though, with words being said that hyunjin believed would have been sealed. seungmin did not disclose the locket that held the information that should be stated, because after the phone call ended. he was unsure of himself when it now came to making decisions. the poison that past friends had streamed through seungmin was immediately sucked out due to jisung, his own best friend was always able to display the light to him. now, it came to this certain situation and jisung was going to do anything in order to protect his best friend.

"what do you mean, he was guilt tripping you?" as jisung's tone is low, he rolls some of his r's as they replicate a growl. "I'm not controlling you! I'm displaying the truth to you, it was your choice to either stay friends with those people or leave them after you heard my words! not mine. he's psycho, don't talk to him seungmin. honestly delete his number."

seungmin can only pout at the lunch table, hating how his food was out of his interest and that he was stressing over his relationship with hyunjin. "I—I really don't know who he is..." he admits, hyunjin's alluring tone ringing within his ear wanting him to listen. "it's kinda weird..like he's—"

"manipulating you?" jisung finishes, he pushes seungmin's food closer to him as he wants the boy to eat. "you need to understand, that this boy is no good. he doesn't want a healthy relationship with you seungmin, he wants something else."

"sungie..this is really frustrating.."

"I know, I know." he admits, hating how the information was actually giving him a headache. how could hyunjin even say those things? leaving the words to flow through seungmin's system, the boy was always unsure of himself so jisung was glad that he was in his life. "how about this, let's go out today? you and I."

"it's been a while.." seungmin responds, it was true. him and his best friend haven't hung out in ages, he missed the feeling of jisung by his side. "can we get bubble tea? then shop around?"

"sounds like a plan, when you're done with seventh period meet me by the gate. we'll discuss about this situation when we're out."

seungmin nods, "okay..."

the truth that jisung was displaying to seungmin was a definite harm to hyunjin's plan. a few lunch tables away as his back faces both boys, hyunjin can clearly hear their conversation. the lack of students that ate within the hall made everyone's conversations exposed if they didn't speak at a certain level. he hated how jisung caught on so quickly, he couldn't decide whether his plan should continue due to it having a high chance of crashing and burning. following them would also be too suspicious, what to do. what to do?

how would he be able to obtain seungmin's heart when it seemed one is already trying to wiggle into it himself?

han jisung was a big threat. fooling around with seungmin can easily lead to stupid mistakes. was it worth it? or, was there a different route to continue on?

hyunjin needed to figure things out, quick.

*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*

after school, seungmin and jisung meet at the gate just like they planned. the younger brunette had actually felt better when he stood next to his best friend, confident and more reassured that he'd figure his perspective on hyunjin soon. a good cup of bubble tea would definitely lighten up his mood. "bubble tea right?" as jisung clarifies, his shoulders rising in a quick motion to adjust the way his backpack straps were placed. "our usual?"

"of course." seungmin replies with a wide smile, "we always go there, also I have points so I can get a free drink." the younger explains, bubble tea and it being free only tasted better.

jisung sighs, "guess paying for you is out of the picture."

"next time." his best friend immediately responds, not wanting to pass up on the deal.

their walk was quiet, a comforting type of silence that jisung appreciates. it was the only type of 'awkward' he could handle, only because it had to deal with seungmin. so they walk to the bubble tea place, a reasonable pace that wasn't too slow since seungmin was craving the drink. so as they arrive, jisung opens the door and seungmin scans the area. he spots a free table for two and hastily goes towards it in order to claim their spot. jisung of course follows the dork as a response. they set down their items, due to them being in an eyes view. they left their school bags and grabbed their wallets. one of the most valuable things in their bags. besides, if someone did want to steal it good luck running off with it. carrying the bag that was literally the weight of a sack of bricks was definitely screaming back pain.

the line was fairly long, which was understandable since it was a hang out area for the students of their school. but they keep themselves occupied by conversing with each other in order for time to pass quickly. yet, there was the one section of the line that displayed the shop's bulletin board clearly to the waiting customers. it always catches jisung's eyes because there was new information shown daily. once their topic dies out, his orbs trail to the cork board and he begins to speedily read the papers stuck on.

the board was also free to the public, permission from one of the employees and it being approved allowed those to pin up theirs papers. it was a good way to promote little things like garage sales to bake sales, or just interesting news in general. yet, today's news was something he's seen before. it's never left it's claimed spot.

MISSING!
HAVE YOU SEEN ME?

The three missing boys known as Kim Sunwoo, Moon Bin and Lee Daehwi have been missing for months. Please contact this number if you have spotted them within the area or have information on the boys.
(XXX-XX-SAFE)

jisung sighs, a slight pain in his chest rises as he hates to imagine the state their families are in. these boys have been missing for months, in addition they all have had a time span of three months in between and disappearing on the same day as the wretched number known as the twenty second. who would need to kidnap these boys anyway? the motive was unclear and the evidence was so little. as if their information was erased, as if their existences are trying to be abolished.

why would anyone do such a thing?

he shouldn't wrap himself up in the cases yet he can't help but be curious, the world was dangerous. the funny thing he also realized was, the month the next abduction that was suppose to come along never happened. which was odd since the person behind the scheme seemed to be always on time. (no it's because cat actually fucked up and was lazy) but as curiosity kills the cat, jisung thinks no more of it and moves up in line before the customers behind him start to nag.

when it's his turn to order, he gets a simple roasted oolong milk tea. adding his toppings the spectacular chewy wonders known as boba, or tapioca. whatever you'd like to call them. as he's paying, he decided to make a small conversation with the cashier. "how long has the missing poster been up know?"

the raven haired boy shrugs, a frown plastered on his face as it implies the topic is quite sensitive to him. "don't know...I think it's the only one I haven't been changing."

"oh, so you're in charge of the bulletin?" he hands the boy a ten, "I'm glad you're keeping it up, it makes people aware of things."

"well, people should be." he immediately responds, "one of the boys is a friend of mine, he went missing after soccer practice. he would usually would wait for me after my archery lessons- yet, he needed to go somewhere. supposedly it was dire."

"that seems odd, not only odd but really fishy. did you know where or who he went to?"

he shakes his head, giving back jisung's change. "no, police are stupid and it seems nobody's really been checking into their cases. it sucks, I miss him a lot...he's my best friend."

jisung couldn't stand the thought of seungmin vanishing without a single clue. he looks over slightly, catching the boy's name tag. "hwall?" he clarifies, the boy nods. "I'm sure he's safe, someone will find him soon."

"thank you—"

"jisung."

"jisung." the name rolls off his tongue smoothly, his eyes smile to then his bright set of teeth as well. "I hope someone will."