CHAPTER 1: Going back... home?

...— • Chapter One • —...

...Going back...Home?...

It was a peaceful evening at the Kazumi household. Yoonah's grandmother allowed her to draw on the empty wall in their yard. However, as she was about to paint another layer, she got distracted by a phone call. She sighed and looked at her phone. Her hand began to tremble as she set down her paintbrush and reached for the phone. She swiped to answer, still feeling the slight tremble in her hand. A quick "Hello?" she stated, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty.

"Yoonah? It's me…" A calm deep voice on the other end of the line. Despite years having passed without talking to him, she still recognized his voice. She paused for a minute and spoke

"Dad," Yoonah's tone was calm even though she was frightened with a mix of curiosity. She hadn't heard from her father since she left Tokyo 5 years ago. His sudden call sent a shiver down her spine, stirring memories she had long tried to bury.

"I need you to come home, yoonah". Her father's voice was stern, and commanding, leaving no room for argument.

Home? The word echoed in Yoonah's mind, ever since she left, her childhood home held memories both cherished and tainted. Memories of laughter and warmth, but also secrecy and fear. Yes, her home was not here to begin with, her old so-called home was back in the City. She set aside those fuzzy memories.

"What's wrong?" Yoonah asked, her voice barely above a whisper, though she already feared the answer.

"There's a gathering tonight, an important one," he explained. "I need you to be there. It's time you met some of our associates."

Associates he said more like another plan to destroy more innocent lives. She thought. Yoonah knew if she argued with her father, he would go berserk.

"Of course, Dad," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her.

"I'll be there." No words left in his mouth but the only thing he said was "I'll send a car for you. Be ready." his tone satisfied. With that, the line went dead, leaving Yoonah staring at her reflection in the blank wall before her. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging inside her. She stood up looking at the scenery.

 "I'll be back here, I need to settle some family business first..."

At night strikes, Yoonah hugged her grandmother and her grandfather to bid farewell. "Don't hesitate to slap your father, okay?" Yoonah chuckled at her Grandmother's statement

 "Dear, be-careful and if you need anything you have your grandpa's credit card." She winked and yoonah just nodded, while her grandfather was confused

"Listen yoonie. If You want some fresh air to calm your mind.... You are always welcome here." Her grandpa said and patted her head.

"Miss, we have to go…. Boss orders."

Yoonah gave them one last hug and headed to a black car. The driver closed the car door as he bowed to them. It was a long night, yoonah was scared of going back but whatever happened, she still put up a courageous face.

^^^ _^^^

Meanwhile, Elijiah was busy on looking around. She was planning to sneak out again, but before she left a small tone appeared behind her back.

 "Are you going now sorella? Can I come! Can I? You always never let me come with you. Please let me come with you sorella!" Ryhs Matthew Raizen, the youngest of the Raizen family, is a cute jolly boy who always loved his elder sister. It was past her bedtime still awake. Elijiah smiled and carried her brother to his bedroom.

"Maybe one day, I'll let you come with me… For now, you need to sleep alright?" Rm pouted as he just went to bed

 "Sorry lil bro. I'll make it up to you. I promise." Rm looked at her sister

"Promise?" Elijiah smiled and hugged him

"I promise, don't tell papa and mama, okay?" Rm nods as he falls asleep, now it's time for the hardest part, 'How the f*ck am I going to get out? Did papa hire some more guards?'

Elijiah sighs as she takes her guitar making sure she has never been caught. She climbed the wall in their garden so no one would ever see her.

 "Easy," she smirked as she opened a secret door at a small house at the back, revealing her big bike. As elijiah take a last look around as she drove towards a bustling city.

She drove in the alleyway, A secret door with a big black man standing in front.

"Name?" He said "Raizen." As she said her last name the guy quickly opened the door and bowed against her.

"Thanks men, here's your tip" she handed him a couple of bucks as the guy continually bowed.

Her so-called friends showed up and patted her back "Eyy!! EliYouh! you came glad you're here." One of her band members said, Elijiah smiled as she patted her mates

"Let's prep!" Her band consists of 4 members. Elijiah is the vocalist and guitarist of the band, "1! 2! 3!" A loud bang and music surrounding the bar as people started to go front. Elijiah had a good time as she sang her heart out.

Meanwhile, Yoonah had woken up from her slumber as she arrived in Tokyo. A big gate opens as they drive into a big mansion. Yoonah had arrived as a resident of Hiroshi Kazumi. Yoonah's father, as she stepped outside the car she was greeted by maids and butlers as well as the guards. They all bow down their heads as a big man shows up as he is heading towards yoonah.

"Welcome back. Yoonah Kazumi, My beloved daughter has returned." All of them greeted her. The feeling of being in the dark once more, Yoonah is sure not fond of coming back to her home.

At the bar the last song was played. Elijiah bowed at the crowds as she gave her signature last strum. Ladies were still yelling going crazy, "Jeez stop hovering with my fan girls elijiah!!!" Agatha, who is the pianist of the group, yelled at her while she just chuckled at her friend's statement as her watch went on

"I'm going back home, It was fun. Do we have a gig tomorrow?" Elijiah asked as she packed her guitar.

"Sorry guys. I have an exam tomorrow" Matteo said. He is the drummer of the band.

 "Eww who does go to school? Yack." Vincent the Base guy stated with a vomiting expression, A slap in the head was heard. Agatha and Vincent yet again fought

"Alright, see you guys at school tomorrow" She left the bar and went straight back home.

^^^ _^^^

As she arrived, elijiah quietly walked towards upstairs. "Elijiah Raizen..... Where have you been?" She Holt as she turned her back there; her father was right against the couch sitting and looking at the empty hallway.

"Give me your guitar now" Elijiah didn't hesitate to bring her guitar to her father's hand as he smashed the guitar in front of her, she just stared at the broken guitar.

"You better be in your best behavior tomorrow. We are going to meet with my old friend. And you should be there." Her father stood up and looked at her

"As the rightful hire on the Raizen Clan. You better show some toughness and pride" He walked out leaving Elijiah behind. She cleaned the mess that he made. This is not the first time her father did this to her. A lot of broken instruments she faced.

She walked towards her room as she locked herself once more. Punching the wall with anger as a tear fell down to her eye, she went to her bed. Her bed was not just an ordinary bed. But it had a hidden compartment, it was a guitar and an old one but still kept clean. She lay down on her bed and began to strum as she poured her heart out.

As Yoonah was lying on her old bed. She hugged herself to sleep letting the tears flow on their own.

...Whatever happens tomorrow, will they ever intertwine with their strings?...

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