Park Min-jae's smile widened, a glint of genuine amusement in his eyes. "Fighting me, Mr. Li? Oh, no. My days of sparring are cherished memories, not current practice. I prefer to appreciate skill from the sidelines these days." He gestured towards the dojo with a slight incline of his head. "But I assure you, the spirit of the test remains." He raised a hand, and a figure stepped silently from a shadowed alcove near the dojo entrance.
The man who emerged was younger than Park, perhaps in his late thirties, but carried an air of contained power. He wore a simple black *dobok*, the traditional taekwondo uniform, its crisp lines emphasizing his lean, athletic build. His expression was calm, focused, his eyes assessing Anze with detached professionalism. He bowed first to Park Min-jae, then turned and offered a respectful bow to Anze.
"Kim Joon-ho," Park introduced smoothly. "One of our security detail's senior instructors. Holds a 5th Dan in Taekwondo and has trained extensively in Hapkido. Consider him a worthy measure of spirit, Mr. Li."
Anze returned the bow, his own posture shifting subtly from CEO to practitioner. He shed his tie completely, rolled up the sleeves of his crisp white shirt, and toed off his polished oxfords, stepping onto the cool tatami mats in his socks. The luxurious dinner setting felt worlds away. The air in the small dojo hummed with quiet tension.
Joon-ho took his stance, light on the balls of his feet, hands held ready. Anze mirrored him, his own stance lower, wider, radiating grounded power rather than bouncing agility – the mark of a different discipline. There was no referee, no starting bell. A subtle shift in Joon-ho's weight was the only signal. He exploded forward, a blur of controlled motion, launching a lightning-fast roundhouse kick aimed at Anze's ribs. It was fast, technically perfect, designed to test reaction and gauge distance.
Anze didn't flinch. He flowed *into* the movement, not away. One arm snapped up, forearm deflecting the kick with a sharp *smack* of impact, not blocking it head-on but redirecting its force harmlessly past his body. In the same seamless motion, his other hand shot out, not as a strike, but as a grip, seizing the fabric of Joon-ho's *dobok* sleeve just above the elbow as the kick extended. Using the momentum of the kick and his own formidable core strength, Anze pivoted sharply, pulling Joon-ho off balance. It wasn't brute force, but precise leverage and timing.
Joon-ho, startled by the unexpected redirection and grip, tried to recover, planting his kicking leg and attempting a close-range hand strike. But Anze was already inside his guard. He stepped deep, his hip driving into Joon-ho's center of gravity, while the grip on the sleeve became an anchor. Anze dropped his weight, executed a smooth, powerful hip throw (*O Goshi*). Joon-ho, despite his skill, was lifted cleanly off his feet, his balance utterly compromised. He hit the tatami with a controlled thud, Anze maintaining the grip to ensure the landing wasn't harsh, but the dominance was absolute. The entire exchange, from the initial kick to the throw, lasted perhaps three seconds.
Silence filled the dojo, broken only by Joon-ho's slightly winded exhale. He looked up at Anze, not with anger, but with startled respect. He tapped the mat twice with his free hand – the universal signal of submission in grappling. Anze immediately released his grip and stepped back, offering a hand up. Joon-ho took it, getting to his feet smoothly, and bowed deeply, a gesture of acknowledgment.
Park Min-jae, who had watched the brief contest with intense focus, began to clap. Not loudly, but slow, deliberate applause that echoed in the quiet space. "Impressive, Mr. Li," he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "Not just the skill, but the control, the respect shown in the execution. Tanaka spoke of your discipline, but seeing it... that was not merely technique. That was spirit." He walked towards Anze, extending his hand. "Amazing work. Consider the Gangnam flagship store finalized. We'll handle the prime location. We'll have the paperwork drawn up for signing tomorrow. Go, rest. You've earned it." His grip was firm, his smile now one of a confirmed partner. "Seoul welcomes Luminous."
***
The location pin Anze had sent led the girls and Anya through the bustling streets of Gangnam to a surprisingly unassuming, high-walled entrance guarded by two imposing, impeccably dressed men. The vibe screamed ultra-exclusive. Anya, clutching the mysterious black metal card like a talisman, stepped forward nervously. One guard held out a hand, his expression impassive. "Private function, miss."
