Despicable! • JUNHAO

PART SIXTEEN.

「ｓｅｕｎｇｃｈｅｏｌ」

I wake up from my nap as Jihoon slaps me awake.

"I have a lead!"

"That's definitely interesting, but not a lead" I insist as I bite in my sandwich.

After being very rudely awakened, Jihoon decided that he'd treat me to lunch to make up for his outburst.

"I know, but it's a base to find a lead right?"

I stop chewing for a moment, looking up. I'm still a bit confused.

"Can you connect your points a little better at least?" I sigh, looking down.

"How do you not see it?" A sudden voice calls behind me.

"Josh!" Jihoon beams, pulling the seat out next to him for the new boy to sit at.

"Sorry I'm late. Obviously it's kinda hard going outside right now."

Woah woah.

"Huh?" I said out loud, matching my thoughts.

"What..?" Joshua leans over.

"Are you not mad at Jihoon?" My eyes bulge out, seeing them interact normally.

Though they aren't exactly best friends, I know they're pals from all the times Josh has collaborated with us in our studio. But this?

"Well, as much as my life is awful right now, we all know why Woozi did what he did. Minghao isn't someone to mess with. Also, even if you did agree, Woozi, Minghao would have found a way to ruin me regardless— so my fate was sealed. Forgive what's done in fear, right?"

I nod as Joshua explains, and as I'm about to respond he opens his mouth again.

"Plus, we have something bigger than my college rep to deal with right now. I'm glad the three of us have a chance to put our heads together."

I roll my eyes. "Okay! Glad you can help, now tell my what you think happened to my Hannie!"

Jihoon smacks my arm.

"Get yourself together and be more patient. You're not gonna be a part of this if you can't."

I remain silent, for now, and nudge my head towards Joshua, who adjusts his frame in his seat.

"Ok, so let's map this out— almost a month ago, I met Xu Minghao. I didn't know he had a reputation— and that weekend we had a 'date'"

"So you're actually gay?!" I accidentally blurt, and Jihoon flicks my forehead.

"Irrelevant. Continue."

".. and long story short, we went back to his house. He began acting strangely after we had a conversation of sorts, one I can't even particularly recall. He tried.. he tried to sleep with me. But I denied him. After this, he punched the wall, right behind my head. He implied that I was worse than a lowlife escort, and that he should kill me. I ran out.. I haven't been the same since, obviously. I felt myself change then. After this, weeks later Jeonghan disappears after he left a motel room he and you shared, correct?" He looks at me.

I look down and nod.
I let him walk out.

I left him.
I'm sorry.

I wish I'd been there.

"Yes."

".. ok. So then almost a week later, I question Wen Junhui, my psych seatmate, where Minghao had been the night of his disappearance— his alibi doesn't even exist apparently. And after I asked questions.."

"He ruined your name." Jihoon finishes. "Made any word you say meaningless. No one will listen if you have any suspicion, and so—"

"—So we work together." I interrupt. They snap their eyes to me.

"I'm sorry I haven't been very cooperative," I mumble, "But every minute that passes is terrifying. What happened to my love.. I'm terrified. So I'll bite. We can look into Jun and Minghao— just don't let Mingyu get word of this. He's Junhui's best friend, after all."

"Well not anymore" Jihoon rolls his eyes.

".. Seungcheol. I'm sorry for your situation."

"As I am yours, Joshua."

He chokes his breath, but then sighs.

"We can do this. We'll take down Minghao. Save Jun from his grasp, and hopefully, just hopefully, maybe we'll have a clue.. as to what's happened to your precious Yoon Jeonghan."

As we leave the restaurant, I feel something big is coming.

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