The seventh night

2. The Intruders

10:24 PM

[Monday, March 9, 2020, GFriend Hideout No. 1, 1st Floor Conference Room]

bang-!

A huge shock sound rang out again.

The ceiling light swayed, and a glass cup on the shelf fell to the floor and shattered into pieces.

Only the red emergency light blinked in the darkness.

Alarm sound: External intrusion detected. External intrusion detected.

Hyejeong froze while holding Sojeong's hand.

이혜정

Is someone outside?

Sojeong looked toward the conference room door without answering.

Yerin took out a folding club from behind her waist.

정예린

Sojeong, I'll check the main gate.

김소정

Go with the light rain.

김소정

Absolutely do not go outside the main gate.

황은비

yes.

As Jagunbi tried to follow behind Yerin, Yewon grabbed her arm.

김예원

It's a light rain.

황은비

why?

Yewon tucked a small communicator behind Little Rain's ear.

김예원

Don't get hurt.

Little Rain looked at Yewon for a moment, then turned her head.

황은비

I won't get hurt.

김예원

I told you that earlier, too.

황은비

You weren't hurt earlier.

김예원

So I'm telling you not to get hurt this time either.

Little Rain let out a very small sigh.

황은비

okay.

Yerin and Little Rain left the conference room.

Keun-eunbi tapped the tablet screen quickly.

정은비

Sojeong unnie, all the external cameras are dead.

정은비

It's not that the power was cut off, but someone entered the system.

최유나

What about the emergency generator?

정은비

It works, but the security network is locked so it won't switch.

김소정

Can you solve it?

정은비

I have to.

Keun-eunbi smiled with a nervous expression.

정은비

If I can't solve this, I guess I'll have to quit my job as the information officer starting today.

최유나

Don't say that.

Yuna sat next to Big Eunbi and opened her laptop.

최유나

I'll take care of the power system.

최유나

You find the intrusion path.

정은비

huh.

정은비

Yuna, please check the underground distribution panel first.

Sojeong let go of Hyejeong's hand and checked the black ledger inside the coat.

김소정

Yewon, take Hyejeong down to the underground shelter.

이혜정

Wait a minute.

Hyejeong unconsciously grabbed Sojeong's sleeve.

As Sojeong looked down, Hyejeong let go of her hand belatedly.

이혜정

sorry.

이혜정

But what about you, older sister?

김소정

I'll be here.

이혜정

There are dangerous people outside.

김소정

That's why I'm the one staying.

Hyejeong moved her lips but could not say anything more.

Yewon carefully took Hyejeong's wrist.

김예원

let's go.

김예원

The bottom is safer.

At that moment, Yerin's voice was heard through the communicator along with a dull crash from the entrance.

Jeong Yerin: Sojeong unnie, the main gate shutter is almost torn off.

Jeong Yerin: There are at least six or more.

Hwang Eun-bi: There are two people at the back wall as well.

Hwang Eun-bi: I think I know the internal structure.

Sojeong's gaze turned cold.

김소정

You know the structure?

Hwang Eun-bi: Yes.

Hwang Eun-bi: I only move in blind spots.

The air in the conference room grew heavy.

Hyejeong looked at the members' expressions one by one.

It was clear that someone had told Baekya the structure of this house.

*

10:29 PM

[1st Hideout 1st Floor Hallway and Entrance]

The front door shutter was significantly curved inward.

Yerin pressed herself against the wall and checked for movement outside.

정예린

Little Rain, do you see the two on the left?

황은비

yes.

황은비

There is one person behind the right pillar as well.

정예린

I'll block the way, so you go around to the back.

황은비

You're taking care of three people all by yourself, unnie?

Yerin smiled faintly.

정예린

why?

정예린

Don't you trust me?

황은비

That's not it. If you get hurt, Sojeong will scold me.

정예린

Then help me not to get hurt.

A hand wearing black gloves came in from under the shutter.

Yerin pushed that hand away forcefully with the tip of the club.

침입자

Ugh!

정예린

When entering someone's house, you ring the doorbell first.

Swearing was heard from outside.

Soon after, the shutters began to ring loudly.

Jageunbi took a toolbox out of the shoe rack and quickly wrapped a thick wire around the shutter handle.

정예린

When did you pack that?

황은비

You should know what everything in the house is used for.

