Ch.180Covering the Sky! (3)

#180

OSA Deputy Director Feinstein’s Office.

“No matter if you found a spy! No matter if you were insulted! Does it make any sense for an OSA agent to grab someone by the collar, kick them in the groin, and knock them unconscious? Huh?!”

Dexter and Himena sat in front of the desk, neither smiling, crying, nor showing anger as they received a reprimand from the deputy director who was shouting with veins bulging on his forehead.

“In all my years, I’ve never seen agents like you! Haven’t OSA field agents been trained on proper conduct during interrogations?!”

“…I have nothing to say. I apologize.”

“The same goes for you as an honorary agent! If anything, you positioned yourself in front to make it easier to commit violence!”

“That bastard, I mean, that guy got off easy, sir.”

At Dexter’s words, the deputy director’s face flushed red and blue before he covered his eyes with one hand.

“I wonder why Director Makoa keeps such people around… Even if you caught a spy, the method is the problem, the method! When following proper procedures would barely be enough, you resort to violence… No, forget it. Just forget it.”

The deputy director waved his hand dismissively without even looking at the two.

“Anyway, good work. You may leave.”

Feeling that lately many people were giving up on his behavior, Dexter scratched his chin once and left the deputy director’s office with Himena.

“I thought we’d get a much worse scolding, but we didn’t?”

“Why, you think the deputy director isn’t on your side?”

“It seems that way, doesn’t it?”

“From an organizational perspective, catching a spy is more beneficial, so that might be why.”

Given the nature of the incident, Rascal was receiving treatment in the OSA infirmary under 24-hour surveillance by trusted agents.

The pain had apparently been so sudden and intense that Rascal remained unconscious for some time after being taken to the infirmary. The doctor on duty sighed as he examined Rascal’s condition.

“Fortunately, the testicles were spared… but what on earth did you do to cause such damage to his groin?”

“I just, um, gave him one kick with my shoe…”

“With your shoe? How?”

“The ones I’m wearing now…”

The doctor glanced at Himena’s shoes as she pointed to them and nodded.

“He must have said some pretty nasty things, right?”

“Yes, things that were too offensive to let slide…”

“Well, from what I’ve heard, he deserved it, but as a doctor, I can’t actively cheer you on, you understand? There’s also quite a severe injury to his shoulder, which seems to be from this gentleman here… He won’t be fit for questioning today, but should be ready by tomorrow.”

After saying this, the doctor winked once and added to Himena:

“No matter how insulting his words were, please don’t hit him again, okay?”

“Ahaha, yes, of course.”

As the doctor went back into the infirmary, the two could see Rascal’s condition through the glass window attached to the wall.

“Was I too harsh?”

“Why worry about being too harsh after you’ve already hit him?”

Indeed, Rascal was conscious, but he was staring blankly into space with his mouth hanging open.

“How do you beat someone up properly?”

“Is that a question an OSA agent should be asking?”

“You’re always bragging about beating people up.”

“I don’t brag. They’re war stories.”

“Anyway, you’re always talking about it.”

“Getting hit hurts like hell, but there are places you can target that won’t cause life-threatening damage. It’s not like you can just kick someone in the groin like you did, Himena, and call it a day.”

“So teach me later, okay?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“You can’t control your strength well.”

“Yes, I can! I can do it well!”

“Is that why you left him in that state?”

Dexter pointed to the infirmary.

The agent monitoring Rascal clicked his tongue and was wiping drool from Rascal’s mouth with a tissue.

“Um… that’s his own fault, isn’t it?”

“…Look, I’ll teach you properly later, just focus on your training for now.”

“Awesome!”

“What’s so awesome? Don’t come crying to me later.”

As Dexter and Himena were about to return to the special investigation team’s office from the infirmary, Jessie came running up with dark circles under her eyes.

“What is it?”

“Dex, did you request a Hand Cannon modification from the Science and Technology Department?”

“Hand Cannon? The weapon with a Negative magazine that the Quartermaster made? No, I never did.”

Neither Dexter nor Himena had ever sent a request to the Science and Technology Department to modify a Hand Cannon.

“Why would I request modifications when I just arrived at the Safety Council? Isn’t it more likely the Director or that department head—what’s his name? Quan?—doing something on their own?”

“Maybe? Anyway, they’re in a frenzy trying to find alternative energy sources, and they’ve taken all the mechanics, so I was wondering what was going on.”

“It’s probably nothing. As long as they don’t use Negative, it’s fine, right?”

If it didn’t involve Negative, neither of the two present wanted to get involved.

“Is that so? I can just ignore it?”

“Unless the Science and Technology Department has gone crazy and is spouting nonsense about using children’s blood as a substitute for Negative, it’s fine.”

