Kai
That night, after Ren and I got into that argument, Frankie drove me and Yumie home. While we were sitting in the back seat, I looked at Yumie next to me. Judging by the look on her face, I could tell she was still upset with Ren. "Hey, you okay?" I asked, placing my hand on top of hers.
Yumie's gaze lifted from her lap, her eyes still reddened from the confrontation. The streetlights passing by outside cast fleeting shadows over her face as the car cruised through the dimly lit city streets.
"I'm just... so furious," she confessed, her voice quivering slightly. "Ren knew how perilous those fights were. He saw the bruises, the scars - yet he kept pushing you into them." She turned her hand over, intertwining her fingers with mine. "And you... you nearly got yourself killed. Again."
Frankie's eyes met mine in the rearview mirror, filled with concern. He'd been uncharacteristically quiet since we left the arena, but his expression communicated volumes.
"I'm okay, though," I tried to assure her, gently squeezing her hand. "I made it out, and now I've got a six-month break to... well, to do something else."
Yumie gave a weak laugh. "Something else? Like what? Take up knitting?" The corners of her mouth curved up ever so slightly, a hint of the playful Yumie I knew shining through the worry.
I smirked playfully, "Well, what do you want to do then?" I leaned in close. "Maybe hang out? Or maybe we could have some fun at your place~?"
A faint blush spread across Yumie's cheeks, but she met my gaze with a sudden spark of mischief in her eyes. The tension from earlier seemed to ease a bit as she leaned in closer. "Kai!" she scolded, though her tone was far from serious. "Frankie's right there!"
Frankie made a loud, exaggerated coughing sound, his eyes fixed firmly on the road ahead. "I, uh... I didn't hear anything. My hearing's been acting up lately. Really bad."
Yumie giggled, smacking my shoulder gently. "Behave. Besides, I thought you'd be tired after that fight." Her expression softened, concern replacing the flirtatious look. "You did get pretty beaten up, you know."
The car slowed down as we approached a red light, and Frankie turned the radio down. "You two lovebirds want me to drop you off at Yumie's instead of Kai's? I don't mind the detour." The light turned green, and Yumie bit her lip, clearly thinking it over. The city lights danced across her face, making her look even more beautiful.
I told Frankie, "Nah, it's fine. Take me home... Besides, my aunt is probably worried about me already."
Yumie nodded in understanding, though a touch of disappointment crossed her features. The car's engine hummed softly as Frankie steered it through the familiar streets towards my place.
"Yeah, Maliza would have a fit if she knew about all this," she agreed, resting her head on my shoulder. "But promise me one thing, Kai. Promise me you won't take any more of Ren's... 'deals' when your suspension is over."
Frankie interjected from the driver's seat. "Yeah, man. Ren's got to learn his lesson, but we don't need you getting hurt in the process." The car rolled to a stop in front of my house. The outside light flickered, casting long shadows across the sidewalk. Yumie lifted her head and looked into my eyes, her expression earnest.
"Promise me, Kai."
A light was on through the window - Maliza was definitely up waiting. I took Yumie's hand and kissed it softly. "Alright, I promise."
A gentle smile spread across Yumie's face as she leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to my cheek. The warmth of her lips lingered even after she pulled back.
"Good." She murmured, her breath warm against my ear. "Because I don't know what I'd do if I lost you." Frankie cleared his throat loudly, this time with a hint of amusement. "Alright, lovebirds. Time to call it a night. Kai, get inside before your aunt sends out a search party."
I opened the car door, stepping out onto the sidewalk. The cool night air felt refreshing against my skin after the stuffy car. Leaning in through the open door, I gave Yumie one last look.
"I'll call you tomorrow," I promised, then added in a lower voice, "And we can figure out what to do about that 'fun at your place' idea."
Yumie's blush returned, but she grinned widely. "I'm holding you to that."
With that, I shut the car door and watched as Frankie drove away, Yumie's wave disappearing around the corner.
Walking through the front gate, I opened the front door. The place was empty, so I thought maybe everyone was sleeping and Maliza was awake. "She's probably in her room reading." I thought so until I heard giggling and laughing upstairs.
I walked through the front room and walked up the stairs to Maliza's room. There I saw Maliza laying awkwardly on the bed while my father sat on the edge. I didn't say anything, I just stood next to the entrance and eavesdropped on their conversation.
"Further?" He sounded confused. I thought Maliza did something until she sat up and said it. "I… I want to wait till we get married. Till then, I'm not ready to be intimate with you just yet."
I knew what she meant by those words. 'Intimate'. It wasn't long before I noticed the pearl ring on her finger.
"What the fuck?" I muttered under my breath.
"Maliza, I honestly wasn't planning on that... I mean..." My dad couldn't finish his sentence. He obviously didn't know how to find the right words.
Maliza blushed, "I know, I know… I just...I'm just not ready." My father ran a hand through his hair, clearly flustered. The ring caught the light as Maliza fidgeted with it, her other hand nervously fiddling with the hem of her blouse. The atmosphere in the room was thick with awkwardness and tension.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My dad had been gone for weeks and the first thing he did was propose to my aunt after coming back. It felt like a slap to the face to me. I knew my aunt cared about him but I didn't think she'd be that naive to think that she could actually build a life with my dad when we exist. My mom was her sister and she thought she could just replace her after everything... I was mad at both her and my dad at this point... "Well, since you two love each other so much, why don't you just fuck already?" I blurted out.
