Work Text:
Some members of the Kim Dokja Company were talking about how it would soon be the birthday of the leader of their nebula and that perhaps the members closest to him would do something to celebrate. However one of them also remembered another date.
“It will be only one day after the date of the lovers.”
“And friendships, too.”
Suddenly some messages appeared for these incarnations.
[The constellations have shown interest in the day they are talking about and want to know what they are referring to.]
“It's February 14th, the day of love and friendship, usually people confess on that date.”
“And you give chocolates or biscuits for the other person, it doesn't have to be the person you like, you can also do it with your friends.”
[The constellation "Demonic Judge of Fire" asks if the answer of the confession is positive.]
“There is no way it always works and whoever confesses must wait for the answer until the next month with a gift in response.”
[The constellation "Prisoner of the Golden Headband" snorts at such waiting]
[The constellation "Demonic Judge of Fire" is also dissatisfied with the wait].
The incarnations did not expect the constellations to be interested in such traditions and felt strange to see the number of messages that began to appear asking for more details and examples about this date.
At the end, the constellations came to an agreement.
The incarnations decided to go and warn the rest of their friends to stay away from the major contributors to the nebula next Valentine's Day.
[...]
The constellations had decided to create a scenario on their own terms for the long-awaited day. However, due to their schedules, they decided to make the stage days before the actual date.
[Sub Scenario: Valentine's Day
Category: Sub
Difficulty: B
Time Limit: ???
Clear Conditions:
- For two days in a row, selected members of the Kim Dokja company must exchange Valentine's Day gifts with each other.
- Couples will be chosen at random.
- When the exchange takes place, a positive confession must be given to the other incarnation that involves him or her.
- If the confession does not contain information that is new to the person receiving it or is a lie, a curse will be placed on them that will cause them to tell the truth for the remaining time of the confession phase.
- In the second exchange, they only have to give an answer, the curse no longer applies.
Reward: The constellations involved in the scenario will grant you the wish you want if it is within their power.
Penalty for failure: They will forget their most precious person. ]
All the principal members of the company looked at each other with clear bewilderment in their expressions.
When they still did not fully understand what was happening, in a personal way, the name of the person to whom they were to give a gift and make a confession appeared to them.
There were different reactions on the faces of each person involved. Some looked anxious and happy, others looked more worried, but on Kim Dokja's face you could see extreme panic.
‘Why of all people did I just get that bastard?’ He almost wanted to cry over his fate.
Meanwhile some sparks of probability flew around a certain angelic constellation that, behind the monitor, could not hide her excitement.
[...]
They were given a day to prepare the gifts they were going to give, luckily there was no specific condition for it.
And so the next day arrived.
It was a big surprise for many to know that Yoo Sangah and Yoo Joonghyuk prepared some biscuits and chocolates that would serve as gifts. It was actually the girl's idea as she knew that some people would have no idea what to give as a gift, and she asked the proud regressor who was said to be good at cooking to help.
They all appreciated the gesture and took what they had made, although some of them also decided to give an extra gift. Most were more than ready to carry out the strangely peaceful scenario.
Except for one person. Kim Dokja, seeing that everyone was sure about what they were going to do, began to feel overwhelmed. He thought over and over again but when it came to Yoo Joonghyuk he always ended up in a state of chaos. ‘What could I tell Yoo Joonghyuk that would count as a positive confession?’
And everything he could think of that met the requirements for the scenario either hurt his pride or embarrassed him too much. He did not know what to do.
Then the confessions began and the first to step forward was Yoo Joonghyuk.
The man called his student, Lee Jihye. As soon as he had her in front of him, he showed her the bag full of animal-shaped biscuits that he and Yoo Sangah had made. He did not want to give her the heart-shaped biscuits that the woman had made because he felt it would not be appropriate for him to hand over something like that.
Lee Jihye was very surprised. She had been curious about who her master's partner was and for a moment thought that fate would put him with that ahjussi in the white dressing gown. However, this outcome pleased her more.
“Lee Jihye, I will only say it once so listen carefully.” His face impassive as always, showing no major emotions. “You have talent, I'm sure you will continue to grow and I hope that when that happens the feeling of pride you will produce in me will be even greater than I feel now.” With that said, he immediately turned away without waiting to see his student's reaction.
