FUCK! HOW–! he kicked the washer hard, denting it slightly, scratching furiously through his clothes pacing the held his hand out to her, we can't afford to do this! He says to his sister who was crouched by the dryer taking forever to put the dry clothes in the basket. It took a while to pry the information out, but when he learned just how much they owed it made his head spin, he'llbe grinding all year to pay this shit back, Now he felt trapped.

He has just over 1500 saved up, he already got her tools to do work on her car, and he's still working around the clock to hold down the other hundred jobs he has only to have maybe 20 bucks by the end of the month each month, but its still not enough. There was also one more thing added to his plate Even though she refused to admit it, as the months rolled by he saw how his sister was getting attached, he had to remind her not to because she always believed the pretty lies people tell her.

These expenses arent gonna go unanswered. He rubbed his nose, Ugh, and I think the old man rokuro on his way out too. He takes a big inhale through his mouth exhaling out his nose trying to calm himself. i have to take his offer before Mukago takes over, fuck! He stood over her with a hand on his forehead his eyes darting back and forth. He was really talking to himself at this poiunt, feeling the exhaustion beginning to wreak spoke again this time more calmly, Look, they're more than likely not gonna stick around so… maybe it's better we just keep being assholes–

I did.

No all you've done is fuck me! I should've never let you– he stopped himself as he recognized the lip quiver. Oh great…

He bends down on one knee and pats her head with his hand, "–look i didn't mean–"

"-i need you do something for me, i promise itll help pay down the debt we owe,"

"sure" liek throwing a cup of water into the ocean how bad could it be? "But I'll also need you to do something for me."

"You want dirt. I got it." She waved. They didn't speak for a few minutes the only sounds being him rummaging through his bedroom for clean clothes so he could shower. But just as he was about to enter she stated quickly, "I know you snooped through my shit, were you looking for IOU's? So tell me, since im so impressionable," she made quotations with her fingers, "has she come to collect from us yet?" She knew the answer, which is why He didn't say anything. Just rolled his eyes and went back to his room presumably to get something else, so she kept taunting him, "but Oh thats right! Im impressionable, she made the gesture again not that he could see from deep inside his room but he was irritated, she knew.

"So what, you gonna blackmail her like you did, Tecchin? Even though she hasn't done shit. Why can't you admit I was right for once?" He stomped into the bathroom slamming the door.

She could feel the oncoming headache from the argument they were about to have but then as if reading her mind she heard him say, "I'm gonna shower then we can talk." If he didnt shower to relax he was gonna blow up on her, they both heard the shower head turn on as she waited at the kitchen counter. Thinking about what he said earlier about Mukago.

A few minutes later the showerhead turned off and he opened the door

Brother you're not seriously considering working with Mukago in charge are you? She asked him, while leaning against the door frame, steam hitting her face."Because if you wanna talk about screw ups... dealing with her in any capacity will definitely blow up in our faces. He was shirtless standing with a towel around his waist rubbing his hair dry roughly.

Ume, what am I always saying? He spoke with the exasperation of a father lecturing his child. We take before we're taken. That means never owing more to anyone than what they owe to us. Drug money pays! as long as the old man stays in charge it's fine. You going on these shopping sprees is gonna fuck us later you're just too stupid to see it, you always were!"

A rage formed in the pit of her stomach, she thought the shower would help but clearly he was in denial about being wrong. Usually, their arguments would start over something stupid like chores then like a crescendo, itd escalate to a climax where they flat out insult each other. Gyutaro skipped all that and went straight to the climax where he says a bunch of things he'll regret and later has to apologize for.

Sensing her rage and his mistake he attempted to calm her again "look, your job is easy, be my sweet little sister, focus on the house. let your me handle all the other shit. Yes its a large debt to pay, but if you cut it out NOW I can–

–NO! She stomped– yes actually stomped her foot, her hands clenched in turned her head squeezing her eyes shut, as if cursing her very emotions, don't interfere… any more

You–what? He couldn't believe it.

