Season two, chapter eighty-one

"I'm not finished falling
in love with you yet"

DESCRIBING THEA AS SIMPLY content would not accurately capture the depth of her emotions; she was intensely relieved, as if her sanctuary had been reinstated, yet she also harbored a sense of trepidation stemming from the various issues she needed to confront and deliberate with Mun. The feeling of déjà vu enveloped her as memories flooded back from their initial encounter, particularly the image of him appearing outside Eonnie's Noodles accompanied by his two best friends, visibly struggling as he relied on his cane for support as his foot was injured at the time. She could vividly recall each and every detail of that moment.

Prior to her turning to meet his gaze, he was already staring at her with intense interest. The moment their eyes connected, she experienced a rush of emotions that coursed through her entire being. It was a case of love at first sight for her, prompting her to pray for another encounter with him. Never did she anticipate him becoming a member of the Counters' team, let alone evolving their relationship beyond friendship. Yet, here they stand, three years into a deeply affectionate bond that continues to flourish each day. It seemed as though fate had orchestrated their union, as if they were meant to be together.

Thea and him had become essential to each other, unable to imagine living apart. Their bond was characterized by purity, devoid of any quarrels or disagreements, yet they were both aware that conflict might arise eventually. When Mun fell into a coma, their unresolved minor disagreement left them both stuck. Thea made sure to express her apologies while he was in a coma, but she understood the importance of truly communicating with him once he regained consciousness.

As Mun, recently awakened from coma, engaged in lively conversation with everyone, Thea discreetly cleared her throat in an attempt to signal her teammates about her desire for a private moment with her boyfriend. Despite her efforts, her teammates appeared to ignore her, deeply engrossed in their discussion with Mun. Frustrated by the lack of response, Thea resorted to more assertive throat clearing, yet her signals went unnoticed. Subsequently, she discreetly nudged Jun-seo on her left and Hana on her right, seeking their attention.

"Hey!"

"What?"

Simultaneously expressing their grievances, both Jun-seo and Hana turned to Thea with furrowed brows, their fingers absently rubbing the spots where they had been nudged. Hana briefly entertained the idea of reciprocating the gesture, yet upon catching Jun-seo's gaze, she simply sighed resignedly. Glancing at Thea expectantly, they sought clarification for Thea's action of pinching them.

"Sorry," she mouthed silently, her eyes pleading for understanding as she gestured towards Mun, hoping they would catch on to her need for a private moment with him. Jun-seo and Hana exchanged a knowing glance before nodding in silent agreement

"Allow me to express my certainty that Mun is in need of nourishment. Would it not be prudent for us to make preparations for him?" Hana promptly proposed, seizing Ms. Chu by the shoulders and abruptly halting her discussion with Mun, who appeared bewildered as he raised his eyebrows

"No-"

"It is a valid suggestion that we should order a meal, perhaps even his favorite dish," Jun-seo enthusiastically interjected before Mun could potentially disrupt their agreed upon course of action

"It is indeed a valid point. We ought to make arrangements for some sustenance," Ms. Chu concurred with a subtle smile, tenderly touching Mun's hand

"You all can do it. I have important matters to discuss with Mun," Mo-tak said, crossing his arms as he remained oblivious to the unspoken communication between Hana and Jun-seo "Additionally—"

Jun-seo added, "The more support we can get, the more effective our efforts will be," as he firmly grasped Mo-tak's shoulders and guided him towards the door

"But—"

"They want privacy!" Jun-seo whispered-yelled to Mo-tak, who quickly understood upon seeing Thea's facial expression

"Oh! Yes, indeed, we should all lend a helping hand! Let's go, Jeok-bong," Mo-tak enthusiastically agreed, firmly grasping Jeok-bong's shirt to prevent any potential protests

"We will prepare something delicious for you!" declared Hana with a forced smile directed at Mun and Thea, as she gently placed her hands on Juyeon's shoulders, encouraging her to turn around. Juyeon then turned her head and flashed a playful grin at the pair