Lee Jihye felt her eyes begin to sting. Her master had recognised her, it was a great joy.
After a few minutes in which the girl recovered from the shock of warmth she had just been given, she called out to the person she had been paired with.
“Heewon-unnie, take these biscuits, I didn't make them but I asked for them to be filled with a flavour you like.” She held out the small clear bag displaying the sweets to her, before continuing to speak. “I admire you a lot and because of that, I once wanted to copy you down to your fighting style, you really are like a big sister to me.” As she said her words, a bright smile appeared on her face as she saw that the recipient of the gift looked touched.
When they finished their exchange, Jung Heewon called out to the person who touched her. She rolled her eyes at that moment, sensing that this was not fate.
“I don't really show much affection, but Hyunsung-ssi, you make me want to hug you at times, you're adorable.”
The alluded one was a little nervous when he saw Jung Heewon pointed at him and called out to him, but now he was blushing too much. He awkwardly accepted the girl's gift after hearing her confession, almost dropping the heart-shaped chocolates.
It was a few seconds after the swordswoman had left the poor man redder than a tomato before he finally regained his composure and named the boy of insects.
“Gilyoung-ah, though I am not the same as Dokja-ssi, I see you as a little brother, a very good one who has cheered me up at various times, plus we have suffered together a few times.”
He handed him the biscuits in the shape of little animals of different kinds and a kit to take care of his insects that he had bought at the Star Stream shop. Lee Gilyoung was very happy.
When it was his turn, he hurriedly called Han Sooyoung. The girl looked a little surprised. The child held out his hand holding several heart-shaped lollipops, which were his gift.
Without looking directly into her eyes, the boy began to speak. “Han Sooyoung, thank you for following Dokja hyung, and... I think you're cute and very cool, I like your writing.”
Without waiting any longer, Lee Gilyoung walked out of the scene with red ears. The writer found his reaction somewhat amusing. But then she remembered it was her turn and her smile disappeared.
‘Did they really put me with that woman?’ But there was nothing she could do. She called Yoo Sangah.
“Hey, this is kind of awkward to do because we didn't get off to a good start, but...” Han Sooyoung's voice paused for a moment and after letting out a sigh, she let out the rest of her words. “I guess I was just a little envious of you, you're a really good girl and you haven't lost that despite all this craziness, keep it up, it's refreshing... But stop taking so many risks, okay?”
Yoo Sangah had a strange expression on her face as she nodded in response, it was as if she was holding back a smile. She took the chocolates Han Sooyoung offered her and could smell a faint scent of wine. The girl felt her heart was pounding.
Now it was her turn to give the gift. “Shin Yoosung, you are a very good and smart girl, I like that you are disciplined but you also have your sweet side, you are like a niece to me.”
The little girl couldn't hide her happiness when she saw that Yoo Sangah had given her a cuddly squid-shaped stuffed animal as a gift, in addition to the different flavoured biscuits, and gave her a hug.
After parting, Shin Yoosung smiled even more because it was her turn and she was anxious.
“Dokja ahjussi.”
Kim Dokja had been enjoying the rest of the interactions that for a moment she thought it would never be his turn. But he couldn't refuse his incarnation's request. No, he didn't want to pass up the opportunity to find out what the girl thought of him.
Shin Yoosung decided to give her gift first. A pretty coloured bag filled with beautiful chocolates that she had made herself with help, was placed in Kim Dokja's hand. And then they gave her a tender kiss on the cheek.
“Ahjussi, please don't risk your life so much anymore, you are the closest thing to a father I have and I don't want to lose you.”
Kim Dokja felt his eyes sting a little after listening to his incarnation. His daughter was so adorable. He was putting a big smile on his face at how happy she made him feel, when he realised everyone was looking at him and his expression changed. It was his turn, but now he felt more confident.
“Yoo Joonghyuk,” he called out with his voice a little raised.
The man in the black dressing gown approached him slowly, as if he suspected he would do something to him. However, when he stood in front of Kim Dokja, a small box containing dumplings was handed to him. Yoo Joonghyuk was a little slow to accept it, as if he thought the small dumplings would do something to him. He took them and then stood waiting for Kim Dokja. Although he didn't seem to mind, his eyes showed a glint of curiosity.
Kim Dokja was thinking about his options. He could tell him that he admired him, or that he had been his favourite hero, but embarrassment prevented him from saying those words. After so much thought, he said the third option that seemed the most viable.
