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Mira always knew that her future job would make her travel a lot, even as a teenager, her family traveled a lot. By the age of twelve she had probably seen more countries than most adults. Which, if you think closer, was surprising. After all, her family was extremely bound to their territory. But all those "business" trips were important, or that's what her Father always said. But perhaps the most surprising thing was that they never travel in more than pairs. It was always Mira and Father while her brother and mother stayed at home, or Father and brother while she and Mother stayed.
It was always Father who traveled, Mother always stayed. She didn't know why, at least at first it took her few years to understand. Somehow no matter on what side she was, she protected their territory, territory she didn't know they even have for a long time.
She was fourteen when her Father decided to officially acknowledge what their family was doing for living.
In short — they were criminals — it's not like she was completely clueless and didn't thought about all strange meetings and travels and very not friendly looking guards and well basically everyone she meet there (herself included).
Who could guess her very rich very academic family have history of illegal medicine smuggling.
After that, her education was focused on finances and pharmacology — because for some reason she absolutely needed to understand what they all sell.
And some time after that revelation her Father made her contribute for family. Suddenly family trips was not only for show and became work. She started to managing some finances not big one but still it's something that took her definitely too long time to get through.
Very slowly it all became a routine, in mornings she would got lectures and other practical lessons, then it depends of what meetings her parents have.
While working with Father there was a lot discussions about territory, estates their family managed and manufactures and deals.
But meetings hosted by her Mother was more into what they were selling — she has no idea that her Mother was chemist — does that made her crappy daughter? No — they never told her that, how could she know?
Year after year roles established, she was better with finances and just covering meetings, not necessarily negotiate, it was something her brother specialized.
Both of them slowly were gaining experience, so in hindsight it should be obvious that their first solo trip will eventually happen.
They don't flew too far, the meeting was going to happen in Busan. Some guys have problems with their way of distributing their goods. Father told them it should be easy thing to resolve, easy enough for them to prove how much they learn. Mira thought it sounds dangerous, they can't screw that.
Mira and Min-ho was wearing matching suits and while her brother get shoes with slight hint of heel, Mira as always was made to wear flats (it would look bad if she would be taller than her brother, but it wasn't her fault that Min-ho refused to grow more)
This meeting was hosted in pretty room that for some old warehouse was strange, but not impossible. Their Busan associate apparently have full operative base here. Mira thought it was strange choice, but whatever they like.
Meeting room was classy with metal floors and lined in soundproof foam — probably for privacy — of course there was long table with rows of black metal chairs on each of longer sides. In the corner there was vase and some plant's, not that Mira cared.
She and her brother came in — following some goons that, as soon as they completed their task, fled from the room.
That leaves her in the meeting room with her, Min-ho and three other guys—whom she kind of recognizes from acts. She's there to be sure her brother doesn't do something stupid like picking a fight.
This wasn't an extremely important case—just enough to feel the pressure of getting it right.
The meeting has started, and standard pleasantries were exchanged. Good, they both look older than they really are—those guys already feel irritated being dealt by someone so young.
Not good she needs to keep a close eye on them, at least closer than she already has.
Everything was going fine — until it wasn't, her brother said something — what? she can't quite remember, her focus fully on body language and face expressions.
But there was screams and screeching of metal chairs and glint of something dangerous.
Instinct was always strong in her, just as her hand-eye coordination, suddenly both of them are on the floor, table flipped serving as cover.
Adrenaline roaring in veins, she quickly assessed her brother state — on first glance everything looks fine — good she hadn't screw up yet.
Next step disgust her, but it's not like there was other option.
Her Father before their departure stopped her to talk, he didn't trust Busans — did he actually trust anyone? That doesn't really matter, after all she's just here to follow orders.
Her Father told her that people they going to talk could be dangerous — no shit Sherlock — and then he did something surprising.
He pulled her closer and suddenly she could feel something slightly warm and metallic in her grasp. "Just in case, I hope you won't need it" When Father finally left, looking down she saw a gun.
It did disgust her, one of lessons that was enforced in her time was shooting. She always hated them, it's just so loud and lifeless and cold.
Table that seconds ago stood untouched, was knocked over. Legs on their side, she didn't really remember it but it was her who knocked it. Everything was happening so fast. One second there were talk about borders and cargo's and other shit, next one she's on the floor, bullets flying above her and her brother heads.
