The next morning, Taehyung woke to an empty space beside him, his dad already gone for the day. He yawned, stretching , and ambled into the kitchen. Warm coffee aromas enveloped him, mingling with soft dish clinking.

His mom stood at the sink, hands submerged in soapy water. Taehyung approached, bare feet padding softly on tile. Gently grasping her hands, he washed away suds. She startled, eyes widening.

"Let me do the dishes, Mom," Taehyung said, concern filling his voice. "You rest."

His mom's face softened, a warm smile spreading. "No need, Taehyung! Freshen up. Hyejin left a note before leaving for college."

Taehyung's eyes sparkled. "She wrote to me?!"

"Still, Mom, please rest. You're on your feet all day."

His mom relented, settling onto a nearby stool. As Taehyung washed dishes, her thoughts drifted.

"My boy leaves today... I'll miss him. God, keep him happy. Protect him." She whispered a silent prayer.

Morning sunlight illuminated Taehyung's focused expression, dark hair mussed, eyes shining with filial love.

After cleaning the dishes, Taehyung headed to the bathroom to freshen up. The warm water cascaded down his body, relaxing his muscles. As he stepped out, water droplets glistened on his skin, accentuating his chiseled features.

In his room, he towel-dried his hair, his reflection showcasing, athletic build
Light abs and muscles, honed from dedication
Water droplets falling from his dark locks

Dressing quickly, he checked his luggage, ensuring everything was packed.

Satisfied, he placed his luggage in the hall. The landline phone rang, breaking the silence.

"Hey, Handsome!" a cheerful voice said. "I'm picking everyone up to Yuna's house. You're the last one. Share your address, and I'll swing by."

Taehyung chuckled, providing his address.

After ending the call, he approached his mom, concern etched on his face. "I'm leaving now, Mom. Take care of yourself and Hyejin. Rest amd eat well. Don't worry about me. I'll call when I can."

His mom smiled warmly. "I should be the one cautioning you, Tae."

Taehyung hugged her tightly.

Just then, a car horn sounded outside.

"Bye, Mom. Take care. Love you!" Taehyung called out.

His mom blessed him with a smile.

Outside, two cars waited. Jin leaned out the window. "Hop in, Tae. This one's not full."

Hobi jumped out, grinning. "Let me grab your luggage."

Together, Hobi and Taehyung stowed his bags in the back trunk.

Taehyung and Hobi settled into the spacious car, accompanied by Jin, Jimin, Jen, Gia, and Ren. The spacious interior enveloped them, with Jin behind the wheel and Hobi beside him. The backseat was filled with Taehyung, Jen, Jimin, Gia, and Ren.

The other car, noticeably smaller, carried Namjoon, Jungkook, Suga, and Yerin.

"Who's driving the other car?" Taehyung asked.

Jin, Hobi, and Jimin exchanged mischievous grins.

"Namjoon!" they chimed in unison, their evil smiles spreading.

Taehyung gasped. "Wh-what?! Namjoon? He doesn't drive well!"

Hobi and Jimin chuckled. "That's why we're in Jin's car."

Jin winked, his eyes crinkling.

"How did the others agree to ride with Namjoon?" Taehyung asked.

Jimin shrugged. "Simple. We played rock-paper-scissors. Losers rode with Namjoon."

Taehyung sympathized, "Poor guys."

Jen sat beside the window, Taehyung's warm presence radiating from her right. Gia's voice broke the calm.

"Jen, are you comfortable beside Taehyung? Or should I switch with you?"

Before Jen could respond, Jimin intervened, his voice laced with amusement.

"No need, Miss Gia. You sit beside me. Jen's fine with Taehyung."

Jimin's grin caught Gia's attention. She rolled her eyes.

Jen chuckled, glancing sideways to find Taehyung already gazing at her. Their eyes locked for a fleeting moment before they looked away.

Jimin's voice filled the air again. "So, Gia, what's your favorite food?"

Gia's response was curt. "Stop bothering me!"

Jimin's eyes met Jin's in the rearview mirror, and he blinked twice. Jin winked, and the car jerked slightly.

The sudden movement sent Jimin's lips brushing against Gia's cheek.

Gia's eyes widened in shock, her face flushing.

"How dare you!" she exclaimed.

Jimin feigned innocence. "The car stumbled; it made me move."

Gia rolled her eyes and exchanged seats with Ren.

"Sit beside Jimin," she instructed Ren.

Jimin whispered to Ren, "Is your sister always this furious?"

Ren chuckled. "No"

Jimin's asked, "Then why's she always angry with me? "

Ren said, "I don't know"

Jimin Sighed.

Suddenly Jin's phone rang, shattering the calm.

Jin handed the phone to Hobi. "Answer it for me."

Hobi's eyes widened as he saw the caller ID. "It's Jungkook!"

Jimin chuckled. "Maybe he's freaking out!"

The group erupted into laughter.

Hobi answered, and Jungkook's panicked voice flooded the line.

"OMG, Jin hyung! Please get me out of this car! I'll do anything! Namjoon hyung is driving like a maniac! He missed hitting a truck already! We're zigzagging, and I'm going to throw up!"

The car resonated with laughter.

Jin took the phone, his voice dripping with amusement. "Wow, now you remember I'm your hyung? You usually disregard me, but now you're begging?"

Jungkook's desperation turned comical. "Hyung, please! I'm begging! My life is flashing before my eyes!"

Jin teased, "Aww, Jungkook, did Namjoon's driving skills finally make you respect your elders?"

