Munch munch.
Munch munch.
Sat on a bench outside the building that housed Rika's apartment was a lone MC in his natural habitat, eating his natural food, nothing, because he didn't want to stand to get food.
He leaned back, head tilted up at the cloudy gray sky, it seemed like it would rain soon. He blinked as something fell on his glasses, focusing his eyes he saw it was water, or more specifically, rain.
Sighing he removed his glasses and started to dry them on his shirt, he'd be forced to go inside if the rain picked up, if not, nothing a shower wouldn't fix.
Looking around he saw people walking from place to place, leaving another building across the street just to turn around, most likely forgetting something. It was… entertaining watching people from a bench.
Looking over his shoulder he saw someone leave the apartment building he was staying in, a woman in her late eighties maybe, his lack of glasses giving him a disadvantage. He sort of forgot that other people lived in the building besides him, at first his thoughts were that V possibly owned the entire building.
He may own it all, he saw a picture of a purple flower on a rock side cliff hung in the foyer, the same one that Zen sent him a few days ago. When he asked the receptionist, she said that one of the owners hung it up a few years ago.
The receptionist… was a strange lady, she seemed to always keep an extra watchful eye on him after his 'induction' to the RFA, he wouldn't disregard the possibility that she was someone hired by V to watch the place, if so, that would explain her careful behavior towards him.
He felt more rain hit his hair and face, he didn't move to clean his glasses again. He felt relaxed just sitting in the rain, maybe he could chat with someone?
Blindly, he grabbed his phone, he decided to call Jumin, why? He wanted to relax and Jumin's voice was soothing in a way.
Holding it to his ear he stared up at the sky again and smiled as the rain hit his face.
"Hello, Jumin here, is something wrong?" He heard something small being set down on the other end.
"It's a rainy day, huh?" He wasn't sure why he started with that but, why not? A squeak sounded as someone, most likely Jumin, walked a short distance.
"Hmm, it is, I'll have to ask Assistant Kang to get an umbrella for me, even if it is a short walk to where Driver Kim parks, I would rather not get wet" He sat back down "Thank you for telling me MC, was the weather all you called to talk about?"
He chuckled as he saw some people run to get inside of a building to escape from the increasing rainfall.
Jumin clicked his tongue "I hear the rain clear from you, are you outside right now?" He hummed in agreement "Well, I can't tell you what to do but, I would suggest heading inside soon, it seems it is meant to get colder, it wouldn't be good for anyone if you caught cold" he appreciated the concern.
"You said you were going to Driver Kim correct? Isn't your penthouse in the same building as your office?" MC was now completely wet from the rain, he'd definitely need a shower.
"Odd, do you have a cold already? Your voice seems deep for a young female, I suggest getting inside soon as not to worsen it" Jumin cleared his throat "But, yes, they're both in this building, how did you know that?"
Oh burning flowers of hell.
"I- It's logical if you think of it… why go to two separate buildings when they can both be put into one, it's faster to get from place to place"
Either Jumin accepted the answer or choose not to push it, but he was glad it wasn't talked about more.
"Well, since I have time before my next meeting today, I can talk for a little longer, is there any specific topic you have in mind?"
"Well adding on to Driver Kim, why do you need him, like, are you going to a different business?"
He heard Jumin chuckle "You're very observant MC, I am going somewhere, I have a meeting with some winery owners later today in China, I was planning on telling everyone in the chatroom right about now but, I hope you can relay the message? It would save me much needed time to finish work" From small sounds it seemed like someone walked into Jumin's office.
"Oh… I apologise MC, the business owners are here for the meeting early so I have to go" Jumin stood up and began to walk "I hope you did not catch a cold being in the rain, I hear warm honey helps"
"Jumin, wait!" The sound of footsteps stopped.
Some people across the street looked at MC confused for a second but continued, he looked away, embarrassed.
