House Of Cards || NCT Mafia

Chapter twenty-three : Back to shcool

Back at NCT's headquarters, after the meeting, Taeyong had asked to see Mark alone in his office. "So, uh," the youngest started, "what did you mean when you said you were gonna bring me into this?"

"What do you think about getting back to school?" the leader asked, hands joined under his chin.

Mark frowned, "You want me to go to university?"

"Ten didn't only tell me Park Min-Seok talked to Kang's daughter, he also told me the reason of his presence on campus. He's the new president. I need someone to keep an eye on him while I think of our next move," he explained.

Mark nodded his head, hiding his surprise hearing that Park was a university president. Definitely not the kind of position he was imagining him in.

"Let me guess, you also want me to find out why he's there. Clearly, he has no interest in our youth's education," he rightly observed. "But can I ask, why me? I mean, the Dreamies are already there, it would be easier to ask them, don't you think?"

"Exactly. I'm asking you because I don't want them involved. Not yet, at least. Right now we have the upper hand. Park doesn't know their faces, as they hadn't joined our ranks yet when... it happened. He probably doesn't remember you either, so that means we can follow his whereabouts without having to worry about him being too suspicious of you. Besides," he continued, "I can't ask Ten because he has to stuck by Kang's junior side at all times."

Mark hummed in agreement. "So, when do I start?"

"Tomorrow. I already called the university to warn them about your arrival. You'll see with them to sign up, as I'm legally not your guardian anymore I can't do it for you. Now you should get some rest." This was Taeyong's polite way to dismiss the boy.

As soon as he closed the door behind him, Mark jumped around like a small boy who had just been told there was candy at home. His excitement soon died down, however, when he realized he had forgotten something.

He quickly spun around to knock on Taeyong's door.

"Hey, uhm, sorry to bother, it's me again..." he trailed off.

"Yes I can see that it's you again, Mark," Taeyong sighed. "What do you want?"

"What did you say I was going to study?"

"I checked their different options before I called, and I told them you were going to enter the art course."

"You mean the one Hyuck and Renjun are in?"

Taeyong nodded, "Yes, but while Renjun is specialized in painting, you'll be joining Hyuck in music. I heard they had great classes for producing and rap..."

Mark smiled even wilder than before, if that was even possible. Noticing Taeyong's blank stare, though, he tried to hide it the best he could, but miserably failed.

"Oh, alright, thanks a lot, hyung!" he quickly said, closing the door one last time.

As soon as the youngest was out of his office, Taeyong let down his poker face, and the corner of his mouth slowly turned up as he whispered quietly "Kids..."

Mark had been wanting to go study music at university for so long now, and he could finally do it. He never said or show it, but it broke his heart to see his brothers leave every morning to go pursue their passions. He was happy for them, of course, but a part of him had always been a bit envious. Of course, he kept in mind that was just an excuse for him to join the school, as his mission came first, but it didn't hurt to find pleasure in doing it, right?

Mark smiled to himself, eager to tell his brothers about the good news.

Speaking of them, Jeno was currently practicing with Iseul, both sweating and tired.

"Alright, let's take five," Jeno suggested.

Iseul silently agreed, and ran to her bag to get her water bottle.

"You did great today, Iseul," Jeno congratulated. "Even better than yesterday. You seem... more focused, determined."

The boy was trying to smoothly get her to open up. The quicker she did, the quicker he could complete his task. Jeno wasn't heartless, it saddened him to have to fake a friendship with the girl, especially since she seemed nice and he was convinced of her innocence, but like Taeyong always repeated, 'orders are orders'.

"Yeah, well, like I told you on the phone, I needed to unwind," Iseul answered, sitting down next to Jeno.

"Tough day?"

She shrugged, hesitant. She didn't really want to rant about Jaemin to his own brother, but at the same time, maybe that would help her understand his behavior...?

"You could say that..."

"Wanna talk about it?" Jeno insisted. "I mean, I totally understand if you don't want to, but I've been told I'm a great listener," he smiled, his eyes in crescent.

Iseul nodded, "Well, actually it's about Jaemin...," she began.

Jeno tried to act surprised, as he already knew what was bothering her. "What about him?" he asked.

"Did something happen to him lately...do you find him weird? Or is it just me trying to find excuses and blame it on the world when all along he told me the truth and the problem's just me...?"

"What do you mean, Iseul?"

"He told me some... harsh things this morning, and I can't help but find it weird... I mean, we've known each other for years, and I've never seen him act like that," she sighed.

Jeno felt bad for the girl. But he felt even worse for his brother. Jaemin was the purest human on earth, it must have broken his heart to voluntarily hurt his friend. Surely he would find him in a poor state when he would come home later.

Not really knowing what to answer as he couldn't exactly tell her the truth, he tried to come up with a believable lie, "You know, if I were you, I wouldn't take it too personally..." he began. He couldn't help but want her to feel a bit better. "Sometimes Jaemin needs his space, he does that with us too. If I can give you a piece of advice, it would be to let him be. Don't try to insist too much, or he'll feel harassed. That is no reason for him to say hurtful things to you, though, of course, but, yeah... don't expect too much from him, alright...?"

Jeno's words got Iseul even more confused than before, but at least now she knew how to react, and it allowed her to open up a little.

"Should we get back to it?" she tried to change the subject, something Jeno was grateful for as the situation made him feel awkward and uncomfortable.

"Sure, let's go," he smiled while helping the girl up.

They both forgot about the conversation, and quickly focused on their training for an hour more.