Hello hello! It's Friday! And check it out! Here's an update!
I think I really like this schedule thing, ya know?
I rewrote this chapter like 2 times so I hope this final is okay!
Anyway, hope you enjoy the chapter!

Ayame opened her eyes, squinting at the sunshine that was leaking through a crack in the curtains. She grumbled as she turned on her side to face the other way and possibly go back to sleep. The notebook on the side table caught her eye and smiled a bit, remembering that everything was over now. She closed her eyes but all she could see were the events that had taken place during the last month; all the anxiety, all the panic, all the misunderstands and jumping to conclusions, and finally seeing her childhood tormentor again after years. She felt like a new person. It felt like a never ending real-life horror movie had finally reached the credit scene.

She opened her eyes and could smell breakfast and her stomach grumbled. She sighed.

"Guess I'm not going back to sleep."

She got up and went to her closet, which was surprisingly filled with clothes. She really wondered when and why her dad and her step-mother had gone shopping for clothes to fill her room with. She appreciated it but it was still a bit of a shock.

"…Mom would never do something like this for me…" She mumbled, looking through all the clothes. It was a pretty diverse and colourful selection. There were skirts and jeans and shorts in varying colours and shades, shirts in many different styles and colours, and…Is that her uniform at the end? Were they actually ready for her if she ever decided she wanted to move in? Her dad and step-mother wouldn't kidding…

She grabbed a pair of black ripped skinny jeans and a grey sweater and put them on. She would probably have to go downstairs soon to eat but she decided to sit on her bed and read through her notebook a bit. She picked up the worn notebook from its place on her side table. It felt like it had been an eternity since she last had it in her hands. So much had happened to her and it didn't know. As soon as she was done with breakfast, she would write in it, she decided.

She bunched up her pajamas and threw them into the corner of her room to get dealt with later. She brushed through her hair and looked in the mirror. She noticed her blue hair was fading and frowned; she'd have to re-dye it at some point. She checked the wounds on her cheeks and braced herself as she pulled off her bandage off. They still looked horrible but at least they were healing slowly. Ayame put on some medicine on her cut and re-bandaged it. She also put on some make up to cover her bruise before leaving the room and going downstairs.

Ayame took her time on her way to the dining room. She wanted to really get familiar with the mansion and what was where. She admired the decorations and even spotted some more paintings she had made as a kid and laughed a bit as she saw a turkey painting she made in second grade that looked more like a peacock. It filled her with a sense of home and she wished she could feel that in her actual home.

She eventually made it to the dining room where her dad, step-mother, and brother were seated, eating eggs and bacon. Ayame sat down next to Kyo and started to put food on her plate.

"Good morning, Aya!" Her dad greeted.

" 'Morning."

"Sleep well?" Mizuki asked, putting down her phone.

Ayame nodded then proceeded to shove the delicious food in her mouth. Kyo laughed at her before doing the same.

"You two…" Ryu said fondly with a shake of his head.

"Kyo," Mizuki said, "You have a photoshoot today."

Kyo nodded, "Right. Almost forgot. Thanks, Mom."

"No problem, sweetie."

"Do you have any plans for today Ayame?" Ryu asked.

"Not really…" Ayame tried to think if she had any homework or something planned. She couldn't think of any.

"Wanna go to my photoshoot with me?" Kyo asked, hopeful.

"My, um, my mom might want me home soon…" Ayame lied. She wasn't really feeling in the mood to go to work with Kyo. She suddenly felt like she wanted to do some deep thinking. This breakfast situation was sending so many thoughts in her head whirring about moving in here and leaving her mom behind and she just wanted to sit down and write it all out.

"Oh," Kyo shrugged but he definitely sounded disappointed, "Maybe next time."

"Maybe." Ayame said with a smile.

The rest of breakfast was more or less quiet. Mizuki and Ryu were answering emails and Kyo was stuffing his face with a textbook next to his plate. Ayame ate at a rather slow pace, pushing her food around occasionally. If anyone noticed, they didn't say anything and Ayame was grateful for that.

She got up, "Thank you for the meal."

