Threats of Fate

At fifteen years old, Kiyomi ran away from home, not knowing where to go. Her mother had disappeared long ago, and going back was not an option. She needed a place to stay—there was no room for doubt or regret.

For days, she wandered through dark streets, her legs heavy, her lips cracked, and her hands trembling from the cold and weakness. Hungry and frightened, she fought against exhaustion. The water dispenser at the edge of the city became her point of orientation, a place she returned to repeatedly to rest briefly and gather her thoughts. At first, she asked for help, but after many refusals, she began to lie and steal. She stole small amounts of money and food to survive. Before long, people began calling her "the thieving cat," and their mistrust forced her to leave the area.

Kiyomi moved east, away from the water dispenser that had anchored her. Her legs ached, and the hunger gnawed at her, but she kept pushing forward. Finally, she discovered a café and wondered if she could trick someone there into giving her food.

Just as she was about to enter, a woman stepped out. Her clothing was elegant, and she radiated authority, which made Kiyomi hesitate. Nevertheless, Kiyomi reached for the woman's package, but the woman had an exceptionally strong grip. The woman looked directly into Kiyomi's eyes, as if she could see through her.

Woman: "Are you missing something?"

Kiyomi stared at the woman, her heart pounding faster. For a moment, she thought of her mother, whom she hadn't seen in so long.

The woman raised an eyebrow, looking at Kiyomi with confusion.

Woman: "Are you looking for your mother, child?"

Kiyomi: "No, you're…" But before she could continue, her stomach growled loudly. The weakness in her body became unbearable.

Woman: "You haven't eaten in a while, have you? Here, take this." She handed her the package Kiyomi had tried to steal.

Kiyomi took the package, lowered her gaze, and thanked her quietly. Her pride was hurt, but her hunger was stronger. She wanted to leave, but her legs felt heavy.

Woman: "Now you'll have to pay for that in a different way." Her voice was calm, almost challenging.

Kiyomi: "I don't have any money." Her voice trembled.

Woman: "I'm not talking about money, little one." The woman's gaze bore into her, as if she were looking into Kiyomi's very soul.

Kiyomi: "Then how?" She felt small and defenseless, while the woman showed no sign of fear.

Woman: "I'm talking about making amends. But tell me first—why are you here? Are you looking for your mother?" The woman's voice turned gentle, almost pitying.

Kiyomi: "What does it matter to you?" She tried to sound sharp, but her strength was failing her.

Woman: "I've had bad days myself and lost someone." There was sorrow in her voice, and Kiyomi felt a strange connection to her.

Kiyomi: "That sounds awful."

Woman: "It was my fault." The woman sighed heavily. "But why are you here?"

Kiyomi: "It's none of your business." Her voice was defiant, but the woman remained unimpressed.

Woman: "How about this: I tell you something, and you tell me something? An eye for an eye."

Kiyomi: "Why should I trust you?"

Woman: "I gave you food and didn't harm you." The woman tilted her head, as if amused.

Kiyomi: "I ran away from home. I haven't eaten in three days." The memories of the past few days hit her hard.

Woman: "Poor child. I ran away too, but I was older. How old are you?"

Kiyomi: "That wasn't part of the deal! Tell me what you did!"

Woman: "Fine. I abandoned my family and left my daughter alone. I regret it." Her voice wavered slightly.

Kiyomi: "Why did you do it?"

Woman: "I was afraid." The woman couldn't meet her eyes as she said this. "Now, how old are you?"

Kiyomi: "Fifteen." She looked at the ground.

Woman: "My daughter would be about your age now." The woman sighed deeply.

Kiyomi: "Why are you telling me this?"

Woman: "Why are you telling your story to a stranger? But that was our deal, little one. I don't want to keep calling you 'little one.' What's your name?"

Kiyomi: "Why do you want to know?"

Woman: "Because it's normal for a conversation like this."

Kiyomi: "What if you're lying?"

Woman: "How would you know?"

