Hi!

Here's new chapter, I hope you enjoy.

I woke up to my alarm and shot it off as fast as I could. My brother turned on his otherside of the small room we lived in. He had woken up to it. And I knew he hated it. But as usual he didn't say anything. But this meant I needed to skip a part of morning rutine, to hide my brothers medicine on his food. I had been doing that forever even before I left to countryside. My brother wouldn't waste money to buy himself medicine. He said the money was meant for everyone and it couldn't be used on personal desires. But I had saved some money of my salaries in past hidden it well from him and bought pills that helped breathing and chronic cough.

I did some stretching on sofa I slept mostly. I had no bed, but this sofa was as comfy as I could image the best precious bed to be. It was old, maybe once been white leather sofa. It was now somewhere in the middle on gray and white. There was few bows stretching out inside of the sofa but I had learned to avoid them and still be comfortable in my bed. I had also blanket made of different material patches. There was no pillow, but I managed.

After that I did fast washing up and pulled on the same clothes I had yesterday. I had exactly 4 change of clothes. One dress Lara got me claiming every girl should own sexy dress, 2 pairs of jeans, one sweatpants that were too small for my brother and 3 shirts. It was enough for me. The dress was luxury, I never owned one. When I was kid I had been wearing brothers long shirts imagining it was dress. They never looked as pretty as Naomi-nee's dresses. Now when thinking about her I wanted to meet her again. I wonder if she still lives where she used to. I chose to check that out today after work. She didn't belong to my brothers worst enemy list anyway.

I sneaked out of our two room apartment trying not to wake Su-ouki again. After I got out I started walking toward the bakery. It was at least 5km walk, but I enjoyed the mornings. Everyone seemed busy running all over the place where there was me with no hurry to train or buss full packed with people. No molester would hit me either since I was moving all the time. Yes I always met few drunkards on my way but they usually did nothing more then whistled or cat called every person walking by. Even the men. It was around 9 when I arrived at shop. The boss was outside of the place putting the daily sale prizes on.

"Morning your early." he greeted

"Good morning" I replied making him a bow before walking in the shop. I went through the whole shop to a small room in behind. There waited my apron and shoes I wore at work. I started dressing up when a workmate -Anna- walked in grunting something. I didn't pay much attention to her and just continued my own doings. She seemed nice hardworking person but I hadn't chatted with her that much. When I was ready I went back to the entrance of the shop to welcome customers. Anna went behind the paying desk. And then the first customer, an old lady who came every morning at some point walked in with our boss.

I looked the clock around 12 in afternoon when the buzzer rang signing that a new customer came in. But this wasn't one of our regulars that had by now filled our shop. No. These were the ones Lara told me to avoid at any costs. I saw Anna's face lit up since we had just changed places at counter and front door. She welcomed them in and asked the normal if they wanted to order or just buy from counter. She stammered little when speaking keeping her eyes tightly on floor. Well wow, that was new. I had thought her to be strong person, who wasn't easily afraid.

Their group split up and some of them neared the counter when some moved on the table. I glanced myself fast in mirror. Probably wouldn't recognize me. I was quite invisible, just the way I liked. Not like they knew me. I only knew their uniforms too. So I should be safe.

"Hello" I forced myself say cheerfully. C'mon Mia your working. Working.

"H-Hi." a guy stammered meeting my gaze full on. He stared me really hard so all I could do in the end was to look away. I looked the breads in counter and asked the next question "What can we offer you?" usually I could skip this one since our regulars knew exactly what they wanted. I stole a glance on him fast.

"Umm... Uh.. Erm..." He kept his eyes still on me. I had no idea about his age. He was wearing the Oya High uniform but those students were all over 20. He was almost bald and seemed really bulky.

"You... Do you... Erm..."

From what I gathered he seemed to be really shy one unlike his image gave off. I chose to ignore Lara's warning about getting involved with these guys and met his eyes. This seemed to set the guy off and I saw how his face was slowly getting redder.

"Yes?" I asked unsure if I offended him just now or not.

"Huh?" he said "I mean..."

