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The hum of the classroom was familiar, almost lulling. You sat in your usual seat, halfway tuned into the lecture, your eyes trailing the patterns of light and shadow on your desk. The monotony of the day was almost comforting, a quiet reprieve from the chaos that often lurked outside these walls.
But the peace didn't last.
"Y/N." The voice of your homeroom teacher cut through the air, her tone gentle but urgent. "You're needed in the office. It's a family emergency."
A cold weight settled in your stomach. You stood silently, the curious gazes of your classmates prickling at your back as you left the room. Rin's eyes lingered on you longer than the others.
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍮 ⋅ ☆
The walk to the office felt endless, the echo of your shoes against the tiles growing louder with each step. When you arrived, a staff member handed you the phone. Your mother's voice greeted you on the other end, tight with strain.
"Y/N, it's your sister. The baby's running a fever, and I don't know what to do. I'm at the clinic, but I need someone to watch the kids until I'm back."
"I'll be there soon," you said firmly, already heading toward the exit.
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍮 ⋅ ☆
Outside the school, you spotted Rin Itoshi by the soccer field, glancing in your direction as you hurried past. You hadn't expected him to follow, but his quiet footsteps caught up to you halfway down the street.
"Hey." His voice was calm but carried an edge of concern. "What's going on?"
You hesitated, the usual mask of indifference slipping slightly. "It's family stuff. Go back to school."
"I'm not letting you walk off like that without saying more," he said, falling into step beside you. "You look like you're ready to collapse."
You didn't respond, keeping your pace brisk. When you reached home, the chaos hit you like a wave.
The baby was wailing from the couch, their face flushed and damp with tears. Your two younger siblings were huddled nearby, their eyes wide and anxious. Your sister's phone sat abandoned on the table, buzzing with unanswered texts.
You didn't have time to think about Rin still standing in the doorway as you moved into action. Picking up the baby, you cradled them close, whispering soft reassurances while digging through the cabinet for a thermometer.
Rin stepped inside, his sharp gaze taking in the scene. Without a word, he grabbed the discarded baby bottle and began rinsing it in the sink, as if this were something he'd done a hundred times before.
"You don't have to—" you began, but he cut you off.
"You're clearly doing this on your own," he said, his voice steady. "Let me help."
Your shoulders tensed, but you didn't argue. There wasn't time.
As the minutes stretched on, Rin quietly assisted where he could—fetching a damp cloth for the baby, distracting your younger siblings with small talk, and even tidying up the mess scattered across the room. He didn't ask questions, didn't pry, just stayed present.
When the baby finally calmed down, their fever cooling, you sank onto the couch, exhaustion tugging at your edges. Rin sat beside you, his usually sharp expression softened.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" he asked quietly.
"It's not their business," you said flatly, though your tone lacked its usual bite.
"It's mine," Rin replied, his voice unwavering.
You glanced at him, surprised by the conviction in his words. For a moment, the weight of everything you carried felt just a little lighter.
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