The Queen Of Busan.
Part one: the meeting.
Part two: defeated.
Part three: forgiveness.
Here it is, the final part. I prolonged this for so long it’s unbelievable. I hope it’s good enough. 🫶🏻
Just an FYI, the quote at the end is an existing one, I felt like it fit into the story.
Three whole years have passed since then.
They're both nineteen now, going on twenty.
Three sets of summers, winters, springs and falls, and since then many things have happened.
They got trained by Tom Lee, getting stronger than they were before. The Four Crews were up and running. Big Deal is still under Jake Kim's excellent leadership, the Workers are led by Eugene, Hostel by Eli Jang, and the one and only God Dog, Johan Seong.
In the meantime both Gun and Goo did their own things on the sidelines. Goo collecting Secret Friends, and Gun finding a potential successor, aka Daniel Park.
One thing still hasn't changed. Since everything that has perspired with Nova three years ago in Busan, they haven't stepped a foot in the city ever since.
As several years go by, Gun, though he has grown in strength and ability, still feels that lingering sense of fear at the thought of being overpowered so easily and utterly. Every now and then, his mind drifts back to that day... wondering how she is doing.
Not for the sole reason that he cares oh so much about anyone else other than himself, he was just...curious.
He was doing well for himself now, but the memory still lingered... no, it gnawed at him. He felt like him calling himself the greatest and strongest was nothing now but a painful mockery of him trying to mask the undeniable truth with delusions.
Also, the act of seeking vengeance lingered on his mind.
Lingered, but never solidified.
Why should he...? Would the outcome be different? He did get stronger, so did Joongoo since they have fought in the meantime but... it still wasn't something he was willing to fuck around with and find out.
More so because deep down he knows it would be futile.
Since logically speaking; if they themselves got stronger, who's to say something along those lines hasn't happened to her? If she was so strong three years ago, who knows what kind of power she has transcended above since then? It was a little gut wrenching.
But that's not the only thing that makes it gut wrenching for him. The fact that the both of them still fear her so much even though they're so much stronger, that feeling of dread is what really gets him.
It was almost embarrassing how much they feared her.
Scratch that, it is embarassing.
How powerless and small they felt in her presence. Even if they had grown, it didn't mean much when they didn't know just how much stronger she may have become.
Goo still has that piece of blade, still stained with her dried blood on the surface. He didn't know why he kept it, perhaps because it held his biggest insecurity, a secret of their defeat, the only proof of that night.
An additional scar Gun has gained on his back, a long scar right across his spine, which he would rather have than have gotten his eyes plucked out. And, a scar of a once gaping hole right below Goo's collar bone, tainting his once pristine skin.
"I wonder if we should be ballsy enough to seek revenge in the near future..."
Goo ponders out loud as he lays on his luxury couch, counting the bills of the vast sum of money they have collected today, while Gun is smoking a cigarette a few feet away.
He lets out a bitter scoff at his comment, a bitter scoff that's quickly followed by an equally if not more bitter sounding chuckle, that has an almost ironic undertone. He shakes his head at the idea, the thought that they would attempt to get revenge on her being almost laughable to him.
“That woman is a freak of nature. We'd be lucky to get out with our lives... if we didn't end up maimed."
"Yeah... probably..."
Goo responds, letting out a sigh as he stuffs a good amount of bills into his Supreme bill gun.
"How about this? If you're that hellbent on getting revenge, why don't you be the first one to go seek her out? I'll watch from a safe distance... maybe I'll even film some of it to put on Youtube."
As Gun spoke that last sentence, a subtle but malicious chuckle could be heard in his voice, a clear note of mockery and humor present in the way he spoke.
"You're so funny."
Goo deadpans with a roll of his eyes, pulling the trigger of the bill gun. Even the 10000 worth of korean won bills can't suppress his inner turmoil at the moment, which said a lot since he came to love money so much.
"Mhm, yeah, just like I thought."
Gun chuckles again, his eyes narrowing slightly as he gazes at his friend with an amused glint in his eyes.
"Still pissing your pants over that girl from three years ago, huh? Damn. You're a coward."
"Oh fuck you, that's so hypocritical coming from someone who feels the same way!"
He throws back immediately, eyebrows furrowed together in annoyance.
Until his head falls back against the armrest of the couch, a sigh leaving his lips.
"...do you think she also thinks about us till this day?.. I did leave her a pretty hefty stab wound all those years ago..."
Gun can't help but chuckle once again at his comment, a slight malicious glint appearing in his eyes.
"Oh, really? You think she would care about some tiny flesh wound you gave her, that she didn't even bat an eye at? If anything, I bet she doesn't even remember us. You think she'd remember a couple of weaklings she beat in only a minute?"
"This is the first time I'm hearing you call yourself weak in a good while..."
Goo chuckles a little, gathering the bills off of his body.
