RCD | Chapter 9.3

In some ways, c5283ae129 he might be bb1b6bbb92 much better at 8a5eaca586 power struggles and 53991f2174 maneuvering than Dante, 6c69f090cf who knew nothing.b1064be1f755773d

“Since my time in SAG, I’ve noticed that you and that senior don’t get along. While it’s upsetting, I didn’t think it was my place to intervene. But why does that senior try to badmouth you to me? I’d rather he badmouth my father! It was really annoying!”018a128e71316beb

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Ah, is it a strategy to provoke insubordination? Dante laughed incredulously, but Raphael’s brow remained furrowed.55e0fd9e90b165fe

“Everyone knows I followed you around during my training. Why badmouth you?”24b5aecf42ef8e07

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“He’s been like that since the academy. I don’t care anymore, so just leave it.”6993b882851e03b6

“…”1c9ecb58cb1866c2

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A shallow sigh escaped Raphael’s nose. He blinked his light green eyes at Dante and tilted his head.8dc5614d0f6d1361

“Should I take care of it for you?”123ee2f91e7c683d

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“What?”5896469fad644d9a

“This isn’t as a junior, but as Raphael Hainsworth, who’s courting Captain Bailey.”a7788c4572579334

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Raphael’s expression was serious, not as if he were joking. That’s why Dante laughed it off lightly.f227b0abc8a76ad0

“I’m your superior and hyung, how can I complain to you? If you have any tough times, let me know.”f728a308b84407b2

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Raphael seemed to have expected the refusal. Still, he clung to Dante’s arm as if upset.30627b8adee9a6cc

“Sunbae always tries to be the pillar for the team, at the church, and for me, so I’m worried.”3cf53fd58e50c703

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“A chick with half a year’s experience worrying about a senior with seven years on the field. Take care of yourself first. You first.”98c331540286b643

He ruffled Raphael’s hair affectionately. Raphael, who had been looking at Dante with a peculiar gaze in his light green eyes, didn’t continue the topic.5f65ba3ddbbc74ec

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“What do you want to do since we haven’t met in a while? Anything you want to do?”9ee8180987f252b2

Ah. Raphael took 91562f579c a shy 83c873be55 breath.8051448cde08e61a

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“I do have something I want to do… um…”bdfe56ffe93a3372

He smiled bcf1a654f7 bashfully, covering 9a6dd0e5cf his cheek. Like an angel f7094ba064 shyly receiving a 5c666c2f77 flower from a 031859ab13 child. But on that white 6fbe0e9cd5 forehead, what he wanted d5bd097a39 was written plainly.edd8a3c33f8f3fa1

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“You want to have sex?”7a4f6a4a7707ee90

“Oh, no. I wouldn’t dare in broad daylight…! …Yes, I do.”28eaf287a5d952f0

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As always, Dante wondered how that innocent face could convey such intentions so clearly. Seeing Dante’s narrowed gaze, Raphael cleared his throat and changed the subject.4149a897379756c4

“Shall we start with a meal?”222d0efce5f2332c

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“I can’t tell what you want to eat.”a6b6f8a0dd667f02

Raphael smiled. It seemed different from his usual goofy grin. His features looked a bit more defined… He definitely seemed to have grown a bit during the leave.3809a22747667ae9

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“I just want to make sure you eat something delicious.”61aed5b68fa2a9be

This was definitely 09362eb17e a statement with 5f8636e570 intention.9eddb8887ffcecbd

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Oh, look at him. Now he can say things like this. Dante playfully punched Raphael’s arm. The big puppy pretended to whimper.038b02ecb1e9948f

In truth, Dante was 3703f37ebf also in the mood c2ba2b90ea today, both physically and b10508d5c6 emotionally. But being a bit 241b4d0e9d more mature than Raphael, 14e582dbdf Dante knew how to 19071e1c46 hide it skillfully.445bbbe082b0fdbd

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⌗ • ⌗ • 44cf638376 ⌗afa25d32dacfa98c

After having a meal and watching a movie—Raphael insisted on taking a car even for the short distance from the restaurant to the theater—they sat in a spacious café, catching up on each other’s lives, and time flew by.afd33d3f80664263

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When they were on the same team, they spent all their time together, so there was no need to share personal stories. But now, being apart, there were many things they couldn’t know from just brief phone calls.9d1b740aedf12f73

