Yujin: The smell of the airport... *long sniff* ahh~ now we are a step closer to Thailand and the long-awaited holiday.
Yujin spread out her arms and took another sniff of the air inside the airport. The rest of us looked between ourselves, as we shook our heads and communicated with our eyes that Yujin was weird.
Hitomi: Wonyoung please take care of your Yujin unnie before the next station for her won't be Thailand but the hospital instead.
Jahoon: Nope! No one is going to kill anyone on my watch! I will not allow one of my few chances of going home to slip away.
I pushed Hitomi, who was standing beside Yujin, away from her and over to where we had to check-in, making sure to keep a safe distance between Hitomi and Yujin. The others laughed at me and walked over to us, so we could check ourselves in and get a step closer to home. As we stood in the line, I literally small jumped on the spot, excited to finally be available to get home and also a bit impatient, since the check-in line was moving slowly. Even a snail could have passed by now. As I small jumped in the place, I could feel an arm wrap around my waist. I looked to my left and saw Chaeyeon smiling at me dearly.
Chaeyeon: Seems like someone is excited to get home.
Chaeyeon ruffled my hair, making me pout. I fixed my hair and hugged her by the waist, while we were waiting. Some Wiz*one was standing around us and calling our names, wanting us to face their cameras. When they saw Chaeyeon and I hugging each other they got wild and began screaming our ship name. I smiled at their reaction and waved a bit to the fans while winking, making them roar even more. I turned back to face Chaeyeon and hug her.
Jahoon: Of course I am! The members who have their family here in Korea can easily visit them even if we just have a few days holiday and for the Japanese members, since we are promoting in Japan just as much we do here in Korea, they can always visit them when we are there too. But it is rare for us to go to Thailand except when we have a concert or Kcon to attend, it is hard for me to visit my family since everyone is living in Thailand.
I said a little sad since the last time I saw my family was two years ago, at the final of Produce 48. Chaeyeon noticed the sadness in my voice and hugged me tighter, as she rubbed my back in a calming way. I hugged her back just as tight, biting my lower lip slightly trying not to cry. I pulled away and smiled at her, ensuring that I was alright. Then it was finally our turn to check-in.
We all passed the check-in and began walking around in groups at the airport, enjoying the small free time for a bit before boarding the plane. I walked around with Hitomi, Wonyoung, Yuri, and a clingy Hyewon. As it was almost time to board the plane, we visited a convenience store and made sure to buy A LOT of snacks for the flight. We'll it is a must after all. We then met up with the rest and boarded the plane. I sat right in between Eunbi unnie and Chaeyeon as we were placed near the window. I sat with my hands on my lap and stared out of the window with a bright and wide smile, which made Eunbi unnie and Chaeyeon look at me with a sweet smile.
Yena: You guys look like a couple who are on a vacation with their child. Chaeyeon as the dad, Eunbi unnie as the mom, and Jahoon unnie as the child.
Yena faced us with her knees in the seat and teased us for looking like a small family on vacation. Eunbi unnie, Chaeyeon, and I just let her be and ignored her.
Flight attendant: Miss you have to sit down now. The flight is taking off soon.
Yena: Oh I'm sorry! I will sit down now.
Yena sat down and buckled her seat belt while nervously chuckling and muttering sorry to the other passengers that were looking at her. Eunbi unnie, Chaeyeon, and I held a hand over our mouth and tried to suffocate our laughs. Yena looked at us between the seats and stuck her tone out before facing forward again. After the usual flight introduction, the flight finally got into the air. I leaned a bit over Eunbi unnie and placed my hands on each side of the window and looked out. I could hear Eunbi unnie chuckled at me and rubbed my back.
Eunbi: Calm down kid. Sit down. We aren't going to arrive there sooner even if you stare out of the window like that. I know you are excited to get home but please wait a bit more.
I sat back down and pouted at her while looking at her with my puppy eyes. I laid my head on her shoulder and took one of her hands and played with her fingers.
Jahoon: I want the time to go faster, then I can finally show you guys the house that I have grown up in.
Eunbi: What is it like?
Jahoon: It is actually nothing much unnie.
