Nn...

  As usual, I woke up in the dark attic room. I rubbed my eyes vigorously. When did I fall asleep? I tried to remember, but I couldn't recall what happened yesterday at all. What was I doing? I feel like something very unpleasant happened, though. But thinking about it didn't help. Well, whatever.

  When I moved to sit up, I noticed something strange. Huh. It doesn't hurt anywhere.

  When I lifted my shirt, I was really surprised. The many wounds that were there were all gone. Not a single one left. Why!? What's going on!? I thought it was a miracle. I was happy enough to cry. I don't have to sneak around when changing clothes anymore!

  "Good morning."

  Leaving the room, I went down the stairs, opened the living room door, and greeted a little more energetically than usual. Well, usually no reply comes, but I'm in a very good mood right now, so I don't care about that at all.

  From the back, I heard Uncle and Aunt yelling.

  "Good grief! Who played this prank! Breaking it so spectacularly!"

  "Dammit! Who the hell did this! Don't mess with me!"

  What happened? Peeking quietly from the side, I saw the window glass shattered into a mess. Shards are scattered everywhere. Wow. Terrible. Who did it?

  Noticing I had woken up, Aunt called my name.

  "Yu."

  "Y, yes."

  Will I be blamed for something again... Waiting timidly for what Aunt would order me to do.

  "I have to clean up this mess. If you want side dishes, they are over there, so eat as you like."

  Eh? Since it was something I hadn't even thought of, I was dumbfounded.

  "If it's cleaning up the glass, I'll do it."

  Then Aunt said something unbelievable again.

  "What are you saying. It's dangerous for a child to do it, right?"

  What on earth is wrong with them!? Usually she would absolutely make me do it. She wouldn't let me eat until I finished. This is something strange. If I listen to her, maybe I'll be scolded later conversely.

  "But, house chores are my job."

  "Your mother said it's fine, didn't she? Brat, stay back!"

  I was yelled at by Uncle. Thinking I'd be hit again, I closed my eyes while hiding my face with my arms. But, nothing was done to me no matter how much time passed. Huh? He's not hitting me...?

  Fearfully lowering my arms, I opened my eyes gently. Uncle wasn't looking at me at all, and was talking to Aunt angrily at the broken window.

  What's going on? I didn't know what to do. Because it's too different from usual, the feeling that it's strange is strong, and I can't rejoice honestly. Not understanding anything, I stood there blankly for a while.

  Finally, Aunt really started cleaning, and I finally understood. It seems I really don't have to do anything. Even if I don't do anything, nothing bad is done to me.

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  Thinking so, I gradually became happy. My heart and feet became light, I headed straight to the kitchen like zoom, and served a bowl full of rice. It's been a very long time since I had such a happy morning.

  Looking at the table, I was even more surprised. No way!? There's an omelet for me! Usually I just stuff white rice into my mouth and go to school. It touched my heart. I'm really about to cry.

  "Aunt!"

  "W, what is it?"

  Aunt suddenly flinched with tremendous force. She looks like she's scared somehow. Weird. What is she so scared of?

  "Thank you for the omelet! Let's eat!"

  When I said it with my best smile, Aunt made a relieved face. Really, what happened to them?

  "Ah, yeah. Chew well before swallowing."

  "Yes!"

  Having finished eating deliciously, I headed to the washroom in a cheerful mood.

  "Hum-hmm?"

  There, I bumped into Ken who woke up late. My fun feeling blew away at once.

  "Ah... Ken."

  "Yo... Yu."

  Every time we meet, I always think something might be done to me. I'm not good with Ken after all.

  But, Ken's state is also somewhat strange. Usually when he sees me, he immediately gets carried away and makes fun of me, but today he has a terribly painful look on his face. With that face, Ken started speaking as if it was very hard to say.

  "Hey. How should I say..."

  "What?"

  What does he intend to say? My heart is pounding.

  "Sorry for everything until now!"

  Saying so quickly, Ken bowed his head vigorously. I was surprised enough to almost fall over. Raising his head, Ken stared straight at me looking guilty.

  "It hurt, right? I was doing terrible things to you."

  It was a face serious enough to cry. I understood he was apologizing sincerely.

  "Ken..."

  "I won't do it anymore. Absolutely won't. Sorry. Really sorry."

  To think such a day would come. To think that Ken would apologize properly himself. Saying he won't do it anymore. Just with that, my heart cleared.

  Even though I had various terrible things done to me until now, I stopped caring about such things completely. Maybe I'm simple. But, I think that's fine. If he really apologized properly, I think it's okay to forgive him. Besides, if it's this Ken, maybe we can get along from now on. Because I somehow thought so.

  "It's okay. I forgive you."

  "Really...? Even though I did such terrible things, you forgive me?"

  "Yeah. Just apologizing is enough. You don't have to worry about what's over anymore."

  "Thanks, Yu... Hihihi. Well, I thought Yu would say so!"

  As soon as I forgave him, Ken flashed a big, cheeky grin. I was a bit exasperated, but well, it's Ken-like if I say so.

  "That's right. Let's play games together when we get home today! There's an interesting new release!"

  "Really!? Of course I'll do it!"

  I was quite interested in games, and I had been envious watching classmates playing them. But I always thought they had nothing to do with me. So I was really happy to be invited.

  "Ah, but. It's my first time, so can I do it properly?"

  That's a little worrying. Seeing me worried, Ken winks with a proud face.

  "Naah. I'll teach you the controls perfectly! I'm super good! Seriously pro level."

  "Heeh, is that so! Then please teach me."

  "Hihihi. Leave it to me!"

  Today, unlike usual, I went home immediately after school finished. I played a game for the first time with Ken. Ken taught me carefully without getting angry even though I was clumsy. We defeated the boss cooperating together. It was super fun.

  Dinner side dishes were also given normally. I wasn't as surprised as in the morning, but I was still surprised and happy.

  But, it wasn't just fun things. After eating dinner and finishing the dishes, I was called by Uncle and Aunt. They said they had an important talk. Ken was told to go to his room and left.

  Uncle and Aunt sat across the table, and I sat on the near side.

  "To be honest. We find you annoying after all. Just looking at you makes us angry, and above all, it's creepy."

  "Me too. Sorry for taking you in, but. We'd be grateful if you become independent as soon as possible and leave the house."

  They talked about things like this for a while. I wasn't very hurt. Because I knew long ago that Uncle and Aunt hated me. It's not violence. Finally I could hear their true feelings. I thought so.

  "I understand. But at least, could you let me stay here until I get bigger? Because I can't do anything alone yet."

  Uncle and Aunt closed their mouths tightly hearing my request. They looked at each other several times. Eventually, Uncle finally opened his mouth.

  "Understood... At least during compulsory education, while you attend elementary and junior high school, we will take care of you properly. Is that okay?"

  "Yes. That is fine. Thank you very much."

  I stood up from the chair and turned my back to Uncle and Aunt. Because there probably won't be anything more to talk about.

  "We should have done this from the beginning. Right, dear?"

  "Yeah. Truly. Why couldn't we say it until now?"

  Listening to Uncle and Aunt muttering so, I decided in my heart.

  Someday getting bigger. After finishing junior high school, let's leave this house immediately. I shouldn't stay here forever. Until then, I have to become able to live by myself somehow. Study harder, and learn more various things.