A/N: Hello everyone! I'm back with the first chapter! I started this story in May and a lot has been happening in my personal life. I went back to work and I'm applying for graduate school. I recently became inspired again to continue writing Blank Pages and building this story up. Hope you all like this chapter!


Moving to Ikebukuro was going to be an adjustment for Fumiko and Kasumi. Fumiko would be celebrating her nineteenth birthday in a new city where she had no friends. She admitted being depressed about that. They recently moved into their new apartment. Thankfully there were no discrepancies or undisclosed damages. Fumiko was grateful there was enough money for her and her sister to live off on temporarily. The sisters agreed to find work that would pay the rent so they wouldn't have to worry about paying rent for an extended period of time with the money they inherited from their father. Kasumi was able to set aside some of her money from her former job as a nanny.

As the girls started unpacking their things, Fumiko's eyes watered and she spoke shakily. "I miss mom and dad." She wiped her tears away with her sleeve.

Kasumi put down two birds figurines and went over to Fumiko and hugged her. "I miss them too."

Kasumi had turned 22 before their father passed away. The three of them lived in a nice decent-sized apartment in Osaka. She remembered that day clearly, their father cooked a wonderful breakfast. She always loved his cooking. Kasumi always loved the onion, pork, and vegetable soups. After leaving in the morning, she rode her bike to the Takahashi residence where she worked as a nanny. It wasn't very far from her family's place, so she didn't need to worry about using trains to get there. Mr. and Mrs. Takahashi's children wanted to make sweet mochi since that Kasumi's favorite dessert. The children finished their chores and homework before helping Kasumi with the mochi. Mrs. Takahashi and Kasumi's mother were old friends, so Mrs. Takahashi was more than happy to let Kasumi work with her children while she and her husband were busy with running their businesses. When it was time for Kasumi to leave their home, the children gave her presents. Two handmade and decorated cards and two paperweight birds. One bird was blue and the other was green.

It was a week after her birthday when they received the news of their father's passing. Everything became a blur. It felt unreal.

Both sisters agreed to move out of Osaka. Kasumi believed a fresh start somewhere new would be a good thing. Fumiko was hesitant at first, but she agreed after realizing that she didn't want to stay in the apartment without their parents. It wasn't the same living there anymore.

Kasumi stayed with Fumiko until she was feeling better. "Let's get some of this stuff set up," Fumiko said softly. The two spent the next several hours unpacking their belongings before calling it a night. Fumiko fell asleep first. Unfortunately for Kasumi, she was wide awake. She grimaced looking at the time on her cell phone. It read 11:15pm. She decided to slip into some chatrooms and pass time until she started to feel tired. Shortly after chatting with a few users, she received an email. The Dollars? It looked like a welcome email. It also included a password. "Weird," She whispered. What the hell, the thought. She decided to make an account to see what the group was about. She thought about a username for a moment before picking SuMi, wanting to use part of her name. She went into the main chatroom to see if anyone was online. Kasumi decided to send a message.

SuMi: Hello

SuMi: Is anyone on? I'm new here.

A moment later, a private message appeared.

Gaki: Hi, it's nice to meet you

SuMi: Nice to meet you too

SuMi: Can I ask you something?

Kasumi waited for a minute before the next message appeared.

Gaki: Ask away

SuMi: What is this Dollars group?

Gaki: It's a gang in Ikebukuro. I've heard anyone can be a member.

A gang? Kasumi was a little dumbfounded. Sure, there were yakuza gangs everywhere. Were any in this Dollars gang too?

SuMi: Anyone? Well, that is interesting. Are the Dollars anything like the Yakuza?

Gaki: I've heard rumors about them being dangerous

SuMi: I see. I've never heard of this gang, but I'll take your word for it.

Gaki: Good. So what brings you here?

SuMi: I just moved to Ikebukuro with my sister

Gaki: Welcome to Ikebukuro

Gaki: What brings you and your sister here?

SuMi: Our dad passed away recently

SuMi: I thought moving would do us some good. Fresh start

Gaki: I'm sorry for your loss. If you feel like talking more about it, I'm here.

Kasumi sighed. She couldn't help the faint smile that formed on her lips. It had been a few months since she had been present with anyone besides her sister. She found herself spacing off and drifting to a place in her mind that brought her back to the past. Without her parents around, she couldn't help but feel emptiness. She hadn't expressed this to her sister. She wasn't sure when she would.

SuMi: Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it.

She yawned and checked the time. 11:56pm. Her eyelids began to feel heavy. Kasumi decided to send one more message to "Gaki."

SuMi: I'm starting to get sleepy, going to bed now. It was nice chatting with you. I hope we can do this again soon.

Kasumi read the last message "Gaki" sent before closing her eyes and drifting to sleep.

Gaki: Likewise. Have a goodnight.