DRIFFFFFT...
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeNmZzZKTy
"..... He's... " Yuki gasped in utter shock, her face a mix of dazed disbelief and horror.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpTVtAMXjn
Yuki, Mio, Min-seo, and Yu-na were all sitting quietly on a wooden boat, completely frozen as it slowly drifted along the artificial stream inside the dark Dark Ride Funhouse.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V9tiQKxgO
They were several boats behind P and Hanabi. From their angle in the dim light, all they could see was P’s massive, broad frame completely shielding Hanabi from view. Hanabi's hips were lifted as she leaned upward into his embrace, while P’s head was bent down low over her.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdkQxTidE5
"What is he doing...?" Yuki whispered.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYKkOwfBX7
"Hnnnnn— They're kissing...!" Min-seo squealed, her entire face turning bright red.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGqC9LD8X9
She quickly covered her eyes with her hands, but spread her fingers just enough to peek through, literal steam rising from her head. "I shouldn't be seeing this..."
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WjYXX8so3
"I thought they just met yesterday! This is moving way too fast!" Mio noted, deeply curious.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcXMef0zHe
"There's no way she fell for him that easily. He's a dangerous guy... He could be muzzling her!" Yuki hissed frantically.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhUkXyltwQ
"Oh my..." Yu-na giggled with a juicy smile, holding her phone up to snap a picture to hide her face while biting the tip of her left thumb. *Just keep going at it smoothly...* she cheered in her mind.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPCDS4ttHT
Meanwhile, inside the front boat:
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQgg6srgWk
*Blink.*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkpjcq0gNG
"Why are you breathing like that?" Hanabi asked, looking up at P, who was panting heavily above her.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbCTtB2ddS
*Why is she looking at me like that...?* P questioned internally.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz0FIOxmkg
"Does shielding someone from a few splashes of water really cost you that much stamina?" Hanabi asked, raising an eyebrow.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L9pYP3VXm
"Oh— Well— You see, the wound on my back..." P stammered out.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRrOhPnhTm
Hanabi blinked.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGroFbB7Hwf
"I strained it a lot today... and also to shield you from the water," P offered quickly.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoe8BjriJa
"Well, thanks, but I didn't actually ask for your protection," Hanabi said, sitting straight up and pulling her body away from his chest.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hREzOopSJ
*Heh...* P scoffed in his mind, his mouth agape in absolute shock.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaplOi5ogm
*Girl, you would be dead three times over if I hadn't stepped in—* P thought, completely baffled.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUCLOKqmkg
"Don't look at me like that. I get it," Hanabi said, looking away. "I think it's time for me to stop relying on other people so much... or relying on one person over and over again."
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLOqoXvK2x
P stared down at her in complete silence, blinking slowly.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDvLOfG80Z
*DRIP... DRIP...*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VOdGmAQea
A heavy silence filled the space between them as the boat floated toward the exit.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f8FHalcrI
"Harhhh... I'm ruining the fun again. This ride is totally boring," Hanabi sighed.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5kiihRm66
She reached down to the seat where P was sitting and picked up the square-shaped box of luxury chocolates.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3CREGmTRF
"...Then what should we try next?" P asked.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IcMaWe5vt
*MUNCH... MUNCH...*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmGT4w6L1Q
"Hmmghm— so gooo-d~" Hanabi hummed.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nWHj58XZD
P whipped his head over. Hanabi had already unboxed the chocolates and was casually eating them one by one.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdr2UTZGxlE
He stared at her for a second, his eyes widening in sudden realization.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xqmuaeF9S
*MUNCH.*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho3bO8lbjr
*Wait a minute... I haven't eaten a single thing today...* P realized in pure horror.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLAUPh6Dwj
His face slowly morphed into a dark, frustrated glare as he watched her happily enjoy the chocolates without offering him any.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwlfQbZ1pE
*MUNCH... MUNCH...*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVOCNJ3xxq
Hanabi paused, as if sensing the intense aura beside her. She turned and extended the open box toward him.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vfyyrko33
"...Want some?" Hanabi asked innocently.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXyGDPsedS
P’s terrifying expression instantly dissolved into a dazed, innocent look.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh5Tz2Fwn8
"Oh— uhhhh..." P stammered.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKufUtq33J
In his mind, his dark instincts took over: he violently snatched the box from her hands and devoured the entire contents in a single, feral gulp, pouring the chocolate bars straight down his throat!
