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Aug 5

[CN] Kiro's Undrunk Desire Mind's Quest (1/2)

🌸 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date that hasn't been released on the EN server yet! 🌸

[Note: This date was translated with the help of Google Translate :>]

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

[CHAPTER 1]

The luxurious walls lining both sides of the corridor are sharply contoured, their surfaces gleaming under the lights with a cold, expensive sheen.

This is the most lavish hotel in M City—and also the final stop of my business trip.

Waiter: Ms. MC, this way, please—

The attendant leading the way comes to a stop and pushes open the ornately carved double doors before us.

Inside the salon, well-dressed men and women sit at gaming tables, casually playing card games. The crisp clatter of chips colliding drifts through the air from time to time.

I freeze for a second, then turn back to the waiter.

MC: Is this the wrong room? I’m here for the press reception, you—

Before I can finish, the attendant has already bowed and slipped out. As I’m left standing there in confusion, a familiar voice cuts through the room.

??: Another guest?

My heart skips a beat, and I Instinctively turn my head.

In the salon, where shadows slice the light into sharp contrasts, a pair of icy blue eyes meets mine.

MC: Kiro?

Why is he here? Didn’t he say he'd be away handling matters related to Black Swan?

I glance around again and realize that there are indeed several familiar faces from Black Swan seated nearby.

Director Liu: You're here, Producer MC?

The young man sitting across from Kiro smiles and waves at me.

It’s Director Liu—the one who sent me the invitation to the Stellar News cocktail reception.

To be honest, seeing Director Liu and Kiro at the same event isn’t strange.

But what if I look at it from another angle? What if it’s the Boss of BS and…

A thin sheen of sweat gathers in my palm, but I lift a perfectly practiced business smile to my lips.

MC: Director Liu, why wasn’t I informed of the change in venue?

Director Liu: Don’t worry, Miss Producer. There’s still plenty of time before the reception starts. Enough to play a couple rounds first—right, Boss?

Boss.

The moment that word is spoken, everything becomes clear.

Kiro stretches his long legs out, the tip of his shoe tapping lightly against the floor. A faint smile curves his lips, devoid of all warmth.

Kiro: Indeed. Cards are more interesting when there are more people playing the game. What do you say, Queen?

As he speaks, he pushes the chips in his hand towards me.

MC: ……

I hold his gaze steadily. Amid the shifting light and shadow, he quickly winks at me.

A fleeting trace of reassurance flickers in those sapphire eyes, and I instantly feel at ease. I deliberately pout at him.

MC: You think I'll just join in because you ask me to? You guys aren't planning to gang up and pick on a newbie like me, are you?

Kiro: Since when have I ever picked on you? Hypnos, step away from the table. Let me teach Queen the rules of the game.

At that, Director Liu chuckles and gives up his seat.

Hypnos. I silently commit the codename to memory.

After I take my seat, the dealer steps forward. The freshly shuffled cards fan smoothly between his fingers before being slid in front of Kiro and me.

Kiro: Add up your hand. The hand with the higher sum wins. Anything over twenty-one busts.

T/n: The game they're playing here is Blackjack, or at least, some simpler variation of it :>

He quickly demonstrates a round for me, and I nod, deliberately drawing out my tone.

MC: I’ll try one round first. If I lose, I’m out.

He smiles and agrees. The game begins smoothly and I glance down at my cards.

MC: Eight… Hmm, that’s not too bad.

Kiro: Don’t be nervous. This game is simpler than the one we played last week.

MC: You mean that strategy board game?

Kiro: Yeah. For that boss fight, we grinded for ages and still couldn’t clear it. We even said we’d try again together during Spring Festival.

…Wait. Didn’t he clear that boss in a single run?

The image of that boss flashes through my mind, and my hand pauses midair.

The attire... does look a bit like Director Liu’s....

Is he hinting that I should pay attention to him? Understanding what Kiro's getting at, I smile.

MC: Sure. It’s been a few days since we teamed up in a game anyway.

