Work Text:
“. . . “
“We. . . failed?”
Yoo Joonghyuk glared at Han Sooyoung as she said the words.
“What will that rat say if he finds that you’ve been taking unnecessary risks?” She asked, demuring the scowl. ‘It can be dangerous, at least tell Lee Seolhwa or Lee Jihye.’
She scratched her neck and gazed around the cave.
Yoo Joonghyuk had paused in front of her, reading the Hidden Scenario descriptions.
“What is the penalty?” Han Sooyoung asked.
Yoo Joonghyuk frowned. “It’s not specified.”
“Bastard, check properly.”
Yoo Joonghyuk silenced her with a sharp glare.
“That rat told you to be careful.” She said, ‘Dokja did not. He implied.’
“Han Sooyoung. What is your relationship with Kim Dokja?”
Han Sooyoung spit the lemon candy she had stuck in her mouth—miffed by the taste suddenly. “Why do you ask? Bastard?”
[The Constellation Abyssal Black Flame Dragon is cackling]
[The Constellation Demon-like Judge of Fire is cupping her mouth]
[500 coins have been sponsored]
Han Sooyoung scoffed.
Yoo Joonghyuk narrowed his eyes, gazing at her.
“It is nothing.”
“Were you planning to ask me out or that bastard?” Han Sooyoung asked teasingly, looking down and taking another lollipop out.
She took the plastic off and hummed.
“. . . “
She twitched her brow when she noticed that Yoo Joonghyuk had completely ignored her remark. “I’m not really kidding. But still.”
As though the candy prior's taste had been sucked out by Yoo Joonghyuk, she sighed.
She touched the tangy flavor to her tongue. “You haven’t spoken to him in a while. Did you have some internal feud?”
Yoo Joonghyuk looked down at her.
Han Sooyoung frowned. “He isn’t a stone like you.” She said.
[Penalty had been decided]
Han Sooyoung opened the Hidden Scenario description screen and read the penalty.
The screen closed off before she could read it.
Han Sooyoung glanced at Yoo Joonghyuk―
Blackness erupted in between them, and painted her surroundings black, like messing up a nice painting.
“Oi bastard!” She called.
There was no response.
She swallowed and began feeling dizzy.
Han Sooyoung closed her eyes as a sick feeling began settling itself in her stomach.
.
.
.
.
“Han Sooyoung.”
Her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked.
It was too bright, but a shadow had covered her.
“EH―” She pulled away from Yoo Joonghyuk’s who was holding her against his chest and on his arms, and fell to the ground, hitting her ass hard.
‘That rat and this sunfish.’ She hissed in pain. ‘Both these bastards dropped me.’
“Han Sooyoung.”
She looked at Yoo Joonghyuk, who was looking past her with slightly wide eyes―meaning that they weren’t hooded for no reason.
Han Sooyoung turned her head in the direction Yoo Joonghyuk was looking in, and pushed herself to stand up. “H-huh?”
[The constellation Abyssal Black Flame Dragon is staring with wide eyes]
[The constellation Prisoner Of The Golden Headband is musing]
[The constellation Demon-Like Judge of Fire is surprised by the tranquility of the place]
[Many constellations are surprised]
[Many constellations of the Korean Peninsula are uneasy]
“This is Seoul, right?” Han Sooyoung asked.
“It is, apparently.”
Yoo Joonghyuk seemed as surprised as her. How long had it been since they had seen such peace?
No destruction, people walking casually.
Her lips twitched and to refrain herself from dazing, she said, “you look like some emo idiot.”
Yoo Joonghyuk stared at her for a few moments―Han Sooyoung didn’t back down, she leveled with the glare.
Yoo Joonghyuk broke the eye-contact and sighed and began taking his coat off.
Han Sooyoung almost flinched at the movement―almost.
Yoo Joonghyuk took his coat off and hung it on his forearm.