Both Maliza and my dad jolted, their heads whipping towards the doorway where I stood. Maliza's face went from a light blush to a deep crimson, while my dad's expression changed from startled to guilty. "Kai!" Maliza gasped, quickly sitting up straighter and adjusting her blouse. "What? Am I wrong? It's obvious you're just wasting your time wishing on some stupid fairytale life that'll never be true. So stop dreaming and grow up." I walked down the hallway, only to stop by my room door when Maliza confronted me. "Hey! Where the hell were you?"
I turned toward her. "I was out. What's it to you? Don't you have anything better to do?"
"What in the world is wrong with you!?" Maliza argued, "You don't ever talk to me and Shin like that! What we talk about in private is none of your business!"
My father appeared at Maliza's side, placing a restraining hand on her shoulder. "Maliza, wait. Calm down. Just let me talk to him."
"But…" Maliza looked like she wanted to protest at first before letting out a soft sigh. "Okay… I'll go wait in the room." With that, Maliza left us alone and went back to her room.
"Look, I don't know what's going on with you but you should never talk to us like that. Especially Maliza." When my dad scolded me, I frowned. "Obviously you don't because you're never home."
"Because I'm a Supreme Kai, I'm not always home and you know that." He said, "And Maliza has done nothing but worry about you ever since you started sneaking out every night and day."
I sighed, "Dad, I'm fine. I just went out for a walk-"
"You and I both know that's not true." My dad cut me off firmly, "Tell me the truth. Where were you?" I couldn't tell him about the fights. About Ren and the Butcher. I knew he'd properly be disappointed if he knew what I was doing. "I was out with my friends," I lied, "Can I go to my room now?"My dad's eyes narrowed slightly, clearly seeing through my lie. But instead of pressing further, he let out a soft sigh. "Fine..."
Just as I was about to turn and enter my room, my father's voice stopped me. "Kai... please try to be a bit more understanding towards Maliza. What happened tonight... It was... unexpected for both of us. But she truly loves you and only has your best interests at heart."
I scoffed, unable to hold back my bitterness. "Love? You mean like how you 'loved' mom? How you just left us here all alone while you gallivanted around the universe? And now you come back and expect everything to be okay? To just replace mom with her own sister?"
My dad flinched as if I'd struck him, his face paling. For a long moment, he just stared at me, speechless. The silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken words and buried emotions.
"Kai... it's not... it's not as simple as that," he finally managed to say, his voice hoarse. "I... I made mistakes. I know that. But I'm trying to make things right now. With you, with Maliza..."
I shook my head, my hand gripping the doorknob. I wanted to say something but in the end, I just lowered my head. "Goodnight, dad." With that, I turned the knob and walked into my room. Closing the door behind, I leaned against it, my mind reeling off of everything I just found out tonight. My dad just proposed to Maliza and now he expects to just be fine with it.
Through the door, I could hear my dad's sigh of defeat, followed by his footsteps retreating back to Maliza's room. The soft murmur of their voices filtered through the thin wood - a strained conversation I couldn't quite make out. The weight of what had just happened pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe.
I pushed away from the door and crossed the dimly lit room, collapsing onto my bed. The familiar smell of home - a mix of freshly laundered sheets and the faint aroma of Maliza's cooking - did little to comfort me. Instead, it just made me feel more conflicted.
The truth is - I knew what Maliza wanted more than anything. A family, kids, a better life, a loving husband... She would always talk to us about it... How she wished for a happy ending like in those fairy tale books she always used to read to me and my sisters when we were kids.
She treated us like we were her own and I thought that was enough but... I never thought this would happen in a million years. The fact that she naively agreed to the engagement without thinking about how we would react was just beyond me.
I didn't understand why my dad would even do this. He wouldn't…unless…
"Did...did he propose because he felt guilty?"
The thought hung heavy in the air of my room, like a dark cloud. I rolled onto my side, staring out the window at the city lights beyond. The distant hum of traffic seemed to mock my turmoil, a reminder that the world outside was moving on while I was stuck in this mess.
"Come to think of it... It kinda makes sense." Sitting up in bed, I ran a hand through my hair, the pieces falling into place with an unsettling clarity. My dad, forever burdened by the guilt of mom's death, must have thought this was the solution - marrying Maliza, attempting to create some form of family unit. But did he really consider the consequences? The way it would fracture our family even further instead of mending it?
"He should've talked to us about it first."
I knew my dad meant well, but this... this was too much, too soon. And Maliza - she'd always been so caring and protective of us, but now it felt like she'd chosen her own happiness over ours.
I laid back down, staring up at the ceiling for a moment before placing my hand over my face. "This is a mess," I muttered to myself, "A huge, unmanageable mess."
The digital clock on my nightstand glowed accusingly, the numbers ticking steadily forward. The weight of the night's revelations sat heavily in my chest, making each breath a struggle. I turned onto my side again, pulling the blanket up to my chin. As much as I wanted to be angry, a part of me just felt... lost. What did this mean for our family? For my relationship with Maliza and my dad? And what about my own life - was I just supposed to pretend everything was okay while they built a new future without my mom's memory?
