The Specter's Guardian • jhs✅

08

"Manager, may I ask who she is? I'm sure Sihyuk ran a background check on her." Namjoon asked as soon as they entered the kitchen.

Manager Sejin nods and says: "Yes, she is..." He glances at each of the men before him, checking their reactions as he nervously swallows, "She is a thief."

Despite their suspicions, the men couldn't help but be surprised. "So she's a professional then," Jimin commented, and the others agreed.

"But why did Sihyuk pd-nim still allow her to stay here with us?" Taehyung asked, his brows furrowed.

"We need to keep her because through her, we will be able to expose the wrongdoings of the company that hired her."

"What was she attempting to steal anyway?" Jin asked, crossing his arms.

"Yoongi and Namjoon's work."

The two frowned simultaneously. "What? Which company is this, Manager?"

"Lio's Entertainment."

"But that's a sasaeng's company!" Jimin exclaimed. (Sasaeng: an obsessive fan who'd go lengths just to be noticed by their idol)

"And this Entertainment debuted a girl group with plagiarized concepts and logos from various Kpop groups in the industry," Jungkook added.

The manager sighed. "That's true. That's why we need Sooho. We will have her as our witness and capture."

"Forgive me, but how can we be certain that she won't harm us?" Yoongi suddenly spoke up.

"Sihyuk made a deal with her, and I am unaware of the details. It's strictly between them. You know pd-nim, we should trust him."

They all nodded and left the kitchen, only to find the guards standing in front of the bathroom door. They frowned upon hearing muffled voices coming from inside.

*

The guardian nudges Hoseok lightly and rolls her eyes. "Distraction my ass. I am focused!"

"Then just look at me!"

She frowns at the spirit, "Don't raise your voice at me, young man."

"You're not that old, so don't call me that."

"Did you just compliment me?"

"Shut up."

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door, followed by Manager Sejin's voice. "Excuse me, Miss Sooho? Are you finished?"

She glares at Hoseok before composing herself and stepping out of the bathroom, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden stares directed at her.

"I'm leaving now, Miss Sooho. They will take care of you." She bows to the manager and watches him leave along with the two guards. Turning around, she finds herself facing the group of men, who seem to be at a loss for words.

"I'm Namjoon, the leader of the group. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Sooho. Our previous encounter wasn't the best, but let's put it behind us," Namjoon introduces himself, trying to break the silence.

She couldn't help but notice Yoongi's scoff, almost causing her to smirk. "Nice to meet you too," she replies, maintaining a polite demeanor.

"Would it be alright if we sat down and had a conversation?" Namjoon asks, to which the guardian nods. The group settles down, with Hoseok choosing to stand behind you.

Yoongi, ever straightforward, wasted no time in questioning her intentions. "How can we be sure that you won't steal from us, or that you're not a sasaeng, or that you won't harm us in our sleep?"

Jin interjected calmly, "Yoongi..."

"I've spoken with Mr. Sihyuk, and we've made a deal. I have no intentions of going against it," the guardian assured them.

"Miss Sooho, we're just concerned for our safety. If you do anything suspicious or pose a threat to us, we will report you," Namjoon added, sighing.

Vera simply nods in understanding, and Namjoon suggests accompanying you to your room. As she stands up, she glances at Yoongi and teases, "You can come along too, just a short walk to get to know each other." He frowns, and she couldn't help but chuckle.

"Just kidding," The men exchange glances and watch Vera and Namjoon walk away, with Hoseok trailing behind.

Once Vera was alone in her room, Hoseok couldn't help but ask, "What's our next move, Y/n?"

Taking her coat off, she casually tosses it onto a nearby chair. "I'm going to search their rooms,"

Hoseok's eyes widened in surprise. "What?!"

"They're always busy rehearsing, right? We'll see if we can find any evidence or anything suspicious in their rooms," She explains, determined to uncover the truth.

Hoseok sighs, torn between his loyalty to his friends and the necessity of the investigation. And just as the Superior had mentioned, it is quite common to have no recollection of one's own death.

However, he is unable to depart from the realm of the living because he still has unfinished business. This is why you are here, serving as his guide.

"Do you think we should continue, Vera?" he asks.

The guardian turns towards him, crossing her arms over her chest, and questions, "Why?"

"I value my friends, and even though we are close, it doesn't mean I should disregard their privacy."

"Who said you were obligated to accompany me? I can handle it on my own," she says nonchalantly.

"But—"

"Then, can you join me?"

The specter pouts, "No."

"Then let me be."