Season one, chapter four

"Adiós, bitchachos"

THEA STOOD UP straight in the school gym, placing both of her hands behind her back. This action was unusual for her, considering it had been many years since she had been in a school. It felt as though she was experiencing her past again in some manner.

As she reflected, she recalled various memories of herself and her circle of friends. She pondered whether they still reminisced about her occasionally or if they had completely forgotten about her. Consequently, she couldn't comprehend the unexpected increase in her curiosity towards them, especially since she had already made peace with leaving those memories behind.

Shrouded in darkness, she grew uncertain of herself as she moved uneasily, standing on the frigid floor, encompassed by an absence of light.

"The cops are here!" Mo-tak declared, capturing the three bully's focus on him

"Who are those weirdos?"

"Wait, the cops are here?" One of them stammered, glancing at the group with a hint of anxiety. Yet, that fear dissipated upon seeing the four individuals positioned together, their countenances devoid of emotion

"I was just playing a prank on you. Look at you all scared" Mo-tak scoffed, indicating them with a derisive gesture. His lips curved into a smile as he hid it behind his face mask

"Who are you bastards?" angrily shouted one of the bullies, his face clearly expressing his irritation

"Don't swear, kiddo" Mo-tak asked, meanwhile Thea redirected her gaze to the unconscious boy lying several meters away and quickly became worried

"What do you want?" He exclaimed, his voice growing louder and reverberating across the gymnasium

"That boy is a member of our organization" Mo-tak started to say as the group began to walk forward, Thea, as she advanced, removed her hood and face mask, displaying her displeasure through her facial expressions

"Your organization?"

Mo-tak expressed with pride, "Eonni's Gang." However, the three females behind him gave him a skeptical look while the bullies started laughing mockingly

Annoyed, Thea and Hana exchanged Facepalms at the poor choice of a name for the introduction. Couldn't he have selected a more suitable name for them?

"With an old fart like yourself? And that grandma?" he scoffed, not realizing the true identity of the people he was mocking

"Hold on. Isn't she that girl?" Inquired one of them as they noticed Thea in the midst of the group

"Jeez, you guys beat the crap out of him" Ms. Chu expressed shock as Thea and Hana approached  Mun's unconscious body "Kids these days are so cruel" the bullies glared at the girls with intense anger "This could kill someone. You'll go to jail"

"Why should we go to jail?" Thea quickly dropped to her knees next to the unconscious boy with black hair, while Hana examined him to confirm whether he was still breathing

Thea's attention shifted away from the conversation between the bullies and the adults once she saw Mun's face. She couldn't understand how all of this could have occurred. As she glanced at Mun's friend, she noticed the bruises on his face, but what stood out even more was his unwavering loyalty. In those moments, he displayed nothing but genuine concern for Mun, leading Thea to question if she had ever truly experienced true friendship.

"Are you all right?" Thea inquired about the condition of Mun's friend, who was delicately supporting Mun's head. Their eyes met, and he affirmed her, indicating approval with a nod of his head

"Just know that my dad is an assemblyman" Thea heard one of the bullies said as if this information would intimidate the group

Thea uttered "Oh my" quietly, expressing her astonishment

"Jeez, you son of a bitch. This is why the victims can't report you guys" Mo-tak expressed his disbelief, pointing at him using his index finger

"I bet their parents are assholes too" Ms. Chu expressed with annoyance, gesturing towards them, causing the group of bullies to immediately remove the smiles from their faces

"Total assholes, I'm sure" Mo-tak nodded his head in agreement

"Are you Mun's friend?" Hana asked the boy attempting to divert his attention away from the ongoing argument taking place nearby

"Yes. I'll carry him" he replied, affirming his readiness to lift his friend onto his shoulders

"It's okay" Thea intervened, signaling Hana to assist her in carrying the boy on her shoulders

"Hey. What are you doing?" inquired one of the bullies who had turned their attention towards the activities of both girls

"Where are you going?" inquired someone else, but no one responded. Once Mun was on Thea's back, she swiftly got on her feet, prepared to depart "Hey"

"We're not done here. Stop" Thea disregarded their words and proceeded to move forward, yet her path was obstructed by the head of the team, preventing her from advancing further

"Aren't you that bitch from earlier?" He asserted, recalling her after she had embarrassed him in front of his friends

Thea spoke with a threatening tone as she warned, "If you call me a bitch again, I will actually kill you" Her eyes conveyed a cold intensity as she stared directly into his gaze, and then proceeded to walk past him, purposely colliding into his shoulder with force

He smirked, resisting the urge to engage in an action he would eventually feel remorseful for. However, was she genuinely unafraid of him? This ignited his curiosity regarding what the brunette girl had to bring forth.

