[CHAPTER 41]

"Unexpected Visitors"

Jaehwan and Wonshik gathered at the bookstore to brief one another what they found out. They also went back and forth multiple times to keep in contact with Hyoshin and InGuk about any possible findings. But all their efforts were proven to be fruitless.

Jaehwan let out a deep sigh as soon as they stepped foot onto the second floor.

"No luck on your side too?" Wonshik asked the older.

"I asked my old man about it and not only him, but the other Supervisors doesn't have a single clue about what's going on either," Jaehwan told him. "How about you? What'd your Supervisor say?"

"Same as everyone else. I just don't get it. How can no one on Moirae's Edge not have a single clue as to what's happening? They've been doing research for how many centuries now? How many human fates have they gone researching through all these years yet still not have a single idea as to what's going on?" Wonshik was in utter disbelief.

The two of them have been trying their best to solve the problems that were occurring between Sanghyuk and Hakyeon's book of fate. Despite all the higher councils and Supervisors being reluctant to help at first, they knew that the facility would be doomed if they didn't try to close the gate.

All these years of manipulating mankind had to be put to an end. It took a lot of effort for Hyoshin as well to convince the councils to seal the gate once and for all.

"Have you talked with Kong recently? Has he found anything out about Han Sanghyuk's condition?" Wonshik asked Jaehwan.

"He said it's still the same but to think... after all this craziness that we've gone through to get here, Jung Taekwoon has decided to give in finally."

"Yeah... do you think we can trust him though? After all, he's the one who turned Hongbin in, in the first place," Wonshik was rather paranoid.

It wasn't just him, but it was the same for Jaehwan as well when Hongbin called them to let them know that Taekwoon has given up on getting to Hakyeon. The two of them were skeptical and still are, but Hongbin vouched for Taekwoon. So even if the two of them still doesn't trust Taekwoon entirely, they do trust Hongbin.

Taekwoon have become the least of their worries now thankfully except another problem have surfaced.

Hakyeon didn't want to let go anymore.

"How do you think Hakyeonie is holding up?" Jaehwan wonders.

"Not good I bet, but what can you do? It's not easy for Hongbin to make a decision in the first place. Whatever he chooses in the end, he still has to lose something in exchange. If I was him, I wouldn't know what to do either honestly," Wonshik sighed.

The two of them caught up to everything that was going back on Earth while they travelled back and forth between the two dimensions. They didn't know how to react and if they said they weren't surprised, they'd be lying.

But all these worried had no end nor are there any clear solutions as to what they should do. All they feel like they've been doing was waiting for a miracle to happen.

"Hey, do you think the Gods would help us? I mean if anything were to happen to Moirae's Edge or humanity because of all of this, wouldn't they be affected too?" Jaehwan wonders.

"I highly doubt it. They've already let go of their curiosity when it comes to mankind. They've lost control of humans since long ago and left it all for the Goddesses plus our facility to monitor fate. They said it centuries ago that they will have nothing to do with fate or the facility so why would they care now?" Wonshik reminded the older.

"Ugh! This is such a headache!"

"Tell me about it..."

Clank. Clank. Clank.

The tin cans hit against one another as someone opened the door.

Jaehwan and Wonshik peeked over the railings of the second floor to see who it was.

"W-who?" Jaehwan and Wonshik was surprised at the unfamiliar visitor.

* * * * * *

It was the middle of the night and Hongbin made it in time before the sunrise. He was very sleepy as he made his way back home. Luckily, Hakyeon didn't wake up in the middle and panicked if he were to find out that Hongbin went out late at night again. The younger secretly retreated back to the bedroom and took the note he wrote earlier that evening back.

The older was still asleep and was so tired that he didn't even flinch when Hongbin accidentally creaked the bed as he got in.

As tired as he was, Hongbin laid next to Hakyeon and watched the older peacefully sleeping next to him.

Hongbin have decided to leave but he can't help but doubt once more of his choice. Why does this have to be so hard? Why can't everything just fall into place like it would in a fairy tale? Hongbin continued his wishful thinking until he finally fell asleep.

That night's sleep was short and restless. The younger couldn't help but think about the future.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The alarm went off and Hongbin finally woke up. But when he woke up, Hakyeon had already left for work, earlier than usual. When did the older wake up? Why didn't Hongbin notice it?

