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He thought he died when he felt Mother’s defeat. Watching his own body vanish as his original copy laid on the ground unable to get up after the barrage of blows, he thought that was the end of his task, his life, his existence. But instead of a nothingness greeting him, he opened his eyes to an empty street. There are houses around him, with signs of life in them from the buzzing they are giving off. No one is out and about though, giving him the time and space to walk about and wonder just what happened.
He is a clone, created by Mother to protect her from those trying to unroot her. He is a mere mirror copy, one looking similar to the one he is supposed to defeat, yet stronger, with the power Mother granted to him. He fulfilled Mother’s purpose for him, besting the Choraengi Tal despite whatever attacks thrown at him, and accepted that his job is done when Mother was defeated, leaving her with no more power to sustain them. He had done his job well, so why hadn’t he vanished? And he definitely feels a lot less powerful, as if he is a human , maybe because Mother is in deep sleep and took back the power she granted to all her children.
Hm…
Despite being a clone, he had some of the Choraengi Tal’s memories. The guy is called Choi, and he worked at a small little restaurant with a small close knit family. Maybe he should seek him out, find out how he lived, and maybe rub it in his face that technically he had lost. Although he doesn’t feel as powerful as he was previously, he is sure he can still take on his original with no problems.
Well, that would be an interesting thing to find out?
"Hyung?! What are you doing here? Are you alright?"
A worried looking young man in a suit ran after him as he passed, giving off such a sense of familiarity that he is sure the young man is one of Choi’s friends. There is definitely a slight fondness for him present, and he looked friendly enough that he knows he can trust this person.
"Yeah, I’m fine," he replied easily with a smile, but it only made the young man frown.
"Really?" He asked, voice full of concern. He put a warm hand on his arm and gave him a light squeeze, and he could tell where Choi's fondness for him came from. "You sound a bit different, don't push yourself too hard alright? Come over and rest a bit?"
"Sure," he nodded, wondering if he had acted differently from how Choi is around this young man for him to have such a reaction. But since he is given an invitation, he might as well take the chance to explain himself and get to know him better-
"Luka you are not running off for coffee- STOP RIGHT THERE!!"
In the end the young man didn't manage to stop his purple haired punk companion, returned empty handed, apologising to him sheepishly. They didn’t talk much on the way, the young man is busy on the phone calling various people and making sure they are alright. He recognised a few names of the other Tals, and had to wonder if the other clones ended up like him too? They are soon joined by a cyan haired teen in a hoodie.
"Dad and uncle’s not picking up, your side?" The teen asked, blowing a bubble on his bubble gum.
"They should be fine? Hyung-nim isn't alone after all, and the others said they are fine, though they needed some time to rest," the suited young man sighed, still looking anxious. "At least Choi-hyung you are alright."
The young man turned to him with such a warm smile that he decided he likes him, though he isn’t sure if he likes being mistaken as someone he isn’t.
"I’m not the Choraengi Tal," he shrugged, while at the same time watching the young man intensely for his reaction. "I’m his copy."
It is amusing how shocked the young man became, bright orange eyes opening wide and his jaw slacking. His teenage companion reacted faster, kicking his skateboard up and nearly hitting him on the face with it. He easily stopped it with his feet, kicking it away, still wearing a smile, while the cyan haired teenager stood protectively in front of the young man, waiting for him to make a move.
"What are you," the cyan haired teen challenged, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"I said I’m a copy of Choi," he repeated himself, holding his hands out to show he isn’t hiding any weapons, and staying on the spot to not further provoke the teen. "I don’t mean any harm, and I’m looking for my original self."
The cyan haired teen stared at him for a while before turning to his companion.
"What do you think?" He asked, the suspicion still heavy in his voice.
"Well... he does sound... genuine enough?" The suited young man answered with hesitation, "I think, um, we can trust him?"
"Your call," the teen shrugged and dropped his stance, stepping back and letting the young man continue the conversation.
"Thank you," he smiled, though the teen still had much defense against him.
"Well, this, hyung, I’m Maru, and this is Haru." Maru introduced himself, though there is still some uncertainty in his voice. "Um, so do we call you Choi-hyung or would you like us to call you by any other names?"
