The temperature of the Seringe Sea remains high throughout the year. Even during the rainy season, it rarely drops below 20 degrees. Especially during the hot dry season, the water temperature is similar to most tropical seas.

“At this temperature, it must be around 28 or 29 degrees……”

The seawater temperature is just warm enough to feel quite comfortable.

When he closed his eyes, he could hear sounds emanating from beneath the sea instead of from the land. Those sounds continuously echoed in his ears. It was the breath of the ocean.

Above the water, people can hear the breath of life around them, but beneath the surface, they can hear the rhythm of the water. A rhythm they would not normally notice.

Whether under the sea or in the sky, isn’t it all just filled with water?

He liked them both.

That’s why any kind of water he could immerse himself in was good, but seawater was his favorite.

Yuri opened his eyes. The image of the water became clear in his mind. The deep blue of the sea and the radiant dawn sky glimmered like a jewel.

The underwater world was so beautiful that, even after countless times of witnessing it, he was still mesmerized every time he saw it. Yet, he couldn’t stay down there forever. Yuri’s lung capacity was much greater than most people’s, but even he was running out of air.

He surfaced, wishing that in his next life, he could become a fish.

“……”

He blew away the droplets lingering on his lips and took a deep breath. The sky in the east was beginning to brighten faintly. Another day had started, just like any other. Yuri looked at the island. Silently, he swam through the water toward the island, still sleeping in the quiet of early dawn.

His daily life always began with water. At the beach, he joyfully immersed himself in the sea at sunrise. If the sea wasn’t available, he would reluctantly settle for a swim in the pool. And in circumstances where even that wasn’t possible, he would soak himself in a bathtub. During times when he couldn’t do any of these, he endured days of frustration, feeling as though he was on the brink of depression.

Around this time last year, he had to spend a few days in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Naturally, there was no water to be found since I was up in the mountains. It was the dry season, so even a small puddle was hard to come by, and drinking water had to be rationed. Bathing was out of the question, let alone having a private bath. During that time, they always saw Yuri in a gloomy state, not smiling or speaking much. It got to the point where his colleagues said: “If he keeps this up, he’s going to lose his mind. At least we’re finishing the job early since we’re working together.”

“Maybe you’re sick. I can recommend a good doctor for you.”

Even James, who usually didn’t care about anyone’s personal matters (except for Kyle), seriously suggested Yuri should seek help. Unable to refuse James’ sincere request, Yuri actually went to see the doctor and underwent all sorts of tests. No matter how many times they tried, the results were always the same: Yuri’s mental state was completely normal.

“People often have a tendency to become attached to one or two particular things.” 

Yuri said seriously, adding: “So from now on, I won’t accept any assignments in areas without water.”

This declaration made it quite difficult for James to assign tasks to Yuri. Nevertheless, in any suitable environment, Yuri always completed his work flawlessly. In turn, James was very pleased with the progress of the tasks he entrusted to Yuri.

Soon. All that needs to be done is to confirm Jeong Jaeui’s current location. And that’s the problem.

He knows that person is here, but there’s no way to verify it……

Yuri stood up only after the water receded to his waist. Shells and coral crunched under his feet. Before leaving the sea entirely, he removed his shoes and walked barefoot on the sand. He enjoyed the gentle, slightly ticklish sensation between his toes.

“…………Ah-choo.”

Yuri shivered and sneezed, then bent over to rub his aching forearms.

The water was warm, but the air was cold. Even in this year-round warm region, nowhere was warm enough for a body soaked to the bone.

“Towel, towel……”

“Here’s your towel.”

As Yuri looked around for the towel he had just tossed next to his sandals, a familiar voice responded. At the same time, a pale hand extended the towel right in front of him.

“……Thanks.” 

Yuri said, straightening up and taking the towel. Just as he suspected, the voice belonged to the youngest son of the Ling clan. As though he didn’t notice Yuri’s slightly surprised expression while he dried himself – or perhaps Yuri was trying to mask it – the young man spoke with an unabashedly bright smile.

“You don’t feel cold swimming in the sea before the sun even rises? Wow, I can’t even bring myself to get out of bed at dawn.”

“……It’s warmer in the water than outside.”

“Really? I didn’t know that. Do you swim in the sea every morning like this?”

After hesitating for a moment, Yuri nodded in response. The young man smiled with his eyes and unabashedly gave him a once-over.

“I see. Swimmers always have such great physiques; I’m so jealous. You really don’t look like someone who’s almost 40.”

Yuri paused for a moment while drying himself, then resumed. Draping the towel over his shoulder, he wiped off the remaining moisture and looked at the young man.

