'On today's news, Fumi Tsuchiwara, CEO of Tsuchiwara Company, was found dead this morning. Police speculate that she died of natural causes. As she does not have any other family, her husband will be inheriting-'

Yuzu turned the tv off and resumed eating her breakfast.

"Why did you turn it off? I was watching that", the younger girl sitting across from her asked irritably.

Yuzu continued to eat, "It was getting on my nerves so I turned it off", she took another bite from her toast to make a point on showing that she didn't care.

Mei glared at her and courteously got up from her seat. "How childish…", she mumbled haughtily before grabbing her bag and walking out the front door.

"...What's wrong with you two? Did you get into a fight?", Mrs Aihara asked with a nervous chuckle.

Yuzu forced a smile through grit teeth, "What? Nope, not at all!", she grabbed her bag and stomped towards the entrance, "Well, I gotta go! Thanks for breakfast mom!"

At school

'What's going on with Hayato-san?'

'She seems to be in a bad mood…'

Yuzu sat in her seat, elbow resting on the table while her hand supported her head. Her face showed a combination of a pensive expression and an irritable one as she looked out the window.

Her brooding was interrupted, "Hey Yuzucchi, if you keep frowning like that you'll lose all your precious fans", Harumi slumped down on her table in front of her.

"I don't care…", the blonde mumbles quietly.

The brunette raised an eyebrow, "Alright, tell me what's wrong", she straightened up in her seat.

Yuzu gave an annoyed sigh before murmuring, "...It's all her fault"

It was a bit alarming to see the usual cheerful girl so upset, though she knew from past experiences that Yuzu would probably be revived as soon as she saw Mei. But this time when the student council president entered the room, Yuzu seemed to grow even more vexed. Since she figured out the root of the problem, Harumi figured that she shouldn't pry any more than she has.

When the raven haired beauty entered the classroom, she moved towards her seat with grace. However, as much as she tried to act in her usual refined manner, she couldn't help but act childish when she glanced at the blonde. Their eyes locked for a brief second before she pulled her gaze away.

'Why should I apologize?', she asked herself inwardly. 'She's the one acting childish!'

At this point the entire classroom was filled with a dark, heavy atmosphere. The students could feel the tension between the two step sisters, but none were foolish enough to voice the fact. They couldn't help but wonder how the two girls could get along in the first place. One was elegant and well mannered while the other was boisterous and rebellious. They were polar opposites and it was only a matter of time to see the two girls quarrel.

"Meimei?", a pig tailed girl approached her hesitantly. "Are you okay?"

Mei turned to look at the girl, "I'm fine".

Without another word, Himeko withdrew from the girl and sat down in the safety of her seat in the distance.

'That stupid Yuzu. Why hasn't she apologized yet?'

After school, Yuzu POV

Yuzu stopped her opponent's fist with the palm of her hand. She immediately went on the defensive and performed a butterfly kick. Luckily, the other girl managed to dodge it.

"Alright, that's it for now", the president of the martial arts club declared. Both girl bowed before Shiraho continued, "Thank you for the demonstration of a butterfly kick, Yuzupon"

Yuzu nodded and went back to the corner of the room where a spinning wooden dummy stood. She resumed her earlier activities attacking the dummy in an effort to forget what was weighing on her mind.

Shiraho grew worried at the girl's behaviour and approached her, "Yuzupon, is something the matter?"

The girl continued her violent actions, not turning to face the older girl behind her, "No, not at all, Shiraho-senpai"

"Is this about Aihara Mei?"

Yuzu stopped but still didn't turn around, "...Maybe"

The third year sighed, "I figured that was it. As you know, I have a habit of… observing things, people", she paused. "I tend to watch Aihara Mei the most since she's different"

The blonde looked confused but didn't say anything and waited for Shiraho to continue. "You see, everyone has cracks, and through those cracks you can find out all sorts of things. But Aihara Mei doesn't have any, at least not until today". She sighed, "Today, while I was passing her in the halls, she appeared to be… sad"

Yuzu felt a sharp needle pierce through her chest for a moment.

"Whatever happened, you should apologize", Shiraho shrugged. "It doesn't suit the student council president to seem disconsolate"

The younger girl sighed heavily, "But I'm always the one apologizing…"

"That may be so but perhaps she's just not good at expressing her emotions"

Bullseye. "Yeah, that's definitely it", the blonde agreed in defeat. "But still! This time I'm not apologizing"

Shiraho shook her head and let out a sigh, 'What a stubborn older step sister…'. "Alright everyone, we're done. Make sure to get enough rest, we'll be participating in a competition soon!"

