By Zephyria 
“Everyone looks radiant. Looks like you were doing well without me.”
The Chairman’s committee members denied it, chattering about how worried they were. Some even said they considered using their own money to find him. Kim Ha-yoon’s gaze was fixed on the Vice Chairman, who had been keeping his mouth shut since earlier.
“Vice Chairman, do you feel the same?”
The atmosphere turned icy. Who was it that had actively stepped forward to suppress the rebel forces when Kim Ha-yoon was gone? It was none other than Vice Chairman Park Ji-hoon. That’s why some people couldn’t hide their suspicion after Kim Ha-yoon returned.
Was it possible that the Vice Chairman knew about Kim Ha-yoon’s whereabouts and hid it? Was he plotting with the military to become the Supreme Chairman himself? But that was just speculation, and they couldn’t express it. They had solidified their relationship over a long period and always thought of themselves as a single, shared destiny.
Vice Chairman Park Ji-hoon brought the microphone to his mouth and smiled amiably.
“I was probably the most worried about you here. So much so that I went to church and prayed to God. You know I’m an atheist, don’t you?”
Kim Ha-yoon smirked, raising the corner of his lips.
“I see. I guess I had a slight misunderstanding. So, what’s the reason we’re all gathered here today?”
A hint of relief flickered across the Vice Chairman’s face.
“There was a preemptive strike in Zone D this morning. They shot down an aircraft carrying relief supplies.”
“Casualties?”
“Two Non-commissioned officers.”
“First, I express my condolences for the deceased. As you all know, in this case, we should retaliate. That’s why you’re all here. But there’s a more urgent problem now. One that concerns the very survival of our government.”
People stirred. What did that mean? Survival? Why use such provocative words to scare them? Someone protested, but Kim Ha-yoon didn’t budge. He held out his hand, and Kim Seon-oh, who was next to him, took something out of his pocket and handed it over. Kim Ha-yoon shook the miniature recorder and looked around the room.
“Someone tried to take my life. What could be a bigger problem than that?”
Everyone looked dumbfounded, and Kim Ha-yoon subtly pressured them to speak up if they knew anything. They all looked at each other in surprise. Who? Who dared to target Kim Ha-yoon? Some people seemed to catch on and avoided eye contact, keeping their mouths shut.
Kim Do-cheol was among them, sweating so profusely that it was pitiful to see from afar. Seeing this, Kim Ha-yoon called over an employee nearby and joked, asking them to give him a handkerchief. Even though Kim Do-cheol’s eyes were shaking anxiously, the Vice Chairman didn’t flinch.
“You must be mistaken. That’s treason.”
“Who would do such a thing without any fear!”
Without saying more, Kim Ha-yoon pressed the play button on the recorder.
-To ruin a done deal, you son of a bitch.
-You should have just died. If you had died there, you could have remained in people’s memories forever. Why did you come back alive and drive people crazy, you son of a bitch!
A voice pleading for him not to wake up, to just die, echoed through the room. People couldn’t hide their shock, and even the Vice Chairman, who had remained calm throughout, had a slight tremor beneath his eyes.
Kim Do-cheol gripped the handkerchief he was using to wipe his sweat, barely able to breathe. After pressing the stop button, Kim Ha-yoon sighed with a look of pity.
“Commander Kim Do-cheol. I’ll give you a chance to explain yourself. Please stand up and speak.”
Good heavens. How could he think of killing his own cousin? His father also troubled the previous Chairman; the son is just like him. I knew he was acting up. But didn’t Kim Do-cheol meet with the Vice Chairman frequently recently?
As the murmurs grew louder, Kim Ha-yoon slammed his hand on the table.
“Everyone be quiet. Do you have anything to say?”
Kim Do-cheol slowly rose from his seat. His hands trembling, he darted his eyes around. What to do? Should he confess everything? He had boasted to the Vice Chairman that he would take the blame. He glanced at him, asking for help, but the Vice Chairman didn’t even look his way, turning a blind eye. That damn old man.
He repeatedly wiped his sweat with the handkerchief in his hand, took a deep breath, and looked straight at Kim Ha-yoon.
“Is there any proof that’s mine? Did you lose your mind after coming back from the dead? How can you suspect me?”