"Be good" Ung-min quietly mouthed, offering a thumbs up. At the same time, Jangmul chuckled as he followed Hana and Mun's companions out of the room

"These kids," Jangmul mused with a bemused shake of his head as he exited the room, a soft smile playing on his lips. With a gentle click, he closed the door, enveloping Mun and Thea in a cocoon of privacy

Thea paused, her uncertainty palpable as she searched for the right words to begin the conversation. Nervously, she bit her lower lip, her fingers fidgeting with a restless energy. Despite rehearsed thoughts, she found herself at a loss, breath caught in the weight of conveying her message to Mun. The fear of stumbling over her words gripped her, leaving her grappling with the daunting prospect of appearing foolish.

"Thank you" Mun expressed in such a sincere and gentle manner that it left Thea puzzled, as evidenced by the furrow on her brow

Thea expressed bewilderment as she asked, "What is the reason for your gratitude towards me?" She furrowed her brow while walking towards her boyfriend's bedside, where he remained seated, gazing at her with a smile, his eyes radiating fondness, adoration, and appreciation

Mung expressed, "I am thankful to you for saving me once more" Without breaking eye contact with Thea, he observed her puzzled expression and chuckled. In that moment, he couldn't help but be struck by her gentle, endearing innocence and purity

"Saving you once more? How so? It was you who rescued me," Thea started to articulate, making sure that her truthfulness and sentiments were effectively communicated through her speech. "I have failed as a partner, how did I overlook your silent struggle? Your exhaustion? Your need for a respite? I sincerely—"

Thea's words lingered in the atmosphere as Mun's hand elegantly grasped her wrist and smoothly drew her closer to him. She found comfort with her head resting against Mun's chest while his hand tenderly patted her back and the other affectionately caressed her hair, embracing her securely. Thea experienced a moment of breathlessness, feeling her heart quicken its pace, and eventually wrapping her hands around her beloved boyfriend's waist.

"Thea... you are my first girlfriend, my first love, did you know that?" Mun softly expressed with a tender smile. Thea acknowledged his words with a nod, still nestled against his chest. "You are not just my first love, but my sole love, and my everlasting love. Therefore, despite any attempts on your part to convince me otherwise, you are bound to me as I have no intention of ever releasing you. Furthermore, I was conscious of all your uttered sentiments during my state of unconsciousness." Mun amusedly pressed his lips together, observing how swiftly Thea withdrew from his embrace to gaze at him in surprise

"You heard everything?" Thea gently rested her hands on Mun's shoulders, her eyes widened in a mix of astonishment and chagrin. "L-Liar!" Thea exclaimed, feeling a flush of embarrassment spread across her cheeks as she observed Mun arching his eyebrows in amusement

"I listened attentively as you serenaded me, and also when you recounted anecdotes from your past that were perhaps less than flattering" Mun lovingly chuckled while gently tucking a curly strand of Thea's hair behind her ear. A moment of quiet ensued, accompanied by a warm smile spreading across Mun's countenance. "I also heard about your emotional reunion with your parents and brother after a lengthy separation of seven years... I look forward to the opportunity to meet them myself, and to share in the tears of joy that you so deeply longed for."

Thea chuckled tearfully as Mun tenderly consoled her with his gentle touch, cradling her face and placing a loving kiss on her forehead. She affectionately clasped her boyfriend's hand, intertwining their fingers with a longing to experience such moments again - to have him close, to feel his touch, to gaze upon his face, his smiles, his eyes, to have him by her side once more.

"Also, in regards to SuHo and myself..."

"I am aware," Mun chimed in, maintaining a constant smile. "On that particular day, I stumbled upon SuHo's memoirs, where he revealed to me his enduring love for you"

Thea hesitated before speaking, uncertain of the appropriate words. SuHo had shared with Mun, his most trusted friend, his profound sense of remorse for harboring strong feelings for his best friend's partner to the point of being unable to bear the weight of shame and guilt any longer, ultimately reaching the decision to come clean in hopes of easing his conscience.

