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The sleek black SUV bounced along the quiet highway, the setting sun sending in blinding rays behind as the vehicle speed on. Inside the cabin Ms. Chu snored softly, exhausted from the day’s events while beside her in the driver’s seat Mo-Tak hummed along to some new trot song on the radio. In the back seat the youngest members of the Counter team sat each lost in their own thoughts. Ha-Na contemplated the level 2 spirit they had just captured and sent to Yung, along with the two spirits the evil spirit had consumed prior. Two sisters both scared that their father had turned out to be a demon but happy they could move onto heaven together. It was days like this that she missed her family the most but the mere thought of them no longer drove her despair like it once had. Beside her, So-mun giggled under his breath and shifted slightly as he quickly typed some response into his phone. She wondered what had him so embroiled in the stupid device lately. She tried to shift a little to see but the little turd saw her and gave her a look before shifting to hide the screen. With a huff, she turned away to watch the landscape turn into the familiar buildings of Jungjin.
She wasn’t being nosy, it was just that having been through so much with the team she couldn’t help but feel a sense of family. In the year since Mun had joined those feelings had only solidified and grown.
“Ya, should we stop for some food, use some of that well-earned dime on some good, ol’ fashion Korean Beef?” Mo-Tak called out startling Ms. Chu awake. She smacked him lightly on the arm and sat up, joints creaking in protest.
“Must you be so loud?” There was no fire in her voice just that of a flustered mother hen pecking at her chicks.
Ha-Na rolled her eyes, a smile on her face as the bickering upfront continued. Beside her Mun’s fingers clacked out another response. His face illuminated by the light of the phone and the setting sun. Even with the kaleidoscope of colours the blush painting his cheeks were as clear as day.
Leave it alone Ha-Na, she told herself. She was supposed to be the aloof one of the group. Leave the nosiness to the others. Although truthfully she wondered if she still fit that description. After the defeat of Ji Cheong Shin, a lot had changed within the Counters. Ms. Chu after all she had gone through had decided to take on less and less responsibilities, there was even talk of her retiring. As such, she spent more time at the noodle shop as well as with Choi Jung-mal. Ha-Na never said anything but she had noticed the smile that would alight the older woman’s face whenever the millionaire stopped by to take her on one date or another. Ha-Na had purposely gotten the boys started on teasing the couple about being the mom and dad of the group just to see that smile more often.
It had been Mun who had originally compared them to a family, with Mo-Tak being the Funcle and Ha-Na the cool older sister leaving the ace of the group as the baby. She was just glad he hadn’t tried to call her his girlfriend again, even if he had his grandparents and parents believing otherwise. She was 6 years older than him thank you very much.
Mo-Tak had started volunteering at the environmental group helping to clean up the waste left by the Taesin Group. He promised he wasn’t interfering in human affairs and was actually keeping himself healthy. The council didn’t buy it but they let it slide this time.
As for Ha-Na, she had decided to go to therapy and work through the survivor’s guilt she felt after her family’s deaths. Ms. Chu had cried when Ha-na had told her of her decision to go. Proud that the young woman was working through her trauma. She had also decided to enrol in university taking an engineering course, deciding to use the knowledge to help catch evil spirits and if she could stick it to the misogynistic douche bags in her course then all the more fun.
As for Mun, gone was the baby fat around his cheeks. At 19 he was starting to look like a young man and his training, which kept him buff made him fill out his uniform well. He had only a few more months left of school and he had politely asked Wi-Gen and the rest of the council to allow him some slack on the Counter duties until at least exams were over. Shockingly they had agreed. In part because things had been relatively quiet and because 3 more Counters had been added to patrol other parts of Korea.
Recently there had been another change in the youngest’s behaviour. He was constantly texting someone and he rarely hung out at the noodle shop annoying Mo-Tak or Ha-Na as he usually did instead of making some excuse or another. Jung-Mal had teased him relentlessly that the youngest probably had a secret girlfriend. They all wished Ha-na their condolences if this was true much to her displeasure. She was a grown-ass woman, he was barely out of puberty!
