Chapter 15: The Aftermath (Pt 2)
Kao entered the chatroom
V: It's pretty serious, he was taken in for interrogations a few hours ago, there's nothing I can do about it.
Zen: Good, precautions should be taken to make sure he won't harm anyone else.
Jaehee Kang: I don't think it's that simple, Zen.
Yoosung: Good morning Kao
Kao: Hey guys, what's going on?
Jumin Han: Saeran is being taken in for questioning tomorrow by the police.
I swallowed nervously.
V: I did all I could to stop it, but he's been identified as a terrorist.
Jumin Han: Holding them off for the last couple of days was unbelievable enough. You did all you could.
V: Well you helped me with it too.
Kao: What's going to happen to him?
Jumin: Things don't look good for him. Yes, he held off the attack, but he still was one of the main participants in the terrorist attack and he's done terrible things in the past.
Kao:...
Jaehee Kang: It just doesn't seem right, he did save us after all.
Zen: Jaehee, you honestly support this guy? He's a terrorist. He's killed people.
Yoosung: He did seem kind of unstable…
Jumin Han: Enough. What matters is that we're all alive and well. Terrorist or not, if V trusts him I will support him.
Kao: Me too.
Jaehee Kang: As will I.
Yoosung: If everyone else trusts him then I do too!
707 joined the chatroom.
707: Heyooo
Kao: Hey Seven.
Jumin Han: Such a frivolous greeting.
Zen: Agreed.
707: What's going on?
Zen: Scroll up, man.
There was a few brief seconds of silence.
707: ...Damn it. I hoped they wouldn't target onto him so soon. After the attack there was so much press and media coverage, along with the destruction of Mint Eye that I figured we'd have enough time to get him away from the police.
Kao: Is it too late to do that now?
707: If he's already in their custody, yeah. He's a terrorist, not any normal criminal. He wasn't the leader of the attack, thank god, but he was still involved. This is pretty serious.
Kao: I'm guessing they won't allow bail.
Jaehee Kang: No, he's too serious of a terrorist for that.
V: We'll just have to wait and hope that the questioning goes well.
Yoosung: I'm sure it will!
Jumin Han: I hate to be the pessimist here, however...
Zen: You're always the pessimist.
Jumin Han: The chances of him getting out with no serious repercussions are practically zero to none. Even with a lawyer.
Kao: That's…
Jumin Han: Sad, yes, but that's life. If you do a crime and you're caught, there will be punishments no matter the reasoning. There are no true happy endings. It's better to learn that lesson early on.
Zen: Sometimes I question if you're human or not.
Jumin Han: You're the one who wanted him to be imprisoned.
Zen: It's not like that...I just think we should be sure that he's not dangerous. Think about it. First he was an official from Mint Eye and a random stranger, then all of the sudden he turned a new leaf? I just want to make sure that he won't hurt anyone.
Kao: I understand what you're saying Zen, and why you would be scared. But Saeran has a deeper connection with all of us, and RFA. He's not some random stranger.
Zen: If you all trust him...I don't really have a choice. But you should all know I'm still going to be weary.
V: That is fine, your discretion is appreciated.
Yoosung: So all we can do is wait?
Jumin Han: For now, yes. I will assign one of my best lawyers to him but other than that there is not much we can do.
Kao: I feel awful. Without him we would have…
There was silence again.
707: Can he take visitors?
V: Not right now.
707:...
V: I hate to change the topic, but there is something very important that I need to discuss with Kao.
Kao: What is it?
V: I would prefer to speak about it in private.
Jumin Han: You can come over this evening, Jaehee and I are attending an interview and Yoosung will undoubtedly be playing LOLOL in his room so you'll be alone.
Yoosung: Hey!
Jaehee Kang: It's true though.
Yoosung:...yeh….
V: Very well, I will come around 7 then if that is okay with you.
Kao: That works.
Yoosung: Why can't you tell us what it is?
V: It is something that concerns Kao and Kao only. After we discuss it I will tell all of you.
Yoosung: Alright…
Jumin Han: And Zen, the journalists are coming over to your workplace to interview you once more.
Zen: Aww~ Again?
Yoosung: It's like you enjoy it =_=
Jumin Han: Well, if anything, I'm glad that you're taking most of the spotlight off of us. You're the perfect scapegoat due to your popularity. All of the press has been flocking to you.
Zen: It's true~ After the terrorist attack my popularity skyrocketed, I have half a mind to be relieved.
Jumin Han: Don't joke about things like that.
Zen: Yeah…sorry.
Jaehee Kang: My apologies for interrupting. But what's going to happen to us?
Kao: Us?
Jaehee Kang: To RFA. The last party we had was shortly before Rika committed suicide, and now this one was interrupted by a terrorist attack. Do we have the strength to host another?
No one answered. I had also briefly pondered this. After the donor scandal and the terrorist attack, would anyone really want to come to them anymore? To my suprise, Yoosung was the first to respond.
Yoosung: I want to keep hosting them. I know some terrible things have happened but I think we're starting a new slate now.
Zen: What do you mean?
Yoosung: I don't want to stop hosting fundraisers because of what happened in the past. I want to stay with all of you and host even more of them, even if people don't show up. We all survived that attack, and I think we should be thankful of that. My way of being thankful is helping people, and our fundraisers do help people.
Kao: I want to continue as well.
Zen: I do as well.
Jumin Han: I agree.
V: Jaehee?
Jaehee: I do, yes.
V: Luciel?
707: Absolutely.
V: Then it's settled. I also want to continue hosting them. I've been keeping so many secrets from all of you over the past several years, but after everything I feel...almost like another person.
707: I feel the same.