"We always retaliate when someone messes with any of us, but we'll let this one go since you guys are civilians" Mo-tak took a few steps forward while Thea and Hana passed by him "However, we won't forgive you if you bother him again" The orange-haired boy approached him with a smirk, but Mo-tak raised his hand to halt him "I'm dead serious, so don't you forget"

"Oh, my, how scary. We're scared to death!"

"My gosh!"

"Look at you, Mo-tak. You've matured" commended Ms. Chu, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder before turning around to leave the place

"They're kids, you know? Mun has such a big heart, he could've totally beat them to a pulp, but he held back" Mo-tak proudly exclaimed. However, everyone froze in their footsteps as one of the bullies unexpectedly hurled Mun's cane towards him, striking Mun on the back before it landed on the floor

"Don't forget to take that. That gimp will need it"The orange-haired mentioned it, causing a strong reaction from Mo-tak and Thea who were already on edge

"Hey, that's mean but hilarious" He expressed, with a mix of cruelty and amusement, his reaction to the orange-haired boy's mockery of Mun

"Mun, are you all right?" They taunted, sarcastically questioning the boy's intentional fall to the ground

"Mun, wake up. Mun!"

"Are you all right?"

"My leg is gone" He sneered on the ground, Thea's expression turned grim as she experienced a surge of anger engulfing her, intensifying with every passing moment. She simply desired to retaliate against those bullies and make them understand the consequences of their actions

"Mun, are you all right?"

"It wouldn't be fun to beat them up here" Said Mo-tak as he surveyed his surroundings with a similar level of anger as Thea

"Bye!"

"Get up"

"Sorry. I apologize" they insincerely apologized while laughing. Thea, filled with anger, tightened her grip on Mun's legs, an action that Hana observed without overlooking

"We'll get going" Hana urged Thea to keep walking, Thea clenched her teeth, restraining herself from taking any actions she would eventually feel sorry for, she had no alternative but to adhere to Hana's commands

Thea spun around and started walking, consumed by anger within her, as Mun's friend retrieved his walking stick from the floor and trailed behind the two girls.

How is it conceivable to suppress such a great deal of rage within her? It was no simple task for her to envision the numerous ways she could retaliate and force those bullies to endure consequences, demanding an apology from them for their despicable treatment towards anyone who crosses their path.

"Stay calm, they will handle everything. Ms. Chu and Mo-tak will ensure that they receive appropriate consequences, so don't let your anger overwhelm you or you will develop wrinkles from frowning excessively," Hana remarked, gently tapping on her shoulder to alleviate her anxiety.

It was indeed the case, Ms. Chu and Mo-tak would administer appropriate justice to them, alleviating any concern. Thea released a sigh, freeing herself from negative contemplations, and directed all her care and concern towards Mun, who remained unconscious on her shoulders.

"I shouldn't have called you. I'm sorry Mun" he said sadly, his voice filled with remorse, as he trailed behind the two girls like a lost puppy

"Stop crying. This isn't your fault" Hana said, casting a quick glance at him while Thea continued walking in front of them

Upon arriving at the car, which was parked outside the gym, Hana acted swiftly by opening both rear doors. This was done in order for Thea to carefully assist Mun in finding a comfortable spot on one of the seats.

"Go home" Hana instructed the boy to return home as he observed Thea placing his friend on a seat, displaying worry

"Let me come with you" he inquired, expressing worry

"It's getting late" Thea declared, softly retrieving the cane from his grasp "He'll call you when he wakes up" she reassured him, placing herself cautiously on the adjacent seat near Mun's head and delicately situating it over her own legs

Thea couldn't help but exchange a few discreet and concerned glances with the motionless boy who lay on a table in the restaurant. Ms. Chu had provided medical assistance for his injuries and treated his wounded foot, leaving him with the sole task of awakening. However, she couldn't shake off her concern for him, whether due to the severity of his beating or the sudden worry she felt towards him.

