Gitae's Domain

GLASS EMPIRE {LOOKISM}

Operation: Virtuosa

Lee Jihoon wasn’t the type to chase.

But with Virtuosa, something felt different.

After overhearing her talk with Viktor days ago, something inside him shifted. He wasn’t just curious anymore, he wanted her. And not just for the plan. Not just for the man he was secretly working for.

He wanted her to choose him.

Even if she didn’t know the whole story yet.

So he started showing up more.

Sometimes, when Virtuosa studied alone in the library after school, her fingers gliding through thick textbooks, Jihoon would quietly sit next to her, so close their shoulders almost brushed.

He’d lean just enough to speak in a low, calm voice.

“Didn’t know you were into quantum theory. Impressive,” he’d say, eyes fixed on the page… but his presence burning into her.

Virtuosa would stiffen, cheeks faintly pink, brushing her hair behind her ear.

“…It’s quiet here. That’s all.”

But she never told him to leave.

Other times, during sports hour, when her brothers were busy arguing or distracted, Jihoon would jog past her with a smirk.

“You played very good today,” he’d say.

She’d pretend not to care and thank him, but the way she tucked her chin, trying to hide the faint smile, gave her away.

Then came the moment he had been waiting for.

Their science teacher assigned them another chemistry project, just like last time.

Jihoon saw it immediately, a perfect opportunity.

And then, in the library, while they reviewed notes together, Virtuosa glanced at him with a softness he wasn’t used to seeing from her.

“…Remember the last time we did a chemistry project together?” she asked, voice low. “When I invited you to my house, so we could study in peace?”

He nodded, leaning slightly forward.

“I remember.”

“My brothers won’t be home for three hours today,” she said, almost too quietly. “My grandmother as well. It’ll be quiet again. Do you… want to come over?”

His eyes widened just slightly, but inside, alarms were going off.

This wasn’t just a study session. She was inviting him into her space again, without her guards.

Golden opportunity.

“I’d like that,” he said, lips curling faintly.

Bold of you to assume the mother won’t be just as unhinged😹

KITAE KIM

Power = survival. He might be slightly irked at first, but deep down, there’s always that ghost chasing him the need to be better than his scumbag father. He gives his child enough freedom to pursue whatever they want, but knowing how to fight? That’s non-negotiable. As for ideals just don’t try to follow Gap's footsteps. That won’t sit well with him.

JAEGYEON NA

Did he ever really have a choice in being strong? No. So, of course, he won’t mind if his child doesn’t want to be. All he truly cares about is their well-being and personal growth. In fact, he’d love it if the child inherited their mother’s traits , joy and love doubled!

SEONGJI YUK

For protection reasons, he’ll definitely train his child. The world is full of threats, and after that encounter with James, he’s become even more cautious. So yes, strength is a must but beyond that, the child has full autonomy over their own path.

JICHANG KWAK

It honestly doesn’t bother him much. As long as his kids have goals and are working towards something meaningful, it’s all good in his book.

JINRANG

Surprisingly, he’d feel relieved. He knows the mindset he had in his youth was shaped by survival, a dog-eat-dog world with no real choice. So seeing his child grow up healthier, without that same weight? That would genuinely make him happy.

TAESOO MA

He’s only having kids with someone he deeply trusts and respects, someone who aligns with his ideals, worldview, and values. So the fact that the child is picking up more of their mother’s traits actually comforts him. Still, he’ll teach them how to fight not to become strong per se, but to be self-reliant in this dangerous world.

GONGSEOB JI

BENEATH THE LIGHT AND BLUE 🌑🌓🌕

—————————————————————————————————

The city was unlike anywhere they had ever been.

Perched between mountains and the sea, the elegant coastal gem shimmered like a jewel under the summer sun. Marble balconies overlooked sapphire waters, and golden domes sparkled beside tall white towers. The streets were lined with delicate flowers in soft pastels, the scent of jasmine and citrus floating on the breeze.

Dagyeom and Virtuosa had arrived just as twilight settled over the city, painting the world in gentle gold and lavender. They checked into a luxurious seaside villa, its architecture modern, with floor to ceiling windows that opened straight to the sea.

Dagyeom, thoughtful as always, had picked the location after careful thought. He wanted to surprise Virtuosa, and he had chosen this place not for its fame, but for how he knew it would speak to her, like her home town Monaco. In return, Virtuosa trusted him entirely. Her amber crystal eyes lit up as she explored the villa, trailing her fingers across the smooth stone and pale curtains, her long hair catching the wind like a slow moving flame.

That night, they dined on a balcony with candlelight and the sound of waves. Conversation was soft, simple. Between them, there was no need for many words. Just presence. Just gaze. Just quiet understanding.