Don't interfere. I don't want you over Marin's, I don't want you around her friends either. I don't want you. If you fuck this up, I swear I'll–

Slowly His entire body slumped with each word. What? Was all he could say as the shock won out over his rage. His little sister was rebelling? Despite all he's done for her? He wasn't gonna lie, this was a deep blow.

"Daki, just tell me what favor you want me to do" he tried, she shoves his hand roughly kicking the hamper hard as the clothes fly out everywhere and runs off, "where are you going?" She slams her door shut, only to open it a few minutes later saying she was going next door before slamming the front door in his face.

Marin kitagawa…

Now he was livid. That bitch made him look bad by cooking for them. She made him look bad buying his sister all the things she wanted like a kid in a candy store. She made him look bad by Protecting her in his absence, one that SHE caused. And now she made him look bad by turning his sister against him, as if to spit in his face that she was a better caretaker…

now she had ume under her spell– yes, spell. What else could it be but witchcraft? He never had a problem in the past… at least not this quickly; marin hooked daki With break neck efficiency, she was out for blood before his arrest.

He stormed back to his room slamming the door loudly before slumped against the wall seethiing with rage. How the fuck did she do it?!

This was bad! What should he do? There has to be something… The name Marin kitagawa replayed over and over in his head. Somehow this witch, in record breaking time, had turned his sweet little sister against him. Made worse by the fact if he does ANYTHING in retaliation, ume would hate him. This was bad. Really bad. He knew his sister would never leave him. But even an emotional wedge was unacceptable.

What to do. What to do? Should he wait it out? Simply wait for the inevitable to happen and then hit daki with the I-told-you-so like always? Right now that seemed to be his best option as he bashed the back of his head against his bedroom wall. FUCK!

—-

So did you find out anything? She asked her brother upon entering, "no, but that alone, is its own finding." he turns on the stool to face her, what about you, what'd you find?" He could seenshe had something in her right hand, daki pulls it out, looks at it briefly and tosses it on the countertop, it was in her closet,"Ume you found this in her closet when you went through her clothes

"Yeah, like you told me"

.well i also told you to check her shit the day the brick was thrown and you came up emptyhanded

Is it my imagination or do you actually sound down? he grabbed the bag inspecting it's contents, I don't want you going over her place anymore,

who do you think did it–

Daki–

Just answer the fucking question, gyu.

He didn't want to answer. ""

" " He hated to say it but he doesn't trust his sister to keep a clear head anymore. He's always had a nagging feeling she was holding back crucial details because she liked their neighbor. His questions were as much a loyalty check on his sister as they were information gathering for their dear neighbor next door.

she left that question in the air, instead repeating her last, who do you think did it. She was actually big-mad about the urn"

I don't know! these things scream personal. they would've thrown the brick threw our window if it were one of our enemies, so it has to be one of hers.

Is she even capable of having enemies? he give her the side eye like she just asked the dumbest question, are you serious, people like her are always surrounded by the worst people, because unlike us, they stupidly invite snakes into their chicken coup then cry about missing eggs" He shakes the bag for emphasis,

daki takes a seat next to him on the stool, folding her arms on the table and leaning her chin into them,when she spoke again it was slightly, muffled, Those could be her friends you know, she uses. He scowled , that defensiveness again. After witnessing marins potency up close its easy to see how his beloved sister could fall into the trap. Like hika-the-homo stated, Daki was impressionable. But he was better than that, he had to be.

Not what I need to hear right now. Then it went quiet.

"how long"

"2 weeks ideally" daki thought about it, not just her brothers verdict but about everything marin's forced her to think about, her question, her life, her decision-making power in both her relationship with her brother and over her own career, how fair she treats them like they were normal. Now she knew marin knew they were abnormal people but it was the "innocent till proven guilty" type shit people without records took for granted.

The entire neighborhood suspects us. she laughs dry and bitter, but she doesnt, neither do her friends" She planted her face in her arms so he couldn't read her expression, "Listen I did the favor you asked all right. The new one is sturdy, it won't be broken easily."

"Gyutaro you felt it right?" she asked, "The same thing I felt, watching movies together was… fun. You were happy, I know you were."

