✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

After breakfast, everyone noticed Y/N fiddling with something near the window while they ate. They kept glancing her way, wondering what she was up to, but chose not to disturb her. By the time everyone had finished eating, Y/N was still at the window, focused on her task.

Finally, she dusted off her hands and turned around. But the moment she did, she stumbled backward, completely taken by surprise when she saw Suga standing right behind her. She lost her balance and landed flat on her butt, a soft thud against the floor.

Suga, startled by her fall, crouched down beside her. "Are you okay?" he asked, genuine concern in his voice, though he tried to mask it with a cool tone.

Y/N didn't respond immediately. Her gaze was fixed on the ground, eyes flickering here and there, lost in thought, or perhaps listening for something. There was an air of distraction, like she wasn't really there with him.

The rest of the group, including Hyungsik, Minho, RM, Sehun, Jin, Jiwoo, Hobi, Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook, all stood from the table, their attention now on Y/N. They exchanged curious glances, wondering what was going on in her mind.

The silence lingered for a moment, and just as Suga was about to say something more, Y/N stood up abruptly. Without a word, she darted toward the stairs, her steps quick and determined. She didn't look back as she ascended, and the others watched in confusion, unsure of what was happening in her head.

Suga frowned, about to ask again, but before he could, she stood up quickly and darted toward the stairs, heading upstairs without a word.

As Y/N dashed up the stairs, Sehun, Hoseok, and Suga immediately followed her, while the others stayed behind, watching in confusion, unsure of what had just happened. They caught up with her just as she reappeared at the top of the stairs, Haru in her arms, the toddler's small body trembling as she cried. The girl's face was red, her wails echoing through the air, clearly distressed from being left alone for too long.

Jiwoo and Sehun stood frozen, their eyes widening as they saw the scene unfold. Both of them were quick to rush toward Y/N, instinctively wanting to comfort their daughter. But Y/N, despite the intensity of the situation, moved with surprising calm, gently rocking Haru in her arms, murmuring soft words to soothe her.

"Shh, it's okay, Haru. I've got you," Y/N whispered, her voice low and soothing as she held the crying toddler close.

As Y/N descended the stairs, Haru nestled in her arms, her tiny arms looped around Y/N's neck. Her eyes were puffy from crying, but now her expression had shifted into an adorably sulky pout.

The group watched in silence as Y/N carried Haru down. Jiwoo and Sehun stepped closer, ready to take their daughter, but Haru stubbornly tightened her hold on Y/N, turning her face into Y/N's shoulder with a huff.

"Haru, baby," Jiwoo called softly, "come to eomma."

"No!" Haru grumbled, her little voice muffled against Y/N. "I want to stay with Y/N."

Y/N blinked, confused but patient. She adjusted Haru in her arms. "Haru, what's wrong? Why are you upset?"

Haru pulled back just enough to glare up at Y/N with wide, teary eyes. "You don't spend time with me anymore!" she exclaimed, her bottom lip trembling.

The room went quiet, everyone watching the scene unfold. RM glanced at Jin, who raised an eyebrow in mild amusement, while Minho leaned against the wall with a knowing smirk.

"Haru," Y/N began, clearly startled by the accusation, "I-"

"You're always in your room!" Haru interrupted, her small hands tugging at Y/N's shirt. "You don't play with me, or eat with me, or tell me stories anymore. You're always busy!"

Jiwoo and Sehun exchanged surprised glances, guilt flashing across their faces.

"Haru," Sehun tried to intervene gently, "Y/N's been working really hard to keep everyone safe."

But Haru wasn't having it. She turned her teary gaze back to Y/N. "You don't even talk to anyone! Not me, not eomma, not appa! You're just gone all the time!"

Y/N opened her mouth to reply, but the toddler's words hit her harder than she'd expected. She looked down at Haru's small, upset face, and a pang of guilt settled in her chest.

The silence was thick as the group exchanged glances. Jungkook shifted awkwardly, while Taehyung tilted his head, his expression unreadable. Suga crossed his arms, leaning against the wall as he observed quietly.

"You know," Jimin finally muttered, half-joking, "the kid's not wrong."

"Jimin," Hobi scolded softly, nudging him, though there was a faint smile on his face.

Haru sniffled, burying her face in Y/N's shoulder again. "You don't love me anymore..."

