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「This story is for just that one reader.」
A cold breeze ruffled Kim Dokja’s hair as he stared at the burning star that slowly descended into the horizon.
It was a warm day, [Kim Dokja’s Company] had stayed inside the well ventilated Industrial Complex after completing the hidden scenarios.
As the reader was heading back in after completing a particular sub-scenario, he suddenly came to a stop and urgently brought out his phone.
‘ Oh no…’
It was February 14th. Which means tomorrow was…
Deciding to brush off the feeling of instant dread, Kim Dokja nervously headed to his room before stopping dead in his tracks.
‘It’s too quiet’
Even though everyone in the Company was in the compound, it was eerily silent. Lee Jihye wasn’t training with her sword. Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung weren’t bickering at all. Everyone was nowhere to be seen at all.
‘They’re planning something, I know it’
Normally, he wouldn’t think anything of it. Everyone is allowed their own space and time, but there were simply too many coincidences.
The Archangel Uriel had set up an unusual scenario that only needed Kim Dokja’s attention. The mission involved finding as many artifacts connected to <Eden> in South Korea. Since he read the novel, it was obvious who was responsible for completing the sub-scenario.
‘That’s why I took so long to finish it, since the quest had a generous time limit and a huge reward’
However, he had now realized that it might’ve simply been a way to keep him away from the complex. If it wasn’t obvious enough, he had just seen Han Sooyoung ‘sneakily’ run to her room with a couple of balloons.
‘They’re doing something unnecessary’
So now here he was, running away from a surprise birthday party his thoughtful companions were throwing.
‘Aigoo, how long until I can go back in’
Kim Dokja didn’t necessarily hate surprises or his birthday. He just didn’t see any reason to celebrate him being alive. In all actuality, he felt uncomfortable being showered with love and becoming the main character. The main character in his life has always been Yoo Joonghyuk.
Letting out a depressed sigh, he couldn't help but start reminiscing about his older birthdays.
There were the times he vaguely remembered warm days at a park with nothing but the swaying trees, birds chirping and the warm voice of his mother reading a book as his father cooked his favorite foods.
There were others when he remembers the day simply blending into a tortuous routine of waking up, going to school, coming home and staying up all night reading. No handmade birthday cake, warm hugs or small gifts waiting for him under his bed. Just screaming, sobs and broken plates. Later, it became vicious whispers and glaring relatives.
‘I wish the day would just go by quickly’
Staring at the now brightly lit sky, he was startled out of his thoughts by the squeak of a hinged metal door.
Turning around quickly, he was surprised to see who it was, “What are you doing here?”
Met with no answer, as expected, Kim Dokja simply turned back around and stared into the stars, “I’m not coming in Joonghyuk-ah, so don’t even try.”
Surprisingly, he wasn’t met with a murderous glare or annoyed scowl. Instead, he heard someone take a seat next to him.
It was silent until Dokja opened his mouth but was interrupted.
‘Rude’
“Everyone’s waiting for you”
That simple sentence silenced whatever he was going to say and an uncomfortable expression met Yoo Joonghyuk’s unwavering stare.
Kim Dokja awkwardly smiled, “I’ll go in a bit.”
“Bullshit.”
‘Ugh’
Kim Dokja tsked and looked away, refusing to participate in whatever guilt trip staring contest the damn sunfish was trying to pull.
Taking in an unsteady breath, Kim Dokja quietly whispered with a bittersweet expression, “Why are you guys doing something so unnecessary?”
Yoo Joonghyuk stayed silent, staring expressionless at the already awkward reader, “It’s necessary.”
‘Doesn’t answer my question bastard’
Like he could tell what Dokja was thinking, Yoo Joonghyuk gave him a ferocious glare before angrily turning away from him.
A tense silence washed over them before a new voice called out, “Hey bastard! You had one job!! Why aren’t you looki-Kim Dokja! What are you doing out here you rat?!”
A feeling of deja-vu overcame Kim Dokja as he once again turned around to see it was Han Sooyoung this time at the door, glaring at him.
“I just needed some fresh air”
Acknowledging his answer, the author made her way over. The three sat together, staring at the bright constellations before the silence was broken by Han Sooyoung, “Why won’t you come in Kim Dokja?”
It took him some time to answer, “I don’t want to celebrate my birthday.”
Immediately she turned to the silent protagonist, “You told him?!”
