WARNING: This story contains crude language/humor, angst, adult themes, headcanons/fanons and heavy spoilers. Read at your own discretion.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Mystic Messenger, credits to Cheritz. I only own the OCs that will appear in this story and my imagination.
CHAPTER 12
Aberration
As a child, I'd always loved hide and seek, even if I wasn't its most avid player. I'd likened it to a calmer kind of treasure hunt despite the times when the participants threw hissy fits or burst into tears from carelessness. That was all well and good, since they were still young, competitive and most importantly, lost in their own world. The kids that hid in every possible nook and cranny they could find were the chest filled with goodies, and the lone seeker was the infamous pirate captain who scoured the map for clues, and whose tenacity would leave you in awe.
The fun outweighed the cons, and with its simple rules, it had endeared itself to the hearts of many. It was with time and experience that gave way to a few annoying points, if you allow it to be such.
One fundamental truth of this game was that hiding was much easier than seeking. If you know what to do and where to go, you could be the needle in the haystack. The ever-elusive prize that frustrated many men who'd failed to grasp their whereabouts.
Honestly, as much as I'd love to further glamorize the role of seeker and the whole game in general, running around without even spotting a trace of that treasure usually meant a build-up in stress.
No wonder those kids I'd watched would become sourpusses over time. Reality hit hard like a shit-ton of bricks.
"Haven't seen... like that. Why?"
Why indeed.
I shrugged in a helpless manner, internally sighing for what could be the hundredth time today. "They dropped something, I lost sight of them before I could return it. Would you mind telling me if you spot them around? I'll be around tomorrow morning."
The young woman seemed contemplative, before nodding. "I wouldn't mind." There was a crash from within, and the woman cursed under her breath.
I slowly backed away. "Anyways, thank you for your time!"
She gave me a side glance, as if to apologize for the mess one of her children must have done, before quickly shutting the door. I trudged along with heavy steps, ticking the final occupant of the 15th floor off of my mental checklist. I'd... well, after a moment of hesitance and shouting curses that would've earned me a slap to the face from somebody's mother, I tore the apartment a new one.
The most unsettling part of it all?
I couldn't find anything out of place. It was just how I'd left it in the ten or so minutes I was out.
I boarded the elevator down, and if anyone else noted my disturbed look, they took care to ignore it. Which was good, since I was half-paying attention over the recent spat between Zen and Jumin regarding a new cat project—wine for cats, which I was kind of sure had already been done back home but whatever—the latter had thought of since he'd visited the grape farm and had effectively boycotted the meeting Jaehee had mentioned earlier.
It was equal parts amusing and troublesome, but I was wrapped up in a bigger case to analyze.
No one else had access to the place apart from the two hacker twins (and maybe V since I know that technically this apartment was signed under his name, but that's a big IF), and while Seven had come here the second day to deliver an allowance of sorts, he had no other reason to stop by and drop a blue rose for me as a sign of his affection, would he?
... Yeah, nope.
But then why would Unknown send me a rose? Was it a taunt, telling me that he could whisk me away without anyone knowing? A warning? Was he just trying to mess with me? If then, why now, instead of the previous days where I was out for longer and there was an even lower chance of him being discovered?
Well, time constraints didn't really matter if he'd managed to evade witnesses like this.
I was wrenched out of my thoughts when I'd arrived at the ground floor. I stepped back unto the lobby that I distantly felt so content idling around just moments ago and locked gazes with the older man I figured was the manager of the building. I'd approached the front desk with a sheepish smile, better than the most likely murderous glare I was sporting, and brought out my phone.
"Hello, I was wondering if you saw a white haired man earlier? About this high," I'd awkwardly held my hand out around a head taller than me. "Kind of lanky and pale. He was wearing mostly black and some red."
He scratched the back of his head, gaze unfocused as he pored over the memories. "I... don't believe so."
I'd expected as much, but it was still infuriatingly disappointing to have not even a hint of bread crumbs to pursue. "I see. Well, if you don't mind, could you keep an eye out for him? I'd like to return something to him."
"Sure, miss," he said easily, before undeniable interest slipped into his eyes. "I... curious, you're... new one?"
The question had caught me off-guard, but I managed to hide it with a shy smile. "Yes?"
The man—Daejung if I'd read the name tag pinned to his chest correctly—gave me a meaningful look. "That apartment… long time… surprised…" He leaned forward from behind the counter's glass pane, making his portly figure all the more prominent. "Hope… weren't too bothered… sudden…"
The sincerity in his tone was… heartwarming, and yet it squeezed at my chest at the same time. "I'm doing fine. Best to take it in stride."
