Inuyasha, a brave, resilient, and carefree delinquent still struggles with his father's untimely murder by his mother's obsessed admirer. When he finally lets his guard down around the only person he's ever trusted, he has his heart and will broken by the sudden betrayal. After the heartbreak, he finds himself isolated and unable to recover from the blow, that is, until he meets Kagome Higurashi. A young woman with an uncanny resemblance to the woman who once broke him.
Note from Author: Hikikomori is a serious problem, not only in Asia, but around the world. People feel so ostracized by society at large that they develop a phobia of interacting with people and leaving the house. This is also to raise awareness to a real problem, as well as display what happens when we don't fight for an inclusive, diverse society.
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Hikki: Intro's n' things
Definition: Hikikomori is a psychological condition which makes people shut themselves off from society, often staying in their houses for months on end. There are at least half a million of them in Japan. It was once thought of as a young person's condition, but sufferers are getting older and staying locked away for longer.
Neet: Not in education, employment, or training,
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Kagome Higurashi ran down the steps of the shrine to catch up to her friends, Yuka, Ayumi, and Eri.
"Wait guys! Don't leave me!" Kagome yelled from the second flight.
"Kagome! You're going to make us late!" Yuka yelled, while Ayumi stopped.
"You guys can go ahead, I'll wait for Kagome. You should give her a break, you know."
Eri sighed, before yelling to Kagome's approaching form, "You need to stop waking up so late!"
Kagome caught up while panting, "I'm sorry guys, I worked overnight at the convenience store again. Then, mom and I had a big argument."
Ayumi paused, "Kagome, I'm really worried. It's not like you and your mom to argue. Maybe you guys should seek family therapy."
Eri and Yuka began shaking their heads, "No Ayumi! If she does that, then everyone will know that Kagome's dad passed! Then she'll lose face by some of the teachers!" Yuka argued.
Kagome nodded, "I appreciate the concern Ayumi, but Yuka's right. If they know I'm working because my dad passed, I could be expelled you know. I really don't want to get flunked two months before graduation! My mom would be so ashamed."
"What were you guys even arguing about!" Eri interjected.
"Mom wants me to quit the job, she says it's affecting my studies. But, things got hard and I can't have Souta running paper routes in middle school!"
"Oh Souta's getting ready to go middle school already?" Ayumi perked.
"Yeah, already! I can't believe it! But guys, I don't want to be late for homeroom. I think we should run." Kagome suggested.
"Ugh," Yuka groaned, "I hate running to class and you know it!"
"Whatever, just run!" Eri yelled while passing the gang.
The girls ran up the stairwell in order to beat the bell.
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Noriko Higurashi sat by the windowsill as grandpa ranted about some inane thing going wrong with the shrine.
"I need more ofuda papers! These printing papers aren't good enough. Only rice paper is favored by the Kami!"
"Grandpa, it's not that bad! I think the Kami might like the printing paper because it's stronger."
Grandpa huffed, "I appreciate your input, but I still feel rice paper is the only proper material for ofudas!"
"Well, when Souta comes back home, I'll send him to go buy some. In the meantime Grandpa, will you be alright while I head off to work?"
He only grunted in agreement.
"Then I'll see you this afternoon, Grandpa. Call me if you need."
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Noriko sighed as she manned the restaurant's front. Most days, she'd cashier, but others, she'd work in the kitchens.
Normally, cashiering was a blessed day, but today it was slow. Giving her too much time to ruminate on Kagome.
Kagome, my daughter?! Why were you subjected to such a fate? Why couldn't I have raised you in comfort, so that you could succeed like other children your age. When I was your age, I was dating and studying, and had time to spend with my friends. Not passing my classes by the skin on my teeth and working at all ungodly times of the day.
The restaurant's owner, Takeda-san rounded the register and waved at Noriko.
"Good morning, Omoda-san! It's been a little since I've seen you. How are the children?"