Eunbi: Nothing much my ass. This is neither a house nor a mansion, this is a fucking castle!
(This is your childhood home. Try to imagine it in the daytime and with a big pool behind the house.)
Everyone looked around at my house and the big garden with their mouth wide agape, meanwhile I just looked at my childhood home, reminiscing the memories that I had made in this house when I was younger.
Jahoon: I like how you always tell us to speak nice and always scold us when we curse but then unnie proceeds to curse herself.
I chuckled as I looked around but it quickly turned into a nervous chuckle when I saw Eunbi unnie looking at me up and down with a glare that could kill you.
Jahoon: Hehe... unnie... Mom!
I quickly ran inside and was greeted by my parents and siblings standing at the entrance, waiting for our arrival. I quickly ran behind my mom and peeked from behind her back to see the others entering my house. Eunbi unnie walked in first with a glare towards me, which quickly turned into the sweetest and innocent eyes when she faced my parents. The queen of duality. I then stood in between my mom and dad and pointed an accusing finger at Eunbi unnie, like a small child trying to get their older siblings in trouble, making my parents laugh at me.
Jahoon: Mommy! Daddy! She was gonna hurt me because I called her out for cursing.
When everyone heard what had happened, they all burst out laughing at us, especially at me.
Mom: Aigoo~ I see our baby is still the same one as before she left.
Dad: Still the cute and childish one.
My parents pinched my cheeks, making me whine like a small child. Everyone squealed at the scene.
Jahoon: Mom! Dad!
Mom: Alright baby. We will stop teasing you. For now. Let us introduce ourselves, I'm this baby's mother Park Miyeon but you guys can just call me auntie.
Dad: I'm Park Minjae and I'm this child's dad.
I wrapped my arm around theirs and stood tall between them with a proud smile. I could see the others trying hard not to laugh, while some of them had a big smile on their face.
Areum: Hello guys! My name is Areum and I'm the oldest child, that dork's oldest sibling. Thank you for taking care of her.
Minhoon: Hi everyone, I'm Minhoon. The second child of the family and also the favorite sibling of Jahoon.
Minhoon oppa said with a proud smile and winked at my members, receiving a slap in the back of his head by Areum unnie and Jaehyun oppa.
Jaehyun: I'm Jaehyun and I do not know if you know it yet but this kid have been wetting her bed until she was at the age of 12.
Jaehyun oppa covered his mouth with his hand like he was telling a secret and whispered to my members, still loud enough for the rest of us to hear. I unwrapped my arm free from my parents and kicked Jaehyun oppa in the butt, making him stumbling forward a bit. I looked at him with a pout on my face, which he just laughed at and hugged me in a beat tight hug.
Dad: Now now, let the girls introduce themselves. These poor girls are looking so awkward right.
My whole family turned their attention to the rest to see them fiddling with their fingers. I giggled at their cute behavior and waddled over to them. I back hugged Sakura, who was closest to me.
Jahoon: You guys have already met each other for a while, back when we were announced to be in the group but I don't think that you guys have met each other properly, so guys as told this is my family, mom, Dad, Areum unnie, Minhoon oppa, and Jaehyun oppa, this is my members.
Izone except Jahoon: Hello! We are Izone! Nice to meet you!
Everyone bowed and introduced themselves one by one. As we finished the introduction, everyone was shown to their rooms. The room pairs were: Kangbi, Yulyen, Annyeongz, Chaekura, 2kim, and Hiko, and well me... I got my own room.
I stood in the entrance and watched the others walking to their rooms. My parents and siblings excused themselves to do their business. Then my old nanny, who had cared for me since my birth until I moved to Korea.
Nanny: ดีใจมากที่ได้พบคุณนายน้อยอีกครั้ง (It is great to see you again little master.)
Jahoon: เฮ้วางพิธีการ มานี่สิ! (Hey, drop the formalities. Come here!)
I pulled her into a bear hug, to which she gladly returned. I pulled a bit away and studied her face. She was still looking the same, as before I left.
