# Chapter 78
After a short walk, the three decided to have dinner at the Sky Lounge restaurant. It was renowned for its beautiful lake view from the top of the building, and it was also the perfect place to watch the fireworks that Jaekyung had recommended. Hyegang said he had made reservations in advance.
“They say you can’t even get in without a reservation on fireworks days. It must be really popular.”
“Oh, how did you know that?”
“I don’t know. Someone suddenly appeared and told me all about it.”
There was suspicion that he had used someone who’d come to hit on him as a human information center, but since it worked out beneficially, Iyeon just nodded quietly.
The seat they were guided to was an outdoor table with a good view of the lake. Fortunately, the weather was pleasantly cool. By the time they had sat down and finished ordering, the sunset was gradually fading. Roughly calculating, it seemed the fireworks would start around the time they finished eating.
“Hyung, is it okay to order this much?”
“Of course.”
Because we’ll be using Je Sano’s card. Instead of saying the omitted words, he put on a reassuring face. Although he’d been restraining himself since Jongchan and Jonghee had nagged him about using the card too much, this time it would be fine since Sano was eating with them too.
The food was as delicious as it was expensive. Seeing Iyeon with his cheeks stuffed full, chewing away, Hyegang told him to eat slowly and pushed his own plate toward him. In his hand was a glass of whiskey, which he had ordered after emptying an entire bottle of wine in a short time. He seemed to be trying to avoid the mishap of filling his stomach with food, leaving no space for alcohol. Thanks to this, Iyeon was able to enjoy a happy and filling dinner.
The day quickly darkened. Soon the sun hid below the horizon, and a faint moon rose.
Though it was regrettable that the sky was cloudy today, hiding the stars, it was okay since they would see something even more spectacular. An employee came out to announce that the fireworks would begin shortly. Right at that moment, Iyeon, having just finished his meal, adjusted his posture to face the lake view.
This would be his first fireworks show. It wasn’t something one could see anytime, and he had never even thought about wanting to see such a thing before. Though he pretended otherwise, he was a bit excited.
Despite being misunderstood by certain people as a dissolute youth who enjoyed all kinds of entertainment, in reality, he had only been to places like amusement parks or clubs once or twice by chance. Thinking back, it seemed that opportunities for such experiences had become particularly frequent since he started living with Sano. The amusement park, department store, club, social party. And now a hotel with fireworks… Compared to his usually mundane lifestyle, he had been remarkably active.
‘But strangely, Je Sano has never initiated any of these outings.’
Iyeon discreetly turned his gaze to glance at Sano sitting beside him. It was an almost habitual action, one he wasn’t even sure when he had developed.
‘…Am I unknowingly excited?’
He’d thought he was acting calmly, but looking back, maybe not… His initial resolution when he had picked up Sano had faded away without him noticing.
Just the fact that his recent memories were full of that impassive face was proof enough. Preparing breakfast, going to work together, coming home together, catching mutants, shopping, requests, weekends, even when sleeping. No matter which day he recalled, Sano had been there.
The strongest superhuman, whom he had thought would never cross his path in life, had suddenly jumped into his life one day and naturally seeped into his daily routine.
Sano was staring at the lake with an expressionless gaze. The man who seemed to only ever wear one expression had surprisingly shown various faces. Of course, most of them were indifferent expressions, followed by angry, irritated, disdainful, or mocking looks, but still, occasionally, very occasionally, he had genuinely smiled.
In a corner of Iyeon’s mind, a face smiling with reddened cheeks unfolded like a film reel. An evening of conversation in the messy living room as they watched the sunset. Slightly raising the corners of his mouth, faintly creasing his eyes. When warmth mixed into those usually cool green eyes…
‘Oh.’
Suddenly, his heart tightened sharply, and Iyeon blinked. What was that? Just as he tried to grasp the tail of his thoughts to uncover the identity of the sensation he had just felt—
Bang! Bang! Bang-bang-bang!
The fireworks began.
Distracted by the loud explosive sounds, Iyeon turned his head toward the sky. The night sky, which had been pitch black just moments ago, was now filled with colorful fireworks. Large, brilliant lights momentarily colored not only the table but also the faces of Hyegang and Sano. Even the fading tails of the fireworks were as beautiful as shooting stars.
