"What?" I ask.
"I didn't turn you in," He repeats. Len looks at Mayu.
"But… why?" I question. He looks at me again, his eyes piercing into mine. "You're alone. You're stealing to survive."
I feel my stomach drop as a lump forms in my throat. I can feel my eyes start to water when I stand up and walk to the bathroom, so I can be alone to cry. I hear them say something and then it's silent.
I splash water on my face after I'm done crying and step out. I look at Mayu, who is sitting on her mat and playing with her long hair. "Len left," is all she says, not looking at me.
I sit down on the mat next to hers. "Please," she looks at me. "Tell me your story." I'm a bit surprised and angry. "No,"
"Please?"
"No," I say stubbornly. She goes quiet and starts to play with her hair again. "Okay," I mumble.
"I was born in the village. My dad disappeared when I was 6, and my mom left to find him. My older brother and I were the only ones left in the house, but no one found out for the longest time. Eventually, my own aunt turned us in." I growl, a disgusted look on my face. "We ran. We ran into the woods. He taught me how to steal."
"We found a cabin in the woods, and decided that it would be a target. At night, we went to one of the back windows, with me sitting in a bush behind him, watching. We got through, and it was quiet for a while. But then," my voice cracks and I take a breath, my hands trembling. "I heard gunshot. And I ran."
She looks up at me, her golden eyes sad. I've started to cry again. I look away from her, covering my eyes. "I ran, Mayu, I didn't stop. I didn't check on him. I ran. I could have helped him, or at least be there when he died. But I ran. I ran like the coward I am."
She reaches to put her hand on my shoulder. "I run from everything. I run from the law. I run from relationships. I'm alone, because I'm a coward."
I hear her breath in, but she doesn't say anything. I wipe my arm across my eyes and turn to look at her.
"Rin, you're probably the bravest girl I know. You've survived, what, 7 years on your own? I would have died if you stayed. You could have done nothing. I'm sorry you lost him, but it's not your fault. Stop blaming yourself." She smiles a little, which she never does. "You're not a lone. You have Len and I."
I smile, tears streaming down my cheeks again. I turn my body around and hug her. "Thank you, Mayu,"