But she had to admit she was intrigued by what this secret was. Who was the mysterious stranger behind the texts? She had asked his two school friends whenever they stopped by but the girl- Ju-Yeon- had scoffed and answered that he never told them anything anymore.
But there was a way to get the information of out him.
Smirking she looked over looking for a piece of exposed skin to read his memories. But Mun was covered with a big, fleecy jacket staying warm after the sweaty, mid-winter fight. Rolling her eyes she vowed to get him later during practice.
The car finally pulled up beside the noodle shop and the team exited groaning as they stretched their aching muscles from the long drive and the earlier fight.
“I’ll start up some food for us.” Ms. Chu said with a chipper tone as she unlocked the door.
“Oh, not for me Ms. Chu. I have plans tonight.” Called out Mun behind the group, a small, sweet smile on this face.
Mo-Tak leered, “Ooh a hot date with your mysterious girl?’
Mun went bright red and rolled his eyes, “Ah ajusshi! Stop!”
Mo-Tak grabbed at him and pulled the boy into a head grip as he ruffled the boy’s hair ignoring the pleading and threats.
In the alleyway a car pulled up and honked, headlights stretched out to illuminate the team. Ha-Na narrowed her eyes, this was the same car she had seen multiple times outside the shop in the past few weeks. A wave of fear washed over her but quickly dissipated as Mun laughed.
“My rides here.”
“Ooh, your girlfriend has a car?” Ms. Chu teased, joining in on the ribbing.
Mun’s blush deepened waving goodbye as he ran over to the car. He waved to whoever was inside and pulled open the door. It was only for a second but Ha-Na could have sworn that the person behind the wheel was very much not a girl and from the orange mop of hair, and the sharp feature she knew who it was.
Shin Hyeok-U.
————-
“You sure it was him.” Ms. Chu asked kindly as she stretched out her aching bones.
Ha-Na stopped beating the bag and wiped the sweat from her brow, “Positive. I know that little twerp anywhere.”
The older woman made a noise of noncommittal though it was clear she was as intrigued as Ha-Na about who Mun had gotten into the car with the night before. Ha-Na began hitting the bag again only to stop abruptly.
“I just don’t get it I thought they hated each other? Like Hyeok-U is an arrogant little bully. He beat the crap out of Mun and his friends. He almost KILLED you!”
Ms. Chu groaned as she stretched her arm to the side, “That wasn’t him remember, he had no control over that spirit. Sometimes we need to give people the benefit of the doubt. You know his story, it's no wonder the poor kid turned out so horrid with a home life like that. But he testified against his father and Mun’s little friends said how much he had changed apparently they view him as a friend now. Maybe him dropping out of school for a bit and getting away from his father’s shadow was a good thing.”
Ha-Na made a face. People didn’t change. Once a bad egg always a bad egg. What she couldn’t understand was why Mun was hanging around him and if it could possibly be he the person who kept bringing a lovestruck look to the youngest’s face. Biting her lip she walked over to the bench to wipe her face. Mun had never indicated an interest in boys before but then again other than the few odd times he had called Ha-Na pretty he hadn’t really shown much interest in girls either. Granted they rarely spoke about such things, mainly focusing on Counter work or the occasional event that happened at school. Love rarely came up as a topic of conversation unless they were teasing Ms. Chu. Hell, it's not like any of the team knew she had no interest in either gender whatsoever.
The door to the gym burst open and in walked Mo-Tak talking about some action movie they had watched a few nights before along with Mun’s friend Ju-Yeon. The boy, Ung-Min had fallen asleep within minutes of the opening credits. Mun shuffled behind him lacking the air of confidence he usually had.
“I still think there needs to be a sequel.” Mo-Tak groaned out. “There was still too much left unsaid between the lovers.”
Mun smiled but the action didn’t reach his eyes, “That’s because it was an action movie, not a romance. Besides sometimes loves only leaves questions.”
Mo-Tak gave the boy a strange look, “Geesh lighten up kid. Love leaves only questions? Talk about teen angst.”
