09: TRUTH, FORGIVENESS & COMFORT

"Truth is the beginning of forgiveness. Truth is the door to another path that will lead to happiness. It may be the hardest thing but it is also the most beautiful thing in the world." 

- Logan Lee pov

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

09: TRUTH, FORGIVENESS AND COMFORT

Eun-byeol pov:

The low tenor of his voice made him more frightening. He trailed forward, glaring at them while Seok-kyung leaned on the door, smirking as she watched the entire thing.

'Of course, something is going on!'

'Is Seok-kyung planning on making Seok-hoon toy with Rona too, like she did with me?

"Is this a new play?"

I watched as Seok-hoon walked toward our classmate, took a fistful of his hair from behind his head and glared at him.

"Do you think we're friends just because I'm letting you be?"

"Is that why you think you can act out?"

"I think you miss bonding with me. . .

Should we bond in the ring?"

I curiously look at Seok-hoon as he drags him into the boxing ring of our school.

. . . . .

Eun-byeol pov:

'Why is he over-acting?'

Is he so head over heels with my sister that he's acting like that.

Or is this a show for Rona?

'What is going on?'

I watched Seok-hoon and our bully classmate spar in the boxing ring, or

more like Seok-hoon making a punching bag out of him.

"Welcome back, real Ha Eun-byeol. . ."

I jumped back in surprise as Min-hyuk looked at me like a hawk.

He smiles at me as if I've been caught.

I left him, pissed off at him for startling me like that.

"What do you want?"

"Are you staying for good?"

I looked at him seriously, raising my brow at him as he acts like we're close. 

"Ahh. . . .okay!"

"How about Eun-bi? Is she leaving?"

"That's none of your business, Leon. . ."

Min-hyuk is one of those who knew me and my sister ever since we're still in our cradles. Our family have been friends ever since grandpa's time so we've known each other since childhood. 

And not once have I truly like him. 

Back when I was a child, it was because Min-hyuk kept on taking my sister's attention from me, now, it is because of what he did to me when I was most vulnerable. 

Still. . .

"Lee Min-hyuk, I'm telling you this cause it's you, but I'm planning on confessing my crime very soon, So decide soon whether you want to join or keep hiding."

I watched his expression turn casual and smiled a boyish smile at me. 

"I don't mind confessing. We're minors, so we'll be let off easily, and our families are also powerful. It's not going to be hard for us."

"Have you retrieved all your memories?"

He turned to me with a serious gaze, looking at me as if he is apologetic for what he did to me. 

"Yes."

"Even Yuhon's?"

I looked at him, and my eyes told him the answer.

"I'm sorry for not telling you anything."

"Back then, you were too broken when he died. You destroyed yourself in the process, so when they decided to take his memories off you, I thought it was best that you lose it."

I kept my lips pursed together and looked away. 

"I know."

"You're not exactly my best friend, but I know how loyal you are to my sister, so I know you meant well."

"That's the only reason why I'm talking to you. . ."

"I may have never like you but my sister likes you enough and that is also enough for me to tolerate you. . . Lee Min-hyuk."

He smirked at me.

The two of us smiled at each other before returning to the ring, only to see the bully gone and Seok-hoon being hit by some guy.

'What the hell is going on?'

"Who is he?"

"A dead man."

Min-hyuk pursed his hands on the pocket of his pants and looked elsewhere.

If Joo Dan-tae finds out his prodigal son is being hit like this, he won't take it lightly. 

He maybe a b*stard who hits his children but he's also a proud and arrogant man who won't let anyone who smudge a stain on his pride. 

'He's probably looking for a student recording what's happening to buy it off her or him.'

. . . .

"Are you waiting for me?"

Seok-hoon smiled when he notice me leaning by the wall. 

"Are you okay?"

"This is nothing."

I frowned when he shrugged his pain. 

'I know that he's in pain!'

"I have something to tell you. . ."

We came to our hideout. 

He locked the door to make sure no one got in as I sat on the couch while he sat beside me.

Too near to me.

"What is it?"

"I'm planning on confessing everything I did that night. . . soon."

I looked him straight in the eye and smiled sadly.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I won't mention any of your names, don't worry."