Jungkook's pleading continued, "Hyung, please! Save me!"

The group's laughter intensified, and Jin couldn't help but chuckle.

Jungkook's pleading turned desperate. "Hyung, don't think about me, but what about Ina?! Have mercy, Jin hyung! She's a girl, and she's freaking out too! Pleaseeeeeee!"

Jin raised an eyebrow. "Ina?"

Jen chimed in, giggling, "Yerin's other name is Ina."

Jin nodded, his expression unyielding. "Nah, I won't listen to you. She's not a coward like you."

Jungkook gulped, his voice trembling. "Sh-she isssss, Jin hyung! She's scared now, please save us!"

Jin ended the call, and the car erupted into laughter.

Gia's concern peeked through the hilarity. "What if Ina's really freaking out too?"

Jen reassured, still chuckling, "She's not scared of something like this, Gia. Chill. She loves speeding insanely. She's all okay."

Gia's laughter continued. "Oh well, good then."

Jimin's curiosity sparked. "What's Suga doing?"

Hobi replied, laughing, "Maybe he's asleep."

The group's laughter intensified.

Namjoon gripped the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the winding road ahead as the car's speakers blasted energetic tunes. Beside him, Ina bobbed her head to the rhythm, her ponytail bouncing with each beat. The back seat was a stark contrast, Jungkook's eyes were wide with terror, while Suga slept soundly, oblivious to the chaos.

Ina yelled over the music, "Go faster! Yeahh!!!!" Namjoon grinned mischievously and floored it. "Yup!!!! Let's gooooooo!!" The car surged forward, speeding down the highway.

Jungkook's face turned pale. "Omg!! Stop! Stop!! Stop now!!!!... I feel like throwing up. Gosh, please have some mercy, hyung!" But his pleas were drowned out by the thumping music. Namjoon and Ina were too caught up in the excitement to notice his distress.

Jungkook turned to Suga, desperation creeping into his voice. "Suga hyung! Wake up! See, we're going to die soon! Please wake up!!" He shook Suga's arm, but the man just snuggled deeper into the seat, his snores harmonizing with the music. Jungkook groaned in trusfration.

The car sped on, the music reaching a frenetic crescendo. Jungkook's anxiety escalated, while Namjoon and Ina laughed and sang along, lost in the thrill of the ride.

Jungkook tapped Ina's shoulder, his eyes wide with worry. "Ina, don't you feel scared? We're speeding at maximum!!!!" Ina, still bobbing her head to the music, turned around, "What?" she asked, her voice cheerful.

Jungkook's frustration was palpable. "Do you enjoy speeding??? We'll die if we go at this speed!" Ina chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, come on! This isn't even speed. You want me to show you what speed is? I'll drive if you want!!" Jungkook's jaw dropped. "What? This isn't speed for you?"

Namjoon, still grinning, chimed in, "Yup!! This isn't spee-" His words were cut off by a loud thud. The car hit the fence, the impact jolting everyone. The front bumper crumpled, and the air was filled with the sound of scraping metal.

The group, except for the still-slumbering Suga, piled out of the car. An elderly lady stormed out of her nearby house, her face red with indignation. "Hey!! How dare you people destroy my fence?? Pay for it now!"

Jungkook, feeling relieved that the wild ride had ended, took a deep breath of the fresh air.

Namjoon approached the lady, apologetic. "Oh, sorry miss! I'll pay. How much?" The old lady's expression remained stern. "20 thousand won." Namjoon and Ina gasped in unison, "What? It's just a small damage, miss! See, we didn't break the whole fence. It's just a little part." The old lady stood firm, her arms crossed. "Pay or get arrested."

Jungkook, still shaken, couldn't help but giggle at the absurdity. "Yeah, yeah! Well deserved!! Pay for this now. I'll let Jin hyung know what you did now, hyung." Namjoon sighed, handing over the money. The old lady snatched it, her expression unyielding.

After settling the damage with the lady, Jungkook, Namjoon, and Ina returned to the car, now a battered mess. The once-sleek vehicle sported a crumpled front bumper, its engine sputtering to silence. Jungkook dialed Jin, his voice laced with amusement. "Hyung!! Come to us!!"

Jin's voice boomed over the phone, "Why?" Jungkook chuckled, "Namjoon hyung hit the car into a fence. Now our car is broke." Jin's tone shifted to a growl. "Give the phone to Namjoon."

Jungkook handed the phone to Namjoon, who accepted it with trembling hands. Jin unleashed a tirade, "Ya!!! How can you destroy everything in seconds, Namjoon???? Don't you know how to ride a mere car?" The verbal lashing continued for 10 minutes, leaving Namjoon sheepish.

Finally, Jin concluded, "Leave that car there and book a cab now." The call ended, and Namjoon hastily booked a taxi. He arranged for a tow truck to collect the damaged vehicle. Soon, a sleek cab arrived, and the group along with suga piled in.

Some where else, two figures conversed in devilish tones. The air was heavy with malevolent intent. One spoke, "How many more days should we wait?" The other replied, its voice a low, menacing growl, "Don't rush and make a mistake. Some more days! Just wait some more days! You'll get what you want... I will get what I want."

The first figure's voice took on a note of urgency. "We missed one time already. We shouldn't slip up this time." Suddenly, a third voice emerged from the darkness behind them, its presence making the air feel colder. "Don't make any mistakes now. We found them after searching a lot... for many years."

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