Black Rose
The deafening whirs of the helicopter at the rooftop pad drowned out the shouts of the assistant scurrying after the tall man that got off the noisy machine
"Why is my company swarmed by reporters!" Kim Do Jin's voice boomed
"The news of the prosecution dropping the charges on Mr. Kim lead them here for confirmation sir" the shorter struggled to keep up the pace
"I suggest you hold a press conference sire, the stocks are skyrocketing again and Mr. Song is demanding a meeting with the youngest Kim"
Kim Do Jin paused in his tracks, the clumsy assistant stumbling into him as the files on his hand danced high with the helicopter's breeze as he ran around in a futile attempt to get them back
"Where is he?"
"Kim Do hyun is not in the building sire" the assistant's breath was harsh "he was displeased with his messed up coffee order and went down C&C to get what he wants"
"C&C?" Do jin grabbed a paper floating close to his face
"Caramel and Cream sire, the popular cafe few blocks from here, they're rebranding"
"Sounds too sweet" he tsks, grabbing more floating papers with ease, his height an advantage, and shoving them to the assistant's chest
"There will be no press conference, let the bees find some other flower in this goddamn city to suck off, I refuse to entertain their pissy questions" he resumed his long strides "Kim Do hyun will be meeting Song, see what the old man wants"
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The cafe was big enough to be called popular. Transparent glass walls with bold, cursive lettering "C&C" stuck high.
Cream colored seats occupied by few people, she sat, light brown fringe falling over her masked face, her ticking half gloved fingers spelling impatience.
It was evening,and although it wasn't rush hour, the queue was still surprising.
"Kim Aemin? Frappe' with extra Chantilly cream to go?" The call has her bouncing off her seat to retrieve her order, immediately heading for the entrance her coffee in hand as her shoulder, bumped into someone.
Her feet came to a halt at the other end of the glass door, her eyes shortly locking with the male at the other side before moving forward.
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Walking through the alley with a slight bounce to her steps, it seemed the coffee was already taking effect as she fixed on her helmet, pulling off her mask underneath it to reveal only her lower face through the helmet while mounting the black Yamaha YZF-R6, chugging down the last of her extra sweet drink and letting the cup fall right into a trash can close, she stared at her reflection on the mirror of the motorcycle, letting her tongue slide over her soft pink lips with a slight twitch to her nose before shutting her helmet and throttling the motorcycle to life, drifting away.
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The underground fight club was at it's rowdiest. Loud cheers mixed with flying bets as the commentators argued over the chants of 'Ki!' 'Ki'
The large, square ring, in the center of the underground arena occupied by a Japanese female, bouncing in preparation and pulling on the elastic tights she had on with a sports bra, brass knuckles strapped on both her fists.
"The stakes are high tonight with our mysterious fighter back in the ring after months and the arena is once again flowing with fans" the commentators discussed
"Ki hasn't been in the ring for two months now and Iyo Kai in the ring right now seems fired up and has been on a winning streak for 6 weeks, we might have a new champion today...." Another cut in
"I can assure you Ki hasn't lost her touch just because she's been away, she'll be here tonight to reclaim her territory, the masked fighter has not lost a single match for 3 years, Iyo Kai's short reign means nothing to her"
"Iyo Kai doesn't seem to agree with you pal"
The Japanese was leaning over the ring ropes, shouting in Japanese with a fist beating her chest when the familiar punk music blasted, the crowd exploding in cheers when the dark haired, masked fighter walked through the curtains, heading for the ring at a steady pace with hands in the pockets of her combat trousers.
"The Queen is back!"
"Welcome back to the ring Kim Ki!"
The spectators of the match about to take place were 90% of males, gangsters, rebellious teenagers, the elites looking for a steamy match. Their seats abandoned as they stood to cheer for more effect. At the last row of the highest level, two masked males, locks of red and black visible through their hoods as they quietly observed the female sliding into the ring.
