Dominos - Multi-universe Stories

Story 1.5

Jin could not sleep that night after Sandeul told him the things that happened when he was away in the front line. As much as he knew he should continue to act that he was not bothered with Moonbyul, he could not control his heart. His whole body was rioting against his mind and so he decided to find Moonbyul. He needed to know what exactly had she been through when he was not around.

To his surprise, he saw Moonbyul practising alone at the main assembly area although it was already two in the morning. He had a slight relieved as he was initially troubled on how to get her out of her bunk, not knowing which unit she was staying in.

"Byul," he called as he approached the female.

Moonbyul stopped when she heard the voice. Wiping the perspiration off her face, she continued her practice, not bothering by the male that was walking towards her.

Before Jin could lay his hand on her shoulder to make her face him, Moonbyul pulled his approaching hand without looking at his direction. Out of reaction, he turned his body, trying to twist her arm such that she would release the grip on his hand. Both ended up exchanging bows. During the exchange, Jin could feel the intensity of Moonbyul's attack and it was vastly different from those back in the days when they used to train together. Her strikes were more powerful and on target. With a slight distraction, Jin slipped and fell.

"Distracted?" Moonbyul said as she offered a hand to the male lying on the ground.

"You improved a lot," he said as he grabbed her hand. He did not let go of her hand even after he stood up. Moonbyul was the one who withdrew her hand from his hold. Feeling a little empty without the hand in his, he looked at her.

"You were looking for me?" She said as she packed up the area.

"Just wanted to catch up with you after so long," Jin replied. There was a tinge of awkwardness in the atmosphere and Jin could not explain why. It was the first time he felt so uncomfortable with his former teammate. "How have you been?"

"So far so good. Have been focusing on my combat skills. You saw my results, didn't you?"

"Yea, you improved so much that I might not be your match soon," Jin joked.

"No one will remain stagnant at the same position after all, Jin." Moonbyul commented while she looked up at the sky. "It's getting late. Rest well," she continued as she took her bag and walked past him.

"Take good care of her," she said as she gave him a pat on his shoulder before heading to her bunk.

Jin froze on the spot when he heard Moonbyul's reply. If Moonbyul's first statement was a slap on his face, her last sentence was like a knife that stabbed right through his heart. He also noticed how distant she was when she called him, and it was no longer the nickname she liked to call him. He did not know how to respond to her and could only see her figure walking further and further away from him.

He sat down on the ground after Moonbyul left. Tears were rolling in his eyes and started to fall from his face. "Byul ah, don't walk away from me. Please don't leave me behind. I am still at the same spot. I never walked away from you."

~~~~~

A few weeks had pass and Jin had not gotten any news from Lieutenant Park on the classified mission ever since that day in Park's office. He was drained mentally, by the thoughts of Moonbyul leaving him and yet at the same time, he did not want to burden her if he was selected for the assassination. He reckoned that he would not be able to resolve the mess he was currently in, so he decided to drop everything else except focusing on training. He concentrated all his energy in training and not allowing his mind to wonder off to other matters.