Anya fumbled, presenting the card. The guard took it, scanned it with a discreet device hidden in his palm, his eyes flicking to a screen Anya couldn't see. Instantly, his demeanor shifted to one of deep respect. He bowed slightly. "Welcome. Please, this way." He gestured, and the heavy, unmarked door swung open silently.
They stepped into another world. It was a hidden, modern oasis – a rooftop garden transformed into an intimate concert venue. Fairy lights twined through manicured trees, illuminating low seating areas clustered around a small, sleek stage. The air buzzed with the low hum of conversation from perhaps fifty impeccably dressed guests. But the real shock was the band setting up.
**Eclipse.** The name alone sent a jolt through Anya. They weren't just popular; they were global superstars, the undisputed kings and queen of K-pop. Four members: **Kai**, the intense, charismatic leader and main rapper with his signature platinum undercut; **Min-ji**, the powerhouse vocalist with emerald-green hair cascading down her back; **Joon**, the mesmerizing main dancer whose every move was pure liquid grace; and **Hae-won**, the multi-talented producer, vocalist, and rapper, radiating cool confidence. Seeing them in this ultra-private setting, so close, felt surreal.
The concert wasn't just a performance; it was a privilege. Eclipse played acoustically at first, stripping down their biggest hits to raw, beautiful versions that showcased Min-ji's soaring vocals and Kai's gritty rap flow. Then, they shifted gears, launching into songs no one outside their inner circle had ever heard – unreleased tracks pulsating with experimental beats, haunting melodies, and lyrics that felt deeply personal. Joon's dancing was even more captivating up close, a breathtaking display of control and emotion. Hae-won switched effortlessly between keyboards and rapping, her flow intricate and sharp.
Jiaxi was immediately on her feet, dancing with uninhibited joy, pulling a still slightly green but rapidly perking-up Xia along with her. Xia, despite her lingering hangover, found herself swept up in the infectious energy and sheer talent, a genuine smile breaking through. Anya was frozen, starstruck, tears actually welling in her eyes as she mouthed along to choruses she'd screamed in her dorm room a thousand times. She recorded snippets frantically, then stopped, wanting to just *be* in the moment.
As the final, haunting notes of an unreleased ballad faded, the intimate crowd erupted in applause. The atmosphere shifted seamlessly into a sophisticated cocktail party. Waiters circulated with exquisite canapés and flutes of champagne. The girls, buzzing with adrenaline, grabbed drinks, gushing to each other in hushed, excited tones about the incredible, impossible experience. Anya was practically vibrating. "Unreleased songs! *Unreleased!* Did you hear that bridge?! Kai looked right this way! I think he *saw* me!"
Just then, Anze and Yuhan appeared at the rooftop entrance, scanning the crowd. Anya spotted them first and launched herself at her brother like a missile. "ANZE! OH MY GOD! ECLIPSE! THEY SANG UNRELEASED SONGS! THEY'RE MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE! YOU ARE THE BEST BROTHER IN THE HISTORY OF BROTHERS! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH I COULD EXPLODE!" She squeezed him tight, her words tumbling out in a breathless rush.
Anze chuckled, patting her back awkwardly. "Haha, I know. Told you the card was useful." He gently extricated himself from the octopus hug.
Anya beamed, wiping happy tears. "Useful?! It was magic! Best surprise ever! Now, can we meet them? Please? Just a picture? A wave? A single autograph?!" She bounced on her toes.
Before Anze could answer, a familiar voice cut through the ambient chatter, loud and warm. "ANZE! Li Anze! Over here!"
Heads turned. It was Kai himself, striding across the rooftop towards them, a wide grin splitting his handsome face. He bypassed starstruck guests without a glance, heading straight for Anze. To Anya's utter astonishment, Kai didn't just shake Anze's hand; he pulled him into a firm, back-slapping hug. "Long time no see, brother!" Kai exclaimed, his English fluent with a slight Korean accent. He held Anze at arm's length, looking him up and down. "Still looking sharp. CEO life suits you, huh?"
