|| Mr Arrogant ; Book 5 || kth

Chapter 9 : A Failed Mission

Taeho's POV
Lately, Taeguk's actions bothered me a lot. She became really interested in Appa's schedules and would often shut herself off, away from the world. She's never been like this, and I can tell something's going on. Eomma and Appa couldn't really notice the difference in Taeguk, since they're always out. Maybe because of that, they never really bothered to check on her when she's alone in her room.

Sighing, I placed my books back into my locker before shutting it, mind full of thoughts.

"Heyy, what's the frowny face for? C'mon, give me a smileee!" my girlfriend, Seohyun, asked as she pinched my cheek when she noticed my unusual quietness.

"Nothing much, really. I'm kinda tired. Class was super boring today," I lied. I wasn't in the mood to joke around with her. Not that she's annoying, no way, but I'm just really concerned about my Noona, who was approaching the locker area with a gloomy expression. Her head was hung low and I noticed that her friends weren't with her.

Upon reaching her locker, she slammed herself lazily against it, leaning onto it as she massaged her forehead frustratingly. She stared at the ceiling in the saddest way I've ever seen her doing it. From where I was standing, I could see her watery eyes, as though as the tears might fall any moment. What happened? Did anyone bully her? Is she alright?

"Hello sir-? Are you alright? Did I turn into a ghost?" Seohyun commented as she waved her hands in front of my face, desperately trying to get my attention. "Huh- oh! Actually, Seohyun, I have something going on right now. I need some time alone. I promise I will text you once I'm back. Take care of yourself, okay? Bye, I love you~" I kissed her cheek as she raised her eyebrow, but seeing that I was occupied with something else, she pecked my cheeks, nodded and left. Once I'm sure she left, I made my way towards Taeguk.

"Hey, everything alright?" I questioned, examining her face.

"Hm?" she slowly turned her head to the side. At the sight of me, she jumped and immediately got up. "Y-yes, I'm feeling absolutely fine! What makes you think i'm not?" she stuttered.

"But you looked like there's someth-" I replied halfway as she cut me off. "C'mon, let's go, I promised Eomma to fetch Taemin from school today."

She was avoiding that topic. I could tell that. She wasn't going to let me see her broken side, was she? All she wants is to be a role-model towards her younger siblings - a brave and strong older sister that me and Taemin can rely on. I sometimes really just want to be there for my Noona, like how she always supports me when I wasn't feeling alright. I have to know what is bothering her. It's my turn to help Noona now, and I'm willing to help her more than anything else. But since she don't feel like opening up to me now, I decided to slip the question off of my mind for now and nodded my head, before making our way towards Taeguk's car.

Author's POV
When the children got home, their mother embraced them tightly, just like how she always does after they had a long day at school.

"Appa!" they screamed at the sight of their father coming out of the kitchen.

"Hey, kiddos," he laughed. "Wasn't expecting to see me, huh?"

In between hugs and kisses, Taeho looked worriedly at Taeguk. Her expression was unexplainable. One moment, she was happy and the next, she was all sullen. Something was bothering her. He knew. But what could he do? He didn't know what was happening to his older sister. The sister he used to know, the cheerful and nonsensical 'buddy' he used to talk to every day. He felt helpless. 'All I want is for Taeguk to open up to me. I want to be there for her,' he thought sadly as he looked down on his lap, feeling like he had failed her as a sibling.

•••

I stood outside her room door and was contemplating whether I should knock on her door. Breathing in, I did what my mind told me to.

Knock, knock.

No sound.

I knocked again. Silence.

Should I open the door? It would be invading her privacy but I had to know what was going on. I twisted the doorknob, and to my surprise, it wasn't locked.

"Uh- hey Noona! What are you doing in here? It's rare that Appa is at home, do you want to join us in a family game? Monopoly? Uno? Anything?" I asked, trying to bring her out of her room, but I know it would be tough to do so.

As soon as she heard me, she shot up from her crouching positon and looked at me in shock. "Why didn't you knock?!" she exclaimed.

"I'm sorry I barged in like that, but I did knock, it's just that you're too immersed in your lalaland to even hear me," I tried to defend myself.

She gave me a weak smile and replied, "Oh, I'm sorry. What was it that you're asking?"

Okay, screw the family game.

"I was asking what was bothering you. You seemed really frustrated in school and you are unusually quiet, totally unlike your usual self when you see Appa." I explained. She blinked continuously. That definitely caught her off guard.

"I was just a little tired, that's all. Really nothing! Sorry for bothering you," she said. Totally not persuasive. I raised my eyebrow suspiciously. "Sure?"

"Yes!"

"Okay, but Noona, please tell me if you have anything disturbing you," I decided to let her slip off.

"Okay Taeho, thank you," she managed out the best smile she could.

With that, I left her room with a heavy sigh. She's never going to tell me.