Season two, chapter forty-nine

"We all have our
reasons"

AS HER LIPS curl into a tender smile, her Yung partner eagerly awaits her at the end of the room, arms wide open. Thea quickens her steps, compelled by the unwavering love radiating from her brother's strong embrace. Through countless acts of loyalty, Thea realizes that kinship is not defined by genetics alone.

"Well done, Mun" Wi-gen praised her partner with a small smile appearing on her lips

"Anytime" Mun responded making a military salute with amusement making his Yung partner smile even more

"Hana, are you all right?" U-sik asked his partner from across the table. Everyone having taken a seat in one of the white chairs that were placed around the large white table

"Of course. U-sik, did you lose weight?" Hana asked, cocking her head to the side, inspecting the appearance of her young partner who laughed, certainly finding what Hana had said funny

"Mom, great job with the steel pipe" SuHo congratulated his mother giving her a finger heart, SuHo's simple gesture to congratulate his mother transforms into a poignant symbol of love and gratitude. With Ms. Chu's delighted surprise echoing through the air

"Thea, you did a good job stopping that bus." Hyun-ki praised her with a proud smile playing on his reddish lips

"As always," Thea replied amusingly, bowing her head slightly

Gi-ren on the other hand, yearns for the genuine connections she sees others share. As her partner's demanding career at the bustling police station keeps them apart, their encounters become limited to moments of high-stake investigations.

"It's Ga Mo-tak again" Gi-ren revealed, letting out a long tired sigh before getting up from her seat to get a little distance from the others "Okay. I said okay. I get it Mo-tak"

"I get why Mo-tak is upset" Ms. Chu began to say, pointing to Mo-tak's partner in the distance "When you convinced him to work two jobs to catch more evil spirits, remember what you said? You said you'd get us a new, energetic member! And our sweet Mun" She grabbed the aforementioned by the shoulders, who tensed up instantly "He even gave up his college education to toil away for this"

"Why would you bring that up?" In a hushed voice, Mun sought answers, his secret truths simmering just beneath the surface. With a desire to shield his thoughts from prying eyes, especially Thea's

"Tell them" Ms. Chu whispered to him, tightening her grip on his shoulders so that he would understand what she was trying to tell him

"I thought you got rejected" Thea's eyes widened with a mix of shock and disbelief, her body instinctively leaning in towards him. A rush of emotions surged through her, an undeniable sense of betrayal tugging at her heart. Together with her partner, they had made a sacred pact to conquer higher education, yet he seemed to have abandoned their shared vision

Thea had even applied to one of the most prestigious schools in the country and a few days later Thea's dreams were catapulted into reality when she received that coveted acceptance letter from one of the most prestigious schools in the country. No longer just a student with good grades, she became an embodiment of ambition and potential

"I did apply for schools a bit out of my league on purpose. What did you say again?" Mun admitted, he gazed at Thea, his eyes brimming with regret at the untold secrets that have haunted him. Unexpectedly, Ms. Chu's forceful blow lands on his back, shaking Mun to his core

"Play along, will you?" Ms. Chu said through gritted teeth

As Thea gazes at her hands, trembling a wave of uncertainty crashes over her, wasn't he planning to go to school with her? Had he really broken his promise? Either way if he didn't go there was no reason why she should.

"Still, Mo-tak is back in the police force now, which helps the Counters settle cases" SuHo further explained putting his hands together on the table

"And Choi Jangmul is helping you out too" Gi-ran added taking a seat in her respective place once again

"Chairman Choi is at the age where he'll have to hang it up soon" Hana reminded them hitting the table harshly with one of her hands

"She's right!" Ms. Chu agreed with Hana, their features revealing how upset they were

"Why do you take it out on me?" Gi-ran asked with a frown, feeling small at the looks both women were giving her

"So we haven't found anyone suitable yet?" Mun asked with an arched eyebrow, his inquisitive gaze sparks a glimmer of hope. The team had embarked on an exhaustive search for a new member for three relentless years, only to be met with constant postponements and frustrations from Yung's associates. Thea, consumed by a relentless longing, teeters on the edge of desperation, yearning for a breakthrough

"Being a Counter isn't easy" Wi-gen explained, trying to find some excuse to extend the wait for a longer time "We're doing our best in the search, so please wait a little longer"

"Maybe the partner is being too picky" Hana exclaimed with annoyance, and as if she had summoned him, the aforementioned entered the place through the large white doors with some papers in his hands

"Why in the world is everyone so selfish?" Jong-guk asked, inspecting the options he had in his hands "When I think I've found a good one, they lack manners" He stopped his steps halfway, glancing at the group sitting around the table that were looking at him expectantly

