[ 00 ]

“So… this is my ‘surprise’ dinner?” Shin Won Ho, whom I labeled as the most irritating brother in the universe, gave me his infamous ‘what-the-hell’ look. “I doubt there’s anything else other than Kimchi in our pathetic fridge.”

Ever since our parents left us in the care of the landlord, I had been learning to be independent so I could afford to take care of my younger brother, who was still in high school, while I juggled between the roles of a university student and a waitress at a nearby café.

Ignoring his comment, I stuffed a mouthful of Kimchi to fill my growling stomach. “Mmmm! Debak!” I squealed, delightfully. Well, they say we have to learn to enjoy life, isn’t it?

“Sheeze… You must have psycho yourself too much.”

“Shut up and eat,” I scoffed, having enough of his whining.

“It’s my birthday, for God’s sake–”

“Number of house robbery cases has been increasing recently,” The news report from our small television interrupted our bickering, “Most of the reported cases are from residences at Jongju area…”

“Hey Noona… Isn’t that where we’re livin–”

CLACK.

Both of us exchanged looks as we gulped. We then travelled our gaze onto the plain white door, where the unusual sound came from.

CLING.

CLACK.

‘Someone’s trying to break into our house!’ I caught Won Ho’s message through his huge, fearful puppy-like eyes.

‘Calm down,’ I eyed him back. Then, picking up the empty frying pan on the table, I stood up and crept towards the door.

Slowly…

Quitely…

Wait.

Something was missing.

Or rather, somebody was missing.

I shot a look at the empty spot beside me. “YA! SHIN WON HO!” I hissed through my gritted teeth. That useless bum was hiding behind the cushion on the sofa.

Why did I even thought of Shin Won Ho becoming a real man one day?

I sighed hopelessly before turning back at the door and knitted my eyebrows determinedly.

I, Shin Bora, the mightily-o one, had to depend on myself to protect both my house and Won Ho.

Yeah. How brave.

Inhaling a deep breath of courage (from God knows where), I laid my hand over the door knob

CLACK.

One…

CLING.

Two…

CRACK.

Three!

Immediately after I swung the door opened, I lost total control over the frying pan in my grip.

I swore it had its own life!

‘DIE! YOU ROBBER! DIE!–’

As my eyes were shut the whole time while I was whacking the robber, I was unaware that he had been knocked unconscious, and rather bloodily, by the time I lifted my eyelids to check things out.

Um.

Just one thing…

You couldn’t possibly kill someone off with a frying pan, right?