The statement about being four years away from turning 40 doesn’t apply to young people in their early or mid-20s. No, even more than that—when I met him yesterday, he glared at me with such a terrifying look, telling me to leave him alone if we crossed paths again. But now, what’s with this innocent smile?

He couldn’t figure out why this young man was here at this moment. Judging by the fact that he was talking to him, Yuri guessed he had some business to attend to here. Yuri stayed silent for a moment, looking at the young man, but the latter simply smiled. After a few minutes of quiet, Yuri stepped aside. Seeing this, the young man raised an eyebrow.

“Did you come here to swim……?”

That was the most reasonable assumption Yuri could come up with. Being here at this time could only mean coming to swim, unless he had some other purpose. After all, this was a beautiful beach, and wanting to swim was only natural.

However, the young man responded to Yuri with silence. Wearing a white shirt and with his hands tucked into the pockets of his cotton pants, he didn’t look like someone here for a swim.

“I’m not swimming.”

The young man appeared momentarily puzzled but quickly regained his cheerful expression and continued talking. Yuri blinked at him and asked.

“Then what are you here for?”

He knew his assumption was wrong. He’d seen him when he was only eight years old, and even at such a young age, he swam confidently in the sea. The young man suddenly grimaced and frowned.

“I almost drowned when I was little. Ever since then, I haven’t wanted to see the sea. Even though I know how to swim, I don’t want to. I don’t even like swimming pools.”

The young man frowned as if he didn’t want to think about it any further. Though he seemed a bit mischievous, it was clear that this young man had no interest in swimming.

“I almost drowned when I was little……” Unless he had nearly drowned multiple times, the moment he was referring to was likely the same memory Yuri had of him.

“But you survived, didn’t you……?”

“I still don’t like swimming.”

The young man responded immediately, his smile seemingly affirming it. His expression made it clear that there was no persuading him or reconsidering the matter.

What a pity that he hated the water.

Although he had no intention of persuading him, Yuri’s emotions were plain to see on his face. The young man, observing Yuri intently, suddenly burst into laughter.

“Hahaha, you look like you’re the one who almost drowned. It’s not even your business, so why make that face?”

“Because it’s such a shame.”

It truly was beautiful……., Yuri glanced back at the sea he had just been swimming in. This young man doesn’t know how beautiful, rich, and tranquil the water is. It was a shame, Yuri thought, that the young man pushed something so wonderful away just because he didn’t like it.

Yuri gazed at the sea for a moment before turning back. The dawn was breaking, and it was time to head back, shower, and prepare for the day ahead. But before that, he needed to wrap up this unexpected encounter with the young man who clearly seemed to have sought him out.

When Yuri looked at him, the young man was still watching him intently, smiling like an innocent cat. When he first saw him again, he thought: ‘Is he planning to shoot me?!’ Yuri had expected him to charge at him, but this strange demeanor left him slightly bewildered. So Yuri instinctively took a small step back. At that moment, the young man’s smile grew even brighter, as if he were thoroughly amused.

“I got a call from my eldest brother. He mentioned that you two know each other.”

“……Ah.”

It seemed that Ling Tang Yun had just contacted him. Yuri had only spoken to him last night—quick work indeed.

“Even though it was his younger brother who got shot, he still stood up for the one who pulled the trigger.”

That tone was so casual and friendly that it took Yuri a moment to catch the sarcasm in it. 

‘You were the one who intended to shoot first, but now you’re talking as if it had nothing to do with you!!!’

Yuri remained silent, choosing not to delve further into the matter.

“Is that your usual expression? I can’t tell if you’re acting indifferent or being straightforward. It’s hard to deal with people without using facial expressions properly.”

The young man frowned slightly before bursting into laughter. Watching his face switch between two opposing expressions with a faintly peculiar air, Yuri unconsciously rubbed his own face.

‘I don’t intend to come off that way, but people often tell me my expression seems distant.’

 Sometimes it’s a compliment, but other times it’s criticism. Right now, it seemed to lean toward the latter.

“It’s nice working with someone so approachable and understanding. Easy to read and…… control.”

The young man grumbled, gazing into Yuri’s eyes as if to say: ‘Why is your face always like that?’ Yuri returned the look, slightly awkward, though his expression remained as neutral as ever.

The young man kept smiling, as though the previous tension had never existed. The shift in his demeanor was so quick it was almost imperceptible.

Yuri still can’t figure out why this man is here. Though, it doesn’t seem like he’s here for revenge.

“I came to make peace with you. Let’s get along.” – The young man finally said.

The young man spoke as he extended his hand for a handshake. Yuri glanced back and forth between the hand and his face. Unlike his pretty face, his hands were quite large and had thick joints—hands unmistakably masculine. Yet, they were surprisingly soft, as if touching the furry forepaw of a predator with claws hidden underneath.

