[Main Story 11-01]
Early summer afternoon. Raindrops hang in the air.
A little girl walks on the sidewalk, stepping briskly.
A gingko leaf falls on the girl’s head.
She raises her hand and carefully places it in her pocket.
In a shop window, a round-eyed little bear smiles sweetly at the girl.
A camphor tree on the corner rustles in the wind,
and years slip by in the breeze.
The girl turns the corner and sees a smiling young woman.
“You finally came back”
I came to in a daze, the gentle face from my dream disappearing before my eyes.
*Gurgle* Bubbles sputtered out of an oxygen bottle overhead.
I looked around at a vast expanse of whiteness; it felt like I was in a dream.
I tried to lift my hand but didn’t have the strength. My eyes fell on an IV needle stuck in the back of my hand.
Am I alive?
Is this… a hospital? What’s going on?
I wiggled my body and felt a searing pain down my back, like something was torn.
I struggled to remember what happened. As if two large hands wiped the dust off my memory, the haze cleared.
I remembered that Victor and I were filming a reality show, and he was pulling me down a corridor.
And… and that indelible, heart-piercing pain.
And then, nothing at all.
What about Victor? Is he here too? How is he?
{{MC}}: …Victor!
I impulsively called out his name, my hoarse throat causing some discomfort.
The door opened, and I saw Victor’s stupefied face.
*Splat* A document fell from his hand onto the floor.
Victor’s throat quivered, and a million feelings flashed before his eyes, from shock to disbelief, and then replaced by joy and excitement.
In that instant, it was as if my memory lit up with sunshine squeezing in through the cracks.
I remember the boy I first met when I was five, and that nightmarish struggle between life and death.
I seemed to see rain suspended in the air behind Victor, and that boy with the soft eyes, holding pudding in his hands.
Time was overlapping, and fate repeating itself. He was the first person I saw when I opened my eyes.
My nose tingled for some reason, and I didn’t know quite what to say.
Victor was silent as well and just closed the door lightly and walked over to me.
I found myself wishing that he’d walk slower, giving me more time to think about what to say.
Should I ask him what happened after that day? Whether he was injured? Or whether he remembered that he saved me all those years ago?
Before I knew it, Victor was at my side.
Victor: …You’re awake?
{{MC}}: …Mmhmm.
Just two short words. Victor’s style as much as ever.
I felt a bit relieved. How could I be so silly, worrying so much just then…
I tried to sit up, but a surge of pain throughout my body prevented me from moving.
Victor: Awake and restless.
{{MC}}: Huh?
Victor frowned and tucked me back in without even asking. Only my face poked out from the blanket.
My round eyes stared out at him.
Victor suddenly stopped tucking in the blanket, and then quickly left the room as if remembering something.
{{MC}}: What are you…?
Victor: I just forgot… I’m going to get the doctor.
He took a glance back at me and then lightly shut the door.
Victor quickened his pace as he left. He didn’t forget, he was just stupid.
He wasn’t sure if the girl had really woken up, or if this was just his recurring dream.
He had so much he wanted to say, but the words stuck in his throat.
In the end, all he said was, “Awake and restless.”
Actually what he really wanted to say was, “I’m just glad you’re awake.”
[Main Story 11-03]
I lay still on the bed as the doctors carried out their examination.
Even though I had no idea what was going on, I was startled by the scene in front of me.
About a dozen doctors were all standing around the bed. It seemed a little over-the-top.
A doctor cranked the bed up and helped me roll over. I gritted my teeth at the pain and complied.
Wanting to see what my wound was like, I tried turning my head, but it was too painful.
Victor was suddenly at my side again. His hand lightly turned my head back and caressed my hair.
He must’ve known long before how bad the injury was, but still, seeing it for the first time, Victor’s finger twitched slightly.
His eyes lingered on the girl’s neck, the furrows in his brow twisting deeper than ever before.
The doctors quickly finished their examination, and Victor left with them.
Not long after, he came back carrying that document he had dropped and sat next to my bed.
{{MC}}: What did the doctors say?
Victor: The wound is deep, and it’s very serious. You’ll have to stay a while longer for observation.
{{MC}}: Oh… that bad… Will there be any permanent damage? Will I be here long…
Hearing him say that, I felt a panic. I wanted to sit up straight.
Victor: Don’t fidget.
{{MC}}: I couldn’t really fidget if I wanted to right now…
Victor’s eyes flashed momentarily.
Victor: I’m here. You don’t have to worry about anything.
{{MC}}: Okay… So how long do I have to stay in the hospital?
Victor: Two weeks.
{{MC}}: That long?
Victor: You were unconscious for a week. You think it’s just a scratch?
As soon as he said it, Victor felt regret. He paused, and then continued in a much gentler tone.
Victor: Two weeks isn’t a long time. If you need anything, just tell me.
{{MC}}: I see… wait, I was unconscious for one week?
Victor: Yes, a whole week.
My head suddenly hurt, like something was rattling around that I couldn’t pin down. I frowned.
Victor stood up and leaned in front of me.
Victor: What’s wrong?
He looked anxious, and I suddenly noticed his eyes were red, with heavy dark circles around them.
He said I was out for a week. Was he here the whole time? I couldn’t help but speak out.
{{MC}}: I’m fine.
{{MC}}: So… were you here the whole time?
Victor: Yes.
After making sure nothing was wrong, Victor settled back down.
{{MC}}: Here for one week?
Victor: Yes.
{{MC}}: S– seven days…
Victor had a look on his face like he was looking at an idiot.
Victor: There are only seven days in a week.
His voice sounded the same as usual. But just hearing it, I felt a soothing warmth wash over me.
This man who values time so much actually spent an entire week looking after me in the hospital.
If I hadn’t insisted he take part in the show, this whole thing wouldn’t have happened.
And I fell right in front of him, just like when we were little. He must feel responsible.
A wave of guilt came over me, and I couldn’t stop myself from saying–
{{MC}}: I’m sorry…
Victor: Why are you sorry?
{{MC}}: Filming that show that day was my mistake. I didn’t check out the details beforehand.
{{MC}}: …and I got you wrapped up in it.
{{MC}}: Were you hurt? What happened to the show after that?
Victor: …Don’t think too much about that. You need to get some rest.
Seemingly unwilling to continue this thread, he stood up. With great effort, I grabbed his shirt.
{{MC}}: But, I still wanna know.
Victor looked at me, and his brow twitched.
Victor: Get some rest first…
{{MC}}: I wake up and find myself lying here…
{{MC}}: And then you tell me that a week has gone by, and there’s all these doctors…
{{MC}}: I’m confused, but I don’t wanna be kept in the dark. I have a right to know…
Victor: And you’re so sure that I’ll know?
