Her eyes slowly flutters open, the plain white ceiling being the first thing she sees, the girl yawns in boredom. She lazily rose up from her bed and scanned her surroundings with an unfazed look. It was an unfamiliar room, a bedroom to be precise. A merely empty one. No closets, bedside tables, drawers, chairs, lamps and other essentials. All those materials, absent. The only furniture she happens to sight was a wooden table placed at the very center of the room and four beds - where one she was sitting on now.

Saeyoung just remembered, she was kidnapped. 

Finally getting in to her senses, the girl turns to look at her friends who up until was knocked out cold. Saeyoung sighs in disbelief, before she could take her feet down the bed, she was pulled back from her position. She felt a tight grasp holding her foot and arm in place, and that's when she realized, bright silver chains had her left arm and foot on restraints preventing her to move a single step down the bed.

"Great now how am I suppose to wake these dimwits up. . ." she mumbles. The kidnappers planned this thoroughly. Completing an escape plan is impossible if she and her friends could barely take a step. Her eyes wanders around the room hoping to find an item or a blind spot since shouting and screaming won't be such a good option at a time like this. Who knows, the bad guys might be waiting for an opportunity just by observing the littlest movements.

Coincidentally, her eyes stops at the sight of her shoe. Looking straight at the bed right across hers, she smirks at the sight of the unconscious japanese brunette. "Well. . . here goes nothing." using her free right hand, she took off the shoe from her left leg and threw it right at the boy. 

Bullseye!

It landed right on his head.

"Fuck. . ." the boy groans. Finally awake from his slumber, he sees was a shoe sitting on top of his head and his left arm and foot tied in chains. "What the hell is going on. . ." he sets the shoe aside and sat up, immediately meeting eye to eye with Saeyoung.

"Good morning, did you sleep well?" she questioned with a bitter-sweet tone.

Ni-ki glances back and forth at the shoe and Saeyoung, he now understood the clear picture. The boy scoffs at the thought. "Really? A shoe? You could've been a bit nicer."

The girl rolls her eyes. "Uh, hello?" she presents her chained hand and foot. "It's the only way I could wake you up, because there's no way I'm giving up my lungs for you. Also, it's not like you have a better idea." the girl sticks out her tongue at him.

"A pillow is way better than throwing a shoe." 

"Knowing you? Hitting you with a fluffy pillow is nothing." sleeping was one of the six things they both like in common, they might have minimum experiences sleeping together but they were aware of each other's habits. Ah, the memories. It's just a shame that the boy was already taken. Takara's such a lucky person. "So that's why we resort with the hard items." she concludes. "Now let's continue playing pass the shoe yeah? If you don't want to aim at Soul's head, the stomach will do."

Ni-ki tilts his head. "But what if I miss?"

"Then hit him with yours, obviously."

Following Saeyoung's method, they successfully awoke Nina and Soul. The complaints and violent reactions were expected, but they didn't have much of choice now that they're under a crisis. Escaping was their one and only goal, it's going to take them time to come up with a good strategy. Especially now that they're locked and tied up like prisoners. Hopefully the lady and her men are kind enough to exempt torture and show mercy.

"Before all this happened, didn't that lady say that she's looking for you, Ni-ki?"

"That's right. Is she a relative of yours?" Soul gasps at the theory. "A relative diagnosed with a special kind of mental illness? Stage three or four? Or maybe five?" he added, wanting to fill his curiosity.

Before Ni-ki got a chance to answer, as if on cue, the door to their room bursts open to reveal Hinagiku, four of her men and two maids holding trays of food. If only they weren't on restraints, the scene would have looked like a mother - who just got home from work with her two bodyguards - checking on her four children who just woke up from their afternoon nap.

"Good evening children! I hope you all slept well. Now, I know that you all skipped lunch earlier because of me and I deeply apologize for that. So. . ." her bodyguard hands her a dish from the maid's tray. With a sweet smile the lady displayed, she carefully places down the dish at the wooden table. "I single handedly made dinner just for you four. Make sure to finish everything, pretty please?"

The two maids came forward and prepared the table with the food they brought in hand whilst Hinagiku's bodyguards started to free the teens from their chains and escorted them to the table, pulling up the chairs for them. Nina, Saeyoung and Ni-ki sat down, uninterested to eat however, Soul leans in and started to sniff the food inspecting to see if it's safe and edible to eat.

Hinagiku sighs. "My son, it's not poisonous. What kind of mother would do such a thing to her own child?"

"M-Me? Your child?"

"Yes. If not you and Riki, who else-"

"Ma'am please stop with this nonsense. Riki's mom and my parents, died in a car crash years ago. You're not fooling us." Soul clarified. Even though there was a tint of anger marked in his tone, Soul managed to deliver his words in a respectful manner. Nina and Saeyoung admires him for this.

