a/n: update! update! cuz i can't help it! and i'm revealing the mystery characters! yes, those two person who's conversation (and that one monologue) always pop out of nowhere on a couple of the past chapters... i planned the revelations to be gradual and slow but.. i just couldnt help it anymore...

enjoy darlings!

“Hey, noona. Are you going to be alright home alone?”
 

Sehun’s voice snapped Seirin out of her temporary daze. She didn’t even realize that she was drifting off in her own world again.
 

“Uh… where are you going? Dance practice?” Seirin asked, watching idly as the younger tied his shoelaces.
 

“No. I’m meeting some friends at a café. I might be home a little late. Are you going to be okay here alone or you want to come?” Sehun offered.
 

As much as Seirin doesn’t want to be alone for the duration of the afternoon, she didn’t want to intrude with Sehun’s time with his friends. The two of them had been spending too much time already, with the language lessons and all, and it’s high time that Sehun gets to spend his time with his other friends.
 

“I’ll be alright. Someone might come home early. And if they don’t, well, there’s always the T.V.” Seirin smiled. “Don’t come too late, okay?”
 

“Okay. I’ll be going then.” Sehun said before walking out the door.
 

The silence of the house lulled Seirin a bit. It’s seldom that she’s home alone since she’s either at work, or spending her time with Sehun, the younger one dragging around the city so she could familiarize herself. Truth to be told, she didn’t really mind the quiet and solitude. She used to keep to herself back in Japan. But in the past month that she had been staying with Joonmyun and his family, the constant chatter, laughter, bickering, and even the arguing, she had gotten so used to it that it’s already part of everyday life. Being alone seems so lonely nowadays.
 

With a sigh, Seirin looked around. The television got her attention but she didn’t really want to watch anything. She fiddled with her phone, no one to text or call. Why does it have to be a weekend when she didn’t have to work? Hyoyeon was out with a relative and was supposed to be back late too. Joonmyun is at work. Kris was busy with finishing stuff at school since the graduation is like in a week.
 

“What am I going to do??” Seirin sighed loudly.
 

She slumped on the couch, contemplating about things that she could do. If only Chen was nearby, then at least there was someone who she can talk to. Chen always have time for her.
 

Speaking of her best friend, the latter seemed to be so worried on that reply to the email she had sent. Two weeks into her ‘escape’, Seirin sent an email to Chen, telling him that she was alive and well. At first she was worried that the email could be traced and she’d be putting Joonmyun and everyone in danger, but apparently Sehun is brilliant when it comes to computers and he did something so the mail won’t be traced back.
 

When Seirin received Chen’s reply, she nearly cried her eyes out. A third of Chen’s mail as a whole was all questions about her health, who she’s staying with, if she’s eating well, if she’s being treated well. Seirin was pretty sure that if Chen knew where she was, he’d have flown to her  right away.

Thinking about the boy’s concerned face almost made Seirin gave him a call. But she stopped herself. A little more time, that’s what she needed. She would be together with Chen once again, but not just yet.
 

Another sigh and Seirin decided that she can’t be alone for the rest of the afternoon and wait for someone to come home. If she does, then she’d be stuck thinking about Chen and she might do something she might regret later.
 

She found herself strolling down the now-familiar streets of the city, melting with pedestrians as she walked aimlessly, taking in the amusing sights like a tourist would. She even took random pictures using her phone, like a tourist indeed.
 

Looking at the phone reminded her of Kris. The latter had been acting friendlier towards her, though she couldn’t help but to notice how he would still avoid being alone in a room with her. Kris is really nice even he looks a little bit intimidating at a glance, she figured. So even if he was still acting a little aloof when it comes to her, she decided that she’d give him his space.
 

“Hmm, he’s graduating soon. Should I get him something? A present?” she mused.
 

Looking around, she noticed she had actually walked into a bazaar-like place. There were lots of stalls, selling everything from small accessories, clothes, to the weirdest-looking street foods.
 

“Where the heck am I?” Seirin muttered to herself. She’s not worried about being lost actually, she had traveled alone many times before. It’s just that going out alone nowadays is quite unfamiliar since she’d always be with Sehun or Tao, even Hyoyeon at times.
 

