Chapter Text
“Jungwon, stop pacing around like a tiger in a cage and sit down,” Taehyun exclaimed, his tone edged with annoyance.
He sprawled on the couch in their dorm room, his legs casually kicked up on the coffee table. “You’re making me dizzy.”
With a huff, Jungwon finally ceased his incessant pacing.
He slumped into a nearby armchair, rubbing his temples with his fingers. “I can’t help it, this stupid report is stressing me out.”
Jungwon was the quintessential overachiever, a student whose drive for academic excellence bordered on obsession.
A straight-A student, he had carved a name for himself as the most exceptional journalist the school had ever seen.
His ability to weave words into captivating narratives was legendary, and his articles had adorned the front pages of every school publication since his first year
Teachers and seniors alike praised his talent, marvelling at his knack for transforming even the most mundane subjects into engaging tales.
Yet, despite his achievements, Jungwon remained humble, attributing his success to unyielding dedication rather than innate genius.
The upcoming article he was working on, however, was proving particularly challenging, testing not only his writing skills but also his ability to remain composed under pressure
“Why don’t you take a break?” Beomgyu suggested, lounging on the floor amidst a mess of textbooks.
“You’ve been glued to that report for hours. When’s the deadline anyway?”
“After winter break.” Jungwon replied, sheepishly.
Both Taehyun and Beomgyu exchanged incredulous glances.
“We’ve got two months before we’re even near winter and you’re already this stressed?” Taehyun teased, the corner of his mouth pulling up in a smirk.
“I know, I know,” Jungwon admitted, running a hand through his hair.
“But Professor Jang said this piece could be published in a local magazine if it’s good enough. This is my shot, you guys, I can’t afford to mess it up.”
“You’re the best writer the school’s ever had,” Beomgyu pointed out matter-of-factly, “I bet you could write an article about paint drying and make it sound interesting.”
Jungwon let out a soft chuckle at Beomgyu’s words, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.
However, the knot in his stomach still lingered.
“That’s not the point. This isn’t just about writing anymore. It’s about proving to myself that I can do it, that I’m not just some overhyped kid living off past glories.”
Taehyun shifted positions on the couch, propping himself up on his elbows.
“You’re not though,” he chimed in, his voice uncharacteristically serious.
“You’ve got the talent, the determination. And we believe in you, right?” He looked at Beomgyu, who nodded in agreement.
“But don’t think about it too much,” Taehyun added, his easy-going grin returning.
“How about this. Instead of writing about the everyday things, why don’t you go out your comfort zone.”
“What do you mean?” Jungwon inquired, an eyebrow raised in curiosity, wondering where Taehyun was going with his suggestion.
“You always go for the safe topics, ‘student life at the academy’, ‘upcoming events on campus’, blah blah,” Taehyun said, waving a dismissive hand.
“Why not try something a little more risky? Why not write about a few criminals, crimes.”
“Criminals?” Jungwon echoed, feeling a tingle of excitement. “You want me to explore the criminal world?”
Taehyun shrugged. “Why not? It’s a side of life you’ve never experienced, right? And who knows, it might even make for a more captivating story.”
Beomgyu smirked, joining in the conversation. “Yeah, imagine the headlines. ‘Top student turns detective for a day’,” he mocked, imitating the voice of a news reporter.
Jungwon allowed himself a faint smile, contemplating the idea.
It held a certain appeal, a thrill of danger and the unknown, the opportunity to step outside the usual monotony of his school life.
The idea of creating a compelling piece about a world he’d only read about in books was undeniably tempting.
“Maybe you’re onto something....” he mumbled.
Taehyun and Beomgyu exchanged a satisfied look, sensing the seeds of curiosity taking root.
“That’s the spirit,” Taehyun encouraged, rising from the couch to clap a hand on Jungwon’s shoulder.
“You don’t have to do anything drastic. Just observe, gather information. Who knows, you might even uncover something juicy for your article.”
“Just remember,” Beomgyu said with a wink, “if you get into trouble, we’re here to bail you out, okay?” Jungwon couldn’t help but laugh at the reassuring statement.
Their banter lifted the weight of stress off his shoulders, replaced by a spark of anticipation.
Maybe a change of pace was exactly what he needed.
The seed of an investigative piece had been planted, and Jungwon found himself oddly exhilarated by the thought. With a newfound determination, he declared, “I’ll do it.”
“That’s more like it,” Taehyun grinned, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.
“Just don’t forget us when you’re getting all the glory for this story.” He playfully ruffled Jungwon’s hair.
“As if I could ever forget you guys,” Jungwon retorted, shoving Taehyun’s arm away playfully.
“But seriously, thanks for the idea. I think I needed something a little unconventional to shake things up.”
Beomgyu stretched lazily on the ground. “No problem. We’re always here to provide our wisdom,” he joked, drawing a chuckle from the three of them.
Jungwon leaned over, reaching for his laptop that had slid to the floor next to where Beomgyu had sprawled out.
Picking it up, he dusted off the cover before turning it on, the screen lighting up with a soft blue glow.
Taehyun, propped up next to Jungwon now, peered at the laptop’s screen. “Research time?” he inquired, a curious hint in his voice.
“Indeed,” Jungwon replied, fingers poised over the keyboard.
“I figured I should start looking into the local crime scene. Any suggestions on where to begin?”
Beomgyu chimed in from his spot on the floor, “Why not start with news articles or local police reports? You might find some interesting cases there.”
Jungwon nodded, typing away on the keyboard to open a search browser. “Good idea. I’ll start with the recent news first and see if any names or groups keep popping up.”
The three spent the next few hours huddled around Jungwon’s laptop, scrolling through article after article on the local news site.
They pointed out potential leads and theories, discussing the different criminal cases that had made headlines over the past year.
The dorm room was filled with the sounds of typing keys, the occasional gasp, and muttered agreements as they delved deeper into the world of neighbourhood crimes.
The excitement of unravelling a mystery was palpable.
At one point, Beomgyu let out a groan of frustration. “Isn’t there anything more juicy than petty theft and vandalism?” he complained, leaning his head back against the couch.
“These crimes are all so boring.”
Taehyun, ever the devilish one, smirked. “What were you expecting? An organized gang running the town?” He chuckled, half-joking, half-serious.
Jungwon, however, seemed to be lost in thought. “Gang?” he echoed, the word striking a chord.
His fingers paused over the keyboard. “That’s not a bad idea, actually. This town hasn’t seen a real gang presence in years.”
Taehyun and Beomgyu exchanged an intrigued glance. “You have that ‘I’m onto something’ face. Spill it, mister journalist,” Beomgyu prodded, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Just a thought,” Jungwon mused, returning to his keyboard.
“Think about it. Gang activity usually brings with it a lot of excitement. They’re not just doing your typical breaking and entering.
They’re organized, they have rules and leaders, and their operations often involve riskier crimes, not petty stuff like stealing bikes or breaking windows.”
A silence fell over the room as his words hung in the air.
Taehyun and Beomgyu exchanged a knowing look, sensing the direction of Jungwon’s thoughts.
“You’re thinking about writing about a gang, aren’t you?” Taehyun asked, an amused lilt to his voice.
Beomgyu grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Looks like we’ve just found the plot for your article. A real-life gang investigation.”
Jungwon couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“It’s a risky topic, and I’m sure the school administration won’t be thrilled,” he admitted.
“But the potential for a high-impact story is there. And, well... I’ve never shied away from a challenge.”
Taehyun chimed in, an encouraging note in his voice. “That’s the spirit. If anyone can pull it off, it’s you. You’re the top student, the best damn journalist in school.”
“Besides,” Beomgyu added with a sly grin, “think of the thrill. Undercover reporting, meeting dangerous characters, exposing secrets. It’s like something straight out of a noir film.”
Jungwon chuckled, the adrenaline starting to flow at the mere thought.
“It’s not like I’ll be joining the gang, you know,” he said. “I’m just going to observe, gather information. Maybe talk to some people here and there.”
Taehyun leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head. “Just be careful who you talk to.
If these are legit gangs you’re looking into, they won’t mess around.
We don’t want you ending up on the front page as the headline instead of your article.”
Beomgyu nodded earnestly. “Yeah, you gotta watch out for yourself. Don’t get too carried away with the thrill of it all, Now lets order pizza!”
The light-hearted tension lifted, and Taehyun laughed. “Pizza sounds good. I’m starving.”
As they settled back, the atmosphere shifted from the intensity of their discussion to a more casual one.
The topic of gangs was shelved for the moment, replaced by the more mundane task of deciding which toppings to order on their pizza.
But even as the conversation shifted, Jungwon couldn’t help but feel the thrill of the potential story lingering in the back of his mind.
The thought of delving into the world of gangs, even from just an observational standpoint, sent a rush of anticipation through him.
It would be his most challenging assignment to date, but with the support of his friends and his own determination, he felt ready to take it on.
As the night grew late, the pizza was eventually devoured, and Beomgyu stifled a yawn. “I’m beat,” he declared, stretching his limbs.
“And Jungwon looks like he could use some sleep too. All that research fried his brain.”
Taehyun chuckled, nodding in agreement. “He’s been glued to that laptop for hours. He needs a break before his brain shuts down completely.”
“I’m fine, I’m fine,” Jungwon muttered, despite the weariness etched on his face and the way his eyes kept involuntarily fluttering closed.
Taehyun gave him a playful shove. “Yeah, yeah. Go to bed. We don’t need a zombie journalist shuffling around campus tomorrow.”
Beomgyu seconded the motion.
“Yeah. Don’t worry about it. We’ll still be here tomorrow to discuss your grand plan. And we’ll help, of course.”
Jungwon acquiesced with a tired smile.
He closed his laptop and rose from the couch, stifling another yawn. “Alright, alright. I’m going to bed.”
Taehyun patted him on the back. “Sweet dreams, fearless journalist. May your dreams be filled with gangs and juicy headlines.”
Beomgyu snickered, teasing. “And don’t let the criminals bite.”
Jungwon rolled his eyes affectionately. “You guys are ridiculous.” He bid them a good night, disappearing into his room.
As he settled into his bed, Jungwon’s thoughts swirled around the conversation they had just had.
Excitement, apprehension, and a mixture of other emotions coursed through him.
But one thing was for sure – his article was about to take a turn he never expected.
He fell asleep with a renewed sense of purpose, eager to jump headfirst into this daring new chapter.
Jungwon shovelled a spoonful of cereal into his mouth, his eyes scanning the bustling main hall of the academy.
It was a typical sight in the mornings, students rushing to their classes, teachers supervising, and the general hum of conversation filling the air.
Taehyun and Beomgyu sat opposite him, already halfway through their breakfast.
Taehyun looked up from his plate, his eyes following Jungwon’s gaze.
“Thinking about how to approach the school about your field trip?” he asked, a hint of playful mockery in his voice.
Jungwon swallowed his cereal a bit too quickly, causing him to cough momentarily. “Yeah, something like that,”
he managed to say once he’d regained his composure.
“I need to convince Principal Yoon to let me go down to the main town this afternoon.”
Beomgyu chuckled, pushing his plate away. “Are you going to tell him you’re investigating gangs?”
“Obviously not,” Jungwon shot back with a weary eye roll. “I’ll just say it’s for an article. But I have a feeling he won’t be too keen, given the school’s strict rules about off-campus activities.”
Taehyun leaned back in his chair, an amused smirk on his face. “You don’t know until you try. Worst he can say is no.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Jungwon
replied with a hint of irritation. He finished his breakfast and stood up, the bell signalling the start of classes. “I’ll find him during break. Wish me luck.”
Taehyun saluted him with a mock serious expression, while Beomgyu just chuckled.
“Just bat your eyelashes and flash that charming smile of yours. You’ll have him wrapped around your finger in no time.”
“You’re an idiot,” Jungwon retorted, fighting a smile.
“That’s not how it works. And my charms don’t work on teachers, especially not the principal.”
“Sure, keep telling yourself that,” Beomgyu chided with a smirk, standing up alongside Jungwon and Taehyun.
“We’ll be here to console you if he rejects the idea, though we’ll probably be too busy laughing to offer any actual comfort.”
“Oh, shut up,” Jungwon muttered, his cheeks slightly flushed.
With a final scoff, he started walking towards their first class, his thoughts already on how to approach Principal Yoon.
Throughout the morning classes, Jungwon found his concentration wavering, his mind incessantly returning to how he was to convince the principal.
He was so lost in thought that he could barely remember the topics covered in class, his notes a jumble of half-formed thoughts and doodles.
By the time the lunch break rolled around, his nerves were on edge.
Taehyun and Beomgyu, noticing his restless state, attempted to distract him with light banter as they headed towards Principal Yoon’s office.
“You look like you’re about to face a dragon, not a principal,” Beomgyu teased, nudging his shoulder playfully.
“Yeah, you’re more jittery than a caffeine-addicted squirrel,” Taehyun snorted, his tone deliberately teasing. “You realize he’s not going to eat you, right?”
Jungwon shot them a withering look, rolling his eyes. “Thanks for the reassuring words, guys. I feel so much better now.”
His sarcasm was laced with frustration, a clear sign of his rising anxiety.
Beomgyu shrugged, not entirely fazed by Jungwon’s irritability. “Just saying, you’re making a mountain out of a molehill. Principal Yoon has a soft spot for you, he’ll probably agree without much question.”
Taehyun nodded in agreement. “Yeah, not to mention he’s a bit of a pushover when it comes to you. Just say it’s important and flash your best puppy eyes, and he’ll fold immediately.”
Jungwon grumbled under his breath, not appreciating their light-hearted ribbing.
“Thanks for the stellar advice. ‘Flash your puppy eyes’ is an incredibly professional tactic. Why didn’t I think of that?”
Despite his sarcastic retorts, their teasing helped ease some of the tension in his shoulders.
The trio finally reached Principal Yoon’s office, and Jungwon took a deep breath, preparing himself to present his case.
“Alright, let’s just get this over with,” he muttered, trying to maintain a veneer of composure.
He raised his hand and knocked firmly on the principal’s office door.
After a moment, a voice from within the office called out, “Come in.”
Jungwon shot a final look at his friends, who responded with supportive nods.
With a quick exhale, he turned the doorknob and stepped into the office. Here goes nothing.
Principal Yoon was an older man, his silvering hair and lined face suggesting a lifetime of experience.
As Jungwon entered, he looked up from his paperwork, his expression neutral.
“Ah, Jungwon-ssi. What can I do for you?” he inquired, gesturing for Jungwon to take a seat.
“Good afternoon, Principal Yoon,” Jungwon began, a hint of nervousness in his voice. “I have a request I’d like to discuss with you, regards to a new article I’m working on.”
Principal Yoon raised an eyebrow questioningly but gestured for him to continue. “Go on,” he prompted, folding his hands on his desk.
Taking a deep breath, Jungwon launched into his pitch. “As you know, I’m working on a series of articles for the school’s publication, and I’ve come across a potential story that I believe has real merit. However, it involves some off-campus activity.”
Principal Yoon’s expression shifted, a frown appearing on his face.
“Jungwon-ssi, you know the school has strict rules against off-campus activities.”
Jungwon steeled himself, mentally prepared for this rebuttal. “I understand, Principal Yoon, and I usually abide by those rules. However, this particular story has the potential to be impactful and significant, beyond the typical student life narratives I’ve covered so far.”
Principal Yoon leaned back in his chair, studying Jungwon intently. There was a moment of silence before he spoke again.
“I can appreciate your dedication, Jungwon-ssi, but can you explain how this article couldn’t be written without stepping off school grounds?”
Jungwon thought for a moment, carefully considering his words. “The story I’m interested in involves interviewing people from the town, getting first-hand accounts and insights. I believe it’ll add depth and authenticity that can’t be achieved from within the school walls.”
Principal Yoon’s expression softened slightly, a hint of understanding in his eyes. “I see. And the subject of this story? It’s not something illegal, I hope?”
Jungwon felt a sense of relief at the principal’s softening resolve.
“No, no, nothing illegal,” he was quick to assure.
“Just a glimpse into the underbelly of teenage life off school grounds, you know – a different perspective, different stories that aren’t visible from the school setting.”
Principal Yoon nodded thoughtfully, his hands still folded in his lap. “Alright, Jungwon-ssi, you’ve piqued my curiosity. I’ll consider your request, but only under one condition.”
“Of course, Principal Yoon,” Jungwon responded without hesitation. “Anything.”
“I’ll allow you to venture into the town for your article, as long as you have someone accompanying you,” Principal Yoon stated firmly.
“I can’t have you roaming about on your own. The world outside these walls can be unpredictable, especially for a student like you.”
Relief washed over Jungwon, but he couldn’t help the slight pang of annoyance. A chaperone?
That wasn’t part of his plan, but he knew he couldn’t complain. Agreeing, he nodded in affirmation.
“Understood, Principal Yoon. Of course, I’ll have someone with me.”
Principal Yoon leaned back in his chair, his hard gaze softening a bit.
“Good. Just make sure it’s someone responsible, someone you trust. I want to know whom you’ve chosen by the end of lunch.”
“Yes, Principal Yoon,” Jungwon assured him, mentally going over the options.
He thanked the principal and left his office, feeling a mixture of relief and annoyance. A chaperone? Seriously?
As he exited the principal’s office, Taehyun and Beomgyu were waiting for him, their faces expectant.
“So, how did it go?” Beomgyu asked, his tone betraying curiosity. Taehyun stood by silently, waiting for the verdict.
Jungwon gritted his teeth to keep from snapping at them. “He said yes, but there’s a catch,” he bit out, unable to completely hide his irritation to the chaperone condition.
Beomgyu chuckled, clearly finding the situation amusing. “Aww, does the fearless journalist need a babysitter?” Taehyun, however, was more sympathetic. “Who are you going to ask to come with you?”
Frustration built within Jungwon. “I don’t know yet. The principal said I have to tell him who’s coming with me by the end of lunch.”
Beomgyu stifled a laugh, unable to resist teasing him further. “Well then, better start compiling your list of potential babysitters. I hope you’re not planning to pick one of us.”
Jungwon shot him a warning glare. “You’re not coming with me, that’s for sure.”
Beomgyu feigned offence, placing a hand over his heart in mock hurt. “Ouch, way to shut down my hopes and dreams. I was looking forward to witnessing your thrilling journalistic adventure in the wild.”
“Your brand of excitement tends to lean more towards trouble than support,” Jungwon scoffed, “Tae, come with me? Please.”
Beomgyu feigned another stab at his heart. “Replaced by Taehyun? Ouch, double burn.”
Taehyun smirked, the banter between them familiar. “Well, who am I to turn down a request like that?” he replied, flashing a reassuring smile at Jungwon. “Of course, I’ll come with you.”
Despite his annoyance, Jungwon felt a wave of relief wash over him at Taehyun’s words. “Thank you,” he said earnestly, “At least I can trust you not to turn this into a disaster.”
Beomgyu let out a dramatic gasp. “Disaster? Me? Never.”
Taehyun chuckled, putting an arm around Beomgyu’s shoulders. “Ignore him, he’s just jealous he didn’t get chosen.”
Beomgyu attempted a nonchalant shrug. “Jealous? Psh, who would be jealous of playing babysitter?”
Taehyun smirked, glancing at him. “You, judging by your sulky face.”
Beomgyu scowled, pushing Taehyun’s arm off. “I’m not sulking. Just...slightly disappointed. I could’ve spiced up the investigative journey with my irresistible charm .”
Jungwon rolled his eyes, his irritation lessening with each playful exchange. “Yeah, ‘irresistible’ is a bit of a stretch.” Turning back towards Principal Yoon’s office.
“Wait, where are you going now?” Beomgyu called out, watching as Jungwon headed back towards the principal’s office.
