92. Uncomfortable Truths

"Dad, how is the case going? I haven't had any news from you guys. Seems Elric's mom wants us to lay as low as possible."

"Your mother and I are overwhelmed as it is with talking care of your sister and renovating the gym. Have you spoken to your sister by the way?"

"Yesterday when we came in."

"Oh yea, your mom mentioned it. Sorry son. My memory is failing me. I have a lot on my mind at the moment and I feel bad I didn't get much time with your fated. I wanted to adress an issue that was of a concern to me regarding you two."

"What is it?"

"Now that you're both graduating tomorrow. Do you want us to be at the ceremony?"

"It's not necessary. Stan's parents said they will come so I believe the two of them to just be enough for me and Stan..."

Yeon's dad smiled. "Look at you getting all excited. For months you didn't want to attend your classes. I know you've looked forward to this day for the longest time."

"Actually it wasn't my choice to attend the ceremony. Stan kind of planned everything. I missed six session of the support group I was to attend but Stan spoke on my behalf. We agreed if he can manage to convince my faculty of my absence then I'll attend the ceremony with him. Earlier, I got a call from him confirming my clearance."

"He must really care for you."

Yeon laughed. "Only because he is getting something in return."

"I'm happy that you are happy son. You are the child that has worried me the most since you were born. To see you this happy and fated, it's a dream come true. Its unfortunate that once we had just began celebrating you, Mijin..."

"Dad don't worry about it. Knowing Mijin, she will recover in due time. Remember you brought her to stay with me because of her strong personality. Do you really think she will allow herself to wallow in distress? That's something I'd do but not her."

"Hehe to see you this happy and trying to cheer me up, thank you my son. I hope you can stay here longer. You've abandoned your mother and I, only sticking to your fateds family."

"You're the one who insisted I leave. Infact, you literally kicked me out of here, asking Mijin to help me pack my bags. I didn't even get the chance to speak up for myself."

"I remember that day like it was yesterday. To think we were finding you a pair when you'd already met your fated mate, and a good one at that. Are they treating you well?

"Stan's parents are very loving that I never lack anything. They drop me to work and the uncle takes me back... sometimes I think everything went too well in my life that whenever I think back to how miserable I was and the things I went through, it may sound ridiculous but to be where I am right now, the suffering was worth it."

"Wow. What you just said...well, as a parent, I'm proud of you son. And I speak for your mother too. But still, regarding the issue I had wanted us to talk about. Stan informed me you're already working and earning."

"It wasn't planned really. His uncle put me on payroll since he needs a helping hand. I'm learning a lot of stuff dad. I'd never considered focusing my research on fated mates but now I am. He is an excellent doctor. He thinks am a prodigy and has taken me under his wing. Honestly dad I'm thinking of either going back to study medicine of fated mates or just focus on research."

"Whatever makes you happy Yeon. You have our full support."

"Dad, you seem a little off. Are you okay?"

"We are expecting a guest today. Suzzie and your mother will get here later in the evening so I'm feeling apprehensive since I do not know how to converse with our guest. He is the sister to Mijin's fated."

It can't be her..."Mora?"

"Yes! That's her name. Elric's mother said it will be better if they met with Mijin... I don't know if you've noticed something off with your sister but sometimes she says things thst do not make sense. I don't think she is aware of it and despite doctors seeing her... well, I don't know what to conclude."

"She seemed normal yesterday."

"Yes...but sometimes she flips and speaks of some strange things, like the murder of her pair when all know he is still alive."

"That's weird."

"Stan's parent's noticed too. Her mood changers from time to time and your mother and I are afraid to leave her alone just in case she inflicts harm on herself. I can't tell whether she is depressed or loosing her mind..."

"Dad..." Yeon called out, unable to endure his father's distress.

"Don't worry about it. Focus on your graduation son, okay?"

"Even so..."

"She is still in her room. I don't want her to walk here and find herself being the subject of our discussion."

"Okay dad. What time does Mora get here?"

"She was to come an hour ago and it's a good thing you are here. Honestly, I do not want her to meet Mijin since that incident t must have been traumatic for both of them but Elric's mother insists. How she managed to settle the case and agree to this, I do not know."

