|Cul's Apartment|

Walking into the dining area of her house, holding Meiko's card with the photo at the back of it, Cul prepared herself before facing the workers outside. Even though she had a bad feeling, she was dedicated to keep moving, keeping up with her schedules no matter what.

She walked towards the kitchen sink with slow step at a time, then picked a glass from the kitchen cabinet. Then, she grabs a pitcher from her fridge and poured three quarters of cold water in the glass. She stared at the water for several seconds while thinking of some things she would be doing for today beside from directing the workers on the renovations of her apartment units.

She removed her earrings and dropped them in the glass. The clinking sound of the chromed red jewelries against each other were weakened as they dropped in the water, yet the melody still resonated faintly. She shook the glass a bit and the pigment from the earrings began to fuse with the water, thin shades of orange and red were swirling in with the water but it remained as pristine as it was first poured as the colours dissolves: clear and sparkling.

Cul briefly smiles at it, then drank the water one shot, leaving her earrings to sit in the vessel. She puts down the glass then braced her hands over the edge of the sink.

Instantly, a surge of uneasiness came from the inside after taking in the content of the glass, she started quivering on her place. She felt like her heart was being pounded violently at each passing moment, being stabbed repeatedly. She was gritting her teeth in pain, gripping tight, believing at herself she would handle the agony and won't pass out.

Thirty seconds into torture and her nerves are pulsing fast from the legs to her hands, up to the temple, scattering signals of her body's rejection to the liquid, crawling fast like she's overloaded with extreme burning sensation in the head.

Sixty seconds had elapsed, the torment had reached its peak; Cul manages to make a dent on the metal sink she was gripping at. Her eyes grew wide and then she vomits. Thick black substance was spilled at the sink, coming out from her gaped mouth, facing down.

The pain she felt subsided as the liquid was slowly making its way out of her system, returning to its tranquil state while gasping heavily to catch some air.

Looking sharply at it, Cul was not surprised. She knew something was wrong the moment she took the first shot of saké at the bar.

She maliciously smiled even there was still black substance left at her mouth, lingering at her teeth, some were dripping down.

She hissed. "So... Vermilion and the group wants to play." she said, then spitting some of the black substance. "What a bunch of idiots, they mindlessly did mess with the wrong person."

She cleaned the remaining residue around her lips and held her head up. She picked up her rod earrings off the glass and wore them again.

"They started the song... then it's time to dance.. Who trips first will lose.."

She hid the card on her inner coat pocket, refreshed herself and walked out her house wearing a vicious smile.

"If they want to play dirty with me, then I will show them what it feels to be defeated by their own kind. It is time to feel Crimson's destructive flames."

|Kaito's Supershack|

A truck was parked at the side of the store, the fruit dealer's vehicle, just three hours after Haku arrived.

While Haku and Akiko were in the store, Gumi had invited the dealer at the room just behind the counter where Akiko was stationed, she talked on behalf of Kaito about the deal involving the event. They'd both talked there for thirty minutes and after the conversation, the fruit dealer had left and exited the store using the backdoor with Gumi.

Gumi returned at the front of the store, holding an envelope.

"Is it done, Gumi?" Akiko asked, walking back at the counter.

She nodded. "Yeah, luckily we've managed to get some fruits from them. She said that if we missed her by that day calling her to reserve us some of their stocks, maybe the event is close in a failing one."

"Oh." Akiko gravely said. "Good thing we managed to see them last month at their mini farm. Even Kaito was not with us."

"At least we came there. And made the deal. Fast."

Upstairs, Kaito had heard a truck going away from the store. He was familiarized at the engine noise of some of their clients, sponsors and close friends so when he recognized it, he attempted to fought his drowsiness. He realized he had fallen asleep, yet unaware of the time that passed.

His first impulse was to stood up and walk down as fast as he can to catch up with the vehicle, or even yell at it to go back so Kaito carefully moved, avoiding Tei to be awaken, fixed her position at the couch and made a gentle touch at her smooth long hair.

"I'll be back." he whispered, then walked towards the stairs.

The sound of footsteps on the stairs was heard by Gumi and Akiko.

"How long was I asleep?" he inquired, making a mild scratching at the back of his head, his eyes was like searching for something in the shop.

"You are asleep for four hours brother Kaito!" Gumi responded.

Kaito was shocked. "I'm really, really sorry guys! I left you guys here again."

Akiko smiled. "Haku was here so.. you don't need to apologize to us Sir Kaito. We're doing just fine here."

"That's great then!" He said, relieved. '?"Anyway, did I miss the fruit dealer?"

Gumi gave the envelope to Kaito. "Yup. She just left a minute later before you are here."

"But the deal went fine and had been taken care of. There is no need to worry now." Akiko guaranteed, Gumi was smiling at Kaito.

Kaito put his hands at his back, sighed in relief. "At least everything was going fine as scheduled. Good job team!"

Kaito was about to go upstairs when he saw Haku walking towards the counter, together with a grade school student, carrying a bag of groceries.

Aware of Kaito, Haku first prioritized first the customer before giving a glance at him. She placed the bag at the counter and Akiko computed the purchased items.

"We'll wait for the receipt, okay dear?" Haku sweetly said, the child nodded happily back.

Then, Haku turned her sight and bowed down at Kaito.

"Sir Kaito!"

Kaito was stunned seeing Haku's hair in the manner she used, more to it was the double hair clips she used. Kaito was trying not to show any reaction towards the clips nor to the ponytails.

"Haku, I'm glad you've handled the store even when I'm up there sleeping. I'm really, sorry I didn't make a contribution to this day much. I'll promise to do more tomorrow!"

Haku straightened up her stance and smiled. " It's okay Sir Kaito, there is no need for apology."

Akiko gave the receipt and the bag and after the items were paid, she gave the bag to Haku.

Haku estimated the bag. "This is too much for you to carry dear. I guess I have to take you to your house then." Haku explained, lifting the bag and giving the receipt to the girl.

"Okay. Miss Miku!" the little schoolgirl blissfully said.

Kaito, Gumi and Akiko were surprised on what the girl had said to Haku. They've just remained in utter silence as they were watching the two.

"I'm not Mi-ku, little kid." she explained to the girl syllabically, snuggling the girl. "My name is Ha-ku!"

"Mi-ku!"

"Ha-ku!"

"Mi-ku!"

"Ha-ku!"

"You are Miku to me!" the girl highlighted to her.

"Okay, okay, fine. I am Miku." Haku just agreed, avoiding to spoil the cheerfulness of the kid.

The kid jumped at joy. "Yay! I going home with Miku, with Miku!"

"Sir Kaito, may I bring this girl to her house" Haku said, looking to him. "Its dangerous for er to walk alone, it is getting dark."

"Go on, it is okay Haku. Safety of our customers is a top priority." Kaito said.

"Thank you Sir!"

The kid blissfully raised both of her hands. "Yay!"

Haku held the kid's right hand and looked at her. "Let me take you home. Let's go now!"

The schoolgirl happily nodded at Haku and the two walked out of the store as the daylight was fading out of the outskirts' horizon.

After the two left, Gumi asked Kaito.

"We are thinking of the same thought, are we?"

Kaito replied seriously. "Yes Gumi, we do... It looks like her..."