V: I think that this is a new slate for us. Not only with fundraisers but as...as individuals too.
Yoosung: T-T
Jumin Han: I can hear Yoosung crying through his door.
Yoosung: SHUDDUP!
Zen: *Shut up
Yoosung: YOU SHUDDUP TOO ZEN!
Kao: There there.
707: I can imagine Yoosung sobbing with his runny nose lolol
Yoosung: DON'T LAUGH
Jumin Han: Stop using caps, it's giving me a headache.
Zen: You're giving me a headache.
707: Oh? Is that the quick way to give Jumin a headache?
Jumin Han: I hate all things in caps.
707: What about…..
707: ELIZABETH THE 3RD!
Jumin Han: Don't you dare use her precious name in that manner. Such insolence.
V: So much for thinking we could all have a bonding moment.
707: lolol
Kao: NYAH!
Jumin Han: Not you too.
707: Kao and I are unstoppable with the power of caps.
Kao: HUZZAH!
707: WOOHOO!
Jumin Han: Stop shitting around. This isn't the time nor the place to be joking around like this. Not considering what we've been through.
707: u don't even know where I am.
Jumin Han: I don't need to, you're always ridiculous.
Zen: I see Seven has returned to his original self. I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or not.
Yoosung: Yaayyy! I actually did miss the goofy Seven!
707: Yup 3O
Jumin Han: Atrocious.
Yoosung: wat
Kao: haha
Zen: Yoosung, atrocious means sexy.
Yoosung: WHHAAAAA?
Kao: LOL
Jaehee Kang: ...No. Don't listen to them Yoosung, atrocious means appalling.
Zen: Can't believe he fell for that.
Yoosung: Zennnn T-T
Jumin Han: As if I would ever call Luciel anything remotely close to the word 'sexy.'
707: I feel so loved~
Jaehee Kang: It did feel like a piece was missing when he was gone.
Kao: Seven brings life into the chat.
It was true. He did.
Yoosung: Yup!
Jumin Han: You're all delirious.
Kao: Come on Jumin, admit it. You're glad he's back.
V: Well...I for one certainly did.
Jumin Han: Well personally, I am surprised that he's so cheerful what with the situation his brother is in. It almost makes me think he's okay with it.
There was silence and I silently cursed Jumin for saying something so blunt. Seven would never feel like that. He was probably doing his best to appear normal so he could cheer everyone else up. I knew him well enough by now to know this. I had a sneaking suspicion Jumin did as well, but just wanted to hear his response. No one said a word. I wondered if Seven was going to leave but he replied.
707: Of course I'm not okay with it haha. I still have many things that I want to talk to him about, things I want to explain and apologize for that I'm afraid I'll never get the chance to.
There was a long pause and I suddenly wanted to hug him.
707: But you're right, I guess. I shouldn't be acting like this. Not while he's going through so much.
Kao: It's okay Seven. It's important to be aware and sympathetic of what's happening, but never so much as to damage your own happiness.
Yoosung: Yea, it's important to help others take on their burdens, so long as you're not taking on all their burdens by yourself.
Kao: Exactly.
Jaehee Kang: I agree as well. No matter the events going on around us, this chatroom is a place for us to be ourselves and unload our burdens. So don't worry about acting in a particular way.
707: lol thx guys, so sweet~
Jumin Han: I suppose the chatroom did feel a little empty while he was away. Although I did enjoy the tranquility of it.
Jaehee Kang: I'm sure Mr. Han missed Luciel just as much as everyone else.
Jumin Han: Oh? Maybe I'll get rid of the cat sitter and make Assistant Kang look after Elizabeth the 3rd instead.
Jaehee Kang:..
707: hoho
Jaehee Kang: Please don't…
Jumin Han: Oh don't worry, you don't have a choice in the matter now. Make sure you give her a bath every other day. You know what kind of brand she eats, so I doubt I have to go over that once more. That is, you can be quite the forgetful assistant sometimes, perhaps I should.
Jaehee Kang: Please don't.
Zen: He's a robot.
Kao: D:
Yoosung: Rip Jaowhee…
Zen: Typo -_-
707: lolol I missed u too Jumin.
707: but mainly just Elizabeth the 3rd
Jumin Han: Good. I wouldn't want you to miss me. That would be quite unsettling.
Yoosung: Also, we have a cat sitter? Where? I've never seen her.
Jumin Han: That doesn't say much considering you rarely leave your room.
Yoosung: HEY! I've been coming out more often.
Kao: Yoosung has a point though, I've never seen her.
Jaehee Kang: She comes here very early in the morning, around 2 a.m every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, to restock Elizabeth the 3rd's food supply and give her a bath.
Jaehee Kang: There have been times that she hasn't shown up though.
Zen: I never noticed either.
Jaehee Kang: Well the last couple of weeks have been incredibly hectic...it's not surprising.
V: Indeed...so much has happened.
Kao: I really hope Saeran will be okay…
V: There's nothing we can do but hope.
707: I didn't even get a chance to talk to him again...haha
Kao: I'm sure we'll be able to soon.
707: Yeah...thanks Kao.
Jumin Han: Anyways, Assistant Kang and I must be off, we have an interview to attend.
Jaehee Kang: Yes, good night everyone.
Kao: Bye you two, stay safe.
Zen: Good night.
Yoosung: Cya!
707: Bai bai
V: Have a nice night you two.
Jumin Han has left the chatroom.
Jaehee Kang has left the chatroom.
V: I'm going to get off as well. I'm going to come over to the apartment.
Kao: Alright, cya soon.
V has left the chatroom.
Zen: I'm curious what V wants to talk to you about.
Yoosung: Me too!