Anze returned the grin, a genuine, relaxed expression Anya rarely saw. "Suits me? Look at you, Kai. Global superstar. Seems like yesterday we were cramming for finals and dodging campus security after curfew." He clapped Kai on the shoulder.
Anya's jaw dropped. Jiaxi gasped audibly. Xia and Yuhan stared, stunned. Anya found her voice, a squeak. "Brother?! You... you *know* Kai?! Like... *know* know him?!"
Kai laughed, a rich, warm sound, finally noticing the group around Anze. "Know him? This guy," he slung an arm around Anze's shoulders, "saved my sorry butt more than once back in Seoul National. Exchange student with fists of steel and a brain for business even then. We shared more *soju* and bad karaoke than I care to admit!" He winked at the utterly flabbergasted Anya. "So, you're the famous little sister? He talked about you sometimes. Mostly about how much you cost him." He grinned at Anze. "Guess the bill just got higher, huh?"
Laughter erupted – Anze's dry chuckle, Kai's booming laugh, and the stunned, delighted giggles of the Luminous team. The glittering Seoul skyline stretched out around them, the pulsating energy of the city a backdrop to this surreal reunion. The business victory felt distant now, replaced by the warm glow of an unexpected friendship spanning years and continents, and the starstruck realization that their CEO had secrets far more exciting than spreadsheets. Anya looked between her brother and her idol, her world utterly rearranged in the best possible way. The night in Seoul had just become infinitely more luminous.
Kai's booming declaration hung in the air, leaving the Luminous team (and one ecstatic sister) utterly flabbergasted. Anze just shrugged under Kai's arm, a faint, almost embarrassed smile playing on his lips as he met their stunned gazes. "Yeah, I know them," he admitted, his voice carrying over the rooftop buzz. "Min-ji, Joon, Hae-won," he gestured towards the other band members who were now approaching with wide, welcoming smiles, drawn by the commotion. "This is Xia Ma, our CTO, Yuhan Ding, CFO, Shen Jiaxi, Head of PR, and my sister, Li Anya."
Min-ji, her emerald hair catching the fairy lights, beamed. "Any friend of Anze's!" she declared warmly in accented but clear English, immediately pulling a still shell-shocked Anya into a gentle hug. Joon offered a smooth, elegant bow, his dancer's grace evident even standing still. "An honor," he murmured. Hae-won, radiating cool confidence, gave a sharp nod and a genuine smile. "Heard a lot about the Luminous crew. Finally meet the brains behind the operation Anze keeps bragging about." She winked at Xia and Yuhan.
Anya, released from Min-ji's hug, looked like she might faint. "Bragging? About *us*?" she squeaked, pointing a trembling finger between herself and the others. "He never brags about *us*!"
Kai laughed, finally releasing Anze but keeping a friendly hand on his shoulder. "Don't let the CEO stoicism fool you, little sister. Back in the day, this guy transferred into Seoul National for a year – engineering exchange program or something boringly smart." He rolled his eyes playfully. "We were just starting out then, playing in sketchy basements and getting paid in free *soju* if we were lucky. Barely knew three chords collectively." Min-ji giggled, nodding emphatically.
"Then," Kai continued, his expression turning fondly mischievous, "we landed this 'gig' at this club down in Itaewon. Place called 'The Viper's Nest' – lived up to its name. Owner was... let's say, creatively flexible with payments. After our set, he tried to tell us the 'exposure' *was* our pay and shoved us towards the door." Kai's smile turned sharp. "Then *he*," he jabbed a thumb at Anze, "decided to intervene. Quietly. Politely asked the guy to reconsider. Guy laughed, shoved Anze too. Big mistake."
The band members all nodded, identical expressions of amused awe crossing their faces. Joon took up the story, his voice low and dramatic. "Two of the owner's 'friends' – big guys, looked like they bench-pressed refrigerators – decided to encourage us to leave faster. They grabbed Min-ji's keyboard stand." Min-ji shuddered dramatically. "Anze… he just moved. One minute he was standing there, the next, the first guy was on the floor wondering what hit him. The second guy swung, Anze ducked under it like it was slow motion, grabbed his arm, twisted…" Joon made a complicated, fluid motion with his hands. "*Thud*. Both down. Took maybe five seconds. Owner suddenly found our payment envelope. With interest."
