Random Rambles: Omo, I can't believe this story has made it into the 70s... OTL ^^; I feel like there's still a lot of this story I have to tell/write, but at the same time it feels like it slowly coming to a close...Guess time will tell, right? ;) The first few lines, for those who don't know, are from Big Bang's Daesung - Wings. I just thought it fit this particular character/chappie ;P I didn't proofread near the end because sleepy, so do forgive me for any errors ^^' also, thanks again to/for new subs/readers/comments! I really appreciate the support, especially those who take the time to drop me some feedback :D you guys rock! Kamsahamnida <3 

PS: Valentine's Day is coming~ Look out for another special coming soon ;) (sheesh I sound like a movie billboard -_-")

***

Today, when it gets really lonely, I get crazily sad.

But, no one understands; what to do?

Today, I think, why am I the only one who's suffering like this?

Saying that everyone is happy are all lies - I won't believe it...

I will become a sad protagonist in this world, and I will hurt in place of you. 

I'll become your wings.

***

Thunder clapped against the sky, and try as he may, Dee couldn't shut it out. It seemed as though the world outside was at war, trying to break into the comforts of his laboratory. Not that it was any better in there, either. The atmosphere was rather tense and uncomfortable, and he had wished he had taken a day off.

Ever since he had an encounter with Miss Kumiho, he had that strange feeling like a part of his memory was somehow missing. He was almost certain that she may have had a hand in it somehow, but he thought himself ridiculous for even thinking it. It bothered him that he had been working on the Yggdrasil project so intently, that he hardly had time to simply talk to his co-workers, and his boss, especially. Guilt weighed on Dee for still not having said anything to Mr. Miyano about having seen Mr. Yok at the laboratory the other day. He remembered seeing and speaking to Miss Kumiho as well, when he saw her sneaking about where she really should not, but the conversation was hazy in his mind. He only remembered warning her not to do anything harmful to Mr. Miyano, and - as Dee rather shyly recalled - how beautiful she looked when she spoke to him.

Dee curled his toes and took a deep breath, trying hard to focus on the computer in front of him. Seunghyun was working at the desk beside him, concentrating on why his specimens had started dying, while Mr. Miyano was studying the dagger, with Miss Kumiho watching him. Though, it seemed that Mr. Miyano was keeping a closer watch on her. When she moved, his eyes darted towards her, making sure that she wouldn't do anything he didn't like. Dee thought that maybe the woman was pushing it, but after she said that Mr. Yok conveyed to her that the results they had sent him were close to a breakthrough and had given the order that Miss Kumiho should monitor the project 24/7, Mr. Miyano didn't really have a choice but to let her stay.

He didn't say that he thought it was quite a coincidence that the storm started raging outside, the moment they started prodding and studying the dagger. Then again, Dee thought wearily, there were a lot of things that he hadn't said, while thinking that he probably should.

"Hey, Dee-yah, are you listening?" Seunghyun's bass voice suddenly sounded, waking the young scientist from his thoughts.

"Huh? What was that?" Dee asked, looking apologetic.

Seunghyun shook his head and gave a smile. "Where's your head, hm? You've been suspiciously quiet since I came in for work after school," he remarked, walking over to him so that they could keep their conversation private. "Something on your mind?" he asked, quickly glancing at Mr. Miyano who was looking at a sample of the dagger with Miss Kumiho peering over his shoulder.

Dee pursed his lips together and fidgeted with the equipment on his desk for a bit. Seunghyun was his best friend. They go way back, shared a history together and always worked well together. Dee saw him more as an actual older brother than a friend, and usually he could always confide in him. Lately, however, he wasn't so sure, and that caused a feeling of guilt to linger heavily on his shoulders. He swallowed and gave a subtle, barely noticeable shake of the head.

"Just trying to figure this out. I'm fine," he answered softly, keeping his eyes on his work instead of Seunghyun.

"You sure about that? You don't act like you're fine," the taller researcher commented, nudging Dee against the shoulder. "Come on, talk to me. What's on your mind?"

"It's nothing, honest," Dee insisted, though he couldn't help but look up when Miss Kumiho moved. Before he realized it, he was staring at her, the way her hips swayed when she walked, how beautiful her hair shone. He always felt a pang of sadness in his chest when he finally looked at her face. He had wondered how someone so exquisite could harbor such hidden sorrow and pain in their eyes. Miss Kumiho had amazing eyes, Dee noted, but the spark that had once made them beautiful no longer existed. Knowing that made him ache for her. He felt her unspoken pain because he could tell that she couldn't anymore.

