YONGSAN-GU
MAD CITY
4:34 PM, SUNDAY

3RD PERSONS VIEW。

"What's up with these guys and fedoras?" Renjun mumbled to Hendery as they stationed themselves on top of a building, peering down at the streets.

"I think we should start calling them fedorawalkers instead." Hendery snorted, cocking his gun to the side, aiming it to a dark red-suited man, only for his gun to flung out his grasp.

Alarmed, Renjun shot a look from where the unknown bullet came from, seeing nothing but an empty top. Sighing, he scratched his head, "Who the–" another bullet was fired, causing him to duck, luckily avoiding the small metal projectile.

Their backs pressed against the perimeter of the building. Hendery slowly reached for the firearm, "Have you ever met the leader of the Nightwalkers before?"

Renjun shook his head, "Not really. I'm pretty sure the higher-ups have."

Hendery hummed boringly and touched his in-ear, "Winwin?"

"Yes, what do you need?" the said boy answered immediately.

"How's it going over there?" Hendery questioned casually as Renjun glanced up from time to time, firing bullets towards the enemy.

"I'm on my way to the base, why?"

Hendery huffed, "Nothing, keep safe."

"If you were going to ask me to hit a few targets – you know that it won't work this time."

"It was worth a shot."

After taking out the remaining distractions, Renjun and Hendery proceeded with their mission, to capture yet another fedora-wearing guy.

Meanwhile, back at the base, some boys felt restless. It wasn't everyday Taeyong would tell them to stop watching over Keiko – no, there wasn't a day at all, not until today.

Ten was fumbling with his Nintendo Switch, his eyes trailing onto Taeyong from time to time as he sat in front of the latter's wooden desk, piles of worksheets stacked on top of each other.

"What do you want?" Taeyong uttered out, looking up from the papers, noticing how Ten glanced at him constantly through the corner of his eyes.

Ten heaved out a weary sigh, flailing his hands up, "I'm worried!"

"About?" Taeyong freezes, raising a brow questioningly.

"My baby–"

"The hell, Chittaphon?" Taeyong's face twisted in shock, "Since when did you have a baby—"

"My dear Keiko! How could you send her off without anyone to watch over her– what if she's being kidnapped right now!"

Taeyong choked on his own spit, reaching out for his water bottle immediately, "Keiko's fine, Ten."

"You don't know that because no one knows what's happening to Keiko right now." Ten crossed his arms, by now he had already placed his Switch down. "Eiichi's going to kill you if she gets kidnapped. I mean, he's already mad at you for dragging Keiko into your mess."

"Speaking of Mikami Eiichi... I'm meeting him today."

Ten nodded his head, "And if he finds out something happened to his granddaughter—"

"Keiko's fine..." Taeyong murmured, "I'm giving her the freedom she wants."

"But–"

"If something happens then I'll take the blame." the blue-haired male interrupted, eyes turning cold, "And if ever Daniel happens to be allied to my family, I swear..." he trailed off, glaring back down at his worksheet.

Ten blinked repeatedly before a smirk tugged up on one of the corners of his lips. Chin resting on the palm of his hand, he eyed their boss mischievously until Taeyong's phone began to ring.

Taeyong's nose crinkled as he reached out for his phone, "Hello?"

"What do you mean? I told you not to follow! Agh- seriously you guys. Well, then take care of it. I'm not- alright, be safe." he pressed the red end button before rubbing his nape slowly.

"Who was that?" Ten questioned, an eyebrow raised.

"Lucas and Jungwoo were on their way to buy the pet food, they happened to run into the cafe Keiko is at."

"Well? Any reports?"

Taeyong deadpanned at his friend, "What part of 'do nothing' did you not get?"

Ten huffed, "It's just– I'm glad you're letting her out, but seriously."

"Yuta and Yangyang are just along the streets, they'll be alert. Plus, the others are out on the mission downtown."

Ten hummed in acknowledgment, though he still felt jittery. He stands up, letting his loose sleeves fall down, covering his hands. Wordlessly, he walked towards the exit, about to open the door when Jaehyun walked in suddenly.

"Oh? Jaehyun." Taeyong notices him quickly, sending a quick wave.

Jaehyun walked past Ten who's gaze followed the second-in-command. Scrunching his nose, Ten shook his head and walked away, not bothering to ask what was up and why did he barge into Taeyong's office like that. As he closed the door, he managed to hear a few words in their conversation. "It's been three hours– still nothing."

With his brows furrowed, Ten closed the door gently before making his way into the Dream Unit quarters, seeing the usual trio seated in their respective seats.

"Ten-Hyung, hello," Jisung mumbled softly, tearing his gaze off the computer to look up at the older.

"What brings you here?" Jeno tilts his head, a yawn escaping his lips.

"I don't know... I just have a bad feeling..."

.          .           .

SEVENDAYS CAFE
YONGSAN-GU, MAD CITY
5:43 PM, SUNDAY

"We've been here for like four hours now, Daniel. Just get to the point already." Keiko yawned, quite tired as she wasn't able to sleep well due to some reasons. Those reasons being the mafia bothering her mind.

"Kei-noona, what I'm trying to say is... we're going to help you escape."

Keiko froze in her spot, his words repeating in her mind with an echo. A bitter chuckle was heard from the female, "Escape...? Daniel... it's dangerous."

"If I should escape – you shouldn't drag yourself in it. They would kill you." Keiko said and crossed her arms, "They aren't people who you just shrug off, Daniel."

"But look at you! You're tired– you're being used! Can you at least tell me something about them?"

"Why would I need to tell you something about them?" Keiko raised a brow, catching his off, non-fitting question at the end.

Daniel shifted in his seat, pupils glancing to the side from time to time before smiling at Keiko. "Because... so that we know who we're dealing with."

"We?" Keiko squinted her eyes at the young boy before looking down, before thinking about the people inside the cafe. There weren't a lot of customers, but something felt odd.

Taking a deep breath, she looked up to face him, "You want me to open up to you about the boys?"

Daniel nodded innocently, "I mean... I may not be Kang Daniel, but can you still open up for me?"

Keiko laughed at his words, "Funny, but no. The mafia and I aren't even that close to each other. And aren't you a hacker? Go get the information yourself."

Daniel sighed lightly, shrugging his shoulders, "Oh well, it was worth a shot."

Standing up, his hands tucked in the pockets of his jeans, "Let's go for a walk?"

Keiko looked around, noticing a man wearing a fedora. Speaking of fedora, that reminded her about the time they dragged her into a mission. Eyeing him suspiciously, Keiko followed Daniel out of the cafe.

"Kei-noona."

"What?"

"I'm serious about helping you escape today." Daniel stated, pointing down the pavement, "See that car over there? The man with the hat? He promised me to help you."

Keiko narrowed her vision down, focusing on the man, annoyance filling her as she could tell these people who Daniel trusted to help her wasn't legitimate.

"I think I should just go home, Daniel." she excused, stopping on her tracks.

Daniel halted, pulling up a concerned look, "Why? Escape is right in front of you, Kei."

Keiko's stomach churned in discomfort, "Who exactly promised you?"

"Lee Taehui."

—
Ten caring for Keiko is :0