She prayed that some of those shooting lessons will help her. Carefully her head peak above table and shoot.
On the other side pained noise could be heard. Mira felt like sick. She really hoped this guy isn't dead, but she needed them to stop shooting. So Min-ho and her could escape.
It was fucked up but if having blood on hands will save her brother, then so be it.
She will need to get them on wait. They can't have that much bullets and she have only those that was in gun. She could hear vase shattering and it succeed in pulling her out of thoughts.
Finally getting out of her head she realized big mistake she did. Her brother she didn't check on him, not really.
"Min-ho status?"
"Scratched, but I will live."
That got her attention, quick look confirmed his words, right sleeve was torn and looked wet.
They need to get out and fast. Somehow they were at good side of the room, this one closer to door, moving fast it could work.
Mira firmly clutch her brothers shoulder shouting to go for doors, she will be right behind.
And that's what she did, Min-ho finally moved, slowly at first, then more sure bullet's still flew above their heads. Soon other side will need to reload and then escape and freedom and hopefully safety.
There is a chance that outside there will be a lot of other people, but that's problem of future Mira.
They stop at end of knocked table, ready to leap for door.
Finally clank of reloading pistols can be heard, it wast signal to go. Min-ho got to the door and panic — door was locked, of course it was locked — seeing that, Mira gave her brother stern look hoping he understand — there is no time for hesitation.
Fortunately her brother understood signal and move a little to the left. With that Mira attacked the door with full force. She knew it was bad idea, but stopping just for kicking, would be risky. It gives up easier than she thought, — if she saw strange blue net, she didn't — good for her those Busans were cheep.
She pushed her brother before her and started to run. Everything was going well or well enough for trying to escape alive, from not successful meeting with opposed side of their little mafia.
She thought they escape them — no one in sight, hallway was clear — apparently she was wrong.
She only manage to hear loud bang, why is she on the floor?
Someone was shouting, but what? she couldn't tell? Probably nothing important.
Someone shakes her, but why? Let her sleep.
She's on the floor again, then she's not on the floor anymore. Someone got her on their shoulder like potato sack. Ugh she isn't some kind of vegetable for that kind of treatment.
Her world spin very violently, in one second there was white floor, and red trial of blood and next concrete floor and then leather seats.
She's so tired, little nap can't hurt.
White and harsh light wake her. Well that and terrible pain radiating form her right shoulder.
What happened?
Oh, right warehouse, meeting, guns — Min-ho.
She gasped and tried to sit up. Well try is right word, cause as soon as her back elevate from pillows, she got right back on it. Pain binding and blinding.
There is hands on her something try to pin her down. She wanted to struggle she really do, but can't she's too tired and in pain. So she stopped.
Calming down took some time, but after some time her mind felt more lucid.
And what she saw calm her completely.
On her bed — in what looked like hospital room — laid her brother, looking tired but mostly fine.
He changed into hoodie so she can't saw how bad was his arm.
They might have their differences, but the last thing she wanted is for her brother to get hurt.
Slowly, to not startle him, her hand reached to ruffle her brother short dark hair — darker than hers, more like their mother, after all he took more from her than their Father.
Father would be very displeased. Father will be very displeased.
Negotiations was a total disaster — well if you can even call it negotiations — it was more exchanging pleasantries, then stating demands, then chaos.
She could have died. It don't feel real. After all she was here. Nothing have happened.
Soon doctors came, startling Min-ho awake.
They told her that she was shoot, it would explain the sharp pain. Also bruised shoulder what explain that dull pain.
They need to get the bullet out. It makes her sick. She asked about her brother, doesn't matter he was there, she wanted to hear what doctors would tell.
Apparently Min-ho needed three stitches but otherwise he's unharmed.
She really felt unreal, but there was no time for that. Soon she will need to report back to Father and it will not end good. She failed in more than one way.
They got nothing from meeting (other than nearly dying) and she let Min-ho get hurt. What a disappointment. On good note maybe they finally let her resign. After all she just proved herself as incompetent.
Min-ho was talking to her, but she was so tired. Did he just ask her something?
"It's alright sis, we could talk later. Now rest, you need it."
And no matter how many times they fight and argue, at the end of a day she could always trust his words.