"Um, you talked about the winery owners you were visiting later… can bring up the question if they can attend the party? I- I don't know much of business but I'm sure they can help" He bit his lip, it was the first time getting a guest over the phone, he was much better with planning words.
Jumin hummed in thought for a moment "Alright, I'll tell Assistant Kang to email them about it before I depart so they have more time to think, if that's all then I have to go, it's nearly dinner so I suggest getting something to eat, goodbye" He hung up.
MC sighed and leaned his head back again, feeling the rain once again land on his face making him ever so relaxed. Talking to Jumin made him feel some what… lesser, mainly because of the huge difference in class, corporate heir, and him, he knew that Jumin wanted to be seen as a regular person by people, not some influential person, he just couldn't help it.
After putting his phone away, he stood up and walked inside to the foyer, looking around he noticed the receptionist glaring at him.
Rolling his eyes, he walked to the elevator and pressed the button to call it.
After a minute wait the elevator arrived and he stepped inside "Oh, please wait up!" Looking out the door he saw the elderly woman he saw leave the building while he was on the phone with Jumin.
Holding his arm in front of the door they slid back open, allowing her to enter.
As she stopped she turned to him "Thank you" she smiled to him and looked at the panel on the wall "Can you press 13 please?" Nodding he pressed the button for the 13th and 14th floor.
"Oh, you're going to the 14th floor? That warms my heart" MC looked at her confused.
He put a hand on the railing as the elevator started to move "How so, I'm just going back home" Wait, when did he start calling Rika's apartment 'home'?
"Oh, you live there? I take it you are a friend of Rika?" The lady's green eyes shining at the name while MC's widened at it.
"You knew Rika? I thought she didn't have many friends…" He scratched the back of his neck. He really shouldn't assume things about people, the only reason he thought the late blonde had no friends was… well, he had no reason.
When the RFA talked about her it was only about how she was as a person, not her life. Yoosung seemed to have some problems with Rika's death so maybe, if he found her friends he could give him some closure with their words? He'd have to ask V about Rika next they talked.
"Oh, she was popular one! I remember when she was younger, all the boys fawned over her, but eventually she met who she called the man who she gifted her heart to" The lady had a fond look on her face, if she lived here for many years then maybe she knew Rika personally.
"If you don't mind me asking, but can you tell me some more about Rika, I'm staying in her old apartment and some of her friends only said so much… it was a quick move" Good, say as much as is needed but as little as possible.
"Oh, sure, but, can I have your name? Rika was such a kind girl so It would be nice to know the name of the person who lives in her old home" "MC" "Well hello Mr. MC" She chuckled "But you want to know a bit more of dear Rika? Alright… Rika was a sweet girl, when a few months after she first moved in she asked which days I went shopping so she could help carry things for me, she did that every week few weeks for 13 years, the first time she missed the day was around 4 years ago, I think she had some sort of party to attend…
"That day she apologized to me nonstop, I wasn't upset but to make her happy I had her help me with something, making dinner for a friend that was coming over that day, she was a phenomenal cook, made the best meal me and my friend ever had, she mentioned that she was teaching her cousin how to cook, I didn't know her cousin was she spoke only fond words about him, I don't remember his name but she said he had shining purple eyes…"
She continued talking about Rika's habits and quirks, how she's invite her over for lunch or dinner or Rika would cook for her or she always found time to help the people in the apartment, elderly or teenagers who just moved away from family, she'd help them unpack to move in or pack to move away.
Apparently one day, four years ago, was a day when Rika usually helped the lady shop, but said she couldn't, and that a friend was coming over to put in security, like a door lock and such. But the next day, she had to move out, she gave a reason of wanting to be with her love. Everyone in the apartment knew of her boyfriend, a blue haired photographer from how fond she'd talk of him. Everyone was sad when she moved, they had all known her for months or years with constant help from her.
He guessed it was difficult for the people living there at the time, knowing someone and being such good friends and then have them leave.
