Chapter 4

"Well if it isn't my most loyal companion in this kingdom" The lady standing on a small level stage said. The girl bowed and stood up straight again. "Welcome back, Hayami Koto," The lady said. Akemi side-eyed the girl when she heard her name. The girl, Hayami, nodded. "And you are, sweetie?" The lady asked Akemi. Akemi looked at her and gave a small smile. "Akemi Rina," She said, introducing herself. The elder-looking lady smiled at her. "Miya Yasachi," She said, introducing herself. "You've bought the whole treasure this time, Koto!" Miya said loudly in delight. The girl next to Akemi rolled her eyes slightly. "Shut up man, It's so early," She said and moved away slightly from me.

Miya clapped her hand, ignoring the girl's comment. She brought her face really close to Akemi's face, more than she was comfortable with. "Shall we see if your the money's worth?" Miya asked Akemi. Akemi turned her heads towards Hayami's direction and Hayami just shrugged. "She doesn't know," Hayami said from where she was. Miya turned her head towards Hayami and made an 'o' shape with her mouth. Miya stood back and placed her hands on her hips. "Well young lady, you are walking money. There's been a deal of over 2,00,00,000 billion yen on your head, just to capture you" Miya informed her and Akemi was just standing there, dumbfounded.

She turned her head towards Hayami again. "Why do you keep looking at me?!" Hayami asked her. "Because you're the one who brought me here!" Akemi answered back. Hayami pouted and continued to lean against the wall. "Furthur explanation," Akemi asked, folding her arms across her chest. "Well, I'm pretty sure Koto over there must have explained about the evil and pure energy because she hates people who are underacknowledged about what they're getting into" Miya started informing while interlocking her hands behind her back. Akemi merely nodded. "The Undertakers Organization, whose head is Mazi, wants you," Miya said, walking behind Akemi.

Akemi was still confused on 'why', why WHY does this Mazi person want Akemi? What does he have to do with her? Why does he need her? She can't do anything, nothing he can depend on. Hell, she doesn't even know who he is and how he looks. Why would he need someone like her?

Before Akemi could 'why', Miya read her expression and guessed what she was thinking. "Because he's your step-father, Rina" Miya said, sadness dwelling on her face. Akemi's face shot up and her hands slowly started descending down. "What..." faintly came out of her mouth and her face clearly gave it away that she wasn't ready for the news. Hayami doesn't usually feel anything for people but she couldn't help but feel sad and pity for Akemi. Miya looked at Hayami for some kind of support, through speech or action. Hayami waved her hand horizontally and rolled her index finger forward, indicating Miya to cut out the topic and change it. Miya nodded in agreement and clapped her hands together once again, the sound echoing in the empty hall.

"Well, we can help you," Miya said, trying to bring back her cheerful personality. Akemi snapped out her daydream and looked at Miya again. "Help with what," Akemi asked. "Well, you see since you have money on your head, you're wanted and going be hunted. You will need to know how to fight and make your way through until then I guess, I'll protect you" Hayami said, walking a little closer. Akemi looked at Hayami. "I don't need someone to protect me. I can be independent" Akemi said proudly and folded her arms. Hayami was slightly shocked by her words. "Go ahead, Princess. We'll see how far you'll survive before your 'independent'ness runs out" Hayami said and folded her arms and rolled her eyes slightly, turning her head towards the window.

Akemi huffed. "Watch me!" She said and turned towards the door, opening it and walking away. Hayami just looked at her going away. Hayami clicked her tongue and turned her head the other way. Hayami noticed Miya looking at her. "What?" She asked, deadpanned. "Protect her, she's valuable," Miya said to Hayami. "How long are you going to use people as pawns for that dream of yours?" Hayami asked frustrated. Miya just chuckled and shook her head. "We both have the same dream, you know," Miya said. Hayami clicked her tongue at the comment and turned her head away. "But if I had to fulfil it, I'd do it myself. Not use people" Hayami said.

Miya nodded. "That's true but you let me handle the main functions of our dream. Remember how we were just slaves of Mazi for so long? He tortured us and everyone around us. Never had mercy for any one of us and killed many MANY people in front of us and made us kill them as well. We were murderers. Yes, we can't change that but we can change our dreams. We both want the original rulers of the place to come back to power and rule us once again. They make pure judgement and can bring peace and justice to our lands. You can be the ruler but you refuse to so we have to restore to these kinds of stuff" Miya concluded.

Hayami stood there, listening to each of her words. She knew everything she said was true and correct but Hayami didn't want to accept it. "I can't...be the ruler," Hayami said, her voice going down in volume. "Why not? You have the will, the power, the strength, a strong mindset and better than ever, you're an alpha yourself. This is what everyone needs. Plus point, you are from the original bloodline of the rulers" Miya protected her point, trying another day to convince her. Hayami shook her head. "I can be from the bloodline but my bloodline of rulers were right-hand men of Akemi's bloodline. She is the pure and original bloodline of rulers, she's the rightful queen. She's our winning ticket and look at her! Running away like she's some princess who knows everything" Hayami huffed, folding her hands once again.

"That's why you protect her," Miya said, a small smile taking over her face and placing a hand on Hayami's shoulder. "She is your winning ticket. She's the one who can take you out of the misery you've been bearing for all these years. Protect her, take care of her and never leave her. She needs you and you need her. Support each other, pull each other, push each other. Two strings of fate, pulling at each other. Now you go! Protect her!" Miya said to Hayami, pushing her shoulders lightly.

Hayami accepted it and immediately started running out the door. Not just because she was told to but because she saw someone following Akemi before and she knew who it was.

Someone dangerous, who wants Akemi.