Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Kuroko no Basket!
...
...
...
1st year - Too Academy
...
Daiki was lying on his back and stared at the blue sky above him, where occasionally a white cloud came drifting past. He had not yet gone home from school having stopped at the court where he used to play basketball with Mac when he was a kid and when basketball had been fun. The worn basketball hoop was visible in the corner of his eyes but he ignored it calling to him. Play, Daiki… Come on, play…!
Something was wrong with Mac.
He scowled up at the sky as he thought about how Mac had been quiet all day and even at the morning practice (yes, he had been there). She had barely said a word to anyone and it was like a dark cloud was following her around.
Why was he doing such a poor job in helping her? Nothing had been right since the school festival. Was the reason Mac was in a bad mood because Fujimoto was back in school? It sure got him in a bad mood, but… he felt a sudden anger at Fujimoto. If she only hadn't locked Mac into the supply closet then she wouldn't be struggling now.
He remembered how helpless he had felt seeing her in the middle of a panic attack, how his heart had hammered in his chest. He had only acted on instincts and the fact that he knew Mac so well was probably the only reason why he had managed to calm her down. The relief that filled him was so strong that it could have knocked him off his feet.
"Daiki," a familiar voice called and he turned his head to see Mac standing right there looking down at him with a confused look on her face. "Why are you lying on the ground?"
"Kenzie," he smiled. "It's nice."
"Nice?" Mac asked and looked up at the blue sky and sighed. "I guess."
Daiki looked at her for a moment before he pushed himself up in a sitting position.
"Are you okay, Kenzie?" he asked.
Mac didn't say anything for a moment and Daiki was worried when he noticed the way her hands clenched and unclenched and her feet shifted.
"I don't know," she said. "I'm so confused."
"About what?" Daiki asked getting up and brushing the dirt off his clothes as he did so but still watched Mac.
"Everything," Mac said quietly. "I…Uncle Tarou wants…he….and your parents…I…"
Daiki blinked. "Eh?"
"And I think I did something bad to you and…" Mac frowned now.
"What?" Daiki asked and reached out to touch Mac but she pulled back as she turned wide pained green eyes at him. He felt a flash of hurt go through him when she pulled back from him. What had he done to make her pull away? "Kenzie?"
Mac looked down and he saw her biting her lower lip and he briefly remembered kissing her and felt the familiar rush of emotions go through him but right now wasn't the time to think about kissing her, though he really…. No! Stop thinking about it, Daiki! He scolded himself.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I…I never wanted…She just…"
"Kenzie?" Daiki asked confused. "What are you trying to say?"
Mac looked at him and seemed to steel herself for something.
"Agirlkissedme," Mac said in one breath.
"Sorry? What did you say?" Daiki furrowed his brows.
"A girl kissed me," Mac said slower this time.
Daiki blinked as he stared at her. A girl had kissed her? What? Eh? But…
"Eh?"
"I'm sorry! Daiki, I really am sorry! I didn't want her too!" Mac cried taking his silence as anger, but right now Daiki tried to process what she was saying. A girl had kissed his girlfriend. Someone else had kissed her? A flash of Kiyoshi's face crossed his mind but he pushed it out quickly as it had been different and she hadn't been his then, but now…
"Who?" Daiki asked quietly. "Who kissed you?"
Mac glanced away and Daiki frowned wanting her to look at him again. He felt…no, he wasn't sure what he felt.
"Kenzie," he said again.
"I don't know her," Mac said. "It was after Seirin's match, I went with Imayoshi, Susa and Sakurai, remember?"
He nodded.
"And I collided with this woman outside and she just….kissed me," Mac said a note of anger in her voice. "I…I later learned that she's…She's Taiga's old coach from the States named Alex Garcia."
Her cousin's old coach? But… why would…what…the questions were muddled up in his mind and not letting him formulate anything as he stared at Mac.
"What?" he asked stupidly not able to formulate anything else.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I promise I didn't want her to!"