"I suppose… probably should… you go… look…" he trailed off.
Like someone had eaten a baby in front of me? I'd ignored the snappy comment and mustered the strength to smile. "Yeah, it's been... a long day. Anyways, thank you."
I'd speedwalked to the elevator, intent on poring over my notes and hazy memories, but the manager's quiet voice made me stop.
"Be careful."
I turned my head in confusion, but Daejung was browsing through a record book and punching numbers into a calculator, oblivious to the world around him. Did I… mishear him? Maybe he was just talking to himself? Either way, the elevator doors had opened and I got in, shooting him one last look.
In any case, I better find a conclusion to my initial thoughts. Erhm…
Ah, right, Unknown's motives. Out of the two, I guess the taunt one makes more sense, since four times out of five, he'd orchestrated a kidnapping attempt to induct MC into Mint Eye. That in mind, coupled by the fact that Seven hasn't gone ballistic over an intruder meant only one thing...
The apartment was no longer safe—well, safe as it could be. Having Seven watch over me was kind of weird at first, but God, it was better than becoming a true sitting duck.
Glaring up at the door, I could only silently resign myself to another round of the waiting game. I breathed in deeply, willing myself to relax, and rounded on to the kitchen to find a late snack. I grabbed a tomato to munch on as I head back to bed.
Also...
707: Ugh!
707: I managed to finish some work lol
707: But look at the time...
707: Ame, hiya lol
Ame: Yo Seven. Working late there, huh?
707: Yup. Lol
707: Had a hard time focusing today. Lol
707: But if I don't work now, it'll be hell tmr T_T
Ame: Sounds rough... maybe take a LOLOL break?
707: lolol I'm sure Yoosung is.
707: But like I said, can't T_T
Ame: Aw :c
It feels easier to talk to Seven without the challenge over our heads now... no one's keeping score so no one won. Also, I'm still nodding my head along to the beat of his theme, and it makes me feel lighter.
707: But
707: I feel like Zen and Jumin
707: are like cats and dogs.
707: lololololol
Ame: lol I think more of them as an old married couple
Ame: but that works
707: lol
707: Jumin's like your super sensitive cat
707: and Zen's this nice dog who starts barking when cats come near. Lol
Ame: Kinda like a golden retriever? Or maybe a husky?
707: No. I mean puppy.
707: He is a dog according to his size, but still, haha.
Ame: Size eh...
707: Ahem!
707: I wanna have both ^^
707: Jumin always goes on and on
707: about his cat
707: but
707: I'm super supportive of Elly becoming an official member of the RFA. Lolol
707: I should make a smartphone for Elly. Lol
Unless you can also condition the cat to do certain things with said phone, that wine idea's a better long-term investment.
Ame: Zen and Jaehee would go against that
707: lolol Zen's gonna give an ultimatum
707: "is it me? Or that furball?"
Ame: haha
707: Anyways, I wish I could talk to V
707: about whether she can become a member
707: Maybe if I do this
707: Accio V!
V has entered the chatroom
707: He'll come up?
Despite myself, I let out a very loud snort.
V: Luciel.
707: Wow!
Ame: You're a wizard, Seven haha
V: You were here too, Ame.
Ame: Perfect timing V
V: I didn't intend this... but I was lucky.
707: V...
707: You could have called if you wanted to say something.
V: Oh. I had something to say to everyone.
V: I was going to leave a message here.
707: So?
707: Did you...
707: Did you set the date?
V: I did.
I nearly choked on the last bite of my tomato. Welp... this was the catalyst.
707: So when is it?
V: I was thinking about holding it a week later.
V: What do you think?
Ame: ... Can we get everything ready that soon?
707: Is that even possible?
V: I think it is if everyone helps each other.
707: Even still, it's too soon.
V: It is fairly soon.
V: But since it's the first time Ame's holding a party,
V: I thought we should have it small...
Ame: Well... if you put it that way...
Counterproductive this may be to this orgnization's desire, since my integration into the RFA served as a perfect distraction from Mint Eye's probing, V was acting as he thought best. Not that it would do much good if he was planning to tackle this on his own...
707: Hmm... But still
707: it feels a bit too soon;;
707: But I'll do as you say!
V: Since we don't have much time left,
V: I hope everyone steps up a bit more,
V: and come up with potential guests for Ame.
707: Yes, sir!
Ame: Everyone's been doing a good job ^^
V: Then good.
707: I've been doing my fair share. Lol
V: Yes, that's nice.
