The door closed with that soft click that didn't wake anyone... except Chaerin.
She was already awake.
Lying on her side, with one leg uncovered between the sheets, she watched as Suhyeon left his jacket on the chair and walked slowly toward the kitchen. The light from the refrigerator barely illuminated his face.
"Mm... you smell like expensive coffee and decisions you didn't tell me about," she murmured, half jokingly, half complaining.
Suhyeon turned his head. Just a smile.
"You're awake."
"And you're freezing," she said, noticing his tone. "And not because of the weather."
He approached the edge of the bed. Chaerin sat up, crossing her legs slowly, like a cat stretching.
"What did you do this time, you prickly little thing?"
"Business."
"It's always business. But before, you came to me hungry... not just for control."
Suhyeon looked at her, more tired than absent.
"I'm here, aren't I?"
"Yes, but not completely... silly."
Chaerin stood up and wrapped her arms around his neck. He held her by the waist, more out of habit than impulse.
"You know what I think?" she whispered, brushing her lips against his ear. "That you're getting so good at giving orders... that you're forgetting how to let yourself be loved... honey."
Suhyeon closed his eyes for a moment. His breathing slowed.
"I'm trying to protect you," he murmured. "Even from myself."
Chaerin kissed his jaw, with a tenderness that needed no permission. Then she took his face in both hands.
"Well, protect me if you want. But don't become indifferent. I fell in love with your warmth... not the cold Suhyeon."
He kissed her, slowly and deeply. Seeking more of her scent, her voice, her refuge.
And she... just moved closer.
[Scene change]: Anonymous Residence – West Gangbuk Dojo – 8:13 a.m.
The house had no sign, no visible address. At first glance, it was a single-story residence in a forgotten neighborhood of Gangbuk. But inside, it was a different story.
Waxed floor. Tatami mats. Neat shelves with gloves, bandages, and dumbbells. No decorations, just functionality.
Seven executives. All gathered together. And none of them knew exactly why they were there.
Gukja Yang, No. 2, leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. His serene expression was broken only by the barely perceptible tension in his jaw.
Hajun Gu, No. 3, watched everything from a corner while smoking. He trusted Suhyeon, yes... but he didn't like surprises.
Haru Seong, No. 4, stood watching every object in the room. He seemed uncomfortable. Training? Why now?
Hyeondong Lee, No. 5, paced in circles like a nervous puppy.
Jaeha Han, No. 6, had sat down in the lotus position, relaxed, but with his eyes closed. "I am one with the ground..." he thought.
Yugyeom Na, No. 7, stood motionless, staring at the door.
Jihyeon Lee, No. 8, checked his practice katana. He didn't ask questions, he just analyzed the whole environment.
One of the shelves had a discreet box with a fake label:
"Project Bloom – Field Activity"
But they knew the truth. That was just a facade for the government and the press. Among themselves, there was no need for disguises.
In that sense, everyone had the same experience:
"I thought this house had been unused since we started Bloom..."
They were part of Black Lotus, although no one said it out loud.
That was when the sliding door at the back opened with a clean creak.
Suhyeon Kim entered barefoot, dressed in a tight-fitting black dobok, traditional but without unnecessary embellishments. Each step on the wood echoed like a precise metronome, firm and disciplined. The symbol of the pike ♤ shone on his chest, embroidered in steel gray thread.
In his right hand he carried a black bag made of thick fabric.
He didn't say a single word.
He walked to the center of the dojo and placed the bag on a low bench, without haste. Then he raised his head and looked at them one by one, silently.
His mere presence was enough to make everyone stand a little straighter.
Then he waited a few seconds and spoke.
"Put these on."
His voice was calm, deep, but full of authority.
He opened the bag and threw out the first uniform. Then the second. The third. One by one, until everyone had theirs.
Doboks identical to his. Dark, sober, with the symbol of the spade ♤ embroidered on the chest.
Gukja caught his in midair without hesitation.
Hajun held it with one hand and looked down at it thoughtfully.
Haru pressed his lips together, somewhat doubtful but amazed.
Hyeondong swallowed hard with contained excitement.
Yugyeom didn't blink, but his fingers closed firmly around the fabric.
Jihyeon received it solemnly and remained silent.
Jaeha Han, standing slightly apart, held it with both hands... and raised an eyebrow with a skeptical smile, but said nothing. His eyes, however, sparkled with genuine interest.
Suhyeon watched them, gauging each reaction with precision.
"I'm building something," he said. "Something big. And that means each of you must be prepared. Not just with words... or money. But with real strength."
It was true. He had brought them together. He had elevated them. He had given meaning to their names in a world that had underestimated them.
"Do you think power is sustained by speeches? No. Power is imposed."
"It is backed by the ability to hurt if necessary."
"To resist. To command with presence."
Suhyeon turned toward the tatami and walked calmly to the exact center of the dojo. He stopped. The ceiling lights highlighted his figure, silhouetted, almost symbolic.
And then, without raising his voice:
"If you want to remain Black Lotus executives, you will also be soldiers."
No one said anything. But something burned inside them all. They were all attentive.
Suhyeon had awakened that inner fire in each of them.
A shared flame that pushed them to rise up, to deserve that uniform. To follow the only leader who not only commanded... but made them grow.
Gukja nodded to himself.
"You know you can count on me, Suhyeon."
Hajun let out a slight sigh and took off his jacket.
Haru crouched down, determined to get dressed.
"This is incredible. It's so soft and flexible."
Hyeondong couldn't hide his smile, his eyes moist with emotion.
"My lord, this is a great idea. As expected of you."
Jihyeon tied her hair back, calm and focused.
Yugyeom simply stood up, without any gestures.
And Jaeha Han, still with his cynical smile, shrugged and muttered:
"Well... if we're going to break bones, let's do it in style."
The respect they felt for Suhyeon Kim was not just loyalty.
It was reverence born of example.
And even if they didn't say it, in their hearts they all knew:
"If it's with him... it's worth breaking and rebuilding like a jigsaw puzzle."
[System]: Starting the growth mission.
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📜 Rhythm System – Questism & Lookism Fanfic Lv.1
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