Interaction

“Okay. The heater is already on.” Mitsuru stepped into the shower and began pointing at the various dials and objects. “That one there is for hot water, the other is for cold water. If you turn both at once, you can combine both into warm water. That bottle is shampoo, the other is body wash.”

As Mitsuru explained the entire shower in detail, Aika had her hand in her pocket, ready to draw her blade whenever Mitsuru would try something. Oddly, he didn’t. He just stepped out of the bathroom before closing the door behind him. Aika still couldn’t trust him. She still had a feeling he was going to do something, even though he hadn't shown any signs of making a move. Ensuring the lock is in place, Aika went ahead to take a warm shower. The warm water that came from the shower head immediately hit right at home. The relief from the cold she had to endure all this time was too great to be cautious. And so she went to make the most of it, enjoying every last second of it.

In the meantime, Mitsuru boiled a pot of hot water to make instant noodles for Aika, while he microwaved his bento that had survived a war. He finally had time to reflect on his actions, and what happened before. “Am I really cut out for this? Am I taking on too much? I’m really going out of my way for this one. Yea… At most a few nights. After that I’ll ask her to leave. I really don’t want all this.” However, he got something wrong about his reflection.

He already got attached, especially after what Aika tried to pull off. He couldn’t take his mind off her. What is she going to do next? What will she do once Mitsuru kicks her out? Subconsciously, his mind was all about Aika, despite thinking against her. Soon enough, Aika stepped out of the shower. Mitsuru peeked out of the kitchen to catch a glimpse.

It was like a completely different person stepped out of his shower, watching a dolled up princess stroll through his home. Her once long, messed up hair streaked down her back, reaching her waist, a simple straight cut tying it off. Her face shone bright white as a result of how fair it was, as thought it was a reflector. Her facial proportions on point complimenting the rest of the body.

Mitsuru just stood in awe, his head peeking around the wall, appreciating her beauty. Suddenly, Aika noticed. Instantly realising he had been caught, he ducked his back into cover, pretending as though nothing had happened. Slightly perplexed, Aika continued to question what constantly seemed unnatural to her. A short twenty seconds passed before Mitsuru stepped out of the kitchen, food in hand. A cup of instant noodles in one hand, and his bento in the other. He walked over to the dining table, where Aika was standing close to.

Ever cautious, Aika put her hand in her pocket where the box cutter lay in hiding. Mitsuru noticed that her hand was in her pocket and assumed it was nervousness. “Here. This is for you. Pretty sure you’re starving right now.” He set the cup down on the table, in front of a chair. Following that, he moved and sat at the far corner of the table, giving Aika some personal space since they didn’t know each other well at all. His assumptions were all correct. Aika was hungry, and she was indeed nervous, especially in the situation she’s currently in.

Deciding not to put pressure, Mitsuru just dug into his food as Aika watched. She looked down at the cup noodles next to her. A coloured liquid standing inside, with curly strings all around. AIka anxiously sat down, when the aroma hit her. In an instant, she didn’t care if the food was spiked, all she wanted was something to eat. When Mitsuru looked back up, he couldn’t believe her pace at finishing her food. She must’ve been famished, Mitsuru thought.

He never touched his bento. The whole time, he couldn’t take his eyes off Aika. Not only is she attractive to look at, but he couldn’t help but wonder what sort of scenario must’ve played out for her to attempt such a thing. The more he tried to reason with it, the more attached he got; opposite of what he wanted his relationship to be.

“Hey… Aika. Can I ask you a few questions?” Mitsuru asked; curiosity burning through his head. There was just too much he wanted to know. As much as being curious is good, knowing too much deepens the attachment. “What do you want to know?” Aika responded. “I… Why did you try to commit suicide?” No sugarcoating, straight to the point. That’s how Mitsuru usually is; straight to the point. Aika paused. She didn’t expect such a question, but yet, she was wondering when it was coming.

She just kept quiet, no idea how to respond to the question. She wanted to tell the truth, but at the same time, embarrassed to tell him. She had no obligation to tell him after all, and Mitsuru doesn’t have the right to demand it. Recognising the unusually long pause, Mitsuru could easily sense she was struggling to generate a response, so he switched his approach.

“Did something bad happen to you? Like… falling out with your close friends or parents?” Mitsuru asked, trying to make a prompting question; making it easier to generate a response. The expected answer had been cut down from an open-ended response to a Yes or No. Aika immediately felt more comfortable answering the question, but still hesitant. Subtly, Aika nodded her head, acknowledging and answering his question. “I see.” Mitsuru asked. Her reasons became abundantly clear to him; something happened between her and her parents. If something bad happened between her and her friends, then she wouldn’t be outside in thin clothing.

Now, there is just one of two possibilities; 1) She was kicked out of her house, or 2) She ran away from home. As much as Mitsuru would’ve liked it to be scenario 1, it became clear that it was scenario 2. Her body language was clear, along with her motives.

She was desperate. A better life? Somewhere she could feel safer? A way out?

“I’m gonna guess that you don’t plan on returning home anytime soon. Is that right?” Mitsuru asked, still trying to gather information, while not forcing a strong response. “Yes…” Aika responded softly. “I see. I think I understand your situation now.” Mitsuru told Aika in a reassuring tone. Aika kept her head down, still staring down her cup noodles. Inside, she felt very anxious, thinking that she just revealed a huge secret. But at the same time, she felt relieved. Someone finally understood her troubles. She could feel tears forming under her eyelids, but she suppressed them, trying to hide her emotions, like how she always did before.