정예린

As expected, your survival skills are the best.

황은비

Please give me compliments later.

As the light rain secured the wire to the railing, the shutter that was being lifted stopped in the middle.

Yerin pulled the arm of the intruder trying to squeeze through the gap.

The moment the man lost his balance, Yerin's club struck the floor.

bang!

The man stepped back in surprise.

정예린

Next time, get hit somewhere other than the floor.

A moment of silence followed.

However, soon the sound of a window breaking was heard from behind the building.

Jageunbi's expression hardened.

황은비

Sister, I came in from the back.

정예린

Let's go back to the conference room.

The moment the two turned around, Big Eun-bi's urgent voice was heard from the communicator.

Jeong Eun-bi: Yerin unnie, someone just entered the second-floor hallway!

정예린

already?

Jeong Eun-bi: And that person is heading straight toward the study.

Little Rain looked at Yerin.

It was the place where the safe used to store the black ledger was located.

황은비

The ledger was the goal from the beginning.

*

10:32 PM

[Entrance to the Underground Evacuation Passage of Hideout No. 1]

Yewon pressed the hidden button inside the closet.

The bookshelf moved sideways, and a narrow staircase appeared.

이혜정

I didn't know a place like this existed.

김예원

We don't usually use it either.

Just as Hyejeong was about to go down the stairs, she heard footsteps from the second floor.

Thump, thump.

Someone was running down the stairs.

Sojeong pushed Hyejeong behind her.

김소정

Yewon, go down first.

김예원

Please come down with me, too.

김소정

I'll block it, so go.

이혜정

No.

At Hyejeong's words, the two people looked at Hyejeong at the same time.

이혜정

You can't be left alone, unnie.

김소정

Hyejeong.

이혜정

If they came because of me, then my sister will be in danger while I'm hiding.

Sojeong looked at Hyejeong for a moment, then took a step closer.

김소정

Listen carefully.

It was a low, calm voice.

김소정

Those people didn't come all the way here just because of you.

Sojeong pressed the ledger she had placed inside her coat with her hand.

김소정

I came here to find this.

이혜정

The ledger I brought?

김소정

So it's not your fault.

이혜정

Still, if I hadn't brought it—

김소정

Then those people would have found it first.

Sojeong lightly put her arm around Hyejeong's shoulder.

김소정

There is no time to apologize.

김소정

Yewon, follow me down.

Just then, a man wearing a black mask appeared at the end of the hallway.

The man held a short iron pipe in his hand.

침입자

Hand over the ledger.

Sojeong completely blocked Hyejeong's path.

김소정

Is it your way to break into someone else's house just to get your own things?

The man rushed forward.

Sojeong dodged to the side and knocked the man's wrist away.

The iron pipe fell to the floor.

However, the man immediately pushed Sojeong's shoulder, causing him to hit the wall.

이혜정

Sister!

As Hyejeong tried to step forward, Yewon grabbed her waist.

김예원

You can't go!

이혜정

Sojeong unnie-

김예원

Trust Sojeong unnie.

Sojeong grabbed the man's arm, twisted it, and knocked him to the floor.

At that moment, a small walkie-talkie fell out of the man's pocket.

A strange voice came through the walkie-talkie.

Walkie-talkie: The target is not the girl.

Walkie-talkie: Just retrieve the ledger.

Hyejeong's gaze was fixed on the walkie-talkie.

It's not a girl.

That meant Baekya did not yet know his exact identity.

Hyejeong realized something and shouted at Sojeong.

이혜정

Sojeong unnie!

김소정

why?

이혜정

Those people still don't know who I am!

Sojeong's expression changed.

이혜정

They said over the radio that the girl wasn't the target.

이혜정

It seems like they have seen my face but don't know my name or my house.

Sojeong picked up the fallen man's walkie-talkie.

김소정

Yewon, take Hyejeong down.

김소정

Right now.

This time, Yewon didn't hesitate either.

김예원

Let's go, Hyejeong.

Hyejeong kept looking back as she went down the stairs.

Sojeong remained alone in the hallway, staring at the walkie-talkie.

*

10:38 PM

[1st Hideout Underground Control Room]

The underground control room was filled with several monitors and communication equipment.

Keun Eunbi was rapidly flipping through the screen, while Yuna was sitting in front of an open power box checking the wires.

