The Last Alphas of 2000

𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐈 Night Before the End

In an abandoned house near the castle, it was now 11 PM. Everyone was exhausted, taking a moment's rest while contemplating their next move. Earlier, Yangyang had ventured to a nearby store to procure some food for their dinner.

"What should we do now?" inquired Yiren.

"We still need a plan. The other councils won't be receptive to us at this hour," Yangyang responded.

"And we have to find Ryujin," added Renjun.

"I'm certain Ryujin is in the castle with her father," Yeji remarked.

"What if she's with Aunt Aria?" Jeno suggested.

"No, she's in the castle," Yeji affirmed.

"How certain are you?" they pressed.

Yeji hadn't divulged all she knew. Unbeknownst to them, she was already aware that Council Jaehyun was Ryujin's father.

"I knew about Ryujin being Council Jaehyun's daughter even before you mentioned it," Yeji disclosed.

Their collective gaze fixed on her, enveloping the room in an uneasy silence.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier," Yeji apologized.

"But why? And how did you figure it out?" Jaemin inquired.

Taking a deep breath, Yeji began recounting her story. "I used to notice Ryujin leaving often without disclosing her destination. One day, I decided to use my invisibility ability to follow her."

"And then?" Haechan probed.

"As I followed her, I witnessed her meetings with Council Jaehyun. Initially, I assumed they were simply close. However, the nature of their interactions seemed more familial, like that between a father and daughter. It wasn't until I spotted Ryujin's distinctive mark on the back of her neck that I realized she was indeed Council Jaehyun's daughter," Yeji explained.

They all remained silent, listening intently to her narrative.

"I was heartbroken when I discovered that it was Ryujin who had placed the poison on Serim's pillow. I can't help but wonder if there's a deeper reason behind her actions. I'm not condoning what she did, but from what I've observed, Ryujin doesn't belong in that darkness. Whenever I followed her and witnessed her interactions with Council Jaehyun, it was evident that she genuinely loves her father. I believe she's truly learned to cherish Council Jaehyun as her father," Yeji expressed.

As soon as she finished speaking, Jaemin abruptly stood up and exited the room. Yangyang followed him, while Haechan departed to another section of the house. The weight of Yeji's revelation seemed to disperse the group, each member grappling with their own thoughts.

"I believe in you, Yeji. Perhaps Ryujin has her own reasons for what she did," Yiren expressed with understanding.

"She mentioned at the funeral that she didn't intend for Serim to die; it wasn't part of her plan," Renjun added, offering a perspective.

"I think it's all because of her father," Jeno speculated, hinting at Council Jaehyun's potential influence on Ryujin's actions.

Certainly! Here's the conversation in the third person:

Jaemin stood outside, gazing at the castle, and Yangyang followed suit, joining him to observe the full moon and the shimmering stars that adorned the night sky.

"It's a full moon tonight, and the stars are shining so brightly," Jaemin commented.

"Yes, that's what makes the sky beautiful this evening," Yangyang replied.