STILL INTO HIM

Previously,

"Don't play tricks," said Noah sharpening his eyes. "Was she asking about you and Ryan?"

Continue,

"H-How did you know?" She stammered.

"Eva...I wanted to ask you but since a lot of things happened and we were so busy to talk about those things," he said and gazed at her for some moments.

Confusion covered her pretty glowing face. He lowered his head and turned to another side, closed his eyes, and let out a sigh. He turned his head at her again leaning on the side.

He asked, "Do you still like that playboy?"

"Noah... that's not important right now," she said. "That man I mean Mr.Kim, why was he there and why those people were behind him we should find that first."

"I know," said Noah. "Owen said he would let me know once he gets that information. You...shouldn't be like that."

"What?" She said.

"The fact that you are evading this qualm is clearing that you still crushing on him," said Noah.

"Noah, I..," she flinched.

"Eva, I don't want you to involve with him again," he said. "You might know the girl Rin in our department. Not long ago she was in a relationship with that guy."

She looked at him with skepticism.

"Yeah, right...I know because she is currently playing with one of my classmates," he said.

Eva wanted to say something but Noah said, "Eva, I know what you want to say ultimately it's your choice I can't force you. The only thing I want is for you to think wisely. I just don't want you to get hurt again."

"Noah, you know I don't want to get involved with him either. It's him...he always comes to me first with different issues."

"Ughh!!!" Noah gets annoyed. "Don't make me start, please. I just don't understand those siblings. What's on the earth is their problem. Especially that parrot. Every time I see her my head feels like blasting."

"I saw her once when we were in high school," said Eva. "She was so quiet and timid. She won't talk to anyone let alone get in a fight. She was bullied many times. Ryan would always protect her. I was always tagged with him so I got to see her by chance. She probably doesn't remember me as I have changed so much and we only met once when she was in elementary. But she is quite famous now in her department. Some other department students also know her. I heard she was involved in lots of cases. When she stepped into our practice hall one of our secretaries was talking about her."

Noah kept silent and lay down on the couch. He closed his eyes resting his injured hand on his stomach and another hand on his forehead. Eva huddled and sat on the couch. Suddenly she started pondering in the brown study of June and mumbling.

"But she has made many friends now," said Eva. "That girl....what was her name...? Ah!!! Sara..," she wondered. "I doubt she is her high school friend. As long as I know her she is very introverted and not that easygoing. But still being involved in an argument with you is a little much. I feel like you're the first person she fought. Neverthe....," she stopped hearing snore. She noticed Noah was sleeping like a baby bear. She smiled and then looked outside.

She is thinking about the weather being so soporific today. She could feel a mitis sweet aroma of season flowers mixed with the air. There are a lot of thoughts in her mind but the gentle blow passes by her ears inviting her to forget the heavy thoughts and get mixed with flow. The shaking sound of the window glass and the chirping sound of the birds were mere rhythms to her ears. Her eyes felt tired and heavy that she couldn't help to close them and soon drowned in her dreams. Two souls are sleeping on the couch like they haven't had sleep for thousands of years and there will be no tomorrow. Whereas, the environment was welcoming them like perfect weather.

[Other side]

A pleasant morning knocked at the door of the Young family. Everyone peacefully settled themselves on the chair. The new member filled the empty space on the dining table beside Ryan.

"Have you had a good sleep?" Mr.Young asked her.

"Yes," she said.

"What's your name?" He asked.

"Elena," she replied.

"Do you go to school?" He asked.

"I used to go," she said. "But I don't want to continue now."

"Why~ dear?" Mrs.Young said. "You can do whatever you want. We will be with you for any help you need."

"No," she stated. "If I continue they will get me and lock me in that room. I don't want to go to that house. They are bad."

"Oh~that's not even a problem," Mr.Young said softening his tone. "You can go to a different school. And I will be responsible for your safety. You fine?"

"Ok," she said.

"Tell me your favorite food," Mrs.Young said wearing a warm smile on her face. "I'll make your launch box before going to school. And your birthday too. We will celebrate it together with you from now on. Ok?"

"We will drop you at your school on our way," June added with a smile.

"And I will steal your launch on our way," Ryan shrugged.