정은비

Yewon, where is Sojeong?

김예원

He is up there.

정은비

alone?

김예원

They will be coming down soon.

Yuna adjusted the power device with a small screwdriver.

최유나

Big Eunbi, backup power will be activated in 30 seconds.

정은비

huh.

정은비

When you come in, I'll disconnect the security network first.

Hyejeong stood in a corner of the control room and looked at the screen.

Several cameras that had been dead started turning on one by one.

On the screen, Yerin and Jagunbi were seen confronting intruders at the entrance.

On another screen, two masked men searching the second floor appeared.

Keun Eunbi stopped typing on the keyboard.

정은비

That's strange.

최유나

why?

정은비

The paths these people move are too precise.

정은비

I know the location of not only the study safe but also the underground control room.

김예원

You're saying it comes all the way down here?

정은비

huh.

정은비

Two people were caught by the sensor near the stairs.

Hyejeong looked at the screen and saw a man fumbling along the wall.

Where his hand was pointing, there was a button to open the evacuation passage.

이혜정

That person knows the entrance.

Keun-eunbi zoomed in on the screen.

정은비

How did you even get to that button location...

Yuna stood up as she closed the distribution box door.

최유나

Now is not the time to think about that.

최유나

I have to escape.

Yewon looked at Hyejeong.

김예원

Hyejeong, is there no problem running?

이혜정

yes.

이혜정

My knee is fine.

김예원

If it's not okay, you have to say something.

이혜정

It hurts a little, but I can run.

Yuna draped her coat over Hyejeong's shoulders.

최유나

It's raining outside.

최유나

I'm wearing it.

이혜정

What about Yuna?

최유나

I have a spare in the car.

Keun Eunbi entered the last command.

The lights in the hideout, which had been off, turned on all at once.

At the same time, fire shutters began to come down at the entrance and the second-floor hallway.

정은비

it's okay!

Keun-eunbi let out a short cheer.

정은비

For now, I've cut off the intruders' path.

정은비

You can buy about 5 minutes.

최유나

good job.

정은비

Yuna, I looked pretty cool just now, didn't I?

최유나

huh.

최유나

I'll tell you everything later.

정은비

When is 'later'?

최유나

First, get out alive.

Keun Eunbi kept her mouth shut.

정은비

yes.

정은비

That comes first.

*

10:44 PM

[1st Hideout Underground Control Room]

Sojeong, Yerin, and Little Rain entered the control room.

Yerin's sleeve was slightly torn, and there was a red scratch mark on the back of Jagunbi's hand.

Yewon immediately took Little Rain's hand.

김예원

You got hurt.

황은비

This isn't even a minor injury.

김예원

It's bleeding?

황은비

It got scratched.

김예원

Say that you are injured when you get scratched and bleed.

황은비

Treat it later.

Sojeong quickly checked the members.

김소정

Everyone's here, right?

정예린

yes.

정예린

You just need to go out through the back passageway.

정은비

Sister, the shutter only lasts 4 minutes at most.

김소정

Move to the second hideout.

Little Rain looked at Hyejeong.

황은비

Are you taking him too?

Hyejeong's expression hardened.

Sojeong looked back at the small rain.

김소정

Why are you asking the obvious?

황은비

What they are after over there right now is the ledger.

황은비

If you just take the ledger, he'll be here-

김소정

It's a light rain.

Sojeong's voice lowered.

Little Rain kept his mouth shut.

김소정

Hyejeong is going too.

황은비

yes.

Hyejeong lowered her head, feeling that the atmosphere had become heavy because of her.

Then Yerin lightly patted Hyejeong's back.

정예린

Don't be scared.

정예린

Little Rain usually speaks a bit harshly.

황은비

Yerin unnie.

정예린

why?

정예린

Did I say something wrong?

황은비

I said it gently.

정예린

I said that earlier, too.

It was only for a brief moment, but Keun-eunbi let out a chuckle.

Sojeong opened the iron door of the secret passage.

At the end of the passageway, there were stairs leading to the alley outside the back door.

김소정

Yerin, take the lead.

김소정

Yuna and Big Eunbi are in the middle, and Yewon and Hyejeong are at the back.

김소정

Little Rain goes with me last.

이혜정

Is there nothing I can do, either?