A fleeting smile passes across his lips as he taps the table lightly.

Kiro: Let’s not talk about that game for now. It’s your turn to draw.

I casually draw another card. Kiro seems to be considering the cards in his hand as he speaks in an offhand tone.

Kiro: So, did you catch them?

MC: …What?

Kiro: Oh, not you. I was asking Hypnos. We were talking about work before you got here.

I glance to the side. At once, Hypnos lowers his head respectfully.

Hypnos: We’ve contained a few of them, but the one who took the files got away.

Hypnos: With all the New Year travel traffic, it’ll take more time to track him down.

As he speaks, the second round of cards is dealt. I glance at mine—a heart.

Kiro looks at his own hand and raises an eyebrow.

Kiro: Get the others to talk. Find out who’s behind it. And as for the data... if we can’t retrieve it, then so be it.

Kiro: I've embedded a termination key into it. If anyone outside authorized access tries to run it, it will self-destruct immediately.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Hypnos’ hand stiffening slightly.

Hypnos: That wouldn’t be ideal. It is a unique copy, after all.

Hypnos: The core research on Evol transfer technology is just one step away from advancing to the next stage. If it’s destroyed, all our previous efforts will be wasted.

Hypnos: Boss, perhaps you should reconsider—

Kiro: [turning to MC] Do you want to reconsider?

Cutting him off, he turns towards me with a faint smile, ignoring Hypnos’ visible anxiety.

MC: Hmm…

I press my lips together, then let my gaze shift thoughtfully.

MC: As a beginner, would you suggest I reconsider?

Kiro: As a beginner, it’s best not to overthink it. Just go with your instincts.

MC: Then I won’t.

The cards are revealed and I end up winning against Kiro by a single point. The corner of his lips curl up slightly as he pushes all the chips he wagered over to me.

MC: [grinning widely] Thanks, Boss.

I wink at him playfully, a happy little tail wagging inside my heart.

Hypnos: The Queen is lucky. No one else has been able to beat the Boss tonight.

As he speaks, he lifts his glass, about to clink it against mine—only to notice that there’s no drink by my side. He smacks his forehead.

Hypnos: Look at me, so focused on the cards that I forgot—waiter, a martini for the lady.

Waiter: Yes, right away.

Before long, the martini is brought over. I carefully set it aside and casually draw another card.

MC: [grinning] Reveal, and I have exactly twenty-one points.

Kiro: You say you don’t really play, but when you win, you show no mercy, do you?

MC: [smiling cheekily] Just beginner’s luck, is all.

He smiles, his gaze drifting briefly towards Hypnos.

Hypnos glances at his phone again, as if waiting for a message. Seeing that we’ve finished the round, he smiles.

Hypnos: It’s about time, Ms. MC, the press reception is about to begin. Shall we head out?

Before I can respond, Kiro carelessly tosses the cards in his hand aside.

Kiro: What’s the rush? We’re not done talking yet.

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

[CHAPTER 2]

For some reason, after Kiro says that, the atmosphere of the room turns a little colder.

Hypnos: …Then you’ll have to excuse me, Boss. The reception is about to begin.

Kiro lets out a soft laugh, but there is nothing warm in his voice.

Kiro: Are you really planning to attend the reception with the Queen... or abduct her and make a run for it?

The azure blue of his eyes flashes with gold. Hypnos’ expression darkens instantly, and a faint surge of energy fluctuations ripple through the air around us.

I immediately sidestep and quickly dart to Kiro's side. Almost at the same time, the surrounding BS members rush forward.

Hypnos: …***!

Hypnos curses under his breath. In the next instant, the air seems to warp and he vanishes—right from under our noses!

Kiro: MC, are you alright?

Kiro's voice sounds somewhat anxious beside my ear. I take hold of his hand and shake my head.

MC: I’m fine. Good thing you reacted quickly… Director Liu—was he planning to take me hostage?

Kiro nods, his voice deep and resonant.

Kiro: I'm guessing that's why he called you here. The stolen data we mentioned earlier? He was the one who took it.

