episode_0206

“Sergeant Kang.”

“Yes, Hyungnim.”

“You’ll have to take good care of this young lady. She’s more naive than I thought.”

“I am not?!”

“Haha. Usually, she’s known for being haughty and pulling her own weight.”

At the ridiculous evaluation, I scanned Hong Soohee up and down.

Naturally, she bristled, and Sergeant Kang burst into laughter.

“Oh, my jaw. *Chuckles*. Next to Hyungnim, it’s clear… she really looks young.”

‘Sergeant Kang… he’s got some wit?’

Following his somewhat roundabout remark, he changed his expression to a serious one.

“I’ll take good care of her.”

It seems he understood what I meant by those words.

I believe Sergeant Kang will handle the rest well on his own.

Having finished our conversation, I entered the building, and Heize was waiting.

“Where did you go?”

“Just talking for a bit. It’s cold, why are you here?”

“Representative Pyo is looking for you. Ready to go! Get ready.”

“Ah.”

It seems they hurried for us since the morning.

Heize, urging us to get ready to leave, looked a little excited.

Last night, after the consolatory dinner, before going to sleep, I asked again.

I reconfirmed if she really intended to follow me.

To this, Heize, as expected, answered without hesitation.

“I want to go with you.”

“…Alright.”

Following Heize, Lawrence also solidified her decision.

In Lawrence’s case, the reason was slightly different from Heize’s.

For her unborn baby, and wanting to follow someone she could trust.

…Somehow, I ended up being responsible for a pregnant woman too…

I felt no repulsion.

Captain Lee’s inner thoughts.

I felt the same way about the unborn child being precious.

I could cover one person and a new life.

If I hadn’t thought I could do it, taking two people would not have been an option.

After confirming the thoughts of the two people who made a big decision, I no longer objected.

Now, all we had to do was leave.

My preparations for return…

No, ‘our’ preparations for return ended quickly.

In fact, there was nothing to prepare, as we only needed to go ourselves, so our appearance was simple.

Only Heize packed her beloved weapon.

However, the means of transport was by no means simple.

“They said the snow accumulated more than expected, making it difficult to travel by car.”

“…Even so…”

“This much is fine. There’s still plenty of fuel, so don’t worry about it. Everyone agreed to it, so you don’t need to feel burdened. *Hah-hah~*”

They said they would operate a helicopter, which was a major asset and core equipment of the Konkuk University Shelter, for us.

I knew well that Representative Pyo’s words contained everyone’s goodwill.

Still, I felt a little burdened.

‘Is this like a triumphant return?’

A burden is a burden, and a good thing is a good thing.

Honestly, it wasn’t bad.

Not even a model taxi, but commuting home by helicopter.

Many of the world’s rich commute by helicopter.

Though it was only for this time, it felt good to experience such a luxurious lifestyle…

I don’t refuse good things.

I exchanged brief greetings with the leadership members who came out to see us off.

CEO Kim received something from the attendant who was with him and handed it to me.

It was a neat, thin file.

“This is a summary of the radio frequencies and connection methods. We’ll always keep our communication channel open.”

‘Hmm…’

They were openly appealing to maintain a connection with me.

I silently took the file.

Then, Representative Pyo and CEO Kim’s expressions brightened, albeit only slightly.

“Someone other than me might contact you.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Understood.”

After exchanging simple greetings, it was Captain Lee’s turn.

“I’ll contact you as soon as things are settled here.”

I nodded, about to finish, but then requested one thing.

“I’d like to receive some high-firepower weapons.”

It was the first time I had openly demanded something.

Perhaps because of that, Captain Lee’s eyes showed a glimmer of surprise.

“Weight isn’t important. They just need to be powerful.”

“Hmm… Understood. I’ll make a selection.”

“Alright then.”

Without further ado, the conversation ended there.

I replaced a greeting with a handshake with Captain Lee.

Finally, after meeting everyone’s gaze, I boarded the helicopter with the three others.

I came alone, but now there were three more.

Lawrence and Heize, and Miri’s father, Choi Jonghoon.

All of them were special connections, if you could call them that.

I felt a little sorry for Jo Junwi and Lee Junwi, who were also doing the hard work this time.

They were high-level personnel, effectively acting as chauffeurs…

Everyone boarded, and the rotor began to operate.

As the blades began to spin, people moved away from the helicopter.

The helicopter lifted off, creating a fierce snowstorm, and slowly gained altitude.

Below the window, people could be seen waving towards the helicopter.

‘……’

The helicopter, having gained altitude, moved smoothly forward.