Nevertheless, she decided to look around the stalls, squeezing past sweaty tourists and locals who crowded the place. There were many interesting things laid on tables and stands everywhere and Seirin let her eyes feast over them. She’s not a big spender, opting to ogle things that catches her interest. She passed by stalls, checking things out now and again, thinking if she could get something for Kris; a present for his graduation. And also a thank you for the phone. But what would she get? Nothing really seems to get her attention.
 

She was almost at the other end of the bazaar place when she saw yet another stall that sells charms and such. Kris is going to be working under his father as soon as he graduates and finish training, he’d be out in the field and be in danger most of the time. So thinking mostly of Kris’ safety, Seirin decided that getting him an amulet or a charm of some sort won’t hurt.
 

She stepped inside the stall and looked around for a bit, the shop owner offering various items to her. As much as she really like to give Kris a gift, she couldn’t find something though, there’s just nothing that she could fit to Kris’ personality. The guy has a unique taste for fashion as she had observed, and she wants to give him something that he could appreciate; it’s proving to be tough work.
 

“Have you seen something that you like?” the shop owner asked once again, the patient smile on her face still bright as the moment Seirin had walked in.
 

“I don’t really see something that suits him.” Seirin replied honestly.
 

The owner pursed her lips a bit, “Well, if you don’t see anything, then why don’t you just make him one? I also sell charm items in which you can weave on your own. Would you like to see?”
 

Seirin smiled at the idea and let the old woman show her variety of stones and gems that could be used to make her very own charm for Kris. After hearing what kind of effect the items supposedly does, Seirin picked out the ones she needed and paid for it, leaving the stall shortly after.
 

As she walked back to where she had entered she noticed that it was already late in the afternoon and everyone would be going home soon. They might wonder where she is since she didn’t tell them she was going out, so she hurried her steps, deciding to get a taxi so she could get home as soon as possible.
 

She smiled to herself. Home. She never thought that in just a month she’d learn what home feels like. If someone had told her that she’d actually have somewhere she’d call ‘home’, she would have laughed at their faces and call them liars. But there she was, walking past smelly tourists with a smile on her face. Because she’s going home.
 

“Kurosaki-san.” a man wearing a black suit suddenly bowed before her.
 

Seirin halted, surprised at first. Then the name the man called her suddenly clicked inside her head, it had been so long since she was called by that name. Well, at least it had been long for her.
 

But the surprise was suddenly replaced by the realization that her grandfather’s people had already caught up with her. It took them a month but they’re actually here already. They know where she was. They found her.
 

How much had they discovered? How long had they been following her around? Did they found out about the man who gave her the picture and sent her to Joonmyun? God, do they know about Joonmyun? And his family? That they had taken her in and she was living with them?
 

The man started to raise from his 90 degree bow and it seemed to Seirin that  she had been standing on that crowded alley for a very long time, the life she had been living for the past month playing before her eyes.
 

The man stood up, that familiar cold stare boring into Seirin. She had met that same lifeless look many times before as she got caught from yet another attempt to disappear from her grandfather’s radar. Each of those times, she would think, ‘Well, better luck next time.’ before letting herself be dragged back. She didn’t try to run away once she gets caught because she knows it’s futile.
 

But Seirin found herself taking a slow step back, feeling her heart race. No. She can’t just let them drag her back this time too.
 

“Kurosaki-san, please stop. The Master had already been patient enough to let you have your way for too long and he is adamant that you’d be back home as soon as possible.” the man stated.
 

Two other men wearing casual clothes flanked the man in the suit. Seirin bit the inside of her cheek, looks like these men won’t take no for an answer.

They will take her home. She scoffed at the thought. She only has one home, and that would be Joonmyun’s.
 

“How long have you been following me? How did you find me?” Seirin asked in a grave voice, though she kept it low enough to mask the fear she was feeling. She didn’t want to attract unwanted attention from the people around and she would have ran away already but she needed to know how much these guys know about her at the moment. If they knew about Joonmyun or where they live.
 

The man in the suit remained stoic, taking a step forward without answering. Seirin took another step back. She furtively scanned the area she was in, thinking of ways for an escape. They were surrounded by lots of people and it would be easy to run but she’s pretty sure that the three in front of her weren’t the only ones who are looking for her. She can run right now, but for how long can she keep on running exactly?
 

“We still need to report that we have found you, Kurosaki-san, so please be cooperative.” the man stated, halting a bit as the other two behind him stalked closer.
 

They still need to report her. Seirin momentarily rejoiced. It only means that they still don’t know much, at least that’s what she assumes. She still have time to warn Joonmyun.
 

