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A great day that's what this was. The sun is shining, Min made some great breakfast, Sayeon and Ryujin weren't arguing this morning! That was a nice surprise. Buuuut of course that wouldn't last.
They're still acting fine not arguing or anything, they're not the problem, well Sayeon is part of the problem. No the problem is that once again for the, what is it fourth time now? Min and Taeho are going to interact and if the past four times are anything to go off they're gonna fight, Min's gonna try to kill Taeho, and I'm gonna have to handle it.
A new mission, a simple stake out for a rapture trade, that's all this was supposed be, but of course it had to be a joint mission with cell 3. And of course Taeho came in acting like he's the one who's gonna have to do all the work of keeping him alive. And of course Sayeon assigns him and Min tooo-
"Gyeon, Min, and Iseul will take watch during the night." Sayeon declares while everyone nods along knowing that no matter what when Sayeon plans it it usually ends well enough. Hell Min and Taeho go along with it, Min isn't shocking he's so obedient it's concerning, Taeho must just believe in Sayeon after our past missions.
They're acting like this won't end up with them fighting. Like this isn't my problem now. I almost say something against this plan, ANYTHING to get away from the two. Maybe I can swap with Dahee she's good at this too! It's a pipe dream but still.
Sayeon trusts me more then she does Dahee and she also knows that Min and Taeho will fight. It's almost enough to make me laugh actually, everyone except those two know they'll fight, in fact I would laugh but it's my problem.
With the mission planning over I go off to get a drink of water, anything to get away for a moment. But when I take a large gulp I look to a small sound I hear and choke finding Min standing next to me.
After catching my breath and coughing up a lung I say, "Woah, hey Min! Snuck up on me there!"
"Sorry, but Taeho wants to check the stake out area before the mission."
Greeaaat more time together! Don't get me wrong some time with Min? Amazing, but sometime preventing Min from killing someone for whatever reason I dunno the first time Sayeon asked him to, then cause he insulted Sayeon, and then cause he semi purposefully harmed me. What'll it be this time are they gonna argue over where we should watch from?
You have got to be fucking with me.
"Have you lost your mind we should obviously hide from above!"
"If we disguise our selves we'll see and hear everything better."
"That'll be a huge risk!"
They just toss arguments back and forth. Honestly I applaud myself for guessing right but still this is already getting annoying.
"If we get into a fight I'll handle it."
"This is a stake out we're ment to get info oh my- Kim explain to him cause clearly he's not listening to me."
Dammit should have thought of a compromise sooner uhhhh, "What if we spread out? There's a store over there someone can sit there so they see the whole thing, and the others can go to the roof so they can listen in." Please dear everything just take the idea I can't listen to this anymore.
"Seems like a good idea." Min nods agreeing and looks over to Taeho.
He stares at the us and rolls his eyes and says, "Seems you're not completely brain dead," and ouch but sure whatever stops this.
Before I can stop myself I let out a sigh but luckily neither of them notice, "Oooo K! With that settled how about we split for the day, come on Min."
Ok to take Min and leave, aaaaand that is one nasty glare. Ugh why is he glaring at Taeho what could have- Ya know what no, don't care, let's just leave.
I grab his hand which gets his attention and before he can ask I drag him away, which is really hard I am nowhere near as built as he is. Uhhhh I didn't think about where to go though, hmmm kitchen seems like a safe bet then we can train I guess.
"You seem bothered."
"Huh?" What?
I turn and Min is staring which like obviously I just dragged him but he seems confused, dunno it's a bit hard to read him, I think I'm getting better though!
"You're dragging me away and the whole meeting you rushed it to end, why? Do you not like Taeho that much?" Ironic he's asking.
"Nah I just wanted to get it over with." He is not gonna believe that. Yup that stare is obviously him not believing me ughhhh well Min wouldn't be mad at the truth right? Yeah he never really gets mad at being called out, "Ugh fine I'll give. I just wanted to get you two away from each other, with how many times you've tried to kill each other I didn't need that headache."
"He deserves it." Well didn't expect that but I mean he's not wrong per say just still.
"I mean yeah he did buuuut that doesn't mean you should actually kill him."
"Hm." I... Am just gonna hope he took that to heart I guess.
"Ok with that done let's get something to eat."
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...I just... Whatever being made this happen has to have some sick sense of humor cause HOW. How did those two somehow agree to be the pair on the roof?!?! I really thought Taeho would jump at the chance to be away from Min?!?
Although to be fair if he brings more info his cell gets more points... Well there was a clear flaw in my plan, and now I'm here, staring at the roof instead of the alley trying my damn best to make out of Taeho and Min and strangling each other or just, being chill.
I mean just why why did Min insist on going with Taeho, WHY DIDN'T I STOP THEM?!?! Nah wait I should have some faith, I had that talk with Min and it seems like he took it to heart so he probably won't try anything... Hopefully... God I'm gonna need to bury a body tonight won't I?