The sky, where yesterday’s snowflakes had vanished as if by magic, was calm and windless.

The still hazy sky felt a little uneasy.

If I recall, I wondered if such heavy snow had fallen at this time of year before.

…It seems more snow is yet to come.

For both Konkuk University Shelter and the survivors, this winter seemed likely to be remembered as a brutal period.

I withdrew my gaze from the window and leaned back comfortably.

The three others were excited, yet subtly nervous.

The two women felt anticipation for the place that would become their new home, along with a slight worry.

The man felt complicated emotions regarding the family he was about to reunite with, alive.

Being alive was a good thing.

Because you could feel such emotions.

Observing the atmosphere of the three, I asked towards the cockpit.

“I forgot to mention, do you know where we’re going?”

“There’s a suitable landing spot a little distance from Sagajeong Station.”

As expected, it seemed they had already scouted the location.

I nodded at the clear answer and quietly leaned back.

It’s always best to listen to the person at the wheel, no matter where you’re going.

My silence was brief; not long after, the helicopter soon stopped its movement.

And the helicopter, hovering in the air, slowly began to descend.

‘…Already here?’

Had it been barely ten minutes?

The helicopter had already reached the edge of Myeonmok-dong and was attempting to land.

It was a place I knew well.

‘Huh?’

Was it a coincidence?

The large intersection in front of our shelter’s fake house.

It was gently descending onto Yongma Intersection, which bordered a gas station.

There were no obstacles, no abandoned cars, and no traffic lights to contend with.

It was a slightly sloped road, but it seemed suitable for landing.

This small stroke of luck at the very end felt quite pleasant.

As the helicopter successfully landed, reversing the falling snow, Jo Junwi looked back.

“The surroundings are clear, so you can disembark now.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Seonghan-ssi.”

As I opened the door to get out, Jo Junwi added a remark.

“Sergeant Kim and Staff Sergeant Park asked me to tell you they’d like to have a drink with you.”

At his words, I chuckled softly and nodded, letting that be my reply.

As I stepped out through the wind created by the blades, the helicopter began to ascend again.

The helicopter quickly vanished from sight.

And, as if by magic, snow began to fall again.

It felt like it was urging us not to stray and to quickly go inside.

The moment I turned my gaze to the three people.

“*Pfft~*”

“…Don’t laugh.”

Perhaps due to the strong wind, both women’s long hair was disheveled.

As if static electricity had built up, their hairstyles wouldn’t easily settle.

I set off, with the two women constantly trying to comb their hair down with their hands.

Miri’s father, following with brisk steps, looked anxious and nervous.

Perhaps because of that, he didn’t speak.

*Crunch- crunch- squeak-*

As we walked quietly, only the sound of footsteps on the softly accumulated snow could be heard.

I had been surveying the surroundings continuously since getting off the helicopter.

There was nothing, only silence.

Not even a cold wind that felt like it would crack one’s skin was blowing.

It felt as if the heavily falling snowflakes were concealing even the smallest sounds.

‘……’

A strange feeling, as if only we were left on the ground.

…The surroundings were clear.

As proof, no traces were left on the pristine white snowfield.

Snowflakes were simply adding to the height of the already thickly piled snow.

We walked quietly along the road, embraced by the softly falling snow.

As we followed the narrow vehicle path that diverged from the main road.

“Seonghan-ssi. Is this it?”

Miri’s father was slightly excited, standing in front of the quaint fake house.

“Well… just follow me for now.”

What was there to say?

This had to be experienced firsthand.

How surprised I had been when I first saw this place’s system.

I familiarly opened the door and headed into the parking lot.

Everyone looked puzzled when we entered here instead of the house building, but…

*Slide-*

“Th-the door?!”

“Wow??”

I imagine I reacted the same way at first.

The reactions of the three people, wide-eyed in surprise, were amusing.

Even as we walked a little further, they continuously expressed admiration and surprise.

“Seonghan! Where is this?!”

“The path to the shelter.”

“Oh… it’s not a secret base?”

“*Chuckle*. It’s not that.”

“That’s amazing. Hmm? Oh, this…”

“What is it?”

Heize stopped marveling and pointed at the ground.

“It’s traces of a car coming and going.”

“Ah. There are cars too, yes.”

“Oh….”

It seems she noticed the faint tire marks; she has a keen eye.

The three, constantly looking around, were surprised once more when the tunnel ended and they were greeted by a forest.

Enjoying their reactions, I walked a little further.

After passing the temporary wall, then the path between the sparse treeline, and walking a little further.

‘……’

When the familiar building came into view, I felt a strong sense of welcome.

