Sota lay on his bed, in a dishevelled state. He stared at his phone, scrolling through the relentless flood of comments under his quitting post:
'First his family, now his band. This brat doesn't care about anyone. He'll use you until you're not useful anymore, then move on.'
'If you're not feeding his ego, you're out. Bandmates, family, no one's safe.'
'The band is better off without Sota. He can't even respect the people who've done everything for him'
A bitter laugh escaped his throat. At least this went "well."
A sudden knock came at the door.
Kaito again?
"Fuck off already," he grumbled, opening the door.
Yet to his astonishment, it wasn't Kaito standing in front of him.
How?
Sota's eyes widened in surprise, and his heart skipped a beat. The moment caught him off guard. Almost reflexively, he wanted to apologize, but he bit his tongue, pushing the feeling back, his expression hardened growing hostile.
"Hey… I just wanted to check on how you're doing…" Saeko's voice full of concern.
Kaito must have let her inside. That brat.
"Thanks, but I don't need to be checked," he shot back coldly, attempting to close the door, but she stepped in before he could.
"You don't seem okay," she persisted, standing her ground.
Sota let out a frustrated snort, his gaze focused downward, avoiding her eyes.
"I don't remember inviting you in."
Saeko didn't back down. "Sota, let me help you…"
Damn. I was not prepared to face her.
"Leave me alone," he sneered.
"Alright," she said, her voice calm, though she didn't move. "If you want me to leave, I will."
"Then what are you waiting for?"
"If you want me to leave, say it to my face," she said firmly, her back straightening, gathering confidence. She knew him too well. She knew he couldn't lie to her face or maintain that foolish cold act. Not when he was looking in her eyes. She wouldn't accept his rejection unless he said it directly to her.
"I didn't take you for a woman who would stoop so low, chasing after a guy who've let you down," he hissed. His eyes still avoiding her. He grabbed her by the shoulder, turning her away from him, ready to push her out the door.
But before he could do so, Saeko quickly shut the door, locked it, and with a smooth motion, tucked the key between her breasts. She turned back to face him, unfazed by his fury.
Sota froze, unsure of how to respond. A fleeting moment of triumph flickered across Saeko's face. Then with a resigned sigh, he turned his back on her and muttered,
"I won't be back until you are here," he said, then in one swift motion, he climbed out the window. Saeko rushed to the window in a panic, but by the time she reached it, he was already gone.
"I guess that's what Yasushi meant when he said I can't help someone who doesn't accept help," she sighed.
She glanced around his apartment. It looked as if a tornado had torn through it. Upturned furniture, piles of laundry, scattered trash, and dishes stacked high. It was as if he had let everything fall apart on purpose.
"Let's get to work," Saeko muttered to herself as she started cleaning up. The act of tidying felt oddly comforting. As she picked up the pictures and books that were important to him, it felt like she was getting to know him a little better.
She smiled, almost unconsciously.
He seemed even more like someone she wanted to understand deeply.
I don't know your side of the story, but I'm sure you had your reasons for what you did. I may not know your past, but I know the person you are. I trust you, and I won't let appearances mislead me again.
Afterward, she cooked a meal, trying to make something nurturing from the things she found.
Before leaving, she turned off all the lights. He wouldn't come back if he saw it was still on.
Later that night, when Sota climbed back into his apartment, his heart sank. The place was spotless, everything in its place. A wave of helpless anger washed over him.
He wanted to destroy everything in sight, to make the room as chaotic as he felt inside. But the anger and frustration were swallowed up by something deeper.
He couldn't let all her work go to waste.
"I don't understand. She must've heard the news. Hell, knowing Mom, she must've found a way to get to her. So… How? Why?"