...

Clasping his fingers together, Shining let out a sigh. "Y/n, it seems the police think our last option will be to take a large risk. They want us to give the money to the man and bring him into the open for the police to jump him. If this plan fails... it will be all over. Your career could end in one day." His eyes traveled up to me, his glasses gleaming from the light. 

I could feel Ai tighten his grip around my hand, trying to reassure me. "There's no chance we could catch him before the date...?" I muttered worriedly. 

Shining shook his head. "The police said it's unlikely. I'm sorry."

"... I see." I swallowed the lump in my throat,  slowly nodding.  "I understand." I was afraid,  but I just had to believe everything would be okay. With that, Shining picked up the phone,  preparing to call the bank. 

[[Time skipp]]

On the day of the transaction, Ai and I sat in Shinings office, anticipating the important call to come. "Please, please catch them..." I whispered under my breath, my heart pounding.  

"I'm sure it'll be okay Y/n." Ai slowly reached over his hand gently petting the top of my head.

Suddenly the phone rang,  sending my blood to run cold.  Ai picked up the phone in an instant, his expression changing to a hopeful one.  "...." slowly it faded to one of absolute horror,  his eyes widening.  "They failed??"

The world seemed to stop spinning the moment the words left his mouth, my body entirely freezing.  "... They... Failed?" Dread completely overwhelmed me within moments.
*
The police soon informed us that the perpetrator had escaped by car shortly after realizing the police were involved,  luckily the money was unable to make contact,  but without a doubt the pictures would be released. 

    Shortly after,  photo after photo popped up everywhere on social media.  Of course,  there were many Mikaze fans that were supportive of his relationship,  but as what comes with fame,  there were plenty who didn't.  Threats started to become common occurrences in my private messages and letters but this I tried my best to ignore while we worked our hardest to find a solution to this mess.

***

"Y/n I'm not sure how much more your reputation will be able to take... " Shinging stated,  his tone swaying between worry and a bit of pity. "You may be unable to continue being an idol...  For now we'll continue trying,  but don't get your hopes too high.. " He slowly looked to Ai,  who of course was standing beside me. "Mikaze...  If things goes south we may be forced to... " he trailed off. 

Ai nodded,  "I understand. " Suddenly, I felt Ai squeeze his fingers between my own after linking his arm.

"Forced to what..?" I tried ask calmly, but my shaky voice betrayed me. 

"... Nothing." Ai turned to smile at me ever so gently.  Peering into his cyan eyes,  I could clearly see his concern,  even if he tried to hide it.  He turned his face from me,  looking at the window. "We...  Won't actually let that happen." his hand trembled,  a sense of worry in his tone. 

Time skip

A few days later,  Shining had stopped allowing Y/n to see her mail without someone checking it first,  usually he'd have Hyuga or Tsukimiya check it before giving it to her, on this perticularly day there were only a few letters addressed to her. While Shining discussed Y/n's situation with the professor over the computer,  he had Ringo check her letters. Right as Ringo picked up the final letter,  he felt his phone begin to vibrate. 

He picked up his phone, placing it to his ear. ".. Ah,  Hai." Ringo nodded. "There's a small emergency in the kitchen,  I'll be right back." Ringo sighed,  rushing out of the room.

Shining's eyes traveled to the sevreal open letters,  seeing only one remaining closed.  It was strangly different from the others, drawing his attention. He raised an eyebrow,  slowly reaching over and grabbing it.  While the professor continued to share some of his concerns,  Shining decided to read this one himself.

The envelope was small and pink,  a flower scent lingering on it.  He almost thought it might've be a love letter. Maybe one of her fanboys had decided he could treat her better than Mikaze could,  so he sent his undying feelings in a letter.  The thought alone made Shining chuckle slightly. He quickly opened it and reached in,  grabbing the paper.  "... " With wide eyes he pulled his hand out with the letter, watching as blood trickling down his index finger. This was definitely no love letter.  His eyes traveled to the professor who seemed as shocked as he was before the professor muttered the words "... Open it." in a worried,  but serious tone.  He unfolded the letter in a rush,  almost tearing it.  He was silent as his eyes scanned the letter,  before he gradually seemed to become white as a sheet.  The Professor watched as Shining grit his teeth and furrowed his eyebrows, unlike his usual character.

"it's a death threat." Shining stood abruptly, his frustration fading to worry. He had seen music artists get death threats sevreal times in the past,  but never one quite like this. They listed sevreal of her favorite places to visit,  they had attached a picture of her sitting in her window at the end the letter,  and to top it all off,  they had left a jagged glass shard inside the envelope.  Shining gaze traveled back to his bleeding finger.  This person had intention to hurt her if they able,  of course there was a chance they were just doing this to scare her out of business or from Mikaze but...

"Shinging Sama, I think it's... Time." The professor spoke, his video flickering softly as he moved to clasp his fingers together in front of his face,  followed by a soft sigh.  "We brought her here, we can't let this continue blindly..." as much as Shining wish he wouldn't have to admit it,  he knew the professors words were right. As Ringo entered the room,  Shining looked to him sternly.  "Tsukimiya, call Mister Mikaze for me..." with a quick,  confused nod,  Ringo once again rushed out of the room.

Authors note

Alright,  it's been about six months since I updated this apparently.  I'm sorry 😂
With this I have one more chapter to write,  we are really close to the end aaaa.  It's taken me so long to write this book,  a lot longer then it should have XD but I'm stubborn,  I will finish it. 

I realize that it's a little...  Shortened? I guess you could say? As I explained what happened rather than really writing it.  But I thought that would have been better than trying to write all of it out and taking another couple months to update.  😅😔

I'm not sure how long the next chapter will take me,  but hopefully I'll finish it before the end of May.  I'm going to do my best to do that for you guys, because I know you all want an ending to this story, I do too. ❤