{{MC}}: I figure you’d go investigate… After all, you were pretty angry then…
Victor took in a breath, somewhat resigned.
Victor: HBS quickly called off the program and everyone on the staff was dismissed.
{{MC}}: And then?
Victor: They left this country for good and have given up on competing in this region.
{{MC}}: And… and that white light?
Hearing these two words, Victor’s eyes changed subtly.
Victor: Nothing like that will ever happen again.
Victor: I’m still investigating the rest. You just need to take it easy. Don’t worry about anything else.
Victor didn’t really give me a direct answer. He just kept insisting I stop thinking about it.
But how can I not think about it? I’ve felt a little flustered ever since I woke up.
Since the moment I saw him, little snatches of childhood memories with him have been coming back.
How did I all of a sudden start remembering these things? Are there more memories?
I thought hard, but my mind was clouded.
Why can I only remember things concerning Victor?
Why was the show’s set exactly the same as my childhood? And even the same thing happened again?
But all Victor told me was that it was a major misstep for the station, and HBS has left the market.
I don’t doubt his judgment, but is all that other stuff really just in my head?
Before I’d snapped out of my thoughts, Victor was already at the desk flipping through documents.
I finally started to really look around. It seemed more like a bedroom than a hospital room.
An armoire, sofa, desk, shelves– everything you could need, and a thick stack of documents on the desk that must belong to Victor.
My gaze rested on him. His chin was a little stubbly, and his clean shirt had some wrinkles in it.
Those details told me that he really had been staying here for a long time.
It seemed hard to reconcile that this somber-faced man and the youth that saved me from the car accident were the same person.
But looking again, I thought, they must be the same person.
Life is strange, sending me round in circles, reuniting with old flavors and old friends.
While I stared blankly at him, Victor flipped quickly through a few pages and then closed them.
He sighed and rubbed his forehead between his brows.
Victor: Now I’m certain that you like looking at my face.
This time it was a statement, not a question.
{{MC}}: No way, I was just looking at the document in your hand…
I just blurted out something, trying to fast-talk my way out of being caught with my guard down.
[Main Story 11-04]
Victor seemed to enjoy seeing me squirm, and he walked over to my bedside with eyebrows raised.
Victor: I made an error of judgment.
{{MC}}: Oh? What’s that?
Victor: I underestimated your strength.
Victor: As talkative as you are, you don’t seem like a patient at all.
With that, he sat down and picked up the chart on the bed.
Victor: You still have one more IV tonight.
You make quite the nurse… I quipped silently to myself.
Victor pressed the call bell, and a nurse hurried in to take out my needle.
{{MC}}: Victor…
Victor: What is it?
{{MC}}: I’m hungry…
Hearing me say that, a somewhat resigned frown came over Victor’s face.
Victor: You were so talkative once you woke up, I thought you wouldn’t be hungry.
Victor: What do you want to eat?
{{MC}}: I can have anything? I’m really not picky…
Hearing those words, Victor gave a rare look of delight.
{{MC}}: I suddenly have a craving for fried chicken now. I guess people always wanna eat high-calorie food no matter when…
Victor furrowed his brow and cut me off.
Victor: It seems I shouldn’t leave this decision to you. A sick person shouldn’t be eating any fried foods.
{{MC}}: But you said I could choose.
Victor: Well now I’m rescinding that authority.
{{MC}}: So that’s being taken away from me too. I think I’ve lost my appetite…
Victor: Is that so? Then I guess I’ll have Mr. Mills take back the ingredients.
Although that’s what he said, Victor was still standing by my bedside.
{{MC}}: Hang on! It’s Souvenir’s food?
{{MC}}: I suddenly wish to eat again… Thank you, Chef!
A smile crept across Victor’s face, but it was quickly suppressed. He opened his mouth:
{{MC}}: …Let me guess, you’re going to call me an idiot.
Victor: You guessed wrong… dummy.
Watching Victor go, I suddenly realized that at some point we’d fallen back into our old rhythm.
Easy-going, not a hint of pressure, sometimes squabbling, yet as at ease as could be.
There are some things from the past that we both still won’t bring up. Perhaps now’s not the best time.
I’ll talk about it with him later. And then give him a heartfelt thank you, for all those years ago.
The next time Victor came in, he was carrying a bowl.
The bowl was separated into two halves. On one side was a clear porridge, and the other was a mountain of mashed sweet potatoes and blueberries.
{{MC}}: Is this Souvenir’s first hospital meal?
Victor: Yes.
{{MC}}: Lucky me! Actually, I’m also the first to have had Souvenir’s takeout pudding.
Victor: You truly are easy to please.
{{MC}}: Its rarity makes it precious.
I smiled at Victor, and through the steam I could see him pause.
Victor: …You shouldn’t talk so much while you eat.
{{MC}}: Yep…
I wanted to take the spoon from Victor’s hand, but as soon as I lifted mine, it pulled on my back. My whole body erupted in pain.
Seeing me so, Victor took the spoon and held it up to my mouth. His movements were a bit stiff, as if he’d never done this before.
Victor: Open wide.
I obediently opened my mouth and drank down the porridge one spoonful after another.
Maybe it was because Victor told me not to talk, but also maybe because it was incredibly delicious.
We didn’t say much, just a loop of Victor feeding me a bite, and me eating it.
He fed me very attentively. And the food truly tasted good.
{{MC}}: I never knew porridge could taste so good…
Victor: You think everything tastes good.
{{MC}}: Not true. That inauthentic hotdog stand outside our building isn’t any good…
{{MC}}: And… and my own cooking…
My voice grew quieter and quieter. Victor laughed, his mouth curving in a handsome arc.
Victor: That’s actually quite self-aware of you.
I nodded but could feel something wasn’t right. I was obviously praising him, but it’s getting at me again…
Victor put down the bowl and wiped his hands. I couldn’t help but laugh at how he looked.
Victor: What’s so funny?
{{MC}}: Nothing, nothing.
Victor: Do you think I have poor eyesight and hearing?
{{MC}}: If I say, you can’t get mad…
Victor: That depends on what you say.
{{MC}}: I just thought, the way you looked just now was quite… like… what’s the word, a homemaker?
In the past, Victor’s face would’ve sunk, but today his face remained the same.
He just stared at my face as if he was thinking. Is he showing his kindness to a sick person?
Victor: …I suppose I shouldn’t place high hopes on your vocabulary skills.
He picked up the bowl and prepared to leave the room.
