The sound of the first slap resonated through the room a sharp crack that seemed to cleave the air itself. It shattered the ambient silence, echoing far beyond its actual moment, leaving a tangible tension in its wake.
A brief pause followed, as if the world itself had halted, before reality crashed back with the second slap, a resounding smack that pierced through the air, leaving an eerie stillness in its aftermath.
The room was swallowed by an uncomfortable silence, broken only by the heavy breaths and the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily in the air.
"mom.?" you called out again. Your voice hoarse and tears pricking your eyes. You knew from the moment you stepped in the room. Something was wrong.
Your mother would only visit you for two reasons it is either your birthday or you fucked up. Today is definitely not your birthday.
" I told you to STAY AWAY FROM THEM" her voice was clear and sharp. Her eye brows were raised.
Lips curved down in disappointment. She looked furious. Indeed. But she had a look of guilt. Guilt of may one may ask. You did not know what.
Your mother had the same intense eyes as you but an aged face adorned with delicate lines, exuded a timeless beauty that spoke of resilience and grace earned through a life rich with experiences.
" why. Why. Why.why can't you LISTEN."she grabbed your shoulders and pushed you towards the door. You were now in a closed position with no space to breath. Her fingers dug in your shoulders and you hissed.
" mom! Please that hurts" you pleaded. How did you lose all your power. Well your mom in front of makes you weak. She was your weakness.
" As it should. This is how it hurts us when we see you with dangerous people like them. They are not like the ones you dealt with before they are Different" she screamed. She then loses her grip on your shoulder as she straightened up and looked you in the eye.
Heck yeah they are different because they are rich and feed you their dirty cash
"THEY ARE DANGEROUS" she warned again.
Dangerous.? They can't even handle spice. Am I supposed to be afraid of them. She paints them with such dark hues. But they are more like a chaotic rainbow.
" I am sorry mom. This won't happen again. This was my first and last mistake I promise" you woefully look down at the floor. This trick works everytime. " I am ashamed " you continued. " so forgive me mom"
" yes my darling daughter. You are a good girl aren't you " your mother pulled up your face to match hers. She looked slightly pleased. " you need to understand. I am -- we are doing it for your good. Your brother is dead. He has been dead for a long time now. Focus on catching the killer. That's all you are good for" she said.
You felt cut by your mom's coldness how dare she belittle his death. She acts as if she does not care. She really does not.
With one final hug she your mother scooped up her overpriced, flashy bag, a prized possession that reflected her taste for extravagance. Your mother's actions baffled you, and you couldn't help but question her sudden departure.
Puzzled by the departure you asked" Mom is that it.? You are leaving "
Your mother's response came laced with sarcasm, a tone that left you reeling with distaste.
Your mother flipped her long black hair hitting it directly in your face she turned around in a swift motion and lightly cupped your cheeks. There was no pressure on your cheeks. But you could feel the strain on your mother's fingers.
She winked at you while she talked in a low calming voice " oh it was so fun here wasn't it. But I must tend to more serious matters right. Don't make any more mistakes my dear darling this light punishment might change into something more....hmm you know the drill right.? I gotta go honey. "
Your thoughts swirled in response for your mothers cryptic warning. You would not like to remember what happens when anyone breaks rules. All of them say 'it's for your own good' , 'it will make you stronger ' . But that all is nothing but a farce.
Your mom and her siblings relentlessly punished your cousins upon their mistakes. The things they did... They things that were done to your cousins and siblings made you shudder in pain. Ofc your pain was only emotional. You did not have many scars to compare to their pain.
For you barely made any mistake or so would the elders think. You were just very good at hiding while others aren't. Don't they say strict parents raise sneaky kids. Well you are one of them.
You couldn't help but wonder was one of this punishments downfall of your brother. You wouldn't be surprised if it was that. If it was your parents who put him in the grave. Your parents were now the suspects.
Isn't it ironic.? Where a parent is supposed to protect their children their might be chance my parents killed their own kid.
A faint trail of tears welled in your eyes as you bid your mother a farewell, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Locking the door behind your departing mother, you hurried upstairs to your bedroom, a surge of emotions flooding your thoughts.
No tears get back in. Right now!. I won't cry I won't cry...i won't....
As you sobbed on your bed, a figure quietly slipped through the window. It was Sayuri, who knew just where to find you in moments of distress. Sayuri gently approached and enveloped you in a comforting hug.
"not the window again" you sniffled
" I was hiding from aunty. But she saw me anyways " your younger cousin said." I knew you would be crying"
You sniffled again and attempted a weak smile. "Aren't you the older one?" Sayuri teased, trying to lighten the mood.
"I am," you replied, wiping your tears. "I'll always protect you. But it's just... it's about Ichigo, it's been so long."
Sayuri gently enveloped you in a hug. It was comforting. She might not know what it is to lose a twin brother. It's like losing your very soul. Every moment you were ever happy he was there. But he was someone to her too. She loved him too. It feels good to hug someone who actually cares.
