[TALK] Baby, I'm in a bit of danger? - Past Episode (Jimin)
Jimin's perspective
01. First meeting
I was abandoned by my parents at a young age. My relatives told me I was a bastard who shouldn't have been born, saying that my birth had ruined the whole family. Every time, I retorted: I didn't choose to be born either, so why are you all giving me such a hard time? Who asked you to give birth to me? But all I received in return was verbal abuse and physical violence. I did not see them as normal human beings. When my grandmother, who had cared for me until the very end, passed away, my relatives, with one mind and one heart, sent me to an orphanage. It was probably because she had left her estate to me. Fools blinded by greed and money, unable to see the reality before them. That was exactly what my relatives were.
Just as I turned eight, on my way back from the elementary school sent by the orphanage, an older girl I had never met before spoke to me.
"Hi. Are you Jimin?"
"yes."
"I'm the older sister who goes to college over there. From now on, I'm going to clean Jimin's room and come over to hang out!"
"why."
"...huh?"
It was probably a reaction I had never seen before. Usually, an elementary school student would have smiled brightly with stars in their eyes, but the answer I got was "Why?" It was obvious they were flustered. The corners of their mouth twitched, and their eyebrows twitched. That awkward laugh proved it all.
"Hmm... that's because my sister says her assignment this time is volunteer work. She doesn't have anywhere else suitable to do it, so she's going to volunteer here for a few weeks starting today!"
Then, do you get an A?
"Uh, yeah. That's right."
Do you know where our orphanage is?
I went there earlier, so I know where it is.
Then, you lead the way.
"okay!"
With a beaming face, I wondered what was so wonderful, she held my hand tightly. At the age of eight, she had held a warm human hand for the first time. She was still at an age where she should have been growing up receiving love. The world was cruel to a young child.
02. Happiness for Me Too
That older sister visited our orphanage every single day without fail. She would always open the door, peek her head in, and greet me with a sweet smile. Perhaps it was that smile that warmed my heart.
"Jimin! I'll take you to school today!"
I can go alone.
"Oh come on—don't refuse. Let's go!"
After looking at the weekly study guide, he diligently packed his bag by himself and handed it to me, asking me to go with him today. I refused, but he wasn't the type to listen. I shouldered my schoolbag and left the orphanage.
"What does Jimin like?"
"......Pork cutlet..."
"Does Jimin like pork cutlets?"
"yes..."
"Then I'll come pick you up after school, so let's go eat. How about it?"
"great."
Okay. Have a good day at school!
At the school gate, he let go of my hand and nudged me from behind, telling me to hurry inside. As soon as I stepped inside, he smiled brightly and waved his hand enthusiastically. Then he turned and headed somewhere. I quietly looked down at the hand I had held earlier. I felt a sense of regret. I wanted to hold that warm hand longer.
As I stepped out the main gate after school, my older sister approached me, waving her hand as usual. When I stood there staring blankly, she pulled my hand, suggesting we go eat the pork cutlets we had promised earlier. It was warm. The warmth of her gripping my hand tightly. For some reason, I was gradually starting to give my heart to her. Before I even realized it, my heart was quietly stirring.
Watching her gaze contentedly at me with a beautiful smile as I ate my pork cutlet, I wondered if I deserved to feel this kind of happiness. She must have been afraid of this newfound bliss, because I was not supposed to be happy. Yet, deep down, I held a glimmer of hope. Perhaps, too, I could escape this hellish place.
03. As expected, happiness is
She didn't visit the orphanage for several days. At first, I just brushed it off, assuming she had something to do, but as I continued not to see her face, a strange sense of anxiety swept over me.
One day, a month after she had disappeared, I passed by the director's office on my way to the restroom and heard a strange voice. They said my sister had died. Being young, I couldn't believe it and was bewildered, so I flung open the door and asked if she was really dead. A moment of silence followed my question. I think he hesitated, unsure how the phrase "a silent farewell" would resonate with me. After the brief silence, the director nodded. That my sister was dead. That it was true.
I was dumbfounded. Why? She, who had looked so healthy. Why? What happened? No matter how much I clutched my small head and tried to think, it was no use. Tears suddenly gushed out. I rubbed the tears streaming endlessly down her tender cheeks. Her swollen eyes and cheeks looked pitiful beyond measure. I stormed out of the director's office and ran out of the orphanage, sobbing uncontrollably. I no longer had the courage to stay in that place where my memories of her remained so vivid.
Jimin, do you want to go to the amusement park? Let's go with your older sister.
'yes.'
I'll get the tickets ready, so look forward to it!
"You said we were going to the amusement park... Why aren't you coming..."