Han Sooyoung didn’t stare at the muscles that seemed too prominent in the turtleneck, she cleared her throat and accessed her attribute board.
[You can’t view this right now]
[Penalty has put restrictions]
“What?” She turned around and noticed Yoo Joonghyuk staring into the blank air.
“Bastard. That rat isn’t here. I haven’t faced this sort of penalty.”
Yoo Joonghyuk stayed silent for a minute before turning around.
“Hey!”
Han Sooyoung chased after him.
[Many constellations are complaining about the inadequate penalty]
[The Queen of the Darkest Spring thinks it’s amusing]
---
“What’s the time?” Han Sooyoung asked.
Yoo Joonghyuk regarded her with a glare.
She had to admit, Kim Dokja was more fun in this case.
Han Sooyoung turned on her heel. “We’re back in time, obviously, what’s the date?”
“Are we stuck here?” She asked.
“Is this―”
“Stop asking questions.” Yoo Joonghyuk interrupted her.
Han Sooyoung frowned.
Kim Dokja would try to answer them.
She shielded her eyes from the sun, and gazed out. “Should be afternoon in Spring,” she guessed.
Yoo Joonghyuk eyed her, “mn.”
‘Does this bastard talk more with that rat?’
Han Sooyoung squinted her eyes, and saw a woman crossing the street. 'He is exchanging many words today… though.'
She turned to face Yoo Joonghyuk. “I’ll go ask her.” She announced, pointing at the woman who was holding a grocery bag.
---
Yoo Joonghyuk pursed his lips, watching Han Sooyoung talk with the woman.
He swallowed and looked at his own situation.
[Your sponsor is uncomfortable with the current setting]
He took a deep breath and gazed out into the scenery.
This should be Seoul at least a decade back.
He looked at the coat in his hand and at the sun.
‘. . . ‘
He swiftly put it on, and felt comfortable despite the heat.
[The constellation Demon-like Judge of Fire is asking you to walk around]
Yoo Joonghyuk lowered his gaze to see Han Sooyoung walking towards him, appearing a bit shaken.
“Like a decade ago,” she muttered. “Thursday.”
Yoo Joonghyuk nodded and began walking, Han Sooyoung cursed at him and followed near his side.
“You put your coat back on.” She muttered, stepping her foot evenly in between tiles.
“. . . “ Yoo Joonghyuk cleared his throat, “my sword was attracting attention. I do not wish to look like a cosplayer.”
“So you pick being emo.”
Yoo Joonghyuk felt the urge to punch her, but he wondered if Kim Dokja would try killing him if he accidentally killed Han Sooyoung.
Just as they came to a stop, the two of them caught sight of a uniform.
Tawny blazer and long khakis.
“Is that kid ditching?” Han Sooyoung pointed obnoxiously at the student that was crossing the street with their back towards them.
Yoo Joonghyuk felt struck by deja vu—at once with Han Sooyoung.
“You know, that’s a high schooler,” she took a step ahead and began briskly walking. She made a gesture of: ‘I know what I’m talking about.’
Yoo Joonghyuk swiftly moved his legs and caught Han Sooyoung before she ran down the crossing.
A car speeding from the mainroad turned just about immediately.
“Han Sooyoung.” He began.
‘Watch out?’
‘Be careful?’
“You said it yourself. We’re back a decade. Cracked roads and no cars don’t exist.” He said more than intended, and began crossing the street.
Han Sooyoung walked in his shade.
They followed the kid, who seemed hunched over something.
‘Food?’ The two of them thought at once.
‘It’s close to lunch time.’
Yoo Joonghyuk felt some conscience return to him, and he felt a bit awkward.
Two adults following a high schooler?
They soon came entered a neighborhood, and now walked just behind the kid,
“Thanks.” Han Sooyoung grumbled.
Yoo Joonghyuk pursed his lips and nodded.
He tried activating Midday Tryst.
‘. . . ‘
‘It works.’
He sent the woman a message.