"Yes which is why we're doing this."

"she told me herself she didn't think I was a bad person, she could hear him shifting next to her, you aren't, sister. He said after a while, puttting a hand on her back soothingly, but we are.

She slumps her shoulders,no I'm tired of this gyuDaki gets off her stoolputting both her hands on the table for support. I know you don't trust my judgement on things though I'd prefer you– she shook her head stopping herself, i know you brother. She said instead "we've been through hell, youll always be my big brother and you know ill always be your little sister but I'm just so tired playing second fiddle, tired of you treating me like an extension of yourself. Even now we have to do all this just to appease your paranoia. We're separate people gyutaro. The look on his face was somber,he knew this convo was coming for a while and he dreaded it." What're you saying, you don't wanna live with me anymore? her influence, I'm guessing?" It wasnt a guess.

just… do what you gotta do, but I'm making my own decisions from now on, im a fucking adult." She didn't wait for a reply as she headed off to her room. He sat there for a while he knew this was coming, he's known for years yet still…

He took a deep inhale, throwing on his jacket stomping to her house, pounding on her door loud enough to wake the entire neighborhood. After a few minutes, she openned it, peaking through the crack "hello, is there something –

"I'm collecting on that debt you owe, now." He said

"uhm OK what is this ab–" (add tangas)

Stay away from me and my sister. Final warning. stay away from both of us. I gave you some tools to help yourself, dont come to us anymore.

"Wait a minute, why what's gotten into you? She swung the door all the way open and he swears he almost lost his composure, her hair was tied up in a messy bun and she had on these big black thick rimmed glasses. but it was what she was wearing that took the wind out his sails.

Fucking tangas, she actually opened the door wearing tangas and a white spaghetti strap with no bra on (he could tell) he couldn't help but gritted his teeth at the unfairness, at how good she looked, at how good she is. despite waking her in the middle of the night she was far more concerned than angry at him.

He was itching again but refrained from hurting himself opting to disengage compeltely, "good night neighbor," he turned and walked off to his home slamming his front door. Marin clearly has no idea what bad people are he lamented, he was doing her dumb ass a big favor she just didn't know it.

"Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better to take things as they come along with patience and equanimity."

- Carl Jung

Instantly, Marins blood freezes in her veins. Fuck! Oh, fuck! If daki felt the same way, she definitely didn't show it.

"You asshole, you're supposed to knock!" she continues not skipping a beat, like a cat with her tail puffed up."It's my house too and you expect me to knock on my own door?" He doesn't seem to notice her, not with Daki yelling at him.

"When I'm recording content, yes, you are!" She shouts back, only stepping back enough so he can step in and close the door behind him. "Unless you wanna come in while I'm-"

"Right, right, of course, henrolls his eyes and grimaced ever so slightly, how could I forget? Can't have any sign of me in your videos, right? Can't take away from your pretty face." He lets go of her hand and pats her head affectionately. Only then does he register another presence in his house, slightly pressed to the wall behind Daki, getting her heart rate back to normal.

She wave awkwardly. "Hi, Gyu."

He raises an eyebrow. " why are you in our house? You wouldn't come in uninvited, would you?"

She shook her head fiercely. "I was… helping your sister," He frowns before daki clarifies "A poor bird flew into the window and scared me, and I lost the key in the floorboards to my cuffs," Daki says sweetly, so sweetly marin almost forgot the threats of death she wished upon that same bird…and her brother too for that matter. Maybe she was trying to soften himmup for the inevitable blow up she was about to receive for disobeying him"Our lovely neighbour helped ungag me and find the key so I could get out."

"Oh really? How sweet," again, he doesn't sound entirely genuine with that compliment as he leans forward to look at her. But strangely enough, he's more calm about her being there than she expected "Proving yourself to be quite neighborly, aren't you?" The more she talked with him, the more she realized he was waiting for her to slip up. Thats what all this was, the snippy behavior to see how she'd react, the crude comments to see if her friends were trust worthy.