…
Present - The Next Day
The next day, after waking up, I glanced at the window, seeing that it was already dawn. "Jeez, Friday already? Damn..."
I lay in bed for a few more minutes, staring at the ceiling as the early morning light filtered through the curtains. The previous night still weighed on my mind. The fact that Maliza got mad after I lashed out and my dad already suspecting me. Honestly, I didn't know how I was gonna talk to them after what happened last night. Finally, after a few minutes, I pushed back the covers and got up, stretching out the stiffness from my body.
As I made my way downstairs, the first thing I saw was Maliza by the stove and my little sister Malisha sitting by the kitchen counter in her pajamas. "Malisha?" I was kinda surprised since she was supposed to be dressed for school by now. "Oh, hey Kai. You're up already." Malisha said when she noticed me walk in. I asked, "How come you're not in school today?"
"Dad said he and aunt Maliza were gonna go sort out some stuff later at school. Plus he said I could say." Malisha blushed nervously. "Did you fail again?" When I asked, her hands started fiddling with the hem of her pajama shirt. "I don't know what's going on, Kai... I tried to pass this time. I stayed up all night just to try and make sure I got everything right. I just... I don't know what's going on."
A pang of sympathy shot through me at the sight of Malisha's downcast expression. She'd always struggled with schoolwork, but this was the third time she'd failed. I knew how much it must be hurting her. "Hey, it's okay," I said, ruffling her hair gently. "We'll figure it out. Maybe... maybe I can help you study from now on. You know I was always pretty good at this stuff."
Malisha smiled softly. "Heh, thanks Kai."
The clanking of pots and pans behind us drew our attention. Maliza, still in her nightgown, was bustling around the stove, her back stiff with tension. The air between us was thick with unspoken words. She hadn't looked at me once since I entered the kitchen. Either this was the silent treatment or she was just avoiding me... I didn't know which.
"What did you do to make Aunt Maliza so mad at you?" Malisha whispered to me when she noticed the tension. I winced, lowering my voice to a hushed whisper. "Let's just say I said some things I shouldn't have last night." Malisha's eyes widened with curiosity. "Wait, what? What did you say?" She asked.
"I can't say but... I have to make it right." I was nervous for a moment but I couldn't just sit and pretend everything was okay. I had to apologize... Somehow. "Maliza," I started, my voice a bit hesitant. "I... I'm sorry about last night. What I said was out of line and I was just... I was overwhelmed by everything. But that's no excuse. You've always been there for us and I shouldn't have reacted like that."
Maliza's stirring slowed down, but she didn't turn around at first. I could see her shoulders rise and fall with a deep breath. Finally, she turned around to face me. In her hand was a plate with cooked fried eggs on toasted bread. Without a word, she placed the plate on the counter in front of me - my favorite breakfast that she used to make on special occasions.
"Thanks," I murmured, feeling a lump form in my throat. Maliza gave a small nod, then turned back to the stove to finish cooking breakfast for the rest of the family. The tension in the air had lessened slightly, but there was still a long way to go before things could truly be okay.
"So what do you plan on doing today?" Maliza asked. My fingers toyed with the fork, turning the eggs over on the plate while I contemplated how to respond.
"I..." I paused for a moment, "I thought I'd stay home today. Maybe help Malisha with her studies like I promised. And... and I could clean up around the house a bit. You know, to make up for..." My voice trailed off, suddenly aware of Malisha's curious gaze fixed on me from across the counter.
Maliza's shoulders relaxed a touch at my words, a small, genuine smile flitting across her face. "That would be wonderful, Kai. It's been a while since we spent some quality family time together."
I was kinda relieved now that Maliza was okay. That was until I took two bites from my toast and I felt a burning sensation on my tongue. At that moment, my face went red and started sweating while my mouth was now on fire. As I screamed, Maliza chuckled, "Maybe I should've warned you first before eating."
Maliza reached for the fridge, pulling out a carton of milk and pouring a glass. She placed it in front of me with a mischievous glint in her eye - the same look she'd had when she used to play pranks on us as kids.
"I added a little extra spice to your eggs this morning. Consider it... payback for last night's little outburst." Her lips curved into a smirk as she watched me gulp down the milk, desperate to quench the burning in my mouth.
"Feeling better?" Maliza asked sweetly, although there was a teasing undertone in her voice. Malisha was laughing so hard she nearly toppled off her chair. Despite the discomfort, a reluctant grin spread across my face. This was the Maliza I recognized - playful, forgiving, and ever-ready to teach a lesson with a dash of humor. "I guess I deserved that," I managed to say, my voice a bit hoarse from the chili. "But seriously... next time, a warning would be nice."
"Well, you two enjoy your breakfast. I'm gonna change." Maliza said, placing Malisha's plate of toast and eggs on the counter before leaving the kitchen and heading up the stairs to go change her clothes.
"Are you okay?" Malisha asked, still laughing a little.
I wiped my watering eyes with the back of my hand, letting out a wheezing laugh. "Yeah... yeah, I'm fine. Just... not used to that level of spice so early in the morning." Taking another big sip of milk, the burning sensation finally began to ease. Malisha was still grinning as she dug into her own breakfast. For a fleeting moment, it seemed as if everything was back to normal - just another morning in our hectic household.