Nanny: ดูสิ! ตอนนี้คุณโตเป็นผู้ใหญ่แล้ว! แต่ให้เรามาติดตามกันทีหลังคุณต้องพักผ่อนบ้างหลังจากการเดินทางอันยาวนาน (Look at you! You have grown so big and mature now! But let us catch up a little bit later, you need some rest after the long traveling.)
Jahoon: ใช่แหม่ม ~ (Yes ma'am~)
She slapped me lightly on my left shoulder, as I giggled at her. We walked up to my room, while Mark, one of our servants and also my childhood friend who I had grown up with, took my luggage to my room. I hugged Mark and my nanny, as they excused themselves before closing the door after them. I looked around my room, taking in the memories that began to flood to my mind.
Jahoon: Ahh~ Nothing has changed.
(This is your room)
I sat down on my bed and took the picture frame, which was beside my bed, and studied it. It was the last picture we took as a whole family before I moved to Korea on my own. I left my family, friends, everything... I left everything I knew, were comfortable and secure with, for the sake of fulfilling my dreams. It was scary at first but I worked through it with the help of my friends. I caressed the picture frame, while a smile unfolded on my lips, as I looked at the smiles of my family members. Then suddenly the door knocked.
Jahoon: เข้ามา! Come in!
Eunbi unnie walked in with a wide smile and looked around my room.
Eunbi: Wow Jahoon! This is definitely your room. Just your style. Actually, I never knew that you were this rich, well on the other side you haven't really told us about it since you are always humble and... Wait, are you crying?! Who hurt my baby?!
Eunbi unnie ran over to my side and held my free hand. I frowned my eyebrows, as an "eh?" escaped my lips. I placed the picture frame on the nightstand before touching my cheeks, which were shockingly wet from my tears.
Sakura: Jahoon unnie is crying?!
Yena: Who hurt my baby?!
Nako: Who do I need to murder?
Hitomi: Yeah! Tell us! We will make that person suffer for making our precious unnie cry!
Yujin: Count me in!
Wonyoung: Unnie don't cry~ Wonyoungie are going to cry~
Hyewon: Want some cake? Cake always helps.
Minju: My baby Hoonie! Come here let me hug you!
Chaewon: No one is allowed to hurt my baby!
Chaeyeon: Whoever hurt you is going to regret it!
Yuri: Guys! Let Jahoon unnie speak.
Everyone popped their head out in the entrance, one after one, making them look like small curious children. I chuckled and shook my head at them.
Jahoon: I'm fine guys~ No one hurt me, I was just... wait. Hyewon, where did you the cake from?
Everyone walked into my room and some sat on the bed, the couch, or on the floor. Hyewon walked over to me and stuffed a big piece of cake into my mouth.
Hyewon: I met your mother when I just walked out of my room. She gave me a cake to share with everyone but as you can see... there isn't much left...
Hyewon looked down at the plate, where the supposed whole cake should have been, with a bit flustered face. I chuckled at her and took one of her hands in my hands, making sure she won't drop the plate. I pressed a button that was on a telebox at the nightstand.
Telebox: นายน้อยฉันจะช่วยอะไรได้บ้าง (Little master, what can I help with?)
Jahoon: กรุณานำเค้กช็อคโกแลตเค้กสตรอเบอร์รี่และโคล่าสองขวดใหญ่มาให้ฉัน กรุณานำจานส้อมและแก้ว 13 ใบไปที่ห้องนอนของฉันด้วย (Please bring me a chocolate cake, a strawberry cake and two big bottles of cola. Please also bring 13 plates, forks, and glasses to my bedroom please.)
Telebox: ใช่นายน้อย ฉันจะเตรียมมันและนำไปให้คุณ (Yes, little master. I will prepare it and bring it to you.)
After a few minutes, two maids came with the stuff and placed it on the table in the room. After they left, everyone threw themselves over the cakes and served themselves a slice.
Yujin: By the way unnie, you haven't told us yet why you were crying.
Yujin said with her mouth full, making her receive a hit in the back of her head. Minju sat on the other side of me and gave me a slice of the chocolate cake with a smile.
