By Zephyria 
“Recently, there have been several instances of robbery and other acts along the route to the Gold City development site. As you know, our military is monitoring the area with unmanned aerial vehicles and doing our best to collect evidence by sending robotic detection dogs. In addition, we plan to strengthen security by moving with transport vehicles for the time being.”
The committee members nodded with serious expressions as they listened to Lieutenant Colonel Kim Seon-oh’s explanation. They were 28 key figures in district a, within the Central Administrative Committee. However, Captain Kim Ha-yoon habitually referred to them as toothless tigers, old men who could drop dead any day.
“Lieutenant Colonel Kim, you’ve identified those guys, haven’t you?”
Soon, photos began to appear on the screen one by one.
“As some of you may know, there was a large-scale operation to suppress the rebels a year and seven months ago. There were three hostages captured at the time, and these are believed to be them. Just before their execution, they escaped from the intelligence agency building that collapsed due to the earthquake, and then…”
As the photos of Baek Seol, Jang-cheon, and Gilsu disappeared, Ire’s photo appeared. Dressed in military uniform and looking straight ahead, he looked young at a glance, and there was a somewhat awkward feeling. Some of the committee members who recognized his face began to murmur.
“Isn’t that him? The mixed-blood Captain Kim Ha-yoon brought from district b.”
“After all that fuss, he ended up a rebel. It’s hard to hide one’s origins. What else could you expect from someone who’s only seen and learned such things?”
“Are you sure that friend is involved?”
Kim Seon-oh brought the microphone to his mouth.
“Only three have been witnessed at the robbery sites so far, but an investigator dispatched to area c received testimony from someone who saw the four of them together a few months ago. A citizen whose vehicle was stolen during the escape also identified these four, so the possibility is high.”
“Seriously. He raised a wolf cub. After all the fuss Kim Ha-yoon made protecting him.”
People’s gazes turned to the center seat. Only the nameplate of the Chairman was placed there. Kim Ha-yoon’s father was recuperating due to illness, and Kim Ha-yoon was appointed as his proxy to attend the meeting. Even then, he always had a bored and listless expression.
“Has a report been sent to Kim Ha-yoon as well?”
The question was asked by Park Woo-jin. He was the father of Park Mu-jin and Park Woo-jin, and the most influential figure in the committee.
“Acting Chairman Kim Ha-yoon has decided not to interfere in the military’s affairs any further.”
“That’s how it should be. Who was it that let those guys escape from here back then? I heard the pass belonged to Kim Ha-yoon?”
“It’s also outrageous that he ordered them not to be killed. Isn’t this mess all thanks to that?”
“Exactly. It’s not like the military is his playground. Tsk tsk.”
“Thanks to that, not only you but other officers will be more comfortable.”
Everyone was usually tongue-tied when Kim Ha-yoon was around, but they were having a field day today. While everyone was busy criticizing him, one of the committee members who had been listening quietly stepped forward. He was usually quiet but respected by others.
He had grown up like brothers with Kim Ha-yoon’s father. Most of the people here, and their parents, were also close. They had formed relationships and lived as closely as blood relatives, even though they were not related by blood. They believed that this harmony was the driving force behind district a.
“Has the cause of the animal carcasses found at the scene been identified?”
At the polite question, Kim Seon-oh changed the photo on the screen to another one. The photo showed animal carcasses torn to shreds. Judging from the shape of the legs and tail, they seemed to be stray dogs, but strangely, the heads were nowhere to be seen.
“What you see are some of the stray dog carcasses found at the Gold City blasting site. A worker who was doing construction a week ago witnessed it, and the cause is currently being investigated.”
“What on earth tore them apart like that?”
“There aren’t any tigers around, are there?”
“Tigers don’t just eat the heads.”
“Or maybe infected?”
The word “infected” caused a stir inside the conference room. Kim Seon-oh knew that the committee members who had experienced the period when the infected had surged had a unique fear of them.
“According to the researchers, they seem to have been torn apart by a strong force, not by teeth. We are also analyzing other things found in the carcasses, but it will take some time because the condition is not good. We have also installed cameras around the area and our side is also watching the incident, so we will try to resolve it quickly.”