Ha-Na knew when the young man was upset, he wore his heart on his sleeve after all and now she was further proof that she needed to know what was going on with the boy so with gusto she marched over to the two and grabbed Mun wrist, which sadly was clothed.
“We are training together today.” She ordered pulling him to the mat. He pulled back.
“Er no, I am training with Mo-Tak today.”
Pretending not to hear she turned and gave a high kick to the head. He easily dodged it and went into stance.
“Rude.” He mumbled before running to punch her, she easily deflected it and moved her hand to the exposed skin on his neck but he wiped around and kicked her legs out from under her. So intent on reading his thoughts she quickly went down. Grabbing his ankle she lifted the material on his leg groaning at the pulled-up white sock underneath. He backflipped out of the hold allowing her time to pounce upright.
“You seem distracted this morning.” He said in earnest easily dodging the next few jabs she threw at him. “Everything okay at school.”
‘Dammit Mun’ she thought launching herself into the air and wrapping her legs around his neck. She was here to get information from him not to have a heart to heart about her own life.
She flipped him although it hadn’t been easy. He was a lot stronger than he used to be but as he brought a hand up to grab at her she saw her moment. The hem of Mun’s tracksuit had risen up exposing a thin strip of skin but it was enough. With the speed of a viper, Ha-Na wrapped her fingers around the slim wrist.
The memories were quick and sudden.
Mun and Hyeok-U sitting on a bench, thighs pressed together as they ate some ice cream, eyes awkwardly drifting to each other as they exchanged shy smiles.
Hyeok-U apologizing to the other boy for his actions. Tears filled in his eyes.
The two hanging out in Mun’s bedroom, Hyeok-U pulling a face as Mun spoke about the character he was designing.
Hyeok-U asking to sit with Mun and his friends. A silence hanging between them until Mun had shifted aside allowing the redhead to sit. They all ignored the questioning stares and the sneers from Hyeok-U’s old friends.
Then finally a more recent memory surfaced. The two were in Hyeok-U’s car and from the clothes Mun was wearing this was from the night before. They had clearly just eaten as Mun patted his belly and belched behind his fist much to the disgust of both Ha-Na and Hyeok-U.
“Man, that was some good Jjajangmyeon. Almost as good as the place we went to a few weeks ago.”
Hyeok-U who still had a look of arrogance around him scoffed, “You say that about every dish and meal we have. Are you so easily pleased?”
Mun pulled a face and then smiled his eyes crinkling at the side, “Maybe I can use appreciate fine food or maybe I just enjoy the whole dining out experience. And it helps that I’m with a close friend?”
The last part of the sentence was said more as a question leaving an awkward silence to fall over the occupants in the car. It was obvious the blush that painted Hyeok-U’s cheeks was not one of anger but of something else. He cleared his throat.
“Well…mmm. Yeah, you need a friend with a bit more elegance. I mean Ung-Min thought that caviar was the stuff bulletproof vests are made of. That’s Kevlar the bloody idiot.”
Mun rolled his eyes, the awkward atmosphere replaced by friendly banter as they drove down the highway towards Mun’s neighbourhood. Every now and then Mun would sneak a glance at the other boy, eyes expressive to say what was in his head. It was almost as interesting to see the amount of time Hyeok-U’s own eyes slipped from the road side-eyeing his passenger.
“How was your business trip?” Hyeok-U said with air quotations his eyes not leaving the road this time. SMun turned in his seat to face the red-head. “You know I am sworn to secrecy.” There was a tilt of teasing in his voice and Ha-Na recognized it as the same flirtatious tone she saw guys take on in Ms. Chu’s k-dramas.
Hyeok-U sneered but it held none of the bitterness it once did, “Fine keep your secrets boy. I’ll just keep plying you with food and gifts and one day you will spill your deep, dark secrets.”
The car pulled into Mun’s lane, the familiar green gates catching the bright headlights as the car slowed down.
Mun laughed, “That won’t work on me. Money won’t get you everything in life.” His face changed the minute he said it and Hyeok-U’s hands tightened against the steering wheel, knuckles turning white. Mun leaned over and placed a hand on the other boy’s bicep.
