Missing in Action

41: Therefore...

"...because, tonight, we are officially retiring."

The statement stunned everyone in the hall except BoA. Some assumed they misheard what Jisung said; others thought it was an elaborate prank.

"What do you mean 'retiring'? Is it some kind of a joke?" SVT, Wanna One's biggest supporters, stood up and faced Wanna One.

Silence filled the hall until Baekhyun spoke up, "Ehh, come on, guys. This is not funny anymore."

"Like Jisung-hyung said, we are retiring," Kuanlin repeated. "By midnight tonight, we, Wanna One, will already have stepped down as Hallyu's Second Generation of Chosen."

"But why? You are still capable. There must be a pretty good reason on why you are suddenly abdicating your thrones," RM and the rest of the Supreme Six and Twilight Triad were now facing the group.

"Let's just say, it is what's meant to be: the power of destiny," Daniel answered with a forced smile on his face. The rest of Wanna One was also tearing up.

The news of Wanna One retiring as the Chosen was a big deal for everyone. Not only were they stepping down as rulers of the kingdom, but the group was also essentially breaking apart as well. Although not compulsory, but it somehow became the convention that the Chosen had to separate as soon as they retire and should not exist as a fixed group anymore. True, the IOI members had been active as a "group" occasionally but the members do have a permanent group or career on their own. And with Wanna One retiring, there was no guarantee that they will do the same as IOI; everyone was afraid that the members will separate and disappear in obscurity.

"IOI-seonbaenim would understand our case," Daehwi hinted. The present members of IOI more or less realized the reason behind Wanna One's sudden retirement.

"Nonsense! What are you talking about?" Moonbyul blurted.

"The eight of you should know what we're talking about," Minhyun stated, referring to the Twilight Triad and the rest of the Supreme Six.

"Don't tell me..." Jihyo speculated something. The rest also had something in mind.

"Yes. What you're all thinking is right," Sungwoon confirmed their thoughts.

The eight groups were surprised. They wondered when and how did Wanna One know when all nine of them were virtually together all the time during their disappearance. There were eight of them and they failed to notice this situation brewing up.

"When? How did you know?" Irene inquired.

"It was when we visited the Hall of History," Seongwu replied, tilting his head upward to stop his tears from flowing.

"Since then, we were talking about it and it led to this decision," Jaehwan added.

While the nine squads upfront were conversing, the rest did not understand what they were talking about as they listened. Only In-City had the guts to rejoin the conversation.

"BoA-daepyonim, did you know about this?" Taeyong turned to the Seer.

"Yes, they told me about this just a few days ago," BoA answered. "I was surprisedmyself because of their sudden decision; they did not even give me the detailsas to why, but I understand it's their choice to make. So with a heavy heart, Iaccepted their decision."

"What is even going on?" Jennie ran her hand through her hair in frustration.

The hall became an ocean of whispers because of the shocking news.