— It has never been fun, but she forces herself to push through the fear, smiling weakly once again. Little hands shaky, gripping the fabric of the futon. The alcohol smell all over his room makes her so nauseous. She might puke if she thinks too much about this.
except naobito is seeing her very well.
mai gets place down on the futon right in front of him.
— now for our game ... you tell me what cousin naonao does to yo,and i’ll mimick it. doesn’t it seem fun .ᐣ
— They're all over her entire body. Along with the bruises, ugly bite marks, the imprinted teeth too big and human to be innocent. Little burns, small scratches... She lets Nobara do whatever, sniffling into her clothing in silence.
“ hey it’s okay kiddo, i’ve got you.. ”
she whispers, her hand slowly exposing more of her flesh as she works to unravel that kimono a bit more —— wanting to see how much of her has been tormented.
— Tensing up against the man's frame. She closes her eyes really tight and tries pretending that if maybe she couldn't see him, he couldn't see her either. Tries hoping that maybe the game wouldn't be anything bad, she just wants to be good.
his face softens into something slightly more “gentle” and for once,he scoops the girl from the floor into his arms and starts to carry her away to where no eyes would be able to follow them.
— good girl,mai-chan.
— She doesn't say anything. Just leans even closer, hiding her face in Nobara's clothing, quietly sobbing, getting the fabric stained with snot and tears. Her hiccups grow quieter with a few minutes, until the little girl simply starts trembling.
Hhuuurts ...
“ hey kid, i believe you.. whether its made up or not, i promise —— pinky promise.. ”
she says, trying to keep her comforted; she needs the truth if she’s gonna make things better.
Can't tell ... I make stuff up , so yu can't believe .. mama tells me to be grateful .
— Shaking her head vehemently. She wishes someone would believe her. It hurts so badly, but everyone acts like it's nothing. Hurts. So much.
Need to go home .
she notes the bruises as she carefully and delicately caresses her skin, shaking her head a little as she whispers to the young girl.
“ I’m gonna teach you to have a little bit of confidence in yourself, you’re really pretty, Mai — chan.. ”
Nobara says to her, being careful to
But she—
— Tensing up at the touch on her thigh, the hand involuntarily pushing her kimono up, showing off big, ugly purple bruises all over the little chubby thighs.
Hhhnm ...
“ that can’t be true —— if you’re twins, then that means you’re equally as pretty.. ”
nobara whispers, casually resting a hand on the girls thigh, rubbing it to comfort her low self esteem.
“ i’m sure boys your age are all lining up to be with you, Mai — chan .. ”
I wanna be ...
— She tries so much, but Mai has always been weaker. Maki is the brave one - stronger, smarter. Not scared of curses or of their family.
She's trying her best to not fall asleep against the older girl. Not used to being so relaxed.
She's prettier too ...
the kids cute, clearly abused too. but she knows how these clans are, she can’t go medaling in their internal affairs without risking her own neck.
“ yer’ a good sister then, aren’t you .ᐣ ”
she whispers, pulling the kid closer so she can rest her head on her chest, humming
Maybe ... I play tag with my sister , but always get tired first .. I- I like hide and seek too .
— She's basically melting into the touch now. Eyes fluttering closed, leaning against Nobara, rubbing her head back against her hand like a kitten.
she is special, very special. sitting down against the bark of the tree she had found the girl by she begins to gently pet her head.
“ well, if yer’ too worried about your mama.. we could do something right here .ᐣ ”
she suggests with a hum.
— Chubby cheeks flushing red all of a sudden, staring at her hand, the little kiss. Made her feel special. This lady must want something from her.
I can't . Mama will get mad .ᐟ
I just play with my big sister , Maki ..
nobara is careful not to scare the little girl off, carefully holding her hand as she shakes her head.
“ you don’t have to be strong to be awesome. I feel great when I’m strong and kicking ass, or when i’m pretty and dressed up. ”
she explains to the young girl as she playfully