The next morning, Dagyeom surprised her.

“Let’s go snorkeling,” he said, sliding a pair of sleek black fins onto the lounge chair beside her.

Virtuosa blinked once. “Snorkeling?”

He nodded. “You’ll like it.”

She smiled, slow and curious. “Alright. Let’s do it.”

They stood at the edge of a small private dock, the water below clear enough to see the ripples of sand. Virtuosa slipped into a purple swimsuit, untying her long hair before pulling her mask into place. Dagyeom stood beside her in dark shorts, his own mask ready, his expression unreadable but Virtuosa could feel his energy, steady, certain, quietly excited.

They dove in together.

The ocean opened like a dream.

Everything below the surface was blue, all shades of blue, layered and glowing. Tiny fish darted through coral shaped like lace. Light filtered down from above in golden waves, dancing across their skin.

Virtuosa moved like a shadow beside him, smooth and silent. Dagyeom watched her often, just to make sure she was close. She felt it that constant, gentle watchfulness. It warmed her.

They floated together, swam side by side, explored underwater caves and followed a school of silver fish that shimmered like falling stars. They didn’t speak, but they didn’t need to. Their eyes met through the goggles, and that was enough. It was all feeling.

Then, after a long moment drifting near a reef, Dagyeom turned to her and without a word, he reached out.

He pulled her gently into his arms.

Under the water, time slowed.

He carried her effortlessly, one arm behind her back, the other beneath her legs. She let her arms rest lightly around his shoulders, looking into his face through the clear lens of the sea. Their bodies moved gently with the current, as if suspended in a spell.

Everything around them was silent except for the soft sound of bubbles and the occasional flutter of a fin. Light played over their skin, glimmering and vanishing. It felt like the world had disappeared, and only they remained two souls wrapped in the ocean’s quiet breath.

Virtuosa’s heart was steady but full. She felt something so beautiful it almost hurt the stillness, the trust, the weightlessness of being held without needing to ask.

Dagyeom looked up at her.

Even through his mask, she could see it in his eyes the softness he never showed to anyone else. The quiet devotion. The love that didn’t need to be loud to be real.

In that moment, he leaned his head gently against hers, letting their masks touch. It was the closest they could come to a kiss beneath the water, and it was more powerful than words.

When they finally returned to the surface, the sun was beginning to set.

They floated together, heads tilted back, the sky above painted in gold and rose. Birds wheeled high above, and the waves cradled them like a lullaby.

Dagyeom reached out and laced their fingers together.

Virtuosa smiled.

“Merci, Moon,” she whispered.

He turned his head slightly. “For what?”

“For knowing what I need… even when I never thought I did.”

He squeezed her hand. “I’m your soulmate, Sun, aren’t I?”

She nodded, eyes closed, heart full.

That evening, back at their villa. They sat together wrapped in a single blanket, watching the moon rise above the sea. It cast a silver path across the water, the same water they had swam in just hours ago, the same place where time had stopped for them.

No grand declarations. No dramatic scenes.

Just them. Together. Soul to soul.

And beneath the soft hum of the city, beneath the distant sound of waves, one thing echoed gently in both their hearts:

We are each other’s calm in the deep.

End.

Note : This song was made for them.

Omg this made me cry because I have dealt with such asshole art teachers 🤢

GUN PARK

When you told Gun what happened, he listened patiently, never interrupting once. He even rubbed your back a few times as you paused mid-sentence, drowning in the embarrassment of it all especially since it had happened in front of your entire class.

When you finally finished, he handed you a glass of water and said bluntly, “The truth is, the world only cares about results.”

Your face immediately fell. Of course comfort wasn’t his thing.

“But,” he continued, “not everyone has an eye for talent. If you believe in your heart it was good enough, then it was good enough. These teachers... they’re just oldtimers who want students to be obedient pawns. They don’t want anyone stepping out of line. Don’t dwell on it too much.”

And that day, he tried cooking for a change. Your favorite dish, no less. The same one he always scoffed at for being “unhealthy.” But for once, he said, “Sometimes it’s okay.”

“You think the education system is a sham?” you asked.

“Of course.”

“That’s why you flunked your GED as an act of rebellion.”

You burst out laughing at his reaction—because a baffled Gun was rare. So you laughed even harder. He didn’t mind though. Your mood had lifted, and that was enough for him.

Quietly, he slipped a few vegetables onto your plate when you weren’t looking.

GOO KIM

“Sweetheart, I told you not to listen to them. And I told you I have every right to kill them, didn’t I?”

Goo, in all his clownery and chaos, was a man of few words when something was seriously wrong. When he came home and found you looking melancholic, he knew instantly. You tried dodging his questions, but when he cupped your face with quiet concern and softly asked what was wrong, you broke down.

