Jin's pov
Two weeks have passed since Ken joined our group. Not much has happened aside from him just recovering yesterday and Ryu still dealing with his mental issues.
It's October 25 today, a Saturday. We're already on our semestral break—if you're wondering why, it's because our classes started in August, making it feel like time flew by so fast.
I was strolling around our village with my dog, Shadow, a four-year-old husky. My sister was supposed to be the one doing this, but she was too lazy, so I ended up taking over.
As I was walking, I suddenly felt a tap on my back. Turning around, I was met with Ken's face.
"Yo, Jin! I've been looking for you! I even dropped by your house, but your sister kicked me out, saying you weren't home. She's so grumpy, man, but hey, at least I got to see her face!" he said with a laugh. Well, there's nothing he could do about it—my sister is just like that.
"Oh? Why were you looking for me? Do you need something?" I asked as we stopped by a park and sat on a bench. I let go of Shadow's leash since he never strays far and was already busy playing with other dogs.
"Remember how I said we needed to train two weeks ago? But then a lot of shit happened, right? So, I figured, why not do it now? It's sem break anyway." He had a point. It made sense to make this break productive. We still needed to prepare since Phantom Six was getting more aggressive, attacking little by little. Just last time, they got to Kise and Atsushi. Fortunately, none of the captains led the assault, so the damage wasn't as bad as it could have been.
"So, what's the plan? Do you have a place in mind? Which gym are we heading to?" I asked, but he just grinned mischievously.
"We're not going to a gym—we're training at the beach!" he announced excitedly, making me frown. What kind of training was this?
"Why the beach? What are we even going to do there?" I asked, confused. We could just train at a gym, right?
"Just trust me! Now, go call the others!" he said with enthusiasm. I could only sigh at Ken's eccentric ideas. Well, might as well go along with it.
"Fine, fine. I'll call them when I get home," I replied as I grabbed Shadow's leash. "Oh, and by the way, Ken, what's the name of the kid you made cry?" I asked, eyeing the bike he was using. He gave me a confused look.
"Huh? What the hell are you saying, Jin? I didn't do anything!"
"It's just... your bike looks like it belongs to an elementary school student. Feels like you snatched it from a kid or something." Seriously, the size of his bike—it was one of those tiny ones that 10-year-olds ride.
"You're an idiot! This belongs to my little brother! Anyway, I'm off!" he said before riding away, waving as he went. I shook my head before standing up and walking home.
I needed to let my sister know I'd be gone for the entire sem break so she wouldn't be caught off guard. Though, honestly, I didn't want to leave her alone here. Aside from the fact that she'd be by herself, I was sure the house would be a complete mess by the time I got back. Then again, I could always bring her along, right? She could use some rest too.
When I got home, I unclipped Shadow's leash and let him roam around before looking for my sister. I found her busy watching anime while munching on food, so I sat beside her.
"Want some?" she offered, holding out the hotdog she was eating.
"Nah, I'm good. I don't eat charcoal, Sis." That earned me a hard smack on the head. Damn, that hurt! I nearly had to pick my head up off the floor!
"You idiot! Do you want me to break your face?!" she yelled, making me cover my ears. Geez! It was true, though—her hotdog was practically burnt!
"Tss. I was just joking! Gimme that," I said, inspecting the hotdog, which was probably darker than Shiro's soul. Damn it, whatever. I shut my eyes before taking a cautious bite—oh! It wasn't that bad! Still edible, at least.
"That dog-faced friend of yours came by earlier," she said, eyes still glued to the TV.
"Yeah, he told me. Speaking of which," I said, turning to her, "I'll be gone, Sis. Maybe a week or two? We're going on a trip. It's kinda like a training camp." I made it sound like an athlete since she still doesn't know my business in that school.
"Ha?! Where?! You're leaving me alone here?!" Fuck!! She's so loud! When will she learn to talk properly!?
"Calm down, Sis. I was actually going to ask if you wanted to come with me." Her eyes immediately lit up at my words. Well, it seemed like she was interested.
"Really, Jin?! You're not leaving me alone!?" she asked excitedly, even hugging me.
"Yeah, yeah. It's at the beach, so you can relax and have fun there. Plus, there'll be girls for you to interact with," I said as I patted her head, turning my attention back to the TV. But then, I noticed her frowning as she looked at me, making me glance back at her.
"There are girls?" she asked, pouting. I chuckled. How cute.
"Yeah, my friends."
"Just friends?" she asked again, this time without the frown.
"Yup, just friends." She seemed satisfied with my answer, as her expression eased.
"Alright! I'll file for leave at work!" she said, standing up and heading to the phone.
While my sister was busy on the phone, making arrangements for her leave at work, I decided to call the others. Taking out my phone, I quickly dialed Kev's number. After a few rings, he finally picked up.
