Mission Status - Enrollment
A/N: I'm really sorry this chapter is so, so, late. I've recently moved out of the US, so it's been very busy for me. I just got around to writing this recently. And to those who are patient enough to wait, much love and thanks from me ^^
The protectors have lived a long life; a very, very long life compared to what the public knows, a long life that the public know nothing about. But what the public does know is that they all are still students. The public knows that Kim Jong In-now called Kai-and Oh Se Hun were both seniors in high school. The public knows that Do Kyung Soo-D.O.-along with Huang Zi Tao were both college freshmen. The public knows that Kim Jong Dae-Chen-along with Park Chan Yeol and Byun Baek Hyun were college sophomores. The public knows that Kim Joon Myun-Suho-and Zhang Yi Xing-Lay-were college juniors. The public also know that Wu Yi Fan-Kris-was a college senior along with Kim Min Seok-Xiu Min-and Lu Han.
Sehun was making two cups of coffee when Kai, complete with his school uniform, backpack and duffle bag, teleported into the kitchen in their hideout in Melbourne.
“Rise and shine, hyung,” Sehun muttered softly, setting a cup of coffee in front of the tired and sleepy Kai. “There are muffins in the cupboard. Help yourself, but don’t eat the chocolate chip ones. They’re Baekhyun hyung’s, and if they disappear, I’ll be seeing stars for the next week.” He gently squeezed Kai’s shoulder before retreating back into his room, changing into his uniform and packing his belongings.
Kai mumbled a response, almost immediately drinking the serving of caffeine to wake up his system. The encounter the night before was exhausting, he was surprised Sehun managed to get up and go on with his daily routine. Although, he did notice the slight dark bags under the younger one’s eyes.
Sehun returned to the kitchen minutes later, accompanied by Xiumin, who looked like he was unceremoniously woken up.
“Morning, hyung,” Kai muttered, raising his cup of coffee.
Xiumin grumbled a response, plopping himself down on a chair. Sehun poured a cup of coffee for the elder and handed it to him, the latter gratuitously taking the cup.
“There are bread and muffins in the cupboard. Jam’s in the fridge, and the chocolate spread is near the bread. I prepared a couple of steamed buns, if you or Chen hyung want some,” Sehun said, buzzing around the kitchen as he prepared himself and Kai snacks for school. “And we might be late today. I have after school tutorials, and Kai has dance practice.”
Xiumin nodded, yawning. “You’ll be home for dinner?”
“Hopefully,” Kai answered, finishing his coffee and taking the box of food that was handed to him by Sehun. “If not, we’ll get something before I drop him home.”
“Do you have money?”
Both Kai and Sehun nodded. The elder of the two stood up and rinsed his cup, grabbed a muffin from the cupboard, and took Sehun’s hand. “Ready whenever you are,” he said, pocketing the muffin.
Sehun nodded. “I’ll see you later, hyung,” he said to Xiumin.
And with that, Kai and Sehun disappeared into thin air, leaving a hungry Xiumin who immediately looked for the steamed buns that the youngest had prepared.
“You two are going to rest today, no buts, ors, ifs, or ands,” Yongguk said to Youngjae, Jongup and Daehyun, his three comrades who had arrived at earth several hours ago. “After that travel, you three need to regain your energy.”
The three that Yongguk was talking to were seated in the dining area, eating a small breakfast. Yongguk himself was brewing coffee, making sure that he had plenty to spare for when he returned home from work. He gave Zelo a cup of the dark liquid when the high school student passed by, ready in his uniform and back pack.
“Don’t leave the apartment. If you need me, use the communicator in my office. It’s wirelessly connected to my cell phone,” Yongguk continued, preparing Zelo’s mid-day snack. “There’s food in the fridge and cupboards, cold water’s in the fridge. Don’t turn on the stove or use the kitchen for any purpose, do you understand? I don’t want to come back to a burned-down apartment.”
A chorus of “Yes” resounded throughout the small kitchen, and Yongguk couldn’t help but smile a little. He handed Zelo the small pack of food and watched as the younger one rushed out of the house, a chocolate muffin in one hand and skateboard in the other.
“Why don’t you leave with him, commander?” Jongup asked, motioning towards the closed front door. “I mean, aren’t you two going to the same location?”