Kao: I honestly have no idea.
Zen: Probably something pretty serious if he wants to talk to her alone.
Yoosung: yeah...
707: well u two have fun
707: gonna get off
I felt a sharp pang. I had wanted to talk to him more.
Zen: Oh, night.
Kao: Goodnight Seven.
707 has left the chatroom
Yoosung: Night!
Kao: I'm gonna get off too.
Kao: Cya later.
Zen: Have a nice night.
Yoosung: I mean...we're right next door XD
Kao: Crap...I keep forgetting that!
Yoosung: Me too lol, it's ok
Kao: Alright, bai for now then.
Kao has left the chatroom.
I exited my room with a yawn and made myself a cup of green tea before sitting in the living room and waiting for V. He arrived within ten or so minutes and I opened the door to let him in.
"Hey, sorry for the wait." He said.
"No problem." I replied, closing it behind him. "Did you eat?"
"Not yet, I'm not that hungry though." I glanced at him, worried.
"You should eat." I insisted. "It's easy for your body to forget how hungry you actually are when you're under a lot of stress." He chuckled.
"Thank you for your concern. But I'm fine, I had a late lunch."
"Ah, alright. Want something to drink?" He glanced at my cup.
"Some tea if you don't mind."
"Not at all." I walked over to the counter and quickly made a cup before handing it to him. Steam swirled up from it briskly. Gratefully, he took it.
"What did you have to talk about?" He paused. It was a fleeting, but I saw his mint colored eyes flick around the room. I observed him, a little worried. What was so important that he had to be this secretive?
"Mind if we speak in your room?" He inquired politely. I hesitated briefly before shaking my head and opened the door to my room. V closed the door behind us. There was silence between us. "You're probably wondering why I refuse to talk to any of the others about this." He said finally.
"That is one of the many questions I have asked myself, yes." I responded with a nod.
"You remember the software I was talking to you about earlier? The one your parents made?"
"The one that could hack past anything?"
"Yes." He paused to run his fingertips along my desk and then held them up to his face. "No dust, I see Jumin keeps this place spotless."
"That was me actually." I replied, sitting on the bed. "He was kind enough to let me stay here so I wanted to keep it clean."
"That was nice of you." There was a slight edge to his voice. He turned and leaned against the wall with a sigh. "Kao, do you know what I'm here for?" I observed him, silent. Then nodded.
"You want me to decide what to do with it. The software."
"That is correct. Your parents left it up to their only daughter to decide what would happen to it, since they could not. However, after they were killed it was too dangerous to involve you with it again, because Mint Eye was after you. But now they're gone now." There was silence. "Have you thought about it?" He inquired finally.
"A little." I admitted. "But I don't think it should be my decision. It...it could do so much, both for good and bad. I don't have the right to-"
"You are the only one who has the right." V interjected. "You are their daughter. If anything, they trusted you enough to leave that decision to you."
"But I'm not their daughter!" I replied adamantly. "Not really...I didn't even know them! I have one memory of them—one—and that's of my mother. I can't even remember her face." Trembling, I brought the cup to my lips and took a sip before placing it back on my lap. "It...it doesn't feel like they're my parents."
"Why not? You've always known you were adopted, surely you've imagined who they could be." V was calm, but I could tell that he was struggling to understand. I was silent.
"Say you're reading a story," I said finally, "And there's a character that's lived their entire life a servant." I looked up at him. "They suddenly learn that their parents are actually royalty. But even so, that character doesn't consider themselves anything else but a servant, because, to them, that is what they are, and that's all they've viewed themselves as for their entire life."
V pondered this and nodded slowly. "Hmm. I suppose that makes sense." He paused. "So you don't want to make the decision?"
"I-" I broke off. "I'm just scared that I won't make the right one." I whispered. It was true. This software could be used by our government for good, it could help people, it could prevent terrorist attacks, and actions that could harm others. But it could also be a weapon. What if it fell into the wrong hands? Into the hands of an organization like Mint Eye? Or what if our own government used it for corrupted reasons and ended up hurting people? V knelt down in front of me, his bright pale eyes filled with sympathy.
"Listen, I know this is a lot to think about, and I know you're still dealing with a lot. But I think this is an important decision and you can make it."
"Thanks V." I replied, wryly. My mind was silence between us. "I think...I think I know what to do,:
"So you've made your choice…? He asked finally. I swallowed.
"...Yes."
"Then come with me."
"What?" I looked up at him, inquisitive. "...Where?"
"You'll see." He turned away from me and then glanced over his shoulder. "If you'll come that is." Our eyes met and his lips curled up into a kind smile. Sometimes I forgot that, like Saeran, V had been watching me for the majority of my life as well. He knew what I was like, what I had been through. He knew that above all else, curiosity was something that always drove me. It almost wasn't fair, considering how little I knew of him. I sighed and then stood up.
"...Alright."
No one stopped us when we exited the apartment. I could hear the furious tapping of keys from Yoosung's room as we passed. Zen was at work and Jumin and Jaehee wouldn't return from their interview for quite some time, so I flicked the lights off before we stepped outside.
Slowly, summer was fading away. It was a gradual change, one that tourists and visitors weren't able to pinpoint, but rather only by people who had lived in Seoul their entire lives. It wasn't just a change in the temperature, but one in the atmosphere, that is to say, (not the actual atmosphere) but the ambience or mood. In summer there was excitement and freedom. It was in the air; when students were let out of school, when the beaches opened once more, when the cicadas came out. But currently, there was none of that.