He knew that, but still… the idea of anyone kissing her when she was with him… it filled him with anger and possessiveness that even surprised him. He started to pace back and forth as anger burned inside of him.
"When?" He gritted out.
"Eh?"
"When did this happen?" Daiki asked looking at her.
"Um…Two days ago," Mac said.
Daiki stopped and turned to look at her. "You didn't tell me in two days?!"
"I…I wasn't…I didn't…" she stuttered.
"How could you not tell me?!" Daiki snapped angrily and some part of him knew it was wrong to take out his anger at her but he was unable to keep it in.
"I didn't want to hurt you!" Mac cried. "I know I should have told you, but…"
"But you don't trust me!" Daiki interrupted. "I thought you trusted me…"
"I do!" Mac protested and took a step toward him but now it was him that took a step back and she froze like she had been struck.
He just stared at her for a long moment and felt angry and like he was going to snap and he didn't want to do that in front of her…He gritted his teeth as he turned around and walked away ignoring her calling his name, hating himself as he did so but just kept walking.
...
The anger was still burning in him when he got home. Daiki ignored his mother's greeting, taking the stairs two steps at the time just wanting to be alone. He intended to go to his own room but when he passed Mac's room he paused before entering it instead.
He looked around remembering the times he had spent in here with her. Doing homework and talking about everything and nothing…
Anger flared in him again and he fisted his hands as he remembered her words. Someone had kissed her and she had waited two days until telling him! That…that was….why? Why had she waited that long?
He winced slightly as he remembered the pained look on her face and the fear in her eyes. He didn't like seeing that, but he was just so angry and that if he stayed there with her he would say something that he would regret and that would hurt her even more.
And it hurt.
It hurt that she hadn't trusted him enough to tell him. He had thought that they told each other everything. He had thought she trusted him with everything.
How could she wait?
But she did tell you.
He frowned as the voice in his head pointed out the obvious. Again. He knew she had told him, but it was the timing that bothered him. And he couldn't deny that he felt slightly betrayed and possessive at the thought that someone else had kissed her. But she hadn't wanted the kiss. Daiki knew that and he knew what he felt was not really fair to her, and he did feel angry because of what was done to her as well and when thinking more about it he really didn't like it.
"Daiki?" Ayano paused in the doorway to the room and looked at him questioningly. "What's wrong?"
Daiki didn't look at his mother as he looked at the photo of him and Mac that had been left on the nightstand and he watched the smile on her face and the happiness in her eyes as she leaned into his side.
"If someone kissed someone without permission and that the one kissed waited two days until telling her boyfriend, what does that mean?" Daiki asked quietly.
He waited and when his mother didn't say anything right away he looked over at her and saw her frowning as she looked at him.
"I believe that means that she will have anguished over it on her own for longer than she should in fear of losing someone important to her because of something she had no control over," Ayano finally said.
Daiki frowned as his mother spoke and he flinched slightly as he thought about Mac all alone and worrying about how he would react… shit. He really was an idiot!
"Idiot," he muttered fisting his hands so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
"Daiki," Ayano moved over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Fear can make people do things they normally wouldn't, and I hope you remember that keeping something back might not be because they don't trust you but because they are scared and really cares about you."
Daiki looked at his mother who had an understanding smile on her face. He remembered Mac saying something about his parents and her uncle, but she hadn't really said what and now he was curious. What had she meant?
"I need to go," he said.
"Sure," Ayano said squeezing his shoulder. "Remember that even those we love aren't perfect even if we want to think they are."
Daiki nodded and left.
...
Mac wasn't sure why she had made her way to the motel where Remus and Sirius were staying. She had never been there before, but now she found herself outside of their room. Should she knock? Would they be annoyed that she showed up without warning?
Before could make up her mind the door opened and Remus blinked as he stopped spotting her outside the door.
"Mackenzie," he said with a smile. "I didn't know you were coming today."
"Is that Mackenzie?!" Sirius called from inside and soon he was at the door as well and smiled when he saw Mac. "It is! Hey, Mackenzie!"
