Jiyoung and Izumi were exploring the town, enjoying each other's company as they strolled through the streets.

"I...want....to...fall in love," she confessed as we settled into a cozy bibimbap shop, the warm atmosphere inviting and lively. The aroma of sizzling vegetables filled the air, creating a comforting ambiance despite the ever-watchful ajummas who critiqued everyone's figure. Yet, the duo never faced judgment and always considered 'perfect' in their own right.

"You...want...to..fall in love?" Jiyoung asked in complete shock.

"Yes, unnie. Imagine it: someone to spend your life with. Someone who can help you be there for you when you go through the hardest times. You have a crush! Hyunjin likes you! Tell me, what's it like?" she exclaimed, rambling about love.

"Izu-chan, I'm probably the WORST person to ask about love. I've never experienced it until now, and nothing has even happened yet other than some stupid dance that no one was paying attention to!"Jiyoung explained, shrugging with nothing to say.

"Well, can you tell me what the dance was like? Pleaasee?" Izumi pleaded as the waitress came with waters and some cold barley tea. 

"Um, it was fun, I guess. It was pretty romantic...and lovely because I got to dance with someone who actually knows how to dance," Jiyoung smiled, reminiscing about the middle school dance she had.

- FLASHBACK -

Jiyoung couldn't believe her luck when Daeho asked her to dance at the school dance, just as friends. The gym was decorated with twinkling fairy lights, and the music was blasting a catchy pop song. As she smiled at him, he reached out with a grin. "Jiyoung, let me take your hand," he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Jiyoung giggled, a little nervous but thrilled, as she placed her hand in his. She twirled, feeling like a princess under the soft lights. After all those dance lessons, she was sure she could lead them effortlessly. But as they started to move, she noticed Taeyong was a little too clumsy.

"OW! You stepped on my foot!" she whined, biting back a laugh. Man, he sucks at dancing.

"Sorry! I don't know how to dance well!" he exclaimed, his face turning bright red.

Jiyoung couldn't help but giggle at his embarrassment. "Well, do I need to teach you HOW to not STEP on PEOPLE'S FEET for your date?" she teased, and they both burst into laughter. Just two good friends, enjoying a good time together.

- END OF FLASHBACK -

"Wow...that's so cool, unnie. I wish my middle school dance experiences were that cool," Izumi smiled, "All that happened was that I'd be dancing with my friends, and then one of them would get a boy to join us. There was a rumor that one of my friends kissed the boy, but, really, it never happened."

Out of nowhere, a gentle breeze floated into the room, bringing with it the unmistakable presence of some familiar faces. Eight figures appeared, ranging from tall to short.

"Oh, hey, Jeongin!" Izumi grinned. Jeongin? I don't think I've ever seen Izumi even talk to him, Jiyoung thought. 

"Hey, Mr. Savage, Jisungie, Mong Mong, Hyunjinie, Brownie Boy, Channie Oppa, Jeongin and Changbin!" Jiyoung exclaimed. Izumi shifted uncomfortably in her seat, seemingly covering something with her legs under the table.

"Hi Jiyoung!" Hyunjin exclaimed, "You saw my message, right?"

"Yeah, I did. Sorry, I was in the middle of packing and not checking my messages," Jiyoung explained.

"Ah, I see. No problem!" Hyunjin smiled and ordered his bibimbap. Soon after, they got settled and started talking. 

"Jiyoung?" Izumi asked after shifting her weight again.

"Hm, yeah?" Jiyoung replied.

"Why...is your brother staring at us?" she hesitantly asked. Jiyoung whipped her head around sharply, a chill creeping up her spine as certainty washed over her. Lee Know was staring, his gaze penetrating and unsettling, as if he could see into the very core of her being. There was a silent urgency in his eyes, a cryptic warning that sent shivers through the stillness of the room, leaving Jiyoung with an inexplicable sense of impending doom. Minho signaled something by nodding his head towards below their table. Jiyoung glanced under the table and was shocked to see a black leather bag filled with more black items, seemingly made out of metal and steel.

"Izumi! WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?!" she yelled. 

"Oh, nothing! Just some things I carry with me everywhere," Izumi guiltily smiled. Jiyoung quickly glanced at Minho once more. Minho showed the gun hand signal.