Kiyomi had no answer.

Kiyomi: "We don't know each other's names. What do I get from knowing yours?"

Woman: "You can say you know me. That has advantages." A faint smile played on her lips.

Kiyomi: "What kind of advantages?"

Woman: "I'm well-known here. If you know my name, you won't need to be afraid anymore."

Kiyomi: "How does that work?"

Woman: "So many questions. Were you raised poorly?"

Kiyomi shot her a glare, which silenced the woman for a moment.

Woman: "Ah, I see. That's why you ran away."

Kiyomi: "How do you know that?"

Woman: "Amateur. You just admitted it."

Kiyomi felt inferior. This woman knew how to use words.

Kiyomi: "What do you gain from knowing my name?"

Woman: "Nothing. It's just more pleasant to use names."

Kiyomi: "Fine. But you first."

Woman: "My name is Mio."

Kiyomi: "That direct? Mio? What kind of name is that…?"

Mio: "People also call me 'the Ice-Cold One.'"

Kiyomi: "Why ice-cold?"

Mio: "Because of how I deal with my enemies."

Kiyomi: "What enemies?"

Mio: "That's information you didn't earn yet."

Kiyomi: "Ha, now I have you. I know your name, but you don't know mine."

Mio: "Everyone in this city knows me. Now hold up your end and tell me your name."

Kiyomi felt afraid as Mio stared at her. The aura Mio gave off was frightening.

Mio: "Well, your name?"

Kiyomi: "My name is Seika. Sorry."

Seika hadn't planned to tell her. This woman was terrifying. It felt as though lying to her was impossible.

Mio: "Seika? That's a coincidence. My daughter's name was Seika, too."

Seika: "…?" Seika froze. "What is she talking about?" she thought.

Mio: "What's your mother's name?"

Seika: "I don't know!" Seika felt overwhelmed by Mio's relentless questions.

Mio: "No… wait. I have a thought… but it can't be."

Seika: "What can't be?"

Mio: "When did you run away?"

Seika: "What?"

Mio's voice grew nervous and louder.

Mio: "When did you run away!?"

Seika: "I…"

Mio: "Just tell me!" Mio's voice was no longer calm but commanding.

Seika: "You're scaring me!"

Mio: "Tell me now. I'll find out sooner or later." The authority in Mio's voice seemed to force Seika to speak.

Seika: "I wanted to get away from my father."

Mio: "What did he do?"

Seika: "He drank and hit us."

Mio: "And then your mother ran away and left you alone?"

Seika: "Yes…"

Mio: "Did he lock you up and force his 'love' on you?"

Seika: "Yes, but how do you…"

Mio: "Come with me."

Seika: "Where?"

Mio: "It doesn't matter. Just follow me!"

Seika: "What do you want?"

Mio: "Stop asking questions and come!"

Mio led Seika to a safe place, a room that looked like an office filled with photos on the walls. One of the pictures caught Seika's attention. She looked closer and saw something in the corner of the image that shouldn't be there.

Mio: "You recognize it, don't you?"

Seika: "That… that's me." She stared at the photo, her mind racing with questions. How could this be? Memories flashed through her mind—all the times she'd felt lost and abandoned. Was this really her? What did it mean that this woman had the picture?

Mio: "I can hardly believe it, but it really is you. My little Seika." Her voice cracked, tears rising in her eyes as she tried to contain her overwhelming joy. It felt as though she had found a lost piece of her heart.

Tears streamed down Mio's face, but Seika reacted differently. Her eyes flashed, her left eye twitched, and her face reddened. Her fists clenched, and small sparks of fire flickered from her hands.

Seika: "What do you mean? Why did you leave me? Why didn't you come back? Why did I have to go through all this alone!?"

Tears formed in Seika's eyes. Her hands trembled with rage, the sparks growing stronger as she demanded answers. Mio, however, remained silent, looking at the trembling, furious girl—her daughter—with a gaze filled with sorrow and regret.