My eyes widen in shock. Relief mixes with a lingering chill of fear.

MC: Good thing you tipped me off… The drink he ordered for me might have been tampered with too. I’m glad I didn’t touch it.

While we’re still talking, a young man approaches to report. Kiro lifts his chin slightly.

BS Member: Boss, he’s probably already gone far. No sign of him nearby.

Kiro: Let him run. And his subordinate too. Create an opportunity for him to escape with the data—make it look natural.

BS Member: You want to give him the data as well?

Kiro: Mhm. With the data in hand, he’ll likely meet his buyer within the next few days. Send more personnel to keep an eye on things in the city.

BS Member: Understood.

After giving these instructions, Kiro exhales softly, then turns to me with a smile.

Kiro: Let’s go. We'll get you something to eat first to calm your nerves. Just in case, let's skip the press reception for now, you can stay at my place tonight.

—

We walk out the room hand in hand. Even though Kiro looks relaxed, I still catch a trace of fatigue in the deep blue of his eyes.

My chest tightens a little and I gently poke his cheek.

MC: Feeling tired?

Kiro: A little… [lets out a long, exhausted sigh] Hope things wrap up soon so we can go home and get some proper rest. Then, we can go on a big grocery run for New Year’s Eve dinner, and celebrate the New Year together~

He narrows his eyes slightly, a hint of longing in his voice.

MC: Then how much longer do you have to stay here?

Kiro: Hard to say right now… If things move quickly, I can hopefully make it back in time for New Year’s Eve in a couple of days.

As he says this, he purses his lips slightly, a flicker of anxiety crossing his expression. I don't even think before I blurt out—

MC: Then I’ll stay and keep you company. Anyways, even if I go back now, I won't be able to do anything at home except miss you.

A flash of surprise lights up his face, but it quickly gives way to hesitation. Guessing exactly why he’s hesitating, I rush to reassure him.

MC: When you’re busy handling things, I’ll go explore on my own.

MC: And when you’re free, we’ll still get to see each other~

His eyes curve into a soft, beautiful smile.

Kiro: That’s true. Compared to staring at each other through a screen… I’d much rather be with you in person.

—

I originally thought that staying here would mean accompanying him through various matters. But early this morning, Kiro unexpectedly disguises himself and takes me out shopping instead.

Turning my head, I glance at him again. His soft hair glows with a warm golden hue in the sunlight.

MC: I thought you’d be busy handling things today too… Don't you need to worry about the guy who escaped yesterday?

MC: If you need to work, just tell me.

Kiro: It’s already being “handled.” I have to look like I’ve lowered my guard—that’s the only way they’ll expose themselves.

I nod in understanding.

MC: So we’re pretending to be on a date right now, then?

Kiro: Not pretending. Today, all you need to think about is me and how to enjoy yourself. You don’t have to worry about anything else.

Hearing that, I can’t stop the smile tugging at my lips and I tighten my hold around his arm.

With New Year’s Eve only two days away, bright red “Fu” (good fortune) characters hang everywhere along the bustling streets.

The scent of hot oil and rice cakes drifts through the air, the whole city steeped in that lively, festive atmosphere unique to the days before the New Year.

My eyes wander over the vibrant displays until I suddenly notice a shop window lined with bottles of liquor.

MC: I read that M City has two really famous distilleries. That means the liquor here should count as a local specialty, right?

Kiro: Yeah. There are quite a few varieties here you can’t find elsewhere. Let's go check it out.

—

The door chimes softly as we step into the liquor store, and a faint botanical scent lingers in the air.

Glancing at the dazzling array of bottles lined on the shelves, I am momentarily overwhelmed by the selection.

Clerk: Welcome. The shelves here feature specialties from our local distilleries. Would you like an introduction?

As I listen to the clerk's explanation, I curiously examine the unfamiliar varieties.

Kiro: Do you sell Moscato sparkling wine here?

Clerk: That one is a seasonal limited release. The distillery hasn’t been producing it recently. My apologies.

