Chapter Seventy-nine (1/2)
Woozi turns the page in his book. He looks down the column of historic pianists and tries his best to read the names. Some of them looked hard to pronounce. He looked up a bit to see Seokmin staring at his book absentmindedly. He saw Yeosang in his peripheral vision drinking a smoothie while reading a pattern book. He returns his eyes to his book. "You have my attention," Seokmin started, "what do you want to talk about?" He asked, putting his book down. Woozi looked up and shrugged. "No, I really am just reading." He showed his book. "I'll have to ask Josh how to pronounce some of these names later." Seokmin hummed and put his book down. "Now you have my attention," Woozi said, "what do you want to talk about, Dokyeom?" He asked. "Well.." Seokmin scratched his neck. "I have this faint memory of Sungjae pulling up to the sidewalk and asking if I wanted to come to his apartment." He said. Yeosang put his cup down. "So you've been daydreaming instead of studying." He said.
Seokmin shrugged. "It felt a little too real to be a daydream." He said. "I just.." Woozi sighed and closed his book. "Let's go ask him then." He stood up. "Before I send Yeosang over there to go kill him for taking you to his apartment alone, I want to make sure it really wasn't a daydream." He said. Yeosang put his bookmark in the book and put the book in his bag. He stood up and followed the other two out of the study room and drove them to the station without a word. He instantly puts his head down as they walk into the station. Sungyeol looked up at them with an annoyed expression. He shook his head when they walked to Sungjae's office. Seokmin knocked on the door. Once they made eye contact, the vision flashes right before Seokmin.
Seokmin and Woozi parted ways once they got to school, just like normal. Woozi would go meet Yeosang in Jun's class while Seokmin went to prepare his voice for class. However, once the shorter male was gone, a black car pulled up to the side walk. He saw Sungjae walking out and smiled at him. "Dokyeomie, my dove, I want to show you something at my apartment quickly." He said, holding Seokmin's hand. "I have class." Seokmin said, not walking with Sungjae. Sungjae looked around before putting his arm around the boy's waist. "Fly with me, my dove." He whispered.
"Sungjae," Seokmin's vision stopped, "I hate to bother you, but I was wondering about something." Sungjae looked at the other two behind Seokmin. "What's up?" He asked. "Did you invite me to your apartment this morning?" He asked.
Sungjae raised an eyebrow. "I don't have an apartment, I drive from Suji-gu every morning." He replied. "Why?" He asked. "I remember this morning, you came to me and wanted to show me something in your apartment." Seokmin said, leaning closer on the desk. Sungjae sighed. "I didn't. Sorry, Dokyeom." He said seriously. "What is your pager doing in my book bag then?" Seokmin asked, taking out the device.
Sungjae looked at it before looking up at Seokmin. "I don't know," He stood up and took it, "I don't have an apartment and I never met you this morning." He said angrily. "Why are you being rude to me?" Seokmin asked in shock. "Maybe because you came to my office unannounced and are accusing me of bringing you to a place that doesn't exist with a guy behind you that isn't afraid to kill me?" He said, pointing at Yeosang. Yeosang put his hands up and exited the room. He frowned when he was met by the deputy's smirk. He sneaked his way back into the office and stayed behind Woozi. Seokmin sighed and looked back at Sungjae. "I'm sorry for bothering you.." He bowed. "But just know.. if there is something fishy going on, that dove out there is easier than I am. I'll find out what's good." He spoke seriously while looking into Sungjae's eyes.
They had a serious eye battle for a few seconds before Seokmin turned around. He signaled the other two to follow him. Yeosang let the shorter walk him out and shield him from San's eyes. He would never admit it, but Yeosang's eyes crave looking at San. “Woozi," He whispered, "punch me." Woozi looked up at him and looked at Sungyeol. "Not here, I don't want to be put in jail." He said before they exited the station. Woozi sat down in the car and turned to Yeosang who was turning the engine on. He made sure they were still in park before he swung a fist into Yeosang's shoulder. "You're mine, not San's." He said angrily. Yeosang nodded, looking at the male in the eyes. Seokmin was silent as he watched the two keep eye contact for a moment. "You see, Dokyeom? This is why I don't want you dating Sungjae." Woozi said. "No matter how deep into a relationship you are, crows are weak to others." Seokmin looked down at the seats. "Everyone is as easily weak to something that's attractive to them." He said. "If there's a man as sweet as Cheol out there that treats Jeonghan like royalty, he would be weak to him too. Sungjae being a crow does not change a thing." He said angrily. Yeosang turned to the steering wheel. "He's right," He commented, "but San isn't my type. He might be physically attractive, but I don't want an obedient dove bowing at my every command. I want my raucous crow biting at me." He said with a smirk as he shifted the gear. Woozi smirked and nodded. "Let's just not tell Jeonghan about your day dream then, DK. He doesn't need the unnecessary drama." He said. Seokmin nodded. "True.. He's already biased against him as it is.."
