*Night Before the Incident*

*Taehyung POV*

I placed my exam results on my study desk and sank into the chair. Running my hands over my face, I let out a heavy sigh before picking up the paper again. My eyes scanned the numbers on it. In my view, my results weren't that bad; I was ranked 16th out of 96 in my batch while in my class, I was 8th out of 24.

Just moments ago, I had shown these results to my father in his study. He didn't scold me, but the disappointment was clear in his expression. As one of the investors of Seoul International High School, his reputation was on the line if his own child's results weren't exceptional. I sighed again, the weight of his expectations pressing down on me.

However, I couldn't give up. I had to prove that I could do it and that my results would improve in the next exam, for my father's sake.

With determination, I grabbed my biology book and dove into my studies, the pages rustling under my fingers. Time slipped away unnoticed until the clock struck midnight. My body ached from sitting too long, and I stretched, feeling the tension ease slightly.

Just then, my phone buzzed, breaking the silence. It was a message from Jieun. My heart skipped a beat as I quickly unlocked my phone to read her message.

Jieun:

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday uri Taehyung,

Happy birthday to youuuu~

Saengil chukahamnida, Taehyung-ah! I wish you always stay happy, healthy, and live a long life.

Beneath the heartfelt message, a colorful animation of a birthday cake adorned the screen.

I couldn't help but smile at the warm wishes. But before I could compose a reply to Jieun's message, another KakaoTalk notification blinked onto my screen, this time from an unknown number. Curious, I opened it.

??: Hi, sweetheart~ Please pick me up at the airport tomorrow. My flight lands at 1 PM. Don't be late, okay?

"Mwoya? Did someone send a message to me by mistake?" As I pondered, another message from the same number came in, as if knowing exactly what I was thinking.

??: I didn't send the message by mistake, darling. It's me, Shinhye. Park Shinhye.

As I read the name, it dawned on me who was behind the message. An exciting smile spread across my face.

Me: Noona! It's been so long! Okay, see you tomorrow.

Shinhye Noona: Hehe... btw, happy birthday! My younger brother has grown up!

Me: Thank you, noona.

Once our conversation came to an end, I took a moment to delete her previous number in contacts and replace it with this new number.

Suddenly, I remembered I once told Jieun about this step-sister of mine, but they had never met and I had also never shown Jieun any pictures of her. What if I surprised Jieun tomorrow and introduced them to each other?

With anticipation, I began to dial Jieun's number.

"Hello," she answered on the other end, unexpectedly.

"Oh, you're still awake? My little sleepyhead, aren't you feeling sleepy?" I intentionally teased her with a playful, yet sweet voice.

"Well, it's the weekend tomorrow. I don't mind staying up tonight. I was thinking of rewatching Miracle in Cell No. 7. What about you? Why are you still awake?" She asked me back.

"Oh, I was studying... for a bit earlier," I replied, my mind drifting back to my exam result. Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion washed over me, but I can't let her know. I didn't want to burden her with my worries.

"You know what? I feel incredibly lucky to have a boyfriend like you. Handsome, smart, and hardworking too, studying even on weekend night," she chuckled. Her laughter was music to my ears, teasing me in that playful way of hers. Yes, as long as she's happy, that's all I want.

"Oh my, Lee Jieun! My kitchen is such a mess now. What have you been doing in here since the evening until now, and it's still not finished?"

"Come on, lower your voice a bit, omma. I've been making cookies for Taehyung's birthday tomorrow."

The voices of Jieun and her mother on the other end could be heard, albeit slightly slower. That's mean, without her knowing and realizing, I heard about the cookies, which I bet it supposed to be a surprise for me.

"Alright, Taehyung-ah. Shall we catch up later, then?" She seemed gonna end our conversation.

"Just a moment," I said, veiling my intentions with a practiced ease. "I've got plans tomorrow to attend a baseball game with Jungkook." A subtle curve graced my lips, a silent admission of my concealed agenda, ensuring that my surprise introduction of my sister to her remained a mystery.

"Jungkook?" she asked. Ah! I just remembered, she didn't know Jungkook.

"He's my classmate." I answered honestly this time. Yes, Jungkook was a male student in my class. Although he appeared nerdy, he was far more intelligent than me; Top1 student out of twenty-four in our class and also top1 in our batch. I was eager to be his friend, even though I hadn't succeeded to become one yet. Maybe one day.

"Ah, I see. Enjoy yourselves." She wished me, cluelessly.

"Thanks, see you later." I replied.

"Bye... Goodnight." She finally bid me farewell, her words carrying a sense of warmth like usual, but for some reason unknown to me, her farewell feels a bit different tonight.

"Goodnight. I love..." I didn't get to finish my sentence before Jieun hung up. I pouted in mild frustration. However, the thought of meeting her tomorrow with her surprised cookies and also surprising her with Shinhye noona brought a smile of anticipation to my face once more.

______

I glanced at my watch. It was 1:05 PM. Anticipation gnawed at me, a mix of excitement and nerves twisting in my stomach. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other and rubbed my hands together, trying to keep my impatience at bay. I had been waiting at this arrival hall of Seoul International Airport since noon; my eagerness had brought me here early.

I craned my neck, scanning the sea of faces for any sign of my step-sister. Just then, a tall girl in a fashionable outfit and oversized sunglasses stepped out of the arrival gate. Her presence was electrifying, drawing the eyes of everyone around her. There was no mistaking it—this captivating figure was Shinhye noona.

