The perfect crime

11

The rain fell in steady sheets, blurring the city lights and adding a chill to the damp night air. Phuwin, Aou, and Joong stood in a shadowed alley, their bags packed hastily, each wearing a look of deep reluctance. Across from them, Pond, Boom, and Dunk were also silent, the tension and emotion heavy in the air. They all knew this was the only way out—for the criminals to escape before the net closed around them completely.

Pond's gaze lingered on Phuwin, his normally cold eyes now softened with an unspoken sadness. "Are you sure you want to do this, Phuwin?" he asked quietly, his voice barely rising above the sound of the rain.

Phuwin looked away, gripping the strap of his bag tightly. "You know there's no choice. We've pushed this as far as it can go. Staying means risking everything—for both of us."

Pond took a step closer, his usually rigid stance loosening. "I... never thought I'd find myself here, with you of all people," he murmured, the vulnerability in his tone catching Phuwin off guard. "But I don't want to see you go, not like this."

Phuwin forced a shaky smile, his expression hiding the turmoil inside. "We were bound to end up on opposite sides again. It's... just how things are."

They stood in silence, inches apart yet worlds away. Finally, Phuwin stepped back, nodding resolutely before turning away, unable to look back.

Nearby, Boom and Aou shared a similar tension. Boom's face was set in a conflicted frown as he watched Aou with a guarded, unreadable expression.

"Guess this is it, Captain Serious," Aou teased, though his usual playful smirk faltered as he met Boom's gaze. "I didn't expect you to actually care."

Boom looked down, his serious expression softening. "It's not as simple as that, Aou. I... didn't expect this either." He hesitated, his fists clenching as he struggled to keep his composure. "But you can't keep running forever."

Aou shrugged, his casual tone failing to hide the sadness in his eyes. "Guess I'll have to. I'd rather keep running than lose myself here."

Boom took a step forward, then stopped, as if torn between duty and the strange connection he'd found with this playful thief. "I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Aou nodded, a small smile breaking through his somber expression. "Same to you, Captain Serious. Try to lighten up a bit."

They shared a final, lingering look before Aou turned, walking into the rain.

A few paces away, Dunk and Joong stood in silence, the weight of their parting settling heavily between them. Dunk watched Joong closely, his brow furrowed in a mix of worry and regret. Joong's usual confident demeanor was dimmed, and he avoided Dunk's gaze, as if the act of looking directly at him would make this even harder.

"You don't have to do this, Joong," Dunk said quietly. "You could still find a way out, a different path. You're not like the others."

Joong shook his head, forcing a strained smile. "You don't get it, Dunk. There's no 'different path' for me anymore. This is all I have left."

Dunk reached out, grabbing Joong's shoulder, his touch firm but gentle. "I don't believe that. And I don't think you do, either."

For a moment, Joong closed his eyes, as if savoring the feeling of Dunk's hand on his shoulder, knowing it might be the last time he'd feel that support. He opened his eyes, finally meeting Dunk's gaze, his voice barely above a whisper.

"If things had been different, maybe... maybe there could've been more between us."

Dunk's throat tightened, and he pulled Joong into a brief, tight embrace, feeling the warmth of him against the chill of the rain. "Take care of yourself, Joong," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.