Cherry
*The next night*
The plan was simple enough. I would lead the team of junior members since Bangtan was known to hate human trafficking. The traffickers would instantly know something was not right if they showed up so, they would stay in the shadows. It was almost as if we were going to reverse roles.
This meant taking Yeonjun with me who made sure I knew that he was not about to let me go with his friends while he remained at home. He made me well aware that he was not about to let the subject drop and I had no choice but to give in.
‘Yeonjun, come here,’ I said as I made my way out of the room, away from the others who were getting dressed and armed. I stood against the wall as Yeonjun came next to me.
‘Yes noona?’ he asked as he straightened himself up. He was smiling and knowing this *, he was probably happy to be going on a mission with me.
‘Are you really sure about coming tonight? It can get dangerous for you,’ I complained. He frowned and rolled his eyes at me.
He placed his hands on my arms and I silently cursed his taller height. Why did he have to be taller than me? ‘Of course noona. Where you go, I go,’ he said and I sighed.
‘*,’ I mumbled but he just laughed.
‘Yeah but I am your * brother so it’s okay,’ he said with another shrug while I pushed away his arms. ‘What?’ he said, almost with a pout.
‘Follow me,’ I said as I started walking to my room in a hurried pace. I could hear him follow me and I could almost feel how excited he was. I opened the door to my room and he came behind me.
‘Noona is everything okay?’ he asked this time more serious. I sighed as I went to my drawers and opened one of them. I took out a sword and cover and turned around. ‘Noona is that what I think it is?’ he asked.
‘You were right. You are my * brother,’ I said with a smile. ‘I know I don’t say it or show it but,’ I paused, trying to get the words out. ‘I don’t know what love is Yeonjun. I don’t even know if I am capable of it but I do care about you. If I love anyone, I know it’s you,’ I said.
‘Noona!’ he exclaimed as he hurried next to me. ‘Yeah you don’t say it as much as I wish you did but you show it every day noona,’ he said and I nodded.
‘I want you to have this,’ I said as I handed him the sword. His hands trembled as he took the sword from me. He pulled it out of its sheath and I saw his eyes grow wide in awe.
‘Noona, this… this is beautiful,’ he said as he twirled around.
‘You still got a long way to go so don’t get cocky but you’re learning quickly. I think you’re ready for it,’ I said as he looked at me and smiled.
‘Where did you even get this noona? This must have cost a fortune!’ he exclaimed but I shrugged, placing my hands in my pockets.
‘I had a friend custom make it for you. As for money, don’t worry about it. I’m not exactly poor,’ I said before he suddenly rushed to hug me.
‘I love you noona, so much,’ he said as he squeezed me tightly. I smiled as I pat his back.
‘I know and I love you too,’ I said as he pulled away and looked at his sword again. ‘Go check the others. Make sure we have everything we need,’ I said and he nodded.
I watched him as he hurried out of the room and I sat on the bed for a moment until the door opened and Myung walked in with Logan in her arms.
‘Can I come in?’ she asked and I nodded, unable to hide my smile.
‘Of course. You don’t even have to ask Myung. You know that,’ I said as she came and sat down next to me. I reached over to touch Logan’s tiny toes.
‘I saw Yeonjun. He looked so happy,’ she said. I shrugged as I looked down. ‘I also might have heard your conversation. I’m really happy to see you build this relationship,’ she said and I sighed.
‘We’re each other’s only biological family,’ I said and she nodded. ‘We’ve spent long enough being far from each other. I just hope I can protect him better than I did my parents,’ I said.
‘What happened to them was never your fault Hanuel,’ she said but I just looked away. ‘Look at me, please,’ she said and I did. ‘Believe me when I say it was not your fault,’ she said, sounding urgent.
‘I can never forget that Rosa went after them because of me,’ I whispered and she sighed. ‘And it scares me that other Scarlets can come here and hurt any of you to get to me,’ I said.
‘And it still would not be your fault. Bangtan protects Bangtan and you’re a member of this family. You’ll always be a member of Bangtan, no matter what,’ she said and I smiled in return.
‘Did you come here for something? Do you need anything?’ I asked as I turned more towards her. She shook her head and smiled.
‘Not really. I just wanted to come tell you good luck and to be careful. I want my son’s godmother to come home in one piece, thank you very much,’ she said which caused me to laugh a little.
‘I will, don’t worry,’ I said. She smiled and stood up, which caused me to stand up as well. She nodded before she went to leave until she suddenly turned around and walked up to me.
‘Keep your promise,’ she said as she suddenly hugged me tightly. ‘You mean so much to me and I want you to know that,’ she said.
‘You mean so much to me too Myung. You’re like a sister to me,’ I replied. She pulled from the hug and nodded. ‘This isn’t a big deal. Don’t worry about it,’ I said, trying to reassure her. She nodded and then left the room.
I grabbed my own things and hurried towards the garage. I sighed as I reached for the helmet when I felt hands on my shoulder. I turned around to find Hoseok there.
‘You won’t see me or the others but we’ll be there. We got your backs,’ he said and I nodded. He sounded somewhat worried, almost as if he was not reassuring me but himself.
‘I know Hobi but we’ll be fine, don’t worry. We planned for any possibility,’ I said but he still did not look convinced.
‘I just want you to be careful,’ he said and I nodded once more.
‘Why is everyone talking to me as if I am going to walk into some death trap?’ I asked, laughing. He shrugged but did not smile. He looked too serious and I was not sure I liked it.
‘No mission is an easy mission Hanuel,’ he responded swiftly, almost sternly. He sighed as he looked down and pinched the bridge of his nose before he looked back at me. ‘We take each one we do seriously. Things can be beyond our control and unlike other gangs and groups, we all care about one another. I just happen to care a lot about—’ he said but stopped.
‘About?’ I teased but he just shrugged. He rolled his eyes and shook his head as he began to walk away. I ran after him as I giggled. ‘Oh come, are you seriously going to leave me hanging? What if I die?’ I teased.
He stopped and turned around so quickly I barely had time to stop. ‘Don’t joke around like that Hanuel. Do you not care if you die or not?’ he yelled.
‘If I’m being honest, not really,’ I said with a smile that even I knew was fake. His mouth parted a little as his eyes softened.
He grabbed one of my hand in his and with the other, he caressed my cheek. ‘Well I do. We all do. Nobody here wants you to get hurt, much less die,’ he said and I sighed.
‘I… I did a lot of bad things in my life Hoseok and one day, life will eventually catch up with me,’ I said but he shook his head.
‘Hanuel, yes, you did a lot of bad things and so have I. I’m not exactly a saint. No one here is but we’re not the world’s worst monsters. Are you not afraid of dying?’ he asked and I shook my head.
‘I’m not afraid of death Hoseok. It doesn’t mean I won’t be careful or don’t want to live, it’s just, I’ve been so close to it so many times, I’d probably embrace it like an old friend,’ I said, which only caused him to sigh.
‘Well, I hope your old friend waits. Promise me, swear to me you’ll be careful Hanuel,’ he said as he squeezed my hand.
‘I swear to you Hoseok. Please, do not worry about me,’ I said, squeezing his hand again. ‘I got this,’ I said. He nodded, even though he did not look too convinced. He let go of my hand and let me put on my helmet. I took a deep breath before I got on the motorcycle, ready to leave.