--
Yoo Joonghyuk: call for the kid
--
[The constellation Demon-like Judge of Fire is astonished!]
[The constellation Demon-Like Judge of Fire claps her hands]
[The constellation Abyssal Black Flame Dragon is awaiting]
[The Constellation, Queen of The Darkest Spring 'awes']
[1000 coins have been sponsored]
‘These guys figured out something.’
--
Han Sooyoung: Why don’t you do it?
--
What would be more awkward? A woman approaching or a tall man?
Yoo Joonghyuk frowned.
--
Yoo Joonghyuk: just do it.
--
Han Sooyoung rolled her eyes.
--
Han Sooyoung: pussy
--
“Hey! You! Kid!” Han Sooyoung yelled, jumping on the pavement.
The kid in front of them paused.
Han Sooyoung smirked at Yoo Joonghyuk.
Yoo Joonghyuk pointed at the student briskly walking away.
[The constellation Demon-like Judge of Fire is mewling]
[The constellation Father of the Rich Night is nodding.]
‘Even him?’ Yoo Joonghyuk paused, ‘he made Kim Dokja his heir, so obviously.’
Han Sooyoung jumped on some railing and hopped off it, chasing after the kid as if she was his watcher.
‘She’s surprisingly enjoying it,’ Yoo Joonghyuk thought.
‘How do I call Mia?’ He pursed his lips and cleared his throat. 'No… how do you interact with teens?'
'Lee Jihye is different.'
Yoo Joonghyuk took quick steps till he easily beat the kids' quickness. His approach was an aberration for him, given with the speed he moved in.
Yoo Joonghyuk tapped the student’s shoulder, and felt deja vu fill the back of his mind.
He pressed his hand.
The kid flinched and turned around.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Yoo Joonghyuk froze, and he was sure that it was visible. Han Sooyoung paused beside him.
“Um. . . “ the kid lowered his phone, and looked at them. “Can I help you hyung. . . noona?”
Black bangs and gentle eyes, Kim Dokja—as a young high schooler, looked back at them with surprise.
---
Han Sooyoung snorted first, she covered her mouth with her palm and turned around, placing her hand on Yoo Joonghyuk’s arm. “He called me noona.”
Yoo Joonghyuk felt awkward.
Kim Dokja was much shorter, and had countless bruises and bandages on him. And. . . his eyes caught the sight of the phone he held tightly.
“Kim Dokja―”
Han Sooyoung slammed her hand on Yoo Joonghyuk’s forearm, making a loud noise in return―making Kim Dokja flinch. “You can’t go fucking people up by just straight out saying their name in that stone way.”
She turned around.
“What’s up Dokja?”
She pressed her finger into Yoo Joonghyuk’s forearm. “See? Be casual.”
--
Yoo Joonghyuk: You’re being suspicious
--
Han Sooyoung sighed. “Your name is Kim Dokja, right?”
The boy seemed confused―hell. Even scared.
“You’ve grown much!” Han Sooyoung tried, and Yoo Joonghyuk mentally face-palmed. “Me and this bastard met you when you were a kid.”
Something peculiar changed in the boy’s expression, and he increased the grip on his smartphone.
Yoo Joonghyuk spoke up, “we’re just some people. Not lost, but. . . “
His theory skills sucked.
Kim Dokja straightened up and was studying him.
Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t mind being scrutinized.
[The constellation Demon-like Judge of Fire is gasping]
[The constellation Prisoner of The Golden Headband thinks Constellation Demon King of Salvation’s past self is cute]
[The constellation Queen of the Darkest Spring has twinkling eyes]
He saw the high schooler’s lips move, in a particular motion.
“Mh?”
“What is it Hyung?”
Yoo Joonghyuk was sure Kim Dokja had mouthed his name. “You mouthed my name.” He replied.
[The constellation Demon-like Judge of Fire puts her fist down harshly]
[2000 coins have been sponsored]
Kim Dokja blinked.
