After the absolute shit show that was the last chapter—
well… at least the latter half—
let's cleanse the palate a little.
Something lighter.
Something fun.
You good with that?
…
Yeah, didn't think so.
Too bad.
Deal with it.
Love you 😘
Now—
we open on a café.
Cute. Aesthetic. Calm.
Meanwhile, somewhere else, Foca is running a military bootcamp disguised as rehearsals.
But here?
Peace.
Well…
relative peace.
Because seated at a table, iced drinks in hand—
were two absolute forces of nature.
Tuesday and Hyouka.
"So…" Tuesday said, lips glossy, popping, absolutely lethal. She leaned forward, brows arched to the heavens, eyes locked in.
"Spill."
Hyouka blinked.
"What do you mean?"
Tuesday froze.
Then slowly leaned back.
"Ohhh…" she said, dragging it out, followed by a sharp tongue pop. "So we playin' dumb today?"
A pause.
Then she leaned in again.
"Girl, don't even try me. I know you had the time of your life last night with Mr. Brooding Dark Romance Male Lead—your words, not mine."
Hyouka sipped her drink.
Calm.
Composed.
"I don't kiss and tell," she said sweetly. "My queen, I have morals."
Tuesday gasped—gasped.
"Morals??" she clutched her chest dramatically. "Oh, so now you got morals? Since when??"
Hyouka shrugged.
"Since today."
"Mm-hmm." Tuesday crossed her arms. "Yeah, no. I don't believe you."
Then—
she shifted in her seat, getting comfortable.
Leg crossed.
Drink in hand.
"I'm ready. I'm sat. Let's go."
Hyouka held out for exactly—
two seconds.
"…Okay, so get this—"
"HA!" Tuesday slapped the table. "I knew it! Weak!"
"He picked me up right on the dot," Hyouka started, already grinning. "And I was like—okay, one point for Mr. Dew. I love a punctual man."
"Mmm, we love a man who respects time," Tuesday nodded approvingly.
"Girl…" Hyouka leaned in, voice dropping. "When I tell you my legs almost filed for divorce the second I saw him—"
Tuesday choked on her drink.
"Not divorced??!"
"DIVORCED," Hyouka confirmed. "Irreconcilable differences. Gone. Done. Finished."
She fanned herself.
"He looked… sinful. Like—illegal. Like I needed to report him."
Tuesday leaned forward, eyes wide.
"How hot are we talking? On a scale of 'he's cute' to 'I want his babies'?"
Hyouka didn't even hesitate.
"I want his babies."
Tuesday SCREAMED.
"OH MY GOD—NOT THE BABIES??!"
"I'm dead serious!" Hyouka grabbed her arm. "He looked like he walked straight out of a dark romance novel. Like the type that ruins your life but you say thank you after??"
"Okaaaaay," Tuesday dragged out, fully invested now. "Continue. Don't skip details. I will fight you."
"So," Hyouka continued, "the whole night? Gentleman. Absolute gentleman."
A beat.
"But also… tsundere as hell."
Tuesday nodded knowingly. "Ah. Emotionally constipated. We love that."
"Exactly!" Hyouka pointed. "Like—he cares, but he's allergic to showing it."
"Disgusting. I'm obsessed. Go on."
"He took me to dinner, we had drinks, and then—" Hyouka smirked, "you know your girl had some liquid courage in her system…"
Tuesday leaned all the way in.
"Oh I KNOW where this is going…"
"So I was like," Hyouka continued, "'why don't we check out your place?'"
Tuesday slapped the table again.
"BOLD. I RAISED YOU WELL."
"Please, I raised myself," Hyouka flipped her hair. "Anyway—his place?"
A dramatic pause.
"Exactly like him."
Tuesday blinked. "Explain."
"Clean. Crisp. Not a single thing out of place. Organized like his life depended on it."
She fanned herself again.
"Girl… it was giving control issues but make it sexy."
Tuesday groaned.
"Oh, that's dangerous. That's real dangerous."
"And then we talked more," Hyouka continued, softer now. "And surprisingly… we actually had a lot in common."
"Awww…" Tuesday cooed—then immediately snapped back. "Okay but where's the tea—"
"And then…" Hyouka grinned, eyes sparkling, "one thing led to another—"
Tuesday grabbed her arm.
"AND???"
Hyouka leaned in, whisper-shouting—
"Girl, I climbed that man like my life depended on it."
Tuesday LOST IT.
"OH MY GOD—YOU DID NOT—"
"I DID."
"YOU WENT FOR IT??"
"I WENT FOR IT."
