I can't believe this is happening.

Why now? Why today, of all days?

Yukine sat in the office, clutching his knees. The principal stared at him as he spoke to Yato. He hung up. "He's on his way."

Yukine swallowed. Sweat prickled his forehead. Outside, rain slapped the window.

"What about his parents?" asked his teacher, standing behind him so that Yukine couldn't see him.

"He doesn't have them," answered the principal.

Yukine lowered his head. Shame collected in his chest, weighing his lungs down.

It wasn't supposed to be like this. He got to school and shut his locker, texting Nora. And then his teacher came up to him, pointing at his locker, with the girl who sat behind Yukine in class behind him, a satisfied look in her eyes even as her lips turned down. And he said they had to look in Yukine's locker, because her wallet was missing.

"Why mine?" Yukine demanded.

The teacher looked at him, and Yukine gulped, because he knew they knew. But he hadn't stolen anything. He scowled, unlocking his locket. "Have at it."

And when the teacher rifled through and pulled out a wallet he'd never seen before from the top shelf, holding it up like it was some kind of trophy, Yukine's jaw fell open. "I've never seen that before!"

But the teacher dragged him to the office. Yukine pressed his fingertips together. What if Yato didn't believe him? It'd probably be easier if he just confessed, and then promised not to do it again. If he did, the school surely wouldn't call the police, and Yato would give him another chance.

And I have to tell him about Nora tonight.

I shouldn't have gone to school today. I should have told him this morning. I should have—I should have—why did I fuck up so badly even when I am trying to be good?

Is it just impossible for me to change? Is there something in the universe, some hateful god or whatever, that's decided stealing is all I'm good for?

A tear splashed onto his pants. I want to be more than that.

He remembered when his parents decided they were done with him. They saw things, fueled by—something, probably, but Yukine didn't know what it was. He was lucky when they fed him. He was truant to school and no teacher noticed, or cared. They just punished him for having wrinkles and stains marring his uniform.

He remembered them hauling him out late at night on day, after his dad clocked him in the face enough to make him cry again for the first time in years, his mom and his dad, and the feeling of sluggishness in his bones. Like he had been poisoned, and only later did he realize they must have slipped him some kind of drug.

They tried to bury him, because they didn't want him. Or maybe they thought he was going ot die from the blows. But he wasn't dead yet.

A cop came by and stopped them. And Yukine remembered shivering in the hospital, and feeling like the walls were closing around him. No one heard him screaming, just like that night, just like all the years leading up to that night. All his pleas in a growling stomach and a few whispered words and a torn school vest were ignored, and him slapped for them.

They thought he was crazy, murmuring that he was just like his parents. And Yukine ran, the first chance he got. And this time, he vowed he wouldn't go hungry. He stole whatever he could. Because fuck them, fuck them, fuck all the people who were able to enjoy what they wanted whenever they wanted when he got no such chance because the universe was cruel.

He'd thought he'd gotten a second chance with Yato.

Please believe in me, Yato.

I didn't do it.

I did something else with Nora, but—not this.

But I stole her future. Yukine sniffled.

The door swung open. Yukine's teeth chattered, and it wasn't from cold.

"Yukine," said Yato's voice.

Yukine turned. Yato was staring at him, a look of crushing disappointment on his face. And Yukine broke then, dissolving into tears. "I didn't do it, Yato."

"It was found in your locker," said the principal. "It's hardly worth denying, Yukine. If you confess, it'll go easier for you."

He shook his head. "I didn't do it." He peered up at Yato. Please—please—

"How can you possibly say that?" demanded the principal. "It was—"

"I had barely gotten to school," Yukine managed. "How would I have had time to—"

"It was missing since last night."

"Wouldn't I have taken it home?"

"Would you have?"

Yukine shook his head. "I don't know, because I didn't do it!" He clenched his fists, and then he was screaming. "I didn't, but it doesn't matter to you, does it? You've already made up your mind!" Just like everyone made up their minds about Nora. "If you want to arrest me, then go ahead; I don't give a fuck! I hope you die!"

"Yukine!" reproached the principal.

"That's not going to help," Yato snapped, gripping Yukine's shoulder. "And no one is going to arrest you; expulsion is more the immediate concern." He glared at the principal. "Someone locked them in the basement a few months ago; surely it's not out of the question for some bully to—"

"I never heard about that."