Mac almost smiled but she couldn't bring herself to smile when it felt like her whole world was breaking. Again. It was too much and right now she had no idea what to do or where to go.
"Hey," she managed. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"Of course not," Sirius said, "Come in."
Mac entered the room noticing the large double bed and the television standing on a dresser on the opposite wall, she also saw the small table with two chairs right by the door. It was a rather small room and she swallowed as she realised that this was how they had stayed since they came to Japan…
She didn't see the concerned looks she got from Sirius and Remus or the looks they exchanged behind her back.
"I was just leaving to get some food," Remus said. "If you wait here I'll get you some as well."
"Oh, you don't…" Mac said but Remus shook his head.
"It's no problem," Remus smiled.
Mac nodded and sat down at one of the chairs and stared at nothing at all.
...
Remus was back before Mac really had registered that he had left and she blinked as she realised that she had spaced out for a good twenty minutes.
"I hope you like ramen," Remus said with a smile. "Sirius loves it."
Mac nodded and accepted the bowl from Remus, "thanks."
They ate in silence and Mac forced herself to eat as she felt tears build in her eyes again. She sniffed and blinked trying to keep the tears back.
"Are you okay, Mackenzie?" Sirius finally asked.
Mac shrugged.
"You don't have to talk to us if you don't want to," Remus said kindly. "But if you need to talk we're here. Or you could just hang out and relax."
Mac glanced at him before she looked down and at Nao who had come out of her bag and settled on her lap again. He was purring quietly calming Mac down.
"I messed up," she found herself saying after a while.
"How?" Sirius asked.
"Daiki hates me," she whispered.
"That can't be," Remus said. "That boy adores you. I know I didn't like it at first, but I can see that now. He really does care for you."
Mac bit down on her lower lip to stop herself from crying.
"But I hurt him," she whispered. "I never wanted to do it, but…"
"Hey," Sirius said leaning forward slightly as he looked at her from where he was seated on the bed. "You need to talk to him and if you did wrong then apologize."
"It's not that simple," Mac said.
"You can't know that until you try," Remus said.
Mac looked away and frowned. She really had messed up and Daiki had a right to be angry at her. She should have told him right away. Why hadn't she?
Her phone rang and she pulled it out and saw that it was Daiki. She blinked and swallowed as she stared at the phone as the ringtone filled the room.
"Aren't you going to answer?" Remus asked.
"I…" Mac felt scared.
"It's Aomine, isn't it?" Sirius asked. "You should answer. Nothing good comes from hiding."
Mac nodded and inhaled deeply before she pressed the accept button on the phone.
"Hello," she said quietly.
"Kenzie," Daiki's voice was frantic. "Where are you?"
"Why?" Mac asked.
"I…I need to see you," Daiki said pleadingly. "I…I'm sorry. I didn't mean…Please, Kenzie… where are you?"
Mac felt hope fill her and maybe she hadn't ruined everything?
"I'm at the motel with Remus and Sirius," Mac said.
"Okay," Daiki said. "I'll be right there."
Mac blinked as he hung up and glanced at the phone as she put it down.
...
Daiki ran most of the way to the motel he remembered Remus and Sirius stayed at. He was slightly surprised Mac had gone there and not back to the apartment or even just to a park, but he didn't think too much about that right now. He just had to find her and apologize for leaving.
Mac laughed pushed him playfully as he grabbed for her and she slipped out of his arms with another laugh. He laughed as well and followed her and finally managed to grab her and pull her into his arms. She felt so soft and warm in his arms…
"Got you," he laughed holding her tighter.
"Cheat," she shot back.
"No way," he protested smiling as she laughed again and her eyes shone in mischief and happiness. He leaned down and pressed his lips to her feeling how she turned so she could meet him more properly and kiss him back.
"You're cheating," she said breathlessly when she pulled back from the kiss. "Daiki."