"She really did shake off a blade piercing right through her... and walked more into it...and stabbed through my body with her own hand... it still haunts me in my dreams."
Goo ponders as he recalls the events, his arm falling beside him off the couch with the bill gun.
"...I feel so pathetic every time I look back on that night. We were utterly defeated. Completely overwhelmed. And then she had the audacity to offer us mercy. It makes my blood burn just thinking about it. Such a pity, such a kindness, aimed at such weak people who couldn't even beat her."
Gun's eyes narrow as he thinks more and more about that night, as the memory continues to flood in and torment him.
Meanwhile the blonde aims his bill gun his way and shoots some bills towards his companion.
"But if you really think about it and put your narcissism aside, she really just defended what she has built up. She was overprotective, and of course didn't let bastards like us take that away from her."
When the bills came flying at him, Gun didn't even look at them as they bounced off his chest and fell onto the floor. He was more focused on Goo, and the way he was attempting to defend that psychopath.
"Defend? You really think she was 'defending'? That was nothing more than a show of domination. Overprotective? Please. Her strength and power is something that should be considered illegal. The fact she had the nerve to offer us mercy afterwards, like we were some pitiful creatures that could be easily squashed, it makes my blood boil when I think of it. Who the hell does she think she is, being so damn generous?"
Gun continues to scoff and chuckle bitterly as he continues to smoke his cigarette, taking slow, deliberate puffs and exhales.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, White Ghost. If you weren't so emotionally detached you would understand her point of view. I do as well even though it's embarrassing to think back to how easily she handled us..."
Goo retorts with an exasperated tone, accidentally dropping the bill gun on his face.
"Ouch..."
"Do you think if she has since found it in her heart to forgive us...? Because if you think about it logically, we just did what Charles instructed us to do without another thought."
Goo suggests, another slight shrug of his shoulders, lips pursed, rubbing his forehead where the gun hit him.
"Forgive us? Hmph, fat chance. Even if she claims to forgive us or whatever bullshit she spouts, she's probably just saying that so we can live in a constant state of paranoia."
Gun pauses, taking another drag from his cigarette.
"I don't know if we should be bold enough to fuck around and find out though..."
Goo mutters out, tossing the bill gun away.
"We've both grown so much since that day, but there's no telling what kind of evolution she went through in the past three years. Last thing I want to do is bring that kind of trauma back upon myself...then again I can't help but be curious."
"Yeah, I agree with you there. Even if we've grown, there's still no damn way to know how strong she could have become, especially with that unnatural durability of hers. I can't believe she humiliated us when I have my Ultra Instinct..."
As he talks, Gun takes yet another drag from his cigarette.
"Do you think me still keeping that blade brings some sort of bad omen to us?"
Goo throws out another question, tearing Gun away from his spiraling train of thoughts.
They have to do something about the trauma and the fear of that whole encounter, if they can't let go of it in any other way, they have to do SOMETHING. Goo can't help himself but wholeheartedly believe it is some sort of bad charm, still having kept that blade of his.
Gun hesitates for a moment before answering, his expression becoming slightly confused, he wasn't one to believe in such things.
Yet-
"Honestly... it sounds stupid, but yeah. It probably does. I mean, just because it's a blade doesn't necessarily mean it's bad luck, but still... the fact that neither of us threw that blade away kind of gives me a bad feeling. It's like a constant physical reminder of that day, like a curse."
He responds back to Goo's question, this was what he had in mind already.
"I think the first step we need to take to get over this and move on from it is to get rid of the blade."
"...but it's a titanium wielded blade..."
Goo pouts once again.
Of course that is his biggest concern.
"Even if we destroy it, both yours and my scar will remain, and so will her pure existence... and who says we won't run into her? She's all over the country anyway, all the time..."
He reasons.
"Yeah, you're right. Even if we destroy the blade, scars don't go away so easily, and the trauma still remains. And the chances of us running into her are very high, too high for my liking..."
Gun sighs out as well, he's growing frustrated at the difficult situation they find themselves in. No matter how hard they try it seems that they'll never be able to forget this memory of her.
"How about this?.."
Goo the blonde exclaims softly, it was like a visible lightbulb went off above his head.
"We stop being pussies, we throw our ego aside, and seek her out to apologize to her face to face."
Silence.
Gun, his face contorts into pure confusion and, disgust.
Goo on the other hand, looks like someone who just invented something miraculos, like water powered engines.
By the slight twitch of Gun's eye, the blonde standing like Superman almost also ended up like said guy who came up with said invention if he didn’t restrain himself.
Erased from the face of the Earth.
"What?.. Are you insane? That has to be the dumbest idea you've ever had in your life. And you have a lot of dumb ideas."
Gun retorts finally, his brow knits together as he stares at Goo with an expression that's a mixture of shock and disbelief. He can't believe the very idea of seeking out Nova, especially doing so to apologize faces-to-face is even being suggested.
