After some convicing (and struggling on Shinya part), Banba let Sumireko and the doctor treat her wound. She was slightly uncomfortable with another person stood close to her. But thankfully, she didn't have to bear with it so long. The doctor, despite her unprofessional attire and language, was skilled in her job. She even can stitches her wound in darkness, with only moonlight as its lighting.

The doctor went back to her car and took the suspect with her. She told Sumireko that she will put him in their usual place. Sumireko just nodded and went back to see the girl.

"Banba-san"

Shinya looked at her with one eyes closed. The bandage on her face hid behind her silvery bangs.

"I would like to have a talk with you, if you don't mind"

Shinya shrugged nonchalantly.

'S'fine, Mahiru?'

'...y... yes... I... think... i-it's...okay.. '

"I won't pry into personal thing but I hope you will cooperate with me. First, I would like it if I may know where do you actually live. I take it this isn't your house. Correct me if I'm wrong."

All those flashback attacked her mind all at once. Car. Hospital. Home... home...

She gritted her teeth and glared at her companion.

"No."

Sumireko nodded her head and put her hand on the table. She can hear a soft tud when her hand touched the table. She grimaced Inwardly.

'It seems I still have to practice using my hand'

She lost in thoughts. Partly because her chest swirled with aches and another reason, she didn't know what to do about this child. She tapped her fingertip on the table softly, trying to come up with a solution. She can't take her back home, it will caused many question on the house and the fact that this girl didn't trust her aren't helping either. She also can't send her to the police or they will also know her 'work', didn't want to risk the news reached her father. But she need this girl...

There were only two option left.

"Banba-san, Would you like to live here alone, or would you be interested to live at a foster home?"

Shinya looked like she having a hard thought.

'Whaddaya say, Mahiru?'

'I...i don't...l-like... b-b-being... with... other people...'

'So, you want to live here?'

'B-B-but... I... don't like... here... l-living... in here... was... scary... '

'Yer right...'

Shinya sighed helplessly and looked at her window. The moon shined brightly as she lost in thought again. Somehow, Its light soothed her mind and she found herself relaxing on the chair. She has forgoten how moon looked like. How star scatter around the dark sky and accompany the moon. She also noticed trees dancing slowly when the wind blowed.

"Is there any other option?"

Sumireko looked at Banba. She... reminded her of herself. She didn't know why though.

"I'm afraid... there will be no other option... "

they both looked outside of the window; appreciating the rare calmness. Her blue eyes glanced at her hand again and twirled her finger.

"I'll live here"

Sumireko snapped from her trance by those oddly soft voice. Coming from Shinya, it was really weird. She always sounded hoarse and loud in her own way. So to hear this, it's kind of pulled a trigger on her heart. Not that Sumireko know what it was.

They have come to an agreement and Sumireko bid a farewell as she and her driver drive back to her home.

'...or house.'

- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -

the next day, after she took her morning classes, she was back at the house. She didn't forget to grab a decent meal and drink to give to the girl. She know Shinya didn't have any food or if there is some ingredients left from the Ryuu, Shinya can't make some food, can she? Better safe than sorry.

so here she was, standing infront of the door with her hands occupied by an expensive (not to Hanabusa) Tupperware filled with food and a bottle of mineral water. She tempted to bring a tea but shot down the idea. There are worse thing than common tea, it's a cold tea. if she brought their tea to Shinya, it will cooled down and lost its fantastic taste.

She knocked the door with her foot carefully. She afraid if she put too much force, the door would break.

"Eep!"

She heard a familiar voice from inside the house. It lack it's usual hoarseness, but still close enough to Shinya's voice.

"Banba-san? This is Hanabusa Sumireko. I came to deliver food and drink for you."

She waited a couple minutes in front of the door like a statue--elegant statue, mind you. She tried to call again.

"Banba-san?" Another Eep was heard.

'My, this is weird. I am certain Banba-san will not made a sound like this. She was a little low-pitched yesterday... and certainly isn't a shy people'

Sighed, Sumireko put the food in front of the door and knocked.

"Banba-san, I put the food outside. I was hoping I could have some talk with you but perhaps, another time. Excuse me"

She went back to her car and told the driver to start driving.

The next day, she try to do it again. Shinya was her last hope. She stubbornly went there despite yesterday rejection.

"Banba-san?" she knocked twice on the door.

"Eep!"

There it is, the unusual sound.

'Did she shied away? My, that will be a problem"

"Banba-san, It's alright. There are only me here, no one else. Calm down."

After another minute with no movement from the other side, Hanabusa's heiress sighed and put the food exactly like before.

"I put the food exactly like yesterday, I hope you like it. Excuse me."

When she turned around, She was halted halfway with a meek voice from inside.

"T...T-thanks... "

She didn't aware of it, but she went home with a smile.

- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -

"Ojou-sama?"

Sumireko stopped typing on her tablet. On it, She was searching for information about a certain silver hair. Banba Shinya. She has scrolled down and found nothing about her. Is she a foreigner? that will explain how Sumireko can't find her data on the citizens' list.

"Yes? Is something wrong, Yatsh?"

Her butler entered her room after his mistress allowed him. He looked at her before bowed again.

"Your father requested for your presence"

"My, at this time? It must be important since he requested me at his work-hour. All right"

She shut her tablet and put it in her desk before walked to her father's office. Her butler loyally followed her just a step behind her. She bowed her head a little in greeting every time she passes maids. She was a girl with a manner, everyone love her like their own child. Unlike another 9 years old girl, she acted surprisingly mature and kind.

She knocked the office's door and announced her present.

"Father, I have arrived. May I come in?"

a 'yes' later, she found herself stood in front of her father. He looked at her and gestured her to sit on the sofa.

"Leave us" He said to their butler and stood up; picking a certain document along the way.

To outsider, Sumireko looked calm and collected as always. But inside, she slightly panicked

'I hope father didn't know what I done this last month'

The image of her giving Banba food and water replaying in her mind

'And until now, she didn't even opened her door'

"Sumireko, look at this"

her father sat down and put the document on the glass table. Sumireko hesistanly picked the document and scanning the words.

"Father... What is this about?"

Her father smiled a little and gestured a picture on the paper.

"This is the latest type of prosthetic arm and leg. It's more powerful and it's bullet-proof. The chance its break was thin. Do you want to change your current one with this?"

'Powerful... '

--

She should have listened to her mother. She should have stood still on emergency room. But no. She was so stubborn. She followed her mother out and leave the safety room. She was scared. Her legs won't stop trembling.

She called for her mother. The echoes haunting her ears. She didn't like this silence. It felt so wrong and scary. She use her little legs to run; searching for her mother.

A faint scream broke the silence.

"Mother!"

She pump her legs quicker towards the sound. There it was, her mother, clutched a wound on her arm with her back at her. The attacker looked straight to her.

"Hahahaha! Your daughter! How wonderful she want to attend this party!"

Her mother turned her face to her. A horrified feel can be seen on her face. She turn to her attacker and put one her arm open; as if to shield her child.

"Don't you dare touch her!"

the attacker laughed hard.

"HAhAHaHaAhAhAhAHaHaAhAha! You think you can protect her?! Too bad! I will kill both of you! Then Hanabusa won't have any successor! And no one can stop Master's plan!

He lunged at Sumireko with his knife raised. Her mother kicked the man away and grab her child's hand.

"Mother?"

"Hurry! Run!"

They ran away from him as fast as they can.

"Oh no you can't escape!"

He pulled his precious gun and shot the woman's leg. He shot again to the other leg, making sure the woman can't walk again.

"Mother! "

"Run sumireko! Run!"

"B-But mother! You-"

"Don't worry about me! Just run!"

The man giggled maniacly and shot the woman stomach. The girl looked terrified by her mother's bloodied body. Her legs shaking so badly. The smell of metal hit her nose, making her want to vomit.

"Little rabbit can't run away"

That was his sentence before she shot a chain that kept the chandeliar hung above her. It fall. Sumireko looked at it with fear. So this is it? She was gonna die today?

Her mother thought otherwise, She pushed her daughter away as hard as she can. It is fortunate or not, They didn't know.

The chandeliar crushed her mother form, along with both her legs. Her mother didn't push her hard enough to be compeletly safe. And she didn't even try to run before. She was terrified.

A cry of pain echoed the room, a beautiful music to the attacker.

She shut both her eyes as she kept shouting in pain. The attacker walked to her and put the gun right above her arm.

"Shut up!"

He shot the girl's right arm. Of course that didn't do him any good. The girl just screaming louder than before. She move her left hand and gripped her right arm in hope the pain will gone. She try to move her right hand just to find she can't move it, even if it just her little finger.

"Grrrr. I. Said. Shut. UP!"

He grab her left hand and put the gun near it. He shot it twice at the same place. The girl try to clamped her mouth shut but it's no use, the pain win. She scream again and again. Though less loud than before.

The man suddenly touch his device that attached to his ear.

He listened to it before cursing.

"Shit. Fuck! Great! You all incompetent people! Abort mission!"

He kicked her stomach hard before leaned down. He whispered,

"You're lucky"

A lot of footstep can be heard. She didn't bother to turn her head to see, she know that help finally come. The man cursed before ran the other way.

She glanced at her her mother's blood that splattered on the tiles floor. She felt tears coming down from her eyes.

'If only I'm stronger than this... I can save you, mother...'

That was the last thought she remembered before her eyelids closed.

--

"Do you want to change it, sumireko?"

