~Shiori's POV~

Once I was able to move semi-normally a few days after the bone marrow donation, I was surprised to find I still had a job at the music store. The old shop owner didn't ask me any questions and told me to take the rest of the week off. I had no idea why he suddenly had a change of heart and was less strict about me missing work.

I returned to work the next week. The old music shop owner seemed kinder and not nearly as demanding. He greeted me with a smile which I found a little disconcerting and even asked me how I was doing. It was odd but kind of nice.

Over the next couple of weeks, I got more gigs at various bars and clubs and was able to visit Hikaru a few times in the night. I'd almost bumped into Kazuki's horrible mother but was luckily rescued by Hikaru's main physician who hid me in a laundry cart and asked an aid to smuggle me out as more of Kazuki's family arrived. I was terrified one of them might have seen me and what sort of repercussions that might have but went about my day as usual.

I spent the first half of my day at the music shop and for the first time since I'd started working there, the owner let me take a lunch break. It was a nice change of pace to be able to take a breather during the day and grab a bite to eat. I'd stopped by a food cart near the entrance of the park just across the street from the music store and went to sit on a bench to eat my meal.

People bustled past taking no notice of me, which I preferred. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted two men dressed in black suits, nothing too fancy. They wore them casually with silk shirts beneath the jackets that were low cut. It seemed somewhat cliché mobster like. I felt my heart start to race a little in my chest as I realized they were looking in my direction. I tried to shrug it off, they could just be men with questionable fashion sense and maybe I had food spilled down my front.

I glanced down to see if I'd spilled some of my street food, but my shirt was still clean and there was no mess around me. When I looked back in the direction of the men, they were gone. Feeling a little unsettled, I inhaled the rest of my food, discarded my trash and briskly walked back to the music shop keeping my eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary.

I made it back to the music shop without issue. The owner looked up curiously as I nervously peered through the window to make sure I wasn't being followed. He cleared his throat and slowly made his way over to me.

"Everything alright?" He followed my gaze.

"Y-yeah. Sorry. Just seeing things." I apologized and made a move to go clock in.

"You still have ten minutes left why don't you just go sit in the office and relax a bit." He suggested somewhat stiffly.

"Are you sure?" I asked not knowing why he was being so kind.

He nodded, "go on."

I took one last glance out the window and felt my heart begin to race again as I caught a brief glimpse of one of the mobster looking men. He was on the phone, his eyes trained on me. He said something to whoever was on the other end of the line before nodding and walking away. I tried to convince myself it was nothing more than a coincidence and I was just being paranoid.

I went to hide in the office for the remainder of my lunch break. In the back of my mind I worried I wasn't being paranoid and Kazuki or his family had discovered me and reached out to some unsavory connections. No matter how awful they were I didn't think they'd stoop so low as to send thugs after me. I shook my head and forced myself not to dwell on it any longer. Instead I thought about stopping by a toy store on my way to my gig tonight to get something for Hikaru.

When my shift ended, the shop keeper noticed I was still a little apprehensive and suggested I leave through the alley exit. I still had no idea why he was suddenly being so nice to me but was grateful and slipped into the alley discreetly. Scanning the alley, I didn't see anyone skulking about and quietly made my way to the opposite end of the alley away from the music shop. I kept the hood of my black zip up jacket up and my head down and quickly took a roundabout way to get to my apartment.

It didn't seem like anyone had been following me. I speedily grabbed my guitar and changed for my gig. The club I was playing at tonight was a little bit nicer and warranted some nicer attire. I changed into one of the few dresses I owned that I'd found at a thrift store. It wasn't a very fancy dress, by any means, it was made of a cotton blend material. It was all black and littered with large white lilies. It fell to about mid-thigh which was shorter than I liked and had no sleeves. I slipped on my dark denim jacket and stepped into a pair of faded boots before slinging my guitar case over my shoulder.

