FATE WITHOUT FREEDOM

Under the cover of darkness, Akari snuck out, determined to find Andy. She needed to see him, to talk to him one last time, to confirm everything that had been buried under the weight of this engagement. She found him standing by the old oak tree, the one where they had spent so many moments together in the past.

"Andy," she whispered, her voice fragile.

He turned around, his expression softening instantly when he saw her. He opened his arms, and she walked toward him, collapsing into his embrace, feeling the comfort of his touch for the first time in what felt like an eternity.

"I don't want this, Andy," she confessed, her voice shaking. "Both families agreed to the engagement… but I don't want to marry him. I can't. I would rather die than marry Haruto." Her voice cracked, and a sob escaped her.

Andy held her tighter, his own heart breaking at her words. He could feel the pain radiating from her, the desperation. Akari pulled something from her pocket—a picture of them together, the one from the market when they had bought matching hairpins. The one she had kept all this time. She held it out to him, a tear running down her cheek.

"Do you remember this? Do you remember us?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Andy stared at the picture, his heart aching. "I remember everything, Akari," he whispered. "But you can't do this. You can't run away like this."

Akari's eyes welled with tears. "Can you watch me marry someone else? Can you really stand by and see me tied to someone who isn't you?"

Before Andy could respond, she threw her arms around him, clinging to him desperately. "Please, don't let me go," she whispered. "I can't do this without you."

Without hesitation, Andy wrapped his arms around her, holding her as tightly as he could. "I won't let you go," he murmured. "You don't have to do this alone. We can find a way, I promise."

But they both knew the cruel reality. It was too late. Too much had been decided, and the world around them wasn't ready for their love. They stayed in each other's arms, both longing for what was slipping away.

Return to the House

The night was heavy with silence as Akari made her way back to the house. Her mind was a whirlwind—half in Andy's embrace, half trapped in the harsh reality of the future that awaited her. But as she tried to sneak back inside, a hand suddenly reached out and yanked her in.

"Where were you?" he demanded, his voice low but seething with fury.

Before Akari could react, he slammed her against the wall, the cold, hard surface biting into her skin. He locked eyes with her, his expression a mixture of fury and hurt.

"I-I…" Akari stammered, unable to form a coherent excuse.

"What!" Haruto roared, slamming the door closed. "You went to him, didn't you? You met Andy again!"

Haruto grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Look at me when I'm speaking!."

"And don't humiliate me like this!" he spat, his tone dark and venomous. He knelt down,

His hands gripped her shoulders tightly, holding her in place as she trembled under his intense gaze. "You went to see him, didn't you?"

Tears blurred her vision as she twisted her body, trying to escape, but he only held her tighter, pressing her harder into the floor. She could feel his body weight, his anger. He wouldn't let her go, not this time.

Finally, he pulled away, leaving her breathless and shaken. his eyes blazing with frustration and determination. He stood, dragging her up with him.

For a moment, it seemed like he might lash out, but instead, he grabbed her wrist and dragged her toward her room.

"You're not meeting him again," he said coldly. "

He pushed her inside and slammed the door shut, locking it from the outside. Akari pounded on the door, sobbing, but there was no response, only the sound of his footsteps retreating down the hallway.

He hadn't expected her reaction to be so… fragile. It had unsettled him. The way her heart seemed to be in the past, still tied to Andy, someone she couldn't even remember. It enraged him, but more than that, it fueled his obsession with making her forget everything she once felt.

He clenched his fists as he walked into the living room, the weight of his decision pressing on him. This had to be done.

He had been patient long enough, watching from the shadows as Andy reappeared in her life. But no more. Haruto had never been the type to sit back and let things slip from his control. He had already allowed Andy too much freedom, too much influence over Akari. And now, it was time for a reckoning.

The next day, Haruto sat in a quiet café, sipping his coffee as he stared at the telegram in his hand. He had made arrangements—careful ones—to make sure Andy would feel the same sense of helplessness that Akari had felt. It was time for him to confront Andy. He wasn't just going to make him leave; he was going to break him, in the most personal way possible.

With a deep breath, Haruto folded the telegram and slipped it into his coat pocket. It was time to end this. He stood up, his movements deliberate as he walked out of the café and into the street. He had made sure to gather enough information about Andy's whereabouts. It wouldn't be long now.

Meanwhile, Andy sat in his apartment, staring at the telegram from Akari. His heart pounded in his chest as he read her words: "I can't marry Haruto. I can't forget you. I don't know what to do."

He felt a rush of hope surge through him, but it was quickly replaced by confusion. Why had she written this? Why couldn't she forget him? He needed answers. There was so much that needed to be explained, but there was no time to waste.

