YUN RESIDENCES
2:47 AM, THURSDAY

YUN KEIKO。

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I heard loud muffled arguments from downstairs again. My nerves started kicking in; growing scared I tried to hide myself within the blankets.

Covering my ears as I shut my eyes tightly. I can't take it anymore.

"How are we supposed to repay–"

"Use Keiko."

"What do you even mean!?"

"Ojiisan– Just fucking sell her away!"

"She's your daughter, Keishin."

"We don't need her anyways!"

"She'll just destroy our company more."

"If she were a boy, she would've been more successful!"

"Just sell her to Hansuke or whatever, I'll even contact him right now."

Tears started falling out of my eyes, hands shaking as the more they spoke, the more I felt my heart cracking into pieces.

The family, I tried to impress all my life... just gave me away like that.

I tried to suppress my tears, but they just kept falling, "Stop being such a crybaby, Keiko! You're a fifteen year old girl! You're a Mikami–"

A knock cut me off quick. I wiped away my tears in a hurry, my whole body trembling in fear.

"Keiko? We have something important to discuss." I heard Mother's voice utter from the other side of the door. Biting my bottom lip hard, I couldn't bring my self to say something.

I was speechless.

"I'm coming in, are you asleep?" she asked before I heard the doorknob twist, the door creaked open.

My heartbeat began to race up as soft footsteps grew louder.

A hand on my shoulder made me jolt up, "M-Mother..." I managed to croak out.

Meeting eyes with my Mother, her eyes showed no emotion. "Were you crying?"

I nodded slowly, "Just a nightmare..."

"Oh Keiko, I told you a Mikami should always be fearless."

Am I even a Mikami anymore?

"Let's go down stairs, your Father and I have something to tell you." she said, running her fingers through my hair. Mother pulled out a handkerchief from her blazer's pocket, "Here, wipe those tears away."

My trembling hands reached out to grip tightly on the soft fabric, wiping my tear stained cheeks before we went out to go downstairs.

Downstairs I saw my Grandparents, my Father, and a distant uncle I rarely even see.

I avoided eye contact as soon as we got down from the flight of stairs. I kept fiddling with my fingers, the uneasy feeling resting inside of me, not seeming to leave until I heard them say it.

Father walked towards me, bending down on my level as he easily faked a worried expression.

Why must you pretend?

"My dearest Keiko... You see, our company is facing struggles at the moment," he stated, caressing my cheek with his thumb, "of course we have to do something."

My eyes peered over his shoulder and I could see my Grandparents with sad expressions plastered on their faces.

Were they the only ones that cared for me in this family?

Why did I even expect for parental love? This is business they are talking about– love is a distraction to them.

"To save the company, you must leave."

"Leave?" I blinked, acting like I didn't understand at all.

Father nodded slowly; clearing his throat, he stood up straight. The man stepped up in front of me as he introduced himself as Yun Hansuke, a distant uncle I rarely saw.

He said he owned the game company that built the playing cards and toys I always play with my Grandparents.

"I'll take care of you until your parents company problem has been solved." Hansuke told me softly, patting my head.

He offered out his hand for me, "Let's go?"

It's not like I have a choice anyways.

With a small sigh, I grabbed his hand. We turned around and slowly left the house. As
we reached the doorway, Hansuke stopped to turn towards them saying, "We'll be going now, say goodbye, Keiko."

Grandfather trudged towards me, crouching down to engulf me in a last hug. "I'll miss you, Cherrie."

"Ojiisan... Will we never see each other again?" I questioned in a quiet voice, my arms tightly around him.

"I don't know, Cherrie. But remember what I always told you, okay?"

A small smile tugged up my lips, nodding curtly at him, "I'm the cherry on top."

"You are." he giggled, softly touching the tip of index finger on the tip of my nose.

"Time to go, Keiko." Father immediately interrupted, clearing his throat.

I nodded as I made eye contact with Mother. Her eyes were glassy and upon meeting my gaze, she quickly looked away.

No goodbye?

I entered the car, looking far at the mansion I grew up in. It would be the last time I ever slept in my bed, the last time I roamed around the hallways, the last time I would sneak out of the my study lessons, and the last time I would ever be a Mikami.

.   .   . 2020 .   .   .

"Not that again." I grumbled, sitting up as I had the same dream over and over again.

I kept dreaming of the same memory for the past new days now, not that it affected me so much, but I surely didn't want to see their faces again and again.

I sat up, removing the white thick blankets over me. Slipping my feet into some home slippers before walking out my bedroom.

It was early in the morning, the house was still quiet, so I doubt Hansuke was home.

I trudged down the flight of stairs, yawning on the last step I took. Making my way to the kitchen, I grabbed myself a glass, filling it with water.

Gulping down the glass of water, I heard the door clicking open then followed by a creaking noise.

Hansuke's back.

I walked out of the kitchen, leaning my back onto the pillar, "Back from the mafia association you were in?" I crossed my arms, giving him a sly grin.

Hansuke froze, "Wait– How'd you know... don't tell me they alr– Agh nevermind."

I squinted my eyes, "They already what?"

"Not now, Keiko."

"Why the fuck are you even in a mafia association group shit?!" I questioned him in a stern tone.

Hansuke scrunched his nose, placing down his black suitcase, "I'm an owner of a big game company that produces gambling supplies, what do you think? I also own numerous mafia clubs–"

"Oh, so your money was actually dirty money." I cut him off.

"They aren't dirty money, Keiko. I have separate business between family and mafia." he ran his fingers through his hair, loosening his tie, "I've become an associate ever since the mafia clan I am associated with helped me."

"It's a mistake I would always regret." he mumbled, "But it's the least I could do to pay my debts."

I rolled my eyes and went to go back to my room. Before I entered my room, I heard him say, "Once you are involved, you can never leave."

I sighed and closed my door, letting my self fall back onto my bed.

Until your parents company problem has been solved.

The news came out two years later, 2016. The Mikami Empire has managed to rise up again in the business world, but this time, they didn't dare to take back the number one spot.

They couldn't afford to lose again.

Every great thing has its own bitter fall.

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