Because there is nothing cloudy to block our vision

I'll always be close by,

listening to your voice that only reaches me

I want to see your smiling face when I look in the mirror

I'm fine with just that

 [ Mirror - Rei Yasuda ]

Gasp. Her once sleeping eyes, wakes up to face the reality. Saeyoung stares at the floor wide eyed, processing what she had witnessed back during her slumber. Sweat drips down her face, her head experiencing slight pain. Groaning, she bends her back forward whilst her hand  massages her aching head. 

So it was all a dream huh?

Nina who is at shock, quickly offers her water bottle and two packs of gummies to her friend. Rubbing small circles on her back, the japanese is at worry. Looking back at the previous matches they attended, incidents would occur every now and then. Whether it's a scandal, arguments or misunderstandings from members of different dance groups, death leading accidents, injuries and etc. The targets are all so clear, they were the students of Adroit.

Some type of biased karma.

"Saeyoung, what happened? Are you ill? Do you need to visit the clinic? Did you eat breakfast this morning? You should go back home if you don't feel so well."

Saeyoung drops a small smile, she wouldn't let a simple dream get in the way of her responsibilities. "I'm okay, it's just a small headache." Right, a headache. There was no way it would equal the same amount of pain she felt when she dreamed of Ni-ki, who decided to let her go and focus on his relationship with Takara. If she were asked, he did the right choice but it still brought damage and affliction in Saeyoung's side of the story.

"Are you sure? I could call Miss Yoo and - "

"That's not necessary." 

Nina lets out a sigh of defeat. "Stay close to me this time, I don't want to see you pulling off some stupid shenanigan or who knows? A falling debris comes your way and you might find yourself in a hospital bed." she shivers at the thought of it. So many events happened in the last few months, the last thing Nina wanted to see is her best friend lying down a coffin.

"But. . . wouldn't that be cool?" Saeyoung joked.

"Do you need a psychiatrist?"

"No."

"Then behave - " a loud vibration comes out from Nina's phone, shifting her gaze towards her lap, she displays an irritated look which gave Saeyoung an odd feeling. It was rare to see Nina in such a bad mood this early in the morning, something's up. 

Saeyoung leans closer to Nina trying to catch a glimpse of her screen. Her head might continue to hurt but her snoopy personality single handedly wins over the argument going on inside the empty space of her mind. Aching head could go later, interesting and juicy news goes on top. "So? You finally have a boyfriend?" she smirks.

"H-Huh?" the japanese accidentally drops her headphones, and wide eyed faced her best friend. "W-What are you saying? That's insane! I would never- hey!" with her lips parting, Nina watches as Saeyoung starts meddling with her device. 

u r really pretty yk?? can we
meet u seem to be a fun
person :D
seen ✓

"Who this? Is he handsome?" questioned Saeyoung.

Nina scoffs. "I don't know. He found me on instagram and ever since this morning, he has been annoying me with his messages."

"I see. Did you tell him your name yet?" Nina shooks her head. "Well, do you find him interesting?"

"Never in a million years."

"Alright. Then you don't mind me taking over for awhile yeah?" Saeyoung leans her head over to Nina's shoulder, her eyes staring straight at the screen as she puts on a wicked grin. She only asks for some entertainment. Sitting down inside a quiet bus brought nothing but somnolent atmosphere.

haiii ! ur name please?

seen ✓

finally, u replied.
its juhyeong, u??
seen ✓

ema asahina.

seen ✓

"Ema Asahina? Where did you get that name?" 

"From an anime. It's about a seventeen year old girl who moves in with her thirteen step brothers."

Thirteen. That one simple number made Nina choke out of thin air. "How can a woman bear that many children? Does labor mean nothing to her?"

"Dunno, the mother must've been blessed with a high level pain tolerant coochie."

The japanese coughs at the reply. Diving deep into her thoughts, Nina believed that there was no way that a woman is so eager to bang with her husband every now and then. Just by thinking about it makes her want to step out of the bus, run to the nearest restroom and puke. 

