ᯓ★

"Japan," 

Riki retorted, crossing his arms and fixing his gaze on them.

Sunoo's eyes narrowed at Riki's response. 

He knew he was lying.

 Sunoo wasn't naive.

 Despite being a Japanese citizen, Riki harboured a hatred for Japan. 

So why would he entertain the idea of going back? 

He had come to Korea for a reason.

But even Sunoo couldn't comprehend why Riki despised Japan.

"Japan?" Jake repeated, his gaze fixed on Riki, who simply nodded in answer.

The group exchanged puzzled looks at Riki's unexpected response.

There was a noticeable change in Riki's demeanor, no longer a cheeky attitude. 

Normally, Riki and Jake shared constant smiles and boundless energy.

Whenever Jake expressed concern, Riki's voice was a source of comfort, always reassuring.

But now?

Now, Riki appeared weary and nonchalant in Jake's presence.

 His usual reassuring tone was absent, replaced by a sense of detachment.

 Gone was the familiar smile; instead, a straight expression adorned his face.

"What's wrong with you?" Sunghoon asked bluntly, his gaze fixed on the younger.

Jungwon reacted instantly, hitting Sunghoon's shoulder in shock. "What the fuck, hyung?!" Jungwon exclaimed, appalled by Sunghoon's words.

"You can't say stuff like that, Hoon!" K intervened, but Sunghoon maintained his intense stare at Riki.

"What do you mean? What's wrong with me?" Riki retorted in annoyance, crossing his arms and locking eyes with the older boy.

"What do I mean?" Sunghoon questioned, straightening his posture.

"Ki... look at yourself," Sunghoon continued, gesturing towards Riki as he crossed his arms.

"You've... You've changed, and I don't mean physically," Sunghoon added with a hint of disbelief, causing Riki's eyes to narrow.

"Sunghoon!" EJ interjected, hitting the boy to signal his disapproval.

"Changed?" Riki scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"What about me changed, Sunghoon?" Riki asked harshly, fixing a sharp gaze on the older boy.

Sunghoon's eyes narrowed, and he cleared his throat.

"Your hair. Your clothing style. Your expressions. Your everything!" Sunghoon exclaimed angrily.

Riki scoffed at Sunghoon's accusation.

He hadn't changed. 

He was still the same Riki.

"My hair is the only thing that fucking changed," Riki retorted, glaring at the older boy.

"No," Sunghoon snarled back, "It's the way you look now. The way you act." 

He gestured emphatically, frustration evident in his voice. "You're not the Ni-ki we know." Sunghoon sighed, and Riki's eyes narrowed.

"Then learn to stop calling me fucking Ni-ki," Riki snarled as he stood up.

"I made'Ni-ki' because of how you guys acted," Riki scoffed, air-quoting the word 'Ni-ki'.

"For the love of god," Riki began, frustration evident in his tone. 

"I haven't fucking changed. I just stopped acting like some robotic mechanic every time I'm around you guys," he growled, grabbing his bag and leaving the friend group in confusion.

ᯓ★