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The bell rang as the door opened up. Inside the building was a small little flower shop. It was early in the morning, but the ceiling lights were exposed and were dimmed. The crackles and buzzes acted as white noise for the store atmosphere. All over the store were flowers, but also knocked down vases, soil widespread across the floor. Not to mention how the counter was abandoned.
Wangnan looked around, glancing at the ceiling lights. His eyes moved to the open employee door behind the counter, but with the lighting and the room’s dark, he couldn’t see much. A frown appeared on his face, uneasy but he had no choice. It was the only store around that catered flower services on the 30th floor.
Suddenly, a girl came out of the employee room. She vaguely reminded Wangnan of Goseng, but she had several green and pink bows in her hair, and had a rounder look to her face.
“H-Hi! How long have you been waiting..? I’m sorry for not coming sooner!” The girl exclaimed. Behind her, another employee came up, a guy with orange hair with blue highlights. He had an unimpressed look to him, leaning against the wall next to the door.
“Monstera, chill out. You’re overwhelming him.”
The girl blinked before looking away, turning her back to Wangnan,
“Shut up, Briar, how about you take a turn serving customers!?”
Wangnan turned his head away as the employees began to argue, looking back at the aisles of plants. Overgrown vines, moss climbing over the walls, even the windows had a slight green tint to them. He turned back when he heard Briar attempting to get his attention. The girl, Monstera, had gone to tend the plants on the windowsill that the employees had access to.
Wangnan decided to put up a small, awkward smile, “Uh… I don’t suppose this place was ransacked recently..?”
“Nah, everything’s fine…” The other replied irritably while judging Wangnan’s face, “Is what I would say to a fucking idiot, what? Do your eyes not work or something..?”
Wangnan’s smile dipped slightly, eyes averting to his hands. Aaand he’s already messed up while trying to get flowers…
“Look,” Wangnan exhaled, “do you guys have flowers for a tribute, or funeral?”
Monstera looked over, her face brightening up. “Yeah, we have tons of options, like Gladiolus, Larkspur, Freesia, and the classics of Chrysanthemums, Roses, Lilacs,” She exited the counter to move into the lobby of the store. Wangnan reluctantly followed her to look at the suggested pool of flowers.
.
.
.
“Thank you for shopping at our store, good luck on your adventures.” Both Monstera and Briar spoke at the same time as Wangnan finished up sending over his points to Briar’s pocket. He gave a small smile as he took the Gladioli, Freesia, and Chrysanthemums with him.
“Yeah, thanks. Hope you guys don’t get ransacked anytime soon..!” Wangnan waved back.
Wangnan carefully held the gold ring close, taking a closer look at it. He hadn’t noticed when Arkraptor slipped it into his pocket. Rachel hadn’t taken it during her inspection of him and Miseng. Hah… A ring for a ring…
“Hey Arkraptor… I’m actually… an extremely remarkable person. Although I can’t tell you right now.. I’ll definitely tell you some day, what kind of person I am.”
“…Wangnan, I don’t know what you’re hiding from us, but you’re already more than remarkable enough for me now. For you, I’m willing to give my own life.”
He never got to tell him. And he died, without having a single lead to where he could find his daughter…
“But it’s okay, now I have you guys by my side. We feel more like a family than a team right now. You’re the reason that our team is able to be together. You’re the only one who binds us all together as one… you’re the center of this team, Wangnan. There would be no “us” without you.”
First it was Horyang in his comatose state, which they chased Cassano down. Second to go was Viole, who would make his way onto the Hell Train without Team Sweet and Sour. Third was Ehwa, who Wangnan sent away to join Viole’s team. Prince and Arkraptor followed suit after trapping Rachel’s team..
Tears slowly fell down as he gripped his hair once more. What kind of leader allows his team to break down? A useless leader, that’s who.
While enroute traveling back to the floor Goseng and Horyang were on, Miseng had suggested to Wangnan that they should hold a tribute, if not a memorial, for Arkraptor and Prince. Though, it would need to be near the resort that Horyang and Goseng had been staying in for almost two years now. Wangnan managed to find a floral shop that they could buy flowers from. It was early in the morning when Wangnan decided to buy the flowers, while he did so, Miseng sat outside on a bench.
