Note: Even in a different universe, as a different self, some things never change.

This was originally written back in Dec 10, 2019 and posted on Tumblr. I'm not proud of it, and it's definitely not aged well, but Chocolate Seashell needed an update, so I'm providing.

CW for implied verbal and emotional abuse.

Short Story 2: In Another Place

In another place, I once thought about ending things.

About disappearing, about going away.

No one needed me. That's what I thought.

"What the hell are you doing? Don't fall behind."

His voice. It's been years, but I can still remember it well. Originally kind, but turned cruel because of my mistakes. Of my ignorance.

"Oi, Ty, don't be like that towards my sis! She's still learning!"

"Not learning fast enough, in my opinion."

I don't think Nii noticed, even back then. I don't know if he did.

"Now that's going too far. She's still a kid, Ty."

A scoff. "But she still has potential with her athletic ability, Jack. What else is she going to do with it? She can't keep following your shadow forever."

"Hey…"

It was easy to fake a smile. After all, even if it hurt hearing all the bad words, he was still Nii's friend. Nii still cared for him, and his words were still the truth. There was nothing I could do but smile through it.

"I-It's okay, Nii, really. I still got a long way to go."

That's how it went. Hiding tears, putting on a smile, making sure Nii was happy with Mama and Papa, with Marie-bachan and everyone else.

I was just a little girl in the end. Lacking all the power of her Heroic father and inheriting chocolate instead. What could anyone do with that?

"Don't just keep relying on sweets. It won't save anyone in the end. And stop making yourself out like a mouse to be protected! You're not a child! Jack is not a knight and you're not a princess! Get a grip on reality for fuck's sake!"

I don't know who said that he needed to go first. I knew he had to go, but it took a lot to decide on it. But once the tears became too much, my memory blurs after that.

"Who did this to you, baby? Who hurt you?"

"J-J—"

"Who, Tomo?"

"Just let me handle it, Nii, please! D-Don't… don't ask that right now. Please."

I don't remember much aside from saying a formal goodbye and deleting his contact information from my phone. If Papa noticed, he didn't say anything, merely offering me a mandatory break day from the cafe every week and letting me play the piano at night since then.

I don't know if Nii ever cut him off in the end. But the family seemed more careful, more cautious after that. I didn't go out much aside from grocery shopping because home at least was safe. He never intruded into home.

I would've been fine living in a corner, away from him, away from the world.

Except for one person.

"Hey, is that Kingdom Hearts you're playing?"

Messy black hair. Curious black eyes. A scar running across her nose and going up to her forehead as far as I could see. A white and blue hoodie, accompanied by a crooked smile.

"Y-Yeah. Why?"

"Not much. Just wanted to say you do good."

She didn't have to come in the way she did. But she wormed her way into my heart, faster than he ever did and the next thing I knew—

"You haven't been to a bookstore?"

"N-Not exactly. I've been with Nii and Mama to get some music books to keep up my studies, but never really my own…"

"Then let's go, Tomo! Nothing stopping you from trying it now!"

She was the first one outside my family to use that name. She was the first one to hate him for me.

"S-So… that's how it went."

"Welp. He sounds like an absolute douchebag I want to deck with a bus."

"Eh?!"

"Tomo. He was a cruel and petty person who hurt you. He shouldn't be given the time of day."

"…"

I don't think I ever heard anyone but Nii like that. She was different. She changed things.

"Hey, Tomo?"

"Hm?"

"There's someone I want you to meet. He likes cats too. I'd think you would get along."

"R-Really?"

"Shinsō Hitoshi. It's… nice to meet you."

She was the one to push me forward.

In another place, I once thought about ending things.

In this place, I still think about it sometimes. About disappearing from everyone's lives like a butterfly from the movies. But I know I can't and I always come back.

"Tomo?" A hand gently bapped the top of my hair, making me wince and look up into black eyes. Even as a teenager, they hadn't changed. "What're you doing?"

She was still here.

"Not much." A smile came up to my face. "It's good to see you, Kei!"

I got a crooked smile back.

There's people around me that would be sad if I left. So I'll stay. She at least taught me the beginnings of looking outside my walls.

I'm not perfect. I'm still growing.

But I can try to be enough for her, for all of them, at least.