Through all of this, Seunghyun noticed Dee's blatant staring at the female co-worker and he chuckled sarcastically before patting the younger man's shoulder.

"Ah, so that's it," he spoke with newfound realization. "Come on, Dee, you're not seriously jealous or anything, are you? It was just dinner at the Boss' place. Nothing happened," he assured.

"No...I mean, yeah, I know," Dee rambled, clearing his throat.

"Then what's up? You're acting like someone who's got something to hide- it's pretty obvious, actually," Seunghyun stated, looking at Dee intently so the younger man had no choice but to look back. "Something eating away at you?"

Dee his dry lips, taking a deep breath as he looked at Seunghyun, a question burning in his eyes. He sighed. "Let me ask you something, hyung," he then started, feeling antsy. "Who do you think we work for?" he asked, making Seunghyun laugh shortly.

"The boss, of course," he replied, amused. Dee, however, was being serious through and through.

"What's the name of the boss you're talking about?" he then questioned, not a hint of playfulness in his tone of voice.

Seunghyun's amusement melted away in an instant upon realizing that Dee wasn't playing around and he scoffed slightly, shaking his head in baffled confusion. "The boss' na-, what are you talking about, man? We both work for the boss," he stated, watching Dee closely when he sighed. 

"Hey," Seunghyun started, "did something happen?" 

Dee bit his lip in hesitation before checking on Mr. Miyano and Miss Kumiho to make sure that they weren't paying attention to him or Seunghyun. Just to make sure, he gestured his friend to follow him to another part of the lab. 

"What's going on, Dee?" Seunghyun asked again, now that they were out of hearing range. 

"Hyung," Dee started, but wasn't quite sure how to continue. "Let me ask you something," he then said. "This thing that we're doing - the research on the dagger," Dee sighed, trying to find the right words. "Don't you get the feeling that, maybe-, I mean, don't you think, just a little, that perhaps we're more or less, sort of, uh-," 

"Dee, just spit it out, man," Seunghyun pressed. 

"In over our heads?" the young scientist then finally finished, wincing slightly as he waited for his friend to respond. "It's just- I don't know anymore, hyung. I was excited and hopeful at first, but now I'm not so sure." Dee lowered his head while Seunghyun looked at him. 

"What are you saying, hm? You want off the project?" he asked gently, trying to understand his younger friend. Though the tone of alarm was evident in his voice as well. Dee looked so helpless and naive at the same time. 

"T-that's not what I'm saying," Dee answered immediately. "But, I can't shake the feeling that- well," he heaved a grievous sigh. "Are we doing the right thing, hyung? Messing with this dagger, with nature? And now, Miss Kumiho- I mean...This doesn't feel right anymore, hyung," he whispered, confiding in his friend. 

"Dee, don't be silly, man. You're just tired, that's all. You don't really mean all of this. We're doing something for the greater good, here," Seunghyun assured, placing his hand on the shorter man's shoulder. 

"Are we really, hyung? Do you still believe that?" Dee asked soberly, in disbelief that Seunghyun's instincts weren't telling him that something was up. 

Seunghyun frowned upon seeing his friend like this and he leaned in closer. "What's gotten into you, hm? Isn't this project the opportunity you've been waiting for? What I've been waiting for?" he asked and Dee lowered his head, feeling guilty. 

"I know that, hyung, but-," 

"Dee, we prepared for this for too long. Now it's our time to shine. We're close, okay? Don't drop out now," Seunghyun pressed on, seeing the dejected expression on the blonde's face. 

"But...what if we were deceived in thinking that we were doing something good, when in actuality we aren't?" he whispered, though he still kept quiet about having seen Mr. Yok and Miss Kumiho sneaking around that dagger. All of it just didn't sit right with him anymore. It nearly made his stomach ache. 

"Why? Do you think Mr. Miyano is up to no good?" Seunghyun then questioned and Dee finally looked up at him, giving him a sarcastic glare. 

