early update! YAY!

Miki's PoV

"This place is way too gorgeous to be a school...."

I mumble as I adjust my grip on my bag.

After giving up two entire summers in a row to skip ahead in studies, I was finally qualified by the principal to skip the third year of high school and advance to college earlier than most people my age. Though it took me a little longer than I thought so now it's the third month of the school year.

This school is meant for the children of extremely rich and talented people. The school uniform alone was ten thousand yen, which I entirely paid for, including the first year tuition fees.

Rumours has it that an extremely successful business man is the owner of this prestigious school, only the best of the best could get in.

I shifted a little in my ankle-length black leather wedge boots and adjusted the little hat hair clip accessory that clipped up my loose bangs. I let out a deep breath.

When I open my eyes again, I'm the carefree, jolly girl.

Miki Baba, seventeen-years-old. Status? I'm always a green light to cute guys. Light brown hair piles at my shoulders, long hair was inconvenient for me. My big, matching light caramel orbs scan my surroundings again.

All the girls here were wearing heels, carrying expensive famous brand bags and being dropped off from limousines. I was the only biker within sight.

The school field was surrounded by a garden with all sorts of flowers. The campus was so humongous I couldn't see the end of the buildings from the front gate. Such long buildings, they all have three floors.

Many students pass by me, chattering happily. I still needed to check in first.

"H-Hi there, Miki, right? My name is... um... it's Satomi. I'll be showing you around the campus. Nice to meet you!" a petite girl with black hair tied in pigtails bowed in front of me. She seems like a shy and mild person. I smile at her.

"Yup! Thank you!"

Satomi and I became quick friends. She was the only other one in this school whose family isn't crazy wealthy. Her average family has put all their money into the fees of this school for her.

As we walk down the hallways, there was still plenty of time before first class starts.

All of a sudden, the entire student body in the hall backed to the walls, making way in the middle of the halls. I was confused until Satomi pulled me to the walls along with all the rest.

My eyes settled on the three boys, walking every step with authority, passing through the hall on the way we made for them. My breath hitched in my throat for a second when I see how good-looking all three of them were. 

The one walking in front had on a careless expression. He had his hands in his uniform pockets; he suited the already fancy school uniform up to 110% even with the loose tie and slightly dis-shelved jacket. He seemed like the leader of this small group. 

The other two walked slightly behind him, one of them completely ignored his surroundings as he was engrossed in a book; he adjusted his glasses. His uniform was perfectly worn and not a single strand of his dark brown hair was out of place. The other looked around at the students with a blank face but slightly apologetic eyes, as if he didn't want this to happen, either. His tie loosely dangled around his neck like a scarf, and the top two buttons of his dress shirt were unbuttoned along with an untucked jacket. His hazelnut hair bounced a little as he walked with a slight spring in his steps. He looked like the happy-go-lucky type at first glance.

Nobody even dared to breathe when they passed right by them. It's when they were meters away that everyone returned to whatever they were doing like nothing happened at all.

"Who are they?" I ask Satomi as soon as the boys were out of earshot.

"They rule this school, especially their leader. His father owns this school, and they are all childhood friends." Satomi explained to me, "You really don't want to mess with them. They can get you kicked out of this school if you displease them in any way."

I frown a little and nod back at Satomi. I didn't expect something like this on my first day of school. Everyone here seemed to be intimidated by them. Heck, even a teacher turned away and hid in an office or classroom when they passed by.

The first day of school passed on a lot smoother than I thought other than that small incident. Plus, I made a friend.

After school, as soon as I bid goodbye to Satomi, I went straight to the train station.

I step into the hospital.

"Mom?" I whisper gently as I push open a plain white door to a plain white room. She was looking much better as she flipped through a book with a glass of water in her hand.

"Miki!" her face lit up like a Christmas tree as soon as she saw me. I smile while I close the door behind me.

"How're you feeling?" I took a look at her charts at the bedside table. Yes I've learned how to read patient charts and understand every medical language. I've specifically studied it so the doctors won't be able to troll me.

"The doctors said I can be discharged in a week! Isn't that great?"

"Of course." I smiled at her and squeezed her hand. One more week... then I need more money for this before mom can be discharged.

This isn't good... I haven't got enough savings left....

Though of course, I don't show any of these financial worries to her.

"Oh, and how was your first day? How's the school? Did you meet new people?" mom's soft voice seems to melt my worries temporarily.