{{MC}}: Um, thank you… not just for the meal. Thanks.
Victor paused his step. As he pulled open the door, the sunshine hit his lips again.
Victor: You’ve got some rice on your face. It looks silly.
I turned my head and looked at the bedside mirror. There was indeed rice on my face, making me look quite foolish.
Victor, you old… Of course he waits to tell me! There I go looking a fool in front of him again!
[Main Story 11-06]
As I lay in the bed all by myself and bored stiff, a knock came at the door.
Since waking, I hadn’t seen anyone but Victor. The hospital seemed pretty strict. Who could it be?
??: {{mc}}, it’s me.
That familiar voice. It must’ve been ages since I’d heard it. It was him.
{{MC}}: Lucien…
A shadow under the door flickered. Seems he had been standing there a long time.
Lucien: Can I come in?
{{MC}}: Yeah, the door’s not locked.
The door opened. Lucien was once again holding a bouquet of flowers, standing there.
A familiar scene, a familiar face. I was instantly taken back to that autumn, when we went on an excursion together.
Lucien opened his mouth but said nothing. He just sighed and walked over to me.
{{MC}}: What are you doing here?
Lucien: …I’m here to see you.
{{MC}}: Thank you… but how did you know I was here?
Lucien: If you want to know something, there’s always a way.
{{MC}}: Huh?
I was a bit puzzled. Lucien laughed, but didn’t say any more.
His gaze swept over my face, pausing when it reached my neck.
Lucien: Does it hurt?
{{MC}}: A little… but it’s much better.
Lucien placed the flowers by the bedside. The lavender, delicate petals glistened like a dream.
{{MC}}: Are these… bellflowers?
Lucien: Correct.
{{MC}}: But bellflowers aren’t in season right now, are they?
Lucien: That’s what I thought, but this morning I looked out my window and saw them.
{{MC}}: How strange… Such a beautiful bloom…
I breathed deep. The light fragrance lingered in my nose.
Lucien’s gaze hovered over the flowers, seemingly filled with both pity and resignation.
Lucien: Yes. As soon as I saw it, I wanted to give it to you.
{{MC}}: I suddenly remembered something you said before.
{{MC}}: When these unlikely events happen, it gives people a feeling that fate is real. Like the flowers, right?
Lucien: Yes, it is fate. It’s also a miracle.
{{MC}}: I thought you were going to say accident.
Hearing this, Lucien’s eyes misted over, but when he spoke, his voice was light.
Lucien: Accident…?
He let out a laugh, seemingly talking to himself.
Lucien: Actually, many things that seem like accidents are anything but.
He said this with certainty. I blinked confusedly.
Lucien: Whether they’re things of the present, or the distant past, they are no accidents.
{{MC}}: I… don’t seem to understand…
Lucien: You will.
Lucien reached out a hand and held it above my head for a long while… then he took it back.
Then there was silence. Lucien just sat there quietly, with an emotion in his eyes that I didn’t understand.
Even though he was sitting right beside me, I suddenly felt he was very far away.
The sound of footsteps snapped me out of my thoughts. Victor was standing in the doorway, his eyes pausing briefly on Lucien.
Victor walked over to my bed, exchanging looks with Lucien.
One swift and fierce, one clear and cold, they stared noiselessly at each other.
Is this their first time meeting? Why are they not saying anything? How strange…
I coughed, preparing to introduce them to one another.
{{MC}}: Um… Victor, this is Lucien, a neuroscience…
Victor: Hello.
Victor cut me off, extending a hand.
Oh? Does Victor know Lucien? I turned and saw that Lucien was extending his hand too.
Lucien: Hello. I didn’t know you were at the hospital as well.
Victor: I’ve been here the whole time.
After a light handshake, Lucien and Victor let go. The expressions on their faces left unchanged.
Lucien: You get some rest. I must be going.
After a bit of silence, Lucien said that to me.
{{MC}}: Alright, and you be careful on the road.
Lucien’s throat trembled slightly, and then he laughed in a subdued and smooth tone.
Lucien: Alright.
He walked toward the door, and as he passed by Victor, the two locked eyes again for a moment.
When Lucien had left the room, I could feel the air of tension slowly dissipate.
Victor lowered his head in thought for a moment and then left the room as well.
Why did Lucien seem so strange today, and Victor too…
Victor closed the door and turned around to see Lucien standing at a window in the hallway. The sunlight split his face in two, half dark and half light.
Lucien turned and looked at Victor. As he spoke, his voice had a hint of guiding and exhortation.
Lucien: You really think what you’re doing is for her benefit?
Victor’s expression fiercened, and his deep gaze locked onto Lucien.
Lucien: She has a right to know the truth.
Victor: This has nothing to do with you.
His words were like a razor-sharp blade, pointed at Lucien.
Lucien gave a chuckle and turned around, the darkness swallowing his entire face.
Lucien: In 1908, an explosion occurred in the U.S. at the White House. There were no casualties, but those at the scene said they never experienced the explosion.
Lucien: You can’t presume in what state the cat will emerge from the box, nor how it will emerge.
Victor: I’ve never presumed anything.
Victor: There is only one path this world can take, and it is determined by my choice.
Lucien: But what if… you are in the box as well?
With that, Lucien turned and left. Not a second later, he had already disappeared from the long, long hallway.
Victor looked at the now empty hallway, and his eyes widened.
He always knew there was an unknown power hidden around him, but only at this moment did he realize how powerful it was.
Behind that calm and collected man was a vast web. Dense, strong, and unfathomable.
But this time, he would be ready.
Victor walked into the room. He didn’t realize that where he was just standing, a little black hole had appeared, like it had been ripped open.
Only, it disappeared very quickly.
[Main Story 11-08]
{{MC}}: Do you know Lucien?
As soon as Victor returned to the room, I looked questioningly at him.
Victor: Yes.
{{MC}}: So, you two…
While I was thinking about what to ask, Victor had walked over to my bedside.
Victor: Alright, get some sleep now. You’ve had a busy morning. Aren’t you tired?
Seeing that Victor didn’t want to talk about it, I obediently closed my eyes.
Victor stood by my bed watching me. When he was sure I’d fallen asleep, he quietly walked away.
I closed my eyes tightly, trying to make it look like I was sleeping.
But I couldn’t sleep at all. As I soon as I closed my eyes, my head was swirling with thoughts.
I huddled under the blanket, and through squinting eyes watched Victor sitting by the desk. From the stack of documents, he took out a sealed pouch. He had a heavy look on his face.
Victor’s stared at the paper for a long while. His hand gripped it tightly, knuckles turning white.
