Season two, chapter eighty-six

"I'm so in love with
everything about him"

AFTER HWANG PIL-GWANG was defeated and the innocent souls he had consumed were rescued, Ms. Chu had cooked a hearty meal of noodles for the Chinese counters who had arrived in Yung after Mr. Hwang was summoned. She greeted them all with a mix of happiness and sadness. It was hard to believe for everyone that they had managed to defeat not just one but four powerful evil spirits in such a short time. Surely, only positive things were in store for them in the future, as the saying goes: "happiness comes after the storm."

"Welcome, everyone. I made a special request to Yung to prepare my signature noodles" Ms. Chu declared with enthusiasm, her hands clasped together. Hana, Jeok-bong, and Thea stood proudly beside the pristine white table

"We did talk about visiting Korea to try your dish" Papa revealed, conveying his appreciation while looking at Ms. Chu with a smile

"I hope it tastes the same" Ms. Chu said with a smile, her expression betraying her uncertainty about the consistency of her noodles in Yung

"Thank you"

"Thank you for keeping your word about saving everyone, Ms. Chu" stated Ms. So with a subtle smile. Despite feeling sorrowful about the recent events, she was appreciative of the rescue efforts. In response, Ms. Chu nodded in acknowledgment, displaying a somber smile

"Don't worry about a thing" Jeok-bong confidently stated, before clapping to capture the attention of everyone present. "I will do my best to fill all your shoes"

"Are you Mun?" inquired a Chinese Counter with a curious demeanor, keen on meeting the renowned Counter who had been a topic of conversation

"What?" Jeok-bong asked with a puzzled expression, indicating doubt as they seemed more interested in getting to know Mun rather than him

"No—" Ms. Chu hurriedly tried to refuse, but Jeok-bong seemed to have other plans as he calmly interrupted her

"You see, I'm... Mun and I are... how do I put it? We are so close that we even share a bunk bed together" Jeok-bong proudly declared, radiating a sense of assurance that elicited smiles from all

"His name is Na Jeok-bong" Hana interrupted before Jeok-bong could continue bragging, with a subtle smile as she gestured towards him

"Mun, Mo-tak and Jun-seo couldn't make it because they were busy" Thea explained in a soft tone and a smile, while standing beside Hana. She maintained a professional demeanor, keeping her hands clasped behind her back as she observed the Chinese Counters

"No wonder" commented a Chinese Counter as he leaned in towards his companion. Their laughter was met with amused reactions from the group, but Jeok-bong maintained a stoic demeanor, his face betraying displeasure

"I really wanted to meet them. Please tell them that we're grateful" Papa told Hana and Thea, who listened attentively with warm smiles

"Okay, we will" Hana replied with a smile and a nod, as Thea also indicated her agreement with a nod

All individuals promptly seated themselves around the pristine white table, with each person being served a delicious bowl of noodles. "All right. Eat up" Ms. Chu cheerfully urged, eagerly anticipating their feedback on her culinary masterpiece

"Thank you"

Immediately, all the individuals began relishing the flavorful noodles prepared by Ms. Chu. Thea delightedly enjoyed the scrumptious taste of the noodles, especially since it had been a while since she last had them, making them even more enjoyable than before.

"It's tasty"

"Escaped convict Ma Ju-seok, was finally arrested early this morning"

"Jeok-bong! Are you seriously not going to help?" Jangmul asked in frustration, observing that Jeok-bong seemed more interested in watching the news on television rather than helping with the cleanup in their hideout

"Stop talking and help us clean. We have so much to do" admonished Ms. Chu, as she faced the challenge of sweeping through the debris on the floor while holding a broom

"The police will begin an investigation into Ma Ju-seok's crimes. His victims, Park and Hwang, were also involved in the fraud committed by Baekdu Planning & construction"

Thea was helping to tidy up the hideout, which was in disarray. The space was in a state of chaos. She also kept herself updated with the news on the television. Thea was assisting Jun-Seo in collecting the larger pieces of debris from the floor, to be placed in a sizable plastic container that they had been regularly emptying at the dumpster.

"A civilian played a vital role in the arrest of Ma Ju-seok who acted in revenge for his late wife. Hiding in a distribution center, Ma ran into a night shift worker. The worker persuaded him to turn himself in"

Thea frowned as she listened to the news on TV and proceeded towards Hana, Jangmul, and Ms. Chu, who were also engrossed in watching. Jun-Seo let out a breath as he set the plastic container down and then walked over to join the group, positioning himself behind Hana. Hana welcomed him with a smile and shifted to make room for him next to her, accommodating his presence.