"I'm trying my best, yeah," she tried not to sound scared, to no avail, she could tell the moment he smirked and dakis eyebrows raised that shed fucked up thats whennher inner self screamed to just abort and just get out of here so she threw her arms up half-feigning sleepiness "well it's late and I am exhausted, so I will call it a night."

At first, there is no change, Daki elbows him but he only grimaces before reaching behind him to open the door. "allow me to walk you back, neighbor." h croons behind her.

Damn! she was in big trouble. There was no way out this time, but she tried to remember dakis roadmap on how to get her brother on board, "ok." They both walked out as daki remained in the house, presumably going back to her studio to think of more shoot ideas.

Once she opened her front door, she could literally feel the laser effect of his eyes firing into her back. She unlocked the door and expectantly asked him if it was gonna take long. He doesn't say anything as if reading the situation for a trap. She throws her hands up in frustration andleaves teh door opened throwing a tea kettle on the stove. He looms over her back as he makes his way to the kitchen, speaking deliberate and low, "who do you think you are?

"You must be hungry too right? She tried not to put anymore emotion in than necessary in fact she didn't even wait for an answer, you better be, because it's more than you deserve at this hour in the morning, if you don't eat it I certainly will, thennyou can yell at me like always. she grabbed 2 mugs for tea taking the food out the microwave with when It beeped. Shephards pie. she even had those mini honey buns to eat with them. Marins dad in his infinite pool of life lessons to live by always said there are 2 ways to impress a man the first is through cooking and the second…Well the 2nd didnt matter…she decided as she pulled more fruit out her fridge cutting it up in a quick fruit salad.

He was eying herlike a hawk the entire time as She was setting the plates and silverware on the table and poured 2 cups of tea. Suddenly she paused I dont get it! Ive been nothing but nice to you! She slams her fists on the table rattling, all the China and utensils, Yea Like Im falling for that fucking act, he slammed his fist as well. Nobody is just nice to me! No, you broke the rules, he pointed now you have to pay the price!

strangely enough, she didnt feel as afraid as she did when he first opened the door. Why was that? He definitely looked tired, maybe that was part of it, maybe it was because of what daki said how there was a chance he'd come around…Maybe the passing months have changed his opinion of her somehow? She didnt know but despite him clearly being angry he seemed a lot more subdued, like he was just going through the motions…

Her mind finally connected the dots. it's a test! It has to be!

"It's not like that, she called and you weren't available, so she asked me. well more like demanded, but still. I mean we are friends Something In his eyes faltered, he quickly collected himself again but the opportunity was not lost on marin, if he was gonna kill her,, then fuck it, let him. But she wasn't gonna back down now, "tell me what is the real reason you dont like me? her gaze never broke from his, "dakis in safe hands, you know I take care of her

He slams his hand against the table again, this time standing up, the chair fell backwards with the movement, she flinched, "You have no idea what it means to take care of her!"

OK that sounded frightening, she didnt mean to make it sound like …

You don't actually think I'm trying to take her from you? He laughs, not quite maniacal but there was no real joy in it. you would think that, he quit laughing immediately drawling the last part really youre nothing but an annoyance,. Tell me, what're you trying to do with her, really? His eyes bore into hers.

Nothing…I just wanna understand you! Have a conversation with me, what can I do?

You can fucking die for one! Why don't you just do that marin, huh!? You fucking whore!

Hey! She pointed her finger at him stomping forward, do not call me that, you don't know shit about me! She even took several steps forward so he got the point. You think I'm afraid of you? He smirks, and covers his face while taking a few steps back laughing wildly again…. Oh that's hilarious! He says before closing the distance so they were directly face to face. You wanna run that by me again?

Listen… Gyutaro she says forgoing the pet name in favor of the full name. she put her hands up in peace I know in your own way you can read people, its why you dont trust me, right? There's always gotta be a string attached but i want you to look into my eyes and honestly say to my face that you believe Id ever hurt you or your sister in any way."

YOU ARE! he yells, loud enough that she knew daki could hear it next door, that's exactly what you're doing!