There was suddenly a trusting twinkle in his eyes.
“Yoo Joonghyuk? That’s your name? Hyung?”
Yoo Joonghyuk felt his jaw tighten a bit. “You're handsome. . . Hyung.” Kim Dokja spoke as if he forgot his voice was being transmitted.
Yoo Joonghyuk somehow stopped himself from blushing. Recently it had been happening more frequently.
Certain words that Kim Dokja said made him feel warm—warm that light color filled his cheeks. Of course, he wouldn't let Kim Dokja see him in that state.
“Me!” Han Sooyoung pushed ahead. “Dokja, you remember me, right?”
Kim Dokja’s cheeks colored up a bit, and he tilted his head. “You could be the protagonist of a novel, Noona,” he mouthed, as if talking to himself.
‘A novel.’
The thing that fucked up his relationship with Kim Dokja.
He swallowed.
“Aw, hmph,” Han Sooyoung smiled, she turned to Yoo Joonghyuk, “see bastard, he’s adorable.”
“Ah. . . I said that out loud?”
Han Sooyoung laughed and rested her hand on Kim Dokja’s shoulder.
Yoo Joonghyuk mused at the height difference.
“I’m Han Sooyoung,” Han Sooyoung introduced herself.
Yoo Joonghyuk sighed.
---
Han Sooyoung didn’t imagine Kim Dokja ever only being about two inches taller than her.
She walked beside Kim Dokja, and finally muttered, “why did you skip school?” She took a turn into a park.
Kim Dokja paused, he shrugged.
“Well. . . um. I was excused, Noona.”
Yoo Joonghyuk raised his brow but said nothing.
“For the whole month―the teachers are lenient.”
Han Sooyoung paused, “huh? Why?”
“Er. . . I.” Kim Dokja paused―
Just then the sound of an ice-cream truck came into their hearing range. “Should I treat Noona and Hyung to ice cream?”
“Wait a minute.” Han Sooyoung dug into her pockets.
She took a step back and elbowed Yoo Joonghyuk. “Money?”
Yoo Joonghyuk frowned at her.
--
Han Sooyoung: He’s so innocent and non-rat, please?
--
Yoo Joonghyuk checked his pockets and pulled out compressed bills.
“Dokja, your Hyung will pay for them,” she announced, shooing Yoo Joonghyuk incase Kim Dokja rejected.
“Noona―”
“Our partner is rich, don’t worry.” She smiled genuinely after a while. “Tell me about Ways of Survival.”
Kim Dokja’s eyes widened. “You’ve read it?”
“Somewhat,” Han Sooyoung replied honestly.
[The constellation Abyssal Black Flame Dragon wonders if the boy is like him]
[The Constellation Demon-like Judge of Fire is shedding tears of cuteness]
‘Hah?’
---
There wasn’t much of a line, and Yoo Joonghyuk soon found himself being asked what flavors. He asked for three dark chocolate ice-creams.
The man took the bills from him and marveled, “seems like you’ve found them in some book… or in some tight cellar."
Yoo Joonghyuk shrugged.
The man handed Yoo Joonghyuk one cone, and then gazed out of the truck window as if he saw something. “Is that woman or girl with Kim Dokja?”
“You know him?”
“Not personally, but I know.”
“Does he come here regularly?” Yoo Joonghyuk asked as the man handed him another cone.
The seller shook his head. “That’s not it.”
“Then what is?”
“Do you really not know?”
Yoo Joonghyuk shook his head.
The man lowered his voice and leaned closer as he handed Yoo Joonghyuk the third cone. “Suicide.”
Yoo Joonghyuk froze.
“Pitiful child, really. First his mother and now himself.”
“Pardon?”
The cashier looked uneasy. “I’m too surprised that you don’t know.” He leaned in closer again. “The murder. The whole backstory―I apologize, but I don’t feel fit to say this. Look it up, 'nim, I’m sure you’ll find information. It's too depressing to recall."