I’d never seen Victor look so nervous and stern. Something must have happened.
Victor suddenly looked up at me, catching me off guard. I quickly closed me eyes and rolled over.
I could hear Victor’s footsteps. He seemed to have walked to the door, then hurriedly closed it.
I then opened my eyes and looked at the desk. That sealed pouch wasn’t there anymore.
I had a faint feeling of unrest and secrecy in the air, and that it had to do with me.
Just like that, it was already the fourth day since I’d woken up.
At first I thought such a serious injury would take a long time to heal, but it was getting better way much faster than I’d imagined.
The wound was already pretty much healed up, and I was feeling better and better each day.
Everything seemed to be going well.
However, even though each day passed peacefully, I still had some worries I couldn’t get over, especially when Victor would clam up on me.
{{MC}}: Victor, don’t you think my wound is pretty much all better…
Victor: Oh? I don’t think so.
Victor didn’t lift his head as he flipped quickly through a document. He seemed quite busy.
{{MC}}: Seriously? It’s all healed, and I can get out of bed and move around. It doesn’t even hurt…
{{MC}}: I can go up eight flights of stairs and not get winded…
Victor: Just what are you trying to say?
{{MC}}: How much longer do I need to recuperate here? I wanna leave the hospital.
Victor: Still half a month.
{{MC}}: But you said before it’d be half a month total. I feel uneasy here…
Victor paused in mid-page-flip and looked up at me.
Victor: You’re with me. There’s nothing to feel uneasy about.
{{MC}}: It’s not that. It’s just that I feel cooped up, frazzled, and I haven’t been to work in ages…
Victor stopped and thought for a moment.
Victor: At least 10 days. You can slowly start resuming your work in here.
Victor: But this is all on the condition that the doctors give the okay. If not, I won’t let you go.
His tone was stern, but he had a point. I had no counterargument and nodded my head.
Since making the 10-day deal with Victor, I was always compliant and gotten plenty of rest.
And Victor was true to his word. With the doctor’s go-ahead, he brought me some work each day.
They were all just drafts needing my final approval, but it was nice to ease back into work.
And so, the two of us started working in the hospital room together.
He did his work, and I worked on my projects. Occasionally I’d look up and find him looking at me.
Our eyes would meet, then we’d keep working. Hours would pass in silence, but it was never awkward.
Being with Victor felt like old times, although he could still be sharp-tongued at times.
{{MC}}: You know, it’s been ages since I’ve seen Anna. I wonder how everyone is doing…
I looked at Victor, buried in his work, and tried to sound ingratiating.
{{MC}}: Tomorrow’s the weekend. Could I invite Anna and the others here?
Victor: …You guys would blow the roof off the hospital.
{{MC}}: Would not!
I was going to argue back, but then I thought, wait a sec– I’m the one in the hospital. Why am I seeking Victor’s approval?
It finally dawned on me that ever since I’d woken up, he’d been making all my decisions for me. And I just went blithely along with them.
{{MC}}: But I really want to see them. I’m stuck in here every day, cut off from the outside world…
Victor opened his mouth to speak, but then his phone started vibrating on the desk.
As he looked at the call, his brow creased. He shut it off, put down his document, and stood up.
Victor: We’ll discuss this again tomorrow. I have to go now.
He held on tight to his phone and left in a hurry, seemingly agitated.
{{MC}}: I guess Victor really is busy lately…
(Kiro’s Call: Major Decision)
[Main Story 11-09]
The next day, I was scared awake by my own hallucination. When I opened my eyes, Anna, Kiki and Willow were standing by my bed.
{{MC}}: I must really miss them. I’m even seeing them as hallucinations…
Kiki: Boss! Ooooohhhh, I’ve missed you too!
As Kiki lunged at me I realized, this wasn’t a dream.
{{MC}}: How did you guys get here?
Anna: Goldman brought us.
Anna: Oh yeah, he also wanted us to tell you, Mr. Victor won’t be coming this morning.
I suddenly remembered the request I’d made to Victor yesterday. I guess he’d remembered.
Anna also told me that during this time Victor had been looking after my company. Not only did he assign a dedicated team, but he also approved projects personally.
Not only that, he was also coming here every day to look after me. I started to feel all choked up.
Before Anna left, she left me a copy of Miracle Finder’s latest proposal for me to review.
When I wanted to make some notes, I realized I didn’t have a pen.
I went over to Victor’s desk to borrow one and accidentally bumped the corner of it, spilling papers on the floor.
I hastily picked them up and was about to put them away, when a document with “HBS” printed in big letters across the top caught my eye.
All of a sudden, the image of Victor’s scowling face as he read a document floated through my mind.
I knew what I was doing wasn’t right, but I found myself reading it anyway.
The document showed that the largest investor behind HBS was BLACK SWAN.
My mind instantly jumped to that sentence written on the wall in the secret room…
The Black Swan Collective. We come from the future, with the sole mission to accelerate human evolution.
We have Evol. We create all. We cannot be stopped, for we hold the world in our hands.
Could it be that the incident at the film set was related with this organization called Black Swan?
Is this the information that Victor had uncovered?
All he told me was it was a TV station problem, but my intuition told me it wasn’t that simple…
Remembering the glint in his eye and his air of avoidance when he answered me, my hand trembled.
Why didn’t he tell me?
*Click*
The door handle turned, and I instinctively shoved the file back into the pile on the desk.
The door opened, and there stood Victor. I held my hands behind my back, laughing embarrassedly.
Victor: Why are you standing there?
{{MC}}: I– I was looking for a pen.
Victor gave me a look, picked the pen up off the table, and handed it to me.
Victor: Here.
{{MC}}: Thanks… I also need a sheet of paper…
Victor opened a drawer, took out a pad of paper, and handed it to me.
I took it and walked back to the bed, my heart in my throat, worried he would call out and stop me.
Victor: {{mc}}, wait.
{{MC}}: Wh– what is it?
Victor: Today’s work.
He gave me a folder and took a breath.
Victor: {{mc}}, hold on a minute.
{{MC}}: Wh– what is it?
Victor: Are you maybe not feeling well?
Before he finished, he was in front of me, his large hand on my forehead.
{{MC}}: No, I’m fine…
{{MC}}: (Whisper) It’s just you keep saying my name and scaring me. I’m in a cold sweat.
Victor: What are you whispering?
{{MC}}: N– Nothing…
Victor: …When I came in I saw you standing by the desk looking foolish. Are you starting trouble again?
{{MC}}: Since when do I start trouble…
Victor: When are you not starting trouble?
{{MC}}: Well, have you ever heard the saying that causing a problem is the first step to solving it?