*** The next day, Jeonghan sees Vernon walking down the stairs in his new set of suspenders. He had a polka dot shirt underneath, having a full-farmer aesthetic. He chuckled as they walked out the back door. The weather is a bit overcast, still with a little sun showing through. Vernon looks off to the distance. "Jeong-dad, can you take a pic?" He asked. Jeonghan shook his head and took Vernon's phone. He waited for Vernon to complete his pose, and he snapped the picture. He gave the phone back and looked around. "So obviously, the grass needs mowing." He showed. "While you mow the grass, I'm going to work on a conductor at the west gate. Mingyu said that he wants me to tighten the screws." Jeonghan said. Jeonghan felt his phone vibrate. He then looked at the text and chuckled. Jeonghan put his phone back in his pocket and waved to Vernon. At the west gate, Jeonghan heard his phone ring. He took off his glove with a sigh and answered the phone. "Hello?" "Hello, I'm Seokmin's vocal instructor," She started, "He hasn't been in class yesterday or today, and I haven't gotten a response from texting or calling him. Is he home with you?" Jeonghan remembers Minghao's headcount, and Seokmin was definitely there. "No, he's not here. He left with the other kids." He said. "And he wasn't in class yesterday?" "Yes, Sir. Seokmin has been absent." She confirmed. "Normally I would just mark a student tardy or warn them, but Seokmin's not one to miss a class for selfish reasons. He's a very passionate singer." Jeonghan hummed and saw Vernon starting the lawn mower. "I'll be over in the study room soon. Usually Woozi and Yeosang are with him around this time." He said. "Thank you for notifying me." "Right, have a good day, Mr. Yoon."
In the study room, Woozi sees Seokmin's spot missing. It wouldn't be odd for Seokmin to stay in the classroom a little longer to practice his vocals, being that the study room requires quietness. He knows for a fact that Seokmin can't be quiet while singing. "Yeosang," He got the boy's attention, "I'd like some of your drink." The boy took the straw out of his mouth and handed the drink to him. "No," Woozi pushed the cup, "not like that." He blushed. "Oh," Yeosang put the drink down. He leaned closer, putting their lips together in a small kiss. It was quickly broken by the door opening. "Jeonghan?" Woozi turned to look at the adult. "What are you two doing?" Jeonghan put his hand on his hip. "Studying." Woozi said, showing his book. Jeonghan smirked and raised an eyebrow. "I suppose Yeosang's lips are on the exam?" He asked. "Hey, we don't only kiss in here." Yeosang spoke up. "Sometimes Woozi's on his knees under the table-" "Shut up!!" Woozi punched the boy's shoulder.
Yeosang dramatically fell out of his chair and onto the floor. Jeonghan breathed in and out. "Anyway.. Dokyeom's teacher said that he's been absent yesterday and today. Where is he?" He asked. Woozi looked at Yeosang who nodded. "Well, he might be at the police station.. he said something about Sungjae inviting him to his apartment.. But it was a daydream." He put his hands up. Jeonghan narrowed his eyes. "Yeosang, take me to the police station." He ordered. "Why him?" Woozi folded his arms. "So he can fend off the cops when I'm ringing Sungjae's neck." Jeonghan snapped. Yeosang put a hand on the shorter's shoulder. "Stay here in case Dokyeom comes this way." He insisted. Woozi nodded and watched the two leave the study room. Yeosang was silent as he drove Jeonghan to the now-familiar police station. He walked in with the parent and ignored San's stare on him.
Sungyeol looked up at the two. "You come here so often, why not apply?" He looked at Yeosang. "No thanks." He folded his arms.
Jeonghan looked at the man and cleared his throat. "Is Sungjae here?" He asked. "No, he's in Seoul today. But I can handle what you need, Sir." Sungyeol spoke softly. Jeonghan hummed. "I'd like a number to contact him at." He said. "Well, I can give you his work cell, but he's busy on a case right now.." Sungyeol said.
Yeosang quietly walked to San who was looking at an old case file for studying purposes. "San," He whispered, getting the dove's attention, "where's Sungjae's apartment?" He asked. San looked around. "Sungjae doesn't have an apartment." He said. "I'll let you fly, idle dove." Yeosang whispered as he trapped San against the wall. San's eyes pinned on the other, dropping the file. "His apartment is five minutes from here. His number is 6589." He said automatically. Yeosang nodded. "Good boy." He smiled and patted the dove's head. He then walked away, leaving San shocked. "Come on, Mr. Yoon. We're leaving now." He took the parent by the arm.
Jeonghan sighed in relief. "Good, I was tired of that cop flirting with me." He said as he put his seatbelt on. Yeosang chuckled. "It wouldn't have gone too far, he's Woohyun's husband." He said, turning the engine on.
"Seriously? Joshua's boss?" He asked, getting a hum. "Damn, this is literally the gayest town in Korea, huh?" He looked ahead. Yeosang shrugged. "We are only fifteen minutes away from the only stork school in South Korea." He stated.
"Oh yeah.." Jeonghan muttered. When they arrive, Jeonghan leaves the boy in the car and goes up the step. He rang the doorbell while looking at the window. He waited a minute or two and then reached for the doorbell again.
"Mr. Yoon?" Jeonghan held his heart as he looked at Sungjae. "What are you doing here?" He asked, looking him up and down before looking at Yeosang in the parking lot.
"Dokyeom is missing, and I heard that you invited him to your place yesterday." He folded his arms. "Yeosang and I would like to make sure Dokyeom's not here since he's not in school." Jeonghan said firmly. Sungjae sighed and took his key out of his pocket. "You can search, but that buzzard stays in the car." He let the parent in.
Jeonghan looked around. "This is the entryway, no Seokmin by the way." Sungjae said, closing the door.
The parent rolled his eyes and walked further. "This is the kitchen and that's my sitting room, still no Seokmin." He said as he pointed at the connecting rooms.
"What's in here?" He pointed at a closed door.
Sungjae opened the door. "This is the laundry room. No Seokmin, if I may add." He said, taking his phone out.
Jeonghan hummed and walked to the last closed door. "Here?" He asked, not looking back at the boy.
"That's my bedroom," He said and Jeonghan opened the door and saw no one, "good night."