Let the world burn

20

The four black SUVs rolled out the front gate with full escort, engines growling, guards posted on every side. To anyone watching, the mafia family was leaving in style, armored and untouchable. But the real group slipped quietly out the back, dressed like tourists. Two ordinary six-seater vans waited in the alley, plain enough to disappear into city traffic.

Ryujin leaned against the driver’s door of the first van, twirling the keys around her finger until Yeji nudged her with a frown.
“Stop showing off and drive.”
“Bossy already,” Ryujin teased, sliding into the seat.

Van 1 filled quickly—Yeji in the passenger seat, Lisa climbing in with exaggerated groans about needing legroom, Jennie smacking the back of her head as she ducked inside, Little Flower happily squeezing herself between them, and Yuna taking the last spot with a grin.

Mina drove Van 2 with quiet focus, Chaeyoung beside her with Little Flower’s backpack in her lap. Sana leaned across the backseat to wave out the window at Van 1, Tzuyu already rolling her eyes but hiding a smile, and Chaeryeong fiddling nervously with her phone. Lia joined last, sliding into Van 2 and immediately teasing, “Wow, Chaeryeong, I didn’t know you’d dressed up just for this trip.”
Chaeryeong nearly dropped her phone. Sana giggled, already sensing where this was going.

Lisa made sure Van 1 stayed loud. She put on sunglasses twice too big for her face and announced, “Excuse me, superstar passing through. Autographs will cost extra.”
Jennie smacked her arm. “Sit down before you break the seatbelt.”
“Abuse!” Lisa cried dramatically, collapsing into Little Flower’s lap. The child squealed with laughter, patting her hair.
“Unnie, your hair’s funny,” Little Flower giggled.
Lisa gasped. “Betrayed by my own child.”

In Van 2, Lia leaned forward to Mina. “You sure you know where you’re going?”
“I’m literally the driver,” Mina deadpanned.
Chaeyoung added softly, “She memorized the route last night. Even checked the exits.”

Lia raised her brows, impressed. “Wow, a planner. Wish I had that level of discipline.” Her eyes flicked to Chaeryeong, who sat quietly by the window, earbuds in one hand but not actually wearing them. “And you must be Chaeryeong, right?”

Chaeryeong startled, nodding quickly. “Y-yeah.”
Lia smiled, too warm and a little teasing. “You look… different from what I imagined.”
Chaeryeong blinked. “Different how?”
“Prettier,” Lia said, deliberately casual.

Sana gasped dramatically from the backseat, clutching Tzuyu’s arm. “Ohhh, she went straight for it.”
Chaeryeong’s ears turned red as she turned to stare hard out the window. “I—I don’t know what you mean.”
Lia leaned back smugly. “Don’t worry, I’ll figure you out before this trip’s over.”

Chaeyoung shot her a protective glance but said nothing—Mina’s small smile reflected in the rearview mirror. Tzuyu just muttered, “Here we go,” under her breath.

By the time the group reached the coast, the sun was high and the air smelled of salt. They poured out of the vans like kids on vacation—bags slung over shoulders, shoes abandoned in the sand.

Little Flower tore across the beach after ducks that waddled too close, laughing so hard her voice echoed. Lisa darted after her, finally scooping her up and hoisting her onto her shoulders.
“Gotcha! You’re my parrot now!” Lisa declared.
Jennie groaned, chasing after them. “Don’t run off like that, Ji Woo—Lisa, put her down before you both fall.”
But the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.

Meanwhile, Mina and Chaeyoung set up near the waterline, kneeling in the sand with buckets and molds. Little Flower wriggled free from Lisa’s shoulders and joined them, focused on making crooked towers and seashell rooftops. Yuna flopped down next to her with exaggerated seriousness. “I’ll build the moat. Castle defense is my specialty.”
Chaeryeong sat close by, carefully smoothing out the sand walls, while Lia crouched beside her, laughing softly. “So serious. You’d think we were actually protecting royalty.”
Chaeryeong only smiled, brushing sand from her hands, but her eyes lingered on Lia a moment too long.