Ding!

Dong!

Hearing a faint sound of repetition my eyebrows furrow irritably before my eyes slowly yet surely flutter open only to catch a glimpse of the sunlight peeking through my bedroom window curtains.

Ding!

Dong!

Without much thought, I turn my body with all of my might to the side and lift myself up from my bed with my dominant hand and arm. I then start to waddle towards the front door while ignoring my lightheadedness and current look of nowhere near professionalism.

Without hesitation, I unlock and open the front door.

"Kioko Harada?...It is isn't it?"

Before I am just about to formally greet whoever is at my front doorstep I am suddenly greeted instead.

"Keigo Atobe..?"

Chapter 1

"You haven't changed at all, a~n?"

The man who now sits across from me at my small dining table with chairs right now is a man who I never thought would appear in front of me like this. Ever. He is not the type to after all. And although his features are more mature along with his voice that I remember not being so deep, it is obvious to me that he is somewhat the same person from my childhood years. Elementary school years.

"Kioko, I heard about what happened to your parents."

Kioko.

That is my name.

Harada..Now that is a name that is widely known because of my parents.

Used to be, that is.

I, Kioko Harada, came from a wealthy family who received pretty much everything from the day I was born. Whether it was something I needed or something I wanted, I was given it all just like Keigo. From growing up and living in a mansion in one of the most beautiful and historical places, England, to studying at what they call the best schools a student can ever study at such as King's Primary School, which is where I first met Keigo. All of this while I was given everything a girl could ever ask for. All of this wealth and prosperity changed for me, however, only until recently.

To get straight to the point, I found out that I was completely lied to by my parents who have just passed away because of a car crash. Ever since my parents have gone to, I believe now, a much better place I had to live on my own without any of the riches because of the mistakes that my father and my mother had made. Mistakes related to none other than money.

I don't exactly know how, but I found out that my father's business had failed a while ago and soon after that he began to borrow money countlessly from various loan sharks thinking that his problems were going to be solved in some way and that he would be able to pay them back. These loan sharks that told me about all of this themselves.

As for my mother who relied on my father the most I truly believe that all she ever wanted was to be happy with my father and me no matter what the circumstances were.

"Kioko?" Keigo calls my name while leaning forward a bit from his seat while resting his forearm and hand on the surface of the small dining table to not only get my attention but to get a good look at my face.

I can't help but look up at him with tired, chocolate brown eyes after blinking more than a few times to prevent any tears to fall down my already swollen face.

"I guess word got out pretty fast huh," I bring myself to say before half-chuckling to somehow lighten up the mood.

Ever since elementary school Keigo and I have been writing to each other through letters or postcards. Once we got each others' numbers it was emailing and texting. Because we would be busy with other things, we would meet up even if it was only sometimes. Since we are close like this I, of course, do not want to worry him as well.

Looking into Keigo's eyes he is looking directly into mine, but it is as if he is searching for something in them.

"How much money do you need?" he finally speaks after what seemed like hours of silence.

I finally break eye contact by dropping my eyes back down on the table in front of us as Keigo starts to list off prices.

"One million? Two million? One-hundred million?"

"Thank you for the offer, but I don't need your money, Keigo-san," I smile as I look back up at him before sternly answering, hoping that my words and actions will convince him to not worry about me any longer.

"You do," Keigo sternly replies, ignoring my somehow obvious excuse.

"I don't."

"How much did you sell the mansion for?"

"What exactly does that have to do with-"

"Is this all that you got left?"

"I-"

"I am taking you with me to Japan."

"...Y-You're what?"

"I am willing to pay off your parents' debt with interest. In return I want you to come with me to Japan."

As usual and with no surprise, he's crazy.

"You're crazy."

"You know I'm not leaving until you accept my offer."

"And you know that I am just as persistent as you are..I am not going to accept your offer. Thanks but no thanks, Keigo-san," I bluntly spit out before crossing my arms and slightly facing my body towards the side.

It becomes silent again for a moment, but instead for a death glare scene to queue.

Suddenly, Keigo releases his signature laugh.

I roll my eyes at him.

After his utter ridiculousness, I see his eyes stray away from mine to look outside the rectangular window beside us. I then see his look shift within seconds.

He's serious again.

Before he looks back at me I stray my eyes away from him to look out the window this time. The rectangular window that shows nothing but a small neighborhood partially flooded in gloomy weather; rain.

"Kioko, let me help you. I know you absolutely do not like it but I am doing all of this because I want to. You know you are one of my closest friends. And I know you would do the same if anything were to happen to me."

The fact that I can tell that he is being serious and genuine altogether makes me lose my composure a bit. I don't even have to look at him to know. Just the sound of his voice vibrating between the sounds of the pitter-pattering of the rain is all there is to it.

"I doubt that would ever happen to you, but...fine. I shall accept your help," I tease before giving out my answer at last, which causes Keigo to snicker and then smile a bit.

After what happened to me, I swore that I would never end up like my father and mother who continued to rely on others to keep themselves happy. They did try to keep me happy, giving me everything that I ever asked for and I am truly and forever thankful for that. However, if I want to have a future of my own where I am not only happy but successful in my own way on my own path from now on I need to make smart decisions and take risks that are only inevitable. At the same time right now at this very moment, I have to admit that I do need help. There is nothing wrong to do so and because of that, I will let Keigo help me.

If I were to rely on anyone else it would be none other than Keigo. My close and most trusted friend, Keigo Atobe.