I swear to God I have a variety of valid reasons this took so long. I got a new job for starters, I work nights now. Also Final Fantasy xiv happened, on that note I'm now a lvl 50 Bard. Either way I am sorry. I hope everyone enjoys.
I kept my treasure with me all day. It was never in my purse, rather it stayed in my pocket. Every moment, every break, any instant of time at all it was in my hands just so I could tell myself that everything was okay. No matter how the light hit it, no matter how many of my negative emotions it absorbed, it wasn't enough to lighten the weight on my heart.
It was an accident, he didn't mean to hurt me. He was drunk and I upset him. He is a big start now and under so much pressure, I should have watched my words. It was an accident.
This mantra feels hollow when I have to constantly make sure my cuts don't reopen. The pain isn't that bad, but I dread the chance of them getting infected, I simply couldn't afford it. I'll have to be careful. It was my own fault anyway.
I stare at the stone blankly, usually Corn can help me with these feelings. I see part of my face staring back at me in the smooth reflection of the stone. Even in the distorted surface I can see how pale I look. How plain I look. No wonder he never comes home he probably can't stand to look at me anymore. My eyes prickle slightly and I look up towards the sun from my place on these stairs to force them dry.
My down time is down. It is time for my evening job. I walk to the Darumaya with leaden feet. Everything in me feels heavy and sore, but I have to keep walking, perhaps, this is my purgatory.
Purgatory, what a funny word. How apt in this case, suffering in hopes of redemption. I'll be stronger when Sho comes home next. Yes! That's it, if I'm become better and stronger I won't be such a burden to him anymore.
It's time to start the night I suppose. I stand up with the last wince I'll allow myself till the end of my shift and put on my hostess face. No matter how much it hurts I cannot let it show on my face. The customers must never home. I take a deep breathe and walk into the main room of the restaurant.
It's busy. Tonight the dining room is constantly full. Dodging customers and elbows is tricky enough without these cuts, but with them it is borderline impossible. One man, who appears to be an American businessman it his blond hair and blue eyes are anything to go by, grabbed me by the shoulder to get my attention. It took all of my training and will not to flinch, he was too intoxicated to realize his horrible breach of protocol. Laying his hands on a young lady is simply too indecent. I bit my tongue and pointed him to the restroom.
I carry out several orders in the bustle and clamor. As the night wound down me and the proprietress began calling cabs for those customers too intoxicated to drive. That same American passed us as we bowed to bid or patrons farewell. He stumbled and naturally landed heavily on my. I cried out my back felt like it had been split open again. Taisho emerged from the kitchen faster then I could even process. He picked up the man and removed him to a taxi. Me and the proprietress returned to our bows as everyone filed out of the building. I helped with the dishes the entire time feeling the kindly couples stare on me. I bid them farewell and leave.
I stop in one of their backrooms to remove my uniform in favor of my own white t-shirt. I begin the walk back to my apartment. The night air is cool and refreshing. The walk is long. Lights flicker past me as blurs in the night from the oncoming cars. I keep walking, the bright side of so many jobs is I know my way around the city even in the dark. As long as I stay in the well lit areas nothing to bad would really happen to me.
Sudden a set of lights does not blur past me is slows to a stop. I look at the little silver sports car with its heavily tinted windows and I wonder why it would be stopping here. I shiver runs up my spine and it occurs to me I should keep walking. Quickly.
I hear a deep voice that I swear almost stops my heart call out to me. "Mogami-san." After my moment of panic subsides I look to see the last face I would expect to see at a time like this. Tsuruga Ren is staring at me with this odd look of concerned alarm in his eyes. What is Sho drives by he would be so mad.
"What are you doing walking around this late at night, Mogami-san?" I look up and down the street nervously then bow.
"I'm just walking home from work, Tsuruga Ren-sama."
He sounds so alarmed as he replies "Do you need a ride home?" I can't prevent my frantic flailing as I reassure him I'm fine and turning to continue walking.
My blood turns to ice at his tone as he asks "Mogami-san, what in the world is that stain on your shoulder."
I turn around to see what is easily the most fake and blindingly shiny smile. I'm dazzled by it, but surely an actor should have a better fake smile than that, I can see right through it to his anger and irritation.
As always send me your weary, your huddled masses of questions, comments and concerns and I will do my best to respond I promise.
Special shout out to Shinigami Merchant, I swear you have commented on almost every chapter and I really appreciate how constructive you've been.
That goes to everyone else as well, do we just have an oddly nice fandom? You have all been so kind.
