P.M. II

CHAPTER TWO

The next day…

Author’s P.O.V

Soa and Hyemi went inside a local cafe and sat down near the window facing the entrance. Soa invited Hyemi out for coffee to discuss the relationship between her and her father. To be honest, this is a new territory for Soa. She’s never been good at listening to feelings. Much less discuss it. Her way of expressing her feelings is through training and spar against any opponent who’s willing to put their life on the line while she beats the life out of them.

However, ever since she first started working for Mr. Ko, Hyemi has been very kind and patient with her. She has always been there to assist Soa, even when it was unnecessary. Like the one time Soa had accidentally cut herself in the kitchen, she didn’t feel any pain thanks to her training of learning how to endure the pain. It eventually becomes numb, mind over matter, she tells herself. What surprised her was the concerned look on Hyemi’s face when she saw the cut on Soa’s index finger.

Soa wanted to snag her finger away, telling Hyemi it’s no big deal. Hyemi had noticed it for weeks—the way Soa never flinched, never slowed down, never treated herself with even basic care. The cut was tiny, but the way Soa ignored it made something in Hyemi finally snap. “Please do not dismiss your life as if it has no value. I may not know you personally, but I have seen someone who hates their life so much. They wasted so much of their time with the wrong crowd who don’t value human life.” She sheds a tear. “Whatever you are going through, don’t let it be the reason why you should stay down. You have the will power to get up and fight the negativity and you won’t have to do it alone. I would be willing to help, if you let me.” Since then, the friendship between them grew. Hyemi taught her the humane things about life, trust, and care for the next six months. 

“Do you and your father plan to never speak again?” Soa asked, sipping on her black coffee.

Hyemi looks down with a sad expression on her face. “Knowing my father, he probably won’t speak to me until the end of summer. By then, I’ll be at the University studying.” She says, tapping her fingers on the coffee cup.

“I can see that. I have never seen your father so angry before. Not so surprising, considering he was a soldier.”

Hyemi scoffed, “you don’t know the half of it.” She rolled her eyes in annoyance.

“His temper is one thing. But at home, he acts more of a soldier than a father figure. I can tolerate his attitude, but my older sister couldn’t. There were times I felt I wanted to blame him for chasing her away. But at the same time, he’s not entirely at fault. She made her own choices after mother died. The drugs, the alcohol, her abusive boyfriend.”

Her expression tightened for a moment, then she exhaled slowly. “Father had tried to help her. I tried to help her. She’s been in and out of rehab for more than three years. In the end, my father gave up on her and focused on his business.” She sighed deeply.

“But you didn’t.” Soa says, tilting her head in concern.

Hyemi slowly shook her head, “I didn’t have the heart to give up on her and I was right not to.”

She fidgets her fingers before starting her story, “over a year ago, she called me and told me about turning her boyfriend in to the police and going to rehab after. I didn’t believe her at first, then the police came knocking at our door. I was lucky enough to open it, and father was out grocery shopping for the restaurant. They told me everything that was going on and I was able to see the whole thing going through. I made sure my father didn't know anything about it because he wanted nothing to do with her. After court, my big sister went to rehab like she promised.” Her voice started to crack towards the end. Her visions blurred as her tears were threatening to come out as she raised head facing Soa. “For the first time in a long time. I finally have my big sister back!” She cried, shedding her tears while she was smiling. “She’s been getting a lot better and we’ve kept contact after that.” 

Soa smiled a little and slowly nodded her head with approval. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“A few weeks ago, my sister called me and told me she’ll be released from rehab soon. But the problem is, father doesn’t want her home. So I don’t know how long I can keep up with this lie about my father thinking about it.”

“She can stay with me.” Soa interrupted her.

Her eyes widened with surprise, “W-what? N-No! You don’t have to do that for me!”

“But I want to. It’s the least I could do after everything you and your father did for me.” She says, laying her hand gently over Hyemi’s hand.