My phone was almost dead, it only picked up about a 5% charge in the amount of time it took me to change. I tucked it into the pocket of my denim jacket along with some cash from my tips from the gig the night before. I exited my apartment and locked the door behind me before heading for the stairwell. As I reached the entrance to my apartment building that exited onto the sidewalk, I paused and peered through the dusty windows to see if there was anyone suspicious.

The layer of dust on the windows was too thick for me to see though. I tried to brush some of it away but it was hardened and stuck in place from years of neglect. I sighed and hesitantly stepped out the front door onto the sidewalk. Quickly glancing around, I didn't see anything out of the ordinary. I gripped the strap of my guitar case tightly and briskly walked in the direction of the club I was performing at.

There was a locally owned toy store on the way that I stopped at. As I stepped into the toy store, I saw one of the men I'd seen at the park standing on the opposite side of the street watching me. He pulled out his phone as I hurried into the store. I hurriedly hid in the aisles to make sure I wasn't visible through the window. After a few minutes, nothing happened. I mentally kicked myself, maybe it was all a coincidence. I tried to relax but I was too on edge. I wandered through the aisles in search of a new toy for Hikaru.

I found a plush cat wearing a pirate hat with a cloth eye patch and smiled. He'd love it. I took it up to the counter. The teenager behind the counter seemed bored and not very enthusiastic. She rang me up while half buried in her phone. I paid for the plush gripped the plastic bag in my hand tightly as I exited the store.

Scanning the now darkening street, I didn't see any sign of the man in the cliché suit. I was tempted to get a cab but the club was only a few blocks away. Keeping a firm grip on my guitar case and the bag in my hand, I hurried in the direction of the club. It felt like someone was watching me the entire time but I couldn't see anyone following me.

I reached the club and was ushered to a staff door that led back to the stage. As I was led to the door, I spotted a familiar hulking form in the crowd with very visible flaming facial hair, the number two hero, Endeavor. He'd been at nearly all of my performances over the past few weeks though he didn't approach me after. I felt a little more relaxed knowing he was here. I hadn't gotten a chance to thank him properly for taking me home from the hospital, it seemed like he was avoiding speaking to me.

I headed back stage to get ready for my performance. The staff member who'd led me behind stage offered me some water. I accepted and sipped at it while I waited to be announced. I got out my guitar, checked the tuning and tucked the plush into my case before shutting it. After a few minutes I managed to shake off the fear and paranoia and relax a little. As the announcer introduced me, I heard the majority of the crowd erupt into applause. Since I'd been performing a lot, I noticed a lot of repeat visitors to my gigs.

I nervously stepped onto the stage with my guitar in hand feeling nervous about being in a dress. Despite having performed a lot over the weeks, I still couldn't shake my stage fright. My gaze locked on a pair of piercing teal eyes and I felt myself start to relax as I found Endeavor in the crowd. His presence was strangely calming. Our eyes met and I felt a flutter in my chest, he held my gaze for a moment before averting his eyes looking somewhat flustered.

Feeling both calmed and a little anxious, I began my set. There were many familiar faces in the crowd of people who'd been to other performances of mine. Once I finished my set, I headed off stage, and packed up my guitar. I was able to neatly tuck the plush into the case with my guitar and then headed out to the bar to collect the tips I'd received. There was a small crowd of people near the bar as I exited the staff door. They applauded me as I approached, making me uncomfortable.

I offered them a polite smile, "thank you."

"Hey, can I buy you a drink?" One bold man with a debonair smile asked as he tried to sidle up beside me.

I took a small step away, "no, thank you. I don't drink, but I appreciate the offer." Ever since the night of the party that had forever changed my life, I refused to drink alcohol.

The bartender on duty, came to my rescue as she noticed me getting increasingly uncomfortable with the people crowding around me. "Shiori, the owner wanted to see you in the office," she jerked her thumb in the direction of the door leading to the office.

