2022, May 18 - Seokjin (Photo of Little Taehyung)

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[Places: Convenience store, road, hospital]

"What could it be?"

What's happened that he's rushing out? I couldn't hear the phone call because he'd been guarded. Should I follow him? But he asked me to watch the store for him. I'll just make life harder for Taehyung if I leave and something goes wrong. Then, maybe it's best to look for a clue here where Taehyung spends time every day.

(A/N: After some moments.)

I start to feel anxious not knowing when Taehyung will return. Is there anything here that might tell me something about Taehyung? Something I can find while he's not here? Maybe this convenience store can be convenient to my mission?

I don't have huge expectations since it's where he works, but I can't help but wonder if there's something I can learn here, like I did in Namjoon's room at the gas station.

"Let's see..."

I look near the cash register to see his bag and a box full of items. That'd be the only place I'd be likely to find something. What should I check out first?

🔴

(A/N: Loop #1: Examine the bag.)

Taehyung-ie's bag.

I scan my surroundings for some reason. The fact that I'm looking through someone's belongings without permission gets to me. But... I have no choice if I want to save Taehyung.

I make my decision. I open up the bag and rummage inside. "Knick-knacks... Hmm?" There's a wad of paper in the corner all crumpled up. "Is this... A photo?" I pick it up and carefully uncrumple it.

A young man and a child. Is it Taehyung and his abeoji? But... Why? He wouldn't be carrying it around if he truly hated his abeoji. But it wouldn't be crumpled if he liked him, either. "Is it... Love and hate?" I crumple the photo back to its original state before putting it back in the bag, so Taehyung doesn't notice.

(A/N: The said photo is the same as HYYH On Stage : Prologue, the abandoned swimming pool scene.)

Have I had a rough look at everything around here? Is there anything else to look at? There's a post-it stuck on the counter.

"I packed this for myself but imo invites me over for dinner. There are two patties inside. Make sure to enjoy it and write me a full review at least one page long!" - Hoseok.

There is a note Hoseok left him. "They've spent all this time looking out for each other."

It's nice to see Hoseok taking good care of Taehyung, and it's also nice to see that Taehyung felt so grateful that he kept the post-it.

🔴

(A/N: Loop #2: Examine the box.)

I rummage through the box to see what's inside. Umbrellas, a card wallet, and a small pad of paper. "These things..." Don't belong to Taehyung.

It looks like a makeshift lost-and-found box for items customers have forgotten at the store. It doesn't seem to have anything of Taehyung's in it. Have I had a rough look at everything around here?

Is there anything else to look at?

🔴

Taehyung returns after a while. Why does he look like that? There's a cut on his neck that wasn't there before.

"Blood?" What happened in that short amount of time? "Are you okay, Taehyung-ah? What happened to your neck?" I ask, but Taehyung avoids looking at me and doesn't say anything in return.

Taehyung puts a bandage on his neck to cover up his cut and continues working. How'd you get that cut? Has something like this happened before? I stare at Taehyung, lost in thought.

I finally pull out my phone to see that Junho samcheon is calling. What does he want? Is it important?

I hesitate for a moment before putting the phone away. I'm sure he just called to check up on me. I'm out every day because of Taehyung's matters, after all. He'll call again if it's important, anyway. What's most important right now is to look after Taehyung.

That's when he finally speaks. "Are you sure you can stay here all day like this, hyung? Aren't there people at home wondering where you are?"

I just smile sheepishly at Taehyung's question.

The incident takes place on the 20th. There aren't any clues or solutions that I can see yet, so I have no choice but to try my best to stick close to Taehyung's side.

I follow Taehyung out after he finishes his shift at the convenience store. Red bleeds through the bandage on the back of his neck.

It worries me. "Is you neck okay?"

"Yeah, I guess..." Taehyung lifts his hand to his back and touches the cut gingerly. He seems to be reluctant to discuss it.

"What are you going to do now?"

"I'm just... Gonna go paint some graffiti?"

"Yeah? Do you mind if I watch?"

"I'm okay with it... But you might be bored. You okay with that?"

"Yeah... Don't worry about me and just do what you do."

Taehyung doesn't seem to be happy that I'm tagging along. But there's no other way. I need to stay close to him.

A vibrating noise ... is it from Taehyung's phone?

"So what's going on? What? The emergency roon? Why is abeoji there? Hold on. I'll be right there!" Taehyung runs out.

Was Taehyung's abeoji taken to the emergency room? That injury he sustained last time? No, now's not the time to think about that.

I get a feeling that there's something about this incident that I need to figure out. "Taehyung-ah, what's wrong?"

"You go ahead, hyung. I need to go to the hospital."

"I'll give you a ride if it's urgent. I'm parked close by."

Taehyung hesitates for a moment but ends up following me.

(A/N: At hospital.)

"They won't cover it as a workplace accident?" Lies. He's lying.

Taehyung's abeoji wasn't drunk that day and he had been trying to use the proper equipment. The foreman was the one who stopped him.

I can see Taehyung and his noona despairing. What can I do to help them discreetly? Will the problem be solved if I help?

I'm torn. There's nothing stopping me from paying hospital fee in their stead. But... It was counterproductive when I did that for Namjoon before. I can't be sure that Taehyung won't act the same way.

I take out my phone and see a text from Junho samcheon asking where I am. The payment need to go through before he gets discharged tomorrow. I don't need to make the decision now, so..

"Taehyung-ah, I need to head out. I'm sure there's a way to take care of all of this. Don't worry too much. Take care of your abeoji."

I find the right moment to say a quick goodbye to Taehyung.

"See you, hyung."

"I'll be back tomorrow."

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