"He informed me of his intention to make a final confession, and I... I assured him that he could proceed, as I was aware that you would not be receptive," Mun elaborated, his gaze shifting downwards towards their clasped hands. "I was convinced that the kiss you shared held no significance and attempted to convince myself of this. However, on that particular day, my frustration overwhelmed me, leading me to direct all my pent-up emotions towards you through hurtful words... I deeply regret my actions, Thea, but I must admit that jealousy and anger clouded my judgement. The knowledge that he was the one who initiated the kiss still evokes an inexplicable emotion within me..."

Thea smiled warmly as she watched Mun make gestures with one hand, his nose crinkling, his eyes avoiding hers in nervousness. She tenderly clasped his other hand to stop him from conveying his embarrassment. Upon capturing Mun's focus again, Thea looked into his eyes with deep affection, sweetness, and yearning, causing Mun to be entranced and his heart to melt in the brown depths of her gaze.

If only I could, I would absorb your pain and return it to you as love...

Thea delicately laid her hand on Mun's soft, warm cheek, briefly pausing to admire his full, rosy lips that she had not had the chance to kiss in days and now yearned to do so. In response to her subtle gesture, Mun swallowed nervously, his gaze mirroring Thea's as he focused on her lips, shining with the lip gloss she habitually wore.

She always adorned her lips with strawberry-flavored lip gloss.

The allure of her proximity proved irresistibly tempting for all. Mun's respiration accelerated, and he emitted a prolonged, trembling exhalation. Consequently, without forewarning, Thea impulsively drew nearer to him, delicately placing her lips upon his. Upon the initial contact of their lips, they instinctively shut their eyes, surrendering to the enthrallment of their kiss. Their kisses synchronized seamlessly, eliciting fluttering sensations akin to butterflies in their stomachs.

As their lips moved against each others, Thea's senses heightened, engulfing her in a whirlwind of sensations. The warmth of his breath against her skin sent shivers down her spine, mingling with the electric anticipation that crackled in the air. The simple action of being kissed by him elicited a range of emotions within her, as she had patiently waited three days for the chance to feel his lips on hers once more.

As their exhalations intertwined, merging into a single breath, their heartbeats synchronized in a symphony of passion. Breaking away from the longed-for kiss, their gazes locked, conveying an unspoken language of profound love, admiration, and tenderness. His expressive eyes, once clouded with sadness, now radiated with unwavering affection, anchoring Thea in a moment of timeless bliss.

And in that moment, Thea knew that she couldn't hold back any longer.

"Mun..," she began, her voice trembling with emotion. "I love you"

Mun's eyes widened in disbelief, his heart swelling with a flood of emotions as he took in her words. For so long, he had yearned to hear those three simple words, and now, as he gazed into Thea's tear-filled eyes, he knew that his prayers had been answered.

"Say it again" Mun implored with a quivering voice, his heart palpating with emotion "Say you love me, again"

Thea's heart swelled with tenderness as she gazed into Mun's eyes, seeing the vulnerability etched in every line of his face. With a gentle hand, she brushed away the stray tears that glistened in the corners of his eyes, her touch a soothing balm to his wounded soul.

"I love you," she repeated, her voice soft yet resolute, each word infused with the depth of her emotions. It was a declaration not just of affection, but of unwavering devotion, a promise to stand by his side through every trial and triumph that lay ahead.

Mun's breath hitched at her words, his heart overflowing with a torrent of emotions he could scarcely contain. In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of Thea's embrace, he felt a profound sense of gratitude wash over him, grateful for the love that had sustained him through the darkest days of his life.

Enveloping her in his embrace, Mun held her close, the warmth between them a comforting reminder of their enduring bond. As they lingered in the tranquil embrace of the bedroom, Thea felt the certainty settle within her: here, in the arms of the man she cherished, she had found her home once more.