" where is your phone asuna. ? I called a couple times you did not pick up. You did not lose it again did you.? " she asked with a playful grin.
You gave her a sheepish look " I may or may not have lost it. "
Sayuri, astounded shook your shoulders " you don't really mean that do you asuna. " she asked in a nervous voice.
You wiped away your tears and looked in her eyes. " I did not lose it this time;it was stolen " you said in a firm voice.
"yeah sure. Just like last time we will find it " sayuri continued not taking your words seriously.
" sayuri focus. It -was -stolen " you took her hands in yours and sat upright.
Sayuri, concerned, inquired, "By whom.?"
You after gathering your thoughts, replied with a hint of certainty, "It was them. The boys."
"The Mystery Six.? You think so.? " Sayuri questioned.
" Think.? No. I know so. They were acting way too suspiciously. I don't know why. But something about them does not sit right with me" you said with firmness.
It surely has to be them. They were the only ones around you the whole day. You did not feel anyone else following. Plus kazuto missing from the table was a huge indication. That guy could do that. Hack into the system erase evidence and bring back that footage. They all seemed rather hushed.
But for now you did not have any incriminating proof against them. For now you needed to keep your data safe. It was your first priority.
"well...call up Kiyoshi. He can help me" you said. He was reliable and a pretty good hacker so he can save you.
You watched as sayuri pressed #5 on her emergency dial. A caller id showed up. It was named 'trash' . You rolled your eyes at that and chuckled that's a understament. He is worse than trash. He is annoying and egoistic. But he will help you in need and that's why you both have some likeness to your as*hol* of a cousin.
You watched as he picked up the phone. Sayuri took a deep breath before straining a smile." Hiiiii Kiyoshi " she greeted him with fake sweetness. Oh boy she really did not like him.
" what is it.? I am not lending you money for those Chinese boys again" he said in a sharp blunt voice. There was obvious noise of keyboard he must have kept the phone on speaker while he did work. He really should take rest sometime.
" firstly they are Korean not Chinese and secondly this is more important. Ok!!." your cousin huffed in annoyance
" why did asuna lose her phone again " Kiyoshi asked in a dry tone. " oh I know she did. Because someone apparently tried to access hidden files on her phone. Which means it was stolen not lost. And that someone is giving me real hard time. They might be some sort of genius "
" was that a compliment!! Kiyoshi did I hear that right " you mused. This was rare. He would never compliment anyone. If he does it's once in a Blue Moon.
Sayuri chuckled " He must be losing his touch. "
" Shut up. Do you both understand what's happening.? I can bar the hacker's access from the hidden files but everything else is open. They are really trying to prevent me from intervening. So I won't " he said as he disconnected. That was utterly ridiculous. He really did not try to help. He just saved the data only the family had access to what about everything else. It was on full display.
" Well. He is a little bi*ch. " sayuri murmured. She slammed her hand on your nightstand. Almost knocking over the glass vase. You caught it and put it out of her reach.
" It's okay. This was cheap but expected. He is like loyal soldier. Perfect doll. " you said moving towards the bathroom.
You entered inside and ushered sayuri in. You both sat in the small room. And begin to work on a different case. This was purely for satisfaction of your mother. Who might come back if she does not.
" These guys have nothing in common. One is a real estate agent other is a software developer and this one is a accountant. How are we supposed to find the culprit" sayuri whined.
" they all have bad teeth. That is something they have in common. They all are also very wealthy. Such rich people and yet they have no cash in their wallet. Don't you find that suspicious sayuri.?" you asked as you flipped through post-mortem of the three victims.
They all were rich and married. They lead life of luxury and they were always stocked. You look at the statements of their neighbours. They all pretty much had nothing in common except for...
" call your brother sayuri " you told her as you took one last look at the report. You knew you were right.
" kenji.? Ok " the younger female said as she waited for him to pick up. Wondering what did you find out. Beginning to feel curious and excited she waited to hear your analyzed judgement.
Opposite end finally picked up the call. A tired voice was heard by the two females. " sayuri. Yes hello what is going on" kenji called out.
You took the phone and put it on speaker. " it's the dentist. " you said in a cryptic voice.
" huh asuna.? What is the dentist.? " he asked out in confusion.
" The culprit dude it's the dentist.go check out for some sarin tuban or vx in blood of victim
It's bound to be there. You will then connect clues on your own" you said finishing your explanation without a pause.
" oh thank god. Asuna. I can now go to sleep" he sighed in relief. " I will get those files to you soon too. Even sayuri wants to help you I can't stop you both but tread carefully. " your older cousin said.
All the while sayuri sat there thinking how it was the dentist how did you connect it to them. She did not doubt you. She would never doubt you.She looked at you curiously trying to get answer from your expression. You simply smiled at her. Before she could ask. You gently refused.
" Maybe next time. For now I am going to sleep." you said as you closed the door of your bathroom and got between the covers. Saying farewell to sayuri who once again left from the window you drowned in your boundless sleep.