Standing Before the Reaper

Young Jae decided to meet his mother and grandfather in his room at the research institute. He sat against the headboard on the bed comfortably and waited for the arrival. He felt Moon Chin Hae was agitated. Chin Hae could not sit still in a place. Young Jae found it amusing. His ever so confident cousin was nervous. 

He decided to take Min Jun's words. Instead of covering his emotions, he is going to make it up as a weapon. Even though Young Jae was calm, he was calculating the risks that might be coming their way. For some reason, he felt what it would be, and he did not like it.

He absentmindedly caressed the pendant on his neck slowly. He was intrigued by the design and wanted to see it sooner. Min Jun's jacket over his shoulder and he was wearing a hospital gown underneath it.

Young Jae stopped when he noticed his cousin's action. It looked like Young Jae was touching baby-doll's chain for comfort. He looked cute as he was lost in thoughts as wearing an oversized jacket. Chin Hae could not help but think that Young Jae looked cute, soft and vulnerable. He wanted to put his cousin in his pocket and hide him away from the cruel world.

But he would never ever do that. His cousin needs to grow stronger, which would happen only when he faces the cruel world head-on.

Two of the Moon family's abandoned younger masters were lost in their thought and did not realise 15 minutes passed by. There was a knock on the door. Chin Hae opened the door for Nurse Ro Na Ri. Behind her was an older man he never wanted to meet in his life. Behind the old man was his sweet aunt and his baby sister.

Moon Chin Hae ignored the unwanted presence and walked to his aunt and sister. Moon Chin Sun flung herself to her brother's arm. She had no idea why her grandfather wanted to send her off to her brother without telling anyone. Even though she could count the number of people who cared for her in the Moon Mansion, it still pained her. She did not know why, but her eyes welled up at the sight of her second brother.

Chin Hae did not do well with crying females except for baby-doll as he was used to a calm way of her pouring tears without any noise. Baby-doll looked pretty even while crying that some times he would stare at her crying with admiringly. On the contrary, his sister was whimpering and making a noise like a wounded kitten. Chin Hae patted her head and decided to carry her luggage inside while still holding his sister's hand and guided her to the room.

Moon Kwan stood there awkwardly. His granddaughter's tear made his heart bleed. He realised how useless he turned out in the name of retirement. But his grandson did not even spare a glance at him. He wondered how was he supposed to apologise when his presence was ignored like dust. 

Young Jae's mother Ko Yon let out a gasp when she saw her son. Old Master Moon and Moon Chin Sun stood rooted to the spot. 

Young Jae may look wrecked. But his heart was not. Strangely he was feeling tranquil. His mind had only one thing. He needs to get powerful enough to protect his sisters and mother.

"I am fine, eomeoni. Just need time to heal." Young Jae wanted to console his mother. 

Ko Yon walked towards her son with trembling footsteps. She tentatively touched the plastered legs and then the arm in the sling. Her heart ached as she thought, Moon Chin Hwa was right. My son had an irrevocable misery. 

" I am not lying, mom. All I need to do was take rest. I will be fine and back on my feet soon." Young Jae answered his mother's unasked question.

"What about your eyes?" the old master asked the most dreaded question.

"Operation is done. Because of head injury, I ended up with the detached retina condition. In a couple of weeks, the bandage will be removed, and I can almost see normal. In a few more months, I need to do one more surgery. Don't worry, hal-abeoji." Young Jae answered his grandfather.

But his grandson's word did not calm Moon Kwan. He wished he had the power and ability to protect his grandchildren from his family. He decided to take back the control he gave away to his son. 

Old master, Moon Kwan just accepted whatever the explanation his grandson said half-heartedly. 

There was an awkward silence that fell upon them. 

The only one who ignored the awkwardness and was seated unaffected by it was Moon Chin Hae.

Ko Yon seated next to her son and started to cry silently.

When Moon Kwan decided to apologise to Chin Hae, there was a sharp knock on the door. Without waiting for the response, someone pushed the door open and walked in.

A man who looked like the photocopy of his grandson Chin Hae walked in. Moon Kwan froze on his seat. He did not know who he was, but he was scared. As if a reaper just walked into the room and asked for the debt to be settled.

Choi Na Ri threatened everyone in the house and made sure they did not reveal Kang Chin Mae's existence to the old master.

Kang Chin Mae glanced at everyone at the room. He frowned when he saw tears strained cheeks of Moon Chin Sun but did not comment on it.

He gave a polite nod at his aunt.

Chin Mae looked at his twin and raised his eyebrow asking a question, 'why in the seven hells you called me here?'

He ignored the presence of the unfamiliar old man who was staring at him like he was a ghost.

But what caught Kang Chin Mae's attention was in the direction of Moon Young Jae. He narrowed his eyes and displeasure was written all over his face.