How was it that only hearing his name from her was enough to make him feel warm and his heart beat faster? He could feel his heart speed up and blood felt hot as he looked at her and saw the darkening eyes from her as well. Unable to say anything or do anything he pulled her closer again and kissed her again.
Daiki remembered the scene as he rounded the corner and entered the motel. It was only one of many happy moments with Mac and he couldn't believe that he had let his anger control him like that…
He found the number of the room and knocked on the door with a heavy heart, he was impatient and wanted to see her.
"Aomine," Remus said and Daiki realised that the door was open and the older man was smiling kindly at him. "She's here."
"…" Daiki swallowed as he nodded unable to find his voice. He stepped into the room and saw Mac seated by a small table and she was looking at him with wide eyes and he hid a flinch as he took in the fear in those eyes. "Kenzie."
"Daiki," she said. "You…"
"Can we talk?" he asked.
She looked at him for a moment before she nodded and got to her feet. She glanced at Sirius and then at Remus.
"Come back when you've talked?" Sirius asked.
"Okay," she agreed after a moment.
...
"Are you okay, Daiki?" Mac asked when they stopped at a small park just across the street from the motel.
"You're asking me that?" Daiki asked looking at her. "When I was being a jerk to you?"
"You weren't a jerk," she protested. "I was the one who was wrong. I should have told you right away."
He shook his head, "I…argh, I'm not good at this…I shouldn't have walked away from you."
He really shouldn't have walked away. He knew that it was something she really feared and he had not cared. He had just left. How could he do that? He should have stayed so they could talk about it.
"Daiki," Mac said softly. "I really am sorry. I never wanted to hurt you."
He looked at her and swallowed feeling the same softness fill him as he looked at her and he knew she really was sorry. He didn't doubt that, but it did bother him that she thought he would be upset at her because of the kiss. How could he have allowed that she would believe that?
"I really just want you to trust me, Kenzie," Daiki said quietly. "I know you never would kiss anyone else. I know you never would hurt me like that and it makes me angry that someone kissed you without your permission! That's not okay."
Mac blinked at him and he reached out and cupped her face between his hands as he looked at her and felt the soft skin under his hands and he couldn't resist letting his thumb stroke over her cheeks.
"I trust you, Daiki," she said quietly. "I just…I'm so confused lately and…and other things happened to and I don't know what to think about anything anymore and then I was worried that I would push you away and that you would see that I wasn't worth it."
"Hey, hey," he frowned at her and felt really out of his depth here but he had to stop her from feeling like that. He had to make her see that he would never think that she wasn't worth it. Not knowing what to say he pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers. It was questioningly at first, he was unsure if she would be okay with it but he felt her lean closer and her arms went around his neck and she responded like she normally did so he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss even more. He loved feeling her fingers in his hair and couldn't help the soft sound that escaped him as his arms tightened around her waist. He wanted to show her that he was there and that he wasn't going anywhere. Like always he felt his heart beat faster and the feeling of her soft yet chapped lips against his was something he craved.
Finally he pulled back and was strangely pleased and smug when he spotted the dazed look on her face and the blush in her cheeks. He also smiled when she didn't pull out of his arms but rested her head against his chest and her arms went around his waist instead hugging him.
"I'm here," he said hoarsely.
"Thank you," she said so quietly that he almost didn't hear her, but he did and he felt her squeezing him tightly around his waist.
...
"What else happened?" he asked when they were seated on the bench and she was curled up next to him and rested her head on his shoulder while studying one of his hands like it was really fascinating by turning it over with her own hands.
"My uncle wants me to talk to someone," she said after a moment.
"Eh? Talk to who?" he asked.
"A therapist," she said glancing up at him before looking back at his hand.
He frowned as he looked at her and understood why she had been distracted and what she must be going through. He felt annoyed at her uncle for suggesting it, but…
"Your parents agree with him," Mac continued. "And they apparently also got Professor Sato to agree and find someone I could talk to…"
Daiki felt his frown deepened even more as her reluctance to going to his place and the comment about his parents made sense. He was not sure what to say or how to make her feel better, it was like he was helpless again and he hated that. He really wanted to help her but how?