"But I hope you make the right choice, Joo Seok-hoon. . ."

"We've swept it under the rug, but my conscience won't make me sleep knowing we did that to her when she didn't do anything wrong."

"Technically, she did."

I smiled at him pitifully. 

"Out of poverty."

"And she taught us well."

My voice cracked and tears started rolling to my cheeks as I remember every horrendous things we've done to Seol-ah.

Everything I've done to her was something I can never forgive myself for. 

"When do you plan on doing it?"

"I don't know yet! I'm still planning on it, but it's probably not that soon."

"Your mom won't . . ."

"I'll handle her. Don't worry; I will not mention any of you. That is a choice you have to make."

My tears escaped as I smiled at him.

I cupped his cheek and felt his warmth.

I think I know why I liked him.

He reminded me of Yuhon.

He was just as pure and broken as Seok-hoon.

When I found out about Joo Dan-tae hitting him and Seok-kyung, I turned away and let them take control of Cheong-ah.

He probably reminded me of Yuhon, who was always getting hit by his stepfather, so I let them step on me.

'I was pitying them without me knowing I was.'

'All this time, even though my brain has locked up those memories, my heart remembered them . . .'

I stood up and breathed deeply before turning to him again with a smile.

"I don't like you anymore, Joo Seok-hoon."

He stares at me sadly with a smile.

"Thank you for letting me like you quietly."

I waved my hand goodbye and smiled at him before leaving.

"Ahh. . . I forgot." I turned around again.

"I left something in your locker. Make sure to take it before you leave school today. Okay?"

I finally left our place with a smile.

. . . .

Seok-hoon pov:

I guess this is what Min-hyuk meant when he told me that Eun-byeol we know is different from he knew.

Her touch was very different from Eun-bi.

When Eun-bi touches me, I can feel my heart pounding so much that I can feel it leaping from inside me.

But when Eun-byeol touches me, I simply feel like I was being touched by a good friend.

"Ha eun-byeol. . ."

"Thank you too for letting me meet Ha Eun-bi."

. . . . .

Ha Eun-byeol pov:

My sister waited inside the car after classes.

She looked at me with a small smile when I opened the door.

'Did something happen?'

"We need to go somewhere."

My sister brought me here to Min Seol-ah's grave.

The last time I was here, I wasn't very much myself, but now I finally feel it all.

The guilt and my sin.

I kneeled in front of Min seol-ah while crying.

My sister kneeled as well.

"I'm sorry, Min Seol-ah.

I'm sorry for bullying you.

For not being thankful to you

For saying all those words to you

For hurting you

For hitting you

I'm really sorry!!"

"I will take any punishment you give me,

I will confess everything. . .

So please rest in peace. . ."

"Forget this cruel world and be happy. . .

Go to your next life in peace.

Enjoy the privilege of the heavens!"

"Don't remember any of us.

And just. . . be happy."

"Thank you so much!!

For teaching us

For enduring us

And thank you . . .

For letting me remember

Who I really am!!"

"Please rest in peace,

I will carry this sin on my shoulders.

And make sure to forever repent on everything I did!!"

We kept kneeling for hours while I cried all my sins out.

"Min Seol-ah."

"I may not have met you.

But I know you.

I have seen your pain.

And your end."

"If you want to hate my sister for her sin,

Let me carry that hatred,

Let me be hated instead."

"Her sin,

Her guilt

I will carry it with me.

So hate me instead

And as you do,

I will see to it,

That I will avenge you

And find your killer,

I will let the world know how cruel this world can be

So that there will never be another you,

Ever again."

I cried and cried until my cheeks were dried with tearless agony.

John and another bodyguard helped us up as we couldn't properly stand.

We were about to leave when our eyes locked with someone standing before us.

"Shim Su-ryeon?"

'What is she doing here?'

. . . . .

Su-ryeon pov:

I wanted to see her before I put my plans into action when I saw a few figures near my daughter's grave.

'She had a twin?'

"Ha Eun-byeol?"

They both looked at me just as confused as I am right now. The guards suddenly became alert as if they were preparing for something.

"What are you doing here?"

Our voices relapse with each other as we both question our existence here.

"We're here to apologize for what I did to Min Seol-ah."

