(RJ's POV)
"Tata promised he would come back before nightfall, I swear!" Van exclaimed, covering his face with his long hands.
"But he's not! How could you let him out Van? You know how Tata could spend literally hours in a single park." Koya retorted, annoyed by Tata's disappearance.
That part was true. Tata could stay out in public for days without coming back home.
"Well, since he promised, I thought he would come back in time." Van complained, pouting his lips and looking directly at me, knowing if I forgave him, Koya would.
Folding my arms across my wide chest, I sighed, feeling a huge migraine about to crash in upon my life.
Upon reaching my decision in a few moments, where everyone was glaring at each other in silence, I finally said,
"It's fine, Van. Everyone makes mistakes. I'm sure Tata would come back some time."
Van visually relaxed, while Koya still looked pretty annoyed about this whole situation.
"Hyung, you can't just forgive Van AGAIN. The same mistakes have occured over and over again!" Koya scowled, shaking his head with disappointment etched clearly on his face.
"I'm really, really, REALLY sorry. I know that I shouldn't have let Tata go, but..." Van's face was full of shame, "He looked so... Lost... And... I just wanted to help him..." Tears formed in his clear, wide eyes while he spoke those words.
"I understand, Van, please don't cry." I gently said, pulling Van into my arms to give him a warm hug, "But Koya's right. There has to be consequences for your actions."
Nodding regretfully, Van answered, "Of course. I - I understand."
Quiet Chimmy, who was just pacing around the room, his arms crossed and a concentrated frown upon his delicate features, spoke out: "But what exactly IS the consequence? We can't hurt our own kin or anything."
I sighed thoughtfully, and wrecked my brain for any idea that may occur.
"Oh!" I exclaimed, excitedly twitching my eyebrows, "I have a good one."
Turning to Van, who had his head lowered and standing in a solemn stance, I said, "Van, you have failed to contrive your mission, which was to protect us and keep us safe from harm." I looked at the others, eye to eye, and continued, "With all of my brothers' consent, without the missing brother -" All the other boys, trusting me, nodded, signaling their agreement, " - I therefore make a statement before the entire universe."
Placing my hand on Van's quivering shoulder, I concluded: "From now on, if any of our brothers are missing or somewhere without all of our consent, you will be banished from the brotherhood, and forever be expelled from our kin. Do you agree to this?"
Van nodded, his lip literally quivering, as he let his tears spill.
"Come here, Van." I softly comforted him, pulling him into my wide shoulders for him to cry on.
"I'm - I'm so sorry, Hyung. I - I can't be - believe I let Tata go!!!" Van wailed, clutching my shirt and leaning farther into my chest to muffle his cries.
Koya sighed heavily, shook his head, and said, "I'm going up. Going to search for Tata's signal on the universal watch. If you need me, just call."
Arms heavily guarded around him, Koya then retreated silently into the dark staircase to his room. As soon as I heard his door close, I calmly peeled Van out of my embrace, made him look into my eyes, and said slowly,
