Author’s POV

After the day that Dara got sick, Jiyong became more caring and more protective over Dara. One reason is because a lot of the students are now treating Dara differently. They started treating her nicely and it just made Jiyong suspicious. Often times, they would also leave gifts and letters in Dara’s locker. Asking her to give it to Jiyong. Jiyong hated the attention they were giving to Dara just because they knew that Dara is kind of like Jiyong’s sister.

It wasn’t long until the harassment started again because even though Dara gave the gifts and letters to Jiyong, Jiyong would just refuse it and throw it in the trash. The others thought that it was Dara who did it and they started harassing her again.

Since Jiyong always came in school after Dara, the others would always throw Dara’s things away and they would also block her way. They would push her around and hit her in places that were not easily seen. They would also write things on her desk. Instead of telling it to Jiyong, Dara would always try to hide it.

Until one day…

Jiyong got in school even before Dara could. The moment he saw Dara’s desk full of different writings… He burst in anger.

Jiyong: (slams his fist on Dara’s desk) WHO THE DID THIS?!

Everyone looked away, pretending to be innocent. Jiyong scoffed and kicked the desk nearest to him. Everyone gasped at what he did.

Jiyong: so you’ve all been doing this behind my back just because of what?! You’re all so ing selfish! All you think about is yourselves! What did Dara ever do to any of you?!

Not a single one in the room could even lift their head and look at Jiyong. He turned and he saw Dara staring at him, dumbfounded. He glared at her and he suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her up to the rooftop. The moment he closed the door… He turned his back on Dara, making her look down in guilt.

Jiyong:  why didn’t you tell me?

Dara: (bites her lower lip)

Jiyong: why?

Dara: it… it’s because I didn’t want to burden you all the time… I… and… I…

Jiyong: DAMN IT! (Punches the door)

Dara: (gasps) c-coffee-yah… you don’t have to be mad at them… they didn’t really hurt or anything. They just… they just misunderstood something and—

But even before Dara could finish her sentence, Jiyong had already taken her in his arms. Dara was surprised at Jiyong’s sudden movement. She was speechless especially when Jiyong tightened the hug.

Jiyong: why are you always doing this? Always trying to keep everything to yourself…? Always trying to be strong…?

Dara: coffee-yah…

Jiyong: cakey… I’m here. Why can’t you see that?

Dara: but… I… I don’t want to be a burden to you… you’ve already helped me more than I can ever ask for.

Jiyong: no cakey… you will never, ever be a burden to me… and helping you is something I want to do… because…

There was dead silence after Jiyong said “because”. Dara was waiting for the continuation but Jiyong didn’t seem to want to continue.

Dara: because what?

Jiyong: (sighs) tsk… just… just let me help you cakey… and I don’t want to just help you… I want to protect you. Please… at least let me do that…

Dara: (sighs) coffee-yah…

Jiyong: please cakey…

Dara: mm… arasso…

Jiyong slowly pulled away to face Dara. He cupped her face and gave her an assuring smile.

Jiyong: promise?

Dara: mm… I promise. (Smiles)

Jiyong: you better make sure you tell me everything this time.

Dara: (giggles) (holds Jiyong’s hands) I already promised you coffee-yah.

All of a sudden, Dara’s phone rang.

Dara: yoboseyo? M-muo? Mm… Okay… I-I’ll be there…

Jiyong: what happened?

Dara: coffee-yah… I need to go to Sanghyun’s school.

Jiyong: wae?

Dara: That was Cheolyong. He said that they got into another fight because of Sanghyun.

Jiyong: (sigh) your brother should stop getting into fights. It’ll be really troublesome if something bad happens.

Dara: (nods) I know. I’m really worried why he became like that. He wasn’t normally like that. It just happened when…

Jiyong: when what?

Dara: ah… something… Mianhae coffee-yah… it’s just… I really can’t explain it.

Jiyong: (sighs) I understand. Postponing it like that is better than lying don’t you think so?

Dara: (smiles) mm…

Jiyong drove his car towards Sanghyun’s school. Just when he parked in the parking lot, he saw Sanghyun and the others still fighting.

Jiyong: stay in the car. I’ll handle this.

Dara: but…

Jiyong: I don’t want you to get hurt. Besides, I’m sure your brother would explode if I let you in on their fight.

Dara: (sighs in defeat) I understand.

Jiyong went down and went to them.

There were 3 bodies lying on the ground while they still fought 6 more people. Seungho had 2 opponents. One was standing while being held on the collar while the other was just kicked off. The man was still standing but still with an arrogant attitude. Byunghee and Changsun were kneeling with one knee while punching their enemy. Cheolyong was near the lying bodies. Sanghyun had 2 opponents. He was holding one guy’s head between his arms while stepping on the other one.

Jiyong: YAH!!!

They all stopped and looked at Jiyong.

Seungho: hyung!

Seungho panted while gripping his enemy’s collar. Cheolyong heaved a sigh of relief while Byunghee panted after letting go of his enemy. Changsun pushed the guy he was beating up and stood straight while panting. Sanghyun glared at him while gripping and stepping on the men he was t