By Zephyria 
All sorts of thoughts swarm around the realization. Since when? From where did that plan begin?
Judging by West Wind’s reaction, the kidnapping must have been an unexpected accident. It likely wasn’t her intention for her child to grow up on Starlight Road either.
Yet, amidst the changing circumstances, she constantly sought new means. She supported researchers from Solar City and survived power struggles, building her own stepping stones in her own way.
Just as his father, CEO Gil, and Teacher Jung could not let go of their lingering attachment to the Return flight, West Wind also had a future she longed to see. Unable to give up on that moment, she waited for a very long time.
“So you raised me to suit your tastes.”
“Quite the opposite. Until you were capable of thinking for yourself, no one would have whispered theories or ideologies into your ear.”
“Even so, how were you so sure I would achieve it instead?”
“I was never sure. I simply anticipated and hoped.”
West Wind’s eyes looked as if they were gazing into the past. As if reminiscing about a young Mu-hae, she examined his eyes of a similar color several times.
Strangely, it felt like the gaze one gives a child, yet also like the act of repeatedly recalling a stubborn attachment or desire.
“I’m surprised you thought of me in such a way.”
“We’ve become too estranged to speak of parental affection, but regardless, you are my child. Even if you had turned away from the Return flight, I would have watched over you until the end.”
“For someone who felt that way, my life seems to have been quite filthy.”
“Even if your mind and body were a bit exhausted, you didn’t regress, did you?”
As if that were something to say. Before he could even flare up, there was a thudding sound against the sofa.
Joo-oh was frowning and giving him a look. As if to say, of all people, to West Wind, is that really something to say?
“Jin Mu-hae almost… no, he almost died.”
Even for a guy who loved interrupting, he had usually just watched quietly during such important moments. For some reason, his cheeks were slightly flushed as he vented his frustration.
Perhaps it was because he didn’t feel the creeping energy pricking the back of his neck. Seeing him act like that with his handsome face, he looked more cute than scary.
“A Jin Mu-hae who did nothing is better than a dead Jin Mu-hae.”
“Exactly.”
“Because Jin Mu-hae is still Jin Mu-hae.”
After spouting these words that made no sense, Joo-oh looked back at him triumphantly.
West Wind’s gaze, which had naturally shifted toward him, followed suit. Receiving the attention of both people simultaneously, Mu-hae felt a strange sense of bewilderment.
Learning about West Wind’s blueprint was shocking. The fact that she mentioned him being her child was more absurd than moving.
However, what was currently troubling Mu-hae wasn’t those issues, but the presence of Joo-oh sitting there.
Even though he had already decided to let him know quite a lot, he realized there were still moments he didn’t want to show.
How should he put it? It felt uncool to be bound by parents at his age.
The existence of a mother, a meeting with a power player of the city, a long-term plan—bomb-like facts were being exposed one after another, so he wondered if it was right to care about this…
“Stay still. We’re in the middle of a conversation.”
“Hmph.”
Having been warned, Joo-oh leaned back deeply into the sofa. Only after he finally quieted down did West Wind continue.
She had returned to her seat and was scanning the pad again. Even in the midst of this, she seemed to be handling work.
“For a plan for the world, one needs people who can judge and decide for themselves, rather than obedient parts. Furthermore, I wanted you to have the opportunity to choose. Everyone who joined the Return flight must have decided based on their own beliefs and values; shouldn’t you also have the freedom to move according to your own subjectivity?”
“And what if I freely bolted somewhere else?”
“Then it cannot be helped. I would have no choice but to search for new talent. Before I die, wouldn’t at least one human dreaming a similar dream appear?”
This was the first time Mu-hae had met West Wind since losing his memories. Nevertheless, he realized she wasn’t the type of person to gamble everything on a single uncertain decision and ruin her hopes.
A change prepared for over twenty years. Although it was a plan built assuming the existence of her child, her will would be fulfilled even if Jin Mu-hae didn’t fit into that spot.
‘Damn it.’
That wouldn’t do. Why had he hesitated and kept his distance from the Return flight and stopped his search until now?
As he instinctively looked back at the sofa, Joo-oh, who had been blankly watching the conversation, gave a mindless, beaming smile.
Even though Joo-oh had pestered him, and he felt he had come here for nothing, at the same time, Mu-hae felt glad to have heard this plan.
It is easier to deal with things in various ways when you know you’re being hit rather than when you don’t. Now, the headache was no longer a concern; only his heart throbbed, feeling as if he were rolling away in any direction.
“You said there’s a flaw. In the Starpath.”
So he asked. The reason why the past Return flight stopped, and the reason why West Wind betrayed her comrades and turned away.
The moment a reprieve was granted for the end of all Aberrants existing in this world.
“I suppose you’ve solved it? It was a problem significant enough to stab the backs of people who were like family.”
