Notes at the end of the chapter :›

❅

"We saw you last week," Jaemin flinches on his seat, slightly choking on his coffee as he places the mug back down on the table.

He turns his head to see Shotaro by the end of the stairs holding a black bag. Still in a fit of cough, he manages to croak out, "specifically where?"

"Where else? The arcade." Shotaro rolls his eyes at the end.

Quirking a brow at him, Jaemin asks back, "why were you at the arcade? Now don't ask me the same question when you probably already know why." He strictly adds with a finger pointed at him.

Shotaro pushes his tongue against his inner cheek and answers him, "I didn't really have an assignment that day, so Sir Suh sent me to check up on you."

"Why not ask Yuta or Mark? I'm not the only one who was given this assignment." Jaemin sassily says with a bit of annoyance laced in his tone.

Shotaro only shrugs his shoulders, "something about them unavailable to cooperate, but Mark did say he didn't really know what your plan was that day."

"How could- was it not blatantly obvious enough? Like, come on." Jaemin sighs deeply whilst pinching the bridge of his nose.

Shotaro stares at him, a little bored but he stays anyway to hear what else Jaemin has to ramble to him.

If he comes back with less info, he's not getting assigned to anything for the next two days.

"What were you even doing?" He couldn't help but ask in confusion.

Well- it's kind of his fault since he wasn't really paying attention if he was being honest with you.

Jaemin peers over to where he was before pursing his lips, "I was making a move on Jeno, took him out on a surprise date and all that romantic bullshit."

"Okay that's a good plan but..." Shotaro trails off a little, Jaemin then realizes the teasing tone he's using and mentally prepares himself.

"An arcade date? Really?"

Jaemin rolls his eyes at the look he's getting and snaps back to defend himself, "his elder sister, Yeeun, told me to bring him there."

When Shotaro was still looking at him flatly, he clicks his tongue. "At least he still enjoyed it, I even got him a stuff animal as a prize gift, to which he wanted by the way."

"So if that's not a well played 'manipulating your target into falling in love with you' plan, then give me a better idea I'll use next time."

It was then Shotaro raised both his hands up, dropping the bag in the process ignoring the loud thud when it hits the ground as if he had just been caught committing a crime.

"Alright, man. Calm down, jeez." He mutters, "you don't need to prove to me how great you can be when I already know it." He praises at the end.

Although, it has Jaemin shaking his head at him in response. "Just get out of here already and report back to Sir Suh." He waves him off with a lazy hand.

Shotaro looks around before scratching his nape awkwardly, still not moving away from his spot.

Jaemin who then notices his gang member not leaving the premises of his temporary house that's sadly been shared with Yuta and Mark, turns over to look at him again.

"What?" He asks in a monotone, not expecting much of Shotaro's intentions.

"Can I borrow some stuff?"

"What about the stuff back at the base?" Raising a brow up in suspicion, the raven haired boy also crossed his arms.

"Uhm, I'm currently not allowed to use those equipment for a few days...." Shotaro chuckles nervously.

"You're in trouble." Jaemin didn't even needed to ask as to why, he'll just asks as to how. "What did you do?"

"You can ask Mark hyung for that one." Sighing, Jaemin just nods curtly and waves him off once again as he turns back to his other assignment.

Whilst ignoring the grinning Shotaro who runs off to grab some stuff.

An education type of assignment this time. Very harmless, in a physical way, but mentally? Not so much.

Hey, Jaemin struggles with this shit too. Sometimes he just wants to burn these papers or if not, go to a shooting range to release his stress.

But so far, he hasn't been able to do that.

Why? Because of Jeno. According to Yuta, who's basically the boss of the trio now. Holding the big responsibility of making sure they don't fuck this up.

If Jaemin's caught being out at the middle of the night doing something dangerous, that's difficult to explain.

It might seem ridiculous to be caught that easily, especially being members of a mafia gang. But Yuta doesn't want to risk them getting in trouble.

You may never know you've been caught until the confrontation.

Besides, they've been informed by Doyoung that apparently, Mr. Lee often has errands around the area.

Whether it's at the earliest of mornings or latest of nights, it can be random.

Hence why Yuta's being grumpy and strict recently.

Especially when Jaemin, although whom is not a child anymore, can still be reckless and stubborn.

Same goes to Mark sometimes. But he's put off to the side as Jaemin's the main problem. No offense.

Anyways, back to the Jeno situation.

Apparently, they have reached to the level of messaging each other constantly for no reason. Even on fricking Snapchat.

Well, Jeno started it but for the sake of this assignment, Jaemin went with the flow and replied to each and every single one of the younger boy's messages instead of ignoring them.

He can certainly say Jeno can be clingy out of nowhere. But he brushes it off and always makes sure Jeno fell asleep with a smile on his face.

A little weird to think about it more.

❅

I just want to admit to you moonbubbas/readers that I'm honestly disappointed with myself with this book so far.

(P.S I'm really bad at explaining things, so I hope this is good enough. Feel free to ask tho)

I'm sure some of you guys are too.

I made this whole cool ass plot and had some scenarios already planned in my mind.

But I guess I wasn't a hundred percent prepared, to be really honest.

I know I'm rushing, not just by updating aka writing - making it not proof read but thinking for an update.

Ffs half of these chapters are all improvised.

I wanted this to be really good, but that's the problem. I couldn't do that, so it went downhill.

Idk, I just think I made this really bad, especially for those who were waiting for it and REALLY wanted to read this project.

I let you guys down and myself as well.

I honestly hesitated at first if I should do this now, but because the most votes was this when I asked you guys what I should do next, I felt low-key pressured.

Of course it's NOT YOUR GUYS' FAULT.

Just to make it clear, it's all mine. I pressure myself into doing things, thinking it'll make others feel hopefully happy.

I should've been really honest with you guys, but I was and still am a coward to say I'm probably not that ready for a really good project yet.

Like I wanted to do really good and unique plots, like this one, to be later on. But not everything is perfectly timed.

Idk what to do, but I don't think I'm going to unpublish this.

Bc wtf why-

And I also think I kinda don't want to put this book "On Hold"

But I just think,,, updates will be slower than before. Could be because I'm busy/unavailable irl or because I couldn't come up with an update.

I know it's already slow, I'm absent at times. But this is just an announcement, a clarification.

So I might update, might not. Just have to think of something.

Writer's block is so scary to me, I don't want to make this worse tbh.

I also still have school to deal with, although it isn't face to face yet, it's still complicated and stressful.

Idk what I'm thinking, like this is probably the first time in a LONG while (for me, at least) that I'm not proud or happy of my work. Even if it's still "Ongoing".

Like, I'm not feeling confident or getting the vibes, the adrenaline when I update on this story, very sadly to say.

I hope I can do well next time, think of more stuff easily.

Lmk what you think.

Positive comments will surely help me, bit by bit or a huge good impact.

What matters is the support you guys give me, helps me <3

Love u my moonbubbas ❣️