“That’s a very specific kind of nonsense.”

“It might have been possible in medieval times.”

As the three were about to return to the special investigation team’s office, Dexter looked at Himena as if suddenly remembering something.

“Right. Didn’t you say earlier you had something to tell me?”

“What?”

“You know, when you were on the phone with that Elijah guy.”

“Oh, that? I need to ask Mr. Pilgrim first.”

“Why do you need to ask him?”

“Well, Mr. Pilgrim did most of the investigation.”

Dexter stroked his rough chin, made coarse by his beard.

“Then ask him once and let me know when the investigation is done. It’s hard today since we’re all having dinner together.”

“I was planning to. Jessie, have you finished studying for today?”

“I need to do a bit more, but my head feels like it’s going to physically explode, so I’m calling it a day.”

“Jessie, you’re working so hard… Should Dexter and I do the shopping today? You can rest at home first.”

“Mmm, thanks, I’d appreciate that. I can’t believe what I’m studying is supposedly high school level by Earth standards…”

Himena comforted Jessie, who looked dejected at the thought.

Having finished their day’s work, the three went their separate ways.

Dexter and Himena bought the cooking ingredients Jessie had mentioned from a nearby market, Jessie took a short break, and Emily, who had been waiting at home, was preparing for cooking in the kitchen.

“You cook too?”

“Just prep work. I can’t actually cook.”

“That’s right, don’t let Emily cook.”

Himena placed the paper bag full of food ingredients on the table and shook her head vigorously in protest.

“Why not?”

“Last time when there was nothing to eat at home, she put chocolate bars on bread and topped it with mayonnaise.”

“When Grandma wasn’t home, that’s how I filled my stomach. It’s high in calories and definitely filling.”

“Uh, right…”

Unable to respond to the thought of such a bizarre food combination, Dexter just hugged Emily and comforted her.

-Ding dong.

Meanwhile, as the doorbell rang, Himena opened the front door.

“Oh, everyone’s here. Am I late?”

“Not at all, you’re right on time. Please come in.”

Judy, dressed more casually than usual, surveyed the house and immediately approached Emily.

Seeing Judy not greeting him, Dexter frowned and said:

“What about my greeting?”

At that, Judy turned around, gave Dexter a quick hug, patted his waist, and then went back to Emily, pointing at the ingredients.

“Did you deliberately cut the carrots into large pieces?”

“Yes. Jessie told me to.”

“Does Jessie usually take charge of cooking?”

“Jessie is the best cook among us.”

“What about you? Can’t Himena cook either?”

“Himena can cook at an edible level, but I’m only allowed to prepare ingredients.”

“I see. Then ask Jessie what she’s planning to cook today. I’ll get some of it ready. She’s been busy studying lately, right?”

“Yes, I’ll go ask her now.”

As Judy put on an apron like she was in her own home and started cooking, Dexter stuck close behind her.

Feeling the shadow over her head, Judy spoke softly without turning around.

“…Haven’t you heard that you shouldn’t stand behind someone who’s cooking?”

“Just wondering if there’s anything I can help with.”

“I’m fine.”

Though Judy’s response was curt, the tips of her ears had turned red.

Dexter blew a soft breath toward Judy’s nape, making her flinch and shiver.

“…Don’t do that.”

“Why not? You secretly liked it.”

“I’m preparing ingredients.”

“So can I do it after you’re done?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“…Because I’m upset with you right now.”

“Why would you be upset?”

“I didn’t know Dexter had so many women, and you pretended not to have a girlfriend, deceiving me.”

“I never deceived you.”

“You didn’t tell me. If you commit a crime and exercise your right to remain silent, but then the truth comes out, you get a harsher punishment.”

“Is it a crime for me to love someone else?”

“No, it’s the crime of deceiving me.”

“I keep telling you, I never deceived you.”

“……”

When Judy stopped cutting, Dexter took her hand holding the knife, made her put it down, and turned her body to face him.

Judy kept her head down with a dissatisfied expression.

Dexter bent his knees to meet Judy’s eye level and spoke in a soft voice.

“Are you going to stay upset like this?”

“…Until now, I thought Dexter was mine alone. But that’s not the case, is it?”

“I know. You must have been hurt a lot.”

“So what you’re saying is that I can never have you completely…”

“Having come this far, shouldn’t I take responsibility?”

At those words, Judy slowly blinked.

“Take responsibility…”

“Yes, I should take responsibility.”

Judy nodded and then abruptly turned her body around.

“Since you said you’ll take responsibility, I’ll be expecting it.”

“Of course.”

After Dexter gave Judy a light kiss on the cheek and turned around, he saw Himena covering her mouth with an eager expression.