Who does this guy think he is?
"Do you seriously think she'd accept our apologies? You really think she'd just forgive us and move on? That sounds like an absolutely moronic idea."
"...at least we can attempt to do so... forgiveness is up to her to be honest..."
Goo shrugs again, voice softening a little as his posture softens with it.
"...and maybe if it works out well, we can gradually start moving on as well."
Now, Gun really had to think this through.
Gamble a little, in ways it would benefit him.
"Tch.... Fine, if you say so. We better hope that she'll listen to us when we try to apologize. I sincerely hope this idea of yours is worth our time..."
Gun relents, knowing that Goo can be quite persuasive at times anyway. He's still highly skeptical, but he trusts Goo and knows that he means well.
If it benefits himself as well of course.
"Alright..."
Goo utters out, falling back on the couch.
"Should we just then... travel to Busan first thing tomorrow and look for her in that same restaurant we met her all those years ago...?"
Gun nods, although still wary about the whole idea.
"Yeah, that's probably the best course of action. Let's take the first flight to Busan tomorrow and see if we can find her. If we're lucky, she might even be in that same restaurant we met her in all those years ago."
He pauses for a moment before continuing, an annoyed look on his face.
"But if it turns out your idea was shit, I will bury you somewhere.."
Tomorrow came faster than usual, perhaps to both their dismay. Neither of the really slept too much, the anxiety was keeping them up wide awake.
"My anxiety is so bad, I couldn't stop taking a shit every hour or so this morning..."
Goo and his usual TMI, accompanied by a huge yawn.
Gun rolls his eyes in annoyance at his excessive information about his bodily functions.
Why did he need to know that.
"Gross. Do you really need to share all that with me? I don't want to hear the details of your bathroom business."
His tone of voice is stern and serious, but the way he speaks suggests that he's not completely mad at him. He's actually a little bit amused by his friend's carefree nature, but he'd never admit it.
He also didn't understand why Joongoo had to wear such an obnoxious looking designer outfit either.
Proof that money can't buy style and taste.
He himself is still wearing the same old black outfit he is usually seen with, the man is nothing if not very consistent. He stares at the blonde's outfit for a bit...
Tacky.
Draws hell of a lot attention to themselves. More than Gun would like.
At first he doesn't say anything while walking down the street.
This man looks like he's going to a fashion show for rich people or something.
Then, he looks at Goo again and decides to break the silence.
"Are you seriously going through this whole ordeal wearing those gaudy clothes?"
He shakes his head in disbelief, his eyes scanning his flashy outfit.
"You look like a walking advertisement for bad taste, you know that?"
"I don't remember asking for your opinion!"
Goo retorts in a childish manner, the same verbal skirmish they usually engage in.
"Also, I need to look good just in case she kills us today. I refuse to die looking raggedy."
"Pfft, as if looking good is gonna save us from death...If she wants us dead, we're dead. And honestly, you'd still look pretty damn raggedy wearing those flashy clothes. They don't exactly scream 'good taste' to me."
"You just have zero taste!"
"Thank God, then."
Not long after arriving at the front of that same restaurant, and the same spot they got their asses whopped all those years ago is nothing more than haunting.
"I think I'm gonna shit myself..."
Goo mutters out with an uncomfortable scowl, earning a disgusted look from his partner.
"What the fuck."
"God, you're ridiculous. How old are you again?"
He mutters under his breath the same time as a loud, nervous gulp coming from his friend.
"Look, let's just get this over with. The faster we apologize, the faster we can get out of here. Even if it doesn't go well, at least we tried."
"... I think Imma throw up..."
Goo responds with some fake gagging noises, being overdramatic as usual.
Gun can't help but to roll his white irises under the sunglasses, and takes a firm hold of Goo's upper arm to drag him into the reception area of the restaurant.
Safe to say the receptionist recognized them in a heartbeat.
Who couldn't?
He gives them a double-take, then a triple take-
There is no such thing as a calm, peaceful day in the life of someone working such field.
Well, this is what he gets paid for so.. he just lets out a sigh.
He already knew what they wanted, they didn't even have to say anything. So, he leads them direrctly to her.
Of course she'd be here today of all days, it was almost like she knew they'd come.
"I think I just shit my pants..."
Comes the uncomfortable sounding mutter from the blonde, and Gun only rolls his eyes again.
What is it with him and his bowel movements today..
"Would you shut up? It's gonna be fine, stop worrying so much. At least wait until we actually speak to her first before you start shitting yourself."
Gun mutters back, equally as uncomfortable but trying to maintain his usual demeanor.
"You're not helping..."
Goo speaks from behind him again, sucking his teeth as they keep walking.
He didn't even bother to utter a response to that this time.
