Ciphertext – Chapter 36: Gathering
Yoosung entered Luciel's house, stepping a little cautiously at first. It had been too long since he was last here and everything seemed so fresh and new. He clutched the plastic container in his hands and Luciel stared at it.
"Is that for me?"
Breaking out of his daze, Yoosung smiled. "Yup. I figured you could do with something nutritious to eat! I've been trying to get more protein in my diet recently, so I thought-"
Luciel extended his arms to take the container and Yoosung passed it over.
"There's a lot of omelette in here!" Luciel seemed impressed by the size of it.
"Yeah, I know. I uh … kinda went overboard with the number of eggs."
"It looks delicious. I'll share it with Eun-ji later."
Yoosung suddenly looked bashful. "Um … speaking of Eun-ji … where is she?"
Luciel motioned towards the living room. "In here, with Vanderwood."
"Eh? Your manager is here?"
"Well, he's not exactly my manager anymore. We're in the same boat at this point in time, but at least he's got a new job to go to."
"New … job? Wait, am I totally missing something here!?"
"The big boss, Tom Park … we had to get rid of him."
"Get rid of-? Y-y-you mean you ... killed someone?" Yoosung's complexion paled noticeably. "Jumin didn't mention that part to me!"
"Hey, don't worry. I'm not secretly an assassin or anything. It was all in self-defence … self-defence … okay?" he clocked the pained expression in Yoosung's eyes. "You do believe me, don't you?"
Yoosung hesitated slightly before letting out a deep sigh. "What choice do I have?" His smile softened. "I mean, to begin with it's not like I ever knew much about your work as a hacker, but I sure as hell don't buy the idea of you intentionally murdering someone." He laughed. "That's not something that the Seven I know would do."
"Thanks for saying that Yoosung, and of course you're right. I wouldn't ever dream of physically harming someone on purpose."
"Good," he gave a meek laugh. "Well, onto a different subject … are you gonna introduce me to her or not?" He was abnormally quick to alter his mood.
Luciel lead him into the other room. "Sure, come with me."
Yoosung followed gingerly behind.
"Eun-ji, this is Yoosung. He brought us this huge omelette," said Luciel lifting up the container for her to see. "Check it out."
"Ah! That looks delicious, I love a good omelette." She smiled. "Anyway, it's so great to finally meet you in person. It's just not the same as talking on the phone or the messenger, right?"
Yoosung stopped a few paces behind Luciel. His body felt heavy all of a sudden, as though he was frozen solid and unable to move an inch. He cast his eyes over Eun-ji's slender figure, feeling himself getting caught up in her feminine presence. The way her long brown hair fondled her cheeks and the clothes she was wearing, he wouldn't have expected any of it.
He let out an unintentional whimper. "S-so pretty …" he murmured, quietly under his breath. His eyes were now transfixed on her.
Eun-ji cocked her head to the side as she so often did. "Hmm? Did you say something Yoosung?"
"U-uh, n-n-no! I mean, it's um … nice to meet you too."
Vanderwood chuckled, ripping a fresh slice of pizza between his teeth. "Oh man, is this kid nervous or what?"
Yoosung threw Vanderwood a biting glare and puffed up his cheeks in frustration. "Hey! I'll have you know I'm not a kid! I'm a fully-grown adult! I can cook my own meals, wash myself and everything."
"Alright fine, whatever. You're only just an adult. But you're obviously a virgin," Vanderwood remarked slyly. "If you're trying to hide it you might not want to look so desperate."
It seemed like Yoosung might explode at any minute. "Seven! Will you please shut this guy up?"
Luciel narrowed his eyes at the hazel-haired man. "Can't you just give the comments a rest, Vanderwood?"
Yoosung pouted. "Hmph! I mean look at him, munching away on his ham and pineapple pizza. Who orders pineapple on pizza anyway!? That's such a vomit-inducing combination!"
"Is that your feeble attempt to try and offend me? Well, I'm used to much harsher words than those, little boy. In any case, this pizza isn't actually mine. I'm just borrowing a slice from Eun-ji." Vanderwood ruffled up his hair, confident that he was more of a man than this bleach-haired child would ever be.
Yoosung looked over at Eun-ji, still sitting there with her legs crossed so alluringly. She was now making direct eye contact with him. He felt his stomach turn with panic. "Uh … what I mean I … adding pineapple to pizza isn't really a serious crime or anything, it's just that I've never really … um … tried it, so I wouldn't kn-"
"Well, there's a first time for everything," said Eun-ji.
"A f-first time for-?"
"This." She held out a slice of her ham and pineapple pizza. "I already took a bite out of it, but if you don't mind, please try some." She was insistent.
Yoosung extended his hand to take the pizza, his nerves getting the better of h. "Um … Seven is this … okay?"
"Hmm?"
"I mean … can I take this pizza?"
"What are you talking about? Of course you can have it. Why would you need my permission?"
"B-but eating this would be like …"
"Yoosung, you're not making any sense." Luciel was clueless as to what could possibly be running through his innocent mind.
Vanderwood smirked. "… it would be like an indirect kiss?"
He guessed by Yoosung's expression that he had hit the nail on the head.
"Seriously? You really must be stuck in elementary school mode!"
"No!" Yoosung tried to defend himself. "Look, I'm going to eat it and I don't care!" He shoved the slice of pizza into his mouth all at once, taking his time to chew and swallow the thing.
Everyone watched as he devoured it completely.
"Well? How was it?" asked Eun-ji, curious to see whether he had enjoyed the taste.
Yoosung blushed. "It was delicious."
Cupping his hand around Yoosung's left ear, Luciel decided to taunt him a little "The real thing is even more delicious …" he whispered.
"T-the real thing?"