"And then, a year and a half ago, we heard from her soon to be fiancé that she… had killed herself, Rika kept in contact with me when she moved so her fiancé also had my number…" The lady looked down at the ground for a moment before looking back up at him.
The elevator dinged, for their talk the two had gotten into it that they decided to just ride the elevator a few times to talk and listen.
MC pressed the 14th button again.
"Well, that's as much as a know of her, she tended to be secretive about her job, saying that she helped people, that's was all she ever said of it" MC stood up from the ground he had sat down on while she was talking.
"Thank you, I feel like a knew her as well now, but… can I ask something?" She nodded "So, I've been living in Rika's apartment for a couple days now and… I haven't seen or heard anything from the neighbors, do not many people live on that floor?" He was curious, in four days he should have heard some form of music or yelling, but there was nothing.
She shook her head "Oh no, no one lived on that floor besides Rika for nearly 2 years, a few weeks before she moved out, she asked all the tenants on that floor to move out as well, she even found new places for each of them that suited their financial situations, so no, no one else lives on that floor besides her, why are you curious?"
MC's eyes widened as he looked to the corner where the white-haired man was on his first day… he remembers him saying he was visiting someone on that floor…
MC gasped and stepped back as the elevator dinged and reached his floor, he stepped out of his in horror.
"U- Um… I need to go, I'll talk later… bye…!" He rushed around the corner and ran into the apartment, slamming the door behind him.
MC slid down the door, a hand over his heart, was… what that him? Was he really in the elevator with Unknown on his first day? He would have no other reason to be there besides for him, and his fast response when he got to the door…
Reaching his hand up he locked the door, feeling some sense of safety.
His phone dinged.
Pulling it out he had the thought that, he should probably tell Seven that he met the hacker. Surprisingly, it was a chatroom, and Seven was involved in it, how lucky.
MC has entered the chatroom
707: Work is so soul draining… UGH! I'm done some things of it but… my hunger…
707: Oh, Hiya, MC lol
MC: Hello Sevy, how are you?
707: Great! Had to start cracking down on my work if I didn't want my boss to scramble me~ lololol
MC: Those puns aren't even egg-celent, there more sunny side down, lolol
707: Aw… my puns are no funny? Well, how about Jumin and Zen being like cats and dogs?
MC: … That's a funny thing to picture, but wouldn't it be weird for a cat to own another cat, Elizabeth 3rd
707: Nah, it's natural!
707: Oh, I just had an idea! What if Elly became an RFA member?!
MC smiled, starting to forget the feeling of being scared from moments ago, he typed his reply.
MC: Hmm, if that happens, she'll need a phone for the messenger, and… paw sensitive screen! That's needed as well for her!
707: Smart thinking my fellow Elly supporter! I'll make one for her, you have design classes so you make the phone case design! Maybe of the God of Cats?!
MC: So of you then~? My my you're being as much of narcissist as Zen~
707: /
707: Hmm… we need to run this by V…
707: Accio V!
V has entered the chatroom
V: Luciel, MC, hello
MC: Er Mer Gerd, it worked
707: The applause is welcoming MC, why you sitting by the door btw?
He gasped, looking up at the camera, he completely forgot what he wanted to say about the hacker, fumbling with his phone trying to type he noticed V was talking.
V: It seems I came at a convenient time, I thought everyone would be asleep
707: If you needed to talk you could have just called
V: It's something I wanted to say to everyone, I was going to leave a message here for everyone to read
MC: V, did you set the party date?
V: I did, yes
707: Wow… when is it?
V: After some long thoughts I decided it would be best to have it soon rather than later
V: So, I was thinking of having it a week from today, on the 11th
MC: A week? Are you sure V, it seems too soon…
707: Yeah… I agree with MC, is a week enough time to plan an entire party?;;
V: I know this is sudden and on such short time…
V: But since it's MC's first party, I thought it to be best for it to be small
MC rubbed his eyes, making sure he read it right, a week… Yoosung said they had parties every couple of months, with possibly 6+ months for prep. A week left him and the RFA with 6 days for prep…
He thought It wasn't the best time to ask about the streamers he was thinking about yesterday… his mind began to wonder to how everything would need to be set up, emailing the guests the date, and what to wear-
He shook his head, this wasn't the time to think about the party! Well… it was but… he had to tell them about the hacker! In this chatroom, the party was his second priority!
