14 No need for fake care

next day, a shipment arrives at the kamiyama mansion at around 6 of the morning for takeuchi rie. harumi takes the box to her room. rie opens the door after the first knock. she doesn't look like she slept last night.

"reliable delivery. now, i have something to wear." she takes the box from harumi. "after one knock, you can leave the boxes in front of the door from now on."

harumi gives her a bow. "as you wish, miss."

"you are better than the other ones." rie closes the door after saying those words. harumi smiles lightly.

kiyohira comes down for breakfast. takeshi and his grandmother are already waiting for him. takeshi is dressed in his school uniform.

"is elder sister not coming for breakfast?" he looks at his grandmother.

"she said that she wants to eat in her room." grandmother kamiyama glances at harumi. "did you send her the breakfast?"

harumi shakes her head. "she said that she is full. she dressed up and already left the house."

"what?" kiyohira raises his brows. "why didn't you inform me?"

"master, you were sleeping." she looks down at her feet apologetically. "she left at 6:15."

kiyohira looks at his watch. it is 7:15 now. she is supposed to go to work today.

***

i look at the rubbles. they have really done it. my house is completely broken. there is nothing left.

there was nothing worthwhile inside that house. my relatives were disappointed and furious that my grandparents left me the house. they came and took every item in the house. i watched them fight over it among themselves. they didn't even leave a single photo. i think that they did it to spite me.

it was an empty house that day. my grandfather died when i was in high school. my grandmother died around five years ago. after she was gone, there was nothing left. it was not easy living alone at first.

everyone who ever cared about me is dead.

i sigh. the house is also broken now. there is really nothing left. i don't even want this place anymore. i don't want to go back to the kamiyama family either. but, if i disappear, their lives will not be good. that woman's son is still in high school.

i don't care about the kamiyama family. but, i don't want my someone to go through what i went through. kids can be crueller than adults. when it is over, i will disappear.

i look up at the sky. i hope that i can disappear with the wind.

***

kiyohira looks at the lone figure. he finds her right where he thought she would be. she is wearing an oversized hoodie and blue jeans. her hands are inside her hoodie's pockets. she is looking up at the sky. there is something in those eyes that stop him at his spot.

she is unreachable. she is like the lone star that is drowning in the ocean. he wants to grab her hand and pulls her into his embrace. he frowns when he realizes what he is thinking.

'that's just pity for a person who is human waste,' he tells himself. 'having sex with her is just for his release. he won't do it with her again. there are plenty of women who want to throw themselves at him.'

she smiles suddenly, though her eyes are still sad. she covers her head under the hood. she turns around in his direction. her smile disappears when she sees him.

"did you think that i will run away?" she asks him after a long pause. "i will stay until it is over. you better build my house soon."

"did you eat something?" he walks to her. this is not a concern. if she gets sick while she is staying at the kamiyama family, it might bring unnecessary attention. he doesn't care if she starves herself to death.

she raises her brow. she smiles at him darkly. "why, kamiyama? do you suddenly care about me because we did it? are you one of those clingy types, huh? i thought that you were no-strings-attached-type of fuck boy."

kiyohira wants to break her jaw and strangle her. he squints at her with anger and barks, "shut up."

"sensitive." she steps closer to him. her eyes have a dark gleam. "kiyohira, it is the truth. i only fucked you to get it out of my system. i hate you and your family. it won't change either. so, there is no need for fake care or cuddles because we have used each other's body. you don't have to care about whether i eat or not. in front of the outsiders, we can pretend like we are family. i will go to work like you want me to. let's keep this professional, shall we?"

he purses his lips. he hates her. because of her, everything is going wrong in his life. whenever he sees her, he can't control himself. she drives him insane.

she really doesn't care about what happened between them. why does he care then? it's good if she wants to keep things like this between them. he won't ever touch her again. he won't fall for her seduction either.

"fine," he tells her curtly. "to the outsiders, you have to act like a normal person. let's go. i will take you to your workplace."

"no, thanks." she shows him her phone. "i know the address. it is the fashion department, right? i will find the way by myself."

"wait." he stops her. "i will take you. the car is here."

"no, thanks." she jerks his hand away. she walks away from him. kiyohira is disturbed by her attitude. he fists his hands and holds himself back from dragging her to his car forcefully.

for now, he will let her do what she wants.