Because It's You - Hwang Inyeop

Sixteen

As soon as Hee-soon woke up, she immediately looked for In-youp. Her parents assured her that he is safe and that she does not have to worry. The investigation about what happened has ended and Ji-hoon's father was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. His case not only included the crime he did towards In-youp which resulted in almost killing Hee-soon, they additionally indicted him for what he does to the trainees under his agency. Upon digging deeper into the case, for some model trainees to be famous, Ji-hoon's father made them suffer from too much diet to the point of making them starve just so they could reach the weight and body size the agency is known for. The investigators also found out that the reason why trainees cannot forfeit their contract is that they were threatened by the agency.

"To look for more clues for my father's wrongdoings, we went inside his office in our house. My father never wanted anyone, not even our house cleaners, to enter his office. It made me and my mother wonder what could be inside that room," Ji-hoon continued informing Hee-soon about his father's case. He visited Hee-soon in the hospital days after knowing that she already woke up. He hesitated to give the girl a visit for he is ashamed to face everyone because of his wrong accusations about In-youp.

"Now we know why he never wanted us to enter his office," Ji-hoon said and stared at his clasped hands placed on his lap. "He was hiding my sister's suicide letter."

Hee-soon covered her hands as she gasped upon hearing the truth. "The reason why my sister committed suicide is that she was already suffocating from my father's expectations. She said in her letter that she never wanted to become a model but since our father insisted, she had no choice but to follow his orders. She as well experienced what the trainees had experienced and it made her feel disgusted with herself. We tried confronting him about it but he still refused that my sister's death was his fault. He was blinded by money and even used his daughter just so the agency he is managing could gain more attention. It was my fault. As her brother, I should have been beside her and listened to her problems."

Even though Ji-hoon is crying, Hee-soon heard guilt and anger in his voice. She had never imagined that a father will do such a thing to his daughter. She reached for his trembling hands and clasp them with hers. She doesn't know what to say because saying that everything is okay is such a cliche. So she remained silent and stayed her hands clasped on his.

"I'm sorry, Hee-soon. I tried to use you just so I could avenge my sister's death. I never thought that things will end up this way," Ji-hoon wiped his tears and looked at Hee-soon who is sitting on her hospital bed. "You are such a nice person, both In-youp and you are. I am so embarrassed to face both of you but I know you deserve to know the truth."

Hee-soon gave him a warm smile. "I understand. You were so desperate for an answer. People tend to be blinded by what we believe just so we could ease the guilt we feel." She once again reached for Ji-hoon's hand. "You are a nice person, too, Ji-hoon. I believe that the reason why you approached is not only because you seek revenge. Deep inside, you also wanted to help me get out of the department I was in."

Ji-hoon reciprocated Hee-soon's smile and once again, he felt the sincerity in the girl's words. "Why do you have to be so nice? It makes me want to continue my plan and snatch you away from In-youp," he said and chuckled. "Speaking of that guy, I heard that he hasn't visited you yet."

Hee-soon's expression turned sour upon remembering that In-youp hasn't visited her even once when she already regained her consciousness. She heard from her parents that he never left her side when she was still in ICU. She was informed that he had canceled all his schedule just to be by her side. It now makes her confused about why he has never visited knowing that she had already woken up.

"I think he's just busy. I heard he has an upcoming drama in which he is the lead character," Ji-hoon spoke which made her out of trance. He stood up from the metal chair and placed his hands in his pocket.