:: That's the beauty and the curse of the 'engrafted word', ::

"Hai." Mina bid a bow to her father as she made delicate steps to the door, carefully closing it behind as she met her sister who was waiting just outside. Mira raised her head when she heard a small 'click', with a smile as she met the eyes of her lovely twin.

"What did father say?" Mira asked, curiosity shining in her orbs. There are no particular days Mr. Myoui would call the younger twin in his office for no reason. Mina heaved a sigh, glancing at the calendar hanging on the wall, showing the date, 5th of February in 2007. "Was it about you and Sana?" Mira guessed since the younger wasn't saying anything but a sigh, she could figure from the face of the penguin.

Mina hummed instead, for she had no words to say about this. She doesn't care much about it, but she does have the fear that's hidden in her. There might be no relationship between her and the squirrel-like friend of hers however, it doesn't erase the fact she loves her, or could it be 'loved'? Ever since a certain cub has made a presence in her life, Mina felt her heart shake, tingling at those cute dimples, those round bright eyes that turn her bland life into butterflies and rainbows.

"I see." Mira stopped her questioning as she figured the younger might not be wanting to talk about it for the moment. "Chaeyoung-chan is waiting, by the way, you know where." Mina's smile somehow found its way back to her face with the mention of their cub friend's name. Without any more said, Mina, nodded with a smile and beamed as she moved her feet to the place she shares with her favorite person besides the other girls.

"Wait!" Another voice made Mina halt her feet, she met those chocolate brown eyes as she turned, a little overwhelmed at the girl showing up before her. "Where are you going Mitang?"

"Chaeyoungie." Even the name sounded like honey dripping out from her mouth when she said it. The girl before her scrunched her nose at the name, it made her jealous big time hearing the name running on the penguin's tongue over and over.

"What about me?" But she holds the irritation back, hiding it as she tried to act cute, she knows the younger heir of the Myoui's loved it when she does that. Though, maybe not anymore.

"Stop that face Satang," Mina giggled at the funny sight as she cringed with her face twisted. "I promised Chaeyoungie to play at the riverside today." Sana almost rolled her eyes but restrained herself to do so, she doesn't want the younger one to know she was affected by this simple new cub friend that grabbed all her attention away from her.

"But the tea party..."

"We are 9, almost 10." Mina laughed away, feeling she was not at the age to make some tea with barbies anymore, but she did notice the negligibly hurt face of her friend, which she mentally sighed at before giving a hug to Sana, who was clearly sulking. "How about later, when I get back." Sana pouted, as if there were tears in her eyes, she turned her body around with her back facing Mina, getting rid of the hug even though she longs for the warmth of the younger girl.

"Never mind, I'll just host the party myself." There's a little 'hmph' sound Sana made before she trails off, up to the attic they all used to gather around for small nothings, little girls talk. Mina sighed at the mood swings of her squirrel friend, she looked to her twin sister who immediately received the signal and returned her an assured smile.

"Go, I'll take care of Satang," Mira said, patting her twin sister's shoulder as she went off to the attic as well. Mina internally thanked the older, no wonder they are sisters, just one look and they'll understand what another is trying to refer to. Quickly, she marches to the riverside after wasting long enough, she's sure the cub is impatient already.

"What took you so long!" As expected, the little cub was wearing her sulky face and her feet stomping a bit. Mina finds the sight adorable, and her next move is poking the showing dimple of the cub due to her pursed lips frown, and the action of the penguin's only made the cub frown more, letting out her whining noises.

"Yah!" Instead of speaking Japanese, she blurted her mother tongue out of habit. Though it doesn't cease the constantly coming giggles from a certain penguin. When the laughter died down as Mina sensed the lovable not dire but mild glare, it only made her awe at the sight more. This Korean kid is too cute for her to handle, Mina felt as if her heart was going to burst out at any time even just breathing the same air as hers.

"Cutie pie." Mina giggled out as she couldn't help but bend a little and place a quick kiss on the cub's cheeks.