The club members bowed at their president before leaving to change out of their gi.

"Aren't you going home yet?", Shiraho asked.

"Yeah, I just remembered I forgot something in the classroom"

"Okay. Just remember what I told you about Aihara Mei", the older girl reminded before leaving.

Mei POV

At the moment Mei was attending a meeting with the student council and some of the teachers. Apparently many girls had a problem with the addition of cameras around every corner as it was 'an invasion of privacy' for most of them. They were discussing other students' complaints regarding the new security system and how the school could make it more comfortable for them. At least, that's what the student council president was supposed to be doing.

"...right, President?". After no answer from the raven haired girl, Himeko tried again, "Um, Pres?"

"Huh? Oh, y-yeah", Mei snapped out of her daze. "Thank you, vice president, that will be all".

As the pigtail haired girl sat down again, the teachers took turns in voicing their opinions on the situation. However, for the life of her, Mei could not concentrate on what they were saying. She seemed to be agitated, shuffling papers in front of her every now and then, fidgeting with her fingers and shifting her gaze all over the room.

"Aihara-san!", one of the teachers suddenly snapped at her. "Please, pay attention"

The girl was stunned but regained her composure again. She cleared her throat and used her usual 'professional' manner, "I'm sorry, can we continue again next time? I'm… not feeling too well at the moment"

"O-of course, I'm sorry", the teacher who shouted at her a moment ago appeared to have felt guilty as he ushered her out of the room. "Are you sure you don't want to call your stepmother?"

Mei politely smiled, "No, I wouldn't want to trouble her at work". She bowed at the teacher before taking her leave.

'Yuzu, this is all your fault you idiot', she thought angrily as she stomped down the hallway. 'I can't think straight…', she continued pacing through the halls. When she was about to put her shoes on a thought popped into her head, 'Maybe this time… I should apologize'.

She shook her head vigorously, "No! No way, she'll definitely beg for forgiveness soon. Just like always…". The younger girl sighed in frustration, put her indoor shoes on again and started hurrying towards the martial arts club. However she found the dojo to be completely empty already.

Mei felt herself deflate from her earlier confidence. She walked towards the lockers again and put her shoes on in a resigned manner. 'I'm the one acting childish… I was in the wrong', she chuckled bitterly. "I don't know how she puts up with me", she mumbled to herself. 'She's too good for me…'

The girl walked out of the school and started making her way home. She shook herself off and felt a sudden burst of determination, 'No. I'll make this right. This time I'm saying sorry. I'll become a person that's good enough for her!'

Her thoughts were abruptly cut short however, when a black car suddenly pulled up in front of her.

Yuzu POV

The girl sighed as she walked down the empty hallway. The silence made it easier for her mind to wander. '...Maybe I should apologize. I am acting quite childish'

When she arrived at the classroom she grabbed her forgotten book and continued to walk through the halls towards the student council room. At first she was reluctant but with each step, she took a longer knocked at the door, only to be opened by a teacher.

"Uh, sensei? What're you still doing here so late?"

"Some teachers had to attend a meeting. Why are you still here? Club activities should already be finished at this hour", the teacher said.

"I need to talk to the student council president. It's a bit urgent…", the blonde girl was starting to get impatient.

"If you're looking for your step sister, she just left. She didn't look too good… you must've missed her"

"Oh, thanks sensei!", she bowed before quickly making her way out of the school. Another feeling of guilt pierced her chest while she thought about her girlfriend. 'I should've just made up with her this morning…'. She ran out of the school and for a moment, her heart fluttered as she saw Mei.

Yuzu was about to call out to her until she saw a black car pull up in front of Mei. The moment she saw two masked men exit the vehicle, Yuzu raced towards them as fast as her heart was beating but it wasn't enough. They pulled her girlfriend into the car and drove away as quickly as they appeared.

She watched at the car drove off into the distance. For a moment, she felt overwhelming fear. A kind of fear that she never felt before in all her life, even when her father died. However, another emotion quickly engulfed all other emotions. Through the wrath, she managed to keep herself composed as she pulled out her phone.

While the phone was dialing she didn't move her eyes from the spot where the car disappeared into the horizon. She tried to visualize the scene again, remembering all the details; the masked men's appearance, the type of car they drove and the car's plate number.

Someone finally answers the phone.

Yuzu spoke with a calm voice that hid undeniable rage and, possibly, some bloodlust.

"I need help"