Chapter Text
"Are you sure this works?"
Several figures were gathered on the rooftop, the sole reason being a lunar event, the full moon.
One figure was holding a clear glass bottle, ensuring it wouldn't fall off the ledge. "Of course it will, don't worry about it!" they exclaimed, exuding an air of confidence.
The other 3 figures glanced at each other, still not convinced.
As if sensing their distrust, the figure huffed, pointing her free hand at them. "Then do you guys have any better ideas?" she whispered aggressively.
The other three figures tensed, facing the unfortunate truth that was their lack of ideas. (And action, but that was besides the point.) Clearly none of them had been able to put forth something to solve their problem, therefore this was their solution.
"Fine then," one of the three replied, "but why are we up here in the middle of night, watching you hold the bottle in the air?"
At the question all attention was returned to their schemer-in-chief.
Sighing, the figure's shoulders fell, grumbling, "Clearly you guys didn't remember when I went over the details last week."
The three cringed, avoiding her eyes. "To be fair, we didn't know you were serious about this" one pointed out. "Magic potions aren't exactly our wheelhouse, and this could be some rubbish for all we know."
Unconvinced by her points, the figure calmly replied, stating, "I've done this before," pointing at the bottle, "you guys might not believe me, but this really works! I'm following the directions of he- my, MY book exactly. Don't worry! It'll work! I'm sure of it!"
Another of the three spoke up, her phone ringing, signaling the passing of the set time. "There, ten minutes is over." Hearing that, the figure took the bottle off the ledge, setting it on the ground in the shadow. "Now we just need to wait another ten minutes, then we should be done!"
Staring at the bottle, one of the three asked another question. "So, this potion, it's going to erase his memories, right? We won't have to deal with him anymore?"
At her question the figure on her left envelops her in a hug, whispering, "Even if this doesn't work out I'll defend you," in her ear. Cold hands rose, hesitating, before resting on her arms, squeezing them to convey her gratitude. The two stayed in that position, clearly comfortable in the night's company.
The figure sitting next to the potion gazes at her, turning solemn. "Yes, I promise you, we'll solve him ourselves." Her eyes burn with a fiery passion, one that promises action. Passion, however, is nothing without meticulous determination, hard work, and luck.
The last figure sighs, tugging her jacket up around her neck. "And even if it doesn't work out, this concoction will probably give him some kind of stomach bug, and we can watch him suffer." She knelt down next to the sitting figure, brushing a spot on the ground before sitting down. "We can treat it like a bonding experience overall."
Looking at them she recounted their escapades over the last few days. "I've never had to help distract someone so we could snip off a whole chunk of hair, and not to mention sneaking a bottle of kaoliang liquor from Xinyu's secret stash."
The three of them shuddered, a collective memory of their operations over the last few days. "Thank the lord for Sohyun coming at the right moment," one muttered. "Amen to that," one figure put her hand over her heart, feeling it stop at the reminder of their heist. ""Amen,"" the others chorused, all in a similar state of collective agreement not to attempt that again.
Sitting in silence, they retreated into their thoughts, finally moving when the phone alarm sounded again.
At the sound, one figure stood, stretching her body before picking up the bottle. "It should be done now," she said, pulling the cork out to give it a cautionary sniff.
The others stood slowly, having huddled together for warmth while waiting. Together, they watched in curiosity as she sniffed the now clear concoction.
Noticing their questioning stares, she waved them towards the rooftop door, "Come on guys, we're done now, let's go sleep." As she skips, she explains further, "The book says we needed to ferment it in moonlight for a small period of time," spinning around to show them, "and that we'd know if it was done when it changed colors to look clear!"
She smirked, her face contorting in what must have been meant to be menacing, but appeared goofy instead. "Now, we just need to sneak some to him, and poof," she gestured with her hands, "he won't remember you at all!"
The three looked at each other, before shrugging. They had seen it change color, participated in various ingredient gathering schemes, they were too deeply involved at this point to let it go. At the very least they could probably see him puke, considering what they had gathered was likely used to make the serum. They walked alongside her, eager to finally climb into their beds.
Their dear leader seemed delighted in their acceptance, speeding up towards the door.
However, just as she's just centimeteres from the door, it bursts open, revealing their oldest member.
"Soom-
At this moment it feels as if the world moves in slow motion.
Even when questioned later on, Soomin can't fully describe what exactly happened.
The bottle
it's not in her hands.
It's in the air.
Looking up, Yooyeon spots the bottle.
Instinctively, she reaches out.
But it's too late.
The cork?
It's tipping.
It's in Soomin's hand.
* *~Kkkraaaasshhhh~* *
And one week of their hard work is shattered all over Yooyeon.
Her eyes roll back, and she flops to the floor, like a puppet whose strings have been cut.
"Oh sh-