My Family's Secret Website

(It was fun, but I had to get back to Mom and Grandma...)

Just as a mischievous sparkle lit up in Phoebe’s eyes again, signaling that she wanted to continue our naughty "game," my sister’s phone suddenly rang in her denim shorts.

- (Phoebe). "It’s... Grandma."

With no other choice, Phoebe answered the call.

Grandma asked my sister why we were late again, to which Phoebe replied that... she was having stomach problems.

Runo believed her lie, but warned us to hurry back, because she was going to leave with Mom without us... in a joking tone.

- (Phoebe). "Too bad, but now we really have to go."

- (Me). "Okay."

My sister and I quickly got ready and stepped out of the stall, but...

- (Me). "???"

- (Phoebe). "???"

When we stepped out, the door to the neighboring stall suddenly swung open, and a girl of about 15 or 16 year’s came out.

(Oh no!... We weren’t alone here...)

The young girl quickly closed the stall, said "sorry" to us, and dashed out of the public restroom with a bright red face.

- (Me). "But you said we were alone in here?"

- (Phoebe). "Well... when I went in, I didn’t hear a single sound or feel any movement, so I thought the two of us could... have some fun, hehe."

- (Me). "Looks like that girl had an unforgettable experience..."

- (Phoebe). "Yeah... probably."

We laughed at the scene and followed the girl out of the public restroom.

Phoebe wrapped her arm around mine and kept smiling at me the whole time until we reached the car.

- (Karin). "Finally, my darlings. We were starting to think you’d fallen asleep back there, ha-ha."

- (Phoebe). "Sorry. I still haven’t fully recovered from that incident with those two jerks in the car, so I guess my body got a little overwhelmed."

- (Karin). "It’s good that you’re both okay, and that’s what matters most. Now let’s get in the car and go, because we’ve already stayed too long in this town."

- (Runo). "..." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

- (Me). "What’s wrong, Grandma?"

- (Runo). "Nothing, but..."

Grandma began to scrutinize us closely.

I got the feeling that she didn’t like something.

I noticed that her gaze was now focused on Phoebe’s and my clothes, and sensing something was wrong, I looked down at my own clothes.

Phoebe’s and my appearance was... more disheveled than when we had just gone to the public restroom.

(Could Runo have figured something out?)

- (Runo). "This time, as I said, my sweet daughter will be the driver, but now... Phoebe, my sweet granddaughter... Let your grandma sit next to her big, favorite boy now.

- (Phoebe). "But, Grandma..."

- (Runo). "No ’but’... Your old grandma is tired and wants to rest where there’s more room, so for the next few hours, it’s my turn to sit with Sohen. You don’t mind, do you, my dear grandson?"

(It seems she understood something and... How can I say no?)

- (Me). "Okay."

- (Runo). "Hehe. Well then, let’s hop in the car and get going."

Phoebe gave me and Grandma a disgruntled look, but did exactly as Runo wanted.

Now Karin was driving, Phoebe was sitting next to her, and Runo and I were sitting in the back.

The engine purred quietly, and the car pulled out of the parking lot onto the highway.

A few minutes later, we left this town, which I’ll remember for a long time because of those adventures, but right now...

- (Me). "Hello? What’s up?"

Sohen took out his phone and called a friend about a very, very important matter.

- (Runo). "Who are you talking to, dear?"

- (Me). "It’s an old friend of mine. Sorry, Grandma, but this is a very important call."

- (Runo). "Okay..."

This call was absolutely necessary, since it concerned what had happened right behind that very store.

As soon as we drove off, I noticed that several police cars and an ambulance had arrived at the scene... of my "justice."

A voice began to speak on the other end of the line—a voice that was truly unique and belonged to a woman who had once been a famous singer.

I’ve known this woman for about eight years, and she was... always the one to take responsibility for any of my actions that might have serious consequences.

This woman’s name was Minkun.

- (Minkun). "You could be in serious trouble, Sohen, since those two dead guys were actually members of a local criminal gang, but... you don’t need to worry about taking them out, since they were already in serious trouble even within the gang itself, so their leader might even thank you, even if he had any complaints against you... . Soon enough, he’ll be in the very same trash bag they’ll bury these two ancestors in."

- (Me). "Hasn’t anyone ever told you that you’re too tough of a woman?... Thanks for always getting me out of most of my troubles. I’m in your debt again."

- (Minkun). "To me, that’s nonsense, and... who’s talking about cruelty? Everything will be fine, so you can continue your journey."

