Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 71595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 358(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 358(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Ah.
“So what will it take to make you leave? Perhaps the truth?”
Yuki cups my chin.
“I love you, senpai.”
His head lowers.
“The words are yours, will always be yours.”
Our mouths touch; the fight goes out of me—-
“But I can’t let you stay with me.”
He lifts his head.
“I love you too much to see you ruin yourself over me. So please...”
He steps back.
“Get the fuck out of my life.”
Word of the Day: KWSK
An abbreviation for the Japanese word ‘kuwashiku’ (detail)
In text language, this means ‘more details, please.’
A. A. A. A. A. B. A. A.
Since I’m used to seeing only one letter on my test papers, the sudden intrusion of a new one is sharply disconcerting. I can’t help staring at it, wondering if maybe I’m seeing things.
“What’s that?” Jason comes out of his study to join me at the dining room and peers over my shoulder. “Midterms?”
I nod.
He straightens with a smile. “Good job, hon.”
I smile back, but inside I’m thinking he’s exactly right. I did a good job – not a great one. I need all As if I want the last slot at the student exchange program the state’s educational department is offering. Which reminds me—-
The application papers are a little crumpled when I finally pull them out of my bag, and my chest squeezes in anxiety. I hear Japanese locals can be very meticulous when it comes to reviewing submissions. What if they turn me down because my papers have ugly little creases here and there?
Jumping to my feet, I decide not to leave anything to chance.
Kelly catches me on my way to the laundry and raises a brow. “This is new.”
“Very funny, Mom.” But I don’t really blame her for being surprised. The last time I tried washing my own clothes – and that was only because I didn’t have time to get to the cleaners and get my cosplay kimono dry-cleaned in time for an anime convention – it had ended very badly, with dark streaks staining the floral patterns of my costume because I had accidentally tossed a black dress in the washer with it.
“I’m going to iron these.” I show her my application papers.
“Oh. What you’re looking for isn’t in the laundry room. I stored the iron in the tool closet at the back of the house.”
“Got it. Thanks, Mom.” I’m about to turn when she calls my name. “What is it?”
“How are things with Yuki?” Her voice is quiet and concerned.
“He’s...coping.” I bite my lip. “He tells me things will work out, but...”
Kelly ruffles my head. “You’re worried about him.”
“I never thought his mom could do something so horrible,” I confess shakily. “I get it that she’s no longer happy with Yuki’s dad, but she could’ve just left him.” It would still have broken Akito-san’s heart, but at least it wouldn’t have destroyed him completely. Instead, Sascha proved to me how little I understand the extent in which a person can be evil. She not only ran away with her lover, but she also took all of Akito Himura’s money and sold company secrets that left the board no choice but to fire him.
“How could she have done that, Mom? And what about Yuki? She’s his son, but every time I see them together, all she does is hurt him. Can a mother really care so little for her own child?”
“Oh, hon.” My mom pulls me into her arms. “The fact that you’re asking just shows me how young you are.” Pulling away, she tells me quietly, “Love is always a choice. Everything about it is a choice. Who you love, how much or how little you love, until when – it’s all a choice. Sascha made her choice, a devastatingly cruel one – but she’s not the first woman to do it, and she won’t be the last.”
“I hope Hell chooses to love her then,” I mutter.
“KC!”
I grimace. “Sorry, Mom. But I’m just so angry...and I feel so helpless.” I only have to close my eyes and
Kelly gives my hand a squeeze. “Don’t be. You made a choice, too. You chose to love him and stand by him, and that means a lot to Yuki.”
I know that, but it’s not enough.
It’s not enough.
And as the days pass, the words keep pounding my brain.
It’s not enough.
Timetables start to take over my life, and I find myself counting the minutes I spend on everything I do. I need to find a way to cut my studying time in half and still score an A. I need to find a way to squeeze in another part-time job. I need to...
I need to...
I need to...
There are so many things I need to do, but I just can’t. I’m only eighteen, and no matter how much I want to help Yuki, what’s there for me to do? I can’t help his dad pay off their debts. I can’t stop them from selling their house, can’t stop them from moving back to Japan.