Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

____

“We are hunters, voices strong…”
Gwi-ma’s smirk faded
“Slaying demons with our song…”
The crowd moved around.
“Fix the world and make it right…”
She didn’t dare to meet his eyes

_________


The word ‘feel’ disgusted Gwi-ma.
All demons do is feel, But not him. He refused to admit to such foolishness.

But now? Watching thousands of souls in front of him, walking right into his trap, He could say, He felt happier than ever.

But of course, that couldn't last long.

______________

“When darkness finally meets the light.”

And there she stood.
Jinu's breath hitched.

Abby was first to move. He attempted to fly past Jinu and attack her, But he groaned out loud when he found his body frozen in place.
Without a word, Gwi-mas fire shifted and started moving towards Rumi, Who immediately tensed up.
Jinu watched with furrowed brows as the fire got smaller and smaller, until there was just sparks trailing behind the feet of a man. A Demon. A 7 feet Demon.

Gwi-ma walked slowly, head low, the huge hat covering his eyes, long black cloak trailing behind him along with his long purple hair, which, Rumi noticed was fading to magenta in the ends.

The demon king had pink hair.

If she could, Rumi would’ve laughed.

“You bear my marks…” Gwi-ma spoke, Rumi's gaze darkened. His marks. She bared His marks.
“But I have no control over you.” He hissed.
Rumi stood quiet.
“Why?” Voice colder than ever, Gwi-ma raised his head high, glaring straight into her eyes, Only to have the glowing yellow fade away as his eyes grew, And Rumi saw at least 10 emotions fly thro them in less than a minute.
Fear, Confusion…Hope..? That all she could see.
And suddenly she screamed.
Clenching her ears, she fell to the floor.

She could feel him.
She hissed.

She could feel his presence there.

Gwi-ma was in her head.
She screamed, as of an attempt to cast him away. She screamed, Hoping it would do something.

Then the feeling vanished.
He vanished from her head just as soon as he appeared.

She glared at him, and was suddenly taken aback from the soft, almost sad expression in his eyes. She could swear, she saw tears.

And without a word, Gwi-ma disappeared. The stage was suddenly empty. No Jinu, No saja boys. Gone.
The place grew lighter as the fans started groaning and looking around confused.
She gulped.

And Before anyone could notice her presence, she ran out of the hall.

Chapter Text

Jinu didn't know how to feel.

He was glad that Rumi had been ok.. Somewhat. That reckless girl, he hoped she’d at least flee after everything. Realise that she was all alone, that it was not worth it. She could’ve been perfectly safe in a different country. But instead, She showed up. And Almost ended up like…
Like him. She almost ended up like him. Even though from the outside, she already was ‘Like him’, She almost lost the very little freedom she did have.

But Now, what was this bullshit?

“Hey, what's the deal here?” He questioned once they appeared back on Gwi-ma’s throne.
Still in his human form, his back to him, Gwi-ma Didn’t reply.

“My memories are supposed to be gone. That was the deal.” Jinu Hissed.

“You didn’t finish the job”

“YOU didn’t LET me finish the job!” Jinu raised his tone. Getting glances from his bandmates and a glare from Gwi-ma. It didn’t last long till he was clutching his head and groaning.
“Remember your place Jinu.” Gwi-ma hissed. Releasing him from his memories.

“We are starting a new mission.”

His brows Furrowed. Still panting, Jinu looked up at Gwi-ma.

“We…?”



_____________


The time on her phone read 1am.

Rumi sat alone on a rooftop somewhere. She hasn't really watched where she ran, But she ended up on a familiar rooftop.
She sat on the edge, knees up to her chest, Head resting on them as she gazed at the City in front of her.
She had gotten…Better…Physically. The demon hand was missing, at least. Although the glowing eye and her patterns still intact.

Patterns…

She tried not to mind how they’ve been glowing white. That was a problem for another time.
There was also the fact that she didn’t know How to get back home. Not that she didn't know the way, More that she feared the destination. Bobby would’ve been worried, But, Did her friends even want her there anymore? Celine Could’ve been there. After everything, It wouldn't surprise her if she showed up.