Taehyun, ever the calm one, explained, “He needs to tell the principal he’s got a chaperone.”
“Oh right,” Beomgyu chuckled, before jokingly adding, “and don’t forget, you’re stuck with babysitter duty now. Can’t wait to watch the thrilling adventures of Jungwon and his overage nanny.”
Taehyun shrugged, used to Beomgyu’s quips. “Hey, I got the privilege of being the ‘mature adult’ this time.” He smirked, giving Beomgyu a playful wink.
“Don’t get too envious now.”
Beomgyu scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Envious? You’re the one who’s going to be responsible for keeping the genius journalist safe from danger. I’m just dodging a responsibility bullet.”
Principal Yoon’s voice came from inside the office, “Come in.”
Jungwon opened the door, entering a second time.
“Back already?” Principal Yoon asked, setting aside the paperwork.
“Yes, Principal Yoon,” Jungwon replied, his voice slightly more confident than the first time. “I’ve decided who I’ll be bringing with me.”
Principal Yoon quirked an eyebrow, his expression curious. “And who have you chosen? Someone trustworthy, I hope.”
“Yes, of course,” Jungwon nodded, his gaze steady. “I’ve asked Kang Taehyun, one of my best friends and a very responsible student. He agreed, without hesitation.”
Principal Yoon nodded, seeming pleased with the choice.
“Kang Taehyun, I know him. He's a decent student and a good influence. I have no objections to him accompanying you."
“Thank you, Principal Yoon,” Jungwon said, gratitude evident in his voice. Before he could turn to leave, Principal Yoon spoke up again.
“Jungwon-ssi,” Principal Yoon’s voice held a serious note.
“I trust you’ll both behave responsibly. I’m only allowing this because I have faith in both of you to make wise decisions and stay out of any trouble.”
“I understand, Principal Yoon,” Jungwon assured him. “We won’t cause any trouble. Taehyun is definitely responsible enough to keep an eye on me.”
Principal Yoon leaned back in his chair, a slight smile playing on his lips. “I believe you. Just remember, you’re representing the school out there. Do well with your article, and for God’s sake, be careful. I don’t want to read about any foolish stunts in the local news.”
“We will, Principal Yoon,” Jungwon reassured him, a hint of determination in his voice.
He bid farewell and left the principal’s office, feeling a mix of relief and anticipation. One hurdle down, many more to go.
Chapter Text
Jungwon and Taehyun were standing in the school parking lot, the late afternoon sun casting a warm glow, their conversation buzzing with anticipation.
In Jungwon’s hand was the permission slip from Principal Yoon, a confirmation of their impending field trip.
“We’re really doing this, huh?” Taehyun grinned, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Jungwon folded the permission slip carefully and slipped it into his bag.
“Yep. This is happening.” He paused, a thought striking him.
“Speaking of... Where’s our driver?”
As if on cue, a sleek black sedan pulled into the parking lot.
The vehicle glided to a halt before them, and the driver’s side window rolled down to reveal a middle-aged man, his face framed by a pair of sunglasses.
“You must be the boys going to the town, right?” he inquired his rough voice carrying a tinge of gruffness.
“That’s right,” Jungwon responded, eyeing the man warily. “You’re our driver?”
The man let out a short laugh. “Who else would I be, kiddo? Hop in the back, if you will.”
With a final glance at each other, Jungwon and Taehyun got into the backseat.
The interior of the car was spacious, the leather seats sinking under their weight as the engine revved to life.
The drive started off in silence, the vehicle cutting through the streets. Jungwon fidgeted slightly, his anticipation mixing with a hint of nervousness.
He looked out of the window, watching the buildings and streets that he was familiar with slowly fade from view, replaced by unfamiliar roads and surroundings.
Just as the journey seemed to stretch into an awkwardly longer stretch, the driver spoke up, his voice breaking the silence. “So, what brings you boys to the town?”
Taehyun perked up, a smirk playing on his lips. “Just some journalistic exploration, we’re going to interview a few locals for an article.”
The driver grunted in acknowledgment. “Journalist, eh? You’re too young to be an intrepid reporter. I take it this is for your school newspaper or something?”
“More or less,” Jungwon interjected, the tension in his stomach easing a bit. “It’s for an assignment, but it could turn out to be a big story if everything goes well.”
The driver let out a gruff chuckle. “Ambitious one, aren’t you? That’s a good attitude to have, but watch out for yourself in that town. The town ain’t all sunshine and roses, especially for young boys like you.”
Jungwon and Taehyun exchanged a glance, the driver’s warning adding a palpable weight to the air.
The car turned onto a quieter street, the surroundings growing more deserted.
The driver’s gaze flicked to the rear-view mirror, meeting their eyes briefly. “You boys look like you’ve never been out of that fancy school of yours before.”
Jungwon felt a slight heat rise to his cheeks, his pride slightly pricked by the observation. “We’re not that sheltered,” he retorted, a hint of defensiveness in his voice.
The driver chuckled again, an underlying tone of amusement in his voice. “Just messing with ya. But you can’t deny it, you’ve got that innocent look about you. First time in the town, I’m guessing?”
“That obvious, huh?” Taehyun mused, leaning against the car door.
The driver nodded, slowing down as they approached a quieter area. “It’s easy to spot when someone’s fresh in town. You got that wide-eyed look, all curious. But also you’ves got your uniforms on.”
Realization dawned, and Jungwon glanced down at his school uniform. “Right,” he muttered, feeling slightly embarrassed. “That would give it away.”
The car came to a gentle stop in the heart of the town.
The driver looked back, peering at them through his sunglasses.
“Alright, boys, we’re here. You’ve got three hours, be back here by 6 o’clock on the dot.”
Jungwon and Taehyun exchanged a look, excitement mingling with a hint of nervousness.
As they stepped out of the car, the unfamiliarity of their surroundings hit them in full force.
The town looked remarkably ordinary, its streets filled with people going about their daily lives, the hustle and bustle of life playing out in snippets.
They found themselves standing in the center of the town square, the sun beating down on them.
Taehyun turned to Jungwon, a wide grin on his face. “So where to first?”
Jungwon pulled out the creased map the principal had given him, his fingers tracing over the different routes leading out of the square into different town areas.
A sense of determination settled over him. “Let’s stick to the plan. We start with the local police station, then head to the town hall.”
Taehyun nodded, adjusting the strap of his backpack. “Lead the way, fearless journalist. I’ll follow your lead.”
The two of them started walking, blending into the crowd. Jungwon kept an eye on the map, noting the landmarks mentioned.
Despite the initial nervousness, the atmosphere was surprisingly peaceful.
The people of the town were going about their lives, blissfully ignorant of the potential story brewing.
It didn’t take them long to reach the police station. It is a modest brick building, clearly showing signs of wear and tear. The sign on the front declared it as ‘the town’s local station’.
A few officers stood outside, sharing a smoke break. They were engrossed in a conversation, pausing only to shoot curious glances at the two boys approaching.
Taehyun elbowed Jungwon, whispering under his breath. “Should we just stride in there like we own the place?”
“That’s a terrible idea,” Jungwon whispered back, taking in the curious stares of the officers. “We’re supposed to go about this professionally. And I’d rather not get into trouble before we even get any information. Play it cool, alright?”
Taehyun grinned, amused by the authoritative tone in Jungwon’s voice. “You’re really getting into the journalist act, huh?” he teased, watching as Jungwon pulled his notepad out.
Jungwon shot him a withering look but couldn’t help but smile. “Just trying to do this right.”
They approached the officers, who were now blatantly staring at them.
One of the officers, a middle-aged man with a potbelly, looked them up and down, his expression a mix of curiosity and skepticism. “Can I help you boys?” he inquired, his voice gruff .
Taehyun opened his mouth to say something, but Jungwon was quick to step in, flashing a polite smile.
“Yes, sir. We’re here to request a few minutes of your time. We’re conducting some research for an article and hoped to obtain some local insights.”
The officer looked them over once more, then shrugged. “Well, I suppose we could spare a couple of minutes.”
He motioned for them to come closer. “What kind of article are you writing that requires police insights?”
“It’s about a series of crimes in the town,” Jungwon replied, using the cover story they had decided on to explain their intentions. “Our research let to a possible lead about a potential gang operating in the area.”
The officer’s expression hardened, his earlier suspicion returning.
He nodded slowly. “Ah, I see...” He looked them up and down again, his gaze shrewd.
“You’re a little young to be reporting on these things, aren’t you?”
Jungwon felt a pang of annoyance at the condescending tone but schooled his expression to remain composed.
“Yes, sir, we are. But we believe teenagers have a unique perspective that can add value to the story.”
The officer considered his statement for a moment, then chuckled. “Alright, I’ll give you credit for that.”
He took a drag from his cigarette, the smoke swirling around his face. “What do you want to know?”
Jungwon pulled out his notepad and a pen, readying himself to jot down notes. “Well, to start, we were wondering if there’s any concrete evidence or sightings of this gang. Have there been any official reports regarding their activities?”
The officer nodded, his expression taking on a more serious tone. “We’ve had reports, yes. A handful in the past week.”
Excitement raced through Jungwon, but he kept his expression neutral, scribbling down notes. “What kind of reports? Robbery, vandalism, something more serious?”
The officer grimaced, his gaze hardening. “All of the above, as a matter of fact. Robbery, vandalism, and homicide all in one case.”
A shiver ran down Jungwon’s spine at the mention of homicide.
He exchanged a quick glance with Taehyun, who had gone uncharacteristically quiet, his expression unreadable.
“I see,” Jungwon responded, his tone carefully neutral. “Have there been any suspects identified?”
The officer shook his head ruefully. “That’s the problem, suspects won't talk, It’s a damn headache.”
He took another drag from his cigarette, the smoke once again swirling around him.
Jungwon noted this down, his mind racing with questions. “Any theories, then? Any patterns or connections between the cases?”
Suddenly, one of the other officers, younger and visibly agitated, joined the conversation.
“It’s Frost,” he interjected , his voice tinged with a hint of frustration. “Those bastards are stirring up trouble again. It’s got to be them.”
The older officer shot a warning glance at his younger colleague. “Watch your language, son,” he chided, before nodding in agreement.
“But the kid might have a point. We’ve had our suspicions about Frost for a while now.”
“Frost?” Jungwon asked, trying to keep his tone disinterested. He glanced up from his notes. “Who’s that?”
The young officer rolled his eyes, sarcasm lacing his words.
“Only the biggest headache for law enforcement in this whole sorry town. Frost is a gang, bunch of troublemakers and criminals.
They’ve had us chasing after them for years, but they’re slippery little bastards.”
Jungwon nodded, making another note in his notebook. “And you suspect they’re behind the recent crimes?”
The older officer grunted in agreement. “It lines up, you know. The MO, it’s right up their alley.
Violent crimes, brazen, and then disappearing into thin air, leaving behind their stupid little symbol.
It’s their usual style. But we just haven’t been able to catch them in the act.”
“Symbol?” Jungwon queried, his curiosity piqued.
He scribbled down a few more notes in his pad, then looked up at the officers. “You mentioned a symbol?”
The young officer snorted, a hint of disdain in his tone. “Yeah, a damn stupid symbol. They leave it behind at every crime scene like it’s their calling card. A stupid little snowflake. It’s like they’re taunting us, leaving their mark behind.”
“A snowflake?” Jungwon echoed, scribbling furiously. “That’s... oddly whimsical, considering the nature of their crimes.”
The older officer chuckled, his smirk lacking any warmth. “Trust me, nothing about these thugs is whimsical. But they do seem fond of that symbol. We’ve found it at every crime scene we’ve investigated.”
Jungwon’s mind was whirling, trying to reconcile the brutal crimes with the seemingly innocent symbol.
“Is there any more information you can give me about Frost?” The question hung in the air, his gaze steady.
The young officer shrugged. “Not much more to say, really. They’re a tight-knit group, stick together like glue. That’s why it’s been so hard to pin anything on them. They watch each other’s backs, and they’re damn good at it. Plus, they know every inch of this town. It’s like they own the place.”
Jungwon nodded slowly, absorbing the information. It was becoming increasingly obvious that Frost wasn’t the typical gang.
“But surely, with their reputation and notoriety, you have to have a few suspects. Have there been any arrests or leads, any information on their main members?”
The older officer sighed, the exhaustion in his tone palpable. “We’ve made a few arrests, sure, but they never break. They keep their mouths shut, no matter what we do. Plus, their members are always masked up, wearing these creepy masks. It’s damn near impossible to get a positive ID on any of them. And their leader, I don’t think we’ve ever even seen his face.”
Jungwon’s pen stilled on the paper. The mention of an unknown leader, one whose face had never even been seen, sent a shiver down his spine.
“Their leader... he’s never been seen?” he pressed, his voice betraying his intrigue.
The young officer grunted. “Not a single witness can provide a description. It’s like the guy’s a ghost. But the gang members are loyal to him. We’ve arrested a few members, but they never rat out their leader. It’s like they’re scared shitless of him.”
The older officer nodded, adding, “Yeah, there’s some truth to that. Frost’s loyalty to their leader is unparalleled. They’ll take a beating but never name him. Whoever he is, he’s got this whole damn gang wrapped around his finger.”
Jungwon’s mind suddenly snapped back to an earlier part of the conversation.
“You mentioned masks,” he said suddenly, his voice cutting through the air.
“You said they wear masks when committing the crimes. What kind of masks?”
The young officer spoke up, his expression becoming unusually solemn. “Creepy ones, all identical. Black masks with a blank, white smile drawn over the mouth area. They all wear one like it’s some kind of uniform.”
Jungwon jotted down a note in his notebook. “And they’re all the same? No variations, no distinguishing features?”
The officer shook his head. “No, just the same stupid little smile. Probably trying to look edgy. We’ve never been able to figure out where the hell they get them, none of the local stores carry them.”
Jungwon nodded slowly, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of everything. “And it’s the same mask every time? Identical replicas, every single one?”
The older officer nodded, his expression growing more serious. “Yeah, every single time. No variations, no discrepancies. It’s like they’re all following some kind of dress code. Makes it damn hard to tell them apart.”
“Has anyone tried tracing the manufacturer of the masks? Or looking into any underground sources that might be supplying them?”
Jungwon questioned, his pen moving across the page in swift, precise motions.
The young officer chuckled, a hint of derision in his tone. “We’ve tried, believe me. We’ve called in forensic experts, we’ve conducted raids on underground markets, we’ve even got the damn FBI involved. But these masks? They’re like ghost items. Untraceable, completely off the grid. They’re as mysterious as the gang itself.”
Jungwon nodded, his expression grave. The more he learned, the more questions popped up in his head. “Any other details you can give me on Frost? Anything else that stands out about them?”
The young officer scoffed. “You want more? They’re a bunch of criminals with no respect for the law. They cause chaos wherever they go, and they get away with it because they’re too damn careful. They’ve got the town in a chokehold, and we’re powerless to stop them. They’re too smart, too organized. And that damn symbol of theirs, they’re leaving it behind just to taunt us.”
The older officer nodded, a resigned sigh escaping his lips. “Yeah, they’re good at what they do. But mark my words, they’ll slip up one day. They’ll get cocky, and they’ll make a mistake. And when that happens, we’ll be right there, ready to pounce.”
Jungwon finished off his notes, his mind buzzing with a mix of fear and intrigue.
He could feel his heart pounding, the adrenaline of the potential story coursing through his veins.
“Thank you for your time, officer,” he managed to say, his voice steady despite the tumultuous emotions churning within him.
The young officer grunted, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. “Yeah, sure. Good luck with your story, kid.”
The older officer shot the younger one a warning glance, his expression stern. “Watch your tone, Kim. These boys are just doing their research. Be respectful.”
The young officer rolled his eyes but held his tongue, a begrudging respect for authority kicking in.
Jungwon nodded to the officers, his expression composed. “Thank you, officer. We’ll be on our way now.”
The older officer nodded, a small smile forming on his face. “You boys be careful out there, alright? And don’t wander too far off, stick to the main streets. We wouldn’t want anything happening to you boys.”
Jungwon nodded, making a mental note of the warning. “We’ll be careful. Thank you again for your time.” With that, he closed his notebook and started down the street, Taehyun following closely behind.
They walked silently for a few minutes, the weight of the conversation still hanging heavy in the air.
Finally, Taehyun spoke up, breaking the silence. “Well, that sure was a lot to take in,” he muttered.
Jungwon let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair.
“Understatement of the century,” he replied, his voice tinged with a mix of excitement and concern.
“Frost is no joke. It’s like we’ve stumbled into something much bigger than we thought.”
Taehyun nodded in agreement. “No kidding. The whole mystery with the masks, the symbol, and that unknown leader... It’s like we’re in a crime thriller, not real life.” He glanced over at Jungwon, a hint of concern in his eyes.
“You okay, by the way? You look a little pale.”
Jungwon took a deep breath, realizing his heart was still racing.
He gave Taehyun a slight nod.
“Yeah, just...processing everything, I guess. Im fine, we still have the town hall to explore,come on.”
Taehyun clapped him on the shoulder, a reassuring gesture. “Alright, tough guy. Just don’t forget to breathe, okay?”
He chuckled, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes.
They continued walking, the silence between them a little less tense, both lost in thought.
It didn’t take long before they reached the town hall.
The building was a little more modern looking than the police station, with a few other people coming in and out.
Jungwon took a moment to gather himself, taking a deep breath before stepping forward, Taehyun right behind him.
Inside the building, they were immediately greeted by a kind-looking receptionist, who smiled at them. “Good afternoon, how can I help you boys?”
Jungwon, ever the one for formalities, stepped forward. “Good afternoon,” he replied, giving her a polite smile.
“We’re here to do some background research for our school paper. Would there be a chance we could look at the town records.”
The receptionist returned his smile, nodding in understanding.
“Of course, the town records are on the third floor. You’ll find the records room down the hall, third door on the left.”
“Thank you,” Jungwon replied, nodding back at her before walking towards the staircase. Taehyun caught up to him, grinning.
“You’re like a different person when you’re in journalist mode,” he teased.
Jungwon shot him a look, a touch of annoyance in his expression.
“It’s called professionalism,” he retorted.
“I have a job to do, and this is how professionals conduct themselves.”
Taehyun held up his hands in surrender, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
“Okay, okay, chill out there, Mr. Professional. Just saying, it’s kinda cool to watch you transform into this whole different person.”
Jungwon rolled his eyes, the hint of a smile playing on his lips. “Shut up,” he replied,
nudging Taehyun lightly with his elbow. “And stop distracting me.”
Taehyun chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender once more.
“Alright, alright, I’m done. I’ll be your silent, well-behaved sidekick from now on, I promise.”
Jungwon couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter at that.
As they reached the third floor, they walked down the corridor, counting the doors on the left as they went.
Finally, they found the room the receptionist had mentioned, the words “Town Records Room” in bold lettering above the door.
Jungwon reached for the door handle, pushing it open and stepping inside, Taehyun right on his heels.
The room was dimly lit, and the air was cool.
Neat rows of filing cabinets lined the walls, filled to the brim with neatly labeled files.
In one corner, a small desk was positioned, a computer perched on top.
Jungwon wasted no time, immediately making his way to the nearest cabinet and pulling open the first drawer, labeled criminal records.
Taehyun wandered over to the desk, sitting down in the creaky old swivel chair.
As he watched Jungwon comb through the files, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease.
“I can’t believe we’re actually looking through criminal records now, also it shouldn't be this easy either. Don't we need some sort of warrent for this,” he muttered, his gaze flickering over to Jungwon’s bent form.
Jungwon was already engrossed in the files, his eyes scanning the documents with a focused intensity.
“Yeah, it’s a bit surreal,” he admitted, glancing up briefly.