Yongguk nodded. “Zelo and I are used to leaving the apartment separately. I like to give the kid some free time before his first hour starts,” he explained, “also, don’t call me commander here on Earth. Use hyung instead. It’s more socially acceptable.”
The three nodded and continued to eat their meal. Yongguk left them to go get changed and prepare for his job. Minutes later, he emerged from his room and tidied the kitchen. “Go get cleaned up, you three, then rest. Sleep the day away. Zelo will be coming back home first because I have to tutor one of my students.”
Kai and Sehun arrived at some distance away from the high school to avoid suspicion. The pair walked side by side to school, meeting an underclassman riding his skateboard at the intersection near the front gate.
“Jongin hyung, Sehun hyung,” he greeted, stopping his skateboard and popping it into his hand before bowing to his seniors. “Good morning.”
Sehun smiled. “Ever so polite, aren’t you, Zelo?”
Zelo merely rubbed the back of his neck and laughed, going up to the pair and joined them, walking beside Sehun.
“Morning to you, too, Zelo,” Kai called out, a confident smirk on his lips, “and how many times do I have to tell you to call me Kai instead of using my real name?”
“Sorry, hyung,” the younger replied, shrugging, “it just slipped out.”
Kai moved over and messed with Zelo’s hair, eliciting laughter from the three of them. They continued their walk into the school building, and because of class difference, Zelo bade them farewell and made his way to his class.
“Cute kid, that Zelo,” Kai commented once he and Sehun were alone.
The younger of the two nodded. “He’s different from the others... in a good sense, that is. Much more sociable that the others that are in his grade level,” Sehun added. “Fearless.”
“Who is fearless?”
Kai and Sehun turned to see their computer science instructor giving them a mischievous smile. “Yongguk songsaengnim!”
“And good morning to you two, Kai, Sehun,” Yongguk replied with a small nod of his head. “After school, right Sehun?”
Sehun nodded and smiled. “Thank you for taking some time to help me, songsaengnim.”
Yongguk waved his hand and shook his head. “It’s an honor for me to help my students who are actually taking this class for a learning purpose, not for a fly-by only-for-an-easy-grade kind of thing.” He turned his head to Kai. “And will you, sir, be joining us today?”
Kai shook his head. “I have dance practice after school, songsaengnim. I would, but I can’t cancel this.” He was a bit disappointed; Yongguk was one of his few favorite teachers who made high school bearable, especially for one who’s attended high school repeatedly over the past several hundred years.
“Ah, that’s unfortunate, then,” the teacher replied, “but after today, if you have any questions, you can ask Sehun here.”
The students and teacher shared a short laugh before they bowed out and went to their classes. It is, after all, school time for everyone.
Several grueling hours later, the students received a one-hour break. Some retreated out to the soccer field to play, others wandered off to eat or pay a visit to the library. The low buzz of conversations, along with a shout of two from here and there, is something that they’ve all gotten so used to over time.
As for Kai and Sehun, the pair retreated up to the rooftop, their little sanctuary that was shared with Zelo. They’ve done this for quite some time now, and through this, they’ve all learned that the youngest of the three had a knack for picking locks.
Zelo would always be the first to arrive at the rooftop because his previous class is always at the top floor. Kai and Sehun would take their time, knowing that they have a full hour of nothing but eating and small talks with their fearless junior.
Today was like any other day; Zelo was already there when Kai and Sehun arrived, but something about the youngest seemed a bit off. The seniors found their junior standing against the railing, eyes off to the distance, with an expression that showed deep thought. Kai glanced at Sehun, slightly concerned. Sehun, who didn’t know what was up with Zelo, merely shrugged.
“Zelo~” Sehun called out as he walked up towards the younger, “it’s not good to stare off into space like that, you know?”
Zelo blinked several times and laughed slightly, messing with his hair. “Just thoughts, hyung.”
“Well don’t stress that pretty brain of yours, kiddo,” Kai said, joining the pair by the railing. “Not good for your health.”
Zelo nodded and smiled. “It’s nothing, really. I just got news that a relative of mine was…uh… a bit unwell, so I’m slightly worried even though I don’t know him that well.”
