CHAPTER 3
AFTER STORY
NOTE: From this chapter on, the story contains spoilers from other routes, while trying to adapt and maintain as best as possible the original plot of the game (Yoosung route).
2nd NOTE: The sentences written in italics and quotation marks will remark thoughts, past events (flashbacks) and chat dialogues or messages.
CHAPTER 3
That place had a very strange atmosphere.
He would be lying if he said he wasn't anxious, but he was willing to do anything, in order to save the members of the RFA, especially the person he now loved and her life that had been at risk.
But the place seemed to be empty.
It was only a matter of minutes before he finished checking his side. He went back in search of Seven, who had discovered someone.
He approached him, but he seemed to be in shock, before that strange guy who had white hair.
The latter threatened to destroy the place along with them.
-Seven! What is that switch?
Seeing that Luciel did not react, he rushed towards the stranger, to prevent him from pressing the detonator of the bomb, which, according to what he indicated, seemed to be in the subject's laptop.
Seven barely reacted when he saw that both of them were struggling.
- No!... You can't push it or let him push it!
-Argh, I forgot that you came along with this child…
-Argh Seven, don't just stand there, help me!
-Get off of me, kid! The white-haired man was still struggling against Yoosung, noticing that Yoosung was moving him away from the trigger-. We will all disappear together without a trace! Then she will join us, yes, that girl you say you love…
Yoosung's eyes widened as he noticed that he seemed to know him, and also the one he loved, since he ended up mentioning her at the end of his sentence .
-Seven, react! Take all the information you need... -he noted out of the corner of his eye that apparently Seven had connected his own laptop to the center of that place, which looked like a computer lair of some kind- Take that and go!
-Oh? These? Yes... -Seven barely reacted, noticing the seriousness of the situation, and moving clumsily.
-Yes! What are you doing? -Yoosung continued talking to him while doing everything he could to neutralize the white-haired man-. Take the switch too.
Seven took both laptops, with noticeable instability. He started to chuckle, it seemed to be his strange way of calming himself down.
-Let go of me, child! Luciel and I must die here! - the stranger shouted, angrily, noticing that he couldn't get rid of the blond.
-I... I have the switch, I have everything - stuttered the red haired now without knowing what to do.
Take them and run! Hurry up!
—But, Yoosung…
—Just run, I'll follow you!
Seven sighed resignedly, then disappeared.
Yoosung could only endure a couple more minutes, then fell to the ground after being pushed by the strange man.
-You... you ruined everything... - the white-haired man expressed furious and unsettled -. I'll make you never forget this moment... I'll leave you a memory for what you have done... For ruining everything!
He approached Yoosung who was on the ground and started hitting him.
The latter was only defending himself, since, apparently, they had the same strength, and even seemed to be of the same age.
The white-haired man noticed that he wasn't causing him considerable damage, so he took an object with spikes from the many that had fallen scattered from the main desk after struggling with him.
He aimed for his left eye, and with all his strength…
—¡Oh! ¡Argh!
Screams of pain echoed through the room.
The strange man got up, realizing that he had hurt him enough to immobilize him.
-You feel a lot of pain huh? He began to speak with an insane tone. Oh, you said your dream was to be a vet. Right?
-How do you know that? -Yoosung tried to calm the bleeding in his eye, squeezing it with both hands.
-I know everything about you. No, not only you, but also all those who are part of the RFA... -He approached him, and hit him again, this time kicking him in the abdomen.
—¡Agh!
Yoosung was not the kind of person that would fight others, on the contrary, he was someone very docile, who detested violence, despite having a natural aptitude for it.
The stranger began to ramble, expressing how weird it felt that he called Seven "Luciel". That he shouldn't trust him, since he would abandon him as soon as he took him as a hindrance, that he was a liar...
Yoosung denied everything, clarifying that Seven was not the kind of person he said he was.
His words caused him to get more furious at him.
-Since you ruined my plans, I should do the same with you- he picked him up from the ground where he was laying, pulling him by the neck of his shirt, so that he could see him closely, with his disturbed eyes-. But where should I start? I might cut off all your fingers...yes, then you couldn't be a vet, I might as well pop out your other eye, but...if you go blind, you won't be able to see the hell you'll be living in… no... I know, I'd better go hurt that girl you love, you don't seem scared, but I'm sure I would love her expression if I tortured her.