Noriko hated when he used her maiden name, always referring to her widowed status.
"They are fine, Takeda-san. They always ask for you." She stated dryly.
"I'm glad to hear that! Just know, Omoda-san, you are always welcomed to visit my home! My mother would be delighted to have you and the children."
Noriko cut him, "I'm sorry Takeda-san, but it would be wrong for me to impose on the home shared with your, God bless her, deceased wife."
"Noriko, you know that we both had a bad play at fate with our spouses! Maybe it's the time to try again! The children would appreciate it, and it would help to have extra hands and income around the home. We can even sell my home, and start fresh with a new one!"
Noriko smoothly ignored him, before welcoming the middle aged woman that walked into the restaurant.
"What would you like today ma'am?"
The middle aged woman seemed distracted, and very nearly distraught. "Oh, hello. Apologizes, I had a message. What would you recommend?"
Takeda gaped at the beautiful woman's visage and briefly wondered why her hair was so long.
The woman's hair skirted her calf and she wore a dark blue suit with a pink lace blouse, and matching heels to her brown purse.
"Is it take out, ma'am?" Noriko asked politely.
"Yes, please! For my son, I don't think Ramen would be great to transport."
"Well, we have Yakisoba along with stir fried cabbage, onions, omelette, and grilled chicken if that sounds appealing? I think it would be filling. How old is your son?"
Izayoi laughed, "He's twenty-five!"
Noriko smiled when the previously distraught woman finally brightened up
"If you don't mind my asking," Takeda interjected while Noriko rung up the order, "What does he do?"
Izayoi froze, "He's-He's ill, sir. At the moment, my son is just focusing on treatment."
Noriko shot Takeda a nasty glare, "Apologies for Takeda-san's rudeness!"
Taked bowed deeply and apologized, "I am sorry, Ma'am. I wish your son a speedy recovery, and we hope that this meal will be nutritious to his body, mind, and soul!" He stood up, "Noriko, please make it on the house."
Izayoi sighed, "No, no! I couldn't take your hospitality. I have more than enough to-"
Noriko simply returned with the bag of takeout, along with a brown bag with some pastries. "Here, for both of you to regain your strength. I hope to see you again, ma'am."
"I-Izayoi! And yours?"
Noriko smiled, "Noriko. I wish you all speedy recovery!"
"Thank you Noriko, and Takeda-san."
Izayoi bowed before taking the bag, grateful for their kindness that gave her strength in these dark times.
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Kagome sat with instructor Saito after school.
"Kagome, you are failing this class, and if you don't brush up you will not graduate!"
"Saito-sensei, I-"
"Kagome, what is causing your airheadedness? Why are you dozing and dazed in my class?"
"I-I," Kagome struggled and internally debated on whether or not to tell instructor Saito.
Will instructor Saito give me a break? Will she believe me? Would she report me for working?
In that moment, Kagome didn't trust anyone.
"My brother has been being bullied at school, Saito-Sensei. We've been working to stop it, but kids keep picking on him. I've been so worried that I can't focus." It was a half-truth, at least!
"Higurashi-san, why would anyone pick on your family?"
Kagome skirted around the truth, "Children are mean?" she shrugged.
Instructor Saito rubbed her eyes, "Verywell, but don't let his issues impact your grades. I expect to see you for tutoring Wednesday afternoon."
Kagome sucked in a breath, and smiled. I'm sorry I can't make it Saito-Sensei, it'll conflict with my schedule.
"Thank you very much, for allowing me this opportunity." Kagome bowed.
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The three girls met in the courtyard after school, "Kagome, you didn't lie to Saito-Sensei, did you?" Ayumi asked.
Yuka and Eri stood astride her with their arms folded.
"I didn't guys, I only told her a half-truth. But I don't know how I'm going to wiggle myself out of this one. I have to work on Wednesday and she needs me to come in for tutoring!"
"Kagome! Quit the stupid job!" Yuka demanded.
