Confused, I was  startled when Mino pulled Chaerin into his arms and smashed his lips against hers. A bit taken aback at his sudden actions, I stood like a stupid idiot as Chaerin began to kiss back. I felt like an unwelcomed guest and attempted to manuver around them when my father appeared. Stopping in my tracks, I quickly retreated my hands behind my back to hide all the alcohol I was holding. Even being grown and away for so long, I still felt the need to hide my leisure activities. "Father..." I started to explain before seeing that his gaze became fixated on the scene behind me. 

"Mino..." Father spoke up and I followed his gaze to see Mino jump away from Chaerin. Adjusting himself, he gave my father an apologetic grin. "We talked about this. Grow up, women don't like to be lied to. It's not attractive and it's not the way to my daughter's heart." I was so confused by my father's words, as I looked to see the apparent discomfort written all over Mino's face as if he felt guilty for his actions. Not understanding, I looked back to my Father who stood focusing his attention towards me. "Your belongings are in the car. I have already checked you out. Let's go," he said sternly. 

"You can't do that..." 

"I did. Now let's go. We have some things to discuss about your mother's funeral," he countered as he turned to take his leave. 

Father was right, it was the main reason in returning home. Huffing, I looked back to see Chaerin trying to argue with Mino who just stood there and took it. Watching for a moment, Mino glaced over to me with such a sadness I wanted nothing more to send him an encouraging smile. But the words of Chaerin and my father clouded my mind and I couldn't help but look away and walk towards my father's car. Without a word, I hopped in and fastened my seat belt. Staring out the window, I watched as we drove away from the town. Before I knew it, we were back at the house and as I was about to get out the car my father told me to leave the alcohol in the car. Rolling my eyes, I did what he said and grabbed my bags to head into the house after him. 

I stopped when I saw my brother sitting in the kitchen. Clutching my bags, I wanted nothing more to turn back and leave. But my father looked back at me with an expectant look, "Just leave your bags there. We need to talk." 

"Who? You and I? Because I am not talking to him," I told my father. 

Father stood a bit confused by my words as he looked between the both of us as if he misheard. "Jiyong, get over here and let us talk as a family..." 

"Don't you dare come near me," I warned Jiyong as I sat on the opposite end with our father in between. 

Jiyong didn't say a word as he walked over and sat down. "What happened? Why are you two arguing," father asked. 

"Jiyong is an idiot to think I will ever accept his fiance," I spat with fury. 

Father looked over at Jiyong in disbelief, "Son, are you an idiot? Why would you bring Dara up to your sister knowing very well how she feels about her? Especially with us grieving the loss of your mother?" Shaking his head, he turned to me and looked at me as if he was disappointed, "Who are you to tell Jiyong who to love? You weren't here to see the struggle your brother went through." 

"Father you're right. I knew what Minzy's relationship was with Dara and dispite it all I hoped she would understand..." Jiyong paused as he shifted his gaze towards me. "I hoped you would see that Dara makes me happy." His words spoke of sadness and disappointment. "But not getting the reaction I hoped for I acted rash and I apologize for it." Sighing, he looked to father and frowned, "Father I hit her." 

Father was up on his feet, with rage as he stared at Jiyong, "You what?!" 

He hung his head low in shame as he repeated himself, "I hit Minzy." 

Father pressed his lips tightly together, before growling, "To the barn now!" Storming off, Jiyong followed suit quietly leaving me alone. I was torn whether to go to my room or stay in place. But the shouting carried through from the barn and into the house. I have never heard my father so furious, that it scared me for Jiyong's sake. There was more shouting with loud sounds of banging as if something was being thrown. The sound of crashing had me jumping up onto my feet, I rushed to the door to see Jiyong on the ground clutching his stomach with our father towering over him and shouting that if he were to ever put his hands on me again there would be hell to pay. Seeing my father in such a rage, I gasped in fear as he started to make his way back to the house. Taking my seat, I gazed over to the door to watch my father rush through and look over at me. I could still see the fumes steaming off of him as he took a deep breath and walked to sit across from me. 

Father sat quietly staring at me and frowned, "Don't ever be afraid to tell me if your brother or if any man puts their hands on you. No man has the right to ever hurt you, do you understand?" I nodded as he let out a sigh of disappointment, "Jiyong and Mino did the exact opposite of what I advised them to do."

"So did I and I don't think I turned out too bad," I spoke up in hopes to lighten the mood. 

Father chuckled at my words as he nodded, "Listening isn't your strongest suit." Smiling over at my father, I took the opportunity to shift the topic to mom's funeral. I needed to address the real purpose of me being here and dealing with this mess. 

After all was said and done I was relieved that my mother's funeral was taken care of. Not like my father would neglect it or anything, but just knowing that she is going to be laid to rest with no issues helped me feel a little better. "Thank you for taking care of everything."

