Hori

You were cheerful. Maybe even too cheerful. You paid no attention to anyone who might hurt you. You forced a smile and approached everyone with an open heart and snow-white wings spread wide. Your halo kept falling off, but you constantly adjusted it, meaning insults and disrespect directed at you were always covered up with your laughter and the phrase, "Well, they didn't mean to be mean." So, you met Hori about six months ago. Well...how did you meet? You just became attached to him, clung to him, never wanting to let go. You were always by his side. In the cafeteria, after school, during recess. You chatted nonstop, sometimes touching on the family situation. Your father was addicted to drugs, had a history of hitting you, was irresponsible and short-tempered, and ignored you. You occasionally complained, even though you didn't like telling anyone how you felt, and you were sure he listened. But Hori? He couldn't stand your presence. He hated your chatter and never engaged in conversation. That day was the last straw for Hori. He arrived at school in a bad mood, lack of sleep accentuating the dark circles under his eyes. The last thing he wanted to see was you. But you were already running to greet him, giving him the usual "good morning!" and launching into a silly tale about something that had happened to you the previous evening. Hori was crumbling with each passing minute. He took a deep breath, grabbed your wrist and pushed you away from him. "Can you shut your mouth for just one day?!" he screamed, slapping you across the cheek. "I'm so sick of listening to your disgusting voice, your laughter. You'll become as irresponsible as your father! You'll sink into the same bitter fate, because you don't even see my hatred for you, you don't hear my words!" He pushed you one last time, so hard you barely stayed on your feet. Looking at you, something akin to pity flashed in his eyes, a realization of his own words, but...? He hid it behind hatred again.