But, did she care? No. Not right now. Again, that was a problem for the future…even if that future came in a few minutes, or in an hour, right now she’d just rather sit and be mesmerised by the city.
For the first time, she felt alright.
She couldn’t explain it, Gwi-ma was still around, The Honmoon still half pink, But it didn't mattered.
She sighed

It was now 1:20am

__________________

It was 2:15 when she slowly stepped in their shared tower.
She looked around,
The lights were still on.
Slowly, she started walking towards her room.

“Where were you?”

She stopped dead in her tracks.
The voice came from behind her, From the couch.
She didn’t need to turn to see who’d asked.

“Out.” She croaked out, Her nerves suddenly spilling over herself, Her eyes sparkled with tears.

“It’s 2 in the morning.”
Mira’s voice was empty, to say the least.

“I know.”

“..I made you some hot chocolate…” Rumi's head snapped to the kitchen door.
Zoey stood in the doorway, wearing an oversized hoodie, her buns down, just how she liked before bed.
“I figured you’d be cold…” She stood with a tray in hand, on which there were three big cups of, What must’ve been the said hot chocolate.

Zoey sat next to Mira on the couch, who grabbed a cup and got comfortable.

“Well? What are you waiting for?”
Mira asked, looking back at Rumi.
“Come sit with us. I believe we have to talk.”

Rumi sighed. Slowly, she neared her friends and sat in between them. Her posture tense. She held her cup in her hands and for a while didn't dare to tear her gaze away from it.

“Listen..” She started with her eyes closed and voice tight once she realized they were waiting for her to do the talking. For now, at least.
“Guys I… I’m so sorry.” She gulped her guilt down.
“I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you…I really did…But Celine…”
“If we Sealed the Honmoon, My patterns would be gone. I would be normal. None of these would be happening.” She said with a broken voice.
The silence in between was louder than it's ever been.
“But.. How..?” Zoey whispered
“Why…How are you a.. a..” She looked her up and down and frowned
“My father was one.” Rumi sighed. Her gaze carefully watching the bubbles in her drink.

For a while, Nobody spoke.

“You should’ve told us”
“I know”

Mira sighed and sat straight
“No more secrets?”
Slowly, Rumi looked at her
“No more secrets” She cracked a smile.

“We were so worried…” Zoey Whined, setting her cup down and pulling Rumi in a tight hug. Rumi giggled, tears now all over her cheeks.
Soon all three cups were back on the tray, untouched, the girls cuddled up in a one big embrace.
“We are so glad you are ok..”
Zoey whispered.
“We love you Rumi.” It was Mira who spoke up now.
“I know, I love you too guys.” Rumi grinned wider.


_________________________


In less than a week, they were back to being the faces of Korea.
Posters, headboards, banners of them ‘making up’ had been everywhere, it’s been the topic of Korean television for two full days.

It’s been almost a month now.
Rehearsals, Practices, New lyrics, New songs, Everything was back to normal. Huntrix had Released a new song, And Public was eating it up. The Honmoon was getting a lot better, and the girls finally had hope.
But the empty hole Saja boys have left on everyone was not at all filled.
At first, everyone just assumed they had gone on a break, but After a full month of absence the public had started talking about them. News channels Highlighting their Disappearance, People posting rants and vents on socials, it was a blow. And every little mention of the band reminded Rumi of the Idols awards.
She had told her friends what had happened back then, Safe to say none of them had an answer. Zoey had assured her that He was probably gone for good. Rumi had smiled and nodded, But he couldn't get Jinu out of her mind. She should've been mad, she should've been furious, even, and she was. Don't take her wrong, The bathhouse fight would have been something to dream of by the time she’d be done with him. But still… Somewhere deep down, She was worried. She was thinking of him, She wanted him to be alright.

And then, One day, she was woken with a bolt.
“RUMI” Zoey screamed right in her face
“What is it..?” Rumi frowned
“LOOK!” Zoey threw her phone in her face.
Grabbing the phone from her hand, Rumi yawned before blinking and looking down at the screen. Her eyes widened.
She blinked once,
Twice,
Then she gasped.

“Saja boys spotted in a coffee shop with an older gentleman!! Saja manager reval?👀”
The article read.