Hongbin got out of bed and looked around the house to confirm if the older had really left already. Disappointingly, Hakyeon really left without a word. Is he mad at me? I wouldn't blame him...

Hongbin let out a deep sigh and cleaned up the house out of boredom. He made sure the place was spotless so that when Hakyeon comes home, the older might be pleased at his efforts. Once more, it was only Hongbin's wishful thinking.

He let out a lazy stretch after half a day of organizing and cleaning. Even back home, he would never clean since his parents did it all for him. It wasn't as if he was a messy person but more so, the exact opposite. Despite his uncaring and disinterested personality, Hongbin loves to keep things in order. He can't stand the sight of things being out of place and though he tries to not show it, old habits are hard to die.

As he finished cleaning, he looked at the clock to realize that there was still a lot of time left over before Hakyeon gets out of school. So, he headed over to the bookstore to clean some more. His chores were endless.

Honestly, the bookstore was still empty, and nothing was placed on the shelves. He fully understands why Hakyeon wanted to keep the empty building but at the same time, the younger knows just how much trying to keep the place cost. What was the use of this place if it isn't going to be used for making money? Everyone knew how broke Hakyeon is yet the older insisted on keeping the place as a memory.

After all, this is the place where Hongbin and Hakyeon first met.

Hongbin opened the doors to the noisy tin cans that hung above. He's always thought it was silly of him to hang those tin cans up there as if the sound wasn't annoying enough to begin with. Should he have hung a chime or bells like everyone else? But that's so boring...

He cracked a smile as he suddenly remembers how many times he jumped to the cans' noise whenever someone came in. Even Hakyeon would jolt from his sleep whenever he fell asleep while reading a novel.

I'll keep you here for now, I guess, the younger thought and retreated upstairs.

He finished wiping down every shelf there were and after a long time, he went to the back-storage room. He went to put away all the cleaning supplies but at the same time, he went into one of the closets to grab something out.

A locked wooden box.

Hongbin opened the box to reveal a book inside. A blank one to be exact. It was the book that was meant to have his fate be written inside eventually. He kept it in the bookstore as a safe keeping because he couldn't hand it to Hakyeon right away without fully making a decision on what to do in the end. Of course, he wants to have a story of his own and truly exist like everyone else but at the same time, he was hesitant about his decisions. He knows how much his decisions can affect Hakyeon and he also knows that Hakyeon can be overly emotional at times as well. That's why he couldn't just hand over the book over to Hakyeon.

This book was special and so was the pen that came with it. The two things came hand-in-hand with one another and can never be separated. The pen would be useless without the book and the book would just continue to stay blank forever if it wasn't written with the right pen.

My story, huh? Hongbin have thought about it over and over again as to what sort of fate he would have or what kind of beginning Hakyeon would give him if the older writes his story in the end. To be honest, it was unimaginable.

Hongbin has never thought so far as to not existing and then wanting to exist after finding out. He's lived two full decades of his life without caring for the future or for his life because there wasn't anything he was particularly interested in to begin with. He was someone who had no greed for anything.

But eventually, after meeting Hakyeon, he couldn't help but beg for more. He was desperate for the first time in his life and that wasn't to exist, but it was to be with Hakyeon instead.

He let out a sigh and closed the box.

There's no point to this now. I need to look forward. What matters the most now is Han Sanghyuk and getting Taekwoon back to Moirae's Edge in time.

He locked the closet tight and made sure that every place in the bookstore was spotless in the end.

With more time on his hands than he expected, he decided to make a trip to Sanghyuk's apartment.

"Come in," Taekwoon opened the door right away.

"Sorry for coming over so suddenly," Hongbin said.

"No worries, Sanghyuk wanted to see you too."

He does? Hongbin thought and walked into the living space.

"Hey," Sanghyuk waved a bit as he sat by the dining table to have some lunch.

"Are you okay with getting up? You're still sick, aren't you?" Hongbin was concerned and looked at the younger's complexion to confirm.

"It's... okay. There's no use staying in bed since this isn't a normal illness anyways," the younger replied.

"I see."

Taekwoon went ahead to the kitchen and prepared an extra plate of food for Hongbin's visit. The younger didn't expect that Taekwoon could cook at all and of all things, he made pasta.

