#kino angst

[thegothicchangeling]

What kills me about Ambessa is that she believes she can protect her children through conquest, and even when she's proven wrong, she can't see it. She makes enemies everywhere she goes, and that led to Kino's death. Instead of realizing that, the loss just reaffirms to her that war is necessary. And now, she's losing her daughter for it as well.

[zylokv]

VOW UNDONE. — myoui mina

❝ you're my spouse on paper, however you're not my responsibility.❞

synopsis — the betrayal hits harder when it comes from someone you thought had your back.

word count ! — 10.4k

— myoui mina x reader !

notice — heavily inspired by @neoplatinum, aswell as cozuzi and a bit of queen of tears.

disclaimer ! — this story is a work of fiction. the portrayal of characters, events, and relationships does not reflect the real lives or personalities of any individuals mentioned. themes of infidelity and emotional conflict are explored, but the intention is not to glamorize toxic behavior.

series masterlist !

part five !

your fingers hover over the screen as the video ends, but you don’t move. the room feels colder, quieter, suffocating in its stillness. you blink, but the tears that well up refuse to fall, blurring the edges of everything.

your chest feels tight, the kind of ache that spreads, starting small and then consuming you, piece by piece. your hands tremble, gripping the usb drive like it’s the only thing keeping you anchored.

because you know. deep down, you know.

you try to take a breath, but it hitches, a sharp, jagged thing that only makes your head spin more.

“fuck,” you whisper, the word cracking as it leaves your lips.

the realization feels too big, too heavy to hold on your own. you stand abruptly, pushing back your chair so hard it scrapes against the floor, the sound grating.

you need answers. you need someone to tell you why.

grabbing your coat and keys, you shove the usb drive into your pocket and head for the door, not even bothering to lock it behind you. the drive to sehun’s office is a blur. the tears don’t fall, but your chest burns with the effort of holding them back.

it’s only when you burst through his office door that the dam finally starts to crack.

“you,” you choke out, voice already raw.

sehun looks up, startled, his usual smirk wiped clean off his face when he sees yours.

“hey, what’s going—”

“don’t,” you cut him off, your voice trembling. you take a step closer, your hand gripping the back of a chair like it’s the only thing keeping you upright.

he stands, his brows knitting in concern—or maybe it’s guilt. “okay, let’s take a breath—”

“don’t you fucking tell me to breathe,” you snap, your voice breaking.

the anger rises first, sharp and hot, and before you know it, your fist slams against his desk. the pain shoots up your arm, grounding you for just a second before you’re looking at him again, eyes wild and brimming with unshed tears.

“you knew, didn’t you?” your voice shakes, but the words spill out anyway. “you knew what was on that drive, and you still gave it to me.”

sehun’s face hardens, but there’s something softer in his eyes—pity, maybe. you hate it.

“listen—”

“no, you listen!” you’re shouting now, the tears finally spilling over, hot and relentless. “do you have any idea what it’s like? to see that? to feel like your entire life is a fucking lie?”

your voice cracks on the last word, and you falter, your shoulders trembling as the weight of it all comes crashing down.

you sink into the chair, burying your face in your hands. the sobs come, harsh and unrelenting, ripping through you like a storm.

“why?” you whisper, your voice muffled but desperate. “why the fuck didn’t you tell me? why would you let me find out like this?”

sehun steps closer, his expression conflicted. he hesitates, and you feel the weight of his gaze, but you can’t look at him.

“i thought…” he starts, then stops, running a hand through his hair. “i thought you deserved the truth. even if i'm your enemy and even if it hurts.”

you laugh bitterly, wiping at your face. “well, congratulations. it fucking hurts. you've defeated me.”

he sighs, leaning against the desk, watching you like he doesn’t know what to say.

you don’t wait for him to figure it out. you stand, your legs shaky but determined, and head for the door.

“wait—”

“don’t,” you cut him off, your voice hollow now. “just don’t.”

and with that, you’re gone, leaving him and his half-formed apologies behind.

-----

the house is unnervingly quiet when sana steps inside, calling out, “hey? you here?” her voice echoes faintly in the stillness. it wasn’t like them to leave without saying anything.

she looks around, her gaze darting to the empty couch and the untouched pile of toys in the corner. she frowns. it was rare for the place to feel this lifeless, and a strange unease creeps in.

“they better not have forgotten we had plans,” she mutters under her breath, slipping off her shoes.

she’d come over to hang out, and return something she borrowed, something you had been frantically searching for last week. she’d laughed about their scatterbrained tendencies at the time, but now, standing in the oddly quiet house, the humor felt distant.

her gaze catches on the faint glow coming from the slightly ajar office door. they never leave their office like that.

curiosity gets the better of her. “are you in there?” she calls, stepping closer.

the desk is a mess—papers scattered, a mug half-empty, and the laptop on but unattended. her eyes land on the screen. a downloaded video file is open, frozen on the first frame.

she reaches out, brushing the mouse to wake the screen fully. the video stutters to life, and her breath catches as the image sharpens.

mina.

with him.

sana freezes, her stomach plummeting as the scene unfolds before her. her heartbeat thunders in her ears, and she stumbles back a step, the chair bumping against her leg.

“no,” she whispers, her voice shaking.

her phone is in her hand before she realizes it, dialing their number with trembling fingers. it rings, and rings, and then cuts to voicemail. she curses softly, trying again.

still nothing.

panic surges. sana presses a hand to her forehead, pacing the small space. she glances at the screen again, her chest tightening painfully at the implications.

thinking quickly, she scrolls through her contacts and dials mina instead. the line barely connects before mina answers, her tone calm, composed, and unaware. “sana? what’s wrong?”

“where are you?” sana’s voice is sharp, trembling with urgency.

“what?” mina sounds taken aback. “what are you—”

“where are you.” sana cuts her off, her voice rising.

mina pauses, clearly unsettled. “at myoui residence. why? what’s goin—”

but sana doesn’t wait to hear more. all she can think is that you're probably with mina. she hangs up mid-sentence, shoving her phone into her pocket as she storms out of the house.

her hands tighten around the steering wheel as she speeds toward the myoui residence, her mind racing with every possible scenario. the image of the video lingers, vivid and damning.

“damn it, mina.” she mutters under her breath, the weight of what she’s just seen pressing down on her chest.

-----

you could feel the anger seeping into every inch of your body as you drove to the myoui residence. the tight grip on the steering wheel, the pounding in your chest, the way your pulse seemed to quicken with each passing second—it was all too much. you were trying to keep it together, trying to maintain some kind of calm, but every thought of what had been happening—the lies, the betrayal—pushed you closer to snapping.

when you finally pulled into the driveway, your fingers still gripping the wheel like you might break it, you took a deep breath. calm. you had to be calm. but you knew that as soon as you stepped out of the car, it was all over.

you walked up to the garden, taking slow, deliberate steps, trying to compose yourself, but it didn’t help. your eyes immediately landed on the scene before you—mina, sitting there, too damn composed as always, and bambam, joking with momo and laughing like nothing in the world mattered. momo was playing with hiro, and there it was. that was the moment.

your heart pounded in your ears. they were here. he was here. everything you had been holding back was threatening to break.

you took one more deep breath, tightening your jaw as you walked over to the butler. “take hiro inside. now.”

the butler didn’t ask questions. he just nodded, understanding the tension in the air. within moments, he had hiro in his arms, retreating inside the house, leaving you alone with them.

suddenly, rushed footsteps entered the garden but you paid no attention.

sana’s voice broke through the air then, frantic and high-pitched, practically running as she rushed toward you, her face a mask of panic. “yah! are you okay?” she asked, her hands reaching for you, trying to make sense of what was happening.

but you couldn’t even look at her, not with the way your rage was bubbling up inside you.

mina, watching from her spot, saw right through it. for the first time, she was confused. her calm, collected expression never wavered, but you could feel the tension crackling between you two.

“what’s going on?” mina asked, her voice deceptively soft, like she hadn’t just thrown you into this mess.

before you could answer, bambam stood up, still smiling like a damn idiot. the sight of him made your blood run cold. it was the last straw. you didn’t think, didn’t plan, didn’t care. you moved faster than anyone could stop you, rushing at bambam and slamming your fist into his face.

the first hit landed with a sickening crunch, his head jerking back. he barely had time to react before you hit him again, and again, your fists connecting with his face,—each blow fueled by the seething anger you could no longer control.

“you think you can just come in here like this? like you’ve done nothing wrong?” you spat, throwing another punch, this one aimed at his nose. your knuckles cracked against his bone, the sickening pop of bone ringing in your ears.

bambam swung back, his fist connecting with your lips, the pain sharp and instant. blood dripped from your busted lip, but you didn’t care. you kept going.

mina tried to step in, reaching for your arm, but you shoved her off with a violent force that sent her stumbling backward. her shock and confusion were clear, but it didn’t matter. not right now.

“stop! what are you doing!?” momo's voice cut through the chaos, frantic, as she rushed forward, hands gripping your arm in a desperate attempt to pull you away. but you shrugged her off with a force so brutal that she nearly lost her balance.

sana stood frozen, her face pale, eyes wide with fear. she tried to say something, to call out, but you were too far gone.

it wasn’t until your fists slowed, your breath heavy and ragged, that you finally pulled back. bambam was on the ground now, panting, bloodied, and dazed. you stood over him for a moment, chest heaving as you wiped your lip with the back of your hand, smearing more blood across your face.

then you turned your eyes on mina, and the anger was so intense, so palpable, that it felt like the air itself was burning.

you turn to mina then, your eyes dark and furious. your lip is split, but you don’t care. you pull out the USB from my pocket, the one that’s going to show her exactly how far this shit’s gone, and you throw it at her with everything you've got. the impact is sharp, and she flinches as it hits her chest.

“figure this shit out,” you muttered, your voice low and threatening.

momo stood there, shocked, unsure of what to do as she knelt beside bambam, checking on him, her face a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

you took one last look at mina, but she didn’t move, didn’t try to comfort you like she always did.

instead, you turned your gaze to sana, who was still standing off to the side, clearly terrified, but she was the one you let approach you. she hesitated, but only for a second, before stepping closer, reaching out with caution.

mina’s gaze flickered between you and sana, and for the first time, she seemed to understand. she didn’t move.

you stepped back from sana’s touch, but you let her get closer. because it was never going to be mina. not now.

-----

you turn around, throwing the wedding ring down the concrete floor, but before you could even get out of the garden, you heard her voice.

“wait!” mina’s voice cracked through the air, sharp with panic. “please, what happened!?”

but you didn’t stop. you didn’t even look back. you couldn’t.

you knew she was standing there, her hand reaching out, but you couldn’t—wouldn’t—let her have this.

and then, you heard the sound of footsteps. someone running, frantic, close behind you.

it was sana.

“hey—hey!” she called out, her voice trembling. you didn’t stop. you couldn’t. but she didn’t hesitate. she came after you, her steps faster, more urgent than mina’s ever could be.

you didn’t care. you didn’t want anyone. you didn’t want to feel this anymore.

you reached the outside, silently cursing at how giant this place was when you just wanted to get to your car, soon sana was there, standing in front of you, out of breath. “please,” she begged, voice cracking. “let me in. just—just stop.”

but you didn’t stop. you couldn’t stop. not until—

you broke.

it happened all at once. all that control, all that anger, every piece of you that had been holding it in for so long just collapsed in on itself. your chest tightened, and the tears you’d been fighting so hard to keep back came pouring out. sobs wracked your body, violent and raw, like you couldn’t breathe.

sana didn’t say anything. she just wrapped her arms around you, pulling you close as you fell apart in her embrace. it wasn’t like the hugs you’d had before, not with her, not with anyone. this was different. this was you—shattering—and sana was there, holding you together with everything she had.

"i can't do this anymore," you choked out between sobs, your hands clutching at her as if she were the only thing keeping you from falling completely apart. “she—she’s been lying to me. she’s been cheating. i—I saw it. i—saw it, sana."

her hands were trembling as she held you, and you could feel her own breath hitch in her throat, like she was trying not to cry with you. she didn’t say anything at first. she just let you break.

but you needed to get it out. needed someone to hear it.

“she hurt me, sana. she did it—and she doesn’t care. did i even fucking matter?” your voice broke, and you couldn’t keep going without falling deeper. “i’ve been so fucking stupid. i thought—i thought maybe she cared, but—fuck, i—i thought she was mine.”

the words burned your throat as you cried harder, a deep, aching sob that felt like it was ripping you open. sana didn’t let go. she held you tighter, her arms around you like a lifeline. but even that wasn’t enough. nothing was enough to fix this.

you didn’t know how long you stood there, sobbing in her arms, but when you finally pulled back, your face was soaked with tears, your lip still bleeding from the fight, your chest heavy with emotion.

sana looked at you, her face pale, eyes wide, but she wasn’t scared. she wasn’t pulling away. she didn’t look at you like mina did. sana saw you—really saw you. and for the first time in what felt like forever, you didn’t feel alone.

“i’m sorry,” you whispered, barely able to get the words out. “i’m sorry for being like this, for—for everything.”

sana’s eyes softened. her hands gently cupped your face, her thumbs brushing away the tears, the blood. she didn’t say anything for a long moment, but when she finally did, her voice was barely above a whisper.

“you don’t have to be sorry,” she said, her voice cracking, like she was holding back just as much as you were. “you don’t have to carry this alone.”

and in that moment, for just a second, you felt something. something close to hope. because sana—sana—was the only one who didn’t look at you like you were broken. like you were something to fix.

you closed your eyes, letting the tears fall freely, letting yourself feel it all—the hurt, the loss, the betrayal—and in her arms, for the first time in a long time, you finally felt like it was okay to fall apart.

------

the bar was a haze of dim lights and murmured conversations, but to you, it was just noise. you were slumped over the counter, swirling the amber liquid in your glass like it held the answers to every question you didn’t dare ask.

“another,” you mumbled, your voice hoarse. the bartender hesitated but poured anyway, his eyes flickering with concern.

your phone buzzed on the counter, her name lighting up the screen. mina.

you stared at it, the weight of her name pressing down on your chest until it hurt. when it stopped ringing, you exhaled shakily and knocked back your drink.

“you look like you’ve been through hell,” a voice chimed beside you.

you turned sluggishly, eyes landing on a woman with a bunny smile and a glint in her eyes.

“you don’t know the half of it,” you muttered.

she extended a hand, her confidence cutting through the haze. “nayeon.”

you blinked at her hand, then shook it half-heartedly. “nice to meet you, nayeon.”

“your turn,” she said, leaning on the counter. “what’s your name?”

you hesitated, the weight of the question heavier than it should’ve been. finally, you gave it, your voice quiet.

“so,” she said, resting her chin in her hand, “what’s got you looking like the world’s most tragic main character?”

you barked a laugh, hollow and bitter. “life. that’s all.”

“well, lucky for you,” she said with a playful grin, “i’m excellent at making people forget their problems.”

her words hung in the air, an unspoken offer. and for a moment, just a moment, you considered it.

but then you saw her—mina, not here, but in your mind. the way she looked at you when she thought you weren’t watching. the way she whispered your name like it was something sacred. and then the memory twisted, her face replaced by that night. her betrayal. her lies.

“thanks,” you said, your voice cracking, “but no.”

“no?” nayeon echoed, clearly surprised.

“i have a wife,” you said, and the words felt like a knife to your chest. “even if she doesn’t deserve it, i made a vow.”

nayeon’s smile faltered, and she nodded slowly. “you’re a good one,” she said softly. “even when it hurts.”

"for better, for worse" when she left, the silence was deafening.

“you’re a goddamn mess,” a familiar voice broke through, sharp and cutting.

you didn’t need to look to know who it was. “go away, sana.”

“not a chance,” she said, sliding onto the stool beside you. “do you have any idea how many times i’ve had to drag your sorry ass out of here?”

“too many?” you shot back, your tone dripping with sarcasm.

“exactly,” she snapped.

you sighed, the weight of her words crushing you. “what do you want me to say, sana? that i’m fine? because i’m not.”

“i don’t want you to say anything,” she said, her voice softer now. “i just want you to stop destroying yourself.”

you laughed bitterly. “you don’t get it. you don’t know what it feels like to love someone so much it physically hurts. to have that love shattered.”

“stop talking nonsense,” she said, her tone steady. “i do know what it looks like when someone’s drowning.”

her words hit you like a punch to the gut, and for a moment, you couldn’t breathe.

“come on,” she said, standing and offering you her hand. “let’s get you out of here.”

you stared at her hand, your vision blurring. and for the first time in a long time, you let someone pull you out of the darkness.

outside, the night air was cold and biting, but it felt almost cleansing.

“you don’t have to do this,” you mumbled, your voice barely audible.

“do what?” she asked, glancing at you.

“be the one to save me.”

she stopped walking, turning to face you. “i’m not trying to save you,” she said quietly. “i’m just trying to remind you that you’re worth saving.”

"doesn't make sense." you mumble sassily as you let her dragged you chuckling slightly at her offended expression.

but as her words sank in, you felt something shift—just a little, but enough to make you believe it might be true— but, ofcourse you're too stubborn.

-----

the office was too quiet, save for the faint hum of the city outside, muffled by the walls of glass that once made her feel untouchable. myoui mina sat in the dim light of her desk lamp, her hands trembling as she stared at the photograph in her hands. your smile, so bright and genuine, next to hers, a practiced elegance she could barely recognize now. and in the corner, hiro, beaming in a way only innocence could bring.

the frame was cracked, the glass splintered across your face. she hadn’t meant to drop it, but now it felt fitting. she set it down gently, her fingertips lingering on the jagged edge of the frame.

the myoui name had always stood for power, poise, and perfection. mina embodied it effortlessly—every step, every glance calculated, every word weighed with precision. she was untouchable, a pillar of composure even under the harshest scrutiny.

but tonight, myoui mina was crumbling.

“i ruined it,” she whispered, her voice raw. it wasn’t just a statement; it was a confession, one she’d been too proud to make aloud until now.

her breath hitched, her chest tightening as the memory clawed its way back to her. she hated bambam for pushing her, for planting the seed of insecurity she thought she’d outgrown. his words still echoed in her mind from that night—dripping with something she mistook for comfort, laced with just enough poison to make her falter.

"you deserve better than this," he had said, his hand brushing against hers. "they're way too busy with work, what if they have someone else too?"

she hated herself more for listening, for letting his words crawl under her skin and fester until they became louder than your love.

her fist slammed against the desk, papers scattering. “stupid,” she spat, the word aimed at herself. “so fucking stupid.”

her sobs started low, breaking through the practiced calm she always carried. she glance at the picture frame reaching for it as she slid off the chair, her knees hitting the hardwood floor with a dull thud. her hands clutched the picture frame at her chest, as if she could tear out the guilt that was choking her.

she sat on the cold floor of her office, the world she had meticulously built feeling like it was closing in on her. her pristine dress, usually a symbol of her unshakable authority, was rumpled, stained with tears. her hair, always styled to perfection, clung to her damp face.

"you loved me," she cried, her voice cracking. "you loved me, and i... i threw it away. for what? for what?"

the room spun, the weight of her actions crushing her. she thought of your face, the way it looked the last time you saw her—betrayed, disappointed, as if the very sight of her was a burden. she had done that. myoui mina— the epitome of coldness had turned her warm love into resentment, warmth into coldness.

“why did i listen to him?” she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "why wasn’t i enough?"

she tried to steady herself, but the weight of it all pressed her back down. she clutched the frame to her chest, the broken glass cutting into her palm. the pain was sharp, and droplets of blood started to drip down her hand, but it was nothing compared to the ache that consumed her.

she had been the picture of grace, of strength. yet here she was, on the floor, pleading to a god she didn’t even believe in.

“please,” she cried, her voice hoarse. “please... let me fix this. i’ll do anything. anything.”

she crawled to the edge of her desk, her bloody fingers fumbling for her phone. the screen lit up, your picture staring back at her. she dialed a number she hadn’t used in years, her voice shaking as the call connected.

"it’s me," she said, barely above a whisper.

"i need you to... take care of something. i don't care how. i'll give you that damn company if you want to."

-----

it was late, and the silence of the room was suffocating, broken only by the occasional clink of ice in sana’s glass. she sat across from you, her playful demeanor dulled to something sharper, something simmering beneath the surface. you were frustrated, the weight of everything pressing down on you like a vice, and sana—sana of all people—was here trying to tell you how to feel.

“you wouldn’t understand,” you snapped, pacing the room. “you don’t know what it’s like.”

she stiffened, her lips thinning as her grip tightened on the glass. “don’t i?” she said quietly, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and something else—hurt, maybe.

you glanced at her, frowning. sana rarely looked anything other than confident, but now her eyes were glassy, her jaw tight.

“remember when i resented you?” she asked, the words coming out clipped, like they were dragged from some deep, hidden place.

you blinked, confused. “yeah, i remember. you never said why, though.”

she laughed bitterly, setting her glass down with a sharp clink. “because i didn’t want to admit it. not to myself, and definitely not to you.”

“admit what?”

her gaze met yours, steady and unflinching now. “that i liked bambam. and bambam—he liked mina.”

the words hit like a small crack in the foundation of your understanding. “...what?”

sana leaned back, crossing her arms. “since we were kids. he was always looking at her like she hung the moon, and she—” her voice broke slightly before she caught herself. “she treated him like he was her little brother. never gave him a chance. but that didn’t matter to him. and i was always in her shadow.”

“why resent me, then?” you asked, still grappling with the revelation. “i couldn’t control that.”

she hesitated, her bravado faltering. “because i thought—i thought you’d be just like her. like you’d walk in, marry her, and look down on me too. like you’d make everything worse.”

you stared at her, the sharp edges of your frustration softening as you watched her struggle to keep her composure. “sana...”

“i know—,” she interrupted, her voice softening. “back then, i was insecure. jealous. i was convinced you were going to ruin everything just by existing.”

you let out a dry laugh, running a hand through your hair. “sana, if i could’ve ruined everything by existing, i’d have done it years ago.”

she snorted despite herself, the tension breaking slightly. “okay, fair. but still... i hated you for all the wrong reasons. and when bambam and mina—when i saw that video... it felt like it was happening all over again.”

you looked at her, and for the first time, you didn’t see the bright, confident sana everyone else saw. you saw someone who’d been carrying a weight for far too long.

“i get it now,” you said quietly. “you don’t hate me. you hated what i made you feel about yourself.”

she nodded, her expression unreadable. “yeah. and i hated how easy it was for you to just... fit in. like you belonged here more than i ever did.”

“sana,” you said, leaning forward slightly. “you belong here. more than i do.”

she blinked, startled by your honesty. “you’re just saying that because you feel bad.”

“no, i’m saying it because it’s true,” you replied, managing a faint smile. “and because if you don’t, who’s going to annoy me into staying sane?”

she finally laughed, the sound breaking through the heaviness in the air. “you’re such a sap when you’re exhausted.”

“and you’re still annoying,” you shot back, but there was no bite to it.

for a moment, neither of you spoke. you just sat there, two people who’d been at odds for so long finally finding common ground.

“thanks,” she said quietly, after a long pause. “for not being the person i thought you were.”

you shrugged, leaning back against the couch. “anytime.”

the silence that followed wasn’t heavy this time. it was almost... peaceful.

-----

the rain batters down relentlessly as mina steps out of her sleek black car, her stilettos sinking slightly into the muddy ground. she’s dressed in a pristine, tailored coat, the sharp lines of her outfit untouched by the disarray she feels inside. her hair, always perfectly styled, now clings to her face, the rain smudging her usually flawless makeup. it’s a picture of elegance—on any other day, she’d look untouchable.

but today, she looks ruined.

her legs feel like lead as she climbs the steps to sana’s door. her chest heaves with the weight of a hundred unspoken words, the cold rain doing nothing to numb the fire of regret burning in her lungs.

she knocks once, twice, and then her fist pounds against the wood, her desperation bleeding through. the polished, composed woman the world knows as myoui mina is nowhere to be found.

when sana opens the door, her breath catches—not because mina is standing there, but because of how she’s standing there. the regal heiress, who has never known hunger, never tasted real rejection, is utterly wrecked. her soaked clothes cling to her trembling frame, the harsh rain accentuating the cracks in her usually impeccable facade.

“sana,” mina rasps, her voice raw and trembling. “please. tell me where they are.”

“what the hell are you doing here?” sana asks, her tone sharp, though her eyes flicker with unease. she’s never seen mina like this—not even close.

mina steps forward, her knees buckling slightly, and without warning, she collapses to the ground. she doesn’t care that the expensive fabric of her coat is now caked in dirt. her head bows low, her hands pressed together like she’s offering her soul.

“i need to see them,” mina whispers, her voice cracking. “please. tell me where they are. i’ll do anything.”

sana flinches. this is not the mina she knows. this is not the woman who moves through life untouchable, who always has the upper hand.

“get up,” sana snaps, trying to steel herself against the flood of emotions threatening to pull her under.

mina shakes her head violently, her wet hair whipping against her face. “no. not until you tell me.”

“you’re making a fool of yourself,” sana says, though her voice wavers. “look at you. this isn’t you.”

“don’t you think i know that?” mina cries, her voice rising as her composure shatters. “do you think i care? i’d give up everything—everything, sana—if it means i can fix this. please, just… just tell me they’re okay. tell me they don’t hate me.”

sana’s lips press into a thin line, her jaw tight. she looks away, unable to bear the sight of mina begging like this.

mina’s knees buckle slightly, but she forces herself to stay upright. “i was scared, sana,” she says, her voice trembling. “i was scared of how much they mattered to me. i thought… i thought if i sabotaged it first, it wouldn’t hurt as much if they ever left. but i was wrong.”

