LAST WORDS OF A SHOOTING STAR - THE UNCANNY COUNTER

Ordinary Life

It had been a week since Jeongyeong had died and Yuna was kicking herself. Her premonitions, of sorts, had been unreliable in the past, having felt similar sensations before she enters an exam of a subject she hates, or when she gets a little too excited over something. But instead she was plagued with what ifs and deep regret, but she knew it was nothing to what Motak was feeling.

What had humbled her during the week after missing so much school was the make-up tests she had to do, Jangmul actually receiving a call from the school about how her grades were plummeting. This terrible realization meant being forced to busy herself with study as the rest of the Counters kicked ass, or more in a metaphorical-strategical sense. Around came the weekend, and she was back in on the antics.

"I just think they look a little silly." Yuna thought aloud as she observed the men loading the suitcases into the boot of their car.

"Yuna, these are bad people."

"Of course, but when you try to look all villainous it's just embarrassing. It's gotta be effortless. Hana's got that energy." She pointed over to the aforementioned girl who glared back in return. Yuna tilted her head, looking at Hana in wonder, "You are so good at that."

They drove on, tailing the car all the way into an underground parking lot, the Counters sitting with their chairs reclined to avoid being seen.

"Cozy." Yuna spoke as she laid wedged between Hana and Mun.

"Motak, it's 4 o'clock now." Hana spoke in a low tone, the older man nodding as he stared out the windshield.

"Let the operation begin."

Yuna sat upright, Mun sending her an encouraging nod from where he was situated beside her, listening into the calls.

Less than gracefully, the youngest began her journey climbing over Hana, much to the other's dismay. This scramble ended with a push from Hana out the car door, careful not to launch Yuna into the adjacent wall as it would likely blow their cover.

More gracefully, however, Yuna made her way over to the car, pulling a pocket knife from her jacket. She remained crouched as she approached, quickly slashing the rubber of the tire. She didn't feel the need to stop to check the gash as the sharp wheeze of escaping air met her ears, Yuna swiftly circling around to the car which Ms Chu had now parked in the spot beside the black one.

She clambered back into their car, Hana having moved into the passenger's seat in the front. A few moments passed when some of the men emerged from the stairwell, carrying bags.

They quickly noticed the flat tyre, beginning to bicker among eachother as a result. As soon as one of the men put down his phone, Ms Chu raised her own to her ear.

"Hello, we just put in an emergency service due to a flat tire. Oh, my husband did. But you don't need to come. It looks like it just lost a little air. We can get it fixed ourselves. Sorry for the trouble. Yes, thank you."

Mun laughed to himself as he listened, almost setting off Yuna. A moment passed after Ms Chu hung up when Motak rounded the corner in another van, emerging wearing a car repair uniform and a hat to match.

Yuna peered over the window with what could only be described as a shit-eating grin as Motak interacted with the group. After a moment, all except for the man in the drivers seat stepped out of the vehicle, Motak dropping the spare wheel as they did so. He chased after it, catching his foot on a bumper in the process, a loud scream echoing through the lot as he soared towards the concrete below. He stayed motionless, eyes closed on the ground, as the men gathered, jolting awake after a few seconds. More screams sounded as the group scrambled to assist Motak as he writhed, gripping his foot as it 'cramped'.