“I won’t ask anymore questions, don’t worry about it. Just go get some rest. You look exhausted.” Mitsuru told Aika. “You can sleep in my room, I’ll sleep outside.”

Aika looked up at Mitsuru, confused by what Mitsuru just said. “Really?” Aika asked. “Yes, really. Go ahead.” Mitsuru assured her. “I won’t do anything.” Aika stayed in place, processing the events that had unfolded. Mitsuru finally began eating his bento that had been sitting for the past ten to fifteen minutes. Aika felt stuck in place. She wanted to go to Mitsuru’s room, but at the same time, she felt she had to stay in place, waiting for Mitsuru to finish. Mitsuru looked up and noticed that Aika didn’t move into his room. Deciding not to think too much about it, he just finished his meal before showing Aika where was going to sleep for the night.

Aika slowly stepped into Mitsuru’s room, her feet almost dragging on the floor. Looking around, she slowly took in everything there was to see. Everything was super simple; a purpose-built room almost completely lifeless. It felt like an office cubicle but converted into a bedroom. Nothing decorative on the walls, shelves with just books and nothing more. The only form of life that seemed to exist was Mitsuru’s PC, but it was off at the time, so that was dead too. The white walls weren’t helping either.

As Aika took a good look around, embracing the new environment, Mitsuru felt a little embarrassed. He couldn’t put his finger on why that is, but he just felt like it. His hands were getting restless, his nerves getting to him. His hands were rotating about, rubbing on each other, trying to calm his anxiety. He knew his hands were going, but he didn’t think about stopping what he was doing. Soon enough, Aika walked to the bed, just staring into it.

Nothing came to mind. She just… Stared, and the empty bed sheets seemed to stare back.

Mitsuru just watched the engagement between both parties, perplexed. Slowly, Aika rested her hands onto the bed, her sense of touch revealing the texture of the bedsheets. It was smooth and silky, no imperfections could be found unless they were being nitpicky. Aika couldn’t get over the feeling of Mitsuru’s bed. She placed both hands on his bed, feeling the individually woven covers. As Mitsuru watched, he wanted to intervene and say something, but he didn’t want to disrupt Aika’s sensory experience.

Right as he began to zone out, Aika sat down on his bed. Finally experiencing the hardness. It was soft. She immediately sank a centimetre or two as a result. Mitsuru couldn’t take his eyes off what he was watching, despite how uneventful it really was. Was it due to Aika’s curiosity? Her good looks? Or he just found it weirdly entertaining? Either way, he finally decided it was time to move on. “Well uh. Good night, Aika.” Mitsuru said. Aika looked over, donning a mixed expression; half shock, half confusion.

Her conscience finally snapped, processing what Mitsuru just said. “Good night.” Aika replied, softly. She was still nervous about the whole thing. She still felt a sense of malice in Mitsuru, thinking that he would attempt something, or demand it from her. However, there were more pressing matters on her mind.

Her exhaustion. Within the minute of sitting down, her eyelids immediately began falling out of place, trying to cover her eyes.

Mitsuru slowly walked out of his room, leaving Aika to herself, closing the door and turning off the lights behind him.

Aika quickly lifted the bedsheets to check for any suspicious items, but found nothing. Slowly, she covered herself with the blanket, covering her full body and hands, leaving her head sticking out, laid on the pillow. Warmth slowly set in, as the trapped air began to warm up around her. It was awfully comfortable. Laying on a nice bed, under the covers while staying warm. She didn’t want to move.

It was too comfortable. As her eyes finally closed, she began to dream.

Though starting with flashbacks to what happened today, she was met with reality. “Am I really going to give this up now that I’ve experienced it? I really don’t want to. I love it here, even though I'm in a stranger’s home.” Her mind paced constantly, trying to decide on her next course of action the next morning. “Am I going home? Or am I going to stay here for as long as I can…”

She never made a decision; exhaustion sweeping over.

Suddenly, the door swung wide open, the living room lights spilling right in, blinding her. She could barely make out a figure, rapidly increasing in size. The incoming light created a dark silhouette around the person, creating a terrifying scene to behold. As the person approached, details could be made more apparent. It was a man, and he seemed to be holding something in his right hand. What was it? All these questions filled Aika’s mind, wondering what was going on.

Sharp pain suddenly emerged from her ribcage.

She screamed in pain. Something, or someone had hit her.

Another blow followed suit, hitting close to the first spot. Her agonising scream grew even louder. As her eyes adjusted better to the bright light, she could just about make out the identity of the equipment in play. It was a leather belt, fairly thin, almost like a whip. As he raised the belt over his head, preparing for another strike, she screamed. “STOP! IT HURTS!!” She hoped that the man would stop right then and there.

He didn’t. A third blow landed, this time around her thigh. Another agonising scream filled the air. Her screams of agony turned into tears.

Number four and five followed quickly, both dishing out equal amounts of pain as the first three hits. She didn’t even scream anymore.

She just laid still, tears flowing out of her eye sockets. The attacker left the room, closing the door behind him, shrouding Aika in darkness once again.

Slowly, Aika moved to draw the curtains, letting moonlight illuminate the room. She quickly inspected the wounds inflicted. Thankfully, her skin didn’t break, but there were very distinct red marks where the belt hit. She had school the next day. She had to go, but didn’t want to. She wanted to hide; both her scars and her face. Her crying increased further. The physical pain started to fade away, but the thought of showing fresh red lines all over her skin left her desperate to hide.

All she wanted was to make it all disappear.