When I was a kid, I remember my dad running out of our house in panic. He told me to stay, and without regard to his surroundings, he left. The stove was left on, and our dinner for the night is boiling away. At first, I didn’t get his urgency. I stayed rooted in my place because dad was so out of it. Then I realized that if I don’t turn off that stove, we might not have a home to come back to.

Somehow, people had gotten the wind of Eunhae’s hurried leave from the company. Her face is on the news, and when she got back to America, her real name was revealed since many recognized her at home. Jihwan focuses on keeping Eunhae from getting hurt from the closeness of the crowd. He can feel that all she wants is to bolt out of this place.

He keeps her head down, and her body tucked into his, covering her. They called for her, and some even cursed at her. He suddenly felt bad that he was lucky enough to have parents that were accepted by society. Jihwan sees the van that they reserved ahead, and throws the door open. He pushes Eunhae in, and immediately closes it. He avoids pushing anyone, and managed to get into the shotgun seat.

Behind him, Eunhae bursts out crying.

“Oh god,” she cries. “Oh god, oh god.”

Eunhae heaves like she is trying to hack out her organs. Jihwan glances at her worriedly, and reaches for her hand. She clutches it tightly, dependent and as if she might float away.

The van finally moves, and they were maneuvering out of the terminals.

~

Hyukjae walks in a leisure pace, a small smile playing on his lips after taking his daughter home from school. She and Donghae chattered endlessly about their day, and even argued about the most random things. It reminds him of the days when they were still so young, and had no clue that they would even go this far in life together. He is so afraid of what kind of wrath will be sent their way, especially when Eunhae came along. However, he is always grateful for Donghae, even if somehow, along the way, he changes his mind.

He lets his hands rest inside his pockets, humming a familiar tune that was written on paper a long time ago, by a thoughtful mind and a loving heart.

He turns the block, and stops at the sight, the heartwarming song fading away and leaving something cold. His mouth parts and his body falls slack. His legs are suddenly nailed to the ground, and each step he tries to take feels like he is lifting up weights.

Finally, he regains his senses and he runs towards his rummaged dance studio, cursing the world with tears in his eyes. He stares at the broken glass helplessly, at the walls that were vandalized with the boldest color and most cruel words. It wasn’t long ago that he was someone so highly esteemed. Now…

Hyukjae swallows. Now...we’re even lower than than the ground that people step on.

His heart constricts, and he bends over to try to catch his breath. He closes his eyes, but everything is feeling so light, and so icy it chills him down to his bones. He didn’t