Scary parents

“My parents were super strict. Ever since I was little, they forced me into all sorts of lessons because of them. Calligraphy. Piano. Abacus. Swimming. Ballet. And… tennis, I think? So many things. I absolutely hated it. All I wanted was to chat with my friends or play pretend, you know, normal kid stuff. But my dad, especially, was so harsh. If I even hinted at wanting to quit any of those lessons, he’d lose it, ranting about how I couldn’t just give up on something I’d started. He’d be in a foul mood all day, and I’d end up crying in the corner of my room.

Maybe it was because of that suffocating life, but my rebellious phase was intense. …You get it, right? You saw how I was in high school. It probably started around second year of middle school. I had this friend, Ishikawa, and we’d constantly complain about our parents together. That’s when I started getting cocky. And just like that, I turned into a full-blown rebellious monster. Man, it was bad. I refused to talk to my dad at home, ditched all my lessons without permission, and ignored any backlash. I kept that attitude going, and it carried over into high school. Before I knew it, people were calling me the queen bee.

Back then, my circle was full of people who just wanted to use me to get close to Akari or to look down on others lower in the social pecking order, all while basking in my so-called glory. Still, I had fun playing the queen bee in my school life.

University… honestly, I’m not sure if it went well. I went to a different school from all my friends, and maybe because I left home, I didn’t really want to go back. I think I lived a calmer life than before. I was probably part of the popular crowd, but not at the top of the hierarchy like before.

No, really… I mean it! I-I didn’t go to that many mixers or anything… Even if I did, I wasn’t interested in guys at all. …I’m not lying, okay?

Ugh… well, I did fall for that guy, though.

…Ahem.

Anyway, back in university, all I could think about was getting away from my parents and not going back home. I think it was just a lapse in judgment. That’s probably why I started dating that guy.

When I told my parents I was moving in with him… they disowned me first, sure, but I wanted to make it clear I wasn’t coming back either. I figured my dad would be furious if I told him I was living with someone. And I was okay with that. I think, deep down, I really hated my dad.”

A few days after I convinced Hayashi.

We were on a train heading back to our hometown, taking advantage of a two-day weekend. As the train neared our local station, Hayashi, maybe out of sheer nerves, started talking more than usual, spilling stories about her past.

She told me a lot of things just now.

At some point, she got really quiet, and I’m not sure why.

But her stories helped me understand why Hayashi was such a bold character back in high school.

Parental influence, huh. Makes sense. It’s not hard to see.

“…Sorry for making you listen to all that weird stuff.”

“Nah, it was more entertaining than some cheap novel. Felt real, you know.”

“…If you enjoyed it, then I guess that’s good.”

Hayashi gave a small smile. Facing what’s coming next, she doesn’t seem to be in the mood to laugh from the heart.

“Also, sorry… When you suggested going back home, you probably meant for me to fix things with my parents, but I’m not sure I can do that.”

“…If you’re not up for it, I’m not gonna force you to make up with them.”

“Still, my dad’s probably gonna chew you out big time. Like, ‘How dare you seduce my daughter!’”

“Well, I’ll take the scolding with you, at least.”

“…He might hit you.”

“That’s a hard pass.”

“Same here. …If it was anyone else, fine, but if he hits you, I… I don’t know what I’d do.”

It seems Hayashi still feels indebted to me for letting her stay at my place for a while.

Geez, I owe her just as much for all the help she’s given me, so we’re even, but she’s such a stickler for honor.

“…Hey, Yamamoto?”

“Hm?”

“Why’d you suddenly tell me to go back home?”

I didn’t mention that Kasahara told me her mom was looking for her.

I did consult Kasahara at university, asking if I should tell Hayashi it came from her.

Kasahara laughed and said, “Absolutely not,” so I made sure not to bring up her name.

“…This isn’t the first time I’ve worried about your relationship with your family, you know.”

As I thought about what excuse to give, something came to mind. It’s exactly what it sounds like.

“It’s been about a month since you started staying at my place. Your wounds are healing. Our current setup is bound to fall apart someday. …That’s why it’s better to deal with this sooner rather than later.”

“…So you were waiting for the right moment, huh?”

I stayed silent.

“Hey, Yamamoto?”

“What?”

“…Can I hold your hand?”

What’s she saying all of a sudden? I stared at Hayashi, sitting next to me. Looking closer, I could see she was trembling.

Despite her rebellious phase, it’s clear Hayashi still harbors fear toward her father. Her earlier stories and her current demeanor made that obvious.

“…Sure.”

I placed my left hand over Hayashi’s right.

Doing stuff like this always makes my face heat up, no matter how many times it happens. I never get used to it.

“…Thanks.”

“Yeah.”

I gazed absently out the train window as it began to slow down.

Thanks for the early posting to celebrate hitting #1 in the daily genre ranking. How many times has this happened now? Seriously, I can’t build up my stockpile.

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