"Hana, don't" Mun stopped Hana before she could do something she would later regret

"The partnership between Counters and Yung people is important" U-sik tried to reason when seeing the team's expressions

"You have to think of the ones in the field. You can't turn down every applicant, Jong-guk" Ms. Chu exclaimed with a frown trying to make Jong-guk reconsider the way he was acting

"You see, I'm not doing this for my sake" Jong-guk responded with a sigh as he removed the glasses from his face "If we hire the wrong person you'll be the ones who suffer" He looked at the group with such a deep look, he rendered silent assurances to the gathering, hinting that his ultimate choice would relinquish him from culpability should unexpected fortunes arise

"What did you say?" Ms. Chu questioned, tilting her head to the side as if trying to contain herself

"You rude little..." Thea exclaimed through clenched teeth, with her heart racing and a fiery impatience surging through her veins, she fights the urge to give in to her primal instincts

"Ma'am" Jong-guk tilted his head, putting on his best innocent face, as if what he'd said had never left his mouth

"What a jerk" Mun muttered underneath his breath, forcing a smile onto his face as gazes fell on him

- -

"All right. Mr. So's and Ms. Park's psychokinesis class will begin" Mun explained tapping a stick against the palm of his hand watching as each member prepared to begin "First was a grain of rice. Second was a kidney bean. Then, we kicked it up a notch and used a golf ball. Seeing you improve day by day makes me feel so proud as your teacher"

"Just summon the territory already" Hana exclaimed impatiently, simply wanting him to get started with the class

"All right. For today..." Mun began to say as he took out a baseball from his red hoodie's pocket, showing it to the group as the territory appeared around them

"Wouldn't this be too heavy?" Ms. Chu asked with a frown pointing to the ball in Mun's hand

"Did you forget?" Mun approached the older woman with a serious face, making Ms. Chu take a step back instinctively "I can do It" He whispered in English

"We can do It" Ms. Chu exclaimed, her frown betrayed her lack of conviction, leaving room for Thea to uncover the real story that lay beneath the surface

"I can do It!" Mun exclaimed loudly, waiting for each of his teammates to recite with him

"We can do it!" The team repeated, Thea finding herself captivated by her boyfriend's newest cheerleading technique. A mischievous smile dances upon her lips as she witnesses his infectious enthusiasm for the team

"Good. Now, shall we begin with Ms. Chu?" Thea proposed, urging Mun to put the ball on the ground which he did instantly

Ms. Chu determinedly crouched on the ground with one of her hands on top of the ball as she let out a grunt.

"Feel the territory" Mun instructed "As if you're fishing, reel in the energy emerging from it" Ms. Chu extended both of her hands, the ball moving a little under the shadow of her hands "Very good, Ms. Chu. I can feel the strong energy!" Thea covered her ears when Mun began to scream, Ms. Chu clenched her eyes shut while blood trickled from her nostrils, completely unaware of the ethereal ball floating midair
"Ms. Chu, you did it!"

In an awe-inspiring moment, the team's collective breath hitched as witnessed the impossible unfold before their very eyes. With a blend potent of determination and sheer strength, she defied all expectations and accomplished the unimaginable—raising the weighty baseball effortlessly.

"Awesome!"

"I wish I could do that too!"

"Don't strain yourself, okay?" Jangmul said with concern helping her get up from the dirty floor before giving her a small handkerchief that he magically had in his jacket pocket

"Whats this?" Ms. Chu asked as her eyes fell upon the cryptic message written on the fabric, her curiosity is ignited. And just as she seeks answers, mischievous laughter dances in the air, beckoning her towards Jangmul "For goodness' sake" Ms. Chu frowned, aggressively wiping the blood from her nose

"Well done, Ms. Chu" Mun leaned towards her, congratulating her on her achievement

"All thanks to our handsome and gorgeous teachers" Ms. Chu admitted letting out a little laugh, pointing at the couple in front of her  "Teachers are crucial in everything"

"And you're a ten out of ten student" Mun revealed with his arms crossed over his chest

"It is true that teachers are crucial in everything, you're also right that Mr. So here is very handsome" Thea began to say placing both of her hands behind her back, watching from the corner of her eyes a secretive smile grace her beloved boyfriend's pinkish lips, "But we must admit that his beauty does not overshadow mine, but on the contrary"

"Hey..." The disapproving frown on Mun's face belied the unspoken emotions surging within him, as he found himself inexplicably drawn to Thea's intriguing words

"Now, Ms. Do Hana?" Thea turned to the aforementioned who with astounding agility, she effortlessly juggled two balls with gravity-defying grace

"Hana, you're so good" Ms. Chu congratulated with a proud smile on her lips "It's like nothing can stop her. How did she master it so quickly?"