"Hey, Malisha," I said, keeping my voice nonchalant. "After we study for a bit, how about we watch a movie or something? Just the two of us."
Malisha's eyes brightened with enthusiasm, a smear of egg yolk decorating the corner of her mouth. "Really? That sounds awesome! We could watch that new animated movie everyone's been talking about. Shaina said it's too childish for her, but I think it looks cool."
The sound of Maliza's footsteps upstairs made me look up. The floorboards creaked as she moved around her room, getting dressed. I knew this calm moment was temporary - soon enough, dad would be up and the awkwardness would likely return. "Sure, we can watch whatever you want. We can even pick up some snacks in the cabinet."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my dad appear at the kitchen entrance, dressed in his signature Supreme Kai outfit. "I see you two are up."
"Oh, morning dad." Malisha greeted him as he walked past us towards the fridge. "Hey, dad, me and Kai are gonna watch a movie together tonight."
My dad paused in the midst of opening the fridge, his hand lingering on the handle. For a brief second, an expression of something like relief crossed his face, quickly followed by a flash of guilt.
"That's wonderful, Malisha," he said, pulling out a carton of orange juice. "It's been a long time since the two of you spent some quality time together." He poured himself a glass, then turned to face us, leaning back against the counter.
"Kai," his tone was careful, measured, "about last night... we need to talk. But not right now. There are some important matters I have to attend to with Maliza first."
Remembering what Malisha said earlier, I thought maybe he was going with Maliza somewhere. To the school, maybe.
"Alright," I replied cautiously, "But just so you know, I already apologized to Maliza. For what it's worth." My dad nodded slowly in response.
While dad drank his orange juice, I looked at Malisha, who was already done eating her breakfast. "You know, Shaina left pretty early for work this morning. Maliza made breakfast for her but she just packed her lunch and left. She looked kinda sad..." Malisha said, pushing her plate forward.
A frown creased my dad's forehead at Malisha's words. He put down his glass of orange juice, clearly troubled. "She left? Without saying goodbye?" I asked, leaning back in my chair. Malisha shrugged slightly, "She's probably upset about having to work on a Friday. You know how Shaina gets when she's moody..."
I was now starting to worry about Shaina at this point. She'd been distant lately, ever since she started working, she's been distant and doesn't have time for me and Malisha. I made a mental note to try and talk to her later once she got back. Upstairs, the bathroom door opened and closed, followed by the sound of Maliza's footsteps coming down the stairs. "Is everything okay?" she asked, entering the kitchen with a concerned expression.
"Yes, I'm ready," Shin replied, setting his empty glass in the sink. "Kai, keep an eye on Malisha while we're gone. And..." he hesitated, looking between Maliza and me, "Try not to get into any trouble. Please." The way he emphasized 'trouble' didn't go unnoticed. My muscles tensed slightly, but I forced myself to nod. "Sure thing, dad. We'll be fine. Just... take care of whatever you have to take care of."
As they headed towards the front door, Maliza paused for a moment. "There's some leftover chicken alfredo in the fridge for lunch. Heat it up properly before eating, okay?" Her voice held a hint of the familiar motherly concern that made my chest tighten. "Got it," I called back, watching as they finally left, the front door closing with a soft click.
After they left, Malisha then poked my arm. "Hey, why are you always wearing long sleeves? Are you self conscious or something?"
A sudden jolt of unease shot through me at Malisha's innocent query. The long sleeves had become a part of my routine - a necessary layer to conceal the bruises and cuts from the underground matches. I'd become so accustomed to them that I'd almost forgotten how peculiar it must seem to others.
"Oh, uh... it's just a fashion choice, I guess," I replied casually, hoping my voice didn't betray the lie. "You know how it is. I like the way they look."
Malisha gave me a skeptical look but didn't press the issue. Instead, she hopped off her chair and started collecting the dirty dishes. "Well, if you say so. But it's pretty warm outside today. You might get too hot."
I stood up to help her with the dishes, grateful for the distraction. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Now, how about we start on those studies? We've got a lot of catching up to do before our movie night."
Malisha smiled, "Yeah, sure."
3 Hours Later
We spent the next couple of hours poring over Malisha's textbooks, going over math problems and science concepts she'd struggled with. Despite her earlier fears, she was a quick learner once she focused. Every time she grasped a difficult concept, her face would light up with pride.
"Hey, Kai?" she asked during a short break, sipping on a glass of juice. "Do you think mom would be proud of me if she were still here?"
The question hit me like a punch in the gut. For a moment, I was speechless, memories of our mother flooding my mind - her gentle smile, the way she used to tuck us in at night, her unwavering belief in our potential.
"Of course she would," I finally managed to say, my voice was a bit rough. "Mom always thought the world of you, Malisha. She'd be amazed at how far you've come."
Malisha's eyes shone with unshed tears. "I miss her so much," she whispered, putting down her glass. "Sometimes it feels like... like I'm forgetting what she sounds like, or the way she used to hug me."
Putting a hand on her shoulder, I squeezed gently. "She's always with us, Malisha. In every smile, every kind word, every moment we choose to be better."
