After an awkwardly silent few hours of traveling, we finally arrive at the Kim’s mansion. We take all of our stuff and unpack them in our rooms. The mission doesn’t begin until 7:30 pm so we have time to prepare. Not enough time to train more, though. I’m not that nervous anymore. Taehyung said that there were a bunch of other members from their gang coming with us so I felt a little better about that. Mr. Kim told us to meet him in the report room so he could go over the mission report. I’m waiting for the others to join me, when Taehyung walks in.
“Hi!” I say walking over to him and hugging him. He wraps his arms tightly around me.
“Hey! You ok?” He asks.
“Yup! I just wanted to hug you before we have to be professional.” He chuckles.
“Ok, then.” He replies. “How long before everyone gets in here?”
“I don’t know.” I say burying my face in his neck.
“Well when my father gets here we need to act professional. I never told him that you’re my girlfriend so….”
“And yet he somehow knew that you sang me to sleep the other night. Do you think he had a hidden camera in there?” I ask.
“I doubt it. My father isn’t like that. I’m sure he just overheard or something.”
“Are you sure?”
“I promise.” He grabs my face and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. I smile.
“Ok.” I hug him for a second time and then pull away from him. “When are they gonna be here I-”
“Where are the others?” Mr. Kim asks as he walks in the door.
“I’m not sure, Father.” Taehyung says.
“Will you go find them?” He asks.
“Of course.” He bows to his father.
“I’ll come with you.” I say trying to get away from being alone with Mr. Kim.
“No.” Mr. Kim says. “I need to speak with you privately.” I look at Taehyung.
“Father, can’t she just come with me?”
“No. There is something we must discuss.” He glares at me. I gulp and grab Taehyung’s hand. He gives it a squeeze and then lets go.
“It’s ok.” He whispers to me. “You’ll be fine.” I nod as Taehyung leaves the room.
“So? I heard that you told Taehyung what I told you not to tell him.” He takes a step towards me and I take a step back.
“N-no I didn’t”
“We don’t take disobedience, around here, lightly. I told you there'd be consequences if you told anyone.” Mr. Kim says. “So you will be suspended from this mission.”
“What!? But I-”
“No buts. You will stay home.” He interrupts .
“That’s not fair.” I cross my arms.
“What’s not fair is how you didn’t heed my request.”
“But you’re-”
“No buts.”
“STOP IT!” I scream. “You’re not my father.” I run out of the room and nearly knock over Taehyung and the others.
Taehyung’s POV
“You’re not my father!” I hear Akari scream through the door. She burst through the door and almost runs me over. I try to stop her but she keeps running down the hall.
“What happened?” I ask my father as I walk in.
“She’s very sensitive.” He says.
“Hey don’t say that about her.” Sakura says. “How would you feel if you lost your dad and had to live with someone else for the rest of your life. Don’t be so judgmental.” She snaps.
“Ok. But she disobeyed me so I punished her by keeping her from going on the mission.” Father shrugs.
“You can’t do that.” I protest. “You’re not her father and-.”
“Son!” He cuts me off. “We will not tolerate recklessness in this house. Do you understand?” I look to the floor.
“Yes but-”
“No buts. Now sit. We must go over the mission report.” I roll my eyes as we discuss what to do and what not to do on this mission. Half way through, I stopped listening and started thinking about Akari. How could my father just ground her like that? He has no right.
“I’ll be back.” I interrupt my father and start walking out the door.
“Did I give you permission to leave?” He asks.
“And who gave you permission to boss Akari around?” I rebuttal. He goes silent and I walk out the door. I walk upstairs to Akari’s room and knock on the door. She doesn’t reply. “Akari?” I say slowly opening the door. She’s not in here. I freak out for a second. Oh wait, she’s probably outside. I walk back down the stairs and toward the back door. Sure enough, she’s walking around in the garden outside. I open the door and step out. She sinks onto her knees and I rush over and squat beside her.
“How could he just boss me around like that?” She cries. “I mean I get that he’s our guardian now but he can’t just ground me like that. It’s just not fair.” I sit down next to her and hold her hand. I rub the top of her hand with my thumb.
“I can stay home with you if you want.” I say. She looks at me.
“No. I need you to go and protect my siblings. I can’t lose anymore family.” I stand up and grab both of her hands to help her stand.
“Ok, but that means I have to go back inside to finish the mission report.” I say hugging her.
“Ok. Just as long as you promise to keep my siblings safe.”
“I promise.” I hug her a bit longer. “I have to go back inside now. I’ll see you after the mission.”
“Ok, Bye.”
“Bye.”
End of Taehyung’s POV
I sit outside on the porch as Taehyung walks inside. I really hope my siblings stay safe. I can’t handle losing someone else. I also hope Taehyung stays safe. I honestly can’t bear losing him either. The mission starts in an hour. I’m sure they already left. I slowly make my way back inside and walk to my room. I sit on the floor next to Kimchi.
“Hey buddy.” I pet his head. He climbs into my lap. “Do you wanna make a new friend?” I ask him, standing up with him in my arms. I walk down the hall to Taehyung’s room and quickly step into it. “Yeontan! Come here!” I call. He comes running up to me. I kneel down and pet Yeontan. “Be nice to each other ok?” I slowly set Kimchi on the ground next to Yeontan. They sniff each other and Yeontan licks Kimchi’s face. Kimchi flinches. “Awww you’re so cute.” Kimchi sniffs Yeontan again and rubs his face against him. Soon after they meet, they begin to play-fight. I’m glad they’re getting along. I sit on Taehyung’s bed and watch TikTok.