#shi won

“Gheez you don’t have to be so dramatic” Cythina sighed and went back to the party.

an hour later Abby banged on the door.

“Stop acting like a crybaby, at least eat something virgin.” Her words were not helping Makoto’s scattered brain.

She banged again, Makoto banged back, hoping just get the message and leave.

“Fine act like a brat.” Abby said and walked away from the door.

He sat against the wall hugging his knees tight, he wanted this all to be a dream. He felt like he was back in highschool, an outsider, a disgrace, at least back in highschool he would have his mom to cheer him up. But she’s gone now, and he’s alone. He let out a shaky breathe, wanting to wake up and be at home, smelling his mom’s cooking, hearing her sweet hum, being engulfed into her warm embrace. He just wanted his mom.

Laurent jiggled the doorknob, snapping Makoto out of his daydream.

“Come on Edamame, your depressing mood in bring the party down. Have a drink and relax” he chuckled.

Oh so now Makoto’s feelings were a problem to everyone else. He wanted to open the door to punch that bastard, but, he stay put.

Laurent tried again to open the door “Oh Edamame, you’ll get use to it, I suggest you put on a smile and come join us” with that, Laurent left Makoto in boiling rage.

You’ll get use to it? Like hell he will. How dare these people tell him how to feel and act? He just met them and all of them were trying to force him into a model of their liking.

Makoto let out a sob, he buried his face in his knees shaking. He felt his stomach growl, he was starving, but he wasn’t about to walk out there to those people.

Hours passed, they were still partying, they had gotten louder. His head was throbbing, his eyes were burning and puffy, his stomach was craving for nutrition.

He heard the noises migrate to the beach, they were screaming happily about something.

Now would be a good time to sneak out and grab something to eat, but what if some were still inside?

Just then, there was a soft knock at the door.

“Kid?” Kudo “hey, I bought you some food, I’m not sure what kinda of meds you’re suppose to take for a concussion, but hopefully these will help easy the pain of your head.”

Makoto slowly went to the door. He unlocked it and peeked out. It was just Kudo. The old man stood there with a genuine smile, holding a plate of warm food, glass of water, and a pill bottle.

Makoto took the offerings “thank you..” he mumbled out.

“Of course, you’re probably starving” Kudo spoke softly, he knew Makoto was not appreciating the loud noises of the party. “Are you ok?” The first person to have asked him that simple question since he woke up.

“I....” Makoto was scared, what if Kudo just invalided his feelings like everyone else, and if-

“Well I guess that’s a dumb question, of course you’re not ok.” Kudo spoke. “I honestly had no idea Laurent was planning to do that to you. I’m sorry, I feel like I’m responsible as well” the first person to apologize “is there anything I can do to help?” The first person to offer him something without a hidden motive.

Makoto felt tears prickling in his eyes, he tried but, the fell out. Kudo walked in and locked the door behind him. He hugged Makoto and let the young boy cry into his shoulder.

“You don’t deserve this” Kudo mumbled “I’m sorry I tricked you”

Makoto cried harder and hugged him back, Kudo might not be his blood family, Kudo might have been the reason he went to the jail, but, he was here. He was here when Makoto needed him. When Makoto messed up, Kudo didn’t call him an idiot, when Makoto was upset, Kudo didn’t call him dramatic, when Makoto was pushed over the edge, Kudo didn’t invalidate his feelings. He was here, maybe not as a dad, but an uncle at least, Makoto felt a little less alone now.

Kudo made sure he ate and took the meds before he left. He locked the door behind him so no one would bother Makoto.

Makoto curled up in the bed and passed out quickly from exhaustion of crying.

The morning came, more like the afternoon came, Makoto could hear some faint arguing coming from the other side of the door.

“He’s been cope up there all night, he needs to come out.” Cythina

“Leave the kid alone, hasn’t he gone through enough?” Kudo.

“He’s being dramatic, probably just doing this for attention.” Abby.

“Dramatic? Try to put yourself in his shoes! Do you have no sympathy for him?!” Kudo was getting defensive.

“As much as I admire you defending him, it’s time he come out.” Laurent “it’s getting depressing with him moping”

There was a loud slap. Makoto stood up straight in bed. Did Kudo just slap Laurent? Did he really just slapped Laurent for Makoto.

“That’s enough your blonde bastard. Kudo is right, just leave the kid alone. After all, he’s just a kid.” That voice, Shi won?

The sound of footsteps faded away from the door. Makoto could still see the shadows of two people from under the crack of the door.

“Thank you! But, why did you do that?” Kudo asked

“I’ve been in this line of work long enough to know when enough is enough. Just because we’re independent strangers in this group, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t respect boundaries. That’s something Laurent still needs to learn.”