A soft sob escaped Malisha's lips, and she leaned into my side. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight as she cried. The weight of her sorrow felt familiar - it was a burden I'd carried myself for so long. The sound of her tears filled the quiet lounge, a painful reminder of the void that would always be there.
After a few minutes, she pulled back, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "Sorry," she sniffled, "I didn't mean to get all emotional. It's just... it's been a rough few days." I ruffled her hair affectionately. "Hey, don't apologize. It's okay to feel sad. Mom would want us to support each other, right?"
Malisha nodded, giving me a watery smile. "Yeah, she would. Thanks, Kai."
Just as we were about to continue, the front door opened. We turned our heads, only to be surprised when we saw Shaina rushing past us and up the stairs, her expression distraught. "Woah, Shaina's home early..." Malisha murmured, obviously surprised to see Shaina home at this early afternoon hour.
The sound of Shaina's hurried footsteps reverberated through the house, followed by the heavy thud of her bedroom door slamming shut. An uneasy silence descended over the lounge, broken only by the ticking of the clock on the wall. Malisha and I exchanged worried glances - something was clearly wrong.
"Should we...?" Malisha started to say, her eyes fixed on the stairs.
"No, you continue without me. I'll go check on her." As I got up and ascended the stairs, each step felt laden with dread. Shaina's door was firmly shut, and through it, I could hear muffled sobs. I paused for a moment, gathering the courage to knock.
"Shaina?" I called out softly, my voice gentle. "It's me. Can I come in?"
For a moment, there was no response. Then, a faint sniffle. "Go away, Kai. I just... I need some time alone." But I couldn't just leave her like this. Not when she was clearly so upset. "Please, Shaina. Whatever it is, we can talk about it. You don't have to deal with it by yourself.
Another pause. Then, the sound of movement inside the room. The lock clicked, and the door opened just enough for me to see Shaina's tear-stained face.
"Okay," she whispered, stepping back to let me in. "But...you can't tell Aunt Maliza about this…"
When I entered the room and closed the door, Shaina threw herself against my chest, crying uncontrollably. I wrapped my arms around her tightly, feeling her body shake with sobs. Her tears soaked through my shirt as I held her close, stroking her hair gently. The room was dim, the curtains drawn - a reflection of her obvious despair. "Shhh," I murmured, trying to soothe her. "It's okay. I'm here. Just tell me what happened."
After a few minutes, her sobs started to lessen. She pulled back slightly, still clinging to me. "I'm... I'm sorry, Kai. I just... everything's such a mess."
I led her over to the bed, sitting down beside her. "Take your time. Tell me what's going on. Is it work? Is someone giving you trouble?" My voice held a faint edge of protectiveness - if anyone had hurt Shaina, I'd make them regret it.
Shaina took a deep, shuddering breath. "It's my boss... Mr Sota. He... He tried to force himself on me. He... He made me..." She stood up, opening up her waitress uniform to reveal red lingerie underneath. "He... He said if I didn't come to work with this on, he'd fire me and put me on the streets."
A fierce surge of rage shot through me like wildfire, making my vision blur with anger. My hands clenched into fists so tight my nails dug into my palms. The thought of that vile man, Mr Sota, intimidating and exploiting my sister made me see red. I'd heard rumors about places like that - places where the powerful preyed on the weak - but I'd never imagined it would happen to Shaina.
"Where is he?" My voice was low, dangerous - a tone I'd never used with Shaina before. I stood up, my whole body trembling with barely suppressed fury. "Tell me where he is. Right now."
Shaina grabbed my arm, her eyes wide with fear. "No, Kai! You can't! He's... he's got connections. He'll have you arrested or worse. Please... just... just hold me. That's all I need right now."
Her words pierced through my anger, bringing me back to reality. I knew she was right - going after him without a plan would only make things worse. But that didn't make it any easier to endure the rage that was consuming me from the inside.
"How long?" I asked. "How long has this been going on?"
Shaina's grip on my arm tightened, her fingers digging into my skin. For a moment, she didn't answer, as if the words were lodged in her throat. When she finally spoke, her voice was so quiet I could barely hear her.
"Three months," she whispered, her eyes filling with fresh tears. "It started with little things - inappropriate remarks, unwanted touches. Then... then he said if I didn't do what he wanted, he'd make my life a living hell. I was so scared, Kai. I didn't know what else to do."
A wave of guilt washed over me. Three months. Three months of torment, and I'd been too caught up in my own problems to notice. The bruises I'd seen on her arms - I'd assumed they were from work. I'd been so blind.
"We're going to sort this out," I vowed, my voice unwavering. "I don't care who this guy is or what connections he has. No one treats my sister like this and gets away with it." I pulled her into another embrace, holding her as tightly as I could without causing her any pain.
My heart felt like it was being crushed in a vise as I held Shaina, feeling her tremble against me. I could sense the fear and humiliation that had become her constant companions over these past three months.
I felt her tears soak through my shirt once more, and I gently rocked her back and forth, as if she were still the little girl who used to seek comfort in my arms. The red lingerie she was wearing seemed like a cruel mockery - a symbol of the power this Mr Sota had held over her.