"Worker? That's what we agreed on?" Inquired Thea, displaying a perplexed expression with a furrowed brow

Jeok-bong enthusiastically exclaimed, "That's me!" as he confidently made his way towards the group. Clutching a bottle of soda, he watched his own video with his face obscured being displayed on the TV screen

"I told him he could start anew, and that was when he started bawling. It was heartbreaking to see him cry like that"

Upon the conclusion of Jeok-bong's video playing on the television, Thea emitted a snicker. Jangmul and Ms. Chu chimed in with laughter, deriving entertainment from the video. Jun-Seo grinned and affectionately tapped Jeok-bong on the shoulder in a playful manner, standing opposite Thea, who appeared pleased and proud.

Hana asked with a discernible disapproval, "Whose idea was that?" She was the sole individual who did not find the video entertaining

"Who do you think? You should've become a novelist" Ms. Chu inquired with a grin, as she stood beside Hana, both closely observing the television screen

"That kid bluffs twice as much as Mo-tak" Jangmul playfully noted, causing Hana to smile as she took a sip of her soda, mirroring the one in Jeok-bong's hand

Jeok-bong expressed satisfaction, stating, "The student has become the master"He expressed disappointment, mentioning, "It would've been better if they hadn't blurred out my face" conveying his frustration in a way that resembled a child's behavior. Furthermore, he remarked, "No one can tell that it's me"

"You look better blurred out" commented Thea with a grin as she resumed working alongside her brother, who concurred with a nod. Jeok-bong's facial expression immediately shifted to one of disbelief

"All right" Mun set a tray with eight sandwiches and eight drinks on the table, filling the room with a pleasant scent

"I thought you were buying us something special" Mo-tak commented, arching an eyebrow while inspecting the delectable sandwiches neatly displayed on the table

With an air of confidence, Mun asserted "Just try it and don't ask me for more" as he leaned on the table behind him with a knowing smile, gesturing for everyone to begin their meal

Ms. Chu conveyed her eagerness and appetite for the food by exclaiming, "I'm so hungry. This is great" with a grin. Subsequently, she took the initial sandwich from the platter, prompting everyone else to do the same without hesitation

Jangmul enthusiastically remarked, "Gosh, I hope this is filling" as he eagerly gripped his meal with a grin on his face

"It's very filling and tasty" Jeok-bong remarked with enthusiasm, taking another bite with a full mouth, as the rest of the group nodded in approval

Thea expressed her approval by saying "It's delicious" while taking a bite of the sandwich, relishing the taste spreading in her mouth. She hummed contently. Mun couldn't help but smile affectionately at her delightful reaction after observing her satisfaction

"This is the perfect meal before going on a mission" commented Jeok-bong with a mouth full of food, holding two sandwiches, one meant for Mun but devoured by Jeok-bong instead

"Why are you feeding us? Did you do something bad?" Hana asked with a curious tone, having observed Mun's behavior enough to understand that he typically only bought food for them before sharing important news, be it good or bad

Mun nervously shook his head and smiled as he replied, "No, it's just that I'm thinking about going on a trip" He was uncertain about how to share the unexpected news with them

"A trip?" Ms. Chu asked with a puzzled look. Thea raised her eyebrows inquisitively, her curious gaze fixed on Mun, quickly detecting the evident unease in his expression

"Good thinking" Jangmul agreed, enjoying his sandwich "You should take your grandparents and go somewhere for a few days. Should I book a place on Jeju Island?" He suggested, turning to face Mun with a subtle grin

"No, you see, I'm planing on going alone" Mun said, hesitatingly fidgeting with his hands. He looked at the individuals gathered at the table "I'm not sure, but it may take a few months to start in Europe and travel the world" he softly expressed, speaking in a lower tone and avoiding eye contact, feeling uneasy about the potential responses, particularly from Thea. He realized that she would probably be displeased that he hadn't informed her of his plans earlier

"Europe?" Jangmul asked with a quizzical look, visibly intrigued and raising his eyebrows in surprise. The other members of the group, equally confused and astonished, looked to Mun for clarification

Thea's eyes grew wide as she inquired, "A few months?" She struggled to swallow her sandwich, struggling to comprehend Mun's proposal of embarking on a global journey for a short period of time. She pondered why he had not consulted her before making such a decision.