Adjusting the mask she had on over her nose to her eye line, she fastened the strap of the fingerless gloves, rolling her wrists while the Japanese bounced about, making a final tug on her black shirt right before the bell rang signalling the fight.
Iyo Kai was quick to hold Minki from the back in a lock, the latter responding by throwing her elbow back, connecting with the Jap's face before sliding off the hold.
The Japanese replied with a spear to the midsection, cornering Minki into the ringpost, the dark haired, pounding on her exposed spine with fisted hands before hoisting herself up the ring post, kicking the Jap and wrapping her clothed legs around her arm when she expectedly tried to block the hit before pushing off the top and landing on her back in the middle of the ring, Iyo Kai with a harder thud as she writhed around in pain, desperately reaching her booted leg for the closest ring rope to break off the arm lock Minki had her in.
Kim Minki broke the hold, swiftly getting to her feet as both fighters were face to face, fists set. Minki threw the first two punches ducking a few before side stepping a kick and she stood back observing her opponent.
Although a few inches shorter, Iyo Kai was swift when she attacked from behind with consistent strikes. Minki had managed to defend her face but the brass knuckles digging into her abdomen twice and she could already feel the bruise underneath her shirt.
Minki swung back, her fist connecting with the side of her opponent's head in a fatal blow causing the Jap to stumble back, hand demanding a break.
To the spectators disappointment, Minki turned around, heading for a side of the ring, panicked shouts broke out when Iyo Kai attacked her with a steel chair.
Minki hissed, the pain wracking through her spine,two more smacks to her back hurling her forward, Iyo pulling her back from her shirt, ripping the fabric in the process, delivering multiple, consistent punches Minki shielded with her arm, the brass knuckles leaving visible cuts on the skin and her exposed upper face.
The spectators on their feet watched in shock as Iyo screamed to Minki's face reaching for the mask, the latter kicking her off as the mask was pulled over her head.
Kim Minki stood up heaving, the crowd in pin drop silence and shock seeing the face of the masked fighter for the first time as her lips twitched a fraction higher, horror flits across her features before replaced by a dangerous glint with her black hair disheveled from the struggle.
Her head tilted dangerously to the side, a fresh bleeding cut on her exposed cheek as Iyo Kai mockingly tossed her mask out of the ring.
And she snapped, tackling the Japanese to the floor, the resistance she held at the start of the match long gone as her fists came barrelling to the Jap struggling underneath her.
Minki got irritated by Iyo's arms flailing around, momentarily pausing her punches to lock her legs around the arm, holding it tight in place and pulling as a mangled scream echoed in the arena after the crack was heard.
She smirked in satisfaction through the anger when the arm stopped moving, immobile in a twisted angle before resuming her hits on the Japanese who barely resisted.
Her bloody fist halted inches from a bloodied face as she breathed hard, hoots and chants flooding her ears as she stood up, Iyo Kai's body laying unmoving and bloody with her right arm in an abnormal angle as it was being dragged away.
The bell rang signalling the end of the match as Minki pulled off her shirt, wrapping it around her lower face leaving her in a large sports bra. Her abdomen littered with multiple scars and fresh bruises.
"And the winner, Kim Minki!!!!"
The announcer shouted, pulling the winner's right hand up as she stared blankly, mind reeling back to the conversation she had before the match
"Do you really think it was just a coincidence?....
What happened to Kim Aeri almost four years ago?"
"Did you think the agency was not involved?
Back in the top row of the upper levels, the dark haired male called out his partner who shifted to the edge of his seat
"Yan" as his eyes trailed the red head's line of vision, landing on the female
At her shoulder blade on her back, a bright red dahlia flower, Aurora's Kiss to be exact.
At her upper arm, a smaller unidentified flower with muted colors and at her front side, right below her collarbone,
Jung Li Yan whispered to himself, the words seeming dangerous as they left him
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"Black rose"
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