Arriving shortly after at that same table, they both stand with their backs straight. Everything feels the same as of yet, except that they could now feel her overwhelming presence from practically a few feet away, the waiter blocking their view as he talks to her, but they couldn't hear the conversation from the position they were standing in. Gun has an expression of neutrality right now, he refuses to acknowledge the tension and anxiety he's feeling deep down, he's trying to act as calm as he can right now, not like Goo who looked as pale as a ghost as they stood, waiting.
Once the man takes his leave, their brains shut down.
Not even going into just power saving mode, but turns off instead momentarily.
Is it because of how poised she looks?
A simple designer dress suited for the summer weather, heels on. Hair longer, face mixed with soft and sharp features, blended together perfectly. Tattoos adorning her skin, like her cleavage area and neck, different Japanese words, koi fishes and sakura flowers, black and red ink mostly. She sure has matured a lot, just like them.
Grey eyes as fierce as ever if not more when they both make eye contact with her.
The way she sat there was... humbling.
Like an actual Queen.
A ruler. Blessed.
Strong. Confident. Independent.
They feel...small.
Insignificant.
And she's just sitting there, radiating power and authority from every inch of her being.
"Sit down."
Finally, they're brought out from their reverie by her tone.
She sounded just the same... except a little deeper with a slight rasp, but it just made it all the more intimidating.
They can't shake the feeling that it sounded more like a command than an actual plea.
They almost involuntarily swallowed a lump in their throats before finally taking the first few steps, their eyes never leaving her figure as they move closer.
Gun, slowly walks up to her before stopping right beside her table, Goo following in a timid manner like a puppy.
"I... wanted go talk to you."
"He means we would like to speak with you... if you're okay with that-or we can just fuck off right away-!"
Goo begins, starting out with a pretty decent self assurance, but the more he yapped the more it kept going down the drain. Gun shoots Goo a glance that screams 'I will rip you a new one right here and right now if you don't shut up'. Goo doesn't take the hint and ends up being interrupted by her yet again, which really pisses Gun off.
"I said sit down."
This time, her tone is a bit sharper, and she's havig a harder time keeping her patience grounded.
It's safe to say Gun is visibly annoyed with his partner for making the situation even more awkward and bizarre than it already is. He was tempted to kick the blonde in the shins, but he resists the urge because he's trying to keep his cool right now.
At this point, he just decides to keep his mouth shut and take a seat, crossing his arms in front of his chest as Nova addresses the both of them again.
"Why are you here?"
Flat, unamused.
It's as if her having to even ask that question was bothersome and a waste of her time.
For a moment, they don't really make eye contact with her, refusing to meet her piercing gaze, since hers don't falter even for a moment.
It's almost af if they're a mere pawn in her presence. A small, fragile thing in the face of her strenght and dignity.
Gun, opens his mouth to speak.
Yet, his brain feels like it is filled with static, and he's absentmindedly clutcing against his own trousers by his thighs under the table.
For the first time in a while, he feels intimidated.
What feels like an eternity, he gulps, his voice coming out strained and hoarse.
"W-we know it's been a long time since we have seen each other. And what we did back then was completely unacceptable. We acted like ignorant, self-entitled assholes and we didn't think about how you must have felt."
He pauses to take a deep breath, looking at her in the eyes as he continues speaking, words coming out through gritted teeth.
"We would like to ask for your forgiveness."
There it was.
He said it, and feels like throwing up that second in his mouth.
The plea for such was a foreign concept to him. It tasted bitter and spikey in his mouth, almost like lemon.
The words echo out in the silence that follows, and Gun can feel the weight of them like a physical burden. It's as if he's just ripped our his soul and thrown it out in front of her, exposed and vulnerable.
Goo, beside him, looks as if he's about to faint at any moment. There's sweat beading on his forehead, and his face has gone completely pale, like he's just seen a ghost.
It was so embarrassing.
"Ask for forgiveness, huh?..”
She repeats his words, more as a mutter as her smile pulls at one corner of her lips momentarily, looking out of the window beside her, so very amused.
"I'm not God, who could cleanse you of each and every of your sins, be it ones you tainted my life with, or others'. This isn't the right place for such."
Her words flow bluntly, and with a certain tone of assertiveness.
"I wouldn't have expected the two of you to feel any sort of remorse for what had happened three years ago, since neither of you hesitated to try and break my wings, and confiscate them for yourselves. It makes me wonder... are you two really apologizing from the goodness of your hearts and done some self reflection, or just feel uncomfortable about the fact that both of you have been taken down with ease?"
Each word carries a weight that makes both of their stomachs churn, like a twisted dagger being jammed into their gut and slowly twisted.
Essentially, she's calling them out for being selfish narcissists.
It was as if she's reaching into their souls and holding up a mirror to themselves, a reflection of their own ugly, selfish nature.
Gun's gaze turns a bit confused, his expression shifting from neutral to taken aback slightly.