"You can call me Copy, Maru." The name rolled off his tongue easily, and Copy found himself not minding if he has to call out this name more often.
"Copy-hyung?" Maru repeated, sounding a little uncomfortable with it that he felt he should get a proper name instead of the first thing that comes to mind. "Well this, can you please tell us what happened?"
To his disappointment Maru and took him to a small park as he told them what he knew. Sure Maru had offered him to "go back and rest", but he hadn't said the offer didn't stand when he found out he isn't the real Choraengi Tal.
"You… aren't lying," Maru said after a long pause. It stings a little that he still isn't trusted, but it is a fact that he isn't the Chraengi Tal the two knew.
"So you don't know how's dad and uncle," Haru pouted, "and despite maybe breaking a few of his bones you still want to go look for your original self. You're a strange person."
"Well, I don't have anywhere else to go or anything to do?" Copy answered tilting his head, looking at the teen. "And he's all I know, other than the two of you?"
"I won't say you actually know us," Haru rolled his eyes, though Maru put a hand on his shoulder and he bit back what else he wanted to say.
"If hyung-nim is alright with it I can prepare the paperwork to add you to the family? It would be better than wandering about without an identity." Maru suggested, but from his expression it doesn't seem like something that can be done easily or quickly. He quickly added in with a wince as Haru jabbed him on the side, "that is if hyung-nim agrees with it."
"Dad takes in anyone," Haru complained. "He even offered that hyung a place to stay too when that happened, but you know what happened."
"That’s because Choi-hyung’s just-"
He must have made a face, as seeing the look on his face, Maru hastily changed the subject. "So Copy-hyung, I’ll give Choi-hyung a call and tell him we’re coming over-"
"Most prob he wouldn’t be back yet or recovering like the other Tals," Haru cut in. "We’re better off trying resting today too, we’re been out like since 6?"
"Yeah…" Maru nodded unwillingly, and looked at him apologetically. The young man does look kind of tired now that he is taking a closer look, there’s light eye bags under his eyes, he hadn’t slept well for some time? He's still adorable though, the kind that makes him want to protect him.
"Copy-hyung, would you mind coming with us and staying at my place for today? We’ll bring you to Choi-hyung or hyung-nim once they are back, but for now-"
"I don’t mind," Copy smiled, trying not to appear too happy at the proposition seeing the glare Haru is sending his way. "Hm, would you mind telling me a bit more about Choi?"
"Well, this…"
As Maru and sometimes Haru chirping in on what they knew, Copy half listened. Most of it he already had known, like how they kept emphasising that Choi is tall, a good cook, and good at close combat, instead he focused on memorising the roads they took to reach Maru’s apartment. They saw the purple haired man again with a cup of coffee who hastily ran for his apartment and slammed his door shut as Maru shouted for him to cut down on his caffeine intake, and had to be dragged to his own apartment by Haru. That must have been a really common occurrence for the young teen to be so nonchalant about it, ignoring Maru’s complaints about how too much coffee isn’t good for the body. He only stopped when they entered his apartment, which turned to apologies of how messy the place is.
"This looks like a nice place?" Copy mused, he wouldn’t mind spending more time here. There is a feeling of warmth, of belonging, seeing laundry piled haphazardly around, and various tins of half finished snacks around. He is drawn towards the kitchen, maybe because his original worked at a restaurant, and looking at the various pots and pans he felt confident enough to cook something up.
"You can cook?" Haru asked, and pointed to the fridge at the side. "We still got some stuffs in the fridge that bro brought."
"I might be, I got to try before I know for sure." He turned to Maru, who grabbed a pile of laundry and is trying to discreetly sneak off. "Maru, you mind if I borrow the kitchen?"
"Ah, this, sure?" Realising he is spotted in his efforts, Maru turned red and sped into a room with his laundry. Though he emerged empty handed, staring worriedly at his phone. "Pureum just called me, he can’t reach hyung-nim either, I’ll go check up on him."
Without waiting for their response, he ran out of the house, leaving just the two of them there.