This wasn't necesarrily a bad thing. It was tranquil and contemplative. The days were getting shorter, the nights longer. Students were getting ready to return to school. The leaves were no longer a crisp emerald green, but their edges were tinted crimson and gold—just beginning to turn and fall from their branches. The aroma of campfires and burnt wood could be smelled, filtering through alleyways and markets. Autumn was my favorite season, and it always had been. Something about watching the world transform from vibrance to tranquility had always stunned me. Winter was beautiful, yes, but it was cold—an empty beauty. Spring was wet and windy, gorgeous towards the end, but then wasn't it just the beginning of summer?
I pondered this as I walked out of the apartment and stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, observing the street that was bathed in a warm apricot glow. The sun was beginning to set. V's car was parked in front of the apartment. It was colored a dark blue, and was small but elegant, seemingly fitting for him. He took out his keys, clicking a button on it before opening the door on his side and glancing at me.
"You coming?" I blinked. "Yeah sorry." I opened the door in front of me, ducking inside.
"Hmmm. V, what's your favorite season?" I inquired suddenly, as he started the car and we pulled out of the street.
"My favorite what?"
"Season." He was thrown off guard by this question, and stayed silent for a little.
"Hmm...For the longest time I liked winter the most." He replied finally, his mint colored eyes locked onto the road. We came to a stop at a light.
"Why?"
"Well, to me, it was mysterious. Because it's so hot here, I was never able to see layers upon layers of snow, icicles that were twelve inches long, snowmen that scattered the lawns, things that I would see in movies. I had always dreamed what winter would look like." There was a wistfulness in his voice. I listened intently as the light changed to green and we drove forward. "But when I met Rika, the summer immediately became my favorite; the hot days, the hopefulness, and the freedom. Her bright smile was like the sun." He paused. "She was my summer." His face was filled with memories of her, I could tell. Things that I couldn't intrude upon.
"I'm sorry." I said finally. He glanced at me.
"What for?"
"For making you talk about her."
"You didn't make me do anything, I mentioned her of my own accord." We turned a sharp corner. "Besides, when I think about her now, she just makes me smile." I nodded slowly. Silence fell between us as I looked out the window. Tall buildings and little markets flew behind us. The warm light played hide and go seek as it popped out, illuminating an alleyway, before it disappeared behind a skyscraper, and then popped out once more. Large billboards and signs were scattered across the walls, some missing a letter, others blinking vibrantly.
"There was something I forgot to mention to the others." V said after a few minutes of silence. "About...Rika." I glanced at him. "She knew about you, about Mint Eye, all of it. I tried to keep it from her but, of course, she eventually found out. She couldn't understand it, why I would harbor and protect someone I didn't even know. She was...jealous at first, of you I mean." My eyes widened. "I don't think she realized at the time that I might have hated you just as much. Sorry, you know I don't anymore, right?" He added quickly.
"It's fine." I replied with a laugh. "I know."
"Well, at the time, Rika was constantly worried that something would happen to me, that I would be hurt. Eventually we got into arguments where she would try to convince me to forget about Mint Eye, stop protecting you, and just focus on RFA." I was silent. "You know, there's a misconception about her." V began. "Everyone thinks that she was perfect, that she was always kind. And she was kind, in her own way. But she was also selfish, Kao, selfish and scared, and I loved her for it. I wouldn't care if she ripped out my eyes, my heart, or my soul, I loved her so much it scared me." My fingers interlocked together tightly.
"Why did you go against her then?" I whispered. "Why'd you keep protecting me?"
"Because my love for my father was almost just as great." V replied. "And because I knew how important you were. If Mint Eye got what they wanted there would be hell to pay. I almost did stop though, there were times when I wanted to just forget about everyone else and run away with her. But...soon it was too late. She became miserable and...well you know."
"I'm...so sorry." I whispered. V stiffened. "It's my fault-"
"Oh no, please don't apologize. I didn't want to tell you that story so you would feel bad about it. I told you because I wanted you to know about the real Rika, why she had died." We escaped the towering skyscrapers and small markets of Seoul and our view eventually opened up into the countryside; endless rice fields, green hills, and large clouds. "At first I did blame you for her death, but then I blamed myself even more." His fingers tapped the wheel. "However, recently I've learned that there was no one to blame but Rika herself." He looked at me. "There was something dark in Rika. And that something drew me to her. It made me want to help her, and simultaneously indulge myself in that darkness." He looked away. "In the end, I wasn't able to heal her, but she also didn't make an effort to heal herself. She wanted to be helped, but also refused to receive any. She was a...complicated person." I nodded numbly.
"This may be a rude question," I began, glancing at him for confirmation.
"That's fine."
"But if she was...as dark as you said, how could she have been your sun?"
"Oh don't get me wrong, she had darkness in her, yes, but she could also shine brighter than anyone else. There were times when, if you were in the same room with her, you would be drawn to her, to her smile. Blinded almost. I would think to myself, this must have been what she was like before darkness entered her heart. I was drawn to her."
"What happened to her? That made her dark I mean." V was silent.
"I could never bring myself to ask." I blinked. "I know what you're thinking." He added. "How could I have never asked that? I wanted to, I did, I thought about it everyday. But I was scared that it would break her. I respected her privacy and thought that she would tell me when the time came. Of course, it never did." My mind began to race. What could have happened to her? Rika?
We came to a slow stop in a place that I did not recognize. From what I could see, we were in the middle of nowhere, near the edge of a forest. There was a winding gravel road that led to a collection of what looked to be ruins and pillars. V turned off the car.
"We're here."
We got out of the car and I looked around, entranced. We were in a little clearing that was almost entirely bordered by trees. A serene breeze was in the air that rustled the long blades of grass that lined the many hills. The sky was a dome around us, cloudless, beautiful. I felt that if I tried hard enough, I could reach it. There were purple wildflowers that danced in the breeze. I knelt down and picked a handful of them, a smile on my face.
