Kaku sat in her office, her jaw tight and her fists clenched. Her parents' sudden and uninvited arrival had sent her into a storm of emotions. After years of watching them belittle and disregard Kazu, she was done with their games.
"What are you doing here?" Kaku demanded, her voice cold as ice.
Her mother scoffed. "We've come to see Kazu. He's been a thorn in this family's side for far too long. It's time we set things straight."
Kaku's eyes narrowed. "You're not setting anything straight. If you've come to blame him for more things he didn't do, you can turn around and leave."
Her father's expression hardened. "We're his parents. We have every right to see him."
"You forfeited that right the day you abandoned him," Kaku snapped, her voice trembling with restrained fury. But despite her anger, they were relentless.
"Fine," she hissed finally, waving them off. "But I swear, if you so much as breathe wrong in his presence, I'll make you regret it."
The cafeteria buzzed with life as Kazu sat with Yoichi, enjoying one of the rare moments of peace. He laughed at something Yoichi had said, his happiness infectious.
"He's smiling again," Yoichi said, grinning. "You're starting to look like the old Kazu. It's good to see."
Kazu chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "It's all thanks to everyone here. You guys make it hard to stay down."
But the light mood shattered when Kazu's sharp instincts picked up the sound of approaching footsteps. He turned, his laughter fading, only to find himself face-to-face with his parents.
Before he could utter a word, a sharp slap echoed through the cafeteria. His father's hand struck his face, leaving a stinging red mark.
The room fell silent. Yoichi immediately stood, his expression darkening, while Mamoru, who had been keeping a watchful eye from the door, surged forward.
Mamoru grabbed the man's arm and twisted it behind his back in one swift motion. "Touch him again, and I'll break it," Mamoru growled, his voice dangerously low.
Kazu's mother stepped forward, her face twisted in disdain. "You think you're so special, don't you? Acting like everything is fine when all you've done is bring shame to this family."
Kazu, still stunned by the slap, stood slowly, his expression unreadable. "I don't know what you're trying to accomplish," he said, his voice calm yet trembling with suppressed emotion, "but you're not welcome here."
Yoichi stepped between them, his stance protective. "I think you've overstayed your welcome," he said coldly.
Kaku arrived just in time to witness the scene. Her blood boiled at the sight of her father struggling in Mamoru's grip and her mother glaring daggers at Kazu.
"What is going on here?" Kaku demanded, her voice slicing through the tension like a blade.
Her father turned to her, scowling. "We're teaching your brother some respect."
"No," Kaku said, stepping forward. "You're proving exactly why you don't deserve to be in his life." She looked at Mamoru. "Get them out of here."
Mamoru nodded, releasing the man's arm but keeping a firm grip on his shoulder. "Move," he ordered.
As Kaku's parents were escorted out, her mother shouted over her shoulder, "He'll always be a disgrace! You'll see!"
When they were gone, Kaku turned to Kazu, her expression softening. "Are you okay?"
Kazu nodded, though the mark on his cheek and the distant look in his eyes told a different story. "I'm fine," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kaku placed a hand on his shoulder. "They don't deserve you, Kazu. Don't ever forget that."
The rest of the room remained silent, the weight of what had just happened settling over everyone. But as Kazu looked around, he saw not pity, but solidarity in their eyes.
For the first time in a long time, he felt like he truly belonged.