"I should have been there for you," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "I should have noticed something was wrong. I'm so sorry, Shaina."
She pulled back slightly, her eyes meeting mine. Despite the pain and fear in them, there was also a spark of determination. "It's not your fault, Kai. You've always been there for me. But this... this is something I should have dealt with sooner. I was just so scared of losing my job, of not being able to support us."
I brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "You don't have to worry about that anymore. We'll figure something out. Just...trust me, okay?"
Shaina spent the next five minutes crying softly in my arms, slowly calming down from what she endured from that sick bastard who dared to touch her.
Malisha came up soon after to check on us. I didn't tell her about what happened... Obviously because she's still a kid and is too young to understand the situation that Shaina was in.
The look of worry on Malisha's face was palpable as she stood in the doorway. She could clearly sense that something was wrong, despite my attempt to keep my expression neutral.
"Is... is everything okay?" she asked hesitantly, her eyes darting between Shaina and me.
"Yeah, everything's fine," I replied quickly, giving Malisha a reassuring smile that I hoped didn't seem too forced. "Shaina just had a rough day at work, that's all."
Shaina wiped her eyes, mustering a weak smile of her own. "Yeah, I'm okay, Malisha. Thanks for checking on us."
Malisha didn't look entirely convinced, but she didn't press the matter. She took a step back, her hand still on the doorknob. "Well... okay. But if you need anything, just call me, alright?" She then turned to leave but stopped when she noticed Shaina's uniform was unbuttoned.
"Oh, Shaina... Your bra is showing." She pointed out innocently. The color drained from Shaina's face at Malisha's innocent observation. She instinctively pulled her uniform closed, her fingers trembling slightly. "Oh... um, thanks, Malisha. I must have forgotten to button up properly."
I shot Malisha a quick look. "Hey, why don't you go back downstairs and finish up those study notes? I'll be down in a few minutes to help you."
Malisha nodded, though she still looked a bit confused. "Okay... but don't take too long. We still have a lot of work to do." As soon as she was gone, Shaina let out a shaky breath. "I can't... I can't go back there, Kai. I can't let that man touch me again."
I sat down next to her, my jaw clenching. "You won't have to. We'll figure something out. Maybe we can talk to dad and Aunt Maliza. They might know what to do."
Shaina shook her head quickly. "No! We can't tell them. Dad would... he'd lose his mind. And Aunt Maliza... she's already stressed enough as it is."
Shaina's trembling continued as she clutched my arm, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and resolve. "Fine... I won't tell." I said, "But you know that you have to. You can't keep secrets... You know Maliza hates it."
A fresh wave of tears welled up in Shaina's eyes at the mention of Aunt Maliza. The woman had taken us in when our mother passed away, shouldering the burden of raising three children alone. Shaina was right - Maliza already had so much on her plate.
"I know," Shaina whispered, her voice breaking. "But I can't bear to worry about her. She's already working herself to the bone as it is. And dad... he'd go after Mr Sota in an instant. He'd get himself into so much trouble."
The conflict was evident in her expression - the desire to protect our family clashing with the need to escape the nightmare she was living. I could feel her fear radiating off her in waves.
"I just... I don't know what to do," she admitted, her fingers digging into my arm. "I can't keep going like this, but I'm scared of what will happen if I stop."
I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "I'll take care of it. Just...just under no circumstances, don't go back to that place. Even if the boss calls you, ignore it."
Shaina's grip on my arm tightened as she nodded, her eyes still filled with fear. "I won't. I promise."
A determined look crossed my face as I made a silent vow to myself - this Mr Sota wouldn't get away with this. But I also knew that I had to be cautious. Going in blindly could harm Shaina, Malisha, and even Aunt Maliza.
"I'm going to make some calls," I murmured, gently pushing Shaina to lie down on her bed. "Just rest for now. Try to relax."
I stood up, but Shaina's hand shot out, grabbing my wrist. "Kai... please be careful. He's not someone to mess with."
I gave her a reassuring smile that I hoped covered up the rage simmering within me. "I will. I promise."
Making my way downstairs, I pulled out my phone. I knew someone who could assist me - someone with connections in the darker corners of the city. Someone who wouldn't ask too many questions.
Before I could dial, Malisha's voice called out from the living room. "Kai? Are you coming to help me with the study notes?"
Just as I was about to answer, someone then knocked on the door. "I'll get it," I said quickly, moving towards the door before Malisha could even think about getting up. Looking through the peephole, I saw it was Ren. Judging by the look on his face, I could tell he was having a bad day.
A strange mix of relief and annoyance washed over me at the sight of Ren through the peephole. His arrival was both convenient and timely, yet I was uncertain how much I wanted to involve him in this. "Kai. It's me, Ren. I... I need to talk to you."I hesitated for a moment, glancing back at Malisha who was now looking at the front door with curiosity. Shaking off my doubts, I opened the door, pulling Ren inside quickly.
"What is it?" I asked in a hushed tone, aware of Malisha's curious eyes on us. "And why do you look like you just found out your favorite video game got discontinued?"
Ren ran a hand through his unruly hair, clearly agitated. His usual laid-back demeanor was nowhere to be seen. "I... I really need to tell you something. It's...kinda private."