 Saeyoung laughs at her friend's reaction. What more if she knew that nine out of thirteen step brothers are trying to kiss their step sister - who only wants to experience what it would be like to finally have a family she can rely on and be around with 24/7. Ema loves them like her real brothers however, due to her blunt and oblivious personality the evident signs of affection her brothers continued to give her seems to be far more than a typical brother - sisterly relationship demeanor.

so, wanna be friends?
seen ✓

depends. wanna be my
sugar daddy? (͠≖ ͜ʖ͠≖)
seen ✓

As soon as Nina reads the text, her jaw drops while her eyes started to burn with anger, her cheeks now flushed. She knew entrusting Saeyoung was a big mistake. "Yah! Roh Saeyoung! You are so dead you - you psychotic imbecile of a best friend! Delete that now!" she demanded.

Saeyoung sticks her tongue out right at her. "Sorry, sent it. He has seen it. Period. There's no taking it all back now." she teased, her arms now forming a shield against the short haired japanese girl who, as of now is attacking her. For a minute, it was fun and everything but as soon as her eyes lands to where Ni-ki and Takara were sitting, she slowly looks out at the window cueing Nina to stop.

Ni-ki's head, rested at his girlfriend's shoulder while Takara gently plays with his hair.

He must be sound asleep.

Poor boy, it seems like he only had little rest last night.

Saeyoung sighs, all of a sudden, memories of her and Ni-ki together came flashing back to her mind. When they slept together inside the bus after what happened between her and Mogyu's girlfriend, damn that memory gave her butterflies. But looks like they all fluttered away.

"You're being unfair to me! Give me a chance to prove myself. My children - "

"Short clarification, they're your sister's children. Not yours and never will be." at those words, the woman broke down her left hand rolls into a fist while the other tightly grips her device. At this very moment, she felt sullen. "So stop being delusional and live on with your life! Aren't you already happy? You've won."

Soft whimpers were heard at the other line of the phone, and instead of feeling guilty the man stood his ground. He won't let himself be fooled by her again. He already did once, and it resulted a rude awakening. An awakening that smashed him to pieces.

"Please Yoshi! I want to see them. . . I-I have changed - "

"Changed!? Just because the police came to the decision of releasing you from your cell gives no absolute proof that you have changed for the better! Who knows what kind of deadly stunt you're going to pull up next?

"Yoshi please, I swear - " and with just a tap, Yoshi ends the call leaving the woman dumbfounded, sobbing in the corner of her room. In rage, the woman throws her phone away, hitting an empty glass vase.

The woman brushes her hair back, followed by a loud and angry scream. 

It wasn't going to be a peaceful afternoon.

At a quiet hallway inside Seoul's Performance Dome, Takara continues to walk in a fast pace, ignoring Yasuo who refuses to accept the relationship she has with her team captain. Those loud complaints and unnecessary rants annoys her to the core, if only she has the guts to deliver a nice and juicy slap to shut him up. 

"Don't you think he's just playing with you? He keeps hanging out with this girl from your news casting team or whatnot- "

"They're just friends Yasuo."

The boy snickered at her reply, she sounded annoyed. "Friends? You sure? Just friends, nothing more in between? Not a pinch of love? No skeletons in the closet detected? Not even a single drop? Nothing? Nothing at all?" his questions kept on coming, he wanted to make sure that Takara knows what she's getting herself into. Although, he has to admit that he still haves feelings for her and he can't seem to accept the fact that she's already in a relationship with his rival. He likes her and he won't stop chasing after her. "Hey! I'm talking to you, why can't you answer? Is what I'm assuming true?"

Takara sighs in frustration. "Just shut up okay? You are in no place to butt in with my relationship with Riki! Stay out of it! What we have is true and you're not going to change my mind. I love him and he loves me, period!"

Yasuo felt like his heart got ripped out by her words but he isn't going to give up yet. He knew from within that he still has hope, he just needs to help her open her eyes and hopefully he'd be the first thing she sees. "Change your mind? Why? Don't tell me your having doubts. " Yasuo speeds up his pace. "If you feel like something suspicious is happening behind your back, just break up with him. Your relationship won't last long if your having trust issues with your partner."

"And what do you know about our relationship?" Takara turns to face Yasuo.

"Oh I'm pretty sure your so-called relationship will explode in mid-air and come crashing down into the face of the earth in flames. Burned to ashes and disappear like wind, that's how it will turn out if you choose to be ignorant."

The girl scoffs. "Oh wow the audacity! You're just jealous." Takara is not going to give in. She believes that what she and Ni-ki has, is true and she could tell by the littlest things they do for each other. Isn't that already enough evidence to show their love? For Takara, it does. She turns away about to go down the stairs when Yasuo pulled her into a back hug, for a moment she stood frozen.

