Hold Me Tight

How did we become...friends? Last part

In Woo's POV

It felt like I was seeing myself when I saw them beating the young girl, Han Shi Young. She is now 13 which means she was my age when I was getting bullied. I felt my heart skip a beat when the trio of three bulky girls, slapped her so hard that her right cheek turned into a slightly red shade immediately due to the extreme force. I feel tears build up. I want to move, I want to save her from this drastic moment but what if I show my bravery and they beat her up more. It's not like I'll be there for her every time these things happen. What if things get even worse.

Even though I was beyond scared, I couldn't let that happen before my eyes when I know I'm capable of defending someone, saving someone. Soo Bin taught me how to fight just because I can also help someone in need someday. I began to take steps toward her before I stood in front of the trio and Shi Young. Although I was facing the back of the trio, they somehow managed to understand that someone was standing behind them as they stopped. I took out my phone in a hurry and pressed the camera icon, showing them as if I was taking a video of their deed.

''What do you think you are doing, old man?'' - One of the trio, who is apparently the bulkiest one, asked me. I took a glance at her before opening my mouth.

''What do you think I'm doing, old lady?'' - I said with a grin though I was scared as hell. 

''Don't try to act smart. Put the phone down'' - She commanded me as if I was her slave, to be frank.

''Why do I have to act smart when I already am?''

''Let's teach this man a lesson first then we'll have our way with the other shit over there.'' 

With that, she raised her hand to put a firm fist on my face which I dodged instinctively as I've been taught all the time. I watched as she ordered her minions to grab my hand from behind to keep me in place which I didn't let them do. I kicked the leader hardly on her stomach, resulting in her falling down. As much as I hate to fight, I'll never let them hurt me either. Like this, a few hits, kicks, punches were enough to make the trio to run away. 

''Thank you.'' - She said as I replied to her with a small smile. 

''You're Shi young. Am I right?'' - I asked her even though I already knew her name. I give her a napkin to wipe the small trail of blood dripping from her nose.

''I came here to pick you up. Shi Won's caught up with some business so I'm here. Ah, I'm Shi Won's friend but Shi Won doesn't know that yet.'' - I said and she laughed softly at that. 

In between small talks, we finally reached the bakery where Shi Won and I work. I told her to take a seat at any table as I began to search for Shi Won. It was then I realized Shi Won wasn't there. Did he want me to take her home? 

 ''Um Shi Young, I think your brother has already gone. I have a small work to finish yet. Can you wait a bit?''

''Yes. No problem.'' - She smiled before taking out her small notebook from her backpack and began to study. Wow, she's just like her brother.

''So, What do you want to eat in the meantime?''

''This is your house.'' - I felt sadness bite me to death as I saw their small house, nearly small to my grandma's house. I can feel why Shi Won was so rude to others. It's definitely because of the pressure he has to go through every day to survive. A small tear released from my right eye but before it can fell I brush it away. 

''Sorry. It's kinda small''

''No, no need to be sorry.''

''You're really brother's true friend I guess. I remember, when he was 12 he brought his first friend here but he runs away the moment he saw this house.'' - She smiled but I can sense her grievance in that.

''It doesn't matter whether the house is small or not. Heart matters.'' -  I said as I gave her a last smile. With that, Shi Young opened the main door of their house. I was about to turn around and go when I heard something breaking inside of the house. I ran to the house and found some guy in black breaking the things inside of the house. Why does a lot of him resemble me? The more I know them the more it feels like they need me. 

I know the man in black's, they are loan sharkers. I particularly don't know them but they always do that when the other doesn't return their money on time. I have suffered from them when mom and dad were alive. 

After breaking almost everything in that house they grabbed Shi Won by his collar as I saw his scared face.

''WHERE'S OUR MONEY?'' - He shouted in his face.

''I-I told you I'll give you s-oon...'' - He said as the man's grip got even tighter than before. I saw as Shi Young's face turn pale at her brother's condition.

''Soon? you've been saying it for two months.'' - He literally spats on his face and I watched carefully the situation.

''I have to earn the money first. I promise this time it won't take much. I promise.''

''Promise. Who wants to believe your word. If you don't want to pay then let us take that girl. She'll pay us on behalf of you.'' - He said as he eyes Shi Young as if she was a piece of a meal. I clenched my hand. How can he say something like this. Both of them are kids. How will they pay when they are just kids who's studying.

''DON'T YOU DARE TO TOUCH HER.'' - Shi Won shouted at him as I saw his face turning red in anger. 

''THEN PAY US.''

''He'll pay. Give him some time.'' - This time I said as I made my way toward him and Shi Won.

''Who the fuck are you?'' - He asked me with pure annoyance in his voice.

''None of your concern. As I say he'll pay you back in a short time and I promise that. Stop bothering them'' 

''Okay. Let's give you a short time. 2 weeks. We'll give you the last 2 weeks. And if you don't manage to pay us we'll take that little beauty away, is that clear?''

''Ok now get out of this house.'' - Shi Won said as the man's got out from this house. I eyed them before looking at Shi Won who was now sitting on the floor.

''How am I gonna pay him?'' - He said as he put his palms on his face, hiding the tears. I squated down in front of him. I put my hand on his shoulder, consoling him quietly that everything will be alright.

''How much is it?'' - I asked him and he looked at me with great sorrow. I can see the pain in his glossy eyes. 

''3 million won'' - I gasped at it. 3 million is huge. It'll hard for him to fill up in this due time. Even if I want to help him so badly, I don't have that much of money with me.

''Did you owe them?'' - I asked him with concern. 

''No its...It's the mother. She owed them.'' 

''Then where is she? Shouldn't she be paying them? Why are they after you?''

''She won't pay them. She has run away.'' - He said with an annoyed voice.

''Don't give up. Let's work hard. I know some places where we can work as part-timers and I heard they pay well. If that doesn't work too then I'll compensate the rest. I have some in my bank account.'' - I said as i assured him a small smile.

''Why are you helping me? it's...it's strange to-'' 

''My perents taught me to help the one who's in need. So no more talks about this. This house is a total mess. Why don't you two stay at my house? It's empty by the way.'' - I cut him off as I took in the house.

''T-Thank you.'' - He said with a smile and it was the first time to see his beautiful smile.

''So how are you gonna pay for it?'' - I asked him with a cocky smile.

''I'll pay yo-''

''I don't want the money back.''

''Then?''

''Let's befriend, shall we?''

'flashback end'