The words hit Y/N like a punch to the chest. Her arms tightened around Haru, and she immediately hid her face against the toddler's small shoulder, her voice trembling as she whispered, "Don't you ever say that, Haru. Don't you ever think I don't love you."

Her voice, though gentle, was heavy with emotion, and everyone watching could feel the weight of her words. Y/N shut her eyes tightly, fighting back the sting of tears. She'd endured countless dangers, sleepless nights, and unimaginable losses, but the thought of Haru doubting her love shook her to her core.

Haru, still pouting, pulled back just slightly, her little hand resting under Y/N's chin as she tilted her head up. "Y/N, you hurt?" she asked softly, her big, teary eyes searching Y/N's face.

The question caught Y/N off guard. She blinked, meeting Haru's gaze, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond. Her throat tightened as she forced a smile, shaking her head gently. "No, Haru, I'm not hurt," she lied softly. "I just... I never want you to think I don't love you."

But Haru wasn't convinced. She tilted her head, her small hand moving to Y/N's cheek as if to check for tears. "You're not mad?"

Y/N let out a shaky breath, her smile softening as she leaned into Haru's tiny touch. "Never, Haru. I'm not mad. I'm just... sorry. I've been so busy that I haven't spent enough time with you." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I promise, that's going to change."

Haru blinked, then nodded slowly. "You promise?"

"I promise," Y/N said firmly, pressing a soft kiss to Haru's forehead.

The toddler studied her for a moment longer before wrapping her small arms around Y/N's neck again, snuggling close. "Okay. I love you too, Y/N," Haru murmured into her shoulder.

Y/N's heart ached and warmed at the same time as she held Haru close. "I love you more," she whispered, her voice steady now, though her emotions were still raw.

The group remained silent, watching the tender moment unfold. Jiwoo wiped at her own eyes subtly, while Sehun looked down, his jaw tightening. Even Hyungsik glanced away, his expression unreadable.

After a moment, Minho broke the silence with a lighthearted comment. "You've got a way with kids, Y/N. Who knew?"

Y/N let out a soft chuckle, though her grip on Haru didn't loosen. "I just got lucky with this one," she said, her voice lighter now, though the guilt still lingered in her chest.

As she carried Haru to the table, the group's eyes followed her, a mix of respect and understanding etched on their faces. Though Y/N didn't say anything more, her resolve was clear: she wouldn't let Haru-or anyone else-feel like they didn't matter again.

---

The group sat gathered near the fireplace, the warm glow casting flickering shadows on their faces. Some sprawled on the floor, others settled on the sofa, all finally relaxing after a long day.

Jungkook leaned back with an exaggerated sigh, his voice carrying just the right amount of drama. "She was gonna show us that other door, but who knows now? It's already evening. Everyone's done with their duties, and we're just... waiting. I mean, I'm eager, but at this rate, maybe tomorrow?"

Jimin smirked, glancing at Jungkook. "You're acting like the apocalypse will start all over again if you don't find out where that door leads tonight."

Hyungsik chuckled, shaking his head as he poked at the fire with a stick. "Knowing Y/N, she'll show it to us when she's good and ready. She's probably busy with Haru now, and you saw how upset the kid was."

"Exactly," Jin added, sitting comfortably on the sofa with his arms crossed. "You can wait a bit longer, Jungkook. It's not like she's hiding a treasure chest or anything."

Sehun, leaning back against the wall, glanced toward the stairs. His expression was thoughtful, almost protective. "Haru needed her more than we needed that door right now. Let her take her time."

Taehyung chuckled, throwing an arm over the back of the couch. "If you're that desperate, just head into the weapon room through Y/N's corridor. She'll show us the other door when she's ready. No point stressing over it now."

Hobi shook his head, his tone contemplative. "But honestly, guys, we've been here for months, and it's wild how little we actually know about this place. Like, secret doors? Hidden corridors? How have we missed all of this?"

Suga, leaning against the wall with his usual bluntness, spoke up. "How wouldn't we miss it? We all sleep on the second floor except for Jiwoo, Haru, and Y/N. And during the day, we're either on duty or too exhausted to explore. This place? It's Y/N's domain."

Jiwoo raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the stairs. "And let's not forget about those two locked doors on the first floor. Who knows what's behind those? Y/N hasn't said a word about them, and I'm pretty sure none of us are bold enough to ask."

