Rewinding Ti, Ten Hours Earlier
When Yujin and his group had just boarded Kkong’s plane.
"Kkong, I need your help with sothing."
"What is it?"
"Rember the Jushin Church people? That High Priest Ellington? I need you to pay him a visit."
Yujin explained the outline of his plan.
Step One: Contact Ellington, a high-ranking figure in the Jushin Church.
Considering the boundless goodwill he had shown during their S-Class Gate mission, he’d likely be a huge help this ti as well.
"Think it’ll work? Even if they’re fanatics, this is a politically entangled problem. They won’t just help us if we simply ask…"
"———Take the Saintess with you and show her to them. That’ll solve everything."
"Huh? Why the Saintess?"
"Right now, the Saintess is overflowing with the aura of Jushin. When they see her, they’ll flip out."
Step Two: Show the Saintess to Ellington.
These were the sa people who had declared him a saint just because he temporarily held divine power.
If they saw the Saintess now that she had regained her divinity, they’d practically think they were eting their god.
It was bound to secure their help with this situation.
[Mir, could I ask for your help with this?]
[Of course, anything for our Yujin.]
[Thank you!]
Step Three: Have the Saintess persuade Ellington once contact is made.
On paper, it was a flawless plan.
Yet Yujin’s expression was far from bright.
"If there’s one issue, it’s that if things go wrong, it could backfire spectacularly. Those elders are unbelievably fanatical."
"Yeah. Even if that’s not the case, involving religion in political battles is risky. One misstep, and it’ll all fall apart."
Kkong’s expression grew equally serious.
He knew all too well how dangerous it was to involve a group of zealots to upend the board.
"……."
‘Why does he even look cute when he’s worried? It’s so annoying.’
The way Kkong chewed on his lip in thought was strangely irritating to Yujin, but still…
The earnest young man placed his hands on his friend’s shoulders.
"That’s why you’re the most important part of this."
"H-Huh?! What are you—oh, ah! Because of my foresight, right?"
"Yeah. First, I’d like you to run through the plan here. Then, I want you to monitor things in real ti on-site to ensure nothing goes wrong."
Kkong’s foresight—the ability to glimpse brief monts of the future—was invaluable in situations like this.
By guiding events toward the best possible outco, he could ensure the success of even the riskiest plans.
That Yujin entrusted such a dangerous task to him without hesitation showed how much faith he had in Kkong.
"…Then don’t say it so weirdly, you idiot. Grabbing my shoulders and telling I’m the most important, geez."
"But it’s true, isn’t it?"
"……Ugh."
Kkong sighed deeply.
His face flushed slightly as he let out an exasperated breath, but he ultimately nodded.
"Fine. It’ll be a bit of a stretch to manage things a day from now, but I’ll do my best."
"Thanks, Kkong. Now, first…"
And so began the duo’s plan revision.
Yujin presented the scenarios.
Kkong used his foresight to observe how they played out.
If the future showed them smiling in success, it was a go. Otherwise, they scrapped the idea.
It took less than an hour to finalize a perfect plan.
"Okay. I think we’re ready… Whew, I’m exhausted."
"Thanks, Kkong!"
Kkong was visibly tired after overusing his abilities.
Feeling both grateful and guilty, Yujin scanned his surroundings, pondering how to properly thank his friend.
And then, Yujin thought:
‘I’ll treat him to so gukbap later….’
[Mom! Timing! I’m off!]
[Hypnosis-chan furiously rummaged through her backpack.]
[She pulled out a yellow rubber band and loaded it into a pre-made rubber band gun fashioned from chopsticks.]
[And then, aiming at her master—bang!]
Ding.
[Skill 'Perfect Hypnosis ' has been activated.]
‘…Maybe treating him to gukbap every ti is getting old?’
Deciding to show his gratitude in a slightly different way,
Yujin remained oblivious to Hypnosis-chan’s antics with her rubber band gun behind him.
A small smile played on his lips.
"Kkong, you bastard, going so far for like this… Co here, you!"
Grab!
Yujin pulled Kkong into a tight embrace,
a manly, firm hug filled with gratitude and camaraderie.
It wasn’t sothing Yujin usually did.
He had always believed that the only physical contact between n should be a good fistfight.
But Kkong?
This was the sa friend who had rushed to Korea without hesitation in its ti of need.
The sa friend with whom he had shared vulnerability—albeit mostly Kkong’s—in the bathhouse.
So, as a gesture of thanks, Yujin held him tightly.
For once, he allowed himself to indulge in such sappy nonsense.
It was the first ti in all three regressions that Yujin had hugged Kkong.
Squish.
"H-Huh?!"
"……!!?"
Unfortunately, the touching mont was short-lived.
The soft, squishy sensation Yujin felt imdiately upon embracing him shattered the atmosphere.
"What… what are you doing all of a sudden!?"
"Ah, um. Sorry. I was just so grateful, I acted without thinking."
[You’re doing this even though you know my secret!? You saw everything in the bathhouse!!]
[…I’m sorry.]
Kkong stepped back, covering his chest defensively.
Yujin, bowing his head in sha, looked utterly defeated.
"……."
‘Does this guy… have gynecomastia or sothing?’
Yujin lowered his head, mortified.
The thought that his friend might suffer from such a condition left him feeling deeply regretful.
He quickly pieced it together—why Kkong always wore suits.
Of course, surgery could lead to bizarre rumors, like speculation that Kkong was pretending to be a man.
In a world as cruel as theirs, such gossip could ruin him.
It made sense that Kkong chose to keep it hidden.
‘Buddy… Let’s go to the hospital together soti. Don’t worry; I’ll use hypnosis to keep everything under wraps.’
"……."
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