He'd… he'd just have to trust in V for right now with the date set.
V: I hope everyone help MC come up with potential guests
707: Aye, sir!
MC: Seven's been a big help so far!
MC: But uh… V…
V: Yes MC, is something wrong?
MC: Yeah, sort of… something happened that I feel like I should tell you, I feel like Seven should hear this too…
707: What happened…? I didn't see anything on the cameras
MC: I think I met the hacker, Unknown
707: *Shocked emoji*
707: What?! Did he do anything to you? Are you okay?
MC: Yeah, I'm fine, V, is it true no one else lives on this floor?
V: Yes, how did you know that?
MC: I met one of Rika's friends today, an old lady, she told me a bit about Rika
MC: Didn't know she taught Yoosung to cook
V: You met Nina
707: As cool as that is, can we get back to the hacker, MC
MC: Sorry, well, she told me that no one else lived on this floor but on my first day, I met someone in the elevator on my way up, he said he was visiting a friend on this floor, he looked weird… bit emo lol
707: But like V confirmed, no one lives on that floor besides you, he must have been there to ensure you got inside!
V: This is… concerning information, if this is true then the hacker knows what MC looks like and to go to such lengths they are most likely watching MC still
MC: This is getting creepy…
707: MC, don't worry, I'm watching you from my cameras, what did the hacker look like, I need to know who to look for, besides someone 'emo'
MC: Didn't see his face well and don't remember much of his clothes but he was definitely a guy, short white hair, shorter than me and he had a tattoo on his shoulder, don't remember of what though
707: Ok… thanks! I'll keep on watch for him!
First time for everything… let's get back on track, now that they knew he met the hacker everyone is going to be worried possibly…
But, they knew so back to party talk.
MC: Thank you Seven
MC: So um… back to the party
707: Is now a time to talk about the party…
707: Sorry, worry won't help, let's get back into party mode!
707: *God Seven Party Mode Engaged*
MC: Any Seven is best Seven!
MC: Sending party kiss, MUAH
707: I think my fan stopped working… why is it getting hotter in my office…?
V: Yes, thank you for the information MC, I'm sorry about this situation…
V: But there was something I wished to tell you Luciel
V: I'm going on a short trip…
The chat slowed down from that.
V was apparently going on a trip to who knows where, mountains he thinks he said. He would be gone for a few days but promised to be back for the party. Seven promised to protect everyone while he was gone.
MC proceeded to make Seven blush (or he guessed he was blushing from Seven's responses) with compliments, all true.
With warm goodbyes, all three left the chatroom.
MC rubbed his eyes under his glasses, today was... weird.
First, he found the dust from the months of the sink not being used had clogged it so he had to clean that, then he opened the wrong door again and had towels and pillows and such fall on him again, and that was just before 7 AM…
Then being run over by Jumin, having dinner with him, befriending Jaehee, and stepping in dog p-
Jaehee!
He forgot he had gotten her number that morning, and, Mel-Cali had gotten her number so he didn't need to raise his voice to sound girly!
Standing up he walked to a small stand next to the couch that was facing the camera Seven could watch him through.
Grabbing a nearby marker, he retrieved the white board and markers from the hallway that morning, he wrote something on the board and turned it to the camera before waving and walking away.
On the board was 'Food time, eat eat!' written in red marker.
He went to the kitchen and went to his phones phone app, not the phone app the RFA Messenger provided, dialing Jaehee he opened a cupboard and pulled out… a package of ramen.
