Powerful (Michaeng)

The Drawings

... Chaeyoung turned to go back home.

"Wait, Chaeyoung." Inbok said, gently holding the girl's arm, and as she turned around, he unexpectedly kissed her on the lips.

Chaeyoung felt her legs tremble, and after a few seconds, she closed her eyes. It was her first kiss.

When Inbok pulled away, Chaeyoung lowered her head and went back into the Myoui house, confused. Outside, he stood still, still unable to believe what he had just done, but then he broke into a happy smile.

Inbok loved Chaeyoung and would do anything to make her able to love him back.

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That night, Chaeyoung couldn't sleep well, even though she was very tired after the exhausting days of preparation for Mina's engagement. The kiss Inbok gave her disturbed her peace.

It wasn't anything against him; she herself couldn't help but acknowledge how good of a guy Inbok was, always very caring and affectionate with her. She also recognized that he was handsome and had his charm, but still, it was hard for her to see him as a potential husband, since she felt an almost brotherly affection for him.

She didn't know how she would face the guy the next morning or how things would go for both of them after what happened.

As soon as the day dawned, Chaeyoung got up and went about her chores, and it didn't take long for her to run into Inbok, who seemed a bit uncomfortable.

"Good morning, Chaeyoung," he said, while the girl looked everywhere but directly at him.

"Good morning, Inbok oppa," she replied softly.

"I wanted to talk to you for a minute, is that okay?" he asked.

"As long as it doesn't take too long, because I have a lot to do. Today is the day to clean the rooms," Chaeyoung said.

"I wanted to apologize for yesterday, for my behavior, I don't know what I was thinking..."

"It's okay," Chaeyoung quickly cut him off. "Let's just pretend that never happened." Inbok had promised himself that he would respect Chaeyoung's wishes, but those words hurt his heart. Deep down, he had hoped she could somehow feel the same way about him as he did about her. "You're like a brother to me, Inbok oppa."

"Alright, I understand. I just wanted to clear the air," he said, trying to hide how hurt and disappointed he was.

"Excuse me, I need to go." Chaeyoung gave a shy smile before leaving the kitchen.

Inbok put his hands on his waist and took a deep breath, swallowing the lump in his throat. He didn't need nor want a sister. He wanted Chaeyoung to be his wife. He loved her and was always looking for ways to show it. He was careful, affectionate, and protective towards her. He would give his life for her. How could she not see that? Chaeyoung would never find someone who would do for her the things he did. She would never find someone capable of loving her the way he did.

But he wasn't going to give up; even if it took time, Inbok knew that Chaeyoung's destiny was to be his and she would eventually realize that one way or another, it was just a matter of time.

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Two weeks had passed since then, and the day had come for Haru to return to work. He would be heading to Nanjing, China, to maintain order in the capital, which had been under the control of the Japanese Empire since 1937.

Joining General Myoui on the trip to China was Yoshiro, on his first mission as a soldier of the Rising Sun Army.

The young man's parents were very worried, especially his mother, Nori, but Haru did his best to convince them that Yoshiro would not be in any danger. After all, the Japanese Army was extremely powerful and had total control over the cities it had invaded, and Yoshiro had proven himself to be skillful during training, not as much as Haru at his age, but he would probably handle himself well in any adverse situation.