“no shit,” sana mutters, crossing her arms.

“i destroyed everything,” mina continues, tears streaming down her face, indistinguishable from the rain. “but i can’t just give up. i can’t let this be the end.”

sana looks away, her lips pressed into a thin line. the sight of mina—always so composed, so untouchable—reduced to this mess of tears and desperation is unsettling.

“why are you even telling me this?” sana asks, her voice softer now, though her expression remains guarded.

mina takes a shaky breath, her shoulders slumping. “because you’re the only one who knows where they might be. and because…” she hesitates, her voice breaking. “because i need someone to tell me if it’s even worth trying anymore.”

sana’s jaw clenches, her hands curling into fists. she hates this—hates seeing mina, drenched and desperate, breaking apart in front of her.

“you’re pathetic,” sana says, her tone biting. “you’ve had everything handed to you on a silver platter your whole life, and now, when it all comes crashing down, you can’t even face it.”

mina nods, her tears falling harder. “i am pathetic,” she whispers. “i know that. but they’re everything to me, sana. they’re the only thing that’s ever made me feel…” she trails off, struggling to find the words. “like i could be more than what people expect me to be.”

sana exhales slowly, her expression softening despite herself. “they loved you, mina,” she says quietly. “probably more than you deserved. and you threw that away.”

mina lets out a broken sob, sinking to her knees on the wet porch. her hands press against the ground, her head bowed as she cries. “i know,” she whispers. “but please… please… just tell me where they are.”

sana hesitates, her heart twisting at the sight. this wasn’t the mina she knew—the cold, calculating heiress. this was someone raw and human, stripped of all pretense.

“even if i did,” sana says softly, her voice laced with sorrow, “what makes you think they’d want to see you like this?”

mina looks up at her, her face a portrait of anguish. “i don’t know,” she admits. “but i have to try. because if i don’t…” her voice cracks, and she presses a hand to her chest. “i’ll never forgive myself.”

sana stares at her, arms crossed tightly, her face a mask of disbelief and guarded pity. “you think crying in the rain is going to fix this? you think they’ll just forget what you did?”

mina shakes her head violently, droplets flying from her soaked hair. “no,” she whispers, her voice barely audible above the rain. “i don’t expect forgiveness. i don’t… i don’t deserve it.” her voice breaks, her shoulders trembling as she forces herself to continue. “but i need them to know… it wasn’t because i didn’t love them.”

sana’s expression hardens. “and that makes it better? what were you thinking, mina? how could you do something like that to someone who gave you everything?”

mina raises her head, her tear-streaked face a mixture of anguish and raw vulnerability. “i was scared,” she admits, her voice shaking. “i didn’t know how to love them the way they deserved. i didn’t know how to let myself be loved. do you know what it’s like to grow up in a world where every connection is transactional? where every ‘i love you’ comes with strings attached?”

sana’s jaw tightens, her silence an unspoken acknowledgment of the truth in mina’s words.

“they were different,” mina continues, her voice rising with desperation. “they saw me, not my name, not my title. just… me. and that terrified me. because if they left—if i ever lost them—it would destroy me.”

she presses a hand to her chest, the pain almost suffocating. “so i did what i thought i had to do. i distanced myself. i… i made a mistake, a horrible, unforgivable mistake, because i thought it would hurt less if they hated me first. but it doesn’t. it doesn’t hurt less, sana. it hurts more than i ever thought possible.”

sana looks away, her throat tight as she struggles to hold onto her anger. “you say all this now, but what about then? what about when you made that choice?”

mina bows her head, her tears falling freely. “i wasn’t thinking. i was selfish and scared and so, so stupid. i didn’t think about what it would do to them, to us. all i could think about was how much it would hurt if i let myself love them completely and they left me.”

her voice breaks, and she collapses further onto the ground, her hands gripping the wet earth. “but they didn’t leave, sana. they stayed. they gave me everything. and now… now i’ve lost the one thing that made me feel alive, and it’s my fault. it’s all my fault.”

sana’s chest tightens at the sight of mina—the composed, untouchable heiress—reduced to this trembling, broken figure. this wasn’t the mina she knew. this was someone raw and desperate, someone who had finally realized the weight of her own actions.

“you’re a mess,” sana says quietly, her voice tinged with both anger and pity. “you always thought you were untouchable, didn’t you? but look at you now. you’ve destroyed yourself for them.”

mina nods, her sobs choking her words. “i have,” she whispers. “and i’d do it a thousand times over if it meant they’d hear me, if it meant they’d give me a chance to make this right.”

sana sighs, running a hand through her hair. “you can’t just beg your way out of this, mina. they’re not some business deal you can negotiate. this is their heart, their trust. and you shattered it.”

“i know,” mina cries. “i know i can’t fix this overnight. but sana, please… tell me where they are. tell me what to do. i’ll give up everything—my name, my fortune, all of it—if it means i can have them back. i’ll spend the rest of my life proving to them that they’re my everything.”

sana’s hands clench into fists, her own emotions warring within her. “you want my advice?” she says after a long silence. “start by figuring out why you deserve a second chance. because right now, mina, i don’t think you do.”

sana stares at her for a long moment, her emotions a storm of anger, pity, and something she can’t quite place.

sana doesn’t respond immediately. she turns her head, her gaze fixed on the rain streaking down. when she speaks again, her voice is barely above a whisper.

“you’re pathetic, mina.”

mina doesn’t argue. she just kneels there, her head bowed, the weight of her guilt pressing down on her like a physical force.

“but they love you,” sana adds, almost reluctantly. “for some reason, they love you. so maybe… maybe you still have a chance.”

mina looks up at her, hope flickering in her tear-streaked eyes. “do you think so?” she whispers.

“don’t ask me,” sana says, turning away. “ask them.”

with that, sana steps back and closes the door, leaving mina alone in the rain.

mina collapses completely, her forehead pressing against the cold, wet ground. her sobs echo into the storm, a haunting sound of grief and regret. this wasn’t just about losing you—it was about losing the one chance she had at being more than the hollow shell her upbringing had created. and it was her fault. all her fault.

-----

the buzz of your phone stirred you from a restless sleep. you squinted at the clock on your nightstand—2:34 a.m.—and groaned. dragging your hand across your face, you grabbed the phone, your voice heavy with fatigue.

"who is it?"

a small, hesitant voice came through. "it's me."

you froze, the weariness in your bones suddenly eclipsed by a familiar ache. "mina?"

"yeah," she murmured, almost like she didn’t expect you to pick up. "sorry for calling so late. i know you’re... probably tired."

"what do you want?" you asked, your voice flat, as you sank back into the bed.

there was a pause, and for a moment you thought she’d hung up. then, softly, she said, "we’re going back to myoui town. it’s my mom’s birthday next week."

you rubbed your temples, exhaling slowly. "okay?"

"hiro’s been crying," she continued, her words gentle, deliberate. "he misses you, but i thought it’d be nice for him. and for my mom. she... she really missed you too, you know."

"yeah, well," you said, cutting her off, "tell her that that maybe she shouldn't."

"that’s not—," she said quickly, her voice breaking slightly. "you’ve always been good to us of course she will..." her words trailed off, and the silence that followed felt like a weight pressing down on your chest.

"why are you telling me this, mina?" you asked, shifting under the covers. "you don’t need my permission to go."

"i know," she said softly. "but i thought you’d want to know. about hiro, at least. and..." she hesitated, her voice trembling. "i just wanted to check on you."

"i’m fine," you said, though the exhaustion in your voice betrayed you.

"are you?" she asked, the regret heavy in her tone. "i know i’m the last person you want to hear from, but i worry about you. i—" she stopped, taking a shaky breath. "i can’t stop thinking about... you."

you closed your eyes, the familiar ache creeping back in. "don’t do this right now, mina."

"i’m sorry," she whispered. "i just... i wanted you to know. and i wanted to say thank you. for picking up. for still being good to hiro, even when you hate me."

you stayed quiet, too tired to argue, too drained to tell her how wrong she was. you didn’t hate her—not entirely. but you couldn’t forgive her either. not yet.

"i hope you’re okay," she said after a moment, her voice so small it made your chest tighten. "i hope... one day, we’ll be okay."

"i—" the words caught in your throat, and you clenched your jaw, swallowing hard. you didn’t know what you wanted to say, or if you even had the right to say anything at all.

you can hear hiro’s laughter echo faintly through the phone, and you closed your eyes, the sound twisting the knife deeper. you could picture him there, carefree and happy, unaware of the mess surrounding him.

"take care of him," you said finally, your voice strained. "just... make sure he’s okay."

"i always do," mina replied, and there was a weight to her words that made you ache even more.

the line went quiet after that, neither of you willing to hang up but both too drained to say anything else. eventually, you ended the call, dropping the phone onto the other side of the bed and burying your face in your pillow.

the thought of them leaving—of her leaving—was a sharp reminder of just how much had slipped through your fingers. and yet, all you could do was sit there, alone in the darkness, trying to convince yourself that it didn’t matter.

but it did. fuck, it did.

-----

mina adjusted hiro’s jacket for the third time, her fingers tugging gently at the fabric to make sure it fit snugly against the chill in the air. the little boy was more interested in the blossoms overhead, his tiny hands reaching skyward as they walked through the old town.

“you like that, hm?” she murmured, her voice soft, almost lost in the gentle breeze. hiro giggled in response, his face lighting up with pure delight.

she smiled, despite herself.

it was quieter here than in the city, the hum of life replaced with the rustle of leaves and the faint sound of a bell in the distance. her parents had always said this place felt timeless, and for the first time, mina felt it too.

but that weight in her chest—the one that had settled there ever since you’d stopped coming home—it hadn’t eased.

hiro babbled something incoherent, his chubby little hand pointing toward a cluster of vibrant pink blossoms hanging low on a branch. mina crouched down, lifting him in her arms to bring him closer.

“careful,” she said, her tone laced with a tenderness that had become second nature with him. he grabbed at a petal, his grip clumsy but enthusiastic.

she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket but ignored it for now. instead, she reached for the camera app, snapping a picture of hiro against the backdrop of the blossoms.

he looked so much like you in moments like this.

her heart clenched as she stared at the screen.

after a moment’s hesitation, she opened your chat. the thread was mostly one-sided these days—updates on hiro, little notes about his milestones, reminders that she was trying.

trying to keep you tethered. trying to remind you there was still a place for you here.

she attached the photo and typed:

“hiro loves the blossoms. he’s so curious about everything here. thought you’d want to see this.”

her thumb hovered over the send button. for a split second, she thought about deleting it. but she hit send before she could think too hard.

hiro wriggled in her arms, and she adjusted her grip, letting him rest his head against her shoulder. she started walking again, her heels clicking softly against the cobblestone path.

her phone buzzed, and she fumbled to unlock it, her breath hitching when she saw your reply.

“looks good. bet hiro’s loving it. you look…”

her heart skipped, her thumb scrolling slowly.

“miss you.”

she froze.

the words blurred slightly as her eyes filled with an emotion she didn’t want to name.

you miss me? after everything? after i broke us?

hiro babbled again, drawing her out of her spiraling thoughts. she kissed the top of his head, her lips brushing against his soft hair.

with trembling fingers, she replied:

“we miss you too.”

it felt like a small step.

a tentative bridge.

her chest ached as she added another message:

“mom’s birthday is soon. she’s been asking about you.”

she slipped her phone back into her pocket, her gaze lifting to the blossoms again. they were beautiful, fleeting.

please come back to us, she thought, her arms tightening protectively around hiro.

as they reached the edge of the path, she glanced at her phone once more, hoping, praying.

when your reply came, she exhaled shakily.

heavily disappointed she let herself move slowly glancing at hiro sadly while pointing at some falling leaves seeing hiro babble excitedly made her heart clench and she let herself drown in her thoughts.

-----

you sit at your desk, fingers aimlessly scrolling through the same set of documents you’ve been staring at for hours. the work isn’t hard, but the focus? yeah, that’s another story.

your eyes flicker to the family photo on the corner of your desk. it’s the one mina insisted on framing—a candid shot of the three of you during a rare moment of peace. hiro’s baby grin, your awkward smile, mina’s soft, rare laugh.

your chest tightens.

a soft buzz on your phone pulls your attention. it’s a picture from mina: her holding hiro in her arms, standing against a backdrop of vibrant cherry blossoms. hiro’s chubby little hand is reaching for a petal, his face lit up with curiosity. she’s smiling—soft, maternal, and glowing.

"hiro loves the blossoms. he’s so curious about everything here. thought you’d want to see this."

you stare at the screen longer than you mean to. a knot of emotions you don’t quite know how to unravel builds in your chest—annoyance, longing, maybe even something bordering on desperation.

you set the phone down, trying to ignore the heat creeping up your neck. maybe it’s the way she looks so damn serene in that picture, like she hasn’t turned your world upside down a hundred times over.

or maybe it’s because it’s been too long. too long since you’ve felt her touch, heard her laugh, even fought with her properly.

before you realize it, your thumbs are moving.

“looks good. bet hiro’s loving it. you look…” you hesitate, then type, “beautiful.”

a pause. delete. rewrite.

“miss you.”

short, simple, but it feels like ripping your chest open. you hit send before you can second-guess it.

and the second it’s gone, you’re frozen.

what the hell did you just do?

you stare at your phone like it’s going to explode, the words glaring back at you as if mocking your moment of vulnerability. for a split second, you think about chucking the damn thing across the room, but then—what if she replies?

your hands are clammy, your heart’s racing, and suddenly your office feels ten degrees hotter. you pace back and forth, running a hand through your hair like it’s going to do anything to untangle the mess you’ve made in your head.

“what is wrong with me?” you mutter under your breath. “am i drunk? i’m at work! i haven’t even had a drink!”

you stop mid-step, gripping the back of your chair like it’s the only thing keeping you upright. your mind replays the text over and over, each loop digging deeper into your pride. miss you.

the audacity. the weakness.

you glance at the framed photo on your desk—the one of mina holding hiro on her hip, the both of them laughing under the sunlight. your chest tightens, and you groan, dragging your hands down your face.

“this is so stupid,” you hiss to no one in particular. “she’s probably laughing right now. probably showing her mom, ‘look at this idiot, still hung up on me.’”

but even as you say it, you know it’s not true. mina’s not like that. or, at least, she wasn’t.

you sit down heavily in your chair, glaring at your phone like it’s personally betrayed you.

god, why did i have to send that? why couldn’t i just say… nice blossoms? or cute kid? or nothing at all?

your phone buzzes, and you nearly fall out of your chair scrambling to grab it.

the notification lights up the screen:

“we miss you too.”

your breath catches.

it’s not much. not an apology, not an explanation, not even a promise. but it’s enough to make your shoulders sag, the knot in your chest loosening just a little.

you sit there for a moment, just staring at the message, letting it sink in.

and then another message pops up.

“mom’s birthday is soon. she’s been asking about you.”

you blink, reading it twice, three times, like the words are in a language you’re still trying to learn.

your thumb hovers over the keyboard.

“tell her advance happy birthday;”

you hit send, and this time, there’s no panic.

no pacing, no muttering, no spiraling.

just… quiet.

you sit back, exhaling slowly, staring at the photo again. maybe you’re weak for her. maybe you always will be.

you set the phone down and stare at the photo again. your thumb rubs over the edge of the frame absentmindedly.

you’d go.

maybe it’s for hiro. maybe it’s for mina. maybe, just maybe, it’s for yourself.

-----

the traditional myoui family estate in japan was alive with celebration, the grand hall filled with the soft clinking of glasses and the hum of polite laughter. mina stood near the entrance, perfectly poised as always, though her hands fidgeted slightly—a rare display of unease for someone so collected.

her mother’s sharp voice broke through her thoughts. “mina, where is your spouse? it’s my birthday, and yet they’re nowhere to be found.”

mina straightened her posture, masking her discomfort. “they’re busy with work,” she began, her tone measured but unconvincing. “something urgent came up—”

“work?” mrs. myoui interrupted, her lips pressing into a thin line. “on a day like this? unacceptable. i don’t understand? do they think work is more important than my birthday?"

before mina could stammer out another excuse, the double doors to the hall swung open, stealing everyone’s attention.

“apologies for the delay,” you announced, stepping in with a confident stride. a bouquet of lavish flowers in one hand and a beautifully wrapped gift box in the other, your presence immediately commanded the room.

mina’s breath caught, her carefully composed facade momentarily cracking.

“fashionably late as always,” mrs. myoui said, her disapproving tone softened by the glint of amusement in her eyes.

you bowed politely, offering the flowers to her. “only for the most important occasions, mrs. myoui. i hope these can make up for my tardiness.”

she chuckled, accepting the gifts. “you always know how to charm your way out of trouble.”

“it’s a skill i’ve perfected,” you quipped, your voice light. but as your gaze shifted to mina, the warmth in your tone faded, replaced by a distant professionalism. “myoui mina,” you greeted curtly, with a nod that felt colder than the winter breeze.

mina’s jaw tightened, but she forced a smile. “thank you for coming,” she said softly, her voice betraying a hint of vulnerability.

you didn’t respond, turning back to her mother instead. “it’s an honor to celebrate such a special day with your family.”

as the evening wore on, you maintained a polite but distant demeanor, mingling with the guests and exchanging pleasantries. mina, meanwhile, found her attempts to approach you rebuffed at every turn. when she brushed her hand against yours while passing, you didn’t react. when she tried to make small talk about hiro, your answers were clipped and polite, but devoid of warmth.

from across the room, she watched as you charmed her family and the guests, her chest tightening with a mix of regret and longing. every time you glanced her way, it was with a composed indifference that stung more than outright hostility.

it wasn’t until later in the evening, as the festivities quieted down, that mina found herself standing alone near the balcony. she turned when she sensed you approaching, her heart leaping for a brief moment. but your focus wasn’t on her—it was on hiro, who was being carried by one of the family attendants.

you reached out, taking hiro into your arms with practiced ease. “hey, buddy,” you murmured, your voice softening as you cradled him close. mina watched, her throat tightening as she took in the sight of you and hiro together.

when your eyes finally met hers, there was a flicker of something—an unspoken tension, a shared history that neither of you could escape. but just as quickly, you turned your attention back to hiro.

as the evening progressed, the guests began to drift toward the dining hall, leaving mina and you momentarily alone on the balcony. the cool night air brushed against her skin, but it wasn’t the chill that made her shiver—it was the frigid distance you’d placed between the two of you all evening.

“you’re good with him,” mina said quietly, nodding toward hiro nestled in your arms, his tiny fingers clutching at your shirt as he drifted off to sleep.

you didn’t look at her. instead, you kept your gaze on hiro, gently adjusting the blanket around him. “he’s my son. it’s not exactly a choice.”

the words landed like a slap, and mina’s breath hitched. she took a step closer, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her dress. “i didn’t mean it like that,” she said softly. “i just… i wanted to thank you for coming. it means a lot to my family.”

finally, you turned to face her, your expression unreadable but your eyes sharp. “i didn’t come for your family, mina. i came for hiro. let’s not pretend otherwise.”

but it feels like a blatant lie with the way your jaw clenched almost disgusted at yourself for feeding yourself lies.

her composure faltered, and she bit her lip, her gaze dropping to the ground. “i know i’ve hurt you,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “but i’m trying—”

“trying to what?” you interrupted, your tone cutting but quiet enough not to wake hiro. “fix what you broke? erase what happened? you think showing up with a smile and a few kind words will make everything better?”

she flinched, visibly shrinking under the weight of your words. “i’m not asking you to forgive me overnight,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “but i miss you. i miss us. and i’ll do whatever it takes to make things right.”

you scoffed, shaking your head. “missing someone doesn’t mean much when you’ve already proven how little you cared when it mattered.”

her eyes glistened, and for a moment, she looked utterly vulnerable—a stark contrast to the poised heiress the world knew her as. “that’s not true,” she said, her voice breaking. “you have no idea how much i—”

“don’t,” you said firmly, cutting her off. “don’t stand here and tell me how much you cared while i was the only one crying trying to pick up pieces of myself.”

mina’s hands clenched into fists at her sides, her eyes pleading as she stepped closer. “please,” she said, her voice cracking. “that's not— i've also—"

“good night, mina,” you said curtly, brushing past her as you carried hiro inside.

she stayed on the balcony, frozen in place, the weight of your words crushing her. she blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill, but it was no use.

as the door clicked shut behind you, mina sank onto the balcony railing, the sound of the distant laughter and celebration inside only amplifying the silence that now surrounded her. she had always been so sure of herself, so in control—but tonight, she felt small, powerless, and utterly lost.

-----

the quiet streets of the traditional japanese town were bathed in soft moonlight, the air carrying the faint scent of blooming wisteria. myoui mina sat on the edge of a wooden bridge, a bottle of sake beside her, her poised demeanor long abandoned. she was disheveled, her elegant blouse slightly wrinkled, her usually sharp eyes glassy and red-rimmed.

in her hand, she held a small daisy, its delicate petals trembling between her fingers.

"they like me," she murmured, plucking a petal and letting it drift down into the stream below. her voice was tinged with mockery, a hollow laugh escaping her lips.

"they like me not." she tore the next petal with more force, the bitterness in her tone cutting through the stillness of the night.

hidden just beyond the bridge, you leaned against the corner of a nearby building, out of sight but close enough to hear every word. you’d stumbled upon her by accident during your aimless walk— aimless? or did you just see her leave the residence and was worried? no— it doesn't matter. you couldn’t bring yourself to leave.

mina continued her ritual, her voice growing quieter with each petal. "they like me… they like me not…" her hands trembled, and her lips pressed into a thin line as she fought back the tears threatening to spill.

when she reached the final petal, she stared at it for a long moment.

"they like me," she whispered, her voice cracking. she gave a bitter, humorless laugh, tossing the petal into the water. "as if. they don’t even look at me anymore."

her laughter died, replaced by a shaky breath. "i don’t like them either," she muttered, the lie barely holding together. "i hate them."

she froze, the words hanging in the air like a broken promise. then, as if something deep inside her had shattered, her shoulders began to shake.

"i don't like them," she repeated, her voice breaking completely. "i love them. i love them so much."

her head dropped into her hands, and she began to sob openly, her elegant facade crumbling like a fragile mask. "i love them," she choked out, the admission spilling from her lips like a dam bursting. "and they hate me. they hate me, and i deserve it."

your heart ached at the sight of her, the woman who once seemed untouchable now falling apart before your eyes. you wanted to step forward, to say something, but your feet remained rooted to the ground.

mina’s sobs echoed in the quiet night, her vulnerability cutting through you in a way you hadn’t expected. but instead of approaching, you turned away, your chest tight with an unspoken heaviness.

you walked away slowly, your steps careful and silent, leaving her alone on the bridge. the image of her broken figure stayed with you, etched into your mind, and as much as you tried to push it aside, it lingered, a painful reminder of everything unresolved.

behind you, mina remained on the bridge, her cries fading into the stillness of the night, unaware that you had been there all along.

-----

the morning sun painted the myoui estate in warm hues, the tranquility of the traditional japanese town a stark contrast to the tension simmering beneath the surface. you wandered the garden aimlessly, still dressed in your rumpled pajamas, the cool breeze doing little to shake off your lingering exhaustion.

the faint sound of footsteps made you glance up, and there she was—myoui mina, beautiful as ever despite the shadows of sleeplessness beneath her eyes. her gaze locked onto yours, determined, though something fragile lingered behind it.

"we need to talk," she began, her voice even but strained.

you sighed, dragging a hand through your hair. "about what, mina? i don’t have the energy for this."

"we have an interview this afternoon," she said, stepping closer.

that caught you off guard. "an interview? for what? we’re not doing any gala or charity event."

"it’s about us," mina clarified, her words deliberate. "our marriage. how we fell in love."

your brow furrowed, and a humorless laugh escaped your lips. "are you kidding me? mina, we don’t need to answer any of that. it’s useless."

mina squared her shoulders, her voice gaining an edge. "it’s not useless. it’s about keeping your dignity. your name. your reputation."

you stared at her, incredulous. "my dignity?" you snapped, the fatigue giving way to anger. "you want me to sit there and talk about a marriage that doesn’t even exist? why don’t you do it, mina? you’re good at putting on a show."

her expression faltered, but she held her ground. "how can i?" she asked, her voice cracking despite her effort to keep it steady. "it’s for couples. they’ll know something’s wrong if you’re not there."

your frustration boiled over, your voice rising. "then tell them we’re fine! tell them we’re doing great, that we’re more in love than ever!" you stepped closer, your words sharp and cutting. "Lie, mina. You’re good at that too, aren’t you?"

her breath hitched, but she didn’t respond, her eyes searching yours desperately.

you took a step back, shaking your head.

"you’re my wife on paper, mina. not my responsibility."

the words hung in the air like a slap, the finality of them echoing between you. mina stood frozen, her composure cracking.

you didn’t wait for her reply—not that she had one. and as you walked away, the ache in your chest twisted, sharper than ever, because deep down, you knew:

it wasn’t her who had lost everything. it was you.

-----

end of part five.

a/n — i'm so sorry for this shitty chapter bruv it's my birthday and it's like 1:43AM, i've been drinking and i have a throbbing headache. I decided to rush this so i apologize deeply for any wrong doing because frankly i don't even remember what i wrote.

