Undercover

Bonus Chapter with Egotistic Part 2 of 5

The group of 4 was met by their guide as briefed. Koo Han was a stubby elderly little man. He had rosy cheeks and what looks like a beginning of a beard. He wasn't too hard to spot. Koo Han had the most fluorescent floral coat in the airport.

He greeted them with much enthusiasm and excitement. He even bought milk teas for everyone. Even though his English was certainly not the best, his efforts were appreciable.

Before taking them to their apartment, he first gave them a tour around the neighbouring cafés, restaurants, shops, nearby their apartment. Koo Han was a man full of life that for the first time since their flight, Wayne seemed relaxed. He seems like he was actually enjoying himself. A look which Gabe never saw in him before even when they were back in San Diego. Wayne was usually so competitive in swimming that he always busied himself with things that would make him better.

Koo Han took the group to a shop that sold everything that has to do with anime. That was what Gabe was told at least. He didn't know much about anime but Wayne and Beth surely do. Who knew? Though as far as Gabe knew Beth, she was a very timid and soft-spoken girl but to his surprise, both Wayne and Beth were such huge fans of anime that the moment they entered the store, they didn't know where to look first. They chatted about all their favourite series non-stop.

Tessa went over to check out the stationaries. She was obsessed with their keychains and notebooks. Gabe decided to hang back and chat with Koo Han.

"How many years, boy?" Koo Han asked.

"I'm 17."

" When I seventeen there used to be this shop I love and I always exited like your friends. When I look at them, I feel like I seventeen." Koo Han smiled his wrinkly smile. " I young again," He mumbled to himself.

Gabe couldn't help but smile. He felt a warmth inside him. He felt a connection with the man that he could never have with his father. His father was always so harsh and cold to him. Sometimes he even felt like his father was talking to a robot, not a human being. His father never spoke of his younger days nor his enjoyments in life. He was always so shut off. His father never spoke to him with any form of sympathy or kindness like Koo Han.

Later that evening, they finally arrived at their apartment. Neatly laid on the dining table was 4 pairs ManWol's uniform. Koo Han had generously bought dinner for the group.

"Bibimbap, Korean speciality," he announced. The group feasted on their scrumptious meal. Koo Han told them that he would check on them from time to time and if any of them needed him, they could always give him a call. He later gave the group his phone number, their apartment keys and decided to call it a day.

The apartment was a small cosy apartment. The apartment was designed as an open concept with the kitchen, living room and dining room all in the same space. The apartment had one bathroom and unfortunately, one bedroom. The guys agreed that the most gentlemanly thing to do was to give the room to the girls and they would just crash in the living room.

Throughout the day, Gabe was impressed at how well he was able to get along with Wayne. Wayne had invited him to watch an anime episode that he had downloaded before the trip with Gabe while telling him why it's so amazing.

After that, Wayne, Gabe and Beth decided to spend the rest of the night playing cards. Tessa modestly refused to say that school was tomorrow and that sleeping late wasn't a good idea.

1st April xx21

Arrived in Korea. Taking a 'plane' wasn't as bad as I thought. I heard stories about this thing called 'turbulence' which in my opinion sounded scary but it wasn't that bad. The flight was smooth. Met a guy called Koo Han. He was the absolute GOAT!! He was so interesting telling me about all the adventures he went on when he was younger. Sometimes I even forget that he's like much older than me. Though he seems old in age, he's young at heart. Alright, got school tomorrow at the all so dreadful place people say it is. Goodnight.

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Wayne and Gabe both woke up to the aromatic smell of hash browns, eggs and the sizzling sound of bacon. Tessa was already up, dressed in her uniform and cooking up breakfast. Beth was leaning over the kitchen counter already dressed in her brand-new uniform nonchalantly scrolling through her phone.

"What time is it?" Wayne yawned.

"8:40," Beth answered without taking her eyes off her phone.

"What!" Wayne shrieked jumping off the couch and hurrying to the bathroom to get himself ready.

Gabe didn't even bat an eyelash. Instead, he got up from the other couch he slept in and lazily walked over to the kitchen counter where Beth and Tessa stood. He was about to grab a plate for himself but Tessa snatched the plate out of his grasp.

"When you make yourself presentable, then I'll give you your breakfast." Tessa placed the plate of eggs, hash browns and bacon on the opposite side of the counter from Gabe.

"By the way, Koo Han said that he would be arriving in 5 minutes to show us the way to ManWol," Beth announced still not taking her eyes off her phone.

Wayne came out of the bathroom a moment later all dressed in his new uniform and still combing his hair. "I'll never get used to this," he said tugging on his blazer.

A second later, Tessa heard the sound of ceramic on a kitchen counter. She immediately snatched the plate from Gabe. "I said, no-". She cut herself off when she noticed Gabe all dressed and his hair all combed. Tessa's eyes went wide.

"What?" Gabe asked.

"Was it just me or-" Tessa said.

"See what?" Beth finally took her eyes off her phone and asked.

"I didn't see anything," Wayne said too engrossed in his food. Savouring each and every bite.

"There's no way he's that fast," she pondered. Tessa began rubbing her eyes and sighed. "Must be my eyes playing tricks on me."

A moment later, the group heard a knock on the door. Wayne went over to answer the door. It was Koo Han.

"Everyone ready?" Everyone gave Koo Han a nod and went began getting their coats and backpacks. "Today's cold," Koo Han announced to everyone. Then he handed out hot chocolates to everyone. Before motioning for everyone to follow him.

Gabe really looked up to the old fellow and gave a half-smile. "I wished father was at least half like Koo Han."