“You just did dumbass” Kim Dokja answered with a small chuckle.
“Ugh!! They’re gonna be so pissed” Han Sooyoung grumbled before lightly flicking Kim Dokja’s forehead.
“Hey!! What’s that for?!”
“That’s for coming up here to hide from your birthday party asshole!”
Letting out a frustrated groan, Kim Dokja glared at the sky.
’But I didn’t ask for a birthday party…’
“Come on, it’ll be fun! Plus, we’ve been getting a crap ton of coins from the constellations!”
“Oh. Was this about receiving compensation? If that’s it, I’m okay with squeezing every coin out of them-“
“THAT'S A PERK IDIOT!! The real reason is that we obviously want to give you a great memory in this shitty world!!”
“Sure it is. Alright, let’s get this party started! I needed to get some rare items from the Dokkaebi Shop!”
“HEY YOU BASTARD!! We aren’t doing this for the money, we’re doing it for you!!”
“Why in the world would you guys do something like that?!”
“Why can’t you believe me?! We just want to celebrate you being alive and well dumbass!!”
“That’s not even something worth celebrating idiot!”
Expecting a fierce comeback, he turned to glare at her when he noticed the expression on her face.
“What?”
Han Sooyoung stared at him with a face of disbelief, and an identical expression could be seen on Yoo Joonghyuk’s face.
“Um, what’s wron-“ “What do you mean Kim Dokja?”
Glancing at the protagonist, Kim Dokja couldn’t help but awkwardly shrug his shoulders, “There’s nothing special about the 15th. There’s nothing special about me. Simple as that.”
Han Sooyoung let out a pained groan before standing up and stomping towards Kim Dokja, “We’re going downstairs.”
“What?! No-hey!”
With no chance to argue back, she dragged Kim Dokja towards the entrance. Before the reader could try anything, the terrifying sound of a sword being unsheathed was heard and Kik Dokja decided he’d like to come out of this unscathed thank you very much.
The three walked downstairs, the tense silence slowly suffocating them.
What actually seemed like hours was only a few minutes and before they knew it, the entrance door was right in front of them.
Not giving him a chance to mentally prepare, Han Sooyoung slammed the door wide open, “He’s here!”
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!” “HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOKJA-SSI” HAPPY BIRTHDAY UGLY AHJUSSI” “HAPPY BIRTHDAY HYUNG!”
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Juge of Fire’ is wishing you a Happy Birthday!]
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is wishing you a Happy Birthday!]
[The constellation ‘Queen of the Darkest Spring’ is wishing you a long and happy life!]
[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ is wishing you a Happy Birthday!]
[The constellation 'Bald General of Justice’ is wishing you a Happy Birthday]
[The constellation 'Maritime War God’ is wishing you a Happy Birthday]
[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ is wishing you a Happy Birthday.]
[Due to a large amount of coins being sponsored, the Star Stream has automatically grouped it together]
[200,000 coins have been sponsored to <Kim Dokja’s Company>]
No one seemed to pay any mind to the large amounts of coins being donated, instead focusing on getting the star of the day to his seat to enjoy the festivities.
It wasn’t until he saw the cheerful looks on the childrens’ face that Kim Dokja begrudgingly walked to the main seat. An uncomfortable feeling accompanied the reader as he finally sat down.
‘I’m not the main character.’
Like Han Sooyoung could tell what he was thinking, she discreetly pinched his arm.
Trying not to let out a sound, Kim Dokja angrily glared at the author before noticing that she sent a message with Midday Tryst.
- You will always be the main character in our lives Kim Dokja
[The Exclusive Skill ‘Fourth Wall’ is trembling]
[The Exclusive Skill ‘Fourth Wall’ has nullified the feelings of shock]
Biting his lip hard, Kim Dokja refused to say anything to that simple sentence. Just kept the warmth he received from those words greedily hidden deep within him.
It wasn’t until later on that the reader truly understood what he meant to his companions and what they meant to him. It all became real after realizing what he was willing to sacrifice to keep them all alive.
In a dark and lonely subway train, Kim Dokja would automatically read this scene over and over on those fateful days. It had to be one of his favorite scenes, something that brought warmth to his being.
As much as he wished he could’ve been with them on this day, he knew he wasn’t really the main character. He couldn’t be. He was a reader and-
「 This story is for just that one reader. 」