"All good, and I made a new friend..." I start to tell her about my day. Though I skipped the part of the three boys who apparently 'rule the school', I don't want to make her worry.

Three knocks were heard on the door. I realize it's the doctor and that visiting hours were over. I slip my hand out of mother's.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Miki. May I have a word?" the doctor was a nice person. I bid mother goodbye before following him out of the room.

"I'm sure you know now that she will be fine in a week. Everything is looking good and turning up right now. The fee, though..."

Oh, here comes the bad part.

"For one more week. By the time she's checked out, you'll need... thirty thousand yen."

I bit my lip. I could barely keep up with daily needs for myself right now, where in the world am I supposed to get that money...?

"Thank you." I bowed. I wouldn't want to get on the doctor's bad side.

As soon as I got back home, which was only me living here for three months now, I opened my laptop to search.

A grin made its way across my face when I got my secret information. There will be a precious gem sold at an underground black market auction tonight that's worth more than twenty million dollars. If I can get my hands on that gem, or even steal the amount of money paid, that'll surely be enough for the rest of my college years.

I skipped steps as I rushed upstairs. I opened my closet, which was full of different kinds of clothing for different disguises. I picked out a black T-shirt and draped a dark blue jean jacket over it. A pair of black leggings hugged my slender legs as I pulled on knee-high black leather boots with slight wedges. To my dresser, I took off my hat hairpin and slipped on a black hair band to keep my hair in place. I pulled on a pair of cut-finger black gloves with my teeth before checking myself in the mirror.

When I first told mom I wanted to be a thief, her reaction was nowhere near what I'd ever expected.

"Are you sure?" she had said. I nodded with determination.

She just smiled a little bit, and whispered: "I didn't know it could pass down...."

And that was when I was thirteen years old.

Of course, I've thought of finding my father before, but right now I've got loads more to worry about than that.

Looking through the maps on my phone, I arrived in front of a Hotel in half an hour of time. Looks like I found someone doing illegal stuff under a perfectly normal hotel.

Hold on.... As soon as I enter the building, I realize this was Tres Spades. The legendary hotel and casino, where all the rich and famous gathered, where every celebrity would go if they ever visit Tokyo.

Wow... and now I've found its dark secret. Where is it, though?

I shouldn't be walking out in people's view in my getup. Just as I was about to hide somewhere in the shadows, I bumped into something, or rather, someone.

"Huh? Are you lost?" a man's voice asked. I saw a red suit before I looked up to a man with light brown hair, wearing a black hat with a silver string to it.

"Or are you the daughter of a guest?" he asked as he turned fully to me.

"I'm sorry for bumping into you--" I didn't get to say anything more before he smiled at me.

"It's no problem! Say, I'll escort you up to the I.V.C." He pressed the elevator button, which I didn't notice was just right there. Without letting me speak any more, I was dragged right into it.

"Uh... I'm actually not--" I tried to say, but stopped stiff when I saw his expression. For 1/4 of a second, his face flashed nostalgia and grief.

While I was speechless and he was just simply silent, the elevator came to a slow stop with a ping. It was a complete eye-opening sight. The I.V.C. was held on the VIP floor. Everywhere I looked were either celebrities or athletes or business men. All having one thing in common: rich.

"Whoa...." I unconsciously gasped as I walked a few steps forward. There's that famous actress...and that's the swimming champion...and is that the prime minister?

[swimming champion....why am i thinking about Haruka....]

When I looked to my side again, that man in the dark red suit was gone. I stood in the middle of where I didn't belong, alone. I suddenly felt really out of place with my clothing. I slipped into a shaded corner immediately.

Just then, I spot the man from earlier. He was heading towards a small bar at the back with... Ota Kisaki, a famous artist.

I fished my phone out of my pocket and put on the earbuds. I have an app on my phone which is kind of like a loudspeaker, except it makes the sounds around you louder. A whisper can turn into a shout with this thing.

"Rabbit." Ota Kisaki said. "Red wine."

"Welcome to the Mad Hatter's tea party." The bartender said instead of getting them the drink.

Instead, they were shown into a back room.

No one around could've heard that. I wonder what the deal with this is?

If that is a secret entrance to the auction hall, I'm willing to take the chance.

"R-Rabbit." I couldn't help but stutter when I called out to him.

"What would you like tonight, miss?"

"Um... red wine," I reply. The bartender looked at me for a second before saying it again: "welcome to the rabbit's hole."

