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Chapter 70

६८

24H | SEVENTEEN

"What seemed so urgent?" Hoshi muttered to himself making his way into the café. "Where is-ah." He saw a hand wave catching his attention. "Yah what ha-you broke it?!" Hoshi exclaimed looking at the white plaster covering her right hand. Rumi hummed nodding towards the chair across her. "Sit." Hoshi glanced at the chair and then at her, mwoji why am I suddenly getting a feeling as if I am going to get interrogated? "Is everything okay-" "Hmm the drinks are here." She cut him off as server arrived at their table carrying two glasses of what look like lime water. "If you want something else help yourself." She said pressing the straw between her lips. Hoshi warily nodded and settled down on the chair.

"So..." He trailed off playing the straw in his glass. "What did you want to talk about?" He asked gauging her expressions. They were blank. "What do you think I would want to talk about with you Hoshi?" She asked, a chill went down his spine. He gulped, "I don't know you called me saying you wanted to talk." Hoshi-ya stop smart mouthing it's not the right time. He mentally slapped his mouth for saying that. Rumi leaned back in her chair and stared at him. "M-mwo? Why are you looking at me like that?" He asked avoiding her eyes. That sharp gaze was making him nervous, "Yahh what is it, you are scaring me." Hoshi said cautiously looking at her.

Rumi snorted, "It is now?" Rumi asked. "Did you not think about how scary it would be when eavesdropping on my conversation?" Rumi asked raising her eyebrows. Mwo? Hoshi furrowed his eyes before realization dawned about him. She had saw him listening into their conversation. His eyes widen in guilt. "M-mwo, what are you talking about- okay fine I accept it." He admitted noticing the glare she threw at him. "But Rumi-ya I swear I didn't mean to. I just-"

"Happen to be there just like that night." Rumi completed his sentence. Hoshi looked at her in surprise. She knew that he knew? "You seriously are trouble." Rumi sighed pinched her bridge of her nose. "Just what-what are you trying to do, Hoshi?" Hoshi shook his head. "Nothing I swear! I was really there to look for Wonwoo-" "Wonwoo-ssi had left ages ago." Hoshi clammed his mouth having no excuses. Rumi sighed rubbing her forehead. "This is just getting more difficult day by day." She muttered. "Rumi-ya I promise I won't tell anyone about it!"

"I know." Rumi said looking at him. "You've been keeping it to yourself since that day gives me enough proof." Rumi continued. She had doubts that he had found about it since the day they he suddenly wanted have lunch with her after ignoring her for days. She didn't question him as long as he was quiet about it but now he's was going around listening into their conservation. That can cause problem. The artist not supposed to know about anything of this; was the first crux of this assignment. "So... are you like our undercover bodyguard?" Rumi sighed rolling her eyes at his question. "Yahhh...you can tell me that much right since I know about it." He whined leaning on table. "Are you...?"

"No." Rumi flatly replied. "The less you know is better for you. Hoshi I am being serious stop being sneaky and trying to pry more since you've kept quiet about it then you must understand why am I telling you this?" Rumi said looking into his eyes. Hoshi pressed his lips together; he remembered hearing about her losing her job. "Okay." Hoshi nodded his head, "But don't you think we should know about this since it's regarding out safety?" Rumi stared at him. Since when he started thinking logically? "Why do we have security working under a disguise?" Hoshi asked raising his eyebrow in question.

"Your company is being extra cautious about it's artist protection." Rumi replied, Hoshi silently stared at her. Rumi sighed, "You are watching news right? You guys have very crazy fans who do crazier things so company's being cautious." He did not look convince. "Hoshi-ya, do you trust me?" She asked leaning closer to table. "Whatever it is, your crazy fans or such accidents I promise you I won't let it harm even a single hair of any of the boys. It doesn't matter what measures I have to take. Can you trust me on that?" Rumi asked.

Hoshi sighed and looked away. "You don't have to convince me especially with what happened earlier. It's not that I don't trust you it is because I know you will do anything to protect us." Hoshi nodded at her plastered hand. Rumi glanced at it putting it away from his view. "Rumi you are not the only one who had come to care of us as your own. Do you think any of us want to see you getting hurt?" He asked. "Hoshi it is my-" "Your job I know. I can understand since I know about it but what about others? Earlier Coups hyung was complaining about how you need to fix your attitude." Rumi sighed; these were the consequences Hyun had warned her about. "I am sorry about earlier. I happened to hear your conversation, I wasn't try it pry or anything. You don't have to worry about me blabbering about your secret cause I won't." He promised before putting his hand over her. "But Rumi try not hurt yourself while protecting us. It was your words, we have many other people for that job, you are not the only one." Rumi stared him with pressed her lips, of course she knew that. She wasn't here to as their body shield in the first place. She was just assigned to expose the moles but that didn't mean she was going to stand and watch while they're being attack.

