Kikwang’s POV

I always thought there was something more to this spirit. So this is why Commander told me to target him… just in case things get too complicated. But, annihilation? Isn’t that a bit too much. Not to mention that she’s only doing this for her brother’s sake.

I watched as the male tried to get an understanding of the situation. He was definitely failing. It was too painful to watch so I decided to give him some help. In a flash, I appeared in front of him startling him and his ghost friend.

“What is it?” Hyosung’s brother asked with a confused expression.

“Who are you?” My target asked.

“Oh, I’m a Keeper. I just couldn’t stand watching you failing. You wanna know some answers? Here.” I said and placed my hand on his forehead.

I might be scowled at later on but this was probably to only way he could understand the situation.

“What are you doing to him?” Hyosung asked in a worried voice.

“Sh-” I said and placed a finger on her lips.

I gave a warm smile and made my touch linger on her a little longer. “Sorry miss,” With a swipe of my hand, time stopped. Everyone stood still in motion besides myself and my target here.

“W-what are you doing?” he asked with a slight tremble in his voice.

“Going back in time,”

Joon’s POV

This was just so weird. Who the heck was this guy? A Keeper? What on earth is that? Suddenly everyone froze and I felt images in my head twist and turn. It was as if I had just warped into another world. The spinning finally stopped and images where imprinted inside my head.

“This will help you understand the situation.” The guy’s voice said. “The images you are seeing now is Hyosung’s past. The truth behind what happened 5 years ago.”

When his last words were spoken, a rush of scenes entered my head and then stopped at a particular point. It was like I was viewing a movie. It all started with a single ring of the doorbell…

~~~

5 Years Ago

“Coming!” Hyosung said as she raced down the stairs to open the door. Her eyes widened when she saw her Dad coming home with two new guests.

She greeted them with a bow and gestured for them to enter.

“Hyosung, please get dinner ready. I have some news to tell you,”

“Sure,” Hyosung said with a bright smile and obeyed her father’s orders.

She set the table and bought out the dishes she had prepared beforehand. Among the two guests, there was a male who looked to be quite friendly and sweet. He had a baby face and Hyosung couldn’t help but to find him really cute.

Her father cleared his throat and prepared himself for the announcement.  “Hyosung, I would like you to meet your soon-to-be mother and brother,”

There was a moment of silence and Hyosung was speechless. Words couldn’t escape her lips. Her father noticed and immediately began to introduce their names.

“This is Dongho, he’s one year younger than you so that makes him 15 and sitting next to him is his mother, Julia.”

“H-hello,” she stuttered and smiled.

Hyosung glanced at the two guests and then at her father. He was smiling ever so brightly, a smile that he hasn’t shown since her mother died. She knew that as long as her father was happy, so was she.

“I’m Hyosung. I just turned 16, Pleased to meet you,” she introduced and gave another bow.

“Oh, your father has told me all about you,” her future-mother said and flashed an excited smile.

Hyosung blushed and helped pour some red wine for her father and her soon-to-be stepmother. They thanked her and she shyly returned back to her seat. Dongho gave her a warm smile and Hyosung immediately felt stupid for finding her future younger brother attractive.

After dinner, Dongho had walked into the kitchen and rolled his sleeves up.

“Is there something you need?” Hyosung asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just wanted to help you with the dishes.” He replied and started to help her rinse some of the porcelain plates. 

~~~~

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” the Priest declared.

With a swift motion, the two newlywed couples locked lips and loud cheers echoed throughout the garden.

“Hyosung! I must say, you are a fine looking bridesmaid.” Dongho praised and caused Hyosung’s cheeks to redden as they paired up for the dancing.

“Well, you’re not a bad looking groomsman yourself,” Hyosung replied and both of them broke into laughter. She felt a little embarrassed dancing with Dongho because it was her first time ever being so close to another male beside her father.

“So I guess you’re officially my little brother now.” Hyosung said and pinched both of Dongho’s cheeks.

“ey, dat herts,” he replied not being able to pronounce his words correctly.

Hyosung giggled at how cute he was. “That’s right, you’re my cute little brother now.”

Hyosung’s father and new mother had prepared a honeymoon the next day, and Hyosung and Dongho were left home together.

“Bye,” Hyosung’s father said and gave Hyosung a kiss on the forehead. “Take care of her,” he said to Dongho and gave him a hug.

“Have fun in Hawaii!” Both Hyosung and Dongho said in sync. The both of them looked at each other and started to laugh.

“We will.” Hyosung’s step-mother replied and waved as she got into the car.

“Hey, do you think it’s ok for Dad to leave the company for so long? I mean he is the CEO.” Dongho asked as he watched the car drive off and turn the corner.