[sandywitchboi]

Bet Mel wrote letters back home to Noxus for her brother, Kino. Maybe expecting a reply letter before Ambessa informed Mel of his assassination.

[r4rw1ngd1n0]

Life is inevitable.

(Coloured version in works)

[infinitelystrangemachinex]

Mel for the unhinged character bingo!

yessss YEEEESSSSSSSSS

[summercreolefanfictioner]

friend: so you're writing about the diabolik lovers modern college au, right? they don't have any traumatic experiences in there, right? me: friend: right? me:

[multiphandomunnies]

pentagon

reactions

accidentally seeing their gf naked

found out the wrong way social media au intros

found out the wrong way part one

found out the wrong way part two

found out the wrong way part three

found out the front way part four

s.o getting shy when they kiss

imagines

jinho

hongseok

flustered

hui

e’dawn

365 so stress

how cute

shinwon

yeo one

yanan

too much effort

kino

yuto

something special (*M*)

technology free

lovers night

wooseok

give it a rest

[wild-karrde]

If I might recommend my own series? 👀 It’s a collection of (unrelated) one-shots surrounding my many different blorbos - I’m especially proud of Drifting On The Winds (Tech angst) because he’s my favourite to write

HECK YES YOU CAN! In fact, it is HIGHLY ENCOURAGED!

This is QUITE the collection and seemingly has a little bit of everything! As someone that thinks about Kino Loy A LOT and is constantly hoping he's safe and alright, I can honestly say you're fic No Way Out GUTTED MEEEEEE. I know it's short, but OOOOF OUCH that moment of realization, and the outcome are DEVASTATING. And it's so beautifully written! Thanks so much for sending this in!

Participate in Fandom Friday to show your favorite creators from this week some love! :)

[graciedollie]

Precious

pair: ambessa medara x wife!reader

summary: You were awaiting in bed for your beloved wife to arrive home from her duties—knowing she’d love to be with you after an eventful day. When she did come home, her face wore a clenched, worrisome expression pacing slightly. What ever could be troubling your dear wife?

warning(s): none really, angst ofc(?)

A/N: I’ve been craving to write a fic about this lady here so here ya go🫶🏾 (kinda my first time writing angst. bare with me).

It was getting late with the moon hanging in the dark sky, dazzling stars peppering the dark abyss with its brightness. You laid lonesome in the large bed that was adorned with silky ruby sheets, missing the certain warmth. The room filled with an eerie silent besides the sounds of the clock ticking, soldiers—that Ambessa had ordered to guard you while she was away—footsteps outside the door, and your own crowded thoughts.

You couldn’t help, but feel that something was wrong—though, you couldn’t put a finger on it. It was only later on that the bedroom door creaked in along with heavy footsteps—knowing those sounds all too well. Your eyes snapped up, seeing your wife step in the room as she shut the door behind her, but her face..

Her expression was one of frustration and disappointment, knowing that expression all too well. Her body was visibly tense as she paced around the room, not even batting an eye at you until your voice snapped her out her rambling mind.

“Sweetheart, what’s troubling you?”

She only stayed silent as her hardens gaze snapped to you before softening with a hint of vulnerability—such a miracle to see as she was pretty guarded. A heavy sigh flowed from her dark lips as she strolled over to you by your spot on the edge of the bed, plopping down on the bed with her shoulders slumped and her legs in a manspread position.

Her forehead laid on the palm of her large hand, looking troubled and upset at who knows what. You place a hand on her shoulder before drifting to her cheek as your thumb ran across her cheek, seeing her eyes glance over at you.

“It’s Mel…”

There it was: the first to second thing that popped in your head as soon as you saw her troubled expression. Your eyes searched for hers as she looked down at the floorboards, seeing her jaw clench as she spoke, “God knows I’ve tried to guide her—guide her to make only the right decisions.”

You listened to her explain her situation, knowing her and Mel didn’t have the best relationship to really begin with. Your eyes flickered with understanding—you knew your wife thought she was helping her, but she was going at it the wrong way—and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I know you do, my love, but she can make her own decisions. She may not need your guidance, but I know she wants her mother, not a general, My Dear..”

Her eyes flickered over at you, brows furrowing as her lips turned into a scowl as she scoffed, “Such nonsense. Of course I am her mother and I am only guiding her to make the right choice to protect, doing whatever necessary to keep people safe—war is to come. That child…”

A sigh flowed from your lips as she continued on, knowing that she possibly thought she’s doing right thing, but it’s only drifting her further from Mel. She never understood what she did wrong—she was only doing best for Mel…

Though Ambessa had her moments with Mel, she still loved her with everything. Her priorities stood straight and devoted to her people—even if meant at the cost of what was dear to her heart.

Sure, Ambessa loved Mel with everything in her body, but unconsciously, she used Mel—which even she knew herself. Being too distant with Kino costed her, now it feels as if getting close to Mel felt the same.

You gently caressed her cheek, turning her face to meet yours—seeing the glint of a worrying mother. Your thumb brushed past her cheek as you spoke, “Darling, you and I both know you care for her deeply, but you have to remember—the way you were raised and showed how to do certain things may not work with her. I know that may seems nonsensical to you as it may have worked for you, but remember—just because one thing worked for someone, doesn’t mean it’ll do the same for the other, My Love. Only leading on the impossible to be insufferable.”

Her expression slightly hardened at your words, soaking in your words before she turned away with a small sigh, “She thinks she can avoid war…violence is never ending, at each and every corner.”

You could only shake your head, seeing at how much she was blinded by her good intentions, that she couldn’t even see the pain she caused. Your wife only wanted best and to protect the ones greatly to her heart, even if it cost her.

She only thought that what she did was only for the greater good—just as how she was raised. Though it wasn’t ‘good’, she was undoubtedly true and just never understood that what she did was never enough.

“Have you ever considered on how she ever felt? Let her do her own things—what she think is right for her people?”

Your words left her silent —looking at you as if you were some sort of ghost. Her jaw clenched as her brows furrowed together, letting your words seep.

“Of course I do. What mother would I be if I didn’t do such? I care deeply for her—even as I did him. Both of them. Carried them in my belly, nursed them from my bosom. Nothing but the sweetness in my heart he was…”

Her voice trailed off into a shaky undertone as her body tensed before quickly straightening up, not wanting to dig further into the wound that would never close.

Even after all these years.

You couldn’t but feel the ache in your heart at her words, knowing how deeply she felt for her children. They were but her precious beloveds.

Your hand placed on her shoulder, giving her a sense of comfort to ease her nerves. She could only glance at you with that hint of sadness and vulnerability before placing her head in your lap.

“I’ve lost something so dearly once and I fear to lose Mel…and you, Dear.”

Her words left you utterly stunned with emotions, sensing how she deeply loved the ones close to her, but something always backfired as though she was partly to blame. You rested your hand on her cheek, grazing over the blessed brown with a soft touch.

“Oh, I know, my Love..”

“What have I done to deserve you, My Precious?”

how do we like this one guys…

[peachdues]

ALL THE THINGS WE LEFT UNSAID — PROLOGUE + TEASER

Tengen’s Bundle of Joy • Secret Pregnancy AU

A/N: surprise! Have a first look at Tengen’s installment of my Bundle of Joy series.

This fic will be multi-part canon-AU. It is a non-linear story (alternating between Then and Now) and double surprise! It will be a slow burn (just because they fuck doesn’t mean they’re in love!)

CW: MDNI • this story features explicit sexual content • secret pregnancy • angst • mentions of injury/head wound • these two are stubborn as fuck lmao

PROLOGUE

“The Sound Hashira is rumored to be in this region. Some mission.”

Your comrade’s off-handed comment freezes you in your step.

“Where.”

Your fellow Kinoe shrugs, unaware of the way your eyes dart anxiously around the clutter of wooden homes and ramshackle shops, as though you half-expect the silver-haired swordsman to leap out from the shadows at any moment.

“It’s not like we get details of the Hashira’s missions shared with us,” he brushes you off with a yawn. His arms fold behind his head, his gait lazy and far too casual for someone of his position as he struts lazily along an uneven path that leads to the small building marked with a fading, painted wisteria crest. “We might be Kinoe, but we’re still bottom feeders compared to them.”

You hum in half-hearted agreement, but your attention to your fellow Slayer — to your mission — flounders as the knowledge you’ve worked desperately ignore explodes out of the mental bottle you’d shoved it into.

Beneath the ever-tightening buttons of your uniform shirt your stomach has begun to swell. Slight; not yet noticeable to the naked eye, but sure as hell prominent when you’re fighting to close the last two buttons or fasten your hakama pants.

You thumb absently at your belt — now loosened two notches. Perhaps you’ll take a cue from the Love Pillar’s book and opt for a skirt. At least the waist would sit higher up, the pleats, offering cover you’ll need while you figure out what the fuck it is you’re going to do. It won’t be long before your secret is exposed; before word inevitably reaches the jewel-crusted ears of the very one you want most to avoid.

You’d be more useful dead.

A callous thing to say to a subordinate, let alone someone who’d risked their neck on more than one occasion to preserve his. And, for all the testiness that had built between you over the years, a resentment born of your mutual inability to confront the other honestly, you hadn’t expected him to resort to that.

You’d known he regretted his words the moment he hurled them your way, but it was too little, too late. And it hadn’t stopped you from leveling his ire with your own, your response a series of poisoned darts you were only happy to launch right back his way.

I look forward to meeting your expectations.

But it was his regret, perhaps, that led him to grab you by the bicep as you’d tried to leave, that yanked you back to face him, breath heavy and pupils dilating.

The crack fissuring across your chest had been dulled by the way his hand swallowed your arm; how his mouth crashed into yours, and the powerful movements of his body. But once he’d collapsed atop you, panting and spent, the wounds he’d inflicted turned raw once more, the salt of his sweat preventing your blood from clotting where he’d torn your chest clean open.

You manage a furtive shake of your head, dispersing the memory of his body and his violence from your mind. This is not the time for you to pick at the scab over your heart, not after you spent the better part of the last two months trying to force it to form. For now, you need to focus on getting the hell out of here; to get as far away from this desolate corner of the earth before the universe decides to throw you back at him.

Before he knows.

Your comrade prattles on, bragging over how he’s been lucky enough to see the Sound Pillar in battle, oblivious to the smirk settling on your lips in spite of yourself. The Kinoe you’ve traveled with seems unaware that in detailing the way the Corp’s great Uzui had appeared out of thin air to save him and the handful of other slayers cornered by a particularly fearsome avian demon, he’s admitting to his own ineptitude in finishing off the beast on his own.

The Hashira don’t come unless hope is lost; the fact Uzui had appeared at all meant they’d been done for. Yet, he wears the boast of having needed his ass saved by one who’d undoubtedly disposed of the demon with a painful swiftness like a badge of honor.

You know better.

For all the ways your fellow swordsman brags over having witnessed the Pillar’s great display of strength, you’ve seen him weak. Not only that, but you’d been the direct cause of such weakness; you’d broken him down, made him give into temptations he believed he’d suppressed.

But that weakness has led you here — chewing on your thumbnail in a fit of anxiety your comrade remains woefully ignorant of as you try banishing the memories of the Sound Pillar’s weakness from your mind.

More, you’d begged him, sweaty and panting and delirious. More.

He’d obliged you — enthusiastically so. And the way you’d fallen apart in his arms showed you that you were just as weak as he.

Not once had he bothered to apologize for what he’d done; what he’d said. And his too casual pronouncement that your death — as gruesome and violent as your profession demanded — would be a better convenience than for him to work through his own bullshit was a slash through your chest even his most fervent apologies wouldn’t be able to stitch back together.

Not that you thought he ever would offer one — but the image of him dropping to his knees and begging you for forgiveness you wouldn’t allow yourself to give was a small comfort to your bitter heart.

Besides, you’d claimed the privilege of having the last word by not saying any at all. Instead, you’d crept away from the inn, leaving him asleep on the discarded heap of his uniform in the room you’d been forced to share.

You’d given him exactly what he’d given you — nothing. And that vindication had been as sweet as it was short-lived. Now, you’re stuck with the consequences of your own pride and weakness without any idea of what to do about it.

Feigning indifference where Tengen Uzui was concerned, however, is your speciality; a skill you’d perfected just as surely as you’d mastered shadow breathing. Thus, the mask of cool neutrality is easy to slip on as you listen to your comrade continue prattling on about skill levels and techniques to improve breathing styles, chiming with a mildly interested nod when necessary.

And you plot; plot your escape from this tiny fishing village, plot how best to guard the secret you know won’t remain such for much longer. Running away from your problems had always been far easier than forcing yourself to choke them down, and this time will be no different. Of that much, you’re certain.

Coward, a voice that sounds suspiciously close to Uzui’s hisses in your head. Coward.

And so, you continue to strategize your best chance at avoiding the storm brimming on your horizon as your fellow Kinoe continues, too consumed by his blustering to notice how your had drifts to your stomach, resting on the hidden curve where the Sound Hashira’s child grows.

—-

BONUS

“The baby — the baby —“

“Where?” Tengen surveys the wreckage scattered around you, ears carefully pricked for any cry, any smaller, weaker heartbeat, but for all his strain, he can discern none. “Was it a village kid?” He jostles you as much as he can, trying to force your eyes into focus. “Where, Y/N?”

But you only keep muttering the baby, your brow furrowed, your head twitching as though in dissent, though it remains limited where it is braced in the crook of Tengen’s massive arm.

He swears under his breath as your eyes roll into your head, your lips straining to form the mantra you cannot stop repeating, even as your breath turns shallow and raspy. Two fingers find the pulse point in your neck, and Tengen swears again at weakened beat of your heart.

“You don’t get to die.” He snaps at you, hand slapping lightly at your bloodied cheek. “You don’t get to run away. Not now. Not again.”

He needs to figure out where else you might be injured — that way he can help, can stabilize you before the Kakushi arrive. You’re not taking the easy way out this time. He would stand at the gates of heaven or hell itself to block your way, ready to haul your ass right back to life so he could chew your ass out the way you so obviously needed. And once he did, he can put this volatile, tempestuous thing between you to rest. He can free himself of the bonds you’d snapped around his wrists the moment you first sized him up and cut him down with a few, caustic words.

Then, he might finally be able to let you go.

Gritting his teeth, Tengen surveys your body. Your head wound is the most prominent, but no matter how much blood mats in your hair and streaks down your face, he knows better than to assume that it’s the worst you’ve sustained.

Gently, his hands smooth along your body, and he notes every odd bend, every lump along your joints that does not belong.

“The ba — baby —“ your voice grows fainter with each word, and Tengen can only see a sliver of white peeking out from between your eyelids.

Beneath the dark crimson of your blood your skin has turned ashen.

“Y/N.” The hoarseness of his voice has nothing to do with the smoldering flames and thick smoke that has burned the village to its skeleton. His hand slides to your abdomen, ready to position you in his arms so he can run with you, can tow you to the nearest Kakushi. You will not die; he forbids it, he forbids you from even trying —

His hand settles on your navel and freezes.

Beneath the flush of his palm is a curve; an outward swelling of your stomach that had been hidden under the loose fit of your uniform shirt, but under his touch, it is unmistakeable.

A bump. A sizeable bump extends from your abdomen.

The grunts and groans of the houses and structures giving way to the crackling flames fall away, his ears filling instant with a high-pitched ring that pulses in time with his thundering heart. The sweat rolling down his neck turns cold, his chest tightening until his lungs burn. Slowly, his eyes drag back up your body until he finds your graying face once more.

For one, brief moment, your eyes flutter open and search wildly before landing on his, wide and frozen in his horror.

“The baby.” You say once more, in explanation and confession. And then your eyes roll back into your skull and you turn limp in Tengen’s trembling arms.

[thegothicchangeling]

I need the fandom to understand that Mel didn't just lose her big brother, she lost the only person she felt safe being emotionally vulnerable with. And for that, the loss is that much more devastating.

[zylokv]

OVER MY DEAD BODY, JENNIE. — myoui mina

❝ you're my spouse on paper, however you're not my responsibility.❞

synopsis — till death do you part, right? why does it feel like you're the only one that fulfilled that vow.

word count ! — 21k

— myoui mina x reader !

notice — heavily inspired by @neoplatinum, aswell as cozuzi and queen of tears.

disclaimer ! — this story is a work of fiction. the portrayal of characters, events, and relationships does not reflect the real lives or personalities of any individuals mentioned. themes of infidelity and emotional conflict are explored, but the intention is not to glamorize toxic behavior.

series masterlist !

LAST PART!

the hospital room was quiet, the rhythmic beeping of the monitors the only sound. your head throbbed faintly as you sat up in the bed, trying to make sense of the fragmented memories and emotions swirling inside you. jennie sat by your side, her presence a constant since you'd woken up, her eyes soft with concern as she fed you small spoonfuls of porridge.

"you’ve been through so much," she murmured, brushing a stray strand of hair from your face. "but you’re safe now. i’m here."

you swallowed the porridge, the warmth doing little to settle the growing unease in your chest. "jennie," you started, your voice hoarse, "why do i feel like... like i should know something important? like there’s someone—"

"someone who doesn’t matter anymore," she cut in, her voice firm but gentle. "someone who hurt you."

your brow furrowed. "what?"

jennie hesitated, her expression darkening as she set the bowl down. "myoui mina," she finally said, her tone laced with disdain. "she tried to break into this very room a few days ago. she was desperate to see you."

"she—what?" you blinked, confusion knitting your features. "why? what does she want?"

"she wanted to be here when you wake up, probably to manipulate you," jennie said, her jaw tightening. "just like she always has. but don’t worry. she’s not going to hurt you anymore. she’s... she’s already in jail where she belongs now."

the words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. "jail?" you echoed, your voice barely above a whisper.

jennie nodded, leaning closer. "she’s under investigation for a lot of things, but mainly for bambam’s disappearance. remember him?"

you didn’t. but the name sent a shiver down your spine nonetheless.

"he was the one she cheated on you with," jennie continued, her voice dropping to a near-whisper, as though sharing a secret too dangerous to speak aloud. "and then, one day, he just... vanished. no trace, nothing."

your hands clenched the blanket, a dull ache settling in your chest. "if she’s such a monster, why was i ever with her?"

"because you were lonely," jennie said softly, her gaze locking onto yours. "you wanted to feel needed. and she saw that. she used it against you, used you to clean up her messes, to protect her reputation. she didn’t love you. she loved what you could do for her."

the words hit you like a punch to the gut, and you let out a bitter laugh. "i must’ve been pathetic," you muttered, shaking your head. "a lonely, naive fool who let someone like her walk all over me."

jennie’s hand covered yours, her grip warm and steady. "don’t say that," she said, her voice tinged with something darker, possessive. "you were vulnerable, but you’re not anymore. you’re with me now, and i’ll protect you. i couldn’t do it back then, but now..." her fingers tightened, her eyes gleaming with a fervent intensity. "now you’re in my grasp. and i won’t let anything or anyone hurt you again."

a shiver ran down your spine, but you couldn’t tell if it was from her words or the way she said them. "jennie..." you began, but your voice faltered, unsure of what to say.

"shh," she murmured, lifting the spoon again and holding it to your lips. "just focus on getting better. let me take care of everything."

you nodded numbly, opening your mouth to accept the food. as the warmth of the porridge spread through you, you tried to ignore the gnawing feeling in the pit of your stomach, the sense that something wasn’t adding up.

but with no memories to hold onto and jennie’s unwavering gaze fixed on you, it was easier to simply let her words fill the empty spaces in your mind.

for now, you let yourself believe her. -----

the atmosphere inside the prison visitation room was heavy with tension. mina sat across from mr. han, her lawyer, whose sharp eyes never left the documents laid out in front of him. his glasses gleamed in the soft overhead light as he calmly sifted through the evidence. mina, on the other hand, could barely sit still, her fingers anxiously tapping against the table.

“miss mina,” mr. han began, his tone clipped and precise, “it’s come to my attention that the authorities are presenting a case that’s entirely dependent on circumstantial evidence. the blood, the hair, the accusations—they don’t have much beyond that.”

“but... they found my hair in bambam’s car,” mina whispered, her voice shaking as she glanced down at the picture of the abandoned car.

mr. han raised an eyebrow. “yes. your hair. in a vehicle that was found under a bridge, with no sign of bambam. the only thing they’ve connected you to is that small piece of evidence. but,” he added, adjusting his glasses with a cool, deliberate motion, “we’re going to dismantle this case piece by piece.”

“how?” mina asked, her voice almost desperate. “how do we explain that?”

mr. han’s gaze was unwavering as he shifted the papers, placing a new set of images on the table. “this is where we start. first, we know you met bambam that night. you admitted that.”

mina nodded. “yes, I did. bambam and I agreed to meet in his car. I had something important to tell him. but when I got there... he was acting strange. I don’t know what happened, but I left him in the car... perfectly fine.”

“perfectly fine,” mr. han repeated, his voice smooth and calculating. “and when you left, he was in no danger? you saw him leave the car? there were no signs of injury?”

“no,” mina replied quickly. “he was fine. I left him there, just like that.”

“good,” mr. han said, leaning back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. “now we focus on the real issue—the knife, and the woman seen on the cctv footage.”

mina’s heart skipped a beat. she hadn’t forgotten about the knife, the one that had been found near bambam’s car. it wasn’t hers, but it had been taken from her apartment.

"the knife," mina started, her tone measured. "it’s mine. i recognized it the moment they showed it to me. but i didn’t use it."

mr. han interjected smoothly. "let’s break this down. you’re confirming the knife belongs to you, correct?"

"yes," mina admitted. "but it went missing. i thought i’d misplaced it before i left for the myoui estate in japan."

he slid a photo across the table. mina’s gaze dropped to the image—a woman leaving her house in a red coat. her stomach twisted. “that’s the night of the murder,” she said softly, her voice tight. “but that’s not my coat.”

mr. han adjusted his glasses, looking at her as if she were missing the most obvious thing in the world. “exactly. it’s a woman who looks just like you, but she’s wearing the wrong coat. and guess what? we’ve got camera footage that proves it. you were already gone by the time the murder happened, but the cops don’t know that yet. they’re too busy chasing their own tails.”

“but why? why would someone do that?” mina asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

mr. han paused, then slid another set of photos across the table. “these are dashcam footage from nearby cars, showing the same woman entering bambam’s vehicle after leaving your penthouse. and here”—he tapped a photo—“this is a picture of the woman burning her clothes afterward. trying to cover up her involvement.”

mina’s breath caught in her throat. “that’s... that’s insane.”

“it’s a calculated move,” mr. han replied, his tone hardening. “and whoever hired this woman is trying to frame you for bambam’s disappearance. we’re going to find out who it is, and once we do, we’ll break this case wide open.”

mina sat back in her chair, her mind racing. “but there’s more, isn’t there?”

“yes,” mr. han said, leaning forward with a sudden sharpness in his voice. “this next part... this is what’s going to change everything. we’ve managed to hack into the phone of the woman who was involved. we know she sent images of the knife, the bloodstains, and a series of cryptic messages. messages that suggest she’s working for someone.”

“and you got all of this legally?” mina asked, still trying to grasp the magnitude of the situation.

mr. han smirked slightly. “the link we sent her was benign enough that she clicked it without suspicion. and now, we’ve got full access to her phone. the information is damning, and it’s going to help us tie this woman to the scene.”

“but what if they trace it back to us?” mina asked, her voice barely a murmur.

“we’ll play it smart,” mr. han reassured her, his voice calm and unwavering. “we’ll claim the evidence came from an anonymous source. there’s no way they can trace it back to us. and once it’s in the system, it’s fair game. they won’t have a leg to stand on.”

mina’s heart sank, but there was a small spark of hope flickering in her chest. “do you think this will be enough?”

“it has to be,” mr. han said, his tone firm. “once we show that the woman took the knife from your penthouse, once we connect her to the scene, and once we prove she was hired... they’ll have no choice but to drop the charges. you will be free.”

just then, the prison guard signaled that visiting hours were coming to a close. mina stood up, her mind racing but her resolve hardening. “thank you, mr. han,” she said, her voice quiet but filled with gratitude. “for believing in me.”

“you don’t need to thank me,” mr. han said with a cool smile. “I’m just doing my job. now let’s get to work. the trial starts soon.” -----

FLASHBACK

the car was parked under the shadow of an overpass, the air heavy with tension. mina sat in the passenger seat, her posture poised and unyielding, the dim glow of the dashboard casting faint shadows across her sharp features.

bambam tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, the faint rhythm echoing in the silence. “so, what’s this about, mina?” he finally asked, his voice tinged with impatience.

she turned to face him, her gaze icy and calculating. “it’s about them,” she said, her tone even but laced with steel.

his brows furrowed in confusion before a smirk crept onto his face. “oh? what about your precious lawyer?”

mina’s eyes narrowed, her expression unflinching. “stay away from them, bambam. whatever you’re trying to do, it ends now.”

bambam leaned back in his seat, letting out a low chuckle. “is that so? and what makes you think you can tell me what to do?”

“because I can,” mina replied coolly. “and because I will. i’m not here to play games with you, bambam. this is your final warning.”

his smirk faltered for a moment before he scoffed, shaking his head. “you’re unbelievable, you know that?”

mina’s lips curled into a faint, humorless smile. “it’s power. power that could make your life very difficult if you keep pushing me.”

bambam broke the silence first, his tone sharp. “you’re not going to win them back, you know.”

mina’s eyes flicked to him, dark and unyielding. “that’s none of your concern.”

