Waiting for Anpanman

Chapter 23: It's A Small World After All

A group of boys sat in the grass watching people pass them by. Some hurrying to some unknown appointment, some too focused on their exercise routine, to notice the boys positioned under the warm afternoon sun as if they were shooting for their Young Forever album. It didn't bother the group that no one acknowledged their presence. After their rise to fame, it was a small mercy to them to feel normal again in moments such as this.

"Yah," the oldest and smallest of them called as he raised his phone to take a group photo, "look here. My samchon is asking for proof that I'm not doing anything... dangerous again."

The other members instinctively posed for the photo before asking what Yoonsoo meant.

"Ah, you mean brawling?" Hoseok asked innocently with a tiny smile. Yoongi, Namjoon, and Seokjin looked at Yoonsoo critically, taking care not to show the other members.

"Ye... yeah. Yeah. That's right." Yoonsoo responded, his voice unsure at the beginning, making it a bit obvious he was lying. "Those days are gone. Promise."

A few days ago, the whole of Bangtan sat down for a family meeting and Yoonsoo was placed in a hot seat. He confessed a pre-defined story to explain away his recent health issues and behavior to the ones who didn't know. It was something that he and Namjoon decided was for the best. The least they knew, the better.

Yoonsoo took another photo with the group, making sure that the three delinquent looking men in the background were clearly captured. He sent it to the prosecutor in charge of the old man's case right after. It wasn't the first time he was tailed.

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"Hyung! I want this one too!" Taehyung smiled widely at Yoonsoo as he pointed for the fourth time at a snack that he wanted Yoonsoo to buy him from the local convenience store.

"Tell me again why I need to empty my wallet for you when you've got your own money?" Yoonsoo asked as he grabbed the said snack and tossed it into his basket.

"It's to make up for feeding me nasty noodles that time." Taehyung let out a small satisfied giggle as he saw Yoonsoo roll his eyes at him.

"You must be living your dream, huh? Bike rides and snacks. Wow." Yoonsoo asked sarcastically as he slow clapped before sending the square mouthed boy away. "Go wait for me by my bike outside, brat!"

Taehyung laughed as he left his hyung alone to pay for their groceries.

After paying, Yoonsoo stepped out to find Taehyung standing uneasily beside the red bike. A middle aged man in a cheap brown suit was talking to him like they were long time friends. Taehyung did not respond to the man but instead, when he saw Yoonsoo walking toward them, his eyes flashed with panic at Yoonsoo.

Sh**. Sh**. It's that old man from the cemetery.

Yoonsoo smiled at Taehyung like nothing was wrong and, when he was close enough, he uttered a one word instruction. "Duck."

Taehyung instantly obeyed, barely missing the foot that Yoonsoo had thrown up into a roundhouse kick. The gangster, caught unprepared, went down heavily onto the concrete floor. Yoonsoo quickly followed up with a punch to the gangster's upper abdomen, effectively knocking out the air out of his lungs and making it hard to breathe.

With practiced speed and precision, Yoonsoo started his motorbike as he pulled Taehyung from the boy's crouched position below him. They speeded away just as the gangster propped himself up and brought out a sleek black revolver. The gangster cocked his gun and fired wildly at the duo.