Seeing the flicker of disappointment on Kiro's face, I turn to him with interest.

MC: What kind of wine is that?

Kiro: It’s a sparkling wine with a relatively light and refreshing taste. The last time I came here, I happened to try it. I thought you’d probably like it too.

Kiro: I was planning to buy some for us to take back… but if production has stopped, there’s nothing we can do about it.

MC: But since it’s seasonal, that means it'll be restocked later, right?

Clerk: Of course. You can keep track of our store for our new arrivals.

MC: Then we’ll pick something else for today. When it’s back in stock, we’ll buy some and enjoy it together at home~

—

Before long, all the bottles I’ve chosen fill nearly half the counter top.

Kiro stares at them, momentarily speechless.

Kiro: A few days apart and Miss Chips has turned into a little drunkard…

MC: That’s not it! These count as local specialties. Since we’re already here, I might as well pick up some New Year’s gifts for everyone back home.

MC: For Savin, for the neighboring uncle who always helps take care of Apple Box and Cello, as well as some colleagues at the company…

After calculating and making sure that it all adds up, I wave my hand decisively.

MC: [with a big smile] Please wrap them all up for me.

Clerk: Certainly. If you’d like, we also offer mailing and delivery services.

—

After arranging the delivery, I leave the store feeling completely satisfied.

Hand in hand, we wander slowly through the bustling streets, and wrapped in the warmth of the New Year’s atmosphere, a quiet calm settles in my heart.

We've both been so busy lately that it feels like it's been ages since we last properly went out shopping like this. As soon as the break started, Kiro was even forced to go on this so called "business trip".

Glancing back at him, I see Kiro's eyes squinting a bit, a relaxed smile curving at his lips. The sight of it makes my chest warm.

I gently poke the corner of his mouth.

MC: You’ve finally stopped looking so tense.

Kiro: Have I really looked that tense these past few days?

MC: You have. Especially when I saw you yesterday.

Although he tries hard to smile in a way that doesn't make me worry, that subtle, unmistakable agitation still manages to seep through.

Since we’re usually so busy, every holiday the two of us get to spend together as a couple is precious. So I know, better than anyone, how frustrating it feels when that time is disrupted by troublesome affairs.

MC: I'm glad I didn’t leave you alone here~

What answers me is the sudden closeness of his breath—

The kiss is especially heated in the winter air, its burning warmth travelling all the way from my cheeks to the tips of my ears.

A moment later, he slowly pulls away, smiling as he nuzzles his nose gently against mine.

Kiro: And I'm glad you’re by my side now.

We walk slowly beneath the sunlight, and the faint tension from yesterday seems to dissolve into the warmth of the day.

I tell him about the books I’ve been reading at home these past few days, and about Apple Box’s fun little antics.

He smiles as he listens to me talk, as if nothing in the world could get to us—as if time would simply stretch on like this forever.

Until his phone interrupts me mid-sentence.

He glances at the screen, and the softness in his eyes fades.

I can more or less guess it’s about BS again. I give his fingers a gentle squeeze.

MC: Go ahead and take it. I’ll sit over there for a bit.

He nods and steps aside to answer the call.

Like a rhythm abruptly cut short.

The moment he answers the call, every trace of his smile disappears and he’s back to the cold, detached expression he wore at the casino yesterday.

I used to wonder sometimes—if this was what Kiro was like when I wasn't around him.

Yet he never fails to return to me with all that warmth and happiness of his, leaving the darker, more complicated matters in places I cannot see.

…If only there was something I could do for him, too.

A dull ache rises in my chest. Before I fully realize what I'm doing, I’ve already taken out my phone and dialed a number.

MC: Hello? Sister Wen… I'd like to wish you a Happy New Year in advance.

MC: Let’s definitely get together after the holidays… Oh, by the way—didn’t you mention you’d be having dinner with Director Liu sometime these next few days?

MC: There’s something I’d like you to help me keep an eye on.

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

[CHAPTER 3]

We wander through a few more interesting little shops before finally returning to the hotel as night falls.