Haru let him cook in peace for some moments, watching his every moment closely. The catlike cyan haired teen monitored him, yellow eyes capturing his every action, ready to react at any wrong movement. Copy ignored that surveillance, instead focusing on what he is feeling right now. He felt just right, just at home, and each ingredient he reaches he just know how much he needs, and what he should do with them. Garlic’s finely chopped, vegetables washed and stir fried, and a piece of salmon he found in the freezer’s thawing and ready to be marinated and added to the pan. He has to be grateful to his original for having these skills, if he can win over these two with his cooking skills he has a higher chance of staying here. Taking a pair of chopsticks and trying a piece of the cai sum, it tastes much better than he expected, but before he can cheer at his success, Haru spoke up.
"What are you planning," the teen asked, eyes full of accusation. "You want something, don’t you."
"As I said, I don't know what else I should do, but if you are asking what I want, hm…"
What would he want? Since he is alive right now, but without any purpose, he suppose he can ask for a purpose to his continued existence, but a friendly warm smile surfaced before his eyes and he hadn't mind wanting that instead.
"Maru’s cute, don’t you think so?" Copy changed the topic, flashing Haru a grin, nearly laughing at his twitching face. "Is there anything food he likes to eat, or anything that he likes?"
"... you like bro?" The disbelief is clear in his voice, and Haru shook his head. "But no, I’m not selling him out just like that, try a larger feast and I’ll see."
"Sure, I’ll take note of that," Copy chuckled, it seems like they will be getting along alright-
"But if you hurt bro I’ll kill you," Haru growled. Despite his smaller stature Copy felt the teen would do anything to make true his warning.
"I won’t," he promised.
Maru returned around soon, reporting Pureum is fine and back at his home, resting well with his little sister. Ryu Guheul is there watching over them, though somehow Bigak isn't. The distaste in Maru's voice surprised Copy, though he felt some hatred for this name that he didn't press the issue. Even Haru looked pissed off at the mention of the name, whoever that is he definitely doesn't want to run into him either.
Pureum updated him he couldn’t see those light spots anymore, matching Copy’s words that Mother had been defeated and put to deep slumber. They promised to keep in touch if any one of them get contacted by their adoptive dad, Mu Yeung, but for now, they should rest and recover enough to deal with the chaos the next day. While explaining Maru gulped down the dishes without reservation, cutting in with praises for the food.
"Copy-hyung, you can cook really well, it’s like, even better than Choi-hyung’s cooking?" He asked, and Haru nodded in agreement.
"Is it?" Copy asked, pride in his skills growing. Both nodded. "Then thank you," he bowed, a smile crawling across his face as he noticed Maru turning a tinge redder on the ears. "So Choi’s been here from time to time?"
"Yeah, he doesn’t talk much since that happened, but sometimes he just needs to be around familiar faces," Maru sighed lightly, looking much glum about his other self. "Hyung-nim said he had an idea, but he- But now that Mother’s defeated, things should slowly get better?"
"They should," he answered neutrally. It looks like there are some topics Maru isn’t willing to talk to him about yet, and to remain staying there he isn’t going to poke his nose further where it shouldn't belomg.
"Ah, Copy-hyung, you haven’t eaten anything yet?" Maru looked down on his plate, realising it remained untouched. "You should eat something too!"
"I should?" He asked, realising that being too enamoured listening to the young man entail his story that he hadn’t eaten anything yet.
"You better eat something before bro shoves that entire bowl down your throat," Haru warned, as Maru protested weakly he wouldn’t do anything like that. Maybe. As much as the mental image amuses him, Copy isn’t too sure if that is something he wants to experience. Taking a spoon, he took a small serving of the vegetables and tried it. The two sure weren’t exaggerating when they said the food is good, and he might just be good enough to open a restaurant on his own, maybe somewhere near where his original self worked, just to rile him up a bit…
After loafing about for a bit after the meal, Maru pulled out a couple of clothes for him to wear.
"Choi-hyung left these during his last stay, they might fit you?"
As much as he'd rather wear something else that hadn't belonged to his original self, they will surely fit him. From Maru’s smaller size, his clothes wouldn’t fit, no matter how much he’d rather wear them, much less Haru's much smaller clothes.
"They’ll do, thank you-"
"Hm," Maru took back the clothes to his surprise. "Hyung-nim left some clothes behind when he last stayed over, you can try them and see if you prefer them?"