Kai and Sehun nodded in understanding, the former ruffling Zelo’s hair. “Hey, everything’s going to be alright. Just keep that relative of yours in your prayers,” Sehun commented.
“And with that in thought,” Kai added. “Can we eat? Math has always managed to make me hungry.”
“…and you connect the RJ-45 here before using the crimping tool... Sehun? Are you still with me?”
Sehun jolted awake, almost falling from his chair, when Yongguk tapped on his desk. He blinked away the sleep, fighting so hard to stay awake, but his system was so tired after the encounter the night (or early morning) before, and his brain was fried the entire school day. It felt nice to be the only student in tutorials because it meant that he got to have more one-on-one time with his teacher, but his eyelids were becoming heavier and heavier as the instructions flowed out of Yongguk’s mouth.
“Sorry, songsaengnim,” Sehun muttered, rubbing his eyes and mussing his hair.
“Long night?” Yongguk asked, setting the blue UTP cable and crimping tool aside.
Sehun sighed. “Something of the like,” he answered, making a lie on the spot. “I woke up at 3 this morning and couldn’t go back to sleep until 4:30.”
“And you still insisted on having this session despite your condition?”
Sehun shrugged and nodded, earning a short, light laugh from his teacher. When the student raised an eyebrow, the teacher merely smiled.
“You should take better care of yourself, Sehun. Being here, as in having after school activities, when you’re this exhausted won’t do you any good. Your friend up here,” Yongguk poked Sehun’s forehead, “will be as exhausted as you are, if not more.”
Sehun pouted. “But the material… I missed it when you taught the class…”
“And it will be alright. There will be other days when I can re-teach you, Sehun. Your grades are the highest in the class, so even if you managed to get below average, it won’t affect your overall average. Now go home and rest. And that’s an order, Oh Sehun,” Yongguk finished with a small smile.
Sehun slowly smiled and nodded, packing his belongings and left the classroom, going down to the school’s dance studio to find Kai.
Kai rubbed his waist when he and Sehun arrived back in Melbourne, just in time for dinner. They both dropped their bags in the living room before joining Xiumin, Baekhyun and Chen in the dining room.
“Pushed yourself too hard again, Kai?” Baekhyun asked in between bites of his meal.
Kai shrugged. “Maybe. I relieve stress better this way.”
Chen pointed his chopsticks at the dancer, eyes narrowing. “Not good for you, you know. You’re already having back problems, and you’re not even as old as Suho hyung.”
Small laughter erupted as the dinner progressed. Conversations were exchanged, mainly about the day’s events. After they were done, Kai bade them farewell and teleported back to the United States and Baekhyun, accompanied by Sehun, did the dishes.
“So did Suho hyung say anything about the one we caught last night?” Sehun asked as he took a clean plate from Baekhyun’s hands and dried it.
“All he got out of him was his name. This guy’s a tough one,” Baekhyun commented, a small smirk appearing on his lips. “Haven’t met any of those in a while now.”
Sehun only nodded. “And how’s Kris hyung?”
“He woke up when we had lunch,” Baekhyun replied. “He wanted to help Suho with the interrogation, but Lay hyung and Chanyeol managed to convince him otherwise. Nearly had an accident, though.”
“Accident how?”
“Well… Chanyeol and Kris hyung bickering isn’t really the most wonderful event in the world, and Kris hyung, who remains as bitch-faced as when we first met him, can be a stubborn dick sometimes. Add to that beautiful equation Lay hyung, whose patience are always put to the test when Kris hyung is being, well… Kris.”
“Did Chanyeol hyung nearly burn this apartment down as well?” Sehun remembered the Victorian house that the lanky member accidentally burned down when he, unsurprisingly, was arguing with Kris. It was a pretty house, really. Sehun liked the view from his room.
A knowing smile spread through Baekhyun’s face and a small laugh escaped Sehun's lips, yawning afterwards as he took his time drying the dishes that were handed to him.
“You should sleep, kiddo,” the elder of the two said after some moments of silence. “You seem really tired.”
In response, Sehun merely hummed softly. The two finished the chore soon after, and when Sehun got that much-needed hot shower, he briefly glanced at his stack of homework that he knew the teacher won’t even remember about before turning the lights in his shared room off and went to sleep.
