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♯ ❝ DON'T GIVE UP
ON HIM, OKAY? ❞
CHAPTER FIVE･ﾟ' ੈ 🤖 ⨳˚ :*
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       (Y/N) REALLY HADN'T SEEN THIS NIGHT TAKE A TURN FOR THE WORST AFTER HER INTERACTION WITH KENJI, BUT SOMEHOW IT DID, AS IF THE UNIVERSE WOULDN'T LET HER HAVE ONE MOMENT. She awkwardly stared into a singular spot as the tension between father and son was palpable through the fresh night breeze that held a salty taste due to the ocean, but ironically the air felt stifling at that moment.

       It seems that Mina had called over his father without him knowing, and now the older male stood in front of Kenji, who clearly didn't want nor expect having to confront him at the moment. But he knew it was bound to happen, but it just seemed like everything from the past was resurfacing too quickly, and he was still trying to process the kaiju he had in his home.

      "Dad, hey." Kenji chuckled nervously, his fingers running through his side bangs in a familiar gesture of anxiety. He leaned against the doorframe, partially retreating into the shadows just far enough to catch a glimpse of his father standing before him, "Hey, what's up? How about that game tonight?"

      Kenji's eyes trailed over to the girl standing behind his father, who just shook her head and gave him a knowing look, as if to silently plead for him to talk to Mr. Sato, as she did her best to shrink into the background and let the father and son chat.

      Mr. Sato was more than relieved as he observed that his son appeared unscathed, "Oh, thank god. You're okay?" The older man's voice trembled with worry.

      He attempted to peer around Kenji's broad shoulders, seeking confirmation, but the son instinctively shifted, closing the door slightly to guard against his father's intrusive gaze. The older male continued, now glancing back to (Y/N) who he had just had the same talk with, as if to include her to which she hesitantly moved closer.

      "I thought something happened to you two," His words flew out of his mouth with a sigh, his eyebrows knitting together as he looked between the two, to which caused the girl to feel guilty.

      She shook her head with a weak smile as she gently pressed her hand against the older Sato's shoulder, "We're fine, Mr. Sato. Don't worry." She assured in a comforting manner, finding warmth in knowing he cared about them both.

      "Yeah, you know, we're, uh... good." Kenji echoed the sentiment, his heart not fully in it as he locked eyes with (Y/N), scrutinizing her expression to ensure she hadn't mentioned a significant kaiju infant, before he looked back down at his father, fumbling to get the words out, testament to how nervous he felt at the moment.

    His half-formed figure remained anchored at the entrance, the dim light filtering from within the house barely illuminating the contours of his body. "It was a tough battle. I'm a little sore, still recovering, but--" He rolled his shoulder as if to prove his point, to which it tugged a little at the girl's heartstrings at the reminder of his injury.

      The sudden distant screeching noise from the infant was heard, to which Kenji and (Y/N) both looked at each other in panic, and the athlete male moved back behind his door, closing it a little as if to keep his father from trying to peek inside again or follow, given how confused he was.

      He shuffled in his spot, glancing nervously to the girl again as if to ask for a little help, but she was just as clueless on what to say as he was, so he knew he had to come up with something. "Uh, you know, it's..." He trailed off when dance music starts playing behind him, urging him to nod lamely with the rhythm, "That's the... The party downstairs."

       His father's eyes narrowed behind his red glasses, disappointment etched into his features. "The most magnificent creature on earth has died." He reprimanded Kenji in a tone thick with incredulity, taking a resolute step closer. "The last of its kind. And you throw a party?"

     "Mr. Sato," (Y/N) tried speaking up now as she too moved closer, considering telling the older man the truth about what really happened as she didn't want Kenji to get into any trouble, "He actually didn't-"

      The older male cut her off though, clearly upset with the idea, while this made Kenji's blood boiling in return. Unable to contain himself any longer, his demeanor shifted dramatically, a furious glint sparking in his narrowed gaze as he stepped forward into the rain-soaked night.

      "That magnificent creature nearly took our heads off, Dad," Kenji began, his tone dripping with disdain as he emphasized each fault with deliberate, measured steps. As Kenji stepped out into the rain, Mr. Sato instinctively retreated, acutely aware of how their years apart had created a chasm of both distance and tension.

     Kenji spoke with painful clarity, "We've barely seen you in twenty years. You chose this city and literal monsters over us." He gestured broadly to the house, exuding bitterness while his father attempted to counter without success.