Jahoon: Thank you Minju. Actually, I didn't know that I was crying until Eunbi unnie told me. I was just looking at my family picture, which is there on the nightstand. Memories just flood my mind and I regret that I haven't taken care of and be with them more but to reach your dream, there are some things that you have to live without.
Minju: Aww~ Look at you being a soft baby Hoonie. It is unusual off your normal image.
Minju patted my head. I pouted at her and laid my head on her shoulder, feeding myself a piece of the cake.
Jahoon: I'm not a baby~
I whined, making everyone squeal and calling me cute. Then the door to my bedroom opened.
Mom: So that is where you all are at. Aigoo~ Look at you being a baby Hoonie.
Mom walked over to me and ruffled my hair, making me pout even more and the girls squeal even more.
Mom: Now, I can see you already had some cake but hopefully there is space for some dinner?
Jahoon: Mom, there is always space for food for these girls. It wouldn't be a surprise if our pantry is empty by the end of the dinner.
Mom: Hehe~ Then we better hurry down then and I will also get someone to clean your room Hoonie.
Jahoon: Thank you mo- wow! Calm down Yena hahaha.
Yena: Hoonie unnie is going to sit next to me! The last arriving is going to sleep outside tonight.
Yena pulled me outside my room and down the stairs. I stopped her when something came into my mind.
Jahoon: Wait Yena! Do you even know where the dining room is?
Yena stopped and faced me with her mouth open, which closed right after with a silly smile.
Yena: No~
I giggled at her and ruffled her hair, making her pout her ducky lips. Suddenly a cold chill ran down my spine like someone was glaring at us or more at me. I turned around to see the rest walking down the stairs but non with a glare. I shivered the thought away. Maybe it is just the air-conditioning. When everyone got down, we all walked to the dining room, where my father and siblings were already sitting. I kissed my father on his cheek before sitting beside Areum unnie and Yena right beside me. The dining went well with my parents asking everything about them and me to our memories but I could still feel the chill from earlier lingering with me. As I sat in my own thoughts, Areum poked my side to gain my attention.
Jahoon: What's up unnie?
Areum: The roof. Jokes aside, is there anything between you and Minju? I noticed her glaring at you and Yena, whenever Yena is getting too close to you.
I looked at her confused. I looked over at Minju and caught eye contact with her. She smiled at me before turning back to her conversation with Chaewon. I turned my attention back to Areum unnie and raised an eyebrow.
Areum: She is only doing it when you aren't looking. From my perspective, it looks like she likes you Hoonie but you're just super-duper dense to not see it.
I was about to answer her when my father called me.
Dad: Now that we are done with the dinner, can I talk with you privately Jahoon?
Jahoon: Sure dad.
We excuse ourselves from the rest. Minju looked at me worriedly and held my hand as I walked past her. I gave her hand a little squeeze and reassured her that everything was fine before I walked into my dad's office and I sat down right in front of him.
Dad: So how are you doing? Have you met Jihoon lately?
Jahoon: I'm doing great dad, just a little nervous since the disbandment of Izone is near. I just met Jihoon oppa a few days before coming home. He told me to say that he misses everyone and that he is sorry that he couldn't come with me due to his schedule.
Dad: Understandable... it is a bit my own fault for telling you to give S.T.A.R a comeback.
Jahoon: But on the other hand neither you nor I knew if I got the permission to come home for a vacation.
Dad: That is true and the girls still don't know yet that you are the owner of our music branch, Music King Entertainment?
Jahoon: Not yet... I don't know how they would react to me being the CEO of my own entertainment... I do not want them to treat me differently just because of my status. That is why I didn't tell them that we were rich. But I think I will tell them tomorrow night when we are going to have a sleepover in my "secret dungeon".
Dad: Well as I always say...
Dad and Jahoon: Secrets can't be kept as a secret for too long.
Dad: Hehehe, seems like your old father's advice still sticks to you even though you are not following it. Then what about your health?
Jahoon: Also gre-
Dad: I mean your mental health honey.
I closed my mouth as soon as he said that. I looked down at my hands, which were shaking on my lap. It was all silent, like every kind of sound was gone and the world stopped. The next moment my dad was standing beside me with a hand on my shoulder.