"Not yet, at least," Minho muttered, earning a few chuckles from the group.

Jungkook leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "But seriously, this morning was a game-changer. I mean, how many of us even knew her bedroom wasn't just a room? A whole corridor, a balcony overlooking the back of the town hall, the weapon room, her office... It's like she's been living in a completely different part of this place."

"And it's still locked half the time," Jimin added.

"Exactly," Suga said. "It's her space. We barely even see her in there, let alone know what's behind all those doors. She doesn't sleep in the bedroom, but it's there."

RM, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke, his voice calm and measured. "Look, Y/N doesn't do anything without a reason. She said yesterday that she'd share her secrets at her pace, and she has. We've already learned so much-her room, the weapon room, that hidden corridor. We just have to trust that she knows what she's doing."

Sehun, sitting cross-legged on the floor, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, exactly. She's been holding this place together for months. If she hasn't shown us everything, it's because there's so much more going on than we ever realized. And honestly, we didn't even have an idea of what she was doing-not really. Except for Minho and Hyungsik, who knew bits and pieces. But now we know she's been working on something much bigger-finding out the truth about the outbreak, and maybe even more than that."

He paused, glancing at the fire, his expression thoughtful. "The fact that she's showing us all this now? It's not because she's revealing things at her pace-it's because she's making sure we can keep up. She's connecting us to what she's been doing, helping us understand everything piece by piece. This isn't just about her secrets; it's about making sure we're ready to take on whatever's coming next. A little patience won't kill us."

The room went silent for a moment as his words sank in. Minho, leaning against the arm of the couch, gave a small nod. "He's right. Y/N's not doing this just to keep us in the dark. She's trying to make sure we see the full picture, step by step. We all know how she is-she doesn't take chances when it comes to survival or trust."

Hyungsik added, his tone calm but firm, "And knowing her, there's a reason why she's pacing this out. She's preparing us for something, making sure we're ready for whatever she's uncovered. We might not understand everything yet, but we will."

Jungkook let out a sigh, leaning back. "Okay, okay, I get it. I guess I was just... curious, you know? It's a lot to take in, and honestly, it's impressive. But yeah, I'll wait. She's earned our trust, after all."

Taehyung smirked. "You don't say, Jungkook. You sound like you're about to start writing poetry about Y/N's secrets."

Jungkook shot him a look, and the group chuckled, the tension easing slightly.

RM leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Tomorrow, we'll know more. But for now, let her spend time with Haru."

The quiet agreement that followed spoke volumes. Whatever secrets Y/N still held, they trusted her enough to wait, knowing that she wouldn't reveal anything lightly.

---

Jungkook broke the silence again, his voice hesitant. "Hey, I just want to ask... Haru isn't Sehun's real child, right?"

Sehun and Jiwoo exchanged a look, and then their gaze turned to Minho. The older man stayed quiet for a moment, as if collecting his thoughts. He then slowly spoke, his voice softer than usual. "Haru was rescued when she was around 1 or 2 years old."

Jungkook blinked in confusion. "Rescued by whom?"

Minho's eyes dropped to the ground, almost as if recalling something painful. "Y/N... rescued her."

The room fell silent. The revelation hit harder than anyone expected. Y/N, a child herself, had saved Haru. It was a weighty truth, one that lingered in the air.

Jungkook, still processing, leaned forward, but it was Jin who spoke next, his voice quieter than usual. "So she just... found her?"

"She never told us how she found Haru," Minho continued, his voice low. "Y/N never spoke about the details. All we know is that she showed up one day, with Haru in her arms. She found her alone, abandoned in the chaos of the outbreak."

Jin's gaze lowered, as if reflecting on the weight of it, and Hobi, usually the one to lift the mood, sat motionless, his lips pressed into a thin line. His eyes darted to the others, seeking any indication of how to process it, but his usual cheerful energy seemed to fade into something more somber.

He paused, looking up at the others. "What mattered was that Haru was safe. Y/N didn't hesitate, didn't even think twice about it. She just brought her here and made sure Haru had a future."

Jimin, sitting beside Taehyung, exchanged a glance with his friend, his jaw set tight. Taehyung's usual playful demeanor shifted slightly, his eyes softened, as if trying to understand the girl they all thought they knew so well.

Sehun's voice was soft, filled with respect. "She didn't want anyone to know. It wasn't about sharing the story-it was about Haru. Y/N made sure she was safe."

