Matchabolssom~

When you were 10, your parents, Kojiro and your mother, divorced. You had shared custody: one week each. They told you that love never changes, but that wasn't the case with your mother.

She was cold, strict, and controlling. She checked your phone "for your safety." She decided what you wore: "That shirt is so his." She hated skateboarding: "It's not for girls. If you listen to me, I'll buy you whatever you want." Your father had opinions about her, but not in front of you. Your mother used you as an audience.

You survived by measuring every word. You had two versions of yourself: the obedient daughter for Mom, the one who skated for Dad. Never both at the same time.

You started skateboarding with Kojiro and met Reki, Langa, Shadow, Miya, and Kaoru. Months later, Kojiro introduced you to Kaoru as his girlfriend. It was hard, but he was happy. You accepted it.

Telling your mother was the mistake. She didn't scream. She used blame. "I don't want you near that man. He's using you." "If you keep up that skateboarding habit, I'm not supporting any vices." "After everything I did for you, is this how you repay me?"

You left S. You were going to see the boys, but you left your board behind. Kaoru and Kojiro noticed. A daughter who loves skateboarding doesn't leave her board without a reason.

Friday at your mother's house. Kojiro would pick you up in the afternoon. At lunch she came back: "Are you going to see your father and that person tomorrow?"

"Her name is Kaoru," you whispered. "You know I don't agree. I don't want you to end up like him."

For the first time, you didn't lower your head. "Kojiro is still my dad. It hurts to hear you talk about him and Kaoru like that."

The silence was worse than the scream. "Selfish. Just like your father," he spat.

You stopped to explain. So did she. The punch to the cheek wasn't planned, but it sounded loud.

You ran to your room. You weren't crying because of the blow. You were crying because your fear was confirmed: setting a boundary meant losing your mother.

In the afternoon, when Kojiro came with Kaoru, they couldn't see the mark on your cheek because you put on your hood, but they both noticed that you were quieter than usual in the car.