[several constellations are nodding in agreement.]
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is scowling at the current events.]
Seemingly satisfied with Kim Dokja's dumbfounded silence, Han Sooyoung finally turned back to the screen. Kim Dokja didn't know what to think, his head left reeling after her harsh and snappy words. Though he could tell that Yoo Joonghyuk was looking intently at him—and notably not denying even a single thing that she had said—Kim Dokja couldn't do or say anything to him right now.
Instead, he found himself consumed by his thoughts. It was hard to sort through these messy and tangled feelings in his heart, and it was harder still to try and separate the feelings meant for Yoo Joonghyuk the 'character' from the feelings he was beginning to have for Yoo Joonghyuk the 'person' that he had started to get to know. Kim Dokja didn't know where some of them started or ended, or if they were far too intertwined to ever be clear. How much of this was just because it was Yoo Joonghyuk, the man who he had relied on to keep him moving forward day after day? How much of it was because it was Yoo Joonghyuk, the man who called himself Kim Dokja's companion?
Even harder than all of that was to even think of what all of Yoo Joonghyuk's actions and words truly meant. The regressor was confusing on the best of days, but this was so far from anything that Kim Dokja had ever imagined. Their paths were never meant to cross, so it was never a situation that he had anticipated. Sure, he had imagined what it would be like to be in TWSA, to partner up with Yoo Joonghyuk and be his companion, but these ideas of feelings between them was new and not something he ever would have considered without the others planting the seed in his mind. Kim Dokja didn't know what to do, and that scared him. In the end, it had to be the story that killed him, because Kim Dokja didn't think he'd be able to cope with anything else.
At the very least, Kim Dokja could rely on Lee Jihye to break the awkward silence with her overdramatic sob as it was revealed that Yoo Joonghyuk had wandered off somewhere while muttering Kim Dokja's name. "Oh, Master! Ahjussi said he'll come back to you someday!"
That was true, and it was a promise that Kim Dokja intended to keep. However, Lee Jihye wasn't done.
"And when ahjussi does come back, you'll just have to make sure he can't go anywhere! I'm sure Sangah-unnie will give you tips if you need them!"
Uh… she wasn't thinking about Yoo Joonghyuk breaking his legs again, was she? He also really wasn't sure what Yoo Sangah had to do with anything, but Jung Heewon burst out laughing as Yoo Sangah's face went bright pink.
[the constellation 'god of wine and ecstasy' is extremely entertained by the current events.]
[some constellations are hoping to see such a scene.]
Yoo Joonghyuk looked oddly pensive, and Kim Dokja really didn't want to think about what that meant right now either. Thankfully, Jung Heewon asked about where Han Sooyoung was only a second later, and that was an answer that Kim Dokja was genuinely curious to hear.
Though her cheeks were still rosy, Yoo Sangah smiled in Han Sooyoung's direction after hearing that she had gone to deal with the government. "Well, if anyone other than Dokja-ssi would be able to manipulate the provisional government, it would be Sooyoung-ssi."
Trust a cult leader to be able to take control in a pinch. Her dubious methods aside, Han Sooyoung wasn't actually a terrible leader, so it made sense that Kim Dokja recommended that the others follow her. It made extra sense for the people who weren't 'characters', and who therefore wouldn't be on Yoo Joonghyuk's list of people he'd want to recruit going forward. Well, except for maybe Lee Gilyoung, who he'd attempted to poach earlier.
Not that that would work, but still.
For a moment, Kim Dokja thought that Han Sooyoung might even feel flattered that he had done such a thing, but he was wrong. Instead, the woman was scowling at the screen, muttering under her breath about him being a moron and dumping his responsibilities onto her. Well, Kim Dokja couldn't win them all, it seemed.
[the constellation 'abyssal black flame dragon' is pleased to see his incarnation's awesomeness get recognized.]
Grabbing her sword, Heewon heads to the door and puts on her shoes, explaining that she can't just sit around and do nothing forever. Agreeing, Jihye decides to join her. The reporters swarm once more as soon as they see the two swordswomen emerge from the house, asking for Heewon to give them a statement and give them any more information about her background in kendo, among other things. The woman in question just takes in the poster hanging in the street that proclaims her as a hero with a vaguely disgusted look.
There had been almost 1000 survivors of the Seoul Dome, and all of them had been treated as celebrities. Though some of them had talked to the press, describing the terrible months they had spent in the dome, the reporters continued to hound the members of Dokja's party above everyone else—they were the ones at the center of the scenario.
Camera clicks from cellphones and professional cameras blend together with the bombardment of questions from the reporters as more and more microphones are held up before her. With every addition, her disgust grows. The government had told her not to say anything, and she hadn't done so only because it was hard to find the words. Today, however, Heewon finally feels like doing something, and she sighs before speaking.