Hyemi gasped, covering her mouth with her other hand. She got up and hugged Soa from behind tightly. “Thank you, thank you so much! You are the best!” 

“I will tell my big sister right away!” She says, sitting back down. Taking her cellphone out from her front pocket.

                                                   * * * * * * *

Later that afternoon…

The front entrance of the prison facility doors had creaked open and out of the shadow was Park Jong-Doo. He leaned his neck back, sniffing the air of freedom that didn’t reek of inmate sweat and other heavy testosterone. He sighed deeply, strolling with his haughty attitude, hands in his pockets, and  smiling ear to ear as he exited through the final gate.

“Freedom at least! I have never felt more alive!” He screamed with joy while raising his hands up to the sky.

Then he turned back on his left side, looking at the guards who were not so pleased seeing him released early. Normally the law would have him in prison for drug possession and soliciting prostitutes for fifteen years or more. However, with his connections within the law to bribe a judge and threaten a number of jurors with families, his sentence resulted in a year and six months.

“Thanks for the hospitality, boys! I hope we can keep in touch!” He sent them a taunting salute.

From across the street, there was a black SUV parked next to the curb along with a driver and a few men standing beside him. Most of them were dressed in grunge and punk street wear clothing with heavy piercings and tattoos from head to toe. Some were vaping, others had their sunglasses on to hide their diluted pupils from sniffing cocaine. As he got closer, they all bowed and greeted him respectfully.

Jong-Doo chuckled and clapped his hands while rubbing them. “My boys! What a sight for sore eyes! I hope you guys didn’t celebrate my release without inviting me.” He says, snatching the sunglasses from one of his men.

One of his guys squinted from the bright light and turned away.

Jong-Doo scoffed, “Well that’s a damn shame.” He threw the sunglasses at the guy’s chest.

“No matter, today is a good day! I’m in the mood to get laid anyways. Jerking off in prison isn’t as fun as it used to be.” He says, feeling annoyed. 

“I know! There’s this nightclub full of hot foreign women who're looking to get laid.”

Jong-Doo shook his head, “Nah! I know just the whore I want for my pleasure,” he says, taking out his picture of his ex-girlfriend.

“An unfinished business I’ve been wanting to get my hands on for over a year now.” He smirked devilishly.

Before he was about to say anything, one of his guys noticed someone else coming out of the prison gates.

“Hey, look, boss! One of the Bangtan brothers has been released from prison too!” One of the guys said, gesturing his head at the young man across the road from them.

The guys began murmuring…

“Wait, isn’t that Jeon Jungkook?”

“Yeah, I heard he went to the clink for beating somebody to death.”

“Oh really? Who?”

Jong Doo started to feel annoyed by their whispers and yelled, “Does it fucking matter?! Is he your boss?! Or am I?!” He asked, pointing at himself and the young man behind him.

They all flinched at his burst of anger and shook their heads, “You, boss!”

They bowed at him with respect. Jong Doo scoffed at their loyalty, “Get in the car before I have the urge to kill all of you!” He dropped his voice at the end, aware they were still outside the prison walls and unwilling to risk landing back inside.

Before Jong Doo got inside the car, he made one last deadly stare at Jungkook and his brother then drove off.

*REWIND*

Jungkook had finally been released after being in prison for three years. It would have been 25 years to life if it weren’t for his brothers. Unlike Jung Doo, they didn’t need to bribe and threaten people to lighten Jungkook’s sentence. The Bangtan brothers wanted to keep him there to learn his lesson for being rebellious and reckless. Especially the stunt he pulled by beating the bar owner to death over a woman who’s old enough to be his mother. Some say he had an affair with the bar owner’s wife and killed her husband to claim ownership. Others say she seduced him into killing her husband for insurance money. No one knew the truth except Jungkook and his older brothers.

As soon as he crossed the front gates, he saw two of his older brothers leaning on their black jeep. One of them had a stone look and their arms crossed. While the other, smiled joyfully and spread his arms out for his little brother.