Hinagiku pulls off a frown. She's fully aware that these teenagers might be thinking that she's a psychopathic woman who does bad deeds, make fun of others' misfortunes and lives a crappy life. No proper job, goal or ambition. But throughout everything, she still finds herself qualified to stand as a real mother in the eyes of her children. Or at least, she will strive to be. "Family doesn't always have to be determined by bloodline or who gives birth to whom."

Ni-ki looks down, a small grin making it's appearance from the side of his face. "Let my friends and brother go, it's me you want right? Abducting them along with, clearly makes no sense at all. . . . miss?"

"Hinagiku. It's Aikawa Hinagiku."

Ni-ki immediately shot his head back up, shocked upon hearing the woman's surname. "A-Aikawa. . . Aikawa Hinagiku. . . Aikawa Hirayukio. . . don't tell me your -" the brunette rashly stood up from where he sat, only to be pulled down back to his seat with one of Hinagiku's bodyguards, holding him in place incase he plans to charge at her.

Hinagiku nods slowly as she stares at him with a blank expression. "I'm Aikawa Hinagiku, the second daughter of the Aikawa family. . . Hirayukio's younger sister."

Silence falls upon the atmosphere of the room. Ni-ki's lips parted, not a single word coming out of his mouth. His eyes looking lost and confused. And his mind, just blank.

"What the hell is happening?" spoke, dumfounded. She wasn't able to understand a single word. Inside her empty head, the girl wondered why they bothered to capture a korean when the main dialogue of this whole abduction was japanese. It was easy for Soul and Nina since they seem to be immersed between Ni-ki and Hinagiku's deep conversation, while Saeyoung sat there quietly. Being the only korean inside the room sucked. No doubt that she was placed in the wrong set up.

Now that the topic has fallen to something personal, Nina nudges Saeyoung making the girl yelped. "I'll tell you later, just stay out of the conversation and be quiet." she whispers to her friend.

"Riki, I'm fully aware that you and your older sister, Konon has seen the address of the cemetery right? Where Yukio's grave stands am I correct?" Hinagiku pulls up a chair and sat right next to Ni-ki. "For five years, back when I was still in prison, Yoshi would come to visit my cell and beg right in front of me just to track the location where your mother was. . . . you know, before Yukio and Yoshi came together and got married. . . I was in love with your father, Riki." the middle aged woman started to tear up. Recalling her past memories with Tsuyoshi caused her great sorrow. "If it weren't for me, your parents wouldn't have met. . ." 

Nina reached her handkerchief from her pocket and offered it to Hinagiku, for her to use as a tissue to wipe off her tears. To think that Hinagiku was a bad person with bad intentions, being tortured was the first thing she expected after she woke up but instead, she had to witness a fragile crying woman who wasn't as bad and cruel as she thought she is.

Saeyoung on the other hand still couldn't understand a thing but seeing Hinagiku break down into tears, the topic must be somewhat depressing to her.

"I love Yoshi. . . he made me feel the world. He made me feel like I was number one. Growing up, my parents would always compare me with Yukio. Giving her one hundred percent attention while I could barely even receive almost half of that amount. . . she has always been the best in the eyes of my parents while I always land second." she sniffles. "No matter how hard I try, no matter the amount of blood and sweat I have to offer, never did I come close enough to Yukio's greatness and I always envied her for that. . ."

- 27 Years Ago -

It was graduation day and the Aikawa family just got home after the ceremony.

Quietly sipping on her iced tea, Hinagiku watches as her parents pampered Yukio who was smiling brightly and received presents and four enormous bouquets whilst she received a rather smaller one. Shrugging off the feeling, she grabs a plate from the kitchen counter and stuffed her plate with the food prepared at the table.

"Hinagiku, don't eat that! That's your sister's cake." her mother reasoned. 

"Huh? Then where is mine?"

"It's still inside the fridge, darling. If you'd like, you can take it out by yourself and eat." taking the silver platter right before her, her mother walked off to Yukio - who was playing uno with her father at the living room.

Hinagiku watched as her parents left her all alone at the kitchen and chose to stick beside Yukio while she gets to eat alone at the dinner table. From all of the days Yukio's company chose to promote her, it really had to be her own graduation day. That one day she waited for just to be pampered and appreciated, even if it's just for an hour. But no, even life has it's favorites. 

Hinagiku couldn't take it anymore. "Mom! Dad!" she called waving her hand. First try, failed.

 "Mom! Dad!" second try, ignored. Ugh. 

The girl rose up from her seat and marched to wear her family was. Her father saw her coming but he chose to be blind and ignore her in an instant. Hinagiku stood tall. Clearing her throat,  silence befell in the living room. All eyes on her. Finally. . . . "Mom, Dad. . . and Yukio, I graduated after long years of studying."

