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𝟏𝟏 || 𝐀 𝐒𝐎𝐅𝐓 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐂𝐇 ||

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It's officially been five days since the Hanagaki family started spending the night in the Baji's apartment.

    At first, Keisuke found it odd that they were seeking refuge in their apartment instead of their own, but he didn't dare question it when the opportunity to spend more time with his best friend came to light.

    Keisuke remembers that one eventful morning very vividly—the very first morning he was greeted with the sight of Michi and his mother seated at their dining table chowing down on the food Keisuke's mother made.

    To say that he was surprised was an understatement. Now, Keisuke will admit, he's not much of a morning person. Regrettably, He's definitely snapped at his mom a few times in the middle of getting ready for school. However, seeing his best friend, in his apartment, eating at their table with crumbs decorating his cheeks, caused Keisuke's bad mood to instantly disappear. He was suddenly full of energy and wide awake as he bounced over to Takemichi, a beaming smile spreading across his face.

    For the past five days, they've been walking to and from school together. Again, Keisuke didn't mind in the slightest. He was more than glad to talk and chatter with the eccentric small boy, so he never questioned it. Plus, it was amusing to watch Yuzuha's face turn red in anger every time she spots Keisuke and Takemichi arriving at school with his arm slung over the smaller boy's shoulder.

    (He's still not over what happened between him and Yuzuha and if hogging Michi from the girl makes her blood boil, then he'll continue to do just that.)

    For the past five days, they've all been eating dinner together. Both Takemichi's and Keisuke's Mom's would prepare supper while the small duo were either outside playing on the playground, hanging out at the Sano's dojo, being swept away to partake in Manjiro's wonderful shenanigans, or staying inside Keisuke's apartment to play video games. It didn't really matter what the two boys decided to do as long as they stayed together.

Dinner was also a very eventful time for the two families as the two boys would fill the atmosphere with stories and adventures they experienced that specific day.

    They were all so happy to the point where Keisuke turned a blind eye as to why they were there in the first place.

    It wasn't until after Keisuke attempted to forcefully drag Takemichi into his room— to have a mini sleepover—did he realize that something was wrong.

    Very wrong.

    Now, during the time in which Keisuke's gotten to  know Takemichi, he can without a doubt confirm a few things about the small boy. One: he's a crybaby. Two: he's stubborn. Three: he's always nervous.

    (Well, nervous doesn't really seem like the right word to describe his actions, but it's the only word that Keisuke knows that perfectly matches his attitude and behavior.)

    It was the third day of the Hanagakis visit when Keisuke was struck with a great idea. Ever since the pair arrived, Takemichi was adamant about sleeping in the same room as his mom.

    It was kinda annoying, especially when Keisuke wanted nothing more than to snag the boy away to tell him creepy horror stories under a pile of blankets. No matter what Keisuke said to try and convince the boy to sleep in his room, he always refused. He never explained 'why' either, which is just as annoying.

    But it wasn't like Keisuke to give up—he's just as stubborn as Takemichi after all!

    So, on the third night, when everyone was getting ready to go to sleep, Keisuke pounced.

    Right as Takemichi stepped out of the bathroom after washing his teeth, Keisuke snuck up from behind him and wrapped his arms tightly around the smaller boy's stomach, successfully trapping him.

    Y'know, at the time, Keisuke expected Takemichi to let out a yelp, or a single cry, or jolt like he'd been shocked, or reprimand Keisuke for surprising him so suddenly.

    However, what the fanged boy didn't expect was to hear Takemichi shriek at the top of his lungs while his limbs failed wildly in the boy's hold.

    To be completely honest, Takemichi's reaction scared the ever loving shit out of Keisuke.

    Keisuke immediately unwrapped his arms from around Takemichi and took a step back, watching as the curly haired boy crumbled to the floor in a crying, trembling heap.

    Keisuke canceled out the reprimanding words that spilled out of his mothers mouth as he observed Takemichi, his best friend, shake and disperse like a leaf in autumn.

