PRICELESS| HARUTO AND ASAHI FF

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"Aren't you bored, missing me?" A voice echoed through the cellar's corridors, reverberating off the walls as if they were sending a reciprocal response.

Ji-hyun was aghast at the sudden sound. She panted heavily, already frightened by the creepy nightmare she had just witnessed. Looking up, she released a sigh.

Their eyes met. Haruto was peeping from the corner of the wall, his behavior reminiscent of a maniac.

"Why are you peeping through the gate? You look like a creep," she uttered, trying to steady her voice.

"Mhmm. I saw your face. But what's the point of being scared of my own voice?" he asked, stepping forward to face her directly.

Ji-hyun backed away slightly, her heart pounding. "You don't understand. It's not just your voice-it's everything that's been happening."

Haruto tilted his head, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "Everything? Like what, Ji-hyun? The nightmares? The voices? Or maybe it's just me."

She shivered, feeling trapped and unsure of what to do. "Why are you doing this?" she whispered.

He chuckled softly. "Because I can, Ji-hyun. And because it's so much fun watching you squirm."

"So, what brings you here, Mr. Watanabe?" Ji-hyun asked, rolling her eyes in annoyance.

"Wait-how do you know my last name?" he asked, his eyebrows shooting up in vexation.

"It's on your blazer! The name tag," she said, pointing her index finger at his outfit.

"Ah! This..." He glanced down at his blazer, noticing the name tag for the first time.

"I wonder how a mafia member can be so stupid?" she mocked him, staring defiantly into his eyes.

"Huh! No one has ever dared to call me stupid," he said, his voice tinged with anger.

"But I did, because I. Am. Fearless. Mr. Watanabe," she retorted sassily, emphasizing each word.

"Oh really? Don't tell me you're fearless," he said, a smirk playing on his lips. "I still have the keys to your cell. Wanna try?"

She took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "I don't care about your threats. I refuse to be intimidated by you."

His smirk widened. "We'll see about that. Everyone breaks eventually, Ji-hyun. And when you do, I'll be right here, waiting."

Ji-hyun squared her shoulders, refusing to back down. "Maybe, but not today. Not ever.

His eyes narrowed as he studied her, the tension between them palpable. "You're more stubborn than I expected," he said, almost as if he were complimenting her.

Ji-hyun crossed her arms, a determined look on her face. "I'm not stubborn; I'm determined. There's a difference."

Haruto chuckled, the sound echoing off the cellar walls. "Determined, huh? We'll see how long that lasts. But for now, I have other matters to attend to."

As he turned to leave, Ji-hyun called after him, "This isn't over, Haruto. You won't break me."

He paused at the doorway, glancing back with a cold smile. "We'll see, Ji-hyun. We'll see."

The heavy door creaked shut, leaving Ji-hyun alone in the dim light of the cellar. She leaned against the wall, exhaling a shaky breath. Despite her bravado, she knew she was in a dangerous situation. She had to stay strong, not just for herself but for everyone depending on her.

In the silence that followed, she made a vow to herself. No matter what Haruto threw at her, she would find a way to escape. She would not let fear dictate her actions. Determined, she began to formulate a plan, her mind racing with possibilities.