him sleep and dream until the end of the world.

That's why...

He shouldn't do this. It is too early. It is too fast.

They are just... getting together.

They are just... trying to get used to this new... connection they have.

Only a few hours ago.

But his body moved in spite.

His adrenaline rushed him.

His nerve urged him.

His eyes pleaded.

His brain gave him approval.

His heart accepted this.

His lips were demanding.

He didn't say anything. No hum. No grunt. Just hand reaching forward to grab her cheek and body moving closer to decrease the distance between them.

"I like you too."

He kissed her.

No exaggeration.

No preparation.

Just a touch that made him feel full.

A touch of softness he never thought he would ever experience in this life.

But only with her.

Only with Akane can he do this.

Because she was the one who had stolen his heart.

He may regret this impulse later, though.

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