“A building in a place like this….”

Miri’s father was quite astonished, while the two women weren’t as surprised.

It felt somewhat familiar to them, but their eyes still shone with excitement.

During the brief moment they stopped to admire, the snowfall grew heavier.

“Let’s go inside first, we can sightsee later.”

I urged the three admiring people and approached the building.

“Miri’s father. Are you ready?”

I asked Miri’s father at the entrance.

To this, he brushed snow off his head and shoulders, straightening his clothes, unable to hide his trembling.

“Well, *phew*… I’m in such a state…”

“It’s alright. Both Miri and her mother will be overjoyed.”

“*Hoo- hoo~*”

I gently nudged Miri’s father, who was taking deep breaths, trembling at the thought of reuniting with his family.

“Please go in first.”

“…….”

At my words, Miri’s father was already on the verge of tears.

He met my gaze and did not hesitate.

With trembling hands, he turned the doorknob and carefully entered.

The two women and I quietly followed him.

A familiar warmth enveloped my face.

The familiar air brought a sense of relief to my mind.

The familiar feeling of everyday life felt incredibly comfortable and welcoming.

‘Hmm……’

Just as a strange sensation tickled a corner of my chest.

“Welcome. We were waiting.”

CEO Choi and Byeongsu quietly welcomed us.

“It feels like we’re meeting again after a very long time.”

CEO Choi offered a charming smile.

“…It certainly does.”

“And these people?”

Maintaining his smile, CEO Choi showed deep curiosity.

“I’ll explain inside. And this person is Miri’s father.”

“…This person?”

“H-hello. I’m Choi Jonghoon, Miri’s father.”

CEO Choi showed a rarely seen look of surprise.

“My goodness… N-no, let’s go inside. This way.”

CEO Choi, greatly surprised, led us inside.

Following him as he briskly led the way, we headed to the living room, where familiar and welcoming faces awaited us.

Our group paused, turning at the sound of our presence.

Seeing that it wasn’t just me, but more people had arrived…

“H-honey?”

“Aehee!! Miri!!”

“Honey!!!”

Miri’s father threw aside the thin backpack he was carrying.

Miri’s mother, who had been holding Miri on the sofa, sprang up from her position.

The head of the household’s shoulders rose and fell as he stumbled towards his daughter and wife.

And he opened his arms wide, embracing a woman and a child.

“My daughter… my wife… *Gasp!* *Sob!* I’m home…”

“Is it, is it really my husband? It’s really you, right?”

“Yes! It’s me! *Sob!* *Waaah…*”

The three embraced each other, their shoulders beginning to tremble.

Their actions of touching and rubbing each other’s faces seemed like they were confirming the warmth they had missed.

“Haa… Miri. It’s Daddy. Daddy’s here.”

“…….”

Miri, held in her father’s arms, was completely stiff, perhaps from surprise.

“Did you forget Daddy’s face? I should have come sooner… I’m sorry, my daughter.”

Choi Jonghoon, perhaps because he had been told in advance, didn’t seem greatly flustered.

However, seeing his daughter unable to speak seemed to pain him, and he shed silent tears.

Still, as if to let her know that his love was unchanging, he continued to softly and tenderly stroke the child’s face.

“*Huuu…* My daughter… Daddy… missed you so much… Daddy loves you. *Sob!*”

“Honey… *Waaah…*”

“Darling… *Waaah…*”

The couple, who had been speaking incoherently, finally burst into tears.

Just then, Miri’s mother, who was tightly embracing her husband, fumbled with her hand.

“H-honey?”

“*Sob!* *Sob!* Hmm?”

“W-what happened to your arm?”

Miri’s mother, her face drenched in tears, was startled.

“Ah… th-this? *Sniffle*. It’s nothing.”

Miri’s mother’s expression greatly twisted at her husband’s smiling face, despite his sniffling.

“Honey, your arm, your arm…”

“*Ahem*. Ah~ I told you it’s fine…”

“What’s wrong with your arm? Honey, what’s wrong with your arm—! *Wail…*”

She shook Miri’s father’s left arm, crying even louder.

Full of sorrow, regret, and sadness…

Miri’s mother cried out as loudly as a child.

It was enough to make anyone watching feel their heart ache.

‘…Injured?’

He was wearing a thick jacket, so I hadn’t noticed.

He hadn’t shown any signs of discomfort, but it seems he was injured somewhere.

If I had known this, I would have shown it to Dr. Jang beforehand…

“…D-da, da-ddy…”

Instantly, silence fell in the living room.

“…Miri?”

“D-daddy… S-so, so… sorry.”