When the blonde came out of the shop, Miseng looked up. Her empty eyes locked onto the bag that Wangnan carried with him. However, another concern popped up into her mind.
“Wangnan, what will we tell Goseng..?”
Wangnan stayed quiet, shaking his head.
“I… I’ll think about it with the remaining time before we reach their place. Come on, if we go now, we’ll be able to see Horyang and your sister by 9 a.m.”
Miseng frowned, noticing how Wangnan was avoiding something.
“You keep acting like I’m just a little kid… and I’ve told you before that I’m not some little kid to be protected..!”
Wangnan paused, looking back at Miseng. His eyes were full of shame as he realized he’d been trying to avoid the topic of Arkraptor and Prince entirely.
“Miseng…” He tried to begin, but the girl interrupted Wangnan, “If you can’t do it, I… I’ll tell Goseng”
Wangnan winced, before looking past the floor’s shopping plaza. He took a breath, then exhaled.
“Miseng, it’s fine… I’ll tell Goseng, it’s only right if I do it…”
This time, the girl’s eyes dimmed further, going quiet again. She began to walk, leaving Wangnan to follow behind and catch up. The duo walked towards the coordinates Goseng had sent them a few days ago.
Laying down the flowers in front two simple box constructions with the picture frames of Arkraptor and Prince respectively, Wangnan then stepped back as Miseng gave in her tribute of flowers towards the two boxes. Goseng and Horyang were watching from behind, having already contributed their gifts: a small diy construction of an umbrella, mini diy purple light house, and two note cards containing Horyang’s thoughts and journaling from the past 2 years.
Miseng walked towards the boxes with her own gifts: two drawings for Arkraptor and Prince, and pieces of candy. Her hands trembled as she placed them into the boxes, before running off into the arms of Goseng. Goseng was already crying, with Horyang attempting to comfort her, while opening up the hug to Miseng as well.
Wangnan watched next to them, before his gaze caught the sight of Cassano’s silhouette in the resort windows, before disappearing as he turned away to walk back into the resort. His hands clenched into fists, before silently walking back up to the box constructions for Arkraptor and Prince.
He then took the picture frames, placing them into the respectful tribute boxes. He then carefully placed the two boxes in a chest. After closing the chest, he met the gazes of Goseng, Horyang, and Miseng. They all gave nods, confirmation for Wangnan to take the chest and place it into the hole that was pre-dug.
He closed the hole up with dirt, burying the chest inside it. After finishing, he stuck two wooden poles into the ground. It was a mediocre sight, but for what it was worth, it would work well enough.
In the chest, there was a note with tons of tear stains all over the paper.
Dear Arkraptor and Prince,
While the reputations of each Team Sweet and Sour member may have been unfavorable, you two especially, being a considered a ruthless teammate (Arkraptor) and a nepo-baby that rigged the tests to be in favor of himself (Prince), the 20th floor proved that not all reputations and rumors should be trusted.
Arkraptor, you were a constant guiding force for the team. You were like that Dad that everyone never had. Though you lost your own daughter while she was young, that never stopped you from closing off your heart. You protected Miseng when she was vulnerable, you were a reliable figure for everyone else with your practical, but caring personality. Your battle prowess helped a fully comprised of mostly inexperienced teammates, and you even saved Wangnan’s life.
Prince, you may have been a jerk once, but after you joined our team… you were still a jerk. But that didn’t mean you didn’t change. We witnessed you treat others like Ehwa and Wangnan like they weren’t even people to be considered on par (maybe not in Ehwa’s case, her being a member of one of the 10 Great Families), but you’ve grown to be a funny and caring older/younger brother figure to everyone in Team Sweet and Sour. And your expertise with your offensive lighthouses helped save us a bunch of times before.
You two died too soon… But thank you… for everything. Wangnan and Miseng told us how even in death, you went out trying to succeed in the mission to capture Cassano. And guess what? Horyang woke up, and is currently going through physical therapy after being comatose for so long. We’ll find a way forward, where we will avenge you guys some day.
Sincerely,
Wangnan, Miseng, Goseng, and Horyang