Chaeyoung was sure to get taken aback by the surprise lips attack on her smooth skin. She bit her inner cheek as the timid inside her was forming up, getting the best of her with the tint of crimson red gathering on her cheeks. Mina again giggled, feeling proud for making the little cub blush. At that moment, she forgot all the vexations that father had been giving her or the clingy squirrel friend of hers. Mina shortly omitted all the problems that are stuck in her head for having the Korean cub's presence with her.

"She kissed me."

"Hm, I did." Another chuckle. It's as if Chaeyoung was still in a daze, doubting if that really just happened, she said aloud the thoughts that made her cover her mouth instantly in surprise when she realized. Oh, Mina was so amused by the little cub's action. If it were a movie, she'd rather watch it all day until the tape broke than do the same stuff over and over every day in a fixed time. Mina would say she felt like a doll if anyone asked her. Most people may be glad that their future has already been paved by their parents, well prepared, but not Mina, not her.

She despises the feeling of being controlled, how everyone thought they had her in their dirty hands. She's not something to own, not some machine to continue their family business and make money for them. Mina has her ideas, her own life, and her own choices to make. And that includes the choices her heart makes, who she adores, and loves.

"Stop it," Chaeyoung smiled and whispered timidly before she wriggles her body to the tree by the river they'd shared sitting below for the past year since they get to know each other. The young ballerina followed behind and rest herself on the frozen grasses as well. It's still the beginning of February, however, you can see the flowing water under the ice better than a month ago. Slowly, spring is coming without them noticing, soon enough. For now, they were going to enjoy their young love, a small date under their promised tree by the river in this romantic season. "Did Jihyo-unnie have a great birthday?"

Right, Mina almost forgot their other Korean melon-like friend celebrated her 10th birthday just four days ago. Though, she hadn't seen that girl after the celebration. Odd enough to say Jihyo was even late for her own birthday party they prepared for her, everyone was sure they informed the latter because it was neither surprising nor huge, only plain gatherings like times in the attic but with cakes and candles.

"She did," However, it's not her plan to make the cub worry. Mina doesn't want Chaeyoung to be like her, she doesn't want these troubles of hers to slip through the latter's naive mind. "Ji-chan said it was the greatest birthday she ever had." Considered it a white lie, the truth was Jihyo didn't smile much that night. Instead, the girl looked bothered, it was a first for Mina to see the girl appeared to be so fretted and silent. Usually, Jihyo would have singing marathons, especially when it was her day. Something was off, Mina sensed it, she wanted to ask but before she could, Jihyo was out of sight. She went down the stairs of the attic carefully, only to catch a glimpse of the home office door of her father's closed with a click.

"That's great." Chaeyoung suddenly hummed, bringing Mina's attention back to the cutie before her. There she found a small frown on the cub's brows which didn't suit her at all, it ruined the picture of cuteness of the cub as Mina told herself mentally. "Jihyo-unnie looked down that day when I met her in the neighborhood." Chaeyoung confronted, and when she was about to continue, a luminous light struck across the whole scene, making the picture radiant white. 

Mina blinked open her eyes, discerning the sunlight spilling on her side profile. Yet the dreamy moment seemed not for long when she felt an electricity volt-like pain coming from her back swan up to her entire body system as soon as she wanted to stretch herself from the arose of her deep slumber. 

"Oh, you're awake! I was about to wake you, but the plane has just touched down at the airport." That's when Mina regained her consciousness of reality and slowly sensed her surroundings. With the announcement in the background announcing that they have arrived at Kansai International airport. 'Right...' And it hit her, she was on her way back to her homeland, where all the nightmares began, that's what they said. 'Can't believe I'm back.' She let out a sigh thinking of the possibility her father might discover her return to this country and bring men to drag her back to that ice castle of theirs. 

Mina sits up from her seat to massage her back and waist whilst taking this time to gaze out the window to catch some views. The same old thing, nothing new like the day she escaped to New Zealand. The humid weather, raining cities as if mourning for grief. She scrunched her nose at it, hating the scenarios already as it always leads her to the memories of that crap empire her father built. Hope that whenever she returns to this corrupt country, some novel changes can be seen, and some colors will be added to this black and white country. Though she knows deeply that nothing as such will happen as long as her father is on the throne. Without her noticing, a tiny spark in her started to rise, a spark which she too wanted to join her cousin in putting her father down. 

