Chapter 16: Chapter 15: Fallout (Part 2)

[Chinatsu’s POV]

After Mom helps me change Sora into her nightgown, I go and change into mine as well. Heading back into her room, I crawl into bed with her. I cuddle up against her and listen to her quiet breathing.

It pains me to no end to see her hurting and not be able to do anything about it. I just hope this doesn't do as Mom thinks and sets her back. I still don't have a clue as to why she was so terrified, but she must have had a reason. I have never seen her that afraid in all the time I have known her. She’s afraid of things, but she is not a coward by any means.

Well, dwelling on this isn’t going to magically bring me any answers. I need to get some sleep too because I’m quite sure that she will need me tomorrow. I don’t think we have even begun to see the fallout from this incident.

Sighing, I close my eyes and try to sleep.

[Sora’s POV]

[Sunday, May 12th]

I wake up disoriented, scared and my heart pounding so hard it feels like it’s going to jump out of my chest. I feel Chinatsu beside me cuddled up close to me, asleep. I glance at the clock on my desk, shortly after midnight. I take a deep breath and slowly let it out, hoping it will help me calm down.

It doesn't help at all because I feel like someone is watching me. I know there is no one else in the room except the two of us, but that doesn't change that I’m scared and that's how I feel, which just makes it worse. My heart speeds up even more and my breathing becomes ragged as the tears come unbidden again, streaming from my eyes. I bite my lip so hard I taste blood in an attempt to not make any sound that might wake up Chinatsu. I’m so afraid right now and logically I know there is no reason to be. ‘There is nothing here to be afraid of,’ I tell myself forcefully. Though I might as well have said nothing for all the good it did. It seems like the more I try to hold it in the worse it gets. I pull up my pillow up to cover my face, so my crying hopefully won't wake her up.

[Chinatsu’s POV]

Sora’s movement wakes me up. I see her holding a pillow over her face. It’s easy to see that she is crying again.

I take the pillow away from her and pull her to me, hugging her tightly. She wraps her arms around me, buries her face against my shoulder and holds me so tight I almost can’t breathe. Try as I might, I can think of nothing to do to help her other than this.

As a boy, he was always sweet, gentle and sensitive. Now that she’s a girl, she’s even more so. My heart aches just seeing her like this. All I want is for Sora to be happy, I’m willing to do anything for that. Although that’s just it, what am I supposed to do? I wish I could turn back the clock to before any of this happened. She was so happy and lively this evening when she was making dinner with Mom. I had never seen her like that before. I was sure she was finally letting us all in to see the real Sora. How could one idiot change that in an instant?

She has always been so guarded. Even with me, she never fully showed me who she was. I know it’s because she has been hurt so much over the years, so I can't blame her. I know she loves me, I have no doubt about that, just as I do her. I know very well that she would do anything for me, just as I would her. She needs me, just as much as I need her.

Tears of frustration and pain begin falling from my eyes as I hold the person I love most in this world.

[Haruka’s POV]

I wake up when I hear Sora crying. It’s after midnight and this is exactly what I was afraid would happen. I quietly make my way up the stairs to Sora's room where the girls are.

Standing outside the door, I can clearly hear both Sora and Chinatsu crying. I want so much to go in there and comfort them. However, I know very well that I’m not who they need right now. I don’t even know when it started, but those two really are so dependent on each other. It seems as if ever since they first met it’s been this way. I know both of them love their Dad and me, but honestly, I know as long as they have each other they need little else.

Sighing as tears begin overflowing from my eyes, I think, ‘I want my bright, lively little girl back that man took away from me.’

[Eiji’s POV]

Haruka wakes me up when she gets out of bed. I can hear the girls crying, so I know where she is going. I want to go myself, but I know it wouldn't help. I still have no idea why Sora is so terrified of Akiyama. It doesn't really matter at this point, as long as he does what he says. If he keeps himself and his people away from my family that will be enough.

I know how desperate he is to find out what Daiki and Ai did. I think it might be best to detail some people to follow him. Tapping his phone, home, and office might be a good idea as well. I don't want to take any chances with their safety.

I came very close to killing him and being done with it when he said he owned Sora. If it hadn’t been for the fact that my wife and children were in the same room, I might very well have done it. I don’t ever remember being so angry. Honestly, I don’t understand how someone can see a little girl, who is as sweet as Sora, as an object to be experimented upon.

[Sora’s POV]

I woke Chinatsu up with my crying and she pulled me against her. She’s crying now too. I know how much she hates to see me hurting. That’s why I tried to not wake her up. She worries about me all the time as it is. It’s one of the reasons she stays so close to me. I don’t think that's why she is crying now though. It’s probably because she’s upset she can't think of a way to make me feel better.

I know the reason I am crying isn’t anything more than my overactive imagination, but it seems the more I try to stop crying the worse it gets. I’m exhausted from all of this, but that doesn't stop me from crying even harder. I hate myself. No, that isn’t right. I absolutely despise myself for being so weak. Even more so, for worrying Chinatsu to the point she is crying too.

I continue sobbing until exhaustion overtakes me again and I slip back to sleep.

　◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇

I snap awake when I feel a touch on my cheek. Before I can even open my eyes, my heart begins to beat wildly as adrenaline is dumped in massive quantities into my bloodstream. Terrified, every muscle in my body locks up, my breath comes in ragged spasms as I gasp for air, and wrench open my eyes, expecting the worst.

“Shh... sweetheart. It’s okay, I didn't mean to frighten you. You’re safe. Your father and I are just worried and came to check on you.”

Even though I should know there is no danger now, I can’t speak. I can’t move. I can't even think properly. My mind is as sluggish as molasses in winter. It takes a little while, but I’m finally able to recognize it’s my Mom sitting beside me touching my cheek and my dad standing behind her.

