BENEATH THE MOONLIGHT || A JiKyu Fanfiction

Chapter- 07: Fractured Trust

The night air was thick with the scent of rain, though none had fallen yet. It was the kind of night where the world seemed to hold its breath, waiting for something to happen. The group moved silently, their steps. Junkyu's usual lighthearted demeanor was absent, replaced by a quiet intensity that mirrored the mood of the group. Yoshi, walking beside Junkyu, kept a close eye on Haruto, who trailed at the back. The tension between them was tangible, a silent undercurrent that threatened to erupt at any moment.

As they approached the safe house, an unremarkable building tucked away in a remote part of the city, Yoshi finally broke the silence. "Jihoon hyung, how do we know this place is any safer than the last?" His voice was low, but it carried a sharp edge that made Jihoon pause.

"We don't," Jihoon replied, turning to face Yoshi. "But we have to trust that Haruto's information is accurate. We can't afford to stay in one place for too long."

Yoshi's gaze shifted to Haruto, who had stopped a few steps behind them. "And what if he's wrong? Or worse, what if he's leading us into a trap?"

Junkyu stepped in before Jihoon could respond, his voice calm but firm. "Yoshi, I get it. We're all on edge, but this isn't the time to start pointing fingers. We need to focus on staying ahead of the enemy."

Yoshi's jaw clenched, but he nodded, though it was clear the distrust still lingered. Haruto, for his part, remained silent, his expression unreadable as he resumed walking. As they reached the door of the safe house, Jihoon took a deep breath and pushed it open. The inside was as nondescript as the exterior—bare walls, minimal furniture, and a lingering mustiness that suggested it had been unoccupied for some time.

"Let's get settled in," Jihoon said, gesturing for everyone to follow him inside. "We'll discuss our next steps once we're all here."

The group moved quickly, depositing their belongings in the main room before spreading out to secure the building. Yoshi took the task of checking the perimeter, his suspicious gaze lingering on every shadow, while Asahi and Hyunsuk went to inspect the other rooms. Junkyu and Haruto stayed in the main room, a tense silence settling between them.

Junkyu finally broke the silence, his voice soft but serious. "Haruto... you've been with us for a while now, but I still don't understand why you came back. Why now?"

Haruto looked at Junkyu, his eyes weary. "Because I couldn't stay away any longer. I've done things that are not right, but I want to make things right. If you'll let me."

Junkyu studied Haruto's face, searching for any sign of deception, but all he found was sincerity. He nodded slowly. "I want to believe you. But you have to understand, it's hard for all of us. Trust isn't something we can give lightly anymore."

"I know," Haruto replied, his voice tinged with regret. "But I'll do whatever it takes to prove myself."

Before Junkyu could respond, the door to one of the side rooms creaked open, and Asahi stepped out, followed by Hyunsuk. "The place is clear," Asahi said, addressing the group as they began to gather in the main room. "We should be safe here for now."

"Safe?" Yoshi muttered under his breath as he re-entered the room, having finished his perimeter check. "Nothing about this feels safe."

Asahi shot him a look, but before he could say anything, Hyunsuk spoke up. "We need to talk. In private." He directed his words at Asahi, his tone suggesting that this was more than just a routine conversation.

Asahi nodded, sensing the urgency in Hyunsuk's voice. He turned to the rest of the group. "Give us a minute," he said before following Hyunsuk into one of the smaller rooms.

The door clicked shut behind them, and Asahi turned to face Hyunsuk, who was already pacing the room. "What's going on?" Asahi asked, keeping his voice low.