decided to add some seungtaro why idk is it a good idea in my head rn HELL YEAH

                                                   ⏝̅⏝̅⏝̅ ୨ ♱ ୧ ⏝̅⏝̅⏝̅

Karina stepped forward, her presence commanding yet measured. Her knife remained hidden, though her posture was alert. She eyed Seunghan closely, trying to gauge his next move. His eyes flickered between her and Giselle, clearly calculating.

"Don't worry," Giselle spoke up, her voice light but firm. "We're not here to fight. Just talk."

Seunghan crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. He seemed to relax slightly but still stood poised, ready for anything. "Talk? About what?"

Karina wasted no time. "You've been with RIIZE long enough to know the game. Your leader, Mr. SM—he's made some... questionable decisions lately. We've got questions, and you're the only one who can answer them."

Seunghan didn't flinch at her directness. "And what if I don't answer?"

Karina stepped closer, her voice unwavering. "Then you'll stay in the dark about what's coming for your group."

A beat of silence passed before Seunghan gave a low laugh, as though the idea of being intimidated was laughable. "I don't scare that easily. But I'll humor you."

Karina nodded, signaling for Giselle to take a step back as she took the lead in questioning.

"You were close to someone in RIIZE," Karina said coolly. "Shotaro. Why was he important to you?"

At the mention of Shotaro's name, Seunghan's face softened for just a split second, a rare vulnerability flashing in his eyes. It wasn't enough to be called a smile, but it was the closest Karina had seen him come to it.

"He was... different," Seunghan said, his voice quieter now. "We weren't like the others. The mafia is all about control, loyalty, and power. Shotaro and I? We were about something else. Something we couldn't name, not even to each other. There was a chemistry between us... something we couldn't ignore, but something we had to keep hidden."

Giselle raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Chemistry?" she echoed. "In the mafia, people don't talk about that kind of thing. What do you mean?"

Seunghan shifted, clearly uncomfortable, but he didn't back away from the question. "In the mafia world, you learn not to get close. You learn that emotions are a weakness, a liability. But Shotaro and I... we were different. We weren't supposed to be close, but we were. It made everything... complicated."

Karina studied him closely, reading his every word. "So, what happened? Why'd you leave?"

Seunghan hesitated, his gaze dropping for a moment. "Shotaro was everything Mr. SM wasn't. Loyal, sharp, and he had a vision. But that made him a threat. SM's afraid of anyone who doesn't fall in line, even if they have the power to lead. Shotaro wasn't just a member—he was the heart of RIIZE. I couldn't stay and watch him get dragged down by someone like SM."

"And now?" Karina pressed, her voice sharper. "Where does that leave you?"

"Right where I'm meant to be," Seunghan replied with quiet resolve. "No more following orders. No more being someone's pawn."

There was an intense silence, one that hung between them like a heavy fog. Karina felt the pull of something she hadn't expected. This wasn't just about the mission anymore. It was personal.

"I see," Karina said slowly, her voice a mix of curiosity and cold calculation. "So, what's your next move? And why should we trust you?"

Seunghan looked her squarely in the eyes. "You shouldn't. But if you want to take down Mr. SM and RIIZE, I can help. I know things he doesn't want anyone to know."

Giselle crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "And what do you want in return?"

Seunghan's lips curled into a half-smile. "For now? A chance to finish what I started with Shotaro."

Karina couldn't deny the spark of interest. There was something about Seunghan's resolve—his unwavering loyalty to someone who wasn't even with him anymore—that made him different. Dangerous, but different.

"What makes you think we're willing to help?" Karina asked, her voice colder now.

Seunghan met her gaze, his expression firm. "Because you know the value of loyalty. And I'll show you what that really means."

"If you want to survive in this world, Seunghan, you need power," Karina said, her voice steady and unwavering. "And I'm not talking about the kind of power Mr. SM offers—his is fragile, built on fear and control. It doesn't last. In this game, true power comes from respect, loyalty, and strategic alliances."

Seunghan's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't interrupt. He was listening.

Karina continued, her gaze intense. "Join the AESPA mafia, and you'll have a family. A group that will back you when it counts, not just when it's convenient. We don't deal with weakness here—we deal with strength. And that's what you have. You want to tear down Mr. SM's empire? You can't do it alone. But with us? We'll bring it down together."

Giselle, standing just behind Karina, crossed her arms with a slight smirk. "You're not getting any better offers in this game, Seunghan. Think about it—an opportunity to rebuild with people who don't want to use you, but work alongside you."

Seunghan stood in silence for a long moment, weighing the words carefully. He glanced between Karina and Giselle, taking in the unspoken bond they shared. There was no denying the power they commanded, no questioning the loyalty that ran through their veins.

Finally, Seunghan spoke, his voice low but resolute. "You're right. I've been trying to play the lone wolf for too long. I've watched how your group operates... and I'm not stupid. I know when to join forces. Mr. SM's not worth dying for."

Karina's eyes softened ever so slightly, though her expression remained mostly impassive. She wasn't one to show vulnerability, but there was a flicker of approval in her gaze.

"You'll have to prove yourself," Karina said, her voice colder again as she crossed her arms. "The AESPA mafia doesn't take kindly to betrayal. You've been with RIIZE, so your past is already on the table. But if you're serious about this, you'll have your chance. Prove you're more than a rogue pawn. Prove you're worth the trust."

Seunghan met her challenge without hesitation. "I will. You'll see."

Giselle chuckled, clearly amused. "Look at that. The great Seunghan, joining forces with us. I knew you'd come around. Welcome to the family."

Karina turned to leave, her stride purposeful. "Meet me at the base later. We'll discuss your role in the operation. Until then, don't do anything foolish."

Seunghan nodded, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Understood."

As Karina and Giselle walked away, the tension in the air seemed to shift. It was a small victory, a step closer to taking down Mr. SM's empire. But in the world they lived in, every decision, every new alliance was a calculated risk.

And for Seunghan, joining the AESPA mafia wasn't just about surviving—it was about something deeper. A chance to rebuild what he had lost, to honor Shotaro's legacy, and maybe, just maybe, to make a new life in a world that had always demanded the very best of him.

                                                  ⏝̅⏝̅⏝̅ ୨ ♱ ୧ ⏝̅⏝̅⏝̅

BTW  I DONT EVEN STAN RIIZE BRO IM BOYCOTTIG DUE TO THE REMOVAL OF SEUNGHAN BUT I JUST FELT LIKE WRITING ABOUT THESE 2 THEY'RE REALLY CUTE