C   H   A   P   T   E   R    S  E V E N :
"promise me that you'll look after my mom and sister."
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    Once Yi-Seo arrived to the apartment, she took a cool shower. Thinking about the events that happened last night and the day before: The games, the blood, the dead bodies, and Sang-woo.

She just shook her head and began to get ready. She needed to visit her mom at the hospital and make up some excuse.

She walked into the hospital, hoping that her mom was still in the same room.

"Gomo!" A young man shouted, running towards her.

"In-su!" She greeted, smiling at her niece and embraced him in a hug. "How have you been?"

"I've been good. My leg hurts from playing soccer but I'm glad to see you!"

"I'm glad to see you too. Where's your mom?"

"She's on the phone with my dad. Grandma is still resting, let's go see her!" He grabbed her hand, pulling her to the patients room.

"Grandma, look, it's Yi-Seo!"

"Oh, my Yi-Seo." Hee-Jin looked at her daughter. "Where have you been?"

"I had to do a few things back in Yeouido and my phone died. Sorry I couldn't make it sooner."Yi-Seo went over to her mom, kissing her a kiss on her forehead.

"Are you sure sweetie? Don't lie to me now." Hee-Jin said weakly.

"I'm sure mom." She smiled. "You need to get all the rest that you need." Yi-Seo changed the topic.

"Oh I am, don't worry sweetie."

"Omma, I ordered you the fried chicken that you have been craving and— Yi-Seo?" Hwa-young stopped her tracks. "Yi-Seo, you're alive!"

"Duh, I'll never die!" She teased, giving her sister a hug.

"Where have you been? I was so worried about you. Did you receive my messages? I even tried to find Gi-hun to see if he knew where you were." She rambled off.

Yi-Seo smiled, putting her hands on her sister's shoulder. "Don't worry about me. I was back in Yeouido to do some work."

Yi-Seo sat down, listening to her mother's and sister conversation until she recieved a text from one of her old friends, Hwang Jun-ho.

I found something out. Related to my brother's disappearance, can we meet up?

Yi-Seo cleared her throat, standing up as she grabbed her bag.

"You're leaving already?" In-su said, upset. "You just got here."

"I know, I know. But I have to meet up with someone. I hate to leave so soon. I'll come later tonight, I promise." She crossed her fingers and gave him a hug.

Hwa-young looked at her sister and sighed. "You've always been a busy women." She said.

"Sorry." He muttered and gave her a hug. "Omma, I'll stop by later; I'll even bring you your favorite treat." She gave her mom a kiss on the cheek and hugged her tightly.

—-

    The faint hum of Seoul's streets buzzed through the cafe's windows, filtering into the quiet conversation at the corner of the table. Yi-Seo sat across from Jun-ho, her gaze drifting to her untouched coffee. Jun-ho, on the other hand, looked anything but calm. His hands trembled slightly as they clasped around his coffee mug.

"Yi-Seo," he said, his voice low and tense. "I found something— someone who can help me with my brothers disappearance."

"Whom?"

"Seong Gi-hun."

Yi-Seo almost spitted out of coffee. "My Gi-hun?" She glanced, arching a brow. "What could he possibly know? First off, what lead makes you think Gi-hun could help you?"

"I went to In-ho's apartment and found a card. A card that had a photo number on the back and three shapes at the front."

Yi-Seo froze, her jaw tightening as she placed her coffee down.

"Mr.Seong came to the police station early in the morning claiming he was in some child's play — a competition for money."

Yi-Seo's fingers curled instinctively around her glass. For a moment, the hum of the café seemed to fade away, replaced by the distant sound of footsteps on concrete, the melodic yet haunting chant: "Mugunghwa kkochi pieot seumnida."

"And Yi-Seo.." he hesitated, "he showed the card and it's the same one I found in In-ho's room. This can't be a coincidence." He said confidently. "I finally have a lead after all these years."

Yi-Seo's heart pounded. She could feel the words crawling up her throat—the truth, the confirmation that she knew exactly what he was talking about. But she couldn't say it. Not here. Not to him.

"Maybe it could be a coincidence?" She forced a puzzled look on her face. "Like cmon' a competition? That sound unreal." She felt bad for lying, for making him feel stupid.

Jun-Ho's expression softened, but the determination in his eyes didn't waver. "I'm not asking you to believe me. I just need you to keep an eye out. You're friends with Mr.Seong,  you're good at seeing through people, Yi-Seo. If you hear anything, anything at all, promise me you'll tell me."

She nodded slowly, her gaze falling slowly to the table. "I'll let you know if I hear something."

Jun-Ho studied her for a moment longer, then sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Thanks, Yi-Seo. I knew I could count on you."

"Dongsaeng, just in case — if an emergency comes up and I'm not back on time ..." she hesitated, "promise me that you'll look after my mom and sister."

Jun-ho looked at her confused, "is there something going on that causes you to risk your life? I'm here if you need protection or safety."

"Aniyo, I'll probably be away for some time to work under another law firm." She lied. "I have an opportunity to make more money and have a fresh start."

Jun-ho nodded, "ah okay. I'll promise to take care of them. Be safe and good luck! Call me if you need anything. And please keep an eye out on Gi-hun!"

As he walked out of the café, Yi-Seo sat motionless, her mind racing. She had wanted to tell him he wasn't crazy, that the games were real, that she had been there. But admitting it would only drag her deeper into something she'd barely survived from.

WORDS FROM THE AUTHOR-
I'm so excited 👀