The truth is that Yoosung's face seemed resigned until seconds ago. Since he didn't mind sacrificing himself to save the person he loved, Seven and the other members of the RFA, but hearing the last words of that strange man, brought up the darkest side of him.
-No, I won't let you hurt her!
Unexpectedly, he pushed him back hard, breaking free of his hold.
He started to feel dizzy, due to the loss of blood, but something inside him gave him the strength not to decay.
- Huh? You are very naive if you think you can defeat me - the stranger mocked him, noticing that he was willing to face him again, despite his wound-. Well, I guess I wouldn't mind hurting you a little more.
His words were cut off, as the blonde lunged at him, hitting him violently on the side of his face, knocking him to the ground.
He could see in his eyes, the change from an almost pure and childish naive gleam, to a determined and dark look, that frightened him like never before.
—¡Agh!
This time the scream came from him, who tried to get up quickly to fight back.
-Idiot! You'll regret this, I'm going to tear you to pieces - he knelt down with the intention of getting up.
But Yoosung wouldn't let that happen as he was determined to end this matter as soon as possible.
He took the only chair that was in that strange place, to later destroy it against the back of the strange man, who fell unconscious after that.
— Ha… ha… ha…
He knelt down realizing that he overcame the danger. While exhaling tiredly.
The adrenaline took over his body, and he felt a strange sensation inside him, as if he had awakened a part of him that he did not know existed.
— I… I must find Seven…
With difficulty, he got up and walked unsteadily to the door, then leaned on one of the corridor walls, as a support, so as not to falter and continue on his way.
The nurse accompanied him to the room's entrance.
- Oh, Seven, you arrive at an opportune moment - V greeted him, who until then had been sitting on the room's sofa, accompanying in internal silence.
-Hum... I come from Yoosung's room, he finally just fell asleep - Seven answered, with a very different tone from the one everyone knew. One more serious and sad-. Did something happen in my absence?
- He woke up aggressively once again - explained V, taking off his dark glasses, revealing his damaged eyes, which had a dull color -, but the nurses were able to control him... The specialist mentioned that the process of detoxification won't be difficult, but it will take him some time to regain sanity and mental stability.
Seven didn't respond to it.
He got closer and closer to the bed in which that white-haired boy lay unconscious, tied with buckles on his hands and feet.
- Don't worry Seven, he's just as strong as you, I'm sure he'll make a full recovery - added V, noticing the concern emanating from his face.
- No, it's not true - he corrected him -, he... he was always weaker, not only physically, but also emotionally. But this time... I will not fail him, no one else will separate him from my side...
V nodded with a sad smile.
- I know I've already told you several times, but I'm sorry…
Stop apologizing, I'm aware that you were just as ignorant in this whole situation, don't blame yourself for something you shouldn't - Seven interrupted him coldly -. I'm just making it clear to you that I'm going to take revenge on whoever did this, she'll taste my fury, even if you blindly try to protect her again.
This time it was V who fell silent, with a guilty expression flooding his face.
- I'll stay here for a couple of hours, you should go accompany Yoosung - Seven changed his attitude to the usual friendly one -, you said that Mr. Kim will arrive at any time.
- Ah, yes... I wouldn't dare to hide this from Yoosung's family, his father will arrive at dawn, taking advantage of the fact that he has other matters to attend to because of his work, here in Seoul.
The turquoise-eyed one left after saying that, walking, leaning on his cane.
Seven took a seat, as he observed his sleeping brother.
—Damn, damn…— he thought aloud, as he opened the door of the van in which they had arrived at this remote place. But… What have I done? I'm a coward. I abandoned Yoosung! No, no, no... I must go back for him... but-still nervous, he stopped while starting the engine and hastily called V, as backup.
He was barely able to speak, telling him the address and the situation in which they were.
He put his cell phone back in his jacket and taking a breath, he began to walk into that ostentatious mansion that was far from civilization.
