''~°.HIDE AND SEEK.°~'' | YEONGYU

THE ACCUSATION

"They always do."

Yeonjun stepped closer, careful, deliberate. He didn't touch him yet.

"They don't get to decide anymore," he repeated. "Not now. Not ever."

Beomgyu looked up at him then, eyes glassy, scared—but searching.

"...They hate you," he whispered. "Our families—"

"I know," Yeonjun said immediately.

And then, quieter, colder...

"Let them."

Outside, the sky darkened. Somewhere down the street, a car passed slowly, tires hissing against wet asphalt.

And in Yeonjun's pocket, the folded napkin pressed like a warning...one threat answered by another.

The knock came sharp and authoritative.

Not hesitant. Not polite.

Yeonjun stiffened instantly.

Beomgyu felt it before he understood it...the way the air shifted, the way Yeonjun's hand moved just slightly in front of him, subtle but unmistakably protective.

Yeonjun opened the door.

Soobin stood there, calm as ever, a uniformed officer at his side.

And behind them—

Huening Kai.

Beomgyu's breath caught.

Kai wouldn't meet his eyes at first. His shoulders were hunched, hands twisting together like he'd rehearsed this and still hated every second of it.

"Detective," Yeonjun said flatly. No greeting. No warmth.

Soobin stepped inside without waiting to be invited, the officer following. His gaze swept the room once, methodical, before settling on Beomgyu.

"Choi Beomgyu," Soobin said evenly. "I need you to come with us."

Beomgyu froze.

"What...?" His voice barely carried.

Yeonjun moved immediately, stepping between them with measured precision. Not aggressive. Not loud.

But immovable.

"On what grounds?" he asked.

Soobin didn't blink. "We have a statement."

Yeonjun's eyes flicked to Kai.

Kai swallowed, then finally spoke, voice shaky but firm enough to hurt.

"I—I told them what I thought," he said, staring at the floor. "It just...made sense."

Beomgyu stared at him.

"Kai....?"

Kai flinched at his name.

"The bully...he targeted you the most," Kai continued, words tumbling faster now, like he'd lose courage if he slowed down.

"Everyone knew that. And you were the last one he messed with before he died. I'm not saying you're evil or anything, I just—" He looked up then, eyes glassy. "I'm saying I've been bullied too. I know what it feels like to snap."

The room went still.

Beomgyu's hands trembled. "I didn't—"

"I know you say that," Kai cut in quickly. "But people snap. I thought...it was possible."

Possible.

Yeonjun exhaled slowly through his nose.

Then he smiled.

And no, it wasn't kind.

"So," he said calmly, turning back to Soobin, "you're arresting him because it 'made sense' to someone who admits they're projecting?"

The officer shifted slightly.

Soobin's tone remained professional. "We're acting on reasonable suspicion."

Yeonjun's head tilted a fraction. "Reasonable?" His voice sharpened.

"There's no weapon. No forensic evidence. No eyewitness placing him at the scene. No motive beyond rumor and trauma."

He took one step forward.

"You don't arrest a victim because it fits a narrative."

Soobin met his gaze evenly. "He was the last known target."

"And half the school watched that bully terrorize people for years," Yeonjun shot back. "By that logic, you should be dragging in a dozen students. Start with the ones who laughed when they found out he died."

Kai flinched.

Beomgyu's breathing went uneven, panic creeping up his spine. Yeonjun felt it immediately and adjusted without looking...his hand finding Beomgyu's wrist, grounding, steady.

"Beomgyu stays." Yeonjun said, voice low and final. "Unless you can show me actual evidence."

The officer glanced at Soobin.

Soobin studied Yeonjun for a long moment.

His gaze slid to Beomgyu again.

"This isn't over," Soobin said quietly. "If more comes up—"

"—then come back with facts," Yeonjun cut in, sharp now.

Silence stretched.

Finally, Soobin nodded once. "We'll be in touch."

He turned and left. The officer followed.

Kai hesitated at the door.

"I didn't mean to—" he started.

Yeonjun didn't look at him. "Then you should've kept your mouth shut."

Kai swallowed hard, then left without another word.

The door shut.

The lock clicked.

Only then did Yeonjun turn fully toward Beomgyu.

.....................................

CHRISTMAS IS COMING Y'ALL!!! ✨⛄❄️🤶🏻🦌🎄

—Excited Author