So Maru could feel what he is feeling just from his words? Though curious, he merely shook his head.
"It's alright, there’s no need for that much trouble. These will do just fine." Taking back those clothes, Copy picked out a black shirt and grey pants. So this is his original’s taste in clothes? He doesn’t have much strong feelings towards them, other than finding them dull and having belonged to his original, maybe despite being almost the same person they have different tastes. Maru still looked hesitant at his words, but allowed him to take the clothes, putting a warm hand over his.
"Copy-hyung, we can go get you some clothes tomorrow if you prefer?" Kind orange eyes met his, they are gentle and warm and he would love to stay in this moment for a bit longer, but Haru announced he finished bathing and tossed a clean towel in Maru’s face.
"I’m done, it’s your turn. And you," the teen smirked at his annoyance, "go watch tv or something."
"Haru, that isn’t how you treat a guest," Maru sighed as the teen returned to his room, yawning and ignoring his admonishment.
"Don’t care, I’m going to sleep, wake me up if dad calls or something." Haru yawned, again waving goodnight to the two of them.
"Um, well, I’ll go bath first, just give me a shout if you need help?" With that Maru passed him some underwear too, likely from Choi too, and a clean towel before heading off. As much as he would rather have that beautiful, genuine smile remain there, now that there isn’t anyone around to bother him, Copy took the chance to study his surroundings carefully. The apartment isn’t small, having a big living room, a kitchen, a store room and two bedrooms. Haru’s door is closed, and the lights inside turned off. The other room should be Maru's, with the previous pile of laundry occupying the single sized bed. It looked small, definitely too small for two, and from the few memories he had of the place, Choi usually slept on the sofa. It does look much longer than this bed, and now without laundry cluttering it, it looks more inviting and sleepable.
While waiting for Maru to finish his bath, he returned to the living room. There's some newspapers on the table, he might as well find out what is happening in the world in the meantime.
Copy soon learnt that the world is a complex and messy place. Just halfway through current affairs he felt immerse distaste for the human race already, though with Maru fresh out of the shower he has something more interesting to focus on. The young man’s wiping his light brown hair with a towel, letting his fatigue show, yawning and looking as if he can fall asleep on the spot at any moment.
"I'm done, Copy-hyung you can bathe now, just leave your dirty clothes in that pile and we'll wash them tomorrow…"
"Sure, thanks." He smiled as Maru brushed past him to return to his room, who flashed him a soft but tired smile back. Somehow, his heart started pounding a bit faster, but before he could react Maru is already back in his room, grumbling that he has to settle the pile of clothes if he wants to sleep. Maybe he can offer some help and get into the young man’s good graces? He certainly wouldn't mind being rewarded with that lovely smile again.
He spent quite some time looking at himself in the mirror. No matter how he looks, the Choraengi Tal stared back at him, with his lighter eyes being the only sign that he isn’t the original. They have the same hair, the same face, the same body, though his might be in a better state seeing many blows he rained down on the Tal. Sure he took his fair share of hits too, but with the regeneration granted by Mother there isn’t a scratch on him, not even when Choi called out his metal bladed shoes and slammed him into that mountain several times.
Hm…
If he has to say, Choi, and him by extension, has a handsome face. He’s certain his smile can at least charm people, though it pales in comparison with a certain smile which just sent his heart racing. Thinking about that, he realised his smile soften, his eyes and expression turning gentler. So this is what he wants, he realised. Not the gentle smile he sees in the mirror, but what that could make him smile like this. Make his chest feel warm and fuzzy inside. Make his heart pound just this much harder.
This… feels nice…
While he was bathing Maru managed to clear the laundry from his bed somehow. The young man tried to offer his bed to him, despite perching on the edge with his eyelids drooping and ready to close at any moment.
"You're tired, you should take the bed," Copy said, borrowing a comb to get his locks in place. "And the sofa looks long enough for me?"
Not that he had tried lying down on the bed before he bathed, that would be rude, but it looks like it fitted his height just nicely without considerations for the pillow that he has a feeling his feet will just be dangling off the bed's edge.
