Part 4: Look at yourself

If she could just gather her thoughts for a minute, she would be fine. She would remember what exactly it was about Yuuto that made her love him.

They met 3 years ago, she was 19, he helped her look for her first class. They became best friends, Naru even met him and said he was 'not an idiot', and then when she was 20, they started going out.

Yuuto asked her to live with him because she told him about her about Ayako and Monk's marriage.

Mai blinked back her tears. Yuuto sometimes cooked breakfast for her like Monk always did. Sometimes they fought, and he would stay over a friends' because it was dangerous for a girl to walk alone. They would have cafe dates, movie dates, study dates, all kinds of dates. On her 21st birthday, Yuuto... where was Yuuto?

"Mai, I heard the door open, is that you?" Monk asked.

Right, Yuuto came home late that day. He was with his friends tutoring them. He brought her back a cake, they ate it together and she forgave him. Naru texted her that night, right before the day passed. It was a short message, but a message from Naru without her initiating it was rare, so she treasured it.

Happy Birthday, Mai.

Somehow it was Naru's text that made her birthday better, she smiled.

The door to her room opened and that was how Monk saw her. Crouched on the foot of her bed, hand leaning on the bed for support and dry tears on her cheeks.

Monk's cheerful face from seeing her come home instantly turned to worry, then anger, before morphing back to worry again.

He gathered her into his arms and she let him, she missed being hugged by Monk. He made her feel like she was safe, and she was safe.

"For the record, I never liked him," Monk said.

Mai laughed, "I know."

"Then why are you still with him?"

"I don't know."

That was also how Ayako found them. Mai buried deep into Monk's protective bear hug.

Unlike Monk though, Anger overpowered her worry.

"Have you looked at the mirror lately?"

"I don't have to," Mai said. "Everyone makes it a mission to tell me verbally."

"And they have good reason to." Ayako scolded, "I didn't want it to turn this way, but despite what you think, Mai, Houshou and I do see you as our daughter. And seeing you turn into a wreck for a man that isn't worth it, it's like you're insulting us!"

"Ayako," Monk warned.

"No, shut up," Ayako said. "Mai, you think it doesn't hurt us seeing you like this?"

"I-"

Ayako shook her head when she couldn't answer. "I wish you would think of what you already lost instead of what you will lose."

At that, Mai cried. "It's not too late, is it?" She asked monk, "I haven't lost Ayako yet, have I?"

"No, hush little girl," Monk said, "If there's one thing I know, it's that you could never get rid of us."

"I don't mean to hurt you,"

"I know. And I hate to admit it, but Ayako is right. You should believe yourself more."

"That's a lot easier to say than to do," Mai whispered.

"That's why you've got us here with you," Monk patted her head, "To remind you constantly of your importance."