doesn't take place in canon chapters

It didn't take long for her to find ways to earn money. At first, it was hard and overwhelming. But when she got used to such violent sights, she no longer felt anything.

By the time Minseong was 4 and she was 13, she had already gotten him in a hospital with medications and treatment for his heart. She even went as far as bribing airlines to let her fly around illegally. Was it hard away from home? No, because she didn't have one.

Her first destination was China, since she was born from there and sent away after all. That was around the time she met Vivi and got her father to get her some money for her brother's treatment.

She didn't give anything in return, solely for the fact that she had convinced Vivi that she was her friend and got her to convince her father to lend some cash. After all, they were filthy rich.

Next, she went to Japan. To be fair, she didn't expect to meet the head of the Yamazaki clan at all, but everything played out to destiny.

She had just finished beating some thugs in an alleyway, stealing their valuable Japanese goods and leaving them unconscious. She was about to leave when she noticed a very quiet presence. It was almost unnoticeable.

As she turned, a large hand grabbed her jaw, making her drop the goods as her feet were lifted off the ground slowly.

"... A kid?" The deep voice spoke in Japanese, a language she couldn't quite understand. Luckily, one of the guys who followed him was Korean and happened to speak the same language.

"What are you doing?"

"... Earning money."

"For what?"

"My brother is sick."

"But you aren't even from here, why come so far?"

Ae-ri scowled at the taller male, wondering why he was so naggy and nosy. "Hey, Shingen-nim is asking you a question." Ae-ri raised a brow at his name, as heard from his henchman. Shingen...

"Because I'm desperate." Shingen seemed to stare at her as his henchman translated her words. "Kid. How much do you need?" Ae-ri looked away, shoulders tensing slightly.

In fact, even Shingen was amazed at how such a small and petite kid took down three grown men. "**** Won." Shingen raised a brow, thinking about how much yen that would be. "Did you try to steal their things?"

Ae-ri looked apologetic, nodding truthfully and dropping the goods. Shingen didn't say much after, simply ordering his henchman to fetch some money for the girl. He returned with a briefcase, and handed it to Ae-ri.

She opened it, seeing the cash inside. Her eyes widened. She didn't know how much it would be fully, but she could definitely afford Minseong's first treatment. She quickly bowed, "T-thank you, mister nosy- I mean, hyung-nim!"
(Idk Korean, so correct me if I'm wrong ^^)

That was the first and last she's ever heard of Shingen. She remembered him most by those strange eyes, ones she never thought she would see again. But she met Gun.

She returned to Korea and got Minseong his treatment along with other stuff and necessities, enrolling herself into school.

She turned 15. She was earning more and did different jobs now, occasionally coming to school and never truly taking any exams. At this time, Minseong moved to different hospitals too, so she met Hostel... Then Big Deal... And at a certain school, the familiar name.

Dowoon Lee.

She would never forget this name, the same name that brought her first family to chaos, then her heart. She was never one to spare much time for arcades, but when she got to know Dowoon Lee and his taekwondo master, she did.

But she moved away as Dowoon passed, she couldn't handle it. She never saw him or his master again, never even keeping their number. But that was the first copy genius she ever knew.

Sometimes, it felt like she was drowning in an endless abyss, her lungs spacious for air; to be able to voice out her thoughts yet filled and silenced with water that stopped her from doing so.

Every time she looked or visited Minseong, she wanted to throw up. She watched his health slowly deteriorate every day all because of her and her incompetence. When she did have money, she got his medications and watched him suffer.

When he felt fine, she was too scared to bring him out in fear of losing him too quickly. She opened the cage around her heart and locked it behind her once she pulled Minseong in, locking Minseong in the process.

Was she aware? Somewhat, but her mind hurts more than her heart to ever think of Minseong departing. And she never thought her actions would be so grave, even as she laid in the hospital bed, looking peaceful for the first time ever.

Dowoon. T**-**n. Minseong. Johan. Daniel. Vasco. Zack. Sally. Warren. Eli. Jason. Derek. Max. Brad. Jake. Samuel. Sinu. Goo. Gun. Crystal. Jihoon. Charles. Yoojin, and the familiar name of Jeong. No matter how hard she thought about it, she couldn't remember who the last name 'Jeong' belonged too.

Her memory felt fuzzy as she thought of everyone, her list of names continuously getting longer. Ae-ri. Ae-ri Jeong. That's her name. That was her cue to wake up, but she couldn't. Maybe she didn't want too.

"Sis." She heard Minseong call, her eyes instinctively opening. "Minseong?" She called out, her voice cracking from the dryness in her throat. He looked healthy and happy. "You should stay for a little longer." Her eyes widened in confusion.

"What...?" She reached out for him, feeling so near to him yet too far to grab his hand at all. "The snow won't melt here until next month... Or if you want to come in another season." Ae-ri choked, warm tears streaming down her cheeks rapidly.

" Minseong... Are you still waiting for me?" She cried, seeing his figure get nearer, yet dissipating into pieces and coming back together when she tried to grab him. " Yes. Take your time, sis. Everyone will wait for you whenever you need."

" Minseong - I'm so sorry...! The money... I'll get it soon- I promise." She sobbed, only to see Minseong give a peaceful smile, his once hollow cheeks now filled with healthy flesh that rounded his face once more.

" It's okay, sis. I've always taken your side. So now, take your time." She couldn't ask any further, her heart aching as her stomach churned with indescribable emotions, opening her eyes.

" She's awake!" A nurse called out, quickly checking on her and calling for backup. In the back she saw Daniel, Jay, Vasco and Zack...

bonus: more on Ae-ri's past :)