SUNOO | Crown ✓

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Illuminating lights beamed down faintly on Gangseo's concrete pathways, drunken men stumbled into taxis while some passed out in front of closed shophouses. It was a silent night in the downtown area and somehow, it wasn't always good news. While it was reported to be a country of little crime, most would beg to differ.

Deep inside the dark and murky alleys held either pain or fear; perhaps it held both. The crackling sound of crushed bones were far too quiet in the still of the dark. Multiple punches and kicks thrown seemed even softer while pitiful whimpering from the alleged victim was music to the attackers's ears.

"Did you really think Papa would let you run away with his money?" Nishimura Riki snickered as he held the timid man under him by the collar.

"That man doesn't deserve shit and you boys are just pitiful!" the man cried out before erupting in a fit of crazed giggles.

Before Ni-ki could retaliate, a bullet had already whizzed past the boy and straight into the man's head—killing him on the spot. Huffing out a breath of annoyance, Ni-ki dropped the heavy man's body carelessly before dusting himself off. Nishimura Riki could only shake his head with a satisfied smile on his face as the person responsible walked into the light.

"Kim Sunoo, the King himself!" Ni-ki chortled before swinging his arm over Sunoo.

"You should've called me Riki," Sunoo sighed in annoyance while staring down angrily at the dead man he just killed.

"Papa's making you do too much shit back at the mansion, I had it under control you know," Ni-ki sighed worriedly as both boys made their way out of the alley.

Shaking his head in amusement, Sunoo stuffed his gun back into his belt before covering it with his oversized shirt. Swinging an arm around the older boy, the supposed King smiled cutely as the apples of his cheeks rounded his sharp features.

"Let's just say I got the money back," Sunoo admitted in which Ni-ki's eyes widened in response.

"What?! Now the man's dead-"

"He stole the money that ensures we still have a home, Riki! We have to kill in order to survive, got that?" Sunoo interrupted harshly, his soft features now returning to its initial cold and sharp state.

Retreating his arm to his side, Sunoo huffed out an irritated breath before walking ahead of the younger boy. Ni-ki bit his lip guiltily, apologetic that he wasn't sensitive towards the entire situation. He should've known better that Papa was the one who saved him from misery and that without him, he wouldn't have a home.

Trailing behind his friend, also know as Papa's right hand-man, Ni-ki only wondered how Kim Sunoo was able to survive in a world separate from the norm. The raven-haired boy carried blood on his hands everyday and somehow managed to stay sane. Despite being friends for almost 11 years, Ni-ki was still unable to figure out Sunoo's persona.

There were days where the latter would be calm and collected yet there were days where he would be a merciless murderer. Deep down, Ni-ki only wished Sunoo would give himself a break from being a heartless 18 year-old.

"Get home safely, I'm gonna get a drink," Sunoo grumbled towards Ni-ki as soon as they reached the main street.

"You take care too okay?" Ni-ki responded softly before teasingly pinching Sunoo's cheeks.

Swatting the younger and taller boy's hands away, Sunoo glared in annoyance at Ni-ki who only ran away in a fit of giggles. Ruffling his hair irritably, Sunoo couldn't help but feel the corners of his lips twitch upwards in a fond smile.

"Stupid infant, I came out for a drink and instead saved your dumbass," Sunoo uttered as he made his way towards his favourite bar.

Walking along the concrete pathways alone was the only time Sunoo felt peace within himself—when the roads were empty and the pavements laced with hopeless dreams. The streets was his turf and a place where he ventured throughout his adolescence—where he learnt to kill just so he could survive.

After all, Papa groomed him to only be the best; even if it meant sacrificing his freedom and his innocence. If it weren't the countless murders and crimes Sunoo made, the raven-haired boy would always feel at ease.

Just when he thought he could busk in midnight peace, his inner-zen was interrupted as soon as his arm was gripped tightly by an unfamiliar hand. Knitting his brows together irritably, Sunoo glanced at the small hand clasped around his wrist before finally looking up to see a girl before him. What irked him was her crazed cat-like eyes which was seemingly, an indirect cry for help.

"Get your fucking hand off of me-"

"Hey baby," the girl before sweetly exclaimed, although her expression showed anxiousness.

Raising a brow up in confusion, Sunoo faced his body towards the anxious girl whose hands were now intertwined with his. Before Sunoo could reply, the girl took a step closer to him before tiptoeing up to face him.

"I'm sorry stranger but I have to steal something from you," the brunette girl replied with a shaky breath before cupping Sunoo's cheeks.

Before he could push the girl away, the raven-haired boy earned the shock of his life as the brunette softly pressed her lips against his. Although the situation was absurd and he stayed rooted to the ground, Sunoo couldn't help but melt into the kiss. Not because he felt some type of way towards her, but because he finally caught onto the two men who watched them from afar.

Connecting the dots, Sunoo decided to just play along with the girl who had now left an unforgettable impression on him—damn right was she for stealing his first kiss.