"Thanks." I offered her a bow grateful for her interjection before smiling at the crowd, "thanks everyone, if you'll please excuse me." I scurried to the office door.

The owner of the club looked up curiously as I stepped into his office before smiling, "good work out there, kid, you can come back any time, you draw in a nice crowd." He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out an envelope, "some tips from the crowd and a little bit from us as well."

"Thank you, sir. I really appreciate it." I accepted the envelope and bowed my head in thanks. "There isn't, by chance, a back way out of here is there?" I asked nervously.

He chuckled, "you're a talented kid, you'll have to get over that eventually, you're going to have a ton of fans." He pointed to a door adjacent to the one I'd entered, "if you're that desperate that's my private bathroom but there's a small window that opens into the alley."

I could hear the crowd of people through the door talking excitedly waiting for me to return, "I'll take it."

He laughed outright at this but made no move to stop me, "have a good night."

"You too!" I called over my shoulder before stepping into the small bathroom. There was a window over the toilet, it was small but big enough I could fit through. I got the guitar case through first before shimmying out the window after it.

As I got halfway out the window, I felt a pair of strong hands grab me and pull me the rest of the way through. A panicked squeal escaped me but it was cut off by another set of hands covering my mouth as I was pulled from the window. I recognized the two men I'd seen earlier at the park and uselessly struggled against them.

I was dragged away from the window. I tried to kick, punch and bite my captors to no avail. They were much stronger than I was. One of my captors adjusted their grip, their hand encircling my neck and I winced as I was suddenly lifted off the ground and my back was slammed against the brick wall of the building. My vision blurred slightly as my skull cracked against the brick. The other still had his hand covering my mouth keeping me from screaming for help.

Again, I tried to kick at them to get free but stopped kicking as I felt a cool metal blade press against my thigh. "Enough of that." The man covering my mouth hissed.

"We have a message for you, little girl." The man currently cutting off my air supply growled. "Stay away from the young master or we'll be back...and we'll have a lot more fun." He smiled wickedly.

"Wait, don't we get to have a little fun, now?" The man covering my mouth looked to his partner hopefully.

"Oh fine, but make it quick and don't let her make a sou- AH!" He cut off with a panicked shout as what looked like a flaming spear hit the ground next to him. In his alarm he released his hold on my neck and a gasp escaped me as I fell to the glass littered alley. Once free, I scrambled to my feet ready to run in the direction the flaming spear had come from.

The man who'd been covering my mouth and had lost his grip when his friend did, reached out and grabbed me by the hair. There was a sharp pain as he wrenched backward. I felt many hair follicles get ripped from my scalp and let out a cry.

He brought his blade up and pressed it against my throat as he glowered in the direction where the spear had come from. Adrenaline coursed through my veins; my heart was racing. I froze in terror as I felt the blade press into my skin. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust, the edges of my vision were still a little hazy from the pain in my head. I spotted a familiar hulking form at the end of the alley holding another flaming spear in hand. Endeavor!

"Release the girl." Endeavor's voice came out in a menacing growl.

"This doesn't concern you, keep walking." The man holding me snapped back.

"I won't say it again." Endeavor took a step closer.

"You have no idea who we work for, don't mess with us, flame face." The other man recovered from his shock and stood next to his friend.

There was a sudden flash of fire where Endeavor had been standing before he lunged forward disappearing from sight. The two thugs around me looked momentarily confused. The knife at my throat slackened a little as the man holding it looked to his partner. There was a flare of flames in front of me. The hand with the knife was suddenly wrenched away before a strong arm hooked around me. I felt a brief moment of comfort as Endeavor gave me a gentle squeeze before shoving me from harm's way.

I managed to stumble to the other end of the alley where my guitar case was laying and sank to my knees as Endeavor made quick work of the two goons that had been sent to deliver me a message. Police sirens sounded in the distance drawing closer. Shakily, I looked over my shoulder to see the men in cliché suits lying unconscious on the ground. Endeavor approached me with a frown.

