**Chapter 2: Unveiling the Shadows**

The gentle pressure of Hange's hand enveloped mine, and I felt a surge of reassurance as he led me out of the sanctuary of his room. The soft beeps of my artificial placenta, still attached to my feeding tube, served as a reminder of my fragile health and the long road to recovery ahead. As we stepped into the bright, yet gentle, morning light, I winced, my sensitive eyes rebelling against the sudden change. Hange's fingers instinctively tightened around mine, and he pulled me closer, shielding me from the harshness of the world. "Easy, my love," he whispered, his voice a soothing balm to my frazzled nerves. "We'll take it slow. You don't have to face everything at once." His words were a gentle reminder of the challenges I faced, not just physically, but also mentally. My autism spectrum disorder made me hypersensitive to every sound, every touch, every sensation, and I often found myself overwhelmed by the world's complexities. As we made our way to the kitchen, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and baking wafted through the air, teasing my senses and making my stomach growl with hunger. Hange chuckled and steered me toward the table, where a steaming bowl of oatmeal and a cup of tea waited for me. The warmth of the tea and the soft texture of the oatmeal were a comforting start to the day, and I felt a sense of gratitude toward Hange for understanding my needs. "Eat, my love," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "You need to keep your strength up." I nodded, taking a tentative bite of the oatmeal. The flavors danced on my tongue, and I felt a small spark of joy ignite within me. For a moment, the shadows of my past receded, and all that mattered was the present – Hange, his love, and his acceptance. As we ate, Hange filled me in on the day's schedule. We had a packed itinerary, with a doctor's appointment, physical therapy, and a meeting with his yakuza associates. My anxiety began to simmer, threatening to boil over. I hated being around new people, hated the noise and chaos that came with it. But with Hange by my side, I felt a sense of resolve. I could face whatever the day threw our way, as long as he was there to support me. The doctor's appointment was a necessary step in my recovery, and I knew I had to be brave. The physical therapy would help me regain my strength and mobility, and I was determined to make progress. The meeting with Hange's yakuza associates, however, made me nervous. I had always been wary of the yakuza, with their strict rules and codes of conduct, but Hange had reassured me that they would accept me for who I was. Just as we were finishing up, Hange's phone buzzed, and he answered it, his expression turning serious. "I have to go, my love," he said, his voice low and urgent. "There's been a situation with one of our... associates. I need to take care of it." My heart sank, and I felt a cold dread creeping up my spine. What kind of situation could be so urgent that Hange had to leave me? I looked up at him, my eyes searching for reassurance. His gaze locked onto mine, and I saw a flicker of concern there. "Stay here, my love," he said, his voice softening. "I'll be back soon. You're safe, I promise." I nodded, trying to trust him, but my mind was already racing with worst-case scenarios. What if he got hurt? What if he couldn't come back to me? As Hange disappeared out the door, I felt a sense of unease settle over me. The shadows of my past began to stir, whispering dark and foreboding tales of loss and abandonment. I pushed them back, focusing on the sound of Hange's voice, echoing in my mind – "You're safe, I promise." But as the minutes ticked by, and Hange's absence grew longer, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was on the precipice of a storm, and that the calm was about to shatter.