Chapter 3

Hatsukoi rested after the hard day he had to go through last night. Although occasionally he woke up because of the pain he felt in his body. Just as he was about to go back to sleep, he was startled by a loud slamming sound at the door.

"Damn!!! I lost the gamble!! I need money I need beer!!"

Screams and curses came out of the mouth of a man who entered the house very drunk and also very emotional.

"Oii !!! Give me the money now. Damn, are you deaf?"

The man knocked hard on Hatsukoi's door. Hatsukoi immediately woke up and could only curl up on his bed. He gripped the blanket firmly and his body started to tremble.

"..."

When this is over? I'm tired. I want to leave here

Tears began to slowly drip from his eyes. Flinched back when this man who was none other than his brother started trying to kick the door of his room.

"If you don't open the door and give me money I will break down this door!!! Open it, bastard!!"

His brother kept kicking harder, Hatsukoi dared himself to get up from his bed. Because he knew his brother wouldn't stop until he gave the money or he would end up being beaten back.

Slowly he reached his hand to the door handle and opened the door. Looking at his brother and trying to smile.

"I- I'm sorry.. I was asleep, what do you need brother?"

A trembling voice filled with fear escaped his mouth, rubbing his wrists trying to cover his trembling body.

"You stupid? Money !! I need money !!"

Grabbed Hatsukoi's hair and gripped it tightly. Making Hatsukoi wince and try to release his brother's grip. The stronger he struggled, the stronger the grip he got.

"Tomorrow.. Tomorrow I get paid.. My money runs out.. you asked for it last night..."

Tears started to fall, he cried in pain while answering his brother's question. annoyed with Hatsukoi's answer his brother slammed Hatsukoi onto the bed. Made Hatsukoi hit the side of the bed and get a new bruise on his forehead.

"Give me the money tomorrow, or I'll make you unable to walk."

Getting that treatment back, was at the most exhausted stage of his life. He clutched the side of the bed and glanced at his brother with anger in his teary eyes. He kicked his brother as hard as he could before he ran out of the house.

Courage suddenly rose within him but there was also still a sense of fear of what his brother would do if his brother got him back.

"FUCK!!! I WILL KILL YOU BASTARD!!"

His brother's loud screams could be heard clearly, he kept running towards a place he hoped would be safe for a while.

Once far enough from his house, make sure his brother doesn't chase him. He wiped his tears and caught his breath. After calming himself down he continued walking with his thoughts racing.

"He must have fainted from drunkenness..."

"I'm so lucky today I have a day off from work... But..."

He remembered tomorrow was the day he had to work, furrowed his brows, biting his lower lip hard. Considering he had to return to his home and there was nowhere else he could go.

"I'm tired.. I want to be free. But how can I go if I don't have anything"

His tone was full of despair, he was already at his lowest point right now. Experienced this for years. Makes him have to keep trying to hold it. Makes it difficult for him to trust others or is always afraid if others act nice to him.

He walked towards the park, saw a swing and sat there. Kick the ground slowly to move the swing. Enjoying his time there, feeling the wind blowing against his body. Trying to calm himself down after what he just experienced.

He rubbed his forehead slowly, before he took the phone out of his pants pocket. Looking at the phone how bad the bruises that had just been etched on his face.

"I have to find an excuse when the boss asks this"

He grimaced rubbing his forehead back before putting the phone back down. This is what Hatsukoi does, always looking for excuses if someone asks him about his bruises.

He doesn't want others to know what he's going through, even though he could have asked someone to help him out of all this. However, because everything he got in the past was just a lie and betrayal.

Makes him unable to trust other people anymore. Hatsukoi's kindness and innocence is always taken advantage of by others.

Hatsukoi is always there when others need them, but they will disappear when Hatsukoi needs help. He patted his cheek and tried to smile, pushing back on the swing enjoying the rest of the time where he could be free for a while.

"I hope he leaves the house soon so I can rest before work tomorrow"

When he was cool enjoying his free time. Suddenly his stomach growled. This is because he does not eat at all at home. He reached into his pocket before he took a deep breath. Leaning his head on the iron rope swing.

"I forgot... Brother took all the money..."

Suddenly he felt something soft touch his feet. He glanced down, smiled then picked up the cat and carried the cat in his arms.

Softly petting the cat, tickling the cat as he laughed out loud and smiled very gently. Staring at the cat as he stroked the cat's head.

"I feel like I want to be you, live free and happy"

Meow.. Meow

The cat made a sound and played with Hatsukoi's hand, remained in Hatsukoi's arms and did not look like the cat was going to leave.

Suddenly a strong wind blew, Hatsukoi hugged the cat before he sneezed.

"Acho !! Aaahh"

He rubbed his nose, hugging the cat tightly while shivering slightly.

"I forgot I didn't wear my coat because I ran straight away..."

He then glanced at a car that had stopped near the park from a distance. He squinted his eyes at the black car.

"Rarely do I see people going here at night. Ah maybe the car just stopped for a moment"

He went back to playing with the cat and ignored the car.

The man got out of the car and walked towards the vending machine near the park. Inserting a money and pressing the button selects a coffee. After pressing his choice and waiting for a while he bent down and picked up the coffee can. After taking the coffee he opened it and took a sip before his eyes fell on the person sitting on the swing.

"Who swings at night?"

He continued to stare at the figure, he was not a person who cared about his surroundings. But somehow he wanted to know the figure. The more he tried not to care, the more curious he became.

"Sigh, Why is it like this?"

He then walked over to the person, the closer he got the clearer. His memory was trying to remember who it was.

"The cashier at the convenience store..."

He turned back to the vending machine, bought a grape juice for Hatsukoi. After that he walked back and approached Hatsukoi, pressed a cold can to Hatsukoi's cheek.

"Drink this"