Victor let out a laugh.
Victor: You’re stretching that one a little thin.
Victor didn’t seem to detect anything off with me. He returned to the desk and went about his work.
All I could think about was what I just saw. I debated whether I should just ask him about it…
I snuck a peek at him, then slowly lowered my head, then looked again. After several times, Victor could no longer contain himself.
Victor: …Just what is it you want?
{{MC}}: Victor, I’m going to ask you something, and you can’t lie.
I tried to look as serious as possible, and Victor seemed to acquiesce.
Victor: Ask.
{{MC}}: …Is there anything important that you haven’t told me?
I kept my eyes fixed on Victor, but his expression didn’t change a bit.
After a few seconds of silence, Victor opened his mouth, cool as could be.
Victor: There is.
{{MC}}: What?
He arched his eyebrows, eyes darting to the side.
Victor: You really have terrible sleep habits.
{{MC}}: …Hey!
Seeing that he’d gotten a rise out of me, Victor smiled almost imperceptibly.
I turned away, but in the corner of my eye, I could see Victor had locked that file in the drawer. Suddenly it was clear to me.
Even if I asked him now, he wouldn’t tell me.
I knew that he had to have his reasons.
So right now, all I could do was trust his judgment.
Maybe at the right time, he’ll come out and tell me everything on his own.
[Main Story 11-11]
Victor has really been busier and busier.
It wasn’t just all the coming and going and constant phone calls. His face was getting more drawn, and the circles around his eyes darker.
Intuition told me LFG would never keep him this busy. He seemed to have more important matters.
And even so, he was still coming to the hospital every day to take care of me…
{{MC}}: Victor! Um… You don’t need to keep coming here.
Victor halted his step and regarded me strangely.
{{MC}}: I’m almost all better, and I’m in great spirits. I could blow the roof off this place…
Hearing this, Victor’s mouth curled up in a slight smile.
{{MC}}: So you don’t need to come every day. Besides, I’ll be out in two more days.
I faced Victor and gave a big smile, trying to reassure him.
Victor: …People who can’t keep a blanket on them while they sleep have no place making such a statement.
{{MC}}: …!! When was that?
Victor: Yesterday.
{{MC}}: I thought you left yesterday?
Victor: I came back to pick up a few things, and saw you looking like that.
{{MC}}: Oh…
Victor: Well, why are you telling me this all of a sudden?
Victor stopped flipping through his document, like he was about to dig deeper into the topic.
Victor: Do you think I don’t have the ability to take care of the company and you at the same time?
{{MC}}: No… you can always do whatever you put your mind to.
{{MC}}: Really, I’ve thought about it awhile. I promise I can take care of myself.
Victor arched his eyebrows, not seeming to really buy what I just said.
{{MC}}: So that’s that. Starting tomorrow you don’t need to come. Thanks for the help!
Much to my chagrin, Victor pondered it for a few seconds and then agreed.
That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Victor was really agreeable today. After all, since I’ve been in this hospital, he’s been a lot sterner than before about everything.
Not letting me do this or that, ordering all my meals himself…He looked so nervous all the time.
He might not have said it, but I thought he must be feeling guilty, and that’s why he was looking after me like this.
Ugh, when can I get out of this hospital. That’s something I still can’t get past…
While thinking this, I suddenly heard a rustling sound, unusually clear in the otherwise quiet room.
It seemed to come from the hallway…
I gripped my blanket, slowed my breathing, and pricked up my ears to make out what it was.
The sound fell quiet, and then started again, mixed with a crackling sound of electricity. Goosebumps ran up and down my body.
I pressed the call bell at the head of the bed several times, but there was no response.
Victor said before that I was the only person staying on this floor… What now…
I forced myself to stay calm. After all, I had just said to Victor I could take care of myself…
I gently turned on the light, picked up the hardest folder lying around, and slowly got out of bed.
There was a sudden *pow*, and everything went black. The sound of broken glass came from the hall. I was starting to lose consciousness…
As if someone was pulling me, I couldn’t control my feet anymore and sat down with a heavy thud!
Just then, a fierce wind blew aside the curtains. The howling wind filled the entire room!
I held my head, and just when I was about to go unconscious, the electric sound abruptly stopped.
Not just the electricity… Everything had gone silent.
My eyes were squeezed shut, and my heart was about to jump out of my throat–
Just then, two hands steadied my shoulders.
{{MC}}: Ah———!!! Help!!!!
??: Open your eyes and see who it is.
[Main Story 11-12]
That voice… that voice!
My heart instantly fell back into my chest. I lifted my head and slowly opened my eyes.
Light flooded my vision. Standing before me, looking grim-faced, was Victor.
He looked at the wide-open window, and then locked eyes on me, his chest still heaving a bit.
Victor: Are you okay?
I shook my head. I felt dizzy, and I was still dwelling on that strange sound just then.
{{MC}}: Just– just now…
I pointed in panic to the light overhead and was shocked to discover a wall painting stuck silently in mid-air.
Not just that, but the billowing curtains, the shadows, and the ticking clock… were all frozen.
The whole world was still except for the beating of Victor’s heart and mine.
Ba-dump, ba-dump…
Just like that, I stared in shock at Victor. He was a little anxious and panicked.
After looking me over carefully, Victor let out a sigh.
Victor: The electricity went out just then.
Then his gaze paused on my bare feet.
Victor: I take back that promise I made earlier. You don’t have the ability to take care of yourself at all.
No sooner had he said that, then Victor picked me up in his arms.
He held me in his arms gently but firmly.
Victor: It’s clear you don’t want to get better.
{{MC}}: No, that’s not it. That really scared me just then. I was in a panic…
I blinked, and I started tearing up as the emotions caught up with me.
Victor opened his mouth, seemingly to reproach me for something, but in the end he said nothing.
He put me on the hospital bed, and then without a word he squatted down and put my socks on for me.
Looking at the back of Victor’s head, I couldn’t help but think that since I’d known him, I always had to look up at him.
And now, he was squatting before me like it was nothing… It felt like a gentle sea breeze in my heart.
I just stared blankly like this at Victor, not even looking away when he stood up.
Victor: Were you scared stupid?
Seeing the blank look on my face, Victor frowned slightly.
After over a minute like that, Victor let out a sigh and squatted down so we were eye-level.
He took my hand and patted the back of it lightly.
Victor: Scared?
Victor’s tone was gentle, a reassuring glow in his black eyes.
I snapped to and hesitantly shook my head.
I don’t know why, but just looking at him like this, my heartbeat was calm and steady.