"I didn't think it was worth mentioning," mumbled Yukine. Care? Care? Why would you care? Why would I believe anyone would care?

"Well, that I can confirm," Yato said. He glanced at Yukine.

Do you believe me? Do you actually believe me? Yukine was afraid to hope.

"I'll give you a few minutes," said the principal. "And then I'd like to speak to Yato alone." He rose, leaving the room. The damp weather seemed to be seeping into the room that was lined with bookshelves and casting grotesque, shapeless shadows across the green carpet. The door clicked behind him.

"If you did it," said Yato, and Yukine's heart fell. "Please just tell me." He looked down at Yukine. "Please tell me. Please, Yukine."

"I didn't!" Yukine gripped his knees, doubling over. "I did not steal her wallet; I don't even—I wouldn't have—please, Yato—why—"

"Okay," said Yato. "I believe you."

Huh? Yukine looked up, wiping his eyes. "You do?"

Yato nodded, swallowing. He held out his hand, grasping Yukine's. "We trust each other, remember?"

I hope. I hope so. "Thank you," he eked out.

The principal came back, and sent Yukine to a waiting room with a large window. The trees swayed in the window, green grass melting into mud. He pulled out his phone, texting Nora.

Nora stayed hidden under Yukine's covers as she listened to Hiyori and Yato chat, and then they left. They knew. They knew something was wrong. Yukine wasn't very good at hiding anything, especially when he didn't want to.

Please don't take me out on Yukine, Yato. She didn't think he would. But she didn't know for sure, and she was scared. She bit down on her thumb.

She peered out the window after Hiyori and Yato left, watching Bishamon jog after them. Guilt prickled at her. She pressed two fingers against her belly.

Yato won't believe that I'm not working with Father.

He'll think it's a trap.

Unless… unless she came up with a way to combat that. Nora rolled off the bed. Her heart pounded.

Father would be at university right now. She still had her keys, jabbing into her thigh in the pocket of her jeans. Nora slipped towards the door.

Dammit, she wasn't going to be able to lock the door behind her. Nora hesitated. Well, that couple lived downstairs and worked from home—surely they should be able to keep intruders out. She thumped down the stairs.

"What are you doing here?" demanded a voice.

Oh, hell. Nora froze. She turned to face Daikoku, looking at her with fear on his face. "I'm—just leaving!"

"Not for school, clearly." Daikoku folded his arms, blocking the door. "Were you in Yato's apartment?"

Her face flushed. So they knew who she was. "It's not what you're thinking."

"Isn't it? That boy is like a son to Kofuku and I, so if you're—"

"I'm not working with Father—I mean Fujisaki—I mean—I'm not working with him anymore!" Nora screamed. "He doesn't want me anyways!"

Daikoku's eyes popped. The door to their apartment opened, and Kofuku stared.

She hid her face. "Can I please just go? I was visiting Yukine. Overnight. I'm his girlfriend."

Daikoku looked horrified.

"Why aren't you going to school?" asked Kofuku. "I can drive you if you're worried about the rain; Bisha left her car today and I have a key—"

Don't act nice to me! You should be drawing exactly the right conclusion. Nora stiffened. "I have something I need to do."

"School," said Daikoku. "You need to go to school and learn."

"Why do you care?" She cocked her head. "I'll go back tomorrow."

"Nora—"

"Don't call me that. I hate that name." She pushed past Daikoku, grabbing the door. I'm doing what I want to do, now.

I don't know much of what I want to do, but I know I—I love Yukine and I love Yato, and I want them to be free of that man.

So I'll betray him, since I have to betray one of them.

"What do you want to be called?" asked Kofuku.

Her throat closed up. "I have—no idea." Wasn't that something parents usually decided?

But she had no parents. She never had, except Father, and she didn't like Mizuchi either. Not anymore.

She shoved the door open and ran. Rain splattered against her face. She ran all the way to the bus stop, panting as she got on. The driver looked at her like she was a frog when she got on soaked.

She got off at the familiar stop, running to Father's home. She burst inside, heading to her room. She grabbed her art supplies, some clothes, and stuffed them into her school bag. Whipping out her phone, she saw that Yukine had texted.

Her blood ran cold.

It's Father.

He knows I'm gone.

And he's not happy about it. He's warning me. He—

She texted him. He paid someone to frame you just like he paid them to lock us in. At least I think he did.

