By Zephyria 
The restaurant, with its blinds drawn up, had a more vibrant atmosphere than usual. The soldiers, who usually ate in perfect rows, were scattered about today, engaging in boisterous conversations.
At one of the tables, chefs in white aprons were spreading whipped cream on castella cakes that smelled deliciously sweet. When someone asked for a little more whipped cream, whistles echoed from all directions.
Eden, returning from a meeting, looked around the lively restaurant and picked up a silver tray. Aaron, standing beside him, started with an excited voice.
[Everyone seems to be in a good mood because we’re withdrawing tomorrow.]
Eden placed a cup of tomato soup on his tray and turned to Aaron. It had been three months since they were isolated from the outside world, and tomorrow they could finally leave Oahu Island and return home. A deep sense of relief was etched on Aaron’s face, who had been enduring a perilous daily life after being drafted into the project.
[What are everyone’s plans for this afternoon?]
Eden, having found a suitable corner, asked Aaron, who sat across from him.
[I don’t think there’s anything besides tidying up our quarters. Is there anything you need?]
[Then let’s have a shot of whiskey for everyone except those on night duty.]
[Excuse me?]
[There should be a few bottles of bourbon in Chairman’s office.]
Aaron asked back, his voice mixed with anticipation and embarrassment.
[Would that be alright? Permission…]
[Is the esteemed Chairman even coming to Oahu Island? This base will be abandoned soon anyway, so forget about permission.]
Aaron’s eyes widened at the sarcastic tone. Eden tapped his tray a few times with a fork, warning him in a low voice.
[Just don’t drink so much that it interferes with our return tomorrow.]
[I’ll go get it right now.]
With a determined look, Aaron got up and rushed to the Chairman’s office with a few other staff members. Soon, they reappeared with their hands full of whiskey, shouting to the men in the restaurant.
[Everyone, Director Jung is buying!]
The soldiers and mechanics, upon seeing the whiskey bottles, cheered in unison as if they had made a promise. The chefs, having finished the last cake, raised their hands and shouted.
[We’ll bring out more snacks!]
Eden poured the peat-scented whiskey down his throat and carelessly sliced the cake and block cheese on a disposable plate. He stared silently at the Communicator on the table before suddenly looking up. Aaron, his face as red as a tomato, was grinning at him.
[Director—were you thinking about your lover again?]
Because his voice was quite loud, the people who were chatting happily in groups of three or five all turned to look at Eden and Aaron.
[Didn’t I tell you to drink in moderation?]
[I’m not drunk!]
Tsk, Eden clicked his tongue briefly as people slowly gathered around him. Just as he was about to get up, sensing that something troublesome was about to happen, someone grabbed his shoulder without any fear. Before Eden could even turn his head, the chef pulled up a chair next to him and sat down, his face flushed with drunkenness.
It was the head chef, who always greeted him heartily, as if he didn’t care about the rigid hierarchy.
[Director, have a drink with me too!]
He abruptly held out a glass of ice. Eden sighed inwardly and took the glass. Two cups filled with strong liquor clashed in the air.
[Thanks to you, Director, I get to drink expensive whiskey.]
[You’ve worked hard preparing meals all this time.]
[It’s what I get paid to do. By the way, I didn’t know our director had a lover. It’s hard to imagine. Tell us about your lover.]
Eden chuckled at the friendly words. Then Aaron, who was staring at the two with unfocused eyes, suddenly chimed in.
[About his lover. He’s quite handsome, just like the director. I saw a picture of him.]
The surroundings fell silent for a moment at those words. Aaron, drunk, didn’t even realize that he was outing Eden’s sexual orientation and kept chattering on.
[What should I say… he looks a bit like a boy band member? He has a bit of a youthful face, so it’s hard to guess his age. Right, Director?]
One of the staff members, belatedly realizing what was happening, grabbed Aaron’s mouth.
[Hey, hey, you seem drunk. Be quiet…!]
[Leave him alone. I wasn’t planning on hiding it anyway.]
Eden, having poured the last of the whiskey into his mouth, took out a Polaroid photo from his chest pocket.
[This is my lover.]
The staff members, who had been frozen with tension, widened their eyes at Eden’s unexpected reaction. The chef, unable to contain his curiosity, leaned over the table and peered at the photo.
[Oh, is this him? He’s really handsome, just like Aaron said. By the way, he looks quite young?!]
The staff members, who had been cautiously watching, couldn’t resist their curiosity and leaned their heads over the table one by one.
[If you don’t mind, I’d like to see too….]
[He looks a lot like the male lead in the drama I watched recently. It was about finding his first love.]
[Director, you have quite high standards?]
[Does your lover work in this field too?]
The restaurant became lively once again as the staff and soldiers, who had gathered like clouds, each threw in a word. A faint smile appeared on Eden’s lips as he nonchalantly boasted about Ha-jin.
[He’s not in the same profession.]