“Make peace, huh……”

Yuri eyed the young man warily, concerned that those metaphorical claws might come out at any moment. The young man’s dark eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled.

“It means we’ll let bygones be bygones, as if nothing ever happened. Umm, honestly, our first meeting wasn’t great, and I feel bad whenever I think about it. But really, what could I do when he said you were his friend?”

The young man playfully winked, pretending to shoot a gun with his fingers.

‘That wasn’t the first time.’ – Yuri thought but chose not to say it aloud. He didn’t want to ruin the young man’s intentions by mentioning that he had saved him when he was a child. Or rather, when the young man had said he came to make peace, Yuri had already understood the real reason he was here.

“Even so, I don’t have any useful information about Jeong Taeui to share. I don’t know much.”

Hearing this, the young man suddenly burst into laughter.

“Hey, why would you think that? I’m here to make peace. No need to ask about Taei-hyung. I probably know more about him than you do.”

“And I have no intention of doing anything that benefits you or defeating Rick.” 

Yuri clarified, as if he hadn’t even heard the young man’s words.

As expected, the young man fell silent this time. The way he looked at Yuri with that bright smile was somewhat unsettling.

“Well…… it’s fine. I’m not expecting much from you anyway. But, you know, opportunities are always created from the smallest things—like a mustard seed.”

“Maybe you could create an opportunity, couldn’t you?” 

??A gaze filled with laughter. As if to imply that if there was even the slightest potential to be used, it would surely be noted and addressed.

“More than that.” 

The young man continued, speaking vaguely before falling silent and tilting his head. His expression looked remarkably innocent, probably because of those big round dark eyes. This guy really has half the battle won just with his looks.

“I guess my eldest brother has a really good relationship with you. Even though you don’t talk much, you seem straightforward. He says you’re trustworthy, a good person, and someone with no ill intentions, so he told me to let things slide. My eldest brother rarely praises anyone.”

“……Thanks for the compliment.” – Yuri said.

“Hahaha, I wasn’t complimenting you. I was just quoting my brother.” 

The young man replied, laughing heartily as he gave Yuri a friendly pat on the shoulder. The reason Yuri didn’t think this kid was insolent was because of his gentle, carefree laugh.

Yuri adjusted the towel that was slipping off his shoulder and looked at the young man silently.

‘He’s undeniably beautiful. I can’t understand why Jeong Taeui chose that ticking time bomb over this gorgeous young man. If we consider their personalities, both equally troublesome to deal with……. so it’s a tie. But if we’re judging by looks, this one is far superior.’

“Is there something wrong with my face?”

The young man asked, catching Yuri staring at him. His expression suggested he already knew why Yuri was looking, or perhaps he was just used to receiving such looks. Yuri shook his head slightly and turned his gaze elsewhere.

‘I think I get it now. It must be because of those tiger-like eyes. Eyes that seem to pierce straight through a person’s soul—no doubt, they’re intimidating.’

“I think I should head back soon. I set my alarm to wake up early just to meet you, but I’m so sleepy now. You should head back and change, too. Staying out here with a soaking wet body like that will make you freeze. Ah…… you’ve got goosebumps already.”

The young man reached out toward Yuri’s exposed arm beneath the towel. Before Yuri could pull away, the young man’s hand had already brushed from his shoulder down to his elbow. Only then did Yuri realize his arm was covered in goosebumps, his body trembling slightly from the cold. At the same moment, he became aware of how warm the young man’s touch was.

Those soft and gentle hands, but ones that could turn strong and ruthless if the need arose.

Yuri quickly averted his gaze from the young man’s hand. The young man said: “Alright then”, and left just as swiftly as he had arrived, departing with a smile. Yuri stood there for a moment, staring at the young man’s retreating figure.

**********************

It felt strangely amusing to think that Ilay Riegrow could appear like an ordinary person.

About a 10-20 minute walk from the Backpacker at a leisurely pace, there was a small night market. Held every other day, this market wasn’t as large as the big weekly market in Bahel, but around a dozen open-air stalls set up in a small clearing offered fresh seafood and various foods. It was a favorite spot for locals to frequent.

At Anna’s (the owner of the Backpacker) request, Yuri had gone out to buy a watermelon. As he moved through the bustling crowd, he spotted Rick and Jeong Taeui and came to a stop.

The two of them were standing in front of an open-air stall surrounded by smoky air, eating grilled crayfish. If their faces hadn’t been familiar, they might have seemed so ordinary that Yuri would have walked right past them.

“…….”

He never imagined, not even for a single moment in his life, that that man could ever look like an ordinary person.