“But i need as much information as i can gather if i want to write a decent article, and if its this easy, then thank the heavens.”
Taehyun nodded, leaning back in the chair. “Fair enough. Just try not to get too into it, alright? Don’t start getting any weird ideas about joining Frost or something,” he teased, only half-joking.
Jungwon rolled his eyes, resuming his search through the files. “Believe me, I have no interest in joining a gang, let alone Frost,” he replied.
Taehyun chuckled, the joke falling flat.
Silence fell over them again, save for the sound of files shuffling and the occasional rustle of paper.
The atmosphere was thick with focus and a hint of unease, the gravity of their task slowly sinking in.
Suddenly, Jungwon’s voice cut through the silence. “Wait, hold on a second...”
Taehyun looked up from where he was sitting, curiosity piqued. “Find something?” he asked, standing up and moving over to Jungwon’s side.
Jungwon had pulled out a file, his eyes fixed on the contents. “Yeah... take a look at this.” He handed the file over to Taehyun, pointing at a particular page.
Taehyun took the file, his eyes scanning the page to which Jungwon had directed him.
He felt his eyebrows furrow as he read the contents, the information sinking in.
A moment of silence fell over the room as he finished reading, Taehyun’s gaze flicking up to meet Jungwon’s.
“This is...” he paused, a mix of surprise and intrigue in his tone.
Jungwon nodded, a grim expression on his face. “It’s definitely something, alright,” he murmured, his mind already racing with implications. “And it’s not just any ordinary case. Look at the date.”
Taehyun returned his gaze to the file in his hand, quickly finding the date at the top of the page. His eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“That was last week,” he breathed, the implications starting to settle in his head.
“Exactly,” Jungwon replied, his voice serious. “And look at the details of the case.”
He motioned for Taehyun to continue reading. “Its the same as the officers at the station described it.”
Taehyun read through the details, his expression growing more concerned with every word. “Yeah, you’re right. The MO, the symbol... it all matches up.” He let out a low whistle, the implications beginning to fully set in.
“Damn... There’s obviously more info in this than what the officers gave us.”
Jungwon nodded, a serious expression on his face. “No kidding. They definitely left out details. Probably because it’s still an ongoing investigation, but still. This...” He trailed off, a look of hesitation on his face before he grabs the file and unzips his bag.
Taehyun gave him a sidelong glance, an eyebrow raised. “What are you doing?” he asked, watching as Jungwon stuffed the file into his bag.
“Taking it with us,” Jungwon replied matter-of-factly, zipping up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder.
“I need all the information we can get, and this file is packed with details the officers left out. It could be crucial.”
Taehyun’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Dude, are you serious? You’re basically stealing evidence from a government building. That’s illegal, in case you forgot. We could get in serious trouble if we get caught with that file.”
“Calm down,” Jungwon replied, rolling his eyes. “We won’t get caught, alright? I’m taking it for research purposes, not to do something stupid. We’re just borrowing it temporarily. Besides, if this file helps me get a good story, it’ll be worth the risk, don’t you think?”
Taehyun shook his head, a mix of concern and amusement flickering across his face.
“I don’t know whether to be impressed with your audacity or call you insane for even suggesting this,” he muttered.
“You’re crazy, you know that? Absolutely batshit crazy.”
Jungwon let out a scoff, his lips twitching into a small half-smile.
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. I’m reckless and crazy and all that good stuff,” he replied, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
“But hey, someone has to be the daring one here, right? Otherwise, we’d be doing nothing but sitting around getting nowhere with this story.”
Taehyun sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “God, sometimes I wonder why I put up with you and your insane ideas.”
Despite his complaining, however, there was a glimmer of admiration in his eyes, as he watched Jungwon push the cabinet close.
Jungwon shot him a smug grin. “Probably because deep down, you know I’m always right. And come on, admit it, life would be boring without me.” He started walking towards the door,
pausing for a moment before looking back at Taehyun. “You coming, or what?”
Taehyun let out a dramatic sigh, dramatically rolling his eyes. “Ugh, fine. But if we get caught, I’m blaming you entirely,” he declared, following Jungwon out of the room.
Jungwon chuckled, the corner of his lips twitching into a small smirk.
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll take full responsibility. You just focus on being the loyal sidekick, alright?” He shot him a sly grin before pushing open the door and stepping out into the corridor.
As Jungwon exited the records room, lost in conversation with Taehyun, he suddenly collided with something – or rather, someone.
The impact was enough to send him stumbling back, a surprised gasp escaping his lips.
“Ow –“ Jungwon muttered, rubbing his shoulder. He looked up, annoyance flashing through him for a moment before the irritation was replaced with shock.
Standing in front of him was a tall figure, his black hair falling into a pair of dark, fox-like eyes.
The figure looked down at him, one eyebrow raised.
His gaze was cool and composed, scanning over Jungwon’s form with a quiet intensity. “Sorry kid, didn’t see you there.”
Jungwon mentally shook himself for a moment, caught off-guard by the stranger’s sudden appearance.
“Uh, no worries,” he finally replied, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
He glanced sideways at Taehyun, who was watching the interaction with raised eyebrows.
The stranger’s dark eyes flicked briefly to Taehyun before returning to Jungwon, a hint of a sly smile playing on his lips.
Jungwon gave the stranger a quick nod, before quickly reaching for Taehyun’s arm, grabbing it with a firm grip.
“Sorry again,” he muttered, his cheeks slightly flushed at the unexpected encounter.
Without another word, he turned on his heel, practically dragging Taehyun along with him as he walked away, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the empty corridor.
Taehyun stumbled after him, clearly caught off-guard by Jungwon’s sudden hasty exit. “Dude, what the hell...?” he exclaimed, turning his head back to cast one last look at the stranger they had just encountered. “Why did you just drag me away like that?”
Jungwon’s face was still flushed, a mix of embarrassment and slight unease etched across his features.
“I just... I don’t know, something about that guy was off, alright?” he admitted, still pulling on Taehyun’s arm. “And he was kind of... I don’t know, he just had this weird aura.”
Taehyun chuckled, his expression morphing into amusement. “You mean aside from the fact that he was drop-dead gorgeous?” he teased,
a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Or are you just flustered because you ran into the pretty guy and made a fool of yourself?”
Jungwon’s cheeks grew even redder, his grip on Taehyun’s arm tightening as he shot him a withering glare.
“Shut up,” he hissed through gritted teeth, clearly embarrassed. “I didn’t make a fool of myself! He caught me off guard, alright?”
Taehyun couldn’t help but crack a smile, thoroughly enjoying Jungwon’s flustered state. “Yeah, sure, you didn’t,” he teased, his smile widening.
“You just bumped into him like a lovestruck puppy and then proceeded to drag me away in a panic. Totally not foolish at all.”
“Shut up, you jerk,” Jungwon muttered, releasing Taehyun’s arm and shoving him lightly. “I did not act like a lovestruck puppy. And I didn’t panic, I was just... caught off guard, alright? There’s a difference.”
With Taehyun still snickering to himself, Jungwon led the way towards the entrance, his cheeks still tinged with a hint of flustered embarrassment.
As they walked, they passed by the reception area, the kind receptionist from earlier giving them a wave and a warm smile.
“Leaving already?” she asked, her friendly voice cutting through the otherwise quiet lobby.
Jungwon gave her a polite nod, his cheeks still slightly pink from the earlier encounter.
“Yeah,” he replied, a forced smile on his face. “We... uh, got what we needed. Thanks for your assistance, by the way.”
“No problem at all,” the receptionist responded, her cheerful smile unwavering. “Come back anytime.”
With a final wave, Jungwon and Taehyun pushed open the glass doors, stepping outside into the late afternoon sun.
The cool air hit them, a welcome contrast to the stuffy atmosphere of the building they just left. Taehyun shot a sly glance at Jungwon, “So what now, since you’ve got all your information.”
Jungwon ignored his friend’s smirk, his mind still reeling from the encounter they had just had.
“We should head back to the dorm, I need to start going through the file,” he replied, adjusting the strap of his bag on his shoulder. “Is it six o’clock yet?”
Taehyun took out his phone, glancing at the time on the screen. “It’s 5:37,” he answered, stuffing his phone back into his pocket.
“Shouldn’t we grab some food before heading back? I’m starving.”
Jungwon considered the idea for a moment, the gnawing feeling of hunger in his stomach reminding him that he hadn’t eaten anything since lunch.
“Yeah, food sounds good,” he agreed reluctantly. “But don’t want the driver to leave us.”
Taehyun rolled his eyes, a slight smirk on his face. “Oh relax, you’re way too paranoid,” he teased.
“The driver’s not going to leave us, we still got some time. Let’s grab some burgers real quick. I’m craving some McDonald’s.”
Jungwon rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at his lips.
“You and your unhealthy cravings for fast food,” he remarked, but he didn’t protest as they headed towards the nearest McDonald’s.
They arrived at the busy fast food joint shortly after, the aroma of hamburgers and fries wafting through the air.
The place was packed with people, and the two of them waited in line, Taehyun eyeing the menu with a mix of hunger and anticipation.
Finally, they reached the front of the line, and Taehyun ordered an unholy amount of food, Jungwon shaking his head and just settling for a burger and some fries.
After paying, they found an empty spot by the window, where Taehyun practically inhaled his food while Jungwon ate his food at a much slower pace.
Taehyun finally put down his burger, taking a long sip of soda before letting out a satisfied sigh.
“Ugh, that hit the spot,” he murmured, his gaze shifting to Jungwon, who was still picking at his food. “You’re eating awfully slow.”
Jungwon glanced up, rolling his eyes at the comment. “I’m just savoring my food, unlike you, who practically inhaled your meal in less than five minutes, Beomgyu’s really gotten to you,” he replied, taking a small bite of his burger.
Taehyun shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. “What can I say? The kid’s the true champion of speed-eating. You, on the other hand, are eating like a turtle,” he teased, reaching for another fry.
Jungwon just shot him a withering glare, taking another bite of his burger. “I prefer to take my time and actually enjoy my food, instead of scarfing it down my throat like a vacuum,” he retorted.
Taehyun rolled his eyes, a playful smile on his face. “Oh, calm down, your highness,” he replied sarcastically.
“Not all of us have the patience to savor every single bite like you do. Some of us are normal.”
Jungwon rolled his eyes once again, trying to suppress a smile. “Right, because stuffing your face like a chipmunk is perfectly normal,” he teased back, shaking his head in mock disapproval.
Taehyun feigned offense, placing a hand over his heart dramatically. “I’ll have you know that chipmunks are known for their efficient eating habits. I’m simply being efficient, unlike you, taking your sweet time with every damn bite.”
“Efficient? More like gluttonous,” Jungwon retorted, his smile growing wider as their banter continued.
“And I prefer to call it enjoying my food, thank you very much.”
With their meals finished and the trash disposed of, the boys made their way towards the town center, the sun starting to dip below the horizon and cast the sky in hues of pink and orange.
The streets were buzzing with people, couples strolling along, kids riding bicycles, vendors selling snacks from food carts...
Taehyun strolled beside Jungwon, his hands shoved into his pockets as he walked.
The air was warm and the streetlights were slowly starting to turn on, casting a soft glow on the pavement. “You know,” he remarked,
breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them. “This town is surprisingly lively for such a small one.”
Jungwon nodded in agreement, his steps syncing with Taehyun’s as they continued walking.
“Yeah, it’s got a nice vibe, I guess,” he replied, his gaze flickering around at the passers-by.
“And the people seem pretty friendly. No one’s really given us any weird looks.”
Taehyun chuckled, amused by the comment. “Or maybe they’re just too afraid to give us weird looks, you look pretty intimidating, you know.” He elbowed Jungwon playfully.
Jungwon rolled his eyes, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Oh, shut up,” he muttered, bumping his shoulder against Taehyun’s.
“I do not look intimidating. I’m just somewhat tall and I have a natural frown, it’s not my fault I look perpetually grumpy.”
As they walked, the sound of the town hall clock chiming caught their attention, its melodic rings reverberating through the air. Taehyun glanced up, noting the time.
“Well, would you look at that, it’s six o’clock,” he remarked, nudging Jungwon in the side.
Jungwon glanced up as well, his gaze shifting to the town hall clock. “Damn, time really does fly,” he murmured, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Good thing we just got here. Look.”
As if on cue, their driver pulled up next to them in the car, the window rolling down as he leaned out, a tired smile on his face.
“You boys done sightseeing?” he teased, glancing between them.
Taehyun scoffed, rolling his eyes at the driver’s comment.
“Sightseeing, he says.” he muttered, a hint of snark in his voice.
Jungwon couldn’t help but chuckle, shooting a playful glare at Taehyun before turning to the driver with a more polite tone. “Yeah, we had a bit of a walk around. The town’s pretty nice.”
The driver chuckled in response, nodding in agreement.
“It’s got its charm, that’s for sure.” He jerked his head towards the car. “You boys getting in then? It’s getting late. Don’t want you to get stuck out here after dark.”
“Yeah, yeah, stop mothering us,” Taehyun replied, his tone light as he made his way to the car. He tossed a glance over his shoulder, waiting for Jungwon to follow suit.
Jungwon just chuckled, walking after Taehyun and slipping into the backseat, shutting the door behind him.
Chapter Text
The dorm room was mostly quiet, save for the low hum of the air conditioner and the occasional sound of Beomgyu shuffling around on the floor.
Taehyun was in the small dorm kitchen, rummaging through the cabinets in search of snacks, and Jungwon was perched on the edge of the couch, intently studying the file he had taken from the town hall.
He was so engrossed in his reading that he barely notice Taehyun walk over towards him until he felt a nudge against his leg.
Without looking up, Jungwon swatted at the source of the nudge, his eyes still locked on the papers in front of him.
“What?” he muttered distractedly, flipping through the pages.
Taehyun chuckled, ignoring the swat and plopping down on the couch next to him.
“Jeez, you’re like a zombie when you’re that focused,” he teased, poking at the papers in Jungwon’s hands.
“Find anything interesting yet?”
Jungwon shot him a sideways glance, annoyed by the interruption.
“Stop poking at me,” he muttered, smacking Taehyun’s hand away.
“And yes, I found quite a few interesting things, actually.”
Taehyun perked up at that, shifting closer to try and peek at the notes over Jungwon’s shoulder.
“Oh, really?” he asked, curiosity piqued.
“Care to share with the class or are you gonna keep it all to yourself?”
Jungwon rolled his eyes at Taehyun’s nosy tendencies, but he didn’t hide the files away.
“There’s a lot of information here,” he replied, continuing to scan the pages.
“Reports, witness accounts, even some pretty gruesome crime scene photos.”
Taehyun grimaced, shuddering slightly at the mention of the photos.
“I’ll pass on the gruesome stuff, thanks,” he replied, leaning back against the couch.
“Anything useful, though? Or just a whole lot of dark and bloody pictures?”
Jungwon gave a small hum of assent, his eyes fixed on one particular photo.
“Yeah, there’s plenty that’s useful. Dates, times, descriptions,” he listed off, tapping his finger on the file.
“And one piece of information that really stood out to me.”
Taehyun leaned in closer, a curious glint in his eyes.
“And what’s that?” he asked, his voice hushed.
“Don’t keep me in suspense here.”
Jungwon looked up then, a small, cryptic smile on his lips.
“You’re really not going to like it,” he warned, his gaze flitting between the file and Taehyun.
Taehyun groaned, running a hand through his hair.
“Why do I get the feeling you’re about to drop some bombshell on me?”
he muttered, a slightly exasperated look on his face. “Spit it out, then. What’s so bad that I won’t like it?”
Jungwon took a deep breath, bracing himself for Taehyun’s reaction.
“Well…it’s about the symbol that Frost leaves at their crime scenes,” he began, eyeing him carefully.
“That snowflake symbol... it’s their calling card. It’s branded on every single one of their victims.”
Taehyun’s jaw visibly tightened at the revelation, the lightness in his expression quickly replaced by a grim frown.
“You’re serious,” he stated, more a statement than a question.
“Those assholes actually brand their victims? That’s... that’s some next-level messed up stuff.”
Jungwon nodded solemnly, his gaze fixed on Taehyun’s reaction.
“It’s more than just messed up. It’s a message. They’re claiming their handiwork as theirs, marking their victims like territory.” He rifled through the file again, pulling out a photo of one of the crime scenes.
“See for yourself. It’s branded on every single victim.”
Taehyun’s expression darkened even further as he examined the photo Jungwon held up.
The sight of the snowflake mark, permanently etched into the victim’s skin, was enough to make him shudder.
“This is sick,” he muttered, a mix of revulsion and disgust in his voice.
“Branding their victims like cattle... it’s like they view people as property or something.”
Jungwon nodded grimly, putting the photo aside. “It’s not just about the symbolism either.
The town hall files mention that most of Frost’s victims are usually people of importance,” he continued, his eyes scanning the file once more.
“Politicians, lawyers, businesspeople... people who have a voice, a name. It’s not just some random killing sprees.”
Taehyun felt a knot form in the pit of his stomach as he processed the information. “So it’s targeted.
They’re specifically picking out people of status, just to add a twisted statement to their crimes?” he asked, a mix of disbelief and distaste in his voice.
“It’s like they’re going for maximum impact with each hit. These Frost bastards are seriously messed up in the head.”
Taehyun felt a knot form in the pit of his stomach as he processed the information.
“So it’s targeted. They’re specifically picking out people of status, just to add a twisted statement to their crimes?” he asked, a mix of disbelief and distaste in his voice.
“It’s like they’re going for maximum impact with each hit. These Frost bastards are seriously messed up in the head.”
Jungwon nodded, a heavy expression on his face. “Yeah, and that’s not all.
Instead of using a branding iron, they carve the symbol out with a knife.”
Taehyun’s eyes widened at that, his expression twisting into one of disgust and horror. “Jesus Christ,” he muttered, the thought of the act making him nauseous.
Beomgyu, who had been silent until now, piped up from the floor, his voice muffled by the carpet he was laying on.
“That’s messed up,” he murmured, his expression a mix of shock and revulsion.
“They probably use the tiniest or biggest knife and draw it out inche by inche.”
Taehyun shot him a glare, an appalled look on his face.
“Why do you sound so goddamn calm about it?” he asked, his voice filled with a mix of disbelief and mild annoyance.
“It’s damn gruesome, you know. People screaming in bloody, excruciating pain and all that-“
Beomgyu shrugged, rolling on his back to look up at the ceiling.
“I’m just good at imagining stuff like that,” he replied nonchalantly, a casual tone to his words. He tapped his fingers idly on his stomach.
“The screams, the flesh being carved- my imagination probably made it ten times worse than what it really was, anyway,”
he added, his casualness and lack of care in his voice causing Taehyun to shoot him another look of irritation.
Taehyun let out an exasperated sigh, unable to fathom how Beomgyu could remain so calm about such a morbid topic.
“You’ve got a seriously twisted mind, you know that?” He reached over and gave Beomgyu a light smack on the head.
“Normal people would be disturbed, not sound like they’re describing a goddamn recipe.”
Beomgyu winced, rubbing the spot where Taehyun had smacked him.
“Hey, I’m just describing it like I imagine it,” he protested, a small pout forming on his face.
“It’s not my fault I can imagine the gory details better than you can.”
Taehyun rolled his eyes in response, his annoyance still lingering.
“Yeah, well, your imagination is seriously messed up,” he retorted, shaking his head.
“Normal people don’t describe stuff like that without looking disturbed. You sound like you could be a damn psychopath or something.”
Beomgyu snickered, a sly smile playing on his lips. “Aw, I take that as a compliment,” he replied,
propping himself up on his elbows and shooting Taehyun a cheeky grin.
