A small crowd had gathered at her front gate. She didn't usually mind this kind of thing since it was a usual occurrence, but today, their whispers were getting on her nerves. A man filmed her house with wide eyes, while a woman clutched her daughter's hand so tight the little girl whimpered.
The child pointed.
"Why is—"
"Don't say it, sweetie, just don't…" the mother whispered.
Yuki tilted her head, as if trying to hear what they were saying. She always wondered what was so fascinating about her house that people would show up on any given day just to stare at it. It was as if her house had become some kind of 'museum of shock'. The fact was, anyone who saw it instantly had fear in their eyes.
I guess I should say something to them... Yuki thought.
Yuki Ayano stepped out of her house and walked straight toward them. She had blonde hair and icy blue eyes.
"Hello. Do you need anything? I saw you and a few others staring at my house," Yuki asked.
The mother shook her head like fear had finally come over her.
"No, no… sorry!" the mother said, then bolted down the street in a cold sweat, dragging her daughter behind her.
Yuki blinked, caught off guard by the sudden retreat.
...What was that about?
She let out a quiet breath through her nose.
"Maybe they were in a hurry... or something. Yeah, that's it. it has nothing to do with me." Yuki cheered herself up.
She turned her head toward her house, as she saw her parents from the living room window. Their hands were raised mid-wave, but they weren't moving. They hadn't waved for real in a very long time.
She adjusted the strap on her backpack and paused at the gate.
"See you later, Mom. Dad."
No response. Their grins didn't even twitch.
She lowered her eyes, jaw tightening for a second.
I wish you two would at least say goodbye...
With a quiet breath, the backpack shifted on her shoulder as her ponytail bounced past the murmuring crowd.
***
The bell rang, and all the students made their way to class. Within the classroom, all that could be heard was students buzzing nervously, exchanging notes.
Near the back, a group of females leaned in and spoke violently behind Yuki's back.
"Look at her, I bet she's going to get a perfect score again." One said.
"Ugh, I know right? She's so annoying, people like her just have it so easy." another said.
Across the classroom, the boys were being loud. Shoving each other playfully.
"Hey, does Miss Perfect even have a boyfriend?" One of them said.
Then, as if on cue, a scraping sound of a chair could be heard. One of the quieter boys stood up. He had brown hair shaped like a bowl and round glasses.
"Guys... I'm gonna go ask her out," he said.
"What! Kenji, You'll go blind, don't do it."
Kenji didn't answer right away but he exhaled.
"Blind? Relax, I got this. Watch and learn."
Nervously, Kenji walked toward Yuki's desk, his buddies parting. As he approached, Yuki looked in Kenji's direction.
"Morning, Igaguri Kenji!" Yuki said, as her flawless white teeth appeared to shine forth, blinding Kenji.
Kenji halted and dramatically covered his eyes.
"No! She's too bright! I-I can't see!" he said, tripping backward.
Kenji's friends burst into laughter, while shaking their heads.
"I told you, man!"
Rubbing his eyes, Kenji whined jokingly, "Sorry, I should have listen. That smile? it's unreal."
Riko then made her way to Yuki's desk, as she yawned.
"I did some of the math assignment just now but I'm nowhere near done. I'm so screwed." She sighed,
Yuki gently laughed and handed over her notes.
"Here, please make use of mine. After all, we are besties."
Riko fell to her knees dramatically, making a scene.
"Yuki, my guardian angel!"
The classroom door opened violently before Riko could grab Yuki's notes. Their teacher marched in, her eyes scanning the room like a hawk.
"Okay, everyone settle down. Let's get that math homework in."
Riko's optimistic look changed immediately to sadness, and tears began to form in her eyes.
Yuki chuckled and said, "Good luck."
Miss Nishimura, their math teacher, stood at the front of the class as she instructed everyone to give her the math assignment.
***
One hour had gone by.
Names were called out one by one.
Then Yuki Ayano's name was called.
The room immediately became silent as everyone observed Yuki rising from her chair. Her teacher remarked, seeming somewhat worried.
"A...another flawless score, Yuki Ayano."
Whispers spread through the room.
"Of course, Miss Perfect again got a perfect score," someone muttered.
"Such a show-off," a voice added.
Holding her smile, Yuki did her best to disregard the comments.
"Thanks, Miss Nishimura."
Miss Nishimura touched Yuki's shoulder.
"Could you remain behind after class?"
The room felt quiet all of a sudden. Yuki could feel eyes on her, more than before.
Across the room, Riko Fuyumi was watching her with a worried look. Yuki met her eyes and gave a small nod, like she was trying to say, 'I'm okay.' It wasn't true, but it was so much easier to say she was fine than to try and explain herself.
***
The classroom rapidly cleared when the departure bell rang. Yuki sat at her desk, pretending to concentrate on the lines of her notebook.
Her teacher Miss Nishimura was young, probably in her late twenties, and always showed a level of confidence. She had straight black hair that fell just past her shoulders, framing her beautiful face.
"Ayano, everything about you is outstanding. Honestly, you amaze me."
Miss Nishimura cleared her throat.
"Ayano, I hope you don't mind me bringing this up, but I haven't had the chance to meet your parents yet... They haven't attended any school events or parent-teacher meetings, and I've tried reaching out a few times with no luck."
She paused then continued.
"Is everything okay at home?"
Yuki's fingers clutched at her desk. She tried maintaining a calm tone.
