PRICELESS| HARUTO AND ASAHI FF

•eighteen•

As days went by, Ji Hyun gradually accepted Haruto and his way of living. She realised that escaping from that place was impossible, and any attempt to do so would only lead to harsher consequences. No matter how much she tried to resist, it became clear that running away was futile. However, despite her acceptance of the situation, Ji Hyun did not reciprocate Haruto's feelings.

On the other hand, Haruto was determined to win her heart. He put in every effort, carefully considering each move, but always sought her consent before taking any step. Despite his relentless attempts, the mutual feelings he longed for had not yet blossomed in her heart.

The day finally knocked in for the transfer of the remaining hostages to another nation, as part of the agreed exchange for a substantial sum of money. However, Haruto was determined to prevent Ji Hyun from being included in this transfer. To secure her safety, he paid Asahi the agreed amount, ensuring that Ji Hyun would not be sent to the designated location. The transaction went smoothly, and the rest of the hostages were transferred without any issues.

Within the mansion, Ji Hyun's status began to shift. All the members gradually came to accept her as someone special to Haruto, with Mashiho and Yoshi showing particular warmth towards her. They often spent time with Ji Hyun, usually in the company of Haruto - the man who had admired her from the very beginning, ever since she first stepped into the mansion as a hostage. Over time, the bond between them grew stronger, and what started as mere admiration blossomed into a deep and undeniable connection. The mansion, once a place of tension and uncertainty, slowly became a space where Ji Hyun found herself embraced by those who now saw her not as a hostage, but as an integral part of Haruto's life.

Asahi and Akira eventually got married, as stipulated in the contract-a result of an agreement made by their fathers. However, their relationship was far from the close bond they once shared as teenagers. The years had created a rift between them, leaving their marriage strained and distant.

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One quiet day, Ji Hyun and Akira found themselves alone in the mansion, despite having minions at their service. The rest of the household members had gone to attend the funeral of a prominent mafia leader, a man who held a high position in the underworld. The mansion, usually bustling with activity, was unusually still. As they navigated the silence, an unspoken tension lingered between Ji Hyun and Akira. The absence of the others created a unique opportunity for them to interact, but the air was thick with unresolved emotions and the weight of their respective roles within the household.

This unexpected moment of solitude between Ji Hyun and Akira set the stage for a possible confrontation or perhaps a deeper understanding, as they were left to grapple with their own thoughts and the complex dynamics at play within the mansion.

Akira and Ji Hyun were far from being on good terms. In fact, they felt more like enemies living under the same roof. The tension between them was undeniable; they could hardly stand being in the same place, and their interactions were often marked by friction. It seemed that whenever they crossed paths, their differences clashed, leading to sharp exchanges and cold stares.

This animosity wasn't just a passing phase; it had become a persistent undercurrent in their relationship. Every encounter was charged with unspoken resentment, making it clear that they were constantly at odds. The mansion, which could have been a place of uneasy peace, instead felt like a battleground whenever the two were near each other.

Despite the truce observed by others in the mansion, Akira and Ji Hyun remained locked in a silent war, each unwilling to back down or compromise. The strain of their mutual dislike only grew as time passed, threatening to erupt into open conflict at any moment.