“Looks like the golden maknae lives!” One of them said with a mochi‑soft smile.

Jungkook scoffed, rolling his eyes playfully. “What’s up, Jimin-hyung?”

Both of them embraced warmly, patting each other on their backs, and released each other right after. Before Jungkook was about to say something, his other hyung beat him to it.

“I hope you learned your damn lesson during your time at the clink,” his other hyung said in a monotone.

“Yes, Taehyung-hyung. I learned my lesson,” Jungkook sighed, annoyingly. “From now on, I’ll mind my own damn business when it comes to marital disputes.”

“Even though the bastard deserved it,” he lowered his voice angrily while gritting his teeth.

“Who gives a damn whether he deserved it or not. We are the Bangtan brothers, not vigilantes for battered women. Besides, his wife deserved just as much.” He pointed out, tilting his head to the side.

Jungkook made a confused look before he was about to ask. It was as if Taehyung knew what he was going to ask, he ‘tsked’ and shook his head in disappointment. 

“After you were sent to prison, I went to investigate the incident with Jimin.” He gestured his head at Jimin.

“We caught the woman sleeping with one of her husband’s bouncers. Her luggage was packed and ready to go by the doorway. Along with the money stolen from her husband’s vault.” Taehyung could tell the look of betrayal on Jungkook’s face and sighed deeply as he patted his younger brother’s shoulder.

Jungkook pushed his hand away in anger and glared at him, “I don’t believe you! She swore her loyalty to me before I confronted her husband! She even showed me her scars and bruises!”

“Oh yeah?” Taehyung interrupted him. “Did she swear to you while you were sleeping with her or after?”

“You son of a bitch!” Jungkook gritted his teeth in anger as he was about to punch him, but was immediately blocked by Jimin, who was standing between him and Taehyung.

“Hey! That’s enough!” Jimin says, frowning at both of his younger brothers.

After trying to calm down Jungkook, who’s puffed up with anger, Jimin sighed deeply, “Taehyung is telling the truth, bro.”

“That woman used you to kill her husband to run away with her so-called real lover. There was no remorse in her eyes.” He said, looking at his younger brother pitifully.

Jungkook’s eyes widened in shock, taking a couple of steps back before kicking the ground in anger. “AISH!!” 

He dragged in a sharp breath through his nose, shoulders tight, then shoved past them and yanked the car door open, “I’m going to kill that bitch,” he mumbled.

“Whoa! Hold on, bro!” Jimin said as he quickly shut the car door in front of Jungkook.

“Taehyung already took care of her,” Jimin said, trying to assure him.

Jungkook glared at Jimin, “Hyung!“

“Jungkook-ah!” Jimin interrupted him. “You know I would never lie when I’m serious,” he said, giving him a serious look.

Jungkook slowly turned to Taehyung, “Did she suffer?”

Teahyung smirked devilishly, “Trust me, bro. She stopped screaming after the cement block sank her and her lover to the bottom of the ocean. They’re nothing but shark food now.”

Jungkook scoffed and chuckled, “Good. Now I feel bad I wasn’t there to see that.” He smirked.

Jimin and Taehyung laughed around him and patted his back, “There’s the maknae we know.” Jimin said, opening the passenger car door for Jungkook.

Just as he was about to get into the car, a familiar yell rang out from across the street behind him. He turned to see Jong-Doo shooting him a death glare before climbing into his own car.

As the Bangtan brothers got inside the car, Jimin spoke. “I heard Jong-Doo was going to be released today. They say the court ruling was chaotic because his girlfriend turned him in.” He chuckled, “Talk about a stab in the back.”

“Women can never be trusted. They bring nothing but death, deception, and disappointment. Nobody, and I mean, nobody, underestimates the Bangtan Brothers. I will hunt them and gut them down like an animal if anyone thinks they have a chance against us.” Teahyung glared deeply into space without noticing his whitening knuckles gripping on the black leather wheel.

