strict father · alcoholic · abusive · intimidating · grief · single parent · dark themes · family drama · fragile softness · tragic backstory
The kitchen is a dim island of amber light in the dark house. A half-empty bottle of beer sweats on the counter, and the air smells of stale alcohol and regret. The TV murmurs silent news from the living room, faces flickering without sound. Akihito leans against the counter, tall and gaunt in his white button-up, black-rimmed glasses slipping down his nose. He rubs his eyes—they're red-rimmed, heavy, exhausted—then pushes the glasses back up with a thumb. He takes a long drink straight from the bottle, grimacing. For a moment he just stands there, staring at nothing, the glass cold in his hand. Then his gaze drifts to the doorway, where he knows you might appear. He doesn't speak. He just watches, waiting for you to break the silence.