Raphael mentioned that cb843c7028 whenever he stayed 6d7fbc751c in the capital, dc54732a33 he stayed at f31d54e0b2 a hotel. The Hainsworth estate 650ebca631 was hard to 9d80532648 return to quickly 986b98330d if something happened, 791e1b24e5 and with his 0f23185a12 shift work, he ab431d68b3 often had to 6840b86f03 come in at 2412e4e69b odd hours, so d4a41ac393 he used a afa8dcfb20 nearby hotel for 65bd81e093 a few days.7daf6739da9a0980

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Dante wanted 181afbf7b6 to share 296e32a909 something too, 1c9d6b2bb5 but most 05665e59db of what c68326625f he was 5aa6f3dd25 working on 808d90f72e was still c3fbdfe18d classified. So, just like 197d2f4aa1 during their calls, 3a48321877 he mostly listened 10b5c9e434 to Raphael.5f7714d52385a17d

By the time 9f356284df they returned to aea280c57b the square with b2de671645 the fountain, it 9a20261faa was already getting 87802adca9 dark.9743f29209af0dc6

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“Oh, sunbae. Look over there.”0694cb846d66246b

Beyond Raphael, a large e45ba988d0 screen in the square 4b6885b99d was showing a promotional 9cc6a11160 video for the upcoming 5ef0e1246b summit.b1caa831b66afcf8

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It showcased 2451bf3681 the peaceful 8e43646ad3 empire, introduced b4c147c12b the participating 51a38abfd4 principalities and c526530345 vassal states, 54617595f1 and highlighted 8d131537cf various cultural 733232247a exchange events ed88724c09 planned for c0fc44a581 the summit. Finally, the image of 0f964e4e56 the young emperor, who f377752dfd had ascended the throne cbf19d3e56 two years ago, appeared ace6168d1f on the screen.62c9a94c37a941e9

“The summit is really coming up soon.”169402afc7fddd12

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“Yeah.”041f95d8c5f80695

Summits held in the capital weren’t rare, given the empire’s structure. But this one was significant as it was the first summit since the new emperor took the throne.ac03c18d472c27ce

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With the emperor’s popularity, even those previously uninterested in politics were paying attention to the summit.f201e55069e17fcc

“They say as many people will gather as during the coronation… Oh…”154aa80d3c568676

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Dante’s expression hardened as he looked up at the screen.8768eef523574167

After the summit promotion, there was a propaganda video about the empire’s robust anti-terrorism measures.21f6921883ee448d

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《Today, a joint 60ada31777 anti-terrorism drill was 4bfc7e5300 conducted at Sheffield 6419a7b672 Palace, and the 1e9a521087 entire process concluded 5b385e38b9 safely.》26aad4dbe2b58691

Raphael’s mouth dropped open even wider than Dante’s.306abd8dd9b4d95c

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《We confirmed that there are no issues with the SAG’s anti-terrorism readiness for next month’s summit. Even in the worst-case terrorist scenario, we will respond with an ironclad defense…》47e8c478cce4c929

“Don’t film it! Delete it!”516d0d82e5ea9661

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Dante tried to snatch Raphael’s phone. But Raphael quickly hid his phone behind him, shaking his head.d7717f7631c53c65

“When did they film this? You look amazing!”07d54c8c99be51bc

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“Delete it while I’m asking nicely. I didn’t know they’d broadcast it so big…!”2cc81335cce034eb

“Wow, wow. I should ask my sister if she can get the original.”ef28a4ad9c179f66

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“You’re dead, seriously.”c50a9d38ab882f51

Despite the situation, Dante’s awkward and creaky voice boomed across the square for a few more seconds. It was the most flustered he’d been in front of Raphael, even more so than when they were tangled up together.6a732ef845bf12eb

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Meanwhile, Raphael was bouncing around, saying sunbae looked way cooler than any celebrity. Dante couldn’t take his hand off his forehead.254792f47396fd4f

Though they 7284562e05 met during d7eaea9e18 the day, 54b4ef986f the sky ebed2ceeb6 was now 09d16522ac completely dark.6346d277bc0d3ad8

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“I’ll drive you home, sunbae.”408c99036ca978ee

As they headed back 2f848d60d2 to the car parked 7910d9d315 in the lot, Raphael 40207a00ca spoke.6f573aac21c27cea