"Oh," he said. "Why would they do that…"
Mac shrugged awkwardly as she didn't move away from him.
"Maybe they think I'm crazy," Mac said.
"You're not crazy!" Daiki protested right away.
"Or they think I'm weak," she said.
"You're not weak," Daiki protested again. "Kenzie, you're the strongest person I know."
"I'm not," she denied pulling away leaving him feeling cold and wanting to pull her back into his arms but he didn't.
"Kenzie," he said but she shook her head and got to her feet.
"Don't say anything, Daiki," Mac said. "I'm so confused right now… I just wanted you to know."
He nodded and pushed her hair out of her face as he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"You're going to be okay, Kenzie," he said. "You're not alone in this."
She nodded and smiled bravely at him.
...
Mac sat silently at the Dojo listening to Yuki explain something but her mind wasn't completely in it. She tried but her mind was still occupied with the idea of therapy and she remembered the looks her uncle had given her that morning and Taiga had tried to talk to her but she hadn't responded, but she did feel kind of bad. It wasn't his fault that Alex had… well, it wasn't fair to blame him but she couldn't help but connect her to him right now.
"Potter-san," Yuki finally said and she blinked. "You're not paying attention."
Mac winced.
"I'm sorry, Yuki-sensei," she said quietly.
He looked at her for a moment and had a pensive look.
"Get up," he suddenly ordered.
Mac did as told and looked at the older man curiously. She wondered what he was doing but she didn't ask. She also wondered about where Ueno was because she normally would have been there when she was training but she wasn't. Come to think about it, she hadn't seen Ueno in a little while now…
"Follow me," he said again and she followed as he walked into the back room, a room she very rarely had entered. It was large and had a lot of windows allowing the sunlight from the outside to shine into the room.
She noticed something she had not seen before and wondered if they always had it. It was a boxing bag that stood on the floor. It looked almost out of place, but at the same time not.
"What's this, Yuki-sensei?" Mac asked curiously.
"It's your new task," he said. "I want you to hit it or kick it. Alternate between the two."
Mac looked back at the boxing bag again.
"Here, Potter-san," Yuki held out some half-finger boxing gloves.
"Thank you," Mac said and pulled them on. They were heavier than she thought they were.
She glanced at Yuki who was watching her with the same pensive look on his face and nodded when he noticed her looking.
"Just hit it," he said. "Don't think too much, just let yourself feel and act. Hit or kick, do what feels right."
Mac frowned slightly but she nodded and turned her attention back to the boxing gloves. She looked at it for a moment before she started to jump lightly up and down and pulled up her arms as she considered the 'opponent'. She barely noticed Yuki standing behind the bag holding it in place.
She hit it and it barely moved. She frowned as she followed up with another hit and then another. She hit again and again.
Hit.
I think I have forgotten that you're not invincible, Mac.
Hit.
I want you to understand that I care for you, Mac.
Hit. Hit.
I am sorry you feel like you have to be strong all the time…
She pulled back when her arms felt tired and aimed a kick at the bag instead and fell back when her leg bounced back from the bag and landed on her arse. She got up quickly as she breathed a little harder but kicked the bag again and this time she was prepared so she was only pushed back a little.
We only want what best for you.
We think you might need more help than we are able to give you…
Kick.
You're not fine, Mac.
Kick.
Mac, this is Alex Garcia, she's Taiga's old coach from the States.
Kick.
She's the one who taught me and Tatsuya basketball!
She leaned forward breathing harder as she glared at the boxing bag and hit it again. She followed up with another hit again and ignored the protest from her arms.
...
Yuki watched as Mac hit and kicked the bag and wondered what was going through her head as she seemed to fight something deep inside. He noticed his father coming into the room but he didn't interrupt but only watched Mac as well.
He had noticed that Mac had been distracted the moment she had stepped into the Dojo and she was clearly upset about something, but he hadn't asked and just continued with his lesson until he noticed that she wasn't really paying attention. So, he had thought that maybe she could use some outlet and this seemed like a good idea.
