Miho the Killer
Chapter 28: Siblings

Chapter 28: Siblings

"So what do you think?"

Still blindfolded and about twenty minutes into the drive back home, Shin finally asked me. I was still recovering from my selfish emotional breakdown, and dreadful guilt but also a hint of relief at the forgiveness the boy has granted me.

"I think he’s got a big heart."

What more could I say about a boy who showed more maturity than me?

"He does."

"And he’s very smart."

"I told you so."

"If you know this all already, why do you even ask? What are you expecting me to say?"

"Something unexpected."

"I hate your stupid mind games."

Shin chuckled and I heard a sound of rustle, and tick tick click of a lighter that seemed to refuse giving him fire.

"Don’t do that."

"Not even in my own car?"

"I hate it."

"Miho likes it."

"Does she smoke?"

I never smelled any cigarette from her. But on the other hand, she was good at hiding any bad smell. I never smelled blood from her either except when she actually came home with a bloody suit. I did think about buying her a raincoat at some point, but looking back now, it sickened me to see just how blind I was to all the cruelty that she was inflicting on others. Justified or not.

"No she doesn’t. But she doesn’t mind me smoking."

"Not minding and ’liking it’ is different, you know?"

"Miho always minds something she doesn’t like. She’s a picky, petulant child."

I remembered Miho’s child-like smile that graced her face every now and then, or even a very faint, uncharacteristic pout when she wasn’t fully happy with something. I wish I could smile recalling those moments and maybe I did, but my heart was telling me it was wrong.

"So what now?"

"We are going to go home and you will play Dr. Yang."

"How convenient for you."

"A deal is a deal, young lady."

I said nothing more and just in silence, trying to shake off the disorientating darkness from the blindfold by finding comfort in the hum of the engine.

"Ms. Han."

"Yes?"

"Miho hasn’t talked about Juho since she woke up."

"What?" This completely caught me off guard, although it was a question I should have thought about already.

"Yes. I have a bad feeling about this. The normal Miho should have asked about Juho as soon as she woke up. But she didn’t mention his name even once."

"Oh... she couldn’t possibly have..."

"That’s what I fear the most."

There were moments when I felt that perhaps letting Miho be in her current state - with no memories of the atrocities she committed, and no capacity to commit such acts any further - might be for the best. But after seeing Juho and what she meant for him, and conversely, what Miho has gone through to facilitate Juho’s life, it was heartbreaking to imagine the possibility that Miho had forgotten her dear brother.

"I know exactly what you are thinking." Shin continued.

I felt a knot in my throat.

"Perhaps it is best for Miho to be the way she is now. Maybe it’d even give her a chance at a new life. But... a new life without Juho doesn’t sit right with me."

"That’d be horrible..."

"So I’m wondering - you, Dr. Yang, could perhaps help Miho come back."

"What if I fail?"

"There is also a practical concern of money. Maybe I can let Miho stay in my place for a long time. It doesn’t cost me much. But I can’t fund Juho’s life forever in the way that Miho has committed herself to."

I couldn’t exactly call this man heartless, because it was for supporting Juho’s life that Miho had to be heartless.

"How much... does all this cost?"

"Miho doesn’t only have to bear the expenses. She has debt to pay back. It was impossible to build the facility without a lump sum at the start."

This was heavy.

It was probably an amount that was unfathomable to me. Probably a few tens of billions of Won. Even if I could regrow my kidneys I won’t be able to contribute to paying back such debt.

"So what now? There must be a monthly amount to pay back and she’s not in the condition to make any money now - not that I want her to ’work’ again."

Another rustle and tik tik sound later I could smell the cigarette smoke this time.

I let it slide.

"Sigh... It seems I have to start taking jobs again."

"I’m... truly sorry to hear that."

"You are not."

"I am."

"But you rather it be me than Miho."

"I’m not going to lie."

A chuckle.

"I’m really sorry to say, but we need Miho back on the streets."

"You are heartless."

"And you are clueless."

After another ten or twenty minutes of driving, we arrived back home.

We entered the house and headed straight to Miho’s room, gave it a gentle knock and Miho yelled out from inside with a happy and excited voice.

"Uncle? Is that you?"

A voice full of pure joy and innocence. And I was to play my part in tainting it again.

"Yeah, Miho. It’s us. We are coming in."

"OK!"

We unlocked the door and entered, and Miho was sitting on her bed. Her face was full of smiles.

"How do you feel today, Ms. Gu?" I asked Miho.

"Oh, Dr. Yang? You are here again?"

So she still sees me as her psychiatrist then.

"Yes, I’m here."

"Why are you not wearing your lab coat today?"

I didn’t wear my lab coat yesterday either.

"Erm-, it’s in the laundry."

"Heh, I thought doctors could afford some spares."

"I’m just a poor doctor who doesn’t earn much, you know?"

"Thanks for coming to see me though, I hope Uncle pays you well."

"Don’t worry. He’s been very generous."

"Thank you Uncle", Miho beamed a smile to Shin, who nodded in appreciation.

"So, I just wanted to check something with you today, Ms. Gu."

"Sure!"

"Can you tell me about your siblings?"

Miho immediately winced and almost looked like she was going to have an outburst, but she quickly calmed down and frowned.

"Again?! You asked me already yesterday!"

OK. So her memory’s still jumpy. It’s not just that she can’t remember the past after certain points. Her mind is constantly struggling to keep up with what happens on a daily basis.

"I’m sorry. This is just a routine procedure. You suffered a serious injury to your head. We need to monitor you on a daily basis."

"Sigh... Fine. I have an older sister."

"Any other?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"How would I not remember my own sibling?!"

I looked over at Shin and saw that the old man was rubbing his eyes.

So this is how it is now.

We need Miho back.

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