The Brother’s Dilemma and His Resolve

Life was good for the next several days.

In the blink of an eye, a whole week has passed and Hyuk was due for discharge in three days.

The Lee siblings had developed a new routine while Hyuk was in the hospital. In the morning, Gun would send Yeo Ri to school. Then, he'd pick her up from the hospital immediately after his after-school lessons end. After that, the two returned to their home together.

Surprisingly, there was no sign of Lee Do Joon during the whole week. It was like he disappeared.

But Gun knew deep down that that wasn't the case. Things wouldn't remain so peaceful forever.

"—Another missing person report has been filed in OO area. This makes for the fifth case this month alone. The numbers are rising and the police are doing their best to—"

Gun's steps halted just as he passed the television.

Yeo Ri had started watching her dramas again and he would often stay next to her or do some revisions on the dining table, just in case Lee Do Joon decided to attack Yeo Ri the moment he came in and saw her on the couch.

Gun stared at the news with a deep gaze. Something finally clicked in his mind. 'No wonder that man hasn't been around,' he thought.

"Oppa?" Yeo Ri's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Sorry, was the volume too high? I'll turn it down."

Gun smiled down at Yeo Ri, "No, it's fine." He plopped himself down next to Yeo Ri, acting like nothing was out of the ordinary. He sighed loudly, "Aaaah~ I'm burned out~"

Yeo Ri looked at him in concern, "Oppa, you must be tired. The exams at your school started today, right?"

"Yeah," Gun nodded. Yeo Ri will also have her exams soon. It was going to be so busy and stressful when the time comes. "I only have to bear it for a few more days. When exams are over, I'll help you with yours."

"Really?! Thank you, Oppa!" Yeo Ri hugged him excitedly. With Gun as her tutor, scoring a good grade would be easy. She made a mental note to invite Min Chae and Jang Mi for a study group later.

After replenishing his energy through Yeo Ri's wholesomeness, he finally returned back to his studies.

While the two accompanied each other, Yeo Ri was the first to fall asleep. Gun did not realise it and continued studying late into the night, but once he saw the girl softly snoring on the living room sofa, he decided to call it quits for the night.

He put away his books and carried Yeo Ri to bed. He carefully tucked her in without waking her up. Then, he joined her by her side.

Gun watched his baby sister steadily breathe deeply in her sleep. She looked so much younger in her sleep; she looked like the child she was supposed to be.

Yeo Ri was still so young, but she had to live in constant fear like this. Gun didn't know how long the peace would last, but he knew he was running out of time. He needed to do something before that man destroys the last bit of Yeo Ri's happiness.

For a moment he allowed himself to be overcome by weakness. He felt so useless. Yeo Ri deserved better. He kept on raving about revenge but he was not even close to it. That man was too slippery and every time he tried to do something, other things would pop up to impede him. If he wanted to send that man to jail for good, he needed something incriminating. Not just pictures of the dumping site or the murder weapon. The police wouldn't necessarily make a move just because he filed a report. He needed to catch that man unawares. Swiftly and quickly, without giving him a chance to run.

He suddenly felt a sense of urgency.

Gun couldn't wait until he turn 19 to start fighting back. He had to do it now.

The longer he waited, the thinner that man's patience will become, and the more dangerous it will be for Yeo Ri to continue staying here.

With one last glance at Yeo Ri, he made some adjustments to his plans before finally closing his eyes to rest.