Dive // Jaeyi x Seulgi

Chapter 4

The man who had been following Seulgi halted at the mouth of the alley, scanning the darkness. A glint of steel flashed in his grip—a knife. Seulgi's pulse pounded in her ears.

Jaeyi held her breath, her grip tightening around Seulgi's wrist. One wrong move, one sound, and they'd be found. The man's gaze flickered uncertainly before he cursed under his breath and took off in the opposite direction.

Jaeyi exhaled sharply. "We need to go. Now."

Seulgi didn't hesitate, nodding as Jaeyi pulled her deeper into the alley, weaving through narrow backstreets until they finally emerged onto a quieter road. The rain drenched them both, soaking through their clothes as they ran in unison, Jaeyi leading the way with unwavering determination.

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit hotel room, Kyung paced back and forth, frustration rolling off her in waves as she glared at Haneul, who sat stiffly on the edge of the couch. Hyeri stood near the window, arms crossed, waiting for answers.

"Start talking," Kyung snapped. "Who the hell sent you?"

Haneul hesitated, her fingers twisting in her lap. "Jaeyi's father. He paid me to spy on you three. He wanted any lead on Jaeyi."

Silence crashed over the room. Hyeri's jaw clenched, and Kyung took a step closer, her voice laced with disbelief. "She's dead. Why won't he just give his daughter a fucking rest?"

Haneul swallowed. "He doesn't believe she is. And neither do I."

Kyung scoffed, shaking her head before stepping forward. "You're telling me he still thinks she's out there, and instead of looking for her himself, he sent you to babysit us?" She crossed her arms, studying Haneul with narrowed eyes. "And what? You thought we'd just spill our guts about a dead girl?"

Haneul hesitated before muttering, "I had my doubts too. Until I saw the way Seulgi kept looking over her shoulder. The way she moved, like she was waiting for someone." She met Kyung's gaze. "And I was right, wasn't I?"

Kyung rolled her eyes and sighed. "You really don't shut up, do you?" Without warning, she grabbed a scarf from the bed and tossed it over Haneul's lap. "Here. Tie yourself up."

Haneul blinked. "What?"

"You heard me." Kyung smirked. "I don't trust you enough to let you wander around freely. So, go on. Wrap it around your wrists."

Haneul scowled. "This is ridiculous."

Kyung raised an eyebrow. "Fine. I'll do it myself. But I have a feeling you'd rather do it the easy way."

With a huff, Haneul begrudgingly obeyed, muttering under her breath as she tied a loose knot around her wrists. Kyung leaned in, inspecting it before tugging once, making Haneul flinch.

"Great," Kyung said, standing up. "Now sit tight and behave. We have bigger things to worry about than your half-assed spy work."

Hyeri, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke. "If Jaeyi's father still thinks she's alive, then this isn't over."

Kyung nodded, expression darkening. "Not even close."

Jaeyi's childhood home wasn't far, but it felt like an eternity before she and Seulgi finally reached the familiar outskirts of Seulgi's hometown. The rain-soaked streets were quieter than the city, the scent of wet earth and pine filling the air as they stumbled toward the small, tucked-away house at the edge of town.

Seulgi, still catching her breath, turned to Jaeyi, eyes burning with unspoken questions. "Jaeyi... what the hell is going on?"

Jaeyi ran a hand through her drenched hair, her body trembling—not just from the cold, but from everything. "I got an email," she said, voice tight. "From someone claiming to be a whistleblower. They said my father hired someone to follow you."

Seulgi inhaled sharply, her hands clenching at her sides. "And you believed it just like that?"

Jaeyi let out a hollow laugh. "It came with proof, Seulgi. A picture of you, taken recently. Whoever sent it wanted me to know you were being watched."

Seulgi's jaw tightened. "Why didn't you call me the moment you saw it?"

Jaeyi looked away. "Because I didn't know if it was a trap. Because I didn't want to drag you into this mess if I wasn't sure."

Seulgi was still catching her breath, trying to make sense of everything, when Jaeyi suddenly stepped closer. Her gaze dropped to Seulgi's lips, and a faint smirk ghosted across her face.

"It's been so long since I've heard your voice," Jaeyi murmured. "Still as sweet as I remember."

Seulgi felt her heart lurch at the words. The warmth of Jaeyi's palms cupping her face sent a shiver down her spine, but the questions burning in her mind wouldn't let her melt into the moment.

Jaeyi exhaled, glancing toward the door as if making sure no one had followed them. "You need to stay here tonight," she said, turning back to Seulgi. "It's still dangerous outside."

Seulgi hesitated, her jaw tight as if she wanted to argue. But the weight of everything that had happened—the chase, the near attack, the truth Jaeyi had just revealed—made her swallow her pride.

"Okay," she muttered, running a hand through her damp hair.

Jaeyi smirked. "You'll catch a cold if you stay in those wet clothes." She moved toward her closet, rummaging through a shelf before tossing a hoodie and sweatpants onto the bed. "Wear these. The bathroom's down the hall."

Seulgi picked up the clothes, glancing at Jaeyi before heading toward the bathroom. The door shut behind her with a soft click, leaving Jaeyi alone with the quiet hum of the town outside.

Minutes passed. The sound of running water filled the silence, and Jaeyi found herself leaning against the window, staring out but not really seeing anything.

The bathroom door creaked open.

Seulgi stepped out, towel-drying her hair, Jaeyi's hoodie hanging loosely over her frame. The fabric pooled around her wrists, the sweatpants slightly too long. But it wasn't the fit that caught Jaeyi's attention.

Her gaze dropped—just for a second—to the faint scar running along Seulgi's stomach.

She wasn't the type to hesitate. Closing the distance, she reached out, fingertips brushing over the scar without asking.

Seulgi stilled, breath hitching at the contact.

Jaeyi traced the line slowly, her touch featherlight, yet firm—like she was remembering. "You still have it," she murmured.

A quiet huff. "Of course, I do. It's not like I can just get rid of it."

Jaeyi smirked. "I did good work, though. No ugly stitches."

Seulgi scoffed. "Yeah, yeah. A real artist with a scalpel."

Jaeyi's smirk softened into something else—something almost fond.

She wasn't running anymore.