Gao thinks'she sure has one bueautifull body, red hairs , glasses ,a small waist . It is perfect .'
Cheol stepped forward, his tone clipped.Cheol: "I think we… should sit."
Alesha, suddenly realizing how forward she'd been, tapped her forehead with a bright smile.Alesha (cheerfully): "Ooh—right, right! I got too excited—waaay too excited—about this cute little fella! Inglen, come, come, follow me—to ahhm, yes, that room there! The storeroom, that's where I put my things!"
Cheol (frowning, stiff): "Ahh, wait… I'm also—"
Alesha (cutting him off, wagging her finger): "Nope! Nope, nope, big guys—mm-mm—not invited! You stay put, mister!"
Cheol stiffened more, jaw tight.
Meanwhile, Gao's eyes lingered on Alesha, sharp and unblinking. Rumi noticed immediately. She leaned in closer, lowering her voice just enough for him.Rumi (softly): "Gao, control yourself… she, she is one of the Deverox, you got no chance."
Gao straightened, pride flashing.Gao (firmly): "I am Zhi, Miss Shik."
Rumi rolled her eyes.Rumi: "Tch, you better stop your dream… unless your family wanna get involve."
Gao bowed slightly, calm but cold.Gao: "I see. Excuse me, Miss Shik. I shall take my leave."
Rumi (confused, snapping): "Wait, where you going, in middle of that childs treatment?
Gao starts moving forward anyways . Rumi: "Don't you dare cut your elders, Gao!"
Gao stopped at the doorway, glanced back.Gao: "You are not an elder, lady. You're a young girl, far from maturity."
Rumi (snapping back): "Heh, talk about yourself"
But Gao ignored her, stepping out and leaving without another word.
Inside, Cheol stood tall at the storeroom entrance, stiff like a guard. Behind the door, Alesha's cheerful voice and Inglen's quiet answers carried faintly through.
Gao outside the shop leaning on a wall of the near building looking up at the sky.
Gao: "Curse it old man, curse it all you want, I thought I finnaly found the one, but she one of you. ..... I guess thanks to Rumi it ended before it got worse."
Inside the storeroom, Alesha makes Inglen sit on a chair. She attaches a few metal objects all around his head, then connects the wires from them to a dull black sphere resting on the table.
Alesha (cheerful, almost sing-song): "Don't be afraid, Dont be afraid.."
Inglen: "I ...am ..not"
Alesha: "Ohhh, i was talking to myself" Ingleen sweats a little thinking about his life Choices up until now .
Alesha (grinning wider): "Okaay, kid. Now close your eyes and calm down."
Inglen (slowly, with tension in his jaw): "I… am… not… a kid."
Inglen's jaw muscles twitch, but he shuts his eyes anyway. A faint glow begins to stir within the dark orb, at first weak, then swirling slowly inside. Alesha observes it carefully, watching the movement until it suddenly halts.
She slips on her gloves, then presses her palm gently over Inglen's hair, channeling her Ki straight into his mind.
Inside Inglen's mind: he feels something—bright, blindingly bright—but it's afraid, running from him, trying to escape toward some unseen place. His thoughts begin to shake, and the faint light inside the orb starts wriggling violently in response.
Alesha (firm but calm): "Inglen, steady… keep it calm. Don't chase it, just breathe."
Inglen struggles but follows her words, his breathing evening out. Slowly, the wriggling glow inside the orb settles into a faint, steady pulse.
Outside: Cheol is standing stiff, tall and silent in front of the storeroom door like a guard protecting his master. His eyes never leave the door.
Rumi leans back against a counter, arms crossed, smirking at him.
Rumi (mocking): "Royal guard, I think you should sit down… or else you might end up dirtying your diapers."
Rumi (calm voice): "No, seriously calm down Cheol, it's nothing important."
Cheol: "I took the child's responsibility. If I even hear a painful yell, I'll burst open the door."
Rumi (giggling): "I hope you'll pay for the damages."
Cheol (serious): "I'll pay."
Rumi (mumbling, looking away): "Fool…"
Rumi disappears into the kitchen. Cheol raises an eyebrow, watching her go, then resumes his stiff guard-like stance. A few minutes of silence pass.
THUD!!!
A loud crash comes from the kitchen. Cheol's eyes widen—without hesitation, he rushes inside.
There, under a pile of fallen utensils, lies Rumi, helpless with pots and pans scattered across her body.
Cheol (covering his mouth): "Pfft… pfffffttt—"
Rumi (angrily): "Don't just stand there!"
Cheol can't help laughing harder at the mess she's made.
Rumi (groaning in pain): "Aahghnn! Move it, Cheol!"
Cheol (forcing back his laugh, mock serious): "Are you fine, whang? In there while I rescue you… priiincess."
Rumi's POV:I am going to kill him for this. Though… it wouldn't be bad to[with a bit blush]-Aggghh, my ankle, it hurts like hell. I need some ointment…
Cheol leans in closer, maybe a bit too close he starts moving the heavy utensils off her.
Cheol (in thought):This smell… plum cherries? Like heaven's aroma. These utensils though… heavy. Her body must really hurt, I need to lift them quickly.
Rumi (tilting her head, relaxing slightly in relief): "Finally… ahh… it hurts, it really hurts. I don't even want to get up. C'mon, it couldn't hurt this much."
Cheol (gently, offering his hand): "Here, let me hold you. Get up… priiiiincess."
Rumi (thinking, with a forced smile):This bastard…(Out loud, sweetly) "Yes, my knight…" just you wait. Let me get relieved first and I'll show you the might of this princess.
Rumi (gritting her teeth): "Get me on a chair first."(She clutches Cheol's hand tightly, her other hand resting on his shoulder.)"Ouch… this really hurts. I should… divert my mind…"(Her eyes trail up, landing on Cheol.)Well… Cheol sure has gotten quite tall. Last time I saw his wimpy self, I couldn't believe he would grow this much. His hand… it's quite majestic too. The sheer size… they're bigger than my head. And up close… he's even more majestic than from far away…(Her face flushes red.)Wait—what am I even thinking about?!
Cheol (in thought, swallowing nervously):This smell… it's even stronger now. Sweet… plum-cherries… Is it her? No way. No way I am… this—
For a moment, the two remain frozen, holding onto each other. Neither dares to meet the other's eyes, both of them burning red, both looking away in silence.
Cheol : I must gather myself… she's hurt. (clearing his throat, forcing composure): " Loosen your footing."
Rumi (confused, startled): "What?! If I loosen I'll—"
Before she can finish, Cheol suddenly lifts her up into his arms.
Rumi (blinking, stunned): "Wha—!!"
He carries her across the kitchen and gently lowers her onto the farthest chair.
Cheol (relieved, muttering to himself): "I've done it… this is over. Oh, right—her leg. I need something to fix it."(Louder) "Physician, ma'am—what should I do?"
Rumi (wincing, clutching her ankle): "Bring some… ouch… ointments from the storeroom.
Cheol : "on it!"
Rumi: Maam huh
(Her thoughts start blurring as she presses her temple.)
Cheol hurries out, his face still burning.
Cheol (panting, under his breath as he rushes): Huff… huff… Why does it feel like my ears are melting?!
He reaches the storeroom door, hand on the handle—then freezes, remembering who's inside.
Cheol (thinking, tense):Right… Inglen and Alesha are still in there.
(Knocks on the door firmly.)Cheol: "Hello? Anybody listening? Oi—open up!"
(He waits, frowning.)Cheol (taps his feet for a while):What are they doing in there? It's taking far too long…