". . . " he paused and looked down, before asking, "what is it called?"
The cashier hesitated, "searching 'Underground Killer' is sufficient."
Yoo Joonghyuk nodded, and turned around.
'. . . '
"Bastard!" Han Sooyoung dragged Kim Dokja with her as she approached Yoo Joonghyuk.
Yoo Joonghyuk handed her the ice cream, and Han Sooyoung frowned. "Do you not know my favorite flavor?"
"No." Yoo Joonghyuk looked at Kim Dokja, and gently handed him the ice cream.
"Thank you, Hyung." The boy had an evanescent smile.
"Do you not like it?" Yoo Joonghyuk asked.
"Ah, that's not it, Hyung." Kim Dokja shook his head and held the ice cream cone in his hands lightly.
Han Sooyoung grumbled but obliged herself to lick the ice cream. "Let's sit there," she pointed at a bench.
She took swift steps and walked ahead of them.
"What is it then?" Yoo Joonghyuk asked, and felt a bit bad when he startled the boy.
'. . . '
He had to gaze more down.
'He's short.'
Kim Dokja looked at him, tilting his head a bit. "Why're you guys hanging out with me?"
"Because we want to?"
"There are the other kids."
'. . . ' Yoo Joonghyuk would have to smack Kim Dokja a few times and demand an answer from him.
"So?"
Kim Dokja looked down at his ice cream and licked it again. He looked down at the ground.
It took Yoo Joonghyuk a moment to register that the boy was flushing.
But still, there was something missing. Like all expressions were perfect for the situation.
"How do you know my name?" Kim Dokja looked ahead and asked. "I don't recall ever seeing you, Joonghyuk Hyung."
". . . "
Kim Dokja licked his ice cream again and gazed out. "Please don't take pity on me." He said.
Yoo Joonghyuk shook his head.
"Hyung I'm not trying to be rude, but ever since then people have been either very nice or started completely ignoring me." Kim Dokja stated in a casual manner. "Ignorance is fine—I actually prefer it that way. Caring and just wanting to look good is unusual."
Yoo Joonghyuk pursed his lips. Even now, the boy was hard to read.
That's when he caught the missing part.
It was spite. The spite that teenagers usually had, and for this boy. . . He gazed at Kim Dokja. The flame was extinguished, and only embers were left.
"Is ignorance really that good?" Yoo Joonghyuk asked.
Kim Dokja looked at him again. "Most of the time, Hyung."
"Most of the time?"
Kim Dokja smiled a bit. "Well sometimes I wished I was in a novel and had companions like a sunfish I'm reading about."
Yoo Joonghyuk's lips pursed.
"Speaking of that, Hyung, you look a lot like the description."
[The constellation Demon-like Judge of Fire is crying]
[3000 coins have been sponsored]
[The constellation Queen of the Darkest Spring is smiling gently]
[1000 coins have been sponsored]
"You look like a protagonist." Kim Dokja stated, biting onto the cone.
He stared at Yoo Joonghyuk for a few moments before blushing again and coughing. "Sorry."
Yoo Joonghyuk shook his head.
They were talking about the same novel that fucked up much.
“Dokja!” The two of them looked up to see Han Sooyoung sitting on the side of a bench under a tree.
“Noona is nice.” He said.
“Mhm.”
“Is Hyung and Noona in a. . . relationship?”
Yoo Joonghyuk shrugged and Kim Dokja paused. “Please don’t mind me Hyung, but do happen to be in a relationship with a beautiful woman by the name of Lee Seolwha?”
Yoo Joonghyuk sighed. “No.”
“Oh.”
“But I know a great woman by that name.”
[The constellation Guam Divine Doctor smiles]
Kim Dokja’s eyes lightened up as he sat down next to Han Sooyoung.
“You’re so much like my protagonist.”
Yoo Joonghyuk took a deep breath.
