Chapter 16: The World Applauds When You Bleed Quietly
There were no parades.
No apologies.
No "we're so sorry this happened to you."
Just—
A guidance counselor who asked Akiro to "try not to make a scene again."
A teacher who told Yumi, "You're brave. But maybe keep your head down now."
And students who stared more than ever, whispering:
"That's the girl who called the cops.""That's the guy who cried."
Akiro didn't show up for two days.
Yumi sat at their rooftop spot alone, hoodie in her lap, fingers curled into the fabric like it was the only thing left of him.
Reiko came up once.
Said nothing.
Just sat beside her and left half a sandwich.
Yumi didn't eat it.
He came back on a Thursday.
Late.
Wearing a new hoodie — clean, plain black.
Too new. Too anonymous.
Yumi spotted him the moment he stepped through the school gate. His eyes didn't scan for her. His steps were slower. Cautious.
He looked like someone who'd been told to be invisible and finally listened.
She ran to him anyway.
"Akiro—"
He didn't stop walking.
She followed.
"Hey. Talk to me."
Still walking.
"Akiro, look at me."
He stopped.
Finally turned.
And for the first time in weeks… he looked at her like a stranger.
"They want me gone."
She blinked. "Who?"
He swallowed. "Child services. The school. The new foster program."
She felt her throat tighten.
"No."
"They're transferring me to a different district."
"No—"
"Different house. Different city. They say it's safer."
She stepped forward. Grabbed his wrist.
"Do you want that?"
His silence told her everything.
"…It doesn't matter what I want."
"It matters to me."
He looked down at her hand.
Then at her face.
And said something so quiet she almost didn't catch it:
"You should stop caring. Before it costs you everything."
He walked away.
Again.
But this time?
It didn't feel like storming off.
It felt like vanishing.
And that night, for the first time since the beginning…
Yumi cried without knowing who to be angry at.
The world?Him?Or the cruel, stupid truth that even love can't stop someone from leaving when everything else wants them gone.