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Chapter Thirty-Three

Seokga

T he stranded SRC Flatliner is somewhat lopsided as Seokga, Kisa, and Somi reappear on the tenth deck. He glimpses his fallen sword and snatches it up, reverting it to a cane and leaning heavily on it, glad to once again have the support for his right leg. Yeomra has gone to the seven hells to imprison Jang and free Soo-min (offering her a reincarnation deal in exchange for her suffering). The death god is also sending out a team of reapers to find the lost soul of the murdered Captain Lee.

“Hajun!” Somi gasps in worry, and hurries with a panicked desperation across the slanted deck toward the door. She only falls twice in her haste before she disappears.

Kisa laughs softly beside him, and he turns to her, memorizing her blue-flushed cheeks and shy smile. “I mean it, you know,” she whispers, and when she reaches up to gently brush a strand of his wet hair from his eyes, Seokga thinks he just might die. “I know the answer to the Ship of Theseus question now, Seokga, and I…I was wrong before. I love you because for my soul, loving you is like breathing. It’s all it knows how to do. It’s all it wants to do, and it’s dangerous, almost…I would plunge into hell’s river for you… I would face the Mad God for you. Because I love you, Seokga. In this life and the last.”

“Kisa…” He fumbles for words, but he cannot catch any. There are no words in any language that can adequately describe what he feels for her, what it means for him to hear her say that. As if taking pity on his struggles, the red thread glows before sending a rainbow of emotions sparkling down its length toward Kisa, whose eyes widen. Blue, red, yellow, pink, purple, green…All in varying shades, all beautiful. All breathtaking.

“I know,” she breathes, “ I know. ” And then she is kissing him, running her hands through his hair, pressing her body against his. Her lips are so sweet against his, and when her nose bumps against his Seokga wonders if he has found in Kisa a religion outside of his own to worship.

Hwanin screams as his small hands reach for Seokga in the sick bay, where the medicine cabinets are completely strewn across the floor and the lightbulbs flicker haphazardly above. Seokga feels like screaming himself as Hwanin wipes his snotty nose all over his bare chest, but finds himself cradling his brother close, an unspeakably soft emotion rising up in his throat and choking him. Hwanin screams and screams, as if enraged with Seokga for leaving him.

“I’m sorry,” whispers Seokga, and he’s apologizing for so much more than the baby understands. “I won’t leave you again.” Hwanin looks up at him with teary, watery blue eyes and reluctantly falls silent before closing his eyes and sinking into an exhausted doze.

Hajun and Somi are currently locked in a passionate embrace—and have been for some time. Seokga and Kisa exchange fond glances as the other couple whispers soft declarations to each other, Hajun staring down lovingly at Somi and playing with a strand of her short black hair.

“I think,” murmurs Kisa, standing beside him, “that it’s time to ask Yeomra for another favor.” He doesn’t protest as her hand slips into the pocket of his pants and pulls out his waterlogged—yet somehow undamaged—phone and sends off a long message to Yeomra.

As if hearing her for the first time, Hajun breaks his embrace with Somi (but for no lack of longing, thinks Seokga) and rushes over to pull Kisa into his arms. “I’m sorry,” he says as Kisa hugs him back. “I couldn’t find the heart.”

“It’s okay, Hajun,” Kisa says, a smile in her voice. “Jang has an eternity of torture in front of her. She won’t be returning to the ship regardless. But I’m sure Yeomra will have his jeoseung saja scour the ship later and dispose of it.” Seokga silently agrees. Mainly because Yeomra is undoubtedly revolted by the fact that a bloody organ is lying about somewhere on his pride and joy, smelling of rot and gore.

Sours the image of the underworld’s esteemed “ ultimate vacation cruise ship. ”

“Good.” Hajun wipes his eyes as he steps back. “I never trusted that old lady. I knew it all along.”

“Please,” scoffs Somi, though she looks amused. “You barely even met her.”

“Are you insinuating that my detective skills aren’t all they’re made out to be?” Hajun places a hand dramatically on his heart. “Ouch—”

“Oh, stop,” the gumiho snickers, trailing a hand down his chest. “You have other uses that you excel at…”

Hajun blushes deeply and stutters something in reply as Seokga tries not to gag.

His phone buzzes in Kisa’s hands, and her soft joy spreads down the thread as she reads a message, then looks back up at Somi and Hajun. “I have something for you,” his Threaded says, “if you’d like it.” Wordlessly, she hands the phone to Somi, whose eyes grow to the size of saucers as she reads.

“Tell him yes,” Somi blurts as Hajun reads over her shoulder.

“Yes!” the idol half-pants, half-gasps, looking unsteady on his feet. “Yes, yes, yes.” He laughs as Somi leaps onto him, like she’s climbing a tree. Kisa’s eyes sparkle as she finally turns the screen to Seokga.

Seokga: Somi & Hajun deserve more time together. Would you consider letting Hajun stay on the SRC Flatliner for as long as he wants—as a guest—before entering the reincarnation queue with Somi?

Yeomra: Rich of you to ask me that after illusion-ing me to think that my insides were in a blender. I hate you a little. Next time I see you, expect a slap in the face. Maybe a fist.

Seokga: This is Kisa, actually.

Yeomra: That explains the better spelling. Yes. Fine. In thanks for his help, Hajun can stay on as a guest with Somi as long as he wants. The ship will be repaired soon.

Yeomra: Any favors to call in for yourself?

Seokga: Only one…But I think I’ll ask Seokga.

Yeomra: Any thoughts about that position in the Torture Department?

Yeomra: …hello??

“What’s your favor?” Seokga asks, utterly uninterested in the rest of the text exchange. Kisa hesitates, suddenly looking shy. He chooses to ignore that behind her, Somi and Hajun are devouring each other like starving animals. Seokga looks only at Kisa, at her blue-blushing cheeks and hopeful, wine-brown eyes.

“Well…you’re heavenly emperor now…or you will be, at least until Hwanung comes back…”

Seokga shrugs, rubbing Hwanin’s back as he shifts in his sleep. “Interim heavenly emperor for the interim heavenly emperor for the interim heavenly emperor…” Hwanung will return soon, and Hwanin is only emperor until their mother, Mago, awakens.

“Still,” Kisa says with a little smile, “I want to ask you for this.”

“So ask,” he breathes, certain he’s about to die from the anticipation. “Ask while I can give you anything in the world.”

She does.

Eyes bright, Kisa leans forward to whisper her wish in his ear.