“Yoo Joonghyuk you have a good face.” He mentally congratulated himself for saying that, he thought that would be enough.
However the expressions of everyone present including Yoo Joonghyuk, proved him wrong. Everyone knew that the man was very handsome, it wasn't a secret, it was just a fact. The system noticed the glitch, and immediately began to act the curse on Kim Dokja.
Although he tried to cover himself, almost suffocating himself, Yoo Joonghyuk took his hands off him,
“You idiot! What do you think you're doing?” he demanded.
However, what he got back was not what he expected. Kim Dokja's voice began to come out on its own, blurting out the truths he hadn't wanted to say.
“Yoo Joonghyuk, you are terribly handsome, the coolest being I know, I would have spent my whole life reading about you alone!”
Everyone present was shocked by what they had just heard and Yoo Joonghyuk seemed to have lost connection with his brain. Although it was only for a few moments, then he quickly left the place, stomping his feet.
Kim Dokja seeing him leave like that, was finally able to close his mouth, but he cursed himself for what he had just said, however, it gave him more regret when he remembered that he should expect an answer the next day.
[...]
On the following day, gifts were no longer necessary, only answers to the confessions. Although some still wanted to give something as a gift.
This time, the first to give an answer was Kim Dokja.
He gave Shin Yoosung a small hair accessory that matched her hair colour very well, it was similar to a tiara.
“Yoosung, you are also like a daughter to me, my adorable incarnation.”
The girl felt extreme happiness when she heard that, and then she was given a hug. Lee Gilyoung from afar, felt a little envious.
After parting from the hug, Shin Yoosung went to Yoo Sangah and handed her a beautiful bracelet that had healing attributes.
“Sangah-unnie is very dear to me, you feel like a close relative. I am very grateful that you took care of me when I needed it, you have earned my affection.”
The brown woman was moved almost to tears and thanked the girl for her words.
Still smiling, she turned to Han Sooyoung. “I didn't bring a present, I'm sorry. However, I want you to know that I now appreciate your presence very much, you have become fundamental here, and I hope to share more moments with you.”
The dark-haired girl's smile was full of pride after what she was told. It was good to know that she belonged somewhere now. After an exchange of glances and somewhat flirtatious smiles, Han Sooyoung went on with the event.
“Lee Gilyoung, I'll make you a story, so I expect a lot of things from you, and keep up that attitude of protecting your hyung.”
The boy was controlling his facial expressions to look normal and try not to be noticed that he was happy. He called Lee Hyunsung next. This time he had no problem showing a good smile.
“Hyunsung hyung is amazing, I admire you and I hope as an adult to be as muscular as you, I'm sure you'll get the girl,” he commented while winking at him.
The older man was embarrassed by the last remark and it was worse when he realised that it was his turn to respond. With a slight stutter, he said Jung Heewon's name. The woman was serious at first but when she saw that Lee Hyunsung was nervous, she tried to smile. It seemed to work because the man relaxed.
“Heewon, I actually like you, and I hope that when we're done with all this, I can make things right with you.”
Lee Hyunsung's ears as well as part of his face turned a slight shade of pink, but he didn't look away from Jung Heewon at any point. She sensed Lee Hyunsung's determination and nodded in response to show that she agreed.
[The constellation "Demonic Judge of Fire" says that she will keep an eye on the incarnation Lee Hyunsung].
Jung Heewon decided not to pay attention and turned to the teenage girl next to her.
Lee Jihye wasn't expecting anything, however when she saw the older girl hand her a sweatshirt that matched one of hers she became very happy.
“I also consider you as a lovely younger sister, and it's nice to know of your admiration.”
The two gave each other a tender hug and Jung Heewon separated from the younger one as she ruffled her hair a little. Lee Jihye just let go.
Then she turned to look around.
She was looking for any glimpse of her master, Yoo Joonghyuk. But she hadn't seen him since morning. That worried her since the penalty of the event would affect everyone if only one of them didn't meet the requirements. Lee Jihye looked at the others for answers but no one could give her a reason.
Just as she began to despair because she didn't know how much time they had before the scenario was over, a distinctive black coat made an appearance. Yoo Joonghyuk immediately turned to his student. The girl began to speak as soon as she was in front of him.