“Bastard. Your ice cream’s gonna melt.” Han Sooyoung said, licking her ice cream cone. "Next time buy me a butterscotch—"
Yoo Joonghyuk looked at his ice cream. . . he bit into it, and Han Sooyoung shouted, “abomination!”
Kim Dokja inched closer to him.
“Dokja, he’s a scary guy. He bit into the ice cream―”
Yoo Joonghyuk ignored her and bit into the ice cream again. “Hey!”
He glanced over at Kim Dokja, who tried to do the same thing, only to fall back on the bench as if he had eaten food too hot.
[The constellation Demon-Like Judge of Fire laughing]
[100 coins have been sponsored]
Han Sooyoung looked at Kim Dokja as if he had betrayed her.
“Eat it properly.” Yoo Joonghyuk told Kim Dokja.
Han Sooyoung bit her cone. “Don’t listen to him. He’s pretentious and a hypocrite.”
“Also cool.” Kim Dokja said.
Han Sooyoung paused, “fine.”
Yoo Joonghyuk couldn’t help but raise a brow.
Han Sooyoung licked her ice cream. “Cool and disdaining.”
[The constellation Demon-like Judge of Fire approves of the trio]
Kim Dokja smiled and bit the ice cream cone.
Yoo Joonghyuk sent a message through Midday Tryst.
--
Yoo Joonghyuk: I figured something out. I’ll tell you when we get back.
Han Sooyoung: You want to get back?
Yoo Joonghyuk: . . .
--
Yoo Joonghyuk tilted his head in her direction.
“Hyung, Noona. . . will I see you again?”
Han Sooyoung sighed, she finished the remaining part of her ice cream.
--
Han Sooyoung: It's inevitable, the penalty will end.
--
Yoo Joonghyuk nodded. “You will.”
Han Sooyoung laughed a bit, she pointed at Kim Dokja’s half-eaten ice cream. “Can I have some?”
Kim Dokja looked at her incredulously, before nodding and giving her his ice cream.
The woman bit the side of the cone. Her and Kim Dokja had already had a kiss during gigantomachia―an indirect kiss.
She handed the cone back to Kim Dokja, and the boy flushed. “You can eat the rest too. . .”
Han Sooyoung scoffed. “As I mentioned earlier, dark chocolate is not my favorite―second favorite. I like butterscotch more. And,” she flicked Kim Dokja’s forehead. “I was messing with you.”
Kim Dokja looked away from Han Sooyoung and nibbled on the ice cream cone.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen such tranquil. . . ‘ Yoo Joonghyuk thought to himself after he swatted his hands, chewing the last bits of ice cream. 'Though it will end, inevitably.'
He glanced at Kim Dokja again.
‘Suicide. . . ‘ he swallowed harshly.
‘I’ll have to ask Lee Sookyung.’ He pursed his lips.
“Hyung?”
He glanced at Kim Dokja. “Noona said you wanted some too.” He offered his ice cream. Behind him, Han Sooyoung grinned.
Yoo Joonghyuk paused for a moment, before taking a small bit of the ice cream.
[Many constellations are hung up on the serenity]
[Several constellations are in awe of constellation Demon King of Salvation’s past self]
[5000 coins have been sponsored]
[The Constellation Demon-like Judge of Fire is smiling stupidly]
[2000 coins have been sponsored]
[8000 coins have been sponsored anonymously]
“Thanks.” He muttered.
Kim Dokja flushed on accord.
‘Adorable.'
“When are you guys going?”
Han Sooyoung nudged Kim Dokja’s shoulder. “What’s with the pessimism? It isn’t like you.”
--
Yoo Joonghyuk: Han Sooyoung, don’t play those games.
--
Kim Dokja shrugged as he finished the last of his ice cream.
“Hn?”
“Nevermind that. We’ll leave eventually, though.” She said instead.
Kim Dokja gave her a reminiscent smile.
