All You Need Is Love (MewGulf AU)

🌞Chapter 41🌻

PAST
🌞🌻

That evening, when the chimes announcing nine o'clock rang, Gulf was sitting in a bench outside the north entrance of the station they had agreed upon. It was a side entrance that was only open from nine in the morning to ten at night, so there were hardly any people around. Even the station attendants had left. There was only one old-fashioned lantern standing beside it, so elementary schools always warned their students to stay away from this place at night.

The weather reports had said it would be another sultry night. Moths appeared out of the darkness to circle the lantern. Heavy clouds were spreading through the pitch black sky, making the waning moon look even brighter.

At last Gulf heard the clanging sound of footsteps descending the stairs.

It was Mew. He had Gulf's ticket with him. Now the two of them could run up to the next train that arrived, get on just before it left, and disappear together for a little while.

"Gulf."

Mew appeared from the shadows of the stairway, eyeing the surroundings. A black hat was pulled low over his eyes and, despite the darkness, he wore a darkly tinted sunglasses. He was dressed casually, in jeans and a T-shirt, and all he had with him was a sports bag. He stood behind the ticket gates.

Gulf hadn't been able to see Mew since he was taken away the night before. It had only been a little more than a day, but it felt much longer.

Gulf's heart grew warm. "Mew."

"Gulf, hurry. Here's your ticket."

As soon as Gulf stood up, a black car pulled up nearby. Several large men wearing mean faces and black suits climbed out of it.

"Mister Mew, this is a important time to do anything rash."

Mew's expression changed at the sight of the men. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"We knew you would come here. We've been waiting for you. Please come with is." One of the men reached out to grab Mew's arm, but he escaped his grasp. "The induction ceremony is tomorrow. The boss is worried about you. Please don't do anything stupid."

"Damn it! Gulf, go on and take the train without me. I'll come join you soon."

"He won't be doing that."

Before Mew had time to react, another man had grabbed Gulf's arm and twisted it behind him. "Augh!"

"Gulf!"

Mew leaned across the ticket gate. The men tried to catch hold of him then, but he slipped away from them.

"Let Gulf go! This doesn't involve him!"

"Are you certain of that?"

A man climbed out of the car, cutting Mew off.

"AA---"

"This is the boy who deceived you, Mew Suppasit, heir to the Koryu Alliance. He has attempted to keep you from attending your induction ceremony. Is it not possible that he belongs to our rival family?"

"W-What the hell are you saying? Gulf has nothing to do with them! I know it!"

"And if we suppose that was part of his strategy?"

"AA, how dare you---" Mew glowered at AA, whose expression remained unchanged.

AA stood in front of Gulf and reached out to hold his slender chin. He stared down at him and, only a moment later, he raised his arm.

"What are you---"

Before Mew could finish, a dull crack diffused into the thick summer air from AA's merciless strike. Gulf stood there in a daze, his ears ringing.