"Mina? Hey?" Getting sunk deep into her train of thoughts, Mina finally gained her composure back after hearing the cub's calling. Finding she is still on the plane and all the passengers are almost off the plane now, they are the only ones remaining in their zone. 

"Oh yeah, sorry, I wasn't fully awake, I guess." Mina retorted, pushing herself up and reaching for her bag under the seat, marching to the exit while bowing her head back to the flight attendants. Walking over the aisle she looks at the looming high-rise buildings through the glass barriers when it strikes her. She snaps her head towards the Korean's direction, examining the cub's face showing a hint of comfortlessness that can barely be noticed if you don't watch it closely. 

"Chae?" Mina called as Chaeyoung hummed back, putting on a smile as the latter faced the Japanese. Thousands of worries and thoughts flew across the Japanese mind, the query whether she should ask right now. 'Is now a suitable time?' Mina ponders with her steps ceased, staring at the cub before her, following with the latter doing the same too. The cub tilted her head gazing at her lover, wondering what was going inside that penguin's mind while the said penguin was still in her deep train of thoughts. 'We just landed...' Mina shook off her curiosity at the moment and came back to reality, looking at the cub who's frowning now. 

"What's wrong? Are you feeling ill?" Chaeyoung put down the bags and step forward to Mina, cupping the Japanese's face, she examines those eyes that seem to be bothered by some sort of wonder. 

Mina leaned in those soft touches once they contacted her cheeks, she closed her eyes for a brief moment then left out a lungful air before reopening her eyes. Gradually, her hands traced up to hold onto the ones that were placed on her cheeks, caressing the pair of hands. Mina took them down and intertwined with them, a smile was squeezed out from her angelic features and Chaeyoung didn't fail to capture that. However, the cub chose to shrug it off for now even though she is worried about the Japanese's sudden weird behaviors since she was back on the plane. Chaeyoung thought maybe, it might be the bad memories, the memories that were given by the Myoui family and the fiance the latter ran away from. 

 Yet, out of all those concerns, the main factor that caused the Japanese blond in such a state is none other than Chaeyoung herself. The cub who somehow seemed to forget their memories as well. 

"I'm fine, probably just the jetlag is striking in me already," Mina muttered softly along with a small chuckle ending the sentence. 'Not now, maybe later...' She thought, choosing to avoid the topic and enjoy their day first after facing all the alternatives she can select from. Chaeyoung sighed internally. Not to lie but she did detect her girl's uncertain orbs, the unsaid words that turned into white lies, secrets that gradually build up in piles forming a barrier between them ever since the Japanese met her cousin again in LA. Chaeyoung trailed behind her girlfriend nonetheless, a frown not leaving her face with the initiating doubt in her heart. Still, the trust remains, and she picks the latter, not wanting to push the penguin knowing there must be difficulties for the Japanese blond to keep it from her, again...

-

 "They've arrived." A man reported and bowed at his owner and then left the scene when the elder man on the throne chair waved his hand, indicating his man to back away. As soon as his minion closed the door of his office, a wicked smile appeared on his lips. Those eyes that seemed to devilize, orbs lacking in gaiety without no soul, a living dead is one word to describe the man on the throne. Later, he opened his mouth, tongue out licking his dry lips. The wickedness never left him. 

"Dare to return. You shall obey me wholly with no rebellion, or your days witnessing daylight shall cease, my daughter." A low chuckle muffled through the hallway from the office inside the closed doors, guards standing sideways on the aisle shivered upon hearing his voice even though they were used to it after all these years working under the man.  

-

Jihyo looked at the lady in front of her with surprised eyes, walking over into the lady's embrace but gradually letting go when a voice rang behind them. 

"I see you arrived early, Ms. Chou." The raven-haired Japanese appeared as she paced through her desk, grabbing a few papers before sitting down on the couch next to the two. Jihyo eyed her with suspicious eyes before averting back to her fiancé, questioning the lady with silent stares. However, the lady only gave a warm smile to the dumbfounded melon and a peck on the forehead. Assuring the melon that it is fine and that she will unravel her curiosity later. 