Her father exchanged glances with her mother. "Well yes, congratulations. Didn't we already greet you back at school?" at his reply, Hinagiku lets out an exasperated sigh. Was one greeting already enough? During Yukio's graduation, they congratulated her non-stop as if they wouldn't live the next day.

"You know you can congratulate me more than just once right? I graduated with honors. I'm part of the top eleven students." Hinagiku throws her medal at her father's lap. Rude move, yes. But she can live with that.

"We know dear, but Yukio graduated as her year's salutatorian. Isn't that more impressive?"

Hinagiku scoffs. "Are you really comparing us through achievements and titles? Isn't me finishing school already a good enough reason for you to appreciate the efforts and sacrifices I made all these years? Two of my classmates had to stay back for another year over." at this moment, she felt like all her hard work and dedication were dumped right in the trash bin. It hurt.

"Okay, and so?"

Yukio clears her throat, interrupting the heated conversation between her father and sister. It was a nice day to celebrate and having two members of her family clash into an argument was the least thing she wanted. "Mom, Dad. I'll be bringing home my boyfriend later this evening." within a second, the mood swiftly changes to a bright one with Yukio again being the center of attention.

"So Koshino came back to Japan? I thought he was still in the states?" 

Yukio laughs nervously. "Well mom, about that hehe. . ."

"Now don't you think that I'll go easy on that guy, because I'll be sharpening the butcher knife while you show him around the house." 

Rolling her eyes, Hinagiku leaves the scene and decided to go upstairs. It was not the first time she was ignored, neglected and felt isolated from her family, in fact it was normal around the Aikawa household. Nothing has changed. It has been the same since the very beginning and judging the situation, it will continue throughout the following years of her invisible existence.

She never felt like a true daughter.

From: Nishimura Tsuyoshi
To: Aikawa Hinagiku

hey u graduated right?
sent

congratulations!!! 🎉
sent 

come over later i have a 
surprise and big news
 for u ;)
sent

Like thin air, her anger vanished just after reading those three simple messages. She's happy to know that at least someone is willing to spend their time and celebrate her graduation day with her, even if it's not with her family. For Hinagiku, Yoshi was already enough to make her feel better.

The day went on smoothly, as expected Hinagiku locked herself inside her room while her parents stayed side by side with Yukio, eating the food prepared for their mini celebration. Rather cry like she would, Hinagiku got busy dolling herself up for her meet with Yoshi. Her screams of excitement reached up to the heavens, mere words can't describe how happy and giddy she felt. 

Fast Forward

Wearing a white casual dress, Hinagiku stood in front of Tsuyoshi's apartment, a box of chocolate in hand. She wanted to give him a small gift as a token of her love and appreciation for always being there for her. Yoshi graduated two years ago but before his graduation day came, the two bumped into each other during exam week. At that time, they were rushing to reach the school together since they both woke up late after watching late night movies and the other, thinking it was a friday night. It was the first time they realized that they were just a house apart.

"Nagi! You're here!" Yoshi lifts her up and spun her around the air. "Congratulations you little dumbass! I never thought you could do it. And you managed to graduate as a top student? Impressive, I must say."

Hinagiku ruffles his hair. "You're my senior yet the junior is doing a lot better progress." 

"Did you cheat on your finals?"

"Fuck you." she playfully punches him on the shoulder. Ever since they got close, it has always been like this. Non stop teasing and playful insults. Despite the age gap, they both got along well. Like how milk is to chocolate. "Didn't you say you have a surprise for me? Or is this another scam?"

Yoshi smiled like a child. "Surprise! It's a scam."

"I knew it."

"Hey! Hey! I'm kidding." he grabs her hand and dragged her inside his apartment. "You're so gullible. You know?"

Nagi's cheeks burned up from the sudden skinship. It has been two years yet she can't seem to calm herself down. As usual, her heart beat speeds up, palms getting sweaty and her cheeks burning red like a tomato. . . the little things he does to her. She likes it though, because who wouldn't feel the feeling of euphoria when your hand in hand with the person you're secretly in love with.

Those two years being secretive of her true feeling and him being oblivious as per usual, it took a lot of thought so she plans on confessing today. Crossed fingers, she prays that destiny would stand right by her side.

"Here" she passes the box of chocolates to the boy.

Yoshi stares at it wide eyed, he wasn't expecting that. The typical Nagi he knows would've bought it for herself. "For me?"

"No, it's for your imaginary cat sitting on top of your trash bin." sarcasm, a classic Nagi. "Of course it's for you! Is there any other person inside this room besides Nishimura Tsuyoshi?"

"I'm on a diet but. . . thanks." he sets the chocolates aside and gently pats her head while his other hand reaches to his right pocket. He pulled out a folded envelope and gave it to his friend. His gift wasn't really anything big but luck happens to pass by during his break time at work. 

Hinagiku's eyes sparkled in amazement. "My gosh, don't tell me. . . are these tickets to Gun N Roses' concert?"