"Takara, you know I like you. Please - "

"Let me go!" she stomps on his right feet. The boy shrieks in pain and once she felt his grip loosened, she took the chance and pushed him away. Yasuo stumbles backwards, he tried reaching for her arm but instead of pulling her to his direction, he accidentally pushes her off instead. 

Yasuo watched in horror as the girl falls down the flight of stairs. 

"Takara!"

"I told you, the party was cancelled."

"How come?"

Nina sighs in disbelief. "Do you have amnesia or something? I called you about it last night. Akane's parents had other plans and if I remember, they're already scheduled to leave for a one week vacation in Paris. To visit her grandparents maybe?"

Saeyoung simply replied. "Bummer." but deep inside, she's glad that it got cancelled.

With their arms linked, the two walked out of the dome. It was already lunch time and they both decided to eat separately from their team. In times like this, the two would go out for a cup or two of boba with pasta hotly served on a silver platter. It's not much of a meal but it's enough to satisfy their craving stomach.

 On their way to a nearby boba shop, Nina halts as soon as she spots the two rival captains hanging out on an alleyway. What a magnificent sight. "Are you seeing what I see or am I hallucinating?" the short haired teen rubs her eyes, refusing to accept the inconceivable scene unfolding right in front of her. Whilst her friend on the other hand smiles proudly. 

"Ni-ki, Soul!" the japanese-american girl pulls Saeyoung along with her, waving her right hand at the two boy who seemed to be startled by their presence. "Where have you two been? It's lunch break and your teams have been looking everywhere for you. Are your phones on silent or what?"

"We turned it off."

"Why?"

"So no one can disturb our private conversation. You know, family matters."

Saeyoung chuckles. She has to admit, she liked how Ni-ki finally learned to accept Soul. Sadly she wasn't there when the process started happening but she's satisfied with the results. "Family matters. . . you and Soul? That's nice to hear."

Ni-ki looks away, scratching the back of his neck. "Thanks."

"Excuse me. . ." an unfamiliar voice interrupted. The four turns to face a woman with a gloomy look. She was wearing denim pants, grey shirt, a black leather jacket and a white scarf wrapped around her neck. They would have considered her look decent but the scattered mascara and messy hair chose to differ, she looked like she came out of a wilderness survival program - which she seemed to fail judging by her looks.

Nina gulps. "Umm. . . can we help you with anything madame?"

The grubby faced woman ignored Nina as her eyes lands on the brunette haired boy who was eyeing her with a mistrustful look. "Tell me, is your name, Nishimura Riki?"

"Riki? Who that? I'm Nakamura Raiki."

Soul, Nina and Saeyoung tried to conceal their laughter.

"Stop it with your shenanigans little boy. I'm looking for Nishimura Tsuyoshi's son, I need to see him."

Ni-ki bites his inner lip, he doesn't fully trust this woman but now that his father was mentioned, he felt in need to speak up. What's better than to represent a father with his own son. "How do you know my father? Are you someone important?" Soul nudges his gut for his rude words. "Shit. What was that for?"

"Stop being rude." Soul then pinches his arm.

"Ow stop-"

The woman displays a wicked grin. "So you're Riki? The only male among the three siblings. Yukio's second born child. . ." she mumbles the last part. "Boys! Grab these children." with just a snap of her finger, a group of black clothed men surrounded the four teens and knocked them out unconscious before one would scream for help.

Before bringing the four inside the van, they tied each of the teen's arms and feet together.

"Koshino, are you sure about bringing these two girls? I don't need them." 

Koshino fixes his specs. "Hinagiku, trust me when I say, the more lives held captive, the higher the chances of Yoshi cooperating with us. Look at the big picture, we've captured minors. I'm a hundred percent positive that no loving parent would dare try entrusting their child's safety into the hands of kidnappers and terrorists."

"This plan of yours better work. The only thing I appreciate about this plan is me, spending time with my children."

___________________________________________________

been awhile since my last update huh? I didn't intentionally mean to make everyone wait this long and I'm so sorry ! People in my house consumes a large amount of time in using the laptop this week and it gave me little amount of time to write. 

Thank you all so much for being patient ! Please look forward to the future chapters because I have something big prepared for everyone. ;))