“Maybe I do have a twisted mind, but that just makes my imagination more interesting than yours.”
Jungwon, who had been quietly listening to their exchange, finally spoke up, cutting through their banter.
“Can you two stop bickering for a second?” he interjected, his tone exasperated.
“We’re supposed to be focusing on something serious here.”
Taehyun and Beomgyu paused their bickering, glancing up at Jungwon as if suddenly remembering the seriousness of the situation.
“Right, right,” Taehyun muttered, sheepishly running a hand through his hair. “Sorry, got carried away there.”
Jungwon rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah,” he replied, flipping through the file once again.
“Focus, guys. We still have more information to go through, and I don’t want this to take all night.”
After hours of pouring over the files, Jungwon noticed something in the photos of one of the crime scenes.
He had been carefully examining the images, studying the details of the victims, when something caught his eye.
“Wait, wait, hold on,” he said, holding up the photo for Taehyun and Beomgyu to see.
“Look at this.”
Taehyun and Beomgyu leaned in, their curiosity piqued.
Taehyun’s eyebrows furrowed as he peered at the photo, trying to figure out what Jungwon was pointing out.
“What is it? What are we looking at?”
Jungwon pointed to the corner of the photo, a small, barely visible glint catching the light. “See that? In the corner. It looks like a small USB chip or something,”
he said, his tone tinged with an edge of excitement. “The police must have missed it, but it’s right there.”
Taehyun squinted, his eyes straining to make out the details. “You’re right,” he admitted, impressed.
“That’s a hell of a detail they missed. How did you even spot something so damn small?”
Jungwon smirked, a hint of pride in his voice. “I have a good eye for details, what can I say? It’s a skill,” he replied, setting the photo down on the table.
“And it just so happens to be an important detail. That USB chip could have some valuable information on it. Frost must have left it behind by accident.”
Taehyun let out a whistle, shaking his head in disbelief. “Damn, that’s sloppy as hell,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair.
“Frost is supposed to be some top-notch criminal group, yet they made a rookie mistake like this?”
Jungwon nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Yeah, it’s surprising,” he agreed, leaning back in his seat.
“But I guess even the best criminals can make mistakes when they get overconfident. Either that, or they’ve started to get sloppy.”
Beomgyu, who had been mostly quiet up until that point, suddenly spoke up.
“It’s probably gone by now, it was at a crime scene... You can’t possibly believe its still there... And we don’t even know where this place is.” He voiced, a slight ting of nervousness in his voice.
Taehyun nodded in agreement. “Yeah, Beomgyu has a point,” he chimed in, glancing at Jungwon.
“Who knows if that USB chip is even still there.”
Jungwon pursed his lips, acknowledging the uncertainty of the situation. “That’s true, it’s a long shot,” he admitted, his tone measured.
“But we can’t just dismiss the possibility. If Frost unknowingly left it there, it could hold valuable information. And as for finding the location, it’s literally in the file, dumbass.” He grinned.
Taehyun facepalmed himself, realizing his oversight.
“Oh, right. That’s on me,” he muttered sheepishly, feeling a little dumb for overlooking the information.
“Still, even if the chip is still there, how in the hell do we get to it? It’s a crime scene, probably swarming with police evidence-gathering people and whatnot.”
Jungwon shrugged, an almost smug smirk on his face. “I already have a plan for that,” he replied, his tone confident.
“This case is a week old, meaning, the day the crime happened the place was obviously filled with police and whatnot, but that was a week ago, meaning the most we’ll find is probably security watching over the area.”
Taehyun raised an eyebrow. “And how'd you figure that out?” he asked, a mixture of curiosity and skepticism in his voice.
Jungwon tapped his forehead, a small, sly smile on his face. “I used my big brain, obviously,” he replied, his tone light.
“And obviously the police have eased up on security around the area, probably because they think they’ve already gathered all the evidence they need. The only security they currently have in place is a basic camera and a few night guards.”
Taehyun couldn’t help but chuckle at Jungwon’s confidence. “And let me guess, you plan to sneak in past the security and snag that USB chip while avoiding the guards like some action movie protagonist?”
“Precisely,” Jungwon replied, his smirk widening. “It won’t be easy, but I can handle it. And besides, I have a talent for sneaking around unnoticed. I’ll be in and out without being seen.”
Beomgyu chimed in, a hint of skepticism in his voice. “Yeah, great idea, but how do you plan to get there? I’m sure Principal Yoon won’t allow you to leave school grounds at night, and I doubt the drivers will agree to take you to a crime scene, either. Aren’t you forgetting about the strict curfew and transportation restrictions at school?”
Jungwon rolled his eyes, shooting Beomgyu an impatient look.
“Come on, guys. Do you really think I didn’t account for that?”
he retorted, clearly irritated with their lack of faith. “I’m not an idiot, you know. I have things covered.”
Taehyun raised an eyebrow. “Alright smartass, then how do you plan to sneak out without being caught? You do realize there’s security patrolling the grounds at night, right? And it’s not like you can just waltz out the front gate unnoticed.”
Jungwon chuckled, a hint of smugness in his tone. “Oh, ye of little faith,” he replied, shaking his head.
“I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Trust me, the school’s security is no match for me. I know all the hidden exit routes and blind spots in the security system. I can slip out of the school without anyone noticing me.”
Taehyun couldn’t help but be slightly impressed by Jungwon’s confidence, but he still wasn’t entirely convinced.
“Okay, let’s say you manage to get out without being seen. How do you plan on getting to the crime scene, smart guy? It’s not exactly a hop, skip, and a jump away, you know.”
Jungwon hesitated for a moment, his confidence wavering just a little.
“Well, I... uh...” he stammered, suddenly feeling a bit sheepish.
“I was planning on walking.”
Taehyun looked at him with a mixture of disbelief and amusement. “You’re planning on walking? Seriously? That’s your grand plan? Do you even know how long it would take to walk there? You’ll be walking for hours.”
Jungwon’s cheeks tinged pink, realizing the flaw in his plan.
He’d been so focused on executing his escape from the school grounds that he overlooked the most crucial aspect: the distance to the crime scene.
“Oh, right... I didn’t exactly think that through, did I?” he admitted, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck.
Taehyun couldn’t help but snort at Jungwon’s temporary setback.
“No, you didn’t,” he replied, shaking his head in amusement.
“But hey, at least you’re admitting it now. And you better fix that little oversight, genius boy, because walking for hours is not exactly a viable transportation option.”
Jungwon rolled his eyes, clearly embarrassed by his oversight.
“Alright, fine, I get it. Walking was a stupid idea,” he conceded, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
“And yes, I’ll figure out the whole transportation situation, so you can stop being so annoyingly smug, okay?”
Taehyun grinned, clearly enjoying Jungwon’s slight embarrassment.
“Good, I’m glad we’re on the same page,” he teased.
“Because I was starting to wonder if your genius brain had any common sense at all.”
Jungwon grumbled under his breath, shooting Taehyun a frustrated glance.
“Shut up,” he muttered, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
“I made one tiny oversight, alright? It doesn’t mean I’m completely devoid of common sense.”
“I’ll say.” Beomgyu mumbled.
The next morning, Jungwon and Beomgyu found themselves lounging on a warm patch of grass in the school courtyard.
The sun was shining bright in the sky, casting a warm glow over the green lawn.
Beomgyu was sprawled out on his back, arms spread wide, while Jungwon was seated next to him, lent forward, buried in his notebook.
Despite the peaceful atmosphere, Jungwon’s face was furrowed in concentration, his pen scribbling furiously across the paper in his lap.
He was completely immersed in whatever he was working on, occasionally mumbling something under his breath.
Beomgyu glanced over at him, a small smirk playing on his lips.
“What’s got you so focused, nerd?” he teased, his voice tinged with amusement.
Jungwon rolled his eyes, not bothering to look up from his notebook.
“Shut up,” he muttered, his tone brusque.
“I’m working on A way to get off school grounds tomorrow, and obviously how im going to get to that stupid warehouse.”
Beomgyu chuckled, raising an eyebrow.
“And how’s that going for you? Have you figured it out yet?” he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Jungwon shot him an annoyed look, clearly not amused by Beomgyu’s mocking tone.
“Somewhat,” he replied, his voice tight with irritation.
“There’s a place, in the library, located in the history section, a door hidden inside a shelf. Saw a few seniors go through it freshman year.... I don’t know exactly where it goes tho.”
Beomgyu’s eyebrows rose, his interest piqued.
“A secret passageway? Now that’s interesting,” he mused, rolling onto his side to get a better look at Jungwon.
“And you’re planning on using it to sneak out?”
Jungwon nodded, his focus returning to the notebook in his lap.
“Yeah, I think it’s the best shot I have at getting off school grounds without being seen,” he explained, scribbling down some more notes.
“I just need to figure out where it goes first.”
Beomgyu chuckled, amused by Jungwon’s determined expression.
“You’re really hellbent on going through with this, aren’t you?” he teased, his tone laced with a hint of admiration.
“Most people would’ve given up by now, you’re stubborn as hell.”
Jungwon shot him a sidelong glance, a defiant glint in his eyes.
“Well, most people aren’t as smart as I am,” he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of arrogance.
“And I don’t give up easily, especially on plans that I know will work.”
Beomgyu chuckled, amused by Jungwon’s unyielding confidence. “You’re definitely stubborn, that’s for sure,” he conceded.
“And I gotta admit, I’m kinda impressed by your determination, even if it is a bit reckless. Kinda surprised you haven’t gone exploring yet.”
Jungwon suddenly slammed his notebook shut, a wide grin spreading across his face.
He snapped his head up to look at Beomgyu, his eyes shining with excitement.
“Gyu! That’s a brilliant idea.”
Without warning, he grabbed Beomgyu’s arm and hauled him off the ground.
“Come on, come on!”
Beomgyu stumbled to his feet, caught off guard by Jungwon’s sudden outburst.
“Huh? Hey, what-“ he protested,
but Jungwon was already dragging him across the courtyard, a determined expression on his face.
The two boys entered the library, greeted by the sight of towering shelves lined with countless books, extending towards the high ceiling.
The quiet surroundings and dim light gave the place a calm atmosphere.
“This way,” Jungwon murmured, his voice hushed to avoid drawing too much attention, tugging Beomgyu along with him towards the history section located on the second floor.
They made their way up the stairs, the wood beneath their feet creaking softly with each step.
As they reached the second floor, Jungwon scanned the area, searching for a specific section.
Finally, he spotted what he was looking for. “There,” he said, pointing towards a row of bookshelves tucked away in a quiet corner of the room.
“The history section.”
He quickly made his way towards the bookshelves, Beomgyu following close behind.
Once they arrived, Jungwon immediately started scanning the spines of the books, his fingers skimming over the titles.
Suddenly, he paused, his eyes locking onto a specific book. “Ah, here we go,” he murmured, taking the book off the shelf.
Beomgyu came up next to him, peering over his shoulder. “What is it?” he asked, curious about the book in Jungwon’s hand.
Jungwon didn’t respond right away, his focus completely fixed on the book.
He flipped it open, carefully flipping through the pages until he came across what he was looking for.
Finally, he stopped at a page, his eyes scanning over the information written on it.
“This,” he said finally, tapping a particular line, that bulged slightly on the page. “This is what we need.”
Beomgyu leaned in to read the line Jungwon was pointing at, his eyes widening in surprise. “Is that... a button?” he asked, realization dawning on him.
Jungwon nodded, a sly grin spreading across his face. “Bingo,” he replied, reaching out to press the button.
Immediately, a part of the shelf began to move, sliding open with a soft grinding sound to reveal a narrow, shadowy passageway hidden behind it.
Beomgyu looked at the passageway in surprise, clearly impressed by the hidden compartment.
“Woah, didn’t expect that,” he said, a hint of excitement in his voice.
Jungwon couldn’t help but smirk, pleased with himself. “Told you it was here,” he replied, stepping forward and peering into the dark passageway.
Beomgyu followed behind, cautiously poking his head through the opening.
“So what now?” he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. “We just... go in?”
Jungwon paused for a moment, considering their options. “Yeah, I guess so,” he replied finally.
“But we need flashlights. It looks completely dark in there.”
Beomgyu nodded, already rummaging through his bag. “Got one right here,” he said, pulling out his phone.
Jungwon followed suit, pulling out his own phone and turning on the flashlight function.
“Okay, let’s go. We have to be quick, lunch finishes in a few minutes.”
With that, the two boys stepped cautiously into the shadowy passageway, their flashlights illuminating the path ahead.
The air was thick and dusty, and the narrow space forced them to walk single file, with Jungwon leading the way.
As they navigated their way through the cramped passageway, the only sound was the soft shuffling of their feet against the concrete floor and their quiet breathing.
The flashlight beams cast eerie shadows on the walls, making every small sound echo in the confined space.
Beomgyu occasionally made whispered comments, his nervous energy evident. “This place is seriously creepy.”
Jungwon, however, remained focused and determined, his eyes fixated on the path ahead.
“Just stay close and stay quiet,” he warned over his shoulder.
They continued on, the passageway seemingly endless.
Just when it seemed like they would be lost in the dark forever,
Jungwon suddenly came to a halt, causing Beomgyu to bump into him from behind.
“Hey, what-“ Beomgyu started to protest, but Jungwon silenced him with a gesture, his finger against his lips.
“Shh, listen,” he whispered, his eyes narrowing in concentration.
Beomgyu instantly hushed, his irritation replaced by curiosity.
He strained his ears, trying to hear what Jungwon was referring to.
For a few moments, all they could hear was the faint sound of their own breathing.
But then, faintly, a soft beeping noise drifted through the walls, followed by the chorus of cars driving by.
“Is that...?,” Beomgyu began, his eyes widening in realization.
Jungwon nodded, his expression serious. “I think we’re near a highway” he whispered.
“We must be reaching the other end.”
With renewed determination, they cautiously continued down the passageway, the sounds of car traffic growing louder with each step.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the darkness ahead started to gradually lighten.
Finally, the two boys stepped into the light, finding themselves standing at the exit of the passageway, surrounded by trees and bushes, through the tree line laid a long stretch of road, occupied by all sorts of vehicles.
Beomgyu stepped out after him, his shoulders slumping in relief. “Finally, fresh air. That was creepy as hell,” he admitted.
Jungwon, however, was peering out at the road, a satisfied look on his face. “We made it,” he murmured, a note of triumph in his voice.
“We found the other end.”
Beomgyu glanced at Jungwon, a small smirk playing on his lips. “You’re awfully proud of yourself, aren’t you?” he teased, nudging Jungwon’s side.
Jungwon just rolled his eyes, shaking his head. “Shut up,” he retorted, but there was no real irritation in his voice.
“Of course I’m proud. This makes things so much easier. Come on! We have to tell Tae.”
Jungwon and Beomgyu quickly made their way through the school corridors, their footsteps echoing softly in the empty hallways.
It was only a few minutes after lunch break had ended, so most students were still in class.
Beomgyu followed closely behind Jungwon, struggling to keep up with his rapid walking speed. “Slow down, will you?” he panted, a hint of irritation in his voice.
“You’re walking like there’s fire under your ass, dude.”
Jungwon just shot him a quick glance, not bothering to slow down.
“Quit whining,” he replied, his focus clearly fixed on their destination.
They continued on, turning the corner into another hallway, when Jungwon suddenly paused, spotting a figure sitting in one of the study rooms.
“There he is,” he muttered, quickening his pace.
Beomgyu followed, his tired eyes finally spotting Taehyun through the glass window of the study room.
The older boy was sitting hunched over a desk, engrossed in studying.
Jungwon quickly pushed open the door, barging into the room. “Tae!” he called out, catching Taehyun’s attention.
Taehyun looked up, a mix of surprise and mild irritation on his face at the sudden interruption. “Jungwon, what—” he started, but Jungwon quickly cut him off.
“You won’t believe what we found,” he said, a hint of excitement in his voice.
Taehyun raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. “Well, get on with it,” he replied, gesturing for them to come in.
Beomgyu and Jungwon quickly entered the room, the latter closing the door behind them.
Taehyun raised an eyebrow, studying the excited expressions on their faces.
“This better be good,” he said, folding his arms across his chest.
Jungwon smirked, clearly pleased with himself. “Trust me, it’s better than good,” he replied, pulling a chair over and plopping down on it. “You’ll love this.”
Taehyun’s curiosity grew, and he leaned back in his seat, as Jungwon leaned forward.
“Remember when i told you about those seniors sneaking off campus last year.”
Taehyun nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Yeah, I remember,” he replied, his attention fully focused on Jungwon.
“Well,” Jungwon continued, a glint of excitement in his eyes. “Beomgyu came up with this idea of exploring it, right!? And we did, and it freaking leads out onto a highway.”
Taehyun’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wait, what? Beomgyu, you’re supposed to look after him, not turn him into sherlock homes.” He started, “What if a teacher caught you two.”
Beomgyu rolled his eyes, “He’s already fucking sherlock homes, and i didn’t give him the idea,” He shot back,
“I simply said i was surprised he hadn't gone exploring yet.”
Taehyun pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly exasperated.
“You’re both impossible, i swear,” he muttered, but there was no real anger in his tone.
“Did anyone see you guys?”
Jungwon shook his head, a cocky grin still plastered on his face. “Nope, we were careful,” he replied, clearly proud of themselves for their successful stealth mission.
Taehyun let out a sigh, resigning himself to their recklessness. “Well, at least you didn’t get caught,” he acknowledged, running a hand through his hair.
Beomgyu smirked, clearly pleased that Taehyun wasn’t completely disappointed in them. “See, told you we’d be fine,” he chimed in, nudging Jungwon’s shoulder.
Taehyun shook his head again, “Won, i thought after realizing there wasn’t a way off campus you’d give up on this whole sneaking out plan. Do you know how dangerous this is, i didn’t expect you to actually look for a way out, what if you get to the stupid warehouse and he get caught by a guard, we’d never see your dumbass again.”
Jungwon’s cocky grin faltered slightly at Taehyun’s words, but he quickly regained his confidence.
“Relax, Tae, i’m not an idiot,” he retorted, leaning back in his chair.
“Im not just going to waltz into the warehouse without any plan. I told you that.”
Taehyun raised an eyebrow, skepticism still evident in his eyes. “You’re also not the most careful or patient person when it comes to getting what you want,”
he countered, his voice laced with concern. “I trust you, but I still worry about you, idiot.”
Jungwon’s expression softened, his smirk turning into a slight pout.
“I know you worry, but I can take care of myself, really,” he replied, his cocky demeanor shifting into something more sincere.
Taehyun looked at him, his expression softening as well. “I know you can, but... just promise me you’ll be careful, okay? I swear, you’re more trouble than you’re worth, you little pain in the ass.”
Jungwon rolled his eyes, his smirk returning. “Love you too, dumbass," he replied playfully, sticking out his tongue.
Taehyun shook his head, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Brat," he murmured, reaching out to playfully mess up Jungwon's hair.
Chapter Text
Jungwon quietly padded around his room, double-checking his belongings.
He had a small backpack sat on his bed, filled with the essentials for his upcoming adventure.
Just as he was zipping up his bag, Taehyun’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Is there anything i could say to stop you right now?” Taehyun asked, arms folded across his chest as he leaned against the doorframe.
Jungwon paused his packing and turned to look at Taehyun, a determined look on his face.
“Not really, no,” he replied simply, his voice steady. He knew Taehyun’s concerns for his safety, but his resolve was unwavering.
Taehyun sighed, running a hand through his hair.
“I figured as much,” he replied, his expression a mixture of worry and resignation.
“I’m coming with you.”
Jungwon’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Wait, what?” he asked, taken aback by the unexpected response.
“No way, Tae, you’re not coming with me.”