Tuesday stood up halfway out of her seat, pacing like she just witnessed history.
"I have NEVER been more proud—do you hear me?? NEVER."
She sat back down, grabbing Hyouka's hands dramatically.
"You did that. You really did that."
Hyouka flipped her hair.
"I really did."
Tuesday wiped an imaginary tear.
"That's my girl."
****
"And that's when I realized—me and Dew?" Hyouka leaned in, fanning herself dramatically. "We are two freaks in the same damn pod."
Tuesday's eyes widened.
"Oh??"
"That man?" Hyouka pointed to absolutely nothing, stressed. "Likes to be told what to do."
Tuesday slapped the table.
"NOT YOU UNLOCKING A WHOLE NEW PERSONALITY—"
"I didn't even know I had it in me!" Hyouka continued, voice rising. "Like—where did that come from?? Who is she?? Because I don't know her but I like her!"
Tuesday was already halfway out of her seat.
"I am SICK—continue immediately."
"It got to a point," Hyouka whispered, leaning in like she was about to drop state secrets, "where I had him sitting there, looking all… quiet and composed—but the second I took charge?"
She clutched her chest.
"GIRL. The switch??"
Tuesday grabbed her arm.
"Not the switch—"
"The SWITCH!" Hyouka confirmed. "I almost passed out. Like excuse me?? Sir?? Since when??"
Tuesday fanned herself with the menu.
"Jesus take the wheel, I am not strong enough for this story."
"And don't even get me started on the confidence boost??" Hyouka added. "Like suddenly I'm sitting there thinking—oh… I could ruin lives."
"AS YOU SHOULD!" Tuesday yelled. "KNOW YOUR POWER!"
Hyouka nodded seriously.
"I saw the vision."
A pause.
Then—
"And girl…" Hyouka added, lowering her voice again, "…the way he just—listened?"
Tuesday froze.
"…Oh that's dangerous."
"Exactly!" Hyouka pointed. "Like, quiet ones? The prim and proper ones out in public?"
A beat.
"Whole different story in private."
Tuesday leaned back, shaking her head.
"I BEEN saying this. The silent ones are always hiding a whole situation."
"I'm not even gonna get into details," Hyouka continued, waving her hand, "but let's just say—by the end of the night?"
She stared off into the distance.
"I had to reevaluate my entire existence."
Tuesday screamed.
"NOT A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING—"
"A FULL ONE!" Hyouka snapped. "Like I almost checked myself into a facility because that man is dangerous."
She fanned herself again.
"And the aftercare??"
Tuesday leaned in slowly.
"…Don't play with me."
"Girl," Hyouka said, dead serious. "He is not a wannabe male lead."
A pause.
"He is THE male lead."
Tuesday clutched her chest like she'd been shot.
"GUUUURRRRLLL—"
"I'm telling you!" Hyouka laughed.
Tuesday sat back, nodding like a proud mother.
"I knew it. The moment I saw you this morning?"
She pointed at Hyouka's face.
"Glowing. Radiant. Pores? Gone. Skin? Clear. Spirit? Renewed."
"Stop—" Hyouka laughed.
"I'm serious!" Tuesday insisted. "That was not sleep glow. That was experience glow."
And right on cue—
Hyouka's phone lit up on the table.
Both of them froze.
Slowly…
they looked down.
Caller ID:
DewBerry 🍓
Tuesday's jaw dropped.
Hyouka's eyes?
Lit. The hell. Up.
She cleared her throat, instantly trying to act normal.
"Okay… don't be weird," Tuesday whispered.
"I'm not weird," Hyouka whispered back—already sounding weird.
She picked up the call.
"So now you call me?" Hyouka started, trying to sound annoyed. "After waking me up at the crack of dawn? I mean—the breakfast was good, I'll give you that—"
But her voice?
Getting softer.
And softer.
Tuesday was watching like it was her favorite show.
Smug. Grinning. Living.
"Look, I already said I'm sorry…" Dew's voice came through, low and unusually gentle. "I had an early flight."
Hyouka blinked.
"Fine…" she muttered. "Are you there already?"
"Just landed," he replied. "Called you first thing."
Tuesday silently clutched her chest.
FIRST thing??? Oh he's gone gone.
"I know you're flying out tomorrow too," Dew continued. "Don't forget your passport. Pack for the cold. Keep your important stuff in one place—"
"Okay, okay—I get it," Hyouka cut in, blushing. "Thanks for the concern… I guess."
Tuesday mouthed: SHE'S BLUSHING—
"Travel safe," Dew added. "And don't annoy Sir Foca too much."
