The contact

My heart pounds in my chest as my father drags me toward the towering figure of the man in royal clothes. The air feels thick with tension, and a knot of dread tightens in my stomach. I can’t comprehend what’s about to happen, but the sinking feeling tells me it’s bad.

The man produces a stack of papers, crisp and official-looking, from a leather briefcase that gleams under the sunlight. “Here are the papers,” he says, his voice smooth and cold. “I trust everything is in order?”

My father grins, a cruel twist of his lips. “Absolutely. He’ll be perfect for your needs. And once this transaction is complete, I’ll finally be free of this burden.” He nudges me forward with a forceful shove, making me stumble.

“Wait,” I stammer, panic rising within me. “You can’t just sell me like this!”

The man raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “And what do you think you can do about it, boy?” His tone drips with condescension. “You’re nothing but an asset now.”

My father’s hand tightens around my shoulder, and I wince. “Enough! You’re mine to sell. Just sign the damn papers, and I’ll be rid of you.” He thrusts the documents toward the royal man, eager to finalize the deal.

My mind races, replaying the words my mother once whispered to me during those rare moments of kindness. “You have a strength within you, Haru. Never let anyone take that away.” But how can I fight back against the very person who’s supposed to protect me?

The man scans the papers, his expression calculating. “You’ve done well. I’ll ensure he’s trained properly. Consider this an investment.”

My father’s eyes glint with greed. “And the payment?”

“Once the transfer is complete, you’ll receive your gold,” the man replies, folding the documents neatly and tucking them back into the briefcase. “Now, let’s get this done.”

With a flourish, he produces a quill and signs his name, followed by my father, whose signature is shaky but hurried, as if he can’t wait to rid himself of me.

In that moment, everything shifts. I feel a sense of finality wash over me, a crushing weight that I can’t escape. I’m being sold like livestock, reduced to a mere commodity. My dreams of escaping this life slip away like sand through my fingers.

The man closes the briefcase, a satisfied smile on his face. “Welcome to your new life, Haru Tanaka.” He steps forward, inspecting me with a predatory gaze. “I trust you’ll behave.”

I stand frozen, my thoughts spiraling into darkness. My father’s grip loosens, and I catch a glimpse of Mei in my mind—her innocent face, blissfully unaware of the chaos that’s about to unfold. “No…” I whisper, panic clawing at my throat.

“Enough!” My father yells, shoving me towards the man. “Get moving! You’re his now.”

As I stumble forward, the world around me blurs. I’m about to lose everything. I could feel the tears in my eyes as I left home

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