Taehyun raised an eyebrow at Jungwon, a stubborn glint in his eyes. “And why not?” he challenged. “You think I’m just going to let you go alone? Hell no.”
Jungwon’s initial surprise turned into annoyance as he realized Taehyun was serious.
“I can handle myself just fine,” he protested, his hands going to his hips. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
Taehyun scoffed, his gaze not wavering.
“It’s not about you needing a babysitter, it’s about making sure you don’t do something stupidly reckless,” he replied, the concern in his voice clear.
“You have a tendency to underestimate danger, dumbass.”
Jungwon bristled at Taehyun’s words, his annoyance bubbling to the surface.
“I don’t underestimate danger!” he retorted, his voice rising in pitch.
“I just... I’m confident in my abilities, okay? I can take care of myself!”
Taehyun rolled his eyes, his patience wearing thin. “You’re confident to a fault, Won,” he countered, tone firm.
“You’re smart and capable, but you’re also reckless and impulsive. You act before you think, and that’s exactly why I’m coming with you.”
Jungwon opened his mouth to protest further, but Taehyun raised a hand, cutting him off.
“No, don’t argue with me on this,” he said firmly. “You’re not going alone, end of story.”
Jungwon gritted his teeth, frustration etched on his face.
He knew that arguing with Taehyun was like talking to a wall when he was this determined, but he couldn’t help but feel annoyed.
“Fine,” he finally muttered, begrudgingly accepting defeat.
Taehyun nodded, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. “Good, glad we’re on the same page,” he replied, pushing himself away from the doorframe.
Jungwon rolled his eyes, still not entirely pleased. “Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled. “Doesn’t mean I have to like it, though.”
Taehyun shot him a small smile, clearly amused by his friend’s stubbornness. “Well, tough shit, lets go then.”
Jungwon let out an exasperated sigh, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Yeah, let’s go,” he replied, already making his way towards the door.
Taehyun followed him, a mix of amusement and worry on his face. “You’re lucky I care about you, idiot,” he teased, patting Jungwon’s head as they walked out of the dorm.
Jungwon swatted at Taehyun’s hand, annoyed at the affectionate gesture. “I know,” he replied, his annoyance only half-hearted.
“And I guess I should be thankful for that, even if you’re annoyingly overprotective.”
Taehyun chuckled, undeterred by Jungwon’s sarcastic response. “Damn right you should be,” he replied, ruffling his hair once more.
“Someone has to keep your stubborn ass alive.”
Jungwon rolled his eyes, trying to fix the mess Taehyun made of his hair. “Yeah couse I’m helpless without you,” he muttered, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. “I’d be lost without my personal guardian angel, clearly.”
Taehyun shot him a mischievous grin, enjoying Jungwon’s irritation.
“Damn right, you would be,” he teased, slinging an arm around Jungwon’s shoulders.
Jungwon and Taehyun arrived at the library, the familiar building standing tall in the night.
The campus was quiet, with most students already retired for the day.
Jungwon paused for a moment, looking up at the building. Excitement and a hint of nervousness flickered in his eyes.
Taehyun nudged him with his elbow. “You ready?” he asked, a knowing smirk on his face.
Jungwon took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. “Yeah, let’s do this,” he replied, his voice firm.
They made their way silently across the deserted campus, the moonlight guiding their path.
The library loomed ahead, its dark windows and quiet presence adding an aura of mystery to the surroundings.
As they neared the entrance, Jungwon glanced around, making sure they were alone. Once satisfied, he gestured for Taehyun to follow him silently.
They slipped into the library silently, the cool air greeting them as they entered.
The room was bathed in the dim glow of emergency lights, the soft illumination casting long shadows across the room.
Jungwon led the way, his footsteps hushed as he made his way through the stacks of shelves, climbing up the library stairs. Taehyun followed closely behind, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a sharp gaze.
Finally, they arrived at the history section, hidden behind towering shelves and shielded by the darkness.
It was quiet, almost eerily so.
Jungwon approached a certain section, his fingers tracing the spines of the books until he found what he was looking for.
He exchanged a quick glance with Taehyun before pulling the book out.
Flipping through the pages quickly till he found his page.
He paused, his eyes scanning the text. Taehyun stood by his side, watching with a mix of curiosity and concern.
Jungwon’s brow furrowed as he focused on the words, carefully studying the details. After a few moments, he found it.
“There you are.” He murmured, a hint of excitement in his voice.
Taehyun raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. “Found something?” he asked, stepping closer to get a better look.
Jungwon nodded, pointing at a specific part of the page. “Yeah, look at this,” he said, his voice hushed.
Taehyun leaned closer, scanning the page before glancing back at Jungwon.
“What am I supposed to be looking at?” he inquired, his curiosity growing.
Jungwon traced his finger over a certain part of the page, his expression both focused and intrigued.
“This,” he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of excitement.
Taehyun leaned down even closer, his eyes narrowing as he studied the area Jungwon had pointed out.
After a few moments, realization slowly dawned on his face.
“Is that a button..?” he asked, his voice trailing off.
Jungwon nodded, a small smirk on his face. “Yep, and it’s not just any button,” he confirmed, his voice tinged with satisfaction.
Taehyun raised an eyebrow, looking back at the page with a mix of curiosity and confusion. “Then what the heck is it?” he inquired, still unsure of its significance.
Jungwon’s smirk widened, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“This, my dear friend, is our ticket out,” he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of challenge.
Taehyun’s eyebrows furrowed, his skepticism evident.
“Wait, are you saying this button opens that passage you were talking about a few days ago?” He asked, his tone laced with doubt.
Jungwon nodded, a confident grin on his face. “Exactly,” he replied, enjoying the mixture of disbelief and astonishment on Taehyun’s face.
Taehyun sighed in disbelief, running a hand through his hair. “You’re serious?” he said, a hint of disbelief still lingering in his voice.
Jungwon chuckled, clearly amused by Taehyun’s reaction. “Dead serious,” he affirmed, his tone confident and unwavering, handling the book careful,
Jungwon pressed down on the button, before quickly placing the book back in its places as the shelf started groaning softly.
Taehyun’s surprise grew, his eyes widening as he watched the shelf start to move. “Holy crap, you weren’t kidding,” he muttered, his voice tinged with a mix of awe and disbelief.
Jungwon shrugged, a smug smile on his face. “Told you so,” he replied, clearly satisfied with his own cleverness.
Taehyun shook his head in amazement, still not quite processing the situation. “Unbelievable,” he murmured, his gaze flickering from Jungwon to the slowly moving bookshelf.
Jungwon chuckled, “Believe it,” he said, a hint of triumph in his voice.
The bookshelf continued to move until it was completely open, revealing the dark passageway that lay hidden behind it.
Taehyun stared at it with a mix of fascination and trepidation. “Okay, I admit it, this is pretty damn impressive,” he muttered.
Jungwon smirked, clearly amused by Taehyun’s reaction. “Impressive? That’s an understatement,” he replied, his tone oozing with self-satisfaction.
Taehyun shot him a playful glare, rolling his eyes. “Fine, smart-ass, it’s amazing, okay? You were right, I’m impressed.”
Jungwon chuckled, clearly enjoying the moment. “Good, you should be,” he replied, stepping into the passage with ease.
Taehyun followed closely behind, the darkness of the passage embracing them as they entered.
“Wait. How are we supposed to get back inside.” He rushed, watching as the entrance closed behind him.
Jungwon glanced over his shoulder, a confident smile on his face. “Relax, look at the ground,” he reassured, his tone tinged with a hint of amusement.
Taehyun looked down, following Jungwon’s gaze to the ground.
His eyes widen with surprise as he noticed a row of buttons embedded on the concrete, almost hidden by the darkness.
“What the hell..” he muttered in disbelief, his gaze shifting back to Jungwon. “What are these for?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Jungwon chuckled, clearly enjoying the reaction he was getting from Taehyun. “They’re the controls to open and close the passage from here,” he explained, his fingers brushing against the buttons.
“Pretty neat, huh? Took me and Beomgyu a while to crack the code, but I have it memorised.”
Taehyun raised an eyebrow, impressed and slightly taken aback. “You and Beomgyu figured this out all by yourselves? And you memorised it?” he asked, his voice filled with awe, despite his attempt to hide it.
Jungwon smirked, his confidence growing with every passing second.
“Yeah, I did,” he replied, his tone nonchalant. “What can I say? I’m just that smart.” Shrugging as he tugged out a flashlight.
“More like insanely reckless,” Taehyun retorted, rolling his eyes at Jungwon’s cockiness.
“Seriously, you and Beomgyu are like a walking disaster waiting to happen. One day you’ll get yourselves into serious trouble with your antics.”
Jungwon just chuckled, unbothered by Taehyun’s warning.
“Oh, lighten up, Tae. Where’s your sense of adventure?” he replied, continuing to walk down the passage.
Taehyun sighed, shaking his head in resignation.
“I swear, you’re going to give me a heart attack one of these days,” he muttered, following closely behind Jungwon.
“And Beomgyu is just as bad as you. You two are a dangerous combination.”
“But you love us anyway,” Jungwon teased, glancing back at Taehyun with a cocky grin.
Taehyun rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of fondness in his expression. “Yeah, against my better judgment,” he replied, his voice laced with playful annoyance.
Jungwon chuckled, clearly enjoying their banter. “You’d be bored without us, you know that.” He said, his tone smug.
Taehyun huffed in response. “Yeah, I’d probably have a lot more peace and quiet without you two troublemakers around,” he quipped.
As Taehyun and Jungwon continued down the passage, the conversation shifted and Taehyun’s curiosity got the better of him.
“Hey, Jungwon,” he called out, his tone more serious this time.
“Have you figured out how we’re gonna get to the warehouse exactly?”
Jungwon nodded, “Yep!” He gleamed, “I may have stolen a few bikes from the school shed.” He mumbled sheepishly.
Taehyun groaned, rolling his eyes at Jungwon’s admission. “Of course you did,” he said sarcastically. “Because that’s not breaking the law or anything, right?”
Jungwon chuckled, unfazed by Taehyun’s disapproval. “Oh, come on, it’s not like they were gonna miss them,” he tried to justify.
“That’s not the point, you idiot,” Taehyun reprimanded, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “You can’t just steal things whenever you feel like it.”
Jungwon huffed, a small pout forming on his face. “It wasn’t easy, alright?” He complained. “I had to wait until the coast was clear, then sneak into the shed, and then wheel the bikes back here.”
Taehyun raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “And no one caught you? Not even a single soul?”
Jungwon shook his head, a smirk creeping back on his face. “Nope, I’m stealthy like a ninja,” he replied, clearly proud of his covert operation.
Taehyun let out a sigh, both impressed and exasperated by Jungwon’s audacity. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”
“Ridiculously talented, you mean,” Jungwon quipped back, his confidence unwavering.
Taehyun rolled his eyes again, “Yeah, talented at getting into trouble.” He retorted.
After some time, the boys finally arrived at the other end of the passageway, the exit door coming into view.
“Finally,” Taehyun muttered, looking relieved to see the light seeping through the gap of the door.
Jungwon smirked, reaching for the handle and pushing the door open.
Cool night air washed over them, a refreshing relief from the stale, musty air of the passageway.
The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the surroundings.
“Fresh air at last,” Taehyun breathed, taking a deep inhale.
Jungwon chuckled, walking out into the night. “You make it sound like you were suffocating in that passageway.”
Taehyun just shot him a sideways glance, “Well, it wasn’t exactly a five-star hotel in there.” He retorted, following Jungwon outside.
Jungwon just chuckled, already making his way towards the nearby bikes hidden behind some bushes. “Quit being such a drama queen,” he taunted, reaching for one of the bikes.
Taehyun scoffed, rolling his eyes for what seemed like the hundredth time that night. “I’m not being dramatic, I just have higher standards than you.” He retorted, climbing onto one of the bikes.
“Yeah, high standards and a stick up your ass, I bet.” Jungwon teased, hopping onto the other bike.
Taehyun shot him a glare, already feeling exasperated by Jungwon’s constant banter. “Do you even know where we’re going.”
Jungwon grinned, “Of course I do,” he replied confidently. “I spent an hour plotting our route on Google maps before stealing these bikes.”
Taehyun snorted, “I can’t believe I put my trust in you.”
As Taehyun and Jungwon cycled along the highway, they chose to stay hidden within the cover of the bushes lining the path.
The sound of the occasional car passing by echoed through the night, the highway surprisingly still active at such a late hour.
“How much farther is it?” Taehyun called out to Jungwon, exhaustion starting to creep into his voice.
Jungwon checked his watch, his expression focused as he continued pedaling. “Probably another fifty minutes or so,” he replied, his tone nonchalant.
Taehyun groaned, his legs already feeling sore from the prolonged cycling.
“Fifty minutes?! I swear we’ve already been biking for hours.” He grumbled, irritation lacing his voice.
Jungwon chuckled, seemingly unaffected by the long journey.
“You really are a drama queen, you know that?” he teased, shooting a playful grin towards Taehyun.
“It’s only been forty-five minutes.”
Taehyun let out another exasperated sigh, “Yeah, well, it feels like hours, smartass.”
Jungwon chuckled, seemingly unaffected by the long journey. “You really are a drama queen, you know that?” he teased, shooting a playful grin towards Taehyun. “It’s only been forty-five minutes.”
Taehyun let out another exasperated sigh, “Yeah, well, it feels like hours, smartass.”
“Just suck it up, princess,” Jungwon retorted, his tone more mocking this time. “You’ll live.”
Taehyun gritted his teeth, resisting the urge to throw something at Jungwon. “I swear, I don’t get why I put up with you.”
Jungwon just chuckled, his smirk only widening at Taehyun’s comment. “Aw, don’t be like that,” he teased, “You secretly love me, you know it.”
Taehyun rolled his eyes again, exasperated beyond measure. “Please, I tolerate you, at best.”
“Same difference,” Jungwon retorted, his grin never faltering. “Face it, you’d be bored without me around, princess.”
Taehyun grumbled under his breath, resisting the urge to throttle Jungwon. “I swear, if you call me princess one more time-“
Just as Taehyun was about to retort, a car zoomed past them at high speed, the force of the wind from it’s passing nearly throwing both boys off balance.
“What the hell-“ Taehyun cursed, struggling to regain control of his bike.
Jungwon, ever the composed one, managed to stay upright. “Jesus, someone’s in a hurry.”
“Yeah, and they almost turned us into road kill in the process!” Taehyun shot back, irritation flaring in his voice.
Jungwon just chuckled, unfazed, as usual, by the near-death experience. “You’re so dramatic, seriously.”
Taehyun shot him a glare, still trying to steady himself. “And you’re way too chill for your own good,” he retorted, finally gaining control of his bike again.
Jungwon shrugged nonchalantly. “I just don’t get rattled easily, unlike some people.”
Taehyun huffed, his irritation not abating yet. “Some people value their lives, you know. Unlike you, who seems to have a death wish.”
Jungwon just smirked, the corners of his mouth twitching. “Calm down,” he teased, the smirk only growing broader. “We’re still alive, aren’t we?”
“Barely,” Taehyun muttered under his breath, still feeling the adrenaline rush from the near miss.
Jungwon chuckled, clearly amused by Taehyun’s overdramatic reaction. “You need to loosen up a bit. You’ll get wrinkles from all that frowning.”
After riding for a couple more miles, Taehyun and Jungwon finally reached the end of the highway, the pathway branching off into a dirt road leading towards a large warehouse in the distance.
Jungwon slowed down, a satisfied grin on his face. “We’re here,” he announced,
glancing over at Taehyun.
“See? I told you we’d make it in one piece.”
Taehyun just grumbled in response, dismounting from his bike. “Yeah, barely.”
Jungwon chuckled, leaning his bike against a nearby tree. “Lighten up, we’re fine.”
Taehyun rolled his eyes, stretching his sore limbs.
“Yeah, except I can barely feel my ass anymore.” He muttered, massaging his sore bottom.
Jungwon laughed, clearly amused by Taehyun’s discomfort.
“Don’t be such a baby,” he teased, walking towards the warehouse.
“Your butt will survive.”
Taehyun rolled his eyes again, massaging his sore buttocks as he followed Jungwon towards the large warehouse.
“I swear, if this all turns out to be a wild goose chase, I’m kicking your ass.”
Jungwon chuckled, pulling out a folded piece of paper from his bag. “Relax, we’re right on track.”
Taehyun raised an eyebrow, trying to peer at the crumpled piece of paper in Jungwon’s hand. “What’s that?” he asked, curiosity getting the best of him.
Jungwon grinned, holding the paper up for Taehyun to see. “Our guide,” he replied, unfolding the wrinkled sheet.
Taehyun’s gaze shifted to the paper, turning away with a gag, “Why would you bring that.”
Jungwon rolled his eyes, unbothered by Taehyun’s reaction.
“It was a crucial element in planning this whole thing, genius,” he retorted, waving the paper in the air.
Taehyun groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. “You could’ve at least folded it neatly.”
Jungwon chuckled, enjoying Taehyun’s irritation.
“Yeah, cause that was my top priority while planning our little adventure, making sure the paper is neatly folded and wrinkle free,” he mocked, sarcasm dripping from his words.
Taehyun shot him a glare, his patience reaching its limits. “Can you not be obnoxious for one minute?”
Jungwon just winked, his smirk growing wider. “And miss out on your priceless reactions? Not a chance.”
Ignoring Taehyun’s annoyed expression, Jungwon led the way towards the warehouse, both boys tiptoeing silently across the vast and empty lot.
The place was eerily quiet, adding to the tense atmosphere.
Jungwon glanced around cautiously, nibbling at his lower lip anxiously.
Taehyun followed suit, matching Jungwon’s cautious and careful steps, their eyes darting around to scan their surroundings.
The silence was almost unsettling, and the only sound breaking the silence were the occasional crack of a loose gravel here and there.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached the warehouse’s entrance.
Jungwon pressed his hands against the steel door, gently pushing it open just enough to peek inside.
“Coast is clear,” he whispered, glancing over at Taehyun.
Taehyun nodded, his heart pounding in anticipation as he followed Jungwon inside, the door silently creaking shut behind them.
The interior of the warehouse was dimly lit, moonlight seeping through the few skylights scattered across the large roof.
Rows of tall shelves filled the spacious area, their towering silhouettes casting long shadows across the dimly-lit place.
Jungwon led the way, staying close to the walls as he navigated through the maze of towering shelves.
Taehyun closely followed him, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily, his breathing steady but shallow.
Jungwon paused momentarily, pulling out the photo from his pocket. He unfolded it carefully, studying the image intently.
The warehouse was vast and maze-like, full of towering shelves and narrow corridors.
The dim lighting added an extra layer of difficulty in identifying landmarks.
Taehyun, standing behind Jungwon, peered over his shoulder to get a better view of the photo.
“See any familiar landmarks?” he whispered, trying to keep his voice as low and quiet as possible.
Jungwon squinted, his eyes scanning the surroundings closely. “Not yet,” he replied, his tone low and hushed.
Taehyun grumbled under his breath, his patience growing thinner by the second.
“We’re still looking for a needle in a haystack,” he muttered, frustration lacing his voice.
Jungwon shot him a sidelong glance, annoyance flashing in his eyes.
“And complaining will not magically improve the situation, you know.”
Taehyun rolled his eyes, crossing his arms in annoyance.
“I’m just pointing out the obvious, smartass,” he retorted, his voice barely a whisper.
Jungwon let out an exasperated sigh, refocusing his attention back on the photo.
“Just stay quiet for a minute, I’m trying to concentrate here,” he hissed, trying to block out Taehyun’s constant bitching.
Taehyun grumbled under his breath, but he fell silent, watching in frustration as Jungwon meticulously searched for any familiar landmarks.