"Ms. Hirai." The tall Taiwanese reached out to shake their hands and sat down on the chair across from the said raven-haired Japanese. "I heard you are interested in learning about our family base camp?" 

"Wait what?" Jihyo cuts in hearing upon the mention of 'base camp'. A vocabulary she is unfamiliar with from her knowledge of her fiancé. "What base camp?" 

"Love." Tzuyu cooed, rubbing the former student president's lower back, shooting another reassuring look before turning back to the raven-haired Japanese who spoke. 

"Indeed Ms. Chou-"

"Please, no formalities, Tzuyu is fine. We are college mates after all, aren't we?" The tall Taiwanese beamed a smile, though it wasn't as bright as how she smiled at others. It wasn't that truthful either. Nevertheless, the mafia leader was not easy to deal with either, to say most of the time it's even impossible for people to hold a proper conversation with the said woman. An impossible woman is how the other mafias would name her, formidable is what's known of her in their industry. 

That signature smirk appeared wider with a hint of provocation after the Taiwanese finished her sayings. "Well, before the informalities I would favor you to solve this one mystery of ours," Momo said while intertwining her hands in front of the knees of her crossed legs. Jihyo scrunched her nose hearing the way the Japanese speaks. She'd usually ignore the art of talk of the yakuza leader but now that is her soon-to-be wife who's getting interrogated by the crazy woman, can't lie that she's feeling discomfort about everything now. Moreover, the insinuation in the raven-haired Japanese's tone didn't go unnoticed by her, Jihyo is attentive right now desperately wanting to know what exactly the base camp was all about. 

"Do you perhaps spare a knowledge of the history of that base camp of yours?" The Taiwanese halted for a second, with her mind flashing through certain memories she wishes to be unseen. 

"I do." Shortly, she answered pushing her back up, sitting straight. The yakuza leader's smirk shortened a bit, now with a frown appearing on her face. Invisible upsets and slight anger are building inside her catching a glimpse of the hidden miserable that flashed through those reflecting diamond-like orbs. Somehow reminded the leader of her long-gone love. 

"Then I assume you must acknowledge some of the passersby before?" 

Tzuyu quirked a brow at the aggressive manner since the beginning of the queries and the sudden inspection tone of the Japanese. She mirrored the latter's sitting position and leaned forward a bit with the other party matching her movements as well. 

"And may I ask where that assumption came from, Ms. Hirai?" The yakuza leader smirked with a light chuckle. Her eyes stared into another pair of orbs that showed no fear. 

"And I thought no formalities needed?" She challenged which made the Taiwanese grits her teeth, holding back the urge of wanting to scratch the annoying face of the Japanese. 

"It is better to remain formal in discussing such a topic."  

"I suppose so." The raven-haired Japanese chuckled lowly, passing a file that was next to her to the other party. "Fancy providing me a tour there?" She offered herself with the most genuine tone she could; her gaze never left the other pair of orbs as if attempting to stare into the soul of the taller one. Yet nothing can be explored on its surface, Momo wasn't able to look in deeper as the other is also sharing the same amount of intensity. The tall Taiwanese is hard to read unlike others, who were like open books to her. To say the yakuza leader is impressed with such ability in protecting themselves, preventing others from reading their minds in a snap. 

"Looks like the Chou's have trained you well," Momo let out a beaten laugh, shaking her head in amusement, causing the other party to frown at it, finding nothing funny to laugh at. 

"Why say so?" Jihyo, after seating and goggling for a long time finally voiced, her brows to the point she can't furrow anymore. The laughter of the raven-haired leader finally died down when the query was asked, she looked straight into the Korean melon's eyes, and the smirk gradually went back to her lips. 

"I can read you Ji-chan," Momo sorts out and then faces the Taiwanese beside the latter, "but not her. You are a blank wall to me, Tzuyu-ssi. With no start, no end, only pop-ups." Reasoned out, she let out another chuckle before averting back to the curious Korean that is full of question