"That's enough," he finally said stepping away from the bag as Mac collapsed to the floor breathing hard and sweat running down her face. What was it that she was fighting so desperately?
"More, sensei," Mac gasped out looking up at him.
"No, that's enough," Yuki said. "You've pushed yourself hard enough."
She sighed and looked down.
"Your mind is otherwise occupied today, Potter-san," Matsumoto said bringing Mac's attention over to him and Yuki saw her straighten up slightly, even if she didn't get up from the floor.
"I'm sorry, Sensei," she apologized.
He looked at her for a long moment before he smiled slightly.
"Have you heard the saying; It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get up?" Matsumoto asked.
Mac frowned but shook her head.
"An American football coach named Vince Lombardi said that," Matsumoto said. "I always found it comforting."
Mac looked a little confused but nodded all the same.
"It can apply in all manners in life," Matsumoto continued. "At school, in your sports, whether it is basketball or Martial Arts, or at home. Life will always try to push you down, but it's all about getting back up again. That's where your strengths lie."
Mac looked thoughtful as she looked at him.
"What if you can't?" she whispered.
Matsumoto looked at her and walked over to her with deliberate steps. He then held out a hand for her and she looked at him.
"Then ask for help and someone will be there to help you, Potter-san," Matsumoto said.
Yuki watched as Mac stared at the hand his father held out to her for a long moment with a conflicted look on her face before she tentatively reached out and accepted it. With help, she got to her feet and she was left looking at the now empty hand.
"Do not look upon this world with fear and loathing. Bravely face whatever the gods offer," Matsumoto said.
Mac blinked and looked up from her hand to the older man.
"What does that mean?" She asked.
"The founder of the Martial Arts style Aikido said that," Matsumoto said. "Morihei Ueshida."
"But…"
"You think about it," Matsumoto said. "Think and see if you can find some meaning with it. Martial Arts is more than defending yourself and fighting, Potter-san."
"I know that," Mac said and glanced at Yuki. "Yuki-sensei has taught me that."
Matsumoto nodded, "That's good. But, you still have a lot to learn about the Martial Arts way of living, of thinking… But again that is life; we all continue learning as we live, Potter-san."
Mac nodded deep in thought.
...
"You think she's going to be okay?" Yuki asked his father when Mac had left.
Matsumoto hummed as he sipped his tea.
"She did seem really upset," Yuki continued.
"She's strong, Yuki," Matsumoto finally said looking at him. "Though something is trying to knock her down now but she will find the will to push forward and see that she's not alone."
Yuki nodded pensively as he took a sip of his own tea.
"Oh, and about Ueno-san?" Matsumoto asked.
"Ah, well," Yuki sighed. "I think she will need some time."
Matsumoto frowned but nodded.
...
Mac walked to the park she liked and got Nao out of the bag and allowed him to run around while she walked to a tree and sat down underneath it. She grimaced slightly as her muscles were sore and protested the movement and she wondered if Harasawa would get angry at her at practice tomorrow for having pushed herself too hard now.
It was a Sunday, though. So she hadn't had a basketball practice so it should be fine. She sighed as she rubbed her right shoulder with her left hand.
Fujimoto would be back at school tomorrow as well. Mac was kind of nervous about seeing her again, but then again she wasn't? She had bigger problems than Fujimoto and right now she didn't have the energy to worry about her. It felt like ages since the school festival, even if it was only about a week or so.
Do not look upon this world with fear and loathing. Bravely face whatever the gods offer.
What did that mean? Did she do that? Did she only look at the world in fear?
Well, she guessed she was often worried and scared when things didn't go as expected or if things changed too much… but who wouldn't? It was normal to feel scared when things changed, right?
But what did Matsumoto mean when he said that? What was he trying to tell her (and why couldn't he just say what he meant without trying to make her think)?
It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get up.
She frowned as she remembered the other quote Matsumoto had used. He had said that she should ask for help if she needed it and then someone would help her.