As Jung Heewon and Lee Jihye headed outside and into the throng of reporters, Shin Yoosung squeezed Kim Dokja's arm, as though to reassure him. All he could do was let out a shaky breath and try to keep himself from dropping back into those memories, now that he had advance warning.
Jung Heewon just glared at the screen as the reporters all talked over each other to try and ask her questions that ultimately meant nothing at all. "What the hell are they even saying? I didn't do at least half of that stuff."
"To them, you must seem practically superhuman," Lee Seolhwa reminded her with a sad smile. "Still, you deserve your privacy."
[the constellation 'lily blooming in aquarius' is frowning at the reporters.]
[the constellation 'prisoner of the golden headband' is covering his ears.]
In a situation like this, it was only natural that the circumstances would get sensationalized by the media. The apocalypse and the scenarios were, quite literally, right out of a web novel. They had been cut off from the rest of the world for months, they all had crazy powers, and every single one of the survivors had the blood of others on their hands. Additionally, with the sheer number of people who had died, it was more important than ever to the populace to learn what was going on.
"If others want to speak to the media, then the reporters should talk to them instead," Lee Hyunsung insisted, looking rather upset at the people getting into Jung Heewon's personal space. If he hadn't been called back to the army, Kim Dokja wouldn't be surprised whatsoever if would he place himself between her and the crowd, acting as a living wall.
Shin Yoosung watched the scene sadly. "Why can't they just leave us alone? Why does it matter that we're important?"
At that, Kim Dokja's mother sighed. "Whether you want it or not, you were all the 'leaders' of the Seoul Dome, and the people who the other survivors would consider as good representatives."
To Kim Dokja's surprise, she just sounded tired. There was no hostility, no tension, but she still didn't sound entirely comfortable either. Regardless, it was probably progress of some kind, even though Kim Dokja didn't know how to feel about it.
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is hoping that her incarnation will tell off the reporters.]
[the constellation 'maritime war god' is displeased by the mobbing.]
To Jihye's surprise, Heewon states that she's no hero and wasn't a kendo star, but rather that she was just a bartender at a rundown bar before the apocalypse. As the constellations watch on, she continues. "Do you know who Kim Dokja is?"
Both the constellations and the people around her react to the name, with some reporters vaguely remembering the name being mentioned in previous testimonies. When Heewon says that the survivors didn't make it out alive all on their own, a female reporter mentions how Dokja's name wasn't on the survivors list and asks why he didn't return with them.
Right, you people wouldn't know. You're just interested in those of us who lived and find entertainment in the stories you've heard. I don't care, who cares about what you do? It's just, if there's only one thing I wish for…
"That man…." Heewon bites her lip, falling silent for a moment and feeling like she wants to cry, before continuing with more strength and hope in her voice. "He'll be back, no matter what."
"Noona, you're so cool…" Lee Gilyoung muttered, his eyes wide in awe, as Jung Heewon threw away the government's order to stay quiet and broke her silence.
Jung Heewon smiled at him, but her expression became complicated as her future self spoke. Though she didn't seem to be overly nostalgic for her old job or that rundown bar she was talking about, Jung Heewon's mundane life from before the scenarios probably felt too far away now.
Then, out of nowhere, she brought up his name.
"What?" Kim Dokja muttered in disbelief.
[the constellation 'secretive plotter' is approving of the decision of the incarnation 'jung heewon'.]
[the constellation 'queen of the darkest spring' is smiling.]
"Did you expect me to not talk about you?" Jung Heewon asked Kim Dokja in a baffled tone. "I'm literally only alive because of you, so the least I can do is make sure that the world doesn't forget your name."
That was oddly touching, actually, even though it was strange for Kim Dokja to hear that he had been mentioned by other survivors too. Logically, he knew that he had stood out quite a bit, but it was weird to have it put into perspective like that.
Kim Dokja allowed a small smile to cross his lips. "Thank you, Heewon-ssi."
Naturally, the finally recovering atmosphere dropped again the moment that a reporter brought up the fact that his name wasn't on the list of survivors.
"It makes sense to focus on the living, but it's equally important to remember the dead," Lee Seolhwa said quietly and somberly as Jung Heewon's thoughts echoed throughout the room.
[several constellations are discussing the importance of memorials.]
[the constellation 'demon-like judge of fire' is holding back tears at the passionate declaration of her incarnation.]
Everyone seemed to feel a bit reassured by Jung Heewon's confidence that he'd come back, and it was nice to see that they had some faith in him for once. It might take a while, but Kim Dokja would make his way back to Earth when he had retrieved what he needed from the Demon Realm. With any luck, it would be sooner rather than later.
"You will come back, Kim Dokja," Yoo Joonghyuk said suddenly, drawing Kim Dokja's eyes to him in an instant. "And if you don't, I will find you and drag you back myself."
Kim Dokja smiled weakly. He was going to be in so much trouble in the future, wasn't he?