Akane kicked off her shoes and let out a sigh of relief as she stepped into the small foyer of her apartment. She had had a long day at school, followed by an even longer shift at the diner, and all she wanted was to collapse on the couch and relax.
But as she made her way to the living room, she was met with the sound of raised voices. She paused in the doorway, listening as her mother and a man she didn't recognize discussed her pregnancy.
"I can't believe you're still defending her," the man was saying. "She's just a kid. And a pregnancy is a huge responsibility. Not to mention the inconvenience."
Akane rolled her eyes at the man's insensitivity. She knew that her pregnancy had come as a surprise to her family, but she had hoped they would be supportive.
"She's not a kid," her mother retorted, taking a sip of her drink. "She's a grown woman, and she made the decision to have sex with that boy. She has to deal with the consequences."
Akane couldn't help but bristle at her mother's crude words. Yes, she had made the decision to sleep with Nekomaru, but she didn't appreciate being talked about like she was nothing more than a careless teenager.
"Mom, I'm right here," she said, stepping into the room.
Her mother and the man looked up at her, their expressions unreadable.
"Akane, this is Tom," her mother said, gesturing to the man. "He's my new boyfriend."
Akane nodded politely at Tom, trying to hide her annoyance. She didn't like the way he was looking at her, like she was a problem to be solved.
"We were just discussing your... situation," her mother continued. "And we've made a decision."
Akane's heart began to race as she braced herself for the worst. She knew that her family's financial situation was precarious, and she had been worried about how they would be able to support a child.
Her mother handed her a plane ticket. "I've arranged for you to stay with Nekomaru's family indefinitely," she said.
Akane was shocked and hurt by her mother's decision. She felt abandoned and alone, like she was being sent away because she was no longer wanted.
"Mom, please," she begged. "I don't want to leave. I want to stay here and figure this out with your help."
But her mother was already drunk and unwilling to listen. Tom leered at her, making a suggestive comment about how she'd be able to "pay her keep" with Nekomaru.
Akane couldn't take it anymore and stormed out of the apartment, tears streaming down her face. She knew that she had no choice but to go to Nekomaru's family and try to make the best of a difficult situation.
As she packed her bags, Akane couldn't help but feel a mix of anger, sadness, and fear about what the future held. But she also knew that she was strong and capable, and that she would do whatever it took to provide for her child.
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