Jk : Because you are NOT my sister!

The parents rushed upstairs at their son's loud voice, coming from his room. Upon looking into the matter, they found Jeongguk persistently being rude and spilling gall at Ha Na.

Even so, he was considerate enough not to disclose the entire truth to Ha Na. But, resolutely denied to call her Noona, his older sister.

Words were too ineffective at that point, and Mr.Jeon, mindlessly, spanked his ten-year-old son on his back.
The mother obstructed her husband from further using violence. He had been a father who never once raised his hand over his children. It was a dark night for the Jeon family, the unresolved conclusion given to the truth that the little one learnt.
Jeongguk's eyes immediately watered as he continued to glare at Ha Na, internally blaming her for his father's wrath.

Mr.Jeon : You are grounded for a week, young man. And if I hear another word from you, talking badly to your sister, your eomma wouldn't be able to stop me then.

The children, never seen their father so furious, were rooted to their places in a silent dread. Mr.Jeon fumed out of his room and the mother now knelt in front of her crying son.

She wiped his eyes with her warm fingers and spoke softly, caressing his back.

Mrs.Jeon : Are you still hurting?

He was unable to stop his tears, not lifting up his head for a single glance. Little Jeongguk was terrified and feared if he complained even a bit, his parents would, once again, favor Ha Na.

She was equally terrified and feeling all the more sorry towards him. But, Ha Na was in no position to comfort or even form out a word to Jeongguk.

Jk : (-hiccups and sniffs-) Appa~

Mrs.Jeon : Oh, Appa did that because he was too upset. He didn't mean to hurt you. (-brushing his hair-) It's alright. Stop crying. Isn't my baby boo, a strong boy?

Jeongguk nodded to her obediently and wiped his own face, standing valorous.

Mrs.Jeon : Wash up and get to bed quickly. Alright?

Jk : Okay~ (-sniffles-)

Mrs.Jeon : (-to Ha Na-) And you too. (-smiles-) Don't worry. Appa will be completely fine by morning. So, no more fights. Hm?

With both of her children nodding along, Mrs.Jeon felt the assurance that they were fine and casually exited the room.

Meanwhile, Jeongguk and Ha Na were glued to the floor like sculptures. The moment of the mother leaving, Jeongguk teared up again at the persisting pain in his back.
Ha Na stirred up a little, mustering the courage and forwarded him some tissues.

Ha Na : I am sorr-

Jeongguk flipped her hand away, with the tissue flying out of it. He couldn't feel more wronged, and literally shoved her out of his room.

Jk : Go tell Appa that I pushed you!

Jeongguk slammed the door on her face and locked it in fear, his father might actually come again.
He cried for a while seated on the floor, reclining to the door-frame.

As soon as his vision got a little clear after all the tears, his favorite drawer came to his view. The little  boy furiously advanced towards it and brought out a wooden box that had an antique finish.

Not thinking a second time, Jeongguk opened his window and hurled it outside in pure exasperation.

On the flip side, Ha Na in her room— reflecting over the sequence—was startled by a loud crashing sound, perceived from her window. She moved the curtains to look. Only to see a broken box, lying in their backyard.

Curiously, Ha Na exited the house and went closer to it for a thorough speculation.

At one close look, she recognized all the items inside the box and immediately bent down to gather them up.
They were all the presents, letters and cards Ha Na gifted him on birthdays. And the one from last year was most hard-earned. She had saved money all year to purchase a mini music-box, intricately shaped into a grand piano. She prepared it so painstakingly in order to aid her little brother's nightmares, when he first started to live alone.

Sadly, now it was broken into indistinct pieces. It no longer played the soothing high-pitched melody. Ha Na looked upstairs at his window and saw his lights turn off.
She looked back at the pieces and carefully collected all of them with a heart to fix it one day. Also dusted the cards as she put them inside the box, alongwith all the other items.

That night had been the ultimatum. Fearing her father to emit the same dark energy they had witnessed, she never brought up the topic into light again.

Jeongguk and Ha Na started to communicate less and less each day, and would put up an act if Mr.Jeon was around.

To add, just like he claimed to do—Jeongguk never once called her 'Nonna' again. He was far from considering her as his own sibling anymore, and accepted things in some other way. He made up his own story, believing Ha Na was the daughter of his mother's friend but due to circumstances, she was left to live with them. Therefore, he treated her accordingly. Never too fond, nor too rude.

Few years later, upon his friends talking about G-dragon, Bigbang and other kpop idol groups. Jeongguk once curiously looked them up on television. He couldn't be more mesmerized and inspired by those glittering male singers, radiating such cool aura on stages as they performed for millions.

Soon he took interest in dancing and would often try to learn the choreographies to their songs. Up until, he finally gathered up the courage, on his fourteenth birthday, Jeongguk put forth his dream-stage before his parents.
He went very strategic and tried to trade off his birthday present against their permission to go to Seoul.