This is when another guy launched his arm on the bulky guys shoulders. "What's taking you so long Seki? We're hungry y'know." this guy was shorter and had lot more skinny build than the other. But his eyes were something else. I think he was some of the high ranking person in Oya high. I don't know what it was that told me the thing. Maybe it was the way he carried himself, kind of sleazy but at the same time really focused just like... My brother.

"Murayama-san..." the guy wailed suddenly hugging the thinner guy. This Murayama didn't push the bigger guy away but tapped his back with some force. He sighed and turned his eyes suddenly on me. It surprised me so much I looked down reflexively.

"Oi." he said "Come out."

I lifted my head to meet his fierce glare for few seconds. Had I been recognized? No... I find that impossible. But why would they want me out then. Come out was like invitation. It could only mean something like we'll beat you up here or in back alley it's your choice.

"Why...?" I asked in small voice

"Just come on" he sighed rounding the corner and pushing me outside from the shop, this bald Seki guy following us.

"Whaaat?" Lara hisses at my face. "What do you think you were doing going out with those gangsters?! They. Could. Have. Killed. You." she said spitting every word and poking my shoulder same time. I felt annoyed.

"But they didn't." I replied changing out of my uniform and giving it to Lara. We shared since we were short on money. Right now.

"Then what happened?" She asked

I sighed going back to that moment.

Flashback (AN: Will be writed always with italic)

"So you got me here. What you want?" I glared them dropping the act that I was just innocent girl who didn't know a way to survive alone in the city. I kind of also hoped that they wouldn't beat me up when seeing my attitude like this.

The shorter, I think Seri-guy called him Murayama, pushed the Seri forward and backed away from us.

"What?" I asked glaring him. I was glad boss was away in delivery so he didn't see me ditching work.

"I like you." he finally blurted "I think you're really really my type." he kept his eyes on his feet this time but the stutter stopped. But what... He said? I think my mind blanked out. I didn't hear right... Right?

"...what you say?"

I blinked he was now looking me once again. I saw the desperation in his eyes that was all the way too familiar to me.

"Give it up Seri" Murayama said "She's not worth of you... Ignoring us like this."

"I..." I said to defend myself but didn't know how to continue "...have never been confessed to. I don't know how to react." I replied honestly.

"So?" The rude Murayama continued "we don't have all day so just answer the question."

"And why are you here again?" I tilted my head toward him "I don't think we need you here."

He gave me glare "I don't like your attitude in my neighborhood, but this once I let it slide." he then walked out of the alley leaving us alone. But the words he said stayed with the melancholic threat within them. I was sure now I didn't image his aura. It was real threat, and I was sure I didn't wanna mess with it again.

"Please don't talk to him again like that."

I turned back to Baldy-Seri. He wasn't my type at all so I needed to reject him. Knowing he was from another gang I needed to do it carefully. How he came to like me was still mystery to me.

"When did you start liking me?" I couldn't help but to ask.

"I tell when you go on a date me. You will go right?" he added carefully. I blinked for thousandth time today. What. The. Fuck was he saying.

"I'm sorry." I said bowing and ran back in. He didn't follow me luckily.

. . . . .

"Mia you big huge moron!" Lara slapped my head suddenly really hard. I crunched down holding myself together. I didn't remember she was this violence. Water filled my eyes.

"Don't hit me Lara!" I whined

"But you cursed just out the leader of Oya High! Why did you go outside with them! WHY!" she took long breath trying to calm herself.

"Leader?" I mumbled trying to get the pieces together "Was I confessed by the leader?!"

"No that Murayama, he's the leader."

"Ah so the one I shushed away." I realized. "Well that could've..-"

"Don't you dare say it could've gone worse!" I reflexively avoided Lara's hit that... Never came. "Mia it can get bad."

I sighed closing my eyes and counting slowly to three. Then I lifted my bag to my shoulder and looked toward Lara. I knew she was sincerely worried, but I didn't see what was there to worry. He said he'd let it go once, but wouldn't let it go twice. Well then I just needed to make sure there wouldn't be second time.

"I avoid them." I promised her to ease her mind a little "See you later."

