Fandom: 囀る鳥は羽ばたかない / Saezuru tori wa habatakanai / Twittering Birds Never Fly
Title: Impressions.
Pairing: Doumeki x Yashiro
Rating: PG-13
Description: (AU) Yashiro is caught between memories and his current reality. (Warning: References to implied physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.)

Disclaimer – Yoneda Kou is the author of this sublime manga.

Impressions.
By Miyamoto Yui

Part 4 / Elementary – Kiss mark.

She couldn't find anything she needed that night.

Zipping around in a silky, lavender slip, I set up the ironing board by the balcony to get out of her way. One ear constantly listened to her monologues just in case my brain wandered too far.
When she changed into a beautiful, sunflower-colored blouse and a layered, white skirt in the bathroom, the transformation was almost complete. I almost breathed in relief.

But I let my guard down too early.

"Why don't you ever do what I ask?" She angrily combed her hair in front of the full-length mirror. "Where the hell are my earrings? I told you to put it on the counter for today, didn't I?!"
Trying not to sigh, I blankly pressed my pants and was about to switch to my blouse.

"What's with that silence? Are you saying that you're better than me because you're getting ready the day before? That I'm always scrambling while you're so composed there?!"

In that small glance up, her reflection glared at me. I immediately looked down.

Pwok! The wooden brush fell down as soon as the teeth hit my jaw.

"Stop looking down on me. You got your looks from me so don't get so full of yourself." Icily getting up after fussing over her hair with the last of the gel, she smacked her lips for one last time in the mirror and left.

I didn't bother picking up her mess because either way, she'd blame me for whatever state it was in.

Finishing my blouse, I hung my uniform up, turned off the lights and slept.

The next day, I noticed the bruise, but paid it no further attention. The lowered whispers were a completely different matter though. Some kids asked me about it and to their own conclusions, they'd said something called a 'kiss mark'. The teachers pretended not to see and nor did they inquire about me.
Not knowing what it really was, I affirmed it with a small nod.

After all, it was similar to what he had done. This one didn't hurt as much though.

But the 'adults' never let me forget that I was a powerless 4th grader.

Tsuzuku… / To be continued…

10/10/2024 12:42:59 AM – Los Angeles
10/11/2024 4:42:59 PM – Tokyo