Kota sprinted through the deserted streets, his heart pounding harder than the rain pelting against him.
The wind howled around him, carrying leaves from the autumn trees that seemed to scatter in every direction.
The storm brewing in the sky mirrored the turmoil in his chest, but he paid no mind to the cold or the coming tempest.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
His focus was singular—getting home, away from the humiliation, the rage, and the shame.
After losing to Haruto, Daiki's indifference had cut deeper than any punch. Not a word, not a glance, just a silent departure that screamed louder than any reprimand.
Kota's battered body had been left sprawled on the ground, the rain mixing with his tears and blood.
The humiliation burned like acid, worse than the time Daiki had physically lashed out at him in anger.
The rain intensified as Kota reached his house, his clothes drenched and clinging to his bruised skin. He fumbled with the gate, swinging it open hastily before rushing to the front door.
The sound of his shoes squelching against the wet ground echoed through the empty yard.
Pushing the door open, he stepped inside, the warmth of the house doing little to thaw the icy anger in his chest.
There was no greeting, no concern, just the muffled sound of laughter coming from the living room.
Kota's fists clenched as he moved toward the sound, his footsteps heavy on the floorboards. His father, Mr. Inoue, was perched on the sofa, his belly shaking with laughter as he watched a comedy show on TV.
The sight made Kota's blood boil, but it was the figure beside his father who twisted the knife. His mother, Asuka, sat there quietly, her gaze distant and unseeing.
Kota froze for a moment, the weight of Haruto's words crashing over him like a fresh wave of agony. His chest tightened, anger mixing with the deep ache of betrayal.
"Fuck!" The expletive tore from his throat as he stormed into the living room.
Kota stumbled back a step, his chest heaving as if the weight of her words had physically struck him. Mr. Inoue froze, his jaw slack.
"What are you saying, Asuka?" Mr. Inoue asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "You... you cheated? Why?"
Asuka stood slowly, her movements deliberate as she met her husband's gaze. "Why?" she repeated, bitterness dripping from her words.
"You want to know why? Because you stole my life. You raped me, destroyed my future trapped me in marriage, and left me with a child I never wanted."
Kota's world crumbled as her words sank in. He staggered, gripping the back of the couch for support, his mind reeling.
"Asuka, that's enough!" Mr. Inoue barked, but his voice lacked conviction.
"No, it's not enough!" Asuka shouted, tears streaming down her face.
"Every single day, I've had to live with the consequences of your actions. I tried to love Kota—I really did—but every time I looked at him, I saw you. I saw the man who ruined me, who trapped me in this life. Do you have any idea what that's like?"
Kota's legs gave out, and he collapsed to the floor, his head hanging low. "You... you hated me?" he whispered, his voice broken.
Asuka turned her gaze to him, her face twisted with anguish. "I wanted to love you, Kota. But I couldn't. I'm sorry."
With that, she turned and fled from the house, leaving both men in stunned silence.
Mr. Inoue stood frozen for a moment before his face twisted with rage. "This is your fault, Kota!" he spat, his voice venomous. "If you'd never been born, none of this would've happened!"
He stormed out after Asuka, leaving Kota alone. The silence was deafening, broken only by the sound of rain hammering against the windows.
Kota knelt on the cold floor, his body trembling. "She never loved me..." he murmured, his voice barely audible over the storm outside.
"It's all my fault..."