"Are you perhaps acquainted with Hana's boyfriend?" Mun asked, his brow furrowing with a hint of jealousy coloring his gaze, causing Thea to burst into laughter. "What's so amusing?" he questioned, puzzled by her reaction

"Mun... Jun-seo is my older brother," Thea revealed, trying to stifle a laugh as she watched Mun's reaction—a mix of wide-eyed astonishment, gaping mouth, and a suddenly pale face—as the revelation sank in

"All along, your brother has been Jun-seo? Hana's boyfriend?" Mun inquired, seeking confirmation that he had understood Thea's statement accurately.

"I completely forgot to mention, he's officially on the team now," Thea exclaimed, her smile widening with excitement. The anticipation of introducing him to her brother had been building for days, and she could hardly contain her enthusiasm.

"..."

"..."

"Are you saying..."

"He's a Counter"

"What!?"

Thea gently placed her chin on her hand, her arm resting on the wooden table, a smile appearing on her face as she observed Mun devour his meal with great enthusiasm. He seemed to be eating as if he hadn't had a meal in days, a fact that was indeed true considering he had been in a coma for three days straight. It was not surprising that he was now extremely hungry. Despite this, Thea couldn't help but regard him with a sense of warmth and fondness as she watched him eat with such enjoyment. She found great pleasure in witnessing his eager consumption of food.

"There you go. Eat up" Mo-tak reassured while observing Mun eagerly consuming a diverse selection of dishes, resulting in his lips becoming stained like that of a young child - a sight that elicited laughter from Thea, who promptly reached for a napkin to gently remove the food remnants from Mun's lips, an action to which he responded with a thankful smile

Jeok-bong offered "Have some kimchi too" as he placed a plate of the side dish on the table. At that moment, the table was teeming with an array of food, and it was evident to all present that Mun was famished and would make good use of the feast

"My goodness, look how he eats. Mo-tak, serve him another bowl of soup" Mrs. Chu remarked with a delighted grin, observing Mun's rapid consumption of his meal

"Sure thing"

"I want more meat" Mun declared as he handed his bowl to Mo-tak, who accepted it graciously and without protest, then proceeded to the kitchen to procure additional meat for him

"All right"

"Koreans need Kimchi to stay strong, you know?" Jeok-bong articulated as he delicately transferred a piece of the fermented vegetable from the shared plate onto Mun's bowl with his chopsticks "Eat up and take your time. You must've been famished"

Mun raised the piece of kimchi to his mouth, and upon tasting it for the first time, his facial expression revealed a sense of enjoyment as he remarked, "Wow, it's so crunchy. What is this? Did you make it?" Surprised by the delicious taste, Mun turned towards Jeok-bong with wide eyes, finishing chewing the flavorful kimchi

"What?" Jeok-bong chuckled in response, genuinely pleased by the compliment. It was common knowledge, though, that he was not the one responsible for making the kimchi "That's the chef's secret. Have some water too" he added as he poured water from the pitcher into a glass and set it down in front of Mun

"No, drink warm water instead. It'll help you digest" Jun-seo interjected, as he placed an additional glass of water next to the one that Jeok-bong had already placed on the table. Thea expressed her gratitude towards her brother for his thoughtfulness by offering him a smile. Meanwhile, Mun also acknowledged him with a smile and a nod of approval

Not long ago, Thea made their acquaintance, causing Mun to feel anxious about gaining Jun-seo's approval. Yet, all of Mun's apprehension vanished when Jun-seo reassured him that he had endorsed their relationship for quite some time, much to the confusion of everyone present. It emerged that Jun-seo had been observing them from a distance over the years.

"Mun, try this"Jangmul initiated, extending more culinary offerings, causing Thea to contemplate how Mun could continue his consumption despite having already cleared half of the table

Mun savored the bite in his mouth before reclining against the table, regarding each member of the team with affection, reverence, and admiration. The room fell silent as Mun directed his tender gaze at each individual, evoking a deep sense of sentiment among them.

