The Witness ➳ Taegyu

27. Interviews and Internships

Date: May 17th

It had been a week since Taehyun left.

They were all sure that the 'No Harm List' would be protecting them from now on, so Beomgyu went to an open interview. For... a coffee shop of all things. Now, don't get him wrong. He's had a job before.

At a bookstore.

Working with hungry or tired people seemed nerve-wracking though. The only reason he came to the interview was because the sign said that they needed help immediately, and he hoped that meant it would speed up the hiring process. He wanted to help Taeyong as soon as possible and pay him back for everything he's done for him, even if the cop kept telling him that it was okay.

The woman interviewing him gave him a smile and a promise that they would call him, and he got a bagel to eat as he walked out. Today was the first day he was actually doing things on his own in so long. Taeyong had been by his side the entire week until today, Beomgyu finally told him that it was okay.

He walked down the street, taking small bites of the snack as he took in the area. On the outside, the street was calm, and the trees were pretty beautiful. But if he were to work at that coffee shop, the high school just a bit up the road would make for nightmarish mornings.

More and more people wore turtlenecks lately, even if it was May. Members of Black Reaper covered their necks in public, but the police couldn't just ask everyone covering their neck to let them see it. Beomgyu saw a group of people across the street, dressed in suits with turtlenecks underneath. He understood who they were and immediately faced forward again as he walked.

Walking alone down the street seemed unnatural now, but it was also a bit scary. It's just been so long. Even if he was confident that Taehyun's position in Black Reaper alone would protect Beomgyu, a wave of fear just washed over him whenever he saw someone who could be a member.

What if they didn't recognize him from the list?

"Woah!"

He looked to the side and gasped when his three friends pulled up in a car next to him. "Beomgyu, why haven't you been talking to us?"

"Where's Captain Kang?"

"Are you off the hook now?"

Without answering any of their questions, he sat in the back seat with Soobin and buckled his seatbelt. "What, did Kai beat you to the front seat?" He asked Soobin, knowing that because he was older, he always rode shotgun when Yeonjun drove.

"No. Your gay little friends are dating now."

"Hey!" Kai complained.

"They're your gay little friends, Soobin," Beomgyu laughed. "Anyway, being made fun of is deserved. You all made fun of Taehyun and I for kissing."

"Captain Kang's name is Taehyun?" Yeonjun asked, looking at him through the rear-view mirror as he started driving.

...

They didn't know Taehyun's first name.

He frowned when he realized what he did and Soobin just chuckled. "Oh, chill. What are any of us gonna do with that knowledge? Anyway, you didn't answer our questions. Where is he?"

"I just... don't need to be protected anymore."

Kai turned to face him. "Can you tell him we said "hi"?"

Beomgyu nodded, but looked down in shame for lying to him. If only it was that simple to say that one word to Taehyun.

"We are on our way to a short internship I have," Yeonjun said, realizing that Beomgyu didn't know where they were going. "These two wanted to tag along, so they're gonna go eat nearby while I do it."