BENEATH THE MOONLIGHT || A JiKyu Fanfiction

Chapter- 02: Reunion in Shadows

As Jihoon and Yoshi returned to their hotel room, the weight of Hyunsuk's words lingered between them like a thick fog. The once comforting silence they shared now felt oppressive, each unspoken thought adding to the tension that crackled in the air. Yoshi flopped down on one of the beds, staring up at the ceiling, his mind racing. Jihoon, however, paced back and forth across the small room, his thoughts a chaotic swirl of uncertainty.

"We should've pushed him harder," Yoshi muttered, breaking the silence. "Hyunsuk hyung knows more than he's letting on. I'm sure of it."

Jihoon paused mid-step, running a hand through his hair. "I know," he replied, his voice tight with frustration. "But we couldn't risk it. If we pushed too hard, he might have shut down completely. We can't afford that right now."

Yoshi sat up, his expression softening. "I'm just worried, hyung. We're walking into this blind. And if we're not careful..."

"We'll be fine," Jihoon cut in, though his tone betrayed his own doubts. "We've made it this far, haven't we?"

Yoshi offered a small nod, but the worry in his eyes remained. "Yeah. We'll figure it out. Together."

The next day felt like an eternity. Every hour dragged by, each minute a reminder of the uncertainty that lay ahead. Jihoon and Yoshi tried to keep busy, but their minds were elsewhere, thoughts constantly drifting back to the impending meeting at the factory.

After what seemed like an endless day, Jihoon found himself staring out the window as the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the city. The familiar anxiety gnawed at him, and he clenched his fists to steady his nerves. The image of Junkyu's face-his warm smile, the way his eyes sparkled when he laughed-flashed in his mind, making his chest tighten with a mixture of longing and fear.

"Jihoon." Yoshi's voice broke through his reverie. Jihoon turned to see his friend standing by the door, his jacket slung over one shoulder. "It's time."

Jihoon nodded, grabbing his own jacket and slipping it on. They exchanged a look, unspoken determination passing between them, and left the hotel room in silence.

The walk to the abandoned factory was quiet, the only sounds were the distant hum of traffic and the occasional bark of a stray dog. The streets grew darker as they moved away from the bustling parts of the city, the lights dimming until only the faint glow of the moon guided their steps.

"This place is even more run-down than I imagined," Yoshi remarked as they approached the entrance, a slight shiver running through him. The doors, once sturdy and imposing, now hung on rusted hinges, the metal creaking ominously as they pushed them open.

Inside, the factory was a maze of shadows and silence, the air thick with the smell of rust and decay. The moonlight streaming through the broken windows cast eerie patterns on the floor, and every step they took seemed to echo through the empty space.

Jihoon's heart pounded in his chest as they ventured deeper into the building. His eyes darted around, trying to take in every detail, every possible threat that might be lurking in the darkness.

"Do you think we can trust him?" Yoshi's voice cut through the silence, barely above a whisper.

Jihoon hesitated, his mind racing with all the possibilities. "I don't know," he admitted after a moment. "But we don't have much of a choice. If Hyunsuk hyung is our only lead..."

Yoshi nodded, though the doubt was clear in his eyes. "I just hope we're not walking into a trap."

They continued on, the tension between them thickening with each step. As they turned a corner, Jihoon spotted movement in the shadows ahead. He tensed, instinctively reaching out to stop Yoshi.