The air in Akane’s apartment was thick with the smell of stale alcohol, causing her to wrinkle her nose in disgust as she executed a perfect backflip, her toned muscles moving with grace and precision. She stuck the landing, her chest heaving as she caught her breath, her dark eyes scanning the small, cluttered room.
Her mother, a woman with greasy hair and sallow skin, stumbled out of the bedroom, her new boyfriend hot on her heels. “Akane, we need to talk to you,” her mother slurred, reeking of alcohol.
Akane rolled her eyes, her heart sinking as she braced herself for the worst. She knew what was coming. It was the same conversation they had every month.
“We’ve made a decision about your pregnancy,” her mother continued, her voice barely above a whisper.
Akane clenched her fists, her anger rising as she listened to her mother’s words. “You mean, you’ve made a decision for me,” she corrected, her voice sharp and biting.
Her mother ignored her, continuing on with her announcement. “We won’t be able to feed you as much, so you’ll have to go to bed hungry more often. And you’ll have to make even more money as a waitress, to support the family.”
Akane’s heart raced at the mention of Nekomaru, the ultimate coach and the father of her child. She had been so excited to tell him about the pregnancy, but now she was filled with dread.
Her mother’s boyfriend, a greasy man with a lecherous grin, spoke up, making a crude comment about Akane’s pregnancy. Akane glared at him, her eyes filled with disgust.
“And you’ll have to sleep in the library during the winter and summer, since we can’t afford to keep the heat or air conditioning on here,” her mother added, ignoring the tension in the room.
Akane felt a pang of sadness, but pushed it aside. She had always known that her mother was irresponsible, but hearing it confirmed was still a blow.
“And you’ll have to face sexual harassment at work, since it’s a common occurrence for waitresses,” her mother continued, her voice cold and detached.
Akane felt a surge of anger, but kept it hidden. She had always been strong and independent, and she refused to let anyone bring her down.
Her mother then revealed that she had told Nekomaru about the pregnancy, and Akane’s heart raced at the thought of facing him. She had always admired him, and she couldn’t bear the thought of him looking at her with disappointment.
Her mother’s boyfriend made another lewd comment, and Akane’s eyes narrowed. She couldn’t take it anymore. She had always been the strong one in the family, and she refused to let anyone take advantage of her.
“I won’t stand for this,” she snapped, her voice filled with determination. “I won’t let you or anyone else control my life.”
Her mother sneered at her, her eyes cold and cruel. “You have no choice, Akane. You’re just a waitress, and you’ll always be a waitress.”
Akane’s heart raced as she listened to her mother’s words. She had always known that she was capable of more, and she refused to let anyone hold her back.
“I’ll show you,” she whispered, her voice filled with determination. “I’ll show you all.”
And with that, she turned and walked out of the apartment, her head held high. She would make a life for herself and her child, no matter what it took. She was strong, she was independent, and she was in control of her own destiny.
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