Previous Mission: Contact
Next Mission: Interrogation
The protectors have lived a long life; a very, very long life compared to what the public knows, a long life that the public know nothing about. But what the public does know is that they all are still students. The public knows that Kim Jong In-now called Kai-and Oh Se Hun were both seniors in high school. The public knows that Do Kyung Soo-D.O.-along with Huang Zi Tao were both college freshmen. The public knows that Kim Jong Dae-Chen-along with Park Chan Yeol and Byun Baek Hyun were college sophomores. The public knows that Kim Joon Myun-Suho-and Zhang Yi Xing-Lay-were college juniors. The public also know that Wu Yi Fan-Kris-was a college senior along with Kim Min Seok-Xiu Min-and Lu Han.
Sehun was making two cups of coffee when Kai, complete with his school uniform, backpack and duffle bag, teleported into the kitchen in their hideout in Melbourne.
“Rise and shine, hyung,” Sehun muttered softly, setting a cup of coffee in front of the tired and sleepy Kai. “There are muffins in the cupboard. Help yourself, but don’t eat the chocolate chip ones. They’re Baekhyun hyung’s, and if they disappear, I’ll be seeing stars for the next week.” He gently squeezed Kai’s shoulder before retreating back into his room, changing into his uniform and packing his belongings.
Kai mumbled a response, almost immediately drinking the serving of caffeine to wake up his system. The encounter the night before was exhausting, he was surprised Sehun managed to get up and go on with his daily routine. Although, he did notice the slight dark bags under the younger one’s eyes.
Sehun returned to the kitchen minutes later, accompanied by Xiumin, who looked like he was unceremoniously woken up.
“Morning, hyung,” Kai muttered, raising his cup of coffee.
Xiumin grumbled a response, plopping himself down on a chair. Sehun poured a cup of coffee for the elder and handed it to him, the latter gratuitously taking the cup.
“There are bread and muffins in the cupboard. Jam’s in the fridge, and the chocolate spread is near the bread. I prepared a couple of steamed buns, if you or Chen hyung want some,” Sehun said, buzzing around the kitchen as he prepared himself and Kai snacks for school. “And we might be late today. I have after school tutorials, and Kai has dance practice.”
Xiumin nodded, yawning. “You’ll be home for dinner?”
“Hopefully,” Kai answered, finishing his coffee and taking the box of food that was handed to him by Sehun. “If not, we’ll get something before I drop him home.”
“Do you have money?”
Both Kai and Sehun nodded. The elder of the two stood up and rinsed his cup, grabbed a muffin from the cupboard, and took Sehun’s hand. “Ready whenever you are,” he said, pocketing the muffin.
Sehun nodded. “I’ll see you later, hyung,” he said to Xiumin.
And with that, Kai and Sehun disappeared into thin air, leaving a hungry Xiumin who immediately looked for the steamed buns that the youngest had prepared.
“You two are going to rest today, no buts, ors, ifs, or ands,” Yongguk said to Youngjae, Jongup and Daehyun, his three comrades who had arrived at earth several hours ago. “After that travel, you three need to regain your energy.”
The three that Yongguk was talking to were seated in the dining area, eating a small breakfast. Yongguk himself was brewing coffee, making sure that he had plenty to spare for when he returned home from work. He gave Zelo a cup of the dark liquid when the high school student passed by, ready in his uniform and back pack.
“Don’t leave the apartment. If you need me, use the communicator in my office. It’s wirelessly connected to my cell phone,” Yongguk continued, preparing Zelo’s mid-day snack. “There’s food in the fridge and cupboards, cold water’s in the fridge. Don’t turn on the stove or use the kitchen for any purpose, do you understand? I don’t want to come back to a burned-down apartment.”
A chorus of “Yes” resounded throughout the small kitchen, and Yongguk couldn’t help but smile a little. He handed Zelo the small pack of food and watched as the younger one rushed out of the house, a chocolate muffin in one hand and skateboard in the other.
“Why don’t you leave with him, commander?” Jongup asked, motioning towards the closed front door. “I mean, aren’t you two going to the same location?”
