#also... i'm experimenting with a new brush hmmmmm

[ronrumko]

[hanabisimps]

•The Black Sheep•

This is my first time writing a short story like this so please give me some criticism and opinions on this.

|| Chapter 1 ||

How Hanabi ended up in Devildom

Warning: may contain some triggers, child neglect, bullying, misogyny

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It’s the afternoon and Hanabi has just now woken up. The servants usually never bother to come in her room but today they came, she could tell somethings going on.

Maid: miss your father has requested you and your brothers to come to his office immediately.

Hanabi: ..what.? My brothers too?

Maid: yes, now please hurry. You know your father doesn’t like to be kept waiting.

Hanabi: fine...

Hanabi(in her head): all of a sudden we wants to see me? Why now after all these years?

Still half asleep, she gets up and puts on her usual attire that consisted of just a medium length turtleneck dress and a soft pastel yellow cardigan. As she is about to tame the mess that her hair is she looks at a photo and has a sense of nostalgia. But, it wasn’t a very pleasant experience as she immediately grabbed the picture and made it face down her vanity.

The memories that she thought she had buried resurfaced...

(We will now be in Hanabi’s memories)

The smell of sweat permeated through the training room. Hanabi continued to practice while her other groupmate takes a break.

Aira: hey Hanabi! Why don’t you take a break? It was only a minor mistake plus you know how that choreographer is, they were just being picky.

Hanabi: continues to dance I know that it’s just that I can’t help it. If I’m going to do something I want to do it right.

Aira: you’re way too hard on yourself y’know? You’re already plenty smart, talented, and athletic to boot! So just take a break with me already!

Hanabi:* stops dancing* hah.. fine you win... *goes to sit next to her *

Aira: Soo... what did you think of the anime I recommended you a couple days ago? Did you like it? Its beginner friendly and  the main character is really cute too!

Hanabi:  Ah hmm well... I thought it was a fun.. and what was the main characters name again? The really cute one.

Aira: Ruri Chan? 

Hanabi: Yeah that one, I think she's really cute too. But I gotta ask... how do you have so much time to watch animes when we have so much dancing and singing  practice... surely you aren't slacking off when I'm not looking..? *makes a ominous smile*

Aira: Ah! I'm not! I'm working suuuper hard! *breaks out in cold sweat*

Hanabi: Hmmmmm..? Really now...?

Aira: *eyes darting around* Ah..haha..ha... ha..

Hanabi: Airaaaaa..... *pulls on her cheeks*

Aira: Awwwaaa! Em Sowwyy! Iwl prawice! Swo stoup pullgin ma cheechs! (I'm sorry! I’ll practice! So stop pulling on my cheeks!)

Hanabi: *lets go*

Aira: mmmm... *rubs her face and looks at Hanabi*

Hanabi: *sees Airas swollen cheeks* 

Aira: * looks into the practice mirror and sees how red her face is *

Both: *look at each other* pfft... Hahahaha!! 

The two girls sit and chat with each other laughing and playing for the rest of practice...

(Back to reality)

Hanabi’s head starts to ache as she grips the edge of her vanity.

Hanabi: ugh.. why do I have to remember this now... I need to just forget about her already...

With her head still aching she starts to go to her fathers office. She was so deep into her memories she forgot to brush her hair and make it look presentable. But, she couldn’t be bothered by that now, her father was waiting in his office with her brothers.

She hesitates but eventually opens the door only to be presented by her fathers scowling face.

Father: you’re late.

Hanabi:...

Father: go stand next to your brothers already. Waiting for you already wasted enough time.

Oldest brother: *looks at Hanabi in concern*

Middle brother: *scoffs at Hanabi and give her a cocky smirk*

She starts to walk to his desk and stands in front of it like the others.

Father: now, I know you’re wondering why I gathered you all here today. As you know your brother just recently came home from studying abroad. I’m certainly impressed at how you carried yourself there. It’s good that you don’t bring shame on this family *he says that while glancing at Hanabi*

Hanabi: *clenches the sides of her sweater*

Older brother: thank you father.