“none of my concern?” bambam scoffed, leaning back in his seat with a bitter laugh. “do you really think they’ll forgive you, mina? after what you did?”

mina’s gaze remained steady, her voice calm but cutting. “they already know. i made a mistake—one i’ll regret for the rest of my life. but forgiveness? that’s for them to decide. not you.”

“you think saying that makes it all better?” bambam challenged, his words dripping with derision. “what do you even have to offer them after breaking their trust?”

mina’s lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. “everything,” she said simply. “i’ll give them everything—my time, my love, my name, my empire, if that’s what it takes.”

“and what if it’s not enough?” bambam pressed, his voice rising slightly. “what if they walk away, mina? then what?”

mina leaned forward, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper. “then i’ll spend the rest of my life making sure they know what they mean to me. and if they still choose to leave—” she paused, her expression softening ever so slightly, “—then i’ll let them go. because that’s what love is.”

bambam’s laugh was sharp, almost cruel. “love? don’t make me laugh. you’re all talk, mina. you think you’re so noble, but let’s not forget—i was there first. i’ve known you since we were kids. how could you pick someone like them? a nobody, a lawyer.”

mina’s smile didn’t waver, but the air around her seemed to grow colder. “careful, bambam,” she said softly, her tone razor-sharp. “you’re forgetting who you’re talking to.”

he opened his mouth to retort, but mina cut him off, her voice growing firmer. “you think i chose them because they’re a ‘nobody’? no. i chose them because they’re everything you’ll never be. they’re kind. selfless. loyal. something you wouldn’t understand.”

bambam’s jaw tightened, but mina pressed on, her words precise and unforgiving. “and let me make one thing clear: whatever you think you had with me? it’s over. it was a mistake—a lapse in judgment i will never repeat.”

“you sound so sure of yourself,” bambam muttered, his bravado faltering. “but do you really think they’ll look at you the same way?”

mina’s expression softened, though her eyes remained steely. “i don’t know,” she admitted quietly. “but i’ll fight for them, bambam. every single day. because they’re worth it.”

she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a near whisper. “and you? you’re nothing but a reminder of a mistake i’ve already left behind. so here’s my advice: stay away. from them. from me. from us.”

bambam’s smirk returned, though it was weaker this time. “and what if i don’t back off? what are you going to do, mina? ruin me?”

“if i have to,” she replied without hesitation, her voice steady and devoid of emotion. “do you really want to test me, bambam? do you want to see how quickly i can pull the rug out from under you? your family’s success depends on the myoui shares. one call from me, and it all comes crashing down.”

his smirk vanished completely, replaced by a flicker of unease.

“you’re serious,” he muttered, almost to himself.

mina leaned in slightly, her gaze piercing. “deadly. serious. so listen carefully, bambam. stay away from them. stay out of their life. because if you don’t, i will make sure you regret it.”

bambam was silent for a moment, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. “you’re cold, mina. colder than i ever thought possible.”

she tilted her head, her expression unreadable. “and you’re predictable. but let me make one thing clear: i care about them more than anything. and i’ll do whatever it takes to protect them.”

he let out a bitter laugh, his frustration evident. “you’re going all in for someone like them? a nobody compared to us?”

mina’s gaze darkened, her voice dropping to a whisper. “they’re not a nobody. they’re everything. and if you think otherwise, you’ve already lost.”

she opened the car door and stepped out, her heels clicking against the pavement as she turned to look at him one last time.

“don’t make me repeat myself,” she said, her tone final. “this is the last time we’ll ever speak.”

without waiting for a response, she walked away, her figure disappearing into the night. LATER THAT NIGHT mina's pov

i watched them from the doorway for a long moment, their figure slouched against the couch, eyes lost in the amber liquid in their glass. the room was too quiet, too still. it made something inside me stir—an urge to close the distance, to fill the silence with the sound of my voice.

finally, i stepped in, my footsteps soft on the hardwood. "you're good at avoiding things," i said, my tone low and deliberate.

“i’ve been working,” they replied, but i could tell they were listening. i pushed forward, my gaze fixed on them. "at this hour?" i asked, the edge in my voice unmistakable.

silence hung in the air as they shifted, but i didn’t wait for them to speak. i took another step closer.

"you look gorgeous," i added, my voice slipping into something softer. it was true. they always looked amazing—no matter the circumstances.

their eyes flickered to me briefly, but they quickly turned away, hiding behind the glass in their hand. a flash of frustration ran through me, but i tamped it down.

"don’t say things like that," they muttered, and i could hear the unspoken weight in their words.

i paused, eyes narrowing as i took in the situation. the tension was thick, palpable. they were avoiding me, but there was something else too—a fear, a reluctance. and it made my chest tighten.

“you’ve been drinking,” i observed, my gaze flicking to their glass. “and thinking. i can tell.”

their sigh was heavy, their shoulders slumping as they leaned back. “why are you doing this?” they asked, frustration lacing their voice. "why are you trying so hard now? do you think i’ve forgotten? sometimes i still see him. i still hear his voice.”

bambam.

the name scraped across my mind like a shard of glass, but i didn't flinch. i could feel the sharpness of his ghost still lingering between us, but that didn’t matter now.

i crouched down in front of them, close enough that i could feel their breath hitch. “he’s gone,” i said, my voice soft but sure.

they blinked, confused. “what do you mean?”

i let my lips curl into the faintest smile. “he won’t bother us anymore.”

“mina, what did you—”

“do you trust me?” i interrupted, my eyes locking onto theirs with an intensity that made their pulse quicken.

they hesitated, and i saw the doubt in their eyes. but i knew—i knew—that they would come around.

“i’ll make this simple,” i continued, my voice low, almost a whisper now. i leaned closer, one hand brushing against their thigh, making sure they knew i was real, that i was here. "you’re mine. and i’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way."

their breath caught in their throat, but they didn’t speak.

"if i fail again, everything i have—my wealth, my power, my name—it’s yours,” i added, my voice thick with the weight of the promise. “but let me make one thing clear.”

my hand traced a slow, deliberate line up their jaw, forcing them to meet my eyes. “if you ever think about betraying me, if you ever look at someone else—”

i paused, the smile on my lips widening just slightly. "you’ll regret it."

“mina—”

“shh,” i whispered, cutting them off with a finger against their lips. “you think i’d let that happen? with this kind of face, you have time to look at someone else?”

my laugh was soft, but it carried a dark edge. “i’ll make sure you never even think about it,” i said, the words slipping from my mouth like a sweet, dangerous promise.

i climbed onto their lap with practiced grace, my robe slipping slightly, the fabric brushing against their skin. i could feel their heart pounding beneath me, their body stiff with tension.

“do you know why, darling?” i asked softly, my hands cupping their face, tilting it slightly to meet my gaze.

they swallowed hard, their eyes flickering with a mix of confusion and desire.

“because you’re mine,” i whispered, my lips grazing their ear, my voice barely audible but full of conviction. “every part of you—your heart, your body, your soul—it belongs to me. till death do us part.”

my fingers tightened slightly, just enough to make them feel the pressure, feel my ownership. "you’ll stay by my side, and i’ll make sure you never want to leave."

the tension in the air was unbearable now, and when our lips finally met, it was everything: a promise, a threat, a declaration. my kiss was as fierce as it was tender, leaving them breathless and completely consumed.

i could feel them respond, their body finally giving in to the pull of mine. the world outside didn’t matter anymore—only the space between us, the heat, the quiet desperation in their touch.

and as the kiss deepened, the way my hands moved slowly, deliberately over them, it became clear: this wasn’t just a kiss. it was a claim.

bambam was nothing now—just a fleeting, foolish mistake. one i had already erased from existence.

and now? they were mine—completely.

-----

jennie escorted you out of the hospital. her hand remained steady on your back as you stepped into the cold, crisp air. waiting near the exit were familiar faces and two people you vaguely recognized as mina's parents. their expressions ranged from worry to relief when they spotted you.

sana stepped forward first. "thank god. you're alright." her eyes shifted to jennie, narrowing. "but what is she doing here?"

jennie tightened her grip on your arm, a smile that didn’t reach her eyes fixed firmly on her lips. "they need rest. i’m here to make sure they get it."

you hesitated, looking between the two groups. sana’s gaze was pleading, momo’s filled with concern. "don’t believe anything jennie says," sana blurted out. "she’s—"

"enough," jennie interrupted smoothly. "they don’t need this stress."

sana tried to push forward, but two men in suits—jennie’s bodyguards—stepped in, blocking her path. momo glanced at you, her eyes filled with something you couldn’t place—guilt? regret?

"let’s go," jennie said gently, tugging you toward the waiting car. you followed, your mind spinning as the door closed behind you. through the tinted windows, you caught one last glimpse of sana, her mouth moving as if shouting something you couldn’t hear.

back at the apartment jennie had set up for you, everything was too perfect, too curated. the walls were adorned with pictures of you and jennie—smiling, happy, a life you couldn’t recall.

you wandered aimlessly until you found yourself in what appeared to be your private office. the space felt more like yours—papers strewn across the desk, case files stacked neatly on the shelves.

sitting in the chair, you ran your fingers across the polished wood of the desk. drawers beckoned, and your curiosity got the better of you. as you rifled through them, a small device caught your attention—an mp3 player. etched on the back were the initials M.M.

your breath hitched. why did that feel significant?

plugging in a pair of headphones, you scrolled through the playlist. songs filled your ears, unfamiliar yet strangely comforting. you found yourself nodding along, murmuring, "good taste."

leaning back, you closed your eyes, letting the music envelop you. but as the final chords of a song faded, a thought struck you like lightning.

"if mina really was my enemy," you muttered, "then maybe it’s time i learn more about her."

setting the mp3 player aside, you leaned forward, determination replacing hesitation. visiting hours at the prison weren’t far off, and if you were going to piece together the truth, you needed to start there.

-----

the hum of fluorescent lights buzzed faintly as you stepped into your office building for the first time since the accident. park jihyo, your ever-efficient assistant, was already waiting near the entrance. her expression shifted quickly between relief and hesitation as she approached, clipboard clutched tightly to her chest.

“you’re back,” she said, offering a tentative smile. “it’s good to see you.”

you nodded, glancing around the space that felt both familiar and foreign. “so this is where i work?” the words came out more like a statement than a question, but doubt lingered in your tone.

jihyo’s smile softened, though concern flickered in her eyes. “yes. this is your office. you’ve spent so much time here... you’ve built a reputation as one of the best lawyers in the city.”

“what kind of lawyer am i?” you asked, half-joking but mostly serious. you gestured vaguely at the desk, the files stacked neatly on it, the accolades framed on the walls. “was i any good?”

jihyo hesitated, her gaze dropping to the clipboard. “you were brilliant. fearless. but... i can’t tell you much more.”

“can’t, or won’t?” you pressed, your tone sharper than intended.

“it’s... complicated.” jihyo admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

frustration bubbled beneath your skin, but you didn’t push further. instead, you spent the rest of the day acclimating yourself to the environment—pouring over files, trying to piece together fragments of your professional life. jihyo’s praises lingered in your mind, but they felt hollow, like echoes in a vast, empty room.

as evening fell, you left the office, the chill of the winter air biting at your cheeks. the drive to the prison was quiet, the hum of the heater in your car the only sound. your thoughts churned, a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief.

“how could i have fallen for a criminal?” you muttered under your breath, gripping the steering wheel tighter. the irony wasn’t lost on you—one of the city’s best lawyers, tangled in the web of someone suspected of a heinous crime.

snow began to fall as you arrived at the prison. the waiting area was cold and unwelcoming, the walls a dull, institutional gray. your breath misted in the air as you sat, your gaze fixed on the window where snowflakes danced against the pane.

and then, she entered.

myoui mina. even in the drab uniform of a prisoner, she carried herself with an elegance that was almost otherworldly. her hair was tied back, her face pale but composed. your heart stuttered—recognition flickered like a match, only to be snuffed out by the fog of your fractured memories.

she walked toward you, her steps quickening as she saw you. the chair scraped against the floor as she sat across from you, her hands trembling slightly as she clasped them together on the table.

“how are you?” mina asked, her voice soft, tentative. “did the surgery go well?”

you leaned back, your arms crossed. “why do you care?” your tone was cold, accusatory. “didn’t you cheat on me?”

mina flinched, the words hitting her like a physical blow. “i heard jennie was with you,” she said carefully, her voice wavering. “i... i promised to be there for you, but—” her composure cracked, and she looked down, her hands clenching into fists. “i got caught up in this mess.”

“so you’re admitting it?” you shot back, your voice rising. “you weren’t there because you were too busy being a criminal?”

“it’s not like that!” mina’s voice broke, her tears spilling over. “i was at the hospital, but then... then jennie came with all this police and i was arrested. i didn’t want this. i never wanted this.”

your mind swirled with confusion, her words sinking into the cracks of your doubt. "i know everything," you said abruptly, your voice low and steady, testing the waters.

mina's gaze sharpened, and a hint of her old defiance surfaced. "if you know everything," she retorted quickly, leaning forward slightly, "then why are you here? are you still doubtful?"

her words struck a nerve, and for a moment, you were caught off guard. "don't believe jennie," mina continued, her tone gentler now, almost pleading. "she's not who she says she is. i know i made mistakes, but i need you to trust me on this."

before you could respond, the guards approached, signaling the end of the visit. mina stood, her gaze locking onto yours, desperate and pleading.

“take care of yourself,” she said, her voice barely audible as the guards led her away. “please... just take care of yourself.”

as you left the prison, the cold air hit you like a slap, your thoughts a tangled mess. you stopped at a convenience store, grabbing medicine for your pounding headache. the clerk gave you a sympathetic look as you fumbled with the cash, muttering under your breath about how your head felt like it was splitting in two.

back at your apartment, darkness enveloped the space. you flicked on the lights, only to find kim jennie sitting on your couch, her posture tense, arms crossed, and expression stormy.

“where have you been?” she demanded, her voice sharp and tinged with something almost desperate.

you froze, your hand still on the light switch, blinking at her in confusion. “jennie? how did you get in here?”

her expression softened, a hint of vulnerability slipping through as she stood. “your spare key,” she murmured, holding it up briefly before setting it on the table. “i was worried. you weren’t answering my calls. i thought something might’ve happened.”

“worried?” you echoed, your voice unsure, the events of the day leaving you too drained to challenge her. “the one person who was causing me harm is in jail now, right?”

jennie’s lips pressed into a thin line as she stepped closer, her gaze steady on yours. “come on,” she said carefully, her voice dropping to a hushed tone. “you don’t remember everything yet, but you know how dangerous she is. i can't just sit by and do nothing.”

her words sent a flicker of unease through you, but it was hard to push back against the conviction in her tone. the gaps in your memory felt like a chasm, and jennie seemed to be the only one offering answers.

“i... i guess that makes sense,” you said slowly, your brows furrowing. “but still, jennie, coming in uninvited like this—i don't— i don't like anyone entering my apartment just like that..”

“i’m sorry,” she said quickly, her voice trembling just enough to sound sincere. “i know it’s a lot, but you have to trust me. everything i’ve done is to protect you. you’re all i care about.”

your resolve wavered, her words settling heavily in your chest. “you keep saying that, but... it feels like too much sometimes.”

she stepped closer, her hand brushing against yours. “you’re scared. i get it. but you don’t have to go through this alone. i’m here for you. always.”

her touch, her tone—everything about her presence felt suffocating as if your body is rejecting her touch. you exhaled, the tension in your shoulders easing slightly despite the lingering doubt in your mind. “okay,” you murmured. “thank you, jennie.”

her smile returned, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “good,” she said softly. “just promise me you’ll be careful. mina’s not who you think she is. remember that.”

you nodded, the weight of her words pressing down on you even as they left questions you couldn’t articulate. “i’ll try.”

she lingered for a moment, her gaze searching yours before finally stepping back. “i’ll go now,” she said, her voice gentle. “get some rest. and please... call me if you need anything.”

as the door clicked shut behind her, you stood there for a long moment, your thoughts a tangled mess of uncertainty and trust.

outside, jennie walked briskly to her car, her composed facade slipping away. frustration simmered beneath the surface as she pulled a small device from her pocket.

“you don’t see it yet,” she muttered, crouching beside your car to attach the tracker underneath. “but you’ll understand someday. i’m the only one keeping you safe.”

she straightened, brushing off her hands before slipping into her car. as she drove off, her jaw clenched, her thoughts racing. “you’ll thank me one day,” she whispered, her voice steely with determination. “i’ll make sure of it.” -----

the courtroom buzzed with tension as the trial commenced. spectators whispered in hushed tones, stealing glances at the defendant’s table where mina sat, her expression calm yet cold, betraying nothing. mr. han, her lawyer, stood confidently, a stack of meticulously prepared documents in front of him.

“your honor,” mr. han began, addressing the judge, “we have new evidence that will undoubtedly prove my client’s innocence.”

the prosecution raised an eyebrow, their lips curling into a skeptical smirk. “circumstantial evidence is hardly new, counselor. unless you have something more substantial, let’s not waste the court’s time.”

“on the contrary,” mr. han said smoothly, “the evidence i’m about to present is both new and compelling. security footage retrieved from the defendant’s penthouse reveals critical details about the night in question.”

the courtroom fell silent as a monitor was wheeled into view. mr. han nodded toward an assistant, who queued up the footage.

“this is from the surveillance camera outside ms. myoui’s residence,” mr. han explained. “pay close attention to the timestamps.”

the footage began playing, showing mina leaving her penthouse dressed in a sleek black coat, her movements poised and deliberate. the timestamp marked her departure at 8:15 p.m.

“now,” mr. han continued, gesturing toward the screen, “this next segment is from 8:32 p.m.”

the video cut to a different angle, this time showing a woman entering mina’s penthouse. she was clad in a striking red coat, her face obscured by a scarf and hat.

“notice the distinct red coat,” mr. han pointed out. “this individual is not my client. yet, at 8:45 p.m., she exits the penthouse holding the alleged murder weapon—the same knife identified as belonging to ms. myoui.”

gasps rippled through the room as the footage showed the woman leaving with the knife, her gloved hand clutching it tightly.

“your honor, this footage demonstrates that while the fingerprints on the knife may belong to my client, she wasn’t even present when it was taken from her residence,” mr. han concluded.

the prosecution stood, their expression unyielding. “this is circumstantial at best. a video of someone entering and exiting proves nothing without concrete evidence linking this individual to the crime. for all we know, this could be staged.”

mr. han didn’t flinch. “your honor, if the prosecution doubts the credibility of this footage, perhaps they’ll find the next piece of evidence more convincing.”

the courtroom tensed further.

“we have received additional evidence—photos and videos taken by the perpetrator themselves. these were submitted anonymously but corroborate the timeline and details of the incident.”

the prosecutor’s expression darkened. “objection! this evidence wasn’t disclosed during discovery. the defense is attempting to blindside us.”

mr. han’s composure wavered, frustration flashing in his eyes. “your honor, this is critical. withholding this evidence would be a miscarriage of justice. it directly impacts my client’s case and could determine her innocence.”

the judge leaned forward, their gaze piercing as they addressed the room. “you’ve been asking for substantial evidence, and now it’s presented before you. the court will accept it.”

the tension in the room broke as murmurs spread like wildfire. at the back of the room, an anonymous figure in a sharp blazer shifted in their seat—kim jennie. her jaw clenched, her annoyance barely concealed as she slipped out of the courtroom unnoticed.

the new evidence played, showing damning footage of the red-coated woman holding the knife and setting it down at the crime scene. her actions were deliberate, her face partially visible in some frames.

the judge deliberated briefly before delivering their verdict.

“after reviewing the evidence, it is clear that the defendant, myoui mina, is not guilty.”

relief flooded the room as mina’s parents embraced one another, tears streaming down their faces. sana and momo exchanged stunned glances before breaking into tentative smiles.

mina, though composed, allowed herself a small exhale of relief.

later, outside the courthouse, mina’s family and friends surrounded her. the air was thick with emotions—tears, laughter, and heartfelt embraces.

“you did it, mina,” momo said, her voice breaking slightly. “you’re finally free.”

“we never doubted you,” sana added, her bright smile tinged with emotion.

mina looked at them, her usually guarded demeanor softening. “thank you. all of you. i couldn’t have done this alone.”

mr. han approached, his expression a mix of pride and exhaustion. “it’s not over yet. we’ll need to investigate further to ensure the true culprit is brought to justice. but for now, enjoy this victory.”

mina nodded, her gaze turning toward the horizon. despite her freedom, a storm still brewed within her. there were questions unanswered, shadows lingering in the corners of her mind. -----

your office was unusually quiet that afternoon, the kind of stillness that made the ticking clock on the wall seem deafening. work was supposed to keep your mind occupied, but instead, it only made the unease growing in your chest feel sharper.

your phone buzzed, the vibration cutting through the silence. absentmindedly, you picked it up, intending to swipe the notification away, but your eyes caught the headline: “myoui mina acquitted—court declares her not guilty.”

the name felt... strange. familiar yet distant. it lingered in your mind like a faint melody you couldn’t place.

you stared at the screen, furrowing your brows. why did it feel like this mattered?

“jihyo,” you called out, your voice firmer than you expected.

your assistant poked their head into the doorway, their usual cheerful expression replaced by a cautious one. “yes?”

you grabbed your coat, your movements abrupt and hurried. “i need you to drive me somewhere.”

jihyo blinked in confusion. “uh, where exactly are we going?”

you hesitated for a moment, realizing you didn’t have a clear answer. “just—” you waved your hand vaguely. “just drive. i’ll figure it out.”

jihyo hesitated but grabbed their keys and followed you out of the office. the elevator ride down was quiet, your thoughts too tangled to make sense of.

once inside the car, you tapped your fingers restlessly on the armrest, staring out the window as the city streets blurred by.

“you okay?” jihyo finally asked, stealing a quick glance at you.

“i don’t know,” you admitted, surprising even yourself with the honesty. “just... something doesn’t feel right.”

jihyo frowned but didn’t press further. they focused on the road while you sank deeper into your thoughts. the name from the article kept replaying in your head, like an unsolved riddle begging for an answer.

you didn’t know where this drive would take you. all you knew was that you needed to move. -----

the car idled quietly outside the prison gates, jihyo tapping the steering wheel rhythmically. you sat in the passenger seat, furiously scribbling in a small notebook balanced precariously on your knee.

jihyo’s patience was running thin. “you know, when i said i’d help you, i didn’t sign up for prison stakeouts. care to explain why we’re here?”

without looking up, you muttered, “my ex-wife, who also happened to be my stalker, just got released. i need to know what she’s up to.”

jihyo stared at you, incredulous. “do you... hear yourself right now? we’re sitting outside a prison, watching your ex walk out, and you’re writing notes. i feel like you’re the stalker in this situation.”

your head snapped up, eyes wide with indignation. “what was that?!”

jihyo bit her lip, barely containing her amusement. “you heard me.”

you opened your mouth to argue but were interrupted by jihyo pointing toward the gates. “oh, by the way, there she is. have fun.”

your head whipped around, all your irritation dissolving as your gaze locked onto mina. she stepped out with a composed air, her parents flanking her. her mother immediately pulled her into a tight hug, while her father rested a hand on her shoulder, saying something you couldn’t quite make out.

your pen moved instinctively: family-oriented.

jihyo leaned over, peering at your notebook. “are you seriously taking notes on her like she’s a science experiment?”

“it’s for... context,” you said vaguely, eyes glued to the scene outside.

“context for what?” jihyo demanded, throwing her hands up in exasperation.

you ignored them as your focus shifted to momo, who was bounding over with a small container in hand. she thrust it toward mina, her grin unmistakable even from this distance.

“just try it! it’s good for you!” momo chirped.

mina recoiled slightly, her nose scrunching up. she took the container hesitantly, sniffed its contents, and immediately handed it back, shaking her head with an expression that screamed absolutely not.

doesn’t like natto, you wrote down.

jihyo groaned, burying her face in her hands. “this is painful to watch. you’re like a teenager with a crush, but worse. at least teenagers are subtle.”

“what was that?” you asked distractedly, not bothering to look up.

“nothing. keep doing your weird... note thing.”

just then, sana appeared, holding hiro by the hand. her bright demeanor seemed to light up the area as she guided the boy toward mina. after a few quiet words, she lifted him into mina’s arms.

your brow furrowed, and you leaned closer to the window. “isn’t that girl too young to be a mom?”

jihyo stiffened, her expression suddenly awkward. “uh... well...”

you gave her a sideways glance, but her avoidance didn’t register as your focus returned to mina. she was holding hiro gently, her expression uncharacteristically soft as she spoke to him. her parents stood nearby, beaming proudly, while momo and sana exchanged quiet laughter.

you couldn’t help but feel something stir in your chest—an unfamiliar mix of confusion, curiosity, and something else you couldn’t quite name.

as the group began making their way to a waiting car, mina’s gaze wandered. her eyes landed on your car, her expression unreadable.

panic hit you like a freight train. you ducked so quickly that your knee hit the dashboard, eliciting a sharp yelp.

jihyo turned to you, her jaw slack. “what the hell are you doing?”

“shh!” you hissed, clutching your notebook to your chest. “she almost saw me!”

jihyo blinked slowly, her confusion palpable. “okay, so... just to be clear, you’re stalking your ex-wife to make sure she’s not stalking you?”

you glared at them, heat rushing to your face. “i’m not stalking her! i’m just... observing.”

