Backdated to Some Point in time

[forgive_me_my]

[Chieko is just now coming back to the apartment after work at the cafe. The door opens. Something sure does seem different about the place. Maybe it's the aura of unrelenting despair?]

Hey, I'm home!

Comments

[politepink]

[...Oh, right, someone else lives here.

She's just sort of lying on the couch, staring at the door, all dead-looking, as one does. Also hairclip-less?!]

[forgive_me_my]

[The most significant implication that something is wrong is definitely the lack of hairclip. Right now, Chieko's not sure what's wrong, exactly, but a feeling of unease passes over her.]

Michi?

[politepink]

[Grunts in response, doesn't look up from the door.]

[forgive_me_my]

[Sitting down nearby, looking quite concerned.]

What happened?

[politepink]

[Shakes her head.]

[forgive_me_my]

Do you need anything?

[politepink]

[:[a]

...Yuu-san?

[forgive_me_my]

...He's not here?

[politepink]

[Shakes her head.]

[forgive_me_my]

Can you explain what happened? I'll help if I can.

[politepink]

...Yuu-san's papa... ...I couldn't do anything. I wasn't convincing enough, ...so he left. ...It's my fault.

[forgive_me_my]

Nothing's your fault, Michi. Yuu's father is abusive, isn't he? There might be some way to revoke custody. And I'm sure there's still a way you could see him.

[politepink]

...He and Papa will be unhappy with me.

[forgive_me_my]

Your father?

[politepink]

...Papa and Akimoto-san are friends. So, ...I mustn't upset that man. ...And I'd... like to be his daughter-in-law one day, so I'd like him to like me...

[forgive_me_my]

Will they allow you to see him?