Sylvania || jjk

32

The rooftop door creaked open as the group trickled down the stairwell, laughter bouncing off the walls.

"I swear that was the best pasta they've served this term," Chaeng declared, wiping a nonexistent crumb from her lip.

"Not better than the carbonara last month," Jaemin countered, hopping down two steps at a time. "That one made me see god."

"No, that one made you see the nurse," Taehyung muttered. "You ate three bowls and nearly passed out."

"Worth it," Jaemin grinned.

"I'm telling you," Hana piped up, "I fought for that pasta. It was war out there. They weren't restocking any pasta and dessert today."

"You literally shoved a kid," Jimin added, raising an eyebrow. "A tiny one."

"I panicked!" Hana exclaimed. "He was reaching for the spoon!"

"Girl went full predator mode," Taehyung snorted, leaning against the wall dramatically.

"It was so cool," Nari agreed, mock solemn.

"Are you guys even hearing yourselves?" Eun laughed softly. "Bunch of hungry kids."

Rosé giggled. "Still though, the pasta was amazing."

Robin, trailing behind, gave a rare amused smirk. "At least you all didn't start a food fight this time."

"Yet," Jaemin added.

They rounded the final turn into the hallway, the dining hall just ahead.

Then Chaeng stopped dead in her tracks. "Uhhh... guys?"

Everyone turned-and froze.

Down the hallway, Yoojin stood stiffly near the front entrance. Her suitcase sat by her leg. Her mother looked pale and shaken. Her father stood like stone. They weren't talking. Just... waiting.

"Oop-" Jaemin's mouth opened, but nothing came out.

"Is that-?" Jimin blinked. "That's her actual luggage."

"They're moving her already?" Nari whispered, stepping closer to Chaeng.

"It's gotta be for the Tower," Jungkook muttered. "She's getting sent there."

"Oh," Rosé muttered under her breath. "Is Harley coming to pick her up?"

"Or Sir Columbus," Robin murmured. "They always say he shows up when it's Tower time."

"Look at her mom," Hana said, eyes narrowing. "She looks like she's about to cry."

"Yoojin doesn't though," Eun observed quietly. "She looks... pissed?"

"She always looks pissed," Taehyung spoke, low. "But this is different."

"She's not saying anything," Jimin noted. "No yelling? No theatrics?"

"That's what is setting me off even more now," Chaeng muttered.

The group shuffled a little to the side of the hallway, instinctively lowering their voices as they kept glancing over at the silent trio.

"They're definitely waiting for someone," Nari whispered. "It's like... the final escort or whatever."

"Imagine getting dragged to the Tower with your parents watching," Jaemin shuddered. "Yikes."

"It's creepy quiet," Hana whispered. "I feel like we shouldn't even be here."

"Too late," Jungkook muttered.