     Her eyes widened, hearing Kenji say these words, her heart clenching at the sight of Professor Sato's wrinkles creased downwards with the rest of his features. "Kenji, don't you think you're taking it over the top?" She whispered, afraid of voicing the words that couldn't help but slip out. Of course, she didn't expect him to give her such a fixed glare, making everything seem much more tense now.

     Then, Kenji turned, his anger pivoting toward her, a scoff heard from him, "Of course you're taking his side," His words were resentful, as he clenched his fists to his side, "Don't even get me started on you, (Y/N)."

     He now pointed at the girl, who's face fell and a frown took place in her lips, not liking how she was brought up into the conversation, as she had assumed they had at least moved forward a little, but now she could see Kenji was angry and everything he had been holding back was coming to light.

     "You left me."

     Now the girl and older male looked at him with hurt expressions, knowing that they had failed one of the most important people in their lives. "I still haven't forgotten, okay?" He huffed out his words, as if to avoid his voice cracking, "You ignored me for three years,"

      "My parents died, Kenji." She narrowed her eyes in disbelief, "I'm sorry you weren't my center of focus back then, but it's not like you tried to reach out either," She scoffed with a scowl on her face.

     He knew about her parents' deaths, but to him it felt like a betrayal that she had cut herself off from him without giving him a chance to understand what he had done wrong. (Y/N) had always been the brightest light in his life, someone who had been woven into his identity since childhood. So, seeing her abruptly slip away years back felt monumental and unspeakable.

     "That's not what I mean," He spoke in a lower tone, lips pursing and jaw clenching. "You know it isn't." His words held a tone of knowledge behind them, a secret that only him and the girl knew of. The girl sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

     "Then my dad gets hurt, can't hack it anymore, and that's when you finally come back." His words became harsher, the coldness from them hitting her harder than she expected, "That's when I get to come back and clean up the mess you made as--"

      He began to hum a playful tune that was unmistakably Astro and Ultraman's theme song, attempting to mask his intensifying anger with sarcasm, "Da, da, da, da... Ultraman. Which I only did because mom begged me." He continues to rant on, turning his attention back on his dad, while the older male now stumbled a little, to which (Y/N) worriedly held onto him, "And you're more worried about the monsters. Classic."

      "We only wanted to... protect you." Mr. Sato took a deep breath, earnest in his attempt to explain the complex nature of his affection for Kenji—despite the distance created by time and circumstance.

     "But you didn't," Kenji breathed, his tone dipping into a realm of sadness even as bitterness coursed through him. His gaze bore down upon his father, the weight of his words an undeniable truth. "You didn't even pay attention." He watched as his father's countenance fell, the lines of age etched deep by loss. "Be honest. When Mom disappeared, did you even look for her?"

       The reference to Emiko hit (Y/N) like a lightning bolt, her gaze darting towards Kenji in disbelief. She felt helpless in the crossfire of the emotional fallout between two people who meant so much to her.

       Both males were engulfed in a cascade of pain, and the loss that hung in the air among them felt almost tangible, growing heavier with every second, at the mention of the woman whom they all loved so much, who was like a second mother to her.

      The rain fell like tears from the sky, soaking the ground beneath their feet, creating a space that felt both desolate and weary. The sparse light spilling from the half-open door illuminated Kenji's tense posture, an unwillingness to retreat from the emotional confrontation that weighed heavily on his shoulders.

       After moments that felt like hours rife with tension, Mr. Sato finally broke the silence, his voice barely a whisper amidst the downpour. "We share the pain of her loss, Kenji." His gaze drifted down, the droplets of rain jutting against his glasses as he nodded, the weight of sorrow lining his shoulders. "I will leave you alone now."

      In that moment, a torrent of emotions flooded Kenji as he observed the figure of his father, a fragile man stagger by time and pain, retreating toward his car with the assistance of a walking stick. The sense of defeat permeated the night, leaving a hollow ache within Kenji's chest.

     (Y/N) stayed behind for a few moments, brushing off a stray tear that left her cheek as she quietly spoke up to Kenji, "I know it's hard, Ken, but your dad cares," She didn't falter until she knew she got his attention.

     He reluctantly met her gaze, a nonchalant hum sounding lowly in the back of his throat, as his eyes softened ever so slightly, but it went away just as quickly.

