His Bodyguard || K.TH.

24. Lemonade

It's still fresh in your memory.

You remember your feet cold against the floors, gripping your nightie in a tight fist, nudging the big door just enough to look through the crack.

You had brushed your hair behind your ear, scared of being scolded for looking like such a mess. But before you could stumble back into the darkness, you had caught his eye and he turned his head.

"I thought I told you to go to bed."

You grip the fabric in your hand tighter. "Is mommy home?"

Your father doesn't answer you, merely glancing out the window for a moment before he sets the glass in his hand down onto his desk. He slumps onto the sofa that's pushed against the wall and you take the invitation to come into his office.

He looks down at your legs. "What happened?"

You follow his line of sight to your bruised knees before hesitantly meeting his eyes again. "I fell."

You didn't. Someone pushed you at kindergarten today. Maybe he knows about it. It's not good to lie, but you don't wanna tell the truth either. He would be happy though. You got up and didn't cry at all.

Like you guessed, he asks point-blank, "Did someone do that?"

He's smart. Your dad's very smart. So, you wonder why mom would wanna go and not come back. It might be your fault, but you tried your hardest to be a good girl and you didn't cause any trouble.

"No."

Your dad scans you up and down, the same way he looks at you when you get to pick out your own clothes before school and come out all ready and dressed. But this time, he seems sad.

You don't know why.

"Go to bed." He finally turns away. "We're going somewhere bright and early tomorrow."

You know better than to ask questions, so you nod, slowly padding out of his office and making sure to close the door behind you. Your feet scatter against the tiles before racing up the stairs, scared that monsters in the dark will get you if you look around or stay for too long.

The covers are pulled above your head once you make it and you fall asleep staring at the closet that might have skeletons.

In the morning and after some cereal for breakfast, dad takes you to the dojo. It's like the gym at school, but with wooden floors and mats and kids older than you practicing. They're punching the air and kicking mats that others hold. You watch them before your dad brings you away.

"What are we doing?"

"Seokjin, can you come here for a moment?" Dad calls out and an older kid comes running forward, bowing his head. He's taller than you, bigger, bright eyes and dark hair. You don't have a lot of time to look at him. "Shove her for me."

"Sir!" His head spins around, eyes wide.

You don't get it.

But your dad looks stern and the student is forced to comply, doing his best to lightly shove your shoulder.

"Harder." The boy complies with the command and he pushes you, making you stumble back. Your dad hums a note and turns to look at you. "Bend your knees, root your feet to the ground."