By Zephyria 
Matteo couldn’t hide his joy as he looked at Ire, who had returned. He had been agonizing for a while because he hadn’t been able to reach Kim Ha-yoon since he left to look for him. A man named Kim Seon-oh had come and delivered news in the meantime, but he couldn’t completely relax.
“I’m glad you’re back safely.”
After handing him a drink, he sat opposite Ire and gazed at him. Had he gotten a little thinner? He had only thought of him as young, but when had he grown up so much?
“You heard about Kim Ha-yoon, right?”
“Yes.”
“Were you with him?”
“He was badly injured and couldn’t come here. As you know, the situation wasn’t good.”
He couldn’t not know. He had suspected things were going wrong from the moment the Vice Chairman made that offer. After Ire left, Matteo had pondered. When he first decided to raise the child, it was because he judged him necessary for the organization.
But as he raised him, he grew fond of him, and now only a child-like affection remained. Even upon hearing the news that the missing boy had joined the rebels, his first emotions were anxiety and worry, not joy. That’s why he decided to follow the Vice Chairman’s offer and protect Ire by any means necessary, but it seemed his own thoughts had been wrong.
“I’m sorry about that. I often forget that you’ve become an adult.”
When it was I who was the obstacle. Ire’s expression stiffened at the casual remark. He said that wasn’t true, that family was his strength and more precious than anyone, and that he endured with all his might no matter how difficult it was.
Then, suddenly, Kim Ha-yoon came to mind.
Who did he think of when he was struggling?
Who did he think of on the brink of death?
“What are you thinking about?”
Ire was startled and quickly shook his head. He couldn’t understand why he suddenly thought of Kim Ha-yoon. As his ears turned red, Matteo looked at him with a puzzled expression. Ire claimed it felt warmer and fled outside, saying he needed some air.
He let out a sigh, and only then did the flowers blooming throughout the garden catch his eye. Spring had arrived here too. While lost in sentimentality, he spotted a car at the main gate in the distance. Lieutenant Park was sitting in the driver’s seat.
When they first met at the gate, he had said he was there to pick up Ire under Kim Ha-yoon’s orders. Doubt flickered. How did he know I would come? Was this also a ploy? As he suspected, he was allowed to have a video call with Kim Ha-yoon.
Though he only saw his face for a brief moment, he had more vitality than the last time he saw him. He already knew about the shoot-down incident that morning. As he tried to explain, Kim Ha-yoon told him not to worry, that he would handle it, and to wait at home. He said they would see each other later.
With those words, his anxiety vanished as if washed away. He didn’t know when he had started to trust Kim Ha-yoon, but the realization that he trusted him more than he thought was shocking. Hadn’t he been desperate to kill him just a short while ago?
After standing for a long time, Ire went back inside and cautiously spoke to Matteo. He asked if he could go out for a bit, to meet Kim Ha-yoon, as he had something important to say.
Contrary to his expectation that Matteo would protest vehemently, he simply nodded without much comment, only adding, “Go and come back safely.”
* * *
Kim Ha-yoon looked down at the jellyfish swimming in the water. As he reached his hand in, they gradually gathered around him. Their colors shifted, indicating they seemed pleased. He stood up and looked ahead, taking in the cityscape.
A gust of wind blew, and he reached into his pocket for a cigarette, then lowered his hand.
Damn it. Habits are a terrible thing.
Just then, he heard footsteps. Turning, he saw Kim Seon-oh opening the door and lingering near the aquarium. He always found them unappealing and wondered why he kept such things, even advising him to get a dog instead.
“Where’s Kim Do-cheol?”
“He was cremated and buried under a tree.”
Kim Ha-yoon asked no further questions, and Kim Seon-oh didn’t bring it up either. Though they had grown up like brothers since childhood, their end had come so desolately.
Some might say he should have spared the life of his blood relative, but letting it slide this time could lead to even greater betrayal later.
Indeed, it was through such processes that Kim Ha-yoon’s father seized power despite being the second son. While blaming himself for resembling his detested father, Kim Ha-yoon did not regret his choice.
