Chapter 160 - Sunny Daze (6): Impending Threat

Hyun Jung was glancing up at the clock every now and then. Time was ticking very slowly. The anticipation of what was going to happen in a few hours was making him feel agitated. 

"Are you alright, Sunbae?" Eli asked. 

"I'm fine," he said quickly. He was back at the precinct but his mind was preoccupied with something else. 

"Officer Choi invited us to his house tonight," Eli informed him. "It's his daughter's birthday." 

"Oh," Hyun Jung said. "I can't make it. I have to go somewhere." 

"Where?" Eli asked, keeping her tone casual. 

"I have a date," Hyun Jung lied. 

"Really?" Eli asked, feigning astonishment. "Is it with someone I know?" 

"Nah, probably not. She's not in the police." 

"What does she do?" 

Hyun Jung pondered his answer. "She's a rookie model." 

"Oho!" Eli teased. "Sunbae, you're sly. Did you meet her on that movie set you've been visiting?" 

"Yeah…" 

He pretended to be sheepish. If there was anything he had learnt all these years with KJ was to master his lies. However, he had no idea what was going on in Eli's head. 

"Go ahead Sunbae," she said. I'll follow you anyway, she added in her mind. 

…. 

Ash was in his makeup van. He was done with the last shoot for the day and kept the rest of his schedule free. 

Everything will change tonight, he thought. 

He leaned back against the chair, staring at the wall above him. Flashes of the past few years were playing in his head. The times he had spent with EXOTIC, their first meeting, their first concert everything was replaying in his head. 

And Mirae… 

His first encounter with Mirae. He smiled at the thought of her. Her scent, her voice, her words. He did not realize how much all those meant to him. 

Picking up his phone, he dialed her number. 

"Ash!" she said as soon as she picked up. "We're not supposed to call each other for a while!" 

"I know… I just wanted to hear your voice…" he said. 

Mirae sighed. "You're nervous about tonight?" she asked. 

"Not really," he admitted. "Just thinking of how things will change if everything goes according to plans." 

"Don't worry," she assured him. "We'll all make it through this. I just know it." 

"We will," he repeated softly. 

"And tomorrow you'll finally move in!" she said cheerfully. "Are you all packed?" 

"Yeah," he smiled. "I've packed everything. The movers will arrive tomorrow morning." 

"Great!" she exclaimed. "I've bought a new closet for you and-" 

"I love you," he said softly. 

"Huh? Did you say something?" 

"Nope," Ash smiled. "You were saying about a closet?" 

"Oh yeah! I bought a closet and-" 

He let her babble on about small things. Hearing her cheerful voice put his mind off the impending darkness which would probably consume them in a few hours. 

…. 

KJ was sweating. His breath was short as he tried to do a somersault. Taking in a deep breath, he once again jumped forward to stand on his hands. In a split second, he twirled backwards and landed on his feet. 

"Yes!" he exclaimed punching the air in excitement. 

He repeated the somersault numerous times. It was wobbly at first but he managed to complete his signature move with grace. 

Jade was at the studio too. The cat mewed lazily as he observed KJ trying to perfect his dancing skills. Finally, after many hours, KJ slumped on the floor beside Jade. 

"That was tough!" he complained. He glanced at the cat, hoping it would give out some snarky reply but it was still quiet. 

"I miss you, buddy," KJ said, stroking Jade's ginger fur. "I wish you'd come back soon."

"Who'd come back soon?" 

He turned around to see Mirae entering the studio. She was not wearing her mask. Instead, she had a hoodie over her head and was wearing loose, baggy clothes with sweatpants. 

"Jinhyun," KJ lied. "He's been at his solo shooting for far too many days." 

"Ahh," Mirae said. She took off her shoes and took a seat beside him. 

"Hi Jade," she squealed, picking him up on her lap. "Look at my cutie pie." 

She began to coo at the cat. KJ found it somewhat comforting to see how Mirae bonded with Jade. After all, the cat carried the spirit of their son from another timeline. Even though she was clueless about it, KJ still felt the burden of guilt. 

"How long has this cat been with you?" she asked. 

"About ten years." 

"Wow, that long huh?" 

Jade was purring in her arms. Clearly he enjoyed her company. 

"He doesn't usually go to just anyone," KJ said. "It took him months to get used to Ash, Dasom and Jinhyun when we were living together as trainees. But he got close to you really quickly." 

"I'm amazed at your bonding as well," Mirae commented. "When you went into a come, he too fell unconscious! I've heard of owners and their pets having an unique bond but this was the first time when I actually saw it. It was so strange." 

KJ had no answer to that. It was hard to explain his bond with Jade. Who would believe him anyway? 

"How are things going on with Ash?" he asked, trying to maintain a casual tone.

"Things are going great!" she beamed. "Even though we have hectic routines, we somehow manage to spend a lot of time together." 

KJ kept a smile plastered on his face. 

"That's great," he said, his voice cracking a little. "I'm happy for you two." 

"Thanks," Mirae smiled sincerely. "Once all this is over, we'll want to move in together. You'll have both of us as neighbors!" 

KJ looked away. A cold feeling crept in his heart. It ached at hearing those words but he kept a happy face. 

"You must love him a lot," KJ said, his eyes lowered to the ground. 

"Yeah," Mirae replied. "It's a really strange feeling." 

"It is," KJ said. "You're lucky that you accepted it on time. Some people don't realize that they're in love till time slips away…" 

Mirae stared at him, observing his lowered gaze. 

"You speak as if you have lost someone you were in love with," she stated. 

"You could say that." 

Mirae was silent for a while. "What happened to her?" she finally asked. 

"She died," KJ stated. It was not a lie. 

"I'm sorry," she apologized in a small tone. 

"Don't me," KJ said. "I didn't treat her well. Took her for granted and never opened up to her. By the time I realized I loved her… She was gone." 

A deep sadness hid behind those words. It was the first time Mirae saw KJ's vulnerable side. She lightly touched his cheek. 

"She's not gone," she consoled him. "As long as you cherish the memories she left behind, she's not gone. Don't dwell on regrets, Jiwon. Think about what she'd have wanted you to do. She'd have hated to see you isolate yourself like this. Don't be so hard on yourself." 

KJ did not say anything but merely nodded. If she ever found out about their fates in the original timeline, it would destroy her. 

"I'll be fine," he assured her. "You should concentrate on tonight's work. We're gonna commence an important mission in a few hours." 

"Yeah," Mirae nodded. "I'll be off to make some last minute preps. See you." 

She waved him goodbye and headed for the door. She was almost at the exit when she stopped and turned back. 

"Oh and KJ," she said.

"Yeah?"

"Smile more," Mirae winked. "You look better when you're happy." 

KJ smiled and waved at her. "Bye, Mirae," he laughed.

She smiled and walked away. 

He watched her retreat. I will protect your smile, he vowed.