“yeah, that totally makes it better,” jihyo said dryly, leaning back in her seat. “you know what? have fun with this. i’ll just be here, pretending i don’t know you.”

you shot them a glare but said nothing as your attention flicked back to mina’s car pulling away. once the coast was clear, you slowly sat up, exhaling a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding.

jihyo shook her head, muttering, “definitely not giving stalker vibes at all.”

you jabbed a finger in their direction. “i’ll deal with you later.”

jihyo smirked, rolling her eyes, tapping the steering wheel. “can’t wait.” -----

the café buzzed with quiet chatter and the hum of brewing coffee. you sat in a secluded corner booth, notebook open, pen in hand, eyes glued to the table where mina, sana, and momo were seated with hiro. they were laughing, the sound muffled by the distance, but the sight was enough to stir something odd in your chest—annoyance? curiosity? who could tell?

you scribbled in your notebook: two women—who are they? friends? accomplices? one is overly enthusiastic, other is quieter but equally engaged.

jihyo, seated across from you, sipped her coffee and squinted at your furious note-taking. “you look like you’re preparing for a criminal trial.”

“i’m gathering evidence,” you replied without looking up.

jihyo snorted. “evidence of what? that she’s having lunch with friends?”

before you could respond, your attention snapped back to mina. she picked up a piece of orange chicken with her chopsticks, her expression brightening as she chewed.

“likes orange chicken but doesn’t like natto,” you muttered, jotting it down. “what is she, a kid?”

jihyo burst out laughing, nearly spilling her coffee. “oh my god, you’re ridiculous.”

you glared at her. “what’s ridiculous is you treating this like a joke. this is serious.”

“serious stalking, maybe,” jihyo teased, leaning back in her chair. “you remind me of my younger self. you know, when i’d do dumb stuff for my crush.”

“i don’t have a crush,” you said defensively, snapping your notebook shut.

jihyo smirked. “sure you don’t. that’s why you’ve been obsessively documenting her every move.”

you opened your mouth to argue but stopped yourself, focusing instead on the scene across the room. mina laughed at something momo said, her hand lightly brushing hiro’s hair. sana beamed, clearly enjoying the moment, her animated gestures adding life to their table.

“who even are those women? i saw them before, when i left the hospital with jennie” you asked, more to yourself than jihyo.

jihyo leaned forward, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “friends. maybe family. maybe... rivals?”

you shot her a look. “are you trying to be helpful or make fun of me?”

jihyo shrugged. “depends. but listen, boss, if you really want my advice—”

“i’m not your boss right now” you interrupted.

she smiled slyly. “oh come on, and let me tell you, you weren’t as uptight back then. if you want to figure out what’s going on with her, stop overthinking and just... go with what feels right. not what other people are telling you.”

you frowned. “are you saying i should ignore the fact that she might be dangerous?”

jihyo hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “i’m saying you shouldn’t let someone else’s opinions—past or present—make decisions for you. your gut knows more than you think it does.”

you leaned back in your seat, chewing over her words as mina’s table erupted in laughter again. your pen hovered over the notebook, indecisive for the first time all day.

jihyo watched you, her expression softening. “just... don’t forget to breathe, okay? and maybe stop staring so hard. you’re gonna scare them off.”

“you’re terrible at this,” you muttered, but a small, reluctant smile tugged at your lips.

jihyo grinned. “you’re welcome.” -----

your office was quiet, the hum of the city muffled by the thick glass windows. you were hunched over your desk, scribbling aimlessly on a piece of paper, trying to focus, when the door opened.

your head snapped up. standing there, as though he belonged, was your father.

“you shouldn’t be here,” you said, your voice sharper than you intended.

he stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. “i thought it was time we talked.”

you leaned back in your chair, studying him with guarded eyes. “talk about what? about how you suddenly care now that i can’t even remember half my life?”

he flinched at your words, but his expression quickly settled into something calmer, almost pleading. “i care about you. i always have.”

“funny,” you said bitterly, standing and crossing your arms. “because that’s not what i’ve heard.”

“what are you talking about?” he asked, his brows furrowing.

you hesitated for a moment before your voice dropped, quieter but sharper. “remember when you took away my title as a lawyer to force me to marry mina?”

your father froze, his mouth opening slightly before he seemed to catch himself. “who told you that?”

“jennie,” you said simply, watching his face carefully.

“jennie…” he murmured, almost to himself. “she’s filling your head with lies—”

“don’t,” you interrupted, your tone icy. “she’s the only one who’s been honest with me. she’s been there when no one else was. not you, not mina. her.”

“you don’t remember everything,” he said, stepping closer, his voice trembling slightly. “you don’t know the full story. i—”

“and whose fault is that?” you snapped, cutting him off again. “you’re part of why i can’t piece my life together! you let this happen—you made this happen!”

his expression shifted, torn between anger and guilt. “i thought i was doing what was best for you.”

“best for me?” you repeated, your laugh bitter. “taking away my career? tying me to someone who clearly didn’t care about me? how is that ‘best for me’?”

he reached out, almost desperate now. “listen to me—”

you stepped back, your hands trembling as you clenched them into fists. “don’t touch me.”

the room fell into a suffocating silence, the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on both of you.

“i’m sorry,” he finally said, his voice quiet but firm. “i didn’t know how else to—”

“save it,” you muttered, grabbing your coat from the back of your chair. “you’ve done enough.”

without waiting for his response, you brushed past him and opened the door.

“i love you,” he called after you as you walked out.

you didn’t stop. the sound of the door closing behind you felt like the only closure you could give. -----

the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime as you stepped out, your gaze fixed on the notes you were scrolling through on your phone. it wasn’t until you looked up that you froze in your tracks. standing just a few feet away, waiting for the next elevator, was mina.

she was there in a crisp white blazer paired with tailored trousers, the kind of outfit that made her look effortlessly sophisticated. her hair fell neatly over her shoulders, tucked behind one ear to reveal pearl earrings. the mall’s lighting caught her just right, giving her an almost otherworldly air that made your breath catch.

your heart skipped a beat, and instinct took over before your mind could process. you stepped back into the elevator, jamming the close button with more force than necessary. the doors slid shut, leaving you staring at your slightly disheveled reflection in the mirrored walls.

what are you even doing?

you smoothed a hand over your clothes, tugging at your collar and brushing your hair back into place as if it would somehow prepare you. your palms felt clammy, and your heartbeat drummed in your ears.

“why am i acting like this?” you muttered under your breath, your tone frustrated. “she’s just mina. i shouldn’t be afraid of her.”

but the words felt empty, and deep down, you knew why. there was something about her presence that always made you feel like you were on uneven ground. still, the thought of running away didn’t sit right with you either.

mustering what little courage you had, you pressed the button to open the doors again. they slid apart, and you stepped out, only to find the hallway empty. she was gone.

confused, you glanced around before cautiously moving forward. as you turned a corner, you spotted her near one of the mall’s indoor fountains. her back was to you, but it was unmistakably her.

before you could decide whether to approach or leave, she turned. her eyes locked on yours immediately, like she had been expecting you.

“we need to talk,” mina said, her tone calm but resolute.

your breath hitched, and for a moment, you felt frozen, caught between unease and something you couldn’t quite name.

after a pause, you straightened your shoulders, trying to project confidence you didn’t fully feel. “fine,” you said, doing your best to sound composed. “let’s talk.”

you weren’t sure if you were convincing her—or yourself. -----

the private dining room at the top of the myoui skyscraper was a picture of opulence. floor-to-ceiling windows showcased a glittering city skyline, while the soft hum of classical music filled the air. a table set for two rested in the center, the glow of candlelight casting a warm hue over the elegant decor.

you shifted uncomfortably in your seat, your fingers curling around the glass of water in front of you. the room felt too grand, too suffocating for a conversation you weren’t ready to have.

mina sat across from you, her appearance as immaculate as ever. her tailored black dress, paired with understated diamond earrings, only emphasized her composed demeanor. her posture was perfect, her hands folded delicately on the table, yet there was something in her gaze—soft but piercing—that made your chest tighten.

“thank you for agreeing to meet,” she began, her voice calm but measured.

“like i had much of a choice,” you muttered, glancing at the untouched plate before you.

she tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. “you could’ve ignored me.”

“and let you keep hounding me? no thanks,” you retorted, your tone sharper than you intended.

a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “i suppose persistence runs in the family.”

you leaned back in your chair, crossing your arms. “so? what is it you want this time, mina?”

she hesitated, her gaze dropping briefly before meeting yours again. “i want you to work for me.”

you blinked, caught completely off guard. “excuse me?”

“i want you to join the myoui corporation as the head of our legal team,” she said evenly, her tone leaving no room for ambiguity.

a laugh escaped you, bitter and incredulous. “you’re joking.”

“i’m not,” she replied, her voice steady.

“you really think I’d leave my current job to work for you?” you scoffed, shaking your head. “what kind of game are you playing, mina?”

“this isn’t a game,” she said quietly, though her words carried weight. “i need someone i can trust in that position. and i want you."

“trust?” you repeated, the word sour in your mouth. “you don’t trust me, mina. you never did.”

her expression faltered for the first time, a flicker of something unspoken crossing her features. “that’s not true,” she said softly.

“it’s hard to believe anything you say,” you shot back, your grip tightening around the edge of the table. “especially when—” you hesitated, your breath catching as a memory surfaced, murky and incomplete.

mina’s gaze softened, and the vulnerability in her eyes was disarming. “go on,” she urged gently.

you shook your head, frustration bubbling over. “it doesn’t matter. what matters is that you cheated on me. you broke my trust, mina. why should i believe you now?”

she flinched, her composure wavering for a split second. “you’re right,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “i did. and i’ve regretted it every day since. but that doesn’t mean i’ll stop trying to make things right.”

you laughed again, the sound hollow. “you’re fucking shameless, you know that? offering me a job while spouting apologies. do you really think i’m that desperate?”

“it’s not about desperation,” she said firmly. “it’s about giving you the place you deserve. a chance to stand beside me, not behind anyone else.”

her words hung heavily in the air, and for a moment, you couldn’t find a response.

“why are you looking at me like that?” you blurted out, your voice tinged with unease. “are you trying to seduce me or something?”

mina’s lips parted in surprise before a soft, humorless laugh escaped her. “no,” she said, shaking her head. “but i didn’t think you’d forget me so easily. or believe someone else over me.”

your chest tightened, anger and confusion swirling in equal measure. “what’s that supposed to mean?”

she hesitated, then stood, her movements slow and deliberate. “it means that i’m willing to do whatever it takes to make you remember who we were. to make you see me for who i really am—not the person someone else has painted me to be.”

you pushed your chair back, standing abruptly. “save your speeches, mina. i’m not the same person you once knew. i’m not that foolish, naive idiot anymore.”

“i know,” she said, her voice steady despite the sadness in her eyes. “but that doesn’t mean i’ll stop fighting for you.”

her words struck a nerve you couldn’t ignore, but you forced yourself to turn away, heading for the door.

as your hand gripped the handle, her voice stopped you. “don’t let someone else’s version of the truth define yours.”

you paused, her words cutting deeper than you cared to admit,.

“you said you're willing to do whatever it takes to make me remember,” you said without looking back. “maybe you should start by leaving me alone.”

and with that, you left, the weight of her words following you out into the night. -----

the car moved smoothly through the city streets, the hum of the engine a faint backdrop to your thoughts. you leaned back in the leather seat, scrolling aimlessly through your phone. it was supposed to be a quiet evening, nothing to complicate the uneasy calm you’d managed to maintain since that dinner with mina.

“take me back to my apartment,” you told the driver, your voice distracted as you tapped on your phone.

“yes.” the driver replied, the sound of the turn signal clicking as they merged into the appropriate lane.

just as you were about to close your phone, a notification popped up on the screen. your brow furrowed as you opened it—a qr code, sent from an unfamiliar number. beneath it was a name that caught your attention: strike & pitch corporate center.

you stared at the name, the vague sense of familiarity gnawing at the edge of your mind. the logo—a baseball bat crossed with a home plate—meant nothing to you, but something about it tugged at a memory you couldn’t place.

your fingers hovered over the message details. the sender was listed simply as you.

“what the hell?” you muttered under your breath.

the driver glanced at you through the rearview mirror. “everything okay?”

“change of plans,” you said abruptly, your tone sharp. “take me to... this place.” you held out your phone, showing him the address embedded in the qr code.

the driver hesitated. “are you sure?”

“just do it,” you snapped, a surge of frustration rising in you—not at the driver, but at the sense of disorientation that had become all too common lately.

as the car shifted direction, you stared out the window, gripping your phone tightly. the name, the logo, even the act of receiving the message—it all felt like a cruel game. like someone was nudging you toward something you weren’t ready to face.

strike & pitch corporate center. why did it feel like you’d been there before -----

as you stepped out of the car, the cool evening air enveloped you, biting at your skin. you hadn’t planned to be here, but the cryptic invite and the tug of something unexplainable had guided you to this unfamiliar, yet eerily nostalgic place. you clutched your phone tightly, staring at the faint glow of the qr code on the screen as you approached the entrance.

“welcome back,” the staff member at the door said, scanning the code. their tone carried a warmth that felt misplaced, like they knew something you didn’t.

you frowned, brushing past them. “back?” you muttered under your breath. the familiarity of the place clawed at your memory, a strange sense of déjà vu wrapping around you as you walked through the corridors.

the space was cavernous, its high ceilings illuminated by soft, artificial light. baseball memorabilia lined the walls, and the faint scent of leather and chalk filled the air. your eyes landed on a rack of bats. almost instinctively, you picked one up, the weight of it settling comfortably in your hands.

“huh,” you murmured, gripping it tighter as you made your way to the pitching machine. standing in front of it, you set yourself up, the bat raised.

the machine whirred, and you swung. the ball connected with a satisfying crack, soaring into the net at the other end. a rush of adrenaline pulsed through you, but before you could savor the moment, the sound of footsteps caught your attention. "you didn't miss." a cold voice said and your mind whirled some memory surfacing before you shake your head refusing to remember.

then came the sound of heels clicking against the floor. you turned, and there she was—mina.

she was stunning, her tailored black dress suit fitting her perfectly, exuding elegance. but it was her expression that unsettled you. there was no coldness, no detachment—just a quiet sadness that made you shift uncomfortably under her gaze.

“what are you doing here?” you asked, your voice sharper than intended.

she held up her phone, her eyes steady. “you tell me.”

on the screen was the same invite you’d received.

you blinked, your confusion deepening. “i didn’t send that.”

“are you sure?” mina’s voice was calm, probing.

before you could respond, the lights dimmed, and a soft whirring sound filled the space. a projector came to life, casting a video onto the far wall.

your breath caught.

the first scene was unmistakable: your wedding day.

mina appeared on the screen first, seated in front of a vanity mirror. she was a vision in white, her wedding dress clinging to her frame like it was designed just for her. her makeup was flawless, yet her hands trembled slightly as she adjusted her veil.

“this is stupid,” past mina muttered, avoiding the camera. “why would i need a video like this? i don’t...” she trailed off, her reflection catching her eye.

“i don’t even know why i’m doing this,” she continued, her voice softening. “but if i’m watching this someday... maybe something’s gone wrong.” her lips pressed into a thin line. “maybe i’m regretting something. maybe i’m...” she faltered, shaking her head.

“just turn this off,” she said firmly, her voice laced with frustration. “turn it off and go back to work.”

there was a pause, and she glanced down, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her veil. “but if you’re still watching... i hope it worked. i hope i didn’t ruin it.” her voice broke slightly, and she looked away, blinking rapidly.

the screen shifted to another scene: you.

your past self sat in front of the camera, dressed in formalwear. you looked nervous, fidgeting with your hands, but there was a small, tentative smile on your lips.

“uh, hi,” you began awkwardly, glancing away before forcing yourself to meet the camera. “so... i guess this is for the future?” you chuckled nervously, running a hand through your hair.

“this isn’t what i imagined for myself,” you admitted, your voice quieter. “an arranged marriage wasn’t part of the plan, but... i guess life happens.”

you hesitated, your smile fading slightly. “i’m scared,” you confessed. “i don’t know her that well, and... she scares me a little. but...”

your past self looked down, then back up, determination flickering in your eyes. “but i want this to work. i want to be good to her. and i... i hope she’s good to me.”

your voice softened even more, as though speaking directly to your future self. “just... don’t make her cry, okay? promise me that

the screen went dark, and the lights came back on. you stood frozen, the weight of the past pressing down on you. you stood frozen, staring at the blank wall where your past self’s words had just played, echoing in your mind. beside you, mina was unnervingly still, her gaze fixed on the floor. the weight of the moment was suffocating, a mix of confusion, anger, and something else clawing at your chest.

a staff member appeared, breaking the quiet. they approached mina first, handing her a bouquet of white lilies.

“mrs. myoui, these are yours.” they turned to you, “you rented out the space about two months ago and asked us to deliver mrs. myoui her favorite flowers. you used to come here often.”

“when?” you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.

“three years ago,” they repeated, “and mrs. myoui was with you the last time. i think you guys were only developing your relationship back then.”

a small envelope was perched delicately on top of the flowers. mina hesitated for a moment before taking it, but before she could open it, your hand shot out, snatching the envelope from the bouquet.

“give me that,” you muttered, ripping it open. the paper inside felt fragile, like it might disintegrate under your touch.

the words written were unmistakably yours.

another happy anniversary, my love. i don’t know if i deserve you, but i’ll spend every day trying to. here’s to us.

your breath hitched, and a bitter laugh escaped your lips. “what the hell is this?” you said, holding up the letter. “why would i write something like this? why would i celebrate a marriage with someone who—”

“who what?” mina interrupted, her voice calm but tinged with sadness. “who hurt you? who made mistakes?” she took a step closer, her eyes soft but steady. “or someone who loved you, despite everything?”

you stared at her, anger flaring. “don’t twist this around. you cheated on me, mina. what are you trying to prove?”

mina flinched at your words, her composure cracking just slightly. “i don’t blame you for moving on,” she said quietly, her voice wavering. “but you didn’t move on. you erased me. and now, you won’t even question why.”

“because there’s nothing to question!” you shot back, your voice rising. “you think i’d believe anything you after everything you’ve done?”

mina stepped closer, her gaze unwavering now, piercing through you. “then don’t believe me,” she said firmly. “but don’t believe jennie, either.”

you froze at the mention of her name, a chill running down your spine. “what are you talking about?”

“she didn’t protect you,” mina said softly, the weight of her words sinking into the air. “she isolated you. she fed you lies about me because it benefited her. because she wanted you to depend on her.”

your jaw tightened, your grip on the letter trembling. “that’s not true. jennie’s always looked out for me.”

mina let out a hollow laugh, shaking her head. “looked out for you? she made sure you’d never question what she told you. she kept you away from me because she knew if you ever remembered... you’d realize the truth.”

her words hit like a hammer, each one cracking the foundation of your certainty. your gaze dropped, unwilling to meet hers, and instead, it landed on her hand. the light caught her wedding ring, the delicate band glinting softly.

you stared at it, your mind a chaotic mess. you couldn’t look at her anymore. you couldn’t think straight. the past you thought you knew, the anger you’d clung to—it all felt unsteady, like a house of cards ready to collapse.

“you don’t have to believe me,” mina said, her voice softer now, almost pleading. “just... don’t let her keep doing this to you. think for yourself. remember who you were.”

her words hung in the air as you turned away, the letter crumpled in your fist. your heart was racing, your mind screaming for clarity that wouldn’t come.

“i don’t know who i was,” you muttered, more to yourself than to her.

mina took a step back, her gaze lingering on you. “then figure it out,” she said quietly. “but don’t let someone else decide for you.”

her words followed you as you walked away, leaving her standing there with the flowers in her hands, a sad, defeated look on her face. -----

you stepped out of the car, your legs feeling heavier than usual as you approached the towering gates of jennie’s mansion. the chill in the night air wasn’t enough to explain the cold that settled deep in your chest. this wasn’t the first time you’d walked into this house, but tonight, everything about it felt... off.

the staff at the door greeted you with their usual professionalism, but their eyes lingered on you a moment too long, like they knew something they weren’t saying. you nodded briskly and entered, the echo of your footsteps against the marble floors amplifying the unease curling in your stomach.

each step closer to her room felt like crossing an invisible line, one you weren’t sure you could come back from. the hallway stretched endlessly, dim light pooling around your feet with every step. when you reached her door, you hesitated, your fist hovering in the air for a moment before knocking. the sound was hollow, unnervingly loud in the quiet.

“come in,” her voice called from the other side, smooth and detached, with an edge that made your chest tighten.

you pushed the door open and stepped inside. the smell of expensive perfume mixed faintly with the sharp tang of alcohol, wrapping around you like a suffocating haze. jennie was sitting by the window, draped in a silk robe that caught the dim light just right. her hair was loose, a little messier than usual, and a glass of amber liquid dangled loosely in her hand. she turned to look at you, her lips curling into a faint, unreadable smirk.

“well, if it isn’t you,” she said, her tone light but edged with something you couldn’t place. she raised her glass slightly in mock salute.

you didn’t sit down immediately, your eyes scanning the room. “what’s going on with you?” you asked, your voice steady but tinged with concern. “why are you drinking like this?”

she let out a soft laugh, the sound low and hollow, like a melody missing its key notes. “you’re worried about me,” she said, almost to herself. her gaze flickered to the glass in her hand before meeting yours. “that’s... sweet. it feels nice.”

the way she said it—like the idea of you caring for her was foreign—made your stomach churn.

“what’s so funny?” you asked, narrowing your eyes.

“nothing,” she said, waving her glass slightly before taking another sip. “it’s just... ironic, i guess.”

“ironic?” you echoed, confused and irritated by her evasiveness.

she didn’t answer, her gaze distant as she stared out the window.

you exhaled sharply, deciding to cut through whatever game she was playing. “i didn’t come here for this,” you said firmly. “i have a question—”

“hold that thought,” jennie interrupted, standing abruptly. “i need another drink.” she glanced back at you over her shoulder, a ghost of her smirk returning. “want one?”

“no,” you said curtly, watching as she sauntered over to the door probably going to her own bar.

as soon as she disappeared from view, a faint buzzing sound drew your attention to the coffee table. her ipad screen lit up with a notification: footage system – recent upload available.

your curiosity spiked, your gaze darting between the ipad and the doorway where jennie had disappeared. after a moment’s hesitation, you picked it up, your fingers trembling slightly as you unlocked the screen.

the notification led to a video—grainy footage from a hidden camera. the thumbnail showed jennie and bambam in a car, their faces illuminated by dim interior lighting.

your heart thudded in your chest as you pressed play. the video was silent, but their body language spoke volumes. jennie leaned in close to bambam, her expression one of sharp intensity.

you zoomed in on the footage, trying to piece together the context.

the sudden sound of jennie’s footsteps snapped you out of your focus. your hands moved quickly, exiting the video and locking the ipad before placing it back down, your heart racing as you leaned back in your seat, feigning nonchalance.

jennie returned, another glass in hand. she didn’t seem to notice anything amiss as she sat down across from you, her movements fluid but slower than usual.

“so,” she said, swirling the liquid in her glass. “what was it you wanted to ask?”

you hesitated, your mind still reeling from the video. you struggled to gather your thoughts, your fingers twitching slightly in your lap.

“never mind,” you said finally, your tone tighter than you intended.

jennie tilted her head, her smirk returning but softer this time. “don’t ‘never mind’ me,” she said, her voice playful but with an edge. “you came all the way here. what is it you wanted to know?”

you took a steadying breath, trying to push aside the unease. “what’s going on with you, jennie? why are you like this?”

her smirk wavered, just for a moment, before she looked down at her glass. “do you ever think about just... leaving all this behind?” she asked, her voice quieter now, almost wistful.

“what?” you asked, caught off guard by the sudden shift.

“the states,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “we could go there. start fresh. wouldn’t that be nice?”

you blinked, trying to make sense of her words. “what are you talking about?”

jennie smiled faintly, but there was no joy in it. “it’s funny,” she said, almost to herself. “being abandoned by everyone you care about. it’s lonely, but... freeing, in a way.”

her words hit you like a slap, but you didn’t let it show. “are you sure i was the one who was abandoned?” you asked, your voice cutting through the tension.

her mask cracked. her eyes widened ever so slightly, and for the first time, she looked genuinely vulnerable.

“do you think i’m lying?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, but it carried the weight of something raw and unguarded.

“it’s not that...” you started, but the words caught in your throat.

“then what?” she pressed, leaning forward. her gaze was piercing now, stripping away whatever defense you had left.

you stood abruptly, needing to get out of the suffocating room. “we’ll talk when you’re sober,” you said, your tone clipped as you turned toward the door.

before you could take another step, her hand shot out, wrapping around your wrist. her grip was firm but trembling, her fingers cold against your skin.

“don’t go,” she whispered, her voice breaking ever so slightly.

you looked down at her hand, your stomach twisting. after a long pause, you gently but firmly pushed her hand away.

“goodnight, jennie,” you said, your voice quieter now but no less resolute.

as you walked out of the room, you could feel her gaze burning into your back. the soft clink of her glass against the table and the sound of her shaky exhale followed you down the hallway, echoing in your mind long after you’d left. -----

the room felt like it was closing in on you. everything about this space—your desk, the bookshelves, even the faint scent of coffee in the air—should’ve been familiar. but it wasn’t. not anymore.

you sat at your desk, phone in hand, your thumb hovering over jihyo’s contact. a shaky breath escaped your lips before you pressed call.