“I’ll get going then.” Kim Dokja stood up.
Han Sooyoung and Yoo Joonghyuk stood up suite. “Huh? Why?”
Kim Dokja turned around and shrugged, “If you leave before me, I’ll have to say goodbye.”
“Noona and Hyung are nice.” He smiled.
“At least―”
“Han Sooyoung.”
She shut up.
“I don’t really like goodbyes―mff!”
“You're still acting like an idiot.” Han Sooyoung hugged Kim Dokja and pulled away.
She nudged Yoo Joonghyuk.
“Bye.”
Kim Dokja looked up to him.
The boy opened his mouth. “Hyung. Bye.”
Kim Dokja turned away, and began walking away from them.
“Why’re you just―” Han Sooyoung waved her hands. “It requires effort from both sides.”
[Penalty period is coming to an end]
[Many constellations are astonished by the anti-climatic end]
---
Kim Dokja paced in the industrial complex corridors. “Dokja-ssi.”
Kim Dokja ignored Lee Seolwha.
A hand finally hit him on his shoulder. He turned over to see Jung Heewon glaring at him.
Kim Dokja faltered.
[The exclusive skill, Fourth Wall slightly trembling]
“Heewon-ssi, they’ve been missing for three days.” Kim Dokja replied, he seemed exhausted. But still resilient to sleeping.
The countable sub-scenarios they had done today were unfortunately hard work.
“Yoo Joonghyuk will be fine, but Han Sooyoung―”
“Do you not trust unnie, ahjussi?” Lee Jihye looked up from where she was tiredly practicing katas.
“It’s not that―”
“Dokja-ssi, you and Lee Hyunsung-ssi have contributed the most today,” Lee Seolwha reasoned.
“Hyunsung-ssi and the kids are already sleeping in the other room.” Jung Heewon crossed her hands. “I’ve done it before, I won’t hesitate to feed you sleeping pills again.”
Kim Dokja sighed. “Seolwha-ssi and Heewon-ssi, we can go looking for them.”
[The constellation Demon-like Judge of Fire asks what she’s missed]
[The constellation Maritime War God yawns]
“Master will be fine. Unnie is probably with Master.” Lee Jihye muttered. "The two of them are fine, ahjussi."
---
Kim Dokja protested a few times, before finally being shoved into a room. Not shoved really, but just moved.
Jung Heewon slammed the door shut, and called, "goodnight!" After she took a step back from the door.
He sat down and didn’t bother to switch the lights on.
Kim Dokja leaned against the bed and then looked down, he took his phone out, and mindlessly scrolled through Ways of Survival.
Occasionally when Yoo Joonghyuk would go off without him, Kim Dokja would know about his condition using Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint.
He pressed one of his temples and yawned. But today he was far too exhausted to use that skill.
He sent a message through Midday Tryst.
–
Kim Dokja: You idiots.
–
'Idiots.'
–
Kim Dokja: Where are you?
–
He stared at his screen for a few more minutes, before eventually, his eyes started to close.
Kim Dokja fell asleep for a while till the sound of a door opening made him drift awake. “Han Sooyoung
?” He muttered sleepily, his brain trying to comprehend the figure.
A sigh was heard, and followed by two bodies shifting. Kim Dokja closed his eyes again.
---
Han Sooyoung didn't know how to react.
“Suicide?” She asked, her hand shaking a bit. “That bastard. . . “
Yoo Joonghyuk walked in Seoul’s destroyed streets, Han Sooyoung beside him.
“Your friends with his mother right?” Yoo Joonghyuk asked, gazing out.
Han Sooyoung looked at him.
Then she realized.
‘Right. This guy doesn’t have a phone.’
She pursed her lips. “I feel it’ll be better if it’s asked by you.”
Yoo Joonghyuk looked at her.
Han Sooyoung looked at Yoo Joonghyuk.
Despite being a writer who had explored the trope of killing their protagonist with ‘suicide’ the severity of said matter was too much.
