KBIN - CALL ME K

WANG YIXIANG

Things in Dai Viet (former Vietnam) aren't as bad as K thinks. The civil war between Trinh -  Nguyen Dynasties ended 6 years ago. The North is now busy fighting against the descendants of the Mac family and Bau Lords, hence they can't pose a risk. 

However, Japan is another story. The country is basically closed, no foreigners in, no Japanese out. Accordingly, trading between Japan and other countries is limited. Only China and 1 Western company, Dutch East India Company, can come to the Nagasaki port. Other Westerners will be killed without a trial once they land their feet there. The Japanese cannot travel abroad, and even those who want to come back, they will have a hard time. If K wishes to go there now, his luck is little. But if his family is waiting for him there desperately, what can Hung say? 

As K starts to get some more news about his parents back in Japan, he's often busy on the street, meeting people. Hung wants K to be with him, but at the same time, Hung's worried what if he disappears one day, isn't it better that K has his family by his side? Or even when Hung can move to Japan with K, it shouldn't be a problem. Let's see, if Hung cannot travel back to 2018, well, then he will spend the rest of his life with K. Or if he can, the worst scenery is that he will be expelled to Vietnam. It doesn't sound good, of course, but Hung is willing to sacrifice, as long as he can spend time with K without worrying too much. K's love is totally worth it, there won't be any regret!  

Whenever K gets home, the first thing he does is to wake Hung up with a kiss on his forehead and sweet words to his ears: I've missed you so much. But K looks extremely emotional tonight. He's just sitting silently next to the table. Hung comes to give K a back hug, only to see his body tremble. 

- Hanbin, I've been told that my parents are seriously sick. When I was 15, because of my huge ego, I went to Ke Cho (former Hanoi) in hopes of setting up my own business. When Dai Viet was split into two, I lost touch with my family. The day my brother passed away, I didn't even know it. My parents were waiting for me for 2 years before heading back to Japan. I heard that my mom cried so much that she got sick. Hanbin-ah, what should I do now, Hanbin?

- K, you once told me that you're worst at loving. No, you are not. It's actually what you're best at! I've seen you get hurt from missing them. Don't let the rest of your life covered in sadness. 

- I miss my brother so much, how can I deal with it? We are not even in the same world anymore, how can I tell him I miss him? 

- Have you tried writing him letters? Just write whenever you miss him, put it in a metal box, or a glass bottle, bury it deep down somewhere. He will be able to read it, and you will also feel relieved. 

- But I cannot risk losing you. I just can't. Entering Japan now is dangerous, especially for foreigners. I'm scared...  

- There is no hope at all?

- I met some Dutch merchants today and they said they could help us. Holland invaded Formosa (former Taiwan) and recruited some locals there. They will be saying that we are their employees. Their office in Hoi An was closed more than 30 years ago, but they still come here occasionally to trade. They often gather at the pub near the Japanese bridge. They told me to come to meet them tomorrow night for more details. I really don't know, I don't want you to be in danger for any reason. 

- And I don't want you to be unhappy. K, let's go to Japan to meet your parents, shall we?

Hanbin stands on tiptoe, wraps his hands around K's neck, and pulls slightly so their lips meet. Huhm, he wishes he had met K when he was 15, with 5 kisses like this a day, he would have been 10cm taller by now. 

K has been out for so long that Hung starts to get worried. Just some talks, why is K not home yet at 3am? Hung quickly puts on the kimono of K's brother and heads out in the direction of the pub. 

Some drunk Dutch merchants are having a good time downstairs. The 17th century was the Golden Age of the Dutch Republic, however, after the First Stadtholderless period, their economy was thrown into chaos. Given that they are merchants and live only a few hundred kilometers from England, Hung hopes they can understand English:

- Where's K?

Hung groans.

- K? Which K? Oh, do you mean that poor Japanese lovebird? Haha, he was kidnapped by his own parents, lol. 

Another one jumps in:

- It's hilarious, he trusted us. You should have heard him scream when being dragged into the ship. Well, poor him, but what could we do when offered such a fortune. 

- I'm wondering where that Hanbin girl is. Poor her, her boyfriend is the only son of a shugo daimyo and she didn't t even know about it. And now she can't just go there living the rest of her life in gold and wine, hahahaha. 

Hung is so angry that he starts to shake. Thinking about how desperate K is on that ship, Hung raises a fist, preparing to show them how much rage he has. Suddenly, someone grabs his wrist:  

- Chill out, bro!