House of the Nefarious

Chapter 19

I hit the concrete with a sickening thud and I groaned in response. My whole right arm was throbbing and I silently cursed Taehyung.

My eyes slowly fluttered open and I struggled to adjust to the onslaught of bright lights.

"Woah what happened to you?" Jungkook asked peering down at my crippled form.

"An asshole," I replied, watching as a smug Taehyung appeared from nothingness.

"Oops, looks like you're injured. Now I have to carry you," he sighed.

I struggled to make my way up off the ground. "I think not."

"Here wait a minute," Jimin said, gently pushing me back down.

He waved his hand in front of my face and I watched what looked like pollen spores emerge from his hand.

I let out a content sigh as the tension and fatigue exited from my body.

"What was that?" I asked, hopping up to stretch my muscles.

"I have an affinity for healing physical and mental conditions, it acts as a drug though so I try not to use too much of it," the pink eyed man explained.

I nodded. Ok then, I would have to be careful not to become a drug addict.

I shot a disappointed Taehyung one last glare before taking in my surroundings.

We were still in an alleyway but I could see the glimmering lights and groupings of people walking by.

Were we in Shibuya? I remembered reading about it for a project once. A huge commercial ward of Tokyo.

"Why don't we go to a Cafe and discuss what we're going to do?" Jungkook suggested.

My eyes lit up at the prospect of going to a normal, human cafe.

"I second that!"

Jimin shrugged. "Why not?"

Taehyung groaned but followed us into the street.

I was momentarily surprised by the colorful auras all around us. They were slightly duller than the ones I had seen in Hell but they were still quite interesting to look at.

We stopped in front of a quaint looking coffee shop and the bell jingles upon are arrival.

A man came to greet us and Jimin replied in fluent Japanese but for some reason I could understand?

Last I checked the only phrase I knew was hello.

I felt something warm on my chest and I looked down to see the necklace had a faint purple hue to it.

Was this Yoongi's doing?

Yup.

I furrowed my brows. Is that you Yoongi.

Yeah the necklace lets me talk to you like this.

I imagined a picture of Taehyung drowning in a lake.

Could you see that?

No? He replied, seemingly confused by my question.. Good to know.

Do you know Japanese? I asked.

Demons can switch between all the human tongues, he explained. I'll check in every now and then to make sure you're not dead.

Thanks?

"Seoyeon are you good? You spaced out there for a moment," Jungkook said, waving his hand in front of my face.

"Yeah I'm fine, I was just thinking?" I replied, following them up to the counter.

An assortment of desserts and pastries were advertised between a glass case and I felt my mouth water at the sight.

Sure, Hell had some human food but it was nothing compared to this.

"Did you want anything?" Jimin asked me, noticing the path my eyes had taken.

"Umm," I muttered, flushing in embarrassment. "Could I have honey toast, and Taro milk tea?"

I felt bad that I didn't have any money on me, but I couldn't give up the opportunity to taste food that wasn't from Hell nor the convenience store.

He nodded, relaying my order to the man behind the counter as well as 3 black coffees.

Ew coffee. I had drunk way too much cramming for exams one year and I couldn't stand the sight of it ever since.

We made our way over to a table facing the street and I sunk into the warmth of the arm chair. I was surprised I wasn't tired after the rather extreme events of the night. It must've had something to do with Jimin's powers.

"So where is this necklace anyways?" Jungkook asked, looking rather bored. His eyes meant mine for a moment and he looked away quickly, a slight tint to his cheeks. "I only came because I was bored."

"Well I came because someone had to make sure the plebian didn't die," Taehyung stated, looking rather proud of himself.

I shot him an incredulous look, had he not been the same one to send me hurtling into the ground?

"You idiots," Jimin, groaned, massaging his temples. "You're about to give my beautiful face wrinkles."

"The witch told me it should be in a pawn shop at this address," he explained, pulling out a crumpled piece of paper.

"That's right around the corner isn't it?" I asked.

"I think so," Jimin replied, brows furrowing. "It's awfully convenient."

"Is it not supposed to be?"

"I don't know, this witch is known for being tricky and she definitely does not like me at the moment," he sighed.

The waiter came out with our drinks and my food. I thanked him in Japanese eyeing the treats in front of me.

"You know Japanese?" Jungkook asked, taking a sip of his crusty coffee.

"I learned some in school," I lied. I couldn't exactly tell them I was receiving assistance from one of the sins they had failed to mention.

I took a sip of my bubble tea letting out a quiet sound of satisfaction.

"The pawn shops closed now, so we should probaly head over first thing tomorrow," Jungkook said, Googling the store hours.

"Then if we have some spare time we should go to the Tokyo skytree," I suggested.

I'd probably never be in Tokyo again so I might as well take advantage of the circumstances.

"I guess we could," Jimin replied, fiddling with one of the many silver rings on his fingers. "I passed it a few times while it was being built."

It was a little odd to imagine that when I was a toddler Jimin looked exactly the same as he did now.

I cut a piece of my honey bread, shoving it into my mouth.

"You eat like a pig," Taehyung muttered, casting an unimpressed look my way.

"Does it look like I care?"

He rolled his eyes picking up a napkin and shoving it in my face.

"Rude," I grumbled, dabbing at my lips.

"It's okay, Taehyung's an ass," Jungkook reassured.

"Am not!" he defended.

Jimin let out an exasperated sigh. "No you definitely are."

"Why don't we head to the tower then, before it closes?"

I had a bad feeling heading over there right now but I'm sure it would be fine.