"Yo, Jin? What's up?" he greeted from the other end, his voice casual yet always carrying that edge of excitement.
"Bro, get ready. We're training for two whole weeks. Call the others too. I'll ring up Kai and Briana. We're leaving tomorrow," I instructed, keeping it short and direct.
"Got it, bro. I'll handle it," he confirmed before hanging up. I knew I could count on Kev to rally the others—he was the type to take charge when needed.
With that settled, I moved on to my next call—Briana. Unlike Kev, she wasn't the most sociable person, and I had to choose my words carefully.
After a few rings, she picked up. "Yes?" came her straightforward response, her tone sharp and to the point.
"Uh, hey... Just letting you know that we're leaving tomorrow for training. It was Ken's idea. Just reminding you so you can prepare," I said in a calm tone. Briana could be unpredictable, and I didn't want to risk annoying her.
"I see. Well, see you tomorrow then," she replied simply before ending the call. That went better than expected. Briana wasn't much for small talk, but at least she was on board.
Next up was Kai. I dialed his number and waited. And waited. And waited. Five minutes passed before he finally answered. Damn, why does he always take forever to pick up?
"Y-yes, Jin? W-what's up?" Kai stammered on the other end. His voice wavered slightly, like he'd been caught off guard. What was his problem? He always sounded nervous when I called. Oh well, whatever.
"Ken suggested we train for two weeks. Just letting you know," I informed him, keeping it simple.
"Uhh... Y-yeah, sure. Looking forward to it. See you tomorrow," he replied, still sounding uneasy before hanging up. That was weird. Kai had always been a bit of a nervous wreck, but something felt off.
Just as I finished my last call, my sister returned to the room, a satisfied smile on her face. "Okay, Jin! I got my leave approved," she announced proudly, stretching her arms as if she had won a battle.
"Great. I'll go pack our stuff," I said before heading upstairs.
The Next Day
"Yo, Jin! We're here!"
I turned to see Ryu grinning and waving wildly as he approached our house. His energy was infectious, always ready to hype up the group, no matter the occasion.
"Yo, bro," I greeted back, giving him a fist bump.
"Can't believe we live in the same village and only realized it now," Kai muttered, still looking like she was processing this newfound information. Her messy hair and sleepy eyes made it clear he had barely dragged himself out of bed.
"Maybe because you never go outside," I teased, smirking.
Kai sighed dramatically. "Touché."
"Who else are we waiting for?" Jerzey asked as he walked up, hands stuffed into his pockets. Always the observer, he was more laid-back than most, but when it came to training, he was one of the most serious among us.
"Atsushi, Blake, and the twins," Kev answered, standing beside Kise, who was busy tying his shoelaces. Kise was the quiet type but had a sharp mind, always strategizing in his head.
Not long after, the remaining members arrived, completing our group. With everyone present, I called out to my sister inside the house. "Sis! Let's go!"
She stepped out, already dressed casually, her sunglasses perched on her head. "Alright, let's get going," she said, adjusting her bag. Despite her laid-back demeanor, she always had this cool and confident aura about her.
As we all headed to our vehicle, Ken finally showed up, fashionably late as always. He strode in like he owned the place, a cocky grin on his face. "Hey, hey, you guys weren't planning on leaving without me, were you?" he teased, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
"Took you long enough," I said, causally.
"Relax, man. I had to prepare something special for our training," he said with a mysterious grin. Ken was always scheming something, whether it was a prank or a new challenge to push us to our limits.
"What do you mean special?" Ryu asked, raising an eyebrow. His curiosity had clearly been piqued.
Ken just chuckled. "You'll see when we get there."
With that, we all piled into the vehicle, the air buzzing with excitement and anticipation. A two-week training session sounded intense, but knowing our group, it was bound to be more than just a simple exercise. Something told me this trip was going to be anything but ordinary.
______________________________________
kailey's pov
"Where did Jin go?" I ask Ryu, who is too absorbed in his phone to even look up.
"He went inside his house. Said he needed to call someone," he answers, his eyes still glued to the screen. What is he playing, anyway? Why does he look so serious? Curious, I lean over to take a peek at his phone. Honkai Impact 3rd? Ah, I see. So he's one of those weebs, huh?
I chuckle to myself. Not that it's a bad thing, but seeing him this focused on a game is kind of amusing. Ryu, of all people, always seemed too cool and indifferent to be so engrossed in something like this.
"You're really into that, huh?" I tease, raising a brow.
He finally looks up, momentarily snapping out of his intense focus. "Huh? Oh, yeah. This stage is tough. I need to time my dodges right."