Yuri watched them quietly, feeling strangely sentimental.

Ilay Riegrow is a name that would make anyone familiar with it instantly grimace and shake their head. The countless grim tales associated with that name left no room for comfort. As far as Yuri knew, nobody willingly wanted to share the same space with that man.

Yet here he was, offering a skewer of scallops to his companion after finishing the grilled crayfish. He casually took a bottle of sauce from the stall owner, muttered a half-hearted “Thanks”, and blended seamlessly into the bustling scene of the market. Nothing about him stood out, an image of perfect ordinariness in this lively setting. (“Thanks” was written in Eng)

Yuri stared at him for a moment before murmuring: “Ah.” He had realized why Ilay Riegrow looked so ordinary in that moment. It was because the companion standing next to him was calmly chewing on the scallop skewer he had been handed. The man blended in so seamlessly, appearing normal, because the person beside him treated him as if he truly were just another ordinary individual.

“…….”

For some reason, Jeong Taeui seemed extraordinary.

This time, Yuri’s gaze shifted to Jeong Taeui. He set the two watermelons he was carrying down and observed them carefully.

‘What is it about that young man that brought him to someone like him?’

Yuri still couldn’t figure it out.

‘What about that ordinary man drew him in?’

Yuri couldn’t understand. After having exchanged words with Jeong Taeui several times, Yuri himself had come to like him. While he occasionally displayed an unpredictable quirky side, Jeong Taeui was a straight-laced and well-mannered young man.

But one thing was certain: Whatever the reason, Riegrow wouldn’t let go of that man once he had him in his grasp. And in truth, for someone to fall for another, it doesn’t always take an extraordinary event or a grand reason.

“……”

No, but he thought Jeong Taeui might have something special. Being pursued by two men like that isn’t something just anyone can manage.

Yuri stood watching them like an observer and then noticed a familiar face forming the third point of the triangle, with the pair and himself at the other two corners. A young man was sitting cross-legged at the end of a bench occupied by three people, resting his chin on his knees and gazing at the pair with a pensive expression.

It’s the youngest son.

Because there were so few Asians here, the young man immediately caught Yuri’s attention. He sat there calmly, seemingly indifferent to whether or not he was noticed. It didn’t even look like he was trying to be subtle about watching them. On the contrary, it seemed more like he was annoyed they hadn’t realized he was there and were still deep in conversation with each other.

“……”

Oh no.

He had seen Yuri there.

No, it didn’t seem like he had just noticed Yuri. He must have already known Yuri was there but simply hadn’t cared. When Yuri looked at him, he returned the gaze with a casual expression, as if to say: ‘Oh, you’re looking at me?’

After their eyes met, Yuri felt an even deeper sense of regret. Why is the timing so bad? Or maybe he should have quickly pretended not to see him the moment he noticed him.

Once again, he acted nonchalant, but there was a subtle hint of irritation on his face. It was as if he had been caught showing an expression he didn’t want others to see. Perhaps he was embarrassed to have been seen gazing longingly at Jeong Taeui or enviously at Riegrow. Either way, it seemed to sting his pride.

If that’s the case, that young man shouldn’t have been sitting somewhere so noticeable. Yuri reassured himself that this wasn’t his fault, quickly grabbed the watermelons, and turned to leave.

‘I need to get back to the Backpacker quickly. Yes, Anna is probably waiting for the watermelons……’

Even though he hadn’t done anything wrong, an inexplicable unease lingered in Yuri’s chest, prompting him to quicken his pace. His long strides carried him away from the flickering yellow lights of the night market into a dim alleyway, where his steps gradually slowed.

But still……

‘Could he really have wanted it that much?’

Yuri recalled the young man, propping his chin on his hand, staring endlessly at them. The expression on his face was a mix of envy, longing, frustration, and anger. With that intense gaze, he had looked at them fervently, as if silently shouting: ‘Just once, can’t you look this way? How can you not notice when I’m staring so hard?!’ It was a face filled with resentment and sadness.

‘……Just once, couldn’t they look at him? If it had been me, I would’ve looked back at him with just as much intensity.’

It was as he sighed softly “Hmph”, lost in such thoughts.

“Why are you running away? The moment you see someone’s face?”

A hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder from behind. Silently, likely intentionally so, it had crept up before gripping him tightly. Under the unrelenting force of the hand, Yuri flinched ever so slightly. Though it wasn’t noticeable outwardly, the one gripping his shoulder probably noticed.

The person who had stopped Yuri, smiling with narrowed eyes, was none other than the youngest son himself.

“……What are you doing here?”

Yuri asked suspiciously, finding it odd that the same person who had been staring so fervently at the two in the market just moments ago was now suddenly standing behind him.