My Hero Wasn't Shining Ruby or Neon Star
I, Jang Yu-na's hero, wasn't Shining Ruby or Neon Star. He was a man with tattoos on his back and a jackknife tucked in his suit pocket. My dad, Jang Hyun-soo.
In my childhood memories, Dad was always busy and neglectful of the family. Looking back now, it wasn't indifference—it was ignorance. Dad was someone who never learned how to express love. To him, love meant responsibility, and the way to prove it was with money. Dropping a thick envelope of cash indifferently by the bedside of his sleeping family late at night. Handing over nice clothes, good bags, and pocket money anyone would envy. That was the only—and best—way that gruff man knew how to show affection.
Was that why? Mom couldn't endure the silence. To her, home was just a place to crash, Dad was a money-making machine, and I was nothing but an annoying lump. On days when she'd take Dad's cash and vanish for days on end...
Clink, clink.
Dad would clumsily whip up kimchi fried rice with those huge, scar-covered hands of his. It was salty and sour, with the rice grains all mashed together, but it was as warm and delicious as the rough touch of his fingers combing through my tangled hair.
"Sorry. Dad'll try harder."
That blunt line felt so good. Even the faint whiff of cigarettes mixed with his sweat smelled sweet.
In the end, on the day of my elementary school entrance ceremony, Mom ran off with another man. Dad hugged me tight as I cried.
"..."
That day, Dad didn't say a word. But I knew. He was my whole world, my hero. He was the one person who would never abandon me.
But... heroes only exist in fairy tales.
"Hey, that girl's dad's a gangster."
"For real? Like, the kind who beats people up and robs them?"
"My mom told me not to hang out with her. Says he's a bad guy."
Middle school second year. Right around when puberty kicked in, I realized it. My hero's job was just a thug dressed up with the fancy title of "fixer"—dirty and pathetic.
The whispers from friends, the disdainful stares from adults. From then on, I was ashamed of Dad. I hated him pulling up in that black sedan in front of school, hated how he wore long sleeves even in summer to hide his tattoos.
"Dad, don't come to school! It's embarrassing!"
Every time I yelled, he'd quietly back off. I'd feel guilty seeing his lonely back retreating, but at the same time, I resented him. Why a gangster, of all things? Why not a normal office worker?
And now, in high school, our relationship was worse than strangers. Especially the last month—it was the worst.
Dad barely came home. He ignored calls and ghosted texts. Even when he dropped by, he'd shower, change, and bolt like he was being chased by ghosts. Dark circles under his eyes, skin and bones like a zombie.
Did he get another woman? Or gamble himself into debt? I was anxious. And that anxiety soon turned to anger.
He wouldn't even glance at the career counseling form I left on the table. Just tossed pocket money down and vanished. I finally exploded.
Fine. You don't care about me? Then I'll live my way.
That's how I started going astray. Shortened my skirt, piled on makeup, hung with the party crowd, cruising night streets. I stirred up trouble on purpose, for Dad to see. I figured if the cops called, he'd rush over. Yell at me, punish me—just look at me, please.
But Dad never came. He sent a subordinate thug instead to throw settlement money at it and call it done.
...
"Ha... fuck."
Back alley of a Gangnam club. I exhaled a long trail of cigarette smoke at the fading sunset.
And like habit, I checked my smartphone.
10 missed calls. All from me. But Dad hadn't picked up.
"Yu-na, whatcha doing? Gonna head in?"
"Yeah, let's go."
I stubbed out the cigarette and headed to the club entrance. Min-ji said she'd hooked a big fish today. Jo Min-hyuk oppa, VP's son at Seongil Pharma. Third-gen chaebol, hot, loaded. Apparently partying with high schoolers was his hobby.
"Min-ji, we doing real expensive stuff tonight? Not just Valentine—Dom Pérignon?"
"Duh! Min-hyuk oppa booked a VIP room!"
My friends were hyped. I forced a smile and followed them in.
Blasting music, flashing lights. Sun hadn't even set, but it was already glamorous. But unlike the glitz, my chest felt hollow and empty.
Dad... it's my birthday today.
Did he know? Nah, he forgot.