His voice trembled, but Kim Do-cheol said everything he wanted to say. He argued that it could be fabricated, but no one seemed to believe him. Everyone recognized Kim Do-cheol’s unique, raspy voice. Moreover, Kim Ha-yoon waved the documents, saying he had already completed voice analysis, and the situation spiraled out of control.
“I, I think I was temporarily insane. I must have lost my mind. But it’s really not me! How could I try to kill you on purpose? If I had known, I would have gone to pick you up right away! Believe me!”
Kim Ha-yoon silently stared at Kim Do-cheol, who was pleading that it wasn’t him.
“Hayun! Do you really think it’s me? I’m going crazy, damn it! It’s not me!”
Kim Ha-yoon nodded. Thinking it meant he believed him, Kim Do-cheol’s face brightened.
“Is that all?”
“Huh?”
“The law clearly states that treason is subject to immediate execution. Anyone who objects, raise your hand.”
The moment Kim Do-cheol’s face twisted, Kim Ha-yoon reached into his coat. And in an instant, he pulled out a gun and pulled the trigger. Bang- A red flash erupted from the muzzle, and Kim Do-cheol fell backward.
Aaaah- The faces of the people gathered turned pale at the ear-splitting scream, and Kim Ha-yoon slowly rose from his seat. His movements were leisurely, but he pressured his opponents, resembling a beast about to hunt.
No one even thought of stopping him, and as they watched in silence, Kim Ha-yoon went to Kim Do-cheol’s side and stared down at him. Kim Do-cheol was panting, hyperventilating. Bright red blood flowed from his right shoulder. Kim Ha-yoon pressed his foot firmly on Kim Do-cheol’s injured shoulder and aimed at his head.
“As of this moment, Kim Do-cheol is subject to immediate execution,”
As he was about to pull the trigger, Kim Do-cheol squeezed his eyes shut and screamed.
I didn’t do it alone! Vice Chairman Park Ji-hoon led it! Park Woo-jin planned the aircraft bombing this morning! I told them not to act rashly! Damn it! It’s true, believe me! Hayun! How good have I been to you all this time! We were close! I’m on your side! The Vice Chairman plotted everything,
Bang- The gun fired, and Kim Do-cheol’s head was completely shattered, and he stopped breathing. Everyone stood with their mouths open, unable to say anything, and Kim Ha-yoon casually wiped the blood that had splattered on his cheek with the back of his hand and turned around indifferently.
This time, he walked towards the Vice Chairman. The Vice Chairman’s drooping cheeks were trembling. But Kim Ha-yoon did nothing, only looked down at him. A suffocating silence fell, and Kim Ha-yoon turned around and returned to his seat. Sighs of relief erupted from various places.
“Today’s meeting is adjourned. I’ll see you again in three days.”
* * *
Matteo stared at the newly renovated wall. The words “Return to your Zone” were completely erased, but the shock of that day still lingered. Anna said it was all over now, but he wondered if that was really the case.
He was lost in thought when the youngest, Luca, tugged at Matteo’s sleeve.
“Dad. Can you come to school next weekend?”
“Huh? To school?”
“There’s a concert, and they said we have to bring our parents.”
Matteo hesitated. He remembered the incident at the graduation ceremony the year before last. The day he attacked and injured someone in a crowded place.
His symptoms had almost disappeared, but he was afraid that something like that might happen again. Unable to give a definite answer, he silently stroked the boy’s head, and Anna, who was organizing things next to him, suddenly interjected.
“Go with me. Wouldn’t you feel more at ease if we were together?”
“But it’s a place for parents….”
She had attended events from time to time, and some people mistook Anna for being married. Feeling sorry, he tried to say that he would go alone, but Anna told him not to worry about it.
“Then can I call Mom even just for that day?”
Anna’s cheeks flushed at Luca’s unexpected words. As a flustered Matteo tried to stop him, Anna readily agreed, saying he could if he wanted to. A sunny smile spread across Luca’s face, and he excitedly ran into the house. As he heard him bragging to the children, an awkward atmosphere flowed between the two.
“I’ll go and stop him.”
“No. Let him be.”
He hadn’t wanted to be conscious of it, but a strange current had begun to flow between them since the night of the attack. Just as Matteo was about to say thank you, hesitating, Luca burst out of the door.
“Dad! Ire is back!”
The boy smiled brightly and ran towards the gate.
Turning around, Ire was really there.