TRUST || STRAY KIDS

PART XXII - LAST MATCH

Laughs, shouts, chatters. All sound mixed into one in this one big hall like every past months. The family monthly game night finally started. Being on the same date as Hyun Jin's grandfather birthday, the game was even fancier than it used to be. Five layers cake placed in front of the room with it's pretty decoration to show that it was his day. As usual, their main game will be held late night and before that, massive mini poker games around the place.

"Has Y/N contacted you? I didn't see her anywhere," Chan asked Seung Min. He only shook his head in denial. In the last two days, he hasn't received anything from her. Messages, phone calls, or even email. Yeah, they have messaged each other through emails when her phone was left in her apartment. Fortunately, she brought her laptop and could access her email with the campus internet. Her absence alarmed him since yesterday. Thousands of questions filled his head, mostly the bad ones.

Since child, he's been afraid of travelling abroad since he's seen news of plane crashing. He used to have a sleeping pill whenever they're going abroad for holiday. As he grew up, he forgot about that and took flights normally without any pills, though sometimes he would feel anxious before boarding the plane. With her sudden absence, his fright of plane accident came back. Constant biting of his nail or pacing back and forth.

"Chill. Chang Kyun said they arrived safely," Min Ho patted the young boy's shoulder making him stopped. He looked at him with a frown on his face. "He contacted me yesterday only to say that and then not online until now. Maybe to inform that they've safely arrived at Korea without a hitch." Seung Min nodded and exhaled in relief. Maybe she has a reason not to reply to his messages and he should believe on what she said. "Come on, the main event will start in a few minutes."

Hyun Jin, Chan, and Felix sat in the front row near their family. Since it was Hyun Jin's grandfather birthday, he decided on playing the main game with Ryu Jin and Mina. Min Ho and Seung Min stood at the back of the room, watching the game from afar. A seat was put across the old man, indicating their challenger seat. People murmured about who'll face the family this time as they will face with the head of the family.

"Welcome to the main event!" the host started cheerfully with his sound echoed all around the room with the help of his gold microphone on hand. People might start to think he used to be an idol or a singer that he has his own custom microphone. "Today is a special day as today is Mr. Hwang birthday! Whoever won this main event, their prize will be doubled!" Hope and anticipation from the audience eyes once he mentioned the prize will be doubled. Hoping they would become the challenger. Interesting how a prize could boost their confident in winning him while obviously he's way too strong from them. "Now, for the moment you've been waiting for. Here comes the challenger! Lee Su Yeon!"

There's no cheer or even a single clap as they all murmured once they hear the name. Lee Su Yeon. One of the smartest poker player in Korea, used to hold into the number one position for a month before he went into a hiatus. However, there's no sign of him going into the podium or even inside the room. People started to talk and hope that he will be disqualified. It's the only way for the next challenger to challenge the family. Well, little did they know, or they didn't even care about the last rule. The family accepted any representative due to any urgent business if they have the challenger's ID.

"I'll take his place," the voice he's been missing for days finally went to his ear. He whipped his head swiftly only to see four people walked inside with their nicely dresses and suit. Hyun Jin saw his sister. For the first time in years, he saw her. Of course, the old man and Ryu Jin was surprised about her being here. Not to mention they brought Ye Ji here with them.

"What are you doing here? Taking his place is not allowed!" Ryu Jin stood up in anger while Y/N just smirked and walked towards the podium with Ye Ji.

"The family accepts any representative due to challenger's urgent business matter if they have the challenger's ID," she recited the contract while walking without breaking any eye contact with the old man. "That's what it said on the contract if they want to play. You don't want them to see you're a fraud right?" She stopped right in front of him, looking up at him who sat on the podium. Just like she expected, once she recited about the rule, people started to talk.

This time, the old man cursed himself for not erasing that rule. It was the rule he made with his wife on the first game night. Maybe he used to think it would be better not to erase it as it'll remain a memory with her. Her condition was already worst, and the doctor decided that she shouldn't leave the hospital. Until last week, she couldn't hold it anymore and died peacefully. He sighed after hearing her speech. "Go, seat."

"I'm not the one who'll play," she tilted her head and moved aside revealing Ye Ji. "She will." Ever since the appearance of Ye Ji, the building was in a huge uproar. Hyun Jin didn't expect she'll be the one who play, while he originally thought Y/N will be the one playing against them. Didn't know what she's thinking with letting Ye Ji played against them, but Hyun Jin knew perfectly that Y/N has a plan on her own. "Oh, and one more thing. I'm not interested in your double prize. If we win, I would like you to resign from your position from the head of the family. Give the title to Hyun Jin."

"And if you lose?"

"I'll do whatever you say."

.

The game was intense. Ye Ji definitely improved from years ago when she showed her game skill on the podium. Her risky offer added up the intensity, both to the players and to the audience. Once in a while, the old man would be overwhelmed about her sudden move. If he lost the game, he'll automatically lost his position as the family head. Her offer was supposed to make Ye Ji feel more pressured as she played for someone fate other than her. But she has been through it a lot and that made her invincible.

"If you want to ask me something, just say it," she sighed and turned her head towards Seung Min who's been glancing at her occasionally. He gulped and looked away after she noticed him. Words stuck on his throat and questions attacked him brutally, begging to be asked first. She put a faint smiled after seeing his confused face. "I'm sorry for not answering your calls or messages. I've been cooped up with things ever since I landed." Well that's one question off.

"That's okay. At least I know you're fine," Seung Min smiled at her. She nodded and looked at the podium. The game took longer than expected and people already started to get tired. Some of them tried to stay only to see the end of it but some of them really need to go home. It only a matter of who used up their mind and stamina first. Ryu Jin and Mina lost in a few games prior leaving only the old man and Ye Ji. Mina lost trying to help Ye Ji win, while Ryu Jin? She just not good enough playing in front of the people.

"You see," Ryu Jin started to talk. Hmm, maybe she lost in purpose only to try to attack Ye Ji's mental. "I still don't get why you decided to come back. Have you payed? I heard you owe them a big amount." However, Ye Ji didn't respond at her and only continued on playing her cards. Ryu Jin smirked looking at the girl who she hasn't seen for so many years.

"If you're done, you should shut up," Y/N warned. "If you don't want her to destroy you. Mentally." Ryu Jin snickered after hearing what she said. Really, she wondered why would Ye Ji wanted to come along with her anyway?

"Or what? You're going to do the same to me like your sister? Not going to happen real soon," she laughed. "I know everything about that and about whatever you'll do."

"Really? Then, you don't mind if I share it with the others, right? Right in front of these many people," she looked at Ryu Jin's eyes not lowering any tension. "About whatever your past actions are. For example, how you treat Ye Ji badly?"

"Are you threatening me?" she growled.

"Do you feel threatened?" she countered. Ryu Jin gritted her teeth, ready to put up a fight if not because of the old man who glared at her. "If you don't believe me, go on and provoke her. See it for yourself." Ye Ji for the first time looked at Ryu Jin, who shown fright on her eyes. While Ryu Jin finally noticed that Ye Ji's not the girl she used to know. She's stronger and smarter. Not only Ryu Jin who realized this, but also Hyun Jin's grandfather.

"Want to tell me your story?" Ye Ji smiled.