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r1v4y9SYf
*HAARRRRR—!*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2oS1Klm6B
...But it was all just his wild imagination.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKgrC8jGdg
*Don't do it. Be a gentleman...* P fought desperately against his inner urges, clenching his trembling right hand as he reached for the box. *Bit by bit. Gently...*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaFVx1FHHA
Hanabi continued eating the chocolates piece by piece, followed by P, who took one and ate it slowly and elegantly, like a refined member of high society.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5euEAmF4s0
Bright white light from the outside world suddenly burst into the tunnel. Hanabi raised her hand to shield her eyes. They had reached the exit.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WWAgiRS12
The boat gently drifted against the landing platform.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8RJZ6bYDD
> **"You have arrived at your destination. Please kindly step off."**
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YPpiLzAdt
>
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNAdG6WIBl
"Ohh... That was..." Hanabi started.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AZsVhzirm
Suddenly, her expression turned cold and serious. Something was wrong. She looked down at the chocolate box in her right hand, only to find a few stray crumbs remaining.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUuzDh29mB
There had been plenty of chocolate bars left a moment ago. They couldn't have just vanished into thin air.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRD1UajBsE
She slowly turned her head to P, her eyes narrowing into dark slits. P was staring straight ahead with absolute focus, holding up a tactical focus hand sign as if he were completely innocent.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOflOgpTEu
"You wouldn't happen to have any idea where those chocolates went... right?" Hanabi asked, her dark gaze screaming: *YOU DID THIS, DIDN'T YOU?!*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X26vF4zva
"..."
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVcmn5M4cX
P slowly turned his head to meet her gaze, maintaining his deadpan, serious face while keeping his hands locked in the focus sign.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjA117miHi
"...We will never know," P said, his voice dropping into a smooth, calm, low register.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYUjIllpaR
However, Hanabi could clearly see thick chocolate stains smudged across the corners of his mouth. His hands were wet with water, but faint brown marks were still visible where he had tried—and failed—to wash away the evidence.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm1l4Gotr4
"...Oh, really," Hanabi deadpanned, staring at him with pure disappointment.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCbDQ4vDcT
Meanwhile, at the docking area behind them:
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrkpNfALq0
"Shit, they're getting off!" Yuki panicked. "We need to get over there before he does anything worse to her!"
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsT2M7PgIt
"Hey, chill out! Our boat hasn't even docked yet!" Mio snapped.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHem6AYu7I
"Just let fate take its course... we'll catch up in a second," Yu-na smirked, adjusting her camera settings.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjswS4BhMus
"Damnit...!" Yuki growled.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkzuLIM4Eg
*STEP... STEP... STEP...*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2QM8xuTLH
Hanabi tightly hugged her new teddy bear as she and P walked along the midways. Brilliant fireworks lit up the night sky above them, accompanied by the cheerful noise of families and the sounds of children kicking a soccer ball nearby.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBM9IzCiVq
*Something is off,* P noted mentally, scanning the crowds. *I suddenly feel a lot lighter.*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfULCoGXzNK
*I don't notice any more assassins around. Did they withdraw, or did I manage to eliminate all of them?* P pondered. *I don't know, but if I spot anything out of the ordinary, I'll act immediately.*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4ANW3iNfP
He glanced down at Hanabi walking at his right side, her previous words echoing through his mind:
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviCobNIaMc
> *"I think... it's time for me to stop relying on other people. Or relying on one person over and over again..."*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RIJW03Ton
>
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ21gPlnhda
*STEP... STEP...*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEcWKGHuHR
"So... how did I do tonight?" P asked casually.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTirguIHw8
Hanabi glanced sideways at him, then quickly looked back ahead, a small smile breaking across her face.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLHTmS5GAV
"...Not bad," she admitted.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4mMOo8oCp
P felt a strange lightness in his chest.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ83g4HkWk
"Did you have fun?" P asked.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQcNKVU5dF
"Yeah. A lot of it," Hanabi smiled softly. "You know, the amusement park has always been a place I was terrified of, ever since I was a little kid. Even up until today."
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfL27lfZ4Y
She looked up at the fireworks. "So having such a fun memory... in a place like this... it really means a lot to me."
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBEaFWT4nI
She turned her head to look at him. "What about you? Did you have fun?"
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs1pIhrqDE
P stared down at her for a moment, then shifted his gaze forward.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeeNmjiPua
"...I had as much fun as you did," P said softly.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVGwQW5cEk
"You're lying," Hanabi countered instantly, vivid memories of P abandoning her in her bedroom while she held a tray of food flashing through her mind. She pouted slightly.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbqdO06x86
"What makes you say that?" P asked.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvJfFvrKJh
"Because if you actually had fun, your face would show it!" Hanabi insisted, stepping around to look directly at his expression.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpinPQ5hyZR
P quickly tilted his head away to hide his face.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoe3RKANai
"See?!" Hanabi accused.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4DDYQDhN1
"It's just how my face is sometimes, even when I'm having a great time!" P said frantically, trying to defend himself.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDM3nTrGj0
"Oh... that's odd," Hanabi teased, her tone turning thoughtful. "Because I've noticed that sometimes you smile really weirdly, and the way your emotions suddenly jump from one extreme to another is super mysterious."