She winced slightly as she remembered the way she had treated her uncle for the last couple of days. He was trying to help her, wasn't he? But…a therapist? Did she really need to talk to someone? About…about that time of her life? She really didn't want to remember it.
But did she allow her fear to dictate her life then? Was that what Matsumoto tried to tell her?
Her mind was spinning as she tried to make sense of her thoughts that went back and forth.
A bark from Nao made her look toward him and saw him rolling in a pile of leaves that had already started to fall from the trees. He looked like he was having fun and Mac couldn't help but smile as she watched how he paused and used a paw to try to get a leaf that had landed on his head near his ear. He closed one eye as he swiped at the leaf and missed before huffing and shaking his head frustrated.
A low whine escaped him as he continued to try to get the leaf off and finally it did and he dove into the leaves again. Mac shook her head as she watched Nao do the whole thing all over again. It was kind of relaxing though to just watch Nao play and enjoy himself. It was a while since she had taken the time to do that.
...
Mac finally went home and entered the apartment quietly. She let Nao down and watched as he ran to her room probably to sleep since he had played and tired himself out. She slipped her shoes off and walked toward her room and paused when she passed the living room. She looked in and saw her uncle seated on the sofa. He hadn't heard her or maybe he was asleep? He was leaned back and his head rested on the back of the sofa. She could tell that his eyes were closed. He looked really tired… and pale.
A frown settled on her face as she continued to her room and let her bag slip down at the floor beside the door. She walked over to the dresser to find some clean clothes only stopping to scratch Nao's ears on the way.
After a quick shower and changing into comfortable clothes on she was back in her room and she couldn't get the image of her uncle out of her mind. Had she really made him look like that? Was she the reason he looked so pale and tired?
Guilt rose inside of her as she pictured his pale sleeping face again.
It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get up.
What if you can't?
Then ask for help and someone will be there to help you, Potter-san.
She remembered the way Tarou had come right back home after her panic attack, and how worried he had sounded on the phone. He had sounded like he really did care… so unlike her other uncle who would not have done anything like that…
He had been there. He had not pushed her about anything (until now) but had been there and she could now remember the offers to talk if she needed to and the smiles and encouraging pats on the shoulder or head.
And Ayano and Takehiro… they had always been there for her. They had helped her when she was abandoned by her aunt and uncle, letting her stay with them and even before that had opened their home to her. Did she really have the right to question whether they cared or not?
Why hadn't she seen that before? Did she really think the worst about everyone?
She was still undecided about what to do but she knew she had to do something and if it made her uncle happy?
...
Mac saw that Tarou had woken up again when she entered the living room and was reading a book. He looked up when he heard her and smiled at her and she glanced away before looking back at him. He looked slightly disappointed but it was gone before she could be sure.
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come back," he said.
"You looked tired," Mac said quietly. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Mac," he smiled. "Are you hungry? There's some leftover from dinner in the fridge for you."
"Oh. Alright, thanks," Mac said walking over to the kitchen and opened the fridge where she found the plate with her dinner on it.
After heating it she sat down at the table and started to eat but glanced at her uncle who had followed her and sat on the other side of the table. He was watching her with a careful look on his face and she guessed he was trying to find something to say.
"If…if you really want me to I'll see a therapist," Mac finally said quietly.
Tarou looked at her startled.
"Really?" he asked.
"I still don't want to or think I'll need it," Mac said looking down, "but…but if you really want me to then I will."
She fisted a hand wondering if she was going to regret agreeing to this. She still wasn't sure why she was, but if it pleased her uncle? Maybe it was worth it then.
"Thank you, Mac," Tarou said.
Mac shrugged refusing to look up and meeting his eyes. She knew that technically she didn't have a choice and that if he said she had to then she had to do it, but she wasn't going to fight it anymore and she didn't want to see her uncle look so tired again and almost sick. It worried her.
...
...
AN: What do you think? XD
Hope you liked it! :)
Thank you for your support as always! :)