Dad: You still haven't let the guilt go yet?
Jahoon: How can I when it was all my fault...
My dad pulled me up on my feet and hugged me tightly since my whole body was shaking because I was crying so much.
Dad: It wasn't your fault, my child. You were still a kid on your own. You didn't know better.
Jahoon: But if I stayed with Mina non it would have happened and she would still have been here. I would still have my little sister!
I hugged him back tightly, grabbing the back of his clothes. After a while when I finally calmed, I pulled away and wiped the rest of my tears in my sleeves.
Dad: It has been 13 years now my baby. Please let the guilt go and live your life comfortably. Both you and I know that she would have wished for you to live on and be happy.
Jahoon: But...
Dad: Please Hoonie... It hurts me to see you in pain like this... It already hurt me to see you grow up enclosed yourselves from other people because you were scared that if anyone came too close to you because you thought they would be kidnapped and murdered like Mina. But please baby, please open up and let people into your life. I'm already really happy that you have opened up to your members. I can really see that you care about them and they care about you, so I'm happy that there is progress.
Jahoon: I'm really sorry dad for worrying you and mom. I didn't mean to worry. I was just scared.
Dad: Hey baby. It is fine. It is a natural reaction when experiencing this. As long as you are getting better and work living with the guilt, then I am happy.
My father pulled me into a hug but this time no tears were involved. He patted my head and we began walking outside to the rest, who were now sitting in the living room, chatting away.
Dad: You remember what day it is tomorrow?
Jahoon: Of course. How could I forget? It is my own little sister's death day.
Dad: You should visit her grave tomorrow. Bring Mark with you. You three were really close together.
I nodded at my father's words but just stared blankly in front of me. As we got inside the living room, I sat beside Minju, who was chatting with my mom. She turned around to face me with a smile, that turned into a worried frown when she noticed my presence. My mom smiled a little smile since she knew what father and I talked about. She walked past me and gave me a squeeze on my shoulder before she walked over to father.
Minju: Are you alright? Your eyes are red Hoonie. Tell me what happened.
Minju took one of my hands in one hand, while the other was softly cupping my face. I gave her a small smile and used my free hand to cup on top of her hand.
Jahoon: Don't worry Minmin. I just got something in my eyes, that is why my eyes are red.
Minju: Let me see.
I chuckled as Minju pulled my face closer to hers, so she could look into my eyes and see if there were anything. I let her be since she would just be sulky if I didn't let her. When she was assured with herself, that there wasn't anything, she pulled away with a sigh.
Minju: But really Hoonie, if there is anything bothering you, then please come and talk to me about it. I really care about you.
Jahoon: Of course Minmin. If there is anything that is bothering me, I will come to you as the first person.
I latched my pinky finger with hers, as I sealed my promise. I tugged a stray hair of hers behind her ear and looked her into the eyes with a soft smile.
Mom: Girls, it's getting late now. You should all go to sleep now, so you are well-relaxed tomorrow, where we would go sight-seeing.
Everyone cheered and clapped their hands in response before beginning to walk back to their room. I hugged and kissed my parents and siblings good night before walking back to my own room. As I was to climb up the stairs, Minju stopped me by grabbing my hand.
Minju: Can I sleep with you tonight? I just have a weird feeling in my stomach, when I'm thinking about you. I know nothing would happen but I'm worried.
Jahoon: Of course Minmin. As long as you feel reassured, then I'm happy to do anything. Go and change into your pajamas and brush your teeth. See you in my room.
I kissed her forehead and walked up the stairs into my room, getting ready for sleep. After about 5 minutes, there was a knock on the door. The door opened revealing Minju in a cute one-piece frog pajamas. A wide smile formed on my lips when I saw how cute she was. I gestured for her to jump into bed with me. After we got into bed, we snuggled closer to each other with her wrapping her whole body around me. I chuckled at her childish behavior and kissed her forehead.
Jahoon: Good night Minmin. Sleep well~
Minju: Good night Hoonie. Sleep well and dream about me~
I closed my eyes and drifted into dreamland with a smile on my face and Minju's face lingering in my mind.