M 111

“…So when you activate this mode, the baby hardly feels growing pains. It’s currently our most popular product, as word has spread that it significantly reduces fussiness.”

Sehwa nodded half-absently. It wasn’t out of interest in the high-tech cradle or whatever it was, but just to thank the salesperson for the explanation.

However, Ki Tae-jeong seemed to interpret it as agreement and immediately handed his card to the employee. It was the familiar black, thick card from the Federal Bank that Sehwa knew well. The only difference from the one he had given him was the large Air Force emblem emblazoned in the center.

He shook his head to say no, but Ki Tae-jeong didn’t seem to notice. Or maybe he was ignoring him… And so, another day passed with items of unclear use piling up in front of Sehwa.

“Are these all the available colors?”

“We offer custom colors. Did you have a specific color in mind?”

“Well, since the baby looks just like this person… I think a brighter, more vibrant shade would suit well.”

“Oh my, if the baby resembles the madam, it must be so beautiful. I’ll look for colors that complement your skin tone.”

The employee politely said she would send color chips to the brigadier general’s personal information.

‘What does my skin color have to do with a bed recommended for babies’ naps?’ Sehwa could only sigh deeply.

Every day, Ki Tae-jeong was sweeping up expensive equipment displayed at the special exhibition as they toured the banquet hall. Perhaps word had spread that he found it burdensome, as now the staff didn’t even mention prices and just took Ki Tae-jeong’s card. Not realizing that this very fact made Sehwa even more uncomfortable… Well, the staff probably didn’t care either way. Their important customer was Brigadier General Ki Tae-jeong after all.

Ki Tae-jeong had definitely changed since General Oh Seon-ran’s visit. He had always bombarded him with gifts on a whim, but lately… It was hard to explain, but the way he treated him, his approach, was different from before.

For one, he was only buying baby items now, not luxury goods like clothes or watches. And he would ask him various things about Saessak, even though he couldn’t speak. As if he was trying to impress him.

“…”

Sehwa timidly tugged on Ki Tae-jeong’s sleeve. It was his way of signaling that it was enough.

“Why are you so unambitious?” Ki Tae-jeong clicked his tongue but stopped his steps towards the next booth. “Just over a week left. The second trial. We’ll definitely conclude the case this time…”

Ki Tae-jeong cleared his throat softly as they turned towards the hall entrance. “After that… I’ve put everything needed in the official residence, so take a look. At least you won’t be inconvenienced while raising the child.”

He wasn’t sure what kind of reaction he was hoping for. No, he had a vague idea. He had clearly been stimulated by something from General Oh Seon-ran.

Recently, Ki Tae-jeong seemed to be trying not to make proposals that sounded like orders. He got that impression when he saw him bite his lip as if realizing mid-sentence that his approach was wrong, or when he deliberately trailed off at the end of his sentences. Still, the habit hadn’t completely disappeared, and he still tried to negotiate by handing over expensive childcare items along with medicine packets…

“Is there anything else you need? Well, not that I would know, having never raised a child myself.”

“…”

Sehwa silently followed Ki Tae-jeong. He felt a heaviness below his chest, as if he had indigestion. He had never wished for anything like this, even in his dreams. The books and baby clothes that General Oh Seon-ran had given him were more than enough.

If he could, he too wanted to give Saessak the very best. Anyone who has a child would feel the same. But that meant ‘the best I can give the child at my level’, not stockpiling expensive items that he couldn’t afford even if he sold his organs a hundred times over.

“Ah, I’m also looking for a sitter. It’s still a long way off before you can leave the protective room, but… I heard it’s better to start searching early to find a good person.”

‘A sitter…?’ Sehwa swallowed hard instead of sighing.

Everything Ki Tae-jeong gives is ultimately a debt. His goal is to win the trial, so afterwards he has no reason to be entangled with him once he’s served his purpose. Right now he’s lavishing him with gifts on a whim, but what if something goes wrong? Who knows how he might change and squeeze him then?

Of course, before, he had thought he would gladly continue their relationship if he didn’t tire of him even after that. But now…

Sehwa tapped his throat, feeling a burning sensation as if he had swallowed hot water. He didn’t think everything Ki Tae-jeong had shown him was a lie. When his eyes were half-crazed with dark anger, he had trembled, thinking it was all an act… But thinking about it now, he wasn’t the type of person who could pretend to have feelings he didn’t for someone like him.

It was just as he had said when he turned away after drugging Ki Tae-jeong. It was a matter of sincerity; he seemed to have liked him in his own way. But his feelings ultimately stemmed from a specific purpose. It was different from the feelings he had held.