“Shit, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry.”
Hyeok-U brought the car to a stop right outside the house and took a few deep breaths before placing a hand over Mun’s.
“I know. It's just sometimes I wish that I could…His shadow is always gonna….”
Mun leaned closer, and even in the memory, it was clear how much his heart was beating.
“You aren’t your father and you aren’t the dickhead you were last year. You may never be able to outrun his shadow but that is why you make a greater, better one until he is in your shadow. After all, you are Shin Hyeok-U, you are your own person and I think, mmm, well I think you are pretty great.”
The look Hyeok-U gave Mun took away his breath and Ha-Na felt butterflies in her own chest. The look was not one she expected from the former bully. It was filled with shock, longing and something else. Hope maybe.
The boys subconsciously moved closer to one another and as their eyes met the atmosphere turned thick. Mun leaned in as if drawn by an invisible force and slowly he raised a hand until it rested against Hyeok-U’s stubbled cheek. Their breathing increased, eyes connected as they moved closer but before their lips could touch Hyeok-U pulled away clearing his throat as he fervently made a point to care out the window.
“Mmm, thanks for… yeah thanks for coming out tonight. I’ll see you on Monday at school.”
The dismissal was clear and Ha-Na could feel the dejection in her own chest as clearly as Mun did but before she could push further a fist connected with her chin.
Rolling away she saw the youngster jump to his feet holding his hand against his chest. His eyes were wide and fearful. He knew she had read his memories.
“Mun-ah.” She started realizing just how much she had overstepped the boundaries.
“I’m not feeling so good. I’m going to head home.”
He rushed out ignoring the calls from the others and Ha-Na, slow to recover from what she had seen, was too late to catch him. By the time she had made it up the stairs and out the shop Mun was long gone. Swearing she stomped her foot in anger before pulling out her phone. Pulling up the numbers she dialled Mun but unsurprisingly it went to voicemail. Swearing she went to open the tracker app and watched as the purple dot ran. She watched it get further and further away until it was clear he was going in the direction of the school. With a sigh, she took off after him although, with a lot less speed than Mun, she would need the time to come up with something to say to him or at least figure out how much grovelling she needed to do.
It was mid-morning by the time she jumped the fence to the school grounds and launched herself up the roof where she knew Mun would be. Thankful it was a Sunday and most people would be at home enjoying some relaxation or at church if they were so inclined. She slowly climbed the ladder to the roof and peered over. The tell-tale red tracksuit was obvious against the skyline. Ha-Na halted at the top fighting the urge to run away and leave him to his ruminations. But she had caused this and she was a badass fighter dammit, she had taken down evil spirit after evil spirit. She could deal with this. Making enough noise to let him know she was coming she finally sat down beside him keeping enough space between them.
They were silent for a while as the orchestra of the city sounded around them.
“How much did you see?”
Biting her lip she answered truthfully.
“I’m sorry. I just…I was worried about you and when I saw Hyeok-U last night I thought. Oh hell, I don’t know what I thought really.”
Silence fell over them again and it was clear that Ha-Na would need to start the conversation or else they would sit there in their own heads, “Are you guys like dating or something?”
Mun shook his head, “No. I mean I don’t know what's going on. Originally I was just trying to be friends with him because no one would even talk to him at school anymore. He was a pariah and I don’t know under all that bravado and arrogance there is a guy who just needed a hug and a real friend.”
Huffing with frustration Mun swung his legs around he stood up and began to pace, hand frustratedly pulling at his curls.
“I just don’t understand him. He is the one who wanted to be friends. He was the one who wanted to hang out solo with me. He is constantly flirting with me over text, calling me to chat until the early hours of the morning and sometimes I catch him watching me with something that makes my chest hurt. Like he is so handsome and really under all that attitude he is actually a decent guy. I couldn’t help falling for him. And every time we get close he pulls away or pushes me away and then acts like nothing is happening. It's frustrating! What do I do?”
Blinking owlishly Ha-Na realized that he was asking her for advice.