“hello?” her voice came through, warm but cautious.

“jihyo.” your voice cracked slightly, and you cleared your throat. “i need a favor.”

“what’s wrong?”

“i lost my phone,” you lied. the words felt like gravel in your throat. “and i need mina’s number. can you send it to me?”

there was a pause, heavy and almost unbearable.

“...you’re calling her?” jihyo finally said, disbelief in her tone.

“yes.”

“okay. give me a minute.”

the call ended, and you set your phone down, staring blankly at the wall. your chest felt hollow, the weight of the past few days pressing harder than ever.

your gaze wandered, landing on the small safe tucked in the corner. something about it tugged at you—a faint echo of a memory just out of reach.

without thinking, you got up and knelt in front of it. the keypad stared back at you, taunting.

you tried a few random combinations, each failed attempt chipping away at your patience.

and then, as if whispered by a ghost, a date surfaced in your mind. march 24, 1997.

you froze. the thought alone was enough to make your chest tighten.

hands trembling, you typed: 032497.

the lock clicked. the sound reverberated through the silence, startling you.

inside, neatly placed, was a leather-bound notebook, an envelope, and a charm—a delicate four-leaf clover encased in glass.

your hand hesitated over the charm first, a flicker of something—familiarity? longing?—coursing through you. setting it down, you picked up the notebook, its worn edges soft under your touch.

just as you opened it, your phone buzzed. jihyo’s text lit up the screen with mina’s number.

you stared at it for what felt like an eternity, your hand hovering just above the device. the thought of calling her felt like plunging into ice water, but the lingering ache from the diary’s words pushed you forward.

you picked up the phone with trembling hands, thumb hesitating over the number before pressing the call button.

the line rang once, twice—each second dragging like an eternity.

“hello?” mina’s voice came through, soft but cautious, and it hit you like a punch to the gut.

you swallowed hard. “mina.”

a pause. the way she said your name next was barely above a whisper. “is this really you?”

“i... we need to talk.” your voice was firmer than you expected, but inside, your heart was racing.

mina was silent for a moment, and you could hear her take a steadying breath. “what is this about?”

“where are you?” you asked, dodging the question.

she hesitated before answering, her voice carefully neutral. “at home.”

“i’m coming over,” you said without waiting for her permission, ending the call before she could respond.

you set the phone down with a shaky hand, exhaling a breath you didn’t know you were holding. the tension in your chest didn’t ease—instead, it grew.

silence returned, but the weight of it felt different now. your gaze drifted back to the notebook, the pull of it irresistible.

sitting down on the floor, you opened it carefully, as if the pages might crumble beneath your touch.

the first line of handwriting stopped you cold. it was yours—messy, uneven, but undeniably yours.

you inhaled sharply as the first entry stared back at you.

april 2nd, 2023

the day we signed the marriage papers, i couldn’t look her in the eyes. i felt like i was selling my soul—or maybe just giving it away for nothing in return. she sat there, perfectly calm, her pen gliding across the pages like it was just another business deal. i wanted to scream at her, ask her why she was so okay with this, but instead, i just signed my name and sealed my fate.

when we left the gala she turned to me and said, “this is the best decision for both of us.” i almost laughed. i wanted to ask her, “best decision for who? you or your family?” but i didn’t. i just nodded and let her lead me into this life i didn’t ask for.

your chest tightened, and a dull throb echoed in your head. a blurry image flashed—a ring, her hand slipping it onto yours. your breaths grew shallow.

may 3rd, 2023

i don’t know what possessed me to start writing this, but... here we are. it feels kind of weird to pour all of this onto a page, but maybe it’ll help me figure things out. maybe it’ll remind me of why i agreed to this whole... arranged marriage thing. why i agreed to mina.

she’s cold, distant, and sometimes I think she hates me. but then... she’ll do something small, like bring me tea when i’m up late or adjust my tie before a meeting, and suddenly it’s like the ice cracks. i see her warmth, even if she doesn’t realize it’s there.

i don’t know what the future holds for us, but... i hope we can make this work. i hope she lets me in. i hope she doesn’t regret choosing me.

your breath hitched. suddenly, like a tide crashing over you, an image surfaced: mina, seated across from you in a sterile restaurant with her mother, her expression unreadable but her gaze piercing.

the ache in your chest deepened as you turned the page.

june 10th, 2023

we moved in together today. the house feels more like a museum than a home—cold, empty, too perfect. she barely said a word the whole time, just directed the movers like a conductor leading an orchestra. i tried to make conversation, but every time i spoke, it felt like my words hit a wall and fell to the ground.

that night, i sat alone in the living room, staring at the boxes i hadn’t unpacked. she walked in, her face as unreadable as ever, and handed me a cup of tea. “you should get some rest,” she said, her voice soft but distant. i wanted to tell her that rest was the last thing i needed, that i needed to feel like i wasn’t completely alone in this, but instead, i just nodded and watched her walk away.

august 27th, 2023

we had our first real fight today. it was about something stupid—her working late and not telling me. but somehow, it turned into this huge argument about communication and respect. for the first time, i saw her lose her composure. she snapped at me, her voice sharp and full of frustration, and for a moment, i thought she hated me.

but then, just as quickly, she softened. she apologized. i didn’t even know she was capable of that. “i’m not used to this,” she admitted, her eyes avoiding mine. “to... us.”

it wasn’t much, but it felt like a crack in the armor she always wore. for the first time, i thought that maybe—just maybe—there was a real person underneath all that perfection.

your hands trembled, the notebook growing heavier in your grip. you squeezed your eyes shut, but it didn’t stop the flood.

you saw her smile—soft, unguarded, so unlike the mask she wore for everyone else. it wasn’t just a memory; it was a feeling.

you flipped through the pages quickly, each word cutting deeper than the last.

december 1st, 2023

hiro came into our lives today.

it was mina’s idea to have an heir. at first, i thought she was doing it for appearances, to play the part of the perfect wife in the perfect family. but when she held him for the first time, i saw something in her eyes i’d never seen before: warmth.

she spent hours with him that first night, rocking him to sleep, whispering to him in japanese. i didn’t understand most of what she was saying, but it didn’t matter. the way she looked at him, the way her voice softened—it was like she was a completely different person. for the first time, our house felt like a home.

hiro.

the name hit you like a thunderbolt. flashes of a small boy—dark, curious eyes, a shy smile—flickered in your mind.

“hiro,” you whispered, the name feeling both foreign and familiar on your tongue.

your hands shook as you turned the page, desperate for more.

february 14th, 2024

valentine’s day. i didn’t expect her to even acknowledge it, but she surprised me. when i came to work that morning, there was a small bouquet of flowers on the table and a handwritten note. “thank you for putting up with me.” that was all it said. no grand declarations of love, no flowery prose—just a simple, honest message.

later that night, we sat together on the couch, hiro asleep in her arms. she leaned her head on my shoulder, and for the first time, it didn’t feel awkward or forced. it just felt... right.

may 30th, 2024

mina smiled at me today—not the polite, practiced smile she gives to everyone else, but a real, genuine smile. it was because of something stupid hiro did—he tried to feed his toy dinosaur some rice, and when it didn’t work, he threw the toy across the room in frustration. mina laughed so hard she had tears in her eyes, and when she looked at me, it was like she was letting me in on a secret.

in that moment, i realized something: the cold, distant woman i married was gone. in her place was someone who cared, someone who felt, someone who was learning how to love. and i think—no, i know—that i love her too.

your vision blurred as tears filled your eyes. the memories were rushing back, each one hitting you like a tidal wave.

the notebook slipped from your hands, landing open to another page.

you turned to the final entry, the ink slightly smudged as if it had been written in a rush—or through tears.

if we grow old together, i don’t want to forget you, mina. i don’t want to treat you like a stranger and forget. you’re the only person i want to remember.

as you read, the memories came rushing back—mina’s laugh, her touch, the way her walls slowly came down over time.

you remembered the way she looked at you the day hiro was born, the way her hand lingered in yours just a little too long. you remembered the sound of her voice as she read bedtime stories to hiro in japanese, her soft laughter as she stumbled over the english translations.

and most of all, you remembered the way she smiled at you that night on the couch, her head resting on your shoulder, her guard finally—finally—down.

it was like a dam had broken inside you, the memories flooding back all at once, overwhelming and painful and beautiful.

as you moved to stand, your gaze landed on the open notebook once more. a faint metallic glint caught your eye, and you reached down to pick up the lucky charm that had fallen earlier.

your fingers brushed over its smooth surface, the glass cold against your skin.

you looked back at the diary, looking at the final page again, where your past self had poured everything out in raw, desperate handwriting.

“i don’t want to treat you like a stranger and forget. you’re the only person i want to remember.”

the irony of it all felt like a cruel joke.

your fingers curled tightly around the charm as you turned to leave, stuffing it into your pocket. you didn’t bother closing the diary, leaving it open on the desk like a scar you couldn’t bring yourself to cover.

whatever awaited you at mina’s, it couldn’t hurt worse than this.

at least, that’s what you told yourself. -----

you were gripping the steering wheel so tightly your knuckles turned white. the road ahead blurred through your tear-streaked vision, headlights casting fleeting shadows on the empty streets. your heart felt like it was caught in a vice, the weight of your emotions threatening to drown you.

you dialed jihyo’s number, voice breaking as you spoke. "jihyo, please follow my location... i need you to come." you didn’t give an explanation—there wasn’t time. your hands were shaking as you hung up.

your hands fumbled to send your live location as you navigated towards the address mina had given you. the snowy streets seemed endless, every passing moment a reminder of the distance between you and her.

"i’m sorry," you whispered to the empty car, to yourself, to mina. "i’m so sorry for everything. for hurting you." your voice cracked. "for forgetting you."

meanwhile, miles away, a notification pinged on jennie’s phone—a tracker alert. her jaw tightened as she opened the app, her fury mounting as she saw your car’s movement.

"what the hell are you doing?" jennie hissed under her breath, slamming her glass of wine down as she grabbed her coat and stormed out of her room.

the cold air bit at you the moment you stepped out of the car, but it didn’t register. all you could focus on was the lump in your throat, the suffocating guilt, the overwhelming fear that you wouldn’t make it in time.

the address mina had given you echoed in your head like a mantra. and there, through the flurry of snowflakes, you saw her.

mina.

she stood just outside her penthouse, wrapped up against the cold, her face illuminated by the harsh lights of the building. she spotted you immediately, and for a moment, her expression softened—relief flooding her features as she began walking briskly towards the lane.

you mirrored her movement, your heart pounding in your chest as you closed the distance. you were so close.

"stay there!" mina shouted, her voice sharp but trembling with emotion. "don’t move—i’ll come to you!"

you nodded, tears still streaming as you stood frozen on your side of the lane, the red light glowing between you. the snow muffled everything except the sound of your racing heartbeat.

but as she waited, a car suddenly came screeching from the side, its headlights blinding. before you could react, someone grabbed you, yanking you back. the world spun as you felt yourself being dragged, your cry swallowed by the sound of a truck roaring past mina’s view.

mina’s steps faltered, her eyes wide with confusion as the truck cleared the lane, and you were gone.

"no!" her voice cracked, rising in pitch as panic set in. she ran to the spot, her breaths ragged, her heart pounding in her ears. "where are you?! where did you go?!"

she spun around, her wide eyes scanning the empty street, her chest heaving. "this can’t be happening," she whispered, her voice shaking as she stumbled forward, desperate.

but you were gone.

minutes passed. the snowfall grew thicker, masking the world around her. mina’s breaths came in sharp gasps now, her composure crumbling as the realization set in.

"where are you..." she murmured, her voice breaking. she stumbled to the curb, gripping the icy edge of a lamppost as her legs threatened to give out.

she stopped, suddenly still, her breath coming in short, panicked bursts.

"this can’t be happening," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else. her hands gripped her head, her knuckles white with the effort. "no... no, not again..."

minutes later, jihyo arrived, stepping out of her car with wide, worried eyes. "where are they?"

mina whirled around, her voice breaking. "they were here! i saw them—they were right there!" she pointed to the spot across the lane, her hand trembling.

jihyo pulled out her phone, quickly accessing the tracker. "i’ve got their location," she said, her voice firm.

mina didn’t wait for an explanation. "get in the car," she ordered, her tone urgent.

the two women climbed into jihyo’s vehicle, the tracker blinking with every second as they sped off into the night.

mina stared out the window, her fists clenched so tightly her nails bit into her palms. her mind raced with fear and dread.

"just hold on," she whispered, as though willing the universe to listen. "please, just hold on." -----

you woke with a jolt, your head pounding, confusion clouding your mind. the room you were in was unfamiliar, cold. disorienting. the soft rustle of footsteps echoed through the silence, growing louder, and your pulse spiked. instinct kicked in, and before you could even think, you grabbed a vase from the nearby table, clutching it like a weapon. you squeezed your eyes shut, your heart pounding in your chest as you held your breath.

the footsteps grew closer. closer. the door creaked open. without a second thought, you swung the vase with all your strength. it collided with the man who entered, sending him stumbling back, groaning in pain. you didn’t wait for him to recover. you bolted.

you ran as fast as your legs could carry you, into the living room, trying to make sense of your surroundings. and then you saw her. jennie. standing in the middle of the room, the barrel of a shotgun resting casually in her hands, her cold gaze locked on you.

the sight of her hit you like a punch to the gut. flashes of your past with jennie, your past engagement, the trips to the kim family’s hunting grounds—everything you once thought you knew about her rushed back, only to feel utterly wrong in the moment.

memories flickered and died, their edges sharp and disjointed. you couldn’t grasp them, couldn’t hold onto them long enough to make sense of anything.

your mind was racing, but your body was frozen. you couldn’t move.

the bodyguard, the one you’d knocked out earlier, entered the room, disheveled, his face twisted with guilt as he bowed to jennie. "sorry, miss," he muttered, his voice low. "i failed."

jennie waved him off, her voice ice-cold. "it’s fine. you’re dismissed." she didn’t spare him another glance as he hurried out of the room.

it was just the two of you now.

jennie took a step forward, and you instinctively took a step back. her eyes locked on yours, her gaze piercing through you. "what are you doing?" she asked, her voice deceptively calm. "visiting mina?"

the words twisted in your chest. everything in you screamed to lie, to avoid the confrontation, but you couldn’t. "did you take me against my will?" you spat, your voice trembling despite the anger.

her eyes hardened, her lips curling into a cold smirk. "i didn’t want you to get hurt," she said, her tone eerily smooth. "mina's manipulation runs deep. you can’t see it, but i can. i couldn't let you go back to her. not after everything she’s done to you."

you shook your head, struggling to keep your composure. "i—" you hesitated, your thoughts jumbled. "i was there because i read a book," you muttered, your voice barely above a whisper. "it had information about mina… and our marriage."

a flicker of doubt crossed jennie’s face, but she quickly masked it. her eyes narrowed slightly, her hand tightening around the shotgun, as if it would somehow give her control of the situation. "a book," she repeated, her voice dripping with skepticism. "you expect me to believe that?"

you rushed to recover, trying to regain some sense of control. you forced a smile, one that felt wrong on your lips. "maybe it was someone copying my handwriting," you said, almost sweetly. "but you… you could’ve just taken me back home, jennie. you don’t have to do this." "jennie, let's go back home. i'm sorry for doubting you, i won't ever do it again. i promise." you mumble your hands shaking as you tried to appear confident.

for a moment, jennie didn’t respond, just watching you with those cold, calculating eyes. you could feel her presence, heavy, suffocating. her fingers brushed your cheek, a touch so gentle, it almost made you flinch. "no," she said simply. "we’re leaving for the U.S. tonight. at midnight."

the words felt like a slap. your stomach dropped, your mind spinning. "what?" you asked, your voice shaking. "no, jennie. i—"

she cut you off, her voice cold, final. "don’t fight me on this. you’re coming with me, whether you like it or not."

your pulse quickened. "no," you repeated, shaking your head. "jennie, please. i—"

before you could say anything more, the door crashed open, and the guards stormed in, grabbing you roughly. you fought back, your body thrashing as they overpowered you, dragging you through the hallway and into a private bedroom.

your heart raced in your chest. you were panicking, trying to think of a way out, but your mind was a blur. the guards shoved you into the room, tossing you onto the bed with a force that made you fall while your leg bumped the bedside table. you tried to scramble to your feet, but the door slammed shut behind you with a deafening thud. you groan at the pain settling and and sat down at the floor.

you were trapped. suffocating. everything felt like it was closing in.

you didn’t know how to escape. you didn’t know how to fix this.

and yet, you couldn’t stop fighting. you wouldn’t give up. not yet.

-----

the car came to a jarring stop, tires skidding slightly on the icy road as jihyo glanced nervously at the imposing gates ahead. the storm was worsening, with thick snowflakes swirling like a suffocating veil, obscuring the land beyond. mina barely noticed. her eyes were locked on the ominous wooden sign by the gate, the words carved deep into the aged surface: “BEWARE KIM’S PROPERTY.”

her breath clouded in the freezing air as she stepped out of the car. jihyo scrambled to follow, calling out, “mina! wait! what are you doing?”

mina didn’t answer. her mind was racing, her heart pounding in her chest. she could barely feel the cold biting at her skin as she took in the high stone walls and shadowed periphery of the property. every instinct screamed danger, but that didn’t matter. not when they could be here.

jihyo caught up, grabbing mina’s arm. “this is insane! look at this place! we don’t even know if they’re already gone!”

mina yanked her arm free, her voice sharp and unyielding. “i know they’re here, jihyo. i can feel it.” she turned to face her, eyes blazing despite the storm. “call the cops if you want, but i’m not waiting for anyone.”

jihyo hesitated, fear and worry evident on her face. “mina, this isn’t—”

“just do it!” mina hissed before turning back to the gate. she crouched low, her sharp eyes scanning the grounds beyond. the guards were spread out, moving methodically through their patrols, but the snowfall worked to her advantage, obscuring her from their view.

clenching her fists to steady herself, she edged along the wall, searching for any sign of an opening. her breath came in shallow gasps as the cold air burned her lungs. her coat wasn’t nearly enough for this weather, and her fingers were quickly going numb, but she pressed on.

finally, her hand brushed against a patch of uneven stone near the base of the wall. squinting through the storm, she realized it wasn’t just stone—there was a narrow drainage grate embedded in the ground. it was small, barely big enough for someone her size to squeeze through.

mina knelt, her heart hammering as she tugged at the grate. it didn’t budge. she cursed under her breath, glancing over her shoulder at the guards in the distance. her fingers fumbled with the cold metal, pulling harder until her palms ached. the storm muffled most sounds, but she couldn’t risk making too much noise.

finally, with a grating screech that made her flinch, the metal shifted. she slipped inside, landing awkwardly on the frozen ground below. the narrow tunnel smelled of damp earth and rust, the faint trickle of melting snow dripping somewhere nearby. she crawled forward, her knees scraping against the uneven surface.

the passage seemed endless, and for a moment, panic set in. her breath came faster, her chest tightening as the walls pressed in around her. but then she saw it—a faint glow at the other end.

mina emerged into a small utility shed, the interior dimly lit by a flickering overhead bulb. it must have been part of the property’s maintenance area, though it looked like it hadn’t been used in years.

she pushed the door open just a crack, peering out. the main estate loomed ahead, its towering structure dark against the snowy backdrop. guards were stationed closer now, their heavy boots crunching through the snow as they patrolled.

mina’s pulse quickened. she had no idea how she would get past them, but there was no time to think. she adjusted her coat, pulling it tighter around herself to blend into the shadows as best she could.

the snow made it harder to move quietly, every step leaving tracks that could give her away. she hugged the wall, slipping between hedges and outbuildings, her heart lurching every time a flashlight beam swept too close.

then, as she rounded a corner, her foot caught on a patch of ice. she stumbled, barely catching herself before hitting the ground. the noise drew the attention of a nearby guard.

“who’s there?” the man called, his flashlight cutting through the darkness.

mina’s breath hitched. she pressed herself against the wall, praying the storm would mask her presence. the guard moved closer, his footsteps crunching louder with every step.

her fingers brushed against something in her pocket—a small, loose rock she’d picked up earlier without thinking. she gritted her teeth, then tossed it toward the opposite end of the yard. the faint clatter was enough to draw the guard’s attention, and he turned away, muttering curses as he went to investigate.

mina exhaled shakily, her legs trembling as she forced herself to move again. she was close now. just a little further.

then she saw it—a side entrance, half-hidden by an overgrown hedge. the door was locked, but as her hand brushed against the handle, it gave way with a faint click.

a rush of relief flooded her as she slipped inside, her heart pounding in her ears. she was in.

the interior was dark and unwelcoming, the faint smell of gun oil and wood lingering in the air. it looked like some sort of storage area—rows of cabinets lined the walls, along with hunting gear that seemed meticulously maintained. the eerie silence made her hyperaware of every sound she made, from her shallow breaths to the soft crunch of snow still stuck to her boots.

mina moved cautiously, staying close to the walls as she navigated through the room. every shadow seemed to shift, every creak of the old wooden floorboards setting her nerves on edge. the estate was much larger up close, and it was clear she was nowhere near the main living quarters.

just as she turned a corner, a sudden sound made her freeze.

footsteps. close. deliberate.

her heart jumped into her throat as she pressed herself flat against the wall, her hands trembling. a flashlight beam swept across the room ahead, casting long, menacing shadows that danced across the walls.

“thought i heard something…” a low voice muttered, the guard’s tone sharp with suspicion.

mina bit down on her lip, her breath barely audible as she gripped the edge of a nearby cabinet for balance. her mind raced, weighing her options. run? hide? fight? none of them seemed feasible, not with the guard just a few feet away.

the footsteps grew louder, and she could see the edge of the flashlight’s beam creeping closer. she shifted slightly, her hand brushing against something cold and metallic on the cabinet—a hunting knife, still in its sheath. she didn’t think; she just grabbed it, tucking it into her coat.

the guard’s shadow loomed larger, the beam of light now just inches from her hiding spot. her pulse thundered in her ears as she backed further into the darkness, every instinct screaming at her to move, to escape, but her legs refused to obey.

“i swear i heard something,” the guard said again, stepping fully into the room. his flashlight swept over the cabinets, the hunting gear, the floor—and then, just as it began to drift toward her corner—

a loud crash echoed from somewhere deeper in the estate.

the guard cursed, spinning on his heel. “damn it. what now?” he muttered, hurrying toward the noise.

mina didn’t move for a long moment, her breath coming in quick, shallow bursts as she listened to his retreating footsteps. she clutched the knife tighter, her palms slick with sweat despite the freezing cold.

finally, when the silence stretched long enough to feel safe, she forced herself to move, her legs trembling as she slipped further into the estate.

but the reprieve was short-lived. another sound reached her ears—not the crash this time, but something softer.

a voice. faint, distant, yet unmistakable.

“mina…”

her blood ran cold, her steps faltering.

it wasn’t possible. was it?

she turned slowly, her breath hitching as she strained to listen. the voice came again, clearer this time.

“mina…”

her name, spoken in a tone that sent shivers down her spine. it wasn’t the guard. it wasn’t anyone she expected.

before she could process what was happening, the beam of another flashlight lit up the hallway just ahead of her.

“there! someone’s here!”

her heart stopped. -----

you pressed your ear against the cold wooden door, listening for any sounds beyond it. muffled footsteps and occasional voices filtered through, but nothing distinct enough to tell you how many guards were stationed nearby.

your mind raced. you needed to get out of here—but how? the barred window offered no escape, and the door was locked from the outside.

in a moment of desperation, you banged on the door, feigning panic.

“help! i need help!” your voice cracked, laced with urgency.

the footsteps outside stopped.

“what’s wrong in there?” a gruff voice called.

“please, it’s an emergency!” you continued, your tone shaking. “there’s glass everywhere, and i think i cut myself. i’m bleeding!”

the handle jiggled, and you stepped back, holding your breath.

the door creaked open, revealing one of jennie’s guards—a burly man with a skeptical look on his face. his eyes swept the room before landing on you.

“where’s the glass?” he asked, his tone wary.

you widened your eyes, feigning distress as you gestured vaguely toward the table.

“it—it fell over there,” you stammered, taking a small step closer to him.

he turned his head slightly, and that was all you needed.

with a swift, calculated movement, you clenched your fist and drove it into his jaw. the impact sent a sharp pain shooting through your knuckles, but it was worth it—the guard staggered back, stunned.

before he could recover, you grabbed the back of his head and slammed it against the doorframe. he crumpled to the floor with a groan, unconscious.

your chest heaved as you stepped over his limp body, adrenaline coursing through your veins.

the hallway stretched out before you, dimly lit and eerily quiet. you moved quickly, trying to make sense of the maze-like layout.

muffled voices filtered through the walls, catching your attention. you froze, pressing yourself against the wall beside it.

you peeked around the corner. jennie stood by the fireplace, her back to you, one hand holding the phone while the other rested casually on a shotgun.

the sight made your blood run cold.

the memory hit you like a freight train—the long hunting trips to the kim family's private grounds, jennie’s eerie calm as she taught you to aim. it was all too familiar, yet so jarringly wrong in this moment.

