war of love, jeno

chapter twenty-two

"Why must we wear dog tags? It'll make it harder for people to see us out in public," eight-year-old Eunjin pointed out, looking down at the L. Eunjin engraved on the silver medal.

"Don't know, don't really care," her friend Jihoon replied, pulling on his leather gloves. He whistled quietly, tightening his shoelaces.

"Just like you said," another voice boomed through the room, "it makes it harder for people to see us in public. If we can get close, makes it easier to attack."

Eunjin hummed, nodding at her arms fell to her sides, "that's understandable."

Jihoon began growing restless, "are we leaving now or what? Training starts soon."

Eunjin's father let out a breathy laugh, affectionately shaking the young boy's shoulder harshly, "that-a-boy! You will make one fine boyfriend in the future. Right, Eunjin?"

The young girl awkwardly nodded. She knew what her father was implying but she couldn't find any emotions inside of herself for Jihoon that were beyond friendship. Then again, she was a child. She didn't need romantic feelings.

The car ride to their base was quiet, Eunjin and Jihoon sitting quietly in the back seat as the older man drove them.

When they finally reached the large white building, they walked inside, taking a large set of stairs to the basement.

The two looked around their new base with excitement. It was a bit different from their old training quarters. Cleaner, brighter, more space.

They'd be able to train here and learn the ways of their parents.

"Jisung, snap out of it."

Renjun watched his younger friend gulp harshly, the look in his eyes confusing the older of the two. "What's wrong? Why are you looking at your cup like that?"

Jisung looked back up at Renjun with wide eyes, turning his cup around and pointing at the name on the top. "Shin Eunjin."

Renjun tilted his head slightly, taking a second to pick up on what Jisung was trying to tell him. "Okay... what's so important about Shin Eunjin?"

As the name slipped out of his mouth, the front door opened and closed, the chimes sounding through the restaurant. "Wait."

"We need to leave," Jisung stood up, fixing his shirt quickly as he got ready to leave.

Renjun stopped him almost immediately, "now, hold on, Jisung. It's not that serious, don't worry so much."

"Don't worry so much? Renjun, we aren't even supposed to be within a couple of feet with her. If Taeyong finds-"

"He's not gonna find out," Renjun interjected. "Listen, we weren't even supposed to know who she was or what she looked like. We simply ran into her just like any normal civilian."

Jisung seemed to waver slightly, unsure of what to do at the moment. "Are you sure?"

"Of course, now sit down. I still have half an hour until my next class and I don't want to look like a loser sitting here by myself."

"Might be a bit too late for that but okay."

just woke up and (tmi) puked everywhere 🤩
i was supposed to go to my friends house tomorrow too y'all 😔👎🏽

anyways this chapter is really short, i know.
but what do we think abt the flashback?
there's an important detail thrown in there 😏

chapter 20 yet eunjin and jeno haven't even spoke irl to each other.. i need to speed stuff up 😭