52. Decisions

I look out the window, preoccupied, as Hye's dad and Soomin leave. Jimin comes up to me.

"Kyung Mi? Something wrong?"

"I think Dong Yoo deserves to know the truth." I say with finality. The thought's been on my mind ever since we found out about In Su. "He thought In Su was his friend. He should know his true identity."

Jimin puts his hand on my shoulder. "Okay. If you think that's best, you should tell him."

I look over and smile at him. "Thanks." His approval is all I need, so I run over to my phone and call up my friend.

"Dong Yoo? Hey."

"Hey, Kyung Mi, what's up?"

"Can we talk?"

He chuckles. "We're talking now, aren't we?"

"I mean in person. It's important."

"Kyung Mi, your voice is scaring me. What happened?"

"Don't worry, no one's hurt or anything like that. I just want to tell you something."

"Okay, I'll come over."

+++

Dong Yoo heaves a sigh. "I mean, it makes sense. After all, he did just disappear suddenly. Turns out he went to jail." His eyes lock with the ground as he frowns. "I thought I could trust him. I thought he was my friend."

"I know. Losing a good friend is such a hard thing to go through." I put my hand on his and squeeze reassuringly. He smiles.

"At least I still have you, though."

I grin. "Yeah. You'll always have me."

He looks away for a minute. "Do you know why he's a member? Do you think...do you think he was always part of them?" He makes eye contact. "Do you think he was a member when I met him?"

"Probably." Namjoon says, nodding. "My guess is he got closer to you as a way to gain intel on Kyung Mi."

Dong Yoo nods. "So all that stuff about his family was made up?" he says to himself.

"What family stuff?" Jimin asks as we all perk up. At this point, any information about a Sparked Mafia member is valuable.

"Well, he was always telling me about how things were hard at home. He told me he lives with his grandparents since he was orphaned at a young age. But his grandpa died, too, and his grandma is sick, so he's in charge of the house."

"Damn." I say, unable to help myself. "If that's true, it wouldn't be a surprise that In Su'd be willing to join a blackmailing company. They pay their people well."

Jimin nods. "I almost feel bad for the asshole." There's a glint of anger in Dong Yoo's eyes, probably from the fact that this guy used to be his friend. "What?" Jimin asks, "he broke into Kyung Mi's apartment with a gun. I don't care how bad his situation is; attempted murder is unacceptable."

"Regardless of the ethics of his decisions," Namjoon starts with an edge to his voice, attempting to cool down the situation, "now we have some insight into his home life. Think we can coax some information out of him with it?"

"We can try." I say excitedly, ready to confront In Su once again.

+++

When we went to visit Jimin's cop friend, we show him recordings of conversations that could be used as evidence against the Sparked Mafia, like Hye's dad's memory; we also show him the letter Appa left for me under the table.

"Hopefully these will help in court." Jimin says, face serious but with an edge of happiness clipped on his voice.

Bong Chol nodded. "Enough evidence for us to raid them, too."

That catches my interest. "Raid them?" I ask, looking at him eagerly.

He smiles. "You'd love to be a part of that, wouldn't you?" I nod passionately, wanting, needing, to avenge the people in my life that have been hurt by the Sparked Mafia.

"Absolutely not." Jimin says angrily, and my head whips to him. He's looking at me condescendingly. "Kyung Mi, regardless of how much you want this, it's my job to protect you. I can't just let you run into danger. I won't allow it."

"So, then, protect me while we raid. Watch me at all times and make sure I don't get too hurt!" I plead, softening my eyes for effect. "Please, Jimin? For all the shit they put innocent people through, including us, and for my dad-" I croak, and Jimin holds his hand out to me before restraining himself and letting his arm fall down. He looks away, jaw clenching.

Wow, no comfort for the girl that's mourning her father's memory. Okay, Jimin.

"No. It's too dangerous." He looks back at me with resolve in his expression before turning to Bong Chol. "Don't try to convince her. Now, we're going to see In Su."

I look at Bong Chol, who shakes his head and looks at me apologetically. "Sorry, can't allow you to come without his permission. But I promise we will tear their headquarters to shreds."

"Fine. Jimin, you're fired. Now, Bong Chol, I'm coming."

"No, it's against my contract." Jimin comebacks, "I signed saying I would protect you until either your dad told me not to or the Sparked Mafia were taken care of, so I'm not going anywhere and my answer is still no. Stop trying to argue with me!" For the first time since I've known him, Jimin's genuine anger is directed towards me.

"Screw you." I mutter before turning on my heel and start rushing out. Immediately, footsteps follow me and I know the three of them are behind me. I turn around them.

"Jimin, if you have any respect for me, you'd let me do this!"

Hye puts her hand on my arm. "Honey, you should listen to him. This is for your own good."

I look at her, exasperated. "You, too?!" I shake her arm off. "You of all people should understand why this is so important to me. You were there when I got the first Sparked Mafia letter, and you knew then at least how fucked up it was. On top of all the trauma they put me through, my dad–" I hiccup before I start to sob. "M-my dad is messed up now. All because of them! My dad!" I sniffle and fall into her embrace. She rubs my back soothingly.

"I'm sorry, Kyung Mi." She whispers. "But raiding them is just guaranteeing they can hurt your further."

"Jimin." Namjoon's wise voice starts advising his friend, but I stop listening. I just allow myself to process what's going on.

A deep sigh. And then, "Okay Kyung Mi you can go."

I perk up and look at Jimin, trying to discern if he really just said that or not. "No! Namjoon, why would you do that?" Hye confronts, looking at him angrily. "As her best friend, I need to protect her, and it almost worked. What's your issue?!"

He looks at her intently. "I understand your need to do what's seemingly best for Kyung Mi." He says calmly. "But we need to take what she wants into account. After everything she's been through, don't you think she deserves to raid them herself? She deserves closure."

I run up to him and smile widely. Namjoon made this happen. "Thank you," I say.

He chuckles. "No problem."

+++

"Back again? Why don't you just leave me alone?" In Su says bitterly.

I stop myself from feeling a surge of sympathy when I see his condition: his hair's a mess, his eyes are tired, and grime covers his face. It's like he has no motivation to shower. "In Su," I start calmly, "whatever the Sparked Mafia did to your family-"

"You know about them? Are they alive?" His eyes light up as concern overcomes his face. I shake my head slowly.

"I'm sorry. I don't have any information on them. But...did the Sparked Mafia take them?"

His bloodshot eyes stare me down. "Why do you think I'm a member? They threatened me with my family's life. I haven't seen my parents or little sister since they were taken away."

Fuck. A strong hand clasps around my shoulder, almost as Jimin can sense that I'm about to tear up for In Su's situation. "I'm sorry, In Su. But if you can tell me everything you know about the Sparked Mafia, I will guarantee your family's safety."

"Kyung Mi-" Jimin starts, but I stop him. I get the risks of a promise, but it's important.

"No, it's okay. In Su, we're going to raid the Sparked Mafia, and I will see to it that your family is found and rescued."

His eyes light up. "Really?" I nod before a disapproving voice starts behind me.

"Kyung Mi, he's a Sparked Mafia member; how do you know he won't go telling them about the raid?" In Su's eyes shoot up to Jimin.

"I could care less about a terrorizing organization." He says bitterly before turning to me. "And I don't care that I'm in jail if it means my family is safe. I joined for them. So I'll tell you what I know, though it's not a lot."

I smile at him. "A little information can go a long way."