ch 25: Allied group
A/N: Yea i know Im rlly late then usual. I do have a reason. I mean school just started and i have already posted everything i had in advance. So there wont be more then 2 update a week. Hope yall understand.
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Lin walked into the classroom, the lively chatter about the upcoming festival filling the air. Students excitedly discussed their plans, costumes, and the events they were looking forward to. Yet, all of this felt like distant noise to Lin. He moved to his desk, his thoughts still tangled with the events of the previous night and the overwhelming revelations from Isol.
As he sat down, Lin leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, hoping to clear his mind. The fight with Gun, the system notifications, the locked powers—everything was a chaotic whirlwind, weighing heavily on him.
"Hey, Lin," a voice called out, breaking through his thoughts.
Lin opened his eyes to see Zoe standing nearby, concern etched on her face. "Zoe?" he replied, surprised to see her.
"You okay?" she asked, her brow furrowed with worry. "You seem... distracted."
Lin forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just tired, that's all. Had a long night."
Zoe studied him for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, I can tell. If you need anything, just let me know."
Lin nodded. "Thanks, Zoe. I appreciate it."
There was a brief silence as Zoe hesitated, seeming unsure of what to say next. Finally, she spoke up again, her tone more tentative. "The festival's coming up soon. Are you planning on participating in anything?"
Lin shrugged, his mind still elsewhere. "I hadn't really thought about it."
Zoe fidgeted slightly, her voice softening. "W-well, if you're free after school, would you like to come over to my place?"
Lin considered her offer for a moment, sensing that she wanted to spend time with him. "Sure, Zoe. I'll come by."
Zoe's face lit up with a small smile. "Great! I'll see you after school, then."
As the teacher entered the classroom, the students quickly took their seats, and the lively chatter faded into a quiet murmur. The lesson began, but Lin's mind was far from the classroom, still tangled in the thoughts and events that weighed heavily on him.
---
In ALLIED's head office...
During the break, Zack's voice cut through the silence. "Yo, does anyone know why we're all here?" The other executives exchanged puzzled looks, each shaking their head.
"There has to be a reason," Jace muttered, leaning back in his chair. "Lin wouldn't call us all together without a good reason."
Right on cue, the door creaked open, and Lin walked into the room with Daniel by his side. Lin's expression was hard to read, but there was a sharp intensity in his eyes that made everyone sit up a little straighter. He moved to the head of the table and sat down, his gaze sweeping across the group.
Daniel took a seat beside him, remaining silent, his presence adding weight to whatever Lin was about to say.
Lin let the silence hang in the air for a moment before speaking. "I've called you all here today because I have a proposition—one that will change everything for us."
The executives leaned in, their curiosity piqued. Lin's words had a serious tone that demanded attention.
"What I'm proposing," Lin continued, his voice steady and confident, "is that we establish our own company. An agency that will operate in multiple sectors: idol and modeling, security, food, infrastructure, clothing—everything. We'll build something that no one can ignore."
The room buzzed with a mix of surprise and interest. The idea was bold, maybe even a little crazy. Zack was the first to speak up, a hint of doubt in his voice. "Why now, Lin? What's the rush?"
Lin's expression hardened slightly, his eyes narrowing. "You all know about the four major crews that dominate this city," he began, his tone serious. "The Workers, Big Deal, God Dog, and Hostel. They control almost everything from the shadows, especially the Workers. Their power is growing every day."
Jace frowned, leaning forward. "And you want to compete with them?"
"Not just compete," Lin replied, his voice cold and determined. "I want to overtake them. Every single one of them."
A heavy silence fell over the room as Lin's words sank in. The enormity of what he was suggesting wasn't lost on any of them. Taking on the four major crews was a massive challenge, one that would require not only resources but also unwavering resolve.
"How do you plan to do this?" Jace asked cautiously, though there was respect in his voice for Lin's ambition.
Lin looked around the room, meeting each of their eyes with a determined gaze. "We won't start small. As you know, the whole of J High is under Allied's control, so we have a lot of talented people. We'll still recruit the best, build our own security force, and create an infrastructure that can rival anything the Workers have. And once we're strong enough, we'll take the fight to them."
"Who's going to fund all that?" someone asked.
"I will," Lin answered without hesitation.
Zack nodded slowly, the doubt in his eyes replaced by a spark of excitement. "It's a big risk, but if anyone can pull it off, it's you, Lin."
Daniel, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up, his voice calm but full of conviction. "We're with you, Lin. Whatever it takes."
One by one, the other executives voiced their agreement, the initial uncertainty replaced by a shared sense of purpose. The room was now filled with a determination to achieve something monumental.
Lin allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. "Good. Then let's get to work. We have a lot to do, and not much time to do it."
---
After school...
As Lin was heading back from school, lost in his thoughts, a voice suddenly interrupted him.
"Hey, aren't you forgetting something?" Isol's voice echoed in his mind playfully.
"Hmm... I don't think so," Lin replied, furrowing his brow as he tried to recall anything he might have missed.
"Seriously? You really forgot about Zoe?" Isol teased, her tone full of amusement.
Lin's eyes widened in realization. "Shit!" he muttered, turning on his heel and sprinting back to the school gate. He could only hope Zoe wasn't too upset.
When he reached the gate, there she was, standing patiently, her arms crossed and a small, amused smile playing on her lips. Lin slowed down as he approached her.
"Sorry, Zoe," Lin said, "I got a bit distracted."
Zoe chuckled softly, her earlier frustration melting away. "It's okay. I figured you'd remember eventually."
Lin rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Let's go. I'll make it up to you."
They began walking side by side, the sun casting a warm glow on the streets as they headed to Zoe's house. The atmosphere between them was light and teasing, with playful banter flowing naturally.
"So," Zoe started with a mischievous grin, "you really forgot about me, huh? Guess I'm not as unforgettable as I thought."
Lin smirked, his tone matching hers. "How could I ever forget someone who always manages to outsmart me?"
Zoe laughed, giving him a playful shove. "Nice save, but you're still not off the hook."
They continued their playful back-and-forth as they made their way to Zoe's house, the conversation full of lighthearted teasing. The air was thick with unspoken tension, a mix of familiarity and something new, something exciting.
When they arrived at Zoe's house, she unlocked the door and led Lin inside. The place was quiet and cozy, with a comfortable, lived-in feel.
"Nice place," Lin commented, looking around.
"Thanks," Zoe replied as she kicked off her shoes. "My parents are out of town, so we have the whole place to ourselves."
Lin raised an eyebrow. "Really? That's... convenient."
Zoe smiled, a hint of something playful in her eyes. "Yeah, isn't it?"
They settled in the living room, and Zoe put on a movie, dimming the lights to create a relaxed atmosphere. They sat close to each other on the couch, the warmth between them palpable. As the movie played, they talked and laughed, the easy conversation flowing as naturally as ever.
But as the movie progressed, the tone shifted. A particularly steamy scene appeared on the screen, the tension between the characters on the screen mirrored by the tension between Lin and Zoe on the couch. Lin felt his heart rate pick up, and when he glanced at Zoe, he noticed she was looking at him with a mix of curiosity and something more intense.
Before he could react, Zoe leaned in, closing the small distance between them. Her lips met his in a sudden, soft kiss, catching Lin completely off guard. His eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly found himself kissing her back, the world outside the two of them fading away.
Unknown time later...
"Ahh...harder...lin. Oh.. Ah ah"
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To be continued...