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXXwNk3MQK
She looked at him closer. "And then sometimes you act completely cool and calm, even when your body feels super hot and tense. You're always moving fast—way too fast—and your heart beats really fast sometimes, too."
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XoSmrmGGD
She lowered her voice, looking at him with genuine curiosity. "It feels like you're in a state of constant unrest."
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQJfkrky98
P remained completely silent, listening to her.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoF7lqgNqL
"So tell me... is that actually fun?" Hanabi asked quietly.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy96ByG6sDw
*STEP... STEP...*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwjK5dQM7H
P fell quiet for a long moment, the thunderous booms of fireworks lighting up the night sky behind them. He finally looked down at her.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHOzEuo5sW
"...It might not seem like fun to you, but everyone has their own perspective on life," P said calmly. "And remember, I promised to make things up to you tonight, but I still had to move fast because of the injury on my back."
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXLkjtdB9e
"Oh..." Hanabi said, realization settling in.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcxdFNL2xz
"Maybe because I'm straining myself, that's why you think I'm not having fun," P offered.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3VWEvpX6H
*STEP... STEP...*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaz7Jcxpqb
"So, um... how about coming with me to see Mio so she can take a look at your—" Hanabi started.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxSXnfemPe
The mere mention of Mio's name instantly triggered a terrifying mental image in both of their minds: Mio standing in a dark void, casually resting her fingers against the sharp edge of a survival axe while giving them a terrifying, bloodthirsty death stare.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifHgo2vnqN
A collective shiver ran straight down the spines of both P and Hanabi.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdyjDsAAvX
"Oh— uhh, I think I'll pass," P said, his face looking thoroughly traumatized.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YzO67v9YT
"Yeah... you probably should. We can find a different doctor," Hanabi agreed quickly.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKUc7eTqA2
"I think I'm going to avoid doctors entirely until I can meet with my personal private doctor," P noted.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsbn50Z3bm
"You have a personal doctor?" Hanabi asked, surprised.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0itT2zm8ML
"Yeah, but she's not in this country," P explained.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0j34VG62U
"...*She?*" Hanabi repeated quietly, her eyes dropping to the ground.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa06OVSMbz
"Anyway, until you meet sh— *your* doctor, you need to be careful," Hanabi corrected herself, looking back up at him.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIhdpcSytE
"I'll try," P said.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNdBOYW89Q
*STEP... STEP...*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL9QBFzomt
*I shouldn't linger here any longer,* P calculated internally.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2xqq61jtJ
"Is there anything specific that you want?" Hanabi asked suddenly.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtiUyS5tWx
A heavy suspense hung in the air between them.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7pwTQqBjo
"...What I want?" P repeated, his eyes drifting toward a group of children playing nearby.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FR75HMTTQ
"Yeah. Like, do you have a grand goal, or a dream?" Hanabi asked, watching his side profile.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9FLkXleWj
P stared off into the void, getting lost in thought for a moment.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfntDBPiBvX
"I... don't think so," P admitted softly. "What about you? Do you have a dream?"
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DeIRec50H
"I don't really have a big dream either. But if we're talking about what I want... I think I have a pretty good idea," Hanabi said.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBMwsC3M0J
"So what is it?" P asked.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT0cmtL1rz
*STEP... STEP...*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeE0VG2Ieh
Hanabi looked out toward the dark horizon of the ocean.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡso6GmIVtCf
"A normal life," Hanabi said softly.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ctGhnuwW1
*STEP.*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn334ze28L
P's eyes snapped wide open in absolute shock at those words. He froze dead in his tracks.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjlLKAeOOS
He stood motionless beside a wooden bench near the ocean promenade. Behind them, crowds of people cheered as massive bursts of fireworks painted the sky above the crashing ocean waves.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqNeppZd2t
*BOOM!*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRnttDcovr
*BOOM!*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ667lrhsKXj
*WOOOOAH!*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlMbzhbmpg
Hanabi noticed he had stopped and turned back to face him. P was standing under the moonlight, staring blankly down at the pavement.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKz5rQXXevK
"P? Are you okay?" Hanabi asked, stepping closer.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBalvkaRyj
".......Yeah," P muttered.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OtNyxtJ4A
"Are you sure...?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R1BtKVJwC
"Yeah, I'm fine..." P said, sounding dazed as he gently pulled his arm away from her reach.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLB1c6bTIw
"So why did you stop?" Hanabi asked.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04O2rlTYE6
"...I—" P slowly raised his left hand to press against his temple. "—just got a bit of a headache."