    Keisuke may be a child, but he's not stupid.

    That type of reaction wasn't normal.

    Keisuke's scared Takemichi before, more times than he could count, but the small boy has never reacted that...badly.

    And, to make matters worse, Takemichi woke up the next morning acting like nothing happened.

    When Keisuke attempted to ask the small boy about it, he was pulled back by his own mother who harshly whispered into his ear; she threatened to ground the feral boy if he tried to ask Takemichi about his strange behavior, which was unsettling and weird.

    Keisuke tried to be patient, he really did. He tried to take his mother's advice and wait till' Takemichi was ready to talk...but he couldn't.

    He just can't.

    Something is wrong with his best friend and he needs to know why.

    Keisuke never wants to see that petrified face again. He never wants to see Takemichi shatter into a thousand tiny pieces. He never wants to hear that god awful scream that would normally be heard in horror films.

    He just...he just wants his friend to be ok.

    Takemichi was still playing dumb and acting like his usual self, and Keisuke's mother was still watching him like a hawk.

    There was only really one person left who could answer Keisuke's questions.

    So, on the sixth day of their visit, Keisuke puts his plan into action.

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It's been six days since the incident.

    Six days since Katsumi was given a break from her job in order for her wounds to heal.

    Six days since she arrived at the Baji's doorstep with Takemichi clinging to her like a lifeline.

    And...for some reason...she can't bring herself to leave.

    Her wounds are almost done healing and she can walk just fine! In her current state, she could get up, grab her kid, bid the Baji's goodbye, and head to her own little apartment next door to theirs—it wouldn't be hard at all.

    ...so why doesn't she?

    The answer came to her in the form of a caring older lady, not much older than Katsumi, who could melt the younger lady into goo with just a few reassuring words.

    It was stupid really—the way she's able to trust this woman so easily. Stupid. Pathetic even. What on earth happened to that wall she built after so many years of being betrayed and beaten by the people she was once close to?

    Katsumi's been jumped before by a group of guys—it happens. The bruises and marks and wounds were familiar to her. This wasn't her first rodeo. She can confidently say that she's been through worse, as awful as that sounds.

    However, unlike all the other times she had the misfortune of being cornered by a group of sadists, she received help. She had to search for it, of course, but she got help nonetheless.

    It was strange having someone bandage her wounds. She was so used to doing it herself (being by herself and all) that she was almost embarrassed by how happy she felt to be taken care of by soft hands that held no malicious intent.

    Ah, right, Shinichiro was his name—the owner of those comforting touches.

    ...she doesn't want to admit it, but Katsumi owes the teen for what he's done for both her and Takemichi.

    To be completely honest, Katsumi's first impression of Shinichiro wasn't...the best.

    When Katsumi first met Shinichiro outside her apartment with Takemichi standing by her side, she wanted to wreck havoc. At the time, she thought her reaction was pretty reasonable: she came home from talking to her new boss to find Takemichi absolutely nowhere in sight. She searched the apartment high and low for her son, then traveled up and down the street like some hysterical mother!

    So, yeah, she wanted to sucker punch that damn delinquent looking kid till his stupid pompadour flew off.

    She didn't get the chance—she was too focused on smothering her 'lost' child with love and affection to wipe the floor with the strangely tall teenager. Even after she sent Takemichi to his room to 'talk' to the strange kid, Katsumi didn't throw a punch—or a slap for crying out loud. She just stood there patiently, letting the red faced teen explain himself before she decided to unleash her pent up anger.

    And wasn't that the best decision she's made so far.

    Shinichiro might've stolen her kid away, unintentionally apparently, but there wasn't a single hint of ill intent behind those obsidian colored eyes. From what she heard from both Shinichiro and her son (after she cooled down), Takemichi was just off making friends with a blonde kid who was clinging to Shinichiro's back.

    Then, of course, there was the incident that happened on the way to pick up her son...

    But yeah, Shinichiro was weird, no, is weird.

