~Tears of Unreciprocated Love?

Chapter-16: Turning tides

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"HONAMI!"

Her mother's voice broke through the silence, catching her just in time.

Ichinose had been holding a bottle of pills, staring at it blankly, when her mother appeared, eyes wide with worry. She snatched the bottle from Ichinose's hands, her expression a mix of anger and fear.

In a rush of emotion, her mother raised her hand, then stopped, her gaze softening. Instead of a slap, she pulled Ichinose into a hug.

"Are you an idiot?" she choked out, her voice trembling.

"Do you think ending it all would make everything better?"

"Oka-san... I don't know how to face this," Ichinose admitted, her voice cracking.

"How will I face my friends after everything I did?"

"It's normal to feel guilty when you've done something wrong. But running away doesn't solve anything, Honami. Life will throw hard times at you, but you have to fight. Leaving everything behind only adds to the pain," her mother said gently.

"Remember-there's always a bright dawn after the darkest night."

Ichinose looked up, finding warmth in her mother's embrace. "I'm sorry, oka-san... I let you down."

"Don't worry about that. Just don't make the same mistakes again." Her mother brushed a tear from Ichinose's cheek.

"Promise me something. If you ever feel like giving up, remember those you love. Fight for them, no matter the outcome. Do you understand?"

Ichinose nodded, wiping her tears. "I promise."

Her mother smiled softly, stroking her hair. "I love you, my princess."

"I love you too, oka-san."

"And who loves me?" Another voice chimed in, and they turned to see Ichinose's little sister, pouting adorably.

Her mother opened her arms, pulling them both into a hug. Ichinose laughed as her sister tickled her, filling the room with laughter that melted away her despair.

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The memory faded, and Ichinose found herself back by the sea, the wind tugging at her hair.

"No more," she whispered fiercely.

"No more tears, no more despair. This ends now."

She took a deep breath, feeling the cool breeze wash over her. Her heart, still raw, pulsed with a new resolve.

"I'm done being the good girl-the one everyone uses and discards. This time... I'll show them."

She remembered every smile she had given, every sacrifice she'd made, every ounce of love she'd poured out, and how it had been taken for granted. Especially by him.

"Ayanokoji," she murmured, his name like a wound reopening.

"You played me like a fool, and I opened my heart to you. But never again. Not to anyone."

She stepped back from the edge, heart racing with newfound strength.

"This year... I'll be different. I'll be fierce. If they want a puppet, all they'll find is ice."

Her fingers curled into fists. "They think I'm weak? They're in for a surprise."

The thought brought a bitter smile to her lips. "Everyone loves to wear a mask, don't they?" she whispered.