In all her sixteen years Ai had always had a fear of rejection, she was afraid of losing people that she adored because they wouldn't accept her that she built up an invisible wall to her heart. One no one could break. Reject them before they can reject you was her motto.
This manifested when Kyoko chose to abandon her and her father when she was only five years old because the woman couldn't stand being around them only for her to return years later and cry about having made a mistake. The day Kyoko had chosen to abandon her, she made a decision to never ever love someone too much because she knew that if her owm mother was capable of leaving her who wasn't.
What made it worse was when Haruto happily accepted back Kyoko into his arms like nothing ever happened, she realized that when it came down to it if her father had to pick between her and Kyoko, he would pick the woman who abandoned him and his daughter. In all those years Kyoko was gone, she was the one who was taking care of him when he was way too depressed to even leave the house. She was there for him when he got his first promotion from work while Kyoko was gone to God knows where.
She had to give up her childhood so that she could take care of her father and do the best she could to get into the best schools, she wanted to make it so she wouldn't end up like either of her parents. So she could be happy without needing someone to make her feel happy or alive. She didn't want to rely on people to the point where if they left her she would be the one asking what was wrong with her. She didn't want to feel like that for anyone else because if loving someone was like that then she didn't want to love anyone.
She didn't want to feel the pain of abandonment ever again but that was until she met Y/n( og one.) They had met on a family vacation to Kyoto, Kyoko was visiting an old friend of hers there so everyone was forced to go. The moment she saw Y/n she knew it was going to be impossible to push her away because no matter how rude or mean she was to the girl she would always come running back to her happily with gifts.
Y/n always seemed genuinely happy when Ai talked or berated her, it was like as long as Ai to talked to her she was happy. The little girl's behavior was baffling and amusing that Ai started taking advantage of her by telling her to do weird tasks like 'dip your face in paint' or 'catch a frog'.
She had successfully turned Y/n into her personal slave and play thing. But then she started wanting to see more and more of Y/n, she didn't know it then but she was getting attached to her own slave. She was happier but Kyoko ruined it when she said that her and Y/n had developed into good friends almost like they were sisters.
So she resorted back to her old self. She was rude and ignored the girl everytime Y/n approached her. Although she hated to admit it she was feeling lonely that not even her books were enough to keep her company.
She hated it.
Then Y/n gave her a beautiful rock, at that time Y/n called it her most valuable treasure so she was confused on why someone would give her something so important to them, she wondered how someone could be so kind despite how cold she was being to them. Or why someone would want to give up something they held dear to someone like her. But that wasn't enough to break her cold exterior. She tossed it away and went back inside to go study but that night the little girl had gone missing.
That day she had felt true fear because if anything had happened to her then she wouldn't be able to live with herself knowing how bad their relationship had been. They searched everywhere they could but the girl returned back home in a tattered dress, Ai immediate hugged her not giving Y/n space to breathe.
The parents were worried but they decided to give them their moment.
"Do you know how worried I was?!! Where were?!! What if something bad happened to you! I wouldn't be able to live without you!" She shouted tears streaming down her face falling onto the young girls neck.
"I went to look for the rock, I'm sorry" she apologized and Ai pulled away and noticed the rainbow colored rock in her hands, even with the tears pouring out of her eyes she stilled looked like an angel. "I'm sorry I was mean to you! I'll never treat you like that again you hear me."
Y/N nodded happily hugging back Ai.
They had became closer that day, Ai did as she promised she treated her sweetly in her own way. She was always awkward when it came to feelings so she tried her best to remind her she was loved.
So she was really surprised when one day Y/n had suddenly changed, when she had met her at the university she remembers correctly that Y/n had called her a weirdo and acted like she didn't know who she was. Only until Ai mentioned they were sisters she started acting overly weird, like she didn't know what or who she was. Even when she walked her back home, she noticed how Y/n had acted like she didn't know who Kyoko was and it was like she was being introduced to a whole new world.
She loved her sister so she noticed small details like her new obsession with candy and getting into fights. Sometimes she wondered if the person she was looking at was even Y/n. At first she acted indifferently towards her because even she was spooked by this but over time she began to accept this new Y/n, she was still curious about what was happening
You woke up to the loud chatter of your beloved family coming from the kitchen. It was Christmas. That morning you woke up and brushed your teeth, got into some comfy clothes. It was time to join the family now. You strode into the open area and it was different from usual.
It was Santa Claus had poofed into your living room. What caught your attention was a plastic beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the living room with several presents stuck under them.
To the left side was Ai and Kyoko baking cookies together, smiling while dressed in matching elf costumes they were chatting happily. Haruto was quietly reading a newspaper making a few comments there and there. Itwas weird how well they were getting along but it made you happy, this was going to be the first time you had celebrated Christmas with someone other than Yuno.
Your first ever family Christmas and you were glad that this was the family you were spending the day with. You had to admit the first time you saw them, you only viewed them as background characters that didn't matter to the actual story but eventually you started seeing them as human.
"Merry Christmas!" Haruto greeted putting away his newspaper when he noticed you, just standing there. They all turned to you, "merry Christmas!" The two females cheered. Ai was so out of character so you muttered back a merry Christmas before joining your father at the dining table.