"But, but you're a guest," Maru frowned, stiffing another yawn. "The bed's more comfortable-"
"All the more you should take it instead, Maru," Copy smiled and turned towards the young man. "I don't feel tired, while the two of you had been running about the entire day. We can talk about this after you are well rested, go sleep for now."
The adorable defiant pout that he got back in return made him chuckle, that he had to wonder what other expressions he can get out of Maru.
"But before that, Maru," he put down the comb and walked over. Maru shifted a bit and invited him to take a seat beside him which he did, sitting close to the young man their height differences became even clearer. He is almost half a head taller, his shoulders broader, and he is sure he can easily overpower Maru in a one to one physical combat seeing how much smaller framed he is. He doesn't understand why that thought made its way into his mind; he doesn't have any reason to overpower Maru, so why does he vaguely wants to?
"Is anything wrong, Copy-hyung?" Maru asked, snapping him out of his thoughts. He sighed softly.
"Say, Maru, I don’t think I like the name ‘Copy’ that much, can you help me to pick a better name?"
"Ah?" The young man blinked at his request, amber eyes looking confused. "I mean, I understand you don’t like the name, but, but I, I’m not that good with names-"
"Please?" He asked as sincerely as he could, holding Maru’s hands in his, causing his face to turn red. "You were the first person I’ve known, I’ll like you to pick a name for me."
"But, but like, um, ah, maybe hyung-nim might-"
"It’s a promise, alright?" He squeezed those hands lightly. "You don’t have to come up with a name right now, I’ll wait till you find a suitable one for me."
Turning much redder, Maru turned away, still blushing red. "I, I’ll try…? I, it might not be good or anything, but I’ll try..."
"Thank you Maru." Giving those slender fingers one more squeeze, he let go and immediately the young man zoomed out of the room, spluttering that there is still something he hadn’t done yet and he should get going.
The sofa is surprisingly comfortable to sleep on, and Copy found himself sleeping soundly till morning, when he is awakened by Maru frantically conversing over the phone with someone. He sounded much worried yet relieved, and quickly hung up when he noticed him coming closer.
"Ah, Copy-hyung, did I wake you up? I’m sorry-"
"You woke everyone up," Haru complained, stumbling into the kitchen behind him, yawning. "So dad called? How are things?"
"Hyung-nim’s alright," Maru said with a bright smile without any traces of worry, sending his heart pounding fast, yet at the same time feeling a tinge of jealousy that someone, someone not him could make Maru smile so wonderfully. "He said he might have to get his eye checked, but other than that he is fine. But," he frowned, that brief moment of sunshine vanishing. "But Ignatio-hyung went off somewhere on his own, he isn’t sure where, but he said he will come back on his own eventually?"
"Uncle’s always up to his own stuff, stop worrying about him," Haru rolled his eyes. "So we’re going over later?"
"Yeah, he said he’s fine, but hyung-nim’s always pushing himself too much," Maru shook his head. "Copy-hyung, are you alright to come with us to visit?"
"I don’t have anything else on," Copy nodded. "But how about breakfast first?"
As both drooled, Copy is certain that his place in the apartment is much cemented.
They met Luka as they headed out after a filling breakfast, and Maru amazed Copy by pouncing on his neighbour and pressing him down on the floor, while Haru took the cup of coffee from his hands before it is knocked over.
"Hey, that was my first cup!?" Luka complained, struggling to break himself from Maru’s grip.
"It’s always your first cup!?" Maru admonished, smacking him on the head to in vain to stop him from retrieving his cup from Haru. "And we’re going to visit hyung-nim, you want to come with us?"
"No thank you." The moment he got his cup back, Luka sped off, leaving the two of them to listen to his deflated rants that there definitely is such a thing as a caffeine overdose.
"Get used to this," Haru deadpanned, jabbing his older brother to stop moping and get moving.
"Sure I can," Copy grinned back, giving Maru a firm pat on the shoulder and dragging him along with them. Seeing the young man so dejected that his health warnings are being ignored, it seems cute to him too. Haru raised an eyebrow at that, but decided against asking anything.
