(Arc 2 : Blood and love)

There was tension in the air. Were Hao Ming and Ashlay involved in something far darker than the artists had imagined?

“The Shadows? I feel like I’ve heard that name at Nemesis.” Gwenval reply thoughtfully.

Kaelan, who didn’t know the group, stayed silent.

“After dealing with a loan shark gang a few years ago, Ash and I gathered several people to create the Shadows. It's a group that can act without being restricted by the law, unlike the police.” Hao Ming explained.

“But we don’t do anything particularly illegal. We always hand over gang members to the authorities after neutralizing them.” Ashlay added.

“I can guess you’re both superhero fans.” Kaelan said with a faint smile.

Hao Ming looked away, embarrassed. Ashlay also blushed, betraying a bit of truth.

“After our meeting with Baek Dong Soo, I realized I couldn't just sit back and do nothing.” Ashlay continued.

“You were looking for evidence. That’s why you were in the owner’s office.” Gwenval deduced.

Ashlay nodded.

The musician and the painter sighed at the same time, prompting curious glances from the others.

“I was planning to tell you about my activities at the Nemesis so we could investigate together.” The musician confessed.

“So that’s what you wanted to talk to me about…”

Gwenval nodded.

Hao Ming couldn’t believe they had all had the same intention…at the same time.

Ashlay lowered his head and remained silent for several seconds. A mix of guilt and shame overwhelmed him.

“Ashlay?”

Suddenly, he dropped to his knees in front of the musician. Hao Ming rushed to help him up.

“I’m really sorry, Gwen Gwen. If I had listened to you, we wouldn’t be in this situation. It’s entirely my fault. You can do whatever you want with me!”

“What are you saying?!” Get up, bai chi (idiot)!”

The musician burst out laughing, immediately easing the tension.

“Don't be so dramatic. Even if you lied to me, you did it for a good reason, didn't you? I’m not mad at you. I probably would have done the same in your place. Come on, get up.”

Ashlay stood up instantly, his heart racing with excitement. He badly wanted to kiss Gwenval right now.

“So, outside your successful business lives, you run a masked vigilante group. Gwen is a champion of underground fight club.” Kaelan summed up. “Is it just me, or am I the only one without a double life?”

Gwenval gave his friend a strange look. The painter smirked.

“You must’ve been in danger more than once,” Gwenval assumed.

“Since I met Ash, there have been very few calm moments. Even before forming the Shadows, we got involved in fights to help students who were being bullied. And let’s not forget the kidnapping attempts.”

“Kidnapping attempts?” Gwenval and Kaelan exclaimed in unison.

“Hao Ming’s skills attract a lot of attention. We’re also both heirs to major companies. So, yeah, we’ve had malicious people try to use us against our parents or for profit.” Ashlay explained, annoyed at the thought.

Ashlay leads a much more animated life than I'd imagined. The musician realized.

“Don’t worry, Gwen Gwen. I swear I won’t let my problems affect you. But if you think it’s too dangerous…you can…cut ties with me…”

Despite his usual cheerfulness, Ashlay had a knot in his stomach. He was anxious that Gwenval might reject him.

“Ashlay.”

“Yes?”

The young man braced himself for the answer.

“Can I join the Shadows?”

“What?!”

Ashlay had expected anything but that. Deep down, though, he was overjoyed to hear it, but…

“Are you sure about this, Gwen?” Ashlay asked.

Lioren’s threats suddenly came back to his mind.

“Do you doubt my abilities?” Gwenval replied.

“Not at all! With Dark Angel on our side, nothing can stop us. But still—”

“I’m not afraid of getting hurt, Ashlay. Besides, you’ll be with me, right?”

“I want to join, too.” The painter announced cheerfully.

Everyone turned toward him. Although the Shadows weren’t solely made up of fighters, Hao Ming wondered if Kaelan truly understood what joining them entailed.

Gwenval had no objections.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m not as fragile as you think. I wasn’t interested in the Nemesis, but the Shadows are different. Furthermore, I don’t want to be left out if you let Gwen join.”

