"What do you mean?" I asked, as Jungkook leaned closer to hear better. Mia slept peacefully in the backseat with fat Migi, exhausted from tonight's activities, giving us a chance to chat a little longer with Matt.

"Mia is quite special."

"Well, yes, she is. She has special skills in tripping herself with her own foot," Jungkook remarked sarcastically, making me nudge at his ribs with my elbow.

Matt chortled, "You are one funny boy. If I had a daughter, I'd keep her away from you." The younger boy scratched his head from the shame he brought upon himself. "Let me give a hint: no gunshot wound heals fully in a span of only four days."

My hand automatically touched where Crane's bullet hit me, and looked incredulously at Matt, who folded his arms across his chest, his eyes alight with pride.

~~~~^~~~~

I hid my entire head purposefully inside my backpack just to have a little peace of mind from the chattering and clattering in the school cafeteria, but Jungkook wasn't helping as he kept tugging it away from my face, convincing me for the hundredth time that he needed me for tonight's mission.

"Jungkook, for the last time, stay out of this. You've already done enough. And I don't want Auntie Jeon to come bludgeoning me with her rolling pin if something bad happens to you."

He clicked his tongue in annoyance, almost spitting out the masticated chicken that was rolling inside his mouth. "Oh g'mom, pwease. 'Oongi, thi-k of i- as a b-mirthdi mresen' 'or me, goo- 'or a myf'time."

"NO. And stop talking with your mouth full."

I had the urge to knock him out cold, but honestly I do need another pair of reliable hands for tonight. Let's just say there are times when I'm not the most patient, and Jungkook somehow knows me best when it comes to controlling unreasonable outbursts so as not to blow our cover. I don't know how I'll react once I put a face to this bastard Theo.

One by one, the others came filling up seats on our usual place at the cafeteria, all eager to hear about last night's happenings. Everybody was surprised to learn that Butternut was Mia's uncle Matt, his intentions and his connections with the company. The perilous mission Matt grudgingly agreed for us to take part in accidentally slipped from his own mouth, and clearly he was regretting it.

Yes, Jungkook doesn't want to share the fun.

Mia, however, was quiet all morning, with just occasional nods and weak smiles. She was back to her akward self, her sad self, her vulnerable self.

Who wouldn't?

Who wouldn't be saddened to find out why your father had to hide you from the world and risk his own life to protect you, even give up his esteemed profession he so long cared for, letting it wilt away and not fight for his rights as a noble businessman, for as long as you are kept safe? Why he had to force your mother to cut ties with her own family because of their preposterous traditions and incestuous marriages, and the shameless intent to use you only for their gain?

Trace must've suffered from the pressure as well, making leave his own mother, saying he'd rather take a bullet to the head than be forced by their elders to marry his first cousin Mia, not because he doesn't like her, but because it was against his values as a human being.

Who wouldn't blame one's self for simply exisiting, only to be aggravated by the fact that your parents were never meant to be married, let alone be friends nor be acquainted due to your mother's family traditions that are strictly followed because of the "sacred blood" that must stay within the family, thus causing the said union to be cursed, therefore having the innocent child born only to live a cursed life, a life filled with hardships?

And what about being kept in the dark about a half-sister from her father's failed romance, whom Mia had no chance to meet because she died a brutal death? A sister who watched quietly from afar, forbidden to get close to her both for their safety, but in the end both of them suffered from their parents' affairs, but one met death while the other survived only to be trampled on by a merciless being called life?

There's more to come. More things will come her way, only to hurt her. I can't let that happen.

"Well, Yoongi and I need to have a little chat with Matt again. Obviously we can't just run to the police. Mr. Hurst OWNS the police," I heard Jungkook say, bringing me back to reality from where I've trailed away momentarily.

Leaning forward, I joined in the conversation. "We can't ask for help from your uncle, Jin. We're not sure who to trust among his colleagues. I don't want to endager him as well."

"I understand," Jin agreed. "But if needed, he can contact the FBI, and we can ask for help. I'm betting the company's transaction are large scaled..."

"Our last card. Thanks, Jin. I'll let you know."

Jungkook had this weird look on his face, "Matt studied their every move since he entered the company. It's well established, excruciating to infiltrate."

"Yeah, even himself admitted that he was losing hope," I added.

"Does he have a plan? Something we can help with, like entrapment operations. But we'll have to use Butter- I mean, Matt's items and page," Namjoon interjected. In my opinion, Namjoon gives the best options, whatever the situation. Still, the outcome of Matt's plans are zero percent predictable. It could get really dirty and scary, and accomplices of more than two can be dangerous, and needs proper planning.

I thought about what he said before we parted last night...

"Everytime I come up with a flawless plan to disrupt one transaction, it seems Mr. Hurst anticipates, and always carry out differently from the original plans... It's like he could read his opponents' next moves. Just like a chess match, his counterattacks are in perfect precision and accuracy, he's checkmated you before you could even accomplish plan A... It's difficult to anticipate, especially since he's not the most trusting boss I've ever encountered. I nearly idolized him simply for his unparalleled mental skills. But I've gone this far, sacrificed too much, and giving up isn't an option."

"All for Mia," I uttered.

The darkness that shrouded his face suddenly vanished upon hearing his niece's name. He must've adored her. "And I still have to make up for all those times I rejected her calls, for each Christmas, birthdays I missed because I needed to distance myself, to keep them away from this world I entered."

"It's a little too late for that, Joon. Besides, his ideas are all trial and error... Ugh... It's complicated."

"It is, Yoongi. We're just a bunch of teenagers... This is all new to us," Hoseok pointed out the obvious.

"I know, but we can't just let these things go on. Something must be done. It won't hurt to make a difference. It's always better to do something than just watch on the sidelines. To be honest, I don't want any of you to get involved. But, I guess it can't be prevented..."

He elbowed me playfully, "Just let us know what we can do, alright?"

"Pray for our souls," Jungkook snickered.

