Chapter 7: The Smile Behind the Bruises
Pain.
That was the first thing Katsumi felt when he opened his eyes.
His ribs screamed when he tried to move.
His face throbbed with every heartbeat.
The ceiling above him was unfamiliar—white, silent, with the soft hum of air conditioning overhead.
The nurse's office…?
He tried to sit up, but his body protested with a sharp stab of pain. He winced and fell back onto the bed.
His arms were wrapped in bandages.
His shirt had been changed.
His legs had patches of gauze taped to them.
What… did I do to deserve this?
That question wouldn't stop echoing.
Over and over.
Not just in his head, but in his chest, like his very heartbeat demanded an answer.
What did I do wrong?
Is wanting a break up really that evil?
Is this… punishment?
He closed his eyes tightly, wishing he could turn invisible.
Then—he heard the door click open.
Footsteps.
Soft. Familiar.
And then, the voice he dreaded most.
"Katsumi~," she sang softly.
His eyes opened, slowly.
There she was.
Utsuro.
Carrying a small medical kit in her hands.
And smiling.
Smiling like nothing was wrong. Like everything was perfect.
Like the world hadn't just beaten him half to death.
"Look at you," she said cheerfully. "You look really bad now."
She walked to the edge of the bed and gently sat down beside him.
Katsumi stared at her, throat dry, body frozen.
With expert care, she pulled out fresh bandages and started tending to his bruises, her hands soft and practiced.
She hummed a little tune.
As if this was… normal.
"I still love you, you know," she whispered, pressing a new gauze onto his shoulder.
His breath hitched.
Then—
She looked into his eyes, and the smile never faded.
"I know why you chose me back then," she said. "You thought I was an easy target, right?"
Katsumi's eyes widened.
He opened his mouth slowly.
"…W-what… what did I do to you?" he asked, voice barely a whisper. "I just… wanted to break up… I didn't mean to hurt you…"
He tried not to cry, but something inside cracked.
"I was scared. I didn't feel safe anymore. I just wanted out. That's all…"
Utsuro tilted her head.
Her smile deepened.
"Oh, Katsumi," she whispered.
She leaned down and wrapped her arms around him gently, pressing her cheek to his shoulder, her breath warm against his neck.
"That's the problem," she said softly.
"The breakup."
Her voice turned almost dreamy.
"I can't let you go. You're mine, Katsumi. You said so yourself, remember?"
She pulled back slightly, looking him in the eyes with a smile so serene it chilled him to the bone.
"I'll make you come back to me."
Then she leaned close.
So close that he could feel her heartbeat.
And she whispered:
"No matter what it takes."