"What do you mean?" Ms. Chu expressed confusion as she questioned Mun, her eyes widening and displaying a puzzled look. She asked, "A few months? Why would you go away for that long all by yourself?" She added

"And what about our job?" Mo-tak asked, showing a sense of incredulity as he leaned back in his chair with a frown "I get that you've worked hard lately. But still, you can't be gone for that long..." he conveyed his disagreement with Mun's choice while shaking his head

"It's not like that. It's actually..." Mun paused, experiencing apprehension, while he deliberated on his words to express his thoughts "Yung wants me to go overseas" he revealed, releasing the tension he had been holding in for some time

"Overseas?"

"What?"

"What?"

Everyone asked at the same time, their eyes expressing astonishment and disbelief. Thea rose from her seat, her mouth agape as if struck directly in the gut, rendering her speechless and breathless. She appeared so astounded, perplexed, and shocked that all she could do was stare at Mun with wide eyes while trying to catch her breath. Mun anxiously played with his hands, avoiding looking at Thea as he understood he would feel even more guilty for not informing her about his plans beforehand than anyone else.

"Overseas?" Mo-tak asked in disbelief, rising from his seat with wide eyes, reflecting Thea's surprised reaction

"Are you kidding me right now?" Ms. Chu asked with annoyance, placing her hand on her chest. She remained silent as her hand emitted a white glow before she collapsed unconscious on the table with a loud thud, confusing everyone present

With a resolute expression, Thea resumed her seat, resting her hand on her chest. A white light emitted from her hand before her head slumped onto the table. Her companions were struck silent, understanding that Thea would bear the brunt of the situation. They acknowledged the deep connection she shared with Mun. The two were virtually inseparable, like kindred spirits unable to be separated.

"Thea..."Mun expressed his worry as he looked over at Thea, who was unconscious on the table. He cautiously walked towards Thea's body, watching as others followed suit. The upcoming trip to Yung was expected to involve a tiresome and extensive round of questions, criticisms, and discussions

"Who was it? Tell us" Ms. Chu asked firmly, with her hands on her hips, observing the people gathered around the spacious white table in Yung. Standing next to her, Thea also displayed a look of irritation and incredulity on her face

Mo-tak asked angrily and assertively, "Who said you could take Mun away from us?" as he stood on the table, his typical behavior "Who?" He repeated his question with a strong voice. Thea expressed disbelief by shaking her head and rubbing her nose

"Hey, you come down" Ms. Chu instructed with a hint of chagrin, prompting him to come down without further delay

Mo-tak showed signs of disorientation concerning his environment and inquired, "Where am I?" He cautiously rose from the table while Thea took a seat in one of the chairs across from it. Simultaneously, Jeok-bong appeared on Jong-guk's arms, causing surprise but he held him delicately. This series of events further flustered Thea as she observed everything unfolding around her

"Why are you showing up there?"

"Didn't you train him?"

"Jeok-bong!" Jong-guk said with a touch of contempt, moving Jeok-bong aside, which made him lose his balance momentarily. Jun-Seo and Hana then arrived in the room, projecting a strong and united front, both exhibiting resolute demeanors

"Hurry" Hana urgently requested, expressing her frustration by forcefully hitting her hand on the table. During that time, Jun-Seo and Thea observed their parents, seeking clarity, both of them clad in their typical white attire, gathered around the table

"Who was it? Who made this decision?" Ms. Chu expressed her frustration, prompting Yung's team to gaze at her composedly, seemingly anticipating her reaction

"Mom, first calm down" SuHo interrupted, trying to alleviate Ms. Chu's frustration. However, his attempts proved futile as his mother's anger remained steadfast on her face without faltering

"How can we possible calm down?" Jeok-bong questioned with a look of displeasure on his face, conveying anger through his expression. He expressed disbelief by stating, "You're leaving us here and sending only Mun overseas" with Mo-tak agreeing with his sentiments

"I thought—"

Jeok-bong petulantly exclaimed, "I haven't even been to Yeouido yet" This remark led Thea to angrily grab his shirt collar, pulling him towards her while fixing him with a cold, unsettling gaze. He was taken aback by her uncharacteristic display of anger

"Is that why you're here?" Thea asked, displaying a clear sense of frustration in her low, husky voice that indicated her anger and dissatisfaction towards the current circumstances

"Aren't you?" Jeok-bong inquired with a puzzled expression and innocent gaze, silently pleading with Thea to set him free

Thea firmly rejected with a "No," expressing her frustration as she shook her head and released Jeok-bong's shirt forcefully. She was amazed that he was fixated on accompanying Mun on the trip instead of advocating for Mun to be exempted from going on the journey.

