The surprised look on your baby brother, Jake is priceless. You wonder if it's just your presence or something else entirely knowing him.
"Noona! What are you doing here??"
You just shrugged innocently, "I'm visiting? Mom sent her regards though. What's with your face? Don't like I'm here? I can just leave." You already turned on your back.
Panicked, he quickly circle you, "No, no, no, no! I didn't say that. Come, come. I'll show you around. It's been so long. How are you?" Having you sulking is the least thing be wanna do. Besides Big Deal, it's you who he cherish the most especially for putting up with his flaws. It's only fair he do the same.
Jake's character is still as smooth as ever, but since you did technically raise the kid you know what's behind them. While getting lost to the area, Jake spot his closest men coming this way. The moment Jerry's eyes met Jake's, Jake jerked his head towards you couple time without you noticing.
Jerry froze. "(Name) noona is here-" "Who is here-" Using his built to shield Brad, Jason, Lineman, Jerry squeezed the trio together like a sandwich, "Jake's older sister is here."
The three of them froze. Lips tight even. You're here. Then that's mean it's business. Well business to them. Not you handling business, you are simply visiting because you almost never come here. Which makes it business! To leave a good impression on you!
The four of them did a 180 degree angle with their body, preparing to not mess your day up. Or something like that. They didn't know. They just heard a lot about you. And you're real, you're here-
"Oi!"
"Jake!" All of them straighten their postures in unison. Jake face-palmed, "Just relax." And they did just that by loosening their shoulders.
Jake turned back to you, "Noona, these are my brothers in arms. You remember Brad, Jason and of course Jerry. You haven't meet Lineman."
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance, (Name) noona." They bow. Again with the synchronized. It almost freaks you out. And Jake notices immediately. Oh how could he not? He knows how to read you better than anyone else because HE pissed you off your entire life.
He instantly act. Pulling that sheepish smile he clasped his hands, "Are you hungry? What you wanna eat? I know a place. My treat of course."
.
Something's wrong. You're so quiet. Did he do something wrong? Is it the food? The company? The place? 'Can read his own sister' my ass, he still suck at this. A lot has been in his mind, he nearly forgot you exist. Just not in the line of danger which he didn't need to worry about.
"Hey." He rest a hand on yours. "Did I do something wrong?"
Your raised your head from the food. "No. Why?"
"You been awfully quiet. I know I hardly text you. And believe me, I admit I'm in the wrong and you have every right to be mad at me."
You sighed through your nose. "Actually."
"I was gonna ask the same thing."
He blinked, "What?" You continue, "That maybe I do something wrong that makes your drift away from me. Hell I know what you do these days and I didn't stop you. It didn't make me stop worrying of course but I've put my trust on you."
His chest tightened. You thought he's mad at you? For what reason?
"Mom couldn't care less. She gave up long ago and I don't wanna be like her. It scares me to not care. To forget. Knowing by the end of the day you'd be gone with the same reason dad..." You didn't finish that sentence. But it's obvious what the next word is. Same bloodline, same fate, same consequences.
"You haven't reach out much so I thought you hate me or something..." Your eyes lowered with guilt. His then mimicked yours.
"I've just been busy." He nearly scoff at himself. It sound like the same ol excuse. "There's a bigger threat coming and I can't keep losing people. So me, including Big Deal and other allies I've managed to team up with, we've been preparing ourselves."
"For the war." He finished.
You just stare. You might not be in his life or the things involve around it but you know what's going on out there. The bloodshed, the brutality. The thought makes your stomach churn hence you rather be excluded or turned on a blind eye.
"Should I know what or who the bigger threat it?" You test the water, waiting if he will keep you in the dark again. On one hand you're curious, the other wants tells you that you might as well ignore this one too. Because it's nothing new.
Right?
"I..." Words stuck in Jake's throat. He didn't know if he can bring himself to tell you. How can he tell you that the very enemy they're about to face is his own blood? Make it yours too. But you're not ignorant just because you didn't witness it himself. He should trust you too.
"His name is..."
.
You and Jake walked together to sightsee the ocean. You nodded along as he finished explaining. "I see. So Jinrang. The King of Busan trained you ever since?"
"Yes. It makes sense, you know? To have his own student teaching the son." He gestured himself "I thought it's ironic. He hardly have the damn time for us." You chuckled, "Yeah, and then he had everyone else close to him pass shit on you. God, he's the worst."
Jake grinned, "The worst." He turned, "Oh." halting in his steps, "Just so you know. Lineman is totally single."
You scoffed in disbelief, "You caught me looking. How dare you, Jake Kim."
"Hey, I got smarter. I learn from the best." He smirked. You raised a brow. He added, "You."
Glaring, you attacked him with your fist which he quickly dodge but was caught off guard. "Woah! Actually, impressive."
You pant softly, "Is it? I'm so stiff. I've been self training." He usher you closer with his hand, "It's okay, we can work on that. Let me show you."
He did a stance for you to copy. While you're in position, he walked your side to fix your posture while adding the points to his advice. He showed you how to throw punches then praised you despite your self esteem.
"I remember when noona would scold us when we get dirty during playtime." Jerry uttered from afar standing with the trio. "She would patch me and Jake up. She's the most caring person I've met."
Brad nodded, "I remember when she said we're such a bad influence to Jake. You remember that, Jason?" "Yeah." "You also said she's hot." "Shut your trap."
"I'm being left out." Lineman sighed.
"Lineman! Grab up water bottle, please?" Jake waved. Lineman's face lit up, "Yes!" And leave. Then come back shortly after. "Here, Jake."
"Thank you." Jake accepted it. You did too, "Yeah, thank you. Lineman." Your fingers lightly brushed against his as you received the bottle. He felt electric. You and Jake continue to do your training.
"She said my name." Lineman quivered.
Jason deadpanned, "Happened to most of us, bud."
"I'm not washing this hand ever again." "I wouldn't go that far-"