“Master, you are a great role model if I want to be stronger, I admire you a lot and even though sometimes your lessons are hard, I thank you for choosing me as part of your team.”
Yoo Joonghyuk stood still as he saw that Lee Jihye was smiling at him with sparkling eyes before he gave him a slight bow. But when the regressor was about to return that gesture with a small touch on the young girl's head, she raised her face and turned away. Yoo Joonghyuk quickly hid his hand.
Then at last it was his turn. The rest of the company was watching him. All of them were waiting for what they would hear from the man whose coldness could sometimes freeze them, but they knew that sometimes he could show his gentleness.
However, as soon as his gaze and Kim Dokja's met, the man drew the Heaven Breaking sword and approached the other with the sword in his hand. Those movements put everyone on alert.
‘Are those fools going to fight even in such an easy scenario?’ That was the question many had.
For his part, Kim Dokja wanted to cower in fear since he saw him with the sword.
‘He's going to kill me so he doesn't have to answer me,’ he thought, even though his sense was telling him that Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn't really hurt him, so he didn't run away and waited until he had him in front of him.
The man stood more than a meter away from Kim Dokja and then pointed his sword at him.
“What you said yesterday, was it true?” he asked.
“What else was I going to say?”
“Just answer,” he said grumpily as he swung his sword at Kim Dokja.
He just held up both hands to calm him down. “All right, take it easy! I had no choice, I had a curse on me, you know?”
Yoo Joonghyuk was satisfied with that answer and lowered his sword. Then he moved even closer to Kim Dokja. He was surprised to see him and spoke with clear fear.
“Don't hit me so hard!”
The other backed away a little.
“Why would I do that?” he asked with confusion on his face.
“You're not planning to kill me?”
Yoo Joonghyuk made a noise of annoyance, and without further ado grabbed the other by the collar of his coat and made him look at him closely. Both of their faces were only inches away from each other. Kim Dokja closed his eyes.
“Well, since you like my face so much, I'll let you look at it up close so open your eyes, you idiot.”
Kim Dokja immediately opened his eyes, but it was more out of surprise than Yoo Joonghyuk's command. Unconsciously, he actually started to admire the man's face. How could he not? ‘Damn it! He doesn't have a single flaw on that gleaming face’
Although he cursed himself for having to agree with him, deep down he had a feeling of being lucky.
“Even if I wanted to kill you, I could not. I hope to finish all the scenarios together with everyone, and that includes you,” said Yoo Joonghyuk.
Everyone let out a collective 'aww' in their minds upon hearing it. They were so engrossed that no one noticed that a certain girl came up behind Yoo Joonghyuk's back and pushed him really hard and quickly ran away.
Because of how close their faces had been, just before they felt the push, something happened that was the biggest distraction for both of them causing neither of them to avoid a fall. Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk had joined lips in a bumpy kiss.
Both men looked at each other in surprise as they fell down still with their mouths together, and the bigger one fell on top of the other. Once on the ground they broke apart immediately.
[Several constellations are impressed].
[The constellation "Prisoner of the Golden Headband" asks for someone to control the constellation "Demonic Judge of Fire"]
[The constellation "Demonic Judge of Fire" is shouting in jubilation]
[100,000 coins have been sponsored]
[The constellation "Abyssal Black Flame Dragon" is laughing its head off].
Not only the constellations showed their reaction. The rest of the company was still stunned by what they saw. Yoo Sangah had approached the children in an attempt to block their view. While Han Sooyoung, who had been the culprit, kept laughing. Of course, she was already prepared to let one of her clones die in her place.
Kim Dokja's normally pale complexion was tinged with a reddish hue that he would hate to know would compare him to a tomato. Yoo Joonghyuk instantly stopped and turned to look at the cause of it all. He gave him such a creepy look that Han Sooyoung was ready to untie her bandages in case he attacked her. However, the man stopped looking at her and started walking away from the place.
“Take that as a gift,” he declared as he passed by the man who was still lying on the ground.
Kim Dokja thought he was hallucinating. He still couldn't believe it had happened. He unconsciously put a hand to his lips. Although he felt ashamed, he decided that he would treasure that moment forever. But he hoped no one would ever mention it again. He had enough of the shame he felt for having enjoyed the sensation of kissing Yoo Joonghyuk.
[Sub scenario has ended]