Yui sat at her study table, staring blankly at her homework, her mind a mile away. "Yui, dinner is ready!" Jin called out from downstairs, but she didn't respond, lost in thought.
"Yui, dinner is ready!" Jin called out again, this time louder. When there was still no response, he walked into her room. "Yui!" he said, snapping her back to reality.
"Yes, Jin, why are you shouting?" Yui asked, trying to composed herself.
Jin noticed her distant expression. "I called you for dinner twice, what were you thinking about?" he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
Yui shrugged. "Nothing, just school stuff."
But Jin wasn't convinced. He put a hand on her shoulder. "Look, I'm your big brother. You can tell me anything."
Yui smiled weakly. "Okay, big brother, I'm fine."
Jin smiled back, patting her back. "That's my Yui."
***********
As Emiko entered the Watabane mansion, Mr. Tanaka greeted her with a bow. "Good evening, Miss Emiko."
Emiko smiled and stopped him from bowing further. "You're older than me, Mr. Tanaka; no need for such formalities."
Mr. Tanaka smiled. "It's your greatness, Miss Emiko, that you respect a servant."
Emiko chuckled. "Now stop, Mr. Tanaka. Your words alone will make my stomach hurt."
Mr. Tanaka's gaze shifted to the woman standing beside Emiko, dressed in a black formal suit and sunglasses. "Is she your bodyguard?" he asked.
Emiko nodded. "Yes, my dad hired her to keep me from seeing my mother."
She looked around, changing the subject. "But where's my icy cousin?"
Mr. Tanaka began to respond, "Well, young master-"
However, he was interrupted by a loud voice echoing through the hallway. "Emiko!"
Akira's face lit up as she spotted Emiko, and she eagerly squirmed out of Ryu's arms. "Emiko-chan! Hello!" she exclaimed in a childish tone, her eyes shining with excitement." I miss you too much"
Emiko swiftly scooped her up, showering her with affection. "I miss you too, baby," she said, kissing Akira's forehead.
Mr. Tanaka watched the heartwarming reunion with a warm smile. Ryu, however, maintained a neutral expression, crossing his arms. "Now that the reunion is over, shall we head to the dining hall?" he suggested.
Emiko teased, "Looks like someone's too hungry."
Ryu's response was nonchalant. "Whatever."
They proceeded to the dining hall, where Kenji was already seated at the head of the table. "Hello, Emiko," he said, looking at her.
"Hello, Uncle Kenji," Emiko replied.
They took their seats, Emiko's bodyguard standing beside her. Kenji inquired, "How's your father doing?"
"He's fine, just busy with work," Emiko replied with a smile.
The dinner progressed in silence. Afterward, they exited the dining hall, and Ryu instructed Mr. Tanaka, "Please take Akira to her room."
Akira refused to let go of Ryu. "No, I want to stay with you!" she pouted, hugging his chest.
Ryu glanced at Emiko before turning back to Akira. "I have to discuss something important with Emiko."
Akira's grip on his neck tightened. "No, I want to stay with you too!"
Ryu suggested, "Okay, Aki, go with Mr. Tanaka, and we'll join you soon."
When Akira refused to listen, Ryu added, "Get her some chocolate milk."
As Mr. Tanaka took Akira away, her grip on Ryu's neck finally loosened, and Ryu handed her over. Mr. Tanaka left with her.
Ryu and Emiko walked to his room, followed by her bodyguard. Emiko's bodyguard entered first, but Ryu blocked her way. "Give us some privacy," he said with a cold look. She nodded and stepped aside.
Ryu entered the room, his gaze fixed on Emiko, who sat on the couch, her eyes cast downward. "Emiko," he whispered, walking towards her.
She looked up, her face awash with tears. Ryu sat beside her and wrapped his arms around her. She cried uncontrollably, her tears soaking his shirt.
"I don't know how much longer I can take it," she sobbed. "I'm stuck between them, and they don't understand anything."
Ryu remained silent, his expression unreadable. He gently stroked her hair as she cried.
As she finally composed herself, she pulled back. Ryu asked, "Are you okay now?"
Just then, a knock on the door broke the silence, followed by Mr. Tanaka's voice. "Young master, it's me. Your father wants to see you in his study."
Ryu stood up. "Okay, I'm coming."
He turned to Emiko and handed her a handkerchief. "I have to go. Please take care of Akira for me."
Emiko nodded, her eyes still red from crying.
***********
"Mom!"
Yui's voice echoed through the house from the washroom.
Her mom, Mrs. Nakahara, walked out of the kitchen. "This girl, what happened now?"
"I got my period and we're out of stock on pads," Yui explained from inside.
Mrs. Nakahara scolded, "You should be more careful with your things. I told you to restock them, but did anyone in this house listen to me?"
Just then, Jin intervened, "Mom, I'll get them."
Mrs. Nakahara turned to him, standing at the shoe stand. "Jin, you'll spoil her."
Yui's voice came from the washroom, "Thanks, onii-chan!"
*********
At the Watabane mansion, Ryu walked to his father's study with a serious expression. When he reached the door, he knocked. "It's me, Ryu."
A voice from inside replied, "Enter."
Ryu entered the study, where his father sat behind a large wooden desk cluttered with papers. His father looked up from his paperwork. "So, you're here."
Ryu nodded. "You called me."
His father slid a gun and a folder across the desk. "I have a job for you. It needs to be done tonight."
Ryu's expression remained neutral. "Okay."
His father nodded in approval. "Good. I expect nothing less."
*********
Jin walked out of the medical store, packet in hand, and stepped into the quiet evening streets. The only sounds were the occasional passing cars and the music humming through his earphones.
As he walked, the streetlights cast long shadows behind him. Suddenly, one of his earphones fell out, and as he bent to pick it up, he heard a strange noise coming from the street.
Jin's expression turned serious as he turned his head to locate the sound. He walked deeper into the street, his eyes scanning the surroundings. Then, he saw something that made his expression change.
Fear and panic washed over his face as he quickly realized the gravity of the situation. Without hesitation, Jin took off in a sprint, disappearing into the night.
.Hey cupcakes 🧁 I hope you like this chapter
Take care 😘 😘
Bye Bye 👋