"Thank you for protecting me"Mun sincerely conveyed, his gentle and confident tone touching the emotions of those in his presence

"Don't be absurd!" Jangmul chuckled softly to alleviate the tension, however, the ensuing silence prompted him to stay quiet as well

"I'll never again abandon my family and run away. Thank you for being patient and believing in me" Mun stated, a sincere smile gracing his lips, as he received confortong pats on the back from Mo-tak and Jeok-bong, while Jun-seo nodded approvingly. Jun-seo felt a swell of pride towards the boy, knowing from the moment he saw him that he was the perfect match for Thea and destined to be together

Hana commented, "We're not helpless without you" as she furrowed her brow, but with a touch of amusement that made Mun smile "If we had more time, we would've summoned Hwang Pil-gwang and Ma Ju-seok"

"Of course. Hey, Mun" Mo-tak exclaimed fervently, rising promptly from his chair "You should've been there. I flew in the air and landed a punch—" he recounted, gesturing with his raised fist to illustrate his actions

"It was all thanks to me, because I showed up with my huge submachine gun" Jangmul proclaimed, rising from his chair and imitating the sound of his weapon, with Mun acknowledging approvingly "And Hwang Pil-gwang ran! I even cleaned up the mess afterward. That hotel probably looks like a seven-star hotel by now" he boasted, while Mun concurred and received applause from the assembled individuals

"Hey, let me take some credit too" stated Jeok-bong confidently as he stood up, displaying a sense of superiority, keen on receiving acknowledgment for his contribution"You have to know that I played a big role in capturing Gelly"

"I already know" Mun remarked with a creased brow, humorously shaking his head  "You told me many times already" Mun acknowledged with amusement, consuming another portion of kimchi, rendering everyone speechless in astonishment. Nevertheless, since Thea was already cognizant of the information, she merely sealed her lips tightly to restrain the urge to chuckle at the reactions of the rest

"You could hear us?" Mo-tak asked inquisitively, maintaining a calm demeanor as he leaned back in his seat following the revelation

"I told you to take turns to care for him. Were you boasting all that time?" Ms. Chu questioned, her brow creased in disapproval, as she glanced towards the three men who averted their eyes in shame. Meanwhile, Thea couldn't suppress a slight chuckle

"I just thought I'd entertain him while he was asleep" Jangmul explained sheepishly, his hand idly scratching his neck, prompting laughter from Ms. Chu, who found herself compelled to join in

"Me too. I thought he'd be bored" Mo-tak quietly interjected, lowering his eyes in a manner reminiscent of a child caught misbehaving

"Me too" Jeok-bong concurred, feeling the need to reaffirm the untruth in order to preserve his dignity and prevent additional humiliation

"So... well... what happened to Ma Ju-seok?" Mun somberly inquired, scanning the expressions of his teammates for any possible clues

"Mun, you just woke up. Let's take it slowly, okay?" Ms. Chu replied with empathy, seeking to avoid causing him distress shortly after awakening from his coma

"No, I'm okay"Mun politely declined, smiling faintly as he assured them that he was indeed fine "Do you think Ma Ju-seok and Hwang Pil-gwang have teamed up?"

"No" Hana promptly replied with assurance, displaying a strong belief in her statement, as she was certain that Mr. Ma would not do such thing "He will never side with Hwang Pil-gwang. When Mun woke up, the territory opened wide. It covered the entire city"

"Did any of you see anyone? Hwang Pil-gwang? Ma Ju-seok?" Mo-tak asked, raising his eyebrows and attentively looking from Thea to Hana for their replies

"The area was so large that I couldn't locate them"Hana commented, her eyes fixed on the table as she recalled the events from the night before

"Hwang Pil-gwang was trying to stab Ma Ju-seok with a piece of glass"Thea disclosed, her arms folded across her chest, her gaze unwavering as she detailed what she had observed when the territory had appeared the night before. The veil had been lifted to such an extent that Thea had managed to glimpse the malevolent actions being carried out by both evil spirits at the desolate hotel, which appeared to function as their rendezvous point

Ms. Chu expressed shock and concern, her eyes widening as she leaned forward over the table, exclaiming "Dont tell me he's planning to kill Ma Ju-seok..." as a palpable sense of fear emerged on her face. She appeared breathless, as if her breath had been abruptly taken away, as she added, "...and consume his power?"