Rumi scrolled, finding a link to a video, clicking it, she went to a Interview.
“This month has been a rough one for us” Jinu chuckled
“After the idols awards we have been getting so busy.”
“But we’ve seen how desperately you need us back.” He winked at the camera.

“What?” Rumi whispered, Confused.
“Who do you think the older man is?” Zoey asked nervously.

Rumi quickly scrolled back up, zooming in on the bands table. The gentleman sat his back to the camera, But Rumi could’ve recognized that hair anywhere.
A purple braid almost to his waist that faded Magenta.
Rumi clenched the Phone. Hard.

“That Gwi-ma.” 

Chapter Text

Rumi couldn't sleep that night.

The day had gone in a blur. The HUNTR/X was getting ready for an upcoming concert, so they had spent most of their time in the studio, But Rumi's mind had been wandering places entirely different. She had spent what little time they did have for a break looking around the streets they passed, in hopes of noticing anyone from the Saja boys group. She had been acting like a frantic fan, and she hated it.

By now, She was sure Mira and Zoey were fast asleep as she lay awake on her bed. Suddenly, a familiar tiger appeared outside her window.
“Derpy!” Rumi whispered, her face softening as she sat up and opened the Balcony door, the tiger had been visiting even when Jinu was gone. But now, he had returned with an all familiar card in his mouth, Rumi frowned as she took it from him.
‘You looked frantic in that coffee shop today, Lost something? Or, someone perhaps?;)’
Rumi had re-read the card at least 10 times. Jinu sucked at flirting. The same couldn't be said about his stalking skills. Just great. On top of everything she had a stalker now.

She shoved the card back to Derpy and closed the balcony door in his face. The tiger only looked at her for a few seconds, then he disappeared.


____________________


“What are we going to do?” Zoey asked her friends the next day, on their way to a now a different cafe. Nobody answered.
“Do you think they’re still a threat?” she questioned again.
Rumi shook her head
“No. as bold as it sounds to say, No. If Gwi-ma wanted harm, he could have finished the job at idol awards. But he didn’t. And now he bothered to come to the human world and  pose as Jinu's manager, He has a Different plan. One that I cant figure out.” Her frown deepened.
“Rumi's right” Mira nodded. “But whatever the plan is, it can't be good.”

____________________

“My my, we are now the subject of your theories? What an honor.”

Rumi had been clenching the letter that night. Closing the door in Derpy’s face once more.
The tiger left her alone, sooner this time, as she dropped on her bed.

Whatever their plan was, stalking them was a part of it, it seemed. But why? Did they want to corner them? But then, if so, Why was Jinu taking the whole thing so lightheartedly? Why not send her actual threats or something. She was getting so confused.

She needed to clear her head, but was afraid of being followed again.
She groaned, grabbing a pillow to scream into, She had been wrong about her feelings, she did not Miss Jinu. she wanted him and his stupid band gone, right now.
_________
The cards kept coming for a week, Rumi sent every single one right back. And then, stopped going outside altogether.

She was sitting in the living room, switching channels and drowning in the big wave of boredroom as her friends had gone out to a bathhouse. They were surprised when she refused to go, Rumi has never turned the offer down after revealing her patterns. She had told them she was feeling sick, they brought it, hugged her goodbye and Zoey had promised to bring back some snacks for her.
She sighed as she kept clicking the remote. Who goes in a bath house so late anyways? 

But she guessed her girls deserved it, They’ve worked so hard, They need to unwind.

Suddenly, a channel showed an all to familiar purple haired man being interviewed. Her eyes widened, she paused before frantically switching back to the channel.
“Mr.Gwi-ma, is it?” The interviewer smiled as Gwi ma sat opposite her.
He nodded, “indeed” he said without much effort to his voice.
“The public is so excited to have finally met the mastermind behind the ‘Saja boys’” The woman smiled, leaning forward and motioning to the camera, “Could you tell us more?” She asked, eyes sparkling.
Gwi-ma started talking, But Rumi was too distracted by her thoughts to actually hear any of it.
”The Audacity ” She thought.
She turned the tv off with a groan as she stormed off to her room, slamming the door behind her, turning around, she locked it. She wanted to be alone tonight, Shed just tell Mira and Zoey that she had gotten worse.

