Tainted

Y/N tapped her fingers against the desk as the video rolled on. She may love this, but she was not enjoying this case.

"The entire dilemma of this case is circumstance" Mrs. Jonhson explained. "Circumstance is what favors the killer more than the victim."

The image changed to a set of photos and diagrams that pointed from one side to the other.

"The red lines are the possible and most logical explanation, the blue are what really happened," She said. "No one could have guessed it if it wasn't for the tape recordings and the CCTV"

Y/N sighed. Her phone buzzed yet again. Constant updates from Seonghwa, a few from Yunho, his mother calling, a phone number from up west calling as well. But she didn't want to answer them. Or was she really just not allowing it all to end? To register that it was all over? The trial was coming, San and Irene were to be convicted. And she could finally go to sleep at night without breaking her brain looking for an answer to a question she didn't even have time to ask.

But she missed it in a way.

The professor looked down and lifted her eyebrows.

"Class is over" She said. "Well, next class we will start with the crime investigator's testimony and the trial in its entirety. Dissecting these two may tell us the full picture"

Y/N stood up, feeling her feet sore from not using them in a rather extended period of time. Her stroll outside felt strange as summer had settled its hot rays on the land and now she was sweaty and sticky. She was not really sure of how to feel about that yet. She had exams to worry over soon.

She went past a few people on campus benches, without really paying much attention. She needed an AC and quick.

Her hands reached forward, feeling the arm metal against her fingers and she pushed the door open. The cool air from the inside sending shivers down her spine. She stood by the counter, hoping something cold would help her get to the other side of campus and not give her a headache mid-lecture.

Something about today felt odd. Apart from the fact that her leg was going numb from all the buzzing, she felt a sort of weird calmness. It was as if she had nothing on the back of her head anymore. Mom was gone. Kinda. Dad was still an asshole. Aaron was somewhere good, after all, child services were not too happy after her call. Maybe she could go visit soon. And San... well... he had his friends.

All she had to think about was the hot weather. That's it. And exams. But that was a completely different story for another day. She was not going through stress in high doses yet.

"Here you go" Michelle, the girl working at the cafe who Y/N met a few weeks back, said, handing her the drink.

"Thanks" Y/N said with a smile before turning around.

The day was as bright as ever and she was glad her class lasted all afternoon. It would be a little cooler by the time she was out.

She took a few steps outside.

"Summer doesn't suit you" Someone said, making her heart stop.

Y/N paused. She blinked a few times, hoping it was her brain playing tricks on her, but that idea didn't last long.

"A 'Hi, San' would be nice" He said calmly as he stood in front of her.

Y/N's eyes were wide. He was much thinner than when she had last saw him. His skin was paler under so much light, or the black hair was just doing wonders for him.

"I got my conviction, don't you worry about it. We did the right thing" He said with a small smile.

Y/N shook her head in amusement.

"You sons of bitches" She muttered.

"That mouth hasn't changed much" He said.

"What are you doing here?" She asked. "You should be on your way up North"

"I am" He said, shrugging. "Just that not the normal way"

"I thought we were doing the right thing" She said.

"It is right" She suddenly heard.

Y/N jumped slightly as she turned around, spotting Mingi.

"I'll be back up there as if nothing happened," San said. "It's just a temporary measure"

Y/N frowned.

"Parol change" Mingi said. "Gave me time to slip him out for a bit"

"Your name is Choi" She said with a dry laugh.

"They'll get to him next week, trust me" Mingi said.

Y/N frowned before coming to the realization that the place had Kims and Chois in large numbers.

"Still doesn't answer my question" She said looking between both males.

"You can say I never got the chance to thank you" San said. "And I bribed them to take me here"

Y/N rolled her eyes before shaking her head.

"You can say it went as planned" she said. "But I also think it was not me. You guys solved it on your own"

"I doubt it" San said. "Irene told me about her visit to your house"

Y/N took a breath.

"Didn't think she would miss me" She muttered.

"She does" Mingi said. "She went there knowing that she could get that last needed push."

"She knew in the end and, just like last time, someone needed to slap her awake" San said.

He suddenly extended his hand forwards.

"You have at least an hour and it's better to go in pairs" San said.

Y/N looked at Mingi as he looked up and away.

"My schedule is not for you to know" She before taking San's hand.

"Sorry" Mingi said with a laugh as Y/N narrowed her eyes.

"Most of us are owed a peace of mind. Let him be" San said, letting go of her limb. "Plus I asked him the favor"

"I guessed that much" She said.

She took a long sip of her drink.

"What are your plans?" She said.

"Fix a few mistakes and get some things straight before I'm sent in for a decade" He said. "I could also plan to escape, but bail sounds a little more fun"

"You could get parole" She said with a shrug.

"I guess" He mumbled. "I saw the visitors list"

Y/N nodded to herself before looking around.

"I told you" She said. "I was to do it either way"

"I still don't get it." San said. "What made you stay?"

"You scared the crap out of me. It was a change. It was something I wanted to beat. But, in the end, I made a friend of sorts" She said simply. "Is that too dry or do you want the sappiness and everything?"

"Nah" He said with a smile. "I get it either way."

A nice silence fell between them, something she was yet to experience with the man standing next to her.

"Irene told me everything" San said. "Sounds different even if you already knew it"

Y/N shook her head. "I guess that's how it is. A smoother trial would go by if she did"

"You convinced her?" San asked.

"Nope" Y/N said. "After her visit, Seonghwa made sure I was off the record. Fully.

San stopped.

"Your name is not on the file?" He asked, his eyes big in surprise, the most genuine emotion she had seen him wear ever.

"No" She said.

San scoffed. "I guess I'm sending Seonghwa north with me for a while"

Y/N laughed. "Don't worry about it. I don't think my father's name should anywhere near your file ever again"

"It already is" San said. "And it's better to have yours there as well. Fair considering my name is on the front"

Y/N resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"You should get going." She said. "I guess you have a long journey ahead of you"

San nodded. He suddenly pulled a small phone out of his pocket.

"Before you ask, all of us are on this line" He said. "You count as one of us now"

Y/N looked at the device. She was about to protest until she noticed his white knuckles. She smiled, before grabbing it.

"That brings me peace" she muttered.

She looked up.

"Good luck San" She said. "Hope you meet Seonghwa's children once you are out"

He couldn't help but smile as he remembered what his friend had said.

"He used that joke on you too" He giggled.

He suddenly took a step forward, engulfing her in a hug.

"Thank you" He whispered. "You saved my life"

"It was the least I could do" She muttered back, parting the hug.

He gave her a smile before walking away. Y/N turned around just as her phone buzzed once more.

She took it out and read the text.

See you soon! With love, The guys.