"Stop staring at him so much or he'll wake up"Mo-tak told her, expressing his observation of her worry for the young boy

"Isn't that the point?" Thea responded with a scowl, emphasizing the purpose behind it. Mo-tak playfully stuck his tongue out at her before they resumed placing the plates on the table

"He's woken up" Hana exclaimed a few moments later, prompting everyone's attention to focus on Mun

The threesome observed as the young boy raised himself perplexedly, examining his environment with narrowed eyes, unaware of the events that had transpired.

"How... how did I end up here?" Mun asked, filled with bewilderment

"You were beaten up and fainted, so we brought you here" Mo-tak simply responded. Thea retaliated by striking Mo-tak in response

"How could you utter such a simplistic statement?" Thea softly shouted at the elder, who returned her glance with a disapproving expression on his countenance

"Come join us for some noodles" Invited Ms. Chu anticipating a potential argument about to unfold in the immediate moment

Once the bowls of food were placed on the table, Thea took a seat on one of the chairs, realizing the extent of her hunger as her mouth started to salivate in response to the tantalizing aroma.

"Ouch!" Mun cried out in pain as he collapsed onto the floor, capturing the gaze of everyone around him

"What are you doing?" Mo-tak inquired with confusion as he stared at the boy on the floor

"Well..." Mun glanced at his foot with a perplexed expression "This is weird"

"You've forgotten how to walk properly?" Ms. Chu expressed astonishment, smiling at him "I promised you I'd heal your leg"

Mun gazed at her in bewilderment for a brief moment before gingerly rising to his feet, while Ms. Chu acknowledged him with a nod. Mun managed to take a couple of steps before collapsing onto the ground once more. Thea and Ms. Chu swiftly stood up, prepared to assist him in getting up, but Mo-tak intervened by raising his hand to stop them both.

Mun rose to his feet once more, relying on the nearby table for support, and cast a quick gaze at the two women standing before him.

"Come on" Mo-tak urged Mun to come forward, causing tears to well up in Mun's eyes. The man motioned for Mun to proceed, and Mun complied, taking careful steps towards him. Thea observed this sight and likened Mun's movements to that of a young child just discovering how to walk

Therefore, she couldn't suppress a joyful smile, experiencing a slight sense of nostalgia as she observed the boy's eyes gleaming with sentiment and reminiscence.

"I'm walking. I can walk" Mun expressed with tears streaming down his face, while looking back at Ms. Chu who responded with a warm smile "I'm going to step out" he hastily headed towards the exit

"Hey, slow down" Thea shouted to him to reduce his speed as he left the restaurant. She was the first one to react and was able to catch hold of the boy's shirt just in time before he could be struck by a fast-moving motorcycle "Watch out!"

"My gosh. Mun! You shouldn't be running yet!"Ms. Chu exclaimed in astonishment, expressing her concern for Mun who had commenced sprinting recklessly, as if there were imminent danger ahead

"He's not going to listen to us now" Mo-tak said, smiling as he folded his arms across his chest

Thea picked up her chopsticks and observed Ms. Chu serving a bowl of noodles to Mun, who had just come back after a lengthy run.

"Thank you for the noodles" Mun expressed his gratitude for the noodles, acknowledging each person present with a glance before finally fixing his eyes on Ms. Chu, thanking her specifically for taking care of his injured leg "and for my leg"

"You must be hungry. Eat up" The oldest person in the group encouraged them all to begin eating eagerly

Even though Thea halted her chopsticks just a short distance from her mouth, she observed that Mun simply gazed down at his hands with an empty expression, without making any contact with the food placed in front of him.

"Hey, what's with you?" Mo-tak inquired before Thea could. Mun quickly dried his tears and picked up his chopsticks

"Are you crying because of your leg?" Ms. Chu inquired, wearing a faint smile "Or is it because the noodles are too good?"