"Lovely place, isn't it?" V asked, shutting the car door.
"Very." I replied, putting the wildflowers in my pocket. "Where are we?" Instead of replying, he merely began to walk forward. His footsteps crunched in the gravel.
"Follow me." He said. I obliged and together, the two of us walked down the rocky pathway. The ruins became bigger and bigger, allowing me to see them in detail. They were made of marble, all exquisitely carved and shaped. Eventually, I realized that it was a graveyard. My eyes widened.
"Is this…" My voice trailed off as we left the gravel road, our feet crushing the soft grass. We stopped. A small black gateway stood before us, marking the entrance to the graveyard. I could see the ivy that spiraled and twisted around the black bars. Beside the gate was a silver plaque that read: Dedicated to Goo Tai-Hee and Lee Seo-Yon.
"This used to be where your parents lived." V said. "Your house was here, before the fire burnt it down. But even after their deaths, they could never bear to build on top of this place." V replied, following my gaze. "Your parents were well loved, so they built a memorial instead. It was my father's idea." He took a silver key out of his pocket and slid it into a keyhole, twisting it. A satisfying click could be heard and he grabbed one of the bars, slowly pulling it open. There was a loud creak. "We're not exactly supposed to be in here," V began, "but since my father was one of the main people responsible for building this…" He waved the silver key in front of me before pocketing it. "Convenient, I suppose." I nodded, not knowing what else to say. This was where my parents had died? Where I had almost died? V took a few steps inside and then glanced at me, waiting respectfully. I swallowed and looked down, watching as my own foot stepped inside. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be alright." I looked up and continued walking forward, shoving my hands in my pockets.
It was a beautiful memorial, well made and well kept. Shrubs of roses lined the inside of the black fence that surrounded us. A fountain was in the middle. I timidly held out a hand, my lips curling upwards when the cool water cascaded onto my skin, reflecting the light of the setting sun. There were statues scattered around, all white and marble, all posing, their faces showing their intense emotions. I could see every detail; their curly hair, their eyes, their rippling clothing. I ran my hands across a sculpted arm in awe.
"It looks like a garden fit for a palace." I whispered.
"My father wanted to give them the best burial he could." V said. "I've only been here once before, it hasn't changed since."
"It's wonderful."
"Indeed it is." We passed the fountain and two large tees that stood next to one another before coming to a stop. Thin steps led up to a tall mausoleum with marble pillars and a metal gate for a door. There were vibrant rose petals scattered across the white steps, fluttering in the breeze. It looked like something out of a dream. V took a few steps forward and unlocked the door to the memorial with the same key before pushing it open. I forced myself to move forward and together we walked inside.
From what I could see, there was a long marble stairway that led underground, before eventually disappearing into darkness. V pulled out his cellphone and tapped the screen. I winced as a bright stream of light suddenly flooded from it.
"Watch your step." He warned. We made slow progress downwards, our hands sliding down the smooth walls as we descended deeper and deeper. I was filled with both trepidation and excitement. My heart thudded violently.
Several minutes passed before we finally reached the bottom. V held up his phone, letting light fill the room. It was made completely out of white marble, with what looked like a well in the middle of it. I could see carvings and symbols on the ceiling. Against the wall were two coffins, side by side, decorated and inscribed with small messages and words that I couldn't quite make out. V walked up to the coffins, I joined him.
"May they rest in peace." He murmured before looking at me. "These are the remains of your parents from the fire. My father wanted a proper place for them." I nodded numbly. Hesitating, I brushed the marble surface of a coffin. It was smooth and cold to the touch. I shivered. This is where I would have been if V's father had not saved me.
"Thank you V." I whispered. V glanced at me. "For protecting me all this time. And thank you to your father as well...without you two I'd be…"
"It's alright Kao." He smiled warmly. "It was our pleasure." Quickly, I gave him a hug, because I couldn't find anything else to say that would properly display my gratitude. He hugged me back.
"Want to talk to them?" He asked finally when we broke away. I looked at the coffins.
"I…" I paused. "Yes." I looked at the coffins for a little, silent. V rested a hand on my shoulder. I saw him turn away. I felt like I was supposed to say something, like I was supposed to...mourn them. But I didn't feel sad, just...lost. I didn't even know them. "Hi Mom...Dad." I whispered. It felt so unreal, like I was calling my parents two random adults I'd never met before. "It's been a while huh…"
I had spent most of my time in the orphanage imagining all the things I would say to my birth parents if I ever had the chance to meet them, most of them admittedly being spiteful. 'Why did you leave me?' 'Why couldn't you give me a chance?' 'Was I not good enough for you?' But now, those words were meaningless in my mouth, void of meaning. They were words of a orphan who just missed her parents. Now that I knew what had happened, what they had done for me, I didn't know what to say. I had always envisioned my parents as selfish, uncaring people who had merely left me on the side of the road, but it was so much more than that.
"I'm sorry-" I began to say before shaking my head. "I mean...thank you. For bringing me into this world." I swallowed. Unfortunately they weren't alive for me to hug them. I reached into my pocket and gently laid a purple wildflower on each grave.
I stood up and turned, expecting to see V waiting to go back upstairs, but to my surprise he was looking into the well, his back to me. I joined him and peered inside. The water was still. Even with the bright light from V's phone, I couldn't see the bottom of it.
"V?" I questioned, when he hadn't moved. V didn't respond. His pale blue eyes peered into the water, silent. He leaned away from it and knelt down, his face close to the wall of the well where he held his phone to a silver plaque that I hadn't noticed before. I knelt down beside him.
