Chapter 71 - Birthday Blues

"See KJ?" Jade said. "You have a friend who would do anything for you! You should seriously think about Hyun Jung as well. He wouldn't want his friend to die!" 

"I know," KJ sighed. "But he'll move on someday. I'll become a memory to him. Also, Ash and Mirae will be much happier without me."

"Are you seriously considering to die and leave everyone behind simply coz Mirae is in love with someone else?" Jade rolled his eyes. "Didn't you marry her because your grandfather insisted? It was a forced marriage which you erased from time! You should be glad that she's happy with someone else." 

"I… I didn't marry her just because grandfather ordered me to," KJ revealed. 

Jade's eyes widened. "Why else did you marry her?" he asked. 

KJ did not say anything but turned his head towards the sleeping form of his younger self. 

Jiwon was sound asleep. The door slowly creaked open and a tall figure tiptoed inside the room. Picking up a cushion the figure raised it over his head. 

Instinctively Jiwon leapt up when-

SMACK! 

He felt someone beating him with the pillow. 

"Happy Birthday you idiot!" Hyun Jung exclaimed, continuing his barrage. "I better get my treat you jerk!" 

"Is that how you ask for treats?" Jiwon protested as he stood up, feeling sour over the early morning pillow attack. 

"Yep!" Hyun Jung announced, leaping on Jiwon's bed. "It's not everyday one gets to turn sixteen."

Jiwon shook his head. Ever since Hyun Jung's dad was removed from their lives, he became more outgoing and confident. He even stopped being an unbearable nerd even though he maintained a rivalry with Jiwon. 

But after their mutual experience with abusive family members, they began to see each other in a new light. Initially, it was awkward but they slowly warmed up to each other and were now tight knit. Jiwon even stayed over at Hyun Jung's village in Busan over holidays. Hyun Jung, too, vacationed at Jiwon's mansion although he was quite intimidated by Grandpa Kwon. The man gave him the chills.

Moreover, on Jiwon's insistence, Hyun Jung got rid of his big, round glasses and opted for contact lenses. Ever since then, he has also been attracting quite a fair amount of female admirers even though he was not interested in any of them.

"I'll have to go for my morning training first," Jiwon said. He had advanced pretty well and earned his black belt. Ms. Sohee still trained him occasionally but he worked out on his own most of the time.

"Alright," Hyun Jung shrugged. "By the way."

He looked at Jiwon with a serious expression. "Have you told Ms. Sohee about Junhyung's party?" he asked.

Jiwon groaned. He was too scared to tell her. He had an inkling she would not agree.

"I didn't get the chance," he admitted.

"Come on!" Hyun Jung insisted. "You gotta tell her! You can't miss it!"

"I know," Jiwon groaned. "But you know Ms. Sohee. She won't allow me to attend. It's near the forest and she'll think the Cartel will kidnap me from there."

Hyun Jung was one of the few people who knew that the Cartel was out for Jiwon's blood. He was also aware that Ms. Sohee was training him.

"Just tell her," Hyun Jung advised. "And see what she says."

"I'll try," Jiwon said. "Although I doubt she'll agree. Anyways, I'll be off. It's time for my morning training."

"Okay," Hyun Jung shrugged. "Junhyung and I will be at the cafeteria, waiting for you."

"Alright," Jiwon waved him bye. "See ya then."

He picked up his duffel bag and headed for the school's gym. He was unpacking his training uniform when he saw Ms. Sohee entering the gym. 

In all these years, the woman was still strong. Jiwon defeated many opponents. He even took down some men from the Cartel when they attempted to kidnap him again. But he still did not manage to defeat Ms. Sohee.

"Happy birthday, kid," she wished him, tossing something at him. Jiwon caught it with his hands. 

"Thanks, Ms. Sohee," he replied. "What's in this?"

"Open it and find out," she smiled at him.

Jiwon opened the box, curiously peeking at the contents inside. It contained a small bracelet made of white gold with the initials 'KJ' carved on it.

"It's your stage name," she declared proudly. "When you'll become a singer, you can use these initials."

"What makes you think I'll use these lousy initials," Jiwon snickered. "Sounds childish."

"Say what you want, kid," she said. "The stage name is stylish. You'll see! You're gonna become known as KJ someday."

She beamed proudly at him. Sohee knew Jiwon was a music prodigy and he had the uncanny ability to pen any songs, be it a ballad, rap or pop. He was a meticulous student, eager to explore with his heart. His achievements made her feel proud.

If only Mirae was that smart, Sohee sighed. Even though her daughter was good at sports, the girl refused to study. The only thing she knew was computer programming and spent the entire day designing complicated applications. But her mind goes blank whenever she sees simple maths on exam papers.

"I refuse to use these initials," Jiwon said in aghast. "I'd rather use something cool. Like...Groove Master aka GM. Or Tenacious J!"

"You have a terrible naming sense," Sohee lamented. 

"Better than the one you gave me," he shot back playfully. "KJ! Sounds so cliche."

"Ugh! Enough bickering," Sohee snapped. "Let's train!"

"I'm gonna beat you this time!" Jiwon swore as he took his position.

After an hour of trying to tackle Ms. Sohee to the ground, Jiwon found himself pressed down on the ground as Ms. Sohee pinned him down with one hand and locked his legs with the other. 

"You're still too green, my boy!" she laughed triumphantly, as she released him. Jiwon groaned and reluctantly got up.

"Someday, I'm gonna pin you down," he promised. "Just you wait!"

"I'd love to see you try," Sohee sneered. 

Jiwon rolled his eyes and strode over to his duffel bag.

"Are you going home for the holidays this year?" Sohee asked as he sipped on water from his bottle.

"Yes," Jiwon replied. "I'll head home in a week. But before that…"

He hesitated to tell her.

"What is it?" she frowned.

"There...there is this party at Junhyung's private villa," Jiwon said in a sheepish tone. "It's on the last day of the school. Since you're my legal guardian after my grandfather, I'll need your permission…"

"Absolutely no," Sohee refused. "Junhyung's villa is near the forest! We don't have much jurisdiction there. If it were anyplace else where we could have kept an eye on you, I'd have been fine. But the forest area is dangerous. The Cartel members also frequent that area. Even if you are strong enough to defend yourself, you'll be outnumbered and eventually captured. I can't risk it!"

"Oh come on, Ms. Sohee!" Jiwon said furiously. "It's not a big deal! There will be many people there and I'll be in his villa the entire time. I'll not go towards the forest at all. It's just one night! The Cartel wouldn't even know."

"Jiwon," Sohee addressed him in a stern tone. "You don't know the reach of the Cartel. They will not kill you but they'll make you beg for death. I forbid you from going to that party."

Jiwon glared at her.

"Fine!" he snapped at her.

"Jiwon-"

But he was not listening. Heaving his backpack over his shoulder, Jiwon furiously darted off. 

There's no way I'm gonna miss the party, he vowed. All I need to make sure is that Ms. Sohee does not find out.