The Constant | Choi Mujin

two

It's dada's funeral day. I practiced smiling in the bathroom mirror for my sister. I lifted the corners of my lips once, and twice, anddddd....

I sobbed again.

I'm a horrible person. Horrible daughter, horrible sister. I'm not strong enough for anyone.

I quickly washed my tears off and wiped my face clean. I brushed my dyed platinum white hair and put on some blush to look a little better.

I dust my black funeral dress and adjusted the sleeves. Alright, I'm ready.

I call out Jiwoo to get her to hurry up, only to look back at her face and see her red eyes and snotty nose.

"Hey, I'm still here even if dad is gone. I'll try my best to be your rock, yeah?"

I get a sniffle in return and dragged her away with me.

*

At the funeral parlor, there was only me and Jiwoo.

We have no relatives left, so it was to be expected. It was still sad and lonely, though. I think it's safe to say it made me five times more depressed.

We paid our respects, and as I was getting up, I saw a swarm of men in black suits enter the room, bowing to my late father.

The man frontmost lit up a cigarette, taking a puff and placing it down the ashtray. Probably as a tribute. He wore a gold ring on his pinky and had a clean haircut. Probably in his 40's or 50's if he's my father's age?

And as fast as they entered, they tried to leave immediately without sparing us a look.

"wa- "

"Are you the boss of the drug operation?" my sister cut me off.

I stared at her, grabbing her forearm before bowing to the man.

"Sh- I'm sorry. She doesn't know what she's talking about. Jiwoo- say sorry!"

She ignored me. What a bitch.

"Uncle, what did you tell my dad to do? Was it to beat up guys, threaten them and stab them?" She said.

I stood stiffly. Does she want to follow our dad's footsteps to hell?

"Who killed him?"

The room went silent.

"Your father was my most trusted friend and brother. He was a good father. That's all you should remember," he said as he swiftly walks away, glancing at me before leaving.

Well, way to make yourself more suspicious.

*

As we had one last look at dad, our heart sank. He had a huge tattoo on his chest. Probably by that mob boss earlier. Choi Mujin, was that his name?

Jiwoo seemed to be hiccuping and crying, looking at him one last time. I couldn't bear to stare at him any longer. It felt like my heart was going to be ripped from my chest.

Remembering our fun beach trip, I opened my mouth.

"I'll take you to the beach. Don't cry," I hugged Jiwoo, letting her sob onto my chest as I nuzzle into her neck, letting my tears fall as well.

*

"Why wouldn't the police do anything?!" Jiwoo yelled, throwing the chair onto our apartment floor.

I facepalmed. "Listen, we can't do anything about it anyway. Throwing things won't help."

Her face turned red as she yelled at me, grabbing my hair. "Do you even care? His case isn't going to be investigated!"

"Jiwoo! Are you crazy? Let go! I just said to not throw things, I wasn't implying anything!"

She didn't let go, but dug her nails into my head.

"Ah! You bitch!" I grabbed my bag and hit her with it repeatedly, getting her to get off. I pushed her away and glared at her.

"If you had only came home earlier! Did you not see who had shot him? You're useless! And now you're telling me off?" She balled her fists and started to yell louder.

Is she having a panic attack?

She gasped, almost as if she couldn't breathe.

"Jiwoo!" I quickly came to her side and hugged her. "Forget what I said! Calm down! Please, breathe in and out with me, yeah?"

She nodded and seemed to calm down a little. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. It's just so confusing..."

I grabbed her head and hugged it. "No, no. I was being insensitive. Let's not argue further. I'll go buy some food to make you a warm dinner, yes? Then, we'll feel better"

"Yeah, you do that..." she suspiciously responded, seemingly a little to eager to see me go. I left anyway, brushing it off as nothing. It's probably nothing.

Right?

*

wrong.

"JIWOO! JIWOO!" I frantically called out her name. She was nowhere to be found. I felt myself feeling nauseous, almost vomiting on the floor from the stress.

I quickly called her again through my phone, only to be left unanswered. Where is she?! Is she being kidnapped?!

kidnapped?

I need Choi Mujin's help! He'd help his best friend's daughters, right?