“I wonder what that bastard is doing,” She muttered.
Yoo Joonghyuk narrowed his eyes, he continued walking and Han Sooyoung sighed. “Oi bastard. We went through a lot together, act like it.” She muttered, gazing into the night sky.
[The constellation Queen of the Darkest Spring is pursing her lips at the censorship]
[Many constellations are disappointed by the censorship]
Yoo Joonghyuk shrugged beside her. “Do you think he has changed?” She asked.
“No.“
‘Smiles, phone, and excuses,’ that bastard hadn’t changed much from when he was a teenager, maybe his surroundings had changed to meet his conveniences.
Only now, she suddenly felt concerned. Is it still suicide for wanting to die? But coming back? Some type of paradox Kim Dokja had gotten himself stuck in earlier.
The two of them paused at the gates of the industrial complex, and made eye contact. Han Sooyoung pushed them open and walked in.
They entered the complex, and immediately heard a voice.
“You guys are late.” Jung Heewon said, poking her head out through the door. “We forced Dokja-ssi to sleep.”
Han Sooyoung laughed a bit.
[The constellation Demon-like Judge of Fire is a bit confused]
Yoo Joonghyuk exhaled and walked in, letting the doors close behind him.
—
The two of them paused in the corridor, suddenly in thought before opening the door.
"The Kim Dokja we met… was it from this Rat's memory or… " she wondered, thinking they might've faltered his memories.
[The Constellation Queen of the Darkest Spring thinks not]
[The Constellation Demon-like Judge of Fire wishes the incident stayed in Constellation Demon King of Salvation's memories]
"I suppose not." Yoo Joonghyuk replied—his hand touched the doorknob at once with Han Sooyoung.
The two looked at each other and then back at the door. They opened it, and entered the room, silently closing it behind them.
The lights from outside the windows provided enough illumination in the room.
"Ugh." Han Sooyoung grumbled and Yoo Joonghyuk sighed. Kim Dokja was sleeping on the ground, phone in hand and his knees almost against his chest—all while there was an untouched bed right next to him.
Just then, Kim Dokja's voice was heard. And Han Sooyoung flinched, then she paused, and activated Midday Tryst.
Many messages flooded through.
The most recent being 'Idiots' and 'where are you.'
She nudged Yoo Joonghyuk, and he silently walked over to Kim Dokja and bent down to pick him up.
As if Kim Dokja had sensed a presence, he shifted slightly.
"Han Sooyoung… .?" He muttered through closed eyes.
Han Sooyoung looked away as Yoo Joonghyuk shot her a glare.
He slipped his hand under Kim Dokja's neck and thigh, then slowly lifted him, almost holding him close to his chest as he had done to Han Sooyoung.
Then Yoo Joonghyuk laid Kim Dokja on the bed, leaving him stirring and gripping his phone tightly.
Yoo Joonghyuk sighed.
He turned to gaze at Han Sooyoung, and she pursed her lips. "Idiots," she muttered to them.
Yoo Joonghyuk averted his eyes and turned around—he slipped his coat off and shoes, slipping on the bed, and sitting against the wall.
Without speaking—Yoo Joonghyuk's eyes motioned for Han Sooyoung to do the same.
She rolled her eyes and walked over to the bed and took her shoes off. She sat on the bed's edge, picked the pillow up and stuffed it against the headboard, then leaned against it.
Han Sooyoung tilted her head in Yoo Joonghyuk's direction. The man muttered, "idiots."
She lurched her legs back and the bed creaked loudly.
Both her and Yoo Joonghyuk looked at each other incredulously, before averting their gaze to Kim Dokja, whose chest was still lifting and dropping calmly.
After communicating insults through glares, the two eventually tired down, resting cramped necks and sighing.
In a while, they slipped into a light sleep.
—all while Kim Dokja's grip on his phone grew less and less, until the device dropped on his hand was open, fingers lightly curled.