"Don't do that, Seunghyun," he warned seriously. "Mr. Miyano is a good man, but I'm afraid that he's caught up in something bad and-," he swallowed, quickly glancing back to make sure that both the boss and Miss Kumiho were busy, "-what if that's our fau-,"

"Shh. You're overthinking this, Dee," Seunghyun interrupted him briskly. "Bad, good, does it matter?" he asked gravely. "Point is, we have a job to do. Something that was ordered to us from our superiors. Who are we to question that, hm? What we're doing is right, Dee, and you know it. This was all we ever wanted, this opportunity right here, right now," he urged. "Or have you forgotten all about the vow you took with me before?" 

"Of course not, hyung!" Dee immediately protested. "Of course not," he emphasized, putting his hand on Seunghyun's shoulder. "It just feels like things have suddenly changed," he trailed off, giving a sigh. 

"What's this really about, Dee? Hm? Is it her?" Seunghyun then asked, gesturing at Miss Kumiho a little further away. 

Dee blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. "It's always her, hyung. I never know what to feel when it comes to her, but I know that whatever I'm feeling, it's strong," he admitted, causing Seunghyun to chuckle. 

"Well, maybe that's just it, then. But, if I may offer you a word of advice, Miss Kumiho she..." Seunghyun bit his lip when Dee looked up at him in anticipation, a look of childlike curiosity gracing his face. He was too late to mask his hesitation, but was surprised when Dee smiled warmly at him and nodded. 

"I know, hyung. Of course I know," he shrugged. "But I still can't help it. It's stupid to feel love for someone who can't love you back, but it doesn't make me love her less. Guess I'm just a romantic, hopeless fool that way, huh?" 

Dee's bright, sincere smile nearly broke Seunghyun's heart, and there was very little else he could do but to pat his lovesick friend on the shoulder and give him an encouraging nod of the head. "Don't worry too much, huh? We're on the right track. Answers are almost in our possession," he added. 

Dee nodded, even though he didn't look like he was convinced at all. But what will happen that? What will happen when we've unlocked the dagger?

"Dee, Seunghyun, could you come over here, please? Now would be nice," Mr. Miyano suddenly called them over. After exchanging a glance at each other, the two scientists joined their boss and Miss Kumiho.

"Seunghyun, hand me one of those plant samples of yours. I want to try something," the CEO instructed to which the researcher obliged. As they waited for Seunghyun, Dee's eyes wandered off to Miss Kumiho who was standing not all too far away from him. She had her eyes on the dagger, of course, as did Mr. Miyano, but Dee simply could not take his eyes from her. He began to wonder when his infatuation had begun- why it had begun. By all accounts, Miss Kumiho was not a necessarily a nice person. He was very well aware of that. She was rather rude and snide as well, so why did his heart flutter when he saw her? Was it because of her beauty?

No, Dee looked at her eyes and nodded to himself. Her eyes, he thought to himself. He was drawn to her eyes and the world he saw beyond them. Maybe it was because he liked fixing broken things, and Miss Kumiho, for all intents and purposes, was very much broken...

"Mr. Kang, I do not recall you being paid to research your female co-workers," Miss Kumiho suddenly remarked and Dee realized too late that he had been blatantly staring at her. He cleared his throat and looked away. 

"P-pardon me, ma'am," he quickly apologized, wincing when he saw the look of scorn on Seunghyun's face when he returned with a sample. The plant was wilting and withering away, but Mr. Miyano held up the dagger to it and they witnessed, to their astonishment, how the plant replenished and healed. 

"Unbelievable!" Mr. Miyano exclaimed, though he sounded agitated beyond belief. "I don't understand any of this. This thing appeared to be dying moments ago, and now it's healing itself and gathering energy again?!" Out of frustration Mr. Miyano simply threw the dagger on the desk, not caring a damn what kind of effect it might have. Both Dee and Seunghyun, on the other hand, startled at seeing the dagger clattering against the surface of the desk and Dee grasped his shirt since he couldn't hold on to his heart instead. 

Miss Kumiho seemed to have paled slightly, but did not give an emotional reaction. She calmly regarded the frustrated CEO and cleared . 

"It appears that the project can continue, Mr. Miyano," she said, walking over to gently grab the dagger instead, the green seed pulsating at her touch. 

Mr. Miyano watched her closely, but looked absolutely dissatisfied. "Dee, run another DNA scan on the dagger," he instructed and Dee moved hesitatingly, looking at Miss Kumiho who regarded him with an eyebrow lifted. 

"There is no need for another scan, sir. This proves that there is nothing wrong with the dagger, so research may continue," she replied with a voice as sweet as honey. 

