TRUST || STRAY KIDS

PART XIX - ON BOARD

"Calm down," Chang Kyun's eyes followed her movement. It's been a few hours and she hasn't even calm down a bit. Pacing back and forth on his living room. Once she arrived at his house, she immediately threw her phone on the table, showing the text that Ryu Jin sent. She was basically threatening her to accept the offer or else she might post her bad deeds on campus page. It's not like she's scared about how the students might see her and avoid her, but it might affect her campus life. Or worst, expelled. No college would want their student to be a bad student, wouldn't they?

On the other side, if she accepted the offer, Ye Ji might come back and Ryu Jin obviously will claim her to be her servant again. Even though Ye Ji didn't know about her or who she is, their first encounter might be bad as she'll be the one who pulled her back into Ryu Jin's grip again.

"How the fuck she can found her? No wonder she kept missing class. Turns out she went to New Zealand to find her. What am I supposed to do now?" she asked for the thousandth time now. Chang Kyun sighed and walked approaching her before engulfing her in a hug. It's always effective to sooth her up once she went into a panic state. His hand gently caressed her back and already felt her shoulder relaxed. Which was a good sign, she finally can think clearly.

"I got one, but you should put up with the worst situation for a few days," he said while pulling away from their hug. He pulled her into the couch and tell his plan. It's possible but will need a lot of time. Not to mention, energy too. Chang Kyun suggested her to join their monthly game night and declined Hyun Jin's grandfather offer. It would make her image go down immediately as Ryu Jin obviously will post about her stepsister to the campus page. However, Chang Kyun reassured her that they wouldn't go to the extend as to expelled her because of her lack evidence. Remembering how her stepsister strongly denied to talk to others after her break down and decided left Korea.

"Trying to be fierce but she's an idiot," suddenly a voice shouted from the main room which made her startled. Who would have known Johnny was there all along. "Let me in with your plan."

"Since when- "

"Since the first time, baby," he said proudly and joined them on the living room. Only a week left until the other monthly game night and she definitely won't join that either. "Anyway, you probably should request a temporary leave to the campus. Say that you have a very important matter that you need to go overseas. They'll immediately let you go."

"Talking about your experience?" she raised an eyebrow. He nodded with a light chuckle. "I supposed your plan is different with Chang Kyun's?"

"Well, not really. It's slightly the same, but you don't have to deal with all the bullshit she'll post," Johnny shrugged. She quietly listened to everything he said and thought it's the most possible action to do. Leaving Korea just to search where Ye Ji is and made an epic comeback. Or so he said. However, if they finally met her and said that she doesn't want to go home, it would be a useless effort. Hoping she'll cooperate with them.

.

The due date of her to accepting the offer was about to come to an end. Once she went overdue, Ryu Jin will immediately post her story. While she's still working on with Johnny and Chang Kyun on their visas and passport. Thanks to Johnny's intelligence, their flight can be determined quickly. Johnny booked a flight immediately after their visas done.

Since Felix was the least suspicious on the list, she asked him about Ye Ji whereabout. They can't just apply for a visa and book a flight without knowing the destination, can they? Felix did say that the last time he and Chan contacted her, she was in Las Vegas. Great, the heaven of gambling. She wouldn't be able to move out of town since some of Hyun Jin's grandfather connection watched her every movement.

"Until when will you leave?" Seung Min asked after she told him about her plan. There should be one or two people who should know about her plan. Seung Min might be fit for the position.

"Probably until the next game night," she still unsure. "No, we have to go back at that night." Seung Min only sighed and nodded. It meant she'll leave for a whole month. Going to campus without seeing her face in a whole month would be bland. Honestly, she's his new mood booster for going to campus. "What's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing. Just..," he stopped, searching for the right words.

"You're going to miss me?" she put up a soft smile, touching his hand gently. He looked at her eyes, rather surprised but finally nodded slightly. "Don't worry. Me too."

"What?" he didn't believe his ears. It's been months since the both of them got closer. Of course, there's no way she won't catch any feelings for him. Though, she could perfectly hide it. That's why Seung Min was surprised when she said that. Maybe she hid it too well.

"What are you guys doing?" Chan interrupted their heartwarming moment. She pulled away her hands and looked at Chan.

"Nothing," she shook her head giving a faint smile before gathering her stuff and stood up. "Chan, I'll be gone for a month. I trust you with all the task given, okay?"

"Wait. Where are you going?" Chan tried to stop her, but she left immediately. He looked to Seung Min hoping he would give out some information to him. But she did say not to leak anything to the others, so he just shook his head leaving the older boy clueless.

.

The preparation for her short 'vacation' was much more enjoyable than she thought it would be. A month worth of escaping her daily activity was exciting as she never even ditched her classes. Her heart pumped twice by the thought of going to Las Vegas with Johnny and Chang Kyun. Not only it would be the first time they travelled together, but also the first time she's going on vacation. When holiday came, she usually killed her time with gambling or staying at home watching TV. She almost forgot that the main reason they're going to Las Vegas was to have a talk with Ye Ji if not because of Chang Kyun who suddenly called her about the plan.

Johnny, the one who's in charge of plane tickets bought business class for them. Another thing to enjoy while on plane, she thought. Since Johnny was fond of travelling outside, especially to United States, he told many things which made her has high hopes. Their destination was Las Vegas and he recommended them to enjoy. However, they can't be too lenient about it as they still have to carry out their own plan. Felix didn't tell her the exact location of Ye Ji which meant that they have to visit each casino for her.

"Has Ryu Jin post anything to the campus page?" Chang Kyun asked while they're still waiting to board their plane. She shook her head in respond while she reloaded the page hoping it was not her internet connection that has a problem. Yesterday was the final day where she was supposed to give an answer to Ryu Jin whether to accept or decline her offer. Ignoring her meant she declined the offer and she'll immediately post about her story. "Maybe she hasn't woken up?"

"Really?" she looked at him in disbelief. "It's fucking 8 in the morning here, which means it's 11 there. There's no way she's still asleep." She looked back to her phone screen and refreshed the page. Just then, a new post has been posted. Even though they called themselves as an anonymous, she clearly knew her as Ryu Jin from the title. Just like she said, everything about her sister was there but she didn't define too well about why her sister was there. She just wrote Y/N did something bad to her which made her sister to leave the country.

"You good?" Johnny who just got back from the shop area asked her. His left hand was occupied with morning coffee while the other hand held his phone. "I just read the article." Y/N nodded and put away her phone.

"She has to believe I've read the article and have a mental breakdown," she said while looking at the planes outside. "Can't let her know what we're planning to do. Anyway Johnny, did he accept the request?"

"Yep, he's good to go. Waiting for your command," Johnny slurped his morning coffee after answering her question.

"Good. Then let's carry out this plan." 

___

P.S : 

This story took place on summer which made the time difference between Seoul and New Zealand 3 hours apart. Thank you for the concern. Enjoy the story!

Sincerely, 
Ssaerii