─────── 𝐂 𝐇 𝐀 𝐏 𝐓 𝐄 𝐑    𝟑𝟓 ───────

[13 | 04 | 23 , 7:00am]

The next day, a surprise was waiting in school.

As the remainder of the group of friends walked into their common room together, they were shocked to see someone already sitting on their table.

At first they thought it was Yesol since she was the only likely person, however it wasn't like her to sit at the round table. Usually she occupied herself on the single sofa near the high bookshelves.

As the girl heard their footsteps step closer, she turned around with a small smile on her face. "Hi guys, long time no see."

Yeram gasped, running towards Ahyeun and wrapping her in a hug. "Oh my gosh, you really came back!"

"Well," Ahyeun chuckled. "I figured you were right, I was going to have to come back sooner or later."

"It's good to have you back," Jake commented as Ahyeun looked up to him.

"Good to be back," she said to the rest of the group.

Heeseung, who didn't move from his original place by the entrance, watched them by himself. Ahyeun looked past Sunoo's broad shoulder, meeting his eyes.

"Heeseung-" she tried calling out to him but he stormed out.

Everyone turned their head around to the sound of the slamming door.

"What's up with him?" Ahyeun asked worriedly.

Sunghoon and Yeram exchanged looks, before the latter spoke up. "Oh he'll be fine, you know how he gets."

Ahyeun hesitantly nodded, before someone picked up the conversation again.

"Ahyeun did you hear Ms. Lucas was caught making out with Keeho?" Sunoo began the gossip.

This sparked up a heated discussion, diverting Ahyeun's mind from Heeseung.

[7:16am]

Jookyung spotted Heeseung sitting alone by himself on the seats of the bleachers.

"Lonely?" she asked, taking a seat next to him.

Heeseung remained quiet, still in his thoughts.

"Earth to Heeseung," Jookyung snapped her fingers in front of his eyes until he looked at her.

"What?" he mumbled.

"Why are you so moody huh?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Don't wanna speak about it?" he replied, kicking some pebbles on the ground with his feet.

"I saw Ahyeun you know, but I think I might just be tripping," Jookyung declared to him, laughing at herself.

"No, you saw right. She's back."

Jookyung examined his side profile, "How come you're not with them? You friends I mean."

He shrugged, grunting. "Don't want to be?"

She frowned, crossing her legs. "Did y'all fall out?"

"You ask too many questions shortie."

"It's my specialty bambi. Now answer me."

"No we didn't," Heeseung said.

"Then?"

He turned to her, "Nothing, we're fine. I just wanted to be alone... before you came and ruined it."

Jookyung closed her lips together. "Mhmm, well then, I guess I should go."

She got up, brushing her skirt down but was quickly stopped by a hand grabbing hers.

A small voice. "No, stay."

She stifled a smile as Heeseung dragged her down next to him again.

[7:28am]

The group was still in the common room where Ahyeun began looking around.

"So where's Yesol, does she not come here often?"

They were shocked by her question since it was unexpected.

"No, she does. Don't know where she is today, she's usually here by now," Jongseong shrugged, going back to his phone.

"Oh.. what about Jungwon then? Riki?"

Yeram gulped, "Jungwon.. We haven't heard from him for two days now."

"And Riki has disappeared for a month," Jake finished.

Now this Ahyeun was unaware of. She didn't remember Xiaoting disclosing any information about Riki on the school gossip page on Twitter.

"What..?"

Aera fiddled with the sleeve of her sweater, nervous.

Should she say something? But what if it's too late now?

She opened the eyes that were squeezed shut before saying in one breath. "Riki went back to Japan with his brother Kaito and I knew from the beginning but not really because at Hari's dad's party he told me his brother had asked him and he hadn't made up his mind yet at the time and I didn't know he was going to leave secretly without saying a word to anyone-"

Everyone stared at Aera, dumbfounded at the sudden revelation.

"I kinda knew too," Jake sheepishly put his hand up.

"Why didn't you guys say anything? This whole time we thought Riki just abandoned us?" Hari scowled.

"Please don't be mad," Aera said in a quiet voice.

"We're not mad, just you two should have told us sooner. Then we wouldn't have been so worried about him," Sunoo spoke on behalf of everyone.

"We're sorry." Jake and Aera said at the same time.

"Well now that we've solved the Riki mystery, I suppose we just have the Jungwon one left," Jongseong looked around. "And this one's weirder. I get it Riki would leave without saying a word, no offense... but Jungwon?"

"I agree," Yeram nodded. "No one's heard from him in two days. That's worrying and I've seen his parents around."

"Aren't they worried?" Ahyeun grimaced. "They should be."

"Maybe Jungwon told them where he's at?" Aera suggested.

"Yeah, and not us?" Jongseong scoffed.

Aera was left lost of words.

"I just hope he's doing ok.. wherever he might be," Sunoo sighed.

[8:34am]

In Japan, Riki was in Kansai International Airport, lining up for the plane boarding at 9am, set a destination to land in ICN.

He had booked the first flight there last night, paying absurd amounts to get the last minute ticket. His brother had no idea as he had sneaked out of the house before the rise of dawn to make the long bus journey here.

Adrenaline rushed through Riki as the line began moving.

He just had to get through the last ticket check and then he was free. Kaito wouldn't be able to stop him after that.

He had to get to Seoul no matter what.

"Ticket please," the lady at the counter asked and Riki pulled out his ticket from his pocket.

She brought up her scanner, suspiciously looking up at him as she did. The scanner lit up green, and the lady frown morphed into a polite smile, "Here you go sir, have a safe flight."

Riki took the ticket from her hand, putting it in his pocket, before dragging himself and his single suitcase away.

[4:13pm]

To celebrate Ahyeun's return, the group decided to head to the cafe to treat themselves.

"So is Heeseung not coming?" Ahyeun sounded slightly dissapointed.

"No, he'll be here soon. He promised," Hari reassured, cursing out Heeseung in her mind for being late.

"Oh speak of the devil, he's here," Sunghoon pointed to the entrance where Heeseung walked through.

The latter strolled up to them, taking his seat next to Ahyeun. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting," he smiled.

"No. No, you didn't Lee," Hari faked a smile.

He rolled his eyes, ignoring her snarky remark before turning to his best friend. "Sorry for leaving earlier, I was just shocked to see you."

"You bipolar motherfucker," Ahyeun joked. "And it's ok, I should be the one apologizing. I'm sorry for ghosting you the past month."

Heeseung grinned, putting his arm around her shoulders. "Nah, it's alright."

Jongseong came back just in time with their drinks, "Oh hyung, you're here. Sorry I don't think we got you anything."

"Didn't want anything anyway," Heeseung shrugged.

Next hour went by peacefully, until everyone was getting ready to leave all their phones pinged. Sunghoon was the first to check his notification. He frowned at the message.

His cousin looked at him, "What is it?"

"Guys," Sunghoon looked up. "Check your messages."

They all grabbed their phones to see what he was talking about, and the worst possible news awaited them.

"Shit," Jongseong cursed. "We have to go. Now."

this might very well be my last message to you guys
i fear my time is ticking to the last second
but boy am i going to close this with a banger
i have your missing friend btww
if you want him back come to the abandonment warehouse at crepusculum
and dont even think about calling the cops
or ill simply kill your friend
then all of you
hahaha cant wait to see your faces when u find out who i am bitches

The attached image at the bottom showed a ragged tied-up Jungwon, with dark blood matted all over his body.

———

the next chapter is going to reveal the killer, any guesses before the 'grand' reveal👉

also poor wonie, i feel bad😭