Chapter 10 - A New Dawn, A New Plan

you?" Masato laughs "A life fortune." He hangs up. Natsu asks with concern, "Dear, what happened?" Mei sulks, "I am not going to work. Apparently, I have been fired." Natsu gasps "What! How could they do that to you? Did you make any mistakes?" Mei explains "The only mistake I made was to have a father like Hiro Hirai he paid to get me fired." Natsu curses "Aitsu wa kuso yarō [That bloody bastard]" Mei wheezes. Erika corrects her mom "Mom, that's harsh" Mei cries "Now what am I going to do? Everything is ruined!" Natsu comforts Mei "No, it isn't" Mei looks up at her aunt "Tell me how everything is not totally destroyed my life and my career." Natsu explains "You won't stay here anymore" Mei responds with confusion "hmm?" Erika asks "Sorry, but what, Mom?" Aunt reveals "Yesterday, I went out to see your mom. We spoke about enhancing your future. I suggested that if your father knows where you are, he will stop at nothing to ruin your life. But if he doesn't know where you are, then you are as free as a bird to leave your life the way you want." Erika seeks clarification "So, what are you trying to imply here, Mom?" Natsu describes Mei's father, "Mukō no otoko, Hōkō no nai otoko, Shisei no nai otoko [Her dad is a man with no bearing a man with lack of direction and purpose a man without clear goals]." Mei asks "So, what did Mom and you plan?" Natsu explains "Dear, this is your life you need to live freely and be happy. The only way you can achieve that is to stay far away from that man. So, we decide that you will leave Japan and start your new life in Seoul, South Korea" Mei inquiries "Korea? Mom really agreed to that?" Natsu affirms "Yes, she did. I made sure to book your ticket your flight. You should be ready to go by next week "Erika exclaims "so soon?" Natsu justifies "Like I said, she can only live peacefully if she is free from that beast. So, dear do you agree?" Mei resignedly asks "Well, do I have a choice? You have already booked the ticket." Natsu asks "Do you have your passport here with you?" Mei confirms "Yes, I do" Erika worries "All is settled, but where is she going to stay in Seoul maybe for the first few weeks before she gets her own house?" Natsu reassures "I am working on that but in the meanwhile, do you have a friend in Seoul?" Mei remembers her friend "Yes, I do my high school and college friend Kim Ji-hyun. I am not sure if she has relocated, but I will contact her." Natsu remarks "How it feels when luck is on your side" Mei wishes "I wish I could see her before l left" Natsu suggests "You mean your mom? You can video call her easy as A B C." Mei smiles "hmm" Erika teases "You have to quit this 'hmm' of yours." Mei laughs "Pardon me, but I am used to it" Natsu intervenes "Here you two go again. Please don't bring up an argument or else the exit is there; you can do it outside, not in this house. So, Mei, start packing." Mei agrees "Ok, Aunt" Erika reminds Mei "sis, don't forget we will also have to go shopping tomorrow" Natsu gasps "hmm" Erika notices " What's going on in this house now, mom you are also doing it. Please, guys stop!" Natsu teases "If everyone's doing theirs, why don't you do yours?" Mei laughs. Erika complains "So it is funny now" Mei taunts "hmm" Erika yells "stop! Stop! Stop! Anyone that does it again won't like what I will do next!" Natsu jokes "You know, it is really funny to tease you." Erika acknowledges "You two made that clear "Natsu asks "about the shopping what do you need to shop for?" Mei echoes her aunt's question "yeah Erika what do we need shopping for" Erika explains "Mom she is going to Seoul soon, so why don't we shop for clothes and other stuff? You know, whenever I shop with Mei, she always picks out the best cloth combinations she is the fashion expert here, of course." Mei teases "Just say you want me to come with you for your own satisfaction and benefit." Erika admits "Awnnn, dear you know me too well." Natsu observes "People will see you two together and you are twins not knowing one is two years older than the other." Mei jokes "Because she acts like a baby." Erika retorts "And you act as if you are the oldest." Natsu intervenes "whatever you two may call it" Erika suggests "sis since both of us have nothing to do why don't we go to the bookstore? You have always loved doing that" Natsu realises something "Yeah, I just realised something you claim that you are sick, but you don't look sick. Since we started talking, you haven't sneezed." Natsu looks at Erika with mild suspicion. Erika looks at Mei with a pleading expression, as if saying 'look what you got me into please bail me out of this mess!' Mei covers Erika "Aunt, she said the sneeze was nothing serious." Erika nods in agreement. Natsu gives both of them a suspicious look "I believe I am asking Erika the question here and not you." Erika reassures her mom "I feel much better" Natsu suggests "I believe you and I taught you said you want to go to a bookstore?" Erika agrees hastily "Yes we should get going right away, Mei!" Erika looks at Mei and mouths "let's go." Mei stands up. Erika whispers into her ear" That was close." Mei sighs, "Why didn't aunt become a police officer? I was not even the one been interrogated, but I was sweating." Erika shares her decision "I have made up my mind" Mei turns to her "No, Erika you made up your mind to do what? Suicide is not the option in this situation you know that." Erika stares at Mei "Why are you so blunt, Mei? Did I say I wanted to die? I am planning on telling her what happened yesterday night." Mei approves "Then that's good." They both head out and enter the car Erika asks "are you ready?" Mei confirms "Yeah." Erika drives. Mei suddenly sees a message from one of her colleagues. Yuka's message pops up on Mei's phone. "OMG Mei, I heard what the boss did." Mei realises the new has spread quickly "So what happened must have spread like a wild fire through the whole office." Yuka expresses her concern "I am already tensed what are we going to do without you and your supervision? Our company has been a competition to other companies because you were like a priceless gem that we kept safe from others. As Much as we need you other companies also want you. Now, if they find out boss fired you, we stand no chance. I am still questioning this decision of his without you, we are so dead." Mei breaks the news "Well, I am gone now to think my own father plotted all this" Yuka seeks clarification "What do you mean your father did all this? How? I don't understand." Mei downplays the situation "it's a long story, and I can't cut it short just forget about it. Rely on your own skills when I was in that office, none of you had the chance to present your own ideas because the boss always wanted mine so now that I am gone you guys definitely have a chance don't miss the opportunity" Yuka admits "I really am going to miss you" Mei reciprocates "I will miss you guys goodbye".