"To the purest of blood, may your ancestry pave the way to your truth." I murmured. "What does that mean?" For the first time, V seemed to hear me, because he blinked and quickly glanced at me.
"Do you remember what I said? At the hospital?"
"About what?"
"The system your parents invented." After peering at my confused face V clarified for me. "They placed the entire system it in a single chip and locked it it in a vault deep underground, sealing it so it would be impossible for anyone to enter. Anyone but their descendants, as it was sealed with an imperfect DNA identification system, otherwise unreachable for anyone else."
"So this is…" My eyes widened.
"Correct."
"How do I…"
"I'm not sure, my father wasn't clear on that part." V ran his free hand over the smooth marble wall of the well, erasing a thin layer of dust. He rubbed it between his fingers.
"It's like Indiana Jones." I said with a laugh. He looked at me.
"Pardon?"
"Oh it's a movie about a treasure hunter." I clarified, embarrassed that I had brought it up. "He solves things like this." If Seven were here, he probably would have quoted it. I thought to myself wistfully. Without thinking, I gently pressed my entire hand onto the plaque, my fingers outstretched. V looked at me.
"You think it would be that easy?"
"I don't see why not, this wasn't meant to be hard to figure out." Suddenly I felt a sharp prick and let out an 'ouch,' pulling back my hand. There was a tiny sliver on my hand, where blood began to form.
"You alright?" V asked worriedly.
"It's just a small cut." I reassured. We both looked back at the plaque that had a tiny metal blade in the middle of the letter e of the word 'ancestry.' I could see my blood on it. It withdrew, sliding into a tiny crack before it sealed shut. V and I waited in anticipated silence, unsure what was going to happen next. I was about to say something before we felt a soft rumble, and then the loud clicking of a machine. V and I exchanged glances before we both abruptly stood up and gripped the edge of the well to peer inside.
The water was rumbling. I could see ripples of it flicker as the light from V's phone filled the inside of the well. I could see something beneath the surface of the water move, as if a secret entrance was being opened up. And then, slowly, the water began to drain. It loudly splashed against the sides, angrily swirling down what looked like a spiral staircase that was being formed. Eventually, it disappeared from sight, leaving small droplets and puddles that dripped down the steps.
"Awesome." I said finally.
"How innovative." V whispered. I grabbed the side of the well and hoisted myself over, landing inside with a grunt. V followed me in, landing with a soft splash into a puddle. The spiral staircase had no railing and was quite thin, as the entire well was only around the average arm span of a person.
"I have a feeling it's a long way down." I said, my heart beating rapidly.
"As do I." V squeezed in front of me, shining his phone down into the darkness. "Let's go."
It was a very long way down. Nearly five minutes passed and nothing had changed. It was the same marble walls and the same marble staircase over and over again. Half of me was convinced we would arrive at China if we kept going at this rate.
"So how did my parents build this vault?" I questioned finally.
"What do you mean?" V asked, not turning to look at me.
"I mean, how did they build a vault under their tomb when they weren't dead yet?"
"Well they build the vault directly under the house when they were alive, with this staircase implemented into it, originally there was no mausoleum. Besides your parents, my father was the only person who knew about it. After they died he knew that you might come back one day for it, and so he build this mausoleum and connected the vault to it. No one even knew that the respectful memorial built for your parents was also the entrance to their vault."
"So he made the modifications afterwards?"
"Correct."
"But wouldn't he want it sealed forever? Even if it meant I couldn't enter? That way no one could reach it."
"It doesn't matter if it was uncovered or not, no one could enter without being a direct descendent anyways so he wasn't worried about it." I nodded slowly.
"And how did my parents build such an advanced...thing?" I questioned. "I mean this was twenty or so years ago. I don't even know if DNA identification existed then."
"The very basics of it did. And besides, your parents were geniuses. They worked with the best of the best to create the best of the best. They used technology that was not yet known to the outside world and even invented some of their own. If they were still alive…" V stopped abruptly. "Well...they would be even more famous, I'll just put it that way." I felt a sudden pang in my chest. It wasn't fair. For there to be so much potential and promise in their lives and have it all be taken away from them, just like that. V stopped suddenly, nearly making me crash into him. "Look." He whispered. I stepped to the side of him and then gasped.
A long gaping hallway spanned in front of us with a reflective floor that shined from the light from V's phone. Archways lined the ceiling and towered above us. Darkness covered the rest of the corridor, but I suspected years ago it had been fully lit.
"...Wow." I said. "I can't believe this was all built underground without anyone noticing."
"Your parents had practically everything at their disposal." V said, though I could tell that even he was in awe. We continued down the corridor. I could hear our light footsteps echo down the hallway. Years ago, I had actually lived on top of this! Within a few seconds we reached the end of the corridor, which was covered in metal. I could see the outline of a metal door, where there was a large black rectangle made from black glass in the middle of it.
I gaped at it. "This is…"
"The entrance to the vault." V finished. "Of course...they had two identification panels. The first one for that well upstairs wouldn't have done much, since someone could have just drilled their way down here. This must be practically indestructible." He knocked against the metal with his knuckles and then gestured to the black glass. I gently placed my hand onto the cool surface and sucked in a breath, flinching when I felt the sharp prick once more. I retracted my hand. There was a gentle rumble beneath us and we both took a few steps backwards, looking up simultaneously as small horizontal lines formed in the metal wall, quickly moving up and down, and then left and right. Then they slid apart, slowly revealing darkness behind it. We were silent.
