Chapter 23: Changes

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Translator: Soafp

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[Kenji PoV]

“After he met Yuto-kun, well… You know the rest.”

“I can’t believe he went through such heartbreak when his mother died. But you went through a lot too, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, thanks to Ryota, I am who I am today. That’s why I wanted to support him through his struggles. I was so close to getting him back to his old self…”

“…”

If only Ryota hadn’t met Yuto, none of this would have happened. Just thinking about it makes me rage. But Yuto got what he deserved and is now in jail.

As the sun began its descent below the horizon, casting long shadows across the street, I realized that evening was fast approaching.

“It’s getting late. I should head home now.”

Glancing out the window at the darkening sky.

“Yes, thank you for sharing your story with me.”

“It’s no trouble at all. And I’ll be sure to keep you updated if I come across anything else.”

“Please do. Until next time.”

Stepping onto the sidewalk, I took a moment to breathe in the cool evening air, the faint aroma of nearby street vendors drifting through the breeze. Memories of my past flashed through my mind, each one a testament to the challenges I had faced and overcome.

Despite the passage of time, I still carried with me the lessons learned from those difficult days. The self-defense skills I had honed as a means of protection had become second nature, providing me with a sense of security in my daily life.

Even now, years later, I continued to devote time to practicing self-defense techniques, ensuring that I remained prepared to defend myself if ever the need arose.

Though my father’s aggressive behavior had subsided in recent years, I knew all too well the unpredictability of his actions. The scars of his past outbursts lingered, a constant reminder of the importance of being vigilant.

It was a habit born out of necessity, but one that had evolved into a source of empowerment, instilling within me a sense of confidence and security.

After a few minutes, I found myself standing in front of my door, key in hand. With a deep breath, I inserted the key into the lock and turned it, pushing the door open.

“I’m home.”

The response was unexpected, catching me off guard.

“…Welcome back, Kenji.”

Was that… my father’s voice? I blinked in surprise, momentarily stunned by the unfamiliar sound.

“Kenji, can you come to the kitchen, please.”

Curiosity mingled with apprehension as I made my way to the kitchen, uncertain of what to expect. There he was, seated at the table, but something was different. There were no empty bottles littering the surface, no lingering scent of alcohol in the air.

What had happened to him?

Taking my seat opposite him, I waited in silence, sensing the weight of unspoken words hanging between us.

“…Kenji, I’m truly, deeply sorry.”

He began, his voice tinged with remorse.

“For everything you’ve had to endure. I understand if you can’t forgive me, but please allow me to apologize. I’ve been a terrible father these past few years. I’ve lashed out at you, tried to hurt you when I was drunk, but there’s no excuse for that. You’ve faced so much alone, and I can’t begin to imagine the pain I’ve caused you. I know you must hate me, but please, give me a chance to make amends. I’ll do whatever it takes to earn your forgiveness, to redeem myself in your eyes.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with sincerity. I watched as my father bowed his head, his expression wrought with remorse.

“Why now?”

I couldn’t help but ask, my voice tinged with a mixture of skepticism and curiosity.

“Why the sudden change?”

He sighed heavily, lifting his gaze to meet mine.

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately and I’ve come to realize that this… this couldn’t go on any longer. I’ve hurt you, Kenji, in ways I never should have. I’ve let my own demons consume me, and in doing so, I’ve pushed you away. I can’t keep living like this, hurting you in the process. I want to change, to make things right, if you’ll give me the chance.”

I listened in silence, absorbing his words. It was a lot to take in, a sudden shift in the dynamic between us.

As I sat there, processing my father’s heartfelt confession, memories flooded my mind like an unstoppable tide. Each recollection was a sharp pang, a reminder of the tumultuous journey that had led me to this moment.

“I know you’ve been struggling. But do you understand what it was like for me? To feel like I had no one to turn to? To face the brunt of your anger and frustration day in and day out? It was Ryota who was there for me, Dad. Not you.”

My words hung heavy in the air, each syllable a silent plea for understanding, for acknowledgment of the pain that had haunted me for so long.

“And now…Now Ryota’s in the hospital, fighting for his life. And I can’t help but feel like I’m reliving the same nightmare all over again.”

The weight of the moment pressed down on me, threatening to crush me beneath its unbearable burden.

“I want to hate you. I want to scream at you.”

My voice strained with the weight of years of suppressed anger and resentment.

“But I’ve seen where that road leads. I’ve seen the destruction it leaves in its wake, the scars it etches into the hearts of those it touches.”

As the words hung in the air between us, I felt the weight of my own vulnerability pressing down on me, a heavy burden that threatened to suffocate me beneath its oppressive weight.

“And so, I can’t forgive you, not yet. But I’m willing to try. I’m willing to work through this, together, one step at a time.”

My father’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as he reached out, his hand trembling with emotion.

“Thank you, Kenji. Thank you for giving me another chance.”