She held onto the door handle as she closed her eyes and sighed. She felt so utterly useless it was ridiculous. A week and a half had gone by since Gwi ma and his little toy band showed up and she didn't even have a single clue about their plans.

She turned around, and Immediately screamed. 

She somewhat expected to see Derpy outside her balcony again, with yet another letter in hand. She did not, however, expect Jinu himself to stand behind the glass, arms crossed, looking right at her.

Chapter Text

“Are you serious?” Rumi hissed from the other side of the glass, face turning red from rage.
With a smug smirk on his face, Jinu shrugged. ’Can’t hear’ He mouthed, Looking the glass up and down.
Rumi glared at him for a little while and then her curiosity and rage got the best of her. She opened the window, watching Jinu step in like he owned the place, Looking around as he did.
“What are you doing here?” she spat.
“It's not very nice to ignore someone you know.” Jinu smirked, sparing her a glance.
Rumi snorted and rolled her eyes, “Yeah well, it's not very nice to stab someone in the back either.” She said, turning around. Jinus' glance hardened. “And yet you’re turning your back to me yet again.” “Just because I don't want to look at your demon face.” Rumi looked over her shoulder.
“You’re a demon too.”
“I’m not like you ”
“Back to denial?” Jinu smirked.
“No.” Rumi snapped, turning to face him once more.
“I am a demon, yes. But I’m nothing like you , Nothing like Gwi-ma.”
Jinu flinched.
“Ouch” He laughed out, trying to push the unexpected pain her words brought down.

“Why are you here?” Rumi asked.
“You haven’t been replying to any of my cards.” Jinu noted.
“And you haven’t stopped sending them, much to my disappointment.” Rumi sat on the edge of her bad.
Jinu glared. “Drop the attitude Rumi. I’m only here to talk.”
“I thought we were past this” He looked her up and down and sneered, stepping further into the room.
“No!” Rumi yelled, jumping up from the bed. Jinu flinched at her sudden lash out, Looking back at her as if she had gone mad.
“No! You don't get to do this!” Rumi yelled.
“Past this? Past this? We WERE past this until you decided to turn your back on EVERYTHING we talked about.” She hissed, crossing his personal space.
Jinu stared down at her, for once, he did not have a response ready.
“Get out.” Rumi glared up at him, pointing at the window.
“..won’t even walk me out of the door?” Jinu cracked a smile, having it fade immediately once Rumi's glare only hardened.
He only nodded as he walked towards the window and out on the balcony. He paused once Out there.
“Goodbye, Rumi.” He said, looking over his shoulder.
And with that he disappeared in pink smoke.

She stood there, staring at the place where Jinu just tood, until she groaned and dropped on her bed face down.


___________________


The Huntrix was having a rather quiet breakfast that  morning, when the silence was broken by Rumi's phone ringing. Bobby - the contact name read.
“Hello bobby!” Rumi smiled as she picked up the phone.
“Girls! I need all three of you down in the studio right this instant! We have a deal to look over.” was heard from the other line.
“A deal?” Rumi frowned, looking over at her equally confused friends.
“We will be right there bobby!” Zoey leaned forwards with a grin.
“Perfect! See you girls here!” 
And with that, He hung up.

“Girls! I just got an amazing offer for you!” He screeched as soon as he saw his girls come in view.
“Well that's exciting!” Rumi grinned “Yeah! What is it?” Zoey asked
“I got a call from the Saja group manager”
Rumi's face has never dropped faster, She looked over at her friends, who all had a similar reaction.
“They offered a band's collab!”
“Isn’t that great?” Bobby kept going without giving them a chance to reply.
“Saja boys are Off the chart right now. I’m not saying we are any less, but this could make the fans so excited!”
“I..” Rumi scratched the back of her head uncomfortably
“I don't know bobby, We are just fine without.” Mira crossed her arms.
“Yes I did say that” Bobby smiled, “But this is an amazing chance, I don't know why would you want to miss it. The collab will be a month long, We will attend a few events together, and, Mr.Gwi-ma offered to host 2 concerts with both bands on stage! If all goes well, we could even release collaborative merch, this is an amazing chance for you!”
Mira groaned, Giving her an apologetic look Rumi smiled at Bobby,
“You’re right, I suppose…Why don't you send an agreement back” She sighed.
With an excited nod, Bobby walked away.

