Caged

Yu-ri

Yu-ri

Yu-ri woke up on her small bed. Already knowing what time it was, she sighed and slid out of bed. Tiptoeing on the creaking floor, she went into the bathroom.

Every time she walked in there, she was hit by an indescribable stench. It was so hard to breathe whenever she was there. While holding her breath, she hurriedly took off her clothes and went inside the bathhouse. Hoping that the hose would grant her some water, she turned it on. Icing cold water poured out of the hose and her relief flooded with it. Although it was piercingly cold, it was something, and something was always enough. When she finished, she knew the time was 05:32, since she always made sure to only use two minutes in bath.

She had, as long as she could remember, always counted seconds in her head and turned them into minutes, so she could monitor her usage of time. Time was a precious thing and she especially knew this. She brushed her long black hair and her teeth, with bamboo brushes and put on her perfectly straight uniform. Looking at herself in the mirror, she plastered on a humble smile and walked out the door, knowing she was one minute early since she had used two instead of three, getting dressed. She took a deep breath, making herself ready for a hard task. Waking up her sister. Min-ji was the cutest girl ever, yet she had the sourest tongue of all. And when it came to her waking up, that's where she really proved that you never should judge a book by its cover.

She entered without even bothering to knock, no one would answer anyway. Even though she knew that Min-ji wouldn't react, she took the famous pillow she always used and began to hit her little sister. "Wake up", she roared with their neighbors probably hearing her, but as assumed Min-ji didn't even move a finger. The next step was to rip away the thin blanket and begin jumping on Min-ji's bed while still hitting her with the pillow. This was her favorite step, because the bed was so small that Min-ji took all the space. So, it became like a test for her to not fall off the bed while still hitting Min-ji with the pillow. She knew that Min-ji would begin to mumble, and when she did, step three was on the way. She drew a deep breath, and with all she could muster, she shouted "Taeyang is here!" that made Min-ji sit up immediately. Yu-ri laughed," You fall for it every time", she barely managed through her laugh. "And you say you don't like him", she continued, still laughing. Min-ji looked annoyed, "You're not funny unnie" she said, but her smile betrayed her. "Come on you must hurry; time doesn't wait for anyone" she said still smiling. Min-ji moaned but stood up and waddled over to their bathroom. "Does the water work?" she called over her shoulder "Yes, we are lucky today, now hurry we have six minutes before the bow" she said, "You and your time, unnie" Min-ji said before rolling her eyes and going inside. "I saw that" Yu-ri shouted after her.

Seven minutes later Min-ji stepped out of the bath, wearing her uniform. "Min-ji you are a minute late".

"Well I suppose our most high portrait can wait, don't you think", she said mockingly,

"Min-ji" Yu-ri hissed.

"Chill unnie, I was just joking",

"Tell me that, when they drag you out for execution". Yu-ri answered angrily.

There was a beat of silence. "You're right unnie, I'm sorry". Yu-ri's expression turned soft, its fine Minie, just don't do It again."

Standing in front of the picture of the supreme commander Kim Hyung-rok. Yu-ri took the handkerchief they had been given to clean the portrait and began cleaning it, even though it looked totally new.

Min-ji just stood there, watching with her arms crossed. When Yu-ri finished she put the handkerchief back and placed her feet tightly together "Get ready" she told Min-ji who looked as if she could fall asleep any moment

"Min-ji!", Yu-ri said raising her tone a bit.

"Fine, fine I'm ready" Min-ji answered, taking a step closer.

Yu-ri began counting down. Three, two, one, and they bowed, or rather she bowed.

"Min-ji why are you just standing in the corner" she asked, still bowing.

"Because I honestly don't see the meaning in bowing to a photo, it's not as if I will die if I don't", "actually that's exactly what will happen." Yu-ri answered.

"And how would they find out. Would you tell them?" Min-ji asked, almost daringly.

"No, why would i- ugh doesn't matter, just stop being uncooperative, okay?"

"Okay unnie" she answered with her sweet smile.

"Okay, time is running, I'll make some breakfast quick. Minie, go pack your bag." She said, in her usual commanding tone.

"Yes sir" Minie saluted. Despite her mocking Yu-ri smiled. "Hurry".

***

After eating a disappointingly small breakfast, they were ready to go. "Always remember, whatever happens in the family, stays in the family. Yu-ri warned.

"Of course, sir",

"I'm serious Min-ji".

"Yeah, I know. Now let's get going" Min-ji answered excited.