⫣42⫦ Middle Man

"So, are we finally going to discuss what you guys found out?", I ask when we finally all settled down. The mood immediately darkens, and my optimism drops.

I look up at Yoongi, swallowing hard. "Don't tell me there was nothing on the phone?"

"Oh there was something, just not what we expected," he replies with a sigh, running his hand through his green hair in a frustrated gesture. "Well, tell me! Did you find the evidence?"

Namjoon turns in his chair, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "Not exactly. But we have an idea where it might be." "Or rather who it might be with," Jungkook adds. "Who?"

"Park Seo-joon." My head snaps to Jimin.

I have never heard my father use that name, but I remember them telling me that he had been someone my father defended in court. A sex-trafficer. Someone who sold girls. I remember the picture they showed me too. He looked handsome, even in the grey prison jump-suit. But those eyes had been nothing but cold and inhumane, it makes my skin prickle just thinking about them.

And yet- something seemed familiar about him- like I have seen him before. But no matter how much I think about it, I can't remember where or when.

"Why would you think he has the evidence we're looking for?" "Because he is the only contact on that phone," Yoongi answers, a finger to his temple like all of this was giving him a headache.

I feel the same.

"What do you mean, the only contact?" I'm starting to feel really dumb, asking all those questions.

It's Namjoon who answers me next. "We think your father may use him as the middle man. That way he doesn't incriminates himself should this blow up in everyone's face. Keeps himself in the background and lets someone as ruthless as Park Seo-joon do his dirty work for him- and take the blame when shit hits the fan."

"Your father is clever. Even if all of this blows up, he only has to get rid of Seo-joon, and no one will be able to make a connection to him," Jimin falls in.

"Don't call him that. From now on, let's call him Kwang-Sun." My voice is cold but steady. They all nod, as if understanding what's going on inside me and I am yet again surprised by how much support I get from them.

"I just don't understand why Park Seo-joon," Taehyung murmurs aloud, seemingly deep in thoughts.

"Sure, Kwang-Sun got him out of prison and probably helped him to go under, but what makes a paranoid person like Kwang-Sun trust someone like him that much? And why did Seo-Joon agree? As the middle man, he stands the most risk to be right back in prison or worse. So why?"

I sigh out loud. "My father is very good at convincing people. He's always managed to make people trust him." Just like I trusted him... I shake my head, trying to get rid of such thoughts. I need to think more logical! "So if Park Seo-joon is Kwang-Sun's henchman, then how do we get to him?"

Even though I asked for it, it still feels strange hearing my father's name leave my lips.

"That is the right question," Jin announces and holds up a sheet. It's none other than Seo-Joon, looking dapper in a suit and glasses, smiling for the camera like he was an everyday, decent citizen. He can't be much older than Jin himself. And again I feel like I've seen that face before- but where?

"Obviously," Jimin states as he plays with Jungkook's fingers in his tiny hand: "Even after his charges were dropped in 2013, he decided to go by another name after he resurfaced. He calls himself Baek Min-Sou now. Officially he works for none other than JYP, but he has not once been given a public appearance, keeping himself in the background. Just like the sneaky rat he is!"

"Any idea how we can get to him?"

"We already did get to him, " Taehyung says as he pulls me a little closer. We have let ourselves down on the small sofa, my head on his shoulder and an arm draped around me. I push away a little to look up at him. "And?" "His phone and laptop at work are clean. It's like they are joking with us, making us turn in circles! " Yoongi lets out frustrated, throwing the pen he was holding on his desk with an angry expression. I see his hands clench open and close like he wants to punch something but has to keep himself from doing so.

"Hoesok!" Namjoon says, his brows furrowed in concentration as he tries to find the answer they all know is hidden somewhere.

"Can you check him one more time? He's gonna be at the mayor's party next week. I think it would be a good opportunity to observe him more closely. Maybe we've missed something."

Only silence answers us, and we all glance up to Hoseok's silhouette, leaning deep into an office chair. His eyes look far away as he stares at nothing in front of him, his forehead holding tiny droplets of sweat. His body looks frozen and tense, which is unusual for this giddy ball of energy. Just now I realize he's the only one who hasn't said anything. "Hoseok?" Jin calls a bit louder and I hear the worry in his voice.

But then Hoseok turns, as if waking up from a deep sleep, shakes his head like he was just lost in some thoughts and clears his throat.

But I immediately know there is more to it when I hear his slightly trembling voice. "Uh, what? Sorry, guys, I was just lost in thoughts."

Namjoon looks at him for a moment, his expression dark, before he repeats himself, still looking tense.

"Sure, no problem. It was gonna be a boring evening anyway." he tries to play it off with a smile, but it looks forced. "At least I have something to do other than talk to those snobs all evening."

I jump up as I suddenly remember. "Wait! The mayor's party? Next week? I'm gonna be there too!"

