It's been a while hahaha! Anyway, this will be the second part of the prologue! I'm still not sure how many chapter will it take before I get to the routes but nevertheless, hope you enjoy this chap (tho it might be shitty cause I suck lol)
Throwing a sweet smile at her sister, Tsukiko was crumbling inside. Memories that she thought she have escaped from came crushing back down at her. It feels like someone poured a cold water on her making her realize that what she did was only a temporary escape from her fears and problems. How pathetic she felt of herself right now.
Tsukiko looked at the brunette who was now about to jump at her out of happiness, with a faked smile plastered on her face. Oh, she can't even explain how glad she was that acting is within her proficiency.
Ema eventually hugged Tsukiko, however she wasn't able to hug back. No matter how professional Tsukiko's acting might be, she can't just bring to act affectionate and close to her sister.
When did she even became like this? It's not like she hated her from the very beginning. No, this feeling of Tsukiko towards her cannot even described as hate— okay, let's be honest, maybe she does feel a tinsy bit of hate towards Ema but, other than that, Tsukiko feared her. She was all the cause of her miserable life, for all the traumas that she has acquired. Whenever she's with this girl, nothing goes well for her, because beside her sister, Tsukiko was just a shadow. And we all know a shadow can't overpower the light. Oh how idiotic the world's stands are. It always trigger Tsukiko whenever she thinks about it.
"Tsukiko...?" Amongst the noise of the watching crowd a single and familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
Ahh, since when did she last heard this voice. It feels so long that Tsukiko felt a little nostalgic.
"Dad..." for a moment she had let her guard down and spoke those words without any act beside it. Ema loosened her hug at her as she did so.
Those three letter words rolled out from her tongue so smoothly even though it has been so many years since she had las uttered it. The funny thing is, although it was supposed to be all natural, those words seemed so unfamiliar for her.
Tsukiko can still remember how she had loved her dad when she was a child. Back then she thought that her dad is the only person who's different among the rest. That even though he rarely comes home, he definitely won't compare her with somebody, especially with her sister— because, he's her beloved dad.
Although, fate– doing it's job as always— gave her a big slap on the face. Tsukiko was in 4th grade at that time. She was no idiot, she just became aware of the fact that her dad was the same as others. She felt disgusted, yes, but aside that, she felt so broken. The only person who she thought is by her side, who the thought was different turns out like everybody else. To make it worse, it seems like he's not even aware of what he was doing to her, even though he's her father.
At an early age, Tsukiko already felt alone. She was living under the same roof with the person who she loves yet also hates. It disgusts her, and it also crushed her. She never felt great about herself. Heck, she doesn't even feel like she'll be able to trust anybody anymore.
She was able to learn how to distance herself from them at such a young age. Her true self, at least. Being in the same house, she can never distance herself physically, and that's killing her, so she decided that she will never show her real emotion to these people, she won't try to get closer to them, because this way, they won't be able to hurt her nor affect her.
Indeed, smiling and acting as if everything is fine was out of her kindness and concern for her family but she will never smile at them if it isn't needed. When they're engage in a conversation, she will only give short answers. And aside for a fake smile, she didn't give any other emotion to them. In fact, she wanted to run away and just leave everything, and she was able to do so when she entered high school.
Her dad rushes towards her and hugged her tightly. It really has been a while. To be honest, Rintarou was aware of Tsukiko's feelings but he himself was blinded by his affection towards Ema. He was guilty for what he had did to his child. He was one of the reasons why the genuine smile of the bright and bubbly kid from before, was erased. So when he met Miwa, he thought that maybe this time, he will be able to make his daughter feel that love that he wasn't able to express towards her. Maybe having a family will bring that smile back.
The reasons why he wanted to to this, even if it means imposing to the current life of her daughter just to bring her back, is to be able to redeem himself; he felt like he'll able to retrieve the guilt he was feeling all this time, and genuinely because, he wanted Tsukiko to experience warmth of a family.
"Thank goodness you came...!" He choked. Rintarou didn't expected that he will be this emotional.
Must be because of his age. He let out a small laugh at the thought.
"I'm sorry I'm late, dad." With a little shaky yet empty voice, Tsukiko was barely hanging in composing herself. It was suffocating. Mentally and physically. He dad was freaking crushing her.
"How about you loosen your hug a bit, honey?" a gentle looking woman came towards them and pats Rintarou in the shoulder, making him realize how tight his hug was for Tsukiko. Which was a relief; in a lot of ways.
Tsukiko's attention now was focused of the unfamiliar woman in a white wedding dress. Only idiots won't be able to tell that she's the one her dad married.