I shouted victory internally in my mind as he showed me to the back room.

Though what was laid in front of me was a room of mirrors instead of what I expected. There was no other door there, but then where did those two go? Secret door trap?

I ran my hands along all the mirrors. Finally, at the back, I pushed a moving panel, revealing a hidden elevator. This is totally cool.

There was only one button, so I pushed it. Yes, amazing reason, no?

When the door reopened, in front of me was the dark shades of an underground auction hall. The seats were still empty, so I assume the biddings haven't started yet.

Finding my way through this maze since I have a really good sense of direction, I very soon find the back storage of the items up for bidding.

"Hmm... this is it? Is this tiny thing really worth that much money?" I examined the piece of pure transparent purple crystal in my hand. It fits inside my hand, so it wasn't big. This place's security is pretty bad, I slipped past the sights of guards easily.

Mission accomplished. I grinned as I got out an exit. I realize I was in the basement, now I just need to find my way back up.

"WHAT?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S MISSING?! Boss is gonna kill us! Literally!" I heard distant yells and shouts so I quickened my pace.

But still, like any clichéd story, I just had to bump into someone.

"Hey guys! Over here!" Oh great, he just called all of his other dudes over to me.

"A girl?" I heard a voice come from behind me.

"Yup."

Before I could slip through them, a cloth was pressed roughly to my mouth and nose. Combat wasn't my specialty, all my choices led to one as soon as I got caught: doom.

"We lost the gem, but she can make up for that."

"You're right! It's a black market, after all."

That was the last thing I heard before passing out, I felt the gem fall against me in my inner pocket as I hit the floor harshly.

Baba's PoV

At first, that familiar feeling washed over me. Why do women I truly love all end up leaving me in the end? No matter what I do.

I've been unusually quiet for days because of that.

The guys were all being considerate and avoided talking about her. Even if the conversation was driving that way, someone would change the subject and others will always go along with it.

About two years later, I decided I needed to move on, since she wasn't coming back.

Of course that is easier said than done.

A thousand times easier said than done.

It's been exactly seventeen years now. But somewhere in my mind, she's still always there. Even if I tried to force myself to go to parties, I'd always end up leaving very soon.

I strode across the lobby, coming up to the elevator to head to the I.V.C. I didn't even felt like bringing a date.

Just when I was thinking of her again, I felt something bump against me. A girl looking around sixteen or seventeen stood there. Her clothing was very unusual, even for teenagers these days.

"Huh? Are you lost?" I automatically ask until it occurred to me that she may be an important guest, "I'll escort you to the I.V.C."

I offered. Before she could respond, I dragged her into the elevator. This reminded me so much of how Arian and I encountered for the very first time I felt continuous pangs against my chest emotionally.

The girl tried to say something, but halted mid-sentence. I think my emotions were showing.

The doors opened revealing the always-gorgeous sight of the VIP floor. Her reaction was common, she looked around in admiration and awe. I slipped away from her before she noticed I was gone.

"Eh?" when I came to Ota, he glanced at that girl. He must be thinking about how familiar this feels as well.

Though being unusually considerate, he didn't question.

We entered the auction hall and made sure everything was in their place before going back to the penthouse lounge.

Everyone didn't talk as much as they used to. They know this is the eighteenth year 'anniversary' of since Arian and I met.

Except that she isn't with me.

People very soon filled the auction hall, and the biddings went on smoothly.

"And now, for the grand finale of tonight's auctions..."

I already narrated his next words in my head: 'a rare amethyst crystal'.

"...a young, healthy Japanese girl!" he said instead.

I shot up from my seat and squinted my eyes at the screen for a clearer view. That's the girl I brought up to the I.V.C.

She looked around. Her expression showed slight worry. I can tell by the way she stared at the handcuffs and wiggled around in it that she knows how to get out of them, but she chose not to since she's still in a cage anyway.

I felt eyes on my back so I turned around. I was completely serious when my gaze landed on Eisuke.

As if being understanding for the first time in his life, he took out his number.

"Let's bid, then."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

^_^||| I think I was a little TOO excited. Okay this is 2960 words, WTH

The story line was supposed to go a little further than this, ah well its better than being short.

Thank you Nima117 for giving meh awesome ideas!

I'm just wondering, do u guys want me to write for Mamoru or Luke Foster after this? Ik it's a bit too early now but still if u want me to I hav their main stories.

Thanks for reading!

July 19, 2015

-Lily

Edited: July 14, 2016