"Wait, that's your car?"
"Yeah, why?"
Well, of course he owns a BMW. He had welcomed us in his mansion, bought us motorbikes, and paid Chan's debt.
"We'll have to leave one of your bikes here." Joshua said.
"Say what?"
"You can't drive, can you? You sit inside my car. Hoshi, can you ride the bike?"
"Yeah, in fact, I'm so ready to get out of here." Obviously, he had already started the engine.
"But, what a waste.." I said, can't leave my baby here.
"Excuse me.. I can drive a bike." Chan raised his hand.
"Are you sure?" Joshua asked.
"Yeah, I was a part time delivery man so."
"Okay, then. Jeonghan and Yeonjun will keep me company. You two, follow us. We'll go to the clinic."
I sat on the back with Yeonjun beside me. He looks terrible.
"Hey, stay with us." I told him.
"What are you going to do to me?"
"Honestly, I don't know about our friend over there."
I looked at Joshua and noticed his speedometer. I suddenly felt dizzy.
"100 kph, are you Vin Diesel?"
"We need to get you treated asap."
Oh yeah I forgot, I was shot. I looked at my arm. My white sleeve is soaked in red. Now I remembered the pain and feel like passing out.
"Hey, stay with us." Joshua said.
I woke up somewhere, laying on a bed. I looked around and saw my gang. Hoshi and Chan lay beside each other on single bed, Yeonjun is sleeping on a mat on the floor, while Joshua rests his head on the desk.
I stood up and I feel like a new man. My arm is already wrapped in bandage. I carried Joshua to the bed I used and covered him with a blanket.
It's the same sleeping face I saw when we were at a limou. He still looks like he was about to cry. But now, I'm sure it's not just his sleeping face. He's really in pain.
It's fulfilling to read his face for the second time. I have seen his contented face and now his sad expression. Although I want to see something more from him. Maybe a genuine smile.
What the hell was I thinking?
I went out the clinic and checked my pockets for the box of cigar I brought.. but they're gone. Instead I looked for a convenience store to buy one.
Now this place looks awful. Perfect for thugs and criminals. Perfect for an underground clinic.
"Welcome." I went straight to the cashier.
"A pack of Boro." I said.
A sudden thought rushed to my mind, since Joshua cannot avoid the mafia, why not help him with Nico? We're also looking for him too, so why not.
"Would you like to add something else? We have here a new flavor of Pocky. It's strawberry!"
"Hmm."
But Taehyung was serious when he said not to involve his young master. Well, he will not find out when no one will tell him, right?
"It's 5 dollars in all."
I gave the money.
"Uhm sir, it's 5 dollars."
I snapped back. I usually pay 4 dollars for this.
"A pack is 5 dollars here?!"
"Sir, you also bought Pocky.."
"Huh? When?"
"Now.."
"Can't you void-"
The cashier turned sad.
"Ahh fine. Here." I gave another dollar.
"I received 5 dollars. Thanks for shopping."
I'm using my brain too much these days. I went back to the clinic and lighted a cigarette outside.
"Nah. I don't need to help him." I talked to myself.
"Help who?"
Joshua walked outside the clinic.
"You should be sleeping." I said.
"I woke up in bed, thanks."
"You looked tired. Besides you helped my arm. Thanks."
We watched the rays of sunrise in silence. We can't see the sun itself because of these tall buildings covering it. He's not talking anymore so I asked
"What are you thinking?"
"The gun."
"Oh. That Woozi was caught off guard with your gun."
"Nico asked the same thing. They recognized the gun."
Now that he said it, I remembered the gun Woozi used.
"Woozi used a silver pistol, too. I just didn't see the grip."
"He did? Now, what's with this."
We fell silent again to think.
"Can I have one?" He showed his palm.
"One what?"
"That." He pointed at the stick in between my fingers.
"Ah. Do you even smoke?"
"Yeah."
Damn. I'm gonna resort to primitive way of identifying lies. I came closer to Joshua to smell his mouth.
"You don't reek nicotine. You don't smoke."
"But I want one."
"Here." I tossed the Pocky I got from the store.
"This is Pocky."
"I know. Smoke it if you want."
"Are you mocking me?"
"If you're stressed, have a dessert."
"Then why do you smoke?"
"I'm stressed."
"Why don't you have a dessert?"
"Can you stop asking? Just take it."
He opened the packaging, took one stick, held it in between his fingers, inhaled and exhaled it.
"Whooo." He copied me exhaling the smoke.
"A born comedian." I said and showed him the proper way to smoke.
"I like strawberries." He stopped pretending and started munching.
"Same."
I looked at him eat the pocky. I tried to read what's he's feeling again. I still see nothing. When will you break your facade in front of me?
"Hey." I called.
"Hmm?"
"When will we start to look for Nico?"
"As soon as I settled Chan's case. Wait, we?"
"Yeah."
"You're gonna help me?"
"Uh-huh."
"You're staying with me?"
"What?"
"You're not leaving me?"
"Okay, what are you saying?"
He took three sticks of Pocky and bite on it all at once. I saw his ears moved and he suddenly turned his back on me.
"Yoon Jeonghan. Thanks."
I peeked at his face but he avoided me.
"Hey, are you smiling?" I asked.
"I don't know, you guess."
"Hey."
And he returned to the clinic.