The seconds ticked by like an eternity, the only sound filling the air was the occasional creak of a loose shelf or the barely audible breathing of the two boys.
Suddenly, Jungwon’s face lit up with recognition, his eyes widening. “Wait, I think I found something... “ he whispered, his voice barely above a breath.
Taehyun instantly perked up, his irritation momentarily forgotten. “What, what did you find?” he asked, leaning in closer to try to see what Jungwon was looking at.
Jungwon pointed at a distant spot, his finger trembling slightly with excitement. “See that column over there? By the second last shelf?” he whispered, his voice filled with anticipation.
Taehyun’s gaze followed Jungwon’s direction, searching for the mentioned column.
His eyes finally landed on the distinctive landmark, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
“Yeah. What about it?” he asked, his voice still low.
Jungwon’s grin widened. “I’m pretty sure that’s the same column from the picture,” he whispered, confidence in his voice.
Taehyun’s expression changed to one of intrigue, any traces of irritation instantly replaced by curiosity.
“Are you sure?” he whispered back, excitement tinged with skepticism.
Jungwon nodded, his conviction growing.
“Yes, I’m almost certain. Now we just need to find the exact spot from the photo.”
Taehyun’s eyes scanned the area carefully, his mind working in overdrive to match the surroundings to the photo.
“Alright, so if that’s the column...” Taehyun murmured, mentally mapping out the area.
“Then that means the spot should be somewhere around here...”
He trailed off, his eyes suddenly widening as something caught his attention.
“Wait, wait, wait, stop.” He hissed, tugging on Jungwon’s sleeve urgently.
Jungwon abruptly stopped in his tracks, his head snapping to look at Taehyun. “What? What is it?” he whispered, his tone filled with confusion and curiosity.
Taehyun’s gaze never wavered from the distant spot. “I think... I think I see it,” he murmured, his voice tinged with excitement and disbelief.
Jungwon craned his neck, following Taehyun’s line of sight, his eyes widening with realization.
“Damn, you’re right,” he whispered, a grin spreading across his face.
Taehyun’s heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline coursing through his veins.
“This is it,” he whispered, a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes.
Jungwon nodded enthusiastically, his own smile matching Taehyun’s. “Let’s go,” he whispered, taking the lead once more.
Together, they cautiously made their way towards the distant spot, each step feeling like an eternity.
Their footsteps echoed softly through the quiet warehouse, each step bringing them closer to the final destination.
The air was thick with anticipation and tension, both boys holding their breaths as they got closer and closer.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached the spot, their eyes widening as they finally found it.
Nestled underneath a shelf laid the small usb.
Taehyun’s heart skipped a beat as the familiar item came into view. “There it is,” he breathed, his voice barely a whisper.
Jungwon knelt down, gingerly picking the USB up from the ground.
He stood back up, holding the USB delicately in his hand, as if it were a priceless treasure.
“It’s really here,” he whispered, a mix of relief and excitement in his eyes. “It goddamn is.”
But just as Jungwon was about to celebrate their success, the sound of the heavy warehouse doors creaking open broke through the tense atmosphere.
Taehyun grabbed Jungwon’s hand quickly dashing behind a shipping crate.
Taehyun covered Jungwon’s mouth, silencing him just in time. Concealing the gasp he was about to let out.
Both boys held their breath, their hearts pounding loudly in their ears.
The sound of voices and footsteps echoed through the warehouse, coming closer and closer.
Fear and anxiety gripped both boys tightly, their bodies tense and pressed against each other as they hid behind the crate.
The footsteps continued their approach, growing louder and louder with each passing second.
The boys could hear the two voices more clearly now, their words carrying through the vast warehouse.
“I swear if you waste my time again, i won’t hesitate to get the boss on you.” One of the voices grumbled, irritation laced in his voice.
Taehyun’s heart rate heightened with worry as the voices drew nearer, his grip on Jungwon’s hand tightening.
He silently cursed their bad luck, trying to make themselves as small and invisible as possible behind the crate.
The footsteps finally stopped, the two voices now just a few feet away from the crate that concealed the boys.
The room fell eerily silent for a moment, the only sound being the boys’ anxious breathing.
“You’re fucking with me right." the first voice grumbled, his voice now close enough to send chills down the boys’ spines.
“I swear on my mother’s grave, that’s where it was.” The other voice started frantically.
Taehyun could feel a trickle of sweat dripping down the side of his temple, his heart hammering against his ribcage.
He desperately hoped and prayed that the two newcomers wouldn’t peek behind the crate.
The first voice huffed, his footsteps pacing back and forth, echoing through the warehouse. “Yeah, cause I’m definitely gonna believe your bullshit,” he retorted, the anger in his tone evident.
The second voice started stammering, panic lacing his words. “I-I swear, I really saw it right there!” he insisted, his desperation palpable.
The first voice growled in frustration, his footsteps growing frantic as he paced around the vicinity.
“Where the fuck is it then,” he snapped, his patience wearing thin.
The second voice started panicking, his voice shaking as he pleaded.
“I-I don’t know! It just.. it just disappeared.” He protested, his voice cracking with fear.
The first voice sighed, irritation clear in his tone. “So it magically grew legs and decided to take a damn midnight stroll?” he retorted, sarcasm oozing from his words
The second voice struggled to find a response, his mind racing to come up with an explanation.
The first voice grunted, his frustration growing by the second. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. You’re wasting my damn time.”
The second voice started babbling, desperation clear in his voice. “Please, please, please.. just give me a bit more time! I promise I’ll find it! I’m sure it’s still here somewhere.”
The first voice scoffed, his irritation reaching its peak. “Yeah, sure. You’ve been saying that for the past goddamn week.”
Taehyun and Jungwon both winced at the loud impact of body connecting to the nearby shelf, the noise almost deafening in the still of the warehouse.
Jungwon’s eyes widened, his heart hammering against his chest.
Taehyun’s grip tightened on Jungwon’s mouth, silently pleading for him to stay absolutely still and remain hushed.
They couldn’t afford to be discovered now, not when they were so damn close to their goal.
Jungwon’s eyes widened as he caught a glimpse of the two men through the narrow gaps between the crate.
He noticed that one of the men, the one who seemed to be in charge, looked eerily familiar.
Jungwon couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he swore he had seen the man somewhere before.
Taehyun noticed Jungwon’s sudden tenseness, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
He followed Jungwon’s gaze discreetly, catching a glimpse of the two men himself.
He, too, furrowed his eyebrows, trying to make sense of Jungwon’s reaction.
The two men continued their heated exchange, their voices filling the vast space, completely unaware of the boys’ presence.
The second man, the one pinned against the wall, suddenly noticed the boys’ presence, his eyes widening with surprise.
The first man, the one in charge, followed the second man’s gaze, his eyes locking onto the boys’ hiding spot.
His expression, however, remained stoic, his sharp fox-like eyes fixed on the boys, as if he was studying them intently.
Taehyun’s heart raced in his chest, the adrenaline coursing through his veins as he grabbed Jungwon’s hand and darted towards the warehouse doors.
Gunshots rang out from behind them, the sound of bullets ricocheting off the metal shelves filling the air with an urgent symphony.
Taehyun and Jungwon weaved through the towering shelves, their footsteps echoing loudly as they ran.
Taehyun and Jungwon darted towards the area where they had left their bikes, desperation and fear seeping into their every move.
The sound of gunshots echoed through the vast warehouse, each shot a reminder of the danger that was relentlessly closing in on them.
Taehyun and Jungwon reached the spot where they had left their bikes, quickly mounting them amidst the chaos.
As they pedaled away, Taehyun’s mind raced, thinking of the safest route to escape.
His heart pounded in his chest, the fear of being caught fueling his determination.
Jungwon pedaled desperately beside him, sneaking anxious glances over his shoulder, half expecting to see the men catching up to them.
Taehyun clenched his teeth, his grip on the bike’s handles tightening.
He pushed himself to pedal faster, determined to put as much distance between them and their pursuers as possible.
Jungwon followed suit, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he pedaled alongside Taehyun, the sound of gunshots gradually fading into the background.
Taehyun and Jungwon stumbled through the passageway, desperately pushing the thick shelf shut behind them with a loud thud.
They slumped against the shelf, their chests heaving with exhaustion and adrenaline, their hearts racing like galloping horses.
“We... we made it...” Taehyun gasped for air, his voice hoarse from a mix of exertion and fear.
Jungwon collapsed onto the ground, his body trembling with relief and exhaustion.
“That... that was way too damn close...” he managed between gasps, running a shaky hand through his sweaty hair.
Taehyun leaned against the wall, attempting to catch his breath. “Too... too damn close..” he echoed, his pulse gradually steadying.
Jungwon let out a shaky exhale, still trying to process the near miss.
“I swear.. I swear my heart was about to burst out of my chest back there... T-That guy, it was the same guy from the town hall.”
Taehyun nodded, still trying to calm his racing heart. “Yeah... I noticed too. Same guy... same fox-like eyes...” he muttered, his heart rate slowly returning to normal.
Jungwon let out a weary sigh, pushing himself up from the ground.
“We got lucky.. really damn lucky.. Any slower, we’d probably be-“ he trailed off, not daring to finish his sentence.
Taehyun took a deep breath, still recovering from the adrenaline rush. “Never again,” he said firmly, his voice tinged with a mix of relief and determination,
“Promise me, no matter what else you find, we’re never doing that again.”
Jungwon met Taehyun’s gaze, his expression filled with relief and agreement.
“I promise,” he said firmly.
“That was... enough excitement for a lifetime. No more crazy schemes, no more close calls. We got what we came for. Let’s focus on staying alive and keeping our sanity intact after that whole shitshow.”
Taehyun nodded, a hint of a nervous chuckle escaping his lips.
“Agreed. Let’s stick to research online from now on. No more life-threatening escapades. We got out alive this time, but next time, we might not be so lucky.”
Chapter Text
Jungwon sat on his bed, deep in thought. It had been almost two weeks since their near-death encounter at the warehouse.
The memory of it still lingered in his mind, a constant reminder of the danger they had almost faced.
He glanced over at the locked drawer where the USB was safely tucked away, a small battle raging inside his mind.
Part of him wanted to put the whole idea behind them, to forget about the treasure and never look back.
But another part of him longed for completion, the thrill of the unknown calling out to him relentlessly.
Jungwon let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples in frustration.
He knew the risks, the dangers involved.
But the allure of the final piece was hard to ignore, like a stubborn itch that refused to be scratched.
He glanced towards the drawer again, his hand unconsciously creeping towards the handle.
Maybe it was a bad idea, a damn dangerous one. But perhaps, just maybe, one final gamble wouldn't hurt...
He shook his head, snapping himself out of his thoughts. He had promised Taehyun, after all.
No more dangerous escapades.
No more close calls. They had almost lost everything, and for what? A treasure that might or might not be real.
But his hand still lingered on the drawer handle, his heart torn between reason and recklessness.
He was caught in a battle with himself, logic pitted against desire.
Jungwon closed his eyes, trying to steady his thoughts. He needed a distraction, something to take his mind off the damn USB.
"Just forget about it," he muttered to himself, trying to push away the urge to open the drawer. "Focus on something else, anything else."
As if on cue, his phone buzzed on his desk, a welcome distraction from his internal struggle.
Jungwon opened his eyes, turning his attention towards the phone, grateful for the interruption.
He walked over to his desk, picking up the buzzing device and checking the notification.
Maybe it was Taehyun, or perhaps something else, anything to keep his mind occupied.
To his surprise, the notification on his phone was an email from the Principal Jungwon's brow furrowed, his mind shifting gears from the USB to the unexpected email.
He unlocked his phone and opened the notification, curiosity piqued. He skimmed through the content of the email, his eyes widening slightly as he read.
He glanced at the time displayed on his phone. The assembly was scheduled to begin in fifteen minutes.
Just as Jungwon was about to ponder what the assembly could be about, there was a sharp knock on his door, followed by Taehyun's voice calling out.
"Hey, Won. You get the email too?" Taehyun's voice called out from the other side of the door.
"Yeah, I just saw it," Jungwon replied, setting down his phone and walking towards the door. He opened it, revealing Taehyun standing outside, a similar puzzled expression on his face.
"Do you have any idea what the principal wants?" Taehyun asked, stepping into the room as Jungwon closed the door behind him.
Jungwon shook his head, leaning back against the door. "I have no clue. It must be something important for him to call a school-wide assembly. Maybe some kind of announcement or some new rule or something?"
Taehyun let out a sigh, running a hand through his messy hair. "I hope it's not another boring speech about rules or whatever. Those assemblies are such a waste of time."
Jungwon couldn't help a small smile, knowing Taehyun's disdain for long speeches. "Hey, it won't be that bad. Maybe it's something interesting for once."
Taehyun rolled his eyes, a skeptical expression on his face. "Yeah, right. When has the principal ever had something interesting to say? It's probably just some dull announcement about upcoming exams or some new club or something."
As Jungwon was about to offer a witty retort, the sound of the dorm's front door opening interrupted them.
"Hey, guys," a familiar voice called out from the hallway, followed by footsteps approaching Jungwon’s room.
"In here," Taehyun replied, turning towards the door as Jungwon pushed off it, swinging it open.
Beomgyu appeared in the doorway, a curious expression on his face. "Did you guys get the email as well?" he asked, stepping into the room.
Jungwon nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. "Yeah, we did. Any idea what it's about?"
Beomgyu shrugged, mirroring Jungwon's stance. "No clue. Rumor has it, Principal Yoon has been pretty stormy today."
Taehyun rolled his eyes, an exasperated expression on his face. "Great, just what we need. A grumpy principal making us all suffer through another boring speech."
Beomgyu couldn't help but smirk at Taehyun's reaction. "Come on, Tae, don't be so negative. It might not be that bad," he teased.
Taehyun shot him a glare, his annoyance evident. "Yeah, right. And maybe pigs will fly."
Beomgyu chuckled at Taehyun's sarcasm, before glancing down at his watch. "We should probably head to the hall. People have already started heading over."
Taehyun let out an exasperated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Fine, let's get this over with."
Jungwon nodded in agreement, heading towards the door. "Might as well see what the big announcement is then."
Beomgyu followed suit, a smirk still playing on his lips. "Who knows, maybe it'll be something interesting for once."
The three of them made their way out of the dorm, joining the stream of students heading towards the assembly hall
The campus court yard was alive with chatter, students speculating and whispering amongst themselves, each person just as curious as the next.
Taehyun rolled his eyes, growing more irritated with each step, as they approached the assembly hall.
"Great," he muttered under his breath, "Looks like everyone is as confused as we are. Can't wait to sit through this."
Beomgyu patted Taehyun's back, a grin plastered across his face. "Hey, at least we're all suffering together."
Taehyun grumbled in response, shoving Beomgyu's hand away. "Yeah, real comforting, thanks."
Jungwon couldn't help but grin at the banter between his best friends.
Despite Taehyun's grumbling, he knew all three of them were just as curious, albeit slightly annoyed, about what the assembly was about.
"Lighten up, Tae," he interjected, nudging his grumbling friend. "It might not be as torturous as you think."
Taehyun rolled his eyes again, letting out an exasperated sigh. "Yeah, right. When has it ever been not torturous? Assemblies are always a waste of time."
Beomgyu chuckled, clearly enjoying Taehyun's pessimistic attitude. "You're a real ray of sunshine today, aren't you?"
The three boys entered the grand assembly hall, taking in the sea of students already seated and the murmurs of confusion and curiosity bouncing off the walls.
Taehyun groaned, his distaste for the event obvious. "Great, just what I love. Being cramped into an assembly hall with all these people."
Beomgyu smirked, patting his friend on the back. "Aw, come on, it's not gonna be that bad. Just think about all the gossip we'll hear later."
Jungwon couldn't help but chuckle at Beomgyu's attempt to lift the mood.
He led the way towards the bleachers, finding three seats together. "Yeah, Tae, don't be such a party pooper. Who knows, maybe there's a surprise at the end."
Taehyun grumbled in response, his arms crossed across his chest. "Yeah, because surprise assemblies are always filled with rainbows and unicorns."
The three boys found a row of seats together and sat down, Taehyun still in a sullen mood, Beomgyu amused by his friend's sour attitude.
Jungwon sat down between the two, trying to hold back a grin as he looked at Taehyun.
"You know, being this grumpy isn't going to magically make the assembly go quicker."
Taehyun shot him a glare, the irritation evident in his eyes.
"Thanks for the brilliant advice, Captain Obvious," he retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Beomgyu chuckled, finding Taehyun's grumpy demeanor entertaining.
"Lighten up, Tae. You're going to give yourself wrinkles if you keep frowning like that."
Taehyun was about to retort, but the sound of a microphone being tapped interrupted his response, signaling the beginning of the assembly.
All whispers and conversations came to a halt, all eyes turned towards the stage, where Principal Yoon stood at the podium.
Principal Yoon stood at the podium, his face stern and serious.
The entire assembly hall fell into silence as he cleared his throat, preparing to speak.
"Good morning, students," Principal Yoon began, his voice carrying through the hall.
"I apologize for calling an assembly so abruptly, but there is an issue that needs immediate addressing."
A murmur of confusion and curiosity rippled through the student body, students exchanging glances, wondering what sort of issue would warrant an impromptu assembly.
Principal Yoon scanned the sea of faces, his eyes pausing momentarily on Jungwon and his friends, before continuing.
"Recent incidents have come to light," he began, his voice stern, "that have been quite disturbing to me and the school board."
Principal Yoon paused, a concerned expression on his face. “Today, we received notice from the town hall that an important file has gone missing from their records.”
A ripple of surprise coursed through the students, some exchanging murmurs of shock and disbelief, while others exchanged curious gazes.
Jungwon’s eyes widened slightly, his heart skipping a beat as he suddenly understood the implication of the principal’s words.
He exchanged a quick, worried glance with Taehyun, who looked equally surprised.
Meanwhile, Principal Yoon continued, his voice stern and serious.
“The file, containing important information, has been reported missing as of this morning.”
A hushed murmur filled the room as students digested the information, whispers and murmurs of shock and puzzlement circulating among them.
Principal Yoon continued, his eyes scanning the gathering of students.
“A full investigation is underway, and we expect cooperation from all students to ensure the file’s safe return.”
Principal Yoon continued, his voice stern and authoritative.
“In addition, the town’s police and evidence collectors will be visiting the school and conducting a thorough search throughout the campus, including student dorms.”
A collective gasp echoed amongst the students, shock and disbelief etched across their faces at the thought of having their dorms searched.
Jungwon’s heart pounded in his chest as he turned to Taehyun, panic evident in his wide eyes. He whispered urgently, “Are they even allowed to do that? Search the dorms?”
Taehyun looked equally alarmed, his initial grumbles forgotten in the face of the situation unraveling before them.
“Obviously, its the police!.” He whispered back, his voice tinged with worry.”
“But...but they need a warrant, right?” Jungwon retorted, a hint of desperation in his voice.
Taehyun sighed, his hand running through his hair in a nervous gesture.
“Maybe, but considering the gravity of the situation.. I doubt anyone is going to object to it.”
Jungwon’s heart dropped further, the reality of the situation settling heavily upon him.
“And what about the dorms?” he whispered, his voice betraying the panic he was trying hard to suppress.
Taehyun let out a heavy sigh, his expression mirroring Jungwon’s anxiety.
“They’ll search every inch of it, probably turn everything upside down in the process.”
Principal Yoon’s voice echoed through the assembly hall as he made a sudden announcement.
“Effective tomorrow, all students with permission slips to leave school grounds will have them denied. No student is to leave campus grounds until the school is completely searched.”
A collective gasp and murmur of shock and disbelief filled the room, students exchanging worried glances and whispered complaints.
