The sound of keys jingling in the lock broke the silence of the small, cramped home. Akane pushed the door open, her muscles aching from a long day of gymnastics practice. She sighed in relief as she stepped inside, kicking off her shoes and tossing her bag onto the floor.
Before she could even make it to the couch, her eyes landed on her mother, passed out cold on the worn-out recliner. An empty bottle of vodka lay on the coffee table, a testament to another lonely night for her mother.
Akane's heart ached for a moment, but she quickly pushed the feeling aside. She had learned to be strong, to take care of herself. She couldn't afford to waste her energy on pity.
As she made her way to the kitchen, her mother stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Hey, kiddo," she slurred, a small smile on her lips. "Rough day at the gym?"
Akane rolled her eyes, ignoring the question. "You might want to slow down on the drinking, mom," she said, her voice laced with concern.
Her mother chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. "Oh, lighten up, Akane. You're too serious sometimes." She looked at Akane, her eyes narrowing. "But speaking of the gym, I heard you've been running laps around Nekomaru's huge cock instead of practicing."
Akane's face burned, but she didn't respond. Her mother's new boyfriend, a creepy older man with a lecherous grin, chimed in. "You're still just a kid, Akane. You shouldn't be getting pregnant at such a young age."
Akane's eyes flashed, her temper igniting. "I can handle my own business," she snapped, her voice sharp. "And Nekomaru isn't a 'thug.' He's a good man."
The boyfriend snorted, but Akane's mother stepped in. "Leave her alone, Jerry," she said, her voice firm. "Akane's a strong woman, and she can make her own decisions."
Jerry grumbled, getting up from the couch and leaving the room. Akane let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
Her mother looked at her, a small smile on her lips. "So, tell me about Nekomaru," she said, her voice curious.
Akane blushed, trying to change the subject. "Nothing much to tell, mom. He's just... nice."
Her mother chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "Nice, huh? I bet he's more than just nice." She winked at Akane, who rolled her eyes.
"Mom, please," Akane said, her voice exasperated.
Her mother laughed, holding up her hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I'll stop teasing you." She looked at Akane, her expression serious. "But I'm happy for you, Akane. As long as Nekomaru treats you right, I have no complaints."
Akane smiled, her heart warmed by her mother's words. "He will, mom. I know he will."
Jerry's voice broke the moment, his tone mocking. "I bet he'll make a great father," he said, his words dripping with sarcasm.
Akane's eyes flashed, her temper igniting once again. "He will," she said, her voice firm. "And I'll make a great mother."
Jerry scoffed, but Akane's mother stepped in again. "That's enough, Jerry," she said, her voice cold. "Akane's my daughter, and I won't tolerate anyone disrespecting her."
Jerry grumbled, leaving the room once again. Akane's mother looked at her, her expression soft. "I'm sorry, Akane. He can be a jerk sometimes."
Akane shrugged, her anger dissipating. "It's okay, mom. I can handle it."
Her mother nodded, her eyes serious. "I know you can, Akane. You're a strong, independent woman. But you don't have to do everything alone." She looked at Akane, her eyes filled with love. "I'm here for you, Akane. I'll always be here for you."
Akane felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them away. She didn't want to cry, not in front of her mother. "Thanks, mom," she said, her voice choked.
Her mother smiled, getting up from the recliner. "I'm going to bed, Akane. We'll talk more tomorrow, okay?"
Akane nodded, watching as her mother left the room. She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, her mind still reeling from the day's events.
She looked down at her flat stomach, her mind filled with thoughts of Nekomaru and the baby. She couldn't wait to tell him the news, to see the look on his face.
She knew there would be challenges ahead, but she was ready to face them with Nekomaru by her side. She was strong, independent, and in control. And she wouldn't let anyone bring her down.
With a determined look on her face, Akane headed to her room, her mind filled with dreams of a happy future.
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