He had barely advanced a few meters, when he ran into Yoosung, who was walking leaning against the wall, with his face slightly stained with blood and squeezing his left eye with his hand.
-Seven... what a relief to see you, I thought you already left this place…
- Yes... I... forgive me, I was so confused... no... I still am, but what happened? You let him escape to run away, right? Your eye, gosh, it doesn't look good at all…
He helped him walk to the car, where luckily he had his portable first aid kit.
He had minor injuries, such as scratches and bruises. But the most worrying thing was his injured eye.
He could see how Yoosung held back from screaming because of the pain, limiting himself to letting out slight moans every so often.
He cleaned his face with antiseptic
As he did so, he couldn't believe that Yoosung was more concerned about calling the new RFA member than his own health.
- Wait, what are you doing!?
He obviously ignored him and continued with his call.
The way he talked to his girl, hiding his pain, so as not to worry her...
He couldn't help but feel extremely guilty.
Where was the "Seven Zero Seven, defender of justice"? He couldn't believe that he had acted like a total coward, and that he would be dead at that moment if his younger and inexperienced friend hadn't controlled the situation, sacrificing himself to the point of hurting himself.
"Garbage, useless garbage! Despite the years you're still a coward, Luciel..." he repeated to himself mentally, as a punishment, while he arranged everything for them to leave.
-Seven? Seven?
Yoosung snapped him out of his mental martyrdom by ending his call.
-What? How is the stranger still there?
He couldn't believe what Yoosung had just told him.
He had pinned down Saerun, all on his own?
No more than fifteen minutes had passed since he made the call, when a helicopter landed very close to them, causing Jumin to appear on the scene, with a dozen agents who looked like soldiers from a movie.
He had contacted V, and he, apparently being far from the location, had sent Jumin, taking advantage of the fact that he was nearby taking care of some business for his company.
He tried to explain what happened as quickly as possible, since Yoosung was starting to get more unsettled by his injuries.
— Hold on a little longer, I'll drive as fast as possible to take you to a hospital, there is one nearby despite the location.
Yoosung tried to calm down, but his body began to abandon him. With his last strength, he wrote something in the group chat, attaching the photo that had been taken minutes ago, when Seven helped him with his first-aid kit.
He asked him please not to reveal that he had been injured, since he did not want the meeting in which his love had worked so hard to be canceled, that he had promised to see her there...
- This boy is already delirious, although I admire his guts - Jumin stopped them from leaving, objecting that by helicopter they would arrive faster and to a better hospital.
It was then that the cat lover left again, leaving Seven in charge of the rest.
When he entered that place again, he was frozen to see that his younger brother was unconscious, just as Yoosung had said.
V arrived almost half an hour later, with an ambulance.
They argued all the way back, during their trip to the same hospital, where Saeran would be treated with no questions asked.
He jumped up, noticing that his younger brother moved slightly, apparently because his pillow had gone to the side.
- Don't worry, I'll fix it for you... - he thought aloud, as he did so, and then stood there, looking at him with mixed emotions -. I knew that Yoosung had a hidden monstrous side - he let out a small laugh, remembering a not so distant past, where he had gone too far with his jokes and almost ran into the same fate, if not because he knew how to calm him down-. But Yoosung is my friend, Saeran... I'm sure you'd like him too if you met him earlier like the other RFA members... the same way I did...
With some desperation, he woke up
It took several seconds for him to remember where he was.
Normally he would wake up half asleep, due to lack of sleep, with the sound of his alarm announcing that he should get ready to attend his classes.
But this was not the day. He could feel how two people seemed to be talking outside the entrance to his room.
A nurse appeared seconds later to check on his condition and administer something strange to the IV that had been added to him at night to help him sleep.
It was after the nurse had left that a person very close to him, but whom he hadn't seen in quite some time, appeared.
-Dad? -he sat down, to be able to see him better, somewhat embarrassed by the situation.
- Um, hi, it's been a while Yoosung-ah - answered the visitor,with a look of relief -. Jihyun-sshi brought me up to date on everything - he breathed a sigh of noticeable relief -, your mother almost had a fit when she found out you were in the hospital... Hum... it will be difficult to explain this to her, without her scolding me too... -He put a thoughtful hand to his chin-. Hmm…
My alarm went off at 6 o'clock in the morning.
