🔪Mafia — Ch.31 — Care Beyond the Scars

💜💗💜💗💜 Story 💗💜💗💜💗 After that night, Luka did not appear again for several days. At first, Gakupo told himself that it was normal. She was never someone who stayed in one place for long. She had her own missions. Her own responsibilities. Even… Her own world. The two of them both understood it clearly. They were not simply a customer and a bartender. Nor were they ordinary friends who happened to meet by chance. They came from different families. Different factions. And they carried completely different positions and burdens behind them. So, not seeing each other was the most reasonable outcome. And yet… When the bar door opened, Gakupo still lifted his head almost immediately. As if his body reacted before his mind could. The familiar pink hair appeared in his sight. Those blue eyes remained just as bright beneath the warm lights. Luka was back. For a moment, Gakupo himself was slightly stunned. It had only been a few days since they last met. Yet he felt something strangely different. Like a place that he had unknowingly grown accustomed to seeing had suddenly become empty. And only when she appeared again was that emptiness quietly filled. Gakupo quickly looked away. Returning to his usual calm expression. But deep inside, there was an emotion he could not quite explain. Expectation. And also… A faint sense of missing her. He refused to admit it. At least, not yet. After all, their identities were far too complicated. They were not people who could easily grow close to one another. Besides… He still had a mission. The target was still within his observation range. Until the mission was complete, he had to remain here. And that was why, when he saw Luka appear, he felt not only happiness but also a quiet sense of relief. At least now, he still had a reason to stay at this bar. At least now, he could see her again. "I hope that guy doesn't suddenly leave." Gakupo silently thought. Otherwise, he might no longer have a reason to remain here. --- After closing time. The lights inside the bar were dimmed. The streets outside gradually became quiet. Luka sat at her familiar seat at the counter. Resting one hand against her cheek, she watched Gakupo organize the bar equipment. "Give me a special cocktail." She smiled. Gakupo stopped what he was doing and looked at her. "What kind of feeling do you want tonight?" Luka thought for a moment. "Hmm…" "I'll leave it to you." "I want to see how you would describe me tonight." Gakupo paused slightly. Then he let out a helpless smile. "That sounds more difficult than making the drink itself." "Didn't you say before that you're good at understanding people?" Luka teased. Gakupo did not argue. He simply turned around and began preparing the drink. Ice fell into the glass. The liquid slowly blended together. His movements remained steady. Precise. Just like always. However, when he placed the finished drink in front of Luka, his gaze suddenly stopped. His expression changed. "Your hand." Luka looked down. Only then did she notice several small scratches on the back of her hand. They were not serious. But they were obvious. "Oh, this?" She said casually. "Just a small injury." But Gakupo had already frowned. "Give me your hand." Luka blinked. "What?" "Both hands." His voice was more serious than usual. "Let me check." Luka looked at him. She looked at the face that was usually calm and distant, the face that rarely revealed much emotion. But now… She could clearly see his concern. She almost wanted to laugh. "You know?" "For people like us, having injuries is actually normal." Gakupo did not deny it. Because he knew. He knew far too well. They came from different mafia families. Ever since they entered that world, wounds were never something unusual. Missions. Conflicts. Protecting important people. Every operation could leave behind traces. He was the same. But knowing that and seeing Luka injured were two different things. He could treat his own wounds without hesitation. But when it came to her… He could not remain indifferent. "I know." Gakupo spoke quietly. "But that doesn't mean I can simply not care." The air fell silent for a moment. Luka looked at him. She did not joke this time. Finally, she let out a small sigh. "You really are stubborn." Despite saying that… She slowly reached out both hands. And placed them in his palms. Gakupo carefully held her hands. His movements were so gentle that it no longer felt like he was simply checking an injury. It felt more like he was confirming that she had truly returned safely. His fingertips carefully examined the small wounds. His brows remained slightly furrowed. Luka quietly watched him. Suddenly, she found it unbelievable. This man… Who usually appeared calm and distant. Like nothing could truly affect him. But now… Just seeing a few small injuries on her hands was enough to make him show this expression. "Gakupo." She softly called his name. "Hm?" "Are you worrying too much?" He paused. He did not answer immediately. Finally, he quietly said: "Maybe." Luka looked at their hands together. A small smile appeared on her lips. "Were you always like this with every customer?" Gakupo looked up at her. "No." The answer came too quickly. So quickly that even he noticed it. Luka blinked. Then she smiled. And Gakupo realized his own reaction. He quietly looked away. Inside the bar, only the warm lights remained. Along with the distance between them… Slowly becoming smaller. They both knew. This closeness was dangerous. Because they belonged to different worlds. But at this moment… At least inside this bar. They were simply Gakupo and Luka. Just two people who temporarily lowered their guard during a quiet night.