By Zephyria 
Yeon-rok felt a pang of pity for Moon Gyeon-woo. To have spent such a childhood, only to be betrayed and cheated on by countless lovers afterward. Moon Gyeon-woo continued speaking.
“One day, I came home after class to find the place covered in feathers and blood. Someone was keeping a few pet birds at home, and they just happened to become the target of a couple’s fight. The sight was so horrific that I’ve hated even looking at birds ever since.”
No, the humans were the ones fighting, so why kill birds that can’t even speak? In a way, isn’t this a form of child abuse? He didn’t understand why Moon Gyeon-woo, Yeom Cheon-ho, and Choi Hwan were all so unfortunate.
As he poured out his past, Moon Gyeon-woo wore the face of someone who suffered from deep loneliness. Feeling sorry for him, Yeon-rok instinctively tried to hold his hand again, but there was another knock.
Park Chung-seong said something from beyond the glass window. Because the soundproofing was so good, Yeon-rok couldn’t understand him immediately, so Park pointed to his wristwatch to signal that it was time to go.
“Go on, Yeon-rok-ah. There’s nothing good about staying in a place like this for too long. I’ll see you in fifteen days.”
Moon Gyeon-woo gave a sorrowful smile and pushed Yeon-rok toward the door. Not wanting to leave such a person behind, Yeon-rok kept looking back. Seeing him like this—someone so fragile in both body and mind—made it hard to walk away. Then, Yeon-rok suddenly realized.
Wait? Do I have Stockholm Syndrome?
“Do you have Stockholm Syndrome or something?”
Choi Hwan shouted, jumping up after hearing Yeon-rok’s story.
“That bastard is a criminal! He’s the man who kidnapped you! So why on earth are you visiting that cult den every other day?”
Choi Hwan, who had rushed straight to Yeon-rok as soon as his schedule ended today, still had heavy makeup on his face. Yeon-rok subtly tried to change the subject.
“You’re handsome even without makeup, so why do you wear it so heavily?”
“The lighting washes out my features, so I have to do it heavily. No, don’t change the subject!”
Tsk. He noticed. It was only natural, as Yeon-rok had already visited that village three times to see Moon Gyeon-woo. Yeon-rok offered his own excuse.
“I don’t go just because of Gyeon-woo Hyung. Hanging out there is actually pretty fun…”
The knitting club that Yeon-rok had enjoyed so much was something he could no longer attend after Choi Hwan’s scandal. It was a shame because everyone there had been truly kind.
However, after talking with the Hwamyeong Cult believers this time, he found that there were many clubs in the village. People seemed to enjoy their leisure time after work in their own ways. Soccer, tennis, hiking, sculpting, pottery, and so on. There was even a knitting club.
So, after finishing his visits with Moon Gyeon-woo, Yeon-rok mingled with the believers. He enjoyed plenty of delicious snacks, heard stories about Yeom Cheon-ho, and was treated with affection, making life there very pleasant. As expected, he loved socializing with people.
Knowing full well that Yeon-rok couldn’t go to his favorite knitting club because of the scandal he had caused, Choi Hwan could only bite his lip and say nothing more. Instead, he clung to Yeon-rok and whined.
“But that bastard already had you for fifteen days. Now it’s only fair that you spend time with me too.”
That argument was quite reasonable. Except for the fact that Yeom Cheon-ho had received the most unfair share of time spent together. However, Yeon-rok could easily imagine Choi Hwan’s reaction if he mentioned that. Just thinking about it was exhausting, so Yeon-rok eventually gave in.
“Alright. Let’s spend time together tomorrow.”
“Today!”
“Your schedule just ended, you must be tired…”
“Today! Today!”
Choi Hwan threw a tantrum like a child, insisting he was fine and wanted to play right now. Left with no choice, Yeon-rok agreed. As he got ready to go out, he asked.
“So, what should we do?”
“Hmm… Should we go to the department store and buy some summer clothes since it’s been a while? Or how about shoes or bags? Accessories would be good, or we could go buy a new car.”
Does this guy have nothing to do besides shopping? Remembering that his closet was already overflowing with summer clothes and other items, Yeon-rok shook his head slightly.
“Isn’t there somewhere more unique?”
“Somewhere unique?”
