Joong's eyes land on a group entering the venue Jim and his friends. The tension in Joongâs shoulders stiffens immediately
Phuwin:
What happened?
Joong:
Jim's here
Pond:
Great, just what we needed
Jim spots Joong across the club and exchanges whispers with his friends before making his way toward their table, a smug smile plastered on his face
Jim:
Well, if it isnât the legendary Joong. You finally crawled out of your high tower to mingle with us mere mortals?
Without warning, Joong grabs Jim by the collar
Joong:
You just canât keep your mouth shut, can you?
Jim:
What? The truth too hard to handle?
Joongâs fist clenches, ready to swing, but before he can land a punch, one of Jimâs friends steps in and kicks Joong from behind, knocking him off balance
Phuwin:
Joong! What the hell?
The club erupts into chaos as Jimâs friends jump into the scuffle, and Joong fights back, refusing to back down. Clubgoers pull out their phones, recording the scene as it spirals out of control
Pond:
Stop it! Youâre making it worse!!
After hearing the drama and shouting from inside
The boy moves quietly but uncertainly toward the back exit, unsure of where to go...
At the same time, Pond and Phuwin are pulling Joong through the crowd, dragging him toward the quieter back alley
Pond:
Joong, let it go! We need to get out of here
Phuwin:
Seriously, people are still recording. Think about your career!
Joong barely registers their words, his mind still clouded with fury. As they weave through the crowd, Joongâs bracelet suddenly catches on someoneâs jacket. His temper boiling over, he yanks hard, ready to lash out
Joong:
What now!!
He turns abruptly, his hand raised to strike, but freezes mid-swing. The boy stands before him, trembling slightly, his wide eyes squinting, ready for a punch... The boyâs glowing face, making him appear ethereal, otherworldly, like a fragment of the moon itself
For a moment, time seems to stop. Joongâs anger dissipates, replaced by stunned fascination
Phuwin:
Who... is that?
Pond:
He looks... unreal
The boy shivers, still silent he slowly opens his eyes, meeting Joong's stunned gaze. For a second Joong is certain he sees a flash of blue in the boy's eyes, like a reflection of a distant galaxy. He blinks, confused, and when he looks again, the boy's eyes are back to normal.
The boy, lifts his hand tentatively and brushes his fingers against Joong's hand
He said softly
Joong:
What are you...?
Before Joong can fully process the moment, A figure grabs the boyâs arm and pulls him back into the club, vanishing into the chaos. The boyâs hand slips away from Joongâs grasp like a dream fading into reality.
Phuwin:
Joong! What was that about?
snapping Joong out of his trance
Pond:
Forget it, we need to leave now
Joong remains rooted for a second, staring at the now-empty spot where the boy had stood,
Pond:
Joong come on!!
Joong lets himself be pulled toward the waiting car
Pond drives through the quiet city streets, Joong sits in the backseat, his gaze distant as his thoughts went back to the encounter with the boy. Absently, he glances down at his hand, the same one Jimâs friend had bruised during the scuffle earlier
He startled
Joong:
What the fuck-
The skin on his hand is smooth, flawless, as if the injury never existed. Joong turns his hand over repeatedly
Joong:
Pond, Phuwin... look at this
Pond:
What are you talking about?
glancing through the rearview mirror
Joong:
My hand was bruised during the fight. I swear it was. But now... it's healed. Completely
Phuwin:
Maybe youâre imagining things. You probably didnât get hurt as bad as you thought
Joong:
No, I remember it clearly. The bruise was there-it hurt
Pond:
Must be the adrenaline or maybe even a hallucination from all the chaos. Relax, man.
Joong:
Iâm not hallucinating. I know what I saw
Pond and Phuwin chuckle, but Joong remains silent.....
Phuwin:
Maybe that glowing boy from the club had magic healing powers
Joong:
Maybe
He whispered to himself
Meanwhile in club
They boy dragged forcefully by two men into the space, their voices sharp with irritation
Man1:
Alright, kid. Whatâs your deal? You here to perform?
The boy, still trembling from his earlier encounter, shakes his head silently, his wide eyes avoiding their gaze
Man2:
Then why the hell are you dressed like this? Trying to pull some kind of stunt?
The boy remains mute, offering no explanation
Man1:
You think wasting our time is funny?
Without waiting for an answer, the men shove him roughly, their patience thinning. One throws a punch to his side, making him stagger back, but the boy stays silent
Man2:
You donât talk? Fine. But since youâre here and dressed for attention, youâll work for it
Man1:
Yeah. Start serving drinks. Youâre a waiter now till morning
The boyâs lips part slightly in confusion, but no words come. He doesnât understand their demand but nods hesitantly,
Man2:
Good. And no disappearing acts, or youâll regret it
Pond pulls up to Joongâs apartment complex,
Pond:
Good night, buddy. Letâs catch up at the company tomorrow
Phuwin:
Bye, Joong. Donât get into any more trouble, okay?
Joong:
Hmm bye
Pond and Phuwin drive off
Without a second thought, Joong heads to his parked car, sliding into the driverâs seat.
Joong:
I have to see him again
the boy silently serves drinks, his movements careful, Suddenly, a hand shoots out from one of the tables and grabs his wrist
Man:
Hey there, cutie. Where you running off to?
The boy freezes, eyes wide with panic as the man yanks him hard. He stumbles forward, losing his balance, and falls awkwardly onto the man's lap
Man:
Youâre too pretty to be just serving drinks. Why donât you stay here a while?
The boy struggles, his pulse racing, but the manâs grip remains firm, his hand roughly grabbing the boyâs face, tilting it up towards him.
Man:
Letâs see how sweet you taste
The boyâs eyes widen in terror as the man leans in, closing the distance for a forced kiss. Just as the boy braces himself, a sharp, forceful punch lands squarely on the manâs face
man staggers backward, releasing the boy instantly.
Joong:
Touch him again
Without thinking, the boy darts behind Joong, trembling but relieved to be free from the manâs grasp.
Man:
Who the hell do you think you are?
Joong:
Someone you donât want to mess with
The man glares but doesn't dare challenge Joong further.
Joong:
You okay?
The boy nods shakily
Joong leads the boy out of the club and into the cool air
Joong:
Whereâs your home?
The boy glances up at the moon
Joong:
The moon?......Is that supposed to mean something?
The boy doesnât respond
Joong:
When I saw you earlier, you didnât have any bruises on your face. Did someone hurt you?
his head lowering slightly as if hiding something....Joong sighs in frustration, ready to turn and leave
Suddenly, a gentle tug stops him. The boyâs delicate fingers grip Joongâs shirt lightly
Joong:
Do you... want to come with me?
The boy hesitates for only a moment before nodding silently, his eyes still reflecting the moonâs glow
Joong:
Fine. Letâs go
Without another word, Joong leads him toward his car.....