“Wow…”
Iyeon let out a sound of admiration. Through his ears, muffled by the sound of fireworks, a low voice was heard.
“Seems like this is your first time seeing fireworks.”
It was closer to an impressed exclamation than a question. Here he goes again. Iyeon grumbled sarcastically.
“Yes, it’s my first time. You must have seen a lot at events. You win this round.”
“It’s my first time too.”
Even though everything around was noisy, strangely, that voice alone was clear.
“Then it’s the first time for both of us.”
Sano said that with a smile. It was a very faint smile, but it imprinted itself clearly in Iyeon’s vision, like taking a photograph capturing every minor movement.
Thump. His heartbeat sounded.
Iyeon stared blankly at Sano. His smooth, clear features sparkled in various colors with each burst of fireworks. Red, purple, yellow, green, orange, and back to red.
That sight was really…
“Hey.”
“Huh, what?”
“Phone.”
Sano jerked his chin. Iyeon hurriedly turned his gaze to look at the mobile phone he had placed on the table. Jaekyung was calling.
It was impressive that Sano had noticed, given how loud everything was that the ringtone was barely audible. Iyeon, feeling inexplicably embarrassed, quickly picked up the phone.
“Yes, yes. Jaekyung-ssi?”
[Ah… Iyeon-ssi.]
“Just a moment.”
Bang. Bang. It was too noisy with the sound of fireworks exploding, so Iyeon briefly stood up from his seat. Leaving the outdoor lounge and entering inside, he could hear Jaekyung’s voice properly.
“I just came inside. Say it again.”
[Uh, uh… Sorry to bother you when you’re busy.]
Jaekyung’s voice sounded a bit dejected. He’s the one who called, what’s with that tone? Iyeon responded curiously.
“It’s fine. What’s up?”
[Ah, that… I have a favor to ask.]
“A favor?”
[Can you come to my room for a moment?]
“Yes…”
The call ended like that. Iyeon looked at the turned-off phone screen, tilting his head, then went back to the lounge. He thought he should tell the others before he left.
“I’m going to see Jaekyung-ssi for a bit.”
At those words, Sano immediately frowned.
“Why?”
“He said he has a favor…”
“At this hour of the night?”
Iyeon was curious about that too, but since Jaekyung hadn’t given a detailed explanation, he had nothing to say. Sano got up.
“I’ll come with you.”
“Huh? Why, keep watching. The fireworks just started.”
Iyeon tried to dissuade him, not wanting to ruin the first fireworks show he was experiencing, but Sano just nodded indifferently. It meant “lead the way.”
“What, both of you are going? I want to go too.”
Seeing that both of them were about to leave, Hyegang stood up as well.
“You too?”
At Iyeon’s words, Hyegang narrowed his eyes.
“Then what should I do here alone? Are you trying to exclude me again?”
“No, that’s not it… Alright, let’s go together. Let’s go.”
Iyeon shook his head as if to say “do whatever you want.” The three headed to Jaekyung’s room.
“Iyeon-ssi, come in… Everyone came?”
“Yes. We were all together.”
“Uh-uh…”
Jaekyung seemed a bit flustered by the unexpected number of people. His gaze toward Sano was particularly unsteady. It might also be because Sano was glaring at him terrifyingly.
There wasn’t just one person in the room. Iyeon, entering further, blinked at the person sitting at the table. The figure in a large hood and mask looked suspicious to anyone.
“Who’s this…?”
“Ah, my friend.”
It was an extremely vague explanation. What’s going on? Iyeon raised an eyebrow at the strange atmosphere.
“What’s the favor?”
At Iyeon’s question, Jaekyung swallowed and mumbled incoherently.
“Well, you see, I have a favor…”
“What is it, what’s happening?”
“The thing is…”
Jaekyung’s gaze flickered between Iyeon and Sano. His anxious face hesitated, mumbling. Unable to bear watching him struggle to speak, Iyeon grasped both of Jaekyung’s shoulders.
“Jaekyung-ssi, Jaekyung-ssi. Look at me.”
The anxiously wavering eyes turned toward Iyeon. Iyeon reassured him calmly.
“It’s okay, tell me. What is it?”
Jaekyung, after staring at Iyeon’s eyes for a while, moved his lips and finally uttered a single sentence.
“Would it be… okay if I requested one job?”