Regardless of West Wind’s goal, if the Starpath wasn’t completed, the future Mu-hae worried about wouldn’t arrive soon.
The final clue regarding the Starpath would be in her grasp. Since it was the fruit that had passed through various organizations and brains under her intention.
In the first place, the ‘reward’ Mu-hae expected was that. If it was the information to be handed over last by the ‘big shot’ who had guided him to the Starpath and must have been part of the past Return flight, wouldn’t that be the most plausible?
“Well. It would be difficult to tell you that much.”
“What…?”
“I cannot recklessly disclose a top secret involving many lives to someone who hasn’t even joined yet.”
However, an unexpectedly blunt answer came back. West Wind’s eyes as she refused were so calm that it was hard to believe she was the same person who had been speaking of a dream-like future until a moment ago.
“You said you’ve been watching me. Then you should know. That I’m the one who has dragged the Return flight this far.”
“I also said I would respect your will. That is why I am asking for your intention to join anew.”
Respect, now, after living apart for twenty years. Amidst a cold gaze, eyes of a similar color clashed once more.
The silence, where only the sound of breathing remained, was incredibly heavy, but West Wind didn’t mind and gazed at the fully grown young man for a long time.
Then, with a short laugh, she rolled up the pad, put it in her bosom, and stood up.
As she gestured, a receiving signal—vrrr—entered Mu-hae’s Link Watch.
“…You don’t have to listen immediately, so contact me slowly. We can talk more in detail then.”
Having said that, her lips fluttered for a moment as if she wanted to say something else, but she soon gave up and strode out of the room.
“What were you going to ask?”
Joo-oh, who had enjoyed watching the confrontation between the two, quickly asked her back, but only a completely different answer returned from afar.
“Oh. Gu-reum told me to send her regards.”
“Gu-reum? Jin Mu-hae, you found Gu-reum!”
“And I’ve left some refreshments under the desk, so take them back with you.”
“Nice!”
The fellow, who had rushed off at the mention of snacks, indeed found a heavy-looking paper bag.
By the time he was rustling and tearing open the packaging, West Wind had vanished from the dusty house without a sound.
“Jin Mu-hae!”
Jin Mu-hae stood rooted to the spot like a stake, looking down only at his left wrist. As Joo-oh clung to his back, his stiff body slowly warmed up.
Just as he was tasting the sensation of his tense muscles slowly relaxing.
“Look at this. They’re chocolate cookies.”
He whispered with a wide smile. The bag was packed full of round, flat cookies.
As Joo-oh hummed and rubbed his cheek, a familiar smell of butter tickled the tip of his nose amidst a sweet body scent.
* * *
Jin Mu-hae visited the electronic store for the first time in a while. It was the first time since CEO Gil had started getting severely ill.
Since the man had a stubborn pride despite his fluctuating health and shared some similarities with Mu-hae, he likely wouldn’t have wanted anyone to see him bedridden if he could help it.
So, after waiting quietly and hearing news from Teacher Jung, he visited him. Since he had heard about the cure, there must have been some improvement in his condition.
“Joo-oh. Move that aside. It’s dangerous if it bursts.”
—…
“I saw the lens move just now. Stop pretending to be asleep and open the door.”
—Damn it. That brat is getting craftier by the day.
It was obvious he was inside, but since there was no sign of life even after ringing the bell, Mu-hae added a little seasoning.
The sound of CEO Gil, who had been caught watching from inside, grumbling and approaching the door echoed.
Clack, shrr-!
The shutter opened, revealing the face of a man who looked as if he hadn’t shaved in days. He still looked gaunt, but the area under his eyes wasn’t as dark as if he were dying like before.
“I said I’m temporarily closed. Closed. Can’t you read?”
“Is that what it meant? There were five dicks drawn over the letters, so how was I supposed to recognize it?”
“What? Which bastard did that again…!”
“I’m joking. You know I didn’t come for equipment.”
CEO Gil, with a furrowed brow, rummaged through his clothes and sighed as he pulled out his hand. It seemed he was looking for a cigarette. Though, as long as Teacher Jung was frequenting this place, there was no way carcinogenic substances would be within arm’s reach.
“Why.”
“Do I need a reason to come?”
“Talking nonsense now.”
“I heard from her. That a lot has happened in the meantime.”
Joo-oh, who had just taken off his shoes, entered while waving his hand. As soon as he locked eyes with CEO Gil, he smiled brightly.
“Is Tetelong doing well?”
One of CEO Gil’s eyebrows twitched up and then down. He seemed about to ask what that was, but then realized.
The fact that the green plastic toy the brat had handed him twice actually had such a name.
“How about the wish? Has it not come true yet?”
No wonder they live together, even the way they talk nonsense is the same, CEO Gil muttered as he cleared a piece of clothing draped over the sofa.
On the tea table, four fruit pies that Joo-oh had insisted on buying were laid out.
252 – I Became an Anomaly in a Dead Game