Because dammit, art is art. Whether simple or advanced, who decides what's worthy? That teacher had no right to humiliate you, and honestly, you wanted to punch him but also didn’t want to get expelled.

“You know me,” Goo murmured, holding you close, running his hand gently along your back. “We could hide the body. No one would even find out. Don’t trust your man this much.”

“No, don’t go for the kill.”

He paused, but his grip on you never loosened.

“Maybe we should slowly torture him instead.”

“Yes, that’s more like it, honeybun,” he said, pressing a kiss to your forehead already planning. Maybe he should get Kouji on board too.

JAMES LEE/DIEGO KANG

You were picking at your food, barely eating even half of what you usually do. It didn’t go unnoticed.

“Do you not feel like eating?” he asked, watching you carefully.

“No, it’s more like I don’t have the appetite… Oh, come to think of it, I think I’m done for now,” you replied, forcing a smile. But of course, it didn’t fool him.

“What happened?” he asked, more firmly this time.

You shrugged. “It’s just college stuff. Something trivial.”

He cut you off mid-sentence. “If it’s bothering you enough to kill your appetite, then it’s not trivial.”

That frustrated you. Even if you explained it, what would be the point? He was always brilliant at drawing, even in high school. Still, you told him anyway.

“James, I know you’ll probably agree with the teacher. I get it. Anyway… that’s what happened.” You tried to sound calm, even though it still stung. Those people who preach ‘simplicity is sophistication’ ripped your work apart like you had committed some kind of crime.

You got up to leave, but he suddenly pulled you into him. You struggled against his hold.

“I don’t want pity. Let me go,” you muttered.

“Who says I’m pitying you?” he replied calmly. “It’s true...whatever I say might not fix anything. But what your teacher did was wrong. Don’t let those small fries make you question yourself.”

You went still. You didn’t return the hug, but you didn’t move away either. His arms stayed around you as the tears finally fell. He held you close and gently massaged your scalp, saying nothing more, just staying there, as long as you needed.

JAEGYEON NA

Jaegyeon looked like he was ready to storm into your college and personally confront your art teacher.

“What the hell? How dare they tear apart your work like that?” he fumed.

You tried to calm him down. “Jaegyeon, in this city, finding an art teacher is hard enough. Maybe… maybe just let it go.”

But he shook his head, still livid. “I don’t care. Nobody gets to mess with you like that.”

Then his expression shifted. He noticed how sad you were really, deeply sad. And in that moment, he reminded himself that your peace came before any revenge. You were the priority. Always.

He saw you trying to hide a small laugh at how seriously he looked like a knight ready for battle. He sat down beside you and placed a hand on your shoulder, his gaze sincere and steady.

“Listen… whatever anyone says, what you do takes real effort. Even if it looks simple, it’s not. Screw that teacher. Anyone who can’t respect a student’s hard work is nothing but a tyrant. What he did? That was practically criminal.”

You just listened as he continued ranting about artistic justice, the crimes of your teacher, and how amazing you are. Mid sentence, you reached over and pinched his cheek.

“Thanks,” you said, smiling softly. “You really are my hero.”

He blinked, then turned bright red.

I can already smell the Jake memes and slander coming, but honestly this is who Jake has always been.

What I’m about to say might piss some people off, but let’s be real: Jake isn’t your soft, uwu MC who’s endlessly kind and helpful to everyone. He’s always prioritized his own people above all else from the start until now. In my opinion, he gets heavily mischaracterized as this perfect green flag who can do no wrong, and honestly, that take flattens his character.

Jake has always drawn a clear line between his crew and outsiders. People claim he was "retconned" post-jail arc, but that’s just false. Unlike his father, Jake would never abandon his own for the sake of others. That’s why it makes sense for him to take down Yeowool he sees her as someone who scammed him, and the money involved was huge. That said, I don’t believe he’ll let her rot either. I’m pissed, but I still think she’ll be rescued just not in the way I’d like. I wish she could fight back instead of being saved like some damsel. I just want her safe 😭🙏

Also PTJ, what is up with your obsession with showing women and children(Sang Baek, Eli, Olly, Jiho) being SA-ed? It's disturbing. Don’t frame this as "realism" when your world has guys tearing down trees, 2 bodies, IA and supernatural strength. There’s nothing realistic about it, except, apparently, how women and kids are constantly victimised. It’s not shedding light on hard topics, it feels like you're using it as a shock value. And the more it happens, the more people get desensitised, which is even worse.

Let’s just hope Yeowool stays safe. She's No.3 in the gang if the roles were reversed and it were a boy in that position, would he have been kidnapped like this?