"How about you, Mrs. Shim?"

Eun-byeol cautiously gazed at me, questioning my visit here.

'Will it be okay to tell her?'

'What if they say anything to Seo-jin?'

"She's my daughter."

I want to see what she'll do.

I was shocked by how her eyes spilled tears.

"What?"

"She's my daughter. I'm her mother."

Her knees gave in and slumped to the grassy ground. Her sister assisted her as she looked at me as if she was piercing through me, looking for any lies from me.

"Let's not do this here. It's too dangerous."

"She's right."

We both turned in the direction of the voice and saw Logan.

"Logan?"

I turned to Eun-byeol's twin and saw her look at him seriously.

"Let's talk somewhere else. I'm guessing we'll need ample time to really figure out what is what and who is who."

. . . .

Logan lee pov:

Eun-bi is currently taking care of her twin, who is still crying while hugging her twins.

She's patting her back and comforting her in her pain. Shim Su-ryeon is looking back and forth to both of us as I observe when we'll be able to speak to each other.

'I don't think today will be the day.'

"Can I finally know what is going on, Logan?"

Su-ryeon spoke first, breaking the silence as Eun-bi stared at us.

"Eun-byeol, rest! I'll explain the rest."

I saw her shake her head and gather strength and face Shim Su-ryeon.

She properly kneels in front of her with her head bowed down.

"Please forgive me. . . It's all my fault. . . ."

". . . . ."

I had my head down the entire time she was talking. All the details I didn't know, everything that happened that night.

"I'm so sorry! It's all my fault!!"

Su-ryeon raised her hand, ready to slap Eun-byeol when Eun-bi pulled her sister back and faced her instead.

Su-ryeon's hand was left hanging in the air.

"Don't hit my sister."

"Hit me instead."

"Hit me and vent it on me, so don't touch my sister."

"Unnie!!"

"She's been through enough! I won't let any of you lay a hand on my sister, so if you want to vent, do it on me!"

I smiled at how Eun-bi looked at Su-ryeon and how she defended her sister.

Eun-byeol isn't the best girl, but she's changed.

The reason for her change may be because of Eun-bi.

Whenever I look at Eun-bi, she always reminds me of Seol-ah.

Brave, bold, and fearless.

"Let's stop this! All of us are guilty in some way. You know that too, Su-ryeon shii!"

I stared at her eyes straight as I saw softness and pain as a mother.

She bowed her head, breathed deeply, looked up again to the twins, and spread her hands to eun-byeol.

"Iriwa. . ." (Iriwa - come here)

Eun-byeol teared up even more and flew into her arms as both hugged each other tightly.

"Thank you for confessing everything you know.

Thank you for apologizing to seol-ah

Thank you for doing all this for my daughter!"

She cried with Eun-byeol as both of them cried for the pain that was stuck in their hearts.

It took us a while to calm down, and when we did, all were quiet for a time.

"I have something to confess. . ."

Eun-bi took her phone out and showed us a video . . .

"Seol-ah. . ."

I grabbed the phone while Su-ryeon rushed near me and watched the video with me.

I keep on replaying it over and over again, watching her fall down, over and over again.

"I had a friend take that from the nearest satellite that has recorded it."

"Seol-ah. . . died at Hera palace, I'm sure of that!"

We both looked at her and saw her cry.

"I can't bring Min Seol-ah back to either of you, but I promise I will definitely find who killed Seol-ah!"

"That will be our repentance to your dear Seol-ah."

. . . . .

Eun-bi pov:

After crying continuously, I held my sister's hands and smiled at her.

"Who got this recording? Does she have more?"

"Can. . . . Can. . . . we see the entire thing?"

I shook my head.

"My friend is looking further into this, but he's being careful because hacking is. . . by law. . . . illegal."

"I asked him to look further, but it's taking time. I'll get something soon, I promise!"

"No. No. Don't say that! Thank you. . . Thank you for getting this for us!"

Su-ryeon held my hands and thanked me over and over again. She's been crying non-stop, but I can't do anything to soothe her pain.

All of us at this table are in pain. All of us are guilty of neglecting that poor girl who only tried hard to live and survive.

"I'll copy this and ask someone I know to help enhance it. Don't worry, we'll help out from now on!"

