════════♫♬♫♬♫════════

"the cause is hidden.
the effect is visible to all."

— Ovid —

════════♫♬♫♬♫════════

[ 3RD PERSONS VIEW。]

Faint metal creaks coming from the old swings filled the air, nothing but a cold wind brush past onto their faces, sounding a loud rustle from the trees.

His nerves wrecking in, he fiddled with the hem of his thick black coat, "What are we doing here again?" Jisung questions, eyes scanning around the rusty abandoned playground. Kids rarely come out to play after the case of 2017 happened in Jinhae-gu.

With the announced kidnappings, no parent dared to let their kids play outside anymore, especially alone even if it was daytime. However, tonight, a bunch of teenagers had decided to meet up at the old playground.

Nothing but the street lights provided them light, though it was quite dim.

"Do I have to repeat my self for the tenth time already?" Renjun tilted his head in annoyance, "We're here to talk about our plan."

Chenle shakes his head, "In the open? Sounds a bit risky."

Lihua agreed with her cousin, "Yeah, what he said."

Slumping over his shoulders, he let out a defeated sigh, "Then where do you want to have it?"

"Your house is close by, isn't it?" Hanmi raised a brow, pointing down the gate to Renjun's neighborhood.

Renjun had a look of discomfort, not really approving to Hanmi's idea. He knew that if they take a trip to his house, they were bound to know more about Haruki's twin sister. Not that he didn't like the idea of them knowing more, he somehow felt like it was quite of a surprise to Haruka.

The conversation he had with Haruka a few days ago confirmed that something was really going on with the Choi's then and now.

By how she acted with other people, it did seem like she had some similarities with Donghyuck. Isolated from everyone, the only difference was, Haruka was treated like she barely even existed.

"I don't know..." Renjun rubbed his nape as he diverted his gaze from them and onto the trees.

Hanmi shook her head, "How about Jaemin's?"

Jisung's nose crinkled, "I doubt he's awake– did you see how many shots of espresso he had today?" he sighed, "Let's just go to my house... I'm pretty sure my family wouldn't mind, they aren't in town anyways."

Chenle cackled, "No wonder you're here at this hour."

The younger boy's mouth went agape, taken aback by Chenle's sudden attack, "Hey! I don't have a curfew anymore!"

"Anymore." he mocked making Jisung playfully smack his shoulder.

"So? My house?" the youngest boy jabbed his thumb towards the streets.

— • • • —

"Wait, Jisung–" Chenle tapped his friend's shoulder, pointing towards the mailbox. "have you even checked your mail?"

The said boy only smiled sheepishly, "No..."

Chenle scoffed and walked towards the mailbox, opening it as he pulled out a pink envelope. A gasp escaped his lips easily, as he raised the envelope, "It's the same envelope I received... from Haruki."

Chills went down their spines, eyes gouging in shock. Renjun snatched the envelope from Chenle's grasp before pushing everyone into the house. Once everyone was in, he shut the door and opened the envelope.

They all read the letter together as silence engulfed the five teenagers.

『　October 22, 2018
　06 - Park Jisung

Jisung! This is your noona, Choi Haruki! I hope you never forget the lessons I thought you when you were in middle school, that was when we first met didn't we?

Mark had offered me to tutor you, and I gladly agreed to do so. You were so little and cute! But now, you've grown into a great boy, Jisung-ie!

I know how excited you were to finally enter school with us, this year was your first year in highschool. I'm just... sorry if I fail to guide you like I always have. Always come to me when you need something, okay? I'll always be in your heart, no matter what.

Cherish your hyungs too! They're always there for you, I remember when you said you didn't need any friends since it felt awkward for you– I hope that changes soon! I, Choi Haruki, your noona, will always have your back.

. . .

listen. the time you're reading this... something bad may have already happened. i hope this letter gets out.

jisung– or whoever– or anyone who's reading this... something's off has been occurring in Jinhae-gu. i don't know why but i'm pretty sure it started during the case of 2017.

i have someone... who might be able to help you...

PS: -.-. .- .-. . ..-. ..- .-..
』

"Wait, morse code!?" Hanmi pointed out at the end of the letter. "Chenle, did yours have any...?"

Chenle shook his head, tossing his letter onto the floor, "It just says... I should go back to South Korea. The number of my letter is 03, then comes my name."

"But Jisung's number is six... does that mean...?"

Jisung raised a finger, "There are more than just two letters."

"What does the morse code say?" Lihua knits her brows together, quite perplexed that Haruki had to write it in a code.

"It says... careful." Renjun easily translated the coded message.

"Careful? Careful of what?" Lihua's eyes shook in fear while Hanmi patted down the girl's back to reassure her.

"Her writing style also changed after the three dots, it looks more rushed." Chenle points at the scribbled down korean words.

"Then we need to find those letters?" Jisung tilts his head.

Renjun took a deep breath. He was wondering how and when did Haruki have time to even think about doing all of this. If Chenle's letter stated true, that there is someone following her, then she could've been buying time to prevent him or her to even kill her.

But then again, death is like a surprise. You can never really guess when your life will end unless you commit to either end it or end someone's life instead.

Seeing the bold numbers by the side of each letter, that made him think, did Haruki sent him a letter? Scratch that– did Haruka send him a letter too? After figuring out that Haruka may possibly be the one behind these letters, they still are unaware of the twin sister's type of relationship.

They seemed to get along well, but still it seemed like there was a huge barrier that separated both of them. Because of this barrier, Haruki was forced to act as if she didn't have a sister at all. Was it all just a play for their eyes?

"I don't get it." Chenle grunted, "If Haruki's sister was the one behind these letters– why can't she just walk up to us and talk?"

Renjun scowled, "You would understand if you actually saw her."

Chenle scoffed, "Maybe you're all playing and this so-called sister doesn't really exist." that earned him a kick on the leg from Lihua. "Shit! That hurts!" he yelps, falling down as he held his precious leg.

Lihua glared at him, "Don't say such things like that!"

"We're doubting the Choi's right now," Renjun stated, "We have no idea what the fuck is going on inside their family and what the hell happened to Haruki. But we have at least her sister to help us."

"Did you talk to her?"

Renjun looked away, caught off guard with Hanmi's question. "I did... she was playing the piano beautifully..."

Piano? Chenle's ears perked up.

"But I'm telling you, seeing her gives you chills running down your spine. It's like... even she's implying that... she's nonexistent."

— • • • —