"Pretty good" With a serious countenance, Mun congratulates as Hana's gaze falls upon the two extraordinary adolescents in search of an answer

"Yes, very well" Thea nodded, she could have never imagined the depths of her sister's untapped potential. A nod of affirmation graced her lips, and a smile danced across her face

Hana, with unyielding determination, she sets one of the balls on the ground, a daring challenge to all who witness. Among them, Mo-tak, who watches with curiosity and a hint of envy.

"Had extra classes?" Mo-tak asked her in disbelief

"Not my first rodeo" Hana responded tilting her head to the side making the group laugh in amusement

Then Mo-tak got on his knees on the ground as he stretched his hands towards the sky as if he were praying to some god, his outstretched hands reaching for the heavens in a breathtaking act of devotion.

"Mo-tak! Who is he praying to?" Jangmul asked with confusion seeing the weird way the elder was acting

"Mr. Ga Mo-tak" Mun mentioned his name and as he earnestly utters his name, the stick becomes insignificant, grabbing the face of the aforementioned with both of his hands they both look into each other's eyes

"Yes?" Mo-tak stood up from the ground taking Mun's shoulders, both staring into each other's eyes

"I can do It" Mun began to say hitting his cheeks hardly "We can do It! Mr. Ga"

"Yes"

"Believe in yourself! Believe, Mr. Ga! Believe!" Mun exclaimed encouraging him. With determination palpable in each resounding clash of hands against cheeks, the bond between Mun and Mo-tak ignited a powerful flame of inspiration

"Believe!"

"Believe!"

"Now, close your eyes and focus!" Mun ordered him while Mo-tak got on his knees once again before shouting loudly to the air

"One more time!" He began to scream as he stretched out his hands in the air with hopes of moving the ball just as Hana and Ms. Chu did

"Ga Mo-tak!"

Mo-tak threw himself on the ground with a drop of blood coming out of his nostrils but unable to move the ball, Thea watches on in utter disbelief, doubting this man's ability to make any progress.

"Finally, I did it!" Mo-tak said happily when the ball moved a few inches, although that didn't stop him from continuing trying. It almost seemed like in Mo-tak's world, every inch of progress matters, for it holds the potential to unlock a boundless realm of possibilities

"Oh, my" Thea murmured as she scrunched her nose up, the only thing Mo-tak had managed to lift had been a small, tiny black ant

"Mo-tak. At least this ant's pretty big" Mun commented scrunching his nose up while pointing to the ant that lands delicately on the palm of his hand

"Goodness. If an ant required that much effort, just imagine what a fly would've done to him" Jangmul commented with disappointment in his features

"Damn it" Mo-tak whispered tiredly, finding himself entrapped in a web of intrigue and uncertainty. As Ms. Chu's worried gaze locks onto him, he can't help but question if he's ever gonna be able to make progress

"Mo-tak, you need a blood transfusion" As she attempts to rid him of the ominous blood staining his nostrils, Mo-tak's unexpected defiance hints at an enigma that awaits discovery

"It's just my snot" Mo-tak defended himself, looking almost pale because of the small amount of blood that he had lost

"No, you should stop here" Ms. Chu asked him with a frown when she saw how determined he was to continue with his useless attempts to lift the ball

"It's just a snot" Mo-tak repeated, staggering a little when he stood up on his feet

"Who wants ice cream?" Thea asked the group, her anticipation reaching its peak. As she faced the group, her eyes brightened with the promise of a delectable journey to satisfy an insatiable longing for the tantalizing blend of zesty lemons and succulent strawberries

"Give it up"

"I do! I want strawberry"

"He never seems to improve" Mun commented with disappointment on his features, once again holding the stick firmly in his hands "Hey, wait up!" He called out to his girlfriend who continued to forge ahead, completely oblivious to his pleas

"It's okay. You'll get there soon" Ms. Chu tried to comfort him"I said stop!" She hit him on the head, and as Mo-tak cried out in pain, an uncanny sense of familiarity washed over her. Memories flooded her mind, transporting her back to the days when Mun first became part of their close-knit circle

Oh how she missed those days.

Author's note;

The last scene literally has me laughing on the floor, it's just that it's so funny that I didn't avoid laughing when I wrote the chapter 😂

Question of the day: What did you want to be as a child? 👧👦

When I was little, I wanted to be a singer, since then I'ved really enjoyed singing. So far it's still my dream, which I might let go in a few years 🤷‍♀️ See y'all in the next chapter my dear readers! 💕