"You--" she clenched her teeth and everybody started laughing.

[June's POV]

{ It was the first time I laughed loudly with my family which I truly never accepted. Even after all those years whenever I sat at the dining table with everyone and see that venerable man sitting on the center chair of the table, I missed my dad. Those affectionate eyes towards me waiting for my ask to give the whole world to me only made me feel grateful to him for everything he did for me.

But that day it never was only me who laughed their heart contain but him too. I still vividly remember that day and can hear his laughter. That day I noticed my father, whom my mother remarried, his eyes corner would squeal making him a gorgeous smile.

I wanted this to last longer. But life perhaps never wanted that yet it had its different plan for me. I knew the mystery she was carrying was whole but never knew that would turn our world upside down.}

[1 month later]

End of exam season. Busy schedule, late-night study, sudden fall for the library, forgetting meals, and messed up appearance now have to take their leave.

The cafeteria was a haunted house for a month but now it started to fill again. Everyone's planning for relaxation as it's the perfect season to hang out. But some people are still on mass.

"We didn't find anything about that professor in the museum that day except that he was invited himself intentionally," said Eva. "We didn't find anything about Owen's big brother that where is he. And then we had our exams and we couldn't go further."

"Could it be that he lied to us?" said Owen.

[Flashback]

The very unpleasant memorable day when they got caught because the guy who accused Noah and Owen of trying to rape him, was caught by them again before the police memorial exhibition was held.

He worked in the same coffee shop as Owen's big brother. They got his address from there. When they went there they came to know he already left for his hometown. Fortunately, it was not so late that he left and they were able to catch him before he escapes.

After a round of clashing with him when they were finally able to keep him down, he started crying and shaking out of fear. They took him to a cul-de-sac where it was secluded.

"I don't know a lot," he said. "There is a professor from M city university. My brother was his student. When he heard about me he wanted me to do him some favor."

"What kind of favor?" asked Noah.

"He wanted me to grab him some information apparently related to a police case," he said. "But I was not so brave to involve in that. So I refused. But he said if I can't then manage someone from my university."

"So you were brave enough to involve my Hyung in danger instead," said Owen.

"No," he said. "It never was dangerous. How come a professor would put a student in danger?"

Owen pulled by his collar and yelled at him, "Then tell me where is he?"

"T-T-The professor might know," he trembled.

"Where would we find him?" said Noah.

But they couldn't reach that professor because of those thugs behind him that day. After that Noah had to be in bed because of his broken hand and Eva got sick because of soaking wet in the rain. Then the exam came just like that.

[End of flashback]

The specialty of this cafeteria is meat. Well-cooked delicious meat is served on the table. Noah and Eva gulped their saliva before they drop and dig in.

After finishing more than half of their plate they noticed Owen was playing with the food on the table and distracted by thoughts.

"What are you thinking, Owen?" asked Noah.

"I know I'm overthinking it but suddenly I thought of a connection between the professor and the thief who stole the files from our department," said Owen.

"You mean the reason why June and those guys were behind you?" said Eva.

"Yeah," said Owen. "Although we indeed stole the copied file because we found out that professor once worked here and that was illegal. But they said the real one was missing."

"And that guy said the professor also wanted someone from our university," said Noah. "Hyung has been missing for more than three months. And those files must be missing for more than two months now. Because they won't be creating a group just after that incident, right?"

All the three heads started to think the same. They were thinking one-sided until now. The thought of Owen's elder brother Dae-sung missing can be related to the university never occurred to them. But now they are thinking differently.

A fine young university student in his final year. Harmed nobody instead favored anybody in his way. They wondered what could possibly happen that he disappeared all of a sudden. He had a group of people with him. Where are they and why aren't they responding to his mission?

What in the world even was that favor that the professor gave him? If the files missing are also related to this then what is the reason behind this? Somebody inside must also be involved in this. But who can it be? What do they want?

Lots of questions but the answer remains the same "Unknown". Where should they start? They couldn't figure it out. This unknown crumbs Owen's heart. He didn't think his brother could be in danger even if he were to miss for years. He folded his hands and kept his head down pushing the plater.

"Should we...go to Ryan?" Eva hesitantly said.

________To be continued________