Yeah no getting tot wrapped up in that, gotta take my mind off it. Uh the coffee in this cafe is nice, not the best but eh not awful that's for sure. The pastries are bad but I think that's just cause I'm used to Min's pastries by now. There doesn't seem to be much going on with the alley a few people walk past it but just some people on a walk, at night, like you do you but seems a bit unsafe. The gave me a laptop to blend in but they didn't really put much on it they just told me to type stuff in a word document, but Dahee told me how to get to YouTube and thank her for that woulda gonna crazy just typing nonsense.
...Ok just a peek, nope their fine their fine no fighting. It's oddly quite, like it's night but you'd think some employees would be talking. Huh looks like there's only one guy, eh it's a small cafe- oh one of them just left. I watch as he crosses the road, and oh damit he's the guy we're watching. Is the whole cafe in on it? There's a guy at the counter he'd definitely notice me staring at the alley if their in on it. Glancing over I see no ones at the counter, so either their in the back or something either way no one's watching.
They're waiting in the alley, just deep enough I have to squint to see them. Either my eyes are tricking me or they just disappeared. Purple essence gift probably, Sayeon said there's a begonia group guy with some kinda invisibility gift so it makes sense. Could be someone else but eh doesn't matter. Should I get closer orrrr... Did those two just jump from the roof?
THEY JUMPED FROM THEY ROOF, WHY DID THEY DO THAT?? OK UP UP AFTER THEM! ESSENCE IN LEGS, SPEED, MOVE!!
Ok calm down they are probably just- TAEHO USED HIS GIFT DAMMIT WHY?!? One thing at a time, stick to the wall keep quite and just make it to them.
Those people are definitely still in the alley but they're probably running so it doesn't matter for now. Ok there they are... I mean I'm not shocked but ok yeah. Min's face is scarred with burn marks and a blade is against Taeho's neck, for fucks sake.
"WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING!? WE AREN'T ME- OW WHAT THE HELL?!" I CAN'T FUCKING DO THIS RIGHT NOW.
A loud crash and scream is all I hear before there is a sickening crunch and then dead silence. I can feel my gift being active, I must have used it instinctively in my anger. Min and Taeho have also paused, I can sense a bit of their essence, shocking considering how Min usually is. Taeho seems shocked, and Min seems shocked too, but there's something else, I can't tell though.
What even hit me... Oh so that's what that sound was, "Holy shit." That's... A lot of blood. And my head hurts, probably not just from the hit to the head from what seems to be a pipe.
This was not at all how this was supposed to go, "We're gonna get into so much trouble."
"We?! What do you mean we?! You're the one who killed him!"
I can hear footsteps running away but I can't hear where on account of the headache and those two.
"Had you not insisted on going down none of this would have happened."
"My cell needs the points! We aren't gonna fail this mission!"
"We should have kept listening."
"Aren't yo-"
"Would you two SHUT UP!" Ouch that didn't help the headache, right essence. That helped the head injury but nope the headache is still there. Those two being quite certainly does help though.
Deep breath, get up, and get back to the dorms. Just do that.
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Juni and the instructor of cell 3, I can't be bothered to remember his name right now, are scolding us and I swear if they don't stop there's going to be two more dead bodies. Nope keep yourself in check, just cause you're upset, and in pain, and really fucking upset, doesn't mean you should do something dumb.
"Just write the report and we'll get to this again tomorrow." I might actually take the time to remember his name just to thank him for ending this. Without a seconds waste I leave. A simple mission, simple, why did Sayeon say we should work together? How could she not notice? I guess yeah she is pretty blind when it comes to feelings so makes sense.
"Iseul." Oh right Min would have to come along with me, at least Taeho doesn't have to, they go to their own rooms after Taeho demanded to not be in the same room as Min and they somehow agreed? I dunno why, like fair reason but do they just keep rooms ready for this exact thing? Or did they have free rooms after cell 5 died? Whatever doesn't matter.
Right Min, "Yeah what's up?" No point in being mad at him, next time I will make for dam sure we aren't grouped together that's all.
"Are you upset?" Same question as before huh? Hm I can feel his essence again, that same shame.
I could lie, but what's the point not like he'd believe it, hell if I saw someone go through this I wouldn't believe them if they said their not upset, "Yeah."
Min looks to the floor, don't need essence to know he's ashamed now, why though? "I'm sorry, I'll do better next time."
... So he did take that to heart. He took it to heart but then went and worked with Taeho, why? Was he trying to 'be better'? Trying to prove he could go without fighting Taeho? It would explain it I guess.
"Is your head okay?"
Touching the back of my head I can feel a lack of blood so yeah the injury is gone, "Nothing major just a headache."
"Sorry." Another apology, it's weird honestly I didn't take him for the type to beat himself up over this, I still remember the time he basically threatened Ryujin's life, and his training with Sayeon he doesn't seem like the type to feel bad about this.
"It's ok dude just a little hit I already healed, I should take it as practice anyways. Hopefully I can end up with healing like yours."
"No." Huh? Oh wow he didn't like that his expression actually changed for once, "I'll be better next time, you don't have to learn how to heal like me. I won't get distracted."
"Ease up on yourself, I don't want you getting really hurt either. Waiting speaking of how's the burn I know you already healed it but still." Honestly it completely slipped my mind in the case of the whole thing.