V: There was something I wanted to tell you by phone, Luciel...
707: What is it?
V: I'm going to leave on a short trip.
707: To where?
To his potential death, maybe, I sourly thought.
V: I haven't decided yet.
707: Tell me when you know. I'll make sure it's safe.
V: Thanks. I already feel safe.
707: Of course!
I ignored the ache in my chest at the... show of fondness between the two, and let a silent apology filter through. Seven... if you knew, you'd never feel the same again.
V: But it's more important
V: that everyone in RFA is safe, more than me.
But don't you see you're hurting them by going on your own way, V? I wanted to scream at his face so badly, but I couldn't.
V: Since we still haven't found out everything about the hacker who led Ame here...
V: I don't think we can relax until we know everything for sure.
Ame: Guess so...
V: No one knows what will happen.
V: So please be careful.
V: Of course... according to the information Luciel gave, I don't think there will be any strange occurrences,
Too late for that. I glanced at the blue rose I'd placed in a vase on the side table, looking every bit ethereal and out of place in the dimly lit room.
V: but just in case.
707: Yeah, I get what you mean...
707: I updated the door lock to a three layer security system...
707: I was going to call you about this!
If Seven had indeed done that, then I still wonder how this flower got in here... did Unknown manage a lucky shot slipping it through the mail slot or some shit then?
V: Yes... I just wanted to tell everyone to be careful before I leave.
V: Even if something happens,
V: Luciel... with you and Jumin, I'm sure everything will be fine.
V: I feel safe when I remember that.
Ame: What about you? You're the leader, right?
V: Since I have to be away for a while...
V: please trust the members and rely on them.
Ame: Okay then.
It was all I could say.
V: Luciel.
707: Yeah?
V: Thank you, as always.
V: For devoting yourself to the RFA.
707: Of course!
707: I'm a member of this group!
V: I have to thank you too Ame. You joined here very suddenly, but adjusted quickly.
V: And you seem to be working hard for the party.
707: Yup. I'm thankful too~!
Ame: Heh, it's nothing really ^^ I'm grateful too that you've all been really nice and giving me a chance to do this.
Plus, if I didn't, I'd either be wandering around still scared and confused than I am now, or weighed down by my conscience.
707: Knew it. Lol
707: Ame, you're cool. Lol
Ame: I'm just doing my best lol
707: lol u see?
707: But V, why are you suddenly saying thank you...?
My fingers were deathly still, because if I moved, I would probably do something to try and get through V...
707: You're making me blush. Lolol
707: Anyways, take care of yourself.
V: Okay,
V: I'll be in touch.
V: I'll be at the party for sure, don't worry.
I'm holding you to that V.
707: Yup. You have to!
707: We finally got everything together.
707: Everyone has to be there.
707: I'm even gonna invite Rika's ghost, haha.
If you mean the ghost of who she had been before the madness, then go ahead, I suppose...
707: Everyone!
707: Everyone will
707: be there!
V: Alright.
707: Oh.
707: V.
V: Yes?
707: That phone...
707: the new one I sent you.
707: If a red light goes on when it rings, don't pick it up.
707: It means it's bugged...
V: Bugged..?
707: I got bored, so I added a new feature.
Did you really? Or was that another way of providing protection to someone you cared and worried about? Someone who was willing to walk to their doom? A breath hitched in my throat, and I gritted my teeth, banishing those questions to the back of my mind.
707: Forgot to explain it to you.
V: Yes... alright.
Ame: You put that in because you were bored?
707: Pretty much.
707: If you analyze the signal,
707: you can know that it's bugged,
707: so we can use it against them too.
Ame: By them you mean the hacker, yeah?
707: Yup
That would be handy if I had one myself... I could ask Seven if he could add one to my phone, but that would be a toughie to negotiate. And if the guy had his way, he might grow concerned and attach a tracking device without my knowledge.
V: Tell me anything else I need to know.
707: I'll call you when it comes to me.
707: We're gonna be in touch anyways ^^
V: Ok.
V: Then I'll get going.
707: Yup. Talk to you later!
V: Ame, see you at the party.
Ame: Right. Take care of yourself!
V: You as well.
V: Excuse me.
V has left the chatroom
707: Hmm~
707: I hope V
707: comes back from his trip safe.
707: While V's gone
707: we should
707: all focus on having the party!
Which was what the two leaders were banking on in the first place… one who was on what could be described as a suicide mission and the other was bidding their time to orchestrate a damn mass kidnapping.
Ame: Uh-huh. Everybody should get to it haha
Ame: Chop-chop my lovelies lol
707: lol yes yes
707: I'll do everything I can!
