─────── 𝐂 𝐇 𝐀 𝐏 𝐓 𝐄 𝐑  𝟔 ───────

[08 | 02 | 2023 , 2:30pm]

The 8th of February meant only one thing for Pendulin citizens- the winter town party held by none other than Heeseung's father, the mayor.

The whole school was buzzed about it and it was the only thing they were talking about today.

Most had actually left earlier for the day, except a few who decided to stay and use the time to revise.

"Where are you off to Jiu?" Sunoo asked, seeing her suddenly begin to pack her things in a hurry.

"Oh nothing, I'm just going to head to the pharmacy to collect some things," she explained.

"Right- good luck then," he waved at her as she walked out.

[2:50pm]

The elevator door parted open, revealing a messy haired Hari.

"You look a state," Heeseung said, his head following her every move.

"Thanks for pointing out the obvious," she snapped.

"What did you do?"

"None of your business," Hari said, looking at herself in the mirror and wiping some lipstick off her face.

"Looks like you fought someone."

Her slender fingers paused on her porcelain skin.

But after a split second, she continued fixing her face. "Whether I did or not, it doesn't concern you Heeseung."

He watched, still unfazed, as Hari then moved to smoothen down her hair.

She gathered her hair to the side, using her hand to comb through the knots.

Heeseung softly frowned as he spotted something on her neck.

Red marks.

Scratches.

But before he could process any further, they reached their destination- Hari quickly moving her hair back behind her neck.

She waited for the elevator to open up, before stepping out.

"See you in the evening Lee," she said to him before walking off.

[5:23pm]

"I swear to God, I fucking hate these things," Jongseong complained as Jungwon poured him a drink.

"Here, have this. It'll help you cool down," he passed it to him.

"Thanks."

Jungwon poured himself some punch; alcohol was a no-no for him.

"Did you hear about Yeram's little plan?" Jongseong asked when he spotted the girl with her family near the entrance of the hall.

Jungwon sighed, "Yeah I did."

"I'm guessing you're not the biggest fan of it."

"Who would be?" he shrugged. "I mean this whole thing just seems dangerous. Imagine something happens to them-"

Jongseong tipped the alcohol into his mouth in one go, and downed the whole thing. He grimaced, feeling the rich taste in the wine.

"She's a wild one, that girl. If anyone can make it out alive from the hands of a killer; it's her."

He wasn't wrong.

The rather cynical comment made the two of them chuckle.

[5:30pm]

Yeram sat on the table assigned to her family, with her arms crossed.

She was staring at Doyoung, who was laughing and flirting with a group of girls.

"Fucking unbelievable," she snarled.

Ping.

She picked up her phone, staring at the notification she had just gotten.

She frowned, seeing an iMessage from an unknown number.

Heard you're investigating Kwon Dana's death-

Ahaha good luck!!

Here's a little clue, since I'm feeling generous on this special day

Careful, 房间里有强奸犯

Yeram scowled. "What the fuck," she muttered.

Who was this? And how did they know what she was doing?

And what does '房间里有强奸犯' mean??!!

She tried figuring it out.

It was written in Chinese, she got that far. But last time she ever touched the subject was three years ago for a project;  and she can barely remember anything she learnt now.

"There is," she whispered. "There is a..."

She groaned, fed up.

There was one person that could help her decipher this now.

"I have to find Jiu."

[6:00pm]

"Hey man," Jake greeted his fellow volleyball player Junwoo by pulling him in for a man hug.

"Hey Jake! How are you?"

"Good, I just came to ask if you've seen Ayeong around, last time I saw her she was with Chae," Jake asked.

Soo Ayeong was his girlfriend of almost two years, and she too was a beach volleyball player like him.

Pretty, popular and rich.

"Well, I saw Chae two minutes ago with some other girls, but not Ayeong. Sorry man," Junwoo shrugged.

"Nah, it's ok. No worries. See ya," Jake said- waving goodbye before walking off.

He looked around the place, pushing past several bodies at a time.

The evening was closing, bringing in most of the guests too.

Jake went to the So family table, located at the middle right of the place.

He saw Mr. and Mrs. Soo, Ayeong's older brother and sister.

But no Ayeong.

"Mr. Soo," Jake walked towards them. "Mrs. Soo," he bowed down.

"Ahh Jake, what brings you here? How are you son?" Mr. Soo's face visibly lit up upon seeing Jake.

His girlfriend's father always took a liking into him.

"I was actually looking for Ayeong," he explained. "I was hoping you guys would've seen her around?"

The man turned to his wife, and the two of them shared puzzled looks.

"No, we actually haven't. We thought she would be with you?" he frowned.

"She's not, and I'm worried. I haven't seen her for a good half an hour I would say," Jake said.

"Oh don't worry about it dear, I'm pretty sure she's around here somewhere," Mrs. Soo's cheery voice assured him. "She'll be fine."

"I hope so... I'll be taking my leave now. Enjoy the rest of your evening," he smiled, bowing down politely again.

"Take care," Mrs. Soo said.

Jake nodded, turning around again.

He kept trying to remain optimistic.

She'll be fine.

She's here somewhere.

Stop being worried for no reason.

She doesn't like that.

Attachment. Sim Jake's fatal flaw.

He's willing to do anything for someone he loves.

Not looking where he was going, he ended up bumping into someone.

"Shit," Jake cursed under his breath, catching the shoulders on the other person and holding them up. He looked at the person, seeing a familiar face, "Yeram?"

"Oh, Jake," she said, pulling away from his clutch. "Sorry."

"It's my fault, I wasn't looking straight," he chuckled.

"I was going to ask, have you seen Jiu?" Yeram asked, finding the opportunity to ask for some help.

"No, actually," he admitted.

"Fuck," Yeram muttered. "Thanks anyways. I have to go, bye."

Yeram left as hastily as she came.

Jake sighed, continuing his search for Ayeong.

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