I stared myself in the mirror; seeing the self that I never wanted to see ever again. The self that made me feel horrible; awful; it made me hate myself. It made me question, "Why am I alive?"

I gulped and touched my forehead, lowering myself to the sink. My elbows resting on the sink's edge as my knees were bent.

I felt light-headed, which I told Mrs.Aomine I wouldn't be able to go to school today. I cleaned myself up and headed out.

When I stepped out, Mrs.Aomine was standing right in front of me.

"M-Mrs.Aomine?"

What is she doing here...?

"Is something wrong, (First Name)-chan...? You've become a bit distant from us, did Daiki do anything? I'm worried about you." She pursed her lips as her arms were nervously crossed.

I was honestly taken aback, I didn't mean to be distant, nor worry the others.

I let my jaw drop, I was too caught up in myself that I didn't think about the people who surround me. I was appalled.

"O-Oh...nothing's wrong, Mrs.Aomine...I'm sorry for...worrying you." I lied, and she knew. From the tone of my voice, and the expression, she saw right through it.

"You know...if you're having trouble with something, you can tell me, right? You don't have to face these things alone, that's why we're here. We care and love you, so don't hide things like this from us...it hurts, it makes us sad."

I frowned, feeling really sensitive.

I'm so...sorry...

☠

Gladly, Mrs.Aomine said she would keep it a secret until I felt like I was ready to confront Mr.Aomine and Daiki about how I've been feeling.

Daiki came home late in the evening, eventually he dropped his bag on the floor and passed out in the living room. I walked over to his laying figure and sat next to him.

He hummed as he moved his arm away from his face, his eyes boring sharply into mine.

"Do you need something?" I gulped, feeling a pit of anxiety build up in my stomach.

"N-No..." I wanted to see your face; I wanted to hear your voice; I wanted to be the person you wanted me to be, but I couldn't.

He hummed again, sitting up. He snaked an arm around my waist and rested his head on my shoulder.

My heart started racing; not from the touch, but from how bad I was still feeling. I breathed in deeply.

"Daiki...?" He again hummed in response.

"...What would you do if...someone were to...touch me?" I was hesitant, I already knew the answer. He grumbled and caressed my cheek, making me look at him.

I knew he wasn't scared or anything to bare his teeth. In a non-literal statement.

"I would beat the crap out of anyone who dared to touch you." He bluntly stated, rubbing my cheek with his slightly calloused thumb. "Did someone touch you?"

"No, of course not." I said almost too quickly.

He had a suspecting face for a moment, trying to inspect my face for any false expressions. I tried my best to let any other emotion out.

I want to cry, but I can't.

I want to tell you, but it's the guilt that's stopping me from doing so, it's the things I'm worried about you doing.

Don't be reckless, we can- or I can...try to be better and work this out.

Why can't I be the person I want to be?