Some of the students voiced their protests, their voices rising above the general murmur.
“What? We can’t even leave the campus now?” one student exclaimed, visibly upset.
Principal Yoon raised his hand, his voice firm.
“I understand the inconvenience, but this is a necessary measure to ensure the file’s recovery and the school’s safety.”
Taehyun’s expression darkened further, his earlier grumbling resurfacing as he leaned over and muttered to Jungwon.
“Great, they’re turning the school into a prison.”
Jungwon nodded grimly, his mind still reeling from the implications of the situation.
“This is bad. Really bad.”
Taehyun couldn’t help but scoff at Jungwon’s words, the irritation evident in his voice.
“You think? We’re stuck on campus, and the cops are going to be crawling all over the place. Fantastic.”
Beomgyu leaned over, resting his chin on Jungwon’s shoulder despite his own worry, “What are you guys gonna do?”
Jungwon sighed. “I don’t know. We can’t exactly avoid the cops, they’ll be everywhere.”
Taehyun rubbed his temple, the stress of the situation beginning to take a toll on him.
“This is a disaster. The file, the cops, the full search... how the hell are we supposed to deal with this?”
“I told you it was a bad idea!” He whisper yelled as he rounded on Jungwon again.
Jungwon shot Taehyun a sharp look, his own tension and anxiety flaring up.
“I didn’t exactly anticipate all this, Taehyun,” he retorted, his voice sharp.
Taehyun crossed his arms, his irritation not abating.
“Well, what did you expect? Taking something like that would obviously have consequences.”
“I know that!” Jungwon snapped, his own frustration reaching its breaking point.
Their whispered argument had attracted a few curious glances from nearby students, but they paid them no mind, continuing their heated exchange.
“I thought we could handle it, okay? I didn’t realize the school would go on lockdown like this!” he shot back, his voice still hushed but filled with agitation.
Taehyun snorted derisively, his irritation getting the best of him.
“Right, because taking a file from the town hall was such a brilliant plan, Jungwon.”
Jungwon clenched his jaw, his irritation mirroring Taehyun’s. “I don’t need your sarcasm, Taehyun. I get that it was a stupid idea, alright? I get it!”
Beomgyu, finally fed up with their bickering, cut in with a sharp whisper, his frustration clear.
“You’re both making a scene, you know,” he said, shooting them both a warning glance.
“People are staring.”
Jungwon and Taehyun both paused, suddenly snapping back to reality.
They looked around and noticed that indeed, several students nearby were throwing curious glances their way, their whispered argument having attracted unwanted attention.
Taehyun let out a frustrated huff, running a hand through his hair as he muttered under his breath,
“Great. Just great.”
Jungwon let out an exasperated sigh, his irritation momentarily eclipsed by embarrassment.
He gave Taehyun a sideways glare. “This is all your fault, you know.”
Taehyun rolled his eyes, his annoyance still evident. “Oh, how could I have possibly caused this mess? Last time I checked, you were the one who stole the damn file.”
Beomgyu rolled his eyes, having had enough of their bickering.
He quickly scooted over to sit between them, pushing them apart.
“Enough, both of you,” he scolded, his voice firm but quiet.
“You’re making a spectacle out of yourselves, and you’re not helping each other at all. Cut it out.”
Jungwon and Taehyun fell silent for a moment, both feeling scolded and slightly abashed.
Jungwon fidgeted with his fingers, his irritation with Taehyun momentarily replaced by embarrassment.
Taehyun, on the other hand, avoided eye contact, his arms crossed defensively across his chest.
Principal Yoon cleared his throat, attracting the attention of the students once more.
“As I was saying,” he began, his voice stern, “there will be some new rules in place starting from tomorrow.”
A hushed murmur of whispers and chatter filled the assembly hall, students casting anxious glances at each other as they waited for the principal to continue.
Principal Yoon continued, his gaze sweeping across the sea of students.
“In addition, notices detailing the new rules and restrictions will be made available in the dormitories and on notice boards throughout the campus. In addition, an email will be sent to the parents and guardians of each and every student.”
Concerned murmurs and whispers filled the assembly, students exchanging anxious glances, while some groaned at the mention of emailing their parents.
Taehyun’s expression darkened further, his irritation giving way to resignation. “Just great, now our parents have to be involved too?” he muttered under his breath.
Jungwon let out a heavy sigh, knowing his own guardian would be less than happy to receive such a sudden notification.
“This just keeps getting better and better,” he mumbled sarcastically.
Principal Yoon scanned the room, taking notice of the anxious and agitated students.
“You are all dismissed,” he announced, the assembly hall filling with the sound of scraping chairs and hushed chatter.
The students began slowly filing out, some casting anxious glances at each other, while others grumbled in discontent.
Taehyun and Jungwon stood up, their previous argument momentarily pushed aside as they joined the flow of students making their way out of the assembly hall.
As they left the hall, Taehyun shot Jungwon a sidelong glance.
“This is all your damn fault, you know,” he grumbled, his irritation simmering beneath the surface again.
Jungwon rolled his eyes, his own frustrations surfacing.
“Yeah, you’ve mentioned that about ten times already, Taehyun. You can stop rubbing it in.”
Beomgyu, walking alongside the two, chimed in with a sigh.
“You two need to stop bickering like little kids,” he said, shaking his head in exasperation. “All this tension is getting annoying.”
Taehyun shot Beomgyu a glare, clearly not appreciating being lectured at.
“Thanks for the insightful advice, Beomgyu,” he retorted sarcastically. “Your wise words will be cherished forever.”
Beomgyu rolled his eyes, unbothered by Taehyun’s snarky remark.
“Someone has to say it, since you two obviously have the emotional maturity of toddlers,” he shot back, a scowl on his face.
Jungwon couldn’t help but agree with Beomgyu’s words.
He turned to Taehyun, a resigned expression on his face.
“Beomgyu’s right, Taehyun,” he said, his voice calmer now.
“We’re not getting anywhere with this constant bickering. Plus, who knows how many people heard us back there. Let’s just... drop it already.”
Taehyun sighed, the tension in his shoulders finally starting to unravel.
He knew Jungwon and Beomgyu were right, but his stubborn nature made it difficult for him to admit it.
“Fine,” he begrudgingly conceded, his arms crossed across his chest.
“You’re both right. We’re not doing anyone any favors by arguing endlessly.”
Beomgyu nodded, glad that Taehyun had finally agreed. “Glad to see you’ve come to your senses,” he said with a slight smirk.
Jungwon shot Taehyun a small smile, relieved that the tension between them had somewhat subsided.
“If you don’t want anything more to do with it, i’ll figure out how to hide the file.”
Taehyun scoffed, crossing his arms across his chest.
“Oh, so now suddenly you’re the heroic one, taking on the burden all by yourself?”
Jungwon rolled his eyes, exasperated. “No, Taehyun, I’m just saying, if you’re not willing to be involved, I’ll handle it on my own.”
Taehyun’s eyes narrowed, his irritation flaring up again. “Oh, so now you’re going to act like some kind of self-sacrificing hero? How noble of you.”
Jungwon crossed his arms, his own frustration starting to match Taehyun’s. “I’m not trying to be a hero, Taehyun. I’m just saying that if you don’t want to help, I’ll handle it myself.”
Beomgyu’s irritation finally reached its breaking point, and he stepped in between Jungwon and Taehyun, his voice firm.
“Enough, both of you!” he exclaimed, his tone sharp.
“We’re friends, for god’s sake! We’re supposed to help each other out, no matter what! So stop arguing and figure it out!”
Taehyun and Jungwon, taken aback by Beomgyu’s unexpected outburst, fell silent, their argument momentarily forgotten in the wake of Beomgyu’s stern intervention.
They exchanged glances, both feeling a mix of guilt and embarrassment at the realization that their constant bickering had upset their friend.
They sheepishly mumbled apologies, realizing the absurdity of their argument.
Beomgyu’s gaze softened, his own irritation subsiding as he saw the two finally calm down.
“You two really are a pair of idiots, you know that?”
Taehyun and Jungwon let out small chuckles, the tension melting away.
“Yeah, we know,” they murmured in unison, their previous argument now replaced by the familiar camaraderie that often defined their friendship.
Beomgyu shook his head, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Just promise me you’ll stop arguing over stupid crap like this.”
Taehyun and Jungwon nodded in unison, both feeling slightly sheepish but knowing that their argument had been entirely unnecessary.
“Yeah, we promise,” Taehyun affirmed, a hint of apology in his tone.
Jungwon added, a rueful smile on his face, “No more arguing over petty stuff, got it.”
Beomgyu stepped back into line with them, a smirk on his face as he wrapped his arms around Taehyun and Jungwon’s shoulders, effectively sandwiching them together.
“Alright, now that that’s out of the way,” he said, his voice more lighthearted now,
“let’s talk about how the hell we’re going to hide that file.”
The three of them had made their way back to Taehyun and Jungwon’s dorm.
Once inside, they settled into the living room, their attention focused on the task at hand.
“Alright, let’s get down to business,” Taehyun said, his earlier agitation still lingering but significantly reduced.
“We need to figure out a plan for storing that file in a safe place before the cops start poking around.”
Beomgyu leaned back into the couch, a thoughtful expression on his face.
“I have an idea,” he said, drawing the attention of the others.
Jungwon perked up, a glimmer of interest in his eyes. “Yeah? What’s your idea?”
“There’s an old shed behind the soccer field,” Beomgyu explained, gesturing with his hands.
“It’s dilapidated and mostly forgotten about, and it’s in the back corner of the field, so it’s pretty secluded. No one would even think to look there.”
Taehyun rubbed his chin, considering the idea.
“Not a bad idea,” he admitted.
“It’s away from the main campus, and it’s not like anyone ever goes back there.”
Jungwon nodded in agreement, the plan starting to take shape in his mind.
“That could work,” he mused. “We could hide the file there, and no one would be the wiser. It’s out of the way and away from prying eyes.”
“But we need to be careful,” Taehyun cautioned, a hint of caution in his voice.
“If anyone sees us going in and out of that shed, it’ll look super suspicious. We can’t risk drawing attention to ourselves.”
Beomgyu nodded, acknowledging the risks involved.
“That’s true,” he conceded, his brow furrowed in thought.
“We’ll need to be stealthy about it. Maybe go at night, when most people are in their dorms or elsewhere on campus. That way, the chances of being seen are pretty minimal.”
Jungwon nodded, mentally mapping out the plan in his head.
“That sounds feasible,” he agreed, his mind already calculating the logistics.
“We can take the long way across the field, minimizing the risk of being seen, and sneak into the shed unnoticed.”
“What about security cameras?” Taehyun interjected, ever the paranoid one.
“There might be surveillance cameras around.”
Beomgyu shrugged, seeming unfazed by the possibility.
“Most of the cameras on campus are pointed towards the buildings and high-traffic areas,” he pointed out.
“I doubt they bother monitoring the back fields. It’s pretty much an abandoned area.”
Jungwon nodded, a smirk on his face. “There’s one more thing we need to consider,” he said, his mind already working through the details.
“The shed. We need a way to get in. Gyu said It’s one of those doors that only opens from inside.”
Taehyun’s expression turned concerned, realizing the problem. “Damn, you’re right. How the hell are we going to get inside?”
Beomgyu was unperturbed, a smirk on his face. “Don’t worry, I’ve got that covered,” he said, leaning back into the couch.
Jungwon and Taehyun looked at him, curiosity piqued. “How?” Taehyun asked, raising an eyebrow.
Beomgyu chuckled, clearly proud of his plan. “I have the keys,” he revealed, a knowing smile on his face.
“I borrowed them from our maintenance guy last week, just for shits and giggles. And I kinda forgot to return them,” he admitted shamelessly.
Jungwon and Taehyun exchanged glances, a mix of surprise and amusement on their faces.
“Of course you did,” Taehyun said, rolling his eyes. “You’re unbelievable.”
Beomgyu simply shrugged, a smirk still on his face. “What can I say? I’m just resourceful,” he replied, his tone oozing with mock-modesty.
Jungwon chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. “That’s one way to put it,” he said, a hint of fond exasperation in his voice.
“How are you gonna get inside to open it? Crawl through an open window.”
Beomgyu scoffed, clearly not amused by the suggestion. “I’m insulted you even have to ask,” he retorted, feigning annoyance.
“Of course I’m going to climb through one of the windows. It’s not exactly rocket science.”
Taehyun couldn’t help but chuckle at Beomgyu’s confidence.
“You say that as if it’s the easiest thing in the world,” he teased, a sly smile on his face.
“You sure you’re not overestimating your climbing skills?”
Beomgyu rolled his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips. "Please, I could scale that building blindfolded," he retorted, his voice dripping with cocky arrogance.
"I've done it plenty of times before, and this time will be a piece of cake."
Jungwon couldn't help but laugh, finding Beomgyu's confidence both amusing and endearing.
"Alright, Mr. Daredevil," he teasingly said, "Just don't end up falling flat on your face."
Beomgyu shot Jungwon a playful glare. "Trust me, I'll nail it," he replied, his tone oozing with cocky assurance.
"You'll be eating your words when you see me climb through that window like a damn professional."
Chapter Text
The night air was crisp as the trio cautiously made their way across the darkened campus, their footsteps as light as they could make them.
Beomgyu took the lead, his eyes darting around the area, taking in the deserted surroundings, not a single soul in sight.
Taehyun and Jungwon trailed close behind, keeping themselves hidden amongst the shadows of buildings and trees as they navigated their way towards the back corner of the field.
They eventually reached the back corner of the field, where the old dilapidated shed was hidden from view beneath a massive oak tree.
The three of them paused, taking a moment to catch their breath and ensure they hadn’t been noticed.
Beomgyu’s gaze lingered on the shed, its worn-down exterior a stark contrast to the surrounding area.
“Damn, this place looks even creepier then i renumbered." he muttered under his breath.
Taehyun nodded in agreement, his eyes wide as he took in the eerie atmosphere.
“It’s no wonder it’s deserted, it looks like a set for some horror movie,” he mumbled, his voice tinged with unease.
Jungwon, on the other hand, remained unfazed, focused on the task at hand.
“Stop being so dramatic, both of you. We’re not here to critique architecture.”
Beomgyu scoffed, clearly not amused by Jungwon’s comment.
“Easy for you to say, you’re not the one who has to crawl through a creepy-ass window.”
Jungwon shot him a look. “Well, whose idea was it?” he retorted sharply.
Beomgyu rolled his eyes. “You’re so annoying,” he muttered, though there was no real bite to his words.
Taehyun let out a low chuckle, the tension between them momentarily broken.
“Alright, alright,” he interjected before they could bicker again.
“Let’s just get this over with before we end up getting caught. Where’s the window, Gyu.”
Beomgyu pointed to a small, grimy window near the side of the shed.
“There,” he said. “It’s loose. I checked last week.”
With that, he carefully approached the shed and placed his hands on the windowsill.
He took a deep breath before hoisting himself up and slipping through with surprising ease.
A second later, they heard a soft click, the sound of the door unlocking from within.
Beomgyu peeked out with a smug grin. “See? Told you it’d be easy.”
Taehyun rolled his eyes, his irritation returning.
“Oh, congratulations, you climbed through a window. I’m amazed. I really am,” he retorted, sarcasm dripping from every word.
Jungwon, meanwhile, just shook his head, slightly amused by their playful banter.
“Can you just open the damn door so we can go inside, please?”
Beomgyu rolled his eyes at the lack of appreciation for his skills but obligingly pushed the door open wider.
“You guys are so ungrateful, you know that?” he muttered, holding the door open for them.
Taehyun and Jungwon exchanged a amused glance, amused by Beomgyu’s dramatic display of annoyance.
“Yeah, yeah, we’ll build a statue in your honor later,” Taehyun teased as he made his way into the shed.
The interior of the shed was dimly lit by the faint glow of a streetlamp filtering through the grimy window.
Dust particles floated in the air, stirred up by their movement as they stepped inside.
The place smelled faintly of damp wood and old metal, with gardening tools cluttered in one corner and cobwebs draped like curtains across rusty shelves.
Jungwon wrinkled his nose at the musty scent but moved further in, scanning their surroundings for a suitable hiding spot.
“Alright,” he whispered, crouching near a pile of old crates. “Where should we stash it?”
Beomgyu followed after them, still wearing a slight pout from lack of appreciation.
He leaned against the wall, scanning the cramped space.
Taehyun glanced around the shed, taking in the dusty surroundings.
“Somewhere hidden but accessible,” he suggested, pointing to a section of dusty shelves at the back of the shed.
“What about there, behind those boxes? It’s out of view, and nobody would think to look there.”
Jungwon nodded in agreement, moving closer to the mentioned spot.
He pushed away the crates and boxes, revealing a small, secluded area. “You’re right, it’s inconspicuous enough.”
Beomgyu grumbled something under his breath, clearly still annoyed by the previous taunts.
Taehyun smirked. “What was that, Gyu? Couldn’t hear you over your sulking.”
Beomgyu shot Taehyun a glare, clearly not in the mood for more teasing.
“Just because you’re scared to climb through a window doesn’t mean you get to mock me,” he retorted sharply, crossing his arms.
Jungwon rolled his eyes at their bickering. “Guys, seriously? Can we just hide the file and go?” He pulled out the folder from inside his coat, holding it carefully as if it were fragile.
The others fell silent, knowing Jungwon was right.
Beomgyu pushed off the wall and walked over to them, his expression shifting to a more serious one. He took the file from Jungwon’s hand, studying its surface for a moment.
Taehyun watched as Beomgyu tucked it into the hidden space behind the boxes, moving some old sacks and tools around to conceal it further. “Alright, file’s hidden,” he murmured, satisfied. “Let’s get out of here before someone spots us.”
They quickly re-organized the area, making sure to leave no obvious sign of their presence.
Once it looked just as abandoned and dusty as it had been before, they headed towards the door.
Jungwon and Taehyun stepped out first, followed closely by Beomgyu, who made a show of dusting off his hands dramatically, as if to say ‘mission accomplished’.
“That’s how you hide a file in style, gentlemen,” he announced with a smirk.
Taehyun rolled his eyes again.
The next morning, the campus buzzed with restless energy.
Students clustered around the notice boards outside the lecture halls and dormitories, eyes scanning the newly posted rules with a mix of disbelief and irritation.
A cluster of students huddled around one board, voices rising in complaint.
“Seriously? We can’t even go into town now?” one boy grumbled, hands on his hips.
Another girl scoffed as she read aloud: ”No off-campus leave until further notice. Increased security patrols on school grounds. Mandatory curfews for all students.”
She dropped her hands in frustration. “This is insane.”
Taehyun approached from behind, arms crossed over his chest as he stared at the list of rules with a sour expression.
“Great,” he muttered under his breath. “They’re really treating us like criminals.”
Jungwon and Beomgyu came up beside him, their expressions mirroring his displeasure.
“This is bullshit, they can’t just lock us up here like we’re some sort of prisoners,” Beomgyu complained, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket, annoyed.
Jungwon ran a hand through his hair, his eyes skimming over the rules.
“And what’s with this ‘increased security’ thing? Are they seriously gonna have guards patrolling the whole campus?”
“Apparently so,” Taehyun replied, irritation lacing his voice.
“Like we’re under house arrest. It’s ridiculous.”
Jungwon sighed, running a hand over his face. “Well, this is just great,” he mumbled, clearly frustrated.
Meanwhile, a couple of students nearby were deep in conversation, their voices hushed.
“I heard they’re installing cameras all over the place,” one guy said.
The other scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Yeah, right. Next thing you know, they’ll have drones following us around too.”
Beomgyu scoffed at the conversation as he overheard it.