Hae-won chuckled. "He refused to take a cut, of course. Said he just didn't like bullies. Ended up being our unofficial bodyguard for half the gigs that year. Even helped us lug gear." She looked at Anze with deep affection. "He helped us navigate some early contracts too, stopped us from signing our lives away for a pack of ramen. Basically helped us *start* this band, properly. But," she added, shooting Anze a mock-stern look, "he never lets us give him credit. Says he just 'hung out'."
"Because I did," Anze interjected, his ears slightly pink. "You did the work. The music. The practice. I just… discouraged some bad business practices and bad manners."
Kai slung his arm back around Anze's shoulders. "See? Modest to a fault. But anyways," he declared, looking around at Xia, Yuhan, Jiaxi, and the still-starry-eyed Anya, "you are his friends. That means you are *our* friends. Tonight, forget CEOs and CFOs and CTOs and PR heads and superstar bands." He grinned. "Tonight, we eat, drink, and remind Anze how much fun he used to be before he became all responsible!"
Min-ji suddenly switched to rapid-fire Korean, peppering Anze with questions. To everyone's surprise (except perhaps Yuhan, who seemed unsurprised by anything Anze did anymore), Anze answered fluently, his Korean smooth and natural, drawing laughter from the band members.
Yuhan, ever observant, adjusted his glasses. "You speak Korean exceptionally well, Anze. Yet you conversed with Mr. Park in English earlier."
Anze shrugged, switching back to English easily. "Business meeting. You were there. English was the common professional language. Easier for details." He gave a rare, almost mischievous grin. "Also, didn't want Park Min-jae knowing *quite* how much I understood if he muttered something interesting in Korean to his lawyer."
Hae-won laughed. "Always strategizing! Enough of the business talks, let's go get food! We booked the private dining terrace downstairs. Our treat. To celebrate old friends, new friends, and," she winked at Anze, "surviving The Viper's Nest."
The night dissolved into a warm, boisterous blur of laughter, clinking glasses, and incredible food. They were ushered to a stunning private terrace overlooking the glittering Gangnam skyline, laden with platters of sizzling *galbi*, steaming seafood pancakes (*haemul pajeon*), delicate dumplings (*mandu*), and endless banchan. Stories flowed freely – Eclipse sharing hilarious mishaps from early tours (Joon tripping spectacularly on stage; Min-ji forgetting lyrics and improvising operatic nonsense that went viral), Anya shyly asking for singing tips, Jiaxi charming everyone with her infectious energy and demanding dance lessons from Joon right there on the terrace ("Later, maybe!" Joon laughed, expertly dodging her grab).
Yuhan found himself deep in conversation with Hae-won about the business side of the music industry, surprising everyone (including himself) with his insightful questions. Xia, finally shedding the last remnants of her hangover, chatted easily with Min-ji about tech integration in stage performances, discovering a shared passion for innovative design. Anya was in heaven, soaking up every word, every laugh, occasionally pinching herself.
And Anze? He sat back, a glass of fine Korean *soju* in hand, watching his worlds collide. He saw the easy camaraderie between his fiercely loyal Luminous family and the friends who had known him during a wilder, more carefree chapter of his life. He saw the awe and joy on Anya's face. He saw Xia, relaxed and animated, her eyes sparkling as she debated lighting rigs with Min-ji. The immense pressure of the Hanul deal, the shadow of the Shanghai scandal, felt distant, washed away by the warm Seoul night, the shared laughter, and the simple, profound comfort of being surrounded by people who mattered. He caught Xia's eye across the table as she laughed at something Min-ji said. She held his gaze for a moment, a soft, unguarded smile touching her lips before she looked away, a faint blush visible even in the terrace lights. Anze took a slow sip of his *soju*, the taste smooth and warm, mirroring the unfamiliar, comfortable warmth spreading through him. The night was luminous, and for the first time in a long while, Anze Li simply let himself be present, enjoying the glow. The future could wait until tomorrow. Tonight was for friendship, rediscovered and new, under the Seoul stars.