The Hidden Scar

She is back

Days had passed with Jimin steadily piecing together memories of his childhood, growing closer to uncovering the truth that had long been hidden in fragments of dreams. Yet, as much as his personal life was coming together, the team's mission to bring down the mastermind behind Kim Seokmin and his sinister deeds remained stagnant. Lead after lead had taken them nowhere, leaving the team's spirits dampened.

The team was gathered in the meeting room when Leo's voice broke through the quiet tension. "I just saw something on my feed—Min Ju's coming to Seoul today!" His voice was laced with excitement.

Aera looked up, intrigued. "Min Ju? Jimin's cousin?"

"Yeah," Leo nodded eagerly, "she's a fashion design student, and she's wrapping up her final year. She's also a major influencer—I mean, she has such a unique style. Been a fan of hers for a while," he added, almost shyly, which drew a chuckle from JK.

Jimin glanced around the room, noting the familiar anticipation in his friends' faces. "Min Ju's not a stranger to us," he explained to Aera, remembering how she'd visited them before. "She's my uncle Kim Seokmin's daughter. I haven't seen her much since... you know, everything happened. She's always had this free spirit—just lives her life the way she wants."

There was a brief silence as the reality of Kim Seokmin's imprisonment loomed over them all. Min Ju's father had been responsible for the death of Aera's father and the fire that killed Jimin's own parents. It was a history shadowed in tragedy, and the team's efforts had put him behind bars.

"Do you think Min Ju has any idea about what her father's done?" Jin asked thoughtfully.

Jimin shrugged, his expression uncertain. "She always seemed distant from her dad's business dealings. I think she saw him as a successful businessman, but she never really knew the darker side."

Leo's enthusiasm resurfaced. "Maybe she'll give us a clue without realizing it. She's an influencer, after all. Every post, every gathering—it's all public."

V chimed in with a grin, "And with Leo as our resident Min Ju expert, we'll know exactly what she's up to."

The team shared a laugh, appreciating the light-hearted moment, but the undercurrent of tension remained. For all they knew, Min Ju could unwittingly hold a key piece of information that could lead them closer to the mastermind behind everything. And they had no intention of missing an opportunity.

Just then, Jimin's phone buzzed, displaying a message notification.

"She's already landed," he said, pocketing his phone. "Guess it's time to get ready to welcome her... and see what, if anything, she knows."

The team exchanged glances, a mutual understanding settling among them. They knew this visit from Min Ju was no coincidence. And as they prepared to greet her, they couldn't help but wonder if this would be the break they'd been waiting for in their pursuit of the truth.

Jimin and Aera stood at the bustling arrival terminal, watching as passengers trickled out. Aera couldn't help but feel a bit nervous; she hadn't seen Min Ju in months, and though they hadn't been particularly close, Min Ju's strong, stylish presence was something impossible to ignore. The sliding doors opened, and there Min Ju was—looking effortlessly chic, even after a long flight, with her designer handbag slung over one shoulder and a warm smile as her eyes landed on her brother.

"Jimin!" She waved, hurrying over to them. "It's so good to see you!"

Jimin grinned, hugging her briefly. "You too, Noona."

As Min Ju pulled back, she looked to Aera, her eyes lighting up with familiarity. "Hi, Sana."

Aera took a deep breath. "Actually, it's Aera," she corrected with a small smile. "Sana was just a cover name I had to use... for a few reasons."

Min Ju raised her eyebrows but nodded knowingly. "Ah, undercover, huh?" she said with a wink. "Nice to finally meet the real you, Aera."

Jimin, catching the slight tension in Aera's smile, placed a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, Noona," he said, steering the conversation away, "let's get you back so you can rest."

But Min Ju hesitated, giving Jimin a look he hadn't quite seen on her before. "Actually, Jimin," she said, her voice softer than usual, "there's something I need to say. It's important."

Aera and Jimin exchanged quick glances. He nodded, his curiosity piqued. "Alright. Why don't we head to a quieter spot first?"

Jimin led Min Ju and Aera to a quieter bench by the exit, away from the bustling crowd. As they settled down, Min Ju looked between them, her face showing a mix of hesitation and urgency.

"Jimin," she started, her voice low but steady, "I found out about Dad... and that he's in jail." She took a deep breath, her gaze hardening. "The charges against him—the ones that the news claims he was involved in—are they true?"

Jimin glanced at Aera, who gave him a subtle nod of encouragement. He turned back to his sister, his expression serious but gentle. "Noona... it's true. He was responsible for things we'd never imagined."

Min Ju's hands clenched, her voice almost a whisper. "So... he really was involved in... in arson, and in everything else?"

Aera's tone softened as she chimed in, "Min Ju, I know this is a lot to take in. Your father... he wasn't just caught up in one or two crimes; he had a deeper involvement in dangerous activities."

Min Ju's jaw tightened as she processed this, disbelief and sorrow flickering across her face. "But... I always thought he was just strict. That everything he did was for us. It's so hard to believe."

Jimin reached out, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know it's shocking. But we're here to help you through this. We're still family, Noona."

Min Ju took a shaky breath, her resolve hardening. "Then I want to know everything. If my father caused pain, I have a right to understand it fully. And if he's truly guilty... I need to make sense of who I am beyond his actions."

Jimin nodded, respecting her courage. "We'll explain everything we know. And we'll get through this together."