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A ghost from the past. That was the first thought that popped into Su's mind, as a native of Shenzhou, the moment he laid eyes on Kevin.
After all, seeing Kevin appear right before him so suddenly and without any warning after all these years was just too abrupt.
Yet Su was also a doctor. Years of scientific study and practice made him instinctively want to believe in logic.
The thoughts of science and the supernatural clashed violently in his mind, just about to intertwine, when they were abruptly cut off by Kevin's words...
"Su, it's been a long time."
Kevin spoke, his tone so flat it was almost uncanny, as if he were merely greeting a casual acquaintance.
At first glance, Su felt the person before him wasn't the Kevin from his memories.
While his features hadn't changed much, his entire aura was completely different, utterly incapable of overlapping with the image of that sunny, cheerful young man from his memory...
"...Kevin? Is it really you?"
Su's eyes widened, filled with disbelief, and he couldn't help but ask for confirmation again.
"Yes, it's me."
Kevin replied, still in that same monotone. Truth be told, he was also thinking to himself that perhaps his reunion with Su should have been on a better day. Like long-lost brothers reuniting, maybe they should have embraced each other excitedly.
He felt he should smile too, but for some reason, the corners of his mouth just wouldn't curl upward.
When it actually came down to it, it was as if a thousand words were stuck in his throat, and there was nothing left to say.
Humans really are complicated creatures.
"You... you're alive..."
Su's voice trembled slightly, as if he were still submerged in immense shock.
"It seems if you'd seen my death notice, you wouldn't be so surprised."
Kevin continued in that flat tone, attempting to crack a joke to lighten the mood.
Su was stunned again. The Kevin of old would never have made such a grim, gallows-humor kind of joke with him.
Indeed, the person before him was definitely not quite right...!
"Just kidding."
Kevin seemed to realize the joke was ill-timed. "That's right, I'm alive, Su."
His expression turned serious. He really hadn't been joking much lately, and saying something like that now really did seem inappropriate.
By then, Su had also gathered his wits. Although doubt still lingered in his heart, his intuition told him this really did seem to be Kevin, just... changed quite a bit.
"...I've been asking about news from Nagazora all these years."
Su said slowly, a trace of concern in his tone.
"I'm sorry, Su, for making you worry."
Kevin's voice lowered slightly. "The authorities sealed the truth of that incident, mainly to prevent social panic."
"It's fine. It's just good to see you safe and sound."
Su forced a somewhat strained smile. All the worry of these many years seemed to find a resolution in this moment.
Looking at Su, Kevin felt himself pulled back into memories from years ago.
Back then, they were still carefree.
"Shall we walk and talk?"
Kevin asked, wanting to break the somewhat heavy atmosphere.
"Let's go."
Su maintained his smile and walked side by side with Kevin down the road.
Yet, old friends who hadn't seen each other for years now both found themselves at a loss for where to begin.
But perhaps that was just how it was. Between men, sometimes just a look was enough to understand each other.
...
"I heard from Long that Dr. Su is still very popular."
Kevin said, adopting a rare, slightly teasing tone.
"Long...?"
Su paused, then caught on. "So, you've been with MOTH these past few years?"
Hearing this, Kevin nodded.
He then recounted how he and Mei had joined MOTH.
Though it was just a few sparse sentences, Su sensed something different in those brief words.
If it were the Kevin of old, he would've dragged Su into listening to the whole story all night—that was a given.
But now these simple few sentences perhaps let him grasp the hardships within more than a whole night of stories ever could...
"So, Kevin..."
Su stopped walking then, his expression turning serious.
"Why did you choose to come find me at this time?"
He truly couldn't understand. So much time had passed. If there wasn't a specific reason, why would Kevin appear before him now?
"I came to advise you not to join MOTH."
Kevin also stopped walking, his gaze fixed on Su.
"Why?"
Su's tone noticeably sharpened with urgency as he spoke.
He didn't believe that Kevin, who knew him so well, would fail to understand what was in his heart.
'You should know that if you come to me, it makes it even more impossible for me to stay out of this!'
Su said somewhat agitatedly. He felt Kevin should understand that he couldn't possibly stand idly by when it came to something so important.
"But I still came."
Kevin was slightly taken aback. The Su in his memory was steadfast, but rarely this worked up.
"That's right, you still came... to warn me not to get involved."
Su's emotions settled a bit. He looked at Kevin, seeming to understand something.
Kevin nodded, saying earnestly, "Because I know you are Su. No matter what you experience, you are the one among us who is hardest to change."
Kevin knew Su too well. Su always had his own firm convictions.
"No matter what, you will walk your own path."
Kevin said each word deliberately. He understood Su's stubbornness deeply.
Su knew then that Kevin had truly changed. Become more reserved, more profound, seeing things more clearly.
"..."
Su was silent for a moment, then said slowly, "As a friend, I don't want to see you get hurt."
Kevin said softly, genuine concern shining in his eyes.
"I'll consider it seriously."
Su nodded. He knew Kevin meant well, but this matter held extraordinary significance for him.
Su glanced at his house not far away. "Come to my place for a bit. Tell me more about what's happened with you. We could have some tea."
Su extended the invitation to Kevin. He wanted to spend more time with him, to understand more about his experiences over the years.
"No, I should go."
Kevin declined. He still had his own matters to attend to.
"I see... It's alright. There will be other chances, I suppose..."
Su forced out another smile. Though somewhat disappointed, he understood.
"There should be."
Kevin said. "Take care, Su." These were his final words to Su, a trace of reluctance in his eyes.
"Mhm."
Su acknowledged.
...
After Kevin left, Su smiled with a sense of release.
Well, at least that's one matter of the heart settled.
All these years he'd wanted to know news of Kevin, and now he'd finally seen him.
Before entering his home, Su looked up at the sky.
Dark clouds had shrouded the moon. The once bright night sky had grown dim, and a sudden shadow fell over his heart.
He had a powerful premonition. Everything was about to change.
…
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