Chapter 3

Yuno's POV

The stench of alcohol burns my nostrils as I enter my house. My dad is where he always is, unconscious on the couch, crushed beer cans littered by his feet.

"Hey dad," I mutter, my words dissipating in the stale air. No answer, like usual.

I head upstairs to my room and toss my backpack on the bed. My room isn't anything fancy, just a bed with a desk in the corner, but it does its job. A single framed photo of me and my parents collects dust on my desk, next to the tin of peanuts I use a piggy bank. I open it up, and my shoulders slump.

"Empty," I sigh. I'm gonna need to find a job again soon.

As I change out of my uniform, the $10 bill from Winter falls out of my pocket. I pick it up and smirk to myself. "Looks like I'll be able to eat dinner tonight," I utter to no one in particular. "Thanks, Winter."

I throw on a comfortable hoodie and sweatpants and descend the stairs, carefully maneuvering through the graveyard of beer cans. Before stepping outside, I stop and take one more glance at my father, still out cold. I grab a nearby blanket and drape it over him before stepping outside.

The chilly afternoon air hits my face as I walk to the convenience store near my house, the faint scent of rain wafting past my nose. Much better than alcohol. Up above, the sunset paints the sky a gradient of bright tangerine with streaks of violet to contrast. After the day I've had, it's nice to walk out into something like this.

The door chime announces my arrival as I enter the convenience store. I grab a cup of ramen and a soda before heading to the front to pay.

"Cash or ca- Yuno?"

I glance up and see Winter on the other side of the counter, wearing the store's uniform.

"Oh. Hey," I utter, placing my items in front of her. "Didn't know you worked here."

Winter's lips curl into a shy smile. "I-it's my first week here actually, I'm still getting used to everything." She fumbles with the scanner for a moment, wiping a bead of sweat off her forehead. You'd think she was building a house instead of scanning a measly two items. "Y-your total is $12.59." I take the $10 bill out of my pocket and sigh, disappointment evident on my face.

"A-actually," Winter stammers, nervously wringing her hands. "W-we're having a 50% off s-sale today, s-so your t-total is six bucks." She flashes me a nervous smile.

I study her expression for a moment, her unconvincing smile starting to waver. I know she's lying out of pity, but considering the alternative is to sleep hungry, I eventually give in.

"I'll pay the rest next time." I slap the $10 bill onto the counter. Relief washes over her face as she takes the dollar with her trembling hands.

Grabbing my food, I turn to leave, but Winter calls out, "W-wait! Your change!"

"Keep the change. It's your money anyways." I give her a small nod before exiting the store, the chime ringing behind me. Turning the corner toward my house, I'm suddenly knocked to the ground as someone collides with me.

"Fuck, watch where you—Minji?" I look up and see none other than Minji, her face filled with fear.

"Please help me."

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Minji's POV

I stretch my arms upwards, letting out a long yawn. "That meeting took longer than I thought it would."

Danielle and I walk side by side as we exit the campus, the sun already setting after the prolonged student council meeting. "Well, prom is happening next month. It's a lot to prepare for," Danielle says, mirroring my exhaustion with a yawn of her own.

My stomach grumbles. "Let's stop by the convenience store on the way back. I'm starving."

"I wish I could, but I have to get home ASAP to work on an english project," she replies with an apologetic look. "Maybe next time."

I sigh in disappointment. "I guess so. I'll see you tomorrow then." We wave goodbye and part ways. On my way to the convenience store, I take a shortcut through an alleyway, hoping to get there before it gets the sun sets. 

Suddenly, a fluffy gray cat emerges from behind a trashcan, its large seafoam green eyes locking onto mine. My lips form into a smile as it greets me with a gentle meow.

"Hello there, baby!" I coo, kneeling down to pet it. The cat pushes its head into my hand, vibrating gently with a low purr. It's so cute, I could cry. 

The scent of garbage and rain mixes in the air, but I don't care. My parents never let me have a pet due to my father's allergies, so I'm milking this moment for all that it's worth. The cat looks up at me with its big, round eyes, and I feel a small connection build between us.

"You're a friendly little guy, aren't ya?" The cat responds by hopping into my lap, and I nearly die from happiness. I don't even notice the once-orange sky fading into a night, the streetlights flickering on. I blink in surprise, realizing that I lost track of time.

"Aw man," I whine, cradling the cat's head in my hands. "I'm sorry, little guy, but I have to—"

Suddenly, the hairs on the back of my stand up as I hear footsteps approach from behind me. The cat skitters back to its hiding spot by the trashcan and I become all too aware just how vulnerable I am.

The unrhythmic thud of footsteps grows unnervingly closer behind me. I turn around to see the figure of a disheveled looking man stumbling towards me, a hazy silhouette hidden in the shadows of the alleyway.

"Heyyyy, you lost, girly?" he slurs.

I slowly back away from him, not daring to make any sudden movements. My heart feels like it's about to burst out of my chest. "I-I'm fine. J-just trying to get home."

He scoffs at me. "C'mon, come have a couple drinks with me first. Just a couple drinks, I won't tell no one." His pace increases, the gap between us shrinking.

"I-I should really get home, I have school tomorrow," I try to reason as I stagger backwards, beads of sweat forming on my forehead.

"What are—what are you afraid of, huh?" he hiccups. "You think... you think you're too good for me, huh? Fuc... fuckin' bitch!" His eyes gleam with anger as he lunges to grab me. I swat his hand and make a run for it, weaving through the dark streets with only the dim streetlights as my guide. Despite his intoxicated state, he manages to stay close behind me, just barely grabbing onto my backpack. As I turn the corner, I run face first into someone, accidentally knocking them down.

"Fuck, watch where you- Minji?" the person grumbles.

A wave of relief washes over me as I see Yuno in front of me. 

"Please help me," I utter, fear latching onto my voice. In a flash, Yuno is on his feet, grabbing the drunk man's wrist right as he's about to grab my shoulder.

"Who are you?" Yuno questions in a threatening tone as shoves his man's hand aside. I instinctively hide behind him, clutching onto his shoulders for support.

The man stumbles back, his eyes narrowing in anger. "Who the fuck... Who the fuck are you, man?"

"H-he's my... um..." I stutter, struggling to find the right words that would make this man go away. 

My thoughts are interrupted as I hear Yuno speak.

"I'm her boyfriend."

"Y-yeah, he's my... what!?"

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Yuno's POV