I knew I had a lot to do, so I jumped out of bed. It took me less than ten minutes to wash my face and dress decently.
As I left my computer booting up, I hurried down to the first floor of the house, straight to the kitchen, looking for something to eat for breakfast.
There are three people living in my house. My mother, my younger brother who was in his last year of high school and me.
I also had an older brother, but he no longer lived with us, as he had been married for a couple of years and had moved to live with his wife.
I prepared breakfast for three, as quickly as possible. Nothing too fancy, to be honest, since cooking was not my forte.
I devoured my part, keeping the others in transparent containers, so that they could reheat them later, leaving them in sight.
It was the beginning of my way of apologizing for the worries I've caused.
Despite it being Sunday, it was only a matter of minutes for my mother to get up, and sweep the front of the house, as she had the habit of doing it everyday.
Back in my room, I tied my hair up as a sign that I would go into work mode, but...
I couldn't help but look at my phone.
- Just a couple of minutes.
I eagerly took it.
I knew it was too early to call him, so I just left two messages, one in the chat and one in private.
- Today seems to be a nice day, it just dawned and the sky is beautiful despite the cold weather.
- I know that I never write in the mornings, but today I got up early to catch up with the accumulated work. Wish me luck to finish on time.
Finally, I left a photo of the sky, which I took through my window, showing a little of the frame of it.
I entered the private messages section of the application.
"I'm not sure when you'll see this, but I wanted to tell you that I thought of you a lot, when I saw this ad yesterday..."
I uploaded the photo of the penguin that I had taken on the subway the day before.
"Those penguins look so cute, though I don't think they'll ever be as cute as you. I'll call you later."
"PS: No, I wasn't forgetting to say I love you."
With sheer concentrated willpower, I closed the app quickly after that, to avoid the risk of seeing if anyone responded.
I threw the cell phone in the middle of my bed, sitting in front of the computer, to start my torture.
They say that time flies by when you concentrate. In my case, I felt that time flew by when I had pending tasks, as in this case.
I remember that my mother appeared three times throughout the day, and the three were to leave me something to eat, since I had left her a note explaining that I would work all day to avoid losing my job.
It was an understandable gesture of her to support me in that way.
With an infernal pain in the back, a tired face and sore fingers, I finished the last report and calculation of data, around eleven o'clock at night.
I felt like my dark circles also had their own dark circles.
I got up slowly, while I felt my bones cracking from being in the same position for so long, that I barely made it to my bed, falling on my face.
It was then that I remembered the existence of my phone again.
The work had been so difficult that I practically forgot everything around me, in order to concentrate and finish on time.
- Oh, it turned off - I muttered when I noticed that I had run out of battery -. I was somewhat curious to know what they talked about in the chat all day, but it seems that I would have to wait.
I got up again, to put it on charge.
After taking a quick bath, I turned it back on.
I had 16 missed calls.
10 chats in which I had not participated.
And seven private messages.
I couldn't help but put on a shocked expression when I noticed so many numbers.
Never in my life had I missed so many calls, which were not from my mother.
It was too much to read, and I had to fall asleep as quickly as possible, not to mention that my eyes were puffy from exhaustion.
As I quickly checked, half of the calls were from Yoosung, aswell as the messages.
"Good morning love! I also woke up thinking about you /"
"Oh... I love those designs! Would you like to collect them together with me? That way we could finish the collection faster."
"By the way, my father visited me today... I thought he would scold me, but he was much more understanding than usual. I hope to introduce you to him in the near future, I'm sure he'll like you."
I couldn't help but smile at what I had read, although that last one amazed me.
I kept reading.
"Hum…I know you must be busy, but I must say I miss hearing your voice. I can't wait to get your call, but I'll wait."
-Oh, it's true... I promised to call him - I murmured sadly, to continue reading.
"Seven started speculating in the chat that you deleted the app on purpose, since you managed to steal a kiss from the 'maid' and that you are abandoning me... I know he is trying to provoke me with his prank, but wy dos he hav to be so creul?