Ashlay and Hao Ming still had a few doubts. After a moment of hesitation, however, they finally agreed to let the artists be part of the group.

“As soon as Gwen feels better, we’ll introduce you to the others.

“Wonderful!” Kaelan said enthusiastically.

____

[Later that day…]

VRRRRR! VRRRRR! VRRRRR!

Il Young, who had gone to bed after returning home, was awakened by his phone vibrating. Still groggy, he answered.

“Hello?”

“My dear Il Young, I’ve got a great job for you.”

“Sorry, hyung. I think I’m done with that stuff.”

“After begging me for so long, you want to quit? Okay, okay. I’m sure you have your reasons. But it’s a four million won job. (Two thousand nine hundred thirty-six dollars or two thousand five hundred euros”

“What?!”

Il Young sat up instantly.

“Interested now?” The man on the other end laughed.

“Hyung, I told you. I won’t take part in murder. And no amount of money is worth going to jail in place of someone.”

“Ah! Ah! Relax. Relax. It’s way simpler than that. In a week, a shipment is coming into the port. The owners need extra hands unloading everything. Since I like you and know you need the money, I thought you might be interested.”

At that moment, Il Young received a message from the hospital. It was a bill. The number before the decimal point could make anyone faint.

“… What kind of shipment?”

“No idea. You don't need to know anyway. So, are you in?”

Anyone could tell that this sounded shady. But Il Young really needed the money. Should he ask Gwenval and Ashlay? No, he didn't have the courage. Especially since the musician was also in the hospital. He could handle this. It wasn’t the first time.

“ Unloading cargo?”

“You take the boxes out of a container and load them into a truck. Couldn’t be easier.”

“… I’m in.”

“Perfect! I’ll put you on the list and send you the details.”

After hanging up, Il Young lay back down. He stared at the number Ashlay had given him on his screen.

Did I make the right choice?

____

Night had fallen hours ago.

Kaelan and Hao Ming had left together. Ashlay stayed behind to work in Gwenval’s room. The latter who had fallen asleep due to the medication slowly began to wake up.

“Ashlay…”

“Yes?”

Ashlay stood and moved to the musician’s side.

“… Water--”

Gwenval began to cough before finishing his sentence. Ashlay understood and quickly poured him a glass of water.

“Thank you, Ashlay.”

Looking out the window, Gwenval realized he had slept for quite a while.

“I want to get some air.”

After requesting a wheelchair from a nurse, Ashlay helped Gwenval into it. Then, he covered him with a warm blanket and headed to the deserted hospital roof.

“You know, I never imagined that after meeting you, so many things would happen. Ending up at the Nemesis. Fighting against you…with you. Those were the last things I would’ve expected” Gwenval declared.

“I could say the same, Gwen Gwen.”

The wind was gentle, and the city lights shimmered in the distance.

“Gwen Gwen?”

“Hm?”

“I think it’s going to get more dangerous from now on. Are you sure you want to be involved in all of this?”

Ashlay nervously gripped his left arm.

“Yes, I’m sure. I want to know what kind of world you live in.” Gwenval replied calmly.

Ashlay looked at the musician.

“If you didn't want things to turn out this way, you shouldn't have tried to get my attention. From the beginning, I told you to leave me alone, but you refused and insisted on helping me. And now? Here we are, talking on the roof of a hospital.” The musician said sarcastically.

Ashlay had no response.

“As you’ve seen, I don’t exactly have a normal life either. Even if I did, I don’t think I could go back knowing you regularly face off against who knows what kind of organizations. I’d rather help you.”

“Gwen…”

It’s too late, Ashlay.

Ashlay knelt beside the musician. His eyes were filled with tenderness.

Gwenval gently cupped the young man’s face in his hands.

“I trust you, Ashlay. I know you’ll protect me. And I’ll protect you. Deal?”

Gwenval pulled Ashlay closer, softly pressing his forehead against his, and closed his eyes.

“I love you, Gwenval.” Ashlay whispered, moved by the moment.

Slowly and tenderly, they kissed under the starry sky.