"Do you have suspects in mind?"

"I think . . . . mom has something to do with it."

I turned to Eun-byeol and saw her shaking.

"She was very odd that day. She was very nervous when I mentioned what I knew after falling unconscious at the party."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded her head.

'It's not beneath her to kill someone who displeases her, but the time doesn't match.'

"It's not, mom."

I said sure.

"How are you sure?"

"Because of this. . ."

I showed them the CCTV I had stolen from one of the CCTV that they missed.

It shows them seeing her fall to the statue and then cleaning it up.

"None of them is the killer; someone else is."

"Even though they're all criminals, none of them murdered Seol-ah."

"Who is it then?"

"I don't know that yet."

I helped my sister sit properly, massaging her hurt legs, but she only smiled and took my hands off.

"We need to investigate more, but my sister plans to leave school soon, so we need to do it fast."

"You're quitting? Why?"

Su-ryeon turned her attention to Eun-byeol.

"Eun-byeol ah, if this is because of guilt, you don't have to ruin your entire life for it."

"You're such an amazing singer, you don't. . ."

"It was my sister who sang at the orientation."

She smiles at Su-ryeon as she confesses about that time as well.

"Besides, I originally had a different dream. I forgot about it but now that I remember it, I want to re-continue "our" dream."

I smiled at her as she probably remembers yuhon.

"Something happened to me in the past, but I originally wanted to be a doctor. So I'm quitting and taking the GED so that I can go to college proud of myself."

"But . . . ."

"You won't have  to quit, Eun-byeol."

I stared at her and told her what I had planned.

"You will continue to go to school."

"I will take it as you. You will be going to states under my name and prepare yourself for the examination at Harvard, just like you planned before. While I will finish school for you and win the trophy."

"Unnie. . ."

"I need to stay here either way to find out who the murderer is, and the best way is to enter Cheong-ah high and stay in Hera palace where Min Seol-ah died."

"That's dangerous, Bi-ah."

"I'll be fine. John is with me. I'm safe with him."

"Besides, The thought of pulling mom to heaven before dragging her to hell when she finds out none of her children will be sopranos is a scene I definitely want to see. . ."

I smirked playfully while my sister looked at me as if she's trying to understand me despite not really understanding me. 

"I'll give her beloved Cheong-ah trophy that she loved so much!"

"If I graduate as you, you don't need to take an examination, and if you pass the examination for the medical school, you can be a med student without any problems."

I caressed her cheeks and smiled at her.

"Don't worry about anything and do what you truly want."

"I will take care of everything here."

"I will shove that trophy down her throat while you pull it out of her when we say you'll be taking medicine instead."

"I will not let her do as she pleases you, just as she did years ago. So go, study hard for your acceptance into Harvard."

"I will handle the rest. . ."

"I think that is a great plan."

We both look at Logan, who is smiling.

"In the end, Bae Rona will be the prima donna while you become the prima ballerina. Right?"

I looked sourly at Logan. 

"You know, ballet isn't exactly something I plan on doing as a profession. . . Ballet is more of a hobby or a skill I simply enjoyed doing. . ."

Now it's their turn to look at me as if I've grown two more heads apart from the one I have. 

"You went through those terrible and hard trainings for a hobby?"

Logan asked, surprised.

"Yeah. . ." I smiled at him sheepishly. 

"Okay. . ."

"Either way, I think Eun-bi's plan is good. . ."

"Eun-bi will stay here and graduate as Eun-byeol and Eun-byeol will go to America and prepare for Harvard entrance examination. . ."

Su-ryeon cut the staring contest between me and Logan who still looked baffled at my reasoning for taking ballet in an international competition. 

After all, most ballerinas, when they start competing, they're already sure that they will be doing that forever, as for me, I was already told that my future is Cheong-ah group and Ballet is something more of a hobby I wanted to have while I can still do. 

"Let's do it! That plan. All the while, let's gather evidence against all of them and sweep them all inside the jail."

We all look at each other with a smile,

I raised a glass and gave my sister hers.

"For Seol-ah!"

"For Seol-ah!"

"For Seol-ah!"

"For Seol-ah!

. . . . .

TO BE CONTINUED