She picked up her plate to go put it in the kitchen but was stopped by one of the maids who took it from her. Ayame thanked the maid and went to her room again. She plopped herself down at the desk that her dad had put in her room and opened up her notebook. She flipped to a clean page and wrote.

I can't believe how long it's been since I last had this thing. It's been an entire month and so much has happened. So many changes. So many feelings. I don't think I would've been able to survive another day without this notebook. Not only was I going through so much stress and anxiety, I think I have more things to worry about. Jeez. Someone save me.

I would be fine if it was something like my mom was being dumb again. But it's not just that. Yeah, my mom was being dumb again. But… I think I'm tired of it? I think I want to get out now. I know I said that I'd wait until I graduate high school first but I can't take this bullshit anymore! Mom is getting more and more violent and now she's lost her job and I know she's just going to be stressed out and be taking it all out on me. This isn't the first time it's happened but god, I'm so done with nursing bruises and cuts and having to pretend to be okay in front of everyone else. I swear one day my dad will find out and then what will happen?! I don't want my mom to go to jail or something but god I just wish all of it would end.

Mom beat me on Friday. Just another Friday, you know. Takashi-senpai gave me a ride home and Mom was waiting outside, with a beer bottle, clearly drunk. I knew shit was going to go down and I didn't want to leave the limo but I knew I had to. So I did and I ended up with a bruise and a re-opened cut. I got kicked out and I don't know when I'm going to get to go back home. I'm scared, you know? What if I never get to go back? I mean, sure, living with my dad wouldn't be so bad… But it's just sorta shitty to just be kicked out by your mom like that.

Takashi-senpai picked me up again and I cried. I felt weak as hell but I knew it'd be okay if I cried in front of him. I still feel weird knowing I did that, though. He let me stay at his place and I'm probably going to go back there tonight and stay there until my mom calls and says I can come home. Or until I get sick of waiting and just ask my dad if I can move in.

That's the other thing… I think…I might want to move in. I don't know when this all happened and I don't know when I changed. This is the main thing that led be to believe I've changed more than I thought. I had made a promise to myself that I would stay with my mom until I finished high school. My dad abandoned me and he was not to be forgiven for all the pain he's caused me. I could take the physical pain my mom caused me daily than the emotional pain he'd caused me that wouldn't heal no matter what I did.

Why is it healing?

Is it because I met those hosts? Is it because they made me stop isolating myself and give others a chance? Is it because I met Takashi-senpai? Is it because I accepted Kyo? The first step to this "new family"? Is it because I told my dad about the notebook incident? Is it because I finally talked to my dad?

I don't know. But all I know is that it doesn't hurt anymore because he's not gone anymore. He's right here. He's next to me again.

Ayame sighed and closed her notebook. She went to her bed and laid down, staring at the ceiling. She wondered about all the changes in her life. And even though she'd written it all down, she couldn't stop thinking about it. She couldn't stop thinking about how much she's changed. When she first met the hosts, she was an angry, bitter, anti-social mess with a fear of people and letting them in. But now? Now she was this happier, sweeter, less anti-social mostly just shy, mess who was recovering from the pain she had been feeling for years. She was still a mess, but at least now things seemed to be cleaner rather than scattered all over.

She did wonder if she could thank the hosts, Mori, and Kyo for that.

She turned towards her side table when she heard her phone ringing. She frowned and furrowed her brows. No one calls her except Kyo or her dad…

"Mom?" She said, confused, as she reached for it and flipped it out. She put it up to her ear and waited to hear her mother's voice.

"Hey." She sounded tired. "Kid, I…I'm sorry. I know it's a bullshit apology and all but I'm just calling to say I screwed up and you're welcome home now. Come back whenever you want. Or never. It's up to you this time."

"I'll go home soon."

"Where have you been staying?" Miki sounded concerned.

"With a friend…" Ayame replied, "But I stayed at Dad's last night."

"I see…" Miki now sounded a bit scared.

"He doesn't know about any of it." Ayame assured. "I'll be going home soon. Bye."

"Bye, kid."