"Noona!" I called out, waving with a broad smile.

"Chagiyaa!!!" she replied, waving back enthusiastically. She then approached me, dragging two heavy suitcases behind her. As she reached me, she immediately let go of the suitcases and pulled me into a tight hug. We held each other for a few moments before letting go.

"Wow, noona, you brought back so much stuff this time," I remarked, glancing at her large suitcases, one black and one white.

"Guess what? I'm taking a long break this time! It's been ages since I was back in Korea, so I really want to spend time with our family, especially with my dear little brother, the birthday boy~" She gave my nose a playful pinch, and I responded with an indulgent smile as I enjoyed it.

"Oh! How's the boutique in London then? Is it okay for you to leave it for a long time?" I asked.

"It's fine. My staff can handle it," she replied nonchalantly.

I nodded and smiled, feeling relieved and happy to hear that. I knew it wasn't easy for Shinhye Noona to stay in Korea for such a long period. Now that her business is stable, I can see that she finally has the opportunity to do so.

We then walked together towards the car. Our driver already stood by the car, ready to assist with the luggage, but I insisted on handling it myself and put Shinye Noona's luggage into the car's trunk. Once I was done, Shinhye Noona suggested we embrace the adventure of public transports, as it had been a while since she last used them. I simply nodded in agreement and then instructed our family driver to head home first with the luggage.

On the train, we reminisced about our childhood memories. Shinhye Noona is seven years older than me. When my father married her mother, I was a mere 11 years old, while she was 18, the same age as I am today. Her mother and she enveloped me in warmth and kindness, creating a home filled with love and support. And over time, we gradually became closer like that of biological siblings.

After getting off the train, we decided to walk home instead of taking a taxi. We took the only road leading to our house.

"By the way, noona, why did you change your phone number?" I asked, suddenly recalling that I almost thought some unknown girl was trying to scam me last night.

Shinhye Noona made a displeased face before answering. "There was this white guy who kept bothering me. Even after I blocked him, he continued contacting me with different numbers. It was so annoying. It was easier to just change my number."

"Oh... but maybe he liked you," I suggested, deliberately teasing her.

"Ugh! I don't want a white guy. Even though I've spent more time in the UK than in Korea these past few years, I still want a Korean husband," she said enthusiastically, glancing at a group of seven Korean guys who looked like idols as we passed them on the street.

"That's why you're still single," I said softly but just loud enough for her to hear.

"Hey, do you think you're any different? We were in the 'mo-tae solo' group together, remember?" she said. But then, I responded with a crooked smile, and she immediately understood what I meant.
(*Mo-tae solo = a person who has always been single since born)

"Wait! You're not single anymore??? Seriously??? Why didn't you tell me? Is she pretty, like me? How did you two meet? Same school, same class? How long have you been together? You have to introduce her to me!" She bombarded me with questions and shook my shoulders excitedly.

"Sure. Anyway, I was actually planning to introduce you to her today." I confessed.

"Yezza!" Shinhye Noona's grin widened mischievously as she leaned in, her lips tantalizingly close to my cheek, aiming for my ear.

"Have you two kissed yet?" Shinhye Noona whispered, her tone playful, her breath warm against my skin. I couldn't help but smile broadly at her question, feeling a rush of embarrassment coloring my cheeks.

And at that moment, I saw Jieun standing in the usual spot, looking in my direction. "Oh!" I exclaimed with a smile, a bit surprised. I hadn't expected her to be waiting there in this cold weather. "Jieun-ah!" I called out, waving to her.

"Noona, please wait here for a moment, okay?" I said, turning to Shinhye Noona.

Shinhye followed my gaze and spotted Jieun. "Is that her?" she asked.

I nodded and broke into a jog towards Jieun. However, for some reason unknown to me, today she was not like her usual self; her face wasn't smiling at all, and she wouldn't look me in the eye. Was something troubling her, or was she angry with me? If she was indeed angry, what had I done wrong? I was at a loss.

Until she finally said;
"I can't be with you anymore. I thought I sincerely loved you all this time. But today I realized, I never truly loved you, not even a fraction. You don't hold any special place in my heart. You were merely my first admirer, and nothing more."

Hearing those words made my heart ache as if it had been pierced by something sharp, the pain so intense it almost stopped my breath. As I watched her walk away, I couldn't hold back my tears anymore.

Clutching my aching chest, I began to yell, "Between life and death... which would you choose? As for me, I would choose..." My words trailed off as I noticed a careening car was heading straight for Jieun. Without a second thought, I dashed toward her, wrapping her in a tight embrace.

In that heart-stopping moment, I felt the shattering impact of glass against my back, before one sharp fragment pierced my body. Yet strangely, I felt no pain at that moment; instead, the pain in my heart earlier vanished away, like a spirit departing at the break of dawn.

I exhaled deeply. All I knew in that moment was relief. I was able to protect the girl I love with all my life. Even if death were to came for me now,  I would welcome it with sincere acceptance, for I am at peace.

*Taehyung POV end*

Cameo in this chapter:

Park Shinye (actress)

To be continued....

__________

Author's note: To all my readers, there may not be an update next week as I need to prepare a short story for a contest. So, see you in two weeks. Love you all.❤️