He put the photo he had placed down back into his pocket and added.
[He’s a Magician.]
❖ ❖ ❖
As if to make the rain that had been falling since dawn seem insignificant, the weather turned clear with not a cloud in the sky as the sun began to rise.
Eden, having visited Blue Works to give his report, rubbed his tired face. As soon as he got into the waiting sedan, the opposite door opened. It was Hugo.
[You came to the company and didn’t even think about seeing my face before leaving?]
[I don’t have time, close the door.]
[Let’s go together, I’ll give you a ride. And see Ha-jin while we’re at it.]
Eden turned to Hugo, who was calling his lover’s name so familiarly, with a displeased expression. Hugo, undeterred by the fierce look, instructed the man in the driver’s seat to start. Then, with his arms crossed, he carefully shook Eden’s shoulder, who had closed his eyes.
[I heard. You told the Chairman you’re stepping down from technology development. What’s going on?]
[It’s as you heard.]
[Are you really quitting?]
[I’m just stepping down from the field. I’ll still keep the CTO position.]
[How is that different from quitting? You’ll barely come to the company once a month now.]
Eden shrugged without denying it. It was a nonchalant attitude for a genius developer’s retirement declaration that he would no longer make weapons. Hugo was genuinely dumbfounded and couldn’t speak for a while.
The executive assistant, unable to bear the silence, turned on the radio, sensing the mood. The anchor on the radio was reporting that reports of mistaking drug addicts and Zombies on the streets were rapidly increasing.
Hugo, staring out the car window with a complicated expression, spoke with difficulty.
[Why are you doing this? Is it because of this business trip? Have you completely lost interest in the company?]
[That’s not it. Just as I have value to the company, the company still clearly has value to me.]
[Then why?]
[My priorities have changed.]
Hugo’s brow furrowed at the incomprehensible words. Eden left him to rack his brains and leaned his elbow on the window, resting his chin on his hand. He closed his eyes and pondered.
Last night, Eden finished the short party in the restaurant and headed to the armory alone. Leaning against the dusty wall of the warehouse, he indifferently looked around the vast space that stretched out endlessly.
Despite the lukewarm weather, a cold air enveloped the interior. Messy wires and oil stains replaced the missing lethal weapons. Far away in one corner, only an old jet that had not passed the safety test greeted Eden.
He slowly walked towards the jet. He passed the sleek side of the jet, covered in hazy dust, and sat down in the cockpit. The look in his eyes, staring at the completely extinguished instrument panel, was low.
No matter how lethal a weapon was, if it was an aircraft that couldn’t fly to where Ha-jin was right now, it was of no value to him. Eden let out a bitter laugh, as if he was surprised by his own thoughts.
“……”
To be honest, the past three months here had been a series of boredom. He couldn’t remember when he had fully enjoyed the moment when his weapons, like his alter egos, were recognized for their usefulness and sold at a fair price. The past, when he was solely focused on his abilities and value, was fading away like a distant mirage.
Eden lay on the cold scrap metal and quietly pictured the face of his lover, whom he would meet tomorrow. He had never known the meaning of returning home, the preciousness of it.
He lifted his closed eyelids and turned to Hugo, who was chattering beside him.
[…I heard. Aaron said that you not only raided Chairman’s whiskey but also put on a Magic show. Can I really believe this?]
A dazzlingly bright light was pouring in behind Hugo. Eden narrowed his eyes to minimize the light reflecting in his pupils.
[What don’t you believe? The whiskey or the Magic?]
[The latter, of course. What Magic do you know?]
[I know some, Magic with a glass.]
[…….]
[I learned it.]
Horror crossed Hugo’s face, who once thought that Eden was the embodiment of authority and honor. The episode of Jung Eden, who looked down on people, willingly sharing whiskey and providing entertainment for his subordinates, was as unbelievable as a sudden Zombie outbreak.
[Eden, did you eat something wrong?]
[Shut up.]
Soon, a sleek and heavy sedan like a jaguar reached the end of the driveway.
As soon as the car stopped, Eden opened the back door and got out, thanking the executive assistant for his hard work. Hugo was about to follow him out but inadvertently looked up. Far away in front of Eden, Ha-jin and Pie were standing like stone statues.
Soon, a heartfelt embrace between the two followed. It was a reunion that made even the onlookers feel emotional.
[Are you getting out too, Hugo? Should I wait?]
The secretary in the driver’s seat spoke. Hugo quietly shook his head, looking at Eden’s solid back as he hugged Ha-jin.
He leaned his head against the back of the seat and muttered quietly.
[…Can a person change that much?]
Perhaps it was because he saw a comfortable expression on Eden’s face for the first time. Although he was somewhat disappointed by his friend’s decision to give up his past glory, he liked the change in Eden from a friend’s point of view.
Hugo turned his gaze out the window one last time just before the car completely left the driveway. The two lovers, embracing each other’s faces, were gradually moving out of sight.