Mute but Not Invisible – Volume 1, Chapter 5: A Silent Home
A Place of Refuge?
For Yuu Takahashi, home was supposed to be a sanctuary—a place where he could escape the madness of school, the antics of Rika, and now, the unsettling presence of Mei. But in reality, home was just another battlefield.
Because his older sister was there.
Souta Takahashi.
Cold, unreadable, and terrifyingly possessive—she was the only person who had ever heard Yuu's voice before Mei.And ever since that moment, she had never let go.
A Household of Silence
Yuu's home was unnaturally quiet. Their parents worked overseas, leaving the house in the hands of just the two of them. No visitors, no distractions, and, most importantly—no speaking.
At least, not from him.
Souta never questioned his silence because she knew the truth. She had heard his voice once before. And like Mei, she had fallen.
But unlike Mei's outward obsession, Souta's was cold, restrained, and suffocating.
The moment Yuu stepped through the door, she was already waiting.
The Silent Reception
Souta stood at the entrance to the living room, arms crossed, her piercing gaze locked onto him.
"You're late." Her tone was flat, emotionless.
Yuu barely reacted, slipping off his shoes and heading toward his room.
She blocked his path.
"Did something happen?" Her voice remained calm, but there was a dangerous undercurrent beneath it.
Yuu sighed and pulled out his notebook.
"Nothing."
Her eyes narrowed. "Liar."
Yuu swallowed. She always knew.
Before he could write another response, she suddenly reached out—her fingers brushing his throat.
"Did you speak today?" she asked, her touch lingering. "To someone else?"
Yuu tensed. Too close.
His silence was answer enough.
Souta's expression darkened. "Who was it?"
Yuu quickly stepped back and flipped to a new page. "It doesn't matter."
She grabbed his wrist, her grip ice-cold. "It does."
Yuu met her gaze, trying to remain calm. Souta was never loud, never violent, but her presence was unshakable.
"You belong here," she said quietly. "With me."
Dinner… or an Interrogation?
Souta didn't push further—for now. But as they sat down for dinner, her watchful eyes never left him.
"Did they react the same way I did?" she finally asked.
Yuu stiffened.
She knew. Of course, she knew.
He hesitated before slowly writing: "Yes."
For a moment, she said nothing. Then, she let out a quiet, amused hum. "I see."
Silence stretched between them, but it wasn't comforting. It was heavy.
Then she leaned forward slightly. "Will you stop them? Or will I have to?"
Yuu's stomach twisted. A warning.
He quickly wrote: "Stay out of it."
Souta tilted her head, expression unreadable. "That depends on them."
A Prison Disguised as a Home
After dinner, Yuu retreated to his room. He locked the door, but he knew it wouldn't keep her out.
Souta was obsessed, but she was also patient. She wouldn't act immediately, but she was always watching, waiting.
And now that she knew someone else had heard his voice…
Things were going to get worse.
Yuu exhaled slowly and pressed his forehead against the cool wood of the door.
Home was supposed to be his refuge.
But he was never truly safe.
End of Chapter 5