"I'll hold your hand first this time... So... please..."
For the first time, I cried like crazy. I never knew that hearing someone I cherished had died could be so heartbreaking. My heart was breaking, but having no way to express it, I just cried.
Unlike my shadowed heart, I inexplicably hated the bright, regrettable sky. It felt as though everyone passing by was staring at me. The orphanage staff picked me up and carried me inside. I didn't have the courage to stay here.
As expected, someone like me shouldn't have even hoped for happiness.
She died because someone like me wished for happiness.
She, who was my happiness, has died.
04. I Lived in the Darkness
Eleven years after her death, I was 19; I had long since distanced myself from studying. That doesn't mean I smoked, drank, or extorted money. Rather, you could say I helped those kinds of kids.
I was walking in the park in front of the orphanage for the first time in a while when a couple walked up to me. When I looked at them with a frown, they smiled as if I were cute and started to speak.
"Student. Are you interested in joining our company?"
"...What kind of place is this?"
"To put it bluntly, it’s the organization others talk about. I’m an executive there, and my husband is the leader."
Does the boss go around looking for people himself?
"They said they wanted to meet in person. So, how is it? Are you coming in?"
"...yes."
That's a good idea.
It was a smile I hadn't seen in a long time. It closely resembled her smile from 11 years ago. At that warm and gentle smile, not a fake one, my frozen heart regained its vitality.
Take bus number 13, get off at MY Station, and look for MY Big Korea. Then, go into the company lobby and give your name, and they will guide you to the CEO's office.
"yes."
Then let's see each other often.
"..goodbye."
My mind was filled with question marks. It was full of unknowns from beginning to end, but I nodded at the mention of the word "organization." I wanted to rise to a position of power and take care of the weak, rather than being the weak in society. Also, I did not want to lose the people I held dear.
Will the new world I set foot in again be pitch-black darkness or bright light?
Well, I don't know about that. I'll probably know after walking a little further.
05. The Fallen Light
21 years old. Two years have passed since joining MY. Due to a higher learning ability than others, he was already sitting in an executive position.
I was training the members when I received a call, so I went into the boss's office. In a solemn atmosphere, the boss spoke up. He said that KM had raided. It seemed like everyone else knew, except for me.
"This fight is going to be a war. KM has staked everything."
"..yes?"
"I'm leaving this time, too. I'll pick the next boss in case I die, so keep that in mind."
".....All right."
To think they are choosing the next boss. Is it really such a big fight? Clutching my throbbing head, I went back into the training grounds. After all, protecting the boss is our duty and our mission.
*
Dripping sweat soaked the collar of my shirt. The scene was completely devastated, and even the few people still standing leaned against the wall, seemingly struggling to stay upright. After confirming that the boss was behind me, I aimed my revolver at the KM member running toward me.
Taang-
A loud gunshot rang out. I didn't shoot. Who was it? Oh my god, surely not. Only then did I realize the situation and turn around to see the boss lying on the ground, shot.
"boss!!!!"
I ran straight over, knelt down, and checked on the boss's condition. His eyes were darting wildly in the pool of blood, as if he had already been shot through the heart. Kim Hyun-seok snickered as he watched me kneeling. When I clenched my fists tightly and glared at him, Kim Hyun-seok spoke tauntingly.
"Hahaha, was your boss really that weak? This isn't fun."
"..Kim Hyun-seok."
We're leaving now. We've lost interest.
After Kim Hyun-seok left, I bid my final farewell to the boss, who was barely clinging to life. I told him thank you. That I was so grateful for him making someone as insignificant as me into who I am today.
Upon hearing my words, the boss closed his eyes, leaving a small smile. The Team A executive and the boss, who were already dead. In between, the few remaining members of our organization and me. The bloodstains filling the white shirt were disgusting, so I rubbed them vigorously.
"Don't worry, Kim Hyun-seok. We're going to be above you."
I made a firm resolution. To eliminate KM someday. To definitely carry out the last order the Boss left me.
I advanced in the darkness, seeing only the light I had caught.
However, when I got closer, I saw that the light had already fallen.
shit.
I came this far trusting only that.
Why do the people out here die so miserably?
As expected, someone like me shouldn't have even hoped for happiness.
Lying sprawled out in that corner, living a life worse than a sewer rat suited me.
Maybe it was a mistake from the start that I was born into this world.
I prayed to the moon again today.
Please don't let me trust or love anyone anymore.
I'd rather you rot and die in agony.
Phew, that was tough....
And also, what's going on with 70 subscribers...
I love you so much.. I love you❤
※ This is a free serialization.