“What, why, what.”

“Honey, you’re so romantic?”

“Just get on with the cooking preparations.”

Even though Dexter was thick-skinned, he couldn’t easily brush off this atmosphere and avoided the topic with an embarrassed expression.

About 30 minutes later, Jessie, who had taken a short nap, returned to find Dexter and the three women having almost finished preparing the meal. She rubbed her temples and said:

“Sorry, I should have been in charge, but I left it to others.”

“Not at all, Jessie, you’ve been working hard. Today, just relax and try the food Himena and I made.”

“Like a prisoner eating food prepared by guards… that’s a new one.”

“I just tasted it, and it’s different from Jessie’s cooking.”

Emily, with sauce smeared all over her lips, spoke as Himena wiped her mouth with a napkin.

“Judy is British, so even with the same ingredients, her recipes might be a bit different.”

“She definitely has the accent and mannerisms of a British aristocrat.”

“Oh, stop it! I’m no aristocrat…”

As Judy spoke shyly, Dexter, holding plates of food in both hands, said:

“If you’re done chatting, could you move the plates to the table? The food’s getting cold.”

“Oh my, Dexter was here too.”

“Yeah, I’m just an afterthought. Let’s hurry up and serve the food.”

“When he’s like this, doesn’t he seem like a child? About… 7th grade (equivalent to 1st year of middle school in Korea).”

“Right. With his pranks and all, he’s just a big kid.”

“Wow, now I’m being treated like a child by people smaller than me. Should I go ‘wah wah, gimme food’? Is that what you want?”

“Aww, is that so?”

As Judy naturally patted Dexter’s bottom, even he couldn’t help but chuckle as he carried the food.

After all the preparations were complete, with Dexter at the head of the table and the others paired up on either side, the table was full.

“This meal setting feels like Thanksgiving.”

“Honestly, just looking at the amount of food, it does feel like Thanksgiving. Does Jessie always prepare this much?”

The reason for Judy’s surprise was that, while she had been too busy to notice during preparation, there were at least eight different dishes on the table.

“No way. We increased the variety because Himena and Judy are here. Usually, it’s just the three of us eating. Normally, we just have pasta, some bread, and a salad. Since Dexter likes meat, I also prepare some meat dishes.”

At those words, Judy slapped Dexter’s forearm.

“Ouch. What was that for?”

“I can see how hard Jessie works. From now on, thank her properly.”

“But I help too…?”

“Do you help with menu selection too?”

“Well, no.”

“Do you think it’s easy to come up with different menus every day? Quickly thank Jessie.”

“Ah, this feels like being scolded by my mother.”

“Hurry up.”

“Alright, fine. Thanks, Jessie.”

“You’re really making it obvious that you’re doing it reluctantly.”

Though Jessie grumbled at Dexter’s response, she laughed lightly.

“So, when is Judy joining us?”

“Pardon? Joining what?”

Seeing Judy’s completely clueless reaction, Jessie frowned at Dexter.

“Dex, don’t tell me you still haven’t told her?”

“I was going to, but I haven’t had the time.”

“Good grief, you troublemaker. It’s something really important and you still haven’t told her?”

“We haven’t gotten flight clearance yet. I thought it would be resolved after we all went to see it once.”

As the two continued their cryptic conversation, Judy tilted her head in confusion.

“Are you hiding something else? Don’t tell me there’s another woman I don’t know about?”

“It’s not about women.”

“Then what is it?”

“It’s about Himena’s identity and mine?”

At Dexter’s words, Himena laughed awkwardly.

“We need to get that flight clearance as soon as possible, honey.”

“I know. Jessie, why are you asking questions I didn’t prompt you to ask?”

“Do I need your permission to ask questions?”

“No, but you should have given me a heads-up. Look at Judy. She’s worried I might have another woman.”

“That’s your fault.”

“Ah, you’ve got me there.”

“Just tell me straight. It’s not related to women, but it’s important?”

Judy glared at Dexter while holding a dinner knife.

Looking at Judy, who appeared cute but fierce, Dexter gently pressed down on the knife with his finger.

“It has absolutely nothing to do with women, and yes, it is important. I’ll tell you when we get clearance.”

“You promise you’ll tell me?”

“I’ll have to tell you eventually.”

Emily, who had been listening to the conversation, said in a small voice:

“I wonder if Judy might faint.”

“Hmm, maybe.”

“What on earth is it?! What secret are you hiding that would make me faint?!”

“I’ll tell you then, then.”

Himena spoke in a subtle tone, and the other three also wore ambiguous expressions.

“Ugh, I’ve never been so scared about being involved with Dexter before!”

Judy pouted.