FLIA 179

“Then should I ask the chef to prepare some Korean food right away?”

While Yohan was lost in thought for a moment, Lee Chanha immediately stopped what he was doing and asked politely.

In reality, even before this, they had been able to eat Korean food without shortage whenever they wanted. They could eat dishes like ramyeon, kimchi, or even soft tofu stew immediately after waiting just a short while. This was thanks to the very cooperative attitude of the diplomats accompanying them and the countries where they were staying. The Taeyang Guild in Korea also worked hard to procure ingredients. This was in accordance with the guild’s official slogan, “You must eat well to gain strength.”

“No, it’s just that the food in Korea is a bit different…”

“Hmm, that’s true. It tastes good, but something feels missing. It has a subtly different flavor from Korea. Korean food all feels a bit too fancy.”

Yun Seungryong nodded in agreement. As he licked his lips, it seemed he was imagining grilling and eating pork belly. Just then, Lee Hyunmook noticed a presence and glanced toward the door; a moment later, someone knocked on the door. Seo Yakrin opened the door using telekinesis, revealing the protocol officer who had been in charge of their escort throughout their stay in Shanghai. With a bright smile, he politely made a request.

“Did you enjoy breakfast? If you have the time, may I discuss the rest of the schedule?”

For the past few days, the protocol officer had been persistently suggesting that they stay in Shanghai a little longer. His offers included accompanying them on tours of Shanghai or other regions, hosting lavish parties, or paying extra for the stay. The time spent in Shanghai, where the harmony between the modern city’s nightscape and traditional houses was beautiful, was indeed enjoyable. However, no matter how good the conditions were, all Yohan wanted was to return to Korea as soon as possible.

“Would you like to speak with me over here?”

Lee Chanha rose from his seat and approached with a smile on his face. Since he was the most difficult person among them to deal with, the protocol officer followed him to the reception room with a slightly dejected expression.

‘I suppose I’m the easiest to deal with here.’ Yohan thought while brewing coffee.

Enjoying coffee with Lee Hyunmook after breakfast was a routine just for the two of them.

The place where they usually drink coffee was the terrace. Lee Hyunmook always preferred open spots like the terrace where the outside was clearly visible.

It was because, unlike in the Abyss, the sun was up there, and the sky changed with the passage of time. Since awakeners tend to be much less sensitive to heat or cold, Yohan also usually enjoyed his coffee in a place with a good view of the surrounding scenery, regardless of whether it was snowing or raining. Lee Hyunmook’s eyes curved into a smile as he gazed at his lover who was with him today as well.

“You’re excited now that we’re going back to Korea.”

“Yes! I want to see my family too, since it’s been a while.”

Since they were leaving China soon, Yohan tried an elegant tea with the exotic name Biluochun instead of coffee. His shoulders bounced slightly as he spoke.

He had actually returned briefly to Korea every few months, and last year his older brother Yang Yosep had visited with the family. He also missed his family home a little.

“When we go back to Korea this time, do you think we can rest comfortably for a few months?”

It had already been three years of diligently going around purifying Great Rifts. Yohan could sense that the intervals between the openings were getting longer. At first, they would open once every three or four months, but now it was nearly every half year.

“I think that’s possible. Even if one opens near Shanghai again, it isn’t that far.”

A flight from Korea to Shanghai or even Japan took less than 3 hours. This means that even if a Great Rift opened, they would be able to respond immediately.

Traveling around the world with the Taeyang Team to help close the Great Rifts and restore long-abandoned rift zones, while also treating severely corrupted patients at the same time, was enjoyable and rewarding, but Yohan still missed home.

“Even if it doesn’t happen, I can make it possible for you to do so.”

Lee Hyunmook leaned his head toward Yohan and spoke. Yohan’s cheeks burned at the sight of his lover, whom it was no exaggeration to call the strongest being in the world, looking at him with such a magnificent gaze. Today, the sky and clouds were beautiful, and the sunlight was brilliant. Suddenly, he felt his chest swell like a balloon. He wanted to kiss him, but they were on the terrace. Knowing how extreme the paparazzi were, Yohan held back.

“Shall we go inside now?”

“…Yes!”

Since he could spend as much time alone with his partner as he wanted once he returned to Korea, Yohan postponed his happiness for now.

* * *

“Hmm.”

Lee Chanha, who had just gotten off the chartered plane and was checking the contact from the Taeyang Guild, hummed and glanced at Yohan. After hesitating, he got into the car sent by the Taeyang Guild and asked cautiously.

“Yohan-gun, did you happen to check the news today?”

“Huh? No, why…?”

“Well….”

The way his voice trailed off was ominous. Yohan clicked on the news link Lee Chanha had sent and let out a short scream.

[Lee Hyunmook and Yang Yohan’s affectionate moment… ‘Brunch in Shanghai’]

It was a photo that looked malicious to anyone, as it was taken to look like Lee Hyunmook was kissing Yohan. Yohan bristled.

“This is slander! I’ve never done this! This is unfair!”

He had wanted to kiss him yesterday, but he held back, and to think something like this would appear! To make matters worse, it was because some lunatic had targeted his eyes with a laser attack. Lee Hyunmook had blocked it in time, but he checked his eyes just in case, and that’s what was captured on camera like this.

Needless to say, he caught the guy who committed the laser attack and made him pay the price.

