M 62

“…It’s not like it’s my first time sleeping with a man.”

Although Sehwa had calmed down compared to earlier, his clenched fists and tense shoulders showed he was still on edge. His voice was shaky and uneven… And more than that, this was the first time Sehwa had ever brought up his relationships with clients himself. Knowing how much Sehwa loathed the topic, Ki Tae-jeong struggled to decipher the meaning behind this unexpected signal.

“If my body decided that accepting men more easily would be better, that I needed to change from now on to survive… Then shouldn’t I have changed to get wet easily since the first time I was fvcked from behind?”

It wasn’t as though Brigadier General was the only one who had treated him harshly. Sehwa’s voice faltered as he spoke, then he let out a bitter laugh—a laugh as fragile and fleeting as a soap bubble. Beautiful, bitter, and fleeting.

“But I changed like that just now. After meeting the Brigadier General.”

“Sehwa.”

Ki Tae-jeong bit the inside of his lip, trying his best to hide his anxious demeanor. He swallowed a bitter laugh at how unfamiliar this side of himself felt. Anxious? Was he really this anxious, worried about how Sehwa might feel, desperate to know what he was thinking?

“Shit, I know you misunderstand me because of my foul language, but…”

He skims over the hastily prepared script once more. Fortunately, the only lie he had told Sehwa so far was that their physical relationship wasn’t premeditated, so there was no need for his words to get tangled.

“Just listen to me, I’m telling you it’s not like that.”

Ki Tae-jeong frantically grasped and released Sehwa’s shoulders, arms, and face. Sehwa’s eyes widened at his unusually impatient gestures and urgent tone.

“I told you before, there’s a reason it had to be you.”

Yes, make that face. Show that expression. Ask questions, push for answers, demand explanations. That would be easier to deal with.

“It was because of Lieutenant Kim. At first, I thought you were involved with him.”

This too seemed to be something he hadn’t expected, as a look of bewilderment briefly clouded Sehwa’s face.

“Me? With Lieutenant Kim?”

“Yeah. That bastard hated me so much, I wanted to screw him over just as badly.”

The fact that a detainee like me—someone from a detention camp who didn’t even go to the military academy thriving with a few other similar trash—managed to climb the ranks was irritating enough. Even sending me alone on suicide missions to enemy territory didn’t get rid of me. Poisoning the rations didn’t kill me, either. Not even spiking me with aphrodisiacs to make me lose control and mate with anyone worked…

“Poison? Aphrodisiacs?”

Sehwa, who had been listening silently, suddenly raised his head. His voice was still subdued but much more docile than before. Ki Tae-jeong nodded expressionlessly, hiding his pitch-black inner thoughts.

“There were plenty of bastards lined up, ready to use any means necessary to breed me.”

“What do you mean…?”

“You probably won’t understand, but there’s a truckload of guys in the military who want higher ranks by any dirty means necessary.”

“…”

“I may be a monster, but I’m still considered an ‘exceptional resource.’ Add to that the fact I’m an orphan with no connections… I guess they want to snatch my rank that way too.”

“So,” Ki Tae-jeong sighed deeply. His voice naturally took on a dark tone as he was about to tell an unpleasant story. Regardless of the situation, revealing his inner thoughts to others wasn’t something Ki Tae-jeong was used to either. Because he knew Sehwa’s moist pupils would tremble finely like that if he shared a bit of his story. That’s why he was forcing himself to continue speaking.

“So… I think the s3x with me probably affected your body more than it would a normal person.”

Ki Tae-jeong patted Sehwa’s clothes roughly around his stomach area. Maybe gently caressing would have been better. The thought occurred to him belatedly, but somehow Sehwa seemed to sense more sincerity in that awkward gesture. Sehwa’s breathing, which had been gasping as if he might collapse at any moment, was returning to its usual level.

“I may not have a special constitution, but it’s true that this body itself isn’t normal.”

Ki Tae-jeong slowly rubbed Sehwa’s dry hand, then briefly kissed it. Sehwa flinched but didn’t push him away.

“If you’re curious about the times when I struggled to survive somehow, I could call Lieutenant Park or Warrant Officer Choi to tell you the whole story. It’s well known among military personnel that I despise drvgs and kids…”

The furrowed brows showed not just anger, but now a hint of sympathy as well.

