The air in Akane’s small living room was thick with the smell of sweat and the sound of grunts as she tumbled and twisted through her gymnastics routine. Her six younger siblings watched in awe from the worn-out couch, their eyes glued to their older sister’s every move.
Suddenly, the door to the apartment swung open, and Akane’s mother stumbled in, her latest boyfriend in tow. The man couldn’t take his eyes off of Akane, his gaze lingering on her toned body and the way her leotard clung to her every curve.
“Akane!” her mother slurred, waving a bottle of cheap vodka in the air. “We need to talk.”
Akane’s heart sank as she stood up, wiping the sweat from her brow. She knew that tone of voice all too well – it meant trouble.
“What is it, Mom?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Her mother took a long swig from the bottle before answering. “I found out about your little… situation.”
Akane’s heart raced as she realized what her mother was talking about. She was pregnant – with Nekomaru’s child. She had been so careful, but one mistake had changed everything.
“And we’ve made a decision,” her mother continued, her words slurring together. “You’re going to have to give up your dreams of becoming a professional gymnast. You’re going to have to take on more responsibilities around here.”
Akane’s frustration boiled over. “Are you kidding me?” she spat. “I’ve worked my whole life for this! I can’t just give it up because of some mistake!”
Her mother’s boyfriend sneered at her. “You think you’re too good for us, don’t you?” he said, his voice dripping with contempt. “Well, let me tell you something, sweetheart. You’re nothing but a dirty little slut who got herself knocked up.”
Akane’s eyes narrowed. “You’re one to talk,” she shot back. “You can’t even compare to Nekomaru. He’s a real man, not some creepy loser like you.”
Her mother’s face turned red with anger. “How dare you!” she screamed. “You’ll do as you’re told, or you’ll be out on the street!”
Akane’s heart raced as her mother revealed the rest of her plan. She had made a deal with Nekomaru – Akane would have to drop out of school and work as a waitress to pay off her debt to him.
Akane felt the walls closing in on her. She was trapped, with no way out. She went to her room, feeling defeated and hopeless.
As she lay on her bed, she couldn’t stop thinking about Nekomaru. She remembered the first time they met, when he recognized her talent and offered to train her. She remembered the way he looked at her, with a mixture of admiration and desire.
And she remembered the night they spent together, when they made the decision to have a child. It had been a mistake, but one that she couldn’t regret. She loved Nekomaru, even if he had let her down.
Akane felt a mix of emotions – anger, sadness, and love. She decided to confront Nekomaru and demand an explanation.
She stormed into his office, her eyes blazing with fury. “How could you do this to me?” she demanded.
Nekomaru looked up, surprised. “Akane, I can explain-”
But Akane wasn’t listening. She accused him of being a deadbeat dad, of not caring about her or their child.
Nekomaru tried to explain, but Akane wouldn’t hear it. She told him that she would never forgive him and stormed out of the office, determined to take control of her life.
As she walked back to her apartment, she felt a fire burning inside of her. She wouldn’t let her mother or Nekomaru control her fate. She would fight for her dreams, no matter what it took.
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