He what?

Tears pricked her eyes. She was sorry she hadn't told him, but was there even a point in apologizing. She had to fix this.

She made it to Father's office. She knew where he kept the spare key, atop the dusty doorframe, and she unlocked the door.

I've always been just a tool to you.

Well, this tool is going to—hurt you, too.

She was crying. I thought you loved me.

I can't believe that anymore. With Yukine, she didn't have any doubts that he cared. Stupid or not.

She knew Father's passwords. Because he trusted her.

Or did you think I was stupid, a fool? Smart, but not too smart for you? Or did you trust that I loved you that much?

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

It didn't take long to find what she was looking for. She copied it onto a flash drive and stuffed it into the pocket of her sweatshirt.

A click. Footsteps.

Fuck!

She felt completely trapped, unable to decide what to do. She scrambled out of the office, into Father's bedroom. She dove under the bed, coughing as dust and lint flew up into her nose.

The door opened. Boots appeared. Nora held her breath. Her throat tickled, but she would prefer it to close up than get caught here.

He moved into the office, and Nora tapped out a text to Yukine.

I'm trapped in my house Father's here and I just downloaded information that can help Bisha and now I'm stuck here.

What the fuck are you doing there?

She didn't reply. She was too frightened, and she didn't know how to explain it herself.

The chair creaked, and Fahter walked through the bedroom ahead. Nora would have killed for a glass of water. The itch was so bad her throat was stinging at this point.

I'll tell Yato tonight, she tapped out at last. It's Father, I know it. He'd believe that, at the very least.

He said he believed me, Yukine texted. I don't think he was lying. I think he meant it.

Nora tried to swallow. It was like swallowing pebbles. He probably does.

It's strange having someone believe in me.

Her eyes stung. Father opened a dresser drawer. She had never hated anyone more at this moment.

She hoped Yato was willing to believe Yukine, at the very least, tonight, even if he didn't believe that she didn't get pregnant on purpose.

And I believe in you, he texted.

She squeezed her eyes and pressed her lips together, teeth digging into them.

You really do.

She was trapped here, and yet she felt free.

The floorboards creaked. He went back into the office. She gritted her teeth.

Yukine wasn't responding. But she didn't know how to respond herself.

I love you.

A crash echoed downstairs. Glass.

Father swore. His feet thudded past her, racing down the stairs. She heard him yelling. And she grabbed her phone and double-checked to make sure the flash drive was still in her pocket, and she scrambled out from under the bed, down the stairs, and into the dining room. Father was cussing from the bathroom.

She launched herself out the door, running. She stumbled when she saw Yukine hiding behind a tree. "You—"

"I threw a rock through his—"

"How did you get out of school?" Nora cried out. Rain splattered them. She hoped the flash drive didn't get ruined.

"The window was easy to slip out of, and you needed help!"

"Does Yato—"

Yukine shook his head.

"That's stupid!"

"I texted him and told him you needed my help!"

"So? Now they're all really going to think you're guilty and you—stole that after all—" She panted, her shoes splashing in a puddle, soaking her.

"I didn't want to leave you with that madman!"

"I can handle myself, you idiot!" She glared. "Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I—"

"Well, you don't have to!" He looked down at her. Lightning snapped above them. They turned and raced onto the bridge.

"We need to—get back," Nora choked out. "School or Yato's—" She paused, trying to catch her breath. She reached down and felt her stomach.

"Are you okay?" he asked, anxious.

She nodded, and promptly threw up over the railing. Yukine grabbed her hair and shoulder, holding her upright. "I'm—sorry," she choked out.

"I'm the one who should be apologizing to you."

"Both of us, then," she managed.

He almost smiled. A flash of lightning, and thunder rumbled.

We were fools, but I don't want to regret it. Even if I'm scared.

We just need to figure out how to move forward, and you—with you— She clutched his hand, and he held hers, and she didn't feel alone, or unwanted. He wanted her. He really did.

I want this child to be wanted, too. Even if not by me, it's what it deserves.

The sound of brakes squealing cut through her thoughts. She whirled around. Yukine tightened his grip.

Father emerged from a car hastily parked on the side of the rod. He charged at them. "Mizuchi!"

She couldn't speak. She didn't know what to say. Her throat felt like it was wrapped in string.

