letters for jupiter | k.jw

twenty two

Letter #4
Jungwoo's

" Joohyun noona! Can you please be a little faster? We're really getting late! " I screamed while scrolling through my phone. What's taking her that long?

" Yah, Kim Jungwoo! Did you just shout at my daughter?! " I heard my aunt scream from the kitchen. I rolled my eyes in frustration and dropped my phone.

" What if I did, Auntie? What you gonna do? " I whispered. Nonetheless, I remained silent after repeating a few sighs and decided to go out. I heard Joohyun noona and Auntie bickering inside for a bit before I saw her making her way out the house.

A loud bang was created when she closed the door. She angrily tucked her uniform in and I snickered at her scrunched face.

" What are you laughing at, you dumbass? " She asked. I shook my head and started to walk towards my bike but suddenly, my hair was being pulled. I was taken inside. I didn't waste my time trying to pull off from Auntie, I know she wouldn't let me.

" Where is the bankbook from your father?! You've been living in this house for a while now and it's not for free! " I snickered as she pushed me to the couch. I knew she'd asked one day, and this is the day. I shook my head. I knew this was the only reason why she adopted me after my dad died. She never wanted me at first. All she wanted was money.

" Eomma, stop! Don't hurt Jungwoo! " Joohyun noona tried to butt in and stop Auntie when she started to beat me. I didn't cover nor protect myself. It'll be no use. So I just showed her a small smile while she hit some parts of my face and my arms. I never thought that one day, my favorite aunt would become my worst nightmare.

" Get away, Joohyun! Or I'll beat you instead! "

" Then do it! Beat me. " I was surprised when Joohyun noona said those. She normally doesn't talk back to Auntie. Auntie, surprisingly, stopped from beating me and faced Joohyun noona instead. I bit my lip as a loud slap was received by Joohyun noona from Auntie. Joohyun noona stayed silent and still yet her eyes flowed some tears. I stood up and tried to comfort her, but Auntie whipped her head towards me.

" You are only bringing misfortune to my family. You see what my daughter did to me? She talked back to me and it's because of you. I wish you died instead. " She said those words as if she was cursing me and then left me in the living room with Joohyun noona.

When Auntie was out of sight, Joohyun noona directly approached me and caressed my face.

" I'm sorry, Jungwoo. I'm sorry for what Eomma did to you. " She said and gave me an apologetic look. I gave her a small smile and a nod.

" It's fine, noona. I can handle this. I am sorry that you have to be slapped. Now, look at your ugly face becoming more uglier. " She slapped my chest and I playfully moaned in pain.

" Why do you have to be so strong? " She cried. I didn't know why she cried but she covered her face with her palms and turned away.

" Hey, noona. " I placed my hands on her shoulder and made her face me. She removed her hands and raised her brows.

" I'm going to be fine. " I reassured her. Looking like she's about to cry more, I embraced her and stroked her hair.

" There, there. " I said as we broke the hug.

" It was like yesterday when I was the one making you stop crying after some bullies try to steal your toy car. Now, look at us. You're even taller than me. " She said and we laughed. I do remember that. She fought those bullies and made me stop crying by hugging me, caressing my hair and cooing me.

" You're the best cousin ever. " I said and gave her a smile.

" I know. " She playfully flipped her hair and then, we went out. We are so late! She stopped in her tracks and so did I. She faced me and pointed my face.

" Jungwoo, your lip popped and you have cuts and bruises on your face. Why don't we---

I pulled her.

" I'm fine, noona. We're late. " She sighed and dropped her shoulders and walked. I followed her as I closed the door.

But she stopped again. And faced me.

" Hey Jungwoo, I just want to tell you that I'm on your side. No matter what, I'll still be the best cousin you'll ever know. "

Despite the comfort from Joohyun noona, I still didn't found the courage to bring up the smile from me and I went gloomy all day in school. I didn't bothered to tell Xuxi on what happened because I know he already know it pretty well. He even tried to cheer me up but to no avail, I can't.

Where was Dad's bankbook? Where was my mom? Why did it all happened?

***

So, I hope this answers the question about Joohyun/Irene's appearance here. She's Jungwoo's cousin.

And the problem is just a little explanation too, won't focus on this too much. 😃