Ring. Ring. Ri-
"Hello, this is Chief Assistant Jaehee Kang, who is this?" A female voice, Jaehee asked, there was typing so she might have been working.
Putting the ramen in a bowl he put it in the microwave, which thankfully still worked.
"Heya Jaehee, it's a me Mel" He felt relieved that he could say his real name and not this nickname, he didn't hate being called MC but, everyone in the RFA (besides 707) didn't know his real name, or even that he was a he.
"Mel? Mel-Cali?" The typing stopped as she gasped "Oh hello Mel! I'm so glad you called!"
He smiled as he leaned against the island counter, watching the bowl turn and turn and turn and turn and…
"Why's that?" He put his free and around his chest. The bowl turned again.
He heard her laugh softly, a warm feeling appeared in his chest, he ignored it "Well… I feel like I can be honest with you… even with just knowing you for less than a day, it's strange… Oh! I didn't mean to say that! Please ignore that part" He agreed to.
"I remember that you like Zen, I found from sources that he is auditioning for a new musical! Oh no… I wasn't supposed to tell anyone that…" Those sources being Zen himself? The albino did talk about a new role in a chatroom after he left C&R.
"I won't tell a soul" The microwave beeped "Oh, sorry Jae, gotta go, foods ready, buh bye!"
"'Jae'? Oh, eating is important, make sure to not skip a meal, I would also like to apologise for what Mr. Han did this morning…" She sounded guilty… that made him a bit mad, she was feeling guilty for something Jumin did.
He took a deep breath subsiding and ignoring the anger "It's okay Jae, you don't need to apologise, an apology from Mr. Bad Driver, I mean, Jumin would be better than one from you, you have nothing to apologise for" He touched the bowl but jumped away slightly at the heat "Ow! Hot bowl! Bye!"
Putting the phone on the counter he grabbed the bowl with oven mitts and got it ready before sitting at the dining table and eating.
His mind wondered to what he learned about Rika, kind, free spirited, very forgiving and helpful, he was a lot like her… knowing this, he could understand where similarities could be seen between the two of them.
A white-haired man paced around a brightened room, he wasn't working right now so there was no need to have the lights off.
As something dinged he pulled a piece of paper off a tray, with gloved hands he looked on both sides of the laminated note.
He was wearing gloved so none of his prints would get on it, not that a hacker could do much with finger prints… and it wasn't like he was even registered in any files, to the government, he didn't exist, just like how he was to others.
Walking over to a small basket he tucked the note inside. Perfect, it was perfect, a perfect welcoming gift fit for a prince.
He did well in keeping the gift secret from others, there weren't many who entered his office besides those of higher command than him, which there were only two people higher than him. The Savior and him.
Pushing it near the door, he looked back at the computer screen, he'd send it in the next few days, when the prince is sleeping, get someone who's disposable to deliver it, and the welcoming gift would arrive at the same time as him. Or he hopes, it would ruin the welcoming if it got there before him, or after, because he would already have been there and gone.
He looked over the baskets contents, treats, the letter, and even the plushie the people who get invited to paradise receive before they arrive get, it was as big as a person head.
The past few days he was wondering why he was even making a welcoming basket for the RFA prince, or why he was even caring about him at all.
The only reason he was even being invited to paradise was because The Savior specifically chose him, everyone was so happy, envious of him and curious as to why she chose him.
Even he wondered why The Savior chose him… it seemed simple at first but… the more it happened… he started to doubt that…
Ugh, taking off the gloves he threw them in a corner where empty bags of sweets and finished bottle of Cola Coke sat before turning to the computer monitor.
The RFA prince was eating ramen, he didn't remember the last time he had that… maybe… seven months ago? No need to think of Ramen, once he arrives in paradise he will eat meals and food the people could only hope to taste! He would also get to eat with The Savior herself… a privilege the people would never even dare to dream about.
He changed the screen and started a conversation with their helper.
Unknown: How far is he?