"Sorry, they're really busy."
Miss Nishimura stopped, perhaps considering Yuki's reaction.
"I understand, but Yuki, just know my door is always open... Okay?"
Yuki rose from her seat and bowed politely.
"Thank you, Miss Nishimura."
Hoping no more inquiries would follow her, Yuki turned and exited the classroom.
***
The walk home was quiet, with no crowed posted near her front gate. She thought they might have left after a couple hours because they got bored but she wasn't sure. Then halfway down the street that's when Yuki caught sight of her parents behind the living room window, still mid-wave, frozen like statues.
Yuki's frown faded as she ran toward her house.
"Mom, Dad! I'm coming!"
***
But behind her, Miss Nishimura remained at a distance, quietly following out of worry.
Yuki's house was not how she appeared to view it.
Instead, her home was desecrated with vile graffiti, every surface defiled beyond recognition. She couldn't begin to understand how a girl as smart and elegant could possibly be living in a place so brutally stripped of dignity.
Driven by a mix of dread and disbelief, Miss Nishimura climbed over the fence for a better look. Through the glass window, a sight gripped her breath.
There were two dolls' arms lifted rigidly as if frozen mid-wave. One was dressed as a man in a suit with gray hair, the other as a woman in a faded apron with long brown hair.
Her heart thumped in her ears.
Did Yuki refer to these dolls as Mom and Dad? she thought.
"I'm home!" Yuki said.
Having already slipped off her shoes. She was caught by surprise when a sudden knock echoed from the door.
Eyes widened in worry, she turned.
"Yuki Ayano? Please open the door." Her teacher said.
Yuki took a deep breath and opened the door carefully, pushing a pleasant grin on her face.
"Miss Nishimura, oh! It's you."
Miss Nishimura smiled nervously, obviously attempting to be casual.
"I happened to be walking by and I figured it might be a good time to finally meet your parents."
Yuki's grin faded a little as her voice became softer.
"They're resting now. I don't think it's a good time..."
Miss Nishimura slowly leaned forward.
"If it's okay... just for a moment. I'd really like to check in."
Yuki felt like she could not object any further.
"Sure, I'll take you to them... Just follow me."
Miss Nishimura gulped, her heart racing with worry.
As soon as she stepped inside the first thing she noticed was the stench. The air in the living room was sour, with a rotting smell that made her eyes sting. Peeling wallpaper curled off the walls in long strips. Multiple piles of garbage bags crowded the corners of the hallway.
She instantly lifted a hand to cover her nose.
Oh God, what is that awful smell... Does she not see all this trash? It's as if Yuki had convinced herself that all of this garbage didn't exist, Miss Nishimura thought.
They walked in silence through the long dark corridor, their footsteps barely making a sound. Then Yuki opened one of the doors to the right-hand side or at least, she looked like she was about to.
"Okay… open the door, Ayano," Miss Nishimura said.
But Yuki didn't move. Her hand stayed fixed on the door knob.
Miss Nishimura watched for a moment, then quietly reached out to turn it herself, knowing Yuki wouldn't.
As soon as the door opened, Yuki's voice was unexpectedly cheerful.
"Mom, Dad, my teacher came to see you. She just wanted to check how you're both doing."
Standing in the doorway, Miss Nishimura felt her heart drop. She could hardly believe what she was seeing.
The room was filled with trash and broken glass. She spotted two pale bodies lying still under old, bloody-stained blankets. Medical tubes ran from their arms to a quiet machine.
Their eyes were open, but empty staring off into into the void. She thought she saw a twitch in Yuki's father's hand, but it might've just been the flies.
Miss Nishimura glanced at Yuki Ayano's direction and couldn't believe her eyes.
She ignored her parents' sick bodies and walked over to the two porcelain dolls sitting by the bedside table. The dolls looked exactly like the ones from the living room window.
Nervously chuckling, Yuki said,
"Huh... Mama, Papa... come on, stop messing around."
How long has she been living like this? Doesn't she see her parents are barely alive? Miss Nishimura thought.
She finally took a step forward, as her heels clicked on the dirty tile.
"Ayano... You don't have to keep pretending," she said.
"I'm not pretending, this is just how things are," Yuki said.
She stepped closer trying to get Yuki's attention.
"Please... look at them, don't you see how sick your parents are?"
Yuki shook her head, attempting to avoid looking at her sick parents.
"You don't have to carry this alone," Miss Nishimura said.
Yuki's lips separated but she couldn't say anything. All she could do was keep her eyes fixed on the dolls. For a moment, it seemed like she might stay silent forever.
Then—
"I wasn't going to tell anyone, you know..." she whispered.
Miss Nishimura's eyes widened.
"But you did."
Yuki shook her head.
"I didn't mean to."
Miss Nishimura grabbed her shoulders tight.
"You still did and I believe, you wanted someone to see you in this state. So they can help you."
Yuki's shoulders trembled and slowly, she turned just enough for Miss Nishimura to see her eyes filled with tears.
"I'm a bad daughter, right? Is that it?" Yuki said.
"No! You're just a daughter who's been hurting alone, for a long time. I could tell just by how you have been acting in school."
Something broke inside Yuki, to the point her body wouldn't stop shaking. She turned to Miss Nishimura, grabbing at her sleeve, as she buried her face in her lap.
Wetness poured down her cheeks and her nose clogged but she didn't stop, she couldn't stop.
"I...I'm sorry.."