"What do you mean settle?" Yeon inquired. There was no possible way she could have agreed that fast. What about my case and Stan's? What of Mijin's?

"Oh, we will be compensated for the damage done to the gym. One case at a time I guess. As for your case, since it involves Mijin's fated alone, it may take a while but I just can't wait to end it. I hate the police and none of those who you imprinted on are confessing to anything. The good thing is they are still behind bars. It makes me angry that we might have to conclude your case since you were intoxicated and drugged at the same time. Calling you out as careless in a party just puts me in a foul mood... those bastards! However for Mijin's case, since the father was present, it makes it complicated. To think that family is now linked to my daughter, what are we to do? I feel angry at Mijin for keeping meting her fated from us. Now everything is intertwined and muddy. Your mother says we should focus on reconciliation, take that destroyed boy under our care but I'm against it. I don't think I will accept him. I do not care whether he was drugged or not. Because of him, both my children's lives are ruined."

"Dad, I'm doing well."

"Yes you are but months ago, you were a walking dead. Think of your fated in a coma, that criminal was present. The fire in our gym, he was there too. Why would I purposely bring a curse of a human being into this home? I'd kill him in his sleep!"

"Dad..." Yeon called out gently, trying to cool his father down.

"No Yeon, I'm tired! I want to vent! I've kept my feelings bottled up and your mother isn't here to use her scent on me. I'm not happy. My daughter is broken because of that family! I don't even want their daughter to set foot here but what choice do I have? She is my daughter and I'm not allowed to decide on her safety! This is the same case that happened with you when the police wouldn't allow me to accompany you to see your attackers. I'm so angry Yeon..."

"Dad you raised us well. We will overcome this and things will be better soon enough. I'm happy now and soon enough Mijin will. I never bowed down to anyone when I was forcefully marked. I never hid either. Mijin may be down at the moment but as soon as the scars on her body dissapear, she'll be her usual self. This is who we are. We face things head on. Besides, we have each other and the support from qualified people. Stan's family being doctors of both parties, pairs and fated, and Elric's mother being a renowned lawyer, we are well equipped with the right people to overcome our situation."

"Never would I have thought you'll convince me like this." Yeon's dad looked at his son lovingly. "You're right. We are a strong family and yes, we have support. I guess I've been paying more attention to the bad than the good. It's time I changed my perspective. Thank you son. You really have improved to become..."

"Dad..." Yeon called out looking past his father who followed his gaze."

"Mijin, you're up! You need something?" Her dad asked.

Mijin frowned when she replied. "You're scenting out."

"Oh sorry, I got too emotional a few moments ago. I guess Yeon and I can't perceive much with us being fated..." Her dad stopped midway and apologised. He couldn't help feeling sorry for his daugter, having met her fated that never was who had then become her pair, a situation he couldnt wrap his head around.

"I told you to stop apologizing all the time. Just treat me the way you usually do. You pittying me makes me feel worse."

"I'll do better from now on. Are you both hungry? I can make dinner since we are expecting a guest."

"I'll help out then." Mijin spoke while walking towards the kitchen.

"Are you sure Mijin? Don't overexert yourself."

"Let me do something. I've practically lived in my room the last couple of days. It's time to get out and be useful otherwise I'll start thinking of strange things."

Not wanting to agitate his daughter further, her dad agreed.

"Who are we expecting? Are Stan's parents coming again?"

"No them unfortnately. I meant to inform you of it but it was on short notice. The guest is your pairs sister, Mora."

"Mora?"

"Yea. You seem surprised."

"Ah...no. I just feel... I don't know. Why would she come here?"

Yeon replied. "To see you of course. Aren't you two friends?"

"Yes but...I just... I don't know..." Mijin walked to the nearest seat she could find and sat down.

Raising an eyebrow, her father pointed out. "You've been saying 'I don't know' a lot lately."

"She was there, I remember she pushed her brother away from me..."

"Mijin you don't have to talk about this if you don't want to. I can tell her to come another time..."

"No, it's fine dad. I'm alright. She must be as uncomfortable as I am coming here and if she can show courage, so should I. Besides, her brother is my pair. Who is supposed to help me take care of the mark? I want to ask her if he is okay."