Wanting to entirely support their only son's dream, they were on board, although partially. They dreaded the risky road he wished to walk on and were rather worried his education might be strayed mid track.
Thus, they asked him to graduate from high school first, and then leave for Seoul. So that he could grow more mature, was old enough to live away in a new city, and had his minimum educational experience.

Jeongguk, however, wore back his sulk at their words and was gravely disappointed. By tradition, he couldn't leave the dine until Ha Na received her presents too.

Mr.Jeon, with a little effort, lifted a huge package and placed it in front of her.

Mr.Jeon : Happy birthday, sweetheart.

With lit up eyes, Ha Na thanked the couple as she unwrapped the big cartoon. Jeongguk was least interested to look at it. But the moment that the actual item was revealed, he couldn't help be captivated towards it.

Ha Na : A graphic tablet! Wow!

Art running in their family, the kids naturally harbored a liking to paints and sketches in general. And Ha Na was ecstatic to get the digital tablet that she had been wanting so bad, but never mentioned it to them.

Ha Na : Doesn't it come really expensive? (-instantly distracted-) OH! There's a stylus too.

The parents grinned happily, seeing her squeal in pure bliss. She left her seat and went straight to hug her dad.

Ha Na : Thank you sooo much, Appa!

Mr.Jeon hugged her back, patting her head as he laughed at her sudden affection. Mrs.Jeon too stretched her arms towards her and asked for a hug. She readily went to her side and embraced her tightly.

Mrs.Jeon : Aww, my baby. 

Jeongguk, witnessing all that before his eyes, couldn't contain his hurt feelings anymore and ended up yelling.

Jk : You two always favor her and get her everything she wants! You are always biased between us!

Jeongguk stormed to his room upstairs and rammed his door close, no longer caring if something like four years ago occured again.

Mr.Jeon, this time rather wanting to talk to his teenager gently, was about to stand up when Ha Na stopped him.

Ha Na : I have something to say to you both.

There was a sudden shift in her ecstatic voice from seconds ago.

Ha Na : Appa, let him be for a while. I really want you to listen to me once, before you speak to him.

Growing more attentive at the seriousness of her tone, Mr.Jeon settled back again and Ha Na took her earlier seat.

Mrs.Jeon : What's wrong, dear? You can tell us freely.

Ha Na glanced at each one of their concerned faces, as she began with a deep inhale.

Ha Na : Not long ago by coincidence, I saw Gukie dancing and singing to Idol group songs. You haven't seen it yet, but he looked so cool and charismatic, I had to make sure if I was really seeing our Gukie. He's been into martial arts, but this is a completely new side of him.

Mr. and Mrs.Jeon shared a look at each other with a slight smile. And Ha Na felt more confident, seeing them interested to listen more.

Ha Na : I don't know what I aspire to be, or what my dream is yet. But, if he says he realized his, can't we just give him a chance and support him fully?

Mrs.Jeon : Han-ie, when did we say we don't support him? We are really proud of him in fact. And we were so happy to have this conversation, where he shared his thoughts with such enthusiasm. However...

As if she knew exactly what was coming, Ha Na continued her discourse.

Ha Na : I understand what is worrying you. But, you know, these days, Idol singers complete their high-school education while being a trainee, or even after they debut.

She studied their expressions, not fully convinced, so Ha Na further added.

Ha Na : And I promise to do my grades well, get a good job and earn hefty. So that, even if he fails later on, I'll be able to provide for him for as long as he wants. You both can really rest assured. I got his back.

Mrs.Jeon : Awe my Han-ie, thank you so much for just saying that. It really does assure us that even though he treats you poorly, you still care about him.

Ha Na : He doesn't treat me poorly. It's just that we don't get along like before. But, that's okay. Puberty hits people differently. And dad, you can sell this tablet off and add the money to send him off to Seoul.

Feeling she had more to say, the couple silently let her have the mic until she was finished.

Ha Na : It's really inspiring to see him passionate about something, so I don't want anything to limit his possibilities. And if you really do permit him, that would truly be my sixteenth birthday present.

The parents were moved and impassioned beyond a measure at this point, for Ha Na to be that selfless. Just so, Jeongguk got what he wanted.

Mr.Jeon : We will think about it, sweetie. And you don't have to give your tablet back. Your mom and dad are rich.

Ha Na grinned, and the couple smiled as the dad continued on.

Mr.Jeon : We can totally afford whatever you guys need or want. Don't worry about it. If Jeongguk is really passionate about going to Seoul, and auditioning to be a singer, we will support him hundred percent.

Mrs.Jeon : Yes, and you are such a beautiful person, being so thoughtful and kind, Han-ie. We cannot be more proud of you.

It warmed their hearts that the little baby-Ha Na that they took in, was all grown up and matured now.

