Lesson Learned

Another chapter from the back-burner.

I just want to state now that I am working on episode 18 for my main story so that isn't being neglected.

At times updates on this story will be quicker because it's a lot easier to churn out 1,000 to 2,000-word chapter for this than a 6,000-word chapter for the AssClass react fic.

***

They made a promise when they were seven.

Mitsuko hid in the closet with her brother, there was barely any light and it was quiet, with the sound of their mom's shouting muffled by the walls and the closet door.

She clutched her trophy against her chest. "...What do you think he's saying to her?" she whispered, resting her head on Gakushuu's shoulder.

Her brother shrugged, having a blank, almost emotionless, look on his face.

"He's probably just ignoring her like always..." he replied softly, staring numbly at the door. "It'll be over soon."

"But, I wanted to show them my trophy," she mumbled, shrinking against the wall.

"Show them later," her brother snapped impatiently.

There was another yell from their mom.

Mitsuko closed her eyes, gripping her brother tighter. "Why does she have to be so angry all the time?"

Gakushuu scowled. "It doesn't matter."

"What?" She inched back slightly.

"It's just us now," her brother said firmly, holding her hand tightly. "We can't rely on mom anymore and we can't trust dad." His gaze narrowed. "So we have to rely on each other." He gripped his sister's hand tighter. "We can't trust anyone else."

Mitsuko was hesitant, but the smash from downstairs made her flinch. "...Just us?"

"Just us," he reiterated.

She sighed deeply, looking down. "...Okay."

He gave her a small smile. "Good."

The house was silent for a long moment when all the yelling suddenly stopped.

Mitsuko's throat was dry, sitting up, she stared at the door. "What do you—?"

She flinched when the closet door opened, blinding them with the sudden light.

Their father's shadow loomed over as he stared down at them with a detached look.

Gakushuu narrowed his gaze at the man while Mitsuko dug her nails into her brother's shoulder.

"...W-where's mom?" she asked hesitantly.

Their father tilted his head down at her for a moment. "Downstairs. Dinner's ready," he said curtly, and then turned away from them, walking out of their bedroom.

Mitsuko shared a look with her brother before they both cautiously got off the floor and followed their father.

Their mother was downstairs, and so was dinner as well, with their father already sat down in his seat eating.

Both their parents were ignoring the large wine stain on the kitchen wall and the broken bottle shattered on the tiles.

Mitsuko fiddled with the silver trophy in her hands as she sat down, unsure whether to keep it out of sight.

Her mother noticed it when the light caught the silver. "What do you have there?"

She smiled hesitantly. "Um...I got second place in the spelling B today." She straightened up and raised the trophy up to view.