Yongguk nodded. “Zelo and I are used to leaving the apartment separately. I like to give the kid some free time before his first hour starts,” he explained, “also, don’t call me commander here on Earth. Use hyung instead. It’s more socially acceptable.”
The three nodded and continued to eat their meal. Yongguk left them to go get changed and prepare for his job. Minutes later, he emerged from his room and tidied the kitchen. “Go get cleaned up, you three, then rest. Sleep the day away. Zelo will be coming back home first because I have to tutor one of my students.”
Kai and Sehun arrived at some distance away from the high school to avoid suspicion. The pair walked side by side to school, meeting an underclassman riding his skateboard at the intersection near the front gate.
“Jongin hyung, Sehun hyung,” he greeted, stopping his skateboard and popping it into his hand before bowing to his seniors. “Good morning.”
Sehun smiled. “Ever so polite, aren’t you, Zelo?”
Zelo merely rubbed the back of his neck and laughed, going up to the pair and joined them, walking beside Sehun.
“Morning to you, too, Zelo,” Kai called out, a confident smirk on his lips, “and how many times do I have to tell you to call me Kai instead of using my real name?”
“Sorry, hyung,” the younger replied, shrugging, “it just slipped out.”
Kai moved over and messed with Zelo’s hair, eliciting laughter from the three of them. They continued their walk into the school building, and because of class difference, Zelo bade them farewell and made his way to his class.
“Cute kid, that Zelo,” Kai commented once he and Sehun were alone.
The younger of the two nodded. “He’s different from the others... in a good sense, that is. Much more sociable that the others that are in his grade level,” Sehun added. “Fearless.”
“Who is fearless?”
Kai and Sehun turned to see their computer science instructor giving them a mischievous smile. “Yongguk songsaengnim!”
“And good morning to you two, Kai, Sehun,” Yongguk replied with a small nod of his head. “After school, right Sehun?”
Sehun nodded and smiled. “Thank you for taking some time to help me, songsaengnim.”
Yongguk waved his hand and shook his head. “It’s an honor for me to help my students who are actually taking this class for a learning purpose, not for a fly-by only-for-an-easy-grade kind of thing.” He turned his head to Kai. “And will you, sir, be joining us today?”
Kai shook his head. “I have dance practice after school, songsaengnim. I would, but I can’t cancel this.” He was a bit disappointed; Yongguk was one of his few favorite teachers who made high school bearable, especially for one who’s attended high school repeatedly over the past several hundred years.
“Ah, that’s unfortunate, then,” the teacher replied, “but after today, if you have any questions, you can ask Sehun here.”
The students and teacher shared a short laugh before they bowed out and went to their classes. It is, after all, school time for everyone.
Several grueling hours later, the students received a one-hour break. Some retreated out to the soccer field to play, others wandered off to eat or pay a visit to the library. The low buzz of conversations, along with a shout of two from here and there, is something that they’ve all gotten so used to over time.
As for Kai and Sehun, the pair retreated up to the rooftop, their little sanctuary that was shared with Zelo. They’ve done this for quite some time now, and through this, they’ve all learned that the youngest of the three had a knack for picking locks.
Zelo would always be the first to arrive at the rooftop because his previous class is always at the top floor. Kai and Sehun would take their time, knowing that they have a full hour of nothing but eating and small talks with their fearless junior.
Today was like any other day; Zelo was already there when Kai and Sehun arrived, but something about the youngest seemed a bit off. The seniors found their junior standing against the railing, eyes off to the distance, with an expression that showed deep thought. Kai glanced at Sehun, slightly concerned. Sehun, who didn’t know what was up with Zelo, merely shrugged.
“Zelo~” Sehun called out as he walked up towards the younger, “it’s not good to stare off into space like that, you know?”
Zelo blinked several times and laughed slightly, messing with his hair. “Just thoughts, hyung.”
“Well don’t stress that pretty brain of yours, kiddo,” Kai said, joining the pair by the railing. “Not good for your health.”
Zelo nodded and smiled. “It’s nothing, really. I just got news that a relative of mine was…uh… a bit unwell, so I’m slightly worried even though I don’t know him that well.”
Kai and Sehun nodded in understanding, the former ruffling Zelo’s hair. “Hey, everything’s going to be alright. Just keep that relative of yours in your prayers,” Sehun commented.
