The cafe was bustling with life, people coming in and out every few minutes and the countless waiters running around serving customers. By one of the giant windows sat two teenage girls, sitting down while sipping on some bubble tea they had previously ordered.
Haeun felt slightly tense, seeing her friend's unusually saddened expression.
"Will you tell me what's going on?" She put down her drink, staring at her.
Yuri bit her lip, unable to look her friend in the eye as she thought she was going to burst out into tears. "I'm moving." She stated shortly.
Haeun's expression fell slowly, now a shocked look on her face.
"What?"
"I need to move soon." Yuri swallowed, feeling goosebumps all over her body.
Haeun was silent for a minute, letting the news dawn on her. She licked her lips before looking up again. "Where?"
"Abroad. My parents want to send me to live in the US with my aunt and cousins." The other explained, feeling her nose tickling as an indication that tears would be shed soon.
"When are you going?" Haeun's voice was quiter, sadder.
"In 2 weeks at the latest."
"Was this because..." The young gang leader swallowed, feeling the lump in her throat begin to prevent her from breathing properly. "Because of the kidnapping?"
Yuri took a deep breath, forcing a soft smile onto her lips. "My parents were really, really worried. But don't worry, that wasn't the only reason. They had already planned on sending me abroad, but not this early. I was supposed to go there for college..." She muttered out the last part, her voice beginning to crack.
Haeun sat there in silence, the guilt crashing down on her. It had been her fault that her friend was abducted and had to leave. All her fault.
She sniffled. "Isn't this for the best? That way you won't be in danger because of me again."
Tears flooded Yuri's eyes as she looked down, a sob escaping her lips. Haeun bit her lip and looked down, trying her best not to burst out crying as well.
"It wasn't your fault, Haeunnie." Yuri choked out, trying to get herself together. "I never blamed you, and still won't. You're my best friend."
Haeun felt her chest tighten at those words. "I'm sorry, Yuri-ah."
That was what sent them both over the edge of the cliff, breaking down into tears. The many people around them stared at them weirdly, but they did not care.
Yuri got up and made her way around the table, crouching down beside her friend's chair and engulfind her in a hug. Haeun couldn't stop weeping, wrapping her arms around the other's shoulder tightly.
➥
"Are you kidding me?" Haeun asked emotionlessly, her cold stare unbearable for the elder guy. He bit his lip, looking down shamefully.
The girl took a deep breath before her fist collided with the wooden table, making everyone in the room flinch.
"How could you let Chuwol escape?!" She yelled, furiously glaring at him.
Every other gang member in the room also felt extremely intimidated, seeing as even Yuta was scared of the tiny girl.
Haeun placed her hands on her hips, beginning to pace up and down. "When did this happen?" She asked, staring down at the ground.
"Somewhere in the early morning. The cameras caught him jumping out of the 2nd story then running off." Yuta documented, still unable to face her properly.
"How the fuck was he on the second floor if we had locked him up in the basement?" Haeun growled, glaring up at him.
"He managed to open up the cell door and because most of the security is on the first floor of the building, he went upstairs and jumped out." Yuta's voice kept deteriorating, becoming way inferior to the leader's strict one.
She closed her eyes, poking her tongue into her cheek. "And you think I'm supposed to believe that there was no one guarding Chuwol's cell, that there was no one who stopped him from roaming around that base and no one to follow him when he ran away from it although he is heavily injured?"
Yuta remained silent, gulping as he felt her intense glare on him.
Haeun sighed, deciding to not lose her voice. This day had been terrible for her and she just wanted to go jump in her bed, wake up and all of her problems would be solved.
Hey... are you there?
You're calling me?
Where have you been?
Just resting. Why?
Could you come out instead of me?
I thought you hated when that happened?
Besides, I can't just come and go as I wish. There must be some sort of trigger for us to switch.
Can you try anything?
I'm begging you.
You must really be tired.
Alright, I'll see what I can do.
Haeun closed her eyes, her overworked mind clearing. This time it took her a few seconds to actually switch. And then Ryuwon awoke, unknown to anyone.
The girl opened her eyes and sighed yet again, seeing all of the NCT members inside of the discussion room, all waiting for her orders.
"Jaehyun, Renjun and Johnny, try to track Chuwol down." She began, her voice feeling hoarse and her throat dry. "Increase protection for Yuri and Daehwi, Chuwol may try to use them to get to us again. Taeyong, go off and visit Sunny and her husband."
The 2nd in command's brows furrowed. "Why?"
"I think it's about time we inform them of this ridiculous situation." She looked him dead in the eyes. "I may also try to plan a raid to one of their locations to try to find him or any clue on where he went. Any questions?"
Everyone stayed quiet.
"Great. Meeting dismissed, and whoever was addressed, get to work."
The NCT members slowly began getting up and flooding out of the room. Ryuwon just leaned into her chair, throwing her head back with her eyes closed. Lately the girl has been feeling... weird. Like she was slowly being peeled away from the body, making her often feel light-headed and thoughtless. Her communication with Haeun had also become rusty as well, as if they were losing their connection.
She then got up and was shocked as someone's hands were placed on her hips, pulling her closer. She looked up in shock to find Jisung's face close to hers.
"Are you alright?" He asked worried.
'Weird... Haeun should've come out by now.' Ryuwon thought, the emptiness in her feeling too quiet.
"Calm down, lover boy, it's Ryuwon." She exclaimed disgusted, pushing him away.
Jisung gawked, feeling embarassed as the tips of his ears reddened. The girl sighed.
"Sorry, Haeun asked me to come out. Hopefully you don't mind too much." Her voice softened slightly as he watched his nervous demeanor.
"Where did she go?" Jisung asked quietly.
"She's just resting for a while. Don't worry, she'll be back soon enough."
There was an uncomfortable silence as Ryuwon watched him shift uncomfortably. A small smile came up to her lips.
"Thank you."
Jisung looked up confused. "For what?" He asked warily.
"For being in Haeun's life." She breathed out calmly. "Ever since you two got together, she seems much happier. The body is also in a much better condition and she seems to have realized the importance of taking care of herself."
Jisung was speechless, staring at the girl.
"Please continue making her happy."
Ugh I feel so terrible for this happening after so many soft chapters
But your favourite hoe is leaving :(
And Chuwol escaped, so let's all hunt him down and punch him in the throat together