After my mind finally catches up with that fact, tears of relief begin streaming from my eyes.

I sit up, which causes Chinatsu to roll off of me, and bury my face between my mom’s breasts, unable to stop crying, even though there is no reason to be afraid.

I feel arms slip around my waist and someone hugging me from behind. Soon after, I feel a touch on my head that begins to gently stroke my hair.

I realize there is no reason for me to be so distraught, but regardless of that, my emotions have a mind of their own and leave me helpless to do anything but cry.

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[Haruka’s POV]

I was so afraid of this when that happened last night and she fainted. My bright, lively and happy little girl from last night is gone. I thought that last night, but I had hoped that she might somehow bounce back this morning.

I’ve been pushing hard for her to get adjusted to being a girl to help keep her safe. Then one man takes all of that away in an instant. I’ve never seen her like this. Even when she was a boy, at the worst of times, when he was being abused by so many people he always had a smile for us. I’m completely at a loss at how to deal with this, other than to hold her and make sure she knows I'm here for her.

[Chinatsu’s POV]

I woke up when Sora bolted upright and I rolled off of her. She’s wrapped up in Mom’s arms, burying her face in her breasts, crying again. Tears begin rolling down my cheeks as I think my worst fear is realized. I truly think he broke her and I have no idea what to do for the person who means everything to me. I wrap my arms around her and lean my head against her back while tears stream from my eyes, feeling lost and completely useless.

[Eiji’s POV]

It’s as I thought it would be. As soon as Haruka touches her, she freezes up, terrified. She started crying again, even after she realized it was us. It’s enough to make me wish I had killed that asshole, even if it was in front of my family.

No, killing him at that point would have solved nothing. I should have never sought permission to seek help from his company in the first place. This is my fault. I should have known better. Daiki and Ai made that company. I knew that, but I thought TGR might have had at least one other person who could understand what they were working on and might be able help Sora.

I take a step toward them and gently stroke Sora’s hair. I know it doesn't mean much, but it lets her know I’m here for her at least, I hope.

He has always held a large place in my heart, for the simple fact he cares so much for Chinatsu and would do anything for her. I’ve always thought of him as family because of that.

Even as timid as he is, when they were 11 he took on a group of three boys that were teasing Chinatsu when her breasts began developing. He took one hell of a beating over that, but he always stood right back up and wouldn’t back down from them. He might be timid, but he is by no means a coward. He will stand his ground when it is necessary. No matter the cost.

That is why I don’t think this will break her spirit. At least, I'm hoping not.

[Haruka’s POV]

Sora almost has a death grip around me while she is crying. My heart aches to see her like this. I wish I knew what I’m supposed to do now.

Eiji should never have brought up TGR, let alone asked for permission to seek help from them. This would have never happened if he hadn't. I didn't think any real help would come from them. We knew that Daiki and Ai carried that company.

[Sora’s POV]

It’s taken a while, but I’ve finally been able to calm down, at least to the point where I’m not crying anymore. Though I’m still scared and holding Mom very tightly. I really hate myself for being so weak. I’m absolutely sick of being afraid of everything. I don’t want to live this way anymore.

I wish I knew why I’m so terrified of that man. It can't just be that he knows who I am. I was extremely wary of him before he even said anything. Regardless, I want nothing to do with him and whatever he wants from me.

Simply thinking about last night is enough to overwhelm any semblance of control I thought I had. Sending me off to start crying again, unable to stop until I’m exhausted and drift off to sleep.

　◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇

I wake up sometime later, with my breathing ragged and my heart racing while tears stream from my eyes. At least I know why I am terrified this time. I had a dream where that man dragged me out of the house telling me that, ‘I'd never see my family again.’

Chinatsu is beside me, raised up on her elbow looking at me apprehensively. She leans across me to wrap me up tightly within her arms while my wracking sobs shake both of us.

It takes a while, but I’m finally able to stop. I feel completely numb now. Disconnected might be a better word to use. Although both fit I suppose. I have a bad headache and my stomach hurts on top of everything else.

Chinatsu sits up looking at me anxiously. I want to reassure her that I’m alright, but that would be lying. I’ve never lied to her in all the time we have known each other and I’m not about to start now. Even if I did, I’m certain she would know it was a lie.

“W-wh… ~ahem~ What time is it?” I ask her. I can barely talk my throat is so sore and dry. Chinatsu glances at the clock then back to me.

“A bit after two in the afternoon.”

Two o’clock! I’ve been in and out for almost eighteen hours. Though most of that time was spent crying until I was exhausted.

“I-I’m thirsty.”

“Do you want me to go get you something to drink?”

“No! Don’t leave me alone!” I yell, which makes my sore throat throb in protest.

“Okay. It’s alright, I promise I won't leave you. Why don’t we go down together then?”

I nod and wipe away the tears that had begun to form. She stands up, holds out her hands to me, and pulls me up. I feel shaky and weak as a newborn kitten.

“It looks like your hair exploded.”

I look at myself in the mirror on the back of the door. My hair is flying off in about ten different directions, tear stains cover my face and my eyes are dull and lifeless.

“Do you want to take a bath after we get you something to drink?”

I nod. Honestly, I don't want to leave my room, but I don't want to be alone either. I’ve lost any pretense of composure I ever had. I understand there should be no real reason to be so afraid. Dad would never let that man hurt me. However, emotionally, I’m absolutely devastated. I hate to even think about this, but I need to know why that man terrifies me or I’m sure I’ll never get over this. Although, that brings up this question: how am I supposed to accomplish that? I haven't the faintest clue.

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