The man named Mu Yeung seemed familiar to him, it appears that Choi had thought of him as some sort of a friend. He hadn’t had any chance to introduce himself before both Maru and Haru threw themselves at the blue haired man, frantically asking him what happened and if he is feeling alright. Shaking his head, and letting out a wince of pain from that action which caused the two to pile him with even more questions, Mu Yeung invited the two of them into his house.
They didn’t stay for long, it became clear soon how fatigued Mu Yeung is, even more than both the previous day. Despite saying he is fine, both of his 'kids' dragged him to bed and forced him to rest, they will continue the conversation when he is well rested. Haru stayed behind to make sure he remains in bed, with a promise to return and bring back some lunch for Mu Yeung, while glaring at him that Copy has a feeling he is in charge of meals from now on. Not that he minded, this advantage gives them less of a chance to kick him out.
Next up Maru brought him to where Choi works after a brief phone call. The call was short and awkward, had they not been on good terms?
"Ah, Copy-hyung?" Seeing his look Maru shook his head. "Well, this, it's awkward isn't it?" The young man sighed. "Choi-hyung used to be much friendlier, but after that happened, it's like he's closing himself off and there's nothing much we can do to help him. He did sound a bit happier, but, yeah…"
They walked in silence for a while before Maru suddenly quipped up.
"Hm, but hyung did say to meet at the restaurant, maybe they reopened it? That's why he sounds a bit better?"
"Hm…" He hummed in response, attention more drawn to the path they are taking. He knows the way there, it felt so familiar, no, it's as if he himself had walked through it many times. He know what house is up next, which way to make a turn, surprising Maru when his steps fastened and he began leading the way. There is just something drawing him forward, something, something that feels so much like… home . It wouldn't be his home though, he knows well, it would be Choi's, but still the journey forward just feels… natural. Maru took bigger strides to catch up with him, eyes questioning but never asking out loud. And so he didn't answer.
The restaurant is exactly as he saw in his mind, as if his thoughts stepped out from his mind and presented themselves to him in real life. There is the off white plastered walls around the wooden door with peeling paint that screams for him to enter-- not him, it is calling out to Choi -- the ornate windows with long beige curtains that hid the interior, the buzz inside which he can already name who is making the din, and-
"Um, is there anything wrong, Copy-hyung?" Maru asked, looking worriedly at him.
"I'm fine," he shook his head, which made Maru even more worried.
"We can always come back later-"
"I'm fine," he repeated, feeling a smile grow on his face. So this is the place Choi holds dearest than anything else in the world huh. He hastened his steps.
"Copy-hyung? Copy-hyung what are going to do?!" Maru quickly rushed after him, but before he could stop him the doors opened up wide.
"You?!" Choi's jaw also dropped as Copy grinned at him, that shock seemed so comical he almost laughed.
"Yo." Even before the words left his mouth Choi kicked towards him hard. He blocked that blow to his head with his foot easily and kicked back, grinning wider as Choi blocked with his arms with a small wince. It seems like he hasn't recovered fully from the previous day, the Tal gritted his teeth and leapt back, taking a more defensive stance-- to protect these people he feels are family? But since he isn't attacking Copy dropped his leg, it's disappointing they couldn't spar more right now with the other staff rallying behind their Choi, and Maru panicking and trying to stop them and being such a distraction Copy isn't sure if he can focus on winning.
"Choi-hyung we are not here to fight!" The young man protested while trying to drag Copy back. "Copy-hyung here just wants to meet you!"
To Copy's surprise Choi dropped his stance at those words, so his original trusts Maru's judgement? Though he is still glaring at him with much distrust in his eyes, wary and ready to boot him out at any moment.
"Yeah, this, hyung, this is Copy-hyung, he said he is your copy and, and-"
Before Maru could finish explaining, Copy found himself already overwhelmed by Choi's coworkers, their interesting spiking up in him being a copy of Choi.
After an introduction with a lot of questions interrupting him, Copy alright felt right at home with the staff. Not withstanding Choi's death glare, and was that jealousy?, he felt he could work there for the rest of his life. Chin Hae's amazed that he speaks just like Choi, from the mannerisms to his expressions, with Ho Sook sagely nodding her head saying he's a copy, of course they are alike. Kyung Hu's squealing that yes they need another hot guy to draw in the crowd, please come and work for them. Won Shik's more reserved about him, continuing his chores of cleaning up and watching from a distance while-
Maru's talking to Choi and looking so worried he doesn't like it. But Kyung Hu grabbed his arm and asked him again with bright brown eyes sparkling, "please, please come work with us too? You and oppa, you two will definitely draw in a huge crowd!"