"My gift is made to be up close, I need to be close to fight, you can stay in the back. So you don't have to learn how to learn how to heal like me."... I don't know how to feel about that, it feels too tactical treating himself like a tool, again, and treating me like I'm fragile.
Ok I guess I should go at it from a logical perspective, "Yeah but I'll still get hurt so I should also be able to heal, or just be able to withstand stuff, like remeber that sea wolf woman? I was instantly put down by her gift while you and Taeho were fine."
He's looking off to the side, odd it's like he's hiding something.
"...No"
...
Oh he's not gonna expand on it this time? Why's he so insistent on this anyways, "Why?"
"I don't want you to get hurt." Honestly shoulda been able to guess that, that's on me.
"I that why you're fine with Sayeon treating you like a tool? So that me and Ryujin aren't? That's sweet bu-"
"No." If he says no one more time and doesn't expand my headache is definitely gonna worsen, "I don't want you getting hurt."
Nevermind that may have made it worse, or just made me feel worse, "Dude I get that I'm not as smart or strong as you guys are but you don't have to baby me, I can fight on my own, or well I can learn."
Wow dead wrong I guess he's shaking his head so hard he might snap his neck, "You're strong enough I just don't want you to get hurt, I can do it already so just let me."
"That'd be completely unfair we're a team I don't think I could handle seeing you constantly getting yourself into pain just to keep me safe."
That seems to make Min pause and he seems extremely conflicted now. He keeps looking away and then looking back at me a if he's considering something.
"Let's go to sleep." Huh, odd. You know what that's a future me problem, right now I really need this day over with.
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This feeling is weird. Iseul makes me feel weird. It's kind of like Samin, I want to follow him and make him happy, it's different though. Not only does it just feel different, it feels more fuzzy then Samin, but it makes me think differently.
With Samin I follow whatever she says even if it seems illogical, but Iseul, I still can't accept the idea of letting him get hurt. Why?
If I consider it why do I follow whatever Samin says? Because she's always right and knows what she's doing, kind of like Sayeon, but less annoying. So do I not listen to Iseul cause he's wrong? He is sometimes but it's never illogical, like when he asked if I love Sayeon, it's a logical thing to land on if you don't know my orders. He isn't always right but it feels wrong, just not right, because then why would I go against something that objectively makes fighting easier? Spending the fight both protecting him and fighting would be more difficult so if he heals it would be easier.
So why don't I listen to what he asks? Whenever he talks about healing like me I feel... Worried? Yes worried like something could go wrong. But that doesn't make sense, I don't feel worried when Samin or Sayeon make a command that would put me or anyone else in danger, so why this? So I'm worried about Iseul specifically.
Is it because he's weaker? He's not weak though, he took off that woman's foot with little effort, but even then... Compared to Samin...
That's it. Because he could get hurt. Even when Samin gets hurt she's strong enough to handle herself, so I don't have to worry, but Iseul isn't as strong as Samin so if he gets hurt he could die.
Turning over I see Iseul sleeping in his own bed. He said he'd feel terrible if I get hurt, so he'd probably cry. The worst I can ever imagine for Samin is her crying, but with Iseul it's either he cries, or he dies.
I could comfort him if he cries, I could make him braised chicken again and he'd probably feel better, but if he's dead...
I'm going to have to not listen to him on this then. But he was right about Taeho.
I should just not talk to Taeho unless necessary, it'd be better then having a repeat of that mission. I can still remember that feeling when Iseul ran in, I had realized that I failed. It's been a long time since I last failed but this was it, I had argued with Taeho and not just that I had wanted to kill him.
And then when Iseul yelled I felt even worse, he reminded me about the missing, which means I failed Sayeon, which means I failed Samin. But that was washed away quickly when he got hit in the head. I almost shoved Taeho just to get to him, but then everything behind him moved and before I could do anything the man was dead.
And then I kept failing, I didn't go to check on him I just argued with Taeho, he had to yell at us just to get us to stop. And then he was quite the whole way back, and up until in the hall.
I won't fail again, but I can't go against Sayeon...
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It's quite, not calm like normal, just quite. Min is making eggs and I'm just waiting. I should say something but I just can't be bothered.
"Oh look the psychos." Why, why am I being tested like this.
"Morning Taeho..." He's not going to let up on this is he, I mean I guess I did kill someone, but all of us are gonna kill someone eventually so who cares.
"I can't tell if you're all psycho idiots or if this one just infected the rest of you, or maybe it was your leader." Sayeon's such a weird topic with Min that I just can't tell what's gonna set him off.
"Taeho." Oh did that do it? Honestly I should be worried but at least here I might get some help, and I won't get hit over the head with a pipe.
The moment Taeho looks at Min Min says, "We should avoid talking unless necessary."
...What? Taeho is clearly confused, and so am I, but Min just turns back to the stove. Taeho rolls his eyes and grumbles but moves on, thank everything for that.
Just as Taeho leaves the kitchen to go sit Min gives me a plate of omurice. Accepting it I have to add, "Thanks for not engaging with Taeho."
"I said I would do better, so I will." Hm, hopefully that means he took everything else I said into consideration.