| Fan Fiction |
by ferine
He threw Maki's picture onto the table and said in a low tone to his subordinates, "Get this girl," then almost as an afterthought, "alive."
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After the confrontation with Mariko that day, Maki's life became more confined than ever. Other than visiting her mother, which was a weekly event, she was not allowed to go anywhere else. And other than meal times, she was not allowed to leave the room. She felt like a caged animal.
Kame seldom came home as well. Other than living in his room, there was no other link between Maki and Kame. Her only consolation was that her mother has indeed been receiving proper treatment at the hospital. For that, she was able to put up with Mariko's inhumane treatment.
Living in a confined space, she could only make friends with Yui who waited on her. Slowly, she found herself becoming very reliant on the times when Yui could finally free herself from her chores and accompany her.
As for Yamapi, she sees him weekly as well. Since she was only allowed out during meal times and he was never out of him room, the only time she could see him would be the time when she visits her mother. And it seems as though Yamapi had been visiting her mother on his own on other days. She appreciated that as he would often bring "news" of her to her mother and explain the reason why Maki could not visit her as often. Maki's mother had grown to adore Yamapi as well and it often put Maki in an awkward position as Maki's mother treats Yamapi as though he was her future son-in-law. But Maki knew that was impossible and he would only be her brother-in-law.
On this day, it was the day when Maki is visiting her mother again. When she reached the hospital, Yamapi was waiting at the lift. He was always there when she visited her mother. They would then enter her mother's ward together.
"Okasan, how are you feeling today?" Maki smiled.
"I'm good, how's school?" Maki's mother asked.
Maki looked at Yamapi, confused. Yamapi mouthed the word "law" to her.
"Everything's well at school but school has been hectic. Lately I've got to work on a new project so I've been reading up cases. That's why I couldn't visit you as often now." Maki replied.
"School's more important, don't worry about me, Yamapi visits me very often. And if you have any problems, you can ask Yamapi for help."
"Of course, after all she'll be working in my law firm. Right? Maki-chan," Yamapi turned to Maki.
Maki was slightly stunned at where the conversation was going and Maki's mother noticed her stunned look. "Is there a problem?" Maki's mother asked her.
Yamapi stood up and walked over to Maki, he placed his arms around Maki then turned to Maki's mother, "Maki hadn't actually agreed, it's all wishful thinking on my part. Sorry for deciding this on myself." Yamapi tried to explain.
"Of course you'll be working together," Maki's mother said. "It's only right that husband and wife work together. It'll be terrible if both of you had to oppose each other in court. It can hurt relations. Why are you hesitating?" Maki's mother directed the question to her.
Maki was still quite lost in the conversation. She picked up an apple from the fruits basket and excused herself. She had to piece everything together first.
After Maki left the room, her mother said in an apologetic tone to Yamapi, "Don't blame her. She probably doesn't want to rely too much on you. Since young, her father had not taken care of the family and I was often sick so most of the time she was the one taking care of the family. Perhaps that is why she is so independent now, she is afraid of depending on anyone because she is afraid that they would leave just like her father. But I know she must be feeling tired after all this and wish for someone she can rely on." Maki's mother looked earnestly at Yamapi, "You'll take good care of her, won't you."
"Of course I will," he promised.
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"What's taking Maki, usually she'll be back after awhile. It's been such a long time," Maki's mother said.
"I'll go look for her." Yamapi exited the room. He feet kicked on something small. He looked down and saw an apple and the fruit peeler that he recognized.
He looked around and saw a shadow disappearing at the end of the long corridor. He ran after it however when he reached the bend, the shadow was nowhere to be found. At the corner of his eyes, he saw someone familiar. It was Maki. But beside her were two men. and it seemed as though they were forcing her onto a van. Yamapi ran down the flight of stairs but by the time he reached the road, the van at already drove off, disappearing in the distance.
Maki had been kidnapped.
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