“…yes, everything is under control,” jennie’s voice carried through, calm but laced with a strange edge.

a man responded, his tone low and familiar, though you couldn’t quite place it. your chest tightened, the sound pulling at something buried in your memory, but there was no time to linger on it.

rounding a corner, you froze.

mina.

she was crouched near a window, her eyes scanning the area looking at the guards patrolling. "mina..." you whispered annoyed and slightly shocked wondering what she's doing here. your breath was caught seeing her holding what appeared to be a hunting knife.

you whispered her name once again low, but urgent. a guard was rounding the corner, the beam of his flashlight sweeping closer to where mina was hiding. he muttered something into his radio, his voice low but sharp, signaling that he was seconds away from discovering her.

your body moved before your mind could catch up. you spotted a breaker box on the wall nearby, its metal panel slightly ajar. without hesitation, you yanked it open and scanned the switches in the dim glow of a nearby emergency light.

the guard’s flashlight beam shifted, now aimed directly toward mina.

“someone’s here—”

you flipped the main breaker switch, plunging the hallway into total darkness.

“what the—!” the guard’s voice rang out in confusion, followed by the sound of his hurried footsteps as he stumbled blindly in the dark.

mina’s silhouette turned sharply in your direction, her expression barely visible in the faint emergency light.

“come on,” you hissed, motioning for her to follow.

she hesitated, her breathing unsteady, before rising to her feet and moving toward you.

“what the hell are you doing here?” you whispered, your voice barely above a hiss.

“trying to get you out,” she shot back, standing up. her expression was a mixture of relief and exasperation.

“mina, this place is dangerous—”

“you think i don’t know that?” she cut you off, grabbing your arm. “we need to move. now.”

behind you, faint noises of confusion and shuffling echoed through the halls. guards barked orders, their flashlights cutting weak beams through the pitch-black maze of corridors.

you reached the door, its cold metal handle freezing to the touch as you twisted it open. the icy wind slapped your face, but freedom was close.

“come on,” you urged, pulling mina through. the two of you slipped outside, the snowstorm swallowing the faint sound of voices yelling within the estate.

but as you stepped out into the open air, you glanced back—just in time to see a flashlight beam bouncing erratically through the window, followed by the unmistakable silhouette of jennie.

for a moment, she stood frozen, her sharp gaze sweeping the now-empty hallway inside. then, realization struck.

you saw it—her head tilting slightly, lips parting in disbelief. and then rage.

jennie moved like a predator, yanking a shotgun off the rack by the door and shoving past the confused guards who stumbled out behind her.

“they’re out there,” she barked, the fury in her tone cutting through the chaos.

mina tugged on your sleeve. “we have to go.”

you nodded, your grip tightening on her hand as you broke into a sprint. the snowstorm worked in your favor, the thick flurry obscuring you from view as you darted toward the treeline.

but jennie was relentless.

behind you, the crunch of heavy boots through snow grew louder, the distinct metallic click of the shotgun’s safety being turned off making your blood run cold.

“you think you can just walk out?” her voice rang out, sharp and furious.

you didn’t dare stop, your breath ragged as you pushed mina ahead of you.

“keep going,” you urged, glancing over your shoulder.

through the swirling snow, you saw the faint glow of jennie’s flashlight slicing through the darkness, drawing closer.

mina hesitated for a second, looking back as well. “she’s—”

“don’t stop,” you interrupted, pulling her along. “we’ll make it.”

but the storm was thick, and the sound of jennie’s pursuit was unrelenting. every step felt like a gamble, each second another chance for her to close the gap.

you knew it was only a matter of time before she caught up.

-----

the snow fell heavier now, the bitter chill cutting through the thin fabric of your coat. you staggered forward, your steps uneven and slow, each one a monumental effort. your leg throbbed from earlier, the pain pulsing in sharp waves up to your hip, but you kept moving.

"just... a little more," you muttered under your breath, barely audible over the crunch of snow beneath your boots.

mina was ahead, glancing back every few seconds, her eyes sharp and full of worry. "we don’t have time for this," she said, urgency laced in her voice. she moved to your side, slipping an arm under your shoulder to help support your weight.

"no," you rasped, your voice breaking. you pushed at mina’s arm weakly. "you go first. just... get out of here. i’ll catch up."

mina stopped, glaring at you with a mix of frustration and desperation. "don’t you dare say that to me."

you gave a bitter laugh, your breath visible in the frigid air. "you don’t... understand. i’m slowing you down. if something happens..." you paused, your voice trembling. "i can’t lose you again."

mina froze, the words hanging between you like a weight too heavy to carry. but then she shook her head, her jaw tightening as she gripped your arm tighter.

"stop talking like that," she said firmly, her voice cracking just slightly. "we’re getting out of here together."

your legs buckled slightly, and mina adjusted quickly, holding you upright. "mina," you whispered, your eyes glistening with unshed tears. "i’m sorry."

"for what?" mina hissed, trying to move you forward.

"for forgetting you." the words came out broken, each one heavy with guilt. "for leaving you behind… for not being there when you needed me most."

"stop." mina’s voice was sharp, her breath hitching. "this isn’t the time for this."

"but it’s true," you said, your head dropping slightly. "i forgot everything about you. about us. i..." your voice faltered. "i don’t deserve you."

"i—" you started again, but she shook her head sharply, her grip on your arm tightening even more.

"don’t," she said, her voice trembling. "don’t apologize right now. this isn’t the time, okay? we can talk about all of that later, but right now, you need to focus on getting out of here. i can’t do this without you. do you understand me?"

the sound of distant engines broke through the air, pulling you out of the moment. the glow of headlights pierced the trees, growing brighter with every second.

"we have to move," mina said, her voice steady despite the panic in her eyes.

"okay," you murmured, nodding slightly. "okay."

meanwhile, back at the entrance, jihyo was surrounded by chaos. the cops had arrived in full force, tactical teams storming the hunting grounds, their voices crackling through radios. a helicopter roared overhead, its spotlight cutting through the snowstorm.

jihyo’s phone buzzed in her hand, but she barely registered it. her focus was on the team moving in, her heart pounding in her chest. "find them," she urged, her voice shaking.

inside the estate, jennie stood before a wall of cctv monitors, her eyes scanning frantically. then she saw it—a glimpse of you and mina, your figures barely visible as you disappeared into the woods. her jaw clenched, and without hesitation, she grabbed the shotgun leaning against the wall.

"they’re not getting away," she muttered, storming out.

the guards scattered as jennie shoved her way through, ignoring the commotion around her. she didn’t wait for backup or explanations, her sole focus on the escapees. the crunch of snow beneath her boots echoed in her ears as she reached her car, the shotgun clutched tightly in her hands.

back in the woods, you and mina trudged forward, the snow blurring your vision. you stumbled again, nearly collapsing, but mina caught you, her arms trembling from the effort.

"you’re not stopping," mina said firmly.

"mina..." you whispered, your voice weak. "i..."

"you can apologize later," she snapped, though her voice wavered. "just keep going. please."

far behind you, the sound of an engine roared to life. jennie was on the move.

-----

the snow fell quietly, coating the ground in a soft, thick blanket. every step felt like a battle, your legs shaking from the pain of being thrown earlier. you leaned on mina for support, her presence grounding you when everything else seemed to be slipping away.

"thank you... for everything," you whispered, your voice barely audible over the sound of the wind. it felt like you were saying goodbye, like the weight of everything—every betrayal, every lie—was crashing down on you all at once.

mina’s grip on your arm tightened, her face hard with determination. "don't say that," she muttered, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. "we’re not done yet. we're getting out of here, together."

your legs faltered again, and you stopped for a moment, guilt clawing at your chest. "i... i regret suspecting you. all this time..." you trailed off, the weight of your own emotions nearly crushing you. mina was here with you, and yet you’d spent so long doubting her. you couldn’t make sense of it.

"it’s not your fault," mina whispered, her voice low, but there was a softness in it that cut through your pain. "we’ll fix this. stay with me." she pulled you closer, moving with you through the snow, her footsteps quick and purposeful.

but far away from where you and mina were, jennie’s car sped down the winding road, tires screeching on the icy pavement. her face was a mask of fury, eyes cold and unblinking, focusing on the road ahead. she spotted the figures of you and mina walking through the trees, her heart pounding in her chest. the sound of helicopter blades overhead, the rising wail of police sirens, it didn’t matter. all that mattered was you.

she slammed her foot on the brake and jerked the wheel, sending the car to a stop. she didn’t care about anything else—she grabbed the shotgun from the passenger seat and stormed out into the cold, her breath coming out in sharp bursts, her grip on the weapon tight enough to turn her knuckles white.

"you’re making a mistake," jennie shouted, her voice sharp, venomous. she marched forward, the snow crunching under her boots as she advanced toward you and mina. "we agreed! we were going to leave together! come back to me now, and i'll turn a blind eye. everything can go back to the way it was."

you could barely stand, your legs giving way as you leaned more heavily against mina. the pain in your body, the pressure of the situation—it was almost too much to handle. "i’m sorry," you said, barely able to form the words through the lump in your throat. "even when i didn’t have my memories... i couldn’t choose you. my body... rejected you." the words tasted bitter, but they were true. you could still feel the unease, the way your chest tightened whenever jennie was near.

jennie’s face twisted in disbelief, but it quickly morphed into something darker. her eyes burned with rage. "why? why do you feel like that?" she shouted, her voice breaking with frustration, with hurt, with anger. “why?!” jennie shouted, her voice a raw mix of anger and desperation. she took another step closer, her face twisted in fury. “i waited! i fucking waited! why, after everything, does it have to be this way? why is it always mina?”" her eyes flashed, her entire body radiating fury. "i waited for you! i was patient. i tried to understand, so why... why would you feel uneasy around me?"

“you don’t understand—”

“then explain it to me!” jennie screamed, her voice echoing through the woods. the shotgun in her hands trembled, and for a moment, her tears seemed to overpower her rage.

“because you’re not her,” you choked out, tears spilling over. “because even when i forgot everything, something in me still remembered her. she’s the one i choose, jennie. not you.”

mina stepped forward, her voice sharp and protective. "jennie, stop. it’s over. they’re with me now. just let it go."

but jennie’s rage only intensified, her entire demeanor changing in an instant. "it’s NOT over," she spat, her voice shaking with fury. "you don’t get to choose! you made a promise, and i’ve waited too long for this."

she moved closer, her voice desperate now, but still full of anger. "we can start fresh. just come back to me, please. i’ll forget all of it. we can fix everything, we can be happy again."

she reached out, her hand trembling slightly but firm. it was as if she was offering you everything—control, power, redemption, and yet, all you could feel was the suffocating weight of her possessiveness, the coldness that came with every word. you took a shaky breath and stepped back.

"stop," you shouted for the first time, your voice breaking through the noise, through the confusion, through the chaos. "stop it, jennie. snap out of it." your voice cracked under the weight of the emotion, of everything that had built up. "i’ll never choose you. over my dead body."

for a moment, there was nothing but the sound of the helicopter, the wind, and the silence that followed. jennie’s face faltered for just a moment—a split second where the facade of calmness, the softness in her eyes, disappeared completely. rage burned in her chest, and the mask shattered. the pleading, the calmness—it was gone. in its place was something terrifying.

she looked at you, her mouth curling into a snarl, her grip on the shotgun tightening. "over your dead body," she hissed, voice low and deadly.

the tension was unbearable. you could feel the weight of her anger, the pressure of her presence pushing down on you like a vice. mina was standing between you and jennie now, her face set in a look of fierce determination. she was ready to protect you, no matter what.

and just as the helicopter overhead cast its blinding light onto you and mina, the sirens echoing louder and louder, jennie’s face twisted with something almost... feral. she looked at you one last time, the fury in her eyes unmistakable, before she turned and gripped the shotgun like it was the only thing left keeping her together.

the cops were closing in, their sirens deafening now, and jennie knew the game was over. but that didn’t stop her from staring at you as if she was willing to burn everything to the ground to keep you by her side.

she raised the shotgun, her eyes filled with murderous intent, but she didn’t fire. not yet. -----

the air was thick with tension, the distant hum of helicopters and the blaring sirens creating an almost suffocating atmosphere. red lights from the police lasers flickered in the distance, casting an eerie glow on the snow. jennie stood there, unyielding, her body trembling with fury as she pointed the shotgun directly at you and mina.

"drop the weapon!" a voice boomed from a police megaphone, echoing through the cold night air. "now! or we will be forced to take action!"

the words fell on deaf ears. jennie didn’t budge. she was seething, her grip tight on the shotgun, and her eyes burned with a kind of desperation and rage that made your heart race.

“if i have to take you with me to keep them—then so be it!” jennie shouted, her voice full of venom and madness. she gestured toward you with the barrel of the gun, her eyes wild with a twisted possessiveness. then, without warning, she pointed it toward mina.

“no!” you shouted instinctively, your heart hammering in your chest. but before you could even react, jennie’s finger tightened on the trigger.

the sound of the shot echoed through the night air, deafening in its intensity. but it wasn’t mina who cried out in pain. it was you.

you threw yourself in front of mina, instinct overriding your fear. the blast of the shotgun was deafening, reverberating in your bones as the impact hit. the force of the shot struck you in the shoulder, sending you flying back. your knees buckled beneath you as the searing pain exploded through your body. your whole arm felt like it had been torn open, the heat of the injury spreading quickly.

you gasped for air, but all you could feel was the suffocating pressure in your arm. your vision blurred, and you collapsed into the snow, the cold wetness against your skin mingling with the warmth of the blood pouring from your wound. the snow around you was quickly stained, crimson soaking into the pristine white, each drop a mark of your struggle.

“no!” mina’s voice cracked, sharp with panic. she was beside you in an instant, her hands trembling as she pressed against your wound, but there was too much blood. her eyes were wide, her face pale, and you could hear the desperation in her voice. “don’t you dare! don’t you dare leave me!”

she was wailing now, a raw, guttural sound that echoed in your ears. tears poured down her face, and she shook you gently, her hands desperately trying to stop the bleeding, but it wasn’t enough. the blood soaked through her fingers, the warmth of it slowly leaving your body. she didn’t care. she didn’t care that she was covered in your blood. all she cared about was you, and that was slipping away.

she was frantic, panicked, and terrified. her face, usually so composed, was twisted with fear. "why did you do this?" she cried, her voice breaking. "why didn't you listen to me? why didn’t you stay back? please don’t leave me!"

your blood soaked into her hands, but she didn’t care. she didn’t care that her clothes were stained. all that mattered was you. you were still alive, still breathing, but she was losing you all over again. she collapsed onto you, pressing her cheek against your chest, as her sobs wracked her body.

meanwhile, jennie stood a few yards away, her fury barely contained. she had just fired that shot, and now you were on the ground, your blood staining the snow—and she couldn’t comprehend it. her face twisted with disbelief and rage as she saw you fall. her chest heaved with every breath, and her grip tightened on the shotgun, her knuckles white with tension.

but before she could move, a sudden flash of red appeared on her chest. the red dot of a laser, sharp and precise, gleaming in the cold, followed by more, dotting her chest, her arms, her legs. the snipers had zeroed in on her. they were tracking her every movement, the weapons aimed at her from all directions.

jennie froze, her eyes widening in realization as the laser sights pinned her down. she could hear the crackle of the police radio, the shouts from the officers closing in, but she didn’t care. she raised her shotgun, glaring at mina with pure, seething anger.

“you—” she gritted through clenched teeth, her voice shaking with fury. “you… will never take them from me. i will make them stay with me, one way or another.”

she aimed the shotgun directly at mina, but before she could fire, a shot rang out—loud and clear. jennie staggered back, her body jerking as she collapsed to the ground. the shotgun fell from her hand, her grip loosening, and she let out a strangled gasp.

her face twisted in agony, the pain from the bullet in her side overwhelming her, but her eyes were still burning with rage. she reached for the gun again, but the effort was futile.

as jennie lay on the cold ground, mina’s sobs grew louder. she was beside you, crying out your name, her voice trembling with fear. “no, no! please, don’t leave me…” she wailed, cradling your head against her lap. “please! i can’t lose you! i can’t…”

“help! someone, please—don’t let them die! don’t let them—”

she couldn’t finish the sentence. her voice broke as she sobbed uncontrollably, her hands still pressing to your shoulder, trying to stop the bleeding, but it was no use. the blood kept pouring, the darkness creeping in, and mina couldn’t save you.

“please, don’t leave me,” mina begged, her voice raw and frantic, clinging to the last shred of hope. “i can’t lose you again… please…”

the sound of sirens and helicopters filled the air as the police closed in, but mina’s eyes never left you. the snipers had done their job, and now it was just the waiting—waiting for the paramedics to arrive, waiting for a miracle.

but mina wasn’t waiting anymore. she was crying, wailing, begging you to stay, to fight, to not leave her again. her heart shattered with each sob, and she held you tighter, as if trying to somehow hold you together, keep you from slipping away.

-----

the world around you spun in a blur. everything felt distant, too far away to touch. your body was numb, your skin cold, and your vision—fading. you could feel yourself being moved, dragged, the rough motion jolting your body, but the pain barely registered anymore. everything felt so heavy.

the only thing you could focus on was the stretcher beneath you, the soft whirring of the ambulance, the cold air biting at your skin as they rushed you away. the blood was still pouring from your shoulder, staining your clothes, and the coldness in your veins spread like a creeping tide, slowly drowning you.

voices echoed around you—sharp, urgent. the paramedics shouted orders to each other, their voices blending into the chaos. someone was yelling into a radio, demanding the hospital prepare for an emergency. amidst the noise, one voice stood out—jihyo.

“they’re losing too much blood! you have to move faster!” her voice was steady but desperate, each word edged with fear. she was running alongside the stretcher, her hand gripping your uninjured arm. her eyes were wide, panicked, darting between your face and the paramedics.

“stay with us, boss.” jihyo urged, her voice cracking as she tried to sound strong. “don’t close your eyes, do you hear me?”

her words were sharp, cutting through the fog in your mind. you wanted to respond, to reassure her, but the strength wasn’t there. your eyelids felt like lead, your body heavier with every second.

then, you saw her—mina. her face streaked with tears, her eyes wide with a fear you’d never seen before. she stood at the ambulance’s open doors, trembling as she hesitated, unsure if she should climb in. jihyo turned to her, grabbing her shoulder and practically shoving her inside.

“go! stay with them!” jihyo barked, her own tears glistening in the harsh red and blue of the emergency lights. “don’t leave them alone.”

mina stumbled into the ambulance, her hands clutching the edge of the stretcher as the doors slammed shut. her breath was shaky, her entire body trembling as she crouched beside you.

“mina…” your voice was weak, barely a whisper. you forced the words out, needing to know. “are you… okay?”

mina’s breath hitched, and for a moment, she stared at you, frozen. then, as if something inside her shattered, she shook her head. “it’s you who’s hurt! it’s you!” she sobbed, her hands gripping the stretcher’s edge so tightly her knuckles turned white. “why… why did you do this? why do you always—” her voice broke, and she buried her face in her hands for a moment before looking at you again. “you’re the one who got shot, not me! don’t ask me that!”

you tried to lift your hand, to reach for her, but your body wouldn’t obey. the effort was too much. instead, you rasped, “live for… sana... momo... hiro…”

“no,” mina choked out, shaking her head violently. her tears fell freely now, dripping onto the stretcher. “you don’t get to say that. you don’t get to give up. you need to live. for me. for hiro. please…”

your eyelids fluttered, the darkness creeping in, but you managed a faint smile, the corners of your lips barely lifting. “it’s… going to be okay…”

“no, it’s not!” mina cried, leaning closer, her hands now on your chest, as if she could keep your heart beating through sheer will. “it won’t be okay if you’re not here!”

the paramedics worked frantically, shouting updates to the driver. the ambulance lurched, the lights inside flickering as it hit a bump in the road. you barely noticed. your vision tunneled, the edges darkening.

“don’t leave me…” mina whispered, her voice breaking. she pressed her forehead to your shoulder, her sobs muffled as she clung to you. “don’t you dare…”

you blinked slowly, the tears in your eyes slipping down your cheeks. you could see her, hear her, but the world was slipping away, fading into nothing. her face, her voice, everything was becoming a distant echo.

and then, with one last breath, a single tear slid down your face.

the world went dark. ----- end of the series. a/n — thank you :)

[dblk-archives]

Hihi Hailey! I was wondering what the diaboys and Yui's hugs would feel like??

If you hold me till dawn.

Summary: What does it feel like, to hug them?

Characters: Shu Sakamaki, Kou Mukami, Ayato Sakamaki, Yuma Mukami, Laito Sakamaki, Kanato Sakamaki, Ruki Mukami, Subaru Sakamaki, Reiji Sakamaki, Azusa Mukami, Yui Komori, gn! reader.

Tags/warnings: fluff, sweet hugs, very very mild angst if you squint.

Author's note: Hi, Mags and thank you so much for your request! I'm sorry it took so long to write it, but I wanted it to be as perfect as I could make it. I didn't include Kino and the Tsukinamis since I don't know enough about them as of now. I still hope you like it ♡

❀ Shu Sakamaki – First dawn.

“The quiet of the world beneath gilded auroras and lingering dreams.”

Shu’s hugs are, first and foremost, warm.

Perhaps it is in his touch when he’s not fully woken yet that he conveys what his words don’t.

Sometimes his shows of affection make you crack a smile, when he claims “I was cold while sleeping” and casually wraps his strong arms around you.

Turning around in his hold, you trace his handsome features with your fingertips.

That is, until he takes your hand in his.

Eyes the color of the sky at the time when the world hasn’t risen yet meet yours.

He softly bites the tip of your finger, before his grip on you tightens and he goes back to sleep.

Neither of you have a blanket.

And yet, you don’t need it.

Not when his embrace is like the molten rays of first dawn.

❀ Kou Mukami – Cornflower blue mornings.

“The beauty of a pure blue sky, with the cheerfulness of sunlight. Yet sometimes, that light is fractured, leaving behind the desperation of cerulean patches amidst stormy clouds.”

Kou’s touches and embraces are another part of the charm with which he puts you under his spell.

And you’d be lying if you didn’t say you fell into it willingly.

His hugs are playful, lighthearted, loving, and at all times. Doesn’t matter if it’s in public or in private, he just needs you in the same way his lungs need the oxygen he breathes.

Kou adores teasing you and flustering you. He loves hugs in the morning, when he’s still sleepy, his messy hair tickling your neck and not letting you leave bed.

When he holds you like that, you feel like you’re in a rose colored world.

Except when the peace shatters and nightmares come to haunt him.

In his sleep, the sparkling idol is nowhere to be seen, leaving in his wake the scared boy he once was, desperately reaching for a promised sky that did not exist.

This time, however, his hand finds another.

Ready to never let him go again, to stay with him, even if the storm won’t cease.

You are there, reaching for cornflower blue mornings with him.

❀ Ayato Sakamaki – The blazing midday Sun.

“He is the intensity of noon’s heat on your back; the searing sensation of Icarus’ wings melting, only to plummet you into the arms of your beloved.”

Ayato is the personification of intensity. The picture perfect image of confidence.

That is palpable in the way he holds you too.

He is not shy to initiate physical contact with you, especially in public, to let others know you’re his.

His embrace is tight, but not so much that you can’t pull away if you so desire (though he’d sulk if you did that - there, there, Ayato).

Then there’s times when he just silently embraces you from behind, no words exchanged.

It’s usually on moments when he knows you’re struggling or feel sad.

So if you’d rather not talk about it, he’ll at least warm your wavering heart, just as the blazing midday Sun on your back.

❀ Yuma Mukami – Fiery afternoon.

“He is both the intensity of a crackling fire and the gentle light that filters through the window as you sit before the swirling flames.”

While he may seem a little rough around the edges, Yuma loves deeply and is one of the most loyal guys you can find.

That is very obvious in the way he embraces you.

It feels comfortable to lean your head on his broad chest or be enveloped by those strong arms of his that would protect you from anything.

You feel safe, and when he softly leans his head on top of yours, it’s as if time stopped at that moment of day when the world dyes in gold.

There’s other instances, however, when you have to ask him not to squeeze you so hard or you won't be able to breathe.

The sheepish smile he offers you in return is too cute, so it’s totally worth it. Like staring skywards even if you’re busy working at the garden, just to catch a glimpse of the fiery afternoon.

❀ Laito Sakamaki – Sensuous sunsets.

“The sinful secrets concealed in the half light of twilight; a fox-like stare that reads the sweet nothings you want to hear.”

The truth of the words he whispers carelessly hides behind the deadly sin of lust.

Due to his upbringing, Laito sees affection as just a state of pleasure, something physical.

Until you came along.

Now he is at war with himself.

This is not what he usually feels. This warmth in his heart… Is this the meaning of those words he throws like nothing?

His touches are still suggestive every time he hugs you, fingertips lingering a little too long over every spot he knows will make you shiver; those lips of his that used to tell you pretty lies now map out every inch of you in a softness you didn’t know he was capable of.

In between Laito’s arms, your eyes meet his.

You wonder if he can see right through you.

You want to hear him say ‘I love you.’

And, above all else, you want him to mean it.

His hold on you tightens.

Leaning against his chest, you watch the golden hour slip away.

His heartbeat is a little erratic.

And when, in the sensuality of an ephemeral sunset, he voices his next words, you know he means every single one.

‘I love you too, Laito.’ Is the silent response you give him with the world’s softest kiss.

❀ Kanato Sakamaki – Vices at dusk.

“An autumn night’s first light, through naked trees; A graveyard that looks as eerie as it is beautiful; As long as you stare into his lilac eyes.”

Kanato holds you like one would his soulmate on the brink of death; he hugs you like you’re going to slip away; his arms tighten around you because you’re only his.

He doesn’t want you to put your attention on anyone else but him, but he is also viscerally terrified of losing you.

