AUTHOR POV

Aroha perched on the couch as the maid, Lucie whom she had befriended earlier, set some pillows by her side.

"Thank you!" Aroha mumbled, and Lucie was about to sit with her, but she saw Yoongi enter the living room. To Lucie, Aroha felt like the friend she had always wanted.

Lucie straightened, muttering under her breath annoyingly. Every time she tried to talk or sit near Aroha, Yoongi seemed to appear out of nowhere. She couldn't help but wonder if the man was jobless these days.

"My angel?" Yoongi called softly, and Aroha perked up, turning in his direction. "Yes, oppa?" she replied with a gentle smile.

The couch dipped slightly as Yoongi sat down beside her. "Dad called on the telephone." he said.

"What did he say?" Aroha asked, curiosity in her eyes.

"He said he'll be coming early and wants to discuss something with us." Yoongi replied, his expression turning serious.

"I wonder what it's about." Aroha sighed, sinking back against the couch as a wave of curiosity washed over her.

"Go get me a glass of water!" Yoongi said in a strict voice, startling Lucie, who had been busy admiring Aroha. She quickly nodded and scurried off to the kitchen.

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Mr. Min came home early, and the family gathered around the dinner table, sharing laughter and stories as they enjoyed their meal together.

Once they were settled, Aroha was the first to break the silence. "Dad, oppa said you had something to discuss with us." she said sitting beside Yoongi, while Mr. min sat across them.

"Ah, yes, about that—I did want to discuss something." Mr. Min said, his tone shifting to a more serious one as he glanced around the table.

"You know my daughter, how all the men here have to attend their mandatory service." Mr. Min spoke, and Aroha nodded, already aware of the country's requirement.

She felt a slight tension in the air as she awaited what he would say next.

"Your brother is going to the military for his service." Mr. Min declared. Aroha's brow furrowed as the weight of her father's words settled in. Yoongi, on the other hand, sat silently beside Aroha.

Aroha felt a sense of dread creeping in as she realized her brother would be leaving for a year and a half—just after she had returned home yesterday.

"But why didn't he attend while I was away?" Aroha's sad voice tugged at Yoongi's heartstrings, her confusion and hurt evident.

"You see, my beloved, your oppa was too worried about you to be cut off completely. He also helped me with my business, so he couldn't attend." Mr. Min explained gently.

Her hands crept over to find her brother, and Yoongi smiled faintly as she clutched his arm tightly. Aroha looked so sad as she clung to him.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, searching for reassurance. "I'm sorry." he mumbled, gently rubbing her head in a comforting way.

Mr. Min stood up, concern etched on his face as he watched his daughter, but Yoongi gestured with his hand and mouthed. "She'll be fine." silently conveying that he would be there for her.

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After coming back from the party, both were exhausted and ready to go to bed.

Taehyung had already changed and was sitting on the bed with his back against the headboard, working on some papers. His glasses were sitting low on the bridge of his nose.

Cassie exited the bathroom after taking a shower and slipping into her nightgown. She glanced at him, seeing him focused on his work, and silently dried her hair with a towel.

Suddenly, she remembered something and spoke. "Taehyung?" He hummed in response, his eyes still on the papers in front of him.

"Earlier in the afternoon, Dad called me." she said. He hummed along, urging her to continue.

"He asked me to come over tomorrow." she told him.

"And?" He responded.

"So, I told him we were thinking about inviting them over for dinner." she continued. He looked up, now paying some attention.

"But he declined, saying Aroha wants to spend time together before Yoongi oppa goes for military service." He raises a brow at that, and she set the comb back and sit on the edge of the bed.

"So, you're telling me this because...?" He recovered from his surprised look and returned to his papers.

"I just wanted you to know." She sighed.

"Oh, that's good." he mumbled, engrossing himself in his work, completely ignoring her. She watched him for a moment before lying down and going to sleep.

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[THE NEXT DAY]

AROHA

I clutched Cassie's hand as she gently led me forward. She had come early in the morning and today I was woken up by her. Now, we were all going to mother's grave at my request.

Yoongi oppa said it wasn't a good idea, worried I would be sad, but I assured him I was stronger than he thought. Cassie supported me, and now, we were finally here.

Cassie slowly sat me down, and I felt the hard concrete beneath my palm. A faint smile crossed my face as memories of my childhood with her resurfaced.

"Mom, we brought Aroha today!" Cassie whispered-shouted, and I let out a small chuckle that quickly turned into a broken sob.

It's hard to be strong for others; I just want to cry and express how much I miss her. I didn't even get to be at the funeral.

I didn't want any hugs; I just wanted to cry out as I leaned down and hugged the hard surface, my tears spilling over.

After the emotional breakdown, we were back home, having breakfast, but I had no appetite. So, Cassie and I cuddled in bed, reminiscing about our old memories.

"Remember how Mom would braid my hair, and I would braid yours in a line?" I smiled and nodded vigorously. "Yes, and Yoongi oppa always found it funny!"

"Yes, and the croissants we would always steal from Mom when she was baking." I spoke.

"And we would eat them in the attic while going through Mom and Dad's wedding photos." She completes before me and we laugh.

"Remember the day you tried on Mom's wedding dress, even though it fit you poorly? She was almost in tears." She hummed and tightened the hug as we both fall into a comfortable silence.

"There was a swing in the backyard... is it still there?" I asked hopefully.

"No, it was taken away after the renovations." She replied sadly.

"I miss everything." I mumbled. She hummed in agreement. "Me too."

"What does my beautiful daughters miss?" Mr. Min appeared suddenly. We both immediately sat up. "Nothing, Dad, we were just talking." Cassie said.

"You know, Cassie, I'm really worried about Aroha." I pouted, already aware of my father's concerns. "Why, Dad? What happened?" Cassie asked.

"Dad is just worried that when Yoongi oppa goes to complete his service and he goes to work, who is going to look after me?" I spoke.

"Actually..." I frown when I heard Cassie's excited yet hideous voice.

"I asked Uncle Kim, and he agreed to let Aroha stay with me!" she exclaimed, while my jaw dropped in surprise.

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