“Myoui Pharmaceutical just made their major breakthrough in the medical industry by becoming the highest grossing pharmacy…” As the newscaster announces, a party broke out in the headquarters of Myoui Pharmaceutical. Champagne bottles popped and a crowd of employees cheered along as Myoui Akito, founder of Myoui Pharmaceutical, went up the make-shift stage to give the employees a speech. A gentle smile tugged along his wife’s face, as she was proud of what he has come to achieve after all the years of struggle and hard work they have been through. As Myoui Sakiko nods to him, he started his speech. He thanked the employees for being with him throughout the journey, and shared this joy and achievement with everyone. Last but not least, with his tears-filled eyes, he looked in the direction of his supportive wife and child, choking out a final ‘Thank you’ before bowing and leaving the stage. The night went on with everyone enjoying themselves, finally taking a breather after working so hard over the past few years. Amongst the crowd was Chou Yi, who was also celebrating with Akito at his side.

  Chou Yi was one of the employees. He worked under Myoui Pharmaceutical from the start, having a great ambition of his to set up a hospital himself. In order to do so, he has been learning diligently under Akito’s teachings. They were friends since high school, and they were really close, as if they were brothers. Or at least, that was what Akito thought when he took Chou Yi under his wings. With the huge success Myoui Pharmaceutical has achieved, Chou Yi is starting to get jealous of what his buddy has achieved in a span of 3 years. Something ignited in him, or to say, a demonic thought grew in him. He decided to set Akito up.

  The business of Myoui Pharmaceutical just began to soar, with the bright future for the Myouis in sight. However, happiness is short-lived, as their sales hit rock bottom just after 6 months of their major success. News, or rather, rumours started spreading like wildfire on the internet regarding their health supplements containing cancer-causing substances, and many of the drugs supplied to major hospitals are made up of illegal chemicals that could potentially cause to its users. Many hospitals ceased all deals with Myoui Pharmaceutical, and their consumers flooded in demanding for refunds. Malicious comments can be seen everywhere on the web, on the front page of their official website, and even on Akito’s phone with countless insults. However, Akito tried his best not to let these comments get into him. Even at times like this, Sakiko, being the supportive wife, stayed by his side. And of course, his little sunshine, Mina, was the reason why he kept his smile at such tough times like this. When Chou heard of this news, he smirked to himself, while sending half-hearted consolations to Akito.

  After a few weeks of the rumours, Mina’s birthday is around the corner on the 24^th of March. She has always been celebrating with her parents, but she wanted to have a special celebration this time with Chou. Therefore, she started pestering her father with requests when she realised that the special occasion is approaching.

  “Daddy, my birthday is coming soon next Saturday. Can we celebrate with Uncle Chou?” She asked, with her teddy eyes staring at her father. Even though Akito is faced with the threat of bankruptcy, he didn’t want to disappoint her. After all, she was the bundle of joy, the one who gave him motivation to carry on. Therefore, he agreed to her request and started preparing a huge celebration ahead in time.

    “Hey Chou! Wanna come for my daughter’s 8^th birthday party? She insisted that her favourite Uncle Chou should come.” Akito asked Chou. He went to Chou’s residence the day after, inviting him to Mina’s birthday celebration. As he asked, he thought of how elated her daughter was when they finally allowed her to have a birthday party. Despite their continual fall in sales and their bleak future, the Myouis still put Mina’s happiness first.

  “Oh sure, I would love to!” Chou replied with a wide grin which Akito was so familiar with that he would bring it with him to his death. Literally.

  On the day of Mina’s birthday, Chou came with a gigantic Penguin doll that resembles the little Mina. Akito looked at Mina, as she blew the candles on the cake with a huge smile on her round face, and making a wish as she closed her eyes really tightly. He was really pleased with himself. The preparations that he had gotten ready over the past few nights have paid off. Unknowingly, a smile tugged at his lips as he thought of how overjoyed she is during the celebration.

  Mina spent that night with euphoria, or most of it, before going to bed. Chou told Akito and Sakiko that he has something that he would like to share with them. So, he took the couple to the roof for ‘some fresh air’, as he claims it to be. Little did the Myouis know, that Chou had a special agent hired to get rid of them permanently.

  “Hey, on such a happy occasion like this, I hope that you will always stay happy.” Chou said with a can of beer in his left hand, as he gazed longingly at the night skies. The Myouis smiled with him, as they looked up too. Chou paused for a while, before continuing.

“I’m really sorry for whatever happened to Myoui Pharmaceutical, and I just wanted to tell you something…” as Chou’s words rang in the Myouis eardrums, he turned to the confused Myouis with a sadistic grin plastered on his face. He led the Myouis closer to the edge of the building. Taking a breath, he boomed.

“YOUR TIME HAS COME.”

  A sudden force hit the Myouis from behind. Before they knew it, they were falling off the building, too surprised to react. Instead, they stared back at Chou, shocked, as they fall into their point of no return. The sickening smirk is still present on Chou’s face as he watched his brother and his brother’s wife fall into the never-ending darkness, with a shadow behind him whispering “Mission accomplished.” He then fled the scene immediately.

  “Mission Accomplished.”

 Chou repeated the sentence, as he enjoyed the sense of relief washing over him. He let out a deafening laugh before throwing away the name card he got from the agent that he just hired three days ago. He was stunned however, as he found Mina by the door after walking towards the stairs, with terror evident in her innocent eyes. He quickly calmed himself down though, as he could not risk a child ruining his entire plot of wealth and fame.

  “Oh, Mina, come here, Uncle Chou will bring you back into your room. It’s late now, and you got to sleep.” Chou said as gently as he could while taking big strides towards Mina, who stood rooted to the ground, staring fearfully at her favourite Uncle.