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Chapter 1

"From the 150 pieces of fresh chicken placed on the dish 9 minutes ago, incredibly only 5 remain! But with only 30 seconds left on the clock, will she make it?!" The female announcer voice boomed through the busy room as she faced the camera with a hopeful expression. Her job entitled her to report on every move that was made in front of her, yet as always, she found herself too spellbound by the scene in front of her to speak more than a few words at a time.

Everyone waited with bated breath as their eye's moved between the timer blinking with decreasing numbers and the elegant woman sitting casually with another drum stick between her long fingers. Unlike the plethora of people crowded in the room, all wanting to see what was happening as numerous camera's faced in one direction, the woman who was receiving these glances was extremely tranquil and cared nothing for those around her. Her attention was purely on the fried chicken in front of her, as she cleared the meat of the bone.

Much to many surprise, the woman who was swallowing immense amount of the fried goodness was a thin, fit individual, whose appearance was contradictory to the many stereotypes of someone with her passion of eating. Physically she had a healthy body, not too slim, yet not too thick, with curves in the right places for someone of her age and womanly nature.

However, that didn't stop her from getting judging glances as people watched her consume more than an average person would in one sitting. Heck, what she was intaking was not humanly possible, many would argue. Yet, that said woman gave no care for those words. Her love for food is the reason why she's here and it's the reason why she'll continue to eat.

Her job as a competitive eater/food fighter was to take inhumane challenges that pushed eating to the limits, thus she cared nothing for useless talk. She loved taking these challenges, whilst simultaneously challenging the stereotypes of what a perfect woman was. Getting to bask in her love of food whilst also pushing arrogant tyrants down a peg or two, was what she lived for. Her life had been a mess because of these tyrants, and now that she has the power and ability to stop more from blooming, she was more than happy to take the bullets of hate coming her way. Anything to save a possible child's life.

"For those just joining us now, we have just under 20 seconds left and 3 drum sticks that have yet to be cleared. The stakes are high this time as our nations favourite food fighter has been challenged to eat 150 pieces of chicken in only 10 minutes. If she can complete this, the cost of all she has eaten now will be completely free! To top it off, she will gain the right to order anything to whatever quantity she would like from this store or any of the chains for free for the next 3 times!"

"What if she loses?!" A random voices shouts across the noise of the chatter.

"If she loses, if that's even possible that it, our food queen will not only have to pay for all the chicken she had just consumed, which would cost her 36828.70 yen (£250), she will be forced to give a full star review for the store. And for those who do not know what a full star review from her would ensure, let me enlighten you. A full star review from this woman will ensure that your business will remain in business for years to come, with large profits all year long."

Cheers erupt after the announcer fills everyone in with the stakes, just as the red fluorescent numbers decrease to single digits. If possible, the cheers doubled in fever as the chanting of the countdown dominated the room.

"10! 9! 8!"

"And the ten second count down begins! With 1 large piece left and only 6 second left can Mia-Chan make it or is this her first loss?"

"4! 3! 2! 1!"

As the timer hit zero, Mia placed the last bone on the tower she had created before sending a smile towards the first camera she see's with here iconic: "Thanks for the food." followed with a a peace sign.

"And there you have it lady and gentleman, she has done it! Koizumi Mia-Chan has once again completed a miracle today by eating 150 large chicken pieces in exactly 10 minutes!" Squeals of surprise and adoration erupted in the small restaurant as the woman once again completed a nearly impossible challenge.

The now pale owner declined his head as he stared at the flashing timer beside the mountain of bones that was left on the table. He had just suffered a tremendous loss. Not only has he just lost a stupidly large amount of money that could cause him to lose the whole restaurant, he had also given the food fighter the right to order what she wishes for free the next 3 times. There was no doubt in his mind that if she were to order more than what she had consumed today the next 3 times, he would have to sign for bankruptcy.

A shadow casted over him as he wallowed in self remorse. Biting back his tears he looked up shakily at the figure that stood powerfully in front of him. "Thanks for the food. However, just between the two of us, the last part of the deal is off. I have no interest in getting anything from here again."

With that comment Mia turned around, picked up her jacket and swung her backpack onto her shoulder before passing the crowd of reporters who wanted an interview or her fans who wanted an autograph. She didn't stop like she usually does. She loves her fans and honestly can't believe she has so many but it had been a long day for her and she just wanted to go to sleep. So with a small smile and a few apologise along with promises to do a live soon instead, the fans parted way and created a barrier, separating Mia from the reporters. With one last thank you towards her fans she gave them a flying kiss and then jumped into her car to drive back home.

****

Opening the door to her home, she is welcomed to an empty house. No sound could be heard through the large building as she walked through the hallway to the kitchen. She let her feet doing the directing as the lights remained closed, her body already having memorised the path to the kitchen even without the ability to see.

Placing her backpack and phone on the kitchen island, Mia finally switches the light on despite it being relatively light outside. She had no problem with seeing things around her in the normal lighting of the day, rather she switched the light on for just a little insurance.

Apart from being home alone, which would be normal for any other 25 year old, Mia wanted to feel the little amount of heat that the light bulb releases. A person's warmth can't be replaced with artificial warmth, but Mia knew she would need a little comfort when she noticed some money hanging of the refrigerator door along with a familiar note.

She sighed knowing exactly what it was.

Pulling the magnet away from the paper, she confirmed her suspicions as she ripped the note that had the same heartless message on every time.

Dad and I have some work tonight. I left some money for dinner.

Mum.