Moreover, he couldn’t understand why he was suddenly taking care of the baby when he had talked about abandoning Saessak in the 4th Ring. Even more bewildering was how he assumed he would naturally come to live in the official residence.

“Sit here for a moment.”

Ki Tae-jeong led Sehwa to a rest area set up in front of the banquet hall, saying he would go buy something to drink.

Even though it looked like he was alone, he was never truly alone. He knew there were plenty of people hiding and standing guard. Anyway, Saessak was in the incubator protection room. Why was he doing this when he knew full well he couldn’t escape alone, leaving the child behind?

Sehwa plopped down on the sofa and patted his thighs and knees. Lieutenant Na had said his walking seemed to have improved a bit, but to him, it felt just as achy. And his throat had been prickling since earlier,

“…”

…Ah. Sehwa was startled and tried pinching near his throat. Though it only hurt the outer skin, he could definitely feel sensation inside.

He had been thinking that his senses seemed richer since General Oh Seon-ran’s visit. But he hadn’t expected that it might gradually clear his voice as well.

That person hadn’t really done anything special. He hadn’t offered grand words of comfort or painted a bright picture of the future. Even when he visited again just a few days ago, all he did was read the books he had brought together, looking up unfamiliar words when they came across them. And yet, why…

Sehwa looked himself over in confusion before slumping his shoulders. … He doesn’t know either.

As Sehwa absently gazed at the empty corridor, he noticed something fluttering on the floor and tilted his head. Judging by its appearance and size, it looked like a receipt.

Did Ki Tae-jeong drop it? Sehwa was about to ignore it, thinking it wasn’t his business, but eventually he got up with difficulty. Right, if he kept it, maybe he could secretly return things later. As he bent down, soothing his creaky legs,

“Ow!”

He collided hard with a small child who had suddenly appeared, running fiercely towards him. Startled, Sehwa awkwardly approached the fallen child.

The ice cream the child had been holding was smeared messily on their pants, but that could be licked off… The collision had made quite a loud noise; hopefully the child wasn’t hurt badly? Belatedly coming to his senses, Sehwa reached out his hand. It was fortunate they were in a hospital. If the child said anything hurt…

“Don’t touch me!”

But the child glared sharply and slapped away Sehwa’s hand.

“…”

“I know who you are! A lowborn who improved his fate by having the brigadier general’s child!”

Sehwa’s face, which had been trying to gesture kindly again so as not to embarrass the child, slowly hardened.

“A lowborn who can’t even set foot in the 5th Ring, and now you’re trying to steal my mom’s receipt?”

Ah, so it wasn’t Ki Tae-jeong’s. Of course. He wasn’t the type to keep track of such things. Even if he did, he certainly wasn’t the type to drop them…

Sehwa stepped back from the child with a bitter expression. It was shocking to have even a small child pointing fingers and calling him lowborn, but it wasn’t unexpected.

The 5-Hwan is small. Moreover, he understood that only a portion of people there could receive treatment at this hospital. This child had probably been raised with treatment no less precious than Lieutenant Kim, and likely believed it natural to trample others with their privilege.

“If you’re lowborn, you should go to a shelter, not here!”

He thought, what would a young child know? They were probably just parroting what they heard from parents or other adults. Still, Sehwa felt it was a bit unfair to be judged as having improved his fate thanks to Ki Tae-jeong. He nodded his head, meaning he would go, so there was no need to shout like that.

“Aaargh!”

Suddenly, a large hand shot out beside the child’s cheek, grasping their collar and yanking it mercilessly.

“Say that again.”

It was Ki Tae-jeong.

Appearing silently out of nowhere, he lifted the child as if disciplining an ill-mannered young beast. In his other hand, he gripped the bottoms of two drink cups at once, moving so calmly that the liquid inside didn’t slosh at all.

“I said, say it again.”

A cold sweat ran down his spine. Ki Tae-jeong wasn’t someone who discriminated in his brutality based on age or gender. To borrow an expression he often used, he “equally hated everyone like shit.” But still, how could he handle a young child so roughly? He wasn’t hurt anywhere, and even if he had been, why would he do this to a child who looked to be only five or six years old at most…

“Fuck, what kind of parents raised you to talk like that already?”

“Waa… waah! Mommy…! Daddy!”

Ki Tae-jeong swung the child around in the air. Then, as if spotting a familiar mark on the child’s anti-loss necklace, he laughed coldly.

“These bastards really…”

Without hesitation, Sehwa clung to Ki Tae-jeong.

“…”

He grabbed his waist in a way that almost looked like he was embracing him. The man’s body, hard as armor, the tightly woven muscles, twitched under Sehwa’s trembling fingertips.

“…, …please.”