    Weird in a 'you're unusually nice' kind of way.

     Katsumi originally thought Shinichiro was the only person around who had the heart and kindness of a cartoon character...until she stumbled across Rika—Baji's mom.

    Of course, they met during the whole dinner fiasco and had gotten to sorta-kinda know each other through passing ingredients to make Yakisoba, but Katsumi found herself being wary of the older woman—hence why she didn't take up the lady's offer to use her first name. There was no denying the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded the two families during and after dinner; against Katsumi's better judgement, she felt herself enjoying the older lady's presence.

    After bidding each other goodbye that night, with feeble promises of seeing each other again, Katsumi stepped into her apartment with no intention of seeing the woman again. Katsumi just didn't want to get attached to someone who already had a lot on their plate, so she tried to avoid the lady when she could.

    Katsumi was then placed in a situation in which she had no choice but to see the Baji woman again and...

    ...She can't really say she regrets asking for help.

    When the two finally got the chance to talk about what had happened to Katsumi, Rika was very thoughtful and listened to the younger woman's story all the while rubbing circles into her back.

    Katsumi isn't used to this: the niceness, the smothering, the kind smiles, the looks of understanding, the helping hands.

    And, well, to be completely honest, Katsumi might be a little addicted to it: being cared for.

    That's probably why she hasn't left the Baji apartment yet even though she can walk perfectly fine on her own two feet.

    Katsumi knows it's selfish to seek out more hospitality than she already needs, but she can't help it. Katsumi can't remember the last time someone took care of her with so much tenderness and kindness.

    She felt like a kid again—a kid who didn't have to worry about taking care of a baby. A kid who didn't have to worry about whether or not they'll survive on the streets. A kid who didn't have to worry about how much money they had left. A kid who didn't have to worry about the scary men lurking around the corner who feasted on young vulnerable girls and boys.

    A kid who didn't have to worry about responsibilities.

    "Where's mom and Michi?"

    From her spot on the couch, Katsumi jumps at the squeaky voice; her neck snapping in the direction of that high pitched sound. Looking down, she spots a black haired kid making himself comfortable on the soft cushions beside her—his copper hues wide and full of curiosity.

    Ah, it's just the smaller Baji kid. If Katsumi remembers correctly, his name is Keisuke.

    Katsumi takes a few moments to collect herself before answering the small boy; her body falls back onto the couch and she attempts to get her heartbeat to go back to normal.

    "They went out to grab breakfast," She explains—getting straight to the point.

    Keisuke frowns at this, his black eyebrows scrunching up in frustration. "Why did Michi go with her? Why didn't mama tell me?" He asks with a scowl on his face. Katsumi tries not to chuckle at the way Keisuke's eyes narrow in suspicion at her.

    Katsumi raises her hands into the air with a cheeky smile, 'surrendering' to Keisuke. "Ay—don't shoot the messenger kid, I'm just trying to watch TV," Katsumi smirks when Keisuke turns his head towards the TV; Katsumi wasn't paying much attention to what was on the screen, but it was apparently some sort of romcom featuring the most annoying love triangle in existence.

    Keisuke turns back to look at Katsumi, his eyebrow raised in a judgemental stare. What's with that look?

    "This show is stupid," Keisuke states bluntly, his small body falling further into the couch cushions as he glares at the TV. Katsumi can't help but agree with the fanged kid as she too relaxed her posture and sank into the sofa.

    "Why does that girl cry so much?" Katsumi sighs at Keisuke's question and pulls her knee up to her chest to get more comfortable. He was obviously talking about the main female protagonist who, for some reason, makes Katsumi's blood boil.

    Her tears were too perfect, her whining was annoying, and the rain that poured on the girl while she tried negotiating with some tall guy was just too cheesy.

    Katsumi leans her head back and rolls her eyes when the girl drops to the concrete floor, practically guilt tripping the guy to comfort her.