Father: I also hear that your new company is working out well for you. Good job. I’m looking forward to seeing your results.

Middle brother: yes! Thank you father I’m won’t disappoint you like a certain someone. *looks at Hanabi*

Hanabi: *clenches her fists even tighter but still keeping a straight face*

Father: and you. *he looks at Hanabi straight in the eyes*

This sends a shiver down her spine. She knows that whatever he’s going to say to her wasn’t going to be good.

Father: you are going to get married to one of these men here *he slides a folder on his table to Hanabi* now leave my office I expect you to choose at least 5 of these men by tomorrow.

Hanabi: what?! I’m not getting married! Why should I?! What give you the right -!

Father: QUIET!

The room falls into a deathly silence as soon as he raises his voice. He looks at Hanabi with his piercing eyes.

Father: I’m your father and you will do as I say. This is your last chance to make yourself useful this time instead of disappointing me like last time.

Hanabi: ... shut up...

Father: *gets up from his chair and stands in front of Hanabi while looking down at her*

Hanabi: *clenches her fists even more* you only call yourself my father whenever it benefits you... we may be related by blood but you are no father of mine!

Father: *raises his hand*

Hanabi: *closes her eyes and braces for impact*

Hanabi: ...?

She opens her eyes to see her brother holding back her fathers arm.

Older brother: Father. We’re you really going to hit her?

Middle brother: Let go of fathers arm! Let him hit her! *scowls at Hanabi *This is all your fault! If you just stayed quiet and did what he told you to do none of this would have happened!

Hanabi: what? Did you really expect me to go along with this ridiculous plan to get me married off!?

Middle brother: SHUT UP! Everything is your fault! You’re the one who killed mom! It’s all your fault you-

Father: Enough! Now, let my arm go.

Older brother: not letting go

Father: hah.. fine... I promise I won’t hit her.

Older brother lets go of fathers hand and he starts to walk toward me and forcing me to back away leading to my back being against the wall. Her fathers eyes were incredibly intimidating and intrusive.

Father: you better not be thinking about going back into the music industry again... don’t you remember what happened last time with you and your little “friend”?

Hanabi: *grits her teeth* I... I do remember...but it’s what I want to do.

Father: why can’t you be like other women and be quiet. The only place women belong is at home not on a stage where millions of men look up at you in skimpy clothing dancing for them like a whore.

Hanabi: I don’t want to be like that! I have my own dreams and goals and I’m not ever gonna become what you want me to be and I’m not going to try and seek your approval anymore!

Father: the only goal you should have is to find a husband and give birth to his children! That’s all you good for!

Hanabi, enraged, she bursts out of the office and sprints off with her older brother following close behind.

Middle brother: Hey! Get back her you little bit-

Father: stop, once she fails again and realizes her mistake, she’s going to come crawling back here begging me to forgive her.

Middle brother: ! ... yes father..

Hanabi dashes down the hallway wish great speed with her brother falling behind. She slows down to go down the stairs and that gives him a chance to grab her arm and stop her.

Older brother: panting please... hold..on cough

Hanabi: let me go!

Older brother: *regains his composure* Hanabi please lets go back and talk to father again. I’m sure if we talk to him we can sort this out, we’re all family after all.

Hanabi: family...? Did you see how he looked at me? Did you not hear what he said to me? If that’s how family is supposed to treat each other then I want no part of it! Family? Hah! That’s you’re family not mine. So let me go already!

She had succeeded in shaking him off but pulling her arm from him as hard as she could and that made him topple over on his bottom.

Hanabi & older brother: !!!

She feels her foot slip on the top step of the stairs. She must’ve used way too much force. Her brother stretched his hand out to catch her but he missed. She then gets sent flying off the stairs knowing how large the stairs were, Hanabi was certain that she would fall to her death. She clenches her eyes closed preparing herself when she hears-

Older brother: huh?! What is that?

Hanabi!

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Hanabi:..?

It goes quiet, then she feels a floor beneath her. When she opens her eyes she sees that’s she isn’t at home anymore, she looks up and sees a bunch of men looking at her.

???: Welcome to Devildom Hanabi