“This month won’t be so fun, will it” Mira spoke flatly as soon as he was out of view.
“Nope” Zoey shrugged.
“But you know, Happy fans, Happy Honmoon!” She looked at her friends with a hopeful grin
Rumi smiled, “You’re right Zoey, Happy fans, happy honmoon.”
“Well, I’m hungry” Mira spoke again, “And I dont feel like going back to the tower, Why dont we find a cafe somewhere?”
“Yeah, I’m starving aswell.” Zoey wined, “We can eat as we look over rest of the collab details, Bobby will probably send em over by then.”

_________

She wasn’t disappointed.
Or so, she kept telling herself so.

Rumi stared at her balcony till she fell asleep that night.

Derpy didn't show up.

__________

It had been a week from Gwi-ma’s collab request, and today girls stood in front of a stage, Bobby by their side, waiting for Gwi-ma and his band to show up.
And they didn't take long.

The doors swung open and Gwi ma walked in, followed by rest of the boys.
“Mr.Gwi-ma!” Bobby smiled!
“Hello.” Gwi-ma sneered down at the shorter man, barely sparing him a glance. Rumi's stare hardened at that.
Gwi-ma’s look quickly switched to her, and his gaze softened. “Why hello there. Was your manager's greeting on your behalf too?” He smirked.
“Yes.” Rumi cut him off short, receiving a snort from Mira and a weird glance from Bobby.
Gwi-ma hummed in response.

“Why don't we start the practice?” Bobby asked, trying to ease the awkward tension in the room.

___________________

“Finally.” Mira breathed, Packing her stuff with the rest of her girls in their changing room after the practice.
“They are SOOO insufferable” Zoey groaned.

“Rumi, are you ok?” She asked after a while of silence
“You’ve been awfully quiet.”

“I’m fine,” She sighed.

The practice had been awfully quiet, despite the loud music playing in the background. Jinu and her have been paired up in a duet, She could feel his eyes half of the practice, she tried everything to avoid them. Looking at anything and anyone but him.
Bobby didn't seem too satisfied by the practice, But it seemed he held his tongue as he called it done for that day and set a date for next practice with Gwi-ma.

There was a knock on the door.
The girls shared a confused look before calling out for them to come in.
The door swung open, and Gwi-ma came into view.
The room visibly tensed.
“Hello” Gwi-ma smiled.
Rumi almost snorted out loud.
As much as she hated the ‘Takedown’ Song, “Master of illusion” seemed to suit his perfectly innocent face right now. As if he didnt rule the fucking hell itself. If Rumi hadn't seen his human form before, She would’ve been clueless. His act was flawless.
She turned back to packing her stuff with a sneer, not bothering to spare him a word as her friends instead tried to play nice.
“How can we help you?” Zoey asked.
“I would like to talk to Rumi” He stated.
Rumi paused her work
“Well…she’s right there.” Zoey cracked an awkward smile.
“Alone.” Gwi-ma smiled as he shifted in the doorway, making space for Rumi to walk out with him.
Rumi sighed.
“What about?” Mira questioned, voice tight.
Gwi-ma ignored her, staring intensely at Rumi as she dropped her bag and walked right past him outside. He closed the door behind them.

Gwi-ma started walking, Rumi followed. Guard up, just in case he tried anything.

“What do you want?” Rumi asked flatly after a while of walking in silence.
“I just wanted to give you a few notices about your performance” Gwi-ma smiled down at her
“My performance?” Rumi asked, confused.
“Yes, You seem tense when you dance, and your voice was tight singing” He noted
“Yeah well, maybe if your toy wouldn't of been burning holes in my head I’d be able to focus more on my performance” She rolled her eyes.
“My to- are you talking about jinu?” Gwi-ma snorted.
“Who else”
“He’s doing his part, you should too” Gwi-ma nodded.

Rumi snorted.

“Cut it out, Gwi-ma.” she snapped
“We both know you couldn't care less about my performance.” she stated.
“Why I’m I really here?”
She didn't receive an answer.
“Well. I’m wasting my time it seems.” She sneered as she turned around and hurried back into the changing rooms.

