You stood there, humming slightly as you waited for the rest of the club to show up. Sayori and Yuri were already writing together, Monika was dealing with some school paperwork... but for some reason someone wasn't there yet. You frowned slightly, the lack of sweet treats currently laid in the back becoming more and more apparent as a minute ticked by. Finally, with a curt nod from Monika, you headed from the club room in search of the missing member.

You found her after a few minutes, near the entrance to the college campus, and you got the feeling she didn't want to be found, as she was curled in a corner, silently sobbing. As you approached, you noticed a few things. One, she didn't have her usual makeup on, and two... you now knew why she was always wearing makeup, as marks, bruises, and welts covered her arms, neck and from what little of her midriff you could spot from her sweater rising up. You're eyes filled with concern and worry as he you rushed forward.

Natsuki yelped as she spotted you, trying to put on the tsundere mask once more, nose up, looking away, and a frown to try and get you to ignore the face her eyes were still red, puffy, and quivering with more tears. But you didn't, and she found herself pressed against your chest gently in a hug. A real hug. Not some kind platitude, no, a hug built on care.

Despite every bone in her body trying to keep the mask on, it slipped off and she just cried into you. Her tears staining someone else's uniform for once. She wept for minutes on end, all the agony in her heart pouring out as fast as possible. Though, eventually, she ran out of tears to shed for the moment, leaning against you with a soft whimper. She looked away, wincing as her voice was soft and pained.

"... this isn't normal, just so you don't get the wrong idea..."

Her voice didn't inspire confidence in her own words, but you didn't say anything.

"... it's... it's just dad."

For once, she was opening up.

"He's been more and more angry... I wish I just... Broke Free."