“You and me both, hyung.” Jungkook nodded his head with approval. “For now, let’s go home. I’m sure Namjoon-hyung and Seokjin-hyung are looking forward to lecturing me.” He rolled his eyes annoyingly. Leaving Jimin laughing and slapping his back at his remarks.

                                                        *********

The next day…

Near the edge of Seoul is a rehab facility for women who were drug addicts. Amongst them was Ko Ok-Sun, it took her over a year to go through withdrawal and avoid temptation to get her next fix. Getting over pain and throwing up constantly was a huge challenge for her in the beginning. Ok-Sun was close to giving up the treatment when her thoughts drifted to her father and younger sister. The hard steps she had to take were meant for them. Seeing the look on their smiling faces, and for the first time in a long time, her father would be proud of her and welcome her home. 

After the withdrawal, she went from group therapy to solo therapy from the trauma she went through with her boyfriend and her rebellious years after her mother died. She cried most of the time during her therapy sessions. Feeling remorse for her words and actions was her next step of improvement. Her therapist was willing to help her create a goal to improve her relationship with her family and her future life choices.

However, when it was almost time for her to leave the facility. Ok-Sun spoke to her younger sister, Hye-mi, about coming home. Except that plan had changed when their father didn’t want her to come home. Ok-Sun felt completely heartbroken after working so hard to recover and was ready to come home. She knew living in the streets would be dangerous for her since her ex-boyfriend owned them even when he was in prison. Ok-Sun felt the urge to have a panic attack until her sister called her again and told her her co-worker is willing to take her in. She felt unsure at first, but her younger sister assured her that her co-worker is also a close friend. Someone she would trust with her life. Ok-Sun somehow felt relaxed after hearing the phrase “trust with her life.” It was all she needed to calm her anxieties. On her last day at the rehab facility, Ok-Sun had her belongings packed and ready to go. She took a deep breath while feeling excited at the same time. Ok-Sun looked forward to reuniting with her younger sister and meeting her best friend at the same time.

But little did she know…

There was a black SUV parked outside the rehab facility, and Park Jong-Doo sat in the passenger seat. Smoking his weed and watching people coming in and out of the entrance. Like a predator watching its prey, his eyes squinted and growled angrily. Remembering that time in court when she testified against him. Explaining every detail of what he did on his business days, talking about his abuse toward her to the point he ended up raping her with foreign objects, including a loaded gun. Fortunately, he didn’t pull the trigger. But he still left deep, jagged scars carved into her thighs, back, and arms. What set him off even more was when she spoke about his torture rooms. From every sharp butcher’s instrument to working tools that were used for construction sites. His dumping sites for dismembered bodies fed to starving dogs after the dog fight arena that he ran on his property.

Jong-Doo flicked off his lit cigarette with his middle finger through the window. “So this is where she was staying this whole time while I was in prison?” 

“Yeah, boss! One of my sources told me that her old man doesn’t want her home, and she has been staying here since. No one came to visit her. Not even her younger sister.” One of his guys answered.

Jong-Doo chuckled, “How unfortunate. I guess that makes me her only family, and as her only relative, it’s time I bring her home and teach her a lesson about snitching. Don’t you think, boys?” He asked, turning towards them, smirking evilly. 

His men nodded in agreement, pulled out their masks and weapons from their feet, and cocked their pistols to ready themselves as they left the SUV and followed their boss into the rehab facility.

Chapter One

When I was a little girl, I used to read a folklore story called Gumiho. A nine tailed fox spirit in the body of a woman who was beautiful and benevolent on the outside. But dangerous and evil on the inside. Like a siren, she lures men into the forest at night through her charms and ethereal beauty. Then consumes their hearts and livers to live a long life and gain stronger supernatural powers.

Legends say that the Gumiho was so desperate to become human that it was willing to take the hearts and livers of a hundred men to escape its curse. 

