Time flew like the wind. Three years have passed since those electric nights in Paris and the historic homecoming concert in Seoul.
The quiet, green garden of the mountain villa is no longer silent. Instead, it is filled with the innocent laughter of two little children. Seo-young and Arin's lives have reached completion with their son and daughter. The boy is exactly like his father—stoic and stubborn—while the girl is the image of Arin—lively and enchanting.
Seo-young is no longer constantly occupied with guns or the mafia empire. Sitting in a lounge chair with a cup of coffee, he watched his children play with deep fascination. Arin approached him with a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Suddenly, the boy ran up and hugged Seo-young's leg. Seo-young picked him up, and Arin laughed, saying, "See? Your son has already learned to rule everyone just like you."
Seo-young kissed his son's forehead and gave Arin a mysterious smile. "Whether he rules or not, Arin, I hope he knows how to win hearts just like you do."
The little girl pulled at Arin's dress. Arin sat beside Seo-young with the child in her lap. The once-terrifying Mafia Don is now a devoted father, and the Pop Queen is a happy mother. Their stormy romance has settled into a calm, steady sea. As the sun dipped behind the mountains, the four of them remained captured in a frame of unearthly happiness.
The Nostalgic Queen
Watching the kids, Arin became nostalgic. "You know, Seo-young, my daughter already understands. She knows! She knows her mother was Korea's biggest pop idol. This morning, she was dancing to my old concert on TV. By the way, have you heard? My old group is at the absolute top now! That final concert I did is still breaking records!"
The old spark returned to Arin's eyes as she spoke about her career. Seo-young took her hand. "Of course they are at the top, Arin. You were their leader. But speaking of concerts, I can't help but remember that night—when you sang five songs and I sat there wondering when you'd finally come home."
Arin playfully nudged his shoulder. "You're still the same! I'm talking about my success, and you're still thinking about that romantic night?"
Seo-young pulled their daughter onto his other lap. "Success is fleeting, Arin, but the fire you lit on stage still burns in my heart. Though, I think our daughter might break your records. She already hums your tunes."
The Signature Song
Seo-young looked at Arin with teasing eyes. "So, which song was it exactly? Which one was such a 'blast' that it's still breaking records?"
Arin looked shocked. "What! You forgot the name of my biggest hit? The one I sang while looking right at you during the final concert!"
Seo-young laughed. "I haven't forgotten. But hearing you say the name—or maybe hearing a few lines—wouldn't be bad. I won't even be able to digest dinner without hearing your voice tonight."
Arin realized he was just looking for an excuse to hear her sing. She smiled and hummed her favorite melody:
"You are the only light in my dark world,
Amidst a thousand bullets, I loved you still..."
Seo-young's gaze deepened, mirroring the intensity of three years ago. He placed a finger on her lips. "Yes, that was the one. With that one song, you took all of Korea—and me—captive."
The Family Date
"We'll go to our old spot," Arin said, tugging his tie, "but not alone! We're taking the kids. They should know how crazy their parents were for each other."
Seo-young was taken aback—he had hoped for some private time—but he couldn't say no to Arin and the children's bright faces. "Fine! A family date it is. I'll tell the bodyguards to clear out the cafe."
They went to the old, cozy coffee shop where Seo-young had first watched Arin from the shadows. Arin sang for him again. When she finished, Seo-young produced a diamond necklace. "You might be at the top as an idol, Arin, but you will always be number one on the throne of my heart."
The Scar and the Debt
While they were dining, Arin whispered mischievously, "By the way... Mr. Mafia Don, are those nail scratches on your shoulder still there? Or have they vanished?"
Seo-young broke into a sweat, checking to see if the guards or kids heard. "Hey! Why bring that up here? You're as wicked as ever."
Arin giggled. "Why? Are you scared? In Paris, you said it was a sign of love. Are you shy now?"
Seo-young smirked. "Not shy, Arin. I'm glad you reminded me. Those scratches were on my body, but the debt for them hasn't been repaid. Once the kids are asleep tonight, I'll show you that a Mafia Don never leaves a debt unpaid."
The Mission: Bedtime Stories
"Oh, really?" Arin teased. "I thought having kids might have dampened your 'vengeance,' but you're still as stubborn as ever! And those scratches? They were my 'signature.' You can boast about bullet scars, but those scratches were the most expensive medals on your body!"
Seo-young pretended to bite her finger. "Teasing me? Fine. When your 'Pop Queen' image is ruined by my 'punishment' tomorrow, you'll see the Don's true power."
Arin laughed. "Before showing your power, go home and handle the kids! Let's see how many fairy tales the Don can tell before they fall asleep. We'll settle the debt later!"
The Mafia VS The Toddlers
Arin watched from behind the door. The man who made the underworld tremble was sweating on the bed because the kids wouldn't sleep. The son was climbing on his back, and the daughter was pulling his tie.
"And then... the lion let the mouse go... Ugh! Arin, please help!"
Arin leaned against the door, laughing. "What happened, Mr. Don? Is putting kids to sleep harder than making me sing? Where is your mafia command? Try scolding them!"
"Arin, don't joke," Seo-young pleaded. "They are more terrifying than you. At least you only had nails; they have inhuman stubbornness!"
Eventually, with Arin's magical humming, the kids drifted off. Seo-young exhaled. "Mission complete. Can the Don finally have his own time now?"
The Pop-Dragon
Just as Seo-young leaned in for a romantic moment, a tiny hand tugged his sleeve. "Daddy... sto-ry..." the daughter mumbled sleepily.
Arin collapsed onto the bed in fits of laughter. "What happened? Mission failed mid-way? Your 'private time' ended before it began!"
Seo-young groaned, looking at the ceiling. "Arin, don't you dare laugh! This is a conspiracy. You taught her to wake up right now!"
He sat back and started a story. "Once there was a giant dragon, everyone trembled when he was angry. But one day, a little princess pulled his tail..."
Arin chimed in, "And there was a prince who played mafia all day but was totally defeated by his daughter!"
The Fire of the Dragon
"And when the dragon breathed fire..." Seo-young continued, trying to sound serious.
Arin couldn't stop laughing. She ran out to the balcony, her laughter echoing in the night. "Oh God! Does a dragon sound like that? Your dragon sounds like a cat with a cold! Mr. Don, stop the dragon stories and tell her about cleaning guns instead!"
Seo-young walked to the balcony and pinned Arin against the railing. "Laughed enough? Now is it time for my punishment? You don't know how dangerous I get when I'm annoyed."
Arin pulled his collar close. "Will the dangerous Dragon breathe fire now?"
Suddenly, a voice came from behind: "Daddy... can dragons sing pop songs?"
Seo-young sighed deeply. Arin sat on the floor, breathless with laughter. "You heard her! Your dragon wants to be an idol! Sing her a song, Dragon-Daddy!"
Seo-young knelt and told his daughter, "Yes, dragons sing pop songs, but only when the Mother-Dragon stops laughing and goes to sleep. If you sleep now, Dragon-Daddy will take you to a concert tomorrow."
The girl clapped, "Yay! Pop-Dragon!"
Arin teased, "Pop-Dragon? From Mafia Don to Dragon to Pop Singer! Quite the promotion, Seo-young!"
Seo-young suddenly swept Arin into his arms and headed for the bedroom. "I may be a Pop-Dragon to her," he said sternly, "but to you, I'm still that terrifying Mafia. Now, let the Dragon show you what real fire looks like!"