Seeing that I looked normal, Victor strode over to the window and closed it shut.
Then, he looked at the window for a long time.
{{MC}}: I distinctly remember closing the window before going to sleep…
I suddenly remembered the sound of breaking glass I’d heard, but the window was perfectly fine.
Was that actually all in my head?
{{MC}}: But…
Victor: Enough. Don’t let your imagination run wild. It was just a normal power outage.
Victor: With me here, nothing will happen.
Victor’s promise seemed proof that I really was imagining things.
{{MC}}: But, how were you here in the first place? It’s the middle of the night.
Victor: I was in the next room over.
{{MC}}: The next room over? So you never left the whole time?
Victor: I’m still clear on what’s more important.
{{MC}}: …Thank you.
Victor: Get some sleep now.
Victor’s tone was strict and left me no room to argue.
{{MC}}: …I can’t sleep. I was already feeling anxious.
{{MC}}: Now I’m even more restless…
Victor stared a long while at me, then he sighed and walked quickly from the room. When he returned, he was carrying a jacket.
Victor: Put this on.
{{MC}}: Are we going out? You want to go for a walk or something?
Victor shot me a look that said “zip it.” I obediently put on the jacket with no further questions.
[Main Story 11-14]
I walked with Victor to the locked window. The moment he drew back the curtain, my mouth fell open.
A glass-encased balcony appeared before me, the deep night sky above me and the city lights below.
{{MC}}: It’s beautiful here…
Victor pulled up a chair and motioned for me to sit. He stood with his hands gripping the railing.
{{MC}}: I never realized there was a balcony like this here! But why are we here?
Victor: Don’t you want to release some anxiety? This is my method.
Victor’s method?
A powerful man like Victor… has moments of anxiety too?
{{MC}}: You’re telling me that looking up at the sky can relieve anxiety?
Victor: No, look down.
Victor: When the whole city is at your feet, your anxieties just melt away.
He seemed to be saying this to me, but also to himself.
I followed Victor’s gaze downward to the city ablaze with lights and the streets flowing with traffic even at this late hour.
I couldn’t make out any pedestrians, but the flickering lights seemed to give me some peace and warmth.
I looked up again at Victor’s back. Is he feeling the same feelings I am right now?
{{MC}}: I used to think looking up at the sky was nice. I never imagined looking down over the city could be this nice too.
Victor: This is not difficult.
{{MC}}: What?
Victor: If you want it, you can achieve this too.
Victor looked forward, his mouth curved in a gentle arc. Was he giving me encouragement?
I’d never seen this side of Victor, stripped of his former fierceness and pride, his head bathed in gentle moonlight.
Maybe it was the excessive tenderness of the moment, but I couldn’t help but ask what was on my mind.
{{MC}}: You have moments of anxiety too?
Victor turned around, legs crossed and leaning back on the railing. Under the moonlight, his eyes looked languid and bright.
Victor: I do.
{{MC}}: This is the first time I’ve heard you say something like that.
Victor didn’t make some retort like usual. He just arched his brow, signaling to me to go on.
{{MC}}: I’ve always thought there’s nothing you can’t do, that you have it all.
{{MC}}: That anxiety is a word that has nothing to do with you.
Victor walked over to me and sat down.
Victor: Work and life have never had an effect on my emotions.
Victor: But there’s one person in this world that I have never been able to stop worrying about.
I turned and stared blankly at his face.
Feeling my eyes on him, Victor smiled, and when he spoke again, I could hear laughter in his voice.
Victor: I would love to know what you’re thinking every time you stare at my face like that.
{{MC}}: I am clearly looking at that star over there…
Victor looked up at the starless sky and chuckled, but said nothing.
{{MC}}: Actually, I was thinking that it seems you’re not the same Victor I remember…
Victor: You mean you don’t see me as a humorless poker face?
{{MC}}: You still remember…
Victor: You always bring it up to me. It would be difficult to forget.
{{MC}}: After all, whenever I start to look at you, you put on a straight face…
{{MC}}: But I think since I’ve awoken, you seem a little different.
{{MC}}: Not as sharp-tongued as before. You’re easy to get along with most of the time.
{{MC}}: Only sometimes, you’re a little assertive.
Victor: How so?
{{MC}}: Like about what I eat, or only giving me one file to work on, or insisting I’m asleep by nine…
Victor didn’t respond. He just looked through the wide open window, with a look in his eyes seeming to say to me: See, this is what happens when you look after yourself.
I wanted to argue back, but there was nothing I could say.
{{MC}}: You’ve been taking such good care of me lately… Is it because I saved you?
Is it guilt that’s driving you to protect me, to hide those things from me?
I looked at Victor and tentatively voiced the doubts looming in my heart all this time.
Only, I didn’t say the second question out loud.
Victor: Not entirely.
{{MC}}: Then why? Is it when we were little…
Victor: You were only five years old then.
{{MC}}: …Why don’t I understand?
Victor: …Because, you are an idiot.
{{MC}}: Again with treating me like an idiot!
Victor: Admitting you’re an idiot is the first step to solving your problems.
I wasn’t expecting Victor to turn that line back around on me. I felt flustered and blushed.
We didn’t speak again and just watched the gentle lights as the night grew steadily quieter.
Just like Victor had said, sitting here did put me at peace. I slowly let down my guard. Staring into the distance, I mumbled:
{{MC}}: Honestly, I don’t want to just hide in a safe place… always being protected…
{{MC}}: I also don’t want to always be treated like an idiot.
Staring off into the city, I didn’t realize that Victor had been looking at me for a long time.
Maybe it was the peaceful night. My mind was like a placid lake, reflecting the pure moonlight.
Drowsiness swept over me, and the city lights blurred into a haze as my eyelids fell.
Feeling a weight on his shoulder, Victor turned and found the girl had fallen asleep.
Victor: You can fall asleep anytime, anywhere. You really are unguarded.
Victor: You’ve been wondering all day, and when I tell you, you don’t understand. Isn’t that idiotic?
Victor: I have nothing but guilt and regret towards childhood you. Understand?
Only a few of the multitude of apartment lights below were lit. The whole city was pitch black.
Victor turned and looked at the securely closed window, his dark eyes merging with the black night, hiding the light within.
Starting just then, the aura of danger constantly swirling in the air had solidified.
Victor turned to look at the sleeping girl.
His breathing gradually joined with hers, slow and tender.
Victor: I will pay any price to keep you far away from that danger and discord…
Victor: I will let you do what you want to do, but right now is not the time.
Victor: So, you need to behave.
Victor lifted his head and saw that the clear night sky was now clouded over. The land in the distance was shrouded in a black wind.