"Hmm, I'll try my best." Rumi hummed. Hoshi nodded and leaned back in his chair. "So, Hyun-ssi and you are like partners?" Rumi gave him a blank stare. He chuckled, there's no way of getting anything out of her. "Okay I won't ask about it. But does he know about this?" He asked sipping on his lime water. Rumi furrowed her eyebrow, who? Hyun?

"Does Wonwoo know about you being the spy?" He repeated noticing the question mark on her face. Ah he meant Wonwoo-ssi, she was about to answer him when something striked her mind. Wonwoo-ssi? Why is he asking about him? That to me? Don't tell me...Rumi eyes widen a little in realization. "You know?!" She almost exclaimed but stopped herself realizing they were in public place. "How the fuck you know about everything, you sneaky rat?!" She whispered shouted. Hoshi snorted with smug expression on his face. "Yah, I call you my soulmate for god's sake and even a blind person can see what's going on between you two." He replied nonchalantly sipping on his drink. "Mwo?!" That came out louder than she thought, she quickly looked around apologizing to people before turning towards Hoshi. "Are you being serious? Are we-are we really that obvious?" She worriedly asked, Wonwoo-ssi would get in trouble if its true.

"I mean not that obvious, it's just I am very observant." Hoshi replied with shrug of his shoulder. This little bitch! Rumi threw her straw at him. "Yah!" Hoshi complained wiping his t-shirt. "Observant my ass!" Rumi scoffed sitting back in her chair, though the fear he had instilled in her had Rumi biting her nails. If some as ignorant as this guy has noticed it then others might've too. Argh, aata kay karu mi...? (What should I do now?) Rumi groaned to herself; she didn't want Wonwoo-ssi getting in trouble.

"Yah, don't worry about it. I don't think anyone else has noticed." Rumi glared at him; his words were no comforting. "I mean look at it. People saw you around Jihoonie, Mingyu and even female artists and they started rumours but have you heard one about you and Wonwoo?" Hoshi asked. Well, he does have a point. Rumi's reputation had been more scandalous than any artist in this company because of those rumours. They were still going around everyday but she hadn't heard Wonwoo's name being dragged in it.

"It might be as you say." Rumi said slowly nodding her head. "But what does it irk me knowing that I get tagged with everyone else about not Wonwoo-ssi?" She added with a little pout. "Because no know thinks Wonwoo would fall for someone like you." Hoshi replied with a laugh which was responded with eerie silent, Hoshi looked up his laugh getting choked. "I-I didn't mean that. I was joking hahaha." He forced out a laugh fearing for dead.

Rumi scoffed crossing her arms. "Anyways, I think it is for better. I don't want to get him in trouble." Hoshi sighed in relief; he was safe for now. "What do you mean by someone like me? Am I not good looking?" Ah, still in danger zone. "Of course, you are good looking. What I meant is considering your reputation people would not think you're dating him. Wonwoo has this image so people think he would not go for someone as troublemaker as you." Hoshi carefully explained. "Troublemaker? Yah, how am I troublemaker? I don't do anything and people still spread this nonsense about me." Rumi complained. "Ara. I know that but people don't. Also why are worried about this anyway? Didn't you say that it is for better?" Hoshi asked. "I said that but still..." Rumi pouted. Hoshi rolled his eyes when did she started caring about what other people thought.

"Forget about it. Does Wonwoo know about you double identity?" Rumi raised her eyebrow, double identity? She shook her head in answer. "No?" Hoshi asked little surprised at that. "He does not know about it at all?" Rumi again shook her head. "Well, I wouldn't say that since I got caught lying. I wanted to tell him the truth but I couldn't." Hoshi had look of disbelief on his face. "So, you lied again." Rumi shook her head again. "Ani. I told him that I cannot tell him about it. Wonwoo-ssi said he understands." "Mwo? That's it?" Hoshi asked. "He didn't question you about anything else?" Rumi shook her head. "Wahhh...that guy must be blindly in love with you." Hoshi said leaning back in his chair. "For someone like Wonwoo not trying to find the truth wahh I can't believe this. Love really does messes with your head." Hoshi continued shaking his head in disbelief.

"Do you really think so?" Hoshi looked at Rumi, a shy smile suiting her face. "That Wonwoo-ssi..." She trailed off barely trying to hide that stupid grin on her face. "Ack, get rid of that ugly expression." Hoshi spat scrunching his face in disgust. "Hoshi-ya do you really think so?" Rumi asked leaning over the table and grabbing his hand. "Aish...go away! Shoo shoo..." He swiped her hand away. "You must be dumb for not knowing that!" Rumi smiled going back to her sit. "Hehehe, I must be." She giggled covering her red cheeks. Hoshi had never seen her blush like this before. Agh, they are like two fools in love.

"What are you going to do now?" Hoshi asked climbing off the elevator. "About what?" Rumi asked following him. "About that." He replied pointing at her plastered hand. "Coups hyung had lot to say about your little stunt. You should run the other way if you see him. And I'm pretty sure Wonwoo's gonna throw a fit." Rumi sighed, "I know. I'll try to avoid leader-nim for now but..." She trailed off thinking about Wonwoo, he looked so worried earlier. I don't want to see that expression on his face. "You should try to use your mind instead of going by instinct now, Rumi." Hoshi said. "Knowing him, he's not gonna like you doing this." Rumi sighed again. "I know." Hoshi pressed his lips together and patted her back in comfort.