Her smile might look innocently bright, but Copy could already hear the cash register ringing in her mind. "I’ll consider this?" He replied neutrally, while glancing over to Choi, who merely hmpfhed and looked away.
"Just consider? The benefit here’s not bad, and we get free meals here," Chin Hae quipped in, slapping him on the back. "And where’s the old man anyway, he’ll surely make you stay here and work you to the bone."
Even he winced at the mental image that surfaced in his mind like the other staff, while Chin Hae laughed at their reactions. "You get it! You should just work with us like hyung!"
Before Copy could say anything, the front door burst open.
"What are you all chattering about and not doing your work!?" A white bearded old man stomped into the restaurant, complaining loudly. "And you," he jabbed Copy on the chest, "didn’t I tell you to go back and rest!?"
"That isn’t me you senile old man," Choi sighed tiredly from his seat. The old man nearly dropped his jaw from the shock, looking between the two of them as if he couldn’t believe his eyes. He recovered his composure surprisingly soon though.
"You, can you cook." The old man jabbed him again, as the staff present groaned at his question.
"Gramps you don’t ask every single one who comes in the same question!?" Ho Sook complained, while Copy nodded and smiled.
"I can cook-"
"You’re hired," the old man snapped immediately, and Choi nearly fell out of his seat in shock. "Now stop slacking and get your ass off to work!"
Choi hissed him a murderous "don’t you dare", and Copy had the burning desire to accept the offer just to piss him off even further. Just to see what he would do. But he instead smiled calmly, telling the old man, "sorry gramps-"
"Who are you calling gramps!?"
"-but I’m new here, I want to get more familiar with the place," he looked over to Maru and smiled, and the confused young man smiled back, "before I make a decision."
As the old man complained about him wasting his talent, Chin Hae and Ho Sook grinned apologetically and dragged him back to the kitchen, easily distracting the old man with claims of a burnt dish. Choi only mattered a bitter "good" under his breath.
"That’s really such a waste, oppa, you should come visit us again when you figured your stuff out!" Kyung Hu giggled, slapping him on the back.
"Don’t bother," Choi snapped at him, glaring at him, rage seething behind those black eyes. "Don’t you ever show your face here again!"
"Come on oppa," the black haired girl complained, smacking Choi on the back of his head.
"Choi-hyung, Copy-hyung really isn’t here to cause any trouble!" Even Maru joined in, trying to defuse the tensions. But Copy merely smirked back at his original self,
" Make me. "
Copy easily blocked that punch to his gut with his palm, aiming one hard kick to Choi’s shin. Choi dodged that, stepping back quickly and swung his foot at his face, which Copy blocked with his arm. It stung a bit, reminding him that he doesn’t have Mother’s powers helping him this time, but he isn’t that weak. And Choi looks like he is straining himself too, as he gritted his teeth to block a kick to his stomach.
"Choi-hyung, please stop! And Copy-hyung! Let's leave! Please!" Maru begged, and it is so cute how helpless he is that Copy got distracted, eating a firm kick on his arm. But he isn't going to be stopped this easily, quickly kicking back as Kyung Hu cheered them on.
"Please stop!" Maru shouted again, now trying to physically stop them, before realising too late he doesn’t have any abilities to back him back, staring at an incoming kick from unable to react. Immediately Copy quickly pulled him back, fury overcoming him and he planted the hardest kick he could muster on Choi, sending him crashing into the wall.
"I’m fine-"
Before he could turn and reassure the young man he is alright, one hard hit from something to his head sent him crashing to the ground, making him see stars. A similar shout from Choi meant he was hit too, and as his vision cleared he could see Maru admonishing Choi.
"Hyung, look, Copy-hyung isn’t here to cause trouble, and," noticing his stare Maru balled his fist and gave him a hard knock on the head, "Copy-hyung stop provoking Choi-hyung!"