"Go." V said finally. I looked at him and he gestured inside. "What's in there was meant for your eyes, and yours alone. I'll be waiting near the stairs." I hesitated, almost afraid of being alone, but then nodded. V gave me a comforting smile and then turned around, his hands in his pockets. I stood there, watching as he became smaller and smaller and then turned around before venturing inside.
I turned on the flashlight in my own phone and held it up above me, illuminating the space. The opening in the metal wall had led to another corridor, except this one was much smaller and more narrow. There were photos that lined the walls of people that I did not recognize, and of places that I had never seen before. I stopped at one in particular, shining light on it. It was a large group photo comprised of several adults all huddled together. I spotted two people whom I recognized to be my parents in the middle, except that they were much younger. I wiped the picture with my sleeve to erase the layer of dust that had settled upon it before continuing down the hallway.
As I progressed down the corridor, I realized that the pictures on the wall formed a timeline. I spotted my parents at a dinner table, cheeks pink, their eyes crinkled with awkward laughter—the kind that can only be seen on first dates. Then them holding hands on a pier dock, the bright blue sky above them. Then a wedding picture, where my mother was dressed in a flowing white gown, kissing my father who was dressed in a sharp suit. Then a smaller picture that caught my eye; of my parents who stood on a field in front of a gorgeous manor, holding a baby wrapped in blankets. Below the photo was a small label that read 'Our newborn child!' in beautiful cursive letters. My throat clenched and I squinted, trying to get a look at it's face. That was me. I was tiny, my face scrunched up in a miserable expression as I peered at the camera. I smiled a little before continuing on.
Eventually I reached the end of the hallway. I held up my phone and my eyes widened. The corridor led into a large pentagon shaped room. It was filled with little trinkets, pictures, toys, books, and souvenirs. There were stacks upon stacks of them. In the middle of the room was a single cherrywood box bordered with gold that sat on a plush velvet cushion. I already knew what was in it. I knelt down onto the reflective floor and gently opened the box which made a soft click. The interior of the box was lined with velvet, and in the bottom of it was a chip that was no bigger than a fingernail. I stared at it.
Everything had evolved around this, this miniscule object that Mint Eye had killed for, and that V had protected me for. This single chip. It was hard to believe that something so small could be so important. And it was up to me to decide what would happen to it. I closed the box slowly and then looked up at the stacks of trinkets around me. I realized that this had not just been a vault for the software, but a vault dedicated to me. It was filled with memories I would never recall, objects that I had never seen. It was the physical form of a will that my parents had bestowed to me. I stood up and reached for a large book that was lying on the floor. I opened it up and realized that it was a photo album.
I saw my parents, smiling, happy. Then me, chubby with a angry face. Then me, less angry with the first signs of hair on my head, ketchup on my chin. Then me again, sitting on a piano bench, my mother holding my arms as my little fingers touched one of the keys. Slowly, I pressed the book to my chest and squeezed my eyes shut. I remembered that memory. That was my only memory of my parents.
I missed them.
I would have wanted that life, a life happy and free, untroubled and blessed. And in that brief moment, I wished that my parents had never invented the software, that Mint Eye had never existed, because then...maybe...I might have been able to have this life. A sob escaped me as a tear rolled down my cheek. I had never imagined that they had loved me this much, that for the first couple months of my life, I had been so treasured. I wiped my tear away but another one quickly took its place.
"Mom...Dad." I whispered. And this was the first time that I really was mournful, that I was in agonizing pain, because this was the first time that I felt connected to them. I was in those pictures. I was smiling in them, and they were too. Why couldn't that last forever? Why couldn't that happiness last forever? Numb, I sniffled and quickly rubbed my eyes. I gently hugged the album to my chest. "Thank you." I whispered. Then I looked down and grabbed the box with the chip in it with my free hand. But if the software had never been invented, I would have never met the others. I would have never joined RFA, and I would have never met Seven. I swallowed. Yes, I was certain what I wanted to do with it now, the chip. And I think from the beginning, from the moment I had learned about it, a part of me had already decided.
V was waiting, as he had said, by the stairs. He glanced at me when I stopped in front of him.
"Are you alright?" He briefly observed my eyes that I guessed were red. I nodded, looking at the ground. "What happened?" I was silent before peering into his eyes.
"I destroyed it." I replied softly. It had been so easy. I had merely smashed it with my foot and now it was gone, forever, unable to hurt anyone ever again.
"I see."
"Do you think I made the right decision?" I whispered. I still held the album in my arms.
"That is not for me to decide." V replied. He patted me on the shoulder. "Are you ready to go?"
"The vault was filled with other things." I said quickly. "Not just the chip. I...I would like to take them all with me but there's a lot." V blinked.
"I can help you load them onto the car if you want."
"I'm sorry…It'll take a while." I muttered. "I don't mean to trouble you."
"Those are the only things that your parents left you." He reassured. "If my father had left me an entire vault before his death, I would want every single thing inside. I understand. But is it okay for me to come in there? It seems like a private place." I smiled a little. V was kind and warm. He reminded me a little bit of a father figure and I felt safe around him.
"I don't mind."
It took almost three hours to load everything up and when we finally got back in the car the sky was dark and filled with stars. I shut the car door and let out a long sigh. V started the engine.
"Sorry that took so long." I said.
"It's fine." V reassured as we turned around and started to drive back the way we had came.
It was almost 1 in the morning by the time we got back and finished moving everything in my room. V put down the last stack of books and heaved out a sigh.
"I think that's the last of them."
"Thank you so much for the help." I said. I set down a box of trinkets beside my bed.
"What's going on?" We both turned to see Yoosung who was standing in the doorway, rubbing his eyes and peering at us tiredly. They widened slightly and then he blinked. "What's all this?"