Ayame hung up and stared at the phone in her hand. She sighed and fell back onto her bed again. She could think about all of this again when she got home. She picked up her Walkman, headphones, and notebook and went downstairs. She supposed it was a good time to go home anyway.

"Hi, Aya." Ryu greeted, seated at the piano again.

"Hi. I'm going home now."

"Oh, okay." Ryu got up and closed the piano. "Let me tell the driver."

"Wha-"

"You don't think you're walking home, do you?" Ryu smiled, "I won't allow it. First you walked here, but as a father, I must care for you and give you a ride."

Ayame smiled before hugging her dad, "Thanks."

Ryu kissed the top of his daughter's head, "No problem, kiddo."

Ryu then went off to go tell the driver to ready the car while Ayame looked for Mizuki so she could say goodbye. Kyo had already left for his photoshoot (he was in such a hurry he didn't get to say goodbye to Ayame) but Mizuki was sitting in the dining room with a sketchbook in front of her.

"Mizuki?" Ayame called, hoping to get her step-mother's attention.

"Yes?"

"I'm going home now." Ayame came closer, "Thanks so much for the clothes and make up."

"No problem, dear," Mizuki smiled, "Come back soon, okay? It's always a pleasure having my step-daughter around. Ryu and Kyo can be so rowdy, it's nice having another girl around."

"I'll come back soon."

"Good."

Mizuki gave Ayame a quick kiss on the cheek. A maid came in then to tell Ayame that the ride was ready and the teen hugged her step-mother before running off to the driveway.

Mizuki smiled. She was hopeful. Maybe Ayame really was warming up to her. She hoped so. She'd always wanted a daughter and Ayame seemed lovely. And she was sure Kyo was tired of being dressed up and being forced to try on all her dresses and other clothes. She giggled at the thought and went back to work.

Ayame was sitting in her room. She had gotten home a couple hours ago. She was greeted by a bunch of her favourite foods. A classic Miki action. She always did that when they would have a particularly bad fight or she beat Ayame extra badly. Ayame was still a bit upset about Friday afternoon but accepted the food offering nonetheless. Food was food and she was hungry.

"Which friend were you staying with?" Miki asked.

"He's one of those hosts…" Ayame said with a mouth full of food.

"The tall one?" Miki asked with a smirk.

Ayame nodded bashfully.

"Is he your boyfriend?"

Ayame flushed, "N-No! Of course not!"

"Of course not?"

"H-He's just a friend! And my senpai at that! He probably doesn't even like me. And I'm not going to be one of those girls who scream 'Senpai notice me!' like an idiot."

"I think he likes you."

Ayame snorted, "Sure, Mom, sure. Think whatever you want."

Miki rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Anyway, how was your dad's?"

"It was fine…" Ayame shrugged, "They have a room just for me. It's all prepared with furniture and clothes and everything."

"Is that so?"

Ayame nodded.

"It's just like him to be so prepared…"

Ayame felt like things were okay with her mother right now. Who knew how long it would last though. Knowing her mother, it would only last at most a week and at least a day. She was hoping for a week so her injuries could heal a bit more.

Ayame's eyes fell on her guitar. She had moved it so that it was next to her dresser but she still hasn't played it. It's been so long since she had, she doesn't even know if it's still in tune. She sighed and walked over to it. She ran her fingers down the neck and bit her lip. She could. She could play it again. She stared at it for a good couple of minutes before deciding.

She picked it up. Those demons that were messing with her before were calmed down. The memories of a happy childhood that haunted her didn't feel so far away. And she knew she loved music anyway, so why not. She sat down and placed it in her lap. She checked the strings to tune whatever was out of tune then strummed.

It was familiar feeling, playing the guitar. She had lost the calluses in her fingers after years of not playing but she was sure she could build them back up again. She grabbed a guitar pick from the box on her bookshelf and strummed. She placed her fingers in a familiar spot and began playing a song she knew by heart. She started to sing.

"You're my angel without wings, you're the light in the darkness telling me it'll be okay. You give me the strength I need, and make me continue on."