Gwi-ma stared after her for a while.
“Gwi-ma?” He had been brought out from his thoughts by a now all too familiar voice.
“Yes?” He turned to face bobby.

“Were you talking to Rumi?” He frowned.
“Yes. I just wanted to note a few things about her performance today.” Bobby nodded. “Alright then” He whispered, Voice Almost unsure, watching Gwi-ma walk right past him. 

Chapter Text

 “GOSH” Rumi yelled as she slammed the door to their tower behind her, practically tearing her coat off and throwing it to the side of the room
“Rumi, Woah-”
“LEAVE ME ALONE” She cut Zoey off as she ran into her room and slammed it shut.

________

  “Mira…It’s been a week…we Missed so many practices, Bobby is worried sick, and all of the meds we got her for her so called fever are lying untouched”
Zoey spoke one evening, sitting down next to her friend.
Mira could only sigh in return as she slid an invite to her side.
“Whats this?” Zoey picked it up.

“Kpop get together,” Mira said.
“Bobby gave it to me a while ago, I didn’t get the chance to tell you, there's an invite for all of us”
“Kpop get together? What is that?” 
“Its some event thrown like every year or so for Kpop bands to get together and just enjoy time, its like a chill party” Mira rubbed her temples
“I thought, we’d be too busy to attend, but she needs to unwind”

Zoey looked down at the invite. “Yeah…” She said, glancing from the card in her hands to Rumi’s  door. “She does…”

_________________

  Rumi had been cuddling with Derpy on her bed when a card flew under her door. She glanced at it, sighed and closed her eyes.
Sussy cawed once, then flew up from where she sat on the headboard of the bed and flew back to Rumi with the card in her beak.
“Thanks Sussy” Rumi gave a half hearted smile as she took the card from her.

“Kpop gettogether, huh” She whispered.
  “Rumi,” Zoey’s soft voice came through the door with a soft knock.
“I know that you’re going through something, it is so, So painfully obvious” She tried to force a laugh. “We have never seen you so irritated. We know it's not any fever or sickness.”
Rumi gulped.
“We understand if you don't want to talk to us” Mira added “But we are here for you, always.”

“Think about the invite…” zoey said after the silence stretched. “You need to unwind…”

Mira and Zoey hadn’t left, they stayed at her door, waiting, for anything. And just as they gave up and got ready to leave, they heard her bed croak. And then the door to her room swung open and she pulled both of them in a tight hug.
“Thank you…” she whispered.
Mira pulled her closer, running her slim fingers through her hair.
“Of course…We love you Rumi…We always have your back, you know that.”
“I do..” She whispered.

“The event is this weekend,” Zoey smiled. “Wake up early tomorrow, we got some shopping to do.” she winked, Rumi chuckled. “Of course we do.”

______

“Huntrix! How lovely to see you here!” The girls were greeted as soon as they went past the security.
The woman was tall, blonde, the shorter than usual bodycon highlighted her curves as she approached them with a warm smile and kind glimmer in her soft green eyes. She was a Foreign, for sure, Italian woman in her mid 30’s, if Rumi had to guess.

“She’s hot.” Mira whispered, earning a nudge to the side from Rumi.
“Hello!” Zoey smiled back at the, much, taller woman.
“Hello Dears! I’m Leonor, I’m the host of this party! I am so happy to finally see you at the gates of our lovely community, we have been so disappointed by your absence the past few years.” Leonor held her hand out with a grin.
“Oh.. Absolutely, yeah!” Rumi chuckled nervously “We are so happy to be here as well!" she shook the woman's hand.

“We have a mini game hosted tonight, others already know the rules, you are a little late, but it's alright, you are such busy young women, I imagine.” Leonor chuckled as she led the girls further into the event.
“We expected you, your manager sent us a confirmation  email, so, we already paired you up with a band.”
“Oh how fun!” Zoey Grinned, “where can we meet them?”

“We are right here, sweetheart.” came a voice from behind their backs.
Leonor’s smile widened. “Huntrix, meet ‘Eclipse’. You must have heard of them, I imagine.”
“Yes…of course we have.” Mira spoke flatly, looking at the 3 men in front of her.
Eclipse had been a band for ages, even before Huntrix. They were loved, always in the spotlight.
“Well, I will be leaving you to pair up individually within the band on your own.” Leonor turned around. “Ciao.”