"I presume you're the one who threw the rock through my window," said Father. "In the rain, too. That was mean, Yukine."

"He did it for me," she said quickly.

"Are you sure about that?" He arched his eyebrows. "What did you take? My money?"

"Which bitch at school did you pay off this time?" she snapped.

He blinked. "I am—everything I've done has been to protect you, Mizuchi. I can't simply shrug off some no one getting my daughter pregnant—"

Another crack of lightning. She shivered. They really shouldn't be out in the open. "Last night you said you were glad. You accused me of planning it. Well, I didn't." Her voice broke.

I—I want more out of my life.

I don't want to just be your daughter.

I want—I don't know what I want, but I—I want—

For so long she'd assumed he was all she needed, him and Yato. But she wanted herself. She wanted to see what she could do. And with Yukine—if more people were like Yukine, and like Kofuku this morning—kind—even if she fell and scraped herself up sometimes, maybe she wanted it anyways. Maybe she wanted to swing, to fly, to try.

"Get in the car, Mizuchi. We'll take Yukine back to Yoboku, and—"

"That's not his name," she interrupted. "Not even legally."

"Legal means nothing. Yours is legally Nora."

She flinched. I hate that name.

"She doesn't like that," Yukine said quietly.

"Don't you call her that?"

"It's her name," said Yukine. "So I like it. Whatever she's called, I like it. Whatever she wants to be called, I'll call her."

She looked to him. Her lips trembled.

"Get in the car, Nora," said Father, like it was an insult. Which it was. Which it had been. But it was—a shield, now.

"No."

"Get in the car."

"No."

"Get—"

"I'm not going back with you," she said. "You just—I'm not yours. I'm not—"

"Whose are you, then? His?" Father's face twisted in an infernal rage.

"Her own," said Yukine. "That's what—I love about Yato. He's trying to make himself into who he wants to be. He made me believe that, and Nora too—"

"He hates you!" Father bellowed.

"He—"

"This could be damaging my case—"

"She's not your property!" Yukine screamed back at him.

"You think you know her?" Father's eyes flashed. Thunder crashed. "You don't know what she's done for me! She'd do anything I asked. She flirted and stole and bullied a teacher into suicide! You think bullies are—"

"Because of you!" Yukine yelled. He turned to her. "Nora—"

It was true. All of it. She shook from head to toe.

"Just because she wasn't actually sleeping around doesn't mean she wouldn't have done it if I'd asked her. She's—"

"What kind of father would ask her?" Yukine looked repulsed.

You're not running away from me? Sakura… Sakura…

I'm sorry. Yukine, Yato, Sakura, I'm sorry.

How can you atone for the dead? I'm a monster. I'm a worm. I'm—I—I hate myself! I hate it! I hate this!

"You're a piece of shit," said Yukine. "And I love her."

"So am I," whispered Nora.

"No, you're not! You're—"

Father smiled. "Get in the car, Mizuchi." His gentle tone. The kind he used when patting her hair, oh-so-gently.

"No," she said, meeting his eyes, her own streaming, blinding her with tears, with rain. "I'm a piece of shit, but I'm still not yours." And if Yukine loves this—

He lunged. And she heard herself screaming, but Father wasn't even reached for her. His hand grabbed Yukine. She fell back, onto her rear. And then she realized Yukine wasn't there. He was falling.

A splash.

Drowning.

No!

Father panted. He turned to her next, eyes wild.

No! She raced towards the railing. It wasn't far, maybe three meters. And she jumped.

I love water.

I'm scared. It's thundering.

I won't let you drown.

The water smacked her in the face. Its cold fingers thrust up her nostrils, into her ears. She fumbled around. Dark. It was dark. She couldn't see. She needed to see. Her fingers groped. Her lungs ached, but not yet—can't breathe yet, no—

Her hand clamped around something soft. He grasped her, panicking. She felt bubbles.

Let me pull you up! She kicked. Stop struggling; you'll drown both of us!

Her skull ached. Her chest felt as if it would explode. Help!

Yukine! Stop—trust—

But she couldn't even speak, not underwater. The dark was terrifying him, clearly.

I'm not leaving you here, and I can't drown, I'm pregnant!

Help—

Yato will never know—

Yukine deserves to live—I want to—

Arms. One grasped her. The other, Yukine, and the arms pulled them both up.