She bowed her head to show respect to the wife of his dad, this action was quickly followed by Miwa stopping her to do so and give her a warm hug instead.
Actually, Tsukiko kinda liked Miwa. Amongst the people she had met up until now, Miwa felt different. She doesn't look like she would easily favor someone else. Like, she has this aura that feels so different to the point that Tsukiko just can't explain.
"You must've heard it from you dad but let me introduce myself properly, I'm Miwa. I will be your new mom from now on. I know you have many things in your shoulder but always remember that as your mom, you can always depend on me. I will be by your side!" Holding both of Tsukiko's shoulders, Miwa gave out a very gentle and motherly smile.
Tsukiko was speechless. She never heard those words from the people in her family, and yet, this woman— who she met just now— say such warm words. She just can't help but to have doubts, but giving he dad's new wife a doubtful look might be rude so she just faked a smile.
"You know," Miwa started as she caressed Tsukiko's cheek. "I've always wanted a daughter, and now I have two! I can't even express how happy I am right now!" She giggled. Tsukiko just looked at her, no emotions can be seen on her face but deep inside, she find this woman strange. She had never met such person before. But it does look like she'll be able to take care of her dad so, as a daughter of Rintarou, she was really relieved.
"Come and sit down! Look at you, you must've rushed here! I bet you're hungry already. Come and eat!" Miwa dragged her gently inside and let her seat to where Ema was seated.
After The event ended, Tsukiko breathed out a sigh of relief. She was being constantly checked on by her now step mother, not only that, she had to bear the fact of conversing with her twin. She's really glad everything's over now.
However, Tsukiko was occupied by the most amazing discovery that she has found out today, and that is, Miwa has 14 sons! Seriously, that girl needs a hobby. Even though she was with her sister, she didn't really converse with anyone else aside from her, Miwa, and her dad. Maybe those brothers are in the event hall, and she just didn't notice? But 14! That sure is amazing.
Even now, she wasn't able to move one by that fact, she's even forgetting something important— which was reminded to her shortly after.
Her dad approached her with Miwa, side by side. The were smiling as Rintarou brought up the most important topic her daughter has forgotten— moving in with her sister.
"So, Tsukiko, when will you be able to send all your things?" Her dad asked, and she stiffened.
What...- Tsukiko was too occupied to even worry about that fact! She completely forgotten that she was asked to move in with Ema.
Tsukiko knew that whatever excuse she will give will be futile because she wasn't really given a choice.
"... anytime is fine..." she said with her voice ever so cold, dropping her act and facade. Rintarou and of course, Miwa noticed this but decided not to impose too much into it for Tsukiko's sake.
"Okay then, I will send people the day after tomorrow. You will definitely like it there. I'm sure of it." Rintarou give Tsukiko a kiss on her forehead after he says so. There wasn't any emotion present in her face though. Just thinking that she will once again be under the same roof as Ema, all the feelings she had felt in the past comes crawling back. She feels like puking—
"Tsukiko?" The gentle voice of Miwa called her attention. She was grasping Tsukiko's hands as if it's something fragile. "The sudden change of your environment might be uncomfortable at first but sometimes, people need a new start. And maybe it's time to start anew with this family?" Her words were hypnotizing. It feels like it's so true. If only Tsukiko was as naive as she was before, she might have believed so. But things are different now. She knew that the feelings she had will never change and might even worsen once she lived with Ema once again. If only she was able to see things as she did before...
Trying to avoid saying anything rude, Tsukiko just nodded and forced a fake smile. She wanted to go home. She wanted to be alone and just be herself. She had used up all her energy acting in front of her sister and her new family member so, she then excused herself.
Once she got back on her dorm, Tsukiko let out a sigh. She quietly looks around the dark room thinking that in the next few days, this will no longer be her home.
"Why must everything turn out like this..." she sat on her bed and rested here head on her knees.
And The day has come where people who'll be moving her stuff came over to her dorm to pick her things up. Tsukiko told her dad she will be coming over the house once school is over— and of course Tsukiko was already prepared for the worse. Once her classes ended, she quickly headed to Sunrise residence. It's apparently owned by Miwa, and she was told that the two weren't in the house and so one of her step brothers will just assist her.
"Sunrise residence..." she looked at the map she was holding and looked at the sign. "I guess... this is where I'll stay from now on..." she muttered as she gazed at the 5 story mansion in front of her.
I'll end chapter 2 here hahahahaha I'm doing this at the middle of the night so honestly. i don't even know what I'm writing anymore lol. I'm not even sure how I'll develop Tsukiko's character- anyway, she will meet ze brothers on the next chap!