In the Middle of the Night [BANG CHAN FF] ✔️

29. Summer rain

Chris and Yona's stargazing continued deep into the night - they talked about constellations that were visible above their heads and their legends, as well as about different stars and planets, all while eating fried chicken and fruits that Mrs. Bang packed for them. Talking about the stars in the sky, Yona's story about the Pleiades was interrupted by a rising tide as the water splashed Yona's feet. Startled, the princess sat up fast but was even more shocked at the sight before her - water that splashed onto the beach glowed in bright blue color. Chris also sat up and gasped happily, getting excited like a child.

"This is the blue tide - bioluminescence!" he smiled but the princess was still confused, "I only heard stories about it, never saw it in person but..." he gasped again and stood up, letting the blue glowing water hit his bare feet, "You see, certain conditions, usually an algae bloom of plankton, create large amounts of bioluminescence in the water which will glow when disturbed by a wave or a splash in the water," he said and kicked the water, proving his words, "People say it's only a myth since it's very difficult to predict as temperature and wind have to be perfect... which seems to be tonight! Wow!" a grown-up man ran and splashed the water like a child and Yona chuckled at the sight up until he came to her and pulled her up to run around the glowing water with him.

Tears slid one after another on the older woman's face as she tightly hugged her son. And he, as a disciplined soldier as he was, held his emotions together, although barely. Yona stood behind them, crying as well at the wonderful sight and bond that Chris had with his family. His siblings were in tears, too, knowing that they won't see their brother for a long time again.

"It's time to leave," Mr. Bang pulled his wife gently and she cried more, kissing her son's hand and whispering something that couldn't be heard.

"I'll write to you... we both will," Chris said and his mother nodded, stepping away.

Then she came to Yona and hugged her, "Take care of him," she said to the princess and Yona nodded, a sob escaping her throat.

The two boarded the carriage that Mr. Bang rode to take them to the train station, waving to the rest of the family. The kids called for them, shouting and crying as the carriage went further away from the house. Yona heard Chris sniffling, his back turned to her, but didn't say anything. She saw how close he was to his parents and siblings so it was only natural, even for a most diligent soldier, to be sad about leaving them. He was human, after all. None of them exchanged a word during the whole ride to the station. When they arrived, father and son shared a manly yet emotional hug and said their goodbyes. And to Yona's surprise, Mr. Bang hugged her too.

When it was time for them to board the train, Mr. Bang said something that surprised the two: "You two make a wonderful couple. Know that we all support you, so love and take care of each other, no matter what anyone else says."

"Thank you," Yona said through a smile and tears, hugging Chris's left arm.

They went and settled in their compartment, waving to Mr. Bang out of the window. The train took off and the image of Mr. Bang went out of their sight. Yona wiped her tears away as the compartment door opened. A man in a suit and hat stepped in, carrying his small suitcase. He introduced himself to the two but Chris clenched his jaw in annoyance as he specifically ordered the conductor not to sell tickets for their compartment to anyone else. The more he looked at the man, the more he seemed familiar. Yona and he engaged in a conversation so they learned that the man was a biologist, traveling to the north (just like them) to study the coral reef.