I cast a quick glance at Malisha, who was still watching us intently from the living room. She was clearly dying of curiosity, but I needed to keep her out of this for now. "Hey, Malisha," I called out, trying to sound as casual as possible, "Why don't you give us a few minutes? I'll help you with those notes in a bit."
Malisha pouted, but she got up and headed upstairs without protesting. Once she was out of earshot, I led Ren into the kitchen and closed the door behind us.
"Alright, spill it," I said, leaning against the counter. "What's going on? And it better be good, because I've got my own problems to deal with right now."
Ren's face was pale, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and guilt. "It's... It's my mom... She has cancer."
I was surprised when Ren spoke. "What?"
"My mom... The reason why I was putting up to fight clubs was because... I needed the money to help with my mom's medical bills." Red confessed. "I'm sorry I went too far into almost getting you killed. I didn't mean to... I was just... I was desperate. I needed the money."
The anger I'd been holding onto started to melt away at the desperation in Ren's voice. The bags under his eyes and the haunted look on his face - it all made sense now.
"Shit, Ren," I said, running a hand through my hair. "Why didn't you tell me before? I would've helped you out."
Ren let out a harsh laugh. "Yeah, right. What were you going to do? Give me your lunch money? I needed real cash, Kai. And fast."
He sank into a chair, his head in his hands. "The doctors said if we don't get the money for the treatment soon... she's not going to make it." I pulled up a chair next to him. "Look, I can't pretend to know what you're going through. But we'll figure something out. We're friends, aren't we?"
A thought suddenly struck me - maybe we could help each other. My need for someone with connections, combined with Ren's desperation for money... it could work. But it was a dangerous path.
"Listen," I said slowly, "I know someone who could help but...it's not gonna be easy."
Ren sighed. "Look, I don't care about the risks. I just... I just wanna save my mom."
Seeing how desperate Ren was, I knew I had to do something about his and my sister's situation. Suddenly, the front door opened. "I swear Shin, that woman needs to be-" Luckily, it was just Maliza and my dad. Just when they saw us, Maliza stopped talking. "Oh, Kai. You're still up... And... Ren?" Maria was surprised to see Ren. "Oh, hi Maliza. I guess it's been forever, huh?" He greeted her nervously. A tinge of guilt crossed Maliza's face as she took in Ren's disheveled appearance. She and Ren's mother had been close once, before life's struggles pulled them apart.
"Ren... my goodness, it's been so long," she said softly, her voice filled with concern. "How have you been? And your mom... how is she?" Just as Ren was about to answer, Malisha then came down the stairs and into the living room.
"Aunt Maliza, Dad. You're back." Malisha said happily. "So... Was there a mistake at school? Did they really mess up my reports?" Maliza and Dad glanced at each other, obviously troubled.
The tension in the room thickened as Maliza and Dad exchanged worried glances. The visible shift in their expressions made it clear that whatever was wrong at school wasn't a simple mistake. "What is it?" I asked, pushing away from the counter. "Dad? Aunt Maliza? What's going on?"
Dad's usually composed face looked drawn, and Maliza's hand instinctively went to her throat - a nervous tic she only did when something was seriously wrong. Malisha, sensing the sudden change in atmosphere, quieted down, her eyes wide with worry.
"Malisha," Dad said gently, stepping forward. "We've... We've talked to the Vice Principal and they said that the reports were accurate." Malisha's face fell. "But... but I haven't missed any classes, and I'm always studying hard. There has to be some kind of mistake."
Maliza took a deep breath, as if gathering her courage. "Sweetie, it's not about missing classes. They... they think you've been cheating on your exams."
A shocked silence fell over the room. Malisha's eyes widened in horror, and Ren and I exchanged stunned looks. Of all the things I'd expected them to say, this was the last.
"That's impossible!" Malisha cried, her voice cracking. "I would never cheat! I study every night! Why would they think that?"
Dad placed a hand on Malisha's shoulder, his expression pained. "They said that your test scores improved too rapidly to be real. And... they found some notes in your locker that they claim are cheating material."
The situation was getting more and more overwhelming. Shaina upstairs was dealing with her own nightmare, Ren's mother was sick, and now this - something that could completely derail Malisha's future. And I still needed to figure out a way to deal with Mr Sota.
"I don't believe it," I said firmly, stepping towards Malisha. "There's got to be some explanation. Malisha would never do something like that."
"We know that, Kai." Maliza said, "That's why we're looking for answers."
Malisha looked completely lost as she was processing everything that Dad and Maliza told us. "That...that can't be. I always study hard. And I would never leave notes in my locker, I always bring them home. The only things I have in my locker are my text books and library cards."
The more Malisha spoke, the more it became evident something was amiss. A slow realization began to dawn on me - someone was framing her. But who would do such a thing? And why?
"Hold on a second," I said, turning to Dad and Aunt Maliza. "Malisha's right. She's always been careful with her stuff. And I've been helping her study for hours and most of her answers are accurate. So why would she cheat? And most of all, why would they fail her three times?"
Dad's jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with anger. "That's what we're trying to find out. We've requested a meeting with the principal and the vice-principal again for Monday, but I have a feeling they're already set on their decision."