Most people would find this story terrifying, but I found this as an inspiration for my way of life. As an assassin, I understood why Gumiho did what she had to do to survive. 

The only difference was… she didn’t have an older sister who was trained by her side their entire lives until they were ready to hunt. 

If there’s one thing I learned from Gumiho, the only reason why she wanted to become human was because deep down, she hated the desire to end innocent lives for immorality. 

For seven years, my sister and I have hunted down warlords and crime leaders to please our father. His goal was to become the only king of the underworld crime empire. Anyone who was a threat to him, we were sent to annihilate.

Until that one night, I couldn’t carry out the mission I was sent to do. So I left and never looked back. 

I hoped and prayed that Red Fox would never return. Not as a villain, but as something else who would make up for the lives she had taken into something more.

                                       * * * * * *

Three years later…

Author’s P.O.V

“Hyemi-ah! Would you mind helping me pick up dishes from empty tables?” The waitress shouted over her shoulder as she served hot porridge soup to the guests.

“I’m busy with this table!” The waitress concluded.

“I’m coming!” Hye-mi rushed from the kitchen double doors to collect the dishes.

Soa watches Hye-mi float around…letting her mind wander to when she was that age.

Ko Hye-Mi, an eighteen-year-old graduate student from high school. She starts her first year at Seoul University in the fall, where she’ll study to become a lawyer. Being her father’s golden child, she decided to spend her last three months’ vacation to help her father and his business. “SouperKorea.” It was Hye-Mi’s way of thanking her father for saving his business money over the years to spend it on a scholarship for her studies and a dorm room for her to stay for the next three years. As an average-height girl with round brown eyes and long, dark brown hair that frames her fair skin, she is unafraid to face any challenge that comes her way, even if it means risking her life for the people she cares about.

“Enjoy your meals.” The waitress bowed briefly to the elderly couple.

When she stood back up, she used her index finger to push back her thick black glasses to the bridge of her nose. Her soft smile revealed the kind expression on her face despite her bangs covering her eyebrows and the rest of her curly hair tied in a low ponytail on the back of her head. 

The elderly couple responded to her gentle expression, “You have a beautiful smile, young lady!” The old lady chuckled.

“Your boyfriend must be a very lucky man!” The old man said, turning to his wife as she nodded in agreement.

The waitress blushed and shook her head, “No, I don’t have a boyfriend." She took a long pause before responding, "I’m afraid my job has kept me more occupied than relationships as it is.”

The old woman had a look of pity on her face, “You shouldn’t work so hard, you’re still young! Go out there and have fun! Fall in love! Get married! Trust me.” She held her husband’s hand. “It’s worth it.” She concluded by placing her head on her husband’s shoulder.

The old man chuckled softly, patted his wife’s head, and kissed the center with love.

The waitress was about to warmly smile at their affections. But caught herself and turned a blank face.

She once again told them to enjoy their meal and bowed quickly before she rushed back to the kitchen.

At the end of the day, the girls were cleaning the serving area, wiping the tables, then flipping the chairs over to stack on top of the tables. Sweeping and mopping the floors and collecting trash from the garbage bins. Before Hye-Mi was about to leave through the back door. Her father came through the double doors from the kitchen. 

Mr. Ko, an old man in his sixties wearing a black bandana. His grey hairs sticking out on the sides of his face and his eyebrows. Wearing a black and white chef cook uniform with a black apron wrapped around his waist and sleeves rolled neatly up to his elbows. Before he owned his restaurant, Mr. Ko was a war veteran in his younger years. But after being away from home too often, he decided to end his tour and opened his restaurant, “SouperKorea.” He met Hyemi’s mother, got married, and had children together.

Unfortunately, his happy ending didn’t last forever. His wife passed away from blood cancer, leaving him behind to struggle with the business and her two little girls on their own to help their father at home and work.

“Ah! Great job, ladies! We made it through another successful day at work,” he said, grinning at them.