"You have every right to doubt us... But we are being sincere. We have... reflected on our actions, and came to realize just how awful we've been to you. It's no excuse, nor does it undo what we did."
"That's correct. It's a shame your actions are as bland as your personalities."
She lets out a bitter scoff, cutting into the chocolate cake placed by before her.
"If bravery had a face, it certainly wouldn't look like either of yours' right now. "
She points at both of them through muttered words with her fork, chewing on the sugary pastry with.
That... was definitely not on their bingo cards right now.
Not so much of the answer, but the bluntness wrapped around with venom her words carried.
Goo, looks completely taken aback. Looking around for a moment as if in a search for her audacity, while Gun just looks annoyed.
"Our... actions are bland..?"
He clenches his jaw, now feeling irritated.
"The fact that we are sitting here right now, apologizing to you is because we have the balls to do it. You have no idea how hard this is for us."
"Oh look at the two of you, attempting greatness..."
Her hands fly up gently in feigned shock and surprise, tone flat but laced with the thick undertone of sarcasm.
A second after, her hands fall to her side.
"Pity it's just an attempt. If ignorance was a virtue, you'd both be saints by now."
Keeps it plain as ever, tone emotionless as she goes back to her dessert.
"How about this? Let's operate with sense. It is clear neither of you have much, so we will use my own, okay?"
Hostility.
Gun can barely restrain himself, he looks like he's about to pop a blood vessel in his forehead.
Goo? Oh he has now, just checked out, he knows this is just a battle he cannot win.
"You.. since when do you talk to people like that? Do you have any idea how disrespectful you're being right now??"
His tone is terse, absolutely floored by what he's hearing.
It isn't more so of what she's saying, though safe to say her wit is unmatched.. it's just how she's talking to them.
And Gun, ain't nobody can talk to him such way.
Never could, never will.
"You have no right to talk to us like that, you hear me? You're being disrespectful, and you need to shut your damn mouth before I shut it for you."
The threat slips out before he can stop himself, his anger getting the better of him.
“Watch your tone when you're talking to me.”
And Gun, he freezes.
He, has never heard such authoritative words in his life.
Ever.
It cut through all his senses. Practically rumbled like the a stormy night sky.
That moment, he felt like he was standing before a temple.
Tall, resilient, and gorgeous.
And he was once again, floored.
It's like a bucket of ice cold water being dumped on his head, and suddenly he's realizing just how far over the line he's gone, and he immediately sits up right.
“…did I just straighten myself??”
The blonde next to him, he just zeroes out completely, yet cannot help the chills that fill his body under his clothes.
“You wanna talk about disrespect..?”
She asks, tone flat, gaze heavy.
They can feel their chests tighten, her larger than life presence commanding their full attention even when they can't bring themselves to look up at her.
“I've met scarecrows with more spine than you. Your with is as sharp as a butter knife, and watching the two of you trying to have an argument with me is like witnessing a dance of clumsiness and confusion. I have seen more formidable foes in a toddler's tantrum. Why is it so hard to realize that you two trying to keep communicating your feelings on the ridiculous of the endeavor I'm currently engaged in is nothing but futile?”
As she speaks, she keeps looking between the two like she was talking to two kids.
“Disrespect, eh? Who was the one again who went against my plea of leaving the city alone in the first place and never coming back? You two are the perfect example of how nature experiments with mistakes.”
That went so fucking hard.
Goo just cannot help himself, the surprised scoff of laughter erupts from his lips without any warning, quickly smacking his hand over his mouth.
Gun on the other hand, takes his sunglasses down with a quickness, eyes wide and in disbelief of what he's hearing.
Where is all this hostility coming from?
They cannot help but just stare at her in confusion, Goo's eyes involuntarily twitching through a pained smile.
"What the hell is your problem...”
Gun asks quietly, his voice low, and visibly taken aback.
Nova, just counts to 8, letting out a long sigh while doing so.
“A moment of silence, please, for these poor souls' intelligence... do you not get what I'm saying? An apology isn't needed because I really couldn't give less fucks right now about what happened in the past, and could you please tell your friend here to calm down a little? If he were to be any less threatening right now, he'd be a dandelion.”
The last part was mainly aimed towards Goo, who begins to blink quickly to try and calm his nerves. Not because he was angry, but embarrassed since he lacked the brains to come up with such lines. He was a little jealous, and annoyed he liked her even more now.
After a moment, Gun turns to give Goo a glance. He's able to tell that he's clearly embarrassed and annoyed by the whole situation, and he can't help but share the same feeling himself.
"Wow... we got our asses handed to us again, and we didn't even have to fight."
Goo thinks to himself, visibly zoned out now, while looking at nothing at particular on the table.
Gun knew that coming here was useless, and he turned out to be more than right. The embarrassment he felt was more than bearable.
