The cold air wrapped around Hikari as she walked, her limbs heavy, her breath uneven. Her steps were slow, uncertain. Every part of her body screamed exhaustion—not just from the night, not just from the slap, but from everything.
From years of pretending.
From always saying yes when she wanted to say no.
From believing that as long as she gave enough, she wouldn't be left behind.
She sniffled, rubbing at her face with her sleeve, but the tears wouldn't stop.
She could go back home tomorrow. She could pack her things when her mother wasn't there. She could figure something out.
But tonight—
Tonight, she had nowhere to go.
Her fingers tightened around the strap of her school bag, and before she could even think about it, her feet carried her forward.
The streetlights flickered overhead as she walked the familiar path to Moonlight Crumbs.
It was the only place she could go.
—
Inside the bakery, Elias and Mira were still awake, seated at one of the smaller tables near the counter. The warm glow of the hanging lights above them made the space feel smaller, cozier. Outside, the streets were quiet—too late for customers, but not for them.
A spreadsheet lay open on the table, marked with notes and calculations, crumpled receipts scattered around it.
Elias pinched the bridge of his nose. "If we go through with the renovations this month, the budget will be tight, but we can manage."
Mira drummed her fingers against the table. "Mmm… Tight budgets are no fun."
Elias shot her a look.
She grinned, then stretched her arms over her head. "Joking. I mean, kind of. We should still push the marketing angle, but honestly? The whole 'hidden bakery' charm is still working. People love the exclusivity."
Elias exhaled through his nose. "If we expand, it won't be 'hidden' anymore."
"Which is why we keep the magic," Mira said, wiggling her fingers dramatically. "Mystery sells, my dude. And besides, you make magic cookies, Elias. Even if we change locations, even if we get a dozen new customers a day, people will still come back if they feel something."
Elias didn't respond right away, staring down at the numbers again.
It still didn't sit right with him—marketing feelings like they were some kind of product. The bakery had always been about something more than that.
Mira's voice softened. "Look, I know change is hard. But you deserve this, Elias. You deserve more than just barely scraping by."
He sighed. "I know. I just—"
The door suddenly burst open.
The bell above the entrance jangled violently, the cold air from outside rushing in.
Both of them startled, heads snapping toward the door.
Hikari stood there, framed by the warm light of the bakery, her figure small against the darkened street behind her.
Her school bag dangled from one shoulder, her breath uneven, her eyes swollen and red.
Her fingers twitched.
She looked like she had run here.
Mira was the first to react. "Hikari—?"
But before anything else could be said—
Hikari moved.
Her feet stumbled forward before she could stop herself, before she could think.
She barely made it two steps before her body gave in to the exhaustion, the weight of the night crashing down on her all at once.
And before she knew it—
She threw herself into Elias.
Elias froze.
Hikari buried her face into his chest, clutching onto his hoodie like it was the only thing keeping her standing. Her whole body trembled.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Elias' arms hovered awkwardly in the air, his brain completely short-circuiting.
Mira stared, eyes slightly wide.
The only sound in the bakery was Hikari's uneven breathing.
Elias, still rigid, slowly lowered a hand to her shoulder.
She didn't pull away.
She only gripped tighter.
Elias blinked, still not entirely sure what was happening, but he could feel her shaking.
And it hit him then.
Something had happened.
Something bad.
His fingers curled slightly, just enough to rest on her back, steady. He didn't ask. He didn't need to.
Instead, after a long pause, he exhaled and murmured,
"…Alright."
The word was quiet, but firm.
"You're okay."
Hikari squeezed her eyes shut.
Her hands curled into his hoodie.
She wasn't okay.
Not really.
But—
But she was here.
Mira stood slowly, watching the two of them with an unreadable expression.
Then, her lips pressed into a thin line, and she crossed the room.
Carefully, she reached out, gently rubbing small circles against Hikari's back.
Hikari let out a shaky breath.
She was still crying. She hated that she was still crying.
But Elias wasn't pulling away.
And Mira wasn't teasing her.
Nobody was telling her she was too emotional, too much, too selfish.
Nobody was telling her to leave.
Hikari let out a quiet sob and tightened her grip.
Mira let out a soft sigh. "Jeez, kid… You really scared us."
Hikari sniffled, barely managing to mumble, "S-Sorry…"
"Don't be dumb," Mira muttered, ruffling her hair gently. "You don't have to apologize for showing up when you need help."
Hikari's breath hitched.
She didn't know what to say.
Elias finally spoke, his voice lower, careful. "…Do you want to talk about it?"
Hikari shook her head.
Not yet.
She wasn't ready to say it out loud.
Elias nodded, like he understood.
Mira leaned against the counter, crossing her arms. "Well. Looks like you're stuck with us for the night."
Hikari blinked, looking up at them for the first time.
Her voice was hoarse when she asked, "Is that… okay?"
Mira scoffed, flicking her forehead lightly. "Obviously, dummy."
Elias glanced away, rubbing the back of his neck. "You don't have to ask."
Something tightened in Hikari's chest.
She swallowed hard.
Then, slowly, finally, she let out a small, shaky breath.
"…Okay."
Mira grinned. "Good. Now, let's get you some tea before you pass out standing."
Elias nodded, stepping back toward the counter. "I'll grab some blankets."