We are pretending....right? - Chapter 22- Pulling strings?

I cried. I cried a lot.

When I was with Sou-kun my mind was subconsciously avoiding thinking about the incident. It was something no one should ever face and for me as well, this was the first time I have faced something like that yet I know it has homed as a bad memory down the lane.

I was sexually assaulted.

When I returned home and told my mother about it, I found my eyes dampened and before I could hold it in, which I mostly do to not worry the people around me, I was wailing like a baby.

Mom was crying too along with me but she held me in her arms and did her best to soothe my anxiety and constantly told me that she was there with me.

I guess this was the reason why Sou-kun wanted me to not hide things from Mom. He knew I could not be myself in front of anyone other than the person who knows me the best.

Ryuu was also beside me, holding my hand and trying to calm me down but only after shedding for half an hour that I came back to my senses.

The incident was horrifying and I know I was traumatized enough to not use any secluded alley any time soon. My family was patient enough to listen to all my whimpers and hold me dearly.

Ryuu was furious enough that he was about to go to the police but I shut him down since Sou-kun already reported the assaulter as per what he told me.

Naturally, I had to tell Mom and Ryuu that I wasn’t with Akari but Sou-kun, since the evening. In the flow, I told them how Sou-kun saved me and with that, I didn’t hide anything at all.

I was unsure how Mom would react but I wanted to let her and Ryuu know, what a kind person Sou-kun is.

I thought of variation of responses I could say if Mom chides my decision, but…

“It’s okay. I can understand.”

“Eh?”

I made a weird sound as Mom got up from the couch where she was hugging me until now before she began tying her hair, probably going to heat up food.

When I was devouring Sou-kun’s world-class meal, my family was waiting for me to eat dinner together.

Shame on you, Sumire.

But…but…Sou-kun’s cooking was so enticing that I got seduced so isn’t it his fault as well?

Nevertheless, I approached Mom and asked in an uncertain tone, “Aren’t you too calm about this? I was prepared for a good scolding you know.”

Naturally, I felt relieved that Mom didn’t react negatively because of my stay with Sou-kun but it was too good to be true to believe.

Maybe she is lenient for now since I went through something harsh?

However, against my thoughts, Mom said something I didn’t expect, “I know what kind of guy, Sou-kun is, and more than anything, I believe in my daughter. I know you wouldn’t take any step which you would come to regret, so why should I get worked up for it?”

I froze at my spot hearing that, while gazing at the smiling face of my Mom.

Sometimes I feel like the luckiest child to have such a cool mother and I very much mean it.

Though we might mostly remain in our worlds most of the time, it doesn’t change the fact that we are a family, and at the end of the day, we three are the best supporter of each other.

‘Ah, I forgot… ‘ Realizing that I have entirely overlooked notifying Sou-kun of my arrival, I hurriedly went toward the dining table where my phone rested before I texted him.

However, he didn’t reply. Naturally, I couldn’t expect him to always be there to respond to me instantly so I just put the phone back and went to help Mom.

*****

[3rd Person POV:]

Back in the Hailey Tower, Sou had his phone resting on a bench as the boy currently could be seen doing pull-ups in the gym.

His upper body was bare as his muscles tensed up every time he did repetition. His muscles were shredded and six visible abs provided a cutting edge to his overall appearance.

Sweat dripped down his dampened hair as he finished his seventh set before suddenly his phone buzzed.

Since he was listening to music through earbuds, he heard the notification. Sou was about to check his phone when suddenly he received a call.

Taking a glance at the screen after dropping off the bar, he found that it was the same person whom Sou called a minute ago, only to get ignored.

With a snort, Sou tapped on his earpiece before the call got connected.

[You called? Is everything fine? Should I book a flight back to Japan?]

“Evening, Dad.” It was nothing new that his father was this dramatic even though Sou talked to him in the morning and the attendant Sou was provided with, reports everything to the elder Sanada.

[Why so formal? Are you in love by any chance, son?]

*He really doesn’t know how to act* Sou amused.

His father already would have been informed that a girl arrived at the apartment and considering Sou’s personality, his father knows that he wouldn’t bring any random girl.

Though he wanted to tell him by himself, but now when the cat is out of the bag, Sou went to the topic in hand.

“Her mother, Akiko Asuzawa works in the South Tokyo branch in the sales department. She barely remains home and Sumire gets sad about it.”

Sou generally doesn’t ask anything from his father since the elder Sanada has granted him more than he could ask for. But since Asuzawa Akiko was working in the same company his father owns, what’s the big deal in pulling some strings?

[If it’s for my daughter-in-law then surely I would do something about it! Don’t worry about it, my son. Rather, if I am not mistaken, this name…I think I have heard this name from you before as well…]

The corner of Sou’s lips raised at the words since he know what his father was talking about.

“Get back soon, Dad. There is someone important, I want you to meet.”

*****

A/N: – Sumire is one of the most dramatic characters I have ever written.

Anyway, I hope you guys liked the chapter so drop a comment~