You were sure Ichimatsu didn’t mean to offend or belittle you in any manner—still, that didn’t remove the pain that he caused when he would call you names, or when he would intentionally brush you off, especially in front of his family. It didn’t dissolve the doubt that began to worm its way into your brain. Did you do something wrong? Did he hate you? Were you deserving of the mistreatment? Over time, you began to think worse and worse of yourself. You tried to keep up that front, your smiles growing weaker and your person becoming more reserved. One day, while out with the Matsu brothers window shopping, Ichimatsu made one final comment that brought everything to a head. Some off handed rude comment about how messy your hair looked recently, and how unkempt you seemed sent you over the edge. Rearing back like a feral beast, you bared your teeth, sneering as your eyes fought against you—searing hot salt water trickling down your rosy cheeks.