“I am going to you but why it is 
only getting harder and harder?”

Finishing up the pink ribbon tightly, Ara placed the gift on top of the pile of other presents. With the help of other countries' donation support managers and GO managers, she had helped Sungjin collect gifts with love from MYDAYS all over the world. The birthday fan support was really successful this year, she thought. There were many different gifts, ranging from branded gifts, bags, and musical instruments accessories. She stretched her hand in the air and checked the time to realize it was 4 AM already. Switching off the room lights, she checked her phone in bed. There were several mentions on Twitter and comments on her Instagram accounts. Ara subconsciously recalled those days when even a single notification sound from her phone would surprise her. Before she drifted off to dreamland, she made a mental note that she had to send the gifts to JYP before daybreak.

After dropping the gifts at the company, Ara headed straight for the airport. DAY6 had a scheduled appearance in a festival in Busan. The other fansite masters were all gathered at Starbucks before her. Some of them were touching up their make up while others were on their phones, Ara naturally took the seat beside ShinYe.

“Hi” ShinYe greeted with a bright smile.

The crowd went frenzy because of DAY6’s van. The scream at the airport was even louder than the fan chants at concerts, Ara thought. Focusing her lens at Sungjin who had shades on, she took a few quick snaps. He was wearing a simple white shirt but he still looked perfect. He bowed his head slightly and gave an awkward smile as fans swarmed forward. The manager was yelling and showing slightly for the fans to move then someone screamed.

“You touched me!” She screamed with tears brimming in her eyes as she covered her breast.

“It was an accident! You were too near and I . . . I didn’t mean it” The manager held both his hands up and defended. He looked around nervously at the menacing glares from the surrounding fans.

The craziness died down slightly at the commotion. Sungjin parted the crowd and made his way to them with his brows knitted. He bowed 90 degrees to the fan.

“I apologize on behalf of our manager if there was any misunderstanding,” he said and stayed in his position.

“I-It’s okay, Sungjin oppa” she stuttered and Sungjin got up.

The fans were in a daze as she watched Sungjin apologizing and bowing to the fan. With that, everything was resolved. The members moved on with the manager’s facial expression getting darker than ever.

The fansites who were inside the immigration kept their cameras hidden knowing that DAY6’s manager was not in the best mood. The last thing they wanted was to be scolded by the manager. Ara met eyes with the manager who shot her a distasteful look before rolling his eyes. Ara couldn’t wait to get on the plane. Entering the business class, she struggled to put her hand-carry into the cabin.

“Let me help you”

Ara smiled in gratitude as she thanked the steward for his help. Reclining in the familiar airplane seat. Ara drifted off to dreamland. She was deprived of sleep for the past weeks due to the birthday support.

Upon arriving at Gimhae airport, Ara checked her phone and realized it only had 10% battery left. Switching it off, she stuffed it into her hand carry bag. It took approximately 30 minutes before they reached the 5-star hotel that she booked in advance. Leaving her hand-carry at the side, Ara plopped herself in the fluffy white hotel bed.

“I am so sleepy” she mumbled against the pillow softer than fur.

“This hotel is awesome!” ShinYe yelled as she sprawled on the bed beside Ara.

After an hour, ShinYe’s phone vibrated, waking them up from their quick nap.

“Jae, Wonpil, and YoungK are heading outside to go to burger king” ShinYe read the message.

“Did they say where Sungjin is?” Ara stifled a yawn as she rubbed her eyes.

“They didn’t but they said that Dowoon is going to the pool alone” ShinYe clasped her hands together and her eyes sparkled.

“Then I am going back to sleep, bye” Ara shot her hand up in the air lazily as she crashed into the bed.

“YAH!~~~ Go with me before Dowoon is gone!” ShinYe whined like a kid.

“Pleaseeeee~” she continued whining as she tugged Ara’s arm repeatedly.

“Fine, fine” Ara gave up as she sat up.

“Where is the pool~” ShinYe sang sweetly, swinging Ara’s hand like a kid.

“OMO” ShinYe covered her eyes as she spotted Dowoon and his bare upper body.

“Miss your fingers look parted and it seems like someone is blushing” Ara teased as she put her hands down.

“Let’s go” ShinYe said after a while.

