Purple Scent

Ch. 17: I Like It

"This is amazing.", amazement can obviously be traced from my Dad's voice, while everyone else—except Soobok, Kahee, and me—were clueless about whatever Dad was going to say. 

"Truly amazing.", he continued only to look up at me, smiling from ear to ear. Luckily Soobok had successfully saved a microscope and other tools to read and test my blood, which my Dad was using.

"I—", Dad was at lost for words, that he couldn't find the right term or words to complete his sentence, if he isn't my Dad, I would think he's gone crazy. He continued in a more better state of his self, "I've tested the kid's blood, and it looked a lot just like yours. I don't know how to explain this, but,", he paused once again, and I swore I saw his eyes sparkled somehow.

"But, I think there has been a defect when the virus tried to bypass your blood brain barrier. I don't know it yet since our tools were minimal and limited, but I am sure, there has to be something, something that stopped the virus from doing so.", Dad explained and I nodded, although I have a lot in mind through this whole thing.

"Right now, let us settle this and find out next time. In that time, we will know. And once we know, I think we're near to find the cure. Or maybe we'll find something more than that.", he explained. Everyone nodded after they absorbed everything he said, and left us there at the pantry.

"Now, I want you to report me everything that you think that has changed inside of you.", he said as he scribbled into his notebook, his penmanship hadn't gone better at all that I don't understand any of it, even the numbers that much more easy to read.

"Aside from voices I keep hearing inside my head, I noticed this change in me. I—I can now finally smell anything.", I said and he nodded, and gestured me to leave first. I obliged and went out of the pantry, only to see that the guys were doing random things on their own, while Hyunki and Jaewook were playing with the kid.

My eyes caught someone else's and I didn't feel anything but embarrassment when I see him, or even just feel his presence around. I decided to cut that thread of stare, and eavesdropped at the younger guys playing with the kid.

"What's this?", the kid asked in the most curious eyes he could ever have while he looked up at Hyunki, who's carrying the kid on his lap.

Jaewook chuckled and answered instead of Hyunki, "That's clothes. Why, you haven't seen any of that before?", Jaewook said as he gave Coco towards Yul, who's just silently listening beside them.

The kid politely nodded as both of them struggled to slip the kid onto the shirt—which was obviously Hyunki's, since he got the smallest extra clothes. Soobok, who was probably watching from afar, noticed it so he took out his knife pocket—I didn't know he had that—and tore something like line behind the clothes for the kid's wings to stuck out.

I went towards the kitchen to prepare some food—did I forget that there was luckily some leftover foods on the cupboard that was in can, so it was preserved. But of course, you wouldn't expect about the expiration date—which is still best before about two weeks, luckily. Talk about that much luck.

I decided to take the canned sausages, and opened it with a knife. I took one piece and took it in one big bite. Why do I feel hungry all of a sudden.

I decided to get another and wrapped it in some plastic for later. I wiped my hands with a rug, it wasn't that clean, neither that dirty, so it was enough just to wipe the oil on my fingers.

I was half done when I felt someone slipped his arms on my waist, and I don't know, my mind automatically flashed that familiar face of Yul.

He didn't speak, just locked his fingers with mine. Actually, I didn't understand about his act, but he just back hugged me very tight as if I went missing. Or did he feel like missing me?

"I'm sorry about earlier. I did that to avert my thoughts; my mind.", I apologized. I just hope it was really him, if it wasn't, then that would be embarrassing. Well, if it weren't Yul, who will ever? It's not that I am assuming something from his feelings, but at least I have the assumptions that might make sense.

"It's okay.", his voice were soft and sweet, as if he wouldn't want to be so loud about something. And with that voice, it really was him. But what is this that I am not pushing him away? Does this mean I like him?

"Let's go back. We're going to move to another place, right?", he said and went back towards the others. This isn’t the time to flirt but, why do I like it?

---

We moved way more carefully than we could, and it made us arrive  silently and safely at our new place to stay. I know something's off by the sudden silence from the Violet Harpies, but at the same time my hands were itching for some action.

Honestly, their silence was bugging me.

It feels like they are preparing or something. On the brighter side, I know if that day comes soon, we'll be ready. Haven't I mentioned that the other guys, especially Doyun, were preparing a lot with their weapons? I even overheard them during the ride that they will go and hunt on some other days. They've gone brave, too brave.

"Take care of the kid.", I reminded the five of them as they prepare to go out. Doyun pouted, thinking he was the one I am pertaining to.

"It's not you. I mean, Yul.", I said and he grimaced at me. I added, "Doyun, go protect your man.", I reminded and Doyun dismissed me and waved his hand, leading all of them.

"Hey, I ain't anyone's man. Well, except Geuhan. I am your man.", he said and winked at me. I rolled my eyes at his sudden pick-up line.

"Let's just go, lover boy. Before your pick-up lines become lamer.", Heeshik locked his arms on Yul's neck and dragged the latter who's struggling to give me a wave.

Little did they know, I followed them behind without knowing.