[themoonofentelecheia]

I met you at a time when i was teetering on the edge, quite literally, and you loomed very large in my mind.

My eyes would linger on you, while yours would've glided over me.

I didn't want to admit that I had feelings for you back then...and that, to this day, I was being tugged around by an undertow of those same feelings.

Because you're necessarily bound up in that darkest period of my life.

There's no facing my feelings for you without peering into that abyss, also.

To you, I was just a classmate out of hundreds... Who briefly walked the same corridors and dispersed upon graduation. But to me, you are...singular. An indelible mark seared into my psyche. Cruel, wouldn't you say?

── Sunsun (선선), Guiding Hazard (가이딩 해저드)

[themoonofentelecheia]

If you are willing to accept me beyond that, the story can change drastically. If I could get that worthwhile answer, no matter how long I have to wait, it wouldn't be in vain.

── Kuyu (쿠유), Turning (터닝)

[themoonofentelecheia]

“A relationship where one person takes responsibility for the other isn’t equal, is it?”

“…”

“I want an equal relationship, J.”

── Baek Sam (백삼), The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low (헌터는 조용히 살고 싶다)

[themoonofentelecheia]

It was only then that Cha Eui-jae realized his face was a mess. Even biting the inside of his lip couldn’t suppress the rising emotions.

Do miracles come only to those who do not seek them? After giving up all desires and surrendering everything, he finally saw what was left in his hand. In the emptiness…

His only had come to him.

Like a miracle.

── Baek Sam (백삼), The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low (헌터는 조용히 살고 싶다)

[themoonofentelecheia]

The warmth on his cheeks felt comforting, and Cha Eui-jae buried his face in those large hands. It was an instinctive action. Lee Sa-young let out a small sigh.

“I didn’t expect this reaction.”

“…”

“Why do you look like you’re about to cry…”

── Baek Sam (백삼), The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low (헌터는 조용히 살고 싶다)

[themoonofentelecheia]

Lee Sa-young twisted his lips.

“I’m your only success, aren’t I?”

Only success.

“You…”

Thump, his heart pounded. Cha Eui-jae shivered as if struck by lightning.

── Baek Sam (백삼), The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low (헌터는 조용히 살고 싶다)

[themoonofentelecheia]

Miracles like this don’t happen to Cha Eui-jae. He knew that. He had given up expecting miracles long ago. Yet, even though he kept telling himself it wasn’t possible, he barely managed to utter a single word. His voice cracked.

“…Is it you?”

A step closer came the black boots. Only a very narrow space remained between them. Lee Sa-young extended his hand. Cha Eui-jae, as if entranced, took that hand, just like he always did eight years ago.

The black hand gently pulled his hand to Lee Sa-young’s cheek. The warmth radiating from his cheek was soft. It was starkly different from the rough texture of bandages.

Lee Sa-young slowly rubbed his cheek against the palm. The gloved hand covered the hand resting on his cheek. A low voice whispered.

“Yes, Hyung.”

── Baek Sam (백삼), The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low (헌터는 조용히 살고 싶다)

[themoonofentelecheia]

But still, he allowed himself this small selfishness. Carefully, he revealed his heart.

“Will you wait for me?”

There was no answer. The boy withdrew his hand from J’s cheek. Of course. It was understandable. Just as J was about to close his eyes.

“…”

The boy held out his pinky finger.

── Baek Sam (백삼), The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low (헌터는 조용히 살고 싶다)

[themoonofentelecheia]

Lee Sa-young was Cha Eui-jae’s only.

── Baek Sam (백삼), The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low (헌터는 조용히 살고 싶다)

[themoonofentelecheia]

“Without him, there is no future that I desire.”

── Kuyu (쿠유), Turning (터닝)

[themoonofentelecheia]

“What if I said I’ve been waiting for you?”

── Baek Sam (백삼), The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low (헌터는 살고 싶다)

[themoonofentelecheia]

Knowing there was someone waiting for him was a joy he understood better than anyone, and he couldn’t ignore it.

How long has it been? The boy fell asleep while listening to J’s random stories. His irregular breathing became even, and his grip loosened. Watching his chest rise and fall weakly, J stood up. Without letting go of the boy’s hand, he bent down and gently cupped his cheek with his other hand. Brushing against the bandages, he whispered softly.

“Do you know?”

“…”

“You’re my only success.”

J withdrew his hand from the boy’s cheek. A serene atmosphere surrounded them. The small sound of breathing and heartbeat. It would be nice to continue being together like this. Like a family.

He had thought that way once.

── Baek Sam (백삼), The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low (헌터는 조용히 살고 싶다)

[themoonofentelecheia]

“Cha Eui-jae!”

Instantly, those blue eyes found him. Just like that time.

‘Ah.’

His heart pounded. And he suddenly realized that he had been waiting more than anything… for the day he would see those eyes again.

“Catch!”

Lee Sa-young raised the Great God Spear high to make it visible, turned towards the golem, and took a stance.

Sometimes, it became the shackle that held him back.

He planted his feet firmly apart. He pulled his right arm holding the spear back and, after a moment’s breath, exhaled and—

Sometimes, it became the wind that stirred the waves.

He threw the spear.

── Baek Sam (백삼), The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low (헌터는 조용히 살고 싶다)

[themoonofentelecheia]

Lee Sa-young.

As he met the violet eyes looking straight at him,

How joyful it is to have someone waiting for you…

Cha Eui-jae smiled.

── Baek Sam (백삼), The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low (헌터는 조용히 살고 싶다)

[themoonofentelecheia]

What’s inside is his, something he could obtain immediately just by reaching out his hand. Why can’t he go in? Why did he lock the latch? Why?

── Kuyu (쿠유), Turning (터닝)

[themoonofentelecheia]

As he inhaled the scent flowing through the door handle with a low pant, his head sank with a swoosh and his vision swayed dizzily.

‘I want to tear that door apart right now… go in and kiss him.’

── Kuyu (쿠유), Turning (터닝)

[themoonofentelecheia]

That man who came to visit him every night, smiling shamelessly yet somehow immersed in a sensitive and cold shadow.

He didn’t know then, but now he could understand. That coldness was not directed at others, but at himself.

── Kuyu (쿠유), Turning (터닝)