"No promises," Hyouka mumbled.
A small pause.
"…I'll talk to you later?"
"…Yeah," she said softly. "Talk to you later. Stay safe."
The line clicked.
Silence.
Hyouka stared at her phone.
And Tuesday?
Oh, she knew that look.
"Girl…" Tuesday dragged out slowly. "What are you two?"
A beat.
"Because that?" she pointed at the phone, "was not giving acquaintances."
"And DewBerry??" she added, offended. "Explain yourself."
Hyouka smiled faintly.
"…We have this thing back home," she said. "It's called MU. Mutual understanding."
Tuesday blinked.
Then leaned back.
"Girl…" she said flatly, "that is just a cute way of saying friends with benefits."
Hyouka laughed.
"I mean… kinda?"
A small shrug.
"But with feelings."
Tuesday stared at her.
"…Oh."
A beat.
"OH."
Another beat.
"Girl, you're in danger."
"I know," Hyouka said, smiling.
Then added—
"Oh—and DewBerry? It's this snack from the Philippines. I used to love it as a kid."
She glanced at her phone again.
"He kinda reminds me of it."
Tuesday shook her head slowly.
"Yeah… you're gone."
****
"Y'know…" Tuesday started, sipping her drink slowly, eyes narrowing. "I always thought you had a thing for Foca."
Hyouka choked.
"ME?? With Sir Foca?? Like that???" she shrieked, clutching her chest like she'd just been accused of a crime. "NEVER!!!"
Tuesday burst out laughing.
"Damn, okay—"
"No, because listen!" Hyouka leaned in, dead serious now. "I love Sir Foca. Don't get it twisted."
A pause.
"But romantically??"
She shook her head violently.
"Absolutely not. I don't even allow my brain to go there."
Tuesday raised a brow. "Damn. Not even a little delulu moment?"
"Girl, if that ever happens," Hyouka said, pointing dramatically, "I will DIE on the spot."
"…Oh."
"My heart will just give out. Flatline. Gone. Funeral. End credits."
Tuesday wheezed.
"But I don't want that," Hyouka added quickly. "Because I want to live! I have things to do! Like support him from the sidelines!"
She placed a hand over her heart.
"My love for him is built on respect. Admiration. Inspiration. He's like—"
She struggled for words.
"—someone I aspire to be. I can't even explain it properly, but it's not romantic. It's… higher than that."
Tuesday went quiet for a second.
"…Yeah," she nodded slowly. "I get that."
She leaned back, staring up at nothing.
"He's like… someone you look up to. But not a god—because if you call him that, he'd personally humble you real quick."
Hyouka snorted.
"Immediately."
"Like—'you need Jesus,'" Tuesday mimicked.
They both laughed.
"And besides," Hyouka added casually, sipping her drink, "even if I did try to compete for Sir Foca's heart?"
She waved her hand dismissively.
"I'd lose instantly. The Yearnatron 5000 known as Sir Luca is right there."
Tuesday blinked.
Then slowly turned.
"…You know?"
Hyouka gave her a look.
"Girl. Please."
Tuesday sat up.
"Wait—so it's not just me??"
"It is painfully obvious," Hyouka said. "Sir Luca is not subtle. At all. That man is out here broadcasting."
Tuesday clutched her chest.
"And Sir Foca??"
"Oblivious," Hyouka said flatly.
"CRIMINAL," Tuesday snapped. "JAIL. STRAIGHT TO JAIL."
"I'm telling you!" Hyouka laughed. "It's like watching a whole romance play out in front of him and he's just—"
She blinked innocently.
"—'huh?'"
Tuesday groaned.
"I cannot deal with this."
Honestly, in Hyouka's eyes—
no one could ever truly reach Sir Foca's level.
He was just… different.
But—
she would accept second best.
Which is why—
lowkey?
She was Luca's number one supporter.
"Be aggressive! Be-be aggressive!" she muttered under her breath.
Tuesday blinked.
"…Are you chanting?"
"No."
"…You are."
"Mind your business."
Tuesday snorted—
then suddenly went quiet.
"…You know," she said slowly, "I almost had a thing for him."
Hyouka froze.
"You WHAT??"
"Relax, it didn't last!" Tuesday waved her off. "It was back when I was just getting close to both of them."
She leaned forward, lowering her voice.
"And then one day—out of nowhere—Luca approached me."
Hyouka leaned in instantly.
"Girl…"
"Alone," Tuesday emphasized. "In private."
"Oh hell no—what did he say??"
Tuesday smirked faintly.
