TRAVEL FAR AWAY (BTS & MAMAMOO)

TRAVEL

(Soundtrack: You've Got the Magic Touch- The Platters)

Everyone gathered on the rooftop of the building and waited for the newcomer to prepare.

Jin changed out of his corporate costume and his favorite blue hanbok ensemble flapped against the wind. He looked over Seoul and breathed in the cool night air. Instead of appreciating it, he coughed out in distaste from the smog and dust.

"Ah! A-hem!" he cleared his throat. "Hanyang (the old name for Seoul) didn't have this much pollution in the past!"

Jungkook stepped next to him, carrying a bag of rock salt. "You're not a detective are you, hyung?" he gave him a suspicious look.

"Hell no!" Jin showed him his badge which was a crumpled-up discount card to Pizzamaru. "That's why I have you."

Jungkook grinned, feeling a sense of pride in being chosen to be part of the mission. His smile wavered when his thoughts went to his mentor, Moon Byulyi. Jungkook turned to where Byulyi and Seojoon were conversing.

Sensing the air, Jin looked back at the two Aurors. "Let's help her as much as we can," Jin said quietly.

Jungkook added, "She must be going through a lot right now."

"When did you get to be so thoughtful?" Jin tried to ruffle Jungkook's hair but his hand was quickly swatted away. "Where was the little kid who liked to play in the mud and hoard all the fruits?"

"I grew up!" Jungkook adjusted the bag of salt in his arms. "And stop treating me like a baby around Byulyi-ssi and the rest. Lead Auror Park already thinks I'm a pain."

Jin gave a light playful punch to Jungkook's chin. "Hey. Let's show your boss you're one capable wizard."

"Thanks, hyung. I'll do my best. I know this mission also means so much to you."

Through their gazes, the two shared the same wish. Both gave each other a high-five and started to sprinkle salt all over the concrete floor.

.

After putting in the notepad Seojoon had given her, Byulyi looked at Jin and Jungkook. "What are they doing?"

"That's common practice to spread salt," Seojoon explained. "It's to keep us safe from evil spirits. Time travel is like a lighthouse for them."

Both looked up. Like sharks, surrounding spirits were drawn to the magic in Jin's veins. Black smoke-like figures flew toward them. As if burned, their wispy arms recoiled, their red beady eyes shone bright red, and their deep tangled voices hissed at them. They were protected.

Byulyi remembered a time when her mother asked her and Minhyuk to scatter salt all over their wrought-iron gate. She could not recall if any hauntings happened in their home, all she remembered was having fun and pretending the salt was snow.

She shook her head. "I'll make sure to report everything, sir."

"Good. That notepad connects to my own. Anything you write there will be mirrored. Keep an eye on Kim Seokjin," Seojoon instructed.

When Jin noticed that he was being watched, he made a heart shape with his arms and twirled around. Seojoon looked baffled. "Yeah. Keep an eye on him."

.

Once the rooftop was heavily salted, everyone gathered around Jin to witness time travel for the first time. CEO Park Jaesang was especially excited as he bounced on his heels and took the Project Norigae folder from Secretary Mina's hands.