He takes a deep breath, trying to keep his frustration under control. He knows that they came here expecting a completely different situation than this, and now they're just being talked down to like a bunch of teenagers.
It's not doing good things for his ego, that's for sure.
He looks back at Nova, trying to keep his tone neutral as he speaks again.
"So you don't want an apology, and you don't care about the past. What do you want then? What do we do to make it up to you?"
“Y'all want forgiveness? Fine, you're forgiven. You could both leave now, unless you would want to engage in a fight again, which would be more than just an anticlimax. Your skills are on par with a blindfolded chicken playing hopscotch, and there's no fun in that.”
Both of them remain silent as she continues to speak. Gun can practically feel the blood boiling within his veins, his irritation building up to unbearable levels, while Goo just looks completely defeated. He's already given up the moment she started speaking down to them again.
It's almost comical to watch her just repeatedly and ruthlessly humiliate them, using their own ignorance against them.
Their current situation was nothing more than absolutely diabolical. If it wasn't enough that they couldn't outsmart her during their previous fight, apparently the same could be said about actual smarts.
This woman was too smart for her own good, and their own. The whole time, her tone was razor sharp, blunt and to the point with a gaze most people would shy away from in just a second.
Then again, they both have eyes, and common sense, as much as they lacked of using it being so in the heat of the moment, they could both now notice clearly.
This wasn't the calm, collected, and kind person she once was. Her presence was nothing short of being on edge, tense as all hell, and an undeniable presence of fatigue in her eyes that neither of them could ignore.
Her entire demeanor has become almost cold and distant, her behavior almost the opposite of what she was years ago. There's a hint of melancholy as well, hidden within the sharpness of her silver eyes.
She changed completely.
Despite themselves, their gazes can't help but shift from her face to the tired look in her eyes. It's just so different from how she used to be, that it actually makes them feel a small pang of guilt in their chests.
Well, as much as they’re competent enough to do so.
"We're sorry."
Goo's apology comes out softer than intended, and with a swiftness that even caught Gun off guard.
He didn't understand, since they had already done their due diligence of apologizing, but he tried his best to trust his partner's judgment, letting him continue.
"We shouldn't have come... it's clear as day we disturbed your mental state even more with our presence and over the top behavior. You seem like you already have enough on your plate, we didn't want to add more into that."
Nova's expression shifts to a softer, more tired look as she listens to Goo speak. But then, confusion laces her features, a small frown appearing on her face.
“You have no idea what you're talking about or how I'm feeling. Stop trying to act like we're friends, I don't need you to feel bad for me either.”
Self defense. It was purely that.
Her tone might have been annoyed and distant, but the way her hand twitched, it was more than obvious they struck a cord in her.
From that, Gun can tell that Goo's words have somehow affected her. Maybe he was right, and it bothered her more than she's letting on.
He glances at Goo, giving him a subtle nod to signal him to continuе. Не wants to see if they can get through to her, even just a little bit.
"We would just like to get a small hint into why you're acting and feeling the way you are... a lot had to happen in the three years since we last met..."
Goo continues, almost surprised at how nice he's being all of a sudden.
There is a hint of discomfort in her eyes once she looks back at him. So desperate to try and shield her fury of emotions away, afraid to be vulnerable.
She lets out a sigh, putting her purse in her lap and rummage through it, popping a cigarette between her lips.
“I don't need a therapy session. Especially not by two wonder brats...”
Her exterior hardens once more, lighting her cigarette, and taking a long drag.
Gun leans back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest and giving her a steady gaze, trying to keep his annoyance under check. He keeps his tone even as he speaks.
"Maybe you don't need a therapy session, but we're just trying to understand. You've changed, and we want to know why."
“I don't think I owe you any manners or any explanation.”
She grumbles, letting the smoke flow from her lips, and blowing it out.
It's like she's intentionally being difficult just to piss him off.
He leans forward slightly, his gaze hardening as he speaks, his voice laced with a hint of anger.
"You don't owe us anything, that's true. But can't you just... try to talk to us? We're not trying to be difficult here, we're just concerned."
“That's funny.”
She responds with an empty gaze, butting the ashes into her empty wine glass.
“What do you know about being the rag of other people's sorrow?”
There it is.
As she says that, the empty gaze never subsides, putting the cigarette between her lips, she takes another drag while never taking her eyes off of him.
It's like she's dropped a bombshell on him, and they don’t quite understand what she means by it.
He glances at Goo, seeing the same confusion reflected on his face, before looking back at her. He speaks again, his tone softer this time.
"What do you mean by that? What do you mean by 'being the rag of other people's sorrow'?"
Both of them look at her through narrowed eyes, both of their gazes sharp and analyzing as they observe her behavior. She's clearly trying to brush off what they just found out, but it's not working very well.
“I’ve had enough of it.”
She starts out, propping her elbow on the table, eyes visibly softening as she rather stares out the window than to look at them.