~~~~^~~~~

On my way to the next class, a high-pitched blabbering caught my ear, making me turn to a corner where the girl's restroom was located. There I found the source of the unpleasant bickering. A taller girl held a package up high while seemingly reciting an oratorical piece of anger, while the other, shorter one tried jumping for it, her silky but messy long hair bouncing as she does.

"Oh, thank goodness, Yoongi, you showed up. Can you believe Mia wanted to wear this for the Christmas ball?" Stacey waved right in my face whatever that thing was.

Mia tried to snatch it from her, but Cara held her tightly, making room for Stacey to show it properly, unfolding it after sliding it out of the bag.

"What the-"

I thought it was an ancient table cloth.

It was a pitiful looking dress, clearly old and had this pungent scent. There were massive discolorations and uneven yellowish patches from its lace sleeves down to its skirt. Some frills along the neckline were unsewn, and some buttons were missing. Maybe during its prime, it was the best dress ever made, and once restored it will definitely look amazing on Mia, but then again, time left it behind to wilt and decay.

"It j-just needs a l-little washing! It'll be fine, besides, I'm n-not planning to stay t-too long," Mia gasped, standing on tiptoes, reaching for the dress that Stacey waved high in the air.

"Then it's the closet's fault that it is no longer part of the choices. Look at the state of it, Mia. It's no longer wearable, you could even get sick-"

"No, don't wave it around too much," Mia protested.

"No, girl. I'm so upset. Why can't you just borrow from me or from Cara. I don't want assholes to get a chance to bully you again because you decide to come as a widowed grandma ghost whose husband died at sea, Mia," Stacey said angrily as she stuffed it back in its bag.

Mia's head dropped as she whispered, "It's a Gunne Sax, it was my mom's..."

Seeing her friend upset, Cara placed a hand on Mia's shoulder, "Hey, I know the dress means a lot to you, and how much you love vintage designs. But, you gotta understand, we just want you to have fun in something that really fits you and suitable for your age. Well, your mom's old dress will take too long before we could restore it, so we'll have to get you a new one, okay?"

"And I won't burn it, like I said earlier," Stacey said.

Mia seemed like the baby sister of the two girls, one was being understanding and kind, while the other was losing her cool.

I chuckled and took the bag from her. "Alright, give it to me. I'll hold on to this for safekeeping."

Both Cara and Stacey sighed dramatically, then saying in unison, "You're a life saver! Thank you. Yoongi."

"B-b-but," Mia raised both her eyebrows and her cute lips automatically frowned as she did, which almost convinced me to return it to her, but I managed to focus and I slipped it inside my shirt, away from her grasp.

"It's supposed to be a surprise but I already have a dress for you. All you have to do is wait for me to pick you up. Alright, Love?"

"What color did you get for her?" Cara asked.

"Pink." A similar shade to that color her cheeks and nose make when she's extremely flustered.

"See? Everything's settled then. Thanks a bunch, Yoongi. Now, let's find you a perfect pair of heels... There's this newly open store........" Their voices trailed as the girls dragged her away, their arms intertwined with Mia's so she can't escape. She looked back at me, her eyes pleading for me to interfere.

Mia wasn't a fan of girly things.

I pivoted at the balls of my heels after winking at her and mouthing "Have fun!", internally laughing at her bewildered self.

Before I could make it to the classroom's door, my attention was brought to this weird guy who had his forehead on the cold wall, his eyes tightly shut as he mumbled a prayer rapidly, judging by the way his mouth moved without making a sound.

He jumped as I tapped his shoulder.

"Oh, shit... You freakin' scared me!"

"Are you alright?" I asked. He must have been seeing those "things" again.

He nodded his head while wiping his damp forehead. "Yeah, just another lost soul... Asking for help..."

"Well, sorry about this, but I need you to do something for me. Knowing you're not a fan of "secret agent" stuff."

He eyed me curiously without speaking. But soon broke the silence, "Before that, have you heard about Crane? Jungkook just broke the news..."

"Yes, Taehyung. I received the news from Matt just minutes ago." I showed the text to the younger male, making his eyes pop. Crane was found dead inside his cell.

"They killed him, you think?"

As our eyes met, the answer was obviously out.

I let out an exasperated sigh, "That's why I need you to do this for me. I'm gonna need you to babysit Mia for tonight. She isn't safe anymore."