I updated yesterday! Make sure you read the last chapter!

Breathing in the fresh air, Haru lifts her hand to protect her eyes from the bright sun. It’s been while since she has been let out into the courtyard of the prison. Half the time, she’s being punished and such a privilege would be withheld. 

“Inmate 030194, behave.” A guard warns her from behind. “You don’t get free time often.”

“I don’t go looking for trouble.” She mumbles to herself before walking off. 

The other female inmates were hanging out in your own groups or participating in those therapeutic activities meant to rehabilitate– something she didn’t think would be useful in curbing bad behavior but no one asked her. Haru finds some open areas and begins stretching. How much longer does she have in this place? Not that she can complain since she placed herself in the situation to begin with. 

“Hey, punk .”

Haru blinks back from her thoughts and fought the urge to look. That name better not be directed at her. Breathing out, she bends over and touches her toes. Opening her eyes, from between her legs, she can see the same group of troublemakers from the cafeteria heading towards her. Well, look at that. It was. 

Straightening up, she turns around to face them. 

The small group of women come to a stop before her and the warning given to her by the guard from before seems nonexistent now that she has found herself in quite a situation. And like she had said, she doesn’t go looking for trouble– they find her. 

“Don’t we have unfinished business?” The woman in the center asks. 

“You actually want to get humiliated this time?” Haru asks bluntly. 

The woman scoffs. “What can you do to the five of us?”

“That’s perfect.” Her limit is five. 

Irritated by the young girl’s quick answers, they marched forward. The other inmates seem to realize the trouble that was brewing and start turning their attention in Haru’s direction. Someone reaches for her from the side and Haru dodges. In response, she places a foot behind the woman and gives her little shoulder a shove that sends her on her bottom upon the dirt ground. Another comes from behind and swings. Haru ducks and grabs onto the swinger’s arm and pulls her in the opposite direction. The force sends the woman into the group of three as they prepare to catch her. 

Whistles from the guards sound off as soon as they noticed.

If she’s going to get thrown into isolation again, she might as well cause the biggest amount of trouble she can manage. Running forward towards the group of three, she jumps into the air and aims both of her legs at their center person. The bottom of her feet makes contact with the center’s abdomen and sends them all tumbling backwards onto their backs. Haru braces her fall and moves back on her feet while dusting her hands off. 

“Come on, stand back up.” Haru calls out. “Didn’t you want to finish business?”

The women growl at her. 

Because Haru was leaning forward, the woman closest to her tries to grab onto her hair. Haru quickly deflected the intention with a smack of her hand. With her free hand, she swipes the side of the woman’s head in retaliation. 

“That’s it?” Haru asks. 

Again, the woman tries to reach for Haru’s face so it is only right that Haru grabs onto her hand to bend it back unnaturally. The woman lets out a low shout but it only encourages Haru to put more force into it. 

“Inmate 030194! Let her go!” The voice appears closer and so does the running. 

“Should I break it?” Haru leans forward so her words would be heard. “People learn best with pain–,”

Haru’s arm is grabbed and with no other choice, she has to let go when she’s tugged back and away from the older woman. 

“You’re the only one who doesn’t appreciate the fresh air.” The guard says while forcing Haru to come along with her as other guards begin handling the group as well. 

Well, it looks like she won’t be seeing sunlight for another while. 

It was worth it. 

***

“You have a visitor.”

“If it’s the officers again, I don’t want to see them.” They’ll only learn about the punishment and she’ll get nagged at. She’s already in prison, she didn’t need them wasting her time like that too. 

“It isn’t.”

“I don’t want to see my guidance counselor either.”

“Hurry and stand up.”

It appears that it may not be Mr. Jung either. In curiosity, Haru allows the guard to lead her out into the visiting room. Sitting there at the metal table with a soft smile was Hana. Of course, the young woman had crossed Haru’s thoughts since she has been in prison but she didn’t imagine that she would be here. 

Taking her seat, Haru kept her eyes on Hana.

“I thought about whether this was a good idea or not.” Hana begins gently. “But, I really needed to see you, Haru.”

“I’m doing fine.”

She could see Hana’s eyes scanning her appearance. Taking in the bruises that are the very reasons to refute Haru’s previous claim. 

“You should see the others.” Haru comments. 

She already knew how tough Haru is. But, the people in here are a different type. “I’m not worried.”

“Good. Yo