Copy doesn’t know what exactly he is feeling, watching as Maru handed the serving tray back to Kyung Hu, apologising profusely for the both of them. His heart is pounding fast, very fast, and for that moment he realises what it is like to want something.
"We, we’ll be leaving now, alright?" Maru turned and pleaded to him, and those orange eyes lit up in surprise when he nodded. He didn’t question it though, apologising again for their intrusion, and tried dragging Copy out with him. Eyes now never once leaving the young man, Copy willing follows.
They ended up at a nearby park, so Maru seems to like such quiet places huh? The young man sat down, sighing, and he took the empty space beside him.
"Copy-hyung, look, that was Choi-hyung’s workplace, it isn’t good to cause trouble there. What if you damage anything or hurt someone!?"
"But I can't help it?" Copy shrugged, grinning back at him. "I was created to fight Choi, and it was fun-"
With that glare focused on him he meekly said, "I’m sorry."
Maru sighed again. "I was thinking of buying you something to eat there, Choi-hyung’s snacks are great, and also since you like to cook, you can familiarise yourself with the place and find out what a cooking job will be like? But now…"
So Maru had taken him to the restaurant, not just because of his selfish request, but also to help him? Seeing his surprise Maru gave a defeated chuckle.
"Since you’ll be staying with us for now, and you said your existence just started, I thought it’ll be good for you to know how Choi worked, and how he lived with humans till now." Maru stretched his hands up to the sky, looking at them. "I think I’m human now too, even Haru said so, and my guns just aren’t appearing when I call for them."
"I’ll get use to it together with you, Maru," Copy said gently, cupping those hands and pulling them towards his heart, which is pounding so hard, so much with appreciation and want. "I’ll cook for you too, I’ll cook every single one of your meals from now on."
"You really love to cook, don’t you, Copy-hyung?" A delightful light chuckle answered him, though he is disappointed Maru pulled his hands away to scratch his head. "Well, we got to head back soon, I’m put off checking my mail long enough, and you promised to cook lunch for Haru. Hm, we’ll look for hyung-nim again tomorrow, and he’ll most prob hire you or something."
"Don’t worry," Maru smiled at the light frown on his face, and he didn’t feel the need to correct him, "you’ll get paid well, hyung-nim’s a great person. But he’ll make sure to work you to the bone, so you’d better rest well now and get ready to work like hell tomorrow."
"Hm, as long as it’s together with you, I’m sure I’ll be able to handle that."
"... huh?"
Copy just smiled back.
Omake
At noon Haru appeared at the doorstep, bringing his own container to bring back a portion of lunch for Mu Yeung. The teen ate a lot, and Copy made sure to drop an extra large crispy drumstick on his plate. They didn’t talk much over lunch, with Maru rushing off first back to his room to check on his emails on the various happenings while they were slacking around, and Copy washing the dishes since Haru would be returning to deliver food. Though he did stick around for a bit longer, watching him like he did yesterday.
"So how was the drumstick?" Copy asked with a bright smile. Haru pouted.
"It’s delicious, and you want me to sell bro out just from that?"
"Yup!" He answered excitedly, eyes sparkling and waiting for Haru’s answer.
"I suppose you get points for effort," the young teen leaned back on his seat, and said, "well, sometimes bro complains that he wants a girlfriend-"
Evidently Maru heard them, judging from the heavy choking they heard from his room. Copy ignored that. "So should I wear a skirt? Or a wig? You think it’ll help-"
"Haru stop teaching Copy such nonsense!" Maru rushed out from his room, blushing red, and pushed his younger brother out of the kitchen. "And hyung! Don’t listen to him, he’s-"
"But Haru promised to teach me how to win your heart-"
Before he knew it the two of them were thrown out from the house, and the wooden door slammed shut in front of their faces.
"Looks like your love life isn’t going on too smoothly," the teen had the cheek to rub it in, as Copy wondered how he is going to get back in. "Don’t worry, as long as you keep cooking for us I’ll root for you."
“How about letting me back in?”
“Nah, that’s your problem.”
Well, seeing how he has all the time in the world now, he can slowly sit and mull on it for as long as he wants, figure out a way to worm himself deeper into Maru’s heart too. And slowly wait for him to pick a more suitable name for him, hm…