"Oh, I see," Hina whispered.
"No- I'm lying." Furayu snapped.
"Take your time to describe your feelings." Hina said, her voice calm.
It isn't loneliness… I think it might be–
"I just can't form a connection with someone I feel safe with!" Furayu cried out, breath shaking against Hina's skin.
Still, Hina kept her composure.
"I see," She whispered steadily. "Why is that?"
"Just… something that happened in my childhood." He trembled.
She nodded, her presence warm and patient.
"It's okay," She whispered again. "Take your time."
A soft wind brushed against them, Hina shivered.
The bushes behind the bench rustled strangely, blending in with Furayu soft sobs
"I just don't feel like anyone properly understands me." Furayu cried.
"Is it because… you feel like people don't take the time to understand you?" Hina carefully questioned.
Furayu fell silent. Lost in his head.
Is it because they don't take time? Or is it me? Do I really invest the time into understanding others?
No. That doesn't make sense.
Is it because of what happened with Saki?
It has to be… But I can't tell her.
"Ugh- No." Furayu stammered, his voice shaky, sweat trickling down his back as the pressure of maybe genuinely opening up, ate him up from within.
Hina's presence was too calming. Unsettlingly calm.
"It's just that… when I speak to people, it doesn't feel like it's real. Fake. The way Ren speaks to me or Inoue just annoying me and even you being so weirdly patient and comforting. None of it feels like it gets to me properly. I can make friends, sure, not too hard. But being around them doesn't sit with me well. It feels like I'm trying to impersonate someone else and I'm just not being genuine to anyone" Furayu's breath ragged and shaky. Pouring out an insecurity he's never truly shown.
"I don't even know why I'm like this."
Hina sat there. Stunned.
He really just told me all that…
He feels safe enough to tell me.
Taking a slow, steady breath. Recollecting her nerves. Keeping her voice soft.
"I'm really glad you opened up to me Furayu." Her gently reassuring. "I know Inoue, trust me she's genuine, no matter how rude or insufferable she may be. And Ren is a kind hearted person."
"There's nothing to be worried about, you have people to trust."
The glint in Furayu's eyes touched a nerve in her heart. Shining with tears, but still a hopeful look at her.
"What about Aoi and Nanami?" Asking her for confirmation, like a child seeking his parents validation.
"I can look into that if you'd like?" Hina replied, her tone wavered.
I could really pat him on the head and then it'd really fluster him!
But that would be quite inappropriate in the situation wouldn't it.
Her thoughts ran circles in her mind, both playful and chaotic. Yet she remained composed.
"Yes please." Furayu quietly sniffled.
"Uhm… I'm just gonna go to the toilet and clean myself up, I'll be quick I promise." His tone shifted. Softer, lighter and more a little livelier.
"You can take your time Furayu." Hina said gently. "I'll be right here."
Furayu with a soft nod, headed off to the toilets swiftly.
Once he was out of sight, Hina adjusted herself on the wooden bench. Let out a tired sigh of relief.
Honestly… I thought he was going to say he and Inoue weren't working out.
Softly chuckling to herself at the mere thoughts she had.
She looked up to the lamppost coming to life, as it flickered on above her. The sun hadn't even gone near the horizon, yet the lampposts had begun to light up with a golden hue.
Wow this could be such a cute place to take a pict-
A sudden rustling from the bushes behind snapped her back to reality.
Hina jumped away from the bench..
"W-WHO'S THERE!" She yelled, her voice sharp with panic.
From the hidden depths of the bush, a hooded figure emerged. Tall, shrouded in silence. Gripping what looked like a long, heavy stick.
"Hey! Put that down." Hina barked, trying her best to mask her panic.
Why aren't they saying a word? What are they-
She froze.
Her legs stiff, planted by the horror in front of her.
She blinked, and within that instant it seemed as though the figure had drawn close, too close.
Aim for the crotch. It'll work right? Dad said it'll usually do.
With a front kick aimed for the crotch.
But they dodged effortlessly, by taking a step back. Before being able to properly register and recover in the situation. A blunt blow struck her across the face.
Agony filled a region above her eyebrow. Sending her crashing to the ground, daze and disoriented.
"ARGHH" She screamed.
The figure took advantage, pinning her down. Forcing her arms above her head. Holding her in place as she struggled wildly in the strangers grasp.
"GET OFF ME!" Hina shrieked, desperation in her voice.
Another punch connected, leaving her disoriented. Then the figure slowly raised a finger to their lips, silently hushing her cries, before lifting the stick again.
Aiming it near her eye.
"Please… no… I'm sorry." She whimpered, her voice a quiet plea for mercy.
The figure nodded calmly. An eerie calm
From their pockets, the figure pulled out a small pipette. Steady hands placed it beneath her fresh wound on her brow. Collecting the blood that trickled down her face.
Hina's body felt as good as dead. Her mind, hazy. Her soul felt as though it had been stripped naked.
She felt numb.
Violeted.
What do they want?
Tears streamed silently down her cheeks.
"Please let me go…" She whispered, voice trembling..
Her wish was granted. But before she could register what that meant. Before hope could be properly processed. A heavy boot slammed into her ribs.
Pain ran through her like fire. Her vision blurred. Her consciousness flickered.
Wait what? What's happening? My side… It hurts. Too much.
She heard footsteps running off into the distance
The bastard's running aw-
Her limbs were limp, her strength gone. Her body felt too damaged and distant to even scream or move for help.