Crimson Madness #1 ⚖️: Commencement || SVT CRIME AU

17: A Bad Day

Nari's POV

   Yesterday got me thinking if their behavior is caused by me. When they got out of the meeting room, all of them seem agonizing, uncomfortable and such. Including Junhui, who, for the first time ever I've seen in that kind of behavior.

   I wonder what they talked about.

   Is it because of me? Oh, wait. It's probably about their other missions. A crime organization that is big like them, surely have lots of missions aside from this one.

   "Ms. Jung Nari," I got back to my senses when my professor called me.

   "May I ask you to recite to me the court provision towards the case that Mr. Kim just recited earlier," he adjusted his glasses as he fixed the index cards he held in his palms.

   "You would know the answer if you listened," his voice drops an octave as he shot me a glare.

   "Th-The court provision is..."

   I gulped down as I gripped the hem of my blouse. If I ask him what the case is about, he will surely get mad and if I say that I didn't listen, he will get even more mad. Either way, he is going to get mad!

   Fuck.

   I'm fucked.

   "Is?" He raised an eyebrow as I felt my heart skipped a beat in fast rhythm. I pursed my lips as I clenched my jaw.

   "Sit down," he commanded, so I did.

   "Jung Nari, you are at the end of a cliff right now. You better get your grades up high in my subject or else you won't be a bar taker,"

***

   Right after those torturous lectures of Criminal Law from Professor Seo, I get to finally go home with pent-up frustration and grudges. I don't know what has been going on with me for the past few days, but all I can say is that my mind is all around.

   "Bar exams are coming up, you should focus," Mingyu said as he patted my shoulder. I stood at the waiting shed of the school, hugging my binder of documents into my chest.

   "I know," I stifle a sigh.

   A few minutes of waiting, Seungcheol came to pick me up. His presence doesn't bother me anymore since I've got a lot in my mind. I feel like the reason why I'm like this is because of the overwhelming change I faced.

   Moving out, and living with seven men was all new because I got used to just being either by myself or having maids around. "Why the silence, huh?" Seungcheol casually spoke as I turned to the window, watching every building we past by and the sun setting.

   "Just exhausted,"

   "tell me about it," I stifled a sigh.

   "I got embarrassed during recitation and it was pure humiliation to me because it has been happening for days! I-I just don't know why I can't seem to focus and it's fucking annoying because the bar exam will take place in just a few months," after letting out that rant, it felt like a burden has been lifted from my chest.

   Seungcheol halted the car at a lot. "Stay here," he said as he hopped out.

   Wow, seems to me that he wasn't listening.

   Nonetheless, it's fine because I really did need to rant even if the person I'm ranting to doesn't reply nor listen. A few minutes later, Seungcheol came back with paper bag. "Hold this for me," he handed the bag to me which I peeked in.

   There were two pint of ice cream which made my eyes sparkled in joy. "Don't eat it now,"

   "Why?"

   "Because I said so," I rolled my eyes as he drove away, but he didn't took the path to the mansion, plus it's already getting dark.

   "Where are we going, anyways?"

   "You'll see,"

***

   Seungcheol drove up to a hill where we can see the bright lights of the cities and the dark sky that has illuminating stars up there. "Now, let us eat," Seungcheol pulled out a pint and the spoon.

   The view up here is really good. I didn't know there's such place like this.

   I watched as he took a spoonful of the ice cream and enjoyed it in delight. "I know this ain't much to make you feel better, but I want you to know that if you need something or want something, me and the guys are here,"

   "And yes the bar exam is coming up which would be a stressful time. I remember Soonyoung, crying because he was overwhelmed of it," he explained, as I held the pint in my palms.

   "I took up law too, you know. Soonyoung and I graduated at the same time and it's a shame that my dad had died before he could even see me graduate," he said the law few words in a whisper.

   "Nonetheless, I know he's proud and happy for me," he smiled, sadly, before turning towards me.

   "You can do it, Nari. Just hold on for a bit, do your thing and believe in yourself—It all starts within yourself anyways," Our eyes locked onto one another and there was tension...once again. His smile faded as soon as he sensed it.

   I also can't believe that I'm hearing my name come out from his lips for the first time. He didn't call me 'little red' he called me by my name and it gave me chills.

   Before something could even happen I broke away from the eye contact. "Y-You know, uhm, thanks a lot for the uh the ice cream a-a...and the uh Ted talk, of course!"  I nervously chuckled as I tighten my grip on the cold pint.

   "Thank you...like really,"

   "Y-Yeah, no problem. I mean, since we're all living under the same roof. Might as well lend a hand l-like it wouldn't hurt," he awkwardly chuckled as he rub the back of his neck, looking out the window.

   "Y-Yeah, I agree,"