Crystal white buildings. Deep green trees, motionless in the wind. Pristine cars neatly lined up in their spots. Even the clouds did not dare deprive this place of it's sunlight. In a world that thrived on chaos, only one thing stood between a person and such perfect orderliness: money.

Kyungsoo hated every second he spent in that paper and plastic neighborhood. He felt like a rat that had crawled into a king's bedroom. He did everything he could to hide his face from their glossy eyes. But he hated being there for more than feeling humiliated, he hated the jealousy building in his chest. These peoples' lives were not perfect. But they were just about as close to perfect as life would allow.

Ahead of him, two men stood waiting. One of them fit in comfortably with these surroundings, the other seemed trapped in them. Kyungsoo slowed down in front of them, nodding politely.

"I told him we were coming," Sehun said, returning the nod.

"Did you tell him why?" Kyungsoo asked.

"Well, um, no." Sehun glanced at his brother. "I didn't really know what to say."

"C'mon, we can tell him face to face," Jongdae pulled open the front doors.

Kyungsoo followed the two of them into the building. The air that greeted him was sickening. It was thick with perfume. It was an indescribable smell, seemingly because it was not at all based in reality. It was a scent built in a factory. They put all the sorts of smells humans generally professed to like into one bottle, thusly ruining all of them. Kyungsoo held his breath and kept his eyes trained on the floor beneath him, subsequently burning the carpet pattern into his skull.

After walking half a marathon, Kyungsoo heard the sound of doors being opened. He raised his eyes. He was surprised by the sight before him. It was a surprisingly intimately decorated room. It was by no means cheap looking, but it certainly wasn't modern or "penthouse-ish" furniture. Things weren't as pristine or dollhouse-like as the outside. It was a breath of fresh air, literally, considering it smelled like someone was able to pick a single perfume.

"Oh," A man stood up from one of the couches, a soft smile spreading across his face. "Welcome home boys."

Sehun returned the warm expression tenfold. "Hello, Dad."

Jongdae less so. Their father set down the book he had been holding and walked over to them. He pulled Sehun into a bear hug, chuckling. He had very round yet defined features for someone his age. It seemed time had been kind to him. He let Sehun go and turned to his other son. Jongdae didn't even look him in the eyes. His smile fell. Instead, he turned to Kyungsoo.

"Do Kyungsoo, yes?" He stepped towards him.

"Yes," Kyungsoo bowed. "Sir, I've come to talk to you about that day. I know this is absurd of me to say, but I didn't kill anyone. Please, suspend your disbelief and talk to me."

"You don't need to be so formal," He said. "You're a friend of my sons, hm? You can call me Junmyeon."

"Friend?" Kyungsoo grimaced slightly.

"And I never thought a child could be capable of that." Junmyeon turned towards the couches, beckoning the other three to follow.

"Then you're naïve." Kyungsoo muttered.

Junmyeon and Sehun sat down next to each other, Kyungsoo and Jongdae sat across from them. Everyone in the room could feel the thick atmosphere except Junmyeon, or perhaps he chose to ignore it. Kyungsoo had never truly interacted with the principal before. His entire perception of the man had been built up through rumors and brief meetings. And that perception could not have been further from what he was seeing then. He seemed genuinely happy to have his sons home, even going so far as to crack jokes, to which Sehun was the only one to laugh at only out of politeness. He seemed mostly like a dork. Still, something about this unsettled Kyungsoo. At some point, Junmyeon gave up on trying to start a conversation with the two across from him and just spoke to Sehun.

"So, did you get my messenger?" He asked.

Sehun's smile faltered. "Yes, I did. But I told him the same thing I've been telling you."

"Oh, Sehun." Junmyeon sighed. "You're doing well thus far, and I really am proud of you but... you really can't expect that career to be suitable for you-"

"Father." Jongdae finally spoke. "Isn't this a family topic?"

"Oh," Junmyeon glanced at Kyungsoo. "I suppose so. I'm sorry, I kind of derailed things, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did." Jongdae said.

"Well, what was it you wanted to talk about Kyungsoo?" Junmyeon asked.

Kyungsoo sat forward. "All I ask is that you tell me what happened that day to the best of your recollection."

"There's not much to say." Junmyeon leaned back. "I heard gunshots. So, I went around the school and tried to help evacuate any students or teachers still in the building."

"What kind of crap is that?" Jongdae exploded.

Silence fell over everyone. Sehun nervously looked between his brother and father. Junmyeon's entire demeanor changed. He looked at his eldest son sternly, yet somewhat sadly.

"I was looking for you and your brother too, Jongdae." He said.

Jongdae scoffed. Kyungsoo was starting to find himself getting aggravated. He ignored Jongdae and turned to Junmyeon.

"Did you see anyone?" Kyungsoo asked.

Junmyeon pulled his eyes away from his son. "...No. I didn't find anyone."

"Alright then," Kyungsoo stood and began walking to the door.

"Wha- Where are you-" Jongdae rose after him.

"If he's going to lie to me with zero proof or sincerity, then this is a waste of my time." Kyungsoo pulled the doors open.

Kyungsoo got quite far before the two brothers caught up to him. He was sick and tired of people lying to him. He was tired of playing mind games with everyone he spoke to. He was tired of everyone, everything, he just wanted to find peace. But more and more that seemed impossible. He wasn't sure he had ever felt peace. Maybe it wasn't even real. That terrified him.

"Hey, wait!" Sehun caught up to him, grabbing a hold of his sleeve.

Jongdae stepped in front of him, smiling. "You saw that didn't you? It's obvious he-"

"What I saw was a dead end." Kyungsoo cut him off. "I'm sorry but I have more potent things to investigate right now."

"'More potent'?" Jongdae furrowed his brow.

"I'll contact you if I need anything else." Kyungsoo stepped around him.

"Kyungsoo, wait!" Jongdae said.

"Jongdae, just let it go, please." Sehun pulled him back gently.

Let it go, just let it go. Those words pulled at Kyungsoo. He wanted to let it go. He was afraid to let it go. He couldn't let it go. He needed to let it go. Were any of those true? He didn't know what was right to feel anymore.

"No!" Jongdae yelled after him. "You can't just waltz up to us saying you want justice for that day and then walk away when the truth doesn't immediately reveal itself!"

"What am I supposed to do?" Kyungsoo spun around, everything bubbling over. "It was seven years ago! How am I supposed to find Justice? All anyone does is lie! The whole world is my enemy."

Jongdae clenched his fists. "Let me help you."

"What?" Kyungsoo's breath caught in his throat.

"Let me help you catch the killer." Jongdae said. "I know how I must look to you, a pathetic rich kid mooching off his younger brother, but I can help you. I know things that you don't, ways of finding information. I swear I can help you. I will help you."

"Jongdae," Sehun tried to read his brother's face. "You really trust him?"

"Of course." Jongdae said. "I know what a killer looks like. Kyungsoo didn't kill them."

"Then," Sehun looked at Kyungsoo, determination growing. "I'll help you too."

Kyungsoo stared at them, mouth open ajar. His vision blurred for a moment. A desire that he had been desperately fighting to contain surged within him. It blinded his anger and let him consider their offer. Their connections could be useful. Their second opinion could be both dangerous and revealing. Dangerous, it was far too dangerous to agree. But danger was necessary to find peace. He couldn't trust them, but he didn't need to trust them to use them, did he?