“Being kind and all.”
Her eyes may have softened, but there's still a slight undertone of hostility in her voice.
Meanwhile, Goo can tell that she's feeling uncomfortable having those emotions being brought up again, and his expression softens, a hint of sympathy present beneath the concerned frown on his face.
“I wanted to help. From the positivity, the gratitude, from how hopeful and supportive people were, knowing there was someone who was willing to help, and wanted nothing in return.... I was happy, because people were also happy, no matter the morbid nature of it all.”
Goo's expression softens even more as he hears her words, his sympathy growing stronger. Gun's gaze remains on her, his expression stoic but listening intently.
He speaks up again, his tone almost matter-of-factly.
"People took advantage of you, didn't they?"
A small sigh leaves her lips, watching the bustling city outside. The city she raised from the dust while she takes another drag.
“You share secrets under the moonlight; those secrets become weapons against you. You cry in the candlelight, yet your tears can never extinguish the fiery rage of betrayal; and after the last drop of love is squeezed dry from your heart, they toss away your husk of a soul.”
She continues, puffing out one last cloud of smoke as she puts her cigarette out.
“I began to absolutely loathe, detest, revile, denounce my existence with a passion like a furnace... especially when I started to enjoy hurting people more than when I did it out the goodness of my own heart, with the intention to help. Sure, I still did help, but it also momentarily helped me too, to fill that gaping soul in my chest after my patience and kindness had ran thin... I choked on such longing I couldn't spit out. Yes... desire is so different when God bore you hungry.”
Both of the guys listen to her in silent shock, absorbing her every word. Her description of her own experience, her feelings and pain, it's incredibly raw and vulnerable. It's clear that whatever she's been through has left deep scars on her soul.
Yet again, unfortunately it was something unavoidable.
Goo finally speaks up, his tone gentle as he responds to her.
"No wonder you’re so on edge but also seem…a lot more resilient now."
And he meant what he said.
No wonder her sharp eyes are more cutting now. Like she has a 360° vision, yet still..
She still seemed like someone who couldn’t find her place again despite her reflecting on herself.
“Well, my patience has ran thin, and people fail to understand why. I no longer find peace and happiness when helping others. I became indifferent to others' gratitude.”
Her tone now becomes indifferent.
Acceptance. No matter how much kindness you offer, some people will always be selfish and evil individuals.
“... I don't even know who I am anymore...”
Her words are more than enough to further add even more complexity to her feelings, but solidifies Goo’s theory.
She was not only tired, she was also deeply craving for something, some type of satisfaction or relief, the way her eyes almost seem to burn with this strange craving. She's like a starving animal, desperate for something to satisfy her, and desperate to find her purpose again.
“Sometimes I wonder... I'm not sure whether I'm a good person or not anymore... But I hope I am good enough to be loved and appreciated.”
The glimmer of hope that appears in her eyes could be described almost pitiful.
Pitiful, that she had to get here to question her whole existence, and purpose in life.
“I want to be more than my ears...and the arms that offer comfort. More than my power and abilities...To be loved unreasonably, rather than for the fact that I listen when the rest of the world goes quiet, or throwing myself into pits of the danger and despair. I chose this life, I'm well aware... but it matters not how selfless you are when people would still rather continue to take more and more of you.”
Her words start to have a profound impact in both of them. An individual who has given and given, and only recently realized that she has given a bit too much to get nothing in return.
And the pain and longing in her eyes... both of them can see it clearly, and it seems to only get even more intense as she speaks. The depth of her feelings is almost palpable, and it's clear that she's been holding it in for a long time.
“I keep convincing myself I do not mind being the rag of other people's sorrow... Yet I find I am no longer durable, sinking in the mix of theirs and my grief. A source of therapeutic conversations, yet never unplanned ones. Talk to a friend, a real friend who truly knows my aspirations rather than my soothing words. Who truly knows the stones that fill my chest as I devour their rocks. Then them bubbling into a foam after a while, ceasing to exist in their minds."
She lets out a long sigh, playing with the dessert fork she has not long ago put down absentmindedly, and puts her cigarette out.
“Who am I if not threaded cloth, a person who heals while avoiding healing herself... As I remember the tears absorbed by an overgrown mold, consuming me till I am nothing more but a manmade stream, who flows towards an unfamiliar rage.”
This time, her tone is more strained, doing her damned best to stop the wave of emotions trying to break free and roll of her tongue, eyes unfocusing into nothing particular.
“What was I made for?.. Or rather am I made for something beyond inherited love. Something beyond the power I hold and the actions I take. If I really am slowly becoming what I try so hard to cleanse the world from? Can I be loved without being convenient?..”
And she whispers the last part, turning to them, catching despair flashing through her eyes.
“Even if I'm unsure whether I'm an actually good person to begin with?”
And both of them knew, in that moment, that they couldn't really give an answer to her.