DT: He said he's almost done, he should be done before you arrive, don't worry
DT: The Savior choose me to give him this, he's good at what he does I can promise that, he'll be of more use to us than just whatever The Savior wants him for
Unknown: Do not talk about The Saviors plans with such leniency!
Unknown: I'm going to retrieve him sooner than said, tell him the 'due date' is closer than you thought
Unknown: My prince, you left but you will come back, you will be with me soon… in paradise once more
MC sat on the apartments couch, headphones on his head and phone in his hands, he was laughing and smiling at a funny video.
He paused the video and showed the screen to the camera, playing it as he did for Seven to see if he was watching. He had been doing this for a while, if he found a funny thing he would show it to Seven via the camera. Sometimes Seven would text him what he thought of it, so it was mainly 'lolololololololololol'.
The phone buzzed with a response from Seven
707
Why am I finding this funny?!
The coffee woman reminds me of Jaehee
MC
Oh, I think I know how as well xD
707
*Grabs coffee cup*
I NEED THIS UP MY-
*We are sorry, but the following sentence is over the rating*
*To hear more pray to God Seven*
MC smiled at the phone and stood up off the couch, walking around the living room for a second he sat down in front of the camera on his knees.
"This good my tomato god?"
707
I am not a tomato!
He smirked "But tomatoes are delicious~" He winked and stuck his tongue out at the camera.
707
So you admit to eating raw tomatoes?
I expected more from you, you should try sticking HBC inside a tomato and eating it!
The honey and tomato would… most likely make you vomit but…
ADD IT TO THE BUCKET LIST! THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING!
It's right under: Hug Elly for more than 30 seconds!
MC tried to hold a hand up to the camera signaling the red head to stop but he was currently laughing on the floor.
Seven's antics never failed to make him laugh, and make him hurt from laughing too much.
"S- Seven…! My sides, stop being funny!" The conversations between him and the hacker were always playful and cheerful, Seven, him and Jumin even teamed up once to tease Zen a while ago.
And when Zen left, MC apologised to him, Zen said he would accept the apology if he sees a selfie of him, or, as he thought, of her.
So, he sent the actor a selfie… of his thumb, he drew a smiley face on it though, to which Seven started his own little trend #PraiseTheThumb
He even hacked into some Tipster accounts and spread it with the picture of his thumb, the silly hacker probably made some people very confused.
MC slowly stopped laughing, sitting up from the floor.
707
You laugh so much I can't not tease you!
MC
I'm glad my pain brings you smiles
As he sent the text his phone started to ring, oh, it was his teacher.
MC
Gotta go, getting a call
707
Back to work for me as well~
Answering the call, he held it to his ear "Hiya Sir, what's up" He stood and walked over to the kitchen to grab a glass of water.
"Mel, it's about the project I gave you a while ago, how long do you think it will take you to complete it?" He sounded nervous but happy.
"I'm almost done… maybe by the end of the week or so, why?" He sat at the table and took a sip of the drink, feeling the cool water rush through him.
"The people who contacted me said they needed it sooner, the due date is being moved much closer, I'm sorry for the inconvenience my boy"
"What?! Moved sooner! It was due on the 11th now sooner? The 11th was already a busy day but… when is it needed?" He was panicking inside, he needed to work on it all night if needed, no sleep for him I seemed!
"I don't know… but with in the next few days… they didn't say…" the last part sounded strained, like he was extremely annoyed, he would be too… he is!
"So… I'll just take it like it's due tomorrow even if it isn't, ok, gotcha" He stood and walked to his lap top, leaving his water of the table to fend for itself.
"Thank you… I am sorry for this… but all this stress will be over soon, I promise you, and the reward will-" "Will be very good yeah, you told me before sir… never say what it is though… ugh… bye, gotta work on it now!"
With that he hung up and opened his laptop to the project. This company is really pushing his time limit!
DT: It's done
Unknown: Took long enough…
Unknown: Oh, The Savior is calling for me, I need to go ^^