Mr. Miyano would have none of that. "I'll be the judge of that, Miss Kumiho. Please hand the dagger over to Mr. Kang," he stated firmly and Miss Kumiho had no other choice but to agree. Her slender fingers brushed briefly against Dee's hand, making the young man shiver as he quickly ran another DNA scan. He wasn't sure what Mr. Miyano thought he would find, but when the results popped up on the screen before him, his eyes widened. 

"You found something, Dee?" Mr. Miyano walked over to the researcher, glancing at the results before frowning and shaking his head. "That's not possible," he muttered. "That's not possible, is it?" he asked a stunned Dee, who's mind was spinning. 

"I- I don't know, sir," he exclaimed truthfully. "I don't understand where - or how? I...I don't know, sir," he said. 

"How can this dagger possess fragments of human DNA?" Mr. Miyano demanded to know, though he appeared to be directing his attention on a calm and smiling Miss Kumiho. 

"That is one of the many mysteries it possesses I reckon, sir," she purred and Dee squinted at her. She looked so smug, so triumphant- so divine... He shook his head and took a deep breath. Control, Dee. Control. 

"Though, and I am only guessing, it does appear that the present human DNA strengthens the dagger and its energy. Almost as if it needs it to stay strong and healthy. Isn't that the oddest thing?" she mused. 

Mr. Miyano shook his head and stalked towards her. "Except that there was no sign of any human DNA making up the dagger before. Dee analyzed it thoroughly and this is the first time he detected human DNA. That' s not possible unless you had a hand in this, Miss Kumiho, which leads me to believe that there is more about this dagger that you know of but choose not to tell me," the CEO confronted out of the blue, the atmosphere in the room becoming thick with tension and friction. 

Dee looked at Seunghyun nervously as both of them wouldn't mind to be elsewhere at the moment. 

Miss Kumiho smirked. "I do not see why you are so upset, Mr. Miyano. Rejoice! You're so close to unlocking all of the dagger's secrets," she said and actually gasped in alarm when Mr. Miyano approached her. Dee felt his own legs twitch as if he wanted to stop the boss from doing so, but he held back. The CEO didn't touch her, he merely stood toe to toe with her. He was angry, and Dee could understand why. Miss Kumiho never played straight. She went behind people's backs. Another unpleasant trait she possessed. 

"You did something, didn't you? What are you and Mr. Yok not telling me?" Mr. Miyano demanded to know, looking beyond peeved. 

"Why, sir, I've no clue what you're talking about, I assure you," she still managed to reply but Mr. Miyano was becoming fed up. 

"What did you do, Miss Kumiho?! Do not make me ask you again. This sneaky behavior of yours is unacceptable! You did something to that dagger and I demand to know what you've done! Where did the human DNA come from, what did you do to acquire it?!" he raised his voice to show his anger, but he did not shout. Dee looked at Seunghyun, the two of them becoming silent, awkward witnesses to the scene. 

When Miss Kumiho did not speak, the boss became still as well. "Will we find blood on that dagger, Miss Kumiho?" he asked, the question laden with unspeakable burden. 

"Of course not, sir," she answered more humbly. "Hair," she said instead as Dee swallowed - he was parched. 

Mr. Miyano lifted a skeptical eyebrow at her for the statement. "Hair?" he repeated. "Whose?" 

She lifted her shoulders easily. "Don't know, sir. It was a test, to see how the dagger would react. It seems the experiment was proven successful. It's regaining most of its energy again," she answered calmly. 

Mr. Miyano sighed, and ran his hand through his hair, turning away from the woman. "What am I supposed to do with you, Miss Kumiho? We cannot work like this. I refuse to work with you if this is how you handle things. I've told you so many times before. Why must you still go behind my back, meddle in my work as though you don't trust me to do my job? I know how important this project is, I know that Mr. Yok wants answers, wants to see quick results and I know that puts a lot of pressure on you- but this is not the way to do it," he reprimanded. "I can't fire you, Miss Kumiho, and I"m sorry to say that you're lucky I can't." 

Ouch. 

Dee cringed at hearing the harsh words from his employer, who was obviously fed up with the woman's behavior and demeanor. When he peeked at Seunghyun, he saw that his friend resorted to focusing on his rejuvenated samples, pretending like he wasn't hearing anything. When Dee looked at Miss Kumiho he saw that her eyes had darkened, but not with anger. With emptiness. 

