The Mission || Minsung

Twenty Three

"Are you kidding me?" Minho said in disbelief as he and Hyunjin sat at the bar, his drink long forgotten.

"I knew you'd be mad." Hyunjin sighed, taking a sip of his whiskey.

"Hyunjin, I know I told you to give him a chance but... Don't you think it's unfair to him because you're playing with his feelings? Seungmin deserves better than that and you know it." Minho reasoned.

Hyunjin knew. Of course he knew, Seungmin was too good to be involved in his mess. He didn't want to hurt the boy, but still he ended up giving the younger false hope.

"I just... Forget about it. I'll try to keep my distance from him." Hyunjin muttered, gulping down his drink in one go.

"Atleast explain your reasons-"

"Hyung. I'll deal with it. You go back in two days, atleast let my last moments with you in a while not be about this." Hyunjin pleaded.

Minho sighed as he nodded to his drunk best friend's request.

"Anyways... My love life is a mess, I hope atleast you find someone you love soon. Just get over with this mission and kill that Han soon." Hyunjin leaned against the counter, closing his eyes as he continued. "I can't wait for you to come back."

A pang of guilt washed over Minho's heart, painfully twisting it as he averted his gaze.

He was supposed to kill Jisung and be back in a few months. How was he supposed to protect the Han and stay by his side?

Was that even possible?

"Hyunjin..." Minho whispered, deciding to drop some hints for Hyunjin about what he was actually doing.

Yeah, even if the whole world was ready to turn against him, Hyunjin would stand by his side.

And he knew he wouldn't hesitate to do the same.

But before he could say anything more, sounds of soft snores hit his ears as he watched his best friend fall asleep in the private bar.

"Maybe next time." He muttered, grabbing Hyunjin but being careful enough to not wake him up as he dragged the younger towards his car.

With a huge sigh, Minho drove back to their place, the uncertainty of the future swallowing his jumbled thoughts.

***

"Lee Minho, stop right there."

Minho frowned, turning around to come face to face with the girl who was always smiling.

"Seonmi? What's up?" He asked carefully.

Wordlessly, Seonmi approached him with a blank face, her heels clicking on the marbled floor. Her attitude was strange to Minho, she had never acted like that before.

"Is everything okay?" Minho tried asking again.

However, instead of getting a reply, he felt Seonmi's fist clench around his collar.

"Tell me, Minho, you aren't betraying us, are you?" She gritted.

"What are you talking ab-"

"You know damn well what I'm talking about, Lee." She hissed.

"Seonmi wait, are you drunk?"

"Why does it bother you?" Her voice came out in a broken whisper. "You aren't betraying us, right?"

Seeing her in that state sent a wave of guilt washing over Minho's entire being.

And yet, he had to continue lying.

"Of course not, you idiot. Why'd you even think of such an absurd thing?" He said, taking her hands in his.

"It's just... These pictures." She whispered, handing Minho the pictures that were taken of him kissing Jisung on the bridge. "It doesn't look like you're acting here."

A chill ran down Minho's spine. So the men Jisung saw that day were Black Mask's men?

"How did you-"

"Get this picture? I don't know who took these." Seonmi interrupted him. "They were sent to us from an unknown address. You need to be careful, Minho. If you're telling the truth, then that means the person who took these pictures know your true identity and they're not from Black Mask, and they sent these pictures to arise suspicion against you within your own people."

Minho slowly processed the information, his gut stirring with an uncomfortable feeling.

"And you know what? It's working. Dad is already doubting you. Please don't get yourself in trouble." Seonmi said, caressing his face.

Minho nodded his head, pulling the girl in a hug.

"Thanks, Seonmi. For worrying about me." He whispered.

"That's what friends do, don't they? And besides, I know you won't ever betray us. I just... couldn't help but overthink. How silly of me." She chuckled.

A sad smile formed on Minho's face. All he could do was helplessly nod and betray the people who cared about him.

The cost of love was high, and yet he knew he wouldn't hesitate to go to any lengths if he could spend one more day by Jisung's side.

He had fallen too deep, and he knew there was no way out.

***

Surpriseeee

I'm so so sooo sorry for making you guys wait this long, but I'm afraid the updates will be even more irregular now since I'm way too busy with school. And I will get even more busier after this, so as much as I hate to say this, maybe the book will be put on an hold.

I appreciate you all waiting patiently, and I'm really sorry to disappoint you all :(

I hope you liked this chapter even though it was short! I'll try to publish whenever I get free time <3