“I’ll say it again, I didn’t know.”

“…”

“The baby… keep it or get rid of it, do as you wish. Whatever direction you choose, I’ll take responsibility until the end.”

Ki Tae-jeong stopped pressing and just quietly looked at Sehwa. Like he had done earlier, Sehwa too must be examining the scales in his heart. It was obvious which way the balance would tilt.

“…For now.”

Sehwa quietly closed his eyes. His closed eyelids trembled as though struggling to contain a flood of rising emotions.

“…Please give me a sedative. Or a sleeping pill…”

“What? Didn’t you hear what Lieutenant Na said earlier?”

“Whether I collapse and get an IV, or take medicine in advance while I’m conscious… What’s the big difference?”

Sehwa slowly stood up, steadying himself on trembling knees. Reaching for the medical bag, it seemed he wanted to get a patch.

“Ugh…”

Sehwa’s body started to crumble like a sand castle as he tried to stand. The sudden movement seemed to cause dizziness.

“…Alright, I’ll give you something, just sit down first.”

Still, sedatives or sleeping pills were out of the question. Ki Tae-jeong wrapped a patch around Sehwa’s trembling wrist and took out H1. It was the safest treatment that could be given to any patient. It wouldn’t have a sedative effect, but it should prevent dehydration and exhaustion…

He pushed the pill between his lips and gently caressed his swollen eyes with his thumb. Would he accept a kiss? After a moment’s hesitation, Ki Tae-jeong tilted his head slightly. But Sehwa wasn’t ready to accept a kiss yet, turning his face away with what little strength he had.

Ki Tae-jeong paused briefly, then instead of forcing it, he just stroked Sehwa’s hair and stepped back. Now wasn’t the time to force or make long excuses. Having cornered him thoroughly, he needed to give Sehwa time alone. Such moments were always necessary when interrogating and recruiting prisoners too.

“Rest.”

Sehwa stubbornly closed his eyes without responding. His earlier comment about feeling like he might faint wasn’t a joke; his curled-up body gradually collapsed onto the sofa. his shoulders were trembling slightly, perhaps crying again.

As Ki Tae-jeong opened the door with a click, the garden sprinklers began to whirl vigorously. The sound of gushing water echoed cheerfully through the window. Though water droplets couldn’t possibly reach this height, somehow the scattered light resembled a rainbow.

Ki Tae-jeong gazed at Sehwa’s huddled back for a while before slowly turning away. It’s not that he doesn’t feel pity or sympathy. That’s why from now on, he’ll let him live without knowing any truths. Isn’t that enough?

“Brigadier General.”

As soon as he stepped out, Warrant Officer Choi hurried over with a serious face. He moved quickly, as if springs were attached to his feet. Being someone who tended to hover around Sehwa, he seemed curious about the situation. Lieutenant Park was also peeking through the half-open door.

“Lieutenant Na is off this case.”

Ki Tae-jeong first issued the dismissal order in a low voice. His face was similar to when he was a strict and sensitive superior before a battle.

“I’ve valued Lieutenant Na until now because prioritizing patients’ lives without considering others’ opinions could also be interpreted as having a personality that wouldn’t bend even if someone other than me tried to suppress him with rank…”

Ki Tae-jeong’s fingertips paused briefly as he pushed back his falling bangs. His eyes, which he had squeezed shut then opened, were boiling with an indescribable anger.

“I can’t entrust work to someone who can’t even use proper judgment. Lieutenant Park.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Find someone to look after Sehwa instead of Lieutenant Na. Whether it’s a military doctor or a civilian hospital doctor. I’m not even hoping for someone tight-lipped, just someone with decent skills who we could dispose of if necessary without complications.”

“Brigadier General, please listen to my explanation for a moment…”

“You still want to make excuses in this situation?”

“I’m sorry. But…”

“Intoxicated by your meager beliefs, you rushed in without filtering what should and shouldn’t be said, and now what? The person concerned has a right to know? Don’t talk nonsense. You failed to faithfully follow your superior’s orders, and you also failed to make the right judgment as a doctor.”

Ki Tae-jeong was ending it at this level only because it was Lieutenant Na. He knew that his efforts to save people in the detention camp had remained as a habit and trauma. However, he couldn’t tolerate any further overstepping. Sehwa’s face from just moments ago, crying like a broken doll, made that impossible.

