SEVENTH HEAVEN

Slow-motions & forbidden love

Have you ever lost yourself in the enchanting stories of demigods, mythology, and religion? Our journey led us to a mystical assembly of deities, each vying for sole leadership. And among them, an immortal destined to rule all realms – Kim Hyun-Seok, the extraordinary son of Christ. Implausible as it may sound, his distinguished lineage, a divine legacy passed down by both father and grandfather, carries undeniable significance. His mother's whereabouts, a mortal captivated by a charming man with exquisite skin and a beard, remain shrouded in mystery. In the realms, Christ, compelled by the prohibition of intimacy with mortals, emulates the actions of a Greek god, leaving his family to protect his son.

Christ, after his resurrection, gained the ability to traverse realms and the tangible world incognito, shielding against threats to humanity and the universe. Hyun-Seok, grappling with his father's abandonment, fervently prayed for even a fleeting response, only to receive none. At the tender age of 12, he found himself growing up in an orphanage, his mother labeled "crazy" and vanished. Subsequently, Hyun-Seok entered foster care.

In his leisure, Hyun-Seok frequented his hideout with friends, offspring of gods and goddesses. Lee Mul-ui, the son of the god of water, carried a quiet yet somewhat pessimistic demeanor. Sin Jihye, daughter of Athena, exuded wisdom. Lee Geon, son of Ares, bore the spirit of a warrior. Park Yeo-sin, daughter of Aphrodite, harbored deep affection for Hyun-Seok, willing to do anything for him. Meanwhile, Agma, the grandson of Samael, embraced his unintended role as the ruler of the underworld, fueled by resentment towards Hyun-Seok.

Agma, somewhat part of the squad, distanced himself when Hyun-Seok was present, nursing a profound grudge and attributing everything he did to Hyun-Seok's influence. Now, at the age of 19, they all found themselves navigating high school, bracing for an eventful year.

Hyun-Seok:

"Hyun-Seok, Hyun-Seok," my foster brother, Jeon Seun-gi, called, shaking me awake. "Hyun-Seok," he insisted, tossing a pillow at my face. "What? Let me sleep; it's the weekend," I mumbled, burying my face in the pillow.

"Um, it's Monday, and you slept all weekend. We're late for school! It's finals week!" he exclaimed, throwing clothes onto my bed. "Wait, WHAT?" I exclaimed, jumping out of bed and hastily getting ready. I rushed to the restroom to freshen up, and then we both dashed out the door. "Come on, Seun-Gi, what are you waiting for?" I urged, hopping onto my bike.

"Shoot, we're going to be late with this traffic," I lamented, facepalming. "I... I know a shortcut. Follow me," Seun-gi said, suddenly veering in a different direction. I pedaled furiously to catch up. As we approached, I realized that our route wasn't leading to school, but to a park. When I arrived at the park, I saw all my friends wearing party hats, holding snacks and a mini cupcake. "SURPRISE!" they cheered.

"Guys, you didn't have to do this, and besides, we're late for school," I said, reaching for a snack. "I adjusted your clocks; don't worry, it's only 7:15 am. We'll make it on time," Seun-gi assured me, exchanging a high-five with Mul-ui. "Happy birthday, Hyun-Seok! How does it feel to be 20?" Jihye asked, giving me a warm hug. "Thank you, guys. It's only been a few minutes," I chuckled, scraping icing off the cupcake with my finger. "Alright, let's sing 'Happy Birthday' and then head to school," Yeosin suggested, igniting the candle.

We set off for school, but as I walked, my attention was caught by a girl. The world seemed to slow down as she passed by, wearing a smile. I couldn't explain why I was so captivated by her, but the sight of her made me crash into a lamppost. "Oh, new girl, huh?" Mul-ui teased, waving his hand in front of my face. "Oh, no, I was staring at the poster behind her," I stammered, pointing lamely. "Sex-ed volunteer?? Um, you do know we aren't mortals, right?" Mul-ui quipped, patting my back, before walking away to class. "I knew that," I muttered, attempting to save face as I locked my bike. "Maybe I can help teach young kids about safety, even until marriage," I added. "Hmm, I mean, it wouldn't be so bad, even though I'm not encouraging us to be with mortals," Mul-ui mused, walking ahead.