“I don’t really have experience…Like at all. Romance isn’t really my thing.”
Apparently, that wasn’t what he wanted to hear as he sat down with a huff beside her and buried his head in his hands. With a stiff arm, she reached over to pat his shoulder in comfort. He laughed into his cupped hands.
“What a cliche. I’ve fallen for the reformed bully. I don’t even know if he likes me the way I like him.”
Ha-Na bit the inside of her cheek wishing she had never pried in the first place. This is what been noisy got her but she had come this far, might as well see it through to the end.
“Look from what I saw of your memories it seemed he was just as excited for you to kiss him as you were.”
Mun groaned into his hands.
With a frustrated sigh, Ha-Na stood and pulled him to his feet, “Oh stop mopping and just talk to him will you!”
The younger boy stared at her in disbelief, “Eh what?”
She resisted the sudden urge to throw him off the building, “Talk. To. Him. Tell him you like him. Confess like they do in Ms. Chu’s dramas.”
Mun chewed on his lip, “Would that like work?”
Ha-Na shrugged, “The hell am I supposed to know? On the bright side if you screw it up just erase his memory and start again.”
“Ha-Na! No!” The shrill voice of U-Sik sounded in her head and by the way Mun jerked back Wi-Gen had also decided to chime in too.
“Well he has to try something,” she yelled at the sky. Naturally, the sky did not answer back so instead, she turned to the sulky Mun.
“Oh stop pouting and go and talk to him. You are a grown man who has brought down a level 4 evil spirit and a corrupt as hell mayor. What is one stupid love confession?”
She straightened her tracksuit, “And if you don’t do it I’ll break your nose!”
He just shook his head and mumbled something about her being mean but with his head held high Mun leapt from the building ready to face his fear. Ha-Na smiled feeling rather proud of herself. Hopefully, by the time the boy returned to the noodle shop he would have a boyfriend.
——
Two excruciatingly slow days passed before Mun finally stopped by the shop and it was clear from the blinding smile on his face that things had gone well. During his absence both Ms. Chu and Mo-Tak had tried, rather unsuccessfully, to pry information out of Ha-Na. But now as the youngest sat down at the table and put gloves on to help Mo-Tak with the anchovies, the older man narrowed his eyes and gave a shrewd smile.
“Ooh someone looks positively happy. Did something happen with this mystery girl of yours?”
Mun met Ha-Na’s eyes for a brief second before turning back to Mo-Tak, “Eh, I guess you could say that. Actually, I was wondering if they could come by for dinner. I want you to, er meet them properly.”
Ms. Chu clapped her hands together, “Oh of course dear, we can’t wait to met her.”
“Him. It's a him actually.” Mun muttered shyly.
Ms. Chu blinked sheepishly and looked over at Mo-Tak and Ha-Na. The former looked just as shocked as she was while Ha-Na just hoped they wouldn’t be too against it. Ms. Chu just clapped her hands, her kind smile back in place.
“I’ll get the broth started I want only the best for my Mun and his…mystery guy. Mo-Tak I need your help please.”
The two older Counters left in hushed whispers and Ha-Na pulled one of the chairs beside Mun’s and gave him a pointed look.
“So I am guessing things went well?”
Mun smirked and held out his hand, “Just don’t watch too much. It gets a little +18 at the end.”
Ha-Na let out a shocked little oh but without hesitation grasped the proffered hand and immediately the memories rushed in.
Mun practically ran to the condos where Hyeok-U was staying, feet pounding the concrete in a rhythmic slap. Pulling open the glass doors with the gusto that could have easily broken them if they weren’t double pained he ran over to the elevator, clicking the button in rapid-fire succession. The numbers above the doors didn’t change and Mun didn’t have the patience to wait it out so with a growl he turned and ran towards the stairs taking three at a time until he reached the floor he was after.
As the stairwell door closed swung shut Mun froze and pulled a face. He had no idea what he was doing. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath and strode forward whispering affirmation of courage under his breath. The tiny 404 on the door of Hyeok-U’s apartment stared down at him almost in a mocking gesture.