“I won’t make excuses. Just, please let me handle the initial examination… that is, the first ultrasound, and Sehwa’s subsequent surgery.”

Lieutenant Na urgently tapped his tablet a few times.

“I’ve just sent you Sehwa’s test results. As you’ll see, everything is unstable.”

Ki Tae-jeong’s wristwatch flashed. The notification for documents to review had an urgent flag.

“There are still many things that modern medical technology can’t solve. The baby could be lost for surprisingly trivial reasons, and that impact falls entirely on the mother. Moreover, in Sehwa’s case…”

Lieutenant Na lowered his voice, taking a deep breath.

“The gestational sac formed late, and perhaps because it was through artificial means, it looks unreasonably weak. Of course, we need to analyze the cause and situation more closely… but even now, the fetal indicators are so poor that we can’t be certain of its condition.”

“Hah…”

…Unreasonably weak, he said.

Ki Tae-jeong rubbed his face, considering what Sehwa had been through, especially in the past 5-6 weeks. The s3x was always rough, and he wore patches and even drank alcohol. No, it wasn’t just about the s3x. From Sehwa’s perspective, his world had been turned upside down since his appearance. Even Ki Tae-jeong knew that excessive stress could be fatal to a fetus. …Looking at it this way, it was certain that the baby in his belly was his. Surviving through all this and still clinging to Sehwa’s body without dying.

“This surgery could determine Sehwa’s entire life. Whether he keeps the baby or not, at least a month of preparation time is absolutely necessary. I’ll design it perfectly so that it won’t strain Sehwa, whichever direction we take.”

Lieutenant Na waited anxiously for his superior’s instructions, hands behind his back. As Ki Tae-jeong pointed out, he had indeed made a mistake, intoxicated by his own beliefs. He had brought up shocking information without giving time to prepare, causing Sehwa to faint. So Lieutenant Na wanted to help resolve this situation even a little. Bringing in other people might result in obedient following of orders, but they wouldn’t sincerely care for the patient.

“It would be best to bring in the necessary equipment first. Whether Lieutenant Na continues to assist or steps away from this, we can’t have Sehwa’s examinations done outside.”

Lieutenant Park, who had been watching for an opportunity, carefully offered his opinion.

“That’s a good idea. We’ll need to go between the official residence and the 4-Hwan House for a while, so I’ll prepare there as well.”

Warrant Officer Choi quickly chimed in, trying to change the atmosphere.

“…Setting up equipment is good, but it can’t be as perfect as a hospital. Find someone who can do outpatient care. And…”

Ki Tae-jeong, leaning on his leg awkwardly, was lost in thought for a moment before giving an ambiguous permission.

“Initial examination and final surgery preparation, that’s the extent of Lieutenant Na’s role.”

Don’t make me kill you with my own hands by crossing the line any further. At the superior’s calm warning, Lieutenant Na silently nodded his head.

“I’m considering disciplinary action, so follow the subsequent disposition. And Warrant Officer Choi.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What was the name of that 4-Star bakery that Sehwa liked?”

“Bakery… sir?”

Warrant Officer Choi rolled his eyes, seemingly unable to understand his superior’s intentions.

“Whether we terminate the pregnancy in a month or not, we should feed him better than usual. He is pregnant, after all.”

“That’s true, but… wouldn’t soft, easily digestible food be better than bread? And if you’re trying to take care of Sehwa, food isn’t the only answer.”

“Then?”

Lieutenant Na looked at Lieutenant Park and Warrant Officer Choi with a bewildered face. The two were equally surprised. Right now, Ki Tae-jeong seems… well, like he wanted to do something for the person who unexpectedly became pregnant, but couldn’t quite figure out what. Like an ordinary husband or father-to-be.

“How about preparing a gift?”

“I gave him a check card with 12 billion won, and he didn’t say much, did he?”

Ki Tae-jeong retorted gruffly, not considering that he had immediately pounced on and devoured Sehwa’s body without giving time for questions or impressions.

“Then you could talk about that as well. Knowing Sehwa’s personality, he probably doesn’t even think the card is really his.”

Warrant Officer Choi, with a beaming face, considered items that would make good gifts.

“Preparing a large bouquet of flowers is basic, and adding another gift to that is common. Like a watch, or a ring…”