"I'm so upset that I start to mess up my texts "
"Oh, I'm upset with Seven, I clarify. Not with you. I look forward to your call."
I flinched, but at the same time I worried about what was happening. Seven sure didn't miss an opportunity to tease my baby.
"Maybe it's the antibiotics, but... I'm starting to believe that what Seven says is true... No, I know it's not true, but it hurts me to hear him joke around saying nonsense like you're about to hit "reset" and you are no longer interested in me... Even if our reality was a game, I trust that you would never leave me... I..."
"I would still fall in love with you, even if that happened... forgive me, I don't want to be someone so dependent to the point of making you feel suffocated, but I couldn't help but feel sentimental..."
"I hope you're close to finishing your work, I... I lost my cool in the previous messages. I couldn't help but cry. The meds make me more susceptible than I already am, even Seven apologized after seeing me so affected, this... was so embarrassing".
I felt terribly bad, between sad and annoyed to see what my absence had caused. Or, rather, what Luciel had caused.
I did not hesitate to call him despite the time of the day.
The last message was only half an hour ago, I would be able to reach him with a little bit of luck, I had to calm him down.
He answered almost immediately.
I didn't even let him speak first, since I apologized for not calling him, even once all day.
"Oh... it's a relief to hear your voice." His voice sounded anguished. I... I guess you've read it all... I feel sorry...
- I just entered, I only read your messages, but now I have an idea of what's in the chats and other messages of the other members. Are you feeling better? I'm really sorry I didn't call you like I promised.
- Yes... better not waste time reading the chats. Everyone except Jaehee supported Seven's stupid theory. They were very bad, reminding me every couple of hours, and debated about which of "them" would be the new route you would choose if our lives were a videogame. I know they were joking, but I really wanted to destroy my phone when I read them. I couldn't even bother to enter the last chats anymore…
- Ignore them, they like to annoy you because you always pay attention to them, and they are very much in need of it. Calm down, I'm here.
- Yes, you're right... -his voice began to sound more normal, almost tender as usual-. I... I feel very happy now that I can hear your voice, although I would be happier if I could be by your side... -he paused for a second-, no... I'm not going to sound depressed again. I promised that I would control my sensitive side. I have to become a mature and admirable boyfriend who can support you. Yes, that's what I'll do.
- That's my Boy.
- Hum... it's amazing the power you have to make my mood change in seconds, my cheeks are red again. Yes, I am your boy, and you are my girl -he laughed in that way that only he could do-. Oh, V just walked in... that just reminded me that I had to tell you something important, it may have already been mentioned in the chats, but I'll tell you now, so you don't waste time reading all the other nonsense they wrote - I heard him inhale as if trying to relax-. Previously, every time we finished an RFA party, the members would have a meeting, five working days later, to report on the collection made and choose the charity that we would favor.
- So we will meet this Friday?
- Yes... it would be normal, but... -his voice turned a little embarrassed-. They will postpone it, for next Friday... I will have to undergo two more surgeries this week... the doctor wants to make sure that I get well soon…
Two more surgeries? a lump tried to form in my throat. I could tell that Yoosung wasn't being honest about the seriousness of his eye injury. A simple injury, as he argued, did not need so many surgeries.
I wanted to know the seriousness of his injury, but discussing it on the phone was not a good idea.
I decided to calm down. I could deduce that he was doing this so as not to worry me.
During the week I would have more time to talk seriously about the subject with him.
- I Understand. But it would be impossible for me to wait almost two weeks to see you again. I will visit you first.
- I was also thinking the same thing! I would be very happy to see you, to be able to hug and kiss you... oh, I'm sorry, I can't say such private things in front of V -he finished whispering to me-, but there are so many things I want to do with you...- he laughed again-, mmm, sorry, I don't want to sound like a degenerate, I'm not like that, although not all my thoughts are innocent now... -oh, I think I made V run away, he just left…
I guess that, now that his sight is not too good, he must have a sharp ear - I said, jokingly.
