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....

"I can't believe that the school suspended you!" Doyoung was scolding Siwan.

He looked down at his feet, not saying anything. She had received a call at work that Siwan got into a fight with some senior names Chunseok and also beat up his friends. The brawl was brutal with Chunseok having to get several stitches while Siwan's hand was fractured.

"How could you be so careless?" his mother demanded. "Why would you do this?"

"I'm sorry," he mumbled. From the corner of his eye, he saw Hobin rushing towards them.

"Mom, I-" Hobin began but Siwan cut in.

"I heard that he was flirting with a girl I like," Siwan lied. "So I beat him up. I was really angry!"

"That's not what a responsible person should do!" Doyoung shrieked. "You're lucky that you're only suspended and not worse! I-"

She was really disappointed in her son. Siwan had changed after his father's death, becoming more empathetic and kind. The once arrogant child who looked down on people began to treat them with respect. He was especially fond of his younger brother Hobin, protecting him from all harm. He was supposed to be the responsible one!

"Mom…" Hobin called for her. Doyoung was so engrossed in scolding Siwan that she did not notice his injuries at first. Finally, her eyes fell on her other son and she frowned.

"How did you get those injuries?" she asked, feeling panicked. "What the hell happened?"

Hobin was about to say something but Siwan held him back and shook his head.

"He fell from the bleachers," Siwan lied. "That's it. I've applied first aid already. He'll be fine."

Doyoung stooped down to take a look at her younger kid. She was now extremely worried, her anger beginning to ebb. Hobin was a special case and he needed constant care. With his strange powers, it was impossible for him to live a normal life. Even slightly touching someone with his fingers could make him read a person's memories and he hated it. Doyoung was always at a loss about how to handle her son's powers and she was seeking out psychiatrists who might be able to aid him in suppressing these powers but to no avail.

Seeing him hurt was raising her panic meter.

"Does it hurt?" she asked in a gentle tone. Hobin shook his head but Doyoung knew that he was hiding his pain.

"I'll make you spicy crab cakes tonight, okay? And I'll take you to the doctor tomorrow morning. As for you…"

She turned to her older son. Siwan was still averting his eyes. Whether he was ashamed or not, she did not know but he needed to be punished. Otherwise, what example was he setting for his brother?

"You're grounded! You can't go out nor have access to your phone or gadgets. I'll have to pay the hospital bills for Chunseok and his friends which I'll take from your pocket money! This is a bad example for Hobin. I'm really disappointed in you, Siwan. I thought I raised you better!"

Siwan did not reply but accepted his punishment. Hobin was conflicted upon seeing his brother's face which was badly injured. His nose was broken and the bruises were already black. Siwan tried to beat up three guys at once, all for Hobin's sake.

"I'll not do this again," Siwan promised.

"You better not," Doyoung warned. She hesitated before adding, "I hope you learn your lesson, Siwan. I don't want you to suffer like you did in the past."

"I understand, mom."

With that, she dismissed him. Siwan slowly shuffled back to his room with Hobin in tow. Once they were in their room, Hobin spoke up.

"Why did you lie?" he demanded. "Mom should know the truth!"

"It doesn't matter," Siwan assured him. "What matters is that those guys won't hurt you again."

"But mom thinks wrongly of you! She even punished you!"

Hobin was outraged at his brother for not telling the truth. After sending Hobin to the nurse's office, Siwan went to search for the bullies and got into a brawl with them. Even after sustaining so many injuries, Siwan would not let go of them, beating them to a pulp. Everyone was shocked by the mild mannered boy, who was one of the top students, getting into a fight with hooligans. Chunseok's mother complained against Siwan but the school gave him a light punishment because it was his first offence.

But Siwan did not care. He gently pinched his brother's cheek and smiled.

"I'm not too worried," he mused.

"Why?"

"Because I have my little bean to protect me!" Siwan smiled, ruffling Hobin's auburn locks. "And I know that as long as he's with me, nothing can harm me. Not even our mom's anger!"

….

*In the Present*

Hobin stood outside of Jina's apartment, still carrying Miyoo. He was lost in his thoughts when he heard Jina and Siwan laughing as they ascended the stairs.

"How did you not get caught that time?" Siwan was asking. "I was sure you put something in my food to make me hallucinate all those things at camp!"

"I didn't!" Jina claimed. "I'm just very good at pranks!"

Unbeknownst to them, Hobin was staring at them with a sad smile.

"Red, sad," Miyoo remarked.

"Red is happy," Hobin told her. Miyoo tilted her head. She did not understand grown ups at all.

Hobin let her down and she ran towards her sister. Jina was surprised when she felt Miyoo hugging her thigh.

"Where's the Demon?" Jina frowned. She looked around but Hobin was nowhere in sight.

"She probably spotted you from above and came running out," Siwan remarked. "Anyways, I'm glad I ran into you on the way. My car had to break down in the middle of the road! Can you give these crab cakes to Hobin? I'd have met him myself but I received an emergency message and I gotta go to the hospital. I'll meet him tomorrow."

He handed her a large box full of crab cakes which Doyoung had prepared for her sons before bidding her goodbye. Jina waved back, watching him leave.

"Red, sad," Miyoo mumbled.

Sad? Jina was confused but shrugged it off. He was probably very tired and needed sleep.

I'll give these to him tomorrow, she decided.