707: I should…
707: get going too~
707: U should go to bed before it gets too late.
Ame: Can't sleep yet tho, I'm hoping a snack could help
707: If you follow me and eat Honey Buddha Chips all the time and sleep late,
707: ur life will get much shorter lol
Ame: We'll see haha
Ame: don't expect too much lol
707: lololol
707: If you want to stay up late, I can't do anything about it.
707: but take care of urself!
707: Then I'll be off!
Ame: see ya~
707: Laterz!
707 has left the chatroom
I reflexively tensed when my phone abruptly buzzed, and the same loud screeching noise from the first day reverberated in the room, making me nearly drop it like a hot potato.
Unknown: ted_so#long
Unknown: !lo# $wai_-
Unknown: …
Unknown: %wanted_l m
Unknown: .
Unknown: -
Unknown: I am
Unknown: going to
Unknown: corrupt you
It was vibrating nonstop, and I stared wide-eyed when I was booted out of the app. But instead of getting a notification for an error that caused it to crash or whatnot, my screen darkened for a moment before an email appeared.
Sender: Mint Eye
To: a/ne#0!-
Subject: Dear Ame, RFA
.
Meet the people who will love you forever.
Attend the endless party.
.
Don't you want to escape from this filthy world?
This is an invitation to paradise.
.
Are you suffering from your past?
We will help the pain go away.
.
A world filled with pleasure…
A world filled with truth…
A world without tears…
A world with no rejections…
.
Accept the angel's invitation.
.
Magenta,
Where everyone is happy…
.
… What?
My gaze lingered on the infamous logo of Mint Eye, and I shakily exhaled. This… I wasn't supposed to receive something like this.
"What in the world are you planning now?" I could only sigh, shaking my head wistfully.
Okay. Just… calm down Ame, and think.
I was just edging the turning point now, and with another curveball, I can't assume that leaning for a 'Route' will be effective anymore. I could still go ahead and try, but this doesn't guarantee that choosing, let's say, the objectively safest paths with either Jaehee or Jumin will work. Even then, I wasn't of the opinion that I had feelings for them and would much prefer striking up a friendship. I wouldn't deny the resources to be gained with their help, but they were... rocks to lean on.
Not to mention that I was... considering a few things for their situations, and it'd be more comfortable for both parties to remain as we were.
Out of the remaining three, Zen's was the least likely to have anyone getting hurt, unless something goes awry during the 'rescue' that could blow us all up or if I misjduged something to get us into a 'Bad Ending'. Yoosung had a shit-ton more 'fail conditions'—his 'obsession' with his cousin, as an example—to work with and even his better outcomes result in things I'd rather not dare touch on. Seven was more volatile and the longest of all, with the hardest 'win conditions'—gaining his trust—to fulfill.
I may have warmed up to the idea of treating everybody like human beings, but the 'not relying on foreknowledge' part was... difficult. We're two days away from what was basically the start of a civil war, and I needed context to prepare for the worst case scenario. Letting things run their natural course would leave me completely blind, so I had to be a bit more proactive.
Thus, I had been trying to go for Zen. A little late for a decision, sure, but it was a start.
Since I could encounter Unknown over at his 'Route', I could potentially gain answers without the Mint Eye debacle escalating to disastrous consequences. That would require some preparation upon confirmation, but it's the reasonable choice to take if I wanted the best of both worlds. No one would get hurt too much, and while shutting down Mint Eye would take far longer, it would be doable.
The whole revelation wasn't something that would go over well, but that's a given. I'd rather not think on this.
On the account of feelings... this left a sour taste in my mouth. I liked Zen enough, but just the thought of getting his hopes up screamed all shades of fucked-up. He deserved someone who was dedicated and could bring him happiness after everything that he'd gone through, and me stringing him along does not accomplish that.
... Fucking hell, I feel like a manipulative bitch for thinking this way. How others get off of this was beyond me.
Regardless, this was all up in the air. I've done what I could, and I'm hoping that this won't become any more complicated or worse, having the 'robot ending' or the 'booted out ending' of the 'Routes' happen. If things don't pan out like I wanted it to go, it's a matter of adjusting plans and waiting.
"The road to hell is paved with good intentions... sounds about right," I'd muttered hotly. I ran a hand through my unruly hair, sitting back with my legs splayed in a unlady-like manner.
Then, I closed my eyes, because everything except the waking world sounded pleasant.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: One of the more shortest chapters to date... but ha, I'm excited! We're finally where the real fun begins.