As he prepared to leave, the doorbell rang, and he opened it, expecting to see Akari standing there. Instead, he was met by a sharp-eyed Haruto, his smile cold and menacing.

"Andy," Haruto said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "I thought we should have a talk."

Andy's chest tightened as he studied Haruto, the air thick with tension. "What do you want, Haruto?" he asked, his voice low, filled with a sense of unease.

Haruto's smile never faltered, but his eyes were full of malice. "Oh, it's not what I want, Andy. It's what you've made me do. You've been toying with her, haven't you? Pretending to be her savior, pretending that you're the one she's been waiting for. You've led her on long enough. It's time for you to leave her alone."

Andy's eyes narrowed. He had no idea what Haruto was talking about. "I'm not to blame for any of this, Haruto. You need to understand that Akari is the one who needs to choose. She's the one who needs to decide what she wants."

Haruto laughed softly, the sound devoid of any real humor. "You still don't get it, do you? She doesn't even remember you. The past is a shadow, and she's living in the present now. You're just a ghost she can't shake. But I can fix that, Andy. I can help her forget."

Andy's mind raced, confusion and anger swirling together. "What are you talking about? What do you mean, help her forget?"

Haruto's expression darkened as he took a step closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I'm going to make sure you never get in her way again. You've had your chance, Andy. Now it's my turn."

"I told you, Haruto," Andy said, his voice shaking with a mix of frustration and confusion. "Akari is the one who decides. You can't control her. You think you're doing this for her, but you're not. You're just—"

"Shut up," Haruto interrupted, his voice cold. He stepped closer to Andy, his movements deliberate.

Haruto's eyes locked onto Andy's, filled with a raw intensity that sent a chill down Andy's spine. He could feel it—the promise of something violent, something desperate in Haruto's stance. The air around them thickened.

"Stay away from her, Andy," Haruto said, each word biting through the silence. "If you know what's good for you, you'll leave her alone. You'll let me have her. Or else…" His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "I'll make sure you regret it."

Andy's confusion grew. "What are you talking about?"

Haruto's eyes darkened. "You took my future, Andy," he growled. "When Akari's sister died, it destroyed everything I had. She owed me… and now Akari has to pay for it. She has no choice."

Before Andy could even process what was happening, Haruto moved forward with a speed that left him no time to react. His hand shot out, gripping Andy's collar tightly, and slammed him against the wall. The impact rattled Andy's body, his breath knocked out of him.

Andy struggled to free himself, but Haruto's grip was like iron, his strength too overwhelming. Haruto was no longer pretending to be a nice guy. This was the side of him that only came out when he felt cornered, and Andy was dangerously aware of just how far Haruto was willing to go.

"You're insane," Andy managed to rasp, his heart racing.

Haruto leaned in close, his breath hot against Andy's ear. "I'll make you regret coming back into her life, Andy," he whispered darkly. "I'll make sure you never see her again. Ever."

With one final shove, Haruto threw Andy to the ground, his body crashing against the cold floor. Haruto stood over him, his chest heaving, rage boiling in his veins. "This is just the beginning," he sneered, stepping back. "I'll destroy everything you've built. You'll never be part of her life again."

Andy lay there, stunned and gasping for air, his body aching. He could barely comprehend what had just happened. Haruto… was willing to go this far? The anger, the pain in Haruto's voice—it was all too much. But there was something else there too, something dangerous and intoxicating, something Andy knew he couldn't ignore.

As Haruto walked away, his footsteps slow and deliberate, Andy pulled himself up, his chest heaving. He felt something shift within him—something he had never felt before. He had underestimated Haruto. And now, he had no choice but to face him head-on.

But the question remained: Could he save Akari from this madness?

The night was thick with tension as Haruto walked through the narrow alley, his footsteps echoing off the damp concrete. The scent of oil and sweat lingered in the air as the dim lights flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls. He knew exactly where he was headed: the underground world where favors were bought with blood and whispered promises.

Haruto entered a run-down building, the walls covered in graffiti and the flicker of neon lights. Inside, a group of rough-looking individuals sat around tables, smoking and talking in low voices. They looked up as Haruto entered, their eyes cold and calculating.

"Haruto," one of them, a man with a scar across his cheek, greeted him with a nod. "You're here for business, I take it?"

Haruto didn't waste time with pleasantries. He was on a mission, and nothing was going to stop him. He slid a thick envelope across the table, the sound of paper crinkling as it landed in front of the gang leader.

"Andy Sullivan," Haruto said coldly, his voice unwavering. "I want him gone. His mission, his entire operation—sabotage it. Make sure he doesn't return."