. . . . .

The street slowly turned to be more civilized and lively from Oya neighborhood. I recognized a park I had played with Jun ages ago. It still had the same climbing spider that I had beat him. The spider seemed so small now.

I turned left from the park and recognized another shop Naomi-nee came often from when we met up. She told me it was another friend of hers Yamato-san's home. I had seen the guy few imes and always thought they had bad relationship or hated each other. Why else would they curse so much every time they said their goodbyes. Naomi-nee had said it was how they shared their feelings. It was still mystery to me.

I couldn't help myself and took peek of the shop. It was bike repair shop on ground level. I heard Yamato-san's family lived in second floor.

The shop was empty and I thought it was weird that they left the shop open when no one was around. I didn't want to stick around to be found out by someone so I chose to walk forward. Naomi-nee's work place was close.

After another 10 minutes of wandering the street I came on main door of Ito Kan. It was pub that Naomi-nee owned. So I figured I start my search here, where I would most likely find her.

I stood in front of the door for while. Could I go in? Why should I hesitate? Well... It was just been long time and since that accident and our fight we hadn't made up before I left the city. I had regretted knowing Naomi-nee had been right and I had been wrong.

Flashback

"Mia!" Naomi-nee yelled at me on street. She was still wearing her high school uniform so usually then she wanted to act quiet and calm like good senior high school student.

"I won't break up with him." I glared at Naomi-nee. She didn't know him the way I did. She didn't want to understand our relationship. And it hurt me since I had been so happy to tell her.

"Mia that guy is dangerous." Naomi-nee suddenly took hold of my arm, she might've known I was not going to listen her and run away. "He's brother of that Hyuga guy that Mugen beat to maintain peace."

"You don't know how he helped me!" I screamed shaking my arm out of her hold. "You weren't there when his brother..." I shut my eyes feeling them getting wet. This was not how this was supposed to go.

"I'm going." I said taking steps backwards. I couldn't look at her. I felt shattered knowing I couldn't count on Nee-san anymore. And then I ran.

. . . . .

"Are you going in?" I felt warm touch on my shoulder and turned to see girl I had never seen around next to me hold a heavy looking bag of apples.

"..." She looked me curiously and then pointed the door "Could you open that to me?"

Without a word I helped her with the task. She took step in and I found myself following her. The bar looked the same it had 5 years ago. Some little things changed like the pictures had multiplied and it looked bit more like Naomi-nee.

The girl walked straight to counter and put slowly the apples down. I followed her noticing the place was empty of any customers.

"Where's Naomi-nee?" I asked.

"She should be coming soon," the girl answered "but... Have I seen you before?"

I was not sure if this was question or if she just thought aloud since she continued. "I think I haven't. But you know Naomi-san. Do you live somewhere far?"

"Not really." I replied vaguely. Rude boys and Sanno Rennogai shared a border of their parts of city.

"In this city then? Well that's odd I haven't met you before."

I smiled awkwardly to the girl. She seemed nice one. Innocent and not too in your face type.

"Oh right my name is Mika. I work here part time." she said

"I'm Mia" I replied to her shortly with a smile hoping that it would help my short introduction. I think she was full of questions but to my surprise didn't ask.

"Do you want something while you wait? I was going to try making apple pie with Naomi-san's help today."

"Water?" I asked knowing it would be free

"I could make you something more juicy." she smiled and maybe guessed my thoughts "on house."

And how could you say no to that? So I took her on the offer and was happily surprised by the green-ish drink with some kind of fruit on top.

"What is this?" I asked Mika

"Lime" she replied "Didn't it taste there?"

"I..." I felt myself blush. Good job making yourself look like total idiot. Suddenly the door bell rang behind us and I hear people coming in.

"Why are we doing this? Man I should've just stayed home today"

"C'mon Naomi what's the price for this?"

"You'll find soon." I heard the familiar voice and felt scared once again. Mika had temporally made me forget my nervousness but it was back full force again.
I took deep breath and turned on my stool that I had sat on counter.

"Naomi-nee..." I whispered.

. . . . .

-Ada