cttro
~
Etsuko locked herself away in the confines of her room, her sobs echoing through the empty space. The sound of her heartbreak reverberated in the silence, a haunting melody that pierced the very depths of her soul.
The twins, Atsumu and Osamu, returned home late that night, their footsteps heavy with concern as they heard the echoes of Etsuko's pain. They exchanged a knowing glance, understanding the depths of her sorrow without a single word spoken. With heavy hearts, they decided to give her the space she needed, silently praying that time would heal her wounded spirit.
As the morning sun bathed the world in its golden hues, Etsuko awoke with a pounding headache, a physical manifestation of the ache in her heart. Slowly, she descended the stairs, her movements heavy and filled with a sense of emptiness. Osamu had already started preparing breakfast, his actions a comforting routine in the midst of her turmoil.
"Morning, Samu nii-san," she murmured, her voice laced with weariness, as she wrapped her arms around Osamu's waist, seeking solace in his familiar warmth. She nestled her forehead against his back, finding a momentary respite from the weight of her emotions.
Osamu turned his head slightly, planting a soft kiss on her head, his gesture a silent reassurance that he was there for her. "Good morning, Tsuko," he whispered, his voice filled with a tenderness that only a brother's love could hold. "Breakfast is almost ready. Sit down."
Etsuko hummed in response, her body moving on autopilot as she took her place at the table. Resting her head on the cool surface, she closed her eyes, seeking solace in the quietude of the moment. The ache in her chest seemed to intensify, threatening to consume her entirely.
The front door swung open, and Atsumu's voice filled the air as he announced his return. "I'm back!" he called out, his voice a jarring contrast to the heaviness that enveloped the room.
"Welcome home," Etsuko whispered weakly, her voice barely audible, as she felt Atsumu's presence drawing closer to her.
Atsumu approached her with cautious steps, his heart heavy with the weight of her pain. He leaned down, his lips brushing against her head as he left a gentle kiss, his touch a silent reassurance that he would always be there for her.
"Nii-san..." she called out, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes filled with a mixture of vulnerability and longing.
Atsumu and Osamu exchanged a glance, their hearts breaking at the sight of their sister's pain. Without a word, Osamu nudged Atsumu towards her, urging him to be the one to provide the comfort she so desperately needed. Atsumu begrudgingly obeyed, sitting beside her and offering his shoulder as a resting place for her weary head.
Etsuko leaned into Atsumu's embrace, seeking solace in the warmth of their connection. Atsumu's heart wavered, torn between anger and sadness, as he realized the depth of her pain. He rested his cheek against her head, intertwining their fingers, silently promising to be her pillar of strength.
"You and won't leave me, right?" she whispered, her voice fragile and filled with a hint of desperation.
Atsumu's heart shattered into a million pieces, realizing the extent of her vulnerability. With a heavy heart, Atsumu raised their intertwined hands to his lips, pressing a lingering kiss upon her delicate skin. His gesture was a silent promise, a vow that he would always be there for her, no matter the circumstances. In that tender moment, time seemed to stand still as they held onto each other, seeking solace in the warmth of their bond.
"We will never leave you, Etsuko," Atsumu vowed, his voice filled with a mixture of determination and love. "We are here for you, through thick and thin. You are not alone."
Atsumu had always believed that Etsuko was an unbreakable pillar of strength, a woman who could weather any storm. But now, as he gazed into her tear-filled eyes, he realized just how wrong he had been. She was not invincible. She was a fragile soul, capable of feeling pain and shedding tears just like anyone else.
They sat there, in the quiet embrace of their sibling bond, finding solace in the unspoken words that passed between them. Time seemed to stand still as they held onto each other, providing a much-needed anchor in the storm of Etsuko's heartbreak.
Outside, the world continued to move, oblivious to the pain that lingered within the walls of their home. The sun cast its warm glow upon them, illuminating their shared sorrow and reminding them that even in the darkest of times, there was still a glimmer of hope.
But all too soon, the real world intruded upon their sanctuary. Osamu called out to Atsumu, breaking the spell and reminding them of their chores. Reluctantly, Atsumu released Etsuko's hand, his fingers gently ruffling her hair in a bittersweet farewell. He knew that he couldn't stay in that moment forever, as much as he wanted to.