“Well, I’m sure he’s got everything figured out.”

Hyosung was still a little relentless to call her stepmother Mum, but she was sure that in time it would come out naturally, just like how Dongho calls her father Dad.

~~~

Two years passed and the family had never been happier that is until Julia began to act a little coldly towards Hyosung and not to mention a little demanding.

“Hyosung! Where are you? Why aren’t the tables set yet! Guests are coming in like ten minutes!” Julia yelled.

“I’m sorry; the chicken hasn’t finished roasting yet.” Hyosung replied in guilt as she looked nervously at the remaining time left.

“Honey, she’s doing her best. Don’t get angry or else wrinkles will start to develop.” Hyosung’s father persuaded and attempted to soften the mood.

“Why are you always on her side! For heaven’s sake she’s 18 already, you shouldn’t spoil her so much.”

“Mum-” Dongho whined and went into the kitchen. “Hey do you need some help?” He asked Hyosung and saw that she was crying. “Hey, you ok?”

Hyosung nodded and wiped a tear with the back of her hand. Dongho gave a sigh.

“That Mum. Here I’ll go talk to her,”

“No don’t,” Hyosung stopped and grabbed her brother’s arm. “I’m sure she’s just nervous. Today’s guests are pretty important so I understand that she feels the need to have everything perfect.”

Dongho gave his sister an admiring look. “You’re really something, you know that. And this isn’t even the first time she’s yelled at you like that.”

That night, Dongho was called into his mother’s room and was told to make sure he was alone. Dongho did as he was told and walked into the room. She was on the phone talking to someone. He felt bad for interrupting and decided to go back out when his mother stopped him.

“Yes, he’s here right now.” She said and handed Dongho a file. He scanned through it and saw that it was the history for his stepfather’s shares. The total worth of the company was mind-blowing. Dongho hadn’t seen that many zeros besides his math lessons at school. He silently counted in his head, 1, 2, 3… 11 zeros. 180 billion dollars! That was a sum of money. But he couldn’t understand why his Mum was showing this to him.

She had finally finished talking on the phone and gave him an excited look. “So what do you think? How great would it be if you were to inherit the company?”

“I don’t know Mum. I never really liked the business field.”

“Son, are you out of your mind? Imagine what wealth we would have when you are to take over you stepfather.”

“It’s not like we’re not living well now.”

“Nonsense! The lifestyle we have now is just the beginning. This household doesn’t even have people to serve me.” His mother replied and he had the slightest fear that something had changed about her.

“The only thing in our way is that step-sister of yours. Your father just spoils her too much. What if he decides to let her inherit the position?” She wondered and began to panic, “No that can’t happen. I must find a way to eliminate that possibility.”

Dongho began to find his mothers action for greed all too frightening. “You’re not planning to... hurt her are you?”

“Of course not silly! That is all for today. Good night dear and don’t tell anyone about this little discussion we just had ok?”

His mother gave a smile but it lacked warmth. It wasn’t a smile from the heart but a smile that meant she was planning something and whatever that something was, Dongho had a bad feeling about it. He knew that his mother would do anything to get what she wants so he secretly eavesdropped on her phone conversation when she believed he had already left for his room.

“-yes, that’s right. Name your price. I don’t care how much it is, as long as you guarantee that you will be able to knock the victim down without killing them,”

Dongho cupped his hand over his mouth to suppress a gasp. No way! His mother was going to hire someone to hurt Hyosung. He had to stop her!

“Yes, I shall send you the photo tomorrow,”

Dongho raced up to his room with sweat running down his face. “What should I do?” he continually asked himself. He didn’t have a wink of sleep that night. Knowing that his very own mother had turned into such a… a monster. And the very thought of his beloved stepsister getting hurt. No he couldn’t allow that to happen.

The next day he secretly followed his mum and while she left the file she was going to send to what he predicted to be as gangsters unattended, he swiftly switched the photo of his stepsister with his own. This way they won’t be able to find Hyosung and she wouldn’t get hurt. He heard footsteps entering the room and he immediately hid behind the curtains. He in air and tucked his stomach in so that it didn’t cause the curtain to show anything sticking out. All he could do was hide as his mother grabbed the file and prepared to send it off. Once she left the room, he let out the breath he was holding and left as quickly as possible.

His hands were shaking as he exited the room and he tried to stop them by clenching his fists. It was no use, they were still shaking and became unsteady during lunch. As a consequence, he accidently spilt the cup of tea all over the glass dining table.

“Sorry,” he apologised and immediately got a cloth but Hyosung bet him to it. She was already wiping his shirt and the mess on the table.

“Hey, are you ok today? You don’t look that good.” Hyosung asked with concern.

“I’m fine,” he replied and forced a smile. His mother then daggered him as a sign to act normal and forget about the conversation they shared last night.

The day seemed to go smoothly and Dongho didn’t see any sign of strangers around the house. Well at least that meant Hyosung was safe for another day.

“There’s no butter left… and I really needed that to bake cookies,” Hyosung wailed as she opened the fridge. “I really wanted to make cookies… I know, I’ll go and buy some. The convenience store should still be open.”

She then put on a pair of her favourite shoes and opened the front door. Dongho saw this and immediately ran up to her and asked where she was going.

“I’m going to get some butter. I won’t be long.” She said.

“I’m coming with you,” Dongho suggested urgently and put on his shoes as well.

Hyosung gave a smile. “Well, ok.”