“We are leaving already?” Ara looked at her in surprise.

“It’s Dowoon’s healing time. He would be uncomfortable if he saw us here. Let’s not disturb him.” ShinYe smiled as she walked off first.

Trailing behind ShinYe, Ara whined to go back to their room so she could sleep some more.
“Don’t sleep~~ let’s go shopping” ShinYe hooked arms with Ara and dragged her into the boutique stores.

“I am so happy” Ara exclaimed as she helped her new shopping bags up proudly.

“Me too” ShinYe shrieked as she spun around the hotel lobby with her shopping bags.

Returning to the hotel room, Ara took her phone out from her hand-carry and switched it on. She wanted to post on instagram all the things she bought today. She laughed upon realizing she had so much fun today that she had completely forgotten about her phone. As she switched her phone on, it surprised her to see 10 voicemail and several unread messages on her Kakaotalk.

“What’s wrong?” She mumbled to herself as she opened her family chat.

“Eonnie! Appa is in the hospital, where are you?”

“Eonnie! Why are you not picking up?”

“Eonnie! I am scared”

“Eonnie, return my call once you see this”

Ara almost dropped her phone upon reading the message. With trembling hands, she dialed her sister’s number. Thousands of possibilities of what could have happened flashed across her mind. It felt like eternity before her sister picked up.

“What happened,” Ara asked with her voice on the verge of cracking.

“Appa got into an accident because his car skidded” her sister replied.

“Is he hurt badly?”

“He is fine now” Ara heaved a sigh of relief.

“But he is still unconscious, the doctor said he lost too much blood on his forehead wound and he has a fracture on his thigh. But he would be awake in the next hour. The doctor would perform some scans later” her sister whispered calmly.

“Where is she?” Ara heard her mom’s voice.

“Tell mom that I am in Busan but I will take the earliest flight~”

“What is she doing chasing those stupid idols when her dad is in the hospital?” Her mom screamed with her voice cracking slightly at the end. She was probably crying just now she figured.

“I will be back now” Ara informed as she hung up.

“So that was what she truly felt the whole time. . .” She thought to herself.

All along, she thought she was supportive of her following her heart. She had always thought it was only her father who was against it.

Calling the airline company that they owned, she booked the earlier flight back.

“Dad is awake” Her sister texted her. Ara silently heaved a sigh of relief.

A thankful teardrop slid from her eye as she replied. “I will be back in Seoul in 4 hours’
Putting her phone down, Ara picked up her hand carry bag and the things that she shopped. ShinYe sitting on the bed with a pout.

“You’re really not going to watch their performance? It’s only in 2 hou-”

“My dad is sick, He is more important than our oppa right now, don’t you know?” Ara snapped.

“I am sorry I thought he was getting better so I...” ShinYe was at a loss of words suddenly.

“I am sorry ShinYe I just have to go” Ara shut the hotel room door behind her abruptly.

In the hotel lift, Ara knew she shouldn’t have been so harsh with her words. ShinYe said that only because she thought Ara’s dad was down with a bad flu since she lied to her. Ara didn’t want her to recall her family’s car accident. Shaking her head, she shook those thoughts out of her head. She had no time to be guilty over such small matters.

Reaching the hospital, Ara half jogged to the ward the nurse her father was admitted into. Before she could barge in, she heard her father’s laughter. She stopped and stared. Looking through the glass, she watched her sister peeling an apple for her father. Her parents appeared to be laughing at a joke her sister cracked a moment ago. The family scene looked so complete and heartwarming, even without her. Her hand on the door hesitated for a moment before pushing it open. She thought the room fell into an awkward silence at her arrival.

“Appa are you alright?” Ara asked worriedly as she placed her hand-carry down.

He nodded at her question but gave no further response.

“Eonni, you must be tired and hungry, do you want to get some food outsid---“ her sister tried to break the stiff silence.

“I am fine” Ara cut her off.

“Is that how you should be speaking to your sister?” Her mother scolded.

“I –” 
Before Ara could have defended herself, her father held his hand up.

“I am tired, I need some rest. All of you can go back home first” He lied down slowly with the help of his wife supporting his back.

Ara bit her inner cheek so hard that she felt the skin tear a little.