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of Haruto's words sinking in. The gang leader, a tall man with a deep voice, glanced at the envelope and then back at Haruto. "You're asking a lot, Haruto. He's one of ours, you know. We don't just go around taking down soldiers on a whim."

Haruto's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening around the table. "Do it, or I'll make sure your deals with the military end. You'll have no one left to run to."

The threat hung in the air like a storm cloud, and the gang leader knew better than to argue. Haruto had a reputation for getting what he wanted, and if he didn't get it, the consequences were swift and brutal.

After a tense pause, the leader sighed. "Alright, we'll take care of it. But you're going to owe us one. Big time."

Haruto didn't flinch. He had no intention of backing down now. "Consider it done," he said simply, before turning on his heel and walking out, leaving the gang to work their dark magic.

A False Arrival

Haruto and Akari walked in the shadows, taking the back entrance and then moving toward the front, making sure to appear like they were just coming home. The silence was heavy as they stepped into the light, where Hioshi and Tanka stood, their faces lighting up at the sight of them.

Hioshi seemed a bit surprised but quickly masked it with his usual calm demeanor. "I thought you two were with your parents," he said, his tone casual but his eyes searching.

Haruto flashed a smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "We decided to stay out a little longer. We were just having a walk around the neighborhood."

Akari followed his lead, her heart thudding in her chest as she tried to act natural. She forced a smile, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Haruto had just set her free from that locked room, but she still felt his presence looming over her, cold and suffocating.

"We came back early," Hioshi explained, his voice a little too eager. "You know, school."

Tanka, ever the quiet one, didn't say much, though his eyes darted between his older sister and Haruto. His young face was filled with a mixture of confusion and curiosity, but he remained silent, following his brother's lead.

They entered the house, and the conversation continued in the dimly lit living room. The tension in the air was palpable, but they all tried to pretend nothing was amiss. Haruto made small talk with Hioshi, his sharp gaze flicking over to Akari every now and then, ensuring she stayed in line.

As the conversation wound down, the family began to move toward their rooms, the quiet rhythm of the household settling once more. Haruto watched Akari closely, his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. There was something unsettling in the way he looked at her, and Akari felt a chill run down her spine. She couldn't forget what had happened earlier, how he had forcibly locked her in that room, and how, despite his gentle touch, it had felt more like a prison.

When it came time for bed, Akari's mind raced. She wasn't ready to face Haruto alone in the bedroom. The idea of being near him again, under the same roof, felt suffocating.

"I'm going to sleep with Tanka tonight," she said, her voice barely above a whisper as she walked toward her younger brother's room.

Haruto didn't respond immediately. He stood there, watching her with a gaze that could have pierced the walls. Then, after a long pause, he simply nodded. "Fine. But don't think this changes anything, Akari. We both know what's coming."

Akari forced herself to look away from his penetrating stare and quickly entered Tanka's room, closing the door behind her.

The night passed in a strange, heavy silence. Akari lay awake next to Tanka, her mind spinning with thoughts of escape and freedom, but also of the cruel reality that had become her life. Haruto's words echoed in her mind, his cold, calculating eyes always watching her. How could she live like this? Pretending everything was fine, while trapped in a future she didn't want.

But there was nothing she could do. Not yet. The fear of what might happen if she tried to escape, the shame of what she would leave behind—her family, her home—kept her bound to this nightmare.

As sleep finally claimed her, Akari's thoughts turned once again to Andy. She couldn't forget him. She couldn't pretend she didn't care. But was it too late? Would he even want her now, knowing what had happened? And if he did, could she ever find a way out?

The Morning After

The first light of dawn crept through the thin curtains, casting a faint glow across the room. The harshness of the night before seemed to have faded, but the weight of the silence remained heavy, suffocating. Akari had spent the entire night in the same position, her body still and cold, her eyes swollen from crying.

She was awake before the others, her mind consumed by the events of the previous night. The pain in her chest felt unbearable, as if her heart had been cracked open, its contents spilling out, leaving her hollow.

Her body ached in places she hadn't realized before. It was the physical manifestation of a deeper wound, one that had carved itself into her soul. The sheets were tangled around her legs, the pillow damp from her tears. She stared at the wall, but her thoughts were far away.

The door creaked open, and she didn't even bother to look up. She knew it was Haruto—his presence, his energy, it filled the room even before he spoke.

"Get up," his voice was sharp, demanding. He didn't ask if she was okay; he didn't care.

Akari didn't respond. She couldn't find the strength to speak, to even acknowledge him. Every part of her screamed to just disappear, to escape, but she knew that was impossible.

Haruto's footsteps were heavy as he walked closer. The bed dipped slightly under his weight, and then his hand roughly grabbed her arm, yanking her up with surprising force. She winced at the motion, the sharp tug pulling her out of her stupor.

