𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟔. 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬

Thursday, the shadow enveloped every being.

"In my head, in the picture, I'm next to you smiling,
when it rains sadly, the day I hate everything"
- hate everything, GSoul

His palms obliterated his vision, as he gently sagged on the grainy ground, watching as the sky slowly dimmed darker every second he was there.

He was going to give up.

He was going to.

The hopeless pair stood under a streetlight, wandering around, kicking stones, lightly feeling the messy wind.

"Oh my what happened to the tenacious Jaemin?" Jeno teased, hoping to lighten up the mood despite it being almost close to midnight.

"Believe you can and you're halfway there, ever heard of that quote?" Jaemin said as he straightened his back, totally taking back what he said earlier.

Just like camels in a never ending desert, they were stuck there trying their best to find the missing girl.

"Why did you choose the ocean over school?" Jeno asked, half- yawning.

Jaemin shrugged, refusing to continue on with the conversation, refusing to think about her when all his mind is filled with only her.

The pair had been travelling around the town to different places where they assumed JinRin might be at.

They felt like they were in a haystack and JinRin was the needle.

Not getting to know her better made things a million times harder so instead of being on level hundred, Jeno could already feel the boss fight just miles away.

Their newly formed search team consists of almost everyone except Chaewon for some unknown reason.

Everyone lost hope at some point.

The search efforts continued till night time before everyone had no choice but to return home since some of them had to attend 'family time'.

The only ones left were Chenle, Mark, and the two hopeless pair.

Sighing in defeat, Jeno looked towards the boy beside him.

His face no longer shined like a supernova, his body no longer looked exemplary and his aura was no longer warm.

Rather, he was hiding in the confines of his dark hoodie, having the hood over his head to hide his unhappiness.

"Thanks for sticking by my side Jeno, I do owe you one" Jaemin breathlessly chuckled, head facing the cracked pavement ground.

"That's what best friends are for and god I cringed, don't make me say that ever again" Jeno, grabbing Jaemin into a headlock.

"Wait I see something"

His eyes widened, a glint of hope.

"You're not playing right"

Jaemin straighten his back, eyes trailing over to the spot Jeno was pointing at.

"Let's go check it out"

"Are you sure about it-"

"Jeno, I didn't know you were such a scaredy cat"
Jaemin grinned as he took a run towards the small spark of light and as he ran, it only got closer.

"Hey you jerk! Wait up!"

That's how you initiate a game of catching in the middle of the night. How nice.

——————————

"JinRin!" Jaemin called out, even though the girl was literally a face away from him.

Taken aback, JinRin stood there speechless.
There were finding her-?

"Thank goodness your okay" Jaemin worriedly scanned the girl from head to toe before mindlessly pulling JinRim into a hug.

"Don't every run off like that okay, you gave everyone a scare... we were very worried about you" Jaemin continued whilst immersed in the warmth that's as spreading across his chest.

Unbeknownst to him, JinRin felt the warmth as well.

Only after letting go, then reality dawned upon the boy.

"Oh shit- I"

What a sin had he just committed and how did he survive that.

JinRin's mind cleared and her ears rang. Her heart raced and she swore others could here her heartbeat.

Keeping her cool, JinRin gave Jaemin a small smile and bowed politely to Jeno who only returned with a face replica of the wink face emoji.

"Don't act so sly" Juni whispered.
"Go shoot your shot before it's too late"

"Shut up... what are you talking about" JinRin groaned out gently poked her friend away from her.

"JinRin" Jaemin softly called out, earning the attention of both girls.

"We found out what had happened... we're very sorry JinRin"

"..."

"Mrs Kang told us-"

"Yeah she told me that too..."

"She also told us the address where your mum probably is, which is in Sewon's office"

"What-"

"She has been blackmailed into serving as Sewon's slave and according to Mrs Kang... it was my fault"
Jaemin ended guiltily.

JinRin sighed.

"You did nothing wrong Jaemin... It's my fault. If only I had been a better daughter, my mum wouldn't have been tempted by whatever offer Sewon gave to her"

"But nothing would have ended up this way if Sewon didn't like me" Jaemin bitterly muttered out.

"I know it's not the best time to say this but I am really glad I met you boys..." JinRin cringed at the sound of her words.

"You guys helped me out so much... thank you, really"

"You were involved cause of me idiot... you would have been living off a peaceful life..." Jaemin sighed painfully, looking at the girl seated opposite of him.

JinRin looked away, but manage to force a subtle smile.

"But it was through knowing me... we found out that Ji Geon was innocent all this time."

"And true be told, I truly understand the meaning of you only live once" JinRin chuckled, looking down at her bandages wound.

"It really has been hell and heaven"

"But the hell hasn't ended yet..." Jaemin pursed his lips whilst glancing at JinRin with eyes full of passion and worry.

"Trust me. I really want to barge into her office right now but it'll be unlikely for them to be awake"
JinRin said rationally.

"If it'll be fine, we can make an effort to visit or perhaps invade her office tomorrow"

"I guess your right... the boss battle. But don't worry, justice will definitely be served. I promise you that you and your mum will be back together in one piece."

"I'll have your word."

"Thanks Jaemin"

The boy reached out his pinky finger, wanting to do it the traditional way.
JinRin gave a judging look to Jaemin who only returned his signature smile.

"You'll have my word."

Truth be told, JinRin felt much better after the encounter. Jaemin's cheekiness really comforted her and gave her a sense of ease. Or was there another reason?

Was for her to know and... for her to find out.

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