She paused for a moment, noting the slightly relieved look on the man’s eyes. She smirked inwardly, guessing that the other was thinking that she’d be going with them without a fight, just like those other times before. Well, they were just wrong. She’s got something to fight her freedom for this time. And she’s not letting go.
 

With a sharp twist, she turned and bolted back to the bazaar place, hoping that the thick crowd would help her escape faster. She ran as fast as she could, ignoring yells from the people she bumps into. She only had one goal set in her mind, find a relatively safe place for the moment and then give Joonmyun a call to warn him. After that, well, she’d think about it later.
 

Taking turns around unfamiliar alleys, Seirin cursed under her breath as the three men continued pursuing her relentlessly. Well, what did she expect? Raijin don’t take in members who are ‘worthless on the battleground’. Just thinking about the clan’s ways sent shiver down her spine.
 

As she ran faster, hoping that she won’t end up in a dead-end, she tripped unexpectedly over some piled boxes as she an alley. She almost landed face first but she managed to roll her body just in time. Unfortunately, the delay caused for the three men to catch up with her, and the slight pain she was feeling on her leg was slowly despairing her chance of escape.
 

“We were instructed to bring you back in anyway we could, Kurosaki-san.” the man in suit stated. “But that didn’t mean that we can’t jostle you a bit if you resisted.”
 

Just her luck. The ones sent to get her this time were those bastards who wouldn’t hesitate to lay their filthy hands on her. If they beat her up, they would only reason that she tried to fight back and run away.
 

Cursing under her breath, she raised her hands in a defensive stance. She won’t going to let them take her without a fight. Or better yet, she won’t let them take her, period.
 

The two wearing civilian clothes didn’t even hesitate and started attacking Seirin, giving blow after blow. Seirin only managed to defend herself because of the lessons Tao was giving her whenever they stay for a bit after work. If she depended on the martial arts she had learned, she would be subdued in no time since these guys were tougher and more experienced than she was.
 

It took for Seirin a little while, but she managed to injure one of the men on a significant body part, kicking him on the groin and sending him sprawling and whimpering. Seirin could relax for a bit; one down, two to go.
 

The alley was getting darker as the night approached and Seirin is worried that when these people managed to get her, it would leave no trace at all.
 

“Please, just let me go. I don’t want to go back anymore.” she pleaded.
 

But it was in vain. The man in the suit lunged at her with a fist. Seirin managed to duck around but the other man was also advancing on her. The two men tried to subdue her but she fought back. But her limbs are getting weaker every minute and she has no idea how long she can keep fighting back.
 

“Hey! You there!” someone shouted from the end of the alley.
 

The two men stopped for a moment, getting distracted. Seirin didn’t think twice and grabbed the chance to run. Her legs are weak and seemed to give up on her any second now, not to mention that she was aching all over from the blows she had received, but she needed to get away. It’s now or never.
 

So she run as fast as she could away from the alley, barely registering the fact that no one had ran after her. She guessed that the two men might have been distracted enough no to notice her running away, or might have lost her in the dark. She put the concern away from her mind for the moment and waived a taxi down.
 

The taxi driver gave her a suspicious look but didn’t say a thing and brought her to the street near the house. She needed to be sure that no one was really following her and that nobody was observing the house before she goes in. If she found someone suspicious then she’d leave immediately, instead of putting everyone in more danger. She waited a few minutes on the corner before deeming it that nobody from the people after her knows where she lives before she staggered into the front door, barely able to fit the key and open it.
 

She was so exhausted that she collapsed shortly after closing the door. Black specks clouded her vision and air seemed to refuse to enter into her lungs. Her head hit the floor but the pain barely registered. The last thing she remembered before blacking out was someone shouting her name in panic.
 

She woke up in her own bed some hours later. It took a second for her to realize how her body felt so heavy and even blinking hurts, her eyes felt like they had been rubbed with sand. She took calming slow breaths before opening her eyes again, looking around without moving her body. It was dark and she guessed that it was late into the night. For sure, everyone was home already.
 

The thought of Joonmyun and the others being home suddenly gave her the energy to sit up and ignore her body’s protests. She needs to warn them. She needs to leave. The thought of leaving hurts more than the bruises covering her. She knew she needed to leave sooner or later, from the very start she had expected it. But it hurts nonetheless. Leaving the only people who made her feel what a family could be, it feels like loosing her mom for a second time. The thought made her want to cry but she can’t be weak now. She needed to be strong for this family and keep them safe. That’s more important than keeping them and end up putting them on danger.
 

