**Chapter 1: A Lonely Night**

I sat on the sofa, my ears covered with my hands, trying to block out the cacophony of sounds that filled my head. The hum of the refrigerator, the ticking of the clock, the distant noise of cars driving by outside - it was all too much for me to handle. My hypersensitive ears felt like they were on fire, and I just wanted to escape. But I couldn't. I was waiting for Hange, my husband, to come home. I always waited for him. As I sat there, my eyes, which had been blind since birth, felt heavy with tears. I wasn't sure why, but I just felt a deep sadness inside. Maybe it was because Hange had been working so much lately, and I hardly ever got to see him. I missed him. I needed him. Suddenly, I heard the door open, and Hange's voice called out, "Hey, sweetheart. I'm back.. today was pretty busy." I smiled, feeling a surge of happiness. I loved Hange's voice. It was like music to my ears. I took my hands off my ears and turned towards him, my head cocked to the side. "Y-you were waiting for me?" Hange asked, his voice laced with exhaustion. I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. I always waited for him. I always needed to know that he was safe. Hange walked over to me, and I could hear the fatigue in his footsteps. He sat down next to me on the sofa and put a hand on my knee. "I'm sorry, I...I don't have much time for you lately," he said, his voice filled with guilt. I looked up at him, or rather, in the direction of his voice. I could sense his tiredness, his frustration. I knew he had to get up early for work, and it was already almost 2:30. Hange sighed and rubbed his eyes. "I'm sorry, I just can't cuddle right now.. I'm too tired and all I want to do is sleep.." He said it firmly, but I could sense the regret in his voice. My heart sank. I felt a wave of separation anxiety wash over me. I didn't like it when Hange was tired and didn't have time for me. It made me feel like I wasn't important. I felt tears streaming down my face, and I couldn't stop them. Hange's expression changed, and he looked at me with concern. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm sorry...I didn't mean to..." But it was too late. I was already overwhelmed. My mind, which was already fragile due to my autism, regressed severely. I felt like a newborn baby, scared and lost. I whimpered, and my body started to shake. Hange's face contorted in regret, and he pulled me into a quick hug. "Shh, it's okay...I'm here...I love you..." But I was beyond consolation. I just wanted to be held, to be comforted, to be safe. As I sat there, wrapped in Hange's arms, I couldn't shake off the feeling of loneliness and abandonment. My father's absence had left a deep scar, and Hange's tiredness and exhaustion only made it worse. I was scared of being alone, of being left behind. And all I could do was cling to Hange, and hope that he would never leave me.