Chapter 8 — Unseen Chains

 NEON CITY — AIRPORT

The plane landed beneath the glowing skyline — buildings like glass fangs biting the night.

Yukiro stepped out first, hands in pockets, eyes cold.

He kept replaying one thought:

What did she sign? What did Lady Shizuka force her into?

 I need answers… and I know only one person who’ll tell me the truth.

He stopped in a quiet corner of the terminal and pulled out his phone.

His thumb hovered over a contact name for a long time.

CALLING: She-Devil

(He still hadn’t changed the name.)

The call connected.

A woman’s voice — teasing, dangerous — answered:

 “Well, well… my dear little brother.”

“You remembered I exist after all these years.”

Yukiro closed his eyes.

“I need information.”

“Ooh? That serious?

Then come find me, Yukiro… if you still know the way.”

The call ended.

No proper greeting. No goodbye.

Just like always.

 KEVI MAIN ESTATE

Lady Shizuka’s luxury car rolled to a stop before a towering mansion.

The door opened, and a girl — around Mekisa’s age — ran forward and hugged her tightly.

 “Mother! You’re back! How was your business trip?”

Lady Shizuka smiled gently, placing a hand on her head.

 “My precious Yumiko… I missed you. Everything fine?”

“Mostly,” Yumiko pouted. “Father’s been in a bad mood.”

A cold voice echoed from the doorway

 “Yumiko. Leave.”

A man stood in the entrance — tall, expression like winter steel.

Lady Shizuka kept her smile… but her eyes sharpened.

Yumiko bowed and left quietly.

The man stared at Shizuka.

“Room. Now.”

She followed without a word.

 SUNSHINE ORPHANAGE

The kids were playing, Kei was laughing again — like nothing in the world was wrong.

But Mekisa’s laptop pinged.

Message from UNKNOWN:

 “This is my last warning. Things are changing.

It’s time to return to Neon City.”

Mekisa froze.

 “Who…?”

Before she could react — a second notification appeared.

From: Lustere Design Company

“We are impressed with your work.

You are formally invited to join us as a full-time designer.

Housing and relocation to Neon City included.”

Mekisa stared at the screen.

Her heart pounded.

Someone is pushing me back toward that city… but why now?

She looked at the children laughing around Kei…

And the weight of her promise to protect them only grew heavier.

 KEVI ESTATE — PRIVATE ROOM

SLAP.

Lady Shizuka crashed to the floor — red handprint burning across her cheek.

She didn’t scream.

She just wiped her lip and looked up.

 “What is the meaning of this?”

“I signed the documents exactly as instructed.”

The mysterious man tossed a folder at her.

Pages scattered like falling knives.

 “Read the shareholder clause.”

She skimmed the lines — her eyes widened

“No… this— this gives her—”

“Yes.”

“Your daughter continue owns partial legal control over this company until ....”

His voice was ice cold.

 “You handed her a weapon she doesn’t even know she has.”

Lady Shizuka’s hands trembled for a single second… then tightened into fists.

 “Fine. I miscalculated.”

“But I will fix it. I promise you.”

As she stood, her inner voice whispered:

“Mekisa… my daughter… you have no idea what storm you just dragged into.”

“And now I’m coming for you… with everything I have.”

TO BE CONTINUE 

Next chapter 9

 Meikasa must make a life-changing choice — stay with the children, or walk back into the lion’s den.