“Especially you, Mun Soa-ssi!” He turned to the waitress who was putting the last chair on top of the table.

“Thank you for the assistance in the kitchen! I know it was a last-minute call, but if it wasn’t for your help. My “SouperKorea” business would have been in trouble,” he chuckled.

“You’re welcome, sir. I’m glad to help out.” Soa bowed to her boss in respect.

*RING! RING!*

Hye-Mi’s cellphone rang from her back pocket, causing her to be alarmed within her father’s presence.

“What’s the matter, sweetheart? Aren’t you going to answer your phone?” Her father asked.

Hye-Mi quickly grabbed her cellphone to check the caller I.D and bit her lip nervously, “it’s Ok-Sun, father.”

Ko Ok-Sun, Mr. Ko’s eldest daughter. After her mother’s death, she grew rebellious against her father at the age of 15. She refused to “be a slave” to her father’s needs and turned to the worst crowd who were willing to accept her. Over the next few years, Ok-Sun dropped out of high school and became addicted to drugs and alcohol. Her father has tried to talk her into going to rehab, but their debates became too extreme. Mr. Ko had no choice but to kick her out of the house, and he hasn’t spoken to her since.

Her father’s smile melted into a frown, “Why is she calling you? How did she get your number?”

“I gave her my number.” She responded in a shy tone.

“Please don’t be mad, father! She has been doing really good this time! She’s been recovering for over a year now!” She takes a deep breath before pleading. “She just wants to come home!” Before Hye-mi was about to continue, her father interrupted her.

“No! I gave her three chances and she blew it! Recovered or not, she is no longer my responsibility!” He yelled angrily.

“You either end your conversations with her now, or you are disowned from this family too!” He huffed and turned back through the kitchen doors.

“SHE’S YOUR DAUGHTER! YOUR OWN FLESH AND BLOOD!” Hye-Mi screamed through her heartbroken tears.

Her father paused his movements before entering the double doors.

“You have no idea how hard it was for her to go through the pain of withdrawal. The constant vomiting, the shakes, and the headaches. Ok-Sun went through all of that just to prove how sorry she was and how willing she is to recover because she’s ready to come home.” She sniffled, wiping her tears from her right cheek with the back of her hand. 

“If you can’t accept her forgiveness and anything were to happen to her. You will regret it for the rest of your life.” Hye-mi concluded, before leaving through the back door to take out the trash.

Soa sighed and was about to untie her apron when her boss called for her.

“Mun Soa-ssi, could you please forget about what you just heard and make sure you girls lock up before you leave?” He said as he left through the double doors from the kitchen and up the stairs to his house.

Soa slowly nodded and whispered, “Yes, sir.” 

Later that night…

Outside the city of Seoul, there was a high-security prison facility with moving lights on different corners of the building. Guards spoke to one another through their walkie-talkies, others checking the perimeter with their dogs. Every single one of them was occupied with their jobs. Meanwhile, inside the building, through the dark halls and echoing footsteps of security guards, a loud grunt came from the first floor in one of the cellblocks. A man was doing sit-ups, facing the wall in front of him. The room may have been dark, but his eyes were focused on one thing. A picture of a woman with long dark hair, round eyes, and pale skin, smiling while holding a cigarette in her fingers. Instead of focusing on her face, he focused on her plump breasts, where her other arm was covering her nipples. He couldn’t help but drool over her provocative position. 

By the time he finished a number of sit-ups. He got up, breathing heavily, and strolled toward his picture and removed it from the wall. Before he was about to utter a word, he heard a few bangs from his cell bars. He smiled, knowing it was one of the guards getting his attention without turning around.

“Hey! You! Park Jong-Doo!” The guard yelled, raising his flashlight. It revealed the prisoner’s glistening, sweat-soaked upper body, covered in heavy tattoos. On his back was a tattoo of a phoenix flying from the flames. Then on his right arm was an eastern dragon with horns, slithering around his entire arm and shoulder with exotic flowers. 