Unfortunately, neither of them could understand that level of sacrifice.
Slowly becoming the exact same thing she loathed the most and tried to get rid of.
“It's hard to make up an answer... isn't it?”
She asks softly, a bitter smile painted her lips as she keeps her eyes trained on them both.
“I understand. Every time I try to do so myself, it feels like chasing a shadow… whenever I get hold of it, it slips through my fingers, until I’m left with nothing again.”
Was there even a right answer to give?
Who's to say what she's feeling isn't just a reflection of others'? Or their perception?
Was there even a satisfying answer to give her?
They couldn't. They haven't walked even a minute in her shoes.
It was all a hard pill to swallow.
So much was said, so much was shared they felt like they were drowning in her maelstrom of emotions.
They could never understand that level of self sacrifice, that was bordering on self sabotage as well.
Neither of them has ever been in a situation like this before, where they couldn't find any words to say in the face of that level of vulnerability and pain. And it's a difficult realization to bear, knowing that their perspectives and experiences fall short of truly understanding what she's going through.
What more was there to even left to say? They came here to apologize, yet in the end, they got more than they bargained for.
Eventually, she lets out a long sigh.
“Before I go, thank you... for taking the time out of your days to come see me personally and apologize. I accept it... but regarding the two of you asking for forgiveness...”
The corners of her lips pull back slightly, sucking in her teeth as she places the fork down she unintentionally bent a little between her hands.
“You can't undo the pain you brought to others. In order to find peace in yourself and the situation, is to eventually forgive the cruelty that no longer resides within, and to accept the fact that they may always see that inhumanity in you... and it is in their every right to never forgive.”
Once she speaks again, they both can feel the meaning behind those words, and the gravity of what she's saying. They might have come here to apologize, but her response is more than well- earned.
She doesn't forgive them.
Gun and Goo both remain silent, their gazes respectfully cast down to the ground. They don't know what to say, but they can respect her decision.
Was that really it?
They still had so many unanswered questions left.
What's her backstory? How did she get so strong? What's her limit? What did she display back then?
Are they friends of allies? If not, will she seek vengeance against them once in the future?
Perhaps it's better to stay with curious sometimes. She's clearly in a vulnerable position, and would rather be elsewhere than here.
They both watch her slowly stand up, patting down her dress to flatten the wrinkles out, purse in one hand.
She hums softly, glancing at them both.
“But thank you. You made me realize it's time for me to re-evaluate my life decisions.”
A soft smile is the only thing she can give them, for now.
“And you two… take your own paths in life. Don’t let yourselves be used by others, even if it seems like there is no choice. There always is.”
She says softly, signing the bill after she pays.
“Regarding our fight and the defeat the two of you experienced..”
Her eyes sharpen slightly, a smile of someone like a Goddess paints her features, and they brace themselves.
“You have been praying so long for the strength to outlive the pain your past inflicted on you, that you have forgotten- you are already strong. That heart of yours was crafted from the same clay as that of Achilles, last true warrior on the sands of Troy, fighting a war that was years long. Do you think Achilles wept over the fates of the lesser warriors who tried and failed to slaughter him? Do you think you should lose sleep over the lesser people who tried to drown you in sorrow and hoped you couldn't swim? Listen to your heart. You have seen crueler battlefields than this. If you were so resilient through them, then you know in your heart, you will survive this.”
Now that.. was a speech.
“So long boys... we might meet again. Perhaps as foes or enemies, I'll let faith make that decision.”
And with that, they can only watch her retreating form, the clicking of her heels growing softer and softer, until she disappears from their vision.
Her words only further the impact, and both of them can't help but see their own journey and hers in a new light...
A star that has finally grown tired of burning up with no one to notice it... now preparing to transform into a collapsed, black hole, in the hopes of becoming something greater.
Everything that they learned, all of her feelings and confessions... the complexity of her circumstances and background, the way she spoke about her life, the pain that she's been through, the emotions that she's been keeping hidden and bottled up for her whole life...
They had gone into this meeting expecting a simple apology and an explanation. Instead, they had gotten much more than they bargained for. Her words had touched on something deeply profound, something that they were both still trying to fully understand.
Finally, Gun breaks the silence, his voice contemplative.
"That was... a lot to take in."
"Right... And I couldn't even confess to her."
Of course Jongoo comes with his usual idioticy, making Gun's head fall on the table, forehead down with a thud, letting out a loud sigh.
"Are you serious..? That's all you've got to say after all that?"
He lifts his head up and shoots Goo a sidelong glare, his eyes tired and incredulous.
"Well, as she said, we might meet again either way, so I'm still somewhat hopeful."
Gun lets out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head slightly.
"...I swear down on my nans grave, one day I will fold you up like a paper plane, and throw you into outer space."
"...you're so abusive."
“And you’re insufferable. A match made in hell.”
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