Eri tried to placate her with a hand on the shoulder. "Yuka's right, Kagome. Quit the job."
Ayumi sighed, "leave it guys, just-head off to cram school already!"
Eri huffed and Yuka gave Kagome a cold glare, "Whatever! Don't come crying to us when you fail, Kagome."
Kagome's eyes welled with tears, and she ran off into the sunset.
Ayumi screamed, "Look at what you guys did! You have no compassion!"
She turned her back and ran after Kagome, "Wait up, Kagome!"
Eri and Yuka caught the bus to go to their other classes.
Yuka stood while Eri sat on the seat, "Maybe we were too harsh, Yuka. I think we shouldn't have been so mean to Kagome. I mean, the girl is sacrificing herself for her family's well being. I couldn't imagine having to work and worry about putting food on the table."
Eri leaned into her arm holding the bus handle. "Yeah, I shouldn't have said that. Poor Kagome's already got enough on her plate. I should stop by after class and apologize."
"By the time we get out, she'll be at work. We should stop by the convenience store and apologize."
"Mmm-hmm" Eri agreed, tiredly.
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Kagome ran towards the stairwell and fell down in a dejected heap, sobbing her heart out.
Ayumi sighed, and sat next to Kagome.
"Kagome, you know they didn't mean it! You're not going to fail."
Kagome didn't respond and kept playing with the change in her pocket.
"I think you should just forget about them and try to get some rest Kagome. You've been running around like a chicken without a head, and been going straight for nearly three days."
Kagome put her face in her hands while bouncing her leg.
Ayumi watched some cars speed off, and started back up, "In my humble opinion, Kagome, you should quit the job. Maybe do something just on the weekends, or something more school friendly. Sell food, homemade beadwork, or do odd jobs! But not something that you have to work every single night."
Kagome sighed, "But Ayumi, you know I can't afford to buy beads or even find time to set up shop and sell them!"
"Maybe you can sell them online! I'll help you! You could run an ebay storefront! Your jewelry is so pretty!"
"Thanks, Ayumi." Kagome smiled, "Sorry to have made you run behind me."
"It's fine, really! I'm just glad to see a little light in your face."
Kagome smiled, "I should really let you go, Ayumi. I'll see you in the morning.
Ayumi nodded, "I'll take the bus, but please Kagome, don't argue with your mom."
Kagome shook her head, and watched Ayumi walk off in the distance from the stairway. And it clicked.
Ayumi has no mother!
In a desperate attempt to catch up, Kagome ran down the stairwell and started yelling Ayumi's name.
The girl didn't hear and boarded the bus.
"Ayumi! Stop" Kagome skipped sideways and banged on the bus' door.
Ayumi reached out, and stared at Kagome blankly from the window.
People stared at her as if she were a madman, but Kagome couldn't bring herself to care.
Kagome stood on the sidewalk and watched as the bus pull off.
A woman passing by wearing a blue suit approached Kagome, "You missed the bus?"
"Ah, it's okay! I was trying to catch up to my friend."
"I think it was more than that." the woman smiled sadly. "I'll give you a ride home."
Kagome raised her hands, "No, thank you! I'm alright! It's just down the block"
"No, No, I'll pay it forward." The kind woman smiled and opened the door to a deep blue 2016 C-Max energi. "It's the least I can do."
Kagome slid into the passenger seat and restrained herself from twiddling with the display.
Izayoi smiled, and pulled up to the curb of the Higurashi shrine.
"This is where you live?" The woman gasped, shocked.
"Yes-Yes ma'am. My name is Kagome, and I live here."
"You're, You're a shrine maiden?"
Kagome shifted in her heat, "Yes. I am. Let me take you to meet my mom, so that we can invite you for dinner and return our gratitude.
"Oh no, young lady. I have a son waiting for me at home."
"Please, I insist, it'll be really quick! You can take it home, miss-?"
"You can call me Izayoi."
"Oh, I couldn't call you by your first name!"