~~~

They had finished buying the butter and started to head back home. What they didn’t notice was the car that secretly followed them.

“Oh, the butter dropped,” Hyosung said as she watched the butter roll of her hands and onto the middle of road.

“You’re so clumsy, here I’ll pick it up.” Dongho replied and bent over to retrieve the ingredient.

The driver in the car immediately recognised Dongho from the photo and charged straight at him. Hyosung shrieked and pushed Dongho out of the way. Since he was still in a bent over position he was sent rolling to the side. Hyosung prepared to get out of the way as well but the car was too fast.

Dongho’s eyes widen, his eyes didn’t even blink once as he witnessed his sister rolling on top of the car and then falling to the ground. The car had quickly driven away and speedily escaped. Dongho ran towards Hyosung and held her in his arms, tears dripping onto her face.

“Hyosung! Jun Hyosung!” He cried, “Somebody help! Hyosung!” His voice was strained from crying and shouting at the same time. “Hyosung…”

End of flashback

Joon’s POV

I loud gasp came out of me as the guy released his hand from my head. My eyes were wide open and I couldn’t help but feel the pain Dongho must’ve felt. Although I found out the reason to Hyosung’s death, it still didn’t explain to me why she couldn’t be near or see her brother, well stepbrother.

“I bet you’re thinking, well that doesn’t really answer my question or something along those lines,” the Keeper said,

“H-how did you know?” I asked as that was totally unexpected.

He grabbed a file from thin air and scanned through it. After a while he snapped it shut and it disappeared. Everyone was still not moving so I guess, time was still stopped.

He cleared his throat and began talking, “This might answer your question,”

I stopped any other thoughts entering my head and concentrated on the Keeper for the explanation.

“When Hyosung died, she saw her family mourning over her and her father was never happy and was always sad. Her brother, Dongho however, was worse. He wouldn’t eat, go out, or even speak to his own mother. He was always in his room feeling the guilt of not being able to protect his sister. Although Hyosung was dead, her feelings weren’t. It pained her every single second to see her family like this, it hurt so much that to a point so had to do something about it. So she went to Commander, you could say he’s the ruler of the spirits or something. She made a wish with him. She asked for her family to live on with the pain of her death taken away from them. She also especially wished for her brother to forget the scene of the accident. The commander asked her if she knew the consequences for such a wish. Hyosung didn’t care, she only wanted to see her family happy. The commander agreed and warned her that, she would lose memory of the deal and as a price, she can’t be near or see any if her family members. If she does, the wish will be reversed and both Hyosung and her brother….” He stopped.

“Both of them will what?” I asked urgently.

“Defy the laws of this wish and be granted with pain. Her brothers guilt will haunt him for the rest of his life, and Hyosung’s spirit… it will be annihilated.”

My mouth hung open. That was one scary consequence.

“But if her memory of the deal is supposedly erased why does she still want to see her brother?”

“That’s the thing. Usually, these cases are to be left untouched but she seems to have loved him so much that her subconscious is telling her to see him. That wouldn’t be a problem since we’ve set up barriers to prevent her from doing so but then you showed up.”

His last words felt like blades slicing through me. “What do you mean?”

“You’re helping her aren’t you? What if you succeed in allowing her to see her brother? That’s something that would be out of our control. We’re Keepers, we only protect spirits, we don’t have the power to stop humans. So basically, I’m here to stop you from what you’re doing but-,” he leaned in closer and whispered.

“I’ve found a way to help her without breaking that wish,”

**********************

Finished!! Sorry about this long chapter. I didn’t know when to stop it. But I hope you guys understand now why she can’t see her brother. =D

Thank you for reading! And as usual please comment and subscribe!

<3

P.S. And do you think that it would be easier for you if I had a recap at the beginning of each chapter…?