"What's for breakfast today?" You were hungry and you needed to put food inside your body. Ai served you her freshly baked cookies, "how about my special handmade cookies to start your day" she smiled and you liked the sound of that. Haruto shot you a quick sympathetic glance from his newspaper and you chose to ignore it.
Without wasting anytime you bit into the cookie and you instantly regretted your whole existence. They were salty, way too salty and there was a weird garlic taste inside them. "It's...go...oddd" you rasped out holding back your tears but Ai quickly took notice of your reaction and she started laughing.
"BWAHAHAHAHA THOSE ARE GARLIC FLAVORED" Kyoko joined in on the laughter and you weren't sure but for a split second you saw Haruto's lips slightly twitch into a smile but it really didn't help it was at your expense.
"What how mean~" you whined playfully as cartoonish tears rolled down your face. It tasted disgusting but you knew it was a goof. "How cute can you get?" Kyoko squealed stretching your cheeks.
"Ouch!" You cried pulling away from Kyoko quickly covering your aching cheeks, that were swollen. "You should really be gentle you know" Ai warned, massaging her temples with pissed expression.
"I'm sowwy" Kyoko apologize crying into her husband's lap, she would never want to hurt you internally or unintentionally. To her you were greatest treasure, one that she should be protected at all costs. Haruto smiled softly as he whispered some comforting words to her.
"They are a weird couple" you muttered staring at them awestruck. You had always known but damn you just had to say it. Ai turned to you surprised by your words but she nodded her head in agreement. "Definitely."
"Or maybe we don't know what an actual couple looks like"
Ai shook her head. "No I've seen a normal couple and they don't act like this, I guess love comes different for everyone." This time you nodded agreeing with Ai while staring at the couple."Wise words sis, wise words," you rubbed your chin like an evil guy would to his mustache when planning things.
Then Ai said something that really shocked you, it left you confused. It barely came above as a whisper, you were sure that you weren't supposed to hear that.
"This one is just one-sided...."
You turned to Ai wide-eyed. "What?!" Your voice came out louder than intended and they all glanced at you surprised by your tone, while Ai just smiled at you.
For some reason you picked up a lot of sadness from the way she looked at you through her emerald green eyes that were glazed with tears which she quickly blinked away. Something didn't feel right, that's the gut feeling you got.
"You know most kid's run up and check the Christmas tree for gifts first thing in the morning but all you did was brush your teeth, take a bath and ask for breakfast. Y/n are you some type of alien?" Haruto tilted his head wondering why you weren't like other kids, he used to wait for Santa Claus every night but he would fall asleep and wake up the next day in his bed. "Or do you just not believe in Santa?"
You gulped at the question. "I just don't believe in Santa anymore."
"Why?"
"The idea of an old man breaking into my house at night really bothers me, just imagine waking up to seeing some weirdo creeping around your house at three in the morning." That was an honest answer, you definitely didn't want to experience that anymore.
They all accepted your answer. "Let's go unwrap the presents" Haruto beamed as he picked you up from your sit, sitting you on on his shoulders and the only support you had was his head. They shifted the party to the living room, Kyoko making sure to bring along her cookies.
Haruto helped you off his shoulders placing you back on your feet next to the Christmas tree. They were so many presents under there, all beautifully wrapped. You picked up one (I'm not describing gift wrap.) It had your name on it so you opened it throwing aside the gift wrap.
"It's so beautiful!!" You exclaimed holding up a cute Naruto plushie, it was Naruto with his usual dumb cheeky smile. "How did you know I loved him?"
Ai winked at you, smiling proudly at herself. "I went into your room and saw all the manga in your shelf so I thought I should get the most popular one. I think his name is Karuno."
"Naruto!" You corrected and everyone started laughing again. "Now open mine" Kyoko said impatiently shoving her gift in your hands. You nodded, Ai rolled her eyes as you opened it. Inside there was a bubblegum blue Polaroid camera, a light pink note book and a first aid kit. "I love it!" You gave Kyoko a huge bear hug.
"I knew you would, I wanted to do something meaningful, I've been wanting to give you medical skills. Say the word and i will help."
Haruto coughed pointing to his gift which was really big and long, you wondered what it could be as you unwrapped the present nervously. You were shocked to see a freaking ping pong set, you were more shocked than excited. "Wasn't this expensive?" The words came out dryly.
"No it wasn't. Do you not like it?" He was upset now, tilting his head. You looked up at Kyoko to say something but she just smiled at you, "no, no I love it I was just surprised" you cheered him up and it seemed to work.
"Where are going to place it? Who is going to set it up?" Ai asked, decided to be reasonable and the couple swapped glances at each other, Kyoko swiped up a key from her pocket holding it up.
"We bought a house!". "WHATTTTT?!" You and Ai screamed in unison causing Kyoko to cover Haruto's ears on impulse. "WHERE?? WHEN??"
"Relax it's here in Shibuya just a few neighborhoods from here" she squealed, still covering Haruto's ears and man was blushing like a teen in heat from the contact. "We'll be moving in, next year."