How!? She screams not as loud, but holding her own. By turning her exactly into you! You don't love her, I do! You dont know her, i do! He pounded his chest with each statement. You don't love anybody but yourself, marin kitagawa! That's why you forced yourself into our lives when we never asked you to in the first place!

Just because you feel left behind doesn't mean im taking her from you! Those choices were hers and hers alone! you conflate love and control like they're the same thing! Thats exactly why she left you and came to me in the first place! he raised his fist, she flinched covering her head, but the hit never came. In hindsight it must've taken an herculean amount of effort not to go through with it Because he just stood there frozen his fist shaking in the air.

Sh-Shes the only thing… his voice shook, SHES THE ONLY THING I HAVE! PROTECTING HER IS THE ONLY THING I KNOW HOW TO DO! He punched her drywall so hard he broke clean through. Someone like you whose had it good from the very beginning couldn't possibly understand! You couldn't possibly understand us! You can't possibly understand me! He pulled his hand out of her wall,We're nothing alike!

That's true… youre not wrong our circumstances have been completely opposite, but I can say the same. If what youre saying is true that youve had nothing but eachother your whole lives– then You couldnt possibly understand me either, you couldnt possibly understand what it's like to lose the one you care for most and to still keep going! YOU COULD NEVER UNDERSTAND WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO LOSE HIM! I had a brick thrown in my house and it destroyed the most precious thing i have, ok! I fought my best friend because she– she shook her head deciding against telling him the reason, the neighborhood thinks I do drugs, it's just been a really shitty time, so… she bowed her head, give me another chance, I promise I'll do better!

She couldn't see it but the scowl completely disappeared from his face, he was gobsmacked that she still even wanted to try, all he can ask was the same question he's asked over and over expecting a different answer, "why?" It was a genuine question in his stupor being honest was all he could do. I'm sorry. She sniffed. "I just… don't think it's fair."

"Fair? What does that mean? You think it's unfair I won't let you around my sister?

No! I mean it's not fair that… she looked up her waist was still bowed but she felt she had to look at him when she said it, "its not fair, how you and her have been treated. She. Saw his mask fall off again when she said it, so she quickly turned her gaze back down to the floor, "i dont think you're all bad, im willing to give you a chance if you'd be willing to give me another too. Just don't give up on me and I promise I won't give up on you." She shut her eyes tightly trying not to let the tears fall, only to receive a hard flick dead center in the middle of her forehead, "OW! What the hell was that for!?" She cried holding her forehead, "for looking so pathetic," he wasnt laughing, and despite his words he wasn't being facetious either, You jerk! She continued to rub her forehead, grumbling about how hard his finger was, hey, worm, he smacked her upside the head again lightly, "stop fucking hitti–

-I don't take that shit lightly, he narrowed his eyes,

"so I'll give you one last chance to take it back, otherwise it's binding,"

What?

You said you promise, right? We take promises seriously, so ill give you one chance-

No way I'm taking it back!i said what i said and i meant it! His face dropped again, how stupid is she?she didn't even give it any consideration! She took advantage of his confusion and smacked him hard across the arm, only to shake her hand at how much it hurt to hit him back.

Sheesh, you were definitely a demon in another life. There was something in his eyss this time, Marin thought back to every instance, every action he took to try and sabotage her. Always looking for any excuse to cut ties, waiting for a single slip up, whatever expression he had on his face with the exception of cruelty, would never quite reach his eyes…until now, his eyes glued to the table as she spoke, he displayed a deep pitted fear. It was hard to place but Marin likened it to a child putting all of his treasured possessions in a box hidden away and then going back and rediscovering that maybe someone had been rummaging through them. Marin didnt approve of his overprotective style but she acknowledged that he did his best even if he fell short.

There's something I wanna show you. Would you mind following me upstairs?

what is this?she grabbed a Manila folder. And handed it to him,

daki asked me to do this, it does involve you so it'd be wrong not to mention it. He raised an eyebrow She blinked, uhm, it's a financial plan. But was met with a blank stare. You know a financial plan…?

