Ascendant | BTS | Slow Updates

Chapter 23: Moving On

"Here is your order, a bunch of red roses?" Smiling up at the male standing in front of you, you gently lay the beautifully arranged bouquet onto the benchtop. 

"That is correct." He shone you an equally bright smile before picking up the bouquet and admiring your workmate's handy work. 

"That would be thirty thousand won." Seeing him scan his card on the top of the scanner, you turned to him with a thumbs up. 

"Be careful tonight." You waved him off as he opened the door to the shop, a humid gust of air making its way in before it closed again. 

Another ordinary summers day. A sigh escaped your lips as you slowly walked your way around the small corner florist you had managed to score a job at just over a year ago now. After the failure of the mission now over a year ago, countless protests sprung up all around the world. Citizens rebelling against the only thing which was providing them safety from the vile creatures of the 5th Dimension. You had to admit though, it didn't need much convincing because only a week later V.I.R.T.U.E was banned from operating in regions all around the world, leaving thousands of people jobless. The Seven Virtues' weapons taken away and locked from use. After all who would want their help if they couldn't even protect their own leader?

Most of the operatives gave up without much of a fight, including you. 

Eyes landing on a bucket of purple lilies, you unconsciously screw your hands into fists. 

If she was here she would have scolded you for giving up so easily. She would have hit you across the head for good measure afterwards and tried to manage running V.I.R.T.U.E as a one-man show. Your mother was a firm believer in V.I.R.T.U.E's morals. 

Whatever, it was too late now. 

And in a blink of an eye, a year has passed and most of the operatives had begun to move on. Even if you were to come back there wouldn't be anything left. Everything was locked away and out of anyone's reach in the old headquarters. 

It was funny actually, from the little small flower shop you could see the V.I.R.T.U.E headquarters. It was like it was there as a reminder of what you didn't have anymore. You missed it so much. Having trained to get into the agency for half of your life and spending the other half working there it felt weird to wake up in the morning without needing to train. The last time you had picked up your rifle was over one year ago. It just didn't feel right and you hadn't felt like yourself since then. You had even let your signature long navy bob to grow out to be a long mane.

Tearing your gaze away from the tall building, you hear the back door open and in came your cue to leave. 

"Hey (y/n)." Tying the small black apron around her waist, Soomi - your co-worker, took her stand at the cash register. "You can clock out if you want now, sorry I'm late. Had a hard time putting my siblings to sleep."