He stayed like this watching the skies for a long while.
Victor could feel that a storm was about come.
[Main Story 11-16]
The day had finally come that I could leave the hospital. After going through all the paperwork, I was sitting in Victor’s car.
I thanked him for everything recently. He didn’t say anything, just drove me home.
Victor: I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning at nine. Don’t be late.
{{MC}}: Huh?
Victor: There is no haggling with time.
{{MC}}: Wait, can you say that again?
Victor: I don’t recall your hearing being that bad before. I’ll pick you up for work tomorrow at nine.
I was a bit dumbfounded. Was… was this the same Victor? No sooner had I thought it than I blurted it out.
{{MC}}: Are you sure you’re Victor…?
Victor: …Are you sure you’re a fool?
Yep, that’s him.
{{MC}}: But you’re so busy…
Victor: That has nothing to do with taking you to and from work. Enough, I have to get back to the office. Don’t be late tomorrow.
Before I could argue back, Victor just rolled up the window and sped off, leaving me standing there in a daze.
Morning, the next day–
{{MC}}: Thanks, you can just drop me at the intersection. I’ll cross the street myself.
Victor: I’ll make a U-turn.
{{MC}}: It’s okay. I can walk across myself…
Two minutes later, the car eased to a stop in front of the office.
{{MC}}: Well, thank you. You be care–
Victor: Don’t be late getting off work.
Without waiting for a response, Victor barked that command at me and sped off again.
{{MC}}: Hey, hey, haven’t you ever heard of giving someone else a turn to speak?!
As I walked into the office building, I noticed two lines of unfamiliar security guards standing in the lobby, looking quite stern.
{{MC}}: Kiki, why are there so many security guards in our building?
Kiki: You don’t know? Yesterday all the security in the building was switched out, especially our floor.
After hearing Kiki say that, I realized there were also unfamiliar faces at our office’s entrance.
Kiki: Building management said this area hasn’t been so safe lately, so they’re beefing up security.
That had me worried for a bit, but life seemed to return to normal. Peaceful, yet busy.
Only, I sometimes got the feeling that someone was watching me, but I never saw anyone.
Today, as I was hurrying to the conference room, I accidentally ran into Minor coming the other way with a full cup in his hand.
{{MC}}: Aaah!
Minor: My super-expensive civet coffee!
The coffee was knocked over and splashed my wrist. He frantically helped me wipe it up.
Minor: Ugh, I’m so stupid. Boss, did it scald you…?
Before he even touched my wrist, a strange man grabbed his arm and clamped it behind his back.
Minor: Oww, that hurts! Who are you people!?
Two other men wearing building management uniforms appeared beside me, separating Minor and me.
??: Miss {{mc}}, are you alright?
{{MC}}: I’m fine. Who are you guys?? What are you doing? Let him go!
??: This person’s identity is unknown, and he just threatened the safety of Ms. {{mc}}. We are responsible for your personal safety.
{{MC}}: He’s my coworker! That was just an accident!
Minor nodded his head, his face red with pain.
Minor: It’s true! Not only coworkers, we went to the same high school. We’ve been friends for years!
They remained alert and only grudgingly let Minor go after I had explained things several times.
After repeatedly confirming what I’d said was true, they nodded to me and prepared to leave.
{{MC}}: Hang on, aren’t you guys building security? What are you doing in our company’s offices?
{{MC}}: And also, what’s that you said about being responsible for my personal safety?
The men looked back and forth at each other, seemingly not willing to speak.
I suddenly remembered how I’d felt like I was being watched. It must’ve been these guys.
{{MC}}: Just who are you guys?
??: We are your personal bodyguards, Ms. {{mc}}, responsible for your safety.
{{MC}}: I’ve never had bodyguards before. Who sent you here?
They were silent. No matter how I asked, they weren’t telling me who sent them.
But in my mind one name clearly rose to the surface– it could only be him.
I called Victor’s number.
Victor: What is it?
{{MC}}: There are people here claiming to be my bodyguards. This wouldn’t be your doing, would it…?
There was a pause for several seconds on Victor’s end of the line.
Victor: It would.
{{MC}}: Why?
Victor: Ensuring your safety.
{{MC}}: I see, but why didn’t you tell me?
Victor: I didn’t want you to start worrying.
{{MC}}: …Isn’t this a little overboard? I’m really fine. I don’t need…
Before I finished, Victor interrupted me.
Victor: The investment group behind HBS is actually an international tycoon with a criminal record, whose reach extends to Loveland City.
Did he really just say that to me? Isn’t that what I saw in the file? Was he actually planning to tell me this time?
Victor: What happened last time was just an accident, but I still cannot 100% confirm your safety, so these bodyguards are a necessity.
{{MC}}: But…
Victor: No buts. I said before, that kind of thing won’t happen again.
{{MC}}: …Okay.
Victor: Bye.
As I hung up, I still felt a little gloomy. Sure, Victor was doing what’s best for me, but it still felt a little strange.
(Victor’s call: Daily Care)
(Victor’s call: Space & Safety)
[Main Story 11-19]
Having bodyguards around made my life weird, but knowing that Victor was only looking out for me, I decide to just get used to it.
As life went on, those things that used to worry me became less troublesome with each passing day.
But peace doesn’t mean a lack of danger. I couldn’t forget the truth behind it all.
At the same time, aside from looming danger becoming a regular part of my life, there was also Victor.
Not only would he call every day asking about what had happened, and drop me off and pick me up right on time, but even the bodyguards didn’t stay hidden anymore.
Wherever I went, they followed. I couldn’t help but feel more and more hemmed in.
I protested to Victor many times, and every time his answer back was, “Safety first.”
Up until today–
One of my father’s old friends had come to visit me, and even had a new collaboration project, but he was barred at the door by the bodyguards.
I brought the man into the office, but unexpectedly five guards came in too and stood around us.
Things may seem inconsequential, but there’s always a straw that breaks the camel’s back. Like now.
I felt a little angry, and after stewing about it all afternoon, I hurried over to LFG.
The whole way there, I thought about my personal space getting crowded out by these guards.
An otherwise peaceful day thrown into chaos by bodyguards. I couldn’t contain myself anymore.
Clearly I knew he was looking out for me, but I was getting a little tired of it. I needed to have it out with him today.
I knocked on Victor’s office door. He was a bit shocked to see me and closed the file in his hand.
{{MC}}: Are you free? There’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time, and I want to discuss it with you today.
Victor: Speak.
{{MC}}: Can you call off these personal guards? Just leave the ones that are guarding the office.
Victor: Why?