After dinner, we sit together in the hotel’s rooftop bar. There's a wine cabinet that's built into the wall of our private room, with rows of glass shelves neatly displaying bottles of all kinds.

Clear, amber, and deep brown liquors stand quietly under the lights, their bottles sleek, their labels understated—yet their value is obvious at a glance.

Warm dim lighting envelopes the room. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city stretches into the distance, its glittering skyline merging with the moonlight.

MC: As expected of M City… even the bars here have such a wide selection of drinks.

Kiro: The owner here is a real wine enthusiast, so the collection is extensive. Remember the wine I mentioned earlier? This is where I first tried it.

MC: Do you come here often? Is the owner a friend of yours?

Kiro: He has to call me Boss before he dares becoming my friend.

Glass bottles are lined up neatly across the table. Under the lights, the different hues of liquor catch and refract into delicate glimmers.

MC: So are all of these M City’s “specialties”?

Kiro: Some are. Others are imported. Want to pick one and try it?

I study them for a while, noticing how each bottle has its own distinct color.

MC: The drink you mentioned earlier—do they have it here?

He picks out a bottle from among them and pours the liquid into the glass in front of me.

The wine is pink, with tiny bubbles rising through it, carrying with it a faintly sweet aroma. I take a sip, no longer able to control myself.

Instantly, the sweetness of berries spreads across my tongue, mingling with the bubbly fizz. My eyes widen in surprise.

MC: It’s really good.

Seeing me nod, he leans in and takes a sip as well.

Kiro: The first time I tried it, I thought it felt a lot like you.

MC: Hmm? And what does the “feel of me” taste like?

He gently swirls the glass, the fractured light refracting through it gliding across his fingertips.

Kiro: Sweet at first, like bubbles dancing on your tongue. Then, once you swallow it, there’s this tiny hint of sourness to it… like this.

As he says that, he leans in and gently kisses the corner of my lips.

The sweet-and-sour taste of berries mixes with the faint trace of alcohol on his breath—a concoction more intoxicating than the wine itself.

Kiro: Back when I used to come here alone to handle work matters, I’d often think about you, and then I’d order a glass of this.

Feeling like I've uncovered another little secret of his, I feel both my lips and my heart grow warm with sweetness.

MC: Then… what about the other times? What do you usually drink?

He passes me the glass in his hand.

The dark amber liquid sways gently inside. I take a small sip.

The spirit's full-bodied intensity, accompanied by a crisp, dry coolness, pours down my throat, leaving a lingering and unforgettable aftertaste.

MC: Is this… gin?

He nods. I take another sip, savoring it carefully—

It feels like swallowing a mouthful of cold winter air.

It perfectly mirrors the inescapable chill he exudes whenever he's operating within Black Swan.

Though there’s a certain distance between us, it enthralls me, and I'm unable to resist the temptation to get closer to him.

Kiro: At BS gatherings—or when someone meets me alone for a drink—this is what I usually order.

It’s the first time I’ve heard him reveal such a thing, and it instantly piques my curiosity.

MC: Do the members of BS often drink together?

Kiro: Occasionally. But most of the time, when someone asks to drink with me one-on-one, it’s usually because they want something. The last time Hephaestus said he wanted to treat me to a drink—

Kiro: He ended up spending half the night complaining about a few project heads being too aggressive with spending and asked me to rein them in.

MC: Pfft—so did you?

Kiro: I did. Those people were using project funding as a pretext to line their own pockets.

Kiro: [smiling roguishly] Once they’d made their profits, I made them bleed out every last cent—including the principal. And then, I removed them.

MC: Haha, exactly what those bad guys deserve~

Grinning, I lightly clink my glass against his.

MC: Then let’s take down this villain soon as well—and then have ourselves a wonderful New Year.

Kiro: For me, having you here already completes fifty percent of my “wonderful New Year”.

MC: Then what I want is more than that.

He looks at me, slightly puzzled. I smile and wave my phone in front of him.