"Is it that easy for you, sir, to throw away an employee who is only trying her best to make you succeed, to help you?" 

Dee was surprised to see her speak so calmly, though he noticed a slight tremble in her voice. 

"By being dishonest? By raising suspicion? What do you think, Miss Kumiho? The way you do business is unbecoming, to say the least," Mr. Miyano replied, looking as though he was trying to calm down. Miss Kumiho showed no emotion, of course, so Dee purposely looked into her eyes. His heart swelled in his chest. 

"With all due respect, sir," he suddenly found himself saying before he even realized that he had stepped up and opened his mouth. Seunghyun stared at him with wide eyes, subtly shaking his head as if he was telling Dee to stay out of it. Dee didn't heed his silent advice. 

"If it wasn't for Miss Kumiho's proactive behavior, we might not have gotten as far as we did," he continued carefully. He caught the look of suspicion the woman shot at him, but he ignored it. "Granted, her methods are unsophisticated, but efficient. In this case, I mean. Had she not tried to place human hair on the dagger for it to 'consume', for lack of a better word, we would not have known how to heal its energy. Then the whole project would have been forfeited. But now, we can move on, continue the research and see if we can unlock all of its secrets," he said, biting his lip nervously when Mr. Miyano regarded him shrewdly. 

"Hm," he hummed. "Perhaps so," he then sighed deeply, focusing his attention on Miss Kumiho again. "I do apologize for my harsh words, Miss Kumiho, but I will not deny them," he said firmly. "However if there is something about this dagger that you know and we don't, do be honest and open about it. We'll unlock its secrets together," he said, his tone obviously more gentle. 

"I promise you, sir," she started. "I don't know more than you," she said solemnly, though Dee felt his stomach clench. "But I would like to work together," she added with a bow. "Thank you," she said. 

"Hmhm," Mr. Miyano replied, a bit skeptically. "How are your plants, Seunghyun?" he then asked, changing the subject after a rather awkward reconciliation. 

"Oh? Oh! Yes, uh, they appear to be perfectly healthy again, Boss, I really don't understand, but I'm happy," he grinned, trying to lift the mood. "Guess human DNA was the missing puzzle piece," he chuckled lightheartedly. "Heck, if it's hair it wants, it can have some of mine," he added jokingly. 

"Well, let's save our hair until we figure out how this works, eh?" the young CEO stated. 

"You sure you're alright, Boss?" Seunghyun asked, just to be sure. 

"Yeah, you look tired, sir," Dee added.

"Perhaps that is my doing," Miss Kumiho spoke out of the blue, surprising the men. "I've been hovering far longer than was necessary, and I do apologize. I'll attend to some reports and send them to Mr. Yok. I shall tell him of the excellent progress on Project Yggdrasil," she excused herself with a proper bow before leaving. Whether she was sincere or not, Dee was admittedly not entirely sure, but the fact that she apologized had to count for something. 

"Oh wonderful, now I feel guilty," Mr. Miyano heaved a sigh. 

"Ah, don't be, Boss. It's good for someone like Miss Kumiho to be told off once in a while- builds character," Seunghyun assured. 

"But you really do look exhausted, sir. Why don't you rest a bit and let Seunghyun and me deal with things here?" Dee suggested, checking him over quickly. 

"I suppose a quick rest wouldn't harm me. I feel a bit under the weather, must be this damn storm, huh?" Mr. Miyano chuckled softly and nodded to himself. "Or maybe it's just something in the air," he muttered. "You boys got this?" he asked. The researchers nodded determinedly. 

"Alright. I'll be right back," Mr. Miyano excused himself as the scientists were left alone. 

"That was intense," Seunghyun noted, breaking the silence, but Dee was still looking at Mr. Miyano. He had seen the man angry before, but he had never been cruel or harsh in his words against Miss Kumiho. He always stayed polite, regardless how angry he was feeling. Dee turned to look at the dagger and felt absolutely uneasy. 

"Hyung, you really believe that we're doing the right thing?" he asked for good measure. 

"Of course," came the short reply. "Don't worry about it. Everything will turn out just the way we want them to, Dee. You'll see." 

"Yeah, okay," he nodded in response, looking back at his employer who was rubbing his temples. Dee sensed foreboding in the air and he didn't like it. They were doing something good? Something for the greater good? What they were doing was right? 

Then why? Why do I feel like something bad is coming?