An Ace up my Sleeve (English)

Chapter 10

Jimin heard his alarm clock ring. It was six in the morning. He was used to getting up this early but he still didn't like it. He turned it off and stayed in his bed, not wanting to leave the heat under the covers. He knew what he was going to do today. Taehyung and him would continue their training. It had been nine months since they begun. It was tiring but he didn't complain, he knew this training was in his best interest. Besides, he wouldn't complain even if he wanted to, he was much too afraid of his father's reaction.

After a few few minutes, he finally got himself to leave his bed, he changed out of his pyjamas and put on gym clothes instead, before heading downstairs for breakfast. He sat at the dinning room table next to his father, Namjoon was across from them. Yoongi, Hoseok And Taehyung had not yet arrived. Jin took this as an opportunity to address his son.

"Jimin, today at the end of your usual schedule, you'll have an additional session with me." He announced.

"Very well, but if I may ask, why won't Taehyung be with me?" Asked the child.

"Because your are more advanced in your training than he is. It's understandable, you were already familiar with this field of work before he was. I believe you're ready to take things a step further." Answered his father.

Jimin was about to ask what this additional training session would consiste of but was interrupted by the arrival of Yoongi and the two other kids.

"Good morning." The man said spitefully. They all sat at the table.

There was an uncomfortable silence during breakfast. It had been 3 months since the argument between Jin and Yoongi but the tension were still there. That was also the case between Namjoon and Yoongi, Jin and Taehyung, Taehyung and Jimin...
Once their plates were emptied, they didn't waste anytime to start their day, according to their respective schedules.

Today for Jimin and Taehyung, physical training was in order during the morning, supervised by Namjoon. They practiced gymnastics to perfect their agility, from 8 am to 10 am. Then from 10 am to noon, they practiced their reflexes with exercices such as dodging bullets and staying still with a knife is being thrown towards them.

After a two hour lunch break, the kids had another four hours of instensif training. That afternoon, they had to practice their marksmanship. By the time the four hours were over, Taehyung was close to tears, which was often the case at the end of their physical training days. He hated what his life had become. Despite that, he had gotten used to it, he knew his life would never go back to the way it was but he still had a hard time accepting it.
The worst part in his eyes, was how he felt like his father had abandoned him. Hoseok was his only friend and his only source of joy. Like a physical manifestation of the innocence he had lost.

However, Jimin was handling the training better. He was a little bit out of breath but didn't suffer from those exercices either. And psychologically, he was used to this loneliness that Taehyung was experiencing for the first time.

At the end of the final exercice, Taehyung was dismissed to his bedroom and to take a shower.
Jimin, stayed in the training room, anticipating the extra session his father had spoken about. Jin whispered something in Namjoon's ear, who just nodded and left the room. The young boy's father turned around and smiled at him.

"Wait for me here, I'll be back in two minutes." Jin said.

He went into a a room joint to the one where the training took place. When he came back, he was dragging a man by the collar on the floor. His mouth was gagged and his arms were tied behind his back along with his legs. He had recent wounds and scars from beatings that had been given to him.

Jin let him go and he collapsed at Jimin's feet. He went to stand behind his son, with one hand on his shoulder and lowered his head to Jimin's ear.

"This man, is the new Korean minister of public security. It seems as though he was not yet aware that I control the government and not the other way around. He tried playing the hero that saved his people from evil hands and look where that got him... on his knees, begging a ten year old kid not to shoot him..."

"What do you mean begin a ten ye-" the young boy started.

"Jimin." Jin interrupted as he crouched down to Jimin's level. He held his son's head in both his hands.

"Jimin." He repeated. "This man threatens our empire, he threatens us. Everything I've ever accomplished in this country could meet it's end, unless... you kill him. So Jimin, if you love me and if you love this life that you benefit from, please... kill him." Jin explained with false concern as his only purpose was to emotionally manipulate his son into doing what he wanted.

He slipped his gun into the boy's left hand, stood up and stayed behind him. Jin's right hand was placed on Jimin's shoulder while the other held his left arm with which he held the weapon.

Jimin was paralyzed at the idea of having to kill somebody. His eyes were just as wide open as the ones of the men that he was supposed to shoot. The beating of his heart accelerated as he brought his shaking hand up so that the gun would align with the man's chest.
Jin noticed that he was having a difficult time so he brought his head down to Jimin's ear once more and whispered.

"Jimin please. Do it. I will be eternally grateful to you." He said as he took his son hand and repositioned the gun to the man's heart.

His father's words resonated in his mind and his heart. Never had his father shown any kind of affection towards him and he had never praised him either. Never told him he was proud. So now that his father was asking for a favor, that could earn him the praise he needs so badly, how could he say no? He couldn't, so he didn't.

Jimin's hand tightened around the gun, forcing himself to stop shaking. He swallowed his nervousness once and for all, and replaced his worry with confidence.

He shot.