"It's a lot to explain, we can talk about it tomorrow." V said as he walked out of my room and patted Yoosung's head. "You should get some sleep."
"I'm...playing LOLOL." Yoosung slurred. He yawned loudly.
"Don't you think that's enough for tonight?" V asked. Yoosung shook his head.
"The exp event just started…"
"Yoosung your sleep is more valuable." I added with a slight frown.
"Debatable." He said slowly.
"No, it's not." V replied gently. Yoosung sighed.
"Yeah, yeah, alright, I'll turn it off." He trudged back into his room. V and I smiled tiredly.
"Goodnight Kao, talk to you tomorrow." I nodded.
"Night." He left the room after closing the door softly behind him. I sat on my bed and then reached for the album, squeezing it close to my chest. I exhaled a deep sigh before I fell onto the bed and turned off the light, submerging the room in darkness.
-ping-
My eyes instantly opened and I reached into pocket to pull out my phone. It turned on, making me flinch as I read the message.
707: You there?
My heartbeat thudded. I hadn't expected him to message me. Especially at this time of night. I rolled onto my side and stared at my phone before clicking the screen.
Kao: Yeah.
A pause.
707: Hey. What did V talk to you about?
Kao: It's...a long story haha, but he's going to tell everyone tomorrow.
707: Ah…
There was silence. I looked away from the phone, at the empty spot next to me. I imagined that Seven was there, on his side, his head resting on his arm, smiling at me like he had at the hospital. My heart clenched as I saw his icon go offline.
Kao: How have you been?
I just wanted to talk to him more. I waited a bit, but he didn't come back online. I bit my lip and buried my face in my pillow with an angry sigh.
-ping-
My eyes snapped open and I looked at my phone.
707: ...stressed lol. I just hope that my brother will be okay.
That's right...Saeran had been captured by the police in for questioning...Admittedly I had forgotten about it, what with the vault and the memories of my parents. My fingers were still. I wanted to comfort him, but what could I say? We both knew that there was a very low chance of him escaping with light repercussions.
Kao: Me too.
707: We haven't been able to talk about much since the hospital.
Kao: Yeah, so much has happened lately. I kind of just want it to go back to normal.
707: Mhmm. Are you going to move back into your apartment? Mint Eye is gone now so you should be safe.
Ah, right.
Kao: Probably. Jumin's already been getting on edge about so many people living there. But how have you been? Is your ankle okay?
707: Yeah it's alright. I still have the cast but the doctor said it should be off soon haha.
I smiled.
Kao: Good to hear.
Half of me wanted to just drive to the hospital and kiss him.
Kao: It feels like such a long time since we talked lol, I want to see you.
A pause. I remembered what had happened at the hospital, when we had almost kissed. I swallowed.
707: Believe me, I feel the same lol. After all of this is over I want to see you. And I'll make it up.
Kao: Make what up?
707: The kiss, you said it was terrible.
Kao: That was a joke! I didn't think it was terrible at all!
707: Oh? So you enjoyed it as well?
I flushed. My fingers hesitated over the screen.
707: Hmm?~
Kao:...
707: Kao~
Kao: not gonna answer that.
707: I think you did. But why do you refuse to answer?
Kao: So how was your day?
707: Oh you did not just ignore me.
Kao: ...Fine. I thought the kiss was…meh.
That was a lie, of course, but I couldn't be fully honest with him. It was too embarrassing.
707: Yeah? I'll show you pretty fantastic kissing right now.
I giggled.
Kao: Yeah?
707: Yeah.
Kao: Then how come you're not here?
707: Ahh right. Well unfortunately, my dear, I'm unable to walk right now, but if you feel like coming over go ahead.
707: Although the visiting hours are over, so I'm afraid you'll just have to wait.
Kao: I could sneak in.
707: Do iiiiit!
Kao: ….but unlike you I'm not a secret agent. I'd be caught right away.
707: Ah~ what a tragedy, we want to see one another but fate is keeping us apart. It's like Romeo and Juliet.
Kao: "Romeo oh Romeo, where art thou Romeo."
707: "In the hospital with a twisted ankle."
Kao: "How cruel! Whoever did this to you?!"
707: "A terribly evil thing called bad luck."
Kao: "I shall slay it for you!"
707: "No, my lovely, you are much too pure. You cannot risk your life for me."
Kao: "But I must."
707: "Why?"
Kao: "Because I love you."
I flushed when I realized what I had said. There was silence.
707: "I suppose love can be justification for anything, can't it?"
I let out a slow breath. That's right, I had just been in character.
Kao: "Yes. It is a scary thing."
707: "Indeed. But how can a princess risk her life to save the prince? Doesn't that mean the prince is weak?"
Kao: "Not at all. Sometimes even the prince needs help. Who said the princess had to be helpless?"
707: "Hmm...I suppose you are correct. You are quite different, Juliet. I have never met a girl like you."
Kao: "And you, Romeo, are quite special as well."
I smiled. There was silence.
Kao: Hey...promise me that as soon as you get out of the hospital, you'll tell me.
707: I promise. It should only be a few more days.
Kao: Okay…
707: Oh
707: Sorry, I don't want to go but it's getting pretty late and I'm exhausted.
707: I'm probably going to get some sleep.
Kao: Ah, alright.
707: Have a nice night, Kao.
Kao: You too ^^
707: This Romeo will be out of his capture soon to whisk you away~
Kao: And this Juliet will be waiting~
I already have the next chapter finished (which is the final one) and I just have to edit it. I'll be posting it Tuesday next week. I know that the last two chapters were info blasts but I hope that they were easy to understand! Thanks for your patience! Next chapter is full of Kao and Seven moments! Yey!