14

557 20 0
                                    

The three men stopped outside a large, traditional style house. Kyoya knew his father and uncle were proud at their accomplishment of finally capturing Shiori. It was still something he didn't even understand. She wasn't a threat by any means and didn't display any sign of physical strength. There was no gain in capturing her. The three turned to look at Shiori and froze. She was gone. How did she leave without them knowing? Wouldn't they have heard her? Throughout Kyoya's life, he's never seen his father lose his cool until now. He put a hand over his face.

"Where did she go?" Kyoya's uncle asked. "Kyoya, did you hear her leave?" He asked Kyoya.

"No."

Kyoya's father shook with anger. "What shall I do, brother?" The uncle asked.

"Don't do anything."

"Why not?" The uncle asked.

"I'll give her this win for now."

Kyoya was surprised. Usually, his father would have whoever defied him killed or severely injured. However, Shiori was the only exception. She was the one that everyone in the family talked about. Yet, Kyoya didn't know why everyone was obsessed with her. Even though he didn't have many interactions with her, she was always on time and didn't cause any trouble for anyone.

"Shall I give orders?" Kyoya's uncle asked.

"No." Kyoya's father turned his back to them. "If she steps out of line once, Kyoya, go ahead and give her the Hibari specialty."

"Yes, father." It was the only thing he could say. Even he couldn't defy his father. At least he didn't dare do it in the state his father was in. It'd be too dangerous.

For the remainder of the week, I noticed Kyoya watching me a lot. It was probably on his father's orders. He'd even be patrolling the hallway my class was on more than usual. No one in class seemed to noticed. At least, no one openly spoke about it. They were all too afraid of Kyoya. On my way home on Friday, I saw him standing between the school entrance and the gate. I had a feeling he was waiting for me, but I kept walking.

"Stop." He spoke.

I stopped a few feet away from him. "Yes?"

"How's your hand?" He asked.

I tilted my head with confusion. I thought he'd ask how I left or make me go with him. I lifted my hand with my palm facing him. There was only a small scratch left. He was slowly coming to the realization the wound wasn't as bad as it initially looked. "I'll be just fine." I could see his body tense.

"Impossible..." He muttered.

"What is?"

Kyoya grabbed my hand and stared with disbelief. "Your hand should still be sliced open."

"Should it?" He nodded. "I guess I'm a fast healer." It wasn't that at all. I only made one spot in the middle of where I cut that was deeper than the rest. It was enough to fake a larger wound. "May I leave, sir?"

"Yes."

I gave a small bow and walked right past him. I had to cover my mouth as soon as I left the gates. Yuko was starting to rub off on me. I wanted to laugh right in his face, but I knew better. Kyoya was innocent until he tries to attack me. Plus, it'd be more satisfying to laugh at his father and uncle instead. They gave me this small victory probably out of pity. For them, it's one too many victories. They'll come sooner or later. I didn't know when, but I knew I had to be ready at any time. This was a simple game between a cat and a mouse. They just didn't realize they were the mouse.

You'll also like

          

When I got to the hospital a couple of days later, Dad was resting in bed. I couldn't come before just in case the Hibari would ambush me. The nurse taking care of him told me he was in a coma and wouldn't wake up anytime soon. No one knew when he'd wake up. Even not knowing when he'd wake up, I'd still visit him. I wanted to be by his side as much as possible. I'd change the water for the flowers I got him and talk about how my day was to the finest detail. Just seeing him lay there motionlessly made me feel numb. There was nothing I could do to help him. All I needed to do was wait. The doctor walked in. To my surprise, it was Shamal. This was actually my first time seeing him outside of the school.

"You're that student that passed out." He said with surprise.

"How's my father?" I asked wanting to know what was exactly happening.

Shamal took a look at the chart in his hand. He flipped through a few pages. "He's lucky to be alive from the beating he took. There's a chance he'll make it."

"You don't need to sugar coat things. What's the chance of him actually waking up? I need to know this."

Shamal looked straight into my eyes. "There's a low chance of him actually waking up." My grip on dad's left hand tightened. In the back of my head, I knew that would happen, but I didn't want it to be true. No one wants their parent to be in this situation. "I didn't want to get you depressed." He said with a sigh.

"It's okay. I appreciate you telling me the truth."

"Do you know what happened? Did someone attack him? The entire staff is acting weird and refuses to treat him. So far, it's just me and a traveling nurse who will actually help him."

"I know who did this to him and it's why no one but you will treat him."

"Who did it?" He asked.

"The Hibari family." I didn't bother to look at Shamal. I kept my focus on dad's face. "Everyone in town is afraid of them because they'll break you if you don't obey their laws."

"Have they tried to hurt you?" He asked seriously.

"They've tried multiple times."

"Do you need help escaping town?"

I shook my head and smiled. "I'll leave once my business here is done."

"What business do you have? You could potentially end up like your father. He wouldn't want you to get hurt." These were the times I hated when no one knew what I could endure or what I could do. Even if they did, they'd even be more protective of me. It was a curse and a blessing at the same time.

"It's rather complicated, but it does involve the Hibari family." Shamal then handed me a card. "What's this?" I asked.

"Take it. If you're ever in a bind and need help, call me." He looked too serious for a normal doctor.

"Having you taking care of my father is more than enough for me." I commented.

"And if they end up kidnapping you? What if they torture you instead?" Shamal asked which confirmed my suspicions. No normal doctor would think of something like torture.

"It's okay. I know some terrifying people. One little scratch is all it'll take." I replied with a maddening smile.

"Shiori?"

"I'm from Tokyo. I know scary people."

"Yakuza?" Shamal questioned quietly.

"It's only natural. I was always a curious child that loved adventure. I just so happened to adventure too far into the shadows." I said. Syoko would take the Hibari out without any hesitation if they hurt me. Kaoru would start torturing the men with his blade. Yuko would make them beg for mercy.

For the Sake of NormalcyWhere stories live. Discover now