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnaPOJAfUo
He looked at her intensely. "You want a normal life... but aren't you living one right now?"
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8qzQiFKg8
"Yeah... I think so. For now..." Hanabi said softly, her eyes falling.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyfA6gfSbn
P stared at her. *For now, huh...*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP6p7IA1Tq
In an instant, a strange, fragmented memory flashed across P's mind—a dark room, and a man's voice whispering a single word:
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg0KBBTMZN
> *"Epilogue...!"*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMLb8z3GVH
>
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr7yDaunPy
P snapped back to reality, his gaze locking back onto Hanabi.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsMocssvXy
"Are you going to head home now?" P asked.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVisrRgT37
"Yeah, I think so. I'm completely exhausted," Hanabi sighed softly.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjALDuSxyk
"How about—" P started, but was cut off before he could finish.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJN8wUGwkO
"I knew it! He's one of those sketchy guys!" a female voice shouted.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbH7RMdlNBm
It was Yuki. She stood on the opposite side of the bench, pointing an accusing finger directly at P.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbznRO0irSI
Behind her, Min-seo was holding Mio back like a wild dog on a leash while Mio huffed angrily. Yu-na was waving cheerfully off to the side.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgoS8k3HJg
"...Yu-ki?" Hanabi blinked in surprise.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4Nj5aoEo9
Neither Hanabi nor P had even noticed them approaching.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdr58TuMFQ6
"Get away from him, Hanabi!" Yuki demanded, stepping aggressively between Hanabi and P to block her view. "I don't trust him!"
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0aGusnGD9
"What are you doing?!" Hanabi complained from behind Yuki's back.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxtvvfcEe4
"Protecting you! Was he harassing you?!" Yuki snapped.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlunOFS1tdi
P stood there in the middle of the noise, completely dumbfounded. For a moment, it felt as though he didn't even exist to them.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpmjJi3Tf2
*It's this annoying one again...* P thought, rolling his eyes mentally.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYzTuIeSqO
"Hey, give them some space, will you?!" Yu-na laughed, dragging Yuki backward by her collar.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKa8lHzdMr
Hanabi brushed past Yuki to stand in front of P once more.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZGV8vcd5m
"So, um... I guess this is where I take my leave," Hanabi said, looking up into his eyes.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lLXorek4h
"Okay. Stay safe," P said calmly, looking down at her.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrx3V6jjnb
"I thought you said you were homeless... do you have somewhere to go?" Hanabi asked hesitantly.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5GD2KGI2D
"Yeah, I'm homeless, but don't worry about it. I'll figure something out," P said smoothly.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQig49v89qO
Hanabi fell silent for a second.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmN3PnB1ui
"Okay then... take care," Hanabi said, turning to walk toward her waiting friends.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CiicQ7uDv
"Bye," P said, offering a casual wave.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks6afEUVIh
She stopped after taking a few steps, tilting her head back over her shoulder.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU9xuyNS61
"This was... honestly the best night I've had in a long time. So from the bottom of my—" She cut herself off, her face flushing. "I mean... one day, I promise to repay you properly!"
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGhBhFC0jp
Hanabi turned and quickly walked away.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8O75Zvo82
P's eyes widened in brief surprise, before a genuine, warm smile broke across his face as he watched her leave.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7NKQVwqS4
*She's really not bad,* P thought.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgQG7WjUiE
However, as the group walked away, Mio turned her head completely backward, locking eyes with P while Min-seo dragged her along. Mio’s expression clearly screamed: **WHERE IS MY MONEY?!**
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwP8hEQNDN
*Oh—* P flinched mentally.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkngAKMsxZ
*RING! RING!*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHidEdYqNad
*RING! RING!*
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zp52g7dCb
Suddenly, one of the stolen phones in P's jacket pocket began ringing loudly.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNBq21BC5R
He slowly pulled the device out and looked down at the glowing screen. It was an incoming call from an **UNKNOWN NUMBER**.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3MfeTozrq
P stared at the screen for a moment before pressing answer and bringing the phone to his ear.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ5pYI77XG
"Hello?" P said.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yxZHMdQYj
*"What the— Hey! P?! Oh my God, you're actually alive...!"* a loud, jovial voice shouted through the speaker.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkZ1G5WsfU
P's eyes widened in instant recognition. He pulled the phone away from his ear to double-check the screen, then brought it right back.
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrwHIrxdIK
"You Son of a B**ch...?" P asked, his voice turning deadly serious.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcPWMqHXSx
and then Add to home screen.