    "Hell if I know. Wanna change the channel?" Katsumi offers; her hand wraps around the remote to hand to Keisuke. She desperately hopes the kid will take the device and pick a channel that doesn't involve cheesy Ass romances. The boy stares at the remote for a second or two before shaking his head 'no' to Katsumi's disdain.

    "Nah—m' good."

    Katsumi lifts an eyebrow as Keisuke focuses his attention back to the Television. His copper hues were wide and never drew away from the flashing lights.

    "Thought you said this show was stupid." Katsumi fails to cover up her smirk as Keisuke bashfully scoffs at the woman, his arms crossing over his chest.

    "It is!" He replies stubbornly, his gaze still not leaving the TV. "There's just—nothing good is on right now...yeah!" Keisuke's little pout startles a giggle out of Katsumi.

    "Oh really?"

    Katsumi watches with satisfaction as his ears turn red.

    "S-Shut up! You—You never answered my question earlier!" Keisuke shouts frustratedly, his small body turning away to avoid Katsumi's teasing comments.

    Katsumi, never one to give up a fight, leans toward Keisuke with a cheeky grin. "Which one? I lost count of how many you asked," Keisuke whips his head around to glare at a smiling blue eyed lady; his teeth grinded together in frustration as he stared Katsumi down.

    "Why are you even here?! Go home already!"

    Ouch.

    Katsumi forces herself to laugh at Keisuke's comeback.

    "Aww...but I thought you liked my company~"

    "I like being around Michi, not you!"

    The older lady raises her brow at the blunt statement, a little taken aback by the kid's words despite this being the first time they've actually talked to each other.

    "You're getting a little too bold there kid. How can you say that when you've barely been around me?" Katsumi's question causes the boy to go rigid.

    That's odd.

    "I-I just can!" His pathetic excuse is enough to make Katsumi roll her eyes again. She swears—this kid sure is, well, a kid.

    Katsumi would do anything to have Takemichi act wild and carefree just like his little friend...but she doubts he'll ever be able to spread his wings and fly. They're already severely damaged despite only being seven.

    The older lady shakes her head in exasperation and, unknowingly, hands Keisuke a sad smile.

    "Jeez Keisuke, hasn't your mom taught you to mind your manners?" She half teases.

    "Yeah! Has yours?!"

    Oh please, that old hag wouldn't know what 'manners' is if it slapped her in the face.

    "...What's an old hag?"

    Katsumi's eyes widened in shock. Did she accidentally say that out loud? Yes? Probably? Yep, she most likely did.

    The older lady decided to indulge Keisuke with an annoyed look on her face. "It's an old lady."

    "Really?" She nods.

    "Like mom?" HOLD ON A MINUTE—

    "Nononononononono! Not like your mom! Your mom is—she's young, not old!" Katsumi scampers out with her hands waving around and making frantic gestures. "Don't ever call your mom an old hag, you hear me?!"

    Keisuke, once again, grits his teeth and glares at Katsumi. "Oh yeah?! What are you gonna do about it?!"

    This little brat!

    The last thing Katsumi needs is Rika's son calling his mother an 'old hag'. She'll without a doubt kick both Katsumi and Takemichi out upon hearing those words spill from Keisuke's mouth directed towards the older woman.

    Maybe she could threaten Keisuke? No, the kid's too stubborn and short tempered to recognize a threat. Or—

    Wait.

    An idea suddenly forms in Katsumi's mind.

    The older lady calmly places her hands on Keisuke's shoulders and leans over the small boy, not missing the way his copper hues widened in shock.

    Then, with a malicious smirk dancing on her lips, Katsumi moves in closer to the black haired kid.

    "This is what I'm gonna do..."

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    Rika wasn't quite sure what to expect when she walked into her apartment with Breakfast in one hand and Takemichi in the other.

    She didn't think leaving Katsumi and her son alone together would create chaos or wreckage of any sort. Keisuke might not be the smartest, but he knows better than to outwardly disobey other adults (which is totally not a lie!) and Katsumi's a stubborn woman