test of courage...

Yuna's POV

I did not expect things like this would happen.

Mikan and I are now standing in front of an open gate with men in black suits wearing shades pointing their guns on us. Ten men in total and all facing us with their evil grins.

They all look so terrifying. I shove Mikan right behind me.

"Mikan Just stand behind me."

I said looking at her very frightened face.

Are they going to shoot us?

I turn my head to face them and summon all my courage to talk.

"We are Miss Shiroi's friend. We just came here to see her."

I should not show them I'm afraid.

All of a sudden they put down their guns.

I took a deep breath and hold on my chest.

Are they all serious. We are only high schoolers.

These men suddenly move. They line up in two while standing straight creating a way for a tall man with sharp eyes and looked to be around his mid to late thirties standing behind them. He is well-groomed, from his black formal suit to his combed-back black hair. He has a trimmed beard and wears glasses with pointed frames. He looks most terrifying among these men.

He raised his right hand to head level to fix his gloves as he walks in their midst. He stares at me with those sharp eyes.

Suddenly looking at him I began shaking as well. I raised my right arm to protect Mikan from any harm. My heart beats louder and louder as he walks towards me

He stopped one step away from me. He stretches his right arm and a sharp dagger came out from his sleeves.

I swallowed loudly.

He quickly swings the dagger to my face but I block his right arm with my left arm.

"Mikan please move away."

I told Mikan with a serious tone while looking at this man's eyes. Mikan runs on the side.

He changes his grip on the dagger. He holds it pointing to my face. I shove him away with my arm then I jump backward pushing my left leg on the ground. The moment my feet landed on the ground, I immediately change to my fighting stance. I push my left leg back and keep my right leg in front bent and raised both my arm preparing to attack and defense.

He moves to straight his body still holding the dagger now facing the ground.

He stretches his right foot behind, lower down his body to prepare for an attack. He launched his body to attack me with another swing of the knife in my head. I avoided it again by jumping backward. The soonest I step my feet on the ground he made another swing of the knife, I ducked under in a split second. I raised my left hand to deflect his other attack while I put my right fist in my waist preparing to strike. Without holding back I clenched my fist tightly and launch myself at him and give him a punch in his biceps which he immediately blocks with his arms cross.

I look at him with surprise that it did not move him but I notice he is also surprised by me. The other men in black suits who gather now around us, all their jaws dropped.

I jump behind again and went back to my fighting stance.

He straightened up his body. He stretches his right arm holding the dagger. I just prepare my self for his next attack.

He put the dagger near his chest, inside his suit.

I look at him a bit confused.

"So it's you?"

"huh?" I said looking at him.

"Lady Lure fond of..."

he said raising his hands again to fix his gloves

" I was not here last time you visited this mansion. I am Shiroi's family's loyal servant, My name Seiji Dono."

This man said while bowing towards me, putting his both hands in his side then he straightened up.

Uh?

"Uh! My name is Yuna Shin sir..." I said bowing towards him putting my hands together in my thigh.

They were all got surprised in my action.

"Uhm Mr. Seiji... will you let us see Miss Shiroi now? We are her friends..."

I asked excitedly but right after I uttered these words all man in black suits that surrounds us raised their guns again.

Mr. Seiji raised his left hand and they immediately put it down.

"Lady Lure is the treasure of the Shiroi family. At this moment no one is allowed to see her. She is locked inside her room to reflect on all wrong actions she did."

"She is locked... because of what wrong action?"

I asked worriedly

"You have to keep your curiosity on your own young Miss. This is their family issue it's not right for you to meddle on this just like what you did before."

"I'm her friend so if the reason she is being punished is because of me, I will help her."

I voice out with full concern, looking intently at him.

"You don't understand I guess..."

I look at him wondering.

"Lady Lure has been taking this punishment since she was young."

My face darkened.

"What do you mean?", I asked hoping it's not what I think.

"The Master of this mansion, Mr. Iwato locked her up since she was a child to discipline her. Lady Lure was kept away from others because he wants to keep her from the impurity of the outside world. Lady Lure was raised this way in order for her to learn how to properly present Shiroi's family."

Hearing those words I snapped out inside, I tried to suppress my anger.

I close my eyes and clenched my fist to suppress it but I just remember her lonely face every time I look at her in the past.

She was lock alone since she was young is that the reason why she is so lonely?

I remember her face the first time she thanked me for saving her and the relief in her face after I saved her...No I just thought I already save her.

"That...is that..."

I would like to scream on him how bad I feel about Mr. Shiroi's treatment to her own daughter but someone steps in the middle of us.

"That man is crazy. What kind of father would want their daughter to suffer like that for the sake of their family name."

Mikan voice out in great anger.

Mr. Seiji smiles a bit.

"What can you do? Both of you are just rascal kids. Both of you could have been killed in my command so just be thankful I let both of you live. You better go home and just leave her be."

"I will not go home until I see her."

I said on top of my voice.

Mikan turns around to face me.

"Yuna these men are really crazy. Let's just wait for tomorrow. At school, we can talk to her."

Mikan said trying to persuade me.

"Thank you Mikan but you can go home now."

I said with a sad smile.

"I have to see her now no matter what. Right now she is hurt and alone. I want to be there for her."

"This is crazy. I understand you want to help her but this is...tell me Yuna are you...fine, I know no matter what I say now to you, once you made up your mind you will still do it. So I will just stay here as well. I will not go home without you."

She protested clenching both her fists.

"Huh! But Mikan you don't..."

"It seems like both of you made up your mind. I hate killing kids but you leave me no choice."

Mr. Seiji said looking on us with his sharp eyes.

Mikan immediately runs behind me.

I stare back at Mr. Seiji.

"You are so brave for such a young lady. Now I understand why Lady Lure is so interested in you..."

He exhaled.

"Lady Lure is at the highest room in this mansion. I will let you see her but that is if you can go there without entering the mansion. Mr. Iwato might discover I let you go and Lady Lure will just suffer more."

"Eh! Wait you are letting me see her now?"

I asked to my surprise...but!

"Wait did you just said? I can only go there if I will not enter the mansion. How am I supposed to do that? You already said she is in the highest room!"

He let out an evil smile.

I cringed looking at him. What is this man thinking?