"I just feel bad for my parents" Mun uttered, as he sniffled and brought about a silence among the rest

"Have your parents passed away?" inquired Ms. Chu. Mun swiftly turned towards her upon hearing the mention of his parents

"Yes. In a car accident. I heard the other driver was drunk" Mun started to clarify. Thea paused from eating and took out the chopsticks from her mouth, as memories of her parents flooded back. Surprisingly, she could empathize with Mun's emotions

"Is that when you hurt your leg?" Mo-tak inquired, indicating him with his pointing finger

"Yes" Mun replied affirmatively and then resumed eating

"That must've been a lot for you to handle" Ms. Chu said as Mun responded with a feeble smile "We've all been through that, Mun. All of us here have had a near-death experience. We all suffered a lot. We're all living with a wounded heart" Ms. Chu specifically pointed out  "This guy here? He lost all his memory"

"What? his memory?" Mun asked, his curiosity piqued as he gazed at Mo-tak

"My skull was crushed" Mo-tak gestured towards his head with his chopsticks "Apparently, I fell off a building"

"What? And you survived?" Mun inquired, expressing astonishment in his tone

"Those two brought me back to life to make me work. But I wonder how this kid got his foot in the other realm" Mo-tak pondered while observing the young boy in his presence. He noted "You can only reach the afterlife when you're in a coma"

"That's right. We were all in a coma once" Thea acknowledged, redirecting the boy's focus towards her

"I was also in a coma for a month after the accident" Mun promptly replied

"That doesn't count. That was years ago. You're not in a coma now" Mo-tak declared, redirecting the focus to himself

"When did the accident take place?" Asked Ms. Chu, causing Thea to shift her focus towards the newly introduced subject

"Seven years ago"

"Seven years? Seven years... you too right?" Ms. Chu indicated Mo-tak "You two were in a coma in the same year"

"His only lasted a month. Mine lasted six months. We're not at the same level" Mo-tak whispered, expressing his discontent

"It was longer than a month. Maybe almost two" Mun interjected, refusing to allow Mo-tak to emerge victorious in their argument

"Look at you changing your words" Mo-tak playfully tapped the boy's head. "You punk," he chuckled.

"Hey, it's not something worth being competitive over" Ms. Chu scolded "Gosh you men..."

"Oh, what about you two?" Mun inquired while observing the two girls, who had maintained an unusually silent demeanor since his return "How did you two end up in a coma..."Hana abruptly placed her chopsticks forcefully on the table, indicating her discomfort with discussing their past, which had been challenging for them to move on from

Thea experienced a sudden wave of emotional pain in her chest, prompting her to cast an resentful gaze towards the memories of her family.

"I just spotted one" The interruption was not intended for herself, but for Thea. Strangely enough, they had a special bond, almost like sisters, and she understood how difficult it was for Thea to discuss her past. The entire group stood up from the table, casting bewildered glances at Mun, who observed their actions intently "It's level one, so I can go alone" Hana declared confidently as she zipped up her jacket

"I'll go with you" Ms. Chu stood up from her seat

"Yeah, me too" Thea exclaimed as she stood up from her chair, leaving her chopsticks next to her partially eaten bowl of noodles

"Hey, can you tidy up and take Mun home?" inquired Ms. Chu, while she was busy fastening her shoelaces "Your leg is healed, but don't run around just yet. You have to be careful. Hey"

Thea observed as the two grown-ups simultaneously bent down. With suspicion in her eyes, she shifted her gaze towards the boy with black hair. Mun, feeling embarrassed, averted his eyes when caught by the girl.

"Where is it?" inquired Ms. Chu, as she proceeded to whisper discreetly beneath the table

Hana stood by the door, waiting for the oldest, and responded"The development area in Ojin-dong"

Thea disregarded the fact that the boy was staring at her and exclaimed"Then it'd be faster to run than drive"

"See you" After the group of women departed, Mo-tak bid farewell, leaving the two men alone together

And there was a boy who was inquisitive about the youngest member of the group's past, wondering what could have occurred that she chose not to discuss it.

Author's note;

I didn't have a lot of motivation while writing this, but I wanted to update it as fast as I could. It amazed me greatly to see how the views on this book changed suddenly and unexpectedly 😭

I really appreciate it! Your comments filled with affection for this book inspire me greatly <33

I sincerely appreciate everything you have done, although I aspire to revise this book in the future in order to provide you with an enhanced experience.✨

This chapter was edited: 12/10/23 ☑️