Just explain, idiot! She clapped her hands together in prayer trying to find her happy place,Right, maybe she never mentioned it, Well, I'm an accountant, i figured i could help manage your funds

Our funds?

Well… yeah, i based it mostly around your sisters finances since she makes all the money but she said she wont give me statements unless you were on board. she twiddled her index fingers,so what do you say? this financial plan is incomplete without you.

Sure, whatever i dont care… he said it With all the enthusiasm of watching cable didnt expect that. Y-you're ok with giving me your statements?

He clips the folder shut, For whatever reason my sister trusts you, and although, I still think you're a lily livered coward at heart… until you show your true colors, i guess I could entertain it. Consider this your last chance, neighbor, He says never breaking eye contact. dropping the folder on her bed. "Thank you! Thank you! She opened her arms to hug him but remembered he hated being touched, she almost tripped and fell on her face trying to avoid him.

"ahem, she collects herself, "is it OK if I–" he grimaced so hard she worried his face would be stuck that way, but she was far too excited to let it bother her and stood there arms open for as long as it would take for him to accept, even inching closer as he inched away.

finally, while looking away that disgusted look still on his face he lifted his arm up as a cue, she telegraphed her movements carefully like he were a stray cat and any sudden movements might scare him. And hugged him from the side where his arm was opened, quickly of course before letting go and cheesing big time as She pulled her phone Out and handed it to him, he blinked, not moving but she gently nudged it. So with a very uncomfortable look on his face he took it and punched his number in, she immediately sent him a text with her name and a heart emoji.

her entire body inflate with pride as she screamed loudly punching the air in triumph, Ha! I did it! I won your brother over, duckie! She laughed much to his chagrin, you haven't won me over to shit! He tried but was drowned out by marin self-celebratory dance. he was about to storm out when something caught his eye causing him to back up"seriously? He groaned

She saw him looking around, his eyes, like dakis, going from her shizukutan cosplay she had in the corner before making their way to the opposite wall,lingering on her framed magazine photoshoot. he walked closer to analyze the photos, "this really you?" he pointed his eyes twitching, Should be a fucking crime… she saw his fists clench as the jealousy bubbled.

so before he could claw himself she walked up to his side tugging his sleeve enough to bring his gaze back down. Weeeell, if you like it so much,She cupped her hand and whispered in his ear, I could send you a pic…What followed next was the greatest over-reaction she'd ever seen. his face– no his entire neck all the way up to the roots of his hair burned red as he cups his ear like she spoke a curse to him.

Wh-who do you think… don't ever– his eyes were darting everywhere, and his breath hitched, she was even sure he bumped into the wall by accident. It was so adorable She couldn't resist anymore, she let out the most hearty laugh of the night, giggling well after hed regained his composure. That's it I'm out…

now he turned to walk - more like run out the door.

Oh let me escort you to your door, neighbor, she said throwing her slippers on and running down the stairs behind need, Clearlyhe was pissed. choosing to tuck tail then deal anymore with her stupidity but she caught up.

he opened the door walking out not bothering to close it, but did for him, practically skipping beside him. "I swear if I could get away with it I'd strangle you in your sleep."

"heyyy not cool!"

But then she slowed down wanting to say on her mind for a while now,

gyu she tugs his sleeve again, he swings around angrily, "WHAT?!" she pulls her hand back at his clearly flustered expression, but smiled completel unafraid this time,"listen." she put a finger to her chin looking down for a moment before bringing her eyes back up, "Nobody who lives for someone else's sake can be all bad in my book…" He seemed to be caught up in her words. So caught up in fact he failed to notice the van parked right across the street with the half dozen men pooling out of it.

the sound of multiple footsteps snappedhim out his stupor. Fuck! get inside pushing her in the direction of his house it was too late to double back to hers. She didn't argue having just saw the men in the vehicles too

It's locked! She yelled from the stoop, Go around back! She watched the scene unfold as the men confronted gyutaro 3 on 1, punching him in the gut making him fall to his knees

When they bum rushed her, She barely had time to scream before 2 men put a cloth over her mouth causing her to pass out, ohshitohshitohshit… was all she could think before it all went black.