Sojeong looked at Hyejeong.

이혜정

I feel bad for constantly being protected.

김소정

What you have to do now is follow along to the end without falling.

이혜정

Does that help?

김소정

many.

Sojeong handed the flashlight to Hyejeong.

김소정

Don't lose sight of the person in front.

*

11:03 PM

[Inside the vehicle moving through the alley behind the hideout]

The seven people got into two cars parked at the end of the alley in the rain.

Yerin sat in the driver's seat and Sojeong got into the passenger seat.

Hyejeong, Yewon, and Keun Eunbi sat in the back seat.

Yuna and Jagunbi got into the vehicle following behind.

As soon as the vehicle started moving, the alarm from the first hideout rang out again in the distance.

Hyejeong turned around as she tucked her wet hair behind her ear.

이혜정

Is it okay to leave the house like that?

정예린

It's not okay.

Yerin's usually bright voice was a little subdued.

정예린

Still, people come before home.

Keun-eunbi checked the tracking signal on her laptop.

정은비

So far, no cars have been following.

김소정

Keep checking.

정은비

Yes, older sister.

Yewon took out the first-aid kit and examined Hyejeong's knee.

김예원

I'll roll up my pants.

이혜정

are you okay.

이혜정

Yewon unnie must be tired, too......

김예원

Being tired and getting treated are separate things.

이혜정

Shouldn't you be looking at Little Rain's hands first?

Yewon looked at Hyejeong for a moment.

김예원

You got hurt too.

이혜정

Still, I wasn't hurt much.

Sojeong, who was in the passenger seat, turned around.

김소정

Hyejeong.

이혜정

yes?

김소정

Tell me about your own condition before worrying about others.

이혜정

It's really good......

김소정

Do you know how many times you said you're okay?

Hyejeong closed her mouth.

Keun Eunbi counted them one by one with her fingers.

정은비

Six times just from what I've heard?

정예린

I think I've heard it seven times.

이혜정

Did you say that much?

Yewon smiled faintly.

김예원

huh.

김예원

So from now on, if it hurts, say it hurts.

Hyejeong hesitated for a moment, then looked down at her knees.

이혜정

It hurts quite a bit.

김예원

good job.

Yewon disinfected the wound and wrapped it with a bandage.

Hyejeong looked out the window and closed her eyes without realizing it.

As the tension in my body released, a sudden wave of fatigue washed over me.

As the car rounded the curve, Hyejeong's body tilted to the side.

Hyejeong's head lightly bumped against the back of Sojeong's magnet.

Sojeong unbuckled her seatbelt, turned around, and placed her folded coat under Hyejeong's head.

Yerin looked at the scene in the rearview mirror.

정예린

Sojeong unnie.

김소정

why?

정예린

It's nothing.

Yerin looked ahead again with a faint smile on her lips.

*

12:18 AM

[Tuesday, March 10, 2020, Girlfriend's 2nd Hideout Living Room]

The second hideout was an old two-story house.

The exterior was ordinary, but the necessary items were already organized inside.

Hyejeong sat on the living room sofa and watched the six people bustling about.

Yuna checked the windows and doors, and Keun Eunbi connected the new security network.

Yewon seated Jagunbi on the dining chair.

김예원

Give me your hand.

황은비

It's really okay.

김예원

No saying that today.

황은비

why?

김예원

Hyejeong did too much, and you did too much too.

Keun Eunbi interrupted without taking her eyes off the laptop.

정은비

that's right.

정은비

Starting today, let's limit the phrase "it's okay" to three times a day.

최유나

Why determine that by the number of times?

정은비

Because doing it too much makes it meaningless.

최유나

Big Eunbi, are you okay?

Keun Eun-bi paused for a moment.

정은비

...... So, did I use it once today?

Yuna smiled faintly.

최유나

huh.

최유나

There are two left.

A small smile spread across Hyejeong's lips for the first time, even though they had been stiff with tension.

Sojeong was looking through a black ledger in one corner of the living room.

Hyejeong hesitated for a moment, then approached Sojeong.

이혜정

Sojeong unnie.

김소정

huh.

이혜정

Did what I heard on the radio earlier help?

김소정

That was helpful.

이혜정

So, Baekya still doesn't know who I am, right?

김소정

I'm not sure.