I shake my head before looking away, letting him enjoy his game in peace. Ryu is a bit of an enigma. He's laid-back most of the time, but when it comes to things he enjoys, he gets so focused it's like the rest of the world ceases to exist.
A few minutes pass before Jin finally comes out of the house, carrying some bags. He isn't alone. A girl follows behind him, her posture confident, her presence loud without even saying a word.
I barely have time to process what's happening before she stops right in front of me. Her sharp eyes scan me from head to toe, scrutinizing, analyzing. There's something about her gaze that makes me feel like she's peeling apart my layers, trying to see through me.
I shift on my feet, suddenly feeling small under her piercing gaze.
"Jin! Is this the friend you were talking about!?" she suddenly exclaims, her voice carrying an accusatory tone.
Jin, looking completely unfazed, simply nods. No explanations, no clarifications, just a nod. Seriously, Jin?
The girl narrows her eyes at me again. Then, out of nowhere, she asks, "Do you like Jin?"
My breath hitches. My mind goes blank. My body freezes. What the fuck?! How did she—? Does she have some sort of sixth sense? There's no way she saw through me that easily!
Panic sets in, and I try to find the right words to say, but everything comes out jumbled. "Uhh... Y-yeah, I mean NO! I don't like him!"
Smooth, Kailey. Real smooth.
She stares at me for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, as if deciding something in her head, she nods. "I see. Alright." And just like that, she turns away and walks back to Jin.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. Damn it! That was too close. I really need to be more careful next time.
Claine, who has been observing everything from the side, finally speaks up. "Who's that, Sis? Jin's girlfriend?"
I shake my head, still trying to calm my nerves. "I don't think so. He said he doesn't have one."
"Oh my gosh, really!? Is this the sign!?" She teases, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
I groan. "Shut up, Claine. Just focus on your own life."
She pouts but doesn't back down. "Ugh! You're so dense! If you don't do anything, someone else will take him, you know!"
Rolling her eyes dramatically, she storms off to the van.
I sigh, rubbing my temples. That kid really knows how to push my buttons. But then again, she's my little sister. It's part of the package.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice the same girl—Jin's sister, apparently—talking to Briana. Whatever they're discussing, it seems intense. The girl's expression suddenly shifts, shock and disbelief flashing across her face. Without warning, she spins around and runs straight to Jin, hugging him tightly.
I watch as she whispers something in his ear, her tone urgent. Jin glances toward Briana, then lets out a small laugh and pats his sister's head. She, however, does not look amused.
Curiosity burns inside me. What the hell just happened? Unable to hold it in, I walk over to Briana. "Hey, what did you guys talk about?"
She smirks, crossing her arms. "Oh, nothing much. Just told her something that might shake her entire world."
Before I can press further, she climbs into the van, leaving me hanging. Damn it, Briana!
I sigh in frustration. I'm dying to know what was said, but I guess I'll have to wait. Just as I'm about to board the van myself, Jin's sister calls out to me.
"Hey, Kailey! Get in this van! Ride with us!"
I blink. What? Why is she insisting that I ride with them? She's stubborn, and I don't particularly like that, but refusing her might just make things more complicated.
Resigned, I climb into their van and sit beside her. On her other side, Jin leans against the seat, looking like he's about to doze off.
"What was the name of that girl I talked to earlier? You saw us, right?" she suddenly asks.
I frown, confused. "You mean Briana?"
"So her name is Briana, huh... I need to keep an eye on that girl!" she declares, her expression fierce.
I sigh. What is with this girl? Whatever her deal is, I just hope Briana will be okay.
For the rest of the ride, Jin's sister talks nonstop. She rants about how much of a pain Jin can be, but despite her complaints, it's clear how much she cares for him. The bond between them is undeniable, and I find myself smiling a little at their sibling dynamic.
Before long, we finally arrive at our destination—the sea.
The sight before me is breathtaking. The sky is painted with hues of orange and purple, the waves gently lapping against the shore. The salty breeze kisses my skin, bringing a sense of calm over me.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" a voice says beside me.
"Totally..." I reply absentmindedly, completely captivated by the view.
Only then do I realize who spoke. My heart nearly stops. It was Jin.
He chuckles at my reaction. "Too bad we're just here to train. But since we're already here, we might as well enjoy ourselves, right?"
I turn to him, my heart racing. That smile—the one I love the most—is right in front of me.
"Yeah... I'm looking forward to it," I say, returning his smile.
He nods. "Alright. I'll go unload our stuff first. See you later!"
I watch as he jogs off toward the van, leaving me alone with my thoughts. My hand instinctively clutches my chest, feeling the rapid beats of my heart.
The setting is perfect. The timing feels right. Twilight is approaching, casting everything in a soft, golden glow.
It's the perfect time for a confession.
But for now... I'll hold it in. Just a little longer.