And in that moment, we embraced each other in a silent pledge of reconciliation. The warmth of his embrace, the sincerity in his eyes, they spoke volumes. I couldn’t lose my father either; it wasn’t too late for him.

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[Hana PoV]

I sat in my room, the events of yesterday swirling through my mind like a tumultuous storm. It had been a relentless search, more than a simple hospital visit, as I scoured the corridors in search of Ryota’s room, only to find every window shrouded by drawn curtains.

But even as I longed to see his face, to assure myself of his well-being, a wave of uncertainty washed over me. What would I do if I finally found him?

Since that fateful day, my thoughts had been consumed by Ryota. I couldn’t shake the feeling of responsibility that weighed heavily on my shoulders. He was hurt because of me, lost without my presence. I had to take responsibility for my actions.

But what if he wasn’t lost? What if his pain stemmed not from my absence, but from my lack of belief in him? Did he truly want to see me after the betrayal I inflicted upon him? Would he ever trust me again?

These questions tormented me, their answers elusive and uncertain. The thought of facing Ryota filled me with a tumultuous mix of longing and dread. What if he rejected me? What if he saw me as nothing more than the cause of his suffering?

But deep down, a different emotion stirred within me—a possessive longing that I couldn’t ignore.

The mere thought of other girls standing by Ryota’s side made my heart ache with jealousy. I couldn’t bear the idea of anyone else being close to him, of sharing the bond that we once had.

[Yes, you have to do everything you can to ensure that Ryota is yours and yours alone.]

As the voices in my head urged me on, a thrill of excitement coursed through me. I knew what I had to do.

I have to find Ryota’s room, to be by his side when he wakes up. And when that moment comes, I will tell him that I had taken care of him. He will be delighted!

The anticipation of claiming Ryota as my own filled me with a heady rush of exhilaration. He will be mine, and no one else’s. And I will stop at nothing to ensure that no other girl dared to come between us.

Even if I have to stain my hands.

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[Nao PoV]

As Kenji left the restaurant, I lingered behind for a moment, allowing the remnants of our conversation to settle in my mind.

The cozy atmosphere of the place seemed to envelop me, offering a brief respite from the chaos of the outside world.

With a sigh, I pushed myself up from my seat, feeling the weight of the day’s events pressing down on me. Making my way to the bar, I exchanged a few words with the bartender as I settled the bill for our drinks, the clink of coins against the counter punctuating the quiet of the evening.

Leaving the warmth of the restaurant behind, I stepped out onto the quiet street, the cool night air a stark contrast to the cozy interior I had just left.

Pulling my jacket a little tighter around me, I began to walk, the soft glow of the streetlights casting long shadows on the pavement.

As I walked, my mind wandered back to the conversation with Kenji. Despite the heaviness of the topics we had discussed, there was a glimmer of hope in the way he spoke about Onii-chan.

It was clear that Kenji cared deeply for Onii-chan, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude that he was in Onii-chan’s life.

Without Kenji’s unwavering support, I doubted I could have ever cleared Onii-chan’s name. He had been a pillar of strength for his friend, standing by him through thick and thin.

It was a testament to the strength of their bond, a bond that had endured despite the challenges they had faced.

As I reflected on their friendship, a sense of admiration welled up within me.

It was a testament to the strength of their connection, a bond that had endured despite the challenges they had faced. And for that, I was truly grateful.

After a few minutes of walking, I arrived home.

“I’m back.”

“Welcome back, Nao.”

I made my way to the living room, where I found my father seated at the table and my mother on the couch, seemingly frozen in place since I had left her there.

“How’s mom?”

“She’s still not recovered from the news… I wish there was something I could do to help her.”

Help her? My father and helping? That was a laughable notion, but I held my tongue. I couldn’t risk sabotaging my plans while there was still a chance of success.

“Ah, I see. I hope she’ll get better soon.”

As I turned to leave, a question nagged at the back of my mind.

“By the way, is there any news about Nii-san?”

Just mentioning his name made my father flinch ever so slightly.

“Not yet, but I expect there will be a trial in the future to determine his punishment.”

My mother’s reaction mirrored my father’s, shock evident in her expression upon hearing what awaited my brother.

Inwardly, I felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that justice would soon be served.

Making my way upstairs to my room, I closed the door behind me and sank onto my bed, feeling the weight of the day’s events settling over me. I needed a moment alone to process everything.

“What a day…”

I muttered to myself, running a hand through my hair as I lay there, staring up at the ceiling.

I couldn’t help but marvel at the strength of the bond between Onii-chan and Kenji. Their friendship ran deep, a steadfast support system that had endured even the toughest of challenges.

It made me realize just how much I admired Kenji, his unwavering loyalty and dedication to his friend earning my utmost respect.

With that thought in mind, I closed my eyes and let the events of the day fade into the background.