Law School Crossover Hidden Identity FanFiction Series

Chapter 17: The First Taste

Joon-hwi said it both, in English and Korean. He recognized her – not just Ara but their mother in her words.

Mother...eomeoni...Ara hadn't heard those words in a long time. Those words gave her sense of power at one time. Embodying their mother's persona gave her a sense of control and secrecy. Although, she was now standing in Joon-hwi's presence without their mother. She had no other backing aside from herself. She'd spent years keeping quiet the things she did during the boy's past. It was her job to keep things hidden not just from the boy, but others like those who surrounded her and were looking for answers.

Ara glared at Joon-hwi, speaking to him without saying a word-- Good boys don't talk about what they see. Good boys tell no tales.

"What?" Joon-hwi asked. He couldn't hear her but knew what a look like hers meant.

"You heard me." The statement was calm and direct, nor a question. She was demanding him to stop as his mother did. Her face terrified Joon-hwi, sending him almost back in time to his own mother and the way she would tower over him appearing ready to kill her own child.

Tae-in and Min-joo communicated with a side-eyed signal. If Ara insisted Joon-hwi to stop, they wouldn't.

"What has Joon-hwi said that was so wrong, Ara?" Tae-in was genuine as he leaned comfortably up against the kitchen counter. He watched Joon-hwi; and then refocused on Ara. Why didn't I ever make that connection? Ara picked up her traits from their mother. Being the first time, anyone referred to Ara as a mother...or Eomeonie, a bigger picture of her unfolded. "Right?" Min-joo chimed in. She stood from kneeling at Joon-hwi's side. "What an honorable name...mother." There was something in the way that Ara cast her eyes down at Joon-hwi made her appear grander. She nudged Joon-hwi with her foot to rise. Let's not give her any more power than she thinks she has.

Ara watched as the trio stood facing her. She understood what they were doing, turning herself towards the refrigerator and opening it. Ara would give nothing away. "Honor in a name?" She coughed a chuckle, "Who believes that kind of bullshit?" She snatched a bottle of soju from the shelf and closed the fridge door. She unscrewed the cap off, never taking her eyes off the three, especially Joon-hwi.

Joon-hwi felt the kick a few seconds after. He was honestly surprised by it; half-thinking Sol A had arrived. It took a moment for him to register she wasn't there, and he was kicked. He was still a bit torn in between his past and present. When he set eyes on Min-joo, he quickly got up. Something was happening. She was beckoning for him to persist down a rabbit hole, hoping to push Ara to a breaking point. Or rather, to a place where she began to reveal their childhood. Joon-hwi wasn't sure how far he wanted to go, though. The memory he just witnessed was almost too much as it was. But...he'd go a little further—

"It was your fault. You were the one who allowed my brother to get hurt. It was you, wasn't it?" Joon-hwi wasn't sure if he would ever be able to confront his mother. This person—his brothers alter was close enough for now. Rage filled his voice, "It was you!"

She didn't respond to his anger. Ara merely smirked, taking a swig. "No. It was you. Like those from my village long ago. You people...You types with your judgements. Nosy and jealous."

Joon-hwi peeking into the piano room while Ara played for Maestro and showed their love for each other would have led them to being cast out. By pulling Joon-hwi away, Ara believed their mother was protecting their love. Their mother was preventing a wrongful and misjudged persecution during her time in purgatory and the boy's body. Yet, it was due to the other alters having to formulate a reasoning for this man's affection. Ara was created by In Su to reason Maestro's abuse as an act of love. It was Ara who he loved and wanted, not a frightened, confused little boy. They had to interpret the boy's mother allowing for such a relationship as support. The punishment Joon-hwi received from the woman upon disturbing her time with Maestro, Ara considered it a task she had full range to discipline him as well. She gained favor from their mother in doing this.