Everyone seemed relieved by Kim Seon-oh’s words. If Kim Ha-yoon had been in that position, he would have made some nasty jokes about being careful when going home, saying that there was no guarantee that they wouldn’t end up like that, which would have upset them.
Finally, the meeting ended, and Kim Seon-oh, who came out, rummaged through his pockets with a tired expression and looked for a cigarette. As he walked, he noticed Kim Do-cheol, who was waiting in the parking lot. He, who was in charge of the trainees this year, looked more and more haggard every day. He complained to Kim Seon-oh every time they met, saying that only the most hopeless bastards were increasing every year.
“Had a hard time?”
“You know how it is. Everyone’s trembling at even the falling leaves.”
“What about Kim Ha-yoon?”
“He wasn’t there.”
Kim Do-cheol tilted his head. He had heard that Kim Ha-yoon had been doing his job quite diligently since he took over as Acting Chairman. He was said to be attending every committee meeting without fail.
“Then doesn’t Kim Ha-yoon know that he found him?”
Kim Seon-oh sighed quietly. In fact, he had denied it in the committee, but a report had been sent to Kim Ha-yoon first. Kim Ha-yoon was more calm than expected after hearing about Ire. However, he asked to postpone sending troops to that area for a few days, so he replied that he understood.
Considering that he had even hired private mercenaries to stir up the area, it was an incomprehensible reaction. He was too calm and quiet, which made Kim Seon-oh feel even more uneasy.
As Kim Ha-yoon appeared in the crowded auditorium, the venue instantly fell silent. After exchanging eye contact with some of the parents he knew, Kim Ha-yoon took a seat next to Anna. Anna’s eyes widened slightly when she saw the bouquet of flowers Kim Ha-yoon had brought.
“Did you buy them yourself?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“I prepared them.”
“There can never be too many flowers. And it’s good to have many people to congratulate you.”
Then, someone suddenly poked their head out from Anna’s left. “Hyung!” Angelo raised his palm, and Kim Ha-yoon gave him a high-five. Angelo’s title, which used to be “Hyung-ajusshi,” had now changed to “Hyung.”
Other children next to him also greeted Kim Ha-yoon. Some asked why he hadn’t come last week, some showed him that their tooth had fallen out, and some even boasted that they had joined the basketball team.
Then, the children who were graduating appeared in a line, and Luca, who was looking around, found Kim Ha-yoon, smiled brightly, and waved his hand. After waving back, Kim Ha-yoon muttered to Anna in a pleasant voice.
“He really likes me. You’d believe he was my son.”
Since a few months ago, Kim Ha-yoon’s father’s condition had worsened, and he brought up the topic of marriage to Kim Ha-yoon all the time. He said that he only had one son and wanted to see his grandson before he died. He thought that his passion for continuing the family line in this world was amazing.
When he continued to ignore him, he even mentioned Kwon So-young’s name. He said that since they had known each other since they were young, how about the two of them getting married?
What was his expression when he heard that story? He wondered if he would make such a face if he accidentally ate rotten meat. Kwon So-young also had a similar reaction. Judging from the fact that she even said it was disgusting, it was close to self-loathing.
The tedious ceremony ended, and it was time for family photos. Looking at the children who had grown so much, he was once again aware of the passage of time. The children who had initially had a hard time adjusting to this place were now used to it, making friends and inviting them to their homes.
Kim Ha-yoon could confidently say that his efforts had been a big part of making that happen. He often showed his face at kindergarten and school events. He couldn’t even begin to describe how displeased his father was when he heard that news.
Then, Luca grabbed Kim Ha-yoon’s sleeve with a large bouquet of flowers. Looking down, he saw him looking up at him with round, black eyes.
“When are my dad and Ire coming?”
Even at a young age, he was quick-witted and didn’t ask about Matteo, but today was graduation day, so he must have been feeling sad. After thinking for a moment, Kim Ha-yoon knelt down to meet the child’s gaze.
“Dad will take some time.”
Luca pouted his lips as if he was disappointed.
“But,”
“You’ll be able to see Ire soon, I think.”
A smile spread across his gloomy face. Kim Ha-yoon slowly nodded his head in response to his question of whether it was true. Then, he made eye contact with Anna, and her expression was strange. He thought he knew roughly why. Unlike him, who only pretended to be a guardian, she was becoming a real guardian for the children.