“And with that in thought,” Kai added. “Can we eat? Math has always managed to make me hungry.”
“…and you connect the RJ-45 here before using the crimping tool... Sehun? Are you still with me?”
Sehun jolted awake, almost falling from his chair, when Yongguk tapped on his desk. He blinked away the sleep, fighting so hard to stay awake, but his system was so tired after the encounter the night (or early morning) before, and his brain was fried the entire school day. It felt nice to be the only student in tutorials because it meant that he got to have more one-on-one time with his teacher, but his eyelids were becoming heavier and heavier as the instructions flowed out of Yongguk’s mouth.
“Sorry, songsaengnim,” Sehun muttered, rubbing his eyes and mussing his hair.
“Long night?” Yongguk asked, setting the blue UTP cable and crimping tool aside.
Sehun sighed. “Something of the like,” he answered, making a lie on the spot. “I woke up at 3 this morning and couldn’t go back to sleep until 4:30.”
“And you still insisted on having this session despite your condition?”
Sehun shrugged and nodded, earning a short, light laugh from his teacher. When the student raised an eyebrow, the teacher merely smiled.
“You should take better care of yourself, Sehun. Being here, as in having after school activities, when you’re this exhausted won’t do you any good. Your friend up here,” Yongguk poked Sehun’s forehead, “will be as exhausted as you are, if not more.”
Sehun pouted. “But the material… I missed it when you taught the class…”
“And it will be alright. There will be other days when I can re-teach you, Sehun. Your grades are the highest in the class, so even if you managed to get below average, it won’t affect your overall average. Now go home and rest. And that’s an order, Oh Sehun,” Yongguk finished with a small smile.
Sehun slowly smiled and nodded, packing his belongings and left the classroom, going down to the school’s dance studio to find Kai.
Kai rubbed his waist when he and Sehun arrived back in Melbourne, just in time for dinner. They both dropped their bags in the living room before joining Xiumin, Baekhyun and Chen in the dining room.
“Pushed yourself too hard again, Kai?” Baekhyun asked in between bites of his meal.
Kai shrugged. “Maybe. I relieve stress better this way.”
Chen pointed his chopsticks at the dancer, eyes narrowing. “Not good for you, you know. You’re already having back problems, and you’re not even as old as Suho hyung.”
Small laughter erupted as the dinner progressed. Conversations were exchanged, mainly about the day’s events. After they were done, Kai bade them farewell and teleported back to the United States and Baekhyun, accompanied by Sehun, did the dishes.
“So did Suho hyung say anything about the one we caught last night?” Sehun asked as he took a clean plate from Baekhyun’s hands and dried it.
“All he got out of him was his name. This guy’s a tough one,” Baekhyun commented, a small smirk appearing on his lips. “Haven’t met any of those in a while now.”
Sehun only nodded. “And how’s Kris hyung?”
“He woke up when we had lunch,” Baekhyun replied. “He wanted to help Suho with the interrogation, but Lay hyung and Chanyeol managed to convince him otherwise. Nearly had an accident, though.”
“Accident how?”
“Well… Chanyeol and Kris hyung bickering isn’t really the most wonderful event in the world, and Kris hyung, who remains as bitch-faced as when we first met him, can be a stubborn dick sometimes. Add to that beautiful equation Lay hyung, whose patience are always put to the test when Kris hyung is being, well… Kris.”
“Did Chanyeol hyung nearly burn this apartment down as well?” Sehun remembered the Victorian house that the lanky member accidentally burned down when he, unsurprisingly, was arguing with Kris. It was a pretty house, really. Sehun liked the view from his room.
A knowing smile spread through Baekhyun’s face and a small laugh escaped Sehun's lips, yawning afterwards as he took his time drying the dishes that were handed to him.
“You should sleep, kiddo,” the elder of the two said after some moments of silence. “You seem really tired.”
In response, Sehun merely hummed softly. The two finished the chore soon after, and when Sehun got that much-needed hot shower, he briefly glanced at his stack of homework that he knew the teacher won’t even remember about before turning the lights in his shared room off and went to sleep.
Previous Mission: Contact
Next Mission: Interrogation