“You can do this. You brought down a level 4 evil spirit. You stopped a corrupt corporation and evil mayor. You saved hundreds of people. And if you don’t do this Ha-Na will break your nose.” Subconsciously his hand went to the said nose and he shuddered at the thought. With one final breath, he pressed the doorbell. Straightening his jacket, Mun wiped any sweat from his face before knocking heavily on the door when no answer came. A few more seconds passed without an answer so he knocked harder and louder this time.
“Hold on geesh.” Came the exasperated voice from inside.
It opened to expose a shirtless Hyeok-U drying his damp hair. Beads of condensation rested on the smooth, pale skin. Both froze at the sight of the other.
“Can I come in?” Mun asked trying hard to pull his eyes away from the exposed chest. Hyeok-U stared for a few seconds longer as if shocked by who was in his doorway before shaking his head loose from the thoughts and shuffling out the way to let the other boy in. The condo was small and sparsely decorated, which was to be expected as Hyeok-U was earning his own pay to stay there after all his father’s accounts were frozen.
“I’m just gonna get dressed.” Hyeok-U stuttered slightly, pointing to the bedroom. It was clear by the stilted atmosphere in the room that both knew this was no ordinary hangout. What seemed like forever, Hyeok-U finally emerged fully clothed from his bedroom, hair neatly combed and a whiff of cologne upon his collar. He sat beside Mun on the second-hand love seat with just enough space between them that it seemed safe but strange at the same time.
“So what…why are you here?”
Mun turned to look at the other boy who was staring intently at the floor.
“I think we both know why.”
With no answer forthcoming, Mun swallowed and mustered as much courage he could.
“I want to know what this…thing is between us.” He wagged a finger between them.
“I know our friendship is new but even I know this is more than friendship. Friends don’t look at each other the way I catch you looking at me, nor the way I know I look at you. Friends don’t feel sparks whenever they touch nor yearn to reach out and touch.”
He reiterated this part by slowly placing his hand on Hyeok-U’s knee gripping it slightly at the sound of the other’s inhale. His own heart was beating in his ears.
“Yesterday I wanted to kiss you and I know you wanted to kiss me back. I’m not stupid. I felt it. So why did you pull away?”
As if by design Hyeok-U moved away from the touch and his mood turned sour, “My father is a mass murdering, corrupt fear monger. I was possessed by a demon and tried to kill you and that old woman. I bullied half the school into submission. I tried to kill you. I wanted to kill you oh and yeah we happen to both guys. Take your pick.”
Mun shifted closer, “You are not your father! You were a product of your upbringing and look at what you have made of yourself in just a few short months. Its like looking at a whole new person. You are making your own money, you are making you own way in the world and have real friends now not ones who care about your power. And what do I care if we are both men? We aren’t the first to fall for each other nor will we be the last. If it is taboo then let it be, I would rather be happy with you than miserable in a lie.”
“I…I can’t,” Hyeok-U said through gritted teeth and it was clear how frustrated both were.
“Why,” Mun yelled. The red-head launched to his feet and finally turned to Mun.
“Because if my father had never gone to jail I would never have changed! I would be the president's son, an even bigger bully than ever before. I didn’t change because I wanted to. I changed because I had no choice, no money and no power. How can you stand there and tell me you like me when we both know that if my father wasn’t behind bars we would still hate each other. I would still want with every fibre of my body to hurt you. Get you back for how you humiliated me!”
There were unshed tears in his eyes and he was shaking with pent-up emotions. Mun came to stand in front of him and reached out for the other boy only to have his hand slapped away.
“Fine. Do you still hate me so? Then hit me. Hurt me for the things I did to you. I won’t stop you. Come on!” Mun said in a low breath spreading his arms wide in an invitation. The look of shock on Hyeok-U’s face told them both he wouldn’t even try. Instead, he lashed out at the wall, fist smashing into the plasterboard. Tiny fragments cutting deep into his hand, scraping the skin from the knuckles.