"It's alright, I insist."
Izayoi parked and pushed the engine's off button, before climbing up the stairs alongside Kikyo-no, Kagome, Izayoi's mind corrected.
The two reached the top of the stairwell, and Izayoi kicked off her shoes before bowing at the entrance. After passing the threshold, Kagome slid the shoji open to allow her to enter.
"Mama! I brought a guest home." I'm so grateful, miss Izayoi! With you being here, I can't argue with my mom again! She'll be too distracted.
Noriko rounded the entrance and gasped, "Oh! Izayoi-san!"
"Noriko-san! What a small world, is this your daughter?"
"Oh, yes!"
"I just saw her running after the bus, and missed it! So I gave her a drop home."
Noriko's eyes widened, before ushering Izayoi in to meet Grandpa and Souta before serving dinner.
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"Inuyasha, I'm home." Izayoi called out.
When no answer came and the food remain untouched on the kitchen, Izayoi became frantic and ran up the stairs to her son's bedroom.
"Inuyasha! Inuyasha!" She began turning the knob and stopped when it wouldn't budge.
"Inuyasha! Why is your room barricaded?" She paused and listened to the blaring television in his bedroom, and panicked when it didn't open.
God in Heaven, please, I beg you, don't let my son do anything rash! God I beg you please!
"Inuyasha, please, open your door."
She heard some shuffling and sighed.
The door creaked open, and Izayoi began to sob.
"Inuyasha, my dear son, why didn't you eat today? Why did you barricade yourself. I-I thought that you...hurted yourself."
Golden eyes peeped through the door "No, mom. I just had a rough day."
"My dear, nothing could be so bad to make you barricate yourself like this."
Inuyasha only shook his head, and refused to speak.
"Inuyasha, at least, come down and eat."
Inuyasha shook his head.
"Do you want me to bring it upstairs for you?"
He shook his head again.
Izayoi sank to the floor and allowed the tears to roll down.
"You saw her, didn't you?"
Inuyasha didn't move, "It's been years since you've last done that. Have you seen Kikyo?"
Inuyasha shrugged, "No, just my old professor."
"Kuboto? The one that used to mock you?"
"Yeah. He knocked on the door today, and left this." Inuyasha shuffled, and Izayoi heard the flutter of paper.
He opened the door fully, and was pleased to see his room was clean. When he was severely depressed the room became a pigsty.
Izayoi read the letter:
Attention, all citizens of Japan:
It is important that we eradicate all of those who support demon-human unions! The effects are ungodly, and lead to nothing but misery! These humans deserve to be murdered, along with their half-breed spawns.
But first, we start with the likes of Politician Taishou! We will kill her like her husband before her, and then slaughter the delinquent half breed!
Izayoi gasped, upon seeing the photo of her brutally murdered husband at the bottom of the letter.
"Ku-Kuboto is back to handing out this propaganda!? Kami, I should alert the authorities, this is a death threat!
Inuyasha shook his head, "You know the authorities wouldn't do anything, mom, they have their own prejudices, and will just brush it under the carpet, again."
Izayoi covered her face, "I-I met a young lady on the way out the office today. Both her and her family welcomed me with no problem. There's still good people out there, Inuyasha."
"Did you give them your last name?"
"W-Wha-Inuyasha." She chided.
"Well?" He asked gruffly.
"-No, no I didn't."
Inuyasha hmmed.
Izayoi backtracked, "Inuyasha, would you like to eat?"
"No, mom. But, thank you."
"Well, I'll be downstairs. I have to write a speech for a television interview. I-I'd appreciate it if you'd come."
Inuyasha shook his head before closing the door.
Izayoi allowed the tears to run down her face again.
"Maybe I'll take Noriko on that offer to visit again."
Izayoi passed out on the sofa while practicing her script, and Inuyasha silently walked into the kitchen. He grumbled, and ate some of the food. At the very least, his mom would be pleased he'd left his room.