MC: Hypnos is involved in the film and television industry, y'know. And lately, M City just so happens to have a lot of film-related events going on.

MC: So what do you think? Don’t ever underestimate this producer’s network of connections.

Kiro: Of course not! I just wasn't expecting this big producer to secretly prepare such a surprise.

His eyes curve gently, like a pool holding countless stars, shimmering faintly within.

I smile and poke his cheek.

MC: This isn’t a surprise. I stayed because I want to be with you.

MC: Just like when I secretly work overtime by myself, you always show up with tons of good food and stick close to “recharge” me.

Kiro: Pfft—but isn’t this situation a little different?

MC: Not really. This time, Hypnos is basically just stabbing the company in the back for kickbacks—classic disloyalty.

MC: I’ve dealt with way tougher partners than this before.

He clearly doesn’t expect the comparison and bursts out laughing.

Kiro: When you put it that way, it really does sound quite similar~

MC: See?

MC: I know that sometimes you worry about danger. But at least when it’s not dangerous, let me shoulder more of the burden with you.

A faint smile plays on his lips. He gently swirls the drink in his glass, his steady gaze resting on me.

Kiro: I just think you’re already so busy as is.

Kiro: When you finally get a chance to rest, I’d rather you relax and look at the garden—instead of clearing the weeds with me.

MC: Are you saying that all the trouble that BS causes you are like weeds?

Kiro: Yeah. Most of the time they aren’t dangerous, but they can pop up all over the place and spread everywhere.

I understand what he means.

Like missing a train by just a couple of seconds, or saying something unintentionally painful, or encountering setbacks at work…

Weeds don’t destroy you overnight—they just wear you down, day after day. And if you don’t pull them out quickly, they’ll grow into something far worse.

MC: These weeds are so annoying.

Kiro: They are. Very much so. If you don’t clear them out, they’ll drain the flowers of their nutrients and take over other people’s space to survive.

Kiro has always walked alone through the night before. Like a star, or a tiny lamp. But the night is also vast and endless, and against it, just a single lamp is bound to be entirely too little.

Even so, he has never once stopped moving forward.

I look into the depths of his eyes.

MC: There will always be weeds in a garden, and weeds need clearing—but a garden deserves to be admired just as much.

MC: Still, no matter which one you choose, doing it by yourself will make you feel a little lonely. So, I want to be with you.

Kiro presses his lips together lightly, a faint smile flickering across his face.

Kiro: Even if it means keeping your head down and missing a lot of beautiful scenery?

MC: To me, there's no scenery that's more beautiful than you are.

MC: I don’t want you wearing that expression you had when you answered that phone call earlier today—not when I’m with you.

MC: Troubles, like weeds, grow everywhere. If I’m not with you, they’ll take up all the space in your heart.

MC: That's why I need to stay by your side—to occupy your heart so completely, that they can’t even try to get in.

His gaze trembles and he blinks slowly, as if the effects of the alcohol are starting to settle in, or as if he’s making up his mind about something.

The moment seems to stretch on for a very long time.

Kiro: Go on then—take as much of my heart as you want.

His voice, soaked in alcohol, carries a soft, seductive huskiness to it.

At last, he reaches out his hand—inviting me to cross that ambiguous, unspoken line between us and come to his side.

So I take a step forward, closing the distance between us, to the point where even our breaths almost blend into one.

MC: Your wish is my command.

The warm amber light filters through his lenses, and melts into a suggestive glow in his eyes, as if he's been waiting for me to say those words all along.

Then, taking my hand, he presses a gentle kiss to my wrist.

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

Cont: Part 2 (Coming Soon)

#mlqc #mlqc cn #mlqc spoilers #mlqc kiro #i know im really late with this but better late than never amiright? asdfghjkl #but also can i say that the writing for the UR cards is just on another level entirely?#i wish we had this level of writing for all the cards but oh well #i honestly love how much more open mc's been getting with her possessiveness over him #cuz you know that kiro absolutely loves this side of her as well 😏

cheesy09