“I am not a good person Mun. You were a cripple who stood up to a gang of bullies for the entire school and I am barely a reformed monster. You are too good for me.” Yelled Hyeok-U now cradling his hurt hand to his chest, this time the tears freely flowing. Their eyes met and Hyeok-U let out a strangled sigh.
“I want you so badly it sometimes hurts. I think about you all the time and when I with you all I want to do is take your hand but I can’t not after what I have done. I would only infect you with evil the way my father did to me.”
Mun shook his head, his own tears spilling gently down his eyes as he moved slowly towards Hyeok-U like one approaching a scared, stray dog.
“You wouldn’t hurt me, not anymore. I know true evil and you are no longer in danger of that evil. You are just learning to be you. Let me help. Let me into your heart.”
He stopped before Hyeok-U and tried not to break at the look of despair and pain on the other’s face. He took another step rejoicing when Hyeok-U didn’t move away.
“I have never loved someone like this before. Sure I love my parents. I love my grandparents, my friends but you…this is something more and I don’t want to lose it. I don’t want to lose you,”
With whispered words, Mun came to stop right in front of the red-head and without hesitation came to rest their foreheads together. Hyeok-U gripped the front of Mun’s shirt and let out a small sob.
“I would rather love you in all your broken glory than not love you at all.”
Whatever more Mun was going to say next was swallowed as Hyeok-U surged forward and pressed their lips together in an awkward, sloppy kiss but it was all that mattered. As they pressed against each other, Hyeok-U’s tongue pushing into Mun’s mouth seeking to deepen the kiss.
The memory ended as Mun pulled away with a violent blush on his face, Ha-Na cleared her throat and wiped a stray tear from her eye.
“Geesh why was it so dramatic? I said talk to him not have a k-drama love confession.”
Mun huffed in amusement and refused to meet her eyes. They sat in a calm silence while they listened to the noise of business in the kitchen. The methodic cutting, the steamy swoosh of the boiling water and the general chatter from the two older counters.
“Do you think they are okay with it?” Mun said jerking his head towards the kitchen.
Ha-Na nodded, “they no doubt will need time to completely understand it, their generation is older after all but they are happy for you.”
He smiled at her before a knock at the door broke their concentration. Ms. Chu peeked her head out the kitchen door.
“Oh, no is he here already? Oh, I haven’t even gotten the noodles washed.” But she didn’t follow her own words instead she ran forward wiping her hands on her apron as she unlocked the door. In the doorway stood Hyeok-U looking handsome as ever. He smiled nervously at the older woman before recognition set in.
“Oh…you are the one I almost killed…”
She waved it off and pulled him inside.
“That is in the past now and it wasn’t you.” She stopped eyes narrowing before she threw a look at Mun. “Although why isn’t his memory wiped?”
“I tried,” the boy shrugged. “It didn’t seem to stick.”
She threw a hand at him, “It was for his own safety but never the matter. Come, sit. Dinner shall be ready soon.”
She hurried back to the kitchen calling for Mo-Tak to hurry. Ha-Na greeted the newcomer before moving towards the back to grab the water for the food while giving the young couple their privacy. Still, she watched under her lashes as they awkwardly embraced clearly still feeling the strangeness of their new relationship.
“Do they know about us?” Hyeok-U asked quietly. Mun smiled and nodded. Ms. Chu and Mo-Tak hurried out of the kitchen steaming bowls of noodles in each hand.
“Sit, sit. Let's enjoy a good meal together.”
It didn’t take long for the conversation to start up jumping from one topic to another although they avoided any Counter business which surprisingly was easy to do. Ha-Na kept her eyes on the couple and smiled as she watched them share shy looks and small touches. After their tummies were full she saw Mun gently slip his hand into Hyeok-U’s, fingers intertwined tightly together.
Mo-Tak grabbed a bottle of soju and five glasses, “You two are adults, right? It is only right we celebrate.”
He carefully poured each cup and passed it around the table.
“Here is to new beginnings and good friends. May good always prevail!”
Mun clicked his glass to Hyeok-U’s and in a whisper only he could hear, “And may our love last.”
The smile Hyeok-U gave in return was blinding.