Chapter 44 - CHAPTER 42

The next day, Namjoon, Taehyung, and Jungkook reunite on Seokjin's office to talk about the Mimi situation. To their dislike, Namjoon has given them this task officially. Namjoon doesn't care about who finds Mimi, but he truly wants their relationship to evolve for the better.Taehyung doesn't stop sighing and sending glances to Jungkook, actions that the younger ignores."You said you've another idea?""Yeah, we should change our tactics." Jungkook begins, "Staying in the van won't do, we've to look for her outside—walking. Moreover, Taehyung thinks she must have left Seoul.""Exactly. That's what I said.""Make sense," Namjoon says rubbing his chin. "Where could have she gone?""I dunno - wait, wait, wait. She kidnapped Tiger once, right?""Uh—she kidnapped me. Tiger took over later." Taehyung corrects him, offended.Jungkook scoffs and turns to him. "Yeah, yeah, but who stayed trapped in there for a week, huh? Who suffered all the abuse, huh?"Taehyung turns his hands into fists, his breath shaking and eyes watering. "You know nothing.""I know enough to say Tiger always has to go through the roughest situations for you.""Guys." Namjoon says sharply. "That's not why we're here for. Let's focus on this mission, alright? We need to have everything planned and organized so we don't miss anything. Yoongi and I will start working on the Bang PD situation. We can't lose time, understood?"Both of them nod, Taehyung roughly wiping off some of the tears rolling down his cheek, head low."Why did you ask, Jungkook?" Namjoon retakes the conversation."Where were you? Was it Seoul?""Busan." Taehyung answers curtly. "In an empty factory.""What was she doing there?" Jungkook asks Namjoon."She was born in," he makes a pause connecting the dots, "Jungkook you're a genius."Jungkook smirks. "I know. Maybe she went back there when she couldn't trap us. She was working with someone named Buffalo, wasn't she? Her husband's dead, she must be there with him if she's not here.""Make so much sense, right bubs?"Taehyung hums silently, still avoiding their eyes."Let's do this," Namjoon claps his hands together, "you search all the southern area and if you don't find her, we'll travel to Busan to continue the mission."Jungkook hums. "But what happens with Bang PD?"Namjoon clicks his tongue. "That will have to wait. Bang PD isn't a threat anymore, we've to stick to our priorities. Alright?""Sounds good. When are we going to tell the others?""When Hoba fully recovers. I think you need a good shooter with you. Look, Jungkook, Mimi's more dangerous than you think. For now you'll have to rely on each other and communicate with Yoongi if you see something suspicious. There's no need to risk your lives just yet. Understood?""Yep.""Bubs, did you hear me?"Taehyung hums. "Did we finish? I want to leave."Namjoon looks at him for a moment and softly says, "Of course, you can go."Taehyung leaves, but Namjoon's and Jungkook's butts remain in their seats."Don't tell me he's acting like this because of what I said about Tiger? I mean, it's true. Tiger has to go through all Taehyung's bad experiences, he has to live everything Taehyung can't face for himself."Namjoon sighs, leaning backwards. "This situation isn't easy for Taehyung either, Jungkook. Try to put yourself in his shoes, he doesn't remember anything. When Tiger takes over most of the time he comes back crying, screaming, or with wounds he doesn't remember how he got. He cares a lot for Tiger, alright? Taehyung wishes he could face all of this himself, but he can't. He can't control this. Please, look after him when you're on your mission, alright? I know you don't get along, but if you don't want to protect Taehyung, at least do it for Tiger. I shouldn't tell you this based on your situation, but Taehyung truly loves Tiger. He cries for every wound Tiger gets, he suffers imagining how much Tiger has to suffer when he takes over. Be careful with this topic in front of Taehyung, understood? Tiger is your friend, I know. He tells you things and Tae tells me things, but we're not Taehyung nor his other part, do you understand?""Do you also see Tiger as another part of Taehyung?"Namjoon scratches his cheek. "What do you mean?""Nothing. I get it. I won't talk about Tiger in front of him anymore, don't worry. About the missions. . . I'll take care of him, I don't leave my members behind. We may not get along, but I don't want him dead."Namjoon pats Jungkook's shoulder. "That's the attitude, boy."* * *"What do you mean we're coming back to Busan?" Jimin is the first one to react after Namjoon tells them the new plan."We couldn't find her, Chimmy. She must be hiding in a cave or in Busan. I go with option two.""Shit, it makes sense. Do we have money for this trip? We don't have a company nor a black card to cover our expenses anymore. Fuck, we've become our own sugar daddies."Seokjin smirks, taking off his glasses and placing them on the coffee table. "Yoongs, we may not have any income but we still have lots of money. I'll check our shared bank account again and tell you how much we can spend on this trip.""Are we going to spend your birthday there?" Hoseok asks energetically, remembering his handwritten list tucked in his cabinet of a few things they can do to celebrate Seokjin's birthday, if he can't come up with any idea."Mm-hmm, if everything goes as planned."Jungkook raises his eyebrows. "When's your birthday?""December 4th.""Wow, that's soon. If you decide to celebrate it let me know, I was raised in Busan. I can show you some of the best restaurants you may like."Seokjin smiles fondly. "That would be a great gift itself.""Me too." Jimin blurs out, raising his head. "I - I spent my childhood in Busan. . . but I barely remember a thing. . ."Jungkook and Jimin stare at each other, not a single word coming out of their mouths. Both of their eyes water for different reasons, but they've the same lump in their throats.Jungkook blinks to keep them away.Yoongi clears his throat, taking Jimin out of his trance."What?""Nothing, bae.""Hm.""What's going on?" Hoseok whispers in Taehyung's ears."Believe me," the other replies as low, "you don't want to know."Hoseok stares at him for a moment, but soon after another thought occupies his mind. "Guys, guys, guys! We should look out for an Airbnb. It will cost us less than a hotel and less eyes will be on us. We'll actually look like a group of friends going on a vacation! Besides, Christmas is around the corner!""That's right." Namjoon chuckles softly. "Do you want to start looking for a place?"Hoseok smirks. "Let it all in my hands! Seokie, let me know the budget once you get it. Suga Mushy, I'm stealing your laptop for a while. Hope you don't mind, hehe."Before Yoongi can answer, Hoseok's already going upstairs giggling to himself.