"Yep! I even bought us backstage passes."

Giving a big tight bear hug to her friend, Nagi squeals in happiness. She has always been a huge fan of the band ever since she was sixteen years old and attending at least one concert would be a dream come true. Yoshi made her dream into a reality, she won't lie if she said she has fallen deeper for her best friend. "Oh My Gosh Yoshi! I love you!" 

"Huh?" he was slightly taken aback about what she said.

Hinagiku smiles confidently. "I love you, Nishimura Tsuyoshi!"

"I-I love you too. . . as a friend right?"

"What?"

"Wait, you were serious about that?"

Oh no, this was the moment that Nagi feared for. If he rejects her, may he be so kind and let her down slowly. Breaking their two years of friendship was the last thing she wanted to let go off. "I-I was. . ." the nineteen year old girl frowns. "You don't feel the same way, do you?"

Yoshi bites his inner lip, he didn't know how to respond nor react. Like he was just frozen shock, unable to think and act properly. "Umm. . . . Nagi, you see-"

"What? See what? That I'm not good enough to be your girlfriend?"

"No it's not like that it's just. . ."

"Just what?

Ding Dong ! The ringing of the doorbell lingered to ears. 'Saved by the Bell' - well that's what Yoshi thought. His body tensed up once he recognizes the voice coming from the other side of the door. 

"Hello? Babe, it's me! Can you open the door?"

Hinagiku faced her best friend with a hurtful gaze, her hands slowly balling into a fist. "Babe?" before Yoshi could step in and explain, curiosity drove her to walk and open the door. She was heartbroken and somewhat betrayed but that didn't stop her from wanting to understand what Yoshi saw in the girl that he couldn't see in her. As the door flew open, Nagi wanted to break down and cry.

The person she least expected to see, was now the one she despised the most.

"Yukio. . . ."

Yukio who wasn't any different from her sister, she stood wide eyed. "N-Nagi?"

- End of Flashback -

Back then, never has she thought that even her own sister would become an enemy when it comes to love. In competitions, either it's academic or non-academic related, Yukio has always been a step ahead, always going home victorious while Nagi was left in the dust. The results had never changed, the winner would always be her older sister.

"Another love triangle. . ." Nina turns to her best friend who up until now looks lost and confused. The situation Hinagiku was under in somehow mirrors the relationship between Saeyoung, Ni-ki and Takara although their story flows in a different direction. If only Saeyoung understood japanese, then she would've understood the pain Nagi was going through.

Nina's eyes now focused on Ni-ki, she notices his small glances. The way he turns to stare at her friend, for sure he was thinking the same thing Nina was. Guess he's not dumb enough to spot the references.

Soul started to rub the middle aged woman's back, trying to comfort her. She was crying the whole time she was narrating the story. For a grown woman, she cries like a toddler who's missing her mom but of course, he didn't want to appear rude and inconsiderate.

Seconds later a man wearing an all black tuxedo entered the room with a pistol in hand. His face looking stone cold while he radiates an intimidating yet terrifying aura. His presence was the opposite of welcoming, it looked he was already set to kill. "Hinagiku." he calls with his low baritone voice. "Dry your tears. We need to set up a meeting at the dining room asap, we can't just set out unprepared once Yoshi finally tracks our location."

"R-Right." Hinagiku wipes off her tears with a tissue. She took the man's helping hand and stood up, adjusting her shirt and hair. "Let's go?"

"Hold on! What about us? What are we gonna do here? You don't plan on chopping our heads off right?" 

The japanese woman nods at Soul. "You're safe around here sweetie, mommy is here to protect you okay? So finish your food and go to bed. While I'm on an important meeting, six of my men would be watching you four, clear?" like the obedient child he is, Soul nods quietly. Ni-ki on the other hand cringes at the word she uses to refer to herself. "Great. Good night, and I'll see you children in the morning." exiting the room, she leaves the rest of her men to guard the four abducted teens.

"Hey!" the guards looks towards Saeyoung. "Do you really think abducting children is a nice thing to do? Can't you find another job?"

"Shut it kid."

Saeyoung refuses to listen. "Will your parents be proud of their sons working for. . . I don't know? A stupid gang or shit! Did your father ever told you to man up and act like a proper gentleman?"

"Kid." the guard took his glasses off. "My father's dead."

"Well great! He died wasting his precious sperm on all of you."

Ni-ki laughs out loud while Nina facepalms, sighing in disbelief. It's like she's made out of seventy percent gut and thirty percent brain. In scenarios like this, the least thing the hostages would do was cause trouble, but her friend seems to be luring in the trouble.

She won't be surprised if they were caught dead in the end because of her.

______________________________________________________

This is probably the longest chapter I've ever done BCHWFGYWEWGDWHH- 

sorry for the long wait ! and thank you for being patient :)