"Maybe. He probably thought he couldn't absorb Mun's power" Hana declared gravely, her gaze momentarily resting on Mun, highlighting the reason Mr. Hwang may currently be seeking Mr. Ma's power instead of Mun's

"Then, what we were fearing the most could actually happen. The evil spirits could become one" Mun replied with a sense of gravity. Despite the unsettling revelations, he remained surprisingly composed, displaying a serene demeanor that belied the seriousness of the situation

It was remarkable how the mood swiftly transitioned from lighthearted and joyful to solemn and chilling in mere moments.

"It'd be our first time facing a fully-formed evil spirit" Mo-tak elucidated, creasing his brow, while Thea shifted her gaze towards her sibling, receiving a comforting gesture in the form of a soothing pressure on her shoulder to alleviate the sudden surge of unease in her body

"It's a risky situation, but it's also an opportunity" Jun-seo commented thoughtfully, gently resting his other hand on Thea's shoulder from behind her chair, his eyes conveying a sense of seriousness mixed with determination "We can summon Ma Ju-seok while he's alone. We may not know Pil-gwang's plan, but we know where Ma Ju-seok is headed" he added

"Lee Chung-Jae" Mun acknowledged, affirming his comprehension of Jun-seo's statement, who reciprocated with a nod in his direction. It appeared that their conversation was shedding light on the matter at hand

Jangmul, with a perplexed expression, inquired after a pause, "What's going on?" Bewildered by the revealed information, he inquired further "Does Ma Ju-seok really know about our hideout or not?" Upon learning of this, Ms. Chu, Thea, and Hana sought to intervene, but Mun had already caught wind of the disclosure, prompting Thea to express her frustration with a facepalm gesture

"Ma Ju-seok knows where we are? How?" Mun asked in astonishment, leaving Jangmul speechless. Thea, feeling frustrated, rubbed her temples, reluctant to disclose the information to Mun, as it would only cause him more worry. Furthermore, there was no urgency for him to be informed at this juncture, particularly considering his recent emergence from a coma. She felt it would be unjust to overload him with additional anxieties at this moment; he needed to recuperate before being confronted with the array of pressing matters

Thea declared, "There's one more thing you should know" followed by a deep exhalation denoting fatigue. Recognizing her duty to disclose to Mun the events concerning his grandmother during his period of unconsciousness, Thea acknowledged the necessity of divulging this information, despite her previous reluctance to do so

"What is it?" Mun inquired with a perplexed expression, leaning in attentively to hear the information being shared with him. He anxiously surveyed the faces of his fellow companions, eagerly anticipating positive updates

"I think Ma Ju-seok met your grandmother while you were unconscious" Thea remarked with a sense of trepidation, noting Mun's visible reaction of astonishment and apprehension in response to her revelation, serving as a stark reminder for Mun

"Why would he?" Mun questioned with great astonishment, feeling the strong beating of his heart as he pondered Mr. Ma's intentions, desperately hoping that he had not unintentionally caused any harm to his cherished grandmother

Thea let out a deep sigh and eased the tension in her shoulders, gently placing her hand on top of Jun-seo's hand that rested on her shoulder. She sought solace in this gesture, anticipating the unpleasant events that lay ahead.

Author's note;

I apologize for taking so long to update, as I lost inspiration for a few days and experienced writer's block. During this period, I lacked the motivation to write anything, so I took some time off. Now, I am back with renewed energy. As there are only a few more chapters left for this story to conclude, I will be increasing the length of each chapter, ranging between 3000-4000 words per chapter :)

Question of the day: If you could have a dinner with any individual, living or deceased, who would it be and why? 🤩

For me, it would be with Jimin, of course, my platonic love 😍 See you in the next chapter!