school desk | vkook

- THIRTY-TWO -

"...and one of Taehyung's friends saw it and told him, so that's why he doesn't speak to Jeongguk anymore." Seokjin finishes his story, walking alongside Yoongi and Namjoon who are listening intensely.

"Nah, I don't believe that," Yoongi says. "He wouldn't do that. He hates Aeri and absolutely adores Taehyung."

"Yeah, there's something fishy about this," Namjoon adds.

"Exactly," Seokjin says. "We need to see what's going on."

"Is it really our business though?" Namjoon worries. Of course he wants to help Jeongguk, for the same reason Seokjin does. Yoongi too. But Namjoon is afraid Jeongguk will find out and be mad at them, or something like that, who knows. The last thing he wants is to make the younger hurt even more. Namjoon's always been the worrying one amongst them. What will happen if we do this? What are the consequences? Yoongi and Seokjin wouldn't last a day without him, but sometimes it holds them back.

"Our business?" Yoongi says. "Not really. But our friend? Yeah. We're helping him. After everything we did...we owe him that."

"That's true." The three friends all walk in silence with their heads hanging, looking down on the ground. They never speak about how they used to treat Jeongguk, they don't need to, because they know that they all feel equally bad.

It's been a pretty day but now the sky is turning dark and the temperature is going down. A cold breeze blows through the last cherry blossoms, some flying around a little before landing around their feet. Namjoon came here with his girlfriend, Hannah, last week. She's half Canadian and Namjoon likes to practise English with her even though she's fluent in Korean. Actually, Hannah doesn't spend much time with Namjoon and his squad in school. She is, however, friends with Aeri from a camp a few years ago and introduced her to Namjoon so that's why Aeri always hangs out with them.

"Okay, I'll call her now," Namjoon announces, the others nodding with approval. "Siri, call Hannah."

"Calling The Hannah..."

Seokjin nudges Yoongi playfully. "I came up with that. Get it? Because Hannah sounds like one in Korean." He laughs his typical Seokjin laugh, but Yoongi seems unimpressed.

"Hi!" Hannah says in English.

Warmth spreads through Namjoon's body. He always smiles upon hearing her voice, even after a year of dating. "Hey, baby."

Yoongi and Seokjin may not be the best at English, but they can understand those words perfectly well and pretend to vomit behind Namjoon's back. They try their best to follow his side of the conversation, which isn't very difficult.

"Umm, I was just wondering where Kwon Aeri lives?" ... "Uh huh." ... "I'll tell you after we've been there." ... "Got it. Thanks." ... "Love you too. Bye!"

Putting the phone down, Namjoon motions for the others to hurry up. "We're walking in the right direction. Follow me, friends!"

+

For some unknown reason, Yoongi has always imagined Aeri living in a big, fancy house. He's a little surprised when Namjoon stops in front of quite a big skyscraper and says "here it is."

"Which floor?" Seokjin asks while starting to climb the stairs, making Namjoon's eyes widen.

"Shit, I have no idea," he face palms as the realisation dawns on him. "I'll text Hannah. Or should I text Aeri instead?"

"Uh, guys," Yoongi hits his arm as hurried steps and quiet sniffles are heard just a few floors above, coming down the stairs. "I don't think that'll be necessary."