- (Me). "About the clerk..."

- (Minkun). "Soon he’ll forget everything that happened to him today. My person is already on the scene, and she’s good at erasing people’s memories."

- (Me). "Okay."

- (Minkun). "There was nothing unusual on the cameras either, and the footage quality was so-so. There are no witnesses to your fight either. That’s basically all you need to know."

- (Me). "I’m impressed by you, Miss Minkun. You’re simply incredible."

- (Minkun). "Enough with the compliments. You know I’m a professional at this. How are you?"

- (Me). "I’m fine. They were weaklings, but with my sister and the clerk present, I couldn’t take them down quickly, so one of them squeezed a drop of blood from my neck."

- (Minkun). "WHAT?! I’ll kill those bitches..."

- (Me). "Miss Minkun, please calm down! It’s just a tiny little scratch. I can’t even feel it anymore, and my mom—who’s a doctor... well, a former doctor—is right here with me, so there shouldn’t be any problems."

- (Minkun). "Phew... Okay."

(This woman is so cool-headed, yet sometimes she gets so emotional that it can be scary.)

- (Minkun). "If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to call me. Okay?"

- (Me). "Yes, Miss Minkun. I appreciate your words."

- (Minkun). "Minkun..."

- (Me). "What?"

- (Minkun). "Just call me only Minkun. I’ll be very, very unhappy if you call me ’Miss’ again. Got it?"

- (Me). "Okay, Miss... I mean, Minkun. Just Minkun, ha-ha..."

- (Minkun). "Okay, and one more thing... when are you coming to visit me? My father is also looking forward to seeing you and is sorry you haven’t been here for so long."

- (Me). "I’ve been really busy, so I couldn’t come visit. I’m sorry. As soon as I have some free time, I’ll definitely let you know."

- (Minkun). "I understand, but... I’m a little bored without you. My father also wants you to come as soon as possible."

- (Me). "I promise that as soon as I finish my business, I’ll come visit."

- (Minkun). "I’ll write this down, so don’t you dare go back on your word in the future, because... you’ll be in serious trouble, young man. Okay?"

- (Me). "Yes, Minkun..."

Minkun, her father, and I share a history that takes my mind back to the past, when I was a fourteen-year-old boy who attended an underground MMA fighting arena and competed there.

Miss Minkun was once a famous singer, but after five years of constant performances, she decided to end her career and became her father’s assistant.

Mr. Chang, her father, is one of the richest men in the world and a power broker in the criminal underworld not only in our country but in most others as well.

He is a very authoritative and influential man with whom it is best not to cross paths.

Although he is already over 80, he is still holding up quite well, and together with his chief assistant—his own daughter—Mr. Chang... continues to control everything necessary.

I know little about their past, but from what is known, Mr. Chang was a devoted family man who loved his wife and only daughter, but after the death of his beloved, he changed and decided... to change the world.

He quickly took over the criminal organization and brought about a revolution within it—one I know little about, and to be honest, I’m not particularly interested in finding out how.

As for Miss Minkun, I met her eight years ago, and since then, a friendship has developed between us that continues to this day.

I’m always a welcome guest in their home, and I generally enjoy spending the short time I have with them.

Miss Minkun, who was with her father, also became my friend. To my own surprise, she promised to protect me from any trouble, and she has kept her word without fail.

I don’t know what they see in me, but I’m very grateful to have such support.

- (Me). Thanks again for your help. There might be communication issues going forward because my family and I are leaving town, so I have to end this call.

- (Minkun). "Alright, Sohen. Call if you need anything, and have a great trip."

- (Me). "Thanks, and see you later."

- (Runo). "Who is Minkun, my dear?"

- (Me). "???"

Before I could even finish the phone call, Runo was already asking me about my old friend.

- (Me). "She’s my... friend. She’s supposed to handle the problem with those two thugs at the store."

- (Runo). "She? Your old friend is a woman?... And how exactly is she going to solve your problem?"

(Am I sensing jealousy, or is it just my imagination?)

- (Me). "She’s an influential journalist, and her father has influence in law enforcement, so..."

- (Runo). "I see..."

- (Me). "Good."

(I hope Grandma believed me... By the way, I wasn’t lying, because Miss Minkun really is a journalist, and her father really does have influence in law enforcement, though I’ll keep some details to myself...)

The conversation ended, and all that awaited us now was the road ahead.