"He goes—calm as hell—'I'm sorry, but whatever you're feeling towards Foca… I suggest you don't let it grow.'"
Hyouka's jaw dropped.
"THE AUDACITY—"
"I KNOW!" Tuesday snapped. "I was ready to throw hands! I was like—excuse me?? Who do you think you are??"
"But?" Hyouka pressed.
Tuesday paused.
"…But then I looked at him."
Her tone softened.
"And something in his face just… stopped me."
A beat.
"I saw it."
Hyouka blinked. "Saw what?"
"Love," Tuesday said simply.
Not playful.
Not dramatic.
Just… real.
"Undeniable. Unhinged. Ride-or-die kind of love."
Hyouka went quiet.
"And I asked myself…" Tuesday continued, "…could I ever love Foca like that?"
A pause.
She shook her head.
"No."
"And then Luca said—" she smirked a little, "'I'm in love with him, T.'"
Hyouka covered her mouth.
"'I don't care how long it takes,'" Tuesday continued, "'as long as in the end… he ends up with me.'"
Silence.
"'I'm not threatening you,'" she added, mimicking his calm tone. "'But if you wanna step into the ring… you better be ready to fight. Because I'm not backing down.'"
Hyouka just stared.
"…Damn."
"Yeah," Tuesday nodded. "Damn."
A small smile tugged at her lips.
"So I let it go."
She shrugged.
"Snipped that little sprout of feelings real quick."
"And instead?"
She leaned back, stretching.
"I chose the next best thing."
"Being his best friend."
Hyouka smiled softly.
"And now?" she asked.
Tuesday grinned.
"Now I'm chillin', babe."
She flipped her hair.
"I don't need no man, no woman—nobody."
A wink.
"I'm just vibing until the right one walks in like they own the place."
Hyouka clapped once.
"Wow."
A beat.
"What a lore dump."
Tuesday gasped.
"RUDE."
"But honestly?" Hyouka grinned.
"Queen… slay."
****
On the opposite side of the world—
while chaos brewed elsewhere—
Jonathan and Dew had just landed in South Korea.
Business.
Serious business.
Something about Hwarang Motors.
But right now?
Jonathan wasn't thinking about any of that.
No.
He was staring at Dew.
Hard.
Like he'd just discovered a new species.
"…What?" Dew finally said, not even looking at him.
His tone was cold—
but not the usual kind.
Softer.
Like snow instead of solid ice.
And that?
That was exactly the problem.
Jonathan narrowed his eyes.
"…Are you sick?"
Dew paused.
Slowly turned his head.
"…Excuse me?"
Jonathan stepped closer, circling him like a detective who just cracked a case.
"No, seriously. Blink twice if you need help."
Dew's eye twitched.
"You're acting weird," Jonathan continued, counting on his fingers. "You're quiet. You're not nagging. You haven't complained once."
A beat.
"You used to bitch every five seconds."
Dew's glare sharpened.
"And now?? Nothing??"
Jonathan placed a hand over his chest.
"…It's terrifying."
Dew inhaled slowly.
"…Sir."
"No, listen—" Jonathan cut in, clearly not done. "I even texted Odette."
That made Dew look at him.
Wrong move.
"—and she said—and I quote—'take him to a psychiatric ward immediately.'"
Silence.
Then—
Dew looked at him.
And just like that—
the ice came back.
Full force.
Sharp.
Lethal.
Deadly.
"…Ahhh," Jonathan sighed in relief, placing a hand over his heart. "There it is."
Dew didn't say anything.
He didn't have to.
That look alone?
Could freeze hell over.
"You had me worried for a second," Jonathan added casually. "I thought we lost you."
"…Sir," Dew said quietly.
And that one word?
Oh, it dropped the temperature by ten degrees.
"Behave."
Jonathan immediately straightened.
Zipped his lips.
Pretended to throw away the key.
Then—
finger guns.
A wink.
Because of course.
Dew closed his eyes briefly.
Regret.
Pure regret.
And somewhere—
miles away—
completely unaware—
Hyouka was probably still glowing from her "spiritual awakening."
Meanwhile, Dew?
Was out here malfunctioning in silence.
Softer edges.
Shorter patience.
And just a little more… human.
Dangerous combination.
Because if this kept going?
If whatever this was continued to grow?
Then that little dark romance fantasy Hyouka had been dreaming about?
Oh, it might not stay a fantasy for long.
And if things went south?
Well…
Let's just say—
Dew didn't seem like the type to hesitate.
Not when it came to something—
or someone—
he wanted.