Chapter 1: Rise Up

Gwon Jiwoo came from a poor household that owns a small vegetable stand on the outskirts of town. Even though they're poor, they still manage to be happy and enjoy the little things life has to offer.

Despite the circumstances, Jiwoo is a diligent and smart student who works hard enough to earn the top of the class.

One day, when he was going home, he went to check and help his parents in their vegetable shop. He was expecting to see beautiful and loving parents, but what he saw changed his life...

He saw a man and a woman standing before his parents who were sitting in the dirt where his mom was crying while cradling his unconscious father bathed in blood.

They confronted his parents about some overdue payments and long-existing loans that they had with them. But because his parents weren't able to produce the amount needed, they mercilessly beat the hell out of his father until he was rendered unconscious.

His mom was crying when he noticed Jiwoo on the corner watching them all red in anger. She motioned him not to come because she wanted to protect him from them. They might beat him too if they saw him, so he just hid behind the post while he saw the horrors in front of him...

MAN: I'll give you three fuckin days to give me the money or else I'm gonna fuckin kick you out in your own house and make use of it as a collateral. Do you understand?!

MOM: (she was crying while motioning her hands like a rubbing prayer) yes yes...we are so sorry we really have no money right now...and we only have thi...

WOMAN: SHUT UP! (She slapped her) I don't need some petty excuses from a woman like you! You ask for money but can't pay?! Where's the justice in that? (throws her hands in the air)

MOM: please... Understand us... please... I beg of you... At least give us a month to pay... please I'll do anything!

MAN: a month?! Are you crazy woman! Your debts are for several months due already! And still, you need another month?! Are you out of your mind?!

MOM: please... I'll do everything I can to pay up the bills... Please...

MAN: (looks at her angrily but thinks) ... Fine, I'll give you one month to pay. But you also have to pay the interest also, so instead of 1 million won, it will be 1.2 million... Do you understand!

MOM: but we only asked for a 5% interest-only. 20% is too much... please... You know we can't pay that much

WOMAN: my husband already gave you an allowance of one month! Be grateful you stupid woman!

Jiwoo on the other hand, cannot contain his anger and just cried silently but not letting his mom see... As much as he wants to defend his mother and kick the hell out of those devils, he knew better... There's a possibility of making their debt higher if he tries to fight back. Or maybe they'll just beat him up too for the sake of beating up a powerless person. His mom wouldn't want him to come so he stayed there helplessly looking at his mother being berated by those people.

MOM: ok ok... I understand... Thank you. We... We will pay by the end of the month... I promise I'll do everything I can...

WOMAN: you better be, or else you pack your things... No... You leave immediately! your things won't even cover up the debts you have with us. You should thank us 'coz you'll be leaving with your clothes still on.

MAN: darling we need to leave, I still have an appointment in 30 minutes... (Looks back at Jiwoo's mom) Hey, you better keep your promise. We'll be back after a month.

As the couple walks towards their car and drove away, Jiwoo hurriedly came to his mom and attended to his father's injury...

MOM: Jiwoo dear (wipes her tears while smiling at her son) you shouldn't have seen that... I'm sorry.

Jiwoo just kept quiet... All he thinks about is how will they get that huge amount of money in just a month... He knows their income is light years away from reaching that... So he thinks carefully on what to do while he carries his father on his back.

JIWOO: mom, I'll just send dad home and I'll come back and help you with selling ok?

MOM: Jiwoo... What did we do in the past life to have a son like you? Thank you so much for understanding... (Wipes her remaining tears and hugs Jiwoo) I promise you, my son, we can manage this...

Jiwoo just smiled at his mother and kissed her on her cheeks then he walks away...

After a few steps away and the silhouette of his mom vanished when he started to sob again...

He was wondering why things like this are happening to them. But he didn't blame anyone for it... It was just an untimely and unfortunate event that took place. And it just so happened that they are the main characters of this sad story.

Jiwoo wasn't impulsive nor spontaneous in making decisions. He thinks things through and finds possible and manageable outcomes. That was his greatest strength, and that he will use it to overcome their problems now. And besides, he looks incredibly handsome, he'll make use of that too.

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SU HO: I know... The first time I saw you, you already captured my heart baby...

GIRL: yeah? (Flirts back while looking at SH seductively) The first time I saw you, I wanted to fuck you already...

SU HO: oh really? You're so kinky, baby. Wanna have fun then? (Starts kissing the girl)

Just then a loud bang was heard outside his room...

SU HO: fuck! My parents just got home! You better fuckin hide woman! I don't want to die young!

GIRL: fuck you Su Ho! Where am I supposed to hide huh?! I can't hide in your closet! It stinks there!

SU HO: fine! Then fuckin jump off the window! It's not that high anyway! (Drags the girl to the window) now! Any minute my father will come barging right in my room!

GIRL: fuck you! You'll pay for this Su Ho!

SU HO: yeah yeah whatever! Bye!

As the girl jumps off the window, just a few seconds after his dad opened the door...

DAD: what the... It's only 2 freakin pm Su Ho! What are you doing here?! You're supposed to be in school for Christ's sake!

SU HO: chill dad, we had an early dismissal. Aren't you happy that I came home as soon as the school ended? I deserve some appreciation here... Tsk

DAD: what?! Appreciation?! Your teacher just called me! He told me you didn't come to school the whole day! He called me in the middle of my business!

SU HO: ohh... Hehe sorry? (Rolled his eyes up while sealing his lips)

DAD: ohh??? That's what you gonna answer me?! just ohh?!

SU HO: what do you want me to say to you?? You already know everything!

DAD: now you're turning the table against me?! Are you seriously stupid Su Ho?! You skipped classes, and you freaking have below-average grades! You're wasting our money over useless stuff and bringing home unwanted guests!

SU HO: unwanted what?! What are you talking about?!?

DAD: if you bring whores in my house, make sure to let her bring her stuff along with her when she leaves!

SU HO: what are you talking about?! I didn't bring anyone home!

DAD; then explain to me why you have a fuckin lipstick on your floor!! Its either you're gay Su Ho!

SU HO: it's not mine! it might be mom's when she snooped in my room again!

DAD: your mom does not use lipstick!

SU HO: ok ok... fine... Sorry...

DAD: Su Ho, that pretty face of yours won't bring you anywhere. If you don't study, I don't know what will be of you after we kick you out of this house.

SU HO: WHAT! KICK ME OUT?!

DAD: why not? You're useless anyway... Look at your brother, Min Ho, he's successful already... having a stable job with a high salary. That is what a good son is. Not like someone who dreams of an unattainable dream... You wanna sing?? It won't get you anywhere... Dreaming of being someone you can't be is just useless! If you won't follow our rules then better leave Su Ho... We don't need you to continue soiling our name with your petty actions.

SU HO: mom will have something to say about this!

DAD: hahaha! Have you ever wondered why I'm the only one talking to you here? it's because she can't face you anymore... You're an eyesore Su Ho... Not only to me but to your mother as well.

SU HO: huh... Fine, I'll leave... Just remember, if I make it big... Don't you ever try crawling back to me!

DAD: good for you then. Don't need to say goodbye. You can leave as soon as possible. We don't have to need a wasted excuse of a son like you anyway

Su Ho was left inside his room shocked and confused... It was all sudden. Where will he go? What will he do? Who will he ask for help now?

As he leaves his house... He vowed to himself he'll make it through, it's just an obstacle he can conquer... A simple problem he can solve.