Meanwhile, Yoo Min-joon ascended to the rooftop.
He had a somewhat troubled expression, and the reason became clear shortly after.
“Vice Chairman Park Ji-hoon is waiting downstairs. What should we do?”
Ha, Kim Ha-yoon smiled coldly and walked slowly towards the entrance. He arrived earlier than expected. He thought he would hold out until the end. Descending to the lower floor via the elevator, he found the Vice Chairman sitting on the sofa. The Vice Chairman abruptly stood up and suddenly knelt. The unexpected situation made Kim Ha-yoon’s brow furrow involuntarily.
“Please get up.”
“S-save me! I’ll do anything you say!”
He thought the Vice Chairman would play dumb and deny everything, but he was cunning. His graying crown was clearly visible as he bowed his head to the ground. Kim Ha-yoon instructed an employee to bring tea and invited Vice Chairman Park Ji-hoon to sit.
The atmosphere, much softer than earlier, brought a flicker of anticipation to the Vice Chairman’s face. Perhaps he thought he would be forgiven.
When the tea arrived, Kim Ha-yoon pushed it towards the Vice Chairman. Despite the steaming tea, the Vice Chairman didn’t move a finger. Kim Ha-yoon watched him for a moment, then chuckled and made a joke.
“Are you afraid I might have poisoned it? Drink up.”
“W-what? My hands are just trembling.”
He picked up the teacup and brought it to his lips, but only moistened them without swallowing. At his age, was his life so precious? Or was it his lingering attachment to power?
“Tell me what you want. Then I’ll do anything.”
“Are you admitting yourself to be the ringleader of the rebellion?”
The Vice Chairman lamented, claiming he wasn’t the ringleader and had been tricked by Kim Do-cheol. However, Kim Ha-yoon knew him well. If Kim Do-cheol hadn’t died before his eyes today, he would have played dumb and tried to hold out. Seeing his head explode before him, he must have realized. It was no longer a situation where he could feign ignorance.
Fuck, this is why actions speak louder than a thousand words.
“So what do you intend to do? Commit suicide?”
“W-what!”
“Or will you hand over Park Woo-jin?”
The Vice Chairman looked utterly bewildered. Kim Ha-yoon’s implication was that he had to wager either himself or his son. He should have refused outright, but the words wouldn’t come. At this point, Kim Ha-yoon would take anyone’s life. Hadn’t he witnessed his cruelty firsthand today?
After much deliberation, the Vice Chairman squeezed his eyes shut.
“P-please spare me…”
Haha, Kim Ha-yoon laughed heartily. It was as he expected, but worse than he imagined. Even with one son dead and the other in such a state, he prioritized his own life. Seeing a man devoid of any denial made him feel nauseous.
“You are wise, very wise.”
The Vice Chairman’s hands trembled at the sarcastic remark. Kim Ha-yoon picked up the teacup and brought it to his lips again. The fragrant aroma tickled his nose. He thought it smelled like something Ire would enjoy.
He set the teacup down and called out to the Vice Chairman.
“Very well. Instead, we will not execute Park Woo-jin and will send him outside the district.”
The Vice Chairman’s eyes widened. His expression was unreadable, a mix of gratitude and resentment. However, Kim Ha-yoon had no desire to fathom his feelings. He told him to leave, as a distinguished guest was expected soon. The Vice Chairman hesitated with a displeased look.
“What? Have you changed your mind?”
“No…”
He slowly stood up and walked across the living room towards the entrance. Seeing his slumped shoulders, he could only laugh. At least he had some conscience left, selling out his own son. Silence fell, and then Kim Seon-oh emerged from the inner rooms. As if he had heard everything, he shook his head in disbelief.
“Why on earth did you spare him? He’s the worst kind.”
“He’s still useful.”
He left the last word hanging, leaning back on the sofa with a weary expression. Then, a moment later, he heard movement from the entrance. Had the old man changed his mind? Had he returned to offer his own life instead of his son’s?
But the person who appeared before him was a handsome man with silver hair and steely blue-gray eyes.
Someone he knew well, and loved.