“He missed, mostly,” Tusba added, as if that made it better. “The bottle shattered against the wall. I just got grazed by a piece of glass. I was hit flat by it. It didn’t cut into my skin. It’ll be fine. It doesn’t even hurt anymore.”
It wasn’t fine. No matter how much she wanted to downplay it, her father almost raised a hand against her. What if he didn’t miss? Would I have heard from her a few days ago? That possibility, even if it didn’t happen back then, could still occur in the future.
“Your dad did this,” I repeated, low enough that only she could hear. Not a question.
She nodded once, barely. “Un. But it was an accident. He never once raised his voice or hand at , even when everything ca crashing down. He’s really just turning to alcohol to drown his sorrows and maybe forget all the problems."
"That day, I wasn’t at ho at the ti, so he eventually had to answer the door when so of the creditors arrived to hound us for paynt again. It’s just bad timing on my return. I stepped into the living room at the sa ti as he threw that bottle at the wall. A shard caught here." She touched the bump with two careful fingers. "When he saw hurt, he cried harder than I did. Kept saying sorry, that he didn’t an it, that he’s useless, that I should’ve never co back with him..."
“He passed out on the couch right after. I cleaned the glass, bandaged myself, and sat on the balcony until sunrise. That’s when I finally opened my old phone... and saw your na still in the contacts. I stared at it for hours. Then I called. And I was so overjoyed that you answered despite knowing that you might’ve forgotten about already.”
I see. I got the picture now. That’s why she said what she said. She didn’t want to misunderstand that her father was abusing her. It was just an accident caused by his drunken stupor and the pressure from the creditors.
Still, that doesn’t excuse the fact that she’s in danger just by staying there. Even if her father didn’t an it, what if he does it again? And worse, what if he actually hits her next ti?
I tightened my hold on her, pulling her attention back to .
"Tsuba," I said, keeping my voice steady even though every instinct was screaming to drag her out of that apartnt right this second. "Accident or not, you must not stay there anymore. Not with him drinking like that. Not with those creditors showing up whenever they feel like it."
She opened her mouth, probably to defend him again, but I cut her off gently.
"I’m not asking you to abandon him. I’m asking you to protect yourself first. You shouldn’t be the one cleaning up glass and dodging bottles because your dad’s having a breakdown."
Her eyes welled up again, but she didn’t pull away.
"I... I know," She whispered. "I know it’s bad. But he’s all I have left. If I leave, he’ll have no one. And those creditors... if I’m not there to answer the door, they’ll break it down eventually. They’ve threatened it."
The thought of her standing between her drunk father and n who saw her as collateral made my blood run cold.
“Alright. I get it. I won’t force you to leave but like I said, I’m going to introduce you to soone. Also, I think I can ask my parents if they know soone looking for a job. Uh... what is he specialized in? Your father, I an. What field was he in before everything went south?”
Tsuba blinked, clearly not expecting the question. She rubbed the back of her neck as if trying to recall.
“He... he was a regional manager for a mid-sized logistics company. Supply chain, inventory managent, that kind of thing. He’s actually really good when he’s... not drowning in sake. Organized, calm under pressure, speaks decent English from the overseas posting. That’s how he got the promotion in the first place.”
Logistics. Not the flashiest field, but Mizuki told it should be a solid industry. It is exactly the kind of background a lot of growing businesses need.
“Got it. Although I can’t promise anything right now since I’m still powerless, I can make use of connections. And it’s not the first ti I’ll be doing this.”
“T-that’s more than enough. You really shouldn’t have to...”
I cut her off by pressing my forefinger on her lips, “Tsuba, don’t you know what to say in this situation?”
Her eyes widened and then lulled as she lowered her head before muttering softly, “Thank you...”
“Good. Rember, you didn’t ask to help you. It was my decision to do so. Still, if you’re not comfortable with it, you can tell now. I’ll take back my words.”
Tsuba paused for a mont before shaking her head, “No, I appreciate it... A lot. Last night, I thought it would only get darker after I t up with you but now, there’s suddenly a blinding light up ahead. I feel relieved.”
I put on a smile. A genuine smile that she’s still not used to seeing from .
“Take this as also making it up to you.”
A while later, we stood up from the table and went back to checking out the other animals, bringing the mood between us back up.
Then, after paying and thanking the old couple, Tsuba and I left the pet shop.
Considering she changed the ti of our etup, she must’ve had sothing to do in the afternoon, so I offered to walk her to the station.
As for what I promised, I naturally had to consult the girls and my parents first.
About which connections I will use, I’m planning to introduce her to Mizuki. Well, if things work out with Tsuba’s father getting a new job, she might not need to look for a part-ti job anymore. More importantly, resuming her studies should be the priority. It’d be difficult if she missed a year.
The late-morning sun was already high, the air warm and thick with sumr humidity, but her fingers were cold and trembling slightly.
She kept her hoodie pulled low, hiding the bruise, but every ti a breeze tugged the fabric, she instinctively hunched her shoulders like the whole world was staring.
We walked in silence for half a block. She kept stealing glances at , like she still couldn’t believe I was really here, really holding her hand, really offering to fix the ss her life had beco.
“You don’t have to walk all the way,” She finally said in a small voice. “The station’s just...”
“I’m walking you,” I cut in, gentle but firm. “Non-negotiable. I an, it’d be rude if I insisted on walking you to your place. This is the limit.”
Tsuba’s lips twitched into the ghost of a smile. “Still bossy.”
“Of course. I’m only like this when it’s truly about soone who matters to .”
She blushed and didn’t argue any further.
My feelings for her remained the sa. I don’t think it’s love yet, just the sense of responsibility that I promised to fulfill once I et the girls I once hurt again.
Regardless, I know I won’t be able to sleep if I just ignore her current struggles. She needs soone to rely on right now. We can think about what’s next when everything has been sorted out.
Halfway to the station, Tsuba stopped suddenly, tugging my sleeve. When I turned, her gray eyes were wide and glassy again.
“Ruki... I’m scared,” she whispered. “If you really do this—if you really help my dad find work, if the creditors back off. What happens after? I don’t... I don’t know how to be around you anymore. Not after everything.”
I stepped closer and pulled her in my arms again, “Then we figure it out together. No rules this ti. No stealing. No disappearing. Just... us. Whatever that ends up looking like. Of course, you already know my situation. I’m not the bastard who only thinks about his desire anymore. I love all of the girls I am with at the mont. And it’s not just one or two.”
Her eyes widened slightly but she eventually nodded as a single tear streaked down her cheek. Clearly, she already knew what to expect.
“...Okay,” She breathed deeply before looking up at with determination. “Together. I’ll pick myself back up... and then... I’ll stay with you this ti.”
This girl... If she said it like that, I might believe her.
I brushed the tear away with my thumb, then leaned down and pressed my lips to the exact spot the tear had been. Soft and lingering like a promise.
When I pulled back, Tsuba’s eyes were closed, lashes fluttering against her cheeks. She exhaled shakily, then opened them again. It was clearer now, like a storm had finally passed.
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