Choi Hwan began to groan, clutching his head. Yeon-rok had only asked without much thought, but seeing how seriously he was agonizing over it, Yeon-rok started racking his own brain too. However, nothing came to mind, so he withdrew the suggestion.
“We can just go to the department store. Let’s buy a few things and then go for a drive.”
“No. You’re right. Our date courses have been too cliché lately.”
Ah, so this was a date? While Yeon-rok was having this sudden realization, Choi Hwan even called his manager. Fortunately, unlike the two of them, the manager had a stream of various date ideas. As it turned out, he had been with his partner for ten years.
Staycations, escape rooms, one-day classes, psychology cafes, and so on. Searching the internet, he found a place that combined a one-day class with a psychology cafe concept. It even only accepted one couple per time slot. Luckily, there was an opening for a same-day reservation. Yeon-rok read the description of the psychology cafe.
“Look at this. They make couple pottery and check your MBTI and Saju compatibility. Two drinks and one cake are free. They specifically say name manifestors are welcome.”
Wait. If they’re checking Saju compatibility, isn’t that a fortune teller’s shop rather than a psychology cafe? Though he tilted his head in confusion, he went ahead and finished the reservation.
The cafe they arrived at had a very cute and pretty interior. However, the space was narrow, and it didn’t look like there was room for the bodyguards, so they decided to leave the car outside and wait. As Yeon-rok and Choi Hwan entered, a bell jingled at the door.
“Welcome. Do you have a reservation?”
The cafe owner, who had asked out of habit, jumped in surprise upon seeing Choi Hwan. The excitement of suddenly encountering a celebrity was evident on her face.
“Oh my, it’s Mr. Choi Hwan! I’m such a huge fan! Oh my goodness! If it’s alright, could I possibly take a photo with you?”
Choi Hwan skillfully and familiarly took a photo and even gave an autograph to the owner who claimed to be a fan. He didn’t forget to earnestly request that she upload the photo only after the two of them had left the cafe.
“Of course! I’ll be sure to upload it tomorrow. My, it’s so lovely to see two flower name bearers together so affectionately.”
“I’m the one who should be thankful for your support. Thanks to you, I think this will be an even more enjoyable time,” Choi Hwan said maturely.
The cafe owner, who was a fan, very kindly taught them how to mold pottery. Although Choi Hwan messed his up, Yeon-rok managed to create a wonderful piece of pottery. He even wrote the childish phrase ‘Choi Hwan ♡ Lee Yeon-rok’ on the bottom.
After finishing the pottery, there was a psychological test. Their MBTIs came out as ESFP for Choi Hwan and ENFJ for Yeon-rok.
“You both have E and F tendencies! Your chemistry must be wonderful! Above all, since the other two tendencies are different, you can complement each other’s weaknesses!”
Choi Hwan was extremely pleased to hear the owner’s words. But… if two out of four letters are the same and two are different, isn’t that just average? However, as she continued to say their Saju compatibility was also great, Choi Hwan’s mood soared to the sky. The result even indicated that their sexual compatibility was great, making Yeon-rok flinch for no reason. Choi Hwan blushed and glanced at Yeon-rok.
“Well then, you two have a wonderful time.”
Finally, they received two drinks and an extra slice of cake as a service. As soon as the cafe owner walked away with a smile after guiding them to a window table, Yeon-rok spoke quickly.
“Let’s get out of here.”
“Why? Is there something urgent? I want to stay here longer.”
“Maybe it’s because we made pottery, but I’m hungry.”
While saying that, Yeon-rok subtly showed him the text written on his phone screen.
Memo complete
The cafe owner called us flower name bearers, not name manifestors.│
Last time, Yeom Cheon-ho had warned him while revealing his identity. He told him to be careful of people who use the term ‘flower name bearer.’
Choi Hwan seemed to remember that as well, as he almost dropped his fork while scooping cake. Fortunately, as an actor, he quickly composed his surprised emotions and spoke calmly.
“Are you that hungry? But isn’t it a bit early for a meal?”
Yeon-rok pretended to admire the scenery outside the window while scanning the interior of the cafe. And he gained certainty.
This isn’t the Hwamyeong Cult; it’s the Heavenly Truth Ming Cult.