"Gun?" she mouthed towards her brother, her breath hitching as the word formed on her lips. The dim light flickered overhead, casting eerie shadows that danced across the walls, amplifying the tension in the air. He nodded, his expression grave and a chill crawled down Jiyoung's spine. Her heart raced, pounding in her chest like a war drum, echoing the sudden rush of fear that gripped her stomach. The metallic tang of anxiety filled her mouth, and the world around her seemed to shrink away, leaving only the weight of the moment pressing down on her. Jiyoung's eyes widened, a mix of dread and disbelief swirling within as she grappled with the reality of what Izumi has been doing.

"Unnie? Are you... alright?" Izumi asked softly, her voice tinged with concern.

Jiyoung's breath hitched. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides as she forced a tight smile. "Izu-Izumi... I'll be right back! I just... I just need to go to the bathroom," she mumbled, her voice shaking as she hurriedly excused herself and rushed away.

Minho, leaning casually against a nearby wall, had been watching her the entire time. His sharp eyes caught the slight tremor in her shoulders as she fled. Without hesitation, he stood straight. "Sorry, guys, I gotta go to the bathroom too. Be right back," he said with a practiced smile before briskly walking after her.

The sound of muffled sobs hit him as he neared the women's bathroom. His chest ached at the sound—his baby sister, the one he'd always sworn to protect, was crying her heart out. For a moment, he hesitated, his hand hovering near the door. How could he fix this for her?

"Jiyoungie..." he called out gently, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "Are you okay?"

The sobs stilled for a moment before her shaky voice answered, "Minho-oppa... just... go away, please. I don't—I can't do this right now."

He ignored her protest and leaned against the wall beside the door, his tone light but laced with worry. "You're talking to the wrong person if you think I'm going to leave you like this. Open the door, Jiyoung."

Her sobs resumed, quieter this time, as the door creaked open just a fraction. She didn't look up at him, her eyes red and swollen as she whispered, "Do you expect me to be okay when you tell me one of my members is a murderer?"

The words shattered the last bit of composure Lee Know had been holding onto. His face softened as he looked down at her face. Gently, he cupped her face in his hand, his thumb tenderly sweeping away the tear that had glistened on her cheek. As his finger brushed her skin, their eyes locked, and they could see the sadness in each other's eyes. How painful it was for Lee Know to see Jiyoung like this. "Jiyoung..." he began, his voice thick with emotion. "I know this is hard to deal with. I hate that you're hurting like this. But you're my little sister, and I'm not going to let you go through this alone."

Her tears spilled over again as she shook her head. "Oppa, how am I supposed to keep going? How can I even look at them after this?"

He hesitated for a beat, his hand brushing against her trembling one before he pulled her into a firm hug, engulfing her petite figure (she's not super short, ok?). "Because you're stronger than you think, Jiyoung. You've always been the strongest person I know, even when we were kids. Remember when I was the one crying because I lost my stupid video game, and you stayed up all night helping me beat it? You've been saving me my whole life. Let me save you this time."

Her sobs turned into hiccuped laughter at the memory. "That... that was so dumb of you," she whispered, her voice breaking but lighter now.

"Yeah, maybe," he said with a small smile, rubbing her back soothingly. "But you're my sister. You're my family. And no matter how bad things get, I'm always going to be here for you. Always, Jiyoungie."

She buried her face in his shoulder, clutching his shirt tightly as if afraid he might slip away. They stayed like that for what felt like hours, her tears soaking into the fabric while his steady presence kept her grounded.

Finally, when her breathing evened out, she pulled back slightly, her eyes puffy but determined. "Thank you, oppa," she said quietly.

"Anytime, Jiyoungie," he replied, flicking her forehead lightly to tease her. "But don't think this means I'm not going to give that murderer a piece of my mind. Nobody messes with my sister and gets away with it."

Her lips twitched into a small smile, and for the first time that day, she felt like she could do it. She was strong. Just a little further. Her life was changing rapidly. Too quickly. But she was strong enough. Strong enough to bear knowing that Izumi wasn't what she thought she was.

________________________________________________________________________________a/n: When my grammarly says it's done with me: T-T welp. It just freaking quit on me! Like...whatever though. I thought I was going to break down into tears for a minute! It's so sad, yet beautiful. Have an amazing, morning, day, night, whatever the time zone is! 🩷