Later that night, Ha Na walked up to his room but refrained from knocking. She quietly kept the same present his parents bought for him as well. And laid her gift for him atop of the graphic tablet box.
Although, Jeongguk stopped giving her any gifts after the day he found out about her adoption. Yet, Ha Na perseveringly carried on the tradition whole-heartedly. And Jeongguk would certainly receive them, but only to dump her presents in his cabinet. Not bothering to even look at what she got for him.

However, this year, seeing an IU album lying at his doorstep, Jeongguk picked it up gently. He wondered, staring at the album, as to how Ha Na learned about his affinity towards the female singer. Or whether it had been her random pick.

To his ignorance, Ha Na was quite the observant kind. It didn't slip her notice, Jeongguk humming to "You&I" every morning as they walked to school together. Although with a five steps lagging distance between them.

After giving the whole audition idea some positive thoughts, Mr.and Mrs.Jeon were finally willing to give their son a year—to try out his luck. With a promise from him, that he would rightly continue his school in Seoul.

They were roughly tuned with the struggles and hardships, and that it might take him longer to reach the goals, he was aiming at.
Yet, they wanted to be more practical about it and asked him to pilot the waters in the first one year, if he really wanted to continue in this journey.

Little did they know to their oblivion, the boy with his boundless calibre would debut in the tender age of fifteen as the main-vocalist of his group.

Things began to get emotionally suffocating with Jeongguk away in Seoul alone, and his family back in Busan without him.

What had appeared to little-Jeongguk about Ha Na's persuading his parents, to distance him further from them. It only happened the other way around.
The couple would often visit their son on birthdays, saying 'he was low over phone last night' or simply 'I miss him so much'.

Even though, Ha Na tried to sound mature, at the end of the day, she was also young and naive, and felt neglected.

She would stare down at the empty house and the gifts they left to her, and mumble to herself, "It's my birthday, too. Or is it not?"

They would miss important dates of Ha Na, being too occupied and drawn to the one living away. Just because she was more understanding, the couple unconsciously began to take her for granted.

Ever since he debuted, Ha Na has been the one distant from them. But, she didn't complain, for it appeared to her that she brought it on herself.

Years passed on, and the day came when she finally graduated from high-school. By this time, waking up to an empty house became her new normal.

She casually carried out her morning routine and made herself some breakfast, ready to leave for the graduation ceremony.

But, before she left the house, Mrs.Jeon called her cellphone. She didn't waste time to answer it, cheerfully.

Ha Na : Yes, eomma?

Mrs.Jeon : Oh, Han-ie~ It's your graduation today, isn't it? I totally forgot, thinking it was tomorrow. Oh, what do we do?

Ha Na smiled, thinking that she at least remembered.

Ha Na : It's okay. Where are you currently though?

Mrs.Jeon : Seoul. On the way to meet Jeongguk. I don't know maybe he's at the stage rehearsal, he isn't taking calls right now. They're performing in a pretty big stadium this time.

Ha Na : I see. Send me photos.

Mrs.Jeon : Alright. But, truly saying though, shall we just return? It's an important day for you too.

Ha Na : Oh, it's fine. Attend the concert, Cookie will be happy. And I am not a child. I can handle my graduation. Make sure to enjoy there! And Appa, too.

Mrs.Jeon : Honestly, Han-ie, we don't deserve you. But, will try to make it up for you once we are back. We have been neglecting you too much.

Ha Na almost teared up at her words, but just the words embraced her with a certain warmth. She stayed strong.

Ha Na : Anyways, I have to leave right now. Talk to you later. 

Mrs.Jeon : Okay. Send us pictures, too. Eomma loves you~ (-bickers with Mr.Jeon-) Yeah, you father says it too.

Ha Na : (-chuckles-) Han-ie does too! Both of you.

Soon after the call, Ha Na walked down to her school with glee. She was welcomed by a wave of all her friends and classmates, with their families.

She didn't let it bother her and happily attended the ceremony with her big smile on. It somehow made her feel independent, to be attending it all alone. She was cool with it.
Even though, a tiny part of her wished to see her parents in the crowd, smiling proudly at her as she received her certificate. Ha Na tried her best to own upto her fate.

Outside the hall after the ceremony, Ha Na giggled, watching little families have funny disputes over taking pictures.

She slid her phone unlock and stretched her arm out to click some selfies herself. A pair of frantically searching eyes, finally spotting Ha Na, halted with a sigh of relief. The owner of them chuckled at her, making weird faces into the camera.

Ha Na was so engrossed in getting the perfect pout, that she almost freaked out when her phone was snatched away by someone.

Ha Na : HEY!!

_________

😁
Who could be those pair of eyes?

It would be such a mess, if Jeongguk came to her graduation while his parents went to his supposed concert. Lol.