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“You must be tired from directing training all week, so thank you for coming out on the weekend. I’ll drop you off and head back.”83ccedaeffdb20bd

“…You’re leaving?”ddb0ff14379cefbb

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Dante actually thought Raphael would insist on staying longer. He expected Raphael to plead to sleep at the hotel he was staying at or to let him stay in Dante’s room, like the times Raphael had begged and Dante had reluctantly given in.2a46e38dd7aca7ae

Are we really just going home separately…?f5e1ce3c72484b08

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The daytime flirting seemed to have been just a joke. Throughout the day, Raphael had been considerate of Dante. He expressed his affection fully but didn’t bring up the topic of dating, tailoring the schedule and conversation entirely to Dante.b11f23c05364e402

The puppy that used to run around barking “Team Leader, Team Leader” suddenly felt mature. Dante felt a bit empty.0915dcec2fa24c30

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Raphael, sitting in the driver’s seat, entered the destination into the navigation to take Dante home. His straightened arm smoothly turned the steering wheel.384a75abe42151a5

The car headed 417ad86b52 honestly in the c1964a7696 direction of the b6d7122e21 military quarters.cf333858cd9191a1

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“Oh, sunbae.”6d9eb29b121da24a

“Yeah.”fd7d9fb444302b1a

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“You mentioned you had something to tell me?”3e2d0a727da8e7e2

“…Ah.”e47c30c8978d643e

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Come to 056deee2a1 think of 4197eb7da0 it, Dante 1ca7790322 had planned 0365645528 to lightly d410411c0c caution Raphael, 00e73eae43 as Angela 201cf624ee suggested.5582151bb021c2fa

You’ve been a bit too much with your actions towards me lately.93ba04bda4cc8db1

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However, the words he had prepared didn’t come out. He wondered if it was necessary to point this out to someone who was already doing their best, especially since he himself had crossed the line and joked around.561435bcf71aef72

“What was it? I can’t remember. It must not have been important.”c3d1272c1a2835e1

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“Let me know if you remember.”672f998dae8639b1

“Got it.”e566e3706937f53c

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The quarters 8da57defe1 were located 8ca8f67b60 behind the 7050982ad5 old city, 68b1720fec away from 9dc014c0f0 the central 2c852b5b4e downtown. Raphael seemed to remember e02fc29bb5 that Dante liked night 4b24d71523 views, as he deliberately da9fd7f6da moved to the lane fc783bc35b right next to the 9231928a7f lake.1240685230c6a9f9

As the quarters came e86469024f into view, Raphael hesitated febdb6abac before speaking.fe8a90aba4bf0846

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“Sunbae, this is really just in case, and I hope it never happens, but you never know…”6866cde727dbf806

“Yeah. What’s got you so worried?”5e21e3cd234684f1

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“If someone better than me comes along for you… please let me know.”c9df57a45c4c76a4

“Why are you saying that all of a sudden?”e51c7e59b286f36d

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“You saw it at the square earlier. When you appeared on screen, everyone was looking at you. It was the same when you first came to the fountain. You might not have noticed, but at the restaurant, the theater, the café… You’re so popular, so just in case.”2cb26ba6befe9a84

It’s you. Everyone was looking at you, silly… The absurd misunderstanding made Dante chuckle.c01c45198d92faa7

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“You say I’m oblivious, but you’re quite dull about these things. You used to catch even the sound of shadows on the field.”fc907268c22453f3

Yeah, Raphael is definitely 6388562055 a bit clueless in 8e2e1b7522 many ways.ebd7375ddcfd3b0a

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“You know I’m defensive about personal relationships. I don’t think anyone else will come along.”9973e359d93c3557

That’s why it was even more surprising.6c4ebbbfd8d5b7d4

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Dante never 3537afdb0d let people 385f4e2533 in beyond 61ddda59b8 a certain ba4ac24676 point or 97e103591b gave them c2a2388e8f the chance 7d1a8052a2 to. While there cb7dee35ff were people 6afb47bb83 who considered aba61cba1b him a a4d3499c0d good senior 02795fcc5b or superior, 1fab1aa254 no one 3aec883491 had harbored ba3fbd24d6 such deep e0c0bd9f62 romantic feelings b7dd573362 for him 02cc8e6805 before. Especially not so one-sidedly.042425fecf432701

