I’ve gotten a little bit better at fighting with a knife. Thanks to Taehyung. He’s been helping outside of training times. We’ve been hanging a lot more and feel like I’m getting closer to him. The more I get to know him the more I like him. I don’t show it though. I’m not too close with him, I don’t know if I can fully trust him yet. My birthday party, that Mr. Kim is throwing for me, is tomorrow and I’m so excited. He said that my father was going to come. I miss my father. He’s the only parent left in my life. I can’t wait to see him again. Mr. Kim gave me the week off, so I don’t have to attend training. I’ve been playing with Yeontan all week. I think he’s starting to like me better. He lets me pick him up sometimes. Training should be over for the day so I can hang out with Taehyung or Sakura soon. Whoever gets in here first I guess.
“I’m so bored.” I say to Yeontan as I sit next to him on the floor. “Thanks for keeping me company.” He wags his tail and crawls into my lap. “You are literally so stinking cute!” I scratch behind his ear. He barks twice and starts running in circles around me. Then I hear a knock at my door. “Yes, finally someone’s here.” Yeontan barks at the knock. “Come in!” I yell over his barking. Sakura walks in.
“Hey buddy.” She says as Yeontan runs up to her. Sakura picks him up. I stand up and walk to my bed. I sit down on it and grab my phone.
“Well, it’s nice to see you too.” I say blankly.
“Is it though?” She jokes.
“How was training today?” I ask her.
“It was fun! Taehyung was the best in the class without you there to beat him. He was bragging about it a lot.” She replies. I laugh.
“Of course he was. He always looks for a chance to be better than me. The only thing he’s better at is using a knife.” I say.
“He was also constantly asking about you. He kept asking ‘when is she gonna be back? It’s boring here without her.’” She adds.
“Wait really? That honestly doesn’t sound like something he’d say.”
“Well he did. And how would you know if it was something he’d say or not? How often do you hang out with him?”
“That information is classified.” I tease. “But honestly, probably like every two or three days. We usually walk outside in the back and talk.” She smiles at me.
“Have you told him how you feel?”
“No way. I don’t care how much I like him, I’m never gonna tell him.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Then maybe I’ll tell him.”
“Please don’t. I like just being friends with him. He’s not that bad.”
“Well, you’ll have to tell him some time.”
“Yeah. Just not now.” I say as someone knocks on the door. “Come in!” I call. Taehyung walks in and Sakura smiles at me. “Hey. What’s up?” I ask. He looks concerned.
“My father needs to speak with all of you. He says it’s urgent.” Taehyung says. I quickly stand up.
“Is everything ok?” I ask. I’m kinda worried.
“I don’t know. He said it was urgent. You better hurry. I already got your brother.” He says.
“Ok.” I reply. Sakura and I rush downstairs, with Taehyung following us. Aikoku is waiting for us.
“Finally, you’re here. I’ve been waiting to hear the news for like five minutes.”
“Sorry.” I reply. “Do you know what this is about?” I ask him.
“Nope. I’m just as clueless as you.”
“I’m kind of scared.” Sakura says.
“Me too.” I say.
“I’m sure it will be fine.” Taehyung tries to calm us down. He tries to hold my hand but I pull it away. I don’t really like people to touch me for no reason.
“Sorry, I just….don’t really like people to touch me. Unless I’m fighting.”
“That’s ok.” He replies. I smile at him and he smiles back.
“Thank you for getting down here so quickly.” Mr. Kim says as he walks into the room. “I have some…..news for you three.”
“Is it bad?” I ask.
“I’m afraid so.” He replies. Sakura and I look at each other.
“Ok. We’re ready.” Aikoku says, huddling next to us.
“Ok. So you know how your father took a plane today to be here before the party?” We all nod and my heart starts beating faster and faster. Oh please, God, don’t let this be about my father.
“Keep going.” Aikoku demands.
“Well, I sent one of my men to retrieve him from the airport and…..he told me that there was a shooting that happened when he arrived. It pains me to say this, but your father was shot and killed at the airport.” I stare at Mr. Kim in disbelief. Did he just say my father’s dead? I grip onto Sakura’s arm trying to steady myself.
“Akari….are you ok?” I barely hear her. My head feels heavy and the room gets darker and darker.
“Akari. Answer me.” Her voice echoes in my head. The room goes black.