The girl looked at the paper before smiling to her father.

"I would gladly wear this prosthetic"

'To be more powerful, I will do anything. I will be the strongest, so I can forgive myself for letting you die, mother.'

Her father smiled.

"I'm glad you want to do it. Ah yes, I have to explain something. This prosthetic are a bit different. They responded to your command quicker than yours. It need this chip," He pointed to a picture of a chip. By the look of it, this chip only as big as your thumb's nail "to operate its max capabilities. it will be planted on your back, right above your reflect's nerve."

He pointed his back, between two shoulder.

"Don't worry, your appearance will still flawless. They will put a fake skin to cover it."

"My, it looks promising. When will I have this prosthetic, father?"

"Tomorrow we can go to there and have the chip planted. You will also try to familiarize with it since it's a little different."

"Very well then."

Her father dismissed her and went back to his work. Sumireko bowed and get out from the room. The heiress turned to her butler.

"Is it the time already?"

The Butler bowed and replied 'Yes Ojou-sama' before revealing a food.

"My, you already prepared it. Thank you, Yatsh."

"Ojou-sama, while you talked to your father, a letter addressed to you has come. It's from Myojo Academy."

'Myojo? Is it you, Yuri-san?'

Yatsh the Butler handed the letter. Sumireko didn't waste anytime and start reading it. after reading it, she glared at the letter before handed it back.

"Thank you, now let's go to Banba-san's house"

'Wait for me, Myojo."

0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -

'Calm down, will ya? It's just her. We have been doing this for a month. She's great!'

Mahiru stood at the door while playing with the edge of her shirt. She was so nervous. Today, Shinya has told her to at least invite the girl in. Mahiru know that the Hanabusa girl isn't bad. But there is this uncertain feeling she has.

'I... I don't... know... S-she... What if... she... like him?'

'That girl aren't like him. She's tame. And if anything goes wrong, I'm right here!'

'B-but... '

There was a knock on the door. Mahiru know that it must be Hanabusa that standing there.

"Eep!"

'S-s-shinya... w-w-what do I do..?'

'Chill Out! Just open the door and let her come inside, easy! I'm watching ya so ya will be okay!'

"Banba-san? It's Hanabusa. I will place the food exactly like before. Excuse me"

Mahiru turned the knob and peek at the small gap she created. Sumireko looked surprised when she heard the almost non-existant click. She turned and was happy to know that finally, Banba-san has warmed up to her. Maybe if this continued, She can...

"My, banba-san. I was glad you finally open the door. If it's alright with you, may I come in and, perhaps, have a small chat with you?"

the girl avoided her gaze and stared at the floor. Hanabusa only can saw her left eyes, but inwardly, her attention was focused on the scar. She was glad the wound has healed even though it leave a scar. Somehow, the scar made her more... unique.

"Y-ye... y-yes!" She squeked at the end.

Sumireko smiled warmly and pick the food back before standing infront of the door, waiting Banba to open the door.

They walk to the dining room after Banba (finally!) open the door. Hanabusa handed the food in front of Banba and gestured that she can eat while she have a talk.

"Banba-san?"

Banba gulped her third spoonful rice and meat and drink a little water.

"Y-y-y-yes..?"

Sumireko slightly frowned at this. The first time they met, Banba aren't like this. She was all threat and kind-of harsh. Don't forget about her fowardness, even Hanabusa sometime found herself caught off-guard. Where was her attitude? Where was her beautiful madness?

"I'm sorry for saying this but... You.. kind of different."

the spoon she held trembled along with her body. she stared down at the table, mouth open-closed as she try to form an answer.

"She's... Shinya... I'm.. B-banba M-Ma... Mahiru... "

Sumireko blinked rapidly. She didn't quite understand what's she implying to. She's not Shinya? Well... that kind of explained the shy gesture. Silently sighing, Sumireko decided that will be their topic for any other day. Today she didn't want to pressure the poor girl.

Mahiru went back to eat her food quietly. Sometime she glanced at the girl infront of her for a split second before gaze down back to her food. Sumireko can't help but smiled a little. She unconsciously have adored the shy girl. Almost as if she was her little sister.

'S-s-s-shinya... w-why.. is...she.. s-smiling?'

'Well, It's ain't a bad thing. S'fine Mahiru! I'm right here!'

The Hanabusa girl rose up silently. Mahiru flinched slightly, she stopped eating and glanced towards her company.

"I am afraid that I must leave right now, Banba-san. It is nice of you to let me in. I hope you will let me in again tommorow."

Sumireko smiled, trying to ease the girl's anxiety. Mahiru was compeletly entrenched with her smile. The 9 year old heiress was really captivating. Her eyes was overflown with kindness, her smile offered nothing other than sweetness. Even Shinya thought so.

At the same time, They chimed at their black void mind.

'Warm