With Bangtan Boys

Truth

[MAX POV]

"Alright," said Bambam. "Plan B's a success. Now we see her reaction and decide our next move to get her."

Kyu Hyun and Tae Min whooped and clapped. I sat crosslegged, alone in a corner, with my arms folded in what looked like disapproval.

I knew what he said when he mentioned her, he means Ji Ryeong. I really had no idea what happened to me; I was so enthusiastic about the plan Bambam came up with, but then I couldn't bring myself to take part in it. Somehow I blurted out the fact that I couldn't do it so it was only Bambam, Tae Min and Kyu Hyun who went, and I stayed home with Cho Ara. I felt something in me that stopped me from going any further. Maybe it was pity. God, I had absolutely no idea how I managed to get that feeling.

" So what might be her reactions?" Kyu Hyun asked.

"That depends if she cares about her brothers' poisoning," Bambam stifled a laugh. " But if conditions meet, we'll predict what next."

"Alright then!" Tae Min got up and ruffled Bambam's hair. "C'mon smartypants! Conditions for later! Help us make lunch! I'm hell starving!"

"Right behind ya," Bambam replied. With that, he left with him. That made Kyu Hyun and I alone together.

[KYU HYUN POV]

We sat in awkward silence. I don't understand; Max seemed to love the idea but didn't take part. It's almost as if he's regretting something. I don't like it.

"Max?" I asked quietly. "Are you okay?"

Max answered with a simple nod but didn't look at me.

"Max," I tried again. "If something's off, we can help you. I can help you. That's why we're together right?"

Max nodded again, in a less lively manner. I'm getting annoyed at this...

"Seriously Max just tell me," I said, a little louder than I expected. I walked over to him, trying to ignore the needle stabs in my sleepy legs and kneeled on my knees next to him. He was hugging his own knees, head resting on them. As soon as he saw me he faced the other way, completely ignoring me. He knows that I don't like being ignored so I have the feeling that he's trying to piss me off.

"I'll ask you once more," I said firmly. "Tell me what's up. You're off since the morning. Gotta let me know about it."

Max looked at me blankly at first. Then, in a whisper so low I had to strain my ears, said, "I don't think that's right to do something like that to Ji Ryeong, typically her relatives. I mean, her brothers are her only family left, and I don't want her to suffer. I'm asking you, no, begging you, please oh please do something else. Otherwise I'm leaving TNM and you may allow Bambam to replace me as the third member. I'm gonna go home."

I was so shocked that I was left sitting there, staring at my hands and I hardly noticed Max get up and leave.

[TAE MIN POV]

Aaaaaaah! The wonderful aroma of spaghetti filling the air is enough to make my stomach rumble really loud. Bambam stirred the noodles at the stove and he bent over to check them in the pot. My stomach rumbled once again and he looked at me, smiling as usual. Aish his cuteness!

"Well I got your concept of starving so I think you should take something or you'll die before it's lunch." He strode over to the counter as he said this, and he gave me something. I took it and saw that it was a banana milk box! Wow he's awesome!

"Gomawo~" I cheered and he laughed.

Just about then, Max came down the stairs. The strange thing was that he wasn't looking cheery as usual, and the weirder fact was that he didn't look up at us as he entered the kitchen. Bambam tried to start up a talk.

"Hey Max! Just in time for eat time, eh? Wanna have some?"

"I'm going home" was all that came out of him and he strode toward the back door. I was about to get up when he whirled around and gave me a hard and cold stare. "You will not follow me, nor will you stop me." Okay, his speech changed as well. This spells trouble. He's not himself.