"The same as always. Thanks for worrying." Mia mumbled as she picked up the money and headed towards the corner of the living room. Shifting the couch that sat on top of a wonky floorboard, Mia pulled out a medium sized shoe box. Sliding the lid off, she was greeted with stacks of notes and coins, all which Mia had collected over the years when her parents gifted her money. And just like usual, she placed the notes from today into the box, which was running out space, and shutting the box immediately after.

She didn't need their money.

She survived all these years without their help, did she not?

A knock sounded through the abandoned house snapping Mia out of her thoughts. She quickly lifted the floor board before placing the box in the space between the cement and wood. Without wasting a breath, she roughly moving the couch back to it's original place before making her way to the door. As she reached the door, the knocking had intensified tenfold, which would have frightened Mia if she didn't know who it was.

Opening the door, Mia was instantly tackled by a petite girl.

Unlike Mia's strawberry blond hair and emerald green eyes, the tackler had beautiful silver dyed hair and chocolate brown eyes which perfectly complemented her tanned milky light brown skin. Though Mia had pale skin that many were jealous off, Mia loved her best friends skin better. She always wanted a tan but anytime she tried she burnt a bright red and sometime she could have sworn that she becomes even more paler!

Getting out of the suffocating hug, if you could call it a hug, Mia closed the door behind the girl who smiled innocently at her. Having known the girl for just over 9 years, Mia instantly knew that she had something really important to say just by looking at her glowing eyes. The 'you-won't-believe-what-I'm-about-to-say' type of news.

The two had clicked instantly in high school and couldn't be separated since, becoming the cliché BFF's, just without all the drama. Being together 24/7 was something natural to them as though it had been written in the stars just for them. Their friendship consisted of Mia staying over at Amy's house uninvited 95% of the time, leading to half of Mia's closest being at Amy's whilst half of Amy's was at hers. And even after high school and a stupid amount of sleep overs at each others houses, Amy willingly became Mia's manager and make up artist when the demand for her best friend skyrocketed. She became the extra limb that Mia was in desperate need of, as she received more requests for challenges, business deals, modelling and interviews. The two filled for each others mistakes and weakness, being there for each other every step of the way.

"Well let's go to the living room and then you can tell me the amazing news you have, okay?" The younger nodded her head as the two girls headed towards the modern but plain living room.

"Wow, this place looks the same as always. It never looks like it's been used before." Amy commented unknowingly. "That's because it hasn't been used in years. I only use the kitchen and my room whilst they only use their bedroom and the kitchen. We all have bathrooms and TV's in our rooms and it's not like we have a family get together, so this place isn't needed."

"I'm sorry, Mia. I forgot." Amy quickly apologised, once she realised she had said that out loud. "It's not your fault. It's always been like this. I'm used to it." Mia chuckled solemnly before she turned back to Amy with a genuine smile on her face. "Now, what were you going to tell me? You were so happy that you came running in with indoor shoes from your house to here." Amy looked down at her feet immediately to see exactly what Mia had said. She was wearing her house's indoor slippers and had ran all the way here with them on. On top of that, they were odd colours.

Seeing the bright blush on Amy's cheeks, Mia chuckled whole heartedly as she took a seat on the couch. Amy followed after her, taking a seat on the same couch before mumbling about Mia being mean to her and not making a good aunt. Hearing this, Mia rolled her eye's before she swallowed her laughters, knowing it was time to stop before her emotional friend bursts into tears. After all, the 24 year old was currently pregnant and was already very emotional despite her early condition.

"I'm sorry, okay? I was just joking. Don't get your panties in a twist." Mia stated as she poked at Amy's side to get her to drop the moody pout that was gracing her lips. "Is that your way of apologising? What a crappy way... But, honestly, I'm not surprised." Amy sighed as she sent a smile to Mia, which she returned one of her own.

"Well are you going to tell me or not? If not, then please be on your way your highness, cause I need to sleep. And before you say, this early? I've been awake since 3."

"I came all the way just for you and this is how you're treating me? Kicking me out in the middle of the night? My heart." Amy dramatically placed her hand on her heart as though she had been shot through the heart with an arrow. And it wasn't a love arrow like cupid. It was a poisoned arrow.

"Dramatic as always, I see. It's barely 7 in the evening." Mia sighed, already tired of this situation. "Anyway, are you going to tell me this amazing new or not?"

"Yeah. Yeah... But seriously, you won't believe what I was able to get my hands on!" Amy squealed. Thankfully, Mia was prepared and was able to stick her fingers into her ear to protect them from too much damage.

She sent a harmless glare to her bouncing and bubbling friend, before sighing out and slouching onto the couch. Honestly, she wasn't surprised to see her act like this. It hadn't been the first time she had acted like this. She would always look like a balloon milliseconds away from bursting when she found something 'juicy' and wanted to 'spill the tea' to Mia. But what Amy refused to acknowledge was that Mia prefers milk over tea. So no matter how much tea she spills to Mia, Mia just lets it spill through the drain without a care in the world.

"What were you able to get your hands on?" Mia replied with an unenthusiastic tone, wanting this conversation to already end.

"Can you at least act curious?" Amy pouted as she saw the lazy expression on her friends face along with her bored tone. She could at least look happy, Amy thought dejected.

Seeing her brooding friend, Mia lifted her head and with a (fake) smile, adding a more preppy tone to her voice as she repeated her question. "What were you able to get your hands on?"

Almost instantly, Amy internally cringed at her cutesy and preppy act. She had never regretted something more than she had now. Why didn't she stay with the old response to save herself from the small torture? Now she understood, what Mia meant by mental scars.

Fighting back the haunting image of her friend overly acting unlike herself, Amy cleared her throat, suddenly remembering what she had wanted say from the second she found out the news.

"I was able to get my hands on some tickets!"

"Tickets?"

"Tickets to BTS fan-signing event in Korea!"

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