      "Why do you do this?" She whispered the question, to which he raised an eyebrow, waiting for clarification to which she shrugged, "...hold these grudges?"

     "Because I know how you are, (Y/N). You're unpredictable." Kenji frowned deeply, eyes now trained on the floor, as he shook his head, "Just like with Astro..."

      "You never know what you want, and I know that at any given moment you're just going to runaway," The sting of Kenji's words echoed painfully in her mind, a stark reminder that no matter how hard she tried, the fissures of misunderstanding were far deeper than she could comprehend.

      "Ken--" Before anything else could be said, just as she reached for his for arm, her gaze landed on Mr. Sato, hearing the soft clatter of keys as they slipped from the older man's fingers, landing on the drenched floor, as the older male went to bend down, to which she quickly rushed to his side.

      "Exactly," She heard Kenji comment behind her, the words making her pause, bent on the floor as she retrieved the keys, before she simply sighed and straightened up, following Mr. Sato, she helped him into the car, and Kenji grew silent, watching his father settle inside while the girl climbed into the passenger seat, where she and the older Sato shared a sad look.

       As the sound of the car door starting echoed through the night air, Kenji remained standing alone, the rain cascading around him like a veil of sorrow. The tension in his shoulders seemed to grow heavier with every passing moment, as if the weight of his emotions was crushing him.

      His eyes remained fixed on the spot where his father's car had vanished into the darkness, the only sound being the distant hum of the engine and the rhythmic patter of the raindrops on the pavement.

      (Y/N) had gone with Mr. Sato, leaving Kenji to his thoughts, which were a jumbled mess of emotions. He couldn't help but feel a sense of hurt and betrayal wash over him, like a tidal wave crashing against the shore. His father's words still lingered in his mind, a painful reminder of the rift that had grown between them. The years apart, the distance, and the unspoken words had taken their toll on their relationship.

      As he stood there, lost in thought, the sound of the rain grew louder, and the droplets began to seep into his skin, a cold reminder that he was alone. The music that had been playing earlier was now silenced, and an eerie stillness had descended upon him.

     He also remembered the fact that he probably messed things up with the girl, after having had their positive interaction back inside, which made him feel like he took ten steps in the wrong direction, "Dang it, Ken."

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       AS THE HEADLIGHTS OF MR. SATO'S CAR SLICED THROUGH THE RAIN-SOAKED NIGHT, (Y/N) FOUND HERSELF GAZING OUT OF THE WINDOW, the rhythmic patter of rain blending with the thumping of her heart. She hadn't planned on her night taking such a tumultuous turn. The shadow of Kenji's hurt words loomed heavy in the air, a reminder of the distance that had grown between them, now compounded by the tumultuous feelings stirred by his father's unyielding presence.

     "Are you alright?" Mr. Sato's voice broke through her thoughts as they pulled up in front of her modest apartment building, his brow furrowed with concern as he knew his son's words had affected her. He felt helpless in knowing the two had also lost their close bond.

     She perked up at the sound of the male's voice, looking confused for a moment before she straightened up, "Yeah," She replied softly, forcing a smile, though it felt more like a mask. "Just a long night, I guess."

     His eyes searched hers for a moment before he nodded, understanding etched into the lines of his face as he brushed his fingers against his steering wheel, tapping it for a few seconds as if to determine what to say.

      Mr. Sato offered her a reassuring smile, though it was tinged with a lingering sadness. "Y'know, Ken's... complicated," He softly began now as he looked at her with a reassuring gaze, "He won't admit it, but I know he values your friendship."

      The sincerity in his tone made her heart swell a little, but it also ached knowing the turmoil straining their connection. "I just hope he can forgive me," She murmured, half to herself as she shrugged gently, almost as if saying it out loud felt silly.

       "He will." He now spoke firmly, as if he already knew it in his heart, "In time, he will," As the girl turned to look out the window once more, she let his next words sink in, "But you have to be there for him as well, He needs you, (Y/N)."

        She knew he was right, she wanted him to be right, because she still held the hope of her and Kenji going back to how things were before, she just needed to show him she wasn't going anywhere this time, even if it meant taking care of a giant kaiju baby.

       The car came to a stop, and she took a deep breath, glancing back at him with a nod, a soft smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Thank you for the ride, Mr. Sato. And for everything," She then told the male, her heart as heavy as the rain drumming on the roof of the car.