"Are you hurt?" He asked.

I managed to shake my head; I had a few minor scrapes on my legs but nothing serious.

He knelt beside me and I jumped as he caught my chin between his fingers and turned me to face him. His piercing eyes fell on the thin rivulet of blood trickling down my neck before his frown deepened. A police car pulled into the alley, it's lights flashing and siren blaring. I winced and covered my ears to block out the harsh sound.

Endeavor shot a glare in the car's direction and the siren cut off before a deputy stepped out of the car to round up the unconscious men. The police officer got the unconscious men into the back of his cruiser and took our statements. I kept the details to a minimum not revealing that they'd been sent to scare me.

"Would you like me to call someone to give you a ride home?" the deputy asked me after I'd given him my mostly blank statement.

I started to shake my head but cut off as Endeavor spoke up in his gruff voice, "I'll take care of it. Thank you." His tone was dismissive.

The officer bowed his head and returned to his car.

I looked up curiously and let out a soft gasp as he stooped down and lifted me off the ground. He balanced me against him with one arm before picking up my guitar case and slinging it over one shoulder. I felt my face redden as he carried me in the direction of my apartment.

"...you saved me again..."

"So, it seems." He replied in a faraway voice.

"If I thank you again are you going to get annoyed?" I pondered.

"No."

I smiled shyly, "thanks for saving me, again."

He looked a little uncomfortable by my thanks and cleared his throat, "you're welcome."

"Have you been avoiding me?" I asked.

He paused, "...no..."

"Oh...you've been at a lot of my shows but I haven't seen you since the hospital...thanks for taking care of me back then..." I murmured softly.

He said nothing, just focused on where he was going.

"Is it part of your job to taxi people around the city?" I pondered.

He threw a scowl in my direction, "no."

"So why did you help me out at the hospital?" I asked.

"I felt like it." He looked uncomfortable and averted his gaze, focusing on the sidewalk ahead of us.

We made it to my apartment. He set my guitar case down before sitting me down on the single countertop of my kitchen. His piercing teal gaze flicked to the partially ajar window leading to the fire escape. He tensed as if he thought someone had broken in.

"Ah, it's okay, it's stuck like that." I supplied.

"What?" He growled.

"The window, I opened it because there was smoke in my apartment and it got stuck like that." I shrugged."

Endeavor rubbed his temples, "why was there smoke in your apartment?"

I shrugged, "no idea, it just came in through the vents. Probably a small fire but it must have gotten under control since the building is still standing."

"You really need to get out of this place." He scoffed and started looking around the kitchen for something.

"It's not so bad." I shrugged, "what are you looking for?"

"A first aid kit." He pointed as if it were obvious.

I laughed at this, "not really a luxury I can afford. I'm fine. You've successfully done your job and you've gone above and beyond."

He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the fridge fixing me with an intense look, "it seemed like those men said something to you, but you didn't mention that to the police officer."

I tensed.

"It wasn't just a random attack, was it?" He frowned.

I averted my gaze, "no."

"What really happened?"

"Is this an interrogation?" I asked softly.

"Are you only going to answer me if it is?" He moved a little closer, my body stiffened.

"Hikaru's grandmother spotted me yesterday, they were telling me to stay away." I mumbled softly.

He reached toward me and I froze up. His hand extended past me and I heard the faint tearing sound as some paper towels were pulled free. He turned on the sink faucet and frowned after a moment, "do you not have hot water?"

"Nope."

"You need to move." He growled before soaking the paper towel in cold water and pressing it to my neck.

I jumped at the shock of the cool damp paper towel against my neck, but it was only cool for a moment before it turned hot thanks to his warm hands. "Maybe I will if I can keep getting decent gigs."

He nodded, "I wanted to talk to you about that, but it can wait. Tell me more about the situation with your son."

I hesitated.