Father nodded as he sighed, "It's the least I can do for your mother." It went quiet as I sat really looking at my father this time. He looked older and so sad. It was the first time ever seeing this side of him. Normally it was a stern or angry look, never this. This new side of him had me up on my feet and moving to sit next to him. Surprised by my actions, he gazed over at me curiously. To which I gave him an encouraging grin and embraced him. Hugging him tightly I could feel him faulter. Leaning my head onto his shoulder, I surprised myself as I whispered a prayer to the heavens to give my father strength. Kissing his forehead, I released my grasp and took my things to my room. 

I awoke the tapping that was coming from my window. Slowly opening my eyes, I lay hoping that the person would stop and I could go back to sleep. But it was a vain hope as the little rocks kept hitting my window. Huffing at the annoyance, I forced myself up on my feet and shuffled to the window. I knew who it was, as I yond and opened my window to see Mino standing there with a smile. Giving him a look of tiredness, he still waved for me to come down. 

"It's late," I flatly said, hoping he would tell me whatever he had to say without me having to come down. 

"Please Minzy," he begged. 

"Can't this wait until the morning," I pouted in my last attempt. 

He shook his head and frowned, "No it can't." 

Cursing him under my breath, I threw on a sweater and made my way down the stairs in the dark halls and out to my front porch. Plopping down onto the front steps,"What?" 

Mino placed his hands on his hips before he began to pace back in forth. I knew what this meant, he had a lot on his mind and he was about to spill it all to me. But honestly I didn't want to hear about his issues with Chaerin right now. My mother's funeral was tomorrow...wait no today..."Minzy..." he said as he stopped to get my attention. Looking over at him he exhaled deeply, "I'm sorry you had to see me make out with Chaerin..." 

"It's fine," I waved it off. Rolling my eyes that he would wake me for an apology, I moved to get up. But he was quick to hold his hands up to stay me. 

"Wait! It wasn't supposed to happen like this..." he stopped as he began to pace again. "It wasn't supposed to go down like that..." 

"Mino, I told you already it's fine. As much as I want to hear about your girl problems with Chaerin I am really tired and..." 

He stopped and chuckled, "Girl problems with Chaerin?"

I nodded as I continued, "Yeah, I'm sorry with whatever is going on with her but I want to get some rest for tomorrow." 

"So what Chaerin or your father said did not bother," he asked in disbelief. 

Pausing to think back to earlier, it was a little odd that she would say that he loved me. But of course he loved me, we were after all best friends. Plus my father is right, that was kind of rude for him to make out with Chaerin in front of me. I didn't really care to see that. "I mean, yeah of course I know you love me. I love you too, you're my best friend..." 

"..." he scratched his head out in frustration as he began to pace again. "Minzy you just don't get it do you," he huffed. A little offended by him calling me stupid, at least that was what it was sounding like, I waited for him to explain. Marching up to me, he looked me square in the eyes. "I love you more than a best friend," he confessed and I could smell the alcohol on him. Yup, this idiot was drunk. 

"Mino you're drunk," I sighed as I pushed him back. 

"I may be drunk, but what I am saying to you is true. Minzy I love you. I have loved you for so long that I didn't realize it until it was too late. You had already left me," he frowned as he sat next to me hanging his head low. "I tried to get over you through the years, but I couldn't. My heart wouldn't let me love anyone else but you." He paused as he sadly chuckled, "When I heard you were coming home I had planned this big reveal and confession of love. But your brother wanted so badly to tell you of his love story and things started to spiral out of control with Chaerin trying to convince me to come back to her...it all came crashing and burning to the ground when I kissed Chaerin. It was stupid I know, because it was the first thing I thought of to do to stop her from telling you something I should be telling you. I just...I just wanted you to hear this all from me. No one else, but from me," he let out a heavy sigh. 

Sitting quietly as I tried to absorb everything that was said, I looked out to see the first rays of sun light peeking out. It was such a beautiful sight, taking me back to when Mino and I had found ourselves talking about random things so late into the night till the sunrise. Then hearing my mom's voice calling us in for some breakfast. What I would give to hear that voice again, I grinned at simpler times. Gazing over at Mino, he looked a mess. A drunken mess. Would he even remember this later today? Shaking the thought, I sighed as I reached out to take his hand in mine and grinned, "You should get some rest. I hope to see you later today at the funeral." 

"Did you not just hear a word I said to you," he asked in disbelief. 

"I did, but you're drunk. People say a lot of things when they are drunk," I rolled my eyes at him. 

"You're harsh," he hissed as he moved his hand out of my grasp. 

It was my turn to confess, "I'm harsh? You and I had a talk about this long ago. Confessions should never be said under the influence or pressured. I don't want to hear you like this. I want you to have the courage to own up to your actions and feelings without being so ing drunk! So excuse me if I'm being harsh, but I deserve a better confession from you of all people." Now fully awake and feeling my blood boiling, I stood up taking courage from the sun rise, "Like I said, I hope you get some rest. We have a lot of things to do today." Walking back into the house, I couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh. I couldn't deal with this right now.