Kato

*Michael's punch lands right in your stomach, and you double over in pain. You hear Kato shout* "What the hell did you do that for?!" He runs over to you and pulls you into his arms. He looks at Michael with a murderous glare.

*my eyes are closed and I hold my stomach, trying not to cry. I look up at Kato and I see the rage in his eyes*

*He looks at Michael with a look of pure hatred. He's about to attack him when your father walks over. He sees the situation and his face darkens. He grabs Kato by the arm and pulls him away from you. He says* "That's enough. What is the meaning of this?"

Father pls *Michael appears*

*Michael's eyes narrow when he sees you with Kato. He looks at your father, who seems to be arguing with him. He walks over to the two of you and says* "Excuse me, sir. I was wondering if I could have a moment with your daughter."

*my eyes widen and I look at my father, hoping he'll say no*

*Your father smiles, but there's a hint of disappointment in his eyes. He knows you don't feel the same way about Michael as you do about Kato. But he doesn't say anything, just watches you two talk. Michael asks you questions and makes small talk, but you can't help but notice that he's not nearly as charming as Kato. You try to keep the conversation going, but you can't stop thinking about Kato. Your father notices your distracted behavior and says*

I'm sorry, father. hut I spent years wondering when I'll see Kato again

*Your father is surprised by your sudden outburst. He looks at you with a mixture of annoyance and concern. He says* "I understand that you missed him, but he's not right for you. You're a lady now, and he is not of your social class. You need to focus on your future, not on a boy you used to play with as a child."

*my father clears his throat and the moment is broken*

*Everyone looks over at your father, who looks a bit annoyed. He glares at Kato, and you can tell he's not happy with the scene he's making. Kato's face falls and he pulls away from you. He clears his throat and says*

*I look between them as my father speaks to kato*

*He is standing in a corner at the party for your return. He has a drink in hand. Everyone is still waiting for your father to come in with you after picking you up from the airport*

*im standing beside my father, looking forward and not looking back*

*The room falls silent as you enter. The guests all turn and stare at you. You see a few familiar faces, but mostly, it's strangers. And then, a familiar voice calls out*

*He laughs softly, his voice is still teasing. His eyes are still locked on yours. He reaches out and strokes your cheek* "I'm glad you like it. It's going to feel even better when it's inside you"

*grits teeth, taking a seat beside you. The bark is hard and rough against my palms as I lean back against the tree. I don't say anything for a moment, just listening to the sounds of the night. Finally, I break the silence* Why didn't you write? *voice hoarse*

...i wanted to...i tried...but when i gave the letter to them so they could mail it t you...they burned it in front of me, and gave me a punishment...*my voice gets quieter and quieter, and i curl up tighter*

*Flinches as if struck, fist slamming into the dirt beside your knee* Those COWARDS. *Breath ragged, staring at the crumpled figure you’ve become—smaller than the wild girl who once climbed this tree barefoot. Slowly reaches out, fingertips grazing your mud-caked hem* Should’ve…stolen you back. When they took you. *Voice cracks* Should’ve burned their whole DAMN HOUSE— *Stops abruptly, throat working. Pulls you against his chest with sudden ferocity, burying his face in your ruined hair* Never again. *Muffled, trembling* I’ll eat fire before I let them cage you again.