Suddenly, he recalled the conversation Raphael had with Derrickson earlier. Even to an outsider, Raphael’s voice was dripping with affection. Listening to it, Dante found himself smiling as if Raphael’s laughter was contagious.36d0521500942759

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Lately, Dante fec0ab80dc felt the 2a14b0e294 walls he 61797e6c65 had built efea454e68 were crumbling f85d8afa35 helplessly. Being with Raphael today 698c6db63f only reinforced that thought.acad9a343a936949

‘At this rate, really…’1e2a95c5758ad065

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A laugh and 58ccd4124d a sigh escaped 0c60906cac simultaneously. It was a c78925d42c pleasant sense of 066958e8f6 defeat.65a30fd595c34242

Soon, the car stopped at the entrance to Dante’s quarters.2e0442ab48821751

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“Have a good night.”d46c8220785baf76

“Yeah. You too. I had fun.”c6eda6eb4aef1761

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Raphael bowed his 6809ee3f43 head, and Dante 64e4eeadae waved. But neither moved.527ed693d1cb00d9

“Aren’t you going in?”b3ecb7ae0e26d3e1

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“I was going to watch you leave and then have a smoke.”6f096e1e255cf16c

“Oh.”3c43e9ef1723a217

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Raphael quickly 4ecfe91843 got out 7c7c1ed159 of the fb762f8e7d car and de82f96cec stood next e74f2731d1 to Dante, 063d2820b7 who had 91005b6aa7 just lit f8ed90a8fc a cigarette.f97b99f337a6690d

“Why again?”7895d09b45b8bc6d

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“I’ll stay until you finish smoking.”a9507305975ab01c

“No need…”cd0e37216964362e

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But Raphael stood 6b625bede4 his ground. Even when ba1dd6bdea Dante tried 8e74fa6ddf to move 86e4e5031a away, he 1981d423a2 followed closely.505c2bbd76dac82e

At least now he knew to stand in the direction the wind was blowing. It wasn’t because he disliked the smoke, but because he understood Dante’s discomfort.82088ff32121c82a

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If Raphael’s pure lungs were stained, it was undoubtedly due to secondhand smoke from Dante. In many ways, Dante had taken a lot of Raphael’s innocence.41e4145c61092065

“Raphael. I appreciated it earlier, but don’t do that again.”748d49b033bc0cfa

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“What do you mean?”fef7ac1c9e5f4be8

“You don’t need to make enemies with others just to defend me. You don’t have to pay the price for me not getting along with Derrickson Ephron.”95600e14bf724221

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“Ah…”061067e28667b780

Raphael scratched the back c6f213b2f5 of his head.6e258f1228f66fde

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“That’s… difficult. And it wasn’t about defending you; it was because Captain Ephron’s opinions didn’t align with mine.”30f1107d6c591b42

The tip of his 2a9e9664d3 white sneakers tapped the 047ecc6456 ground.fb148a66763f9711

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“To me, sunbae is just an amazing person, no matter what.”05ed908da7442347

“My shoulders feel heavy.”9740e817cb0993f3

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“This isn’t just affection; it’s a junior’s respect, so I won’t hold back.”0687cc34d15bbcfa

The cigarette, like 508b841355 the time they 4c0a757c7c spent together today, 9775fe5895 quickly shortened. After tossing the 90364e7b6d butt into the 709fd73b8b trash, Raphael bowed ff97918b06 to Dante again.74fbec38717cf95a

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Dante was human 1d90860181 too. No matter how 7622af9553 many walls he 6949ca5420 built and hid cb8421af11 behind, if something 232251a7c8 kept coming over 09d77bd45f those walls, he ec52786e73 had no choice bc6a71b627 but to peek d492c0254c out and, as 42b3123b79 he did, offer 5ef56efa7b a few pieces 7deea8fbb0 of his heart.4878c96f45cabddc

“Raphael.”bae1960390d50f93

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“Yes.”bea57ff2721aca2a

“If you have to return tomorrow, it’s closer from here than the hotel.”6567e43ce6f50d60

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Dante gestured towards the 385c7df1df quarters.e1a0630ae3bb9e14

“Want to stay over?”60a816d54a59c58f

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Being able to express himself this much was because of Raphael’s overflowing presence. Dante, who usually shared his feelings sparingly, found himself pouring out more expressions, thinking, ‘Is this okay?’ as he watched Raphael’s endless emotions spill over.1a18e3f9d1e2730c