beloved of grace

Chapter 2 - Glimmering Moon, Blessed Blossoms

"You're stealing shoes again?" Your unimpressed voice rang through the room, your back leaning against the wall as you watched Johan (who has been freeloading off of you the past few days) wear his own pair of shoes, the stare you gave him pointed and exasperated. He shrugged carelessly, fingers moving swiftly before he stood and gave you a cheeky smile, "There's a limited edition of Jordans high in demand."

"Get a job."

His reply came a bit too fast, even as he was heading away from your adobe, passing the doorway, "I'm not qualified for any."

"Don't go overboard!" You called out after him, peeking out the door and watching the brunet speed away with Eden right behind him. Johan craned his head back and shot you a grin, "Yeah yeah!"

He had the audacity to return with several pairs of limited edition shoes that night. Johan held up the column of shoes, their laces tied together for easier transport, "Got them."

In the end, you could only sigh and shake your head.

— —

The injured child who's skin was loitered with bandaged blossoms of crimson and amethyst stared down at the floor, fidgeting uncomfortably under your scrutinizing gaze. For a moment, having just explained his ordeal (running an errand for Zack to find the pair of shoes Johan said was high in demand for a limited amount of money, scoring a deal with someone he thought was an attractive girl and getting jumped when they ultimately decided to meet up), Namsoo stayed silent, and then he spoke, his mumbles anything but assured and clear, "Please. . . it's Zack's money. . . and. . ."

You sighed, standing from your desk and gesturing for the boy to follow you, "Show me your messages with them."

The boy finally drew breath, eyes shooting up to you with glimmers of hope as he nearly tripped over his own two feet, hastily and anxiously following you through the class, "Where'd you meet them?"

"Gi-gian station!"

"Zack ordered you to find limited edition Jordans, was it?"

"Y-yes!"

Right on the way out of the class, you stopped by the boxer's desk who slept soundly upon his arms— then, with just the right amount of force to make sure no one got harmed, you kicked his table, instantaneously waking Zack up and gaining the attention of the entire class including the boxer's seatmate, "The hell?!"

"Hey, your errand boy got scammed."

Namsoo shrieked. Zack blinked the sleep in eyes away, staring at Namsoo once he brought his head up. For a moment, as Zack and Daniel, with a certain degree of disbelief, stared at Namsoo who shivered in his shoes under their gazes. Zack opened his mouth, reluctant and slow indeed, ". . . What?"

"Your little search to get your hands on limited edition Jordans for a measly 300 dollars ended up in this." You crossed your arms, "He's asking for help now that the scammers took all your money."

". . . So. . ." Zack started, attempting to wipe the baffled look off his face, "they stole it all?"

Namsoo could only nod, meek and fearful. Zack srucnhed his face, scratching his head as he rose to sit up properly instead of slouching, "You must've been scared. I really should've gone. It's my fault."

Then he made a face, one Namsoo considered incredibly intimidating and scary, "I hope you aren't lying to me."

"[Name], whatcha talking about?" Yui approached you just as she did the other days, her smile as sweet as honey, accompanied by the usual flush on her face. You shot her a glance, "Yui. We're tracking a scammer down."