Her fad wore a frown when he replied. "He is fine."

"Then he should be released don't you think? My neck hurts.

"But Mijin..."

"You don't understand what I'm going through! Yeon had Stan, you had mom, I have no one. I need to get rid of this infuriating itch! You can send him away once I heal but for now, just get him here!"

Suddenly, the door bell rang, bringing their talk to a halt.

"Welcome my dear."

"Thank you sir."

Strange. This time he didn't ask to be called dad especially when he hates being called sir, Yeon wondered.

"Mijin, I'm glad to see you..." Mora said excitedly but Mijin cut her short.

"Your brother, where is he?"

"Mijin, let the guest settle down first." Glancing at Mora, Yeon's dad asked, "My dear, would you like a drink?"

"Water would be fine. Still water please."

Mijin flinched briefly and shook her head. "Ah...yea. I'd like water too...I mean no."

Everyone kept silent as they bserved Mijin's facial expressions changing from one to another, as if she were battling within herself.

"Are you okay Mijin?" Mora was the one who spoke first, after the silence had become too uncomfortable for her to bear.

"I... just remembered something. I had water...with Mora that day..."

"Yes we did." Mora interrupted. "That was before my father came into the room with my brother. Remember, he was behind you?"

"Ah! Yes...I didn't quite get to look at him. Your brother was frail."

"Indeed." Mora nodded. "The memory of that night still haunts me to date."

Unable to contain his curiosity, her dad probed, "What ends do you remember? Anything you can recall is important."

"Walls...chairs... it was dark. It hurt everywhere and I remember looking at you Mora." Staring closely, Mijin added. 'You were smiling."

"Are you sure? Mijin you were completely drugged."

Staring at the floor, Mijin looked disturbed. "I don't know..."

"We were both crying but you had been drugged and I was forced to put on a brave face, my father being there and all."

"Yea. I guess so."

"Do you remember anything else?" Mora asked.

"It just smelled really nice that day."

"Must have been my brother scenting you. You two were fated before so your scents may not have been in synch but were synchronized before he marked another."

As if in deep thought, Mijin spoke. "I...I don't now. I just feel strange..."

"That's enough." Her dad interrupted. "Don't push yourself Mijin." Turning to the gurst, he added, "Seems your presence came with improvement on my daughters well being. She has never spoken about what happened to her and as much as I would like to know what happened on that day, it would be unwise to push her."

"I only came to check on how she is doing and to see her up on her feet, I'm relieved. I also wanted to congratulate Yeon and Stan on the graduation."

"How is your brother?" Mijin interrupted. "Please, tell me he is no longer in danger."

"Ofcourse not. Why would you think that?"

"I don't know. I just have a bad feeling... I can't quite put my finger on it."

"My father may be bailed out but the authorities are keeping a close watch on him. I can't even access our home since they insist we may tamper with evidence. At the moment, my mom and I are sharing a hotel room until things settle. I haven't met my father since that night."

Seeming concerned, Yeon asked. "How are you coping really, with school and all?"

"I deferred temporarily until this is settled. I'm too stressed to do anything right now. Besides I have to be escorted everywhere in case anything happens."

"Anything like what?" Yeon's dad asked suspiciously.

"My father knows I'm the one who sold our family out. He is furious with me. Of course I'd take caution."

"You can stay with us." Mijin said.

"Mijin no..."

"Why not dad? Her life is in danger just like her brother's."

"I do not think that to be a good idea. Coming here was a big risk. If it were not privately organised by Elric's mother, I'd not have been here. Besides. My father'ss lawyer are arguing that I've been manipulated to side with the enemy for me to be a sellout. Despite that being untrue, I still can't take chances and jeopardize the case. I also know my father does not want things to go to court so until things settle, I have to remain in hiding a little longer. Afterwards, I'll consider the offer. Mijin and I were thinking of staying together anyway before all these happened."

"We were?" Mijin seemed surprised just like her brother and dad at Mora's declaration.

"Yes. You are my mentor, remember?"

"Oh right. Sure."

"Then I'll remain hopeful and look forward to that day."