이혜정

When can I contact home?

Sojeong could not answer immediately.

Anxiety spread across Hyejeong's face.

이혜정

Mom will be worried.

김소정

I'll have Big Eunbi check your phone first and then contact you.

이혜정

Can't we do it now?

김소정

A tracking device might be planted in your phone.

이혜정

Then when can I go home?

Sojeong closed the ledger.

김소정

Not today, at least.

이혜정

Are you saying you intend to keep me here?

김소정

Only until I confirm that you are not in danger.

Hyejeong's gaze wavered.

이혜정

You said earlier that those people didn't know my identity.

김소정

They will probably start looking now.

이혜정

Still, like this without any explanation—

김소정

If I explain, can you accept it?

Hyejeong stopped speaking.

Sojeong closed her eyes for a moment, then spoke in a slightly softer voice.

김소정

Sorry.

김소정

I'm not trying to scare you.

이혜정

I don't think my older sisters are bad people either.

Sojeong looked at Hyejeong.

이혜정

Because you saved me, and you protected me even while getting hurt.

이혜정

But it is true that it is scary.

김소정

know.

이혜정

I was just working at a cafe until this morning...

Hyejeong's voice trembled slightly.

Sojeong hesitated for a moment, then smoothed Hyejeong's wet hair with her fingertips.

김소정

Just hang in there tonight.

이혜정

What's next?

김소정

Let's talk again tomorrow morning.

*

02:20 AM

[Second Hideout Kitchen and Living Room]

The seven people began their late meal only after Keun-eunbi finished the security check.

Cup noodles, convenience store rice balls, and bottled water were placed on the dining table.

Yerin let out a sigh as she stirred the ramen with chopsticks.

정예린

I couldn't even have a proper dinner tonight.

최유나

Sister, did you have lunch?

정예린

huh.

정예린

Sojeong bought me gimbap before the meeting.

정은비

I ate two lines.

황은비

You ate mine too, unnie.

정은비

I thought you weren't going to eat.

황은비

I had just gone to the restroom.

정은비

So you should have marked it.

황은비

Do you write your name on the gimbap?

김예원

Let's put up a Post-it note next time.

황은비

Why are you acting like this too?

Hyejeong just fiddled with the cup ramen lid.

Yuna pushed the tuna rice ball toward Hyejeong.

최유나

Eat.

이혜정

I don't have an appetite.

최유나

Still, you have to eat a little to take your medicine.

이혜정

Medicine?

Yewon took out a small painkiller.

김예원

I told you my knee hurts.

Hyejeong looked at the six people and carefully opened the rice ball packaging.

이혜정

Do you all usually eat together like this?

정은비

If the timing works out.

정예린

Usually, Sojeong tells me to wait until everyone gathers.

김소정

Anyone listening would think I'm preventing them from eating.

정예린

You mean it well by suggesting we all eat together, right?

정은비

But Sojeong is the last one to arrive.

최유나

So, if you wait, you get hungry.

김소정

Eat first.

정은비

Really?

김소정

huh.

정예린

Big Eunbi, don't believe that.

정예린

They might be disappointed if you eat first.

김소정

Yerina.

정예린

sorry.

Yerin smiled brightly while apologizing.

Hyejeong felt her tension ease a little as she watched that.

I thought they would be people from a scary organization, but they looked like an ordinary family sitting at the table.

Hyejeong took a bite of the rice ball.

정은비

It doesn't taste good?

이혜정

no.

이혜정

it is delicious.

황은비

You've been looking around nervously for a while now; don't do that.

Hyejeong looked at the light rain.

황은비

If they gave it to you to eat, just eat it.

황은비

Don't feel sorry.

Although her tone was blunt, Little Rain handed another pair of chopsticks to Hyejeong.

이혜정

Thank you, Little Rain.

Little Rain's hand stopped.

황은비

Little Rain unnie?

이혜정

Since everyone calls it that......

이혜정

Do you dislike it?

정은비

I guess I'm Big Eunbi's older sister?

이혜정

yes.

이혜정

If you don't mind.

Keun-eunbi smiled and nodded.

정은비

I like it.

Little Rain took a bite of ramen and avoided eye contact.

황은비

Do as you please.

Yewon whispered softly to Hyejeong.

김예원

It means it's good.