Struggling with her bandage limbs, she made it out her room. She wonders who had patched her up, and who was home when she arrived, she couldn’t even remember a thing other than passing out in the foyer.
 

Using the wall for leverage, she managed to get down the stairs without falling. Well, at least until she reached the bottom stairs when her knees buckled and she started careening to the hard floor, face first.
 

“Watch it!” a familiar deep voice warned. “Are you an idiot? You can barely keep yourself up and yet here you are walking around!” he nagged.
 

Seirin lifted her head up to look at the person who was holding her by the waist so she won’t fall. Kris. Kris and an extremely annoyed look on his face, yet concern was evident on that deep brown orbs.
 

“I’m fine.” Serin mumbled, clutching Kris’ arm for stability.
 

“Yeah, right.” Kris rolled his eyes, bending down a little and scooped Seirin into his arms, carrying her to the couch. “Your light as a feather. Eat some more, won’t you.” he mumbled almost inaudibly.
 

Seirin kept shut, feeling a little dizzy at the moment. She let Kris place her gently on the couch, grateful that she didn’t have to exert herself much more. She felt like passing out again with the effort of going down the stairs. How did she even managed to get home after having a beating like that?
 

“Thanks.” she muttered, opening her eyes.
 

Kris was still hovering over her awkwardly. “Well… do you need something? It’s been two hours since you came home and collapsed in the front door. You nearly gave me a heart attack! What happened? Did you manage to get yourself into trouble again? Why would you leave without anyone with you in the first place? Are you an idiot?!” he started nagging.
 

In any other circumstances, Seirin would have retorted back despite the injuries and all, nothing annoys her much more than being nagged at. But Kris is nagging out of concern and even though his voice was getting an octave higher with each word and making Seirin’s ears ring, she couldn’t help but smile. Once she leaves, no one would nag anymore. No one would care.
 

“Why are you smiling? Did they give you a blow so hard you’ve got your bearings loosen?” Kris huffed. He stopped nagging though and stood there awkwardly once more. “Well… do you want something to eat? I took care of the wounds but you need to take some medication to stop the pain if it gets unbearable. You need to eat first though. I made some soup. You want to eat now or later?”
 

“Thank you.” Seirin rasped out, smiling. Kris is really a good person despite having that scowl on his face all the time. It’s the first time that the man had willingly stayed and talk to her with nobody else in the room with them, and it kind of feels nice knowing that he cares.
 

Kris scoffed. “You’ve really lost it. Wait here. I’ll go get you that soup. And I expect some explanation.” he said before leaving for the kitchen.
 

Seirin sighed. If only Kris could lay off her for a moment. She needs to tell Joonmyun first. And she needs to leave as soon as possible.
 

Kris was back after a few minutes, a bowl in hand. He sat in front of Seirin after deeming it too bothering to carry her to the dining room for her to eat. Seirin protested first but Kris started feeding her, and unless she wanted the latter to go ing on her again, she obediently opened to eat. At least Kris waited until she was finished eating and taking pain relievers before assaulting her with questions.
 

Well, Joonmyun arrived just as Kris started investigating what had happened, and Seirin sighed furtively in relief. The look on Joonmyun’s face had her heart beating faster in apprehension. There was something in Joonmyun’s usually bright expression that spelled trouble. The look softened though when the older man noticed the bandages on Seirin’s face and arms.
 

“What happened? Are you okay?” Joonmyun hovered, frowning in concern.
 

“She’s obviously not okay. She arrived a couple of hours ago, covered in blood and bruises, and then collapsed.” Kris interrupted Seirin’s obvious lie of being okay.
 

A sudden dark look clouded Joonmyun’s face and it kinds of send chills down Seirin’s spine. She had never seen such a look on Joonmyun’s face, nor had she expected that he could manage such a dark expression.
 

“A team was deployed to an area near Dongdaemoon. Apparently some foreigners had been attacked there, three men to be exact. They were all Japanese.” Joonmyun stated, looking at Seirin directly in the eyes. “They were found all beaten up. And dead.”
 

Seirin felt her blood run cold.
 

“A CCTV camera caught the three running after a girl but unfortunately it didn’t catch the fight that had happened on the area they were seen dead.” Joonmyun continued.
 