Jiwoo nodded in agreement. "It's just like her. She doesn't need recognition for things like this. She doesn't talk about it, because it's not about her. It was always about Haru, and she made sure Haru survived."

The group sat in quiet understanding. Their gazes met in shared acknowledgment of Y/N's actions. Some faces softened with admiration, others lost in contemplation. The weight of what she had done-rescuing Haru as a child herself, carrying that burden alone-settled in the room like an invisible presence. It was just another layer to the mystery of Y/N-a girl who acted when others couldn't, who carried burdens quietly, and who always put others first.

No one spoke after that. They didn't need to. The room was heavy with respect, silent but full of understanding. Y/N's actions spoke louder than words ever could.

---

Jungkook and Jimin approached Y/N's front door, their footsteps lighter than usual. Jungkook shot Jimin a playful look before opening the door without knocking.

"You're lucky she hasn't booby-trapped this place yet," Jimin muttered, following behind.

Jungkook grinned. "If she did, it'd just be to mess with us."

The faint sound of the wind greeted them as they stepped inside. The corridor was dimly lit, and the glow from the balcony at the far end caught their attention. Quietly, they made their way down, their eyes briefly catching sight of Haru fast asleep on the sofa nearby. She was curled up under a thick blanket, her small frame rising and falling with each peaceful breath.

Jungkook pointed to her, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Looks like the kid had a long day."

Jimin nodded, his gaze softening at the sight, but they didn't linger. As they stepped onto the balcony, Y/N's familiar figure came into view. She stood tall and steady, her silhouette framed by the faint moonlight. Her hands rested on the railing, and her eyes were locked on the distant horizon, scanning for any signs of danger.

"Ever heard of relaxing?" Jungkook teased, leaning against the doorframe.

Y/N didn't turn, though a slight smirk ghosted her lips. "Ever heard of knocking?"

"We did knock. Just... quietly," Jimin said, stepping closer with a smirk of his own.

Y/N finally glanced at them, her expression sharp but not unkind. "What do you want?"

"Dinner. And to make sure you don't forget to eat," Jimin replied, leaning casually against the railing beside her.

Jungkook chimed in, "And maybe to see if you've got anything cool stashed away. You always have the best stuff hidden around here."

Y/N rolled her eyes. "The only thing hidden here is my patience."

Jimin chuckled while Jungkook held up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. We'll play nice."

Y/N turned her gaze back to the dark landscape, her stance still tense but less so than when they first arrived. "Haru had a rough day. She's finally asleep, so keep it down."

"We noticed," Jimin said softly. "She's lucky to have you."

"Don't get sentimental on me," Y/N replied, though her tone carried a hint of warmth.

Jungkook leaned closer, his tone teasing. "You're coming to eat, right? Or are you planning to stand out here all night?"

Y/N shot him a side glance. "I'll eat when I'm done. Someone has to keep watch."

Jungkook straightened up, clearly unconvinced. "You know we're capable of taking over, right?"

"Capable is a stretch," Y/N replied, her smirk widening.

Jimin chuckled, shaking his head. "Fine. Be stubborn. But don't blame us if we eat everything."

Y/N finally turned to face them fully, crossing her arms. "Be ready tomorrow. You've got a class with me. Rest well and eat properly unless you want me to double your drills."

Jungkook groaned dramatically. "Why does every conversation with you end in a threat?"

"It's not a threat. It's a promise," Y/N said with a faint smile.

Jimin smirked, tugging at Jungkook's sleeve. "Let's go before she changes her mind and triples your drills."

As they left, Jungkook called back over his shoulder, "Don't say we didn't warn you about the food!"

Y/N turned back to the horizon, the faint sound of their retreating footsteps fading behind her. Her expression softened briefly as she glanced toward Haru's sleeping form. "Rest well," she murmured, her voice lost to the night.

---

As morning came, everyone gathered in the hall, seated around the table or standing casually, leaning against the walls. Taehyung, Jungkook, Jimin, Jin, Hoseok, Sehun, Minho, Hyungsik, RM, Suga, and Jiwoo all shared quiet conversation as the scent of breakfast still lingered in the air.

Their eyes lingered on the door on the first floor, waiting for Y/N to emerge. Everyone was curious, their thoughts occupied by the mystery of what the day held.

Finally,