       He nodded, giving her a gentle gaze. "Take care of yourself. Kenji too." He extended his arms for a hug, having grown to love the girl like a daughter over the years, and she thought to him as a second father, "Don't give up on him, okay?" He whispered as (Y/N) lifted her head and nodded in response.

       With a warm smile, she opened the car door and stepped out, rain splattering against her face as she quickly made her way to the entrance of her building. She waved goodbye to Mr. Sato, who waited to ensure she got inside safely before turning the car around and disappearing down the slick road.

      Once she entered the dimly lit lobby, she could hear the muffled sounds of laughter and chatter coming from upstairs. Her apartment was a shared space with her bandmates—Asuna and Lin—who had transformed the once-sterile environment into a cozy haven filled with hangings and little quirks of personality.

     She approached the door and knocked softly, her heart racing as memories of how crazy the night had been began to seep back into her thoughts. Asuna was likely waiting, a mix of anxiety and curiosity marked on her face at the unpredictability of her vanishment during the attack at the Giants' game.

     The door swung open moments later, revealing Asuna, her long, dark violet hair framing a face filled with relief. "I thought you died!" Without a word, Asuna pulled (Y/N) into a tight embrace, nearly lifting her off her feet, as she chuckled sheepishly, knowing the downsides of her friends not knowing of her double life as a superhero, and that being her unexplained disappearances.

     "I, uh, got lost in the crowd," She slipped from the hug after a moment, putting her hands to her hips nonchalantly while also knowing it would just pile on to her friends' clear thoughts of her having no sense of direction from all the excuses she made up involving her getting lost.

      "Did you get home safe though?" She asked Asuna worriedly, inspecting her for any injuries as well all the while the taller female nodded in return, "Lin picked me up."

     As she stepped inside the familiar haven of their apartment, she was greeted by the lively ambiance of laughter and conversation. Lin, the ever-energetic drummer, was sprawled on the couch, surrounded by a few snack bowls as he animatedly acted along to the scenes of the movie he was watching.

     The purple haired girl rolled her eyes playfully at Lin's antics, effectively pulling (Y/N) further into the comforting familiarity of their home. The (E/C) girl then shared an amused glance with her friend, subtly teasing Asuna about her harbored feelings towards Lin, and the male's boyish demeanor.

     Lin turned to face them, eyes sparkling with mischief, his fingers coming to pause the movie with the controller. "You finally made it back! Did you miss me?" He leaned back dramatically, arms outstretched, as if he were performing for an audience to which both girls chuckled, Asuna going back to her usual spot next to him as she lightly smacked him with a cushion.

     "Every day," (Y/N) teased now, her spirit lifting just from being with her friends. She took a moment to observe the little details of their cozy apartment: the mismatched throw pillows, the colorful art hanging on the walls created by Asuna, and the vibrant energy that felt like a warm hug at the combined personalities that could be seen with each individual trinket and poster.

      "Forgot the way home again?" Lin cheekily tilted his head at his own question, not seeming to think much of it really, because the bandmates' lack of knowledge of her alter ego made her seem as though they should keep a tracker on her.

      "Ha, ha, funny," The girl rolled her eyes as she swayed her head to each side slightly along the beat of her words, biting back a chuckle as her attention soon began to fade elsewhere, brows furrowing.

      "Hey, have you guys checked on Yue?" (Y/N) asked suddenly, her attention darting toward the small wicker cage where the sweet bunny stayed. She loved that little critter, a small bundle of fluff that had often served as a source of comfort during her more turbulent times.

     "That little troublemaker? She's running around here somewhere," Lin remarked, waving his hand dismissively while his other arm wrapped around Asuna's shoulders. "Asuna and I couldn't get her to settle down. She's probably digging holes in one of the flower pots right now."

       (Y/N) grimaced a little in return as she remembered that particular occasion where dirt went everywhere, and the furball didn't fail to ruin the girl's bedsheet covers. Just as she was about to join in the playful banter, the sound of a soft thud caught her attention. She turned her gaze to find Yue bouncing curiously around the living room, her fluffy tail twitching energetically.

       "Yue!" She called the furry companion, and at the sound of her name, the bunny froze and perked up her ears, blue eyes wide and innocent. She crouched down, opening her arms wide, calling her furry companion over. With a delighted hop, Yue bounded towards her and snuggled into her embrace.