"I mean direct kissing," he winked, suggestively. "But of course there's so much more to it than just that."
As Yoosung felt his body temperature rise, blood started to seep out of his nose.
Eun-ji stood up. "Oh, Yoosung! Your nose is bleeding. Let me go and get you a tissue."
He hurried to try and plug up his nostrils with his hands. "Uh, no. It-it's okay Eun-ji, I'll be fine! thanks!"
"But … there's so much of it."
Luciel tried hard not to laugh, but struggled to contain himself. "I wonder why?" he noted, sarcastically. "Someone is really pent-up! I didn't even go into the details and you got turned on by the mere thought of it?"
"Seven! Please don't embarrass me anymore!" He shut his eyes tightly and threw a small tantrum.
But the laughter was unrelenting. "Sorry Yoosung, you know me … I couldn't resist. You're just too easy to read!"
Vanderwood felt justified. "Luciel, you were trying to stop me teasing him earlier and now you're doing it too?"
"I've known him longer, so that automatically gives me permission to mess with him." Luciel winked and sported a cunning grin. "What do you think Eun-ji?"
Eun-ji adopted a more sinister tone. "Yeah, you should definitely mess with his poor, fragile virgin mind … is what you'd like me to say." Then, she smiled at Yoosung. "But to tell you the truth, I'm twenty-two and I was a virgin until recently, so I understand where you're coming from. Why should there be any pressure?"
Vanderwood tried to hide his amusement. "Heh, I can already tell where he's coming from …"
"Hmph! You guys are really not cool! But Eun-ji … thank you. I'm glad you're on my side at least."
Eun-ji pointed at herself. "Me? On your side?" she laughed. "No silly, I'm going to tease you about it as well! Get a girlfriend, finally have sex, do lots of crazy, dirty things together and then film it so we can all watch it on that projector over there. I'll be responsible for the popcorn."
Hearing this, Luciel felt like his heart was about to burst with happiness. She was ridiculous. "This is a big part of why I love you Eun-ji. And Yoosung, you better make that porno!" Actually, he hoped he wouldn't.
Yoosung felt somewhat violated, but knowing they were only joking he calmed down a little. "Guys … be realistic. A homemade porno? I don't think you'd want to watch me acting in that. Plus, I wouldn't want to risk a run-in with the police for producing that kind of thing. On top of that, my mom would never forgive me for spending my savings on ultra-zoom camera lens and sex toys. Um … not that I know about any decent ones to begin with so … forget I ever said anything." He was sweating profusely. Clearly, he was lying about having no knowledge about sex toys.
"Ultra … zoom? Dude, I hate to say it, but you put way too much detail into that," said Luciel, a little impressed by Yoosung's response. "but we're liking all these little clues you're giving us."
Trying to ignore Luciel's insinuation, Yoosung continued. "A-anyway, I'm saving myself for someone special, because obviously I'm a gentleman." He looked especially proud of that fact.
"You mean a 'gentleman' … like Zen?" asked Luciel.
That flipped a little switch of jealousy inside him. "Zen is a narcissistic, overblown, petty, flirtatious, pompous, narcissistic-"
"You already said 'narcissistic' Yoosung."
"-narcissistic ass … but he's a good guy and he cares about the welfare of others, so-"
Luciel's phone rang. "Speak of the devil!" he said, swiping to answer it. "Hey! How's Yoosung's favourite narcissistic ass?"
"Um … that's how you're going to greet me?" came Zen's response.
Luciel "Ahaha. Yeah, ignore me. I'm just playing with ya."
"Anyway … ARE YOU AND EUN-JI OKAY!? JUMIN TOLD ME WHAT HAPPENED!"
"Yup. We're fine and back at home now. Vanderwood and Yoosung are here with us. Why don't you come over?"
"Hmm. What about Eun-ji?"
"What about her?"
"What happened between us was-"
"A mistake? I know already dude! Like I said, I'm cool with it and she's cool with it. If you're letting it bother you now, it really shouldn't."
"Well, I'd still be holding a grudge if I were you." He paused. "Anyway I realise I haven't said it directly yet, but … Seven, I'm just really sorry, you know … that I couldn't control myself better when I with her. I don't know what came over me. I feel like such a fucking hypocrite!"
"Dude, it takes two to do the funky chicken," Luciel replied in a light-hearted tone, understanding that both he and Eun-ji were to blame in equal measure.
"No, it doesn't!" Zen, said in all seriousness, "it doesn't seem right to trivialise something like that!"
"Okay, that was a bad analogy, but let's just say Eun-ji and I share a much deeper connection now. In a strange way, it was largely thanks to you." He stopped to scratch his head, thinking of what to say next. "Listen, whatever excuses are running through your mind right now, just come over and join us."
Zen sighed, knowing there was no way out but to appease his friend. "Alright. I'm wiping the sweat off my freshly toned abs at the gym right now, so let me finish up, take a shower and I'll be there."
"Ooh … stop taunting me, that sounds so sexy! Can I have a feel when you get here?"
"Dude, please don't. That's seriously creepy coming from you …"
"Haha. Sorry, sorry. I was just imagining what it's like to be your female fan and to hear you say that. I should have recorded it and forwarded it on to Jaehee as a gift. Or maybe I should dress up in a maid costume for you, since you have such a !"
"Ugh. How embarrassing …"
"Oh, I think you mean 'how thoughtful'. But embarrassing Seven Zero Seven has always been my trademark. I just need to remember that."
Zen laughed. "I'm just glad it sounds like you've returned to normal again. You're back to being the joker you used to be before any of this even happened. Be yourself, and don't let anybody hack into that crazy personality of yours again!"
"Sure thing, bro! See you soon. Ciao ciao!"
"Um … yeah … ciao?"