After only a second’s pause, when Victor spoke again, it was like he was talking to himself–
Victor: …This is about personal space, isn’t it?
{{MC}}: Yes… I understand the danger you’ve spoken of, but I’m not a little kid. I know safety is important.
Victor: And personal freedom is at odds with that.
{{MC}}: I know, but now I pretty much have none left…
{{MC}}: I sincerely promise that I’ll be good. I won’t act rashly! You need to trust me.
After looking at me for a while, Victor nodded his head.
Victor: I do trust you. Likewise, you need to trust my decisions.
{{MC}}: So…
Victor: So, I won’t call off the bodyguards.
Victor spoke with finality, leaving absolutely no room for discussion.
The air suddenly became cold. I stood there, completely at a loss.
Why is it that every time I want to talk something out with Victor, it always ends so abruptly…
In my distraught state, I just blurted out what I was thinking.
{{MC}}: Why are you always so domineering and unreasonable?
The light in Victor’s eyes intensified. He looked at me with his mouth pursed tightly.
{{MC}}: I understand your intentions, and I also understand how scary the danger is.
{{MC}}: But I don’t want to just remain in the dark hiding behind you like this.
{{MC}}: Perhaps I’ll never feel danger this way, but is this really what you want?
{{MC}}: I understand your guilt, but… but…
{{MC}}: It has been really hard for me lately… they… it’s like I’m being monitored…
Victor: Monitored? That’s how you see it?
{{MC}}: I don’t know if you understand that feeling or not…
{{MC}}: Spending every day in terror, not having freedom, your life falling further and further out of your control.
Victor’s mouth pursed even more tightly, and his brow creased.
Victor: I have that feeling every bit as much as you.
{{MC}}: I know you’re doing what’s best for me, but I just want a little bit of space…
{{MC}}: They’re right behind me every day. When I go to meetings. Out on location…
{{MC}}: Even when friends are talking to me, they’re standing right there…
Victor said nothing. He just looked at me. I couldn’t read his expression, but I felt he was angry.
Seeing Victor like this was the first time I felt like he was a stranger.
{{MC}}: You wouldn’t be like this before…
Hearing me say this, the light in Victor’s eyes slowly faded away like an ebbing tide.
This was an expression I’d never seen on his face before.
{{MC}}: …What’s wrong?
Victor looked at me and parted his lips, but it was a long time before I heard any sound.
Victor: So, you hate all this, correct?
The sentence reverberated in the spacious room.
The words just kept playing in my mind.
That clearly wasn’t the case, but my mind was blank. I didn’t know how to respond.
Victor: I see.
A look flashed across Victor’s face, like he had known all along.
He pondered for a bit, like he was making a major decision.
Victor: From now on I won’t give you rides anymore, and the calls will stop as well.
Victor: But at the same time, you must actively be responsible for your personal safety. I won’t dismiss the bodyguards for now, but they will maintain distance from you.
{{MC}}: …Okay.
Victor: How long have you been wanting to say this to me?
{{MC}}: About a week…
Victor: Why didn’t you tell me earlier?
{{MC}}: I thought I’d slowly get used to it…
Victor fell silent, and I decided to leave, but when I got to the door, he stopped me.
Victor: … How was I before?
{{MC}}: Before…
Victor escorting me home late at night suddenly flashed in my mind.
Victor bickering with me at Souvenir. Victor running with me on a film set.
And that night… when we looked out over the nighttime cityscape together.
All of those sides of him made up the Victor he is now.
For a moment, I actually wasn’t sure what words to use to describe him.
He really wasn’t that sharp-tongued. He was tender. And he wasn’t domineering. He respected people.
To have actually said that about him just now, I was really out of line…
Without me noticing, Victor had walked in front of me.
Victor: Whether it’s me before, or me now, there’s only one Victor. Understand?
When I got back to the office, I put my head on my desk, unable to shake the scene from my mind.
I was prepared to get into a fight with Victor, only to find out I couldn’t.
He truly was angry, and I truly misspoke I… should apologize to him.
Although, if so, can life really return to how it was before…
I looked at the clock. 7:30 p.m. Before, I’d be getting into Victor’s car right now, on my way home.
{{MC}}: Now, let’s get back to work!
Noticed by no one, a car parked at the corner of $c’s office building, Victor sitting in the driver’s seat.
He looked up at a light turned on overhead, let out a sigh, stepped on the gas, and took off.
(Victor’s call: Routine Check-in)
[Main Story 11-21]
After that day, Victor really did stop giving me rides, and calls changed to once a week.
My life started returning to normal, only sometimes feeling like something was missing.
Anna: Recent show ratings have been good. The revisits we’ve been planning for Miracle Finder need to be pushed up on the schedule.
Kiki: Revisits? Starting with the show’s earliest days? That was a long time ago, wasn’t it?
Anna: No need to revisit it if it wasn’t a long time ago. We were king of the air waves back then.
Willow: I’m for it. If we do a good job, it’ll be a big story!
Because of the importance of the show, I decided to be personally involved with the whole process.
Our first revisited subject was about a master craftsman of colored glaze crystalware. No one else in the country could fire glazes like his.
He was also the first ever guest on Miracle Finder.
To learn more about him, I read my dad’s interview notes, in which I discovered a shocking secret!
The day of my father’s car accident, he met with this man.
Which means, he’s probably the last person to see my father before he died!
My heart beat uncontrollably. I felt like I had hit upon something vital.
Just then, I thought of something Lucien had said that puzzled me.
Lucien: Whether they’re things of the present, or the distant past, they are no accidents.
If these things aren’t accidents, then what are they?
I had a faint feeling that revisiting this would be the first key to unraveling this whole mystery.
And this old master certainly was an odd character. The only way he agreed to the interview was if I came alone.
And, he happened to live in an old village up in the mountains.
But no matter what, I had to go.
After transferring from subway to bus and then walking over an hour, I finally arrived at the old master’s residence, a little hut on a hillside.
{{MC}}: Hello, I’m {{mc}}. We have an interview scheduled for today.
I knocked and stood deferentially at the door. It cracked open, and a voice came from within.
??: Tell those people behind you to back off. I don’t wish to see them.
People behind me? I turned confusedly and saw five bodyguards at attention behind me, maintaining five meters’ distance of course.
{{MC}}: You guys can go back. You don’t need to come with me.
Bodyguard: Mr. Victor’s orders were five meters’ distance, but no more than ten. We’ll back up a little.
With that, they all took two big steps backwards.
The old master still didn’t open the door. I was getting anxious. They’d have to back up more.
{{MC}}: You must keep 10 