Etsuko, overcome with a sense of despair, slammed her head against the table, a desperate attempt to escape the pain that consumed her. As she turned her face to the side, the sunlight bathed her features, illuminating her vulnerability. Unbeknownst to her, her eyes closed, she was transported back to a time when the three of them would pause their daily activities to witness the beauty of a sunset. It had been their bonding ritual, a cherished memory that now seemed distant and unattainable. Atsumu's volleyball career kept him overseas, Osamu was busy running the onigiri shop, and Etsuko herself was entangled in her role as Kozume Kenma's secretary.
And then, the reality hit her like a tidal wave. Kenma. They had broken up. The pain of their separation washed over her once more, leaving her feeling hollow and empty.The twins watched her with a mixture of pity and helplessness, their hearts aching for their sister's suffering. Their attention, however, was abruptly diverted when a familiar voice echoed through the house, breaking the heavy silence.
"Atsumu, you didn't answer my email last night," Suna's voice trailed off as Osamu quickly silenced him, gesturing towards Etsuko. They both knew that she couldn't bear any more disruptions.
"Welcome home, Rin-Rin," Etsuko greeted him with a vacant expression, her voice devoid of any emotion. She could sense his presence, even without looking directly at him.
Suna leaned in, blocking the sunlight that had begun to seep into the room. Etsuko slowly opened her eyes, her gaze meeting his. In that moment, she blurted out words that seemed to escape her lips without conscious thought.
"You have lovely eyes," she murmured, her voice soft and distant.
Suna smiled, seemingly unfazed by the awkwardness of the situation. "Morning, Koko. Let's go on a date later, okay?" His peripheral vision caught Osamu's exasperated facepalm and Atsumu's silent curses.
Etsuko responded with a detached tone, her words lacking conviction. "...Yeah ...sure."
Suna's smile widened, and he playfully poked her cheek. "Cute," he commented in a hushed tone before making his way into the kitchen. He tiptoed, careful not to disturb the fragile atmosphere that hung in the air. "Oh, right. What's for breakfast?" he whispered to the twins.
Osamu, unable to contain his frustration, facepalmed once again. "How can you say that so casually after flirting with my little sister, who just broke up with her boyfriend?"
Suna seemed oblivious to the tension, his confusion evident in his response. "You mean Kozume? But he stayed at my place last night."
Atsumu's fists clenched at his sides, his voice laced with anger. "What?! Why?"
Suna shrugged, his innocence shining through. "What do you mean why? I saw him outside the convenience store last night, holding a bottle of alcohol. I told him it was too late to go back to Tokyo, so he stayed at my house."
Osamu sighed heavily, closing his eyes in an attempt to regain his composure. "Where is he now?" he asked, his frustration evident as he prepared himself for a confrontation.
Suna's response sent a wave of disbelief crashing over them. "He's outside, parking his car," he innocently revealed, still unaware of the tension that filled the room.
Osamu's frustration reached its peak. "Are you crazy? Tell him to go home before-" His words were cut short as the sound of the door opening and closing filled the room.
"Whoever you are, welcome home," Etsuko greeted the newcomer, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Etsuko," Kenma's voice broke the silence, causing her eyes to flutter open.
He stood before her, a pale smile gracing his features. Etsuko's mind raced, trying to comprehend his presence in that moment.
"What are you... what are you doing here?" Etsuko asked, her voice filled with confusion as she leaned back against the wooden chair.
Kenma knelt before her, gently taking her hands in his own, his eyes locked with hers. "I told you before, didn't I? I swore that I would never leave you," he whispered, his thumb caressing her palm.
Etsuko's head drooped, a sense of defeat washing over her. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she pleaded, "Please, no. I don't want to hurt anymore. I don't want to hurt you."
Unable to bear seeing the person he loved in so much pain, Kenma reached out, wiping away her tears with a gentle touch. "God, I love you more than anyone else," his heart shattered into a million pieces, realizing that he was the cause of her suffering.
Etsuko sniffled, her gaze fixed on her greatest love. "What are you doing? We're not together anymore."
Kenma's resolve hardened, his voice filled with determination. "Then I'll make you mine again," he declared, his words carrying a weight of unyielding determination.
Etsuko looked up at Kenma, her eyes filled with a mix of confusion and longing. "Kenma, you can't just make me yours again. We've broken up, and it's not that simple."
Kenma's grip tightened on her hands, his voice filled with determination. "I refuse to let go of you, Etsuko. I made a mistake by letting you go, and I won't make the same mistake twice."
In that moment, their hearts broke and mended simultaneously, a collision of emotions that threatened to tear them apart and bind them together all at once. The future remained uncertain, but their love burned brightly, a flame that refused to be extinguished.