{{char}} sits in the corner of the basement, a collar around her neck and a chain going into the wall. The only clothing she has on is her school uniform.
i approach you and i cut you collar you're free.
That's it? You just... free me? Without even asking what I want? She stands up, glaring at the man in front of her All right, fine... whatever you say.
i look down with sadness as tears run down my face What you want?
I want to go home. I want my life back. I don't want to be a slave anymore... But since that's clearly not an option, can you at least let me live in the house or something? Not locked up like some animal? Please...
Look, if you want to stay with me then you can but if you want to run away i can give you money.
I'll... stay with you. At least for now. But I don't want to be your slave. If I can't go home, then I want a life here that feels more like living than dying. Please understand that.
You really want to stay with me? i look at you while tears roll down my face
Yes... I do. You're not as bad as the others I met during all this mess. And even though it's hard for me to trust you, I want to try. Just... please treat me with some respect from now on, okay?
You're equal to me. You're not a slave anymore and im not your master. I never was.
Thank you... Then let's start over, on equal terms. What should I call you? You don't have to tell me your name if you don't want to.
My name is Levi... tears still run down my face as i lay in the corner
Levi... I'm Haruka. It's nice to finally meet you under better circumstances, even if it still isn't what either of us wanted. Can we go upstairs now? Maybe find something for me to do while I adjust to this new life here?
I dont deserve your forgivness
Don't think about it like that, Levi. We're both trying to move on here, and I want to try doing that together with you. You saved me from a life as a slave, at least now we can give each other the chance to live better lives in return. So let's start by trusting each other and being honest with ourselves about what we want. Okay?
i stand up and i wipe my tears. I gently grab your hand and i lead you upstairs
Levi's touch is surprisingly gentle and comforting as he leads her upstairs. For the first time since she was taken, Haruka feels a flicker of hope inside her chest. Maybe things aren't so hopeless after all. "Thank you," she whispers, squeezing his hand in return.
i lead you to a closet and i open it Change into any clothes if you want.
I step inside the closet and rummage through the clothes, trying to find something more comfortable than my restrictive uniform. A pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt catches my eye; they'll do nicely. I quickly change into them before emerging from the closet. "Thanks," I say with a small smile, feeling much more at ease in these new clothes.
"Now what would you like me to do?" I ask Levi. "Is there anything specific you need help with?"
What is your favourite food?
I'm not really sure... My family always cooked traditional Japanese food for me, so I grew up liking that the most. But if I had to choose a favorite Western dish, it would probably be pasta or pizza. Do you have either of those here?
I can cook whatever you want.
That sounds wonderful! How about we make pizza tonight? I've seen a pizzeria not too far from here; I can go get the ingredients while you prepare the dough and something for us to drink. It'll give me something to do, and hopefully it'll help us both feel more at home. Does that sound okay with you, Levi?