The Conquest (Underworld 5) SH

40: Trapped in This Relationship

The cold breeze swept across the bridge, the same one that had been the silent witness to so much turmoil. Soonyoung stuffed his hands into his pockets, his breath visible in the night air. The weight of the upcoming raid, the crumbling remnants of his relationship with Yuta, and his conflicted feelings about Jihoon all pressed down on him. He needed clarity, and somehow, he found himself walking toward the bridge again.

As he approached, his footsteps slowed. He blinked in disbelief as he saw a familiar figure standing there, gazing out at the dark waters below. Jihoon.

Soonyoung's heart pounded in his chest. Of all places, of all times. It felt like fate was playing with him, throwing Jihoon into his path again and again.

Jihoon hadn't noticed him yet, lost in his own world. His shoulders were tense, and there was a sadness in the way he stood—like he was carrying a weight too heavy for one person. Soonyoung took a deep breath, unsure of what to say, but knowing that this was a conversation they couldn't avoid any longer.

"Jihoon," Soonyoung called softly, stepping forward. The sound of his voice broke the silence between them like a ripple in still water.

Jihoon turned slowly, his eyes widening in surprise when he saw Soonyoung. His face, usually so guarded, softened for just a moment before he turned away again, looking back out at the water.

"You're here again," Soonyoung continued, standing next to him, though he kept a careful distance. "Why?"

Jihoon sighed, the sound heavy with exhaustion. "I couldn't sleep," he admitted quietly. "Everything's been... too much lately."

Soonyoung nodded, understanding more than he wanted to admit. "Same."

They stood in silence for a long moment, the weight of unspoken things pressing down on them. The night felt too still, too quiet, as if the world was holding its breath, waiting for one of them to break.

"Why are you here, Soonyoung?" Jihoon asked softly, finally looking over at him. There was no anger in his voice, just genuine curiosity. "Why do you keep coming back?"

Soonyoung hesitated, the truth clawing at the back of his throat. He thought about the mission tomorrow, the plans to take down the Midnight gang, the fact that Jihoon would be caught in the crossfire. And then he thought about Yuta—the fights, the lies, the way things had fallen apart.

"I don't know," Soonyoung replied, shaking his head. "Maybe I'm just looking for answers."

Jihoon's gaze softened as he looked at him. "Did you find any?"

"No," Soonyoung whispered, his voice breaking slightly. "No, I haven't."

The two stood there, the only sounds coming from the distant hum of the city and the wind passing between them. Soonyoung's thoughts were racing—his heart pulling him in one direction while his duty pulled him in another.

Soonyoung's eyes lingered on the water for a moment, but when he turned back to Jihoon, the weight of everything they hadn't said seemed heavier than ever. His heart was a confusing storm of emotions—too many years, too many secrets, too many betrayals, and now, this inevitable moment of truth.

"I need to tell you something," Soonyoung said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper, as if he were afraid the wind might carry his words away.

Jihoon's brow furrowed, his sharp gaze turning toward Soonyoung. "What is it?" His tone was softer than usual, but there was still a guarded edge to it. After everything, Jihoon wasn't one to let his defenses down so easily.

Soonyoung took a deep breath, his stomach twisting. "The CBI... We're going after the Midnight gang."

Jihoon's eyes widened, and he instinctively took a step back, as if Soonyoung's words had physically pushed him. "What?" His voice was tense, a mixture of disbelief and fear. "You're... you're coming after us?"