Maliza paced back and forth, worry etched on her face. "The worst part is, if they don't reverse their decision, Malisha will be held back a grade. All her hard work... it'll be for nothing."
Malisha looked devastated when they spoke. "No...this... This isn't right. I've failed three times this year, and now the school is accusing me of cheating? Someone's trying to frame me. It's not fair!" Suddenly she bolted up the stairs. "Malisha!" Maliza called out but all that came was a loud thud of Malisha's front room door shutting. "I knew this was gonna happen..." Maliza sighed in defeat.
Ren and I stood there, frozen for a moment as the impact of what had just happened sank in. Maliza rubbed her temples, clearly overwhelmed. Dad stood by her, his hands on her shoulders as he comforted her the best way he could.
"C'mon, we're going." I said, grabbing Ren's arm and heading toward the front door. "Hey, where are you two going?" Maliza asked.
"It's Friday. Me and Ren are gonna meet up with Yumie and Frankie tonight." I lied. Maliza and dad glanced at each other for a second. "What? But I thought-"
"I'll be back before eight, I promise." As much as I didn't want to admit it... I really was a bad liar. "Kai, we still have a lot to talk about." My dad said.
"I know, I'll be back soon." With that, I opened the door and pulled Ren out with me. "Oh, uh, Bye guys." With Ren's words, I closed the door shut.
The moment the door closed behind us, I let out a frustrated sigh. Ren looked at me, confusion written all over his face. "Okay, what the hell was that about?" he asked, running a hand through his hair. "We're not meeting up with Yumie and Frankie, are we?"
I started walking down the street, my mind racing. "No. We're not. But I can't just sit there and do nothing while my little sister's future is being ruined. And I'm not about to let that sick bastard who's been harassing Shaina get away with it either."
Ren caught up to me, matching my pace. "So what's the plan? Because I'm guessing this is where your 'connections' come in?"
I nodded, pulling out my phone. "Yeah. There's this woman... Tomie. She's involved in some shady stuff, but she can help us. She can figure out who's framing Malisha and take care of Mr Sota."
I found Tomie's number in my contacts and hesitated for a moment.
"Tomie? As in the girl that used to hack into the school system to boost her own grades?" Ren asked. "Kai, you seriously want to go to her for help?"
I stopped walking and turned to face Ren, my expression serious. "Look, I know she's not exactly the poster child for good behavior, but she's smart. And she has connections. More importantly, she owes me a favor."
I could see the skepticism in Ren's eyes, but he didn't argue. He was too desperate to help his mom to be picky about who we got help from.
"A favor?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow. "What kind of favor?"
I let out a sigh, not really wanting to get into the details. "A couple of months ago, some guys from a rival gang were after her. They found out about her hacking skills and wanted her to work for them. She refused, and they started threatening her. I... stepped in."
Ren's eyes widened in surprise. "You went up against a rival gang? Alone?"
I shrugged, a little uncomfortable with the praise. "It wasn't that big of a deal. Just a few punches here and there. But she was grateful. Said she'd do anything to pay me back." I held up my phone. "Well, now's the time to collect."
Ren shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You really are something else, Kai." He glanced at the phone in my hand. "So, what's the plan? Do we just call her and hope she's in a good mood?"
"She always is." I said as I pressed the call button. The phone rang several times, and just when I thought it was going to go to voicemail, a familiar voice answered.
"Hello? Who is it?"
"Hey, it's me, it's Kai." Just when I responded, Tomie's tone immediately shifted from normal to surprised. "Oh! Hey... Kai. I... I didn't think you were gonna call me."
I could practically hear the nervousness in Tomie's voice through the phone. Ren raised an eyebrow, clearly picking up on it too. "Look, Tomie," I said, cutting straight to the chase, "I need your help. Two things, actually. One is a personal matter involving my sister, and the other is... well, let's just say it involves some people who need to be taught a lesson."
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. "I... I don't know, Kai. I've been trying to stay out of trouble lately. And getting involved in something like this... it could bring back a lot of unwanted attention."
I could sense her wavering and knew I had to play my cards right. "Remember what I did for you? How I helped you get out of that mess with the gang? This is me calling in that favor, Tomie. And I promise, it'll be worth your while. There's money involved."
The last part was a bit of a stretch, but I was confident I could come up with something if it meant protecting my sisters and helping Ren's mom.
"Well... If it's personal, then I guess I could help." Said Tomie. "Come to my house, I'll need to know the details of your situation."
Relief flooded through me at her words. I had been worried she'd turn me down, especially with her newfound resolve to stay clean.
"Thanks, Tomie. I really appreciate this," I said sincerely. "We'll be there in twenty minutes. Just text me your new address."
As I ended the call, I turned to Ren. "Well, that went better than I expected. She's willing to help, but we need to head over to her place and fill her in on the details."
Ren nodded, his expression a mix of hope and caution. "Okay, but we should be careful. Tomie might be on our side now, but she's still got some... interesting connections."
We started walking towards the bus stop, my mind already racing with how to present the situation to Tomie. I needed to make sure she understood the gravity of what was at stake - not just for my sisters, but for Ren's mom as well.
"Once we're there," I said, lowering my voice as the bus stopped in front of us, "Let me do most of the talking."
To Be Continued