"It's not? I thought the same" Mo-tak interjected, displaying confusion and hesitancy as he looked at Thea before seeking confirmation from Ms. Chu. "No?" he asked innocently, thinking that they were seeking permission to join Mun on his worldwide journey

"For crying out loud. He just solved a huge case, so how could you send him away?" Ms. Chu expressed, paying no attention to Mo-tak's inquiry or Jeok-bong's actions. She firmly remarked, "You have no shame" while displaying a look of disbelief with narrowed eyes

"Exactly. At least not this soon"confirmed Hana, mirroring Ms. Chu's serious expression. Thea concurred with the views shared by the women, nodding in agreement

"Mun was the one who wanted to leave as soon as possible" Wi-gen quietly declared as she stood up with a composed demeanor, further bewildering and astonishing everyone in the room

"It was him?" Thea asked, her eyes wide and mouth hanging open in disbelief. Her heart raced as the pieces started to come together, bringing clarity to the situation

"Yes" Mun confirmed his agreement from the rear of the group with a determined look on his face. He asserted, "It was my wish" He nodded as he moved towards the group, and the white doors he had walked through shut silently by themselves

"Mun, you just summoned Hwang Pil-gwang" Thea attempted to explain calmly, her face displaying worry. Recent events indicated that Mun was still recovering from the previous battle and may not be prepared for unexpected travels abroad

"Mr. Ma... was the kindest man ever" Mun interjected softly to emphasize that it was his choice "And he was also the most powerful evil spirit. If anyone can become an evil spirit, I want to save as many people as possible, so that this incident won't repeat itself" he affirmed with resolute conviction. In that instant, Thea understood that her attempts to influence his perspective were futile "I want to make that happen" he stated

"Right. Mun is right" Mo-tak asserted with a resolute demeanor, mirroring Jeok-bong's desire to convince Yung to allow him to accompany Mun "The more evil spirits we catch, the more potential victims we'll save. So—"

"That's enough" Gi-ran promptly interrupted, comprehending Mo-tak's plans. She firmly announced, "Don't think about tagging along with him. We're only sending him" indicating her unwavering determination

"Why? Why can't I go? Why?"Mo-tak's pleading tone resembled that of a child throwing a tantrum as he appealed to Gi-ran. Despite his fervent desires, he was fully aware that his request would inevitably be denied

"As for me, I think I'm eligible to go" Jeok-bong asserted confidently, his expression filled with pride "First of all, I have plenty of experience taking care of Mun—" his statement was abruptly halted as he let out a cry of pain, caused by Hana harshly stomping on his foot to silence him

"Dream on, Jeok-bong!" Jong-guk chastised sternly, his countenance displaying a sense of seriousness. He stood with his arms folded, studying the pained expression on his partner's face

"Why? Why must I dream on?" Jeok-bong questioned in frustration, displaying childish behavior as he complained, while Jong-guk stubbornly shook his head in response, showing his determination

"You all need to keep this place safe"Ji-hye remarked with a faint smile, noting the disillusioned looks on the Counters' faces, particularly on her daughter's face. Her daughter, with a solemn expression reminiscent of a child, was fighting back tears. Ji-hye and Hyeon-jun were aware of Thea's deep affection for Mun, as well as Mun's reciprocal love for her, adding to the poignancy of the situation

"I won't be gone for too long" Mun assured in a resolute and composed manner, as the solemn ambiance enveloped them. He vowed,  "I'll be back soon" with a lingering gaze fixed on Thea, empathizing with the slight pout on her lips which intensified his feelings of guilt for leaving her in such a state

"Mun..." Thea murmured quietly, lowering her arms in acceptance. She acknowledged that she had no control over Mun's decision to take the trip; he would go regardless of any obstacles

Thea released a heavy sigh, sensing a lump forming in her throat. She was experiencing a range of emotions - frustration, anger, irritation, but predominantly sadness. The thought of Mun leaving her alone was unbearable; the idea of being apart from him for an extended period of time was distressing. When he had slipped into a coma, she had nearly faltered from the absence of his smile and voice for three days. Now, the prospect of not being able to see him for months seemed unthinkable. She was fully aware that she would struggle to cope without him. Her love for him was too profound for her to endure his absence.

Author's note;

Only two more chapters to go and this book will come to an end. This saddens me greatly, but also brings me joy at the same time. :(

Question of the day: Are you ready to return to school? 😔

To be honest, I detest the thought of returning to classes because it entails getting up early, and I am not a morning person. Therefore, I am certainly not ready for it. See you in the next chapter! 💗