"By the way, you don't have to drop me. I know it's your job but I can protect myself. You know I have a black belt..." Rumi pressed the key card unlocking the door of her room. "Then, I'll see you later." She said giving him a tight-lipped smile and closing the door at his face. "Wahh jinja, this woman. Yah!" Hoshi exclaimed banging on her door.

"Yah open up!" Rumi rolled her eyes. This guy is really annoying sometimes. "Yah, let me in. I have nothing else to do, let's hang out!" Rumi ignored him and walked in the washroom. "He better leaves by the time I return or I'm reporting him." She muttered. When she returned the banging had stopped, "He's gone I guess." She smiled ready plop on the bed when there was a knock on the door again. Rumi sighed, "Why can't this guy-" She was cut off by the knocking. Sighing she walked towards the door and pulled it open. "I am going to report you if you don-Wonwoo-ssi?" Rumi blinked her eyes few times before peeking her head out of the room, she checked both side of hallway before grabbing Wonwoo and pulling him inside the room. "Wonwoo-ssi I'm sorry I was going to see yo-" She was cut off by Wonwoo pulling her in a tight embrace. "Wonwoo-ssi..." His arms tightly embraced her while his head buried itself in her shoulder. Rumi smiled, slowing rubbing his back with her uninjured arm. She could feel his worry, fear through the hug.

Wonwoo pulled back to look at his lover, "Noona..." He said his eyes glancing down at her hand. "It's fine." His eyes snapped to hers. I hate it, her smiling at him as if it was really fine her getting hurt. "Stop doing that." He said. "Eo?" Rumi looked at him in question. "Stop smiling as if it's really okay." "But I am really fin-" "I hate it. You pretending that it's okay when it's not. Stop pretending at least in front of me noona." Wonwoo said, he was practically begging. Why would noona do this? Why won't she just let it out? Does she not think he was reliable enough?

Rumi sighed, "Hmm okay I won't." She said taking his hand in hers and pulling him towards the bed and making him sit. "Hmm it does hurt like a bitch now. Earlier they gave me some medicine but now I think it's effect is wearing off." Rumi expressed looking up at him. Wonwoo worriedly stared at her. "See this is why I didn't want to talk about it. Look at you, I know you would get worried and makes those sad eye. Wonwoo-ssi breaking a bone or two is something I can handle easily but this-" She grabbed his chin. "-I can't bear to see you with this expression."

"Then noona should not do things that will worry me. Why do you have to put yourself face first in danger huh?" Wonwoo asked. "I know, I know you can't stand still when someone's in danger but diving right into like that without thinking about anything? Noona do you not care about what would I feel? Do you not think of me when you do something like this? What would be of me when I see you getting hurt like this? Do you really not care?" Rumi shook her head. "Ani, it's not like that Wonwoo-ssi. It's really not." "Then stop doing things like this." Wonwoo said.

Rumi pressed her lips together and sighed looking away. Wonwoo-ssi how am I suppose to tell you that I can't stop doing this when this is what I do for living? "Noona please, promise me you won't do something like this again?" He asked. Rumi bit her lip when Wonwoo grabbed her face making her look at him. "Promise me." Rumi stared into those eyes, they held so much in them while Rumi had nothing but guilt and deceit in hers as she squeezed them close and nodded her head. "I promise." She whispered.

Wonwoo sighed in relief. He smiled and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Gomawo." He said making her open her eyes. "For protecting Seungkwan-ah earlier." She hummed smiling back at him.

Hyun sighed walking out of the room. "What did he say?" Hyun looked up.

"Eo captain." He bowed his head in greeting at Gu Hwa who nodded. "He's still sticking to his statement. That he didn't know how it happened. He admits that he was just there to the fix the slights but stayed down at the control system." Hyun answered with a sigh of exhaustion. "We did check the lights as Rumi had said the screw that should be holding up the lantern was missing. That lantern was hanging off just one screw and when it started moving it fell off not able to bear the weight. We could've concluded it as mistake on technician's part but he says he never went up there."

"It might be true." Gu Hwa said. "Hyun stop looking at him as if he was the only one who could've went up there. The stairs leading up to those beam were in open site anyone could climb up there." Hyun looked up at him.

"Then that man is innocent."

"He might be." Gu Hwa nodded. "And if that's true then it brings us to bigger problem." Gu Hwa turned to look at him. "If he is really innocent than someone deliberately took off that screw." Gu Hwa said. "I heard there were cameras present, were they running?" He asked.

"Yes. The practice was recorded by each artist team." Hyun said. "I'll ask for footage." Hyun replied quick on his foot.

A/N :

The cat is out of the bag.

Love,

Alba💜

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