By Zephyria 
Side Story: Return – Episode 2
Eden was eventually dragged to the company cafeteria. Jeffrey, who had brought him to this uncomfortable setting, was standing at the counter engaging in small talk with a part-time employee.
‘Useless bastard.’
Cursing inwardly, Eden turned his gaze back to the elderly man sitting across from him. The face of the Blue Works Chairman, a man rarely seen even at executive meetings, was right before his eyes. There was only one reason he had personally made the trip here.
[I heard from the President. I heard you said you wouldn’t go on this business trip to Korea either. Stop being stubborn and just go once.]
[…….]
Eden almost let out a hollow laugh at the repertoire that resurfaced whenever he had almost forgotten about it. This trip proposal was related to the establishment of the armory system for the UN’s Military Disease Control Center, known as the ‘MDCC.’
[Why should I be the one to go? Does the UN really have no one else?]
[To be precise, the US government put in pressure. If this matter is resolved well, the company can receive enormous tax benefits.]
At the sudden mention of the US government, Eden’s eyes narrowed sharply.
[The US government?]
As he muttered to himself, the Chairman, who had been leaning back relaxedly in his chair, let out a dry cough.
[Anyway, it’s not a difficult task. If you’d just get on the plane once—.]
[As far as I know, the MDCC is under UN jurisdiction. The US government suddenly interferes and offers tax benefits? Does that make any sense?]
At the sharp point, the Chairman’s face quickly turned mottled with red.
[I’m saying this because everything is connected. If you just say you’ll go, I can tell you everything clearly. It’s not that dangerous of a task.]
[So the MDCC armory was just an excuse from the start.]
[…….]
[What exactly is the purpose of this trip?]
[I told you, I can tell you once you say you’ll go. Good grief, who else is as suitable for the Korean business as you are? Why are you being so stubborn? You did a great job as the general manager during the Maintenance Depot project.]
Eden didn’t even bother to hide his exhausted expression as he snapped back.
[A great job? Have you already forgotten that I barely made it back alive?]
[You finished the last trip to Oahu, Hawaii, safely and well, so why are you acting like this?]
[I recall clearly stating back then that it would be my last trip.]
At the continuous defiance, the elderly man’s wrinkled face hardened menacingly.
[Do you think an executive position is a joke?]
[If I thought it was a joke, I wouldn’t have shown up here.]
[…….]
[My mind remains unchanged, so if you’re truly dissatisfied, feel free to dismiss me.]
The Chairman’s face flushed red and purple. Despite being an old man with white hair, his bulldog-like impression and build were not inferior to any young man. Puffing out his chest, he slammed the coffee cup he was holding onto the table.
Thump! At that solemn commotion, the aura of the bodyguards standing a few steps away grew fierce. They began to crack their necks from side to side, as if ready to pounce on Eden at any moment. Not that it was scary at all.
After suppressing his anger for a while, the Chairman swept back his hair and looked up.
[Who would benefit from dismissing you? Just look at how much of the company’s shares you hold.]
And it wasn’t just the shares. Since the company’s founding, Eden was the only CTO with such outstanding business acumen and technical skill.
[Two weeks. Just go for that short a time. It’s not a difficult task, so think of it as a brief vacation.]
[Then why don’t you go instead, Chairman? Since it’s not a difficult task, think of it as a convalescence trip.]
For a moment, a dizzying chill swept through the cafeteria. Jeffrey, who had been eavesdropping from a distance, turned pale. Eden’s remarks, which had been dancing on the edge of danger, had finally crossed the line.
However, contrary to the frozen atmosphere, the Chairman snorted and stood up, as if he had no intention of engaging in any further trivial power struggle.
[How about an additional 0.4% stake? I believe this is quite an exceptional offer.]
Considering the company’s market capitalization of approximately 150 trillion won, it was certainly an offer beyond his deserts. Instead of answering, Eden stared blankly at the Chairman.
[Contact me within a week. The purpose of the trip may seem mysterious for now, but I promise on my position as Chairman that it won’t be anything dangerous for you. I’ll be going now.]
[Safe travels.]
[Tsk, I wonder why I have to spend my old age catering to the whims of subordinates….]
Muttering his grievances, the old man eventually disappeared past the entrance. Jeffrey, who had been standing awkwardly and reading the room, immediately approached Eden as soon as the Chairman left.
[Hey, if even the Chairman stepped in, it probably means the UN has put in a lot of weapon orders. Why don’t you just close your eyes and go for two weeks?]
Eden glared pathetically at the clueless Jeffrey and warned him.
[Shut up. Before I rip your body in half.]
At Eden’s murderous aura, Jeffrey’s mouth finally snapped shut.
It was strictly the beginning of autumn, but the cloudless afternoon was still like a steamer. Ha-jin, who had been playing ball excitedly with Pie in the yard, exhaled a hot breath, fluttering his sweat-soaked short-sleeved shirt.
While he stood still wiping a bead of sweat from his temple, a faint breeze blew by. It was a wind that held a relatively cool energy compared to the midsummer heat.
“Woof! Woof!”
As if not allowing even a moment’s rest, Pie stomped his paws energetically. Ha-jin threw the baseball with all his might in the opposite direction of Pie. Pie, quickly twisting his body to follow the curveball, caught the ball mid-air as it bounced off the ground.
Whew—! When Ha-jin whistled with his fingers, Pie began to sprint across the vast lawn, kicking off the ground in earnest. It was a sight that felt refreshing just to watch. While Ha-jin watched with a satisfied smile, hands on his hips, a voice like a nightingale drifted from behind.
[Uncle, are you done playing with Pie?]
As he turned his head with a smile, a set of petite features filled his vision.
