Mitsuki's Pov
It's been a week since then. I never tried to go outside again. I ordered everything online; I was traumatized and didn't feel safe anymore. I regret everything. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have gone outside. If I stayed home, I wouldn't be able to meet that man. It's my fault. I tried not to dwell too much in that accident, but ever since I escaped, all I do is overthink, so many regrets, so many what ifs. What if he finds me again? What if he kills me? Ahhh!! I wanna die.....
"Woof." I quickly turned to Hunter. I gave him a soft smile. He looks so happy now that I'm here.
"Hunter." I called. He jumped on the bed and started licking me. It's a good thing that I trained him before. He managed to survive while I was gone. I was thinking if I will let Kaito have him. I'm afraid that if something happened to me like that again, he will not survive. I won't be able to bear it.
My thoughts were interrupted when my phone started ringing.
"Hunter, wait a minute." I got my phone on the side table from my bed.
"Who would call me this late?" My eyes widened when I saw the name of the caller. All of a sudden?! I immediately answered the call. I let out a small sigh before I spoke.
"カイト? なぜ私に電話したのですか?!" (Kaito? Why did you call me?!)
["叫ばないでください"] (Don't shout)
"おっとっと! ごめん" (Oops! Sorry)
["大丈夫ですか?"] (Is everything alright there?) There was a hint of concern in his voice. Did something happen that I didn't know? I hope everything's fine.
"Yes, of course." I lied. Of Course I don't want him to worry.
["嘘"] (Lie) I gasped, what the! He knows me too well!
"What do you mean? Everything's great!"
["Stop lying. I went there last time, but you're not home. You didn't answer my calls too."]
My eyes widened in disbelief. My right hand was in my mouth. Holy crap! Is it's the last time? That was the time I was kidnapped. Wait- He's here in the US?! I can't believe it!
"Wait a minute! You're here?! How long? Since when?! How did you come here?"
["Ugh. So many questions, Mitsuki. Let's just meet tomorrow. I'll go there in the morning. See you then."]
"Wait!" I yelled. I checked the phone, and he had already ended the call.
"Holy crap!" I let my body fall into my bed. I took a deep breath, not knowing what to do. How did he come here? Since when? Ah! What should I tell him? I can't possibly tell him everything that I was kidnapped and was very lucky to escape. I'm pretty sure that he'll try to convince me to go with him again.
Ah! Why is this happening to me? I wanna die!
"Woof." Speaking of Hunter, it's probably be best if I gave him to Kaito. I cuddled him and he did the same.
Let's not think too much today. I closed my eyes and let myself fall asleep.
The next day.
"Now tell me everything." It's fucking seven in the morning. Why did he come so early? I need to sleep more!
"Ughhhh!"
"Let me sleep first, okay?!" I whined, trying to get back to sleep.
"Stop acting like a child, Mitsuki, and tell me everything." He sat next to me and shook my shoulder. As if! I can't tell you. I don't want to worry you, don't you understand? And I'm sure you're going to call mom and convince them to take me with you. I just shook my head and tried to kick him.
"Hey!"
"Go away!!" I heard him sigh. I know that he's trying to calm down... But, I'm still sleepy!
"Mitsuki." He calls my name, but I just ignore him. I'm still sleepy....
"Go away..."
"If you don't tell me anything, maybe I'll just force you to live with me." I immediately jumped from my bed. There's no way I would allow that!
"No, you don't!" I said, shaking him. He let his fingers run through his hair, his eyebrows furrowed in frustration. He leaned to me, then held my shoulders.
"What?" I asked. We stared at each other for a second. His eyes were full of concern.
"Please, tell me." His eyes pleading and desperate. This is making me sad. I don't wish to see him looking like this. I exhaled and I gave him a soft smile. I sat on my sofa and crossed my arms. He's waiting for me to speak. I smiled for the last time before I opened my mouth and spoke.
"Something happened last time. It's an emergency. I couldn't tell you the details. I hope you understand. And so I had to go out and check it."
He tilted his head, not saying anything. He just kept staring at me. He didn't really believe me. Haist. I wish I could tell you, but it's not easy, you know.
"It's work related." I blurted unintentionally. Holy crap, I remember that I'm working at home. Damn it! He furrowed, unsure what to make of his reaction. He seems shocked and not in a good way, either.
"You're hiding something." He can see right through me. He really knows me the best. I pouted. It's okay, I can fix this. I crossed my arms and legs this time. And let out a chuckle.
"You remember the client I was talking about before, the one who came here just to see my work?" He nodded. Okay, good. Let's keep going.
"What about her?"
"She's working as a Graphic Designer too, isn't it nice?"
"So what about her?" He's not even interested. I rolled my eyes and decides to just keep going. Tch!
"That's her! The one who called me and asked for my help. She said she needed help." I paused. Trying to think of an excuse.
"A project she's working on.-"
"She even begs. How can I say no?" I added.
"You were gone for days."
"There was a lot of work."
"You didn't answer my call."
"I'm too focused on helping her."
"Too focused that you didn't even check Hunter's condition? You're so focused that you forget you have your own house?" Why is he like this? He's stressing me out.
"I mean….. She insisted on me staying there until we finished the projects. And I know Hunter can survive alone. We trained him, you know that!"
"Are you sure?" He asked, trying to read my expression. I know he wanted to believe me, but he knows something felt off. I'm sorry, Kaito. I was about to answer him, but then he spoke again.
"I couldn't help the urge to want to push further to get an answer, but I don't want to force you to tell me things you're not comfortable telling me." He leaned forward and gave me a faint smile. He's still looking worried.
"I'm glad that you're okay." I gave him a reassuring smile. He patted my head and hugged me. I hugged him back.
"Thank you." I said.
"No worries." I gave him a reassuring smile as we let go of the hugs. I'm sorry for not telling the truth.
"Oh, are you staying here for good?"
"Idiot. My flight is tomorrow. I just came here to check on you. But if you ever change your mind, I'm one call away." He's the best brother ever! I hugged him again. Oh, how much I miss him....
"I'm going to miss you." I said.
"Then just come with me."
"But I like it here!"
"Tch." He just stares at me dumbfounded and pats my head once again. I just gave him a grin.
"Alight, then. I'll be going."
He checked on me one last time, then was ready to leave. Wait! Hunter!
"Kaito." I called out, and he looked in my direction.
"Yes?"
"Can you take Hunter with you? " I said, looking sad. It's for the best. It's okay! Hunter is safe with him.
"Why, all of a sudden?"
"No reasons at all. I know how much you miss Hunter, too." He looked confused for a second, but then he didn't ask any questions.
"Alright. I'll take him with me." He knelt down and called Hunter. Hunter immediately runs to him. I already prefer his things. I walked towards him and handed him the bags.
"Here. Please take good care of him." He looked up at me, a worried look on his face again. I gave him a warm smile and hugged Hunter for the last time.
I will miss you, Hunter. I felt tears on my cheeks. Ahh.... I couldn't help it. Hunter is my first dog. He's a gift from Kaito on my 21st birthday. I love him so much. I feel less alone and happier with him. Hunter helps me feel less stressed and anxious. It's very hard for me to do this, but this is for the best. I wouldn't know if something would happen to me again. I don't want him to live alone.
"Look at you being a crybaby. Hunter can stay here with you, I don't mind---."
"No! He will stay there with you. I'm okay." He just sighs in defeat. He hugged me again, and we said goodbye. Hunter jumps and hugs me, too.
"Have a safe flight, you two!" I said, waving my hand.
"Take care of yourself!" Kaito shouted, and I nodded, giving him a warm smile. I watched them leave the building until they're out of my sight.
"I'm all alone again."