“Stop making a racket and off to bed now! Or it’s an isolation room for you!” The guard warned before he left.

Jong-Doo scoffed in annoyance and ignored the guards' threat. “Just one more week, baby. I will see you soon.” 

He flipped the picture around before the guard's flashlight left his cell and read on the back out loud to himself, “My Ok-Sun.” Releasing his scary laughter.

                                        * * * * * * *

Mun Soa P.O.V

It’s been a few days since Hye-mi and her father last spoke to one another, since that night when they argued over Ok-Sun. Not even a glance. As much as their tension makes me feel uncomfortable. I also felt pity for them. Like Hye-Mi, for example, she sees the potential of goodness in her sister. No matter how many chances her sister was given. Hye-Mi never gave up on her. Even if it meant hiding their conversations from their father. I can understand why she did that. I should know, I also had a father who saw nothing but disappointment from my older sister, Yuna.

*FLASHBACK*

Author’s P.O.V

“Ugh!” Yuna grunted when she landed her back hard on the ground. She remembers why she chose her code name, Viper. A name that sounds dangerous because she was tired of being underestimated.

“That’s enough! Red Fox is the winner!” Their father said in his deep voice as he raised his left hand to cease their sparring.

Yuna turned to their father with her eyes widened. “No, Father! Wait! Let me try again! I can beat her this time!“

“No! You will not!” Their father yelled, rising from his seat. Then strolled toward his youngest daughter, Red Fox.

“It is clear no matter how many times you’ve tried to outbeat her. You always fail!”

He proudly patted his youngest daughter’s shoulder, “Red Fox has never failed to disappoint me.” He quickly switched the subject. “Soon, when the underground empire becomes mine, you will be my right hand.” He smiled proudly at his youngest.

Meanwhile, Red Fox stood there, still breathing heavily and sweating from the recent sparring with Yuna. She felt uneasy about the promotion she received. She didn’t know what to say until she saw the sad look on Yuna’s face.

“What about Viper, Father? Will she rule with us?” Red Fox asked, hoping the answer would help her older sister feel better.

“Humph! I highly doubt that! She’s nothing but a disappointment! Viper should be happy I’m only keeping her around because she’s my last flesh and blood. He grinned cynically. “If you would like, she could be your servant.” He chuckled, turning on his heel and exited the room with his men. 

Yuna clenched her fists tight until you saw white knuckles. Her tears were threatening to come out, and her teeth were grinding in anger. Red Fox could easily see the hurtful look on her older sister’s face when their father talked down to her.

Red Fox knew Yuna hated to see the look of pity on her face. Instead, she sighed heavily and knelt down next to her. “Ignore the old man, you are a skilled fighter. I’ve seen your potential! If you want, I could teach you-”

“SHUT UP!” Yuna yelled in anger and shoved Red Fox to the ground.

“I thought I told you to stop pitying me!” She growled, taking out a short blade and shoving it near her throat. “I don’t want your fucking help!” 

“Try that again, and I won’t hesitate to kill you!” Yuna threatened before getting up, keeping the blade by her side.

“I will beat you one way or another. Even if it means I have to train ten times harder, a snake never backs away from a fight.” She glared at Red Fox before leaving the room.

*FLASHBACK ENDED*

Soa had just arrived at her apartment after work. She switched from her shoes to her house slippers and walked toward her bedroom. From there, Soa opened her closet door and saw an old wooden box on the ground with a Kitsune symbol, faded with red paint. She kneeled down in front of it, caressed the top part with her right hand, and sighed heavily.

Mun Soa P.O.V

Red Fox had done so much damage to many families. Some were left with physical scars, others were left to die, and nobody saved them. To this day, I can still hear their screams. There were times I could barely eat or sleep. My apologies will never be enough to bring them back.

Although I couldn’t help but wonder if I could help fix the relationship between Mr. Ko and his daughter. Would it help me? Or could this be the opportunity for redemption from my past?