How did I forget? It's literally been my mother's only topic these past few days- that and Lee Jae-min, who now looks at me with surprise.

"What? But Kwang-Sun was not on the invite list." Everyone is still for a few moments, pondering over the reason in silence. Jungkook is the one to break it: "Well, maybe because the mayor is involved too? Who knows... I wouldn't put it past him." Jimin nods at his boyfriends idea- or at least I suppose they were boyfriends now. They are spread out on the floor, their limbs tangled in one another, looking cozy and comfortable in each other's arms. It just looks right to see them together.

"JK is right. He could be a suspect too. If so, it could have been easy for your fa-" Jimin blinks and looks at me with an apologetic expression. "I mean Kwang-Sun could have demanded Seo-joon to be invited- that's why he hasn't been listed as an official guests."

"Well, it doesn't matter does it? " I throw in, before they start to drift off from my main point. "It means I'll be there too. And I'm sure I stand much better chances to get close to Park Seo-Joon or Baek Min-Seo or whatever he calls himself these days."

Taehyung eyes me sceptically from the side. "You want to play spy at the mayors party, confront a sex-trafficer about his criminal business with your father and all the while pretend to be the good little daughter?"

I nod and shoot him a long serious look. "Why not? You doubt I can do it?"

He lets out a huff and pulls me close again. His voice is both low and playful. "I doubt there is anything you can't do if you put your mind to it." When he sees my waiting expression, he let's out a sigh. "Fine. You can play detective, but not before we taught you a thing or two. It's kind of a rule." I love the fact that he doesn't hold me back: doesn't tell me it's too dangerous and I should stay out of it.

"Taught me what?" I immediately shoot back which receives me a chuckle from everyone- except Hoseok. He looks lost again. I wonder what has him so occupied. But I have no time to ask as I stare at the wide, excited grins of the two love-birds at the floor. Jimin and Jungkook look positively giddy with energy.

"Oh, this is gonna be fun!" JK announces, followed by an excited "I can't wait," from Jimin, clapping his hands like a seal.

I look at them with a questioning and confused gaze until Jin breaks the truth: "Self defence. No one is allowed on the field without going through some self-defence training."

I nod to myself. It kind of makes sense. Their work seems pretty dangerous and some fighting skills would come in handy if you messed with the wrong people.

"I already took self defence classes!" I then protest however, suddenly thinking back to the time my dad had driven me to self defence 101 every week for three months.

I had loved it. Sport and exercise had always been my passion.

But when I begged my dad to allow me to join the Taekwando team, he had only shaken his head, telling me I was a girl and should do something less violent. And old Lian had nodded and agreed.

For the millionth time, I detest the girl I had once been: obedient, quiet, weak and naïve.

Never again.

"We know," Namjoon now says, ripping me out of my thoughts. I really shouldn't be surprised at this point. I now know they've been watching me before I even moved here.

"But Self-defence 101 is like kindergarten stuff compared to what we are going to show you." Jungkook now claims, his grin wide and delighted.

I can't help my eyes from observing his chest and arms, remembering the muscles that lay beneath.

I gulp.

And apparently Jimin knows exactly what I'm thinking as he smirks at me. "Don't think we'll go easy on you, just because you're a girl," he announces and I shoot out my tongue at him, then smirk like the devil herself.

"You take it easy on me, and I'll kick your ass. And then Jungkook is gonna be mad at me because I mistreated his new favourite toy!"

I hold out my hand and pretend to let my invisible mic drop, accompanied by the hooting and cheers of the others, the walls of the bunker echoing the sound.

Jungkook turns a dark shade of red, which sends us in hilarious fits of laughter.

Even Hoseok joins, having snapped out of his daydreaming, a look of relieve flooding his features.

"You have such a bad mouth!" Jin lets out in between laughs and then Taehyung brings his head down to my ear and whispers: "And I plan to hear even worse things leaving those lips tonight."

Now I turn red, my skin prickling at the mere thought of what Taehyung has planned. Nothing good, that much I am sure of.

"All right, all right," Namjoon finally announces, calming us down, a smile still plastered on his face.

"It's settled then. Lian will get some training, and you and Hoseok will go the Mayors party, trying to find out where Park Seo-joon might be hiding the evidence or what else he's up to."

I glance over to Hoseok with a dark grin. He shoots me one back, but I get the feeling he's already drifting away again.

For the first time, I actually feel excited about the party. Part of my family would be there. My real family who cares about the real me.

"Okay. So, when do we start?" I shout out, my excitement clearly audible in my voice. It earns me another round of chuckles.

"Always so impatient," Yoongi comments, but with an adoring smile, like what I said was the cutest thing he had ever heard.

"How about right now?"

I look at Jungkook who has reclaimed his composure and looks ready for revenge. My heartbeat rises.

"Do your worst!" I smile, ready to jump into action.

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Eh, yep, so there are not just K-Pop idols in my stories, but some pretty darn hot Kdrama stars too :)