TRUST || STRAY KIDS

PART XXI - WAY BACK HOME

"You sure that's a good idea?" Ye Ji raised an eyebrow after seeing Johnny add another chili paste on his hotdog. The only thing she expected was, he'll have a stomach cramp on the plane. Not to mention they'll have hours of flight which will made him suffer more. Even if they've booked a business flight, still, having a stomach cramp in the middle of the flight was uncomfortable enough. "I don't think eating that with that much of chili on an empty stomach will be good for you. Either on plane or for your condition."

"Yeah, I wonder why he would do that after what he went through the first day," Chang Kyun said calmly, eyes still reading whatever article on his phone. The first day they landed on Las Vegas, Johnny brought them to a famous burger restaurant and ordered two serving of the spiciest menu there. Yes, that was horrific but amazing at the same time how he can hold it in on his stomach. Well, the side effect was he couldn't leave the bathroom the next day. Chang Kyun put down his phone and watched Johnny prepared to eat the hotdog. But before he could feel the soft bread on his mouth, Y/N snatched it from his hand.

"I don't think you should eat this now," she sighed and put wrapped back hotdog nicely into the wrapping paper. "I don't want to hear your grunts on the plane or even take care of you. Besides we'll get a breakfast at the plane, so save your stomach for it." Johnny rolled his eyes annoyed and pouted like a 10 years old child.

"Where were you?" Chang Kyun raised an eyebrow, questioning her whereabout since she went somewhere the moment they arrived at the waiting room. She took a seat beside Johnny and put his hotdog on a paper bag before giving it back to him. "Shopping some souvenir for the boys? Or for Seung Min?"

"Shut up!" she blushed before throwing her bag into his face. "I was looking around, okay? You know this is the first time I step my foot outside Korea. And yes, I did buy some souvenir if I must answer your question." She leaned back to the sofa and looked to the ceiling which designed perfectly making her instantly recalled the past few weeks.

.

Searching for Ye Ji was not that hard since apparently people knew her very well. She always stayed at a casino which famous people usually went and they did see famous people who usually showed in TV. Shocked at first, but the moment they saw Ye Ji sat a poker table surrounded with people and loaded cash of money around her told them immediately. She's not trying to go back, instead, she wanted to stay here. Their plan and hope almost crumbled the moment their thoughts attack but trying to talk it out with her won't hurt.

And yes, it's true. After they talked about what happened to her at the Korea and her current life, she's actually scared of going back to Korea. The feeling and images of Ryu Jin bullying her the entire day really frightened her. That's why when she was supposed to go back, she asked her uncle who's supposed to be watching over her to say that she hasn't reach the money limit she owed to her family. She also said how she's scared of meeting her grandparents. The feeling of disappointment on their eyes, especially her grandfather, really made her to think twice if she wanted to go home. Homesick? Always. But she couldn't fight her feelings and decided to stay. And that's the time she was supposed to call Seung Min, but Hyun Jin was the one who answered it which was better. The moment she heard Hyun Jin's voice, she halted and focused on their phone call. After the question she asked to Hyun Jin and his definite and confident answer, she knew this plan will work perfectly fine without a hitch. Their bond was the key to this madness after all.

"You hear that?" she asked with a victory grin on her face. It took her a few seconds to wipe her silent tears away and looked at her confidently and nodded. Y/N stepped a bit closer to her only to have the phone speaker near her.

"I hear that loud and clear, big brother," she smiled while some tears still trailed down her cheek. Even though the other line went silent, she knew her brother was smiling. After all, they're brother and sister. Blood is thicker than water. How could she have forgot that she has the most perfect brother? The only one who'll come to her rescue whenever she said the word 'help'. Or the only who'll punch the hell of anyone when she shed a tear.

"So? You're coming with us?" she asked after she finished off their phone call. She gulped while looking at her and the two boys beside her. The moment she saw her, there was no single hostility in them. Something inside her told her she could believe in her. That's why she nodded confidently which made the three of them smiled.

.

"You really think I can do this?" Ye Ji asked her again, fidgeting her fingers. Y/N smiled and grabbed her hand gently. She knew how tensed Ye Ji got when they mentioned Korea days ago, and here she was, waiting for a plane to take them back. It was surprised for her not to have a mental breakdown in the middle. Thanks to Johnny and Chang Kyun silly combination maybe that kept her calm every day.

"I know you can do this. You're the only one who can do this," she said to her softly which made her relaxed. "You're the smartest player I know who I have ever seen among the players I have played. I bet you can surpass your grandfather. Just believe in yourself and have confident. Your brother and I will definitely back you up." She finally found her smile back and nodded.

"But how can you know that I'm the best player? You never have a match with me," she looked at her, pure curiosity written all over her face.

"I just know, I guess," she shrugged, giving vague answer. She saw people and she could read their potential like an open book. The only reason she watched all national poker championship on YouTube, or the television was only to see their potential. Whether they're a threat for her or not. For Ye Ji's case, she's definitely a threat and so her grandfather. But seeing her with all those great foreign poker player and winning every round made her above her grandfather skills. How can she know her grandfather skill? Easy. His tournament was all over the internet. The recent poker competition he did was two days ago.

"Believe me, if she said she knows, she knows," Johnny added with his serious expression which turned into a playful one after that. She rolled her eyes after hearing his comment. Ye Ji laughed after a stunt he showed suddenly.

"Oh, yeah. Did that guy already do what I said to you yesterday?" Y/N asked Johnny and he only nodded in respond.

"Totally. He gave me a report this morning and said it has been taken care of," Johnny replied to her before checking his phone. She nodded and mouthed a 'thanks' before the announcement of their plane filled the waiting room. She patted Ye Ji's shoulder before caressing it, making sure that she's relaxed. Because the moment they landed on Korea, their match started.