“Oh, that would be perfect,” he muttered sarcastically. “Then we’d really be living in a damn prison.”
Jungwon shot him a warning look, silently urging him to keep his voice down.
A passing teacher narrowed her eyes at the group lingering by the board.
“Move along now,” she said sternly. “No loitering.”
The students scattered reluctantly, grumbling under their breaths as they made their way to class.
Taehyun turned and began walking ahead with Jungwon and Beomgyu following closely behind.
“Can’t wait for this mess to blow over,” Taehyun grumbled bitterly.”
Jungwon nodded in agreement, his mind still racing with worry about the hidden file.
“We just have to be careful,” he said under his breath. “With all this extra security, one wrong move and we’re screwed, i still have that usb, remember.”
Beomgyu glanced over his shoulder, making sure no one was within earshot, before replying in a hushed voice.
“Yeah, we can’t get sloppy now. We’ve gotta lay low and not draw any unnecessary attention.”
Taehyun let out a frustrated sigh. “Easier said than done,” he muttered.
“With all these new rules and security, it feels like Big Brother’s watching us around the clock.”
Beomgyu rolled his eyes. “You’re so dramatic,” he retorted, bumping Taehyun’s shoulder playfully.
“Oh, shut up,” Taehyun shot back, shoving him lightly.
Jungwon chuckled at their banter, despite the tense situation. “You two are idiots.” He said with a fond shake of his head.
Beomgyu grinned, undeterred. “Yeah, but I’m the genius idiot who got us into that shed last night.”
Taehyun scoffed. “And nearly gave me a heart attack with your ‘graceful’ window entrance.”
Jungwon smiled faintly, glancing around as they walked toward their classroom. “Still... thanks,” he said quietly.
Beomgyu and Taehyun both paused at the unexpected sincerity.
“For what?” Beomgyu asked.
“For not bailing on me,” Jungwon replied simply.
Taehyun rolled his eyes again but this time, it was softer. “Of course we wouldn’t bail on you,” he muttered. “Idiot.”
Beomgyu chuckled, ruffling Jungwon’s hair affectionately. “Yeah, we’ve got your back, dumbass.”
Jungwon playfully swatted his hand away, fixing his hair in irritation. “Hey, don’t ruin my hair.”
Taehyun smirked, amused at Jungwon’s annoyance. “Oh, are you worried about looking less pretty?” he teased.
Jungwon shot him a look, half-annoyed, half-amused.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied with feigned innocence.
“I just like not looking like I’ve been dragged through a bush.”
Beomgyu snorted. “Too late for that.”
Jungwon narrowed his eyes at him, but before he could retort, the school bell rang sharply overhead.
Students scattered in all directions, rushing toward classrooms as they tried to avoid being late.
Taehyun groaned. “Crap—I still have to print out my history paper!”
“Then move your ass,” Beomgyu said with a laugh, already walking ahead.
Jungwon shook his head as they picked up their pace bickering and bantering all the way just another ordinary morning under extraordinary circumstances.”
Over the next few days, the campus life grew increasingly tense, with heightened security measures and a perpetual sense of surveillance.
Every day, students were lined up and subjected to thorough bag checks at the main gate, while newly installed security cameras covered every corner of the grounds, their red lights seeming to follow every movement with an unwavering gaze.
Yet, in spite of the increased security, there was no official notice from the police or administrative body of the school about a search within the campus.
Students patience was wearing thin.
Whispers and rumors spread like wildfire through the hallways, some claiming that the police had already conducted a secret search in the dead of night, while others speculated that they were simply waiting for more evidence before making their move.
Despite the tension, Jungwon tried to maintain his usual routine, but his mind was never at ease.
He kept a constant lookout for anything suspicious teachers eyeing him oddly, unfamiliar officers patrolling near dorms
but so far, there had been no indication that anyone suspected them of taking or hiding evidence.
Still… he knew it was only a matter of time.
Taehyun and Beomgyu were equally on edge, their every move feeling studied and scrutinized.
“Do you think they’re watching us now?” Taehyun asked suddenly during a quiet study session in the library, his eyes darting nervously around the room.
Beomgyu shrugged, pretending to be unfazed, though the subtle tension in his shoulders betrayed his unease.
“Probably,” he muttered, flipping through a textbook.
“Who the hell knows how many eyes are on us now.”
Just then, a library assistant passed by their table, her gaze lingering a little too long on them.
Taehyun’s expression hardened, his anxiety spiking.
“See? We can’t even sit in the damn library without someone looking at us like we’re the criminals.” He muttered, closing his book with a little more force than necessary.
Beomgyu glanced up from his textbook briefly, his gaze flicking in the assistant’s direction.
“We’ll we are,” he said, trying to sound casual but failing.
Taehyun shot him a dark look, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. “Oh, real helpful, Gyu.”
Beomgyu shrugged unapologetically, feigning obliviousness. “Just stating the obvious,” he replied, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
“We’re the ones hiding a key piece of evidence and a damn file about a major criminal organization. Pretty sure that makes us somewhat criminal-ish.”
Taehyun just groaned, burying his head in his hands. “You’re so much help, you know that?”
Beomgyu couldn’t help but grin, thoroughly enjoying Taehyun’s frustration. “You know you love me for it,” he retorted, a smug smirk playing on his lips.
Taehyun lifted his head again, fixing Beomgyu with an exasperated expression.
“Right now I hate you,” he replied through gritted teeth. “So damn much.”
Beomgyu feigned a hurt look, pretending to clutch at his chest.
“Ouch, dude,” he exclaimed dramatically. “You wound me with your words.”
Taehyun rolled his eyes once again, his irritation growing. “Oh, shut up,” he muttered.
Just then, Jungwon looked up from his notebook, his voice low and serious.
“Both of you stop. We’re not helping anything by acting like idiots.”
The two fell silent immediately, realizing Jungwon was right.
Jungwon sighed quietly. “Look… I know we’re all on edge,” he said, choosing his words carefully.
“But we need to stay calm and keep our heads together. If we start falling apart now... well, that’s when people make mistakes.”
Taehyun and Beomgyu both nodded grimly, knowing Jungwon was right.
“Yeah, you’re right,” Taehyun muttered, running a hand through his hair. “We need to keep it together.”
Beomgyu let out a long breath, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.
“I guess we do,” he conceded. “Can’t go losing our minds over a little paranoia.”
Jungwon’s gaze softened slightly, glad that his words had gotten through to them.
“Exactly,” he said, his voice firm.
“So let’s just get through this, one day at a time. Okay?”
Taehyun and Beomgyu both nodded again, the previous tension draining from their shoulders.
“Got it,” Taehyun replied, cracking a small lopsided smile.
“No more losing our minds,”
Beomgyu agreed firmly, the humor in his eyes softened to a more solemn expression.
“We can handle this."
Chapter Text
The shrill, relentless blare of the alarm ripped through the quiet morning, jolting Jungwon awake with a violent start.
His heart hammered against his ribs as he sat up abruptly in bed, eyes wide and disoriented.
“Shit what the hell?” he gasped, instinctively clutching at his chest as if to calm himself.
The sound echoed throughout the dormitory deafening and obnoxious reverberating off walls and down corridors like a warning siren from a nightmare.
Somewhere nearby, doors slammed open as students stumbled out of their rooms in confusion.
Another loud screech pierced through the air a distorted voice began shouting over a megaphone.
”All students report to assembly grounds immediately! This is not a drill!”
Jungwon’s breath hitched. Not a drill.
Panic surged through his veins as the full weight of the words sank in.
He scrambled out of bed, nearly tripping over his discarded jacket on the floor.
“Tae!” he called out, voice tight with urgency. “Taehyun, get up!”
The door to Taehyun’s room flung open just as Jungwon reached the living area.
His best friend stood there hair a mess, eyes shaking with shock.
“What’s going on?” Taehyun demanded, voice hoarse from sleep but edged with panic.
“I don’t know,” Jungwon replied breathlessly. “But that isn't the fire alarm and they said it’s not a drill.”
Before either could say more, another voice cut through from outside the loudspeaker blared again.
”All students assemble immediately! Police presence will be enforced for search operations! Compliance is mandatory!”
Silence fell between them cold and heavy.
Jungwon’s stomach dropped like a stone.
Search operations. They were here.
The words hung in the air like a death sentence.
Police presence. Search operations.
Taehyun’s face paled, mirroring the fear that gripped Jungwon’s chest.
“Hell,” Taehyun swore, hands fisting at his sides.
“If I was paranoid before, now I’m freaking the hell out.”
Jungwon let out a shaky breath, trying to compose himself.
“We need to stay calm,” he said, though the tremble in his voice betrayed his own anxiety.
“If we act suspicious now- ”
Before Jungwon could finish, the front door of the dorm burst open with a loud bang.
Beomgyu stood in the doorway already fully dressed, hair windswept as if he’d been running, eyes wide with urgency.
“You two are still here?!” he snapped, voice sharp.
“Move your asses! The entire campus is being rounded up right now!”
Jungwon and Taehyun exchanged a panicked glance.
“Since when are you up before noon?” Taehyun blurted out despite himself.
“Not now!” Beomgyu growled, stepping inside and grabbing Jungwon’s arm to yank him forward.
“We’ve got seconds before officers start checking empty rooms and if they find us lingering like guilty idiots? Then what.”
Jungwon stumbled but quickly regained his footing as adrenaline kicked in.
Beomgyu was right they couldn’t afford hesitation.
“Your shoes,” Beomgyu barked at Taehyun, who was still rooted in place.
Taehyun cursed under his breath and scrambled back into his room for two seconds before reappearing socks on wrong feet but shoes laced tight enough to run in.
“Shift it!” Beomgyu commanded again, shoving both boys roughly out of the dorm and into the dimly lit corridor.
The halls were a chaotic blur of panicked chatter and stomping feet.
Students dressed in pajamas and disheveled uniforms stumbled through the narrow passageways some clutching backpacks, others half-dressed and running barefoot, fear etched onto their faces.
But the police forces were already closing in officers darting out of dormrooms corralling straglers with sharp orders for everyone to gather at the assembly grounds.
As the three of them joined the rushing current of students flowing toward the courtyard, Jungwon felt his pulse thundering in his ears.
His mind raced images flashing through, the hidden usb, the school shed, that foxed eyed bastard-
Beomgyu noticed Jungwon’s distant look and grabbed his shoulder hard.
“Don’t you dare zone out on me now,” he growled low enough only for Jungwon to hear. “Look alive. Keep calm and don't panic.”
Jungwon swallowed hard and nodded.
Beomgyu was right he had to stay present.
One mistake.
That’s all it would take.
With every step, they inched closer to the assembly grounds.
The air grew thicker with tension voices shouting, students shoving, officers monitoring.
Fear buzzed through the crowd like an electric current.
Jungwon forced himself to focus on the path ahead one foot in front of the other.
The courtyard was a chaotic scene students corralled like cattle in their pajamas and uniforms, shivering in the early morning chill.
Uniformed officers patrolled the area, barking orders and checking students with sharp-eyed precision.
All eyes were trained forward, faces pale and tense.
Jungwon followed suit, jaw set tight, head bowed, eyes trained on the grass beneath his feet.
Taehyun and Beomgyu flanked each side of Jungwon, providing a buffer against the crush of bodies.
Beomgyu’s hand remained a steady pressure on Jungwon’s shoulder, his grip bordering on painful, but the hold grounded him.
Beomgyu’s voice cut through the din in a low, urgent hiss. “We have to stay together, no matter what. Understand? Stick close.”
Jungwon nodded but dared not speak. The risk of their voices carrying was too high, and the tension in the air thick enough to cut.
As they neared the large stage of the assembly hall where the vice-principal and several officers stood before the restless crowd, Jungwon felt his heart lodged like a stone in his throat.
A loud, sharp crack of a megaphone silenced the murmuring. Then came the vice principal’s voice stiff and formal.
“Students! Please remain calm and silent!” she announced, her tone authoritative but strained with unease.
“As you are all aware, police forces are conducting a search across school grounds in relation to an ongoing criminal investigation.”
The crowd’s murmurs rose, hushed whispers of speculation and fear. Jungwon swallowed hard, stomach churning.
Beside him, Beomgyu’s grip on his shoulder tightened, a subtle gesture of comfort.
“The school administration has been fully cooperative,” the vice principal continued, raising her voice slightly to maintain control.
“Officers will be searching all common areas, outbuildings, and storage facilities across campus. This includes sheds, maintenance rooms ”
Jungwon’s breath hitched.
“-and any unauthorized hiding places.”
His blood ran cold.
Beomgyu noticed instantly his grip became almost painful. He leaned in slightly and whispered softly,
“Theres too many eyes around us, right now for you to start panicking, won.”
Taehyun shifted beside them, shoulders rigid with tension.
The shed was going to be searched.
Jungwon struggled to school his features into a mask of neutrality.
His heart hammered against his ribs, and for a brief, horrifying moment, he feared it might pound its way out of his chest.
“Students are to cooperate fully,” the vice principal continued, her voice cutting through the tension.
“Any resistance or attempts to conceal evidence will result in immediate suspension pending further investigation.”
“Officers will be questioning individuals based on suspicious behavior, and you are expected to answer truthfully to the best of your ability,” the vice principal continued.
“Any withholding of information is not only a violation of school rules, but also an obstruction of justice. Do I make myself clear?”
Murmured affirmations echoed through the square, most students muttering in agreement.
Jungwon kept his head down, eyes fixed on the ground.
A thin sheen of perspiration had broken out across his skin. He felt Taehyun’s hand clench tighter at his side.
“All students who wish to go home form a line infront of Mrs. Choi.” The vice principal continued, her voice softening marginally.
“While the rest of you form a line infront of officer Yo for a bodily search.”
Jungwon tensed even more, the weight of the situation finally hitting him full force.
This was it the moment of truth.
As the students around them shuffled into queue lines, Jungwon felt a sudden wave of nausea.
Jungwon swallowed hard, his throat dry and tight.
His heart thundered, and he forced himself to focus on the wooden floorboards beneath his feet.
Mrs. Choi stood before the first line for those wishing to leave, a stern expression on her face as she checked off names on her clipboard.
Officer Yo stood in front of the second line, a dark, imposing figure flanked by two other officers, their faces grim and focused.
Jungwon’s legs felt like lead as he moved with the crowd, every step taking him closer to the officer’s scrutiny.
Beside him, Taehyun kept his eyes downcast, expression neutral. Beomgyu, however, kept a steely look on his face, his grip never faltering.
One by one, students were marched forward, checked off the list, and patted down by the officers.
When it was Jungwon’s turn, his stomach churned, and his ears buzzed with white noise.
The officer’s hands ghosted over his pockets, checking for objects, before moving up to pat his torso.
Jungwon tried his best to remain stoically still, but the thundering of his heart was near deafening.
As the officer’s hands felt for any hidden items, Jungwon willed himself not to flinch, to keep his eyes low and his face neutral.
Finally, the officer stepped back, seemingly satisfied.
Jungwon let out a shaky breath, relief flooding him. But just as he thought he was in the clear, the officer leaned in closer, voice low.
“Your nerves are on high alert,” the officer murmured, a sharp gleam in his eye. “Why is that, kid?”
Jungwon’s blood froze. He could feel his hands start to sweat.
He forced himself to meet the officer’s gaze, forcing his voice to remain steady.
“Just nerves, officer,” he replied flatly, maintaining eye contact. “Everyone’s scared during these things.”
The officer’s eyes scanned his face for a moment longer, then he huffed out a humorless laugh, seemingly unconvinced.
“Right,” he grunted, “just nerves.”
He waved Jungwon away, gesturing for the next student.
Jungwon quickly stepped aside, trying to control the shudder running through him.
He’d just dodged a bullet.
His legs felt weak, and he was half tempted to sit down right there and then.
Before he could do so, however, Beomgyu’s voice cut through the buzzing in his ears.
“Come on,” he grunted, gripping Jungwon’s arm tightly.
Jungwon stumbled forward, legs nearly giving out.
Beomgyu all but dragged him toward the other end of the assembly hall, were Taehyun stood waiting in line for Mrs. Choi.
“Keep it together, Jungwon.” Beomgyu murmured gruffly, his grip on Jungwon’s shoulder tightening. “It’s over. You passed.”
Jungwon nodded, his shoulders slumping slightly half from relief, half from lingering fear. “Yeah,” he managed, voice raspy. “Yeah, I’m good.”
They joined Taehyun, who was just finishing up with Mrs. Choi.
The woman was checking him off the list, a tight expression on her face.
“You boys have been briefed of the terms?” she said sharply, eyeing each of them in turn.
“No ma’am,” they replied in unison, but Jungwon’s voice sounded hoarse.
Mrs. Choi eyed him keenly for another moment. “You feeling alright, Jeongwon-ssi?” she asked, concern evident in her voice.
Jungwon tried to nod, but his head was spinning.
“Just nervous, ma’am,” he mumbled, trying to appear nonchalant.
Mrs. Choi’s eyes lingered on him, but then she sighed, her expression softening a fraction.
“That’s alright, no need to be worried,” she murmured, reaching out to pat Jungwon on the shoulder.
“Very well.” She sighed momentarily as she dropped her hand,
“The terms include, students are only permitted to leave once we have gained permission and conformation from a parent or guardian that you will be picked up from the school gates after a clean search of your dorm and personal belongings. Have you boys already been search?”
All three nodded Beomgyu coolly, while Jungwon’s was a little shaky.
“Good,” Mrs. Choi nodded with approval.
“Mr. Lee will come and retrieve you once your dorms have been search, alright?”
Relief flooded Jungwon’s body, but he couldn’t help but notice the officer watching them from the line across.
The man’s gaze seemed to
linger a bit too long on them a little more assessing than the others.
Jungwon hastily lowered his head in a bow, avoiding the officer’s gaze.
“Yes ma’am,” he murmured.
Mrs. Choi gave him one last look, her expression softening a little more.
“Take care, Jeongwon-ssi. Things will wrap up soon,” she said, her tone reassuring.
Then she waved the next student forward, leaving three boys standing there awkwardly.
For a moment, before they were ushered away by another teacher.
As soon as they were out of earshot of the other student lines, Beomgyu leaned in close. “You good?” he asked gruffly.
Jungwon exhaled shakily, still trying to calm his racing heart. “Yeah,” he said quietly.
“I... Yeah, I’m good.”
Beomgyu eyed him skeptically but said nothing more.
The trio moved away from the assembly hall, back toward the dorms.
But even as the distance grows between them and the assembly grounds, Jungwon couldn’t shake the lingering sense of being watch.
He hazarded a quick glance over his shoulder, eyes scanning the thinning crowd for any familiar faces.
But all he saw were retreating backs and teachers calling out names.
No one seemed to be paying them any mind. He swallowed down a lump in his throat and looked away, shaking off the feeling.
“Stop looking around like a paranoid idiot, Jungwon.” Beomgyu muttered beside him, noticing his unease. “You’ll make yourself an obvious target.”
Jungwon shot him a glare but quickly looked away, trying to pretend he wasn’t on edge. “Yeah. I know,” he retorted.
But as they headed back toward the dorms, Jungwon’s gut instinct continued to nag him with paranoia, making his skin crawl.
He forced himself to take deep breaths, trying to calm his nerves.
Nothing was wrong. It was just your nerves, he told himself firmly.
But no matter how many times he repeated those words, the feeling wouldn’t leave.
Behind them, the assembly hall grew smaller in the distance, but the tension within him only seemed to rise.
wwllpop on Chapter 1 Fri 01 Aug 2025 06:03PM UTC
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Priyy (Guest) on Chapter 3 Sun 17 Aug 2025 12:07PM UTC
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sourgrafp on Chapter 7 Tue 16 Sep 2025 09:05PM UTC
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