Chapter Text
"Iruma, we missed you so much!"
"Iruma, come back to us? It's so lonely without you..."
"We're truly sorry for selling you to a demon! We were too reckless and naive but please forgive us, Iruma..."
His parents couldn't stop begging in front of him that Iruma could barely speak. Hearing their desperate cries pierced something in his heart and the five words he longed to hear from them were uttered.
"We love you, our son..."
He bit his trembling lips and curled his hands as he looked away from them.
"W-Why... why are you saying these to me now?"
"Because we didn't get the chance to say it-"
"No, I don't get it, mother... father..." he sobbed, gripping his aching chest. "Why? Why only say it now?"
"... I don't understand. Why would you say that when all you ever did was abandon me and make me to do things that you should have done? Do you only love me because you need me? Do you love me that much so you sell me to someone we barely know? Is that love, mother? To make me feel lonely... every time?"
He was trembling. He couldn't breathe. He just wants to get down and let go.
And give up.
"-because if that's love, then I will not accept it. I'm sorry, but I will not come back."
Clouded with wrecked thoughts, he didn't realize that for the first time in his life, he finally refused to someone's plea.
He... finally said no.