“Hello.” One of the men stepped forwards. “I’m Seo-jun. Nice to see you again, Rumi.” He flashed a smile as he bowed. Rumi chuckled “Yes, Seo-jun, I know you. Nice to finally meet you as well."
“Zoey, What a pleasure seeing you in person” “Ye-jun,what a pleasure” Zoey smiled
“Just as elegant as always, Mira” Mira only snorted at her partner's comment. “Save it, Tae”
“The teams are not needed, me and the girls will get some drinks.” Mira suggested, already walking away to the bar.
“Yeah! See you!” Zoey chased after her.
“Cmon Rumi!” she dragged her friend along, who only laughed and waved goodbye at Seo-jun. Who waved back with a small smile playing on his lips.

The event had been thrown into a ballroom, the ballroom came with a balcony that perfectly looked over the night life in Korea. The dance floor was beautifully circled in the middle of the room as small dining tables filled the hall outside the floor, each table with 2 booths around. And in the very back an open bar had been arranged.

Rumi had been sitting on the edge of the bar, her long, midnight dress clashing recklessly into the ground. She sighed, rubbing her temples as she took a sip of the new drink she had ordered. Mira and Zoey had gone off with their partners, they had asked them to dance, and so its been half an hour since she’s been watching her friends spin and laugh with some men they’ve barely met before. Seo-jun had come up to her twice, asking to dance, she could tell he meant no pressure, he was kind, oh how kind he always was. They’ve met a few times when she was younger, always so polite to her, she would’ve lied if she said she didn’t have that soft romantic admiration for him for a few years there.
Rumi chuckled at the memories, taking another sip as she kept looking down at her lap.
Even now, she could tell Seo-jun only asked her to dance so that she wouldn't feel alone, but, she should've considered that it would’ve also looked bad on his own reputation if people watched his ‘date’ sit alone as everyone else danced and chatted.

Saja boys had shown up. They too, had been invited. Of course they have, she should’ve guessed that. There was nothing interesting to say about that, though. They didn’t bother anyone, for once.
Her eyes moved to look at the opposite side of the bar where baby Saja had been drinking for a while now with his arranged date, the girl was trying way to hard to get him to engage in the conversation, her eyes darted to the side where Abby and Romance had both ditched their assigned dates and have curled up in a corner booth for a makeout. Wow. she could never have guessed. Her gaze shifted behind them where Mystery had been making out with his own arranged date in his lap, the man looked high, though. Now THAT she genuinely could have never guessed, She had never seen him with any woman before, let alone that one. But she guessed they didn't have to be dating, most likely just being reckless after too many drinks.

Eventually, her eyes landed on Jinu, in the middle of the dance floor dancing with his date. A short blonde woman whose back had been turned to her, Jinu's hands softly placed on her waist, right below the huge ribbon tying her dress tighter, as he moved in harmony with her. Alrough, His eyes had been on a different woman.
Rumi didn’t mind the eye contact, she hated the man. She really did. She felt played, humiliated. She gulped her tears down and tore her gaze away from him, back to her lap.

She looked up from her lap when a soft cough from in front of her got her attention.
“Seo-jun” She sighed. “Rumi” He tried to give a smile.
“You don't look like you want to be here” He whispered after a while of silence.
Rumi shook her head, almost too slowly. “I’m not having fun…” She had not intended for her voice to sound so small and…sad.
Seo-jun chuckled. “We could change that…” He looked up at her with a smile.
“My offer still stands, We can dance” He tried once more, holding his hand out to her but now less confidently than before.
Rumi almost refused again, almost.
But, she didn’t. Instead she smiled and took his hand in hers. Seo-jun seemed to lighten up all at once, the man had been so bored. Finally, he could enjoy the event. He grinned and stood up from his stool, having Rumi get up with him as he led her to the dance floor, placing his hands elegantly on her back as he spun them once, slowly, just to get them settled to the rhythm.

Rumi smiled up at him, placing one hand on his shoulder, lifting a side of her gown with the other.

“You look beautiful today.” He smiled at her
“You’ve grown up since I last saw you…”
Rumi chuckled “Thank you,” she nodded “So have you..”