Kiss

The universe apparently had a sense of humor.

Because after everything Ghost had survived — missions, injuries, chaos, impossible situations — it was a completely ordinary city sidewalk that nearly defeated him.

They were walking back toward the meeting point when it happened.

Milky was talking about something completely random, as usual, while Ghost listened quietly.

Then someone's bag clipped past them.

Ghost stepped aside.

His foot caught on the edge of the pavement.

For someone known for perfect balance and reflexes, the moment was almost embarrassing.

Almost.

He caught himself before actually falling.

Unfortunately, Milky was directly in front of him.

There was a brief moment of complete silence.

Ghost froze.

Milky froze.

The world seemed to freeze with them.

Then someone nearby gasped.

Not because they knew who they were.

Because a reporter with a camera had just gotten the perfect accidental photo.

Ghost immediately stepped back.

"Nobody says anything."

Milky blinked.

"I didn't say anything."

"You were about to."

"I was going to say that was the most dramatic way anyone has ever almost fallen."

Ghost gave him a look.

"Milky."

"Okay. Not saying it."

They thought that was the end of it.

It was not.

Because the next morning, a city news channel was running a Valentine's Day segment.

And somehow, somehow, their accidental moment had become the headline.

"Soldier's Surprise Valentine's Moment Captured in the City!"

Ghost stared at the screen.

Milky stared at the screen.

The entire crew stared at the screen.

Nobody spoke for several seconds.

Then one of Ghost's teammates slowly turned around.

"So..."

"No."

"We didn't even say anything."

"I know what you're going to say."

The teammate grinned.

"You two are famous."

Ghost looked like he wanted to disappear.

Milky, unfortunately, found the entire situation hilarious.

The worst part?

The news had managed to make Ghost — the person everyone considered impossible to read — look like a normal person having a completely ordinary moment.

Then Milky's phone rang.

He looked at the caller ID.

His expression changed.

"Oh no."

Ghost looked over.

"What?"

"My mom."

The crew instantly became interested.

Milky answered.

"Hi, Mom."

A pause.

Then his face slowly became more uncomfortable.

"Mom, it's not—"

Another pause.

"No, I know what the news said, but—"

Another pause.

Ghost raised an eyebrow.

Milky looked at him.

Then covered the phone slightly.

"She wants to talk to you."

Ghost stared.

"Why?"

Milky looked defeated.

"Apparently she got your number."

That was the most concerning sentence anyone had heard all day.

Ghost carefully took the phone.

"Hello."

Milky's mother was surprisingly polite.

Almost too polite.

"Ghost?"

"Yes."

"I have a question."

Ghost straightened slightly.

"Okay."

"Why did I have to find out through a Valentine's Day news segment?"

The entire room went silent.

Milky covered his face.

Ghost looked genuinely confused.

"I think there has been a misunderstanding."

"I hope so," she replied calmly. "Because I raised my son to tell me things, not let the city news tell me."

Ghost had faced enemies, impossible missions, and terrifying situations.

But somehow...

This was worse.

"I understand."

"Good."

A pause.

Then her voice softened slightly.

"Just make sure you treat him well."

Ghost looked over at Milky.

Milky was trying very hard not to laugh.

"I will."

When the call ended, Ghost handed the phone back.

Milky immediately started laughing.

"You got scared of my mom."

"I did not."

"You absolutely did."

Ghost said nothing.

Which, according to everyone watching, meant Milky was correct.

And from that day forward, the crew had a new favorite story:

Not the mission where Ghost survived impossible odds.

Not the time he scared an entire room into silence.

No.

The favorite story was the day Ghost got accidentally featured in a Valentine's Day news segment...

and then got politely lectured by Milky's mother.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***