황은비

I can hear everything.

*

02:42 AM

[Guest Room on the 2nd Floor of the 2nd Hideout]

After finishing a quick shower, Hyejeong was sitting on the bed wearing the oversized T-shirt and sweatpants that Yewon had prepared.

Yewon treated Hyejeong's knee and wrist again.

김예원

The bruise might be darker tomorrow morning.

이혜정

yes.

김예원

Call me right away if you feel dizzy or have an upset stomach.

이혜정

Yewon, you go to sleep now too.

김예원

huh.

김예원

After seeing you sleeping.

As Hyejeong covered herself with the blanket, Yewon dimmed the bedside light.

이혜정

Yewon unnie.

김예원

why?

이혜정

You're not really not sleeping, are you?

Yewon blinked.

이혜정

I was wondering when you get to sleep if you keep doing this at night.

Yewon smiled faintly.

김예원

We sleep too.

김예원

Today is special.

이혜정

That's a relief.

김예원

Were you worried?

이혜정

A little.

김예원

Everyone is going to sleep at dawn tonight.

김예원

I'm going to wake up late tomorrow.

Just then, a light knocking sound was heard on the open door.

Sojeong was standing in front of the door.

김소정

Yewon, please take another look at Little Rain.

김예원

Yes, older sister.

Yewon left the room holding the first aid kit.

Sojeong was about to close the door when she met Hyejeong's gaze.

이혜정

Sojeong unnie.

김소정

why?

이혜정

What I said earlier......

이혜정

Can I trust you?

김소정

What do you mean?

이혜정

That you said you would save me.

Sojeong looked at Hyejeong for a moment.

And then I took a step into the room.

김소정

huh.

이혜정

Even if my sister gets into danger?

김소정

That’s not something you need to worry about.

이혜정

why?

Instead of answering, Sojeong pulled Hyejeong's blanket up to her shoulders.

김소정

ruler.

김소정

I'm not going to wake anyone up until 10 today.

이혜정

I don't think I'll be able to sleep.

김소정

Should I leave the light on?

이혜정

Just a little.

Sojeong walked toward the door, leaving the bedside lamp as it was.

Hyejeong watched Sojeong's back as she walked away, then cautiously called out.

이혜정

Sister.

Sojeong looked back again.

이혜정

Thank you for saving me today.

Sojeong's expression softened just a little.

김소정

Good night, Hyejeong.

이혜정

good night

The door closed quietly.

Hyejeong curled up under the covers.

A strange room and strange people, a black ledger that cannot yet be understood.

When I closed my eyes, the man who had grabbed me in the parking lot and the broken window came to mind.

However, what came to mind more clearly was the image of Sojeong, who did not let go of her hand in the darkness.

*

03:20 AM

[Temporary Control Room on the 1st Floor of the 2nd Hideout]

After Hyejeong fell asleep, Sojeong opened the black ledger again in the temporary control room.

Keun Eunbi checked the screen with a tired face, and Yuna brought three cups of warm tea.

최유나

Sojeong, please get some sleep now.

김소정

Just looking at this.

정은비

Sister, you said that three times in the last hour.

김소정

okay?

최유나

That's all for today.

최유나

I have to ask Hyejeong again tomorrow, too.

Sojeong turned the last page of the ledger.

At that moment, Sojeong's hand stopped.

Faint writing was appearing on one side of the last page, which had been blank until now.

It was a sentence that was revealed as it became wet with moisture.

The seventh person who can read the ledger is the key.

Keun Eunbi checked the sentence and opened her eyes wide.

정은비

The seventh person......

정은비

Are you talking about Hyejeong?

Yuna looked up at the second floor.

최유나

How can someone who accidentally picked up a ledger be the key?

Sojeong did not answer.

After quietly closing the ledger, I looked up at the second floor where Hyejeong was sleeping.

I simply thought he was a witness who had entered the wrong place.

However, Baekya attacked his girlfriend's hideout to retrieve the ledger.

And Jangbu was waiting for the seventh person.

Sojeong's gaze deepened.

김소정

Check everything again starting tomorrow.

정은비

What about Hyejeong, too?

Sojeong, who had been silent for a moment, answered in a low voice.

김소정

huh.

Sojeong placed her hand on the ledger.

김소정

Who on earth is that child?

2. The Intruders