Akari flinched, but said nothing. The sting of his words cut deeper than the physical pain. She could feel the anger radiating off him, and her body instinctively recoiled, but her mind had already shut down. She had no fight left.

"You're going to stop seeing him," Haruto said firmly, a hint of control in his tone. "From now on, you'll remember who you belong to."

She nodded without thinking, as if the words were just a formality. There was no point in arguing anymore. Haruto's obsession was suffocating, and the fear of what he might do if she defied him again kept her paralyzed.

Haruto stood up, brushing off his hands as if he had done nothing wrong. " I'll be waiting for you downstairs."

Akari slowly stood up, her body trembling as she dressed mechanically, her mind blank. She avoided the mirror, not wanting to see the shell of the girl who used to be full of life. She didn't recognize the face that looked back at her anymore.

The morning air was crisp, with the first light of dawn painting the sky in soft hues of orange and pink. Haruto stood in front of the house, adjusting the straps on his bag, while Tanka, still groggy from sleep, trudged slowly behind him, his eyes barely open.

"Come on, Tanka. You'll be late if you don't hurry," Haruto said, a hint of impatience in his voice, though his eyes flickered to the front door, wondering if Akari was watching them.

Tanka yawned, rubbing his eyes, his school uniform a bit wrinkled. "I'm tired, Haruto… Why do we have to go today? I feel like staying home." He kicked a pebble, watching it roll down the path.

Haruto turned to him, a smile creeping onto his face, but it was cold, forced. "Because your future depends on this, kid. No time to slack off."

With that, they both headed off to school.

Downstairs,

By the time she made it downstairs, Haruto was already seated at the table, a cup of coffee in hand, his expression unreadable. He didn't acknowledge her as she entered the room, his attention focused elsewhere, but the tension in the air was thick. Akari knew he was watching her, observing her every move, waiting for her to slip up.

She sat down at the table, her hands folded in her lap, her gaze down. She couldn't look him in the eye. The shame was overwhelming, but she couldn't show weakness—not yet. Not in front of him.

Haruto didn't speak right away. The silence stretched on, almost suffocating in its stillness. Finally, he placed the cup down and turned his gaze toward her.

"I expect you to be on your best behavior," he said coldly.

Akari felt a lump form in her throat. "I won't see him again," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Haruto gave her a long look, a smirk forming on his lips as he took in her defeated posture. "Good. You're learning." He leaned back in his chair, satisfied with her submission.

Akari didn't respond. She didn't know what else there was to say. Her silence, her compliance, was the only thing she could give him to make the torment stop.

She finished her breakfast in silence, each bite tasteless, her body moving through the motions, as if she were on autopilot. Her mind was elsewhere, far from the room, from Haruto. She wished she could disappear, wished for a different life, but she knew that wasn't possible.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Haruto watched her like a hawk, never leaving her side, ensuring that she didn't try to contact Andy. Akari complied, not out of choice, but because she had no strength left to resist. She was trapped, locked in a cage of her own fear and despair.

At night, when the house was quiet and she was left alone in her room, Akari's thoughts turned to Andy once more. Would he ever come for her? Would he ever know the truth of what was happening?

But even as she thought of him, she knew the answer. She was lost. And Haruto would never let her go.

This scene shifts the focus back to Akari's inner turmoil and her submission to Haruto's control, emphasizing her mental and emotional state as she tries to navigate her increasingly hopeless situation. Haruto's manipulation is clear, and Akari's silence and submission reflect her growing sense of helplessness. Would you like to add more details, or continue exploring the next steps for Akari?

The telegram crinkled between Akari's trembling fingers as she read the words. Her parents would be returning next week. The idea of seeing them again brought her little comfort, not with the storm of emotions swirling inside her, not with the looming presence of Haruto—her future husband, though not one she ever wanted.

Her gaze flickered to Haruto, sitting across from her with an unreadable expression. What would she do during this week alone with him? A week with no one to witness the ever-present tension between them. Would she be able to escape the suffocating feeling that crept in with every second?

Haruto's voice broke through her thoughts, smooth and cold, as he snatched the telegram from her hands. A cruel smirk twisted across his face as he read it aloud, savoring the control he had over her.

"This week should be… blessed," he muttered under his breath, almost as if the words were an insult.

Akari felt a cold shiver run down her spine. Haruto seemed to take pleasure in the thought of her being isolated with him. He wrote a quick response to her parents, claiming that they were both happy to hear from them, pretending to be the dutiful couple, already in their groove. The response felt like a lie to Akari, a mask for a truth she didn't want to face.

She had no choice but to play along. Her fate was already sealed, at least for now.