“I didn’t do it.” Seirin could feel tears pricking her eyes. “I swear. I didn’t kill them. I could barely stand up straight after fighting with them. I barely managed to run. I swear I didn’t kill them. Please believe me.” she pleaded.
 

“You were covered in blood when you arrived, Seirin.” Kris pointed out. “The amount of blood doesn’t exactly matched the amount of open wounds you have.”
 

Seirin shook her head. “No! Please, listen to me! I just wanted to escape them! I ran when they were distracted. They were all still alive when I left. Please believe me!”
 

“There are no other people that were caught in the video, Seirin.” Joonmyun said.
 

Seirin let the tears fall from her eyes. “I swear I didn’t kill them, Joonmyun. Even if they were going to do everything to take me back, I didn’t want them dead either way.”
 

Joonmyun was silent for a moment before he dropped the cold look on his eyes. He stepped closer to Seirin, squatting down so they were face to face. “Don’t cry, I believe you, okay?” he cooed, wiping her tears as gently as he could and avoiding to touch the bruise on her lower cheek. “Just get some rest, okay? We’ll talk later.”
 

Kris was silent, retreating to his room after a while. His jaws were set and Seirin could not decipher the look on his face. Did he not believe her?
 

“Now, let’s go get you rested, okay? You seemed to beaten up bad.” Joonmyun stated and helped the girl up, slipping an arm around her waist.
 

“You believe me, right?” Seirin asked. Looking at Joonmyun’s eyes.
 

“Yes.” Joonmyun answered after a short while. The honesty in his eyes is palpable.
 

“Why? Even if the evidence points at me… why do you believe me?” Seirin couldn’t help but ask.
 

A smile blossomed on Joonmyun’s lips. “Because I believe you are your mother’s daughter. She would never lie to me, or even think of killing others even in self-defense.”
 

Seirin could feel tears pricking her eyes once more. Ashamed to let the older man see her cry again, she buried her face on his shoulder, sobbing gently. “Thank you.” she sniffed silently.
 

Joonmyun seemed to stiffened a moment but gently patted her head with his free hand. “I promised to keep you safe, didn’t I? You’re a good person, Seirin, and I believe you. I believe in you.”
 

Seirin cried silently, her heart being squeezed by fear. Fear of what was to come now that her grandfather had found her once again. Fear of being taken away from the family she had grown to love. Fear that one of these days, she would be separated from Joonmyun’s reassuring eyes and the safety of his warm embrace. Fear that she would be loosing the only home she ever had.
 

“Calm down, will you? They didn’t capture her.” the older man hissed, giving his son a disapproving look.
 

“Calm down? She was nearly beaten to death by those lowlifes and you want me to stay calm?” the younger man retorted angrily, hands flexing in an effort to stop himself for hurling everything in the room and destroying everything he sees.
 

“But that friend of yours managed to get there on time, right? You need to calm down. My plan is in progress and everything is working as expected.” the older man said.
 

“Was the part where she gets beaten up in your brilliant plan too?! I’m sick of waiting here, pretending to know nothing in front of the old geezer, dad! I need to see her!” the younger shouted in rage. “I’m not just going to sit here and trust her safety in someone else’s hands!” he said before turning on his heel and going for the door.
 

“You need to endure for a little more! It’s for your own benefit!” the old man reasoned but his son barged out of the door without another word.

“Chen!” he yelled but was not heeded.
 

Letting out a sigh, he picked up the phone and dialed a number. The person on the other side of the line picked up after the first ring. “It’s Kai. Keep Chen in check and stop him from living the country.” the man on the other side of the line answered affirmative and the call was ended.
 

The old man turned his swivel chair towards the huge glass window behind his desk. The plan he had started more than 20 years ago is already on it’s way. Even if it was for Chen, he couldn’t back down now.
 

a/n; okay, okay... now, i know people will be raising brows as to why i made Kai Chen's dad... but guys, they're both Kim, and they're JongIn and JongDae respectively... it's a coincidence i couldnt just let pass...(or it's just a fact that i somehow managed to fry my brain this summer and that i like being inconvenient by altering the actual age of my characters from the real life)

but hey, that's why it's called fanfiction. this is our world. :P

leave me some comments alright??? fluffy stuff coming in the next chapter (at least i'll try my bestest on it!) please anticipate!

happy father's day to my Tatay!