"Where'd you learn to make Italian food?" Hongbin asked curiously as he scanned the plate of pasta on the table.

"Books. Not that hard if you've read many fates especially those who were chefs," Taekwoon said.

"I see, well, don't mind me. Thanks for the food," the younger said and ate it with ease.

"It's good, isn't it?" Sanghyuk asked.

"Yeah, surprisingly."

Sanghyuk smiled and nodded in agreement.

Taekwoon sulked a bit, feeling like he was getting teased by the two suddenly, but he didn't mind it. He even smiled back in reflex from the uplifting atmosphere.

"So, I told Jaehwan and Wonshik about the situation already. The fact that you'll be returning have put a lot of people to ease but are you sure of it?" Hongbin asked Taekwoon.

"Yeah..." he responded. "What's the use of staying here any longer?"

That's when Sanghyuk grabbed onto Taekwoon's sleeves a bit.

"Are you... really leaving?" The younger almost looked too concern, as if he didn't want it.

"Um, yeah," Taekwoon found himself averting the younger's eyes," I shouldn't stay any longer. Me staying here have already made you become this way. I can't dwell here on Earth and cause you more pain. Once we've confirm everything, I'll be returning back to Moirae's Edge."

Sanghyuk grew a bit quiet and so did the other two. To be honest, no one wants anyone to leave or be separated. Being separated between dimensions is a painful thing and almost too unbearable. It was a situation no one wishes for but has no other choice.

"You too?" Sanghyuk turned his attention to Hongbin next.

Hongbin nodded.

"What about Hakyeon-hyung?" the younger continued.

"I told him already but... he's not taking it too well," Hongbin sighed.

"You can’t blame him. After all, even after we erased his memories of you, he still remembers who you are even when everyone else have forgotten," Taekwoon commented. "That just to show how much you mean to him and how much you've changed his life. Honestly, if we were to erase his memories of me, I doubt he would remember me like he did for you."

Taekwoon was right. It was a situation that was almost too unimaginable to begin with. No one predicted this outcome. If Hakyeon were to never recall his memories and time with Hongbin, what would have become of them now?

"Taekwoon-hyung is right," Sanghyuk added. "Are you sure you're going to leave?"

Hongbin continues to second guess himself. He wants to be firm with his decisions but every minute that passes by makes him question once more of what he truly wants. Is it really okay to ask for more? What if his greed puts more people into danger than it already has?

* * * * * *

Taekwoon and Hongbin helped Sanghyuk get back to his bedroom. The younger was tired obviously but still insisted on spending time with the other two. He was feeling lonely being in bed all day that he wanted to talk with someone even if his throat hurts every time he talks.

Hongbin eventually helped Taekwoon clean up the dishes and cleaning up the place before he leaves.

"You really should clean up, for Sanghyuk's sake," Hongbin advised.

"It's clean," Taekwoon said while adverting his gaze.

"Heh. Well, t least you're good at cooking so that makes up for it, I guess. Anyways, I'm gonna go. I'll visit again soon."

"Yeah."

Taekwoon escorted Hongbin to the doorway and opened the door for the younger, but...

The two of them froze as soon as the door opened. They were speechless. They couldn't believe their eyes and began to fear of what is to come. They couldn't believe who was waiting and standing right outside of the door for them.

"H-Hakyeon-ah," Hongbin trembled just at the sight of the unexpected guest.

"Why are you here? And with him?" Hakyeon glared straight at Taekwoon who stood beside Hongbin. His expression was stern and he was obviously displeased at what he saw.

"I-I can explain," Taekwoon tried to defend Hongbin but stuttered at the awkward situation.

"Shut up," Hakyeon turned him down immediately. "Lee Hongbin, tell me why you're here. Why are you two together?"

It was a situation where anyone knew that the only thing to do now was to be honest and tell the truth, but the atmosphere was almost too intense that it was suffocating. Hongbin found himself unable to speak at all. He was afraid, worried and terrified.

"Well? Explain yourself, Lee Hongbin," Hakyeon repeated once more.

A/N: unWritten will be updated more frequently the next few weeks because I really wish to finish this and continue with 'Eden'. Don't worry, I'm not fully rushing this story's ending, actually it's because I actually wrote a few chapters extra lately as I was really motivated to write ~