‘I wouldn’t feel so wronged if I had actually done anything!’

In any case, since it was such a paparazzi shot, it didn’t make it into the main news outlets, but it had spread across every community. Yohan, who had held back his urge to kiss on the terrace just yesterday, felt so wronged upon seeing this news that he even teared up. Although he had been active valiantly as a full-fledged awakener for three years, the crybaby who had tormented his parents by crying whenever he had the chance for months after birth hadn’t gone anywhere. His teammates reacted immediately.

“Don’t cry! Shall noona smash the media outlets for you?”

“Don’t cry, Yohan-gun. I will make sure the article is taken down by tomorrow.”

Lee Chanha and Seo Yakrin immediately made a sincere proposal to Yohan. The latter sighed and shook his head.

“No, it’s okay. And I’m twenty-seven. I won’t cry anymore…!”

Yoon Seungryong, looking pitifully at Yohan stubbornly insisting in a trembling voice, spoke softly.

“Want me to solve it instantly?”

“…How?”

“Just trust your hyung!”

“What kind of method is it…?”

Yoon Seungryong just grinned and refused to answer, no matter how much he asked. And Yohan soon learned what method the moment he got out of the car. There were crowds, as well as reporters, gathered in front of the Taeyang Guild for the press conference, but as soon as Yoon Seungryong stepped out, he kissed Lee Chanha’s cheek.

Camera flashes exploded everywhere.

“……!”

Yohan’s eyes and mouth opened wide. Ju Hoyoung, equally shocked, muttered, “Is he crazy?” For a moment, Yohan thought it was Seo Yakrin who had said it. In reality, Seo Yakrin had closed her eyes as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have. Lee Hyunmook chuckled softly, then, a beat late, pretended to cover Yohan’s eyes.

“You saw something ugly as soon as we arrived in Korea. Do you want to cleanse your eyes?”

“Ah, no….”

Yohan stammered. He hadn’t expected this to be the method of “solving” it. Covering up an issue with a bigger one…?

Lee Chanha froze like a statue at the completely unexpected kiss attack. He didn’t move an inch, then trembled slightly while raising a hand toward his cheek.

He was the deputy team leader who still had a phobia of germs and wouldn’t let anyone touch him except Yohan. Enraged, Lee Chanha glared menacingly at Yoon Seungryong. He chased after Yoon Seungryong as the latter scrambled away. He grabbed him by the neck and began strangling him.

“Guh!”

The strangled scream that came out of Seungryong sounded so ridiculous that the reporters burst out laughing.

However, Yohan could hear Yoon Seungryong and Lee Chanha having a conversation.

“Wait, I, I really…! My neck, my bone is fractured….”

“…Die! Just die!”

Thanks to Lee Hyunmook’s timely intervention, Yoon Seungryong barely managed to save his life. The situation, resembling a skit, made the atmosphere among the reporters cheerful and friendly.

Only the team members knew that Lee Chanha genuinely wanted to kill him. Lee Chanha, who had come back after scrubbing his face vigorously with disinfectant under the pretext of preparing for the press conference, was smiling, but Yoon Seungryong continued to keep his distance from him ever since.

Thanks to that, the rumor caused by the paparazzi photos of Lee Hyunmook and Yohan quickly subsided. The Taeyang Guild’s PR team tracked down the person who took the paparazzi shots and even secured photos showing the circumstances before and after the laser attack. Furthermore, thanks to Lee Chanha’s sacrifice, people just dismiss it as funny.

Yohan was inwardly relieved as well, but the real problem arose after he returned to his family home.

“Yohan!”

Yang Hwapyeong and Kim Yejoo, who had come out to the front gate to wait for their son returning from a distant foreign land, welcomed Yohan with bright faces. Yang Yosep also welcomed his younger brother, pretending to be sullen.

“You’re back, idiot?”

“I’m here! I missed you!”

Yohan ignored Yang Yosep, he threw his bag aside and ran forward. Unlike when he threw himself at Lee Hyunmook with full force, he embraced them with a relaxed grip, out of consideration for his parents, who were ordinary civilians.

Naturally, he did not hold back his strength toward Yang Yosep. While Kim Yejoo and Yang Yohan were on the verge of tears, Yang Hwapyeong greeted Lee Hyunmook.

“It’s been a long time, Lee Hyunmook-ssi. How have you been?”

“Yes, thanks to your concern, I have been doing well.”

Although the other person’s gaze was somewhat strange, Lee Hyunmook pretended not to notice and handed him the gift he had bought in Shanghai. Yang Hwapyeong beamed upon seeing the liquor bought on Yohan’s advice that he liked alcohol.

“Oh, come on, you went and bought all this… Haha, instead of standing around outside, please come inside.”

Taking advantage of the moment, Yang Yosep, who had been loitering around, greeted Lee Hyunmook somewhat shyly.

“Sunbae-nim, have you been doing well? Your raid on the Great Rift in Shanghai was really awesome. It made me want to try raiding one together someday.”

“If the opportunity comes, we could try it together.”

“Really?!”

The atmosphere was so warm and friendly throughout that Yohan remained oblivious for quite some time. It was only after finishing the carefully prepared dinner that he noticed something strange. This was because Yang Hwapyeong and Kim Yejoo had been excessively polite in their treatment of Lee Hyunmook.