—
The VIP room vibe was even seedier than I thought. Pricey whiskey bottles scattered on the table, Min-hyuk oppa and his crew sprawled arrogantly on the sofas. Their eyes creeped me out. Not looking at us like friends or little sisters, but like... something else.
"Oh, you're Yu-na? Way hotter in person than pics."
Jo Min-hyuk oppa grinned sleazily at me. He patted the seat next to him.
"Sit here. Saved it to play with you."
"Uh, okay..."
I sat hesitantly. Glancing around from unease, I saw his friends pouring a weird-colored drink into champagne flutes. A bizarre liquid with a purple tint...
"Oppa~ what's this? Pretty color."
"Vitamins. Hot trend in Gangnam. Drink up, you'll feel amazing?"
Min-ji, who set this up, cooed in that nasal voice. Some friends had already downed glasses—their eyes were glazed, giggling vacantly. Instinct screamed danger.
This isn't booze. It's drugs.
"Um, my stomach's not great..."
"C'mon, don't be a buzzkill. Ignoring oppa's gesture?"
Jo Min-hyuk's face hardened. He slung an arm around my shoulder, shoving the glass at me forcefully.
"Heard your dad's a gangster? Then why's his girl such a scaredy-cat? Drink."
"N-no..."
"Drink, you fucking bitch."
He grabbed my chin hard. Terror hit me. This was no joke. I had to run!
"Agh! Let go!"
I shoved him with all my strength and hurled an ashtray from the table.
Crash!
"Y-you crazy bitch!"
Jo Min-hyuk clutched his forehead. Blood trickled down. Seizing the gap, I bolted from the room.
"Grab her! That fucking bitch! Get her!!"
Screams chased me. I stumbled in my high heels but ran for my life. The club was too loud, too crowded. Buff guards blocked the entrance.
What do I do, what do I do!
I dashed into the women's bathroom, locked myself in the farthest stall.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Hey! Open up! We know you're in there, fuck!!"
Jo Min-hyuk's goons kicked the door. The handle rattled. It'd break any second.
"Hic... sob..."
I huddled on the toilet, hand over mouth. Terrified. Beyond terrified. If they dragged me out, I knew what they'd do. Rape? Drugged up? My hands shook.
I pulled out my phone. 112? No. They're chaebol. Cops might not help.
Who then? Dad...
Hate him or not, he was all I could think of. My hero. My one and only.
Trembling fingers dialed.
Ring... ring...
The person you have called is unavailable. Please try again later.
"Ah, please... pick up, please...!"
I redialed. No answer. Outside, the pounding grew louder.
"Hey, get a tool. Rip this door off."
"You bitch, last chance. We drag you out, you're fucking dead."
No time. Tears streaming, I opened messages. Typos be damned, I hammered the keys.
I hit send. Clutching the phone to my chest, I prayed.
Dad... just once... just look at me once...
Bam—! The door splintered, followed by their slimy laughs.
"Ha, making us work for it, you fucking bitch."
I squeezed my eyes shut.
—
Same time.
"So, for the new business launch this time..."
Jang Hyun-soo was briefing Kang Min-woo and Abhos. Cold sweat dripped. Thanks to Kang Min-woo, Abhos seemed pleased, but he couldn't relax. One mistake and he'd die! Stay sharp, Jang Hyun-soo!!
Bzzz—
His phone on the table vibrated. That number again, ringing nonstop.
Yu-na... not now, please. Dad's gonna die...
He tried ignoring it. Answering a personal call mid-meeting could piss off Abhos.
But the message preview froze his heart.
"Wh...?"
His face went ashen. Hands trembled. His daughter. My Yu-na's begging to be saved.
"What's wrong?"
Abhos frowned. Jang Hyun-soo looked up, eyes shaking. Fear of Abhos. Fear of death. But greater—a father's boiling love and terror of losing his girl.
"M-my... my daughter Yu-na..."
Mumbling like a broken man, he gritted his teeth.
"S-sorry. I... I have to go."
"What?"
Abhos's eyes sharpened. Murderous intent rose. But Jang Hyun-soo didn't stop. Grabbing his suit jacket, eyes bloodshot, he said,
"Kill me if you want. Zombie or whatever... I'll come back... and die then."
Jang Hyun-soo bolted from the office without looking back.
As long as he could save his daughter. His life didn't matter.