She remembered singing this song a few months ago in the host club room. She remembered when Tamaki played the piano and she sang it. She remembered her realization that she missed music. And she remembered that she hadn't lost interest. She remembered how much she loved it so much it hurt not doing it. And right now, playing the guitar, singing, it all felt so right. Maybe she could be like Kyo, maybe she'd agree the next time Kyo invites her to go somewhere for his work. Maybe…Her dad was wrong when he said she wouldn't go into performing. Because here, now, she feels like she's found something that's been missing for so long. She feels a bit more complete.

"And I'll never let you go." she sang the last line. And she meant it. Her dad had written that song for her and she can feel the connection to him and the love he put into it. But she couldn't help but think of all the things that that song could relate to in her life. Her friends, her dad, her step-brother, and honestly, most importantly, Mori, if she thought about it. They were all her Wingless Angels. And she'll never let them go.

She played for a bit longer before she realized that Mori still had her bag and uniform. She quickly sent him a text and waited for a reply.

I'll be there soon with your stuff

Ayame typed a message:

okay, thanks. sorry for leaving them there.

Her phone buzzed with an answer.

it's fine.

Ayame put down her phone and waited for the gentle giant to get to her house with her stuff. She could feel her heart flutter a bit, as it often did nowadays when she thought of him. She mentally scolded herself for it and went back to playing.

She had been playing old songs she used to know for the most part but she decided that she wanted to try writing one of her own. She grabbed her notebook, which already had some lyrics in them from a while ago and she worked on finding a good accompaniment on the guitar. She tried various different chords together before settling on one for the first verse. She was in the middle of singing it to test it out when she heard a knock on her door.

"Come in." Ayame called, too lazy to get up.

The door opened and Mori stepped in, holding her bag and another small bag with her uniform and shoes stuffed inside.

"Hi." Ayame smiled, setting her guitar down.

"…Hi."

"Thanks for bringing those."

"…You're welcome…"

Mori eyed the guitar with curiosity. Ayame followed his gaze and giggled.

"I've been working on a song…" Ayame picked up the guitar again, "Wanna hear it?"

Mori nodded and sat down in the office chair. He swiveled it around so he was facing Ayame and waited for her to start. He was excited. Ayame didn't play the guitar nor did she sing often and he loved her angelic voice. So it was like a treat. He had seen her eye her guitar before but never pick it up and play. He wondered why but decided she should tell him when she's ready rather than ask.

"Okay…" Ayame spoke, "So… It's not done or anything and the lyrics are from a while ago… But I'm trying. It's been a while since I've played the guitar but I hope you like it. Don't laugh."

Mori nodded.

Ayame began strumming and after a few bars, started to sing. Her smooth, sweet voice filling the room and sending Mori's heart aflutter.

"So thank you, thank you, thank you,
Because without you, who am I?
You're like the stars in the sky,
The one who guides me home at night
You've seen my soul, bear and trembling
But never ran away
So thank you, thank you, thank you,
Because without you, I'm alone."

She stopped after the chorus and looked at Mori with a twinkle in her eyes that made him want to reach out and hug her.

"What'd you think?"

"…It was nice."

Ayame beamed, she absolutely lit up. Mori thought she looked adorable and couldn't help but smile back and pat her head.

"Thank you!"

Mori ruffled Ayame's hair but that didn't seem to ruin her mood any. In fact, she seemed even happier. She even seemed to welcome the usually hated action. It filled Mori with such happiness that he couldn't hold in his thought any longer.

"…Ayame…"

She looked up, curious. Mori never used her name. All he ever did was grunt.

"…Will you be my date to the ball?"

Tada! There's the chapter! Ooooh, cliff hanger (somewhat), will she say yes? Will she say no? Will she freak out and run? Who knows honestly. Just gonna have to come back next week~ hehe
Thanks so much for reading!

PLEASE REVIEW! I'd love to hear your thoughts!
*also sorry if I don't reply, I'm very shy. But I read every single review and they fill me with so much joy and it inspires me to write. I'll try to start replying, I'm just super duper shy.