- Oh... haha I can't believe you joked about that, um... I feel less guilty now. Why don't they ever knock on the door? I'm not a kid anymore, tsk... -he growled under his breath-, one day they'll find me half-naked, that would be embarrassing.
- I wouldn't mind being the person who finds you in that situation.
- What? -For some reason, I felt as if I could see him blush again-, No one has ever told me that kind of thing before haha my face turned a stronger color of red -I could hear him trying to calm his nerves-. But... I admit that it wouldn't bother me, only if it was you, just you... erm I just discovered that I like it when you say that kind of thing to me, but... I don't think I deserve it yet, it's not the right time. I don't want to become Zen.
- I would never say something similar to Zen...
- I know, and I'm glad to know. I was moved when in the first chats you participated in, you rejected his attempts at flirting and you commented on how narcissistic he was.
— I can not believe it. you are a little jealous
-Huh? I'm not jealous —he complained like a child about to throw a tantrum. Hmm... maybe a little. Yes, you're right, but in those days it was more so, because I felt insecure, but it's not like that anymore.
- And you shouldn't, you are very attractive in your style.
- ...if you keep talking to me like that I won't be able to sleep, don't flatter me so much, love - he replied with evident happiness in his voice-, well, maybe a little more...
- Well, you're cute, tender, brave and... - I humored him.
- I'm also practical and intelligent, although they are traits you don't know about me - he added with some seriousness -. I don't remember if I mentioned it to you before, but I got into SKY on a scholarship…
- Really? But SKY is quite strict and it's so difficult to get a place in, not to mention a scholarship…
- Hum, I have a very nerdy past that haunts me haha.
We talked for a little over half an hour.
Incredibly my mental exhaustion had been greatly reduced just by talking to him.
I'd be lying if I said I fell asleep quickly after hanging up.
Sitting on her seat, which looked more like a throne and dressed in a full body tunic, the "savior" was informed of the situation, maintaining an impeccable calm expression on her face.
- We're sorry, but everything indicates that Ray has failed in his purpose - expressed one of the informants, while another of them approached her, bowing and handing her a file-. We couldn't stop the RFA from canceling their meeting.
- It doesn't matter, we knew that the probability of success was very low - the woman with long blond hair, spoke, while looking at the page, with the data and new photos -. Apart from V, we will have to take care of another extra person, although it would be a waste to disappear her, with the brightness of her golden eyes... -he stopped at the photo of the new member of what was once his organization.
-Ah, she currently seems to have a close relationship with Kim Yoosung, as reported by Ray in the last few sheets-added one of the subordinates, with a strange voice of emotion.
- But we haven't been able to confirm it - clarified the other -, the organization was well guarded and we couldn't take photos of the interior of the meeting, but the new hacker that we recruited is working on it. His generosity is so great that he intends to free her from the pain of this world, inviting her to come to paradise? Despite the fact that her actions were a fundamental part for our plan to fail.
- That's right, my kindness is limitless - that woman's gaze turned dark, while she narrowed her eyes -. If Ray chose her, it is because he could feel the emptiness in her heart. If so, there is no better prospect to be part of our paradise. But we must not rush, for now we will limit ourselves to observing, in search of the perfect moment to attack this farce of an organization and disintegrate it.
- Ha, it will be as you order, savior.
The strangers bowed to her, then retreated, leaving her alone again.
She just sat there for a couple more minutes.
She got up to walk towards the window behind him, looking at the garden that the place offered her.
On her throne, the papers with the wrinkled photos were scattered, almost destroyed with notorious rage.
CHAPTER END.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hello there! I'm here again hehe
This chapter was a little bit "dark" wasn't it? Well, there are so many things that the game doesn't explain so I want to implement that here, including my final notes.
Just as I mentioned at the beginning, the story will have a lot of data from other routes. But I won't be using the "Other Story" one, since that one is supposed to be a parallel story I believe.
Anyways, I'll try to keep the story as sweet and dramatic as possible, because it's something I enjoy a lot and this game knows how to take advantage of those elements. Although, my final objective with this story is to be able to write down those insinuations that are given in the Valentine's Day Special of our dear Yoosung -insert Yoosung's blushing emoji here-
See you in the next chapter, bye.