"Dr. Yoo, you received a package from a messenger."
"A package?"
"Yes, a package."
"From whom?"
"Mr. Kim."
She suddenly got cold and felt a tremble rush within her. "Thank you."
The package was addressed to her, but once she opened it, it had another one inside addressed to Choi Young. It was small and light, it seemed like it had some documents in it. Eun Soo lifted it to the light, trying to see through and then frustrated even shook it next to her ear, but could not figure out what it was. It did not seem dangerous and she decided that she will let Choi Young decide how to handle this.
Today, she was planning to go shopping with Young to get him the essentials of modern life: handphone, metro card, good backpack, comfortable snickers, jeans, and, of course, a watch. He also needed some clothes… She smiled; he quickly became a part of her life, like they were married or something. Technically, he would be considered her boyfriend, live in at that, which by modern standards meant their relationship progressed to a high level. Funny, they just made love like regular humans (she closed her eyes, remembering what it was like to feel him inside of her, and could not stop her body from getting immediately excited).
"Dr. Yoo, get a hold of yourself, " she gave herself an order. Technically, they did everything backwards, first moving in together, than dating, than that, which she should not think of, because she would not be able to work any more. She looked at her watch in annoyance. She still had 4 hours 23 minutes and 18 seconds till her shift was over.
Choi Young has not meditated in a while. He usually practiced at least once a week. It helped him to regenerate and keep his KI under control. However, ever since he was next to Eun Soo, his KI had a mind of its own and would get excited like a puppy, wiggling its tail and barking, feeling her two blocks away from the house. He felt it moving and sending little signals to the owner to get ready for her arrival. After they built this amazing connection and especially after last night, when they were linked physically in a way he could never have imagined was possible, his KI settled. As if it was pushing him toward this union and wanted to be one with Eun Soo. He had sex before; he was not a man without any experience, but with her everything was like for the first time and much better than he ever remembered. He heard about this notion that there are souls that are cosmically connected from birth. They are usually old souls that travel together and during each life cycle long for each other, always moving in the direction that would keep them close. If these souls are lucky, they can become lovers and consummate their relationship through the physical as well as spiritual means. For once, he wished he would study the scriptures more, but he was sure, Eun Soo and him were this kind of souls. He could not figure out, though, how they would be placed so far apart in time, what if he never came to modern day Seoul? Would he have lived out his life without crossing paths with her? If so… Hwata's gate was a vehicle for him to arrive to her. Right? He got that far, but was not sure what to do with this conclusion. So he decided to put it aside and meditate, maybe, his mind would gain clarity and wisdom and his body would stop wanting her nonstop.
He got comfortable and began his meditation practice, about 10 minutes into it, he was finally at a good place, his mind emptied of trivial thoughts, his body's rhythm steadied, the sense of serenity and mindfulness coming over him…
"Dude, are you home? How did the thing with the cooking go?" and Hee Jun's head popped in the door. "Did you score?"
In his previous life as a general of Woodalchi, such an interruption would have left a soldier hurt, because Choi Young did not allow anybody to interrupt his sleep or his meditation. Instinctively, he grabbed a book and sent it flying, his aim was perfect as usual and the boy was hit right between his eyes, sparks flying. The door opened up completely and his body fell on the floor.
Choi Young, sighed, deeply annoyed with this interruption and very reluctantly, moved from his place, checking on the guy. A slap, made him open his eyes and he was pulled by the general's strong arm up by the collar of his shirt, dangling from it, completely bewildered at what happened. He was dropped on the chair and Choi Young stood in front of him tall and serious, looking down.
"Whhhy? Whyyy did you hurt me, dude?" Pouted Hee Jun and large tear drops started falling down his cheeks.
Only then Choi Young felt a tinge of remorse and even concern for this clueless man. "Look, I'm sorry. It is a reflex. I can't stand anybody interrupting my sleep or meditation. Many men have ended up with worth injuries than that. Will you accept my apology?"
"What is wrong with you?" wept the guy, finally crying out loud, deeply offended by such physical mistreatment.
"Sorry," and Choi Young realized that in this case he should have treated him like a child, rather than adult. He spoke softly and crouched in front of the guy, gently touching his shoulder, "Don't cry. I will not hurt you again. In fact, I will protect you, if needed. I lived for too long in the army barracks, my manners are a bit… rough. You have been good to me, let's be friends."
"Friends?" the guys stopped crying, wiping off snot and tears with his sleeve. "I would like that, dude. I mischarged you, I just thought we are tight like that and that's why I treated you so casually. Should I call you Heung?"
"If you wish. Or you can call me the strange name 'dude', if you like it."
"No, dude. I think I should call you Heung. Where is Eun Soo Noona?"
"At work. We are supposed to go shopping after she comes back. I was just taking some time to think and meditate."
"Dude, I mean Heung, you are deep, man. Wow."
"Not really." Choi Young always considered himself to be a simple man.
"Yes, really. You are, dude. Trust me. Although I'm not surprised, Noona is kind of deep, too. She likes to read and she studies a lot. Now that I think of it… I've never seen her bring a man home before. Score, dude!" and he tried to high five Choi Young, hitting empty air. "High five", but his new friend just stared at him in confusion.
"Dude, where did you come from that you don't know this?" Apparently, he already forgot about his noble intention to call the general Heung.
Choi Young thought about how funny this man's brain works, and wondered how to even talk to him. "Far…" said Choi Young, straining to figure out a way to explain without revealing his origins. Lucky for him, Hee Jun was not that deep or focused. His mind already jumped to something else and the answer was good enough to satisfy him.
"You still don't have any clothes besides that suit. Let's go shopping, I will set you up."
"I am going with Eun Soo. We planned."
"Come with me first, I'll treat. I just got my check. Let's celebrate our friendship."
"I still don't think I should go without her."
"I will call her.," and Hee Jun pulled out his cell and dialed his girlfriend. "Text me Eun Soo's number. Why? Because I need it for the dude."
Choi Young listened and watched, fascinated. He did not really think that just anybody could contact Imja. All of her calls seemed very important, and he was not sure how this "phone" worked, but it never occurred to him that he could have borrowed it from just anybody and call her. He felt really stupid for a moment, but let it go, to spare himself further embarrassment.
"Hello." He took the phone handed to him and heard Eun Soo's voice. "Who is it?"
"It's me." It was hard to hear her, as if she was next to him, but not see, and he even looked around. The concept of voice traveling through a small device did not make any sense, but a lot of things in this world did not make sense. At least he could hear her.
"Choi Young?" she was as surprised, as him. "How did you call me? What is wrong? Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. Hee Jun wants to take me shopping, but I told him I will go with you, so he called."
He heard a loud sigh of relief and an answer he did not expect, " Why don't you two boys go, when I come home, we can go together or I can catch up with you two at the store. You don't need to waste time waiting for me. Besides, Hee Jun has good taste and knows latest men's fashion better than me. Love you. Bye."
"Bye?" and he heard a strange beep. "Imja? Imja?"
"She is gone." He showed the phone to Hee Jun. "What is wrong?"
"Did not she say goodbye? You are being weird again, dude." The man was grinning from ear to ear. He did not care that his Heung was unusual. He was super cool: carrying sword, throwing a book with such an aim, getting a woman like Eun Soo sleep with him! Everything he did looked cool; he even moved coolly. Despite being such a male model of coolness, he listened to his advice, offered to protect him and wanted to be friends! And Hee Jun began developing his first man crush.