Seperate Ways

Chapter 4

<Maki's pov>

I stared down blankly at my pile of clothes. Apparently, Nico had invited me to move in to her place until Papa has cooled down and possibly leave me alone... As if that's going to happen.
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Flashback

"Tell me, Maki-chan." She turned and faced me, staring me right in the eyes. "What do you want to do"
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What do I want to do? What do I want to be? What do I want to achieve without Papa babying me? I had never thought of that since Papa would be choosing the path that was supposedly 'good for me'. I just wish Papa is would stop taking over my life.

I was in verge of tears when Nico appeared next to me and placed a hand onto my shoulder.

"Maki-chan, it's okay. Your father won't find you here." She whispered as she wrapped her arms around me.

This feels quite comforting. Her warm body could be felt pressing against my back. Her rhythmic heartbeat was pounding against me. Her soft sighs whispered through my ears. It feels like I'm a child again, being cuddled up with Mama on a cold night.

Bzz.

My phone vibrated on the floor next to us. Nico released me from the comforting hug and passed me the phone. I checked the caller ID before picking it up.

"Yes?" I sandwiched my phone between my ears and shoulders as I continued unpacking my stuff.

"H-Hello? Maki-chan? C-can you explain to me why there are some men in suits inside our apartment?" Eriko's voice quivered in fear.

Great. He had already started his search for me.

"Uhh.. Well... I may have upset my father."

"What did you do?"

"It's a complicated... family problem. Don't worry about me."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I'm currently staying over at a friend's place. Papa won't find me here."

"Oh. Okay then." Eriko sounded slightly relaxed after hearing that. "Then... What can I do to help?"

"U-Umm... Tell them that I'm not coming back." I instructed.

"Okay... Wait. You're not coming back?"

"Didn't I tell you this yesterday? I'll be living somewhere further away from our apartment."

"Fine... So... is it okay to let Soramaru (A/N: Hey look Nico's VA! XD) use your side of the room?"

"Whatever. But tell the men this: 'You won't find Nishikino Maki here as she won't be coming back.'." With that, I hung up my phone and continued unpacking my stuff.

"Hey, Maki-chan? Where should I put this?" Nico called out from behind.

I spun around and saw her holding up one of my panties and waving it around as though it was a flag. She stuck her tongue out playfully before she took off down the hall.

"Wh-What are you doing!? Give it back!!" I quickly got up from the floor and chased her down.
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~A few minutes later

"N-Nico-Chan!! Geez. Give it back!" I puffed from across the room.

She seemed completely normal even though she had been running around in circles in the cramped apartment. Unlike her, I was huffing, trying to catch my breath.