“Byeol, you’re here? We’re almost done, why?”
At the gentle response, Byeol hesitated for a moment and kicked the grass with the toe of his shoe.
[It’s nothing, but I have a favor…. Please persuade Uncle Eden for me.]
Ha-jin’s head tilted. Looking again, Byeol’s lips were pouting like a duck. Seeing that he was using English instead of Korean, it seemed his mood was severely twisted.
Ha-jin asked softly to the child, who was clearly feeling uncomfortable.
“Persuade him about what?”
[I’m supposed to sleep over at Su-ji’s house tonight, but Uncle Eden won’t let me.]
“Hmm… really? Did you get permission from your mom and dad?”
Byeol’s parents were currently on a three-day, two-night trip for their wedding anniversary. Left alone in a large house, Byeol was scheduled to stay at Ha-jin and Eden’s home for a few days.
The child clung to Ha-jin’s arm as if pleading.
[Mom and Dad said they’d allow it as long as Uncle Eden does.]
The child, who hadn’t even reached his waist before, had already grown to near his shoulder. Realizing the change in their eye level once again, Ha-jin tidied Byeol’s messy bangs.
“What are you going to do with Su-ji?”
[I don’t know. We haven’t decided what to do yet.]
As if he didn’t like the inquisitive attitude, the child replied somewhat bluntly.
[And who decides that before playing? You just meet and play.]
Ha-jin smiled bitterly. Byeol, wearing a short-length t-shirt and ripped jeans, looked unfamiliar today. He couldn’t even remember when he had last seen the overall skirt the child used to love wearing.
“Su-ji’s parents are all at home, right?”
When asked soothingly, the corners of Byeol’s mouth rose slightly. A glint appeared in those always round and clear eyes.
[Of course they are!]
“Alright. Then just give me Su-ji’s parents’ phone number.”
[Then will you persuade Uncle Eden?]
“I’ll try.”
At the easy consent, Byeol shouted brightly in Korean.
“Yay! Uncle is the best!”
Ha-jin walked with Byeol. Eden, who had been reading while leaning back on a poolside sunbed, glanced back at the two approaching.
“Um, Mr. Jeong Tae-geon—.”
“No.”
It was before he could even finish the sentence. Ha-jin wore a bewildered expression at the ruthless, stiff refusal.
“How do you know it’s a ‘no’ before you even know what I’m going to say?”
Eden didn’t look at Ha-jin and instead glanced at Jeong Byeol.
[Jeong Byeol, if I say no, then it’s no.]
Then, Byeol, his face flushing red, huffed and talked back.
[Mom and Dad allowed it, so who are you to tell me this or that, Uncle?]
[I am your guardian right now. If you want to play with Su-ji that badly, invite her to our house like last time. Giving you a room is no trouble at all.]
[Ah, I hate that! I’m going this time. I’m the only one who hasn’t played at Su-ji’s house!]
As the child’s voice grew louder, Eden, who had been leisurely turning the pages, let out a deep sigh and closed the book.
[Still no. It’s too far.]
[It’s not far. Mia will be passing by here later. Mia’s parents said they’d give me a ride. I can just go with them.]
[Why is Mia suddenly being mentioned?]
[Because she’s playing with us too.]
[That’s different from what you said before. Didn’t you say you were playing with just Su-ji?]
[When did I? I never said just the two of us?]
[Sigh….]
Eden pressed his hand to his forehead at the endless chain of arguments.
[Then you should have said it accurately. That you want to play with Su-ji and Mia, the three of you, at Su-ji’s house.]
[You didn’t give me a chance to say it accurately.]
[Do you have to have the last word in everything?]
[It’s because I take after you, Uncle.]
[Quiet, and go change your clothes. Don’t stand there with your belly showing.]
“Ah, Uncle, seriously!”
Ha-jin wrapped his arm around Byeol’s shoulder to soothe him as the child finally burst out. Then, he frowned at the heartless Eden.
“Why are you fighting with a child so childishly? Mia’s parents are dropping him off anyway, and Su-ji’s parents are all at home, so just let it slide this once.”
“…….”
“And Byeol, you.”
This time, he turned to Jeong Byeol in his arms and scolded him sternly.
“It’s not that Uncle Eden doesn’t trust you that he won’t let you go. Byeol, you’re still young, and the world is such a dangerous place, so it’s only natural for an adult uncle to worry.”
[The zombies are all dead anyway. What’s the problem?]
“Don’t you know that people are scarier than zombies? You know exactly what I mean, so don’t be stubborn for no reason.”
“…….”
“If you want to play at Su-ji’s house, don’t throw a tantrum and get permission properly. If you go, make a concrete promise, like contacting us regularly so we don’t worry, or telling us exactly what time you’ll be back tomorrow.”
Byeol looked at Ha-jin, who was wearing a rarely stern expression, and reluctantly nodded. The child then approached Eden with slumped shoulders.
“…If I go to Su-ji’s house, I’ll contact you regularly.”
At the sight of his nephew faithfully following the advice Ha-jin had given, Eden chuckled and nodded.
“Do it once every hour.”
“Geez… that’s too often.”
“Then once every two hours.”
Byeol narrowed his eyes and let out an exaggerated sigh as if he had no choice.
“Phew, fine. And I’ll come home right after lunch tomorrow.”
[I’ll come pick you up by 1 o’clock, so be ready. Leave the address.]
“…Okay.”
[Change your clothes before you go.]
“I said I would, seriously!”
After bickering with Eden for a while, Byeol eventually changed into a long-length t-shirt. After packing snacks and pajamas in his favorite bag, the child left the neighborhood an hour later in Mia’s parents’ car.