      "Hey, carrots," (Y/N) murmured gently, petting her bunny's soft fur, taking a moment to soak in the uncomplicated joy that came from her tiny pet. The warmth of Yue's small body contrasting the chaos of her day.

       Lin couldn't help but watch with a grin, while Asuna chuckled softly in return as she slipped away from the male and sat next to their friend, a familiar softness gleaming in her eyes. "She seems to be happy you're back," Asuna remarked, nodding towards the little creature that was happily nuzzling against (Y/N)'s chest.

     "I'm happy too. I missed her," (Y/N) chuckled, brushing her fingers through Yue's fur with small kisses against her furry little head, "She knows when I need her the most."

      "What are we, chopped liver?" Lin joked as he plopped down onto the floor next to them with his arms on his crossed legs. "I'm still waiting for you to tell us what happened!" He leaned in, eager to hear all about (Y/N)'s side of the story on what happened when she disappeared after the game.

       Asuna rolled her eyes at him, motioning for him to chill out a little. "Maybe she doesn't want to share right now."

       "Honestly? It was just a long baseball game," (Y/N) commented in agreement to Asuna's words, her voice quieter. She met Asuna's concerned gaze, and it was clear the weight of the night was still etched on her features. "Things got out of control with the kaiju, and I lost track of some things."

       Asuna and Lin exchanged knowing looks, but they didn't press her any further. They understood that there were some things that needed time to surface. But Asuna did hope whatever it was, she would be able to solve it, especially if it involved a certain baseball player, as she was rooting for him and her friend.

     "Well, all I know is I've been dying for some post-game snacks!" Lin chimed in, darting past (Y/N) toward the kitchen, a determined glimmer in his eyes, to which she scrunched her nose up into a smile as she knew he had watched the game from television, and he also had clearly had indulged in snacks already.

      Straightening up from the floor, (Y/N) perched her jacket on a hanger and grabbed a nearby towel to dry her hair while still holding Yue with the other hand, and followed Lin, grinning at his infectious excitement. "Did you try to make popcorn again?" She questioned as she got a waft of the familiar corn kernels, playfully rolling her eyes remembering his disastrous cooking skills with the last attempt.

      "Hey!" Lin defended with mock indignity, throwing his hands up, "What do you expect from a guy who's also a drummer? I can't cook AND be this good at music!"

      Asuna smiled as well, now petting Yue's ears as she came to stand next to her friend as she knew the little bunny had been chilled with anxiety in (Y/N)'s absence. "Clearly," Asuna now spoke smugly towards the male, to which he stuck his tongue out, and she mimicked his action.

      "You two are the poster children for matureness," (Y/N) concluded sarcastically as she set Yue down now, and leaned back against the counter as she looked between the two, who looked at each other, as if the girl standing next to them wasn't any better.

     The laughter from the trio clung onto the walls, providing a moment of warmth, before it faded into a comfortable silence, the three friends embracing the cuddly moment shared between them. It was nice to just be here, together, and for a moment, the troubles of the outside world felt a little less burdensome.

       The rest of the night however, the popstar spent a generous amount of time reminiscing on what had happened back there with Kenji. It brought her a sense of helplessness in knowing that he held onto the past like a baggage that he wouldn't share with anyone.

       She wouldn't give up on him, she promised herself, and Professor Sato of this. The work would start tomorrow, and maybe, just maybe... she'd build up from there.

       Her lips pursed in thought as she buried herself behind the thick, fluffy layer of her blanket, which had small images of yellow stars, with bunnies in different positions as well. It was as though she was clinging to any remnant of a childhood long gone. A soft huff left her lips as she indulged in the feeling of sleep clinging to her eyes, knowing she'd need her rest if she were to see Kenji again.

( ᴬᵁᵀᴴᴼᴿˢ ᴺᴼᵀᴱ ) 🦋
𝘿𝘼𝙄𝙇𝙔𝘽𝙐𝙂𝙂𝙇𝙀𝙕 ━
❪ ✏️ ❫ 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙳𝚂 : 𝟺𝟷𝟺𝟽

this year's been insane and it barely started, and i'm genuinely sorry for the wait on the chapter, but it's here. and FINALLY, it's going to be a lot of ken and emi from this point on, so i just know i'm going to have fun writing.

also, if any of you are interested in squid game, should i lowkey write a hwang jun-ho x reader? i don't know, just a thought, but i hope you guys enjoy your night/day <33