He grabbed my wrist and lifted my hand with his free hand. My heart started to race at the sudden contact. He moved my hand to my neck urging me to hold the damp paper towel in his place. I did as he bid and sat there in silence as he reached for another paper towel. Realizing I wasn't going to talk he sighed, "why aren't you allowed to see him?"

"It's no concern of yours." I said softly.

"I'm making it my concern." He growled as he dampened another paper towel.

"Why?" I demanded.

"Because I am!" He roared and placed the paper towel to my stinging knee using a little more force than I think he had intended causing me to flinch and try to withdraw. "Were you a danger to him?

"Never." I hissed angrily and pulled away from him.

"Then why?" He frowned, it seemed like he was trying to understand but I didn't understand his motive.

"What exactly do you think you're going to accomplish by me telling you?" I mirrored his frown with one of my own.

"You don't seem like an unfit parent, despite your shitty living environment. I have various lawyers on retainer, if I can help, I will, but I need to understand." He pointed.

I felt my heart skip a beat in my chest. "What?" As much as I tried not to get my hopes up, I felt a tiny bead of hope welling inside of me, that I might be able to get custody of my son. "Why would you help me?"

"Because you've helped me." He grumbled uncomfortably.

I stared at him blankly, "it seems like all I do is give you extra work...how exactly have I helped you?"

"It doesn't matter. You don't need to understand." He growled.

"That seems like a double standard." I winced as he picked a piece of glass out of my knee.

"Fine." He huffed, "your music helps me. It's calming." He plucked another piece of glass out of my opposite knee, "now talk."

I hesitated for a long moment mulling it over. Could he really help me? Deciding to trust him, I opened up, "it's kind of a long story. Is that okay?"

He nodded and continued trying to doctor the various cuts and scrapes on my legs.

"Hikaru's father invited me to a party in high school, he got me stupid drunk and raped me. His family is one of the richest families in the country and they have an army of lawyers under their payroll and pay off plenty of people in the system. No one believed me when I told them what happened or if they did believe me, they didn't really give a damn. Nothing was done. I got pregnant my parents forced me to get an abortion, but it didn't work. To save themselves from scandal, his family and my family decided we should get married, I refused. My parents disowned me and I was cast out on the streets. His family took me in until I gave birth...then they ripped my son away from me and used their army of lawyers to spin tales about me and paint me as an unfit mother so that they could have full custody of my son..." I felt hot tears of rage and heartache welling in my eyes, "someone must have seen me, those men tonight were sent as a warning to keep away from Hikaru."

Endeavor listened quietly. His face was contorted with rage but he managed to keep himself calm enough to get the last of the glass out of my leg. He glanced up and met my gaze. He reached behind me for another paper towel and extended it to me to mop up my face.

I accepted it without a word and wiped at my eyes.

He got to his feet seeming to feel uncomfortable by my tears and not quite sure what to do or how to help. "I wanted to discuss a proposal."

That wasn't quite the response or reaction I'd expected to my emotional recounting, "...okay?"

"I want you to sing for me." He looked very uncomfortable.

"Excuse me?" I gaped at him.

"I'll pay you, well. It's becoming difficult to attend your various venues as I have a very hectic schedule." He walked away from me and moved over to my ajar window. I watched him curiously as he forced it shut with brute force before looking somewhat nervously in my direction. "Is that something you would consider?"

"Like a private concert?" I asked unsure.

He nodded.

I felt a little apprehensive at the thought. It seemed sketchy but he hadn't done anything to give me any reservations. He'd helped me out a lot and seemed to want to help me further. "Um, I guess?"

He nodded curtly, "stop by my agency in the morning, I'll have a lawyer draft up a contract and you two can discuss other matters as well."

"Custody matters?" I pondered.

"If you wish." He awkwardly took his leave.

I stared after him with my jaw on the floor not entirely sure what had just happened. Did I just agree to become a private singer on retainer for the number two hero?!