Like a child cradling his new favorite toy for the first time, the sweet scent of raspberry pudding intoxicates you eternally now. And you’d be lying if you said you could live without it from now on.

As Kanato holds you, he is both gentle and menacing; the wordless warning that if you leave his arms you won’t make it out alive.

Why would you ever want to walk away, however? When he is the vice you want to drown in, today and every single dusk until the day you no longer breathe?

❀ Subaru Sakamaki – First moonlight.

“Luminescent white petals, guarded by thorns; And yet so delicate on the breeze of witching hours.”

Needles to say, Subaru is not the most physically affectionate at first.

Except when he can’t keep denying his heart has been yours for longer than he remembers.

He finds himself constantly seeking you out, because he is ‘supposed to protect you since you’re such an annoying idiot’ or so he claims.

The deep rosy hue of his cheeks tells you otherwise, however.

And now that you’ve found out he likes you, you won’t let him live it down.

As you constantly seek him out and nestle yourself in between his arms, Subaru finds he likes this quiet closeness; crimson eyes avert, as strands the color of starlit roses cover his shy gaze.

But you know what he means with those flustered expressions. And the way he hugs you a little tighter expresses the words he sometimes struggles to let out.

Though, if you listen, you won’t miss his whispers of “I love you” as the first moonlight sets on fallen ivory petals.

❀ Ruki Mukami – Zenith of polaris.

“In marine eyes, turbulence and tenderness hide. The wings he was denied, he gives to you. Your anchor, when you’re lost at sea.”

To know Ruki is to dive into a tempestuous sea; treacherous on moonless nights, yet captivating and radiant when it mirrors the stars.

His aim at first was to simply discipline you. Who did you think you were, other than his mere livestock?

And yet, there’s this aura around you, like a warm light; like the wings he was robbed of.

And still, he is the one who falls prey to you, wanting to show you heaven

In your darkest auroras, Ruki is your guiding star. His arms around you feel like seraphic feathers, still beautiful despite being crooked and ashen.

His lean figure, where you rest, listening to his steady heartbeat, akin to a forgotten lullaby penned in silver ink.

Ruki holds you as if you’re holy, the oath he swears his life on. He holds you delicately when starlight threatens to fade from your night sky.

Other times, however, he is the devil incarnate, pushing you down on his bed, hovering over you like a man starved.

And either way, you want him as he is. Forever you angel, wings or not; the zenith of polaris in your murkiest oceans.

❀ Reiji Sakamaki – Stillness in the dead of night.

“Some venoms don’t have an antidote, and you’d gladly drink them.”

When you first met him, you’d have never fathomed the idea of his arms around you.

Unless it was to keep you still as he stole your blood, that is.

You remember too vividly, that heinous scent coming off the cup of tea he offered you with a smile that was nothing if not cruel.

Now, that same cup brings a sense of warmth as you sit in his study, watching him work.

Here, the light is warm, in sharp contrast to the darkness out the glass panes, the windows little less than mirrors of darkness at this hour.

You revel in the calm of midnight.

A svelte hand takes your teacup away.

Reiji sets it on the nearby table, not without taking a sip from it first, the marks of your lipstick smeared by his lips.

Lips that then gently brush against your jawline, strong arms looping around your waist from behind.

In the dead of night, utter calm envelops around you.

If you were to be poisoned right this instant, you’d have no regrets; as long as it was by his hand.

❀ Azusa Mukami – Minutes before dawn.

“In his clear eyes, the instants held between night and day reflect. His wounded arms, forever destined to protect you.”

At times, when you spot him admiring his scars in the last minutes of night, he seems so fragile, delicate even.

Akin to daisy petals bathed in the dew of dreams about to end.

You wonder, how can someone capable of constantly drawing blood from his own flesh hold you so gently?

Much in the way he talks and always lingers close to you, his touch is the softness of kisses over fresh bandages.

You wish he wouldn't hurt himself. Your heart shatters a little at the gentleness with which he treats you, knowing how he breaks himself little by little.

So, in this moment, you hold him flush against you, squeezing delicately yet vehemently, letting him know this is your love, no bloodshed needed.

In the minutes before dawn, his opal eyes meet yours.

Through your unshed tears, his smile is brighter than morning stars.

❀ Yui Komori – The first breeze of spring.

“Some would argue she is too soft, cherry blossoms succumbing to snow. You know better. For, after the blizzard, that same tree blooms.”

Yui, the girl who will always put others before herself.

The girl who chooses to see the good in others, even in those who hurt her.

Yui, who loves unconditionally.

And who looks at you as if you hung the very stars in the sky.

She holds you warmly. Hopeful first cherry blossoms after a snowy February.

In her arms, your world dyes in shades of rose; your heart feels at ease, worries flying away like petals beneath an early March sky.

Yui is the tender touch of flower blooms in the first breeze of spring.

Your smile widens as she stares at you with her doe eyes.

Her own lips mimic yours.

Winter is over.

[r4rw1ngd1n0]

“YOU BETTER NOT DO THIS TO ME, AMI!”

[1920sladydectective]

Best Friend's Mother Ch.4 3.9K

Here's chapter four of the @shinyshayminflower prompt story!

I hope you like it! Love you lots and lots, you can find the other parts on this account or on AO3.

Angst and Feels, no smut for this chapter.

Not again? You were going to throw up. You knew she didn’t love you, but you were foolishly surprised she had fucked Mel’s friends before. 

“Why?” Mel’s tipsy voice was hoarse, eyes shining as she looked between you, “Why couldn’t I have one thing that was mine”

You wanted the ground to swallow you, you wanted to kill Ambessa, you wanted to word vomit apologies and explanations. Your tongue was lead in your mouth. 

“Mel,” Ambessa’s tone was neutral.

“And it had to be her,” Mel whimpered, “because who other than the only best friend I’ve ever had? Only the best for Ambessa Medarda,” 

“I’m so sorry, it’s my fault too,” It ripped from you, suddenly spurred into action,”God, I-I, Mel I love you,” 

Her eyes darkened, a stuttered breath, “And that’s why you stuck your tongue down her throat, is it?”

“No, no,” Your whole world was falling apart, “I didn’t want this to happen, you’re my best friend,” 

Her bitter laugh killed you. You stood there, slaughtered, as the two Medardas began to argue in hushed tones. As quickly as her fight had ignited, it had died a distraught death. Alcohol and anger merging to create a half person. You barely caught what was said, though Mel’s muffled sobs were obvious, as was Ambessa’s motherly tone. 

It felt like a joke, some bad sitcom. Your lips were still warm, smudged crimson. 

She had moved off of you, swaying towards her daughter as if to calm her. Hushed whispers swirled around you. You lent, shivering and destroyed, against the fridge as they held one another. Their relationship would survive, of course it would, they were mother and daughter. They had a place for one another in their hearts. 

Where did that leave you then? Chopped liver, used and discarded at a moment’s notice. It was clear that this was not going to be discussed properly tonight, so you were an unnecessary detail they had shelved for later. Water sloshed about in your vision, sharp feedback ringing in your ears. 

Icy hands wiped pathetically at stray tears as you gulped, walking around the kitchen island with a slur from your lips about leaving them to it. You had the good sense to pat an incoming Rictus on the shoulder. 

“Lock the kitchen door,” It was hurried, “Mel and Ambessa are having a bit of a moment,” 

“And you?” His quiet tone made you gulp. 

“I am going to bed, tell Kino I drank too much and started throwing up so you helped me to bed,” 

“Yes Miss,” He’d never called you Miss before.

Unsteady, foal legs propelled you up the stairs as you sucked in small, stifled gasps for air. The sight of your room dropped you into the abyss, vision blurring as everything dialed to a thousand. This was it. You were so beyond fucked. It took black spots dancing around your eyes for you to remember to breathe, nails cutting your palms as you rocked back and forth on the plush carpet. 

Her face, shattered and pleading, was burned against your eyes like an old TV screen. Permanently fixed, the colours faded and warped. She had been so quick to hate her mother, her fury for you burning slow and low as it waited in the wings. You were no fool, a cat fight and some wine was not going to solve this. She had chosen you, allowed you into all areas of her life, and you had obliterated that trust, whether it had been your intention or not. She would never know how much you cherished her for now each word would be laced with guilt, rendered insincere upon arrival with little more than a cursory glance. 

Then, bitterly, your heart remembered Ambessa. You had never been special, had never been anything and you hadn’t even been the first. Mel had trusted you despite her mother’s history, because it was you and you were her best friend. You deserved every bad thing, grunting as your palms crushed your streaming eyes in an attempt to staunch the flow. None of this had gone to plan. You couldn’t understand why she’d kissed you in the first place, the memory of her kind eyes like a hot poker to the heart. You’d ended it, later than you should have, but you’d done the right fucking thing. 

Stripping naked, you crawled under the spray of icy water. It dulled you, skin becoming numb to the shower’s harsh droplets. Your cries were silent, measured, as if afraid to take up too much space. Golden glitter rotted away to reveal the monster underneath. You stayed like that for longer than was healthy, delirious limbs pulling you out as you drifted in and out. Cosy, fluffy pyjamas warmed you through as you sat, silent and empty on the bed staring at your laptop screen. 

Ever practical, you had shoved it all down in favour of a plan. First of all, you needed new student accommodation. There was no way Mel would want you living with her now and you needed to get ahead of that curve. You were sitting in a Manor house, scrolling through spare room listings like a zombie. It was three days till Christmas. You wanted to disappear. 

At some point you passed out, body slumped and shattered. 

Flecks of sunlight woke you, throat dry and face stinging. On autopilot you got ready for the day, and then just kept going. All your things were neatly folded, stuffed into a tired suitcase and sealed away. You would give Mel whatever conversation she needed and then you would leave, because it was what was necessary. 

Mel had sent you one text. Seeing her name made you dizzy. 

Breakfast Table, 10am. 

                                      Be right down. 

The house was empty save the three of you, you would learn. Rictus had dragged a hungover Kino out to facilitate this chat. You arrived in the kitchen to Mel and Ambessa sitting quietly side by side with mugs, one for you placed on the opposite side. 

A united front, two against one. Fantastic. How the fuck was that fair? What happened to how could she? 

“Morning,” You hated how unsteady your voice sounded, sitting primly in the wooden chair. 

“Sleep okay?” Mel asked, eyes unsure. 

You would have rathered if she called you a Cunt. Pleasantries had no place here. “FIne,” 

“Shall we start then?” Ambessa said, gaze focused on her daughter. 

Like it was a business meeting, and you? Their troublesome employee. 

It started rather structured, Mel had access to more facts than you’d anticipated. You were clearly not important enough to be there at the start of this conversation then. She knew when it started, when it stopped and when it started again. She was pragmatic and clearly emotionally dissociated, the events of the past twelve hours wrecking you all. You fought back a bit there, there was no restarting. 

“She kissed me,” You grumbled, barely able to look at her. 

“You kissed back, quite hard” It would have been teasing, your mind wished it was. 

“Mum,” Mel’s voice was clear, her look piercing. It was hard to gauge the dynamic here, they were on the same side but Ambessa faced far more aggression than you did. Repeat offender problems, perhaps.

“Neither of you cared about how this would make me feel,” It was the same tone from the night before, cutting harshly from a sober mouth.

“I did,” You cried, hands beginning to tremble again, “I do,” 

“If you did, you would have told me months ago,” Mel snapped.

“I know,” your gaze was distant, trapped in memories, “I made the wrong choices and have no excuse for them,” 

“We’ve both made mistakes Mel,” Ambessa’s tone was honey, “We love you, we want to know how to move past them,” 

Her use of ‘we’ made you twitch. As always, she had no problem speaking for you. Still, it seemed she was searching to heal your relationship with Mel as well as her own. Your heart glowed, you shoved it in a safe. 

“You can move past them by keeping your hands to yourself, Mum,” She snapped. In another, better timeline you would have giggled. 

Ambessa simply leaned back, taking a swig. 

“I just want to know why she did it,” Mel muttered, more lost than you’d ever seen her as she turned to you, “Mum I get, she’s done it before, but why did you?”

It was the worst question to ask, because you’d realised somewhere in those wallowing autumn nights that the love had bloomed even before she bent you over that island. Your motivator had always been love and that felt more pathetic than anything. It was the first time you looked to Ambessa on purpose, eyes panicked, yearning for even a dust speck of the comfort she was giving Mel. To your ultimate surprise you found it, crinkled eyes steady and holding you up just for a second before they looked away. That was the final nail in the coffin. 

Mel saw it before you even attempted words. You subconsciously braced for screams or laughter, but were met with a pained gasp. 

“Oh no,” Mel’s voice was soft, pitying “You didn’t,”

“Spare me,” It was a scoff, the cry of a wounded animal, “I know how stupid I am, kay?”

“Mum, go check on Mina,” Mel’s voice was dismissive, practically shoving a protesting Ambessa away. 

Ambessa left begrudgingly and the scales shifted, evening out. 

She didn’t speak for a long time, her face fixed in contemplation. It was the same face that crafted winning debates, negotiated designer deals and commanded attention of your student house chore chart. Each moment dragged, your eyes unsure where to stay as you grappled with your life. Was she going to tear you to shreds? Dismissing Ambessa so there were no witnesses to your murder? Or worse, was she going to outright admit that she despised you. 

“You fell in love,” It’s said in a hushed whisper, like gossip shared in a lecture hall. 

Your lip wobbled, the tsunami threatening to make itself known, as the plainness of the truth was said by the one person you’d wanted to tell. “Yeah, yeah I did,” 

She was on you in an instant, warm arms pulling you against her as you froze in place. 

“That was fucking dumb,” She huffed, her own voice watery, “Even dumber that you did it alone,” 

You gurgled in tears, laughter forced out as you looked at her incredulously. She was actually comforting you, as if this was normal. She was better than either you or Ambessa deserved and as she rocked you, you waited for the other shoe to smack you in the face.

“I hate you right now,” 

“Makes sense,” You sniffed, wanting to block the sound of those words out forever. 

“But right now doesn’t mean forever,” She huffs, trembling fingers taking your own, “Just need time to be furious, time to grieve I suppose,”

“I’ll give you whatever you need,” It was a babble now, “I’ll move out obviously and I c-can head home, you deserve a nice Christmas,” 

She looked at you like you’d grown a head, “No babe, none of that will be happening actually,”

“But,” 

“You have hurt me in an indescribable way,” Her voice was firm now, as if she were adult and you were child, “But I have decided I want you in my life despite that, and you are going to respect that even if you don’t understand it,” 

“I really, really don’t,” You squeaked, “But I’ll try, I want to earn your trust Mel, more than anything,”

“That’s good, because it’s Carol Concert Day and I would hate to sit next to Kino instead, he’s always so fidgety,” 

Fuck. Kino. Your face must have betrayed your panic. 

“Mum and I decided we won’t tell him, this,” She gestured between you and the space her mother had occupied, “died last night and therefore is irrelevant,” 

“Okay, whatever you want,” 

“It might also help things if you have a chat with Mum, actually talk about whatever’s happened,” 

“Easier said than done,” Your stomach twisted, “It’s a mess,”

“Try for me?”

Manipulative posh brat. You loved her. You’d do anything she asked, “FIne,” 

“I’m sorry you love her,” Mel said, gaze settling somewhat “It’s a shitty place to be,” 

You gave her the space she requested, finding the Matriarch supreme with Mina who was uncharacteristically quiet. 

“An olive branch?” You were actually holding out an olive flavoured breadstick, a hastily grabbed prop. You were staring down the barrel of a gun, unsure if it was loaded. Involuntary, awful Russian Roulette. 

She took it with a raised brow, offering you the chair you were already lowering yourself into, “How was that?”

Your rattling chest finally took in a full breath, “She wants to be my friend,” 

“You sound surprised,” 

“I am,” a cough, “and grateful and surprised I still have a head,”

“I was thinking much the same,” Mina crunched the end of the breadstick slyly, “Right, unacceptable,” she was flung off and it was as funny as always. God, you wished she was more awful somehow, make it easier. 

“And you? Seemed I missed a lot of the conversation,” 

Ambessa hummed, “I saw no point in lying to her, and this was regrettably a familiar conversation for us, it was better she learnt it from me, I am easier to be furious with,”

It felt stupidly chivalrous, like she’d done the heavy lifting so you could reap the rewards. Your assessment of how things would pan out had been so wrong you were half certain you were still in that room, looking through house listings. 

“Feels good to get it out?” You didn’t care about her answer, though you found you couldn’t not ask.

“Oh yes,” A snort, “It feels brilliant to be utterly degraded by your own child,” 

“You deserve it,” 

“I know,” Her tongue clicked, body tired.

“She wants us to patch it up,”

“Patch what up, the casual sex or the emotional turmoil?” 

“Don’t mock me,” Anger flared, dark and red. 

“I’m not,” A weathered sigh, “I respect my daughter enough to take this seriously, Darling,”

It was the worst thing she could have said. There was no respect for you, yet again. No desire to actually hear you, just a wish to please Mel. You were a middleman now to her, your feelings important if they impacted her child. 

“Well, we had a fun summer fling,” You were distant now, “It ended poorly for me, as usual for you I take it?”

She at least had the decency to wince at that, an almost disbelieving nod. 

“You tried to reignite something, I refused and then, like a fucking demon, you kissed me anyway,” 

“You kissed me back,” 

“So you said,” 

“Pushed me away too, well done,” 

“It was a test?” You wouldn’t have been shocked if she nodded. 

“That’s dramatic, even for me,” She licked her lips, “It was a lapse in judgement,” 

“Have a lot of those, do you?”

“Around you, yes,” It was lighthearted, eyes tempting as ever. This was not what patching it up meant, your tell tale heart shining through the safe’s cracks. 

“I think I hate you,” It was gentle, confused. 

“I have that effect on people, Sweet Girl,” 

You made an agreement to actually stick to the odd friendship you’d gained. Your priority was Mel. Her priority was Mel. A common goal that pushed you through the sticky residue of the remaining tension. 

Pushed you through that is. Ambessa Medarda, eyes fixed on your tentative smile, was firmly on the other side pondering something awful. She knew you were a problem. 

Kino returned, shaky and none the wiser, stumbling into the library. 

“There you are, Princess,” He called happily, “Glad to see you’re still alive after last night,”

Oh Kino. You don’t know the half of it, you idiot. “Thank Rictus, he held my hair back,” 

“He just took me on a boys breakfast,”

“A what?” You bit your cheek, your eyes meeting Ambessa’s bemused ones.

“I dunno,” He scratched his head, “Said he’d missed me, was really nice actually,”

You were nodding to compensate for the laughing rushing in you, she was doing the same.

“Fantastic!” You said in unison, as he pulled up a chair and crushed any remnants of your conversation. 

The rest of the day was smooth, surreal in its normalness. You were giving Mel space, but that wasn’t all that different to how you normally wandered about the place. The few presents you had managed to buy, now unpacked from your destroyed exit strategy, were placed under the tree and you got through a couple of hours of work before it was time to leave. 

Mel curled into you on the train, eyes fixed on the outside world rushing past though her thumb did its usual rhythmic strokes. The barriers your actions had placed sliced at you, bit by bit. Still she reached through them, cutting herself too, in an attempt to mend what you had broken. 

The Royal Albert Hall was picturesque, Christmas cheer infectious as you sat in your box. The view was unparalleled and yet they didn’t seem to fussed, messing about with the food and drink on offer. Fucking rich people. A little plate was handed to you by Ambessa, all your favourites plus things she thought you’d like to try. You nodded. It was actually normal, well your new normal. It made Mel smile, proof that you’d done as she asked. 

Carols in a place such as this were transcendent, wrapping you in comfort and applying balm to your battered mind. Kino and Mel were insistent on irritating each other, flicking at hair and chattering at each other before Ambessa smacked them both on the arm. You received a smile. You were the golden child, enjoying the music calmly whilst the others squibbled. 

Ambessa couldn’t keep her eyes off of you. You were much more interesting to watch. The music was known to her, but your reaction to it was a strange new delight. Stolen smiles she would hide behind sips of wine and hesitant coughs. She did respect Mel, loved her in a way that she had long since grappled with as all consuming, and yet she just could not look away. It made her stomach churn, each meeting of your gazes a zap of electricity to her chest. She was privileged to receive some of your quips, a calmness settled over you in the aftermath of destruction and you had taken to the changes like a duck to water. She didn’t know whether to be awed or worried, so she settled for the pulsing, confusing beat in the middle. 

You and Mel spoke quietly on the train home, some fibres knitting back together as Kino attempted to argue with his mother about why Die Hard was a Christmas film. She was showing you some furniture she wanted to buy for your house and it was domestic and safe and only slightly off. You hated the armchair and you knew that she knew that. 

“Looks great,” You lied meekly, “Love the colours,” 

“Thought you would,” She smirked, “I’ll order it now then, and the matching blanket,” 

“Awesome,” 

She started to laugh,”Are you just my bitch now?”

“I can cope with an ugly chair,”

“And cope you shall,” She showed you the delivery confirmation, phone pushed forward proudly. 

Bugger. You’d hoped she was bluffing to fuck with you. Your slow grimace made her laughter louder, and you flicked her with the lid of your Diet Coke bottle. 

Christmas Eve had arrived. 

It was a day filled with energy, board games and gingerbread houses. You learnt you were shit at biscuit engineering, unable to keep two walls standing let alone a whole house. Rictus had rescued you, the Medardas too caught in their own projects. With a steady hand he assembled the gingerbread flat pack and laid the piping foundations for your chocolate buttons and sprinkles. Yours looking shit would have been funny, if it weren’t for the masterpieces before you. 

Ambessa felt that odd buzz again, eyes raking over your shaky hands as you tried to pipe icing, or reposition walls. You seemed to naturally excel at everything she had seen, so watching you fail was almost cute. Your frustration took over your face, eyebrows scrunched with an open, wincing mouth. 

“Now, what the hell?” 

Kino snorted, adding the final touches to his stained glass windows, “I don’t think art is your calling, Princess,” 

“Or architecture,” Ambessa added with a smile.

“I think it’s good babe,” Mel said, squeezing your shoulder, “In the same way a five year old’s would be I guess,” 

“Rictus?” You said hopefully. 

“You can’t ask for my opinion, I did most of it,” He snorted, fixing a window pane across the room. 

Your gingerbread house was sacrificed to be eaten, the others deemed too sacred. It did at least taste good, Kino had said. You’d then bitten him on the arm, suggesting it would be a miracle if he tasted better than he looked. You were separated, Mina placed between you like a barrier. 

As the hours grew later, you drank your tea and prepared for bed. You were promptly stopped at the stairs. 

“We haven’t prepared for Christmas, into the living room,” Ambessa gripped your arm, pushing you into the space. 

Mel and Kino stood, wide smiles on their faces, organising a little plate. 

It had mince pies, a cookie and a glass of milk on it. 

“What are you doing?” It slipped out incredulously. 

“If we don’t do this, Mum doesn’t give us our presents,” Mel said.

“I don’t give you anything, Children,” Ambessa said, outraged, “That’s his job,” 

“Where’s the thimble of port?”

Kino placed down a large wine glass, rolling his eyes, “Father Christmas prefers a full glass apparently,” 

“Yes he does,” Ambessa smirked, before turning to you, “And can pop down the reindeer’s carrots,”

You looked at her, disbelieving eyes boring into her gleaming irises, “Why would they need carrots? I’m sure they’ve had enough already,”

Her eyes darkened, “They have a long evening ahead of them, do you want them to get exhausted halfway through? What if every house thought as ridiculously as you? What if they’re running on empty?”

You barked a shocked laugh. Of all people, Ambessa Medarda was not someone you anticipated continuing this tradition into her children’s adulthood. Grabbing some carrots, you left them next to Mel’s plate. 

“Happy?” You gestured grandly. 

“I’m sure Rudolph will be overjoyed, Dear,” She walked over kissing you each on the forehead, with a tenderness that startled you, “Now, off to bed little wolves or he shall leave you with an empty tree,” 

The tree already had presents underneath it, placed by the three of you. You hadn’t consciously clocked the lack of hers. 

You felt fuzzy, overwhelmed by Christmas and the first tendrils of contentment that had been unburdened by your lies. A long road lay ahead, but if Mel’s conspiratory giggle as she grabbed the open port bottle and tugged you to her room was anything to go by, you were going to make it out the other side. 

“Hey,” Mel said, passing the port back to you to finish, “What’s the time?”

You grabbed your phone, arms wobbly with intoxication. 

12:02am

“Merry Christmas!”

[ariadnasdiary]

Mun Ari: OMG! I screamed at such a beautiful tag!!! IS EVERYTHING I EVER WANTED AND LIKE!! I BECAME OBSESSED!! 😩👌🏻 thank you @mino-diabolik for the tag!!!

Arino first meeting, in love and brute ending

I went crazy over the endless possibilities of scenarios bdkssjsi >////<

🌹Azusa & Me 🌹

Azusa: “ You will… always be… my precious rose… forever…. I will not… let you go.”

Guys!! Neka just come out with a new couple pose art edit and it’s so cute!!! I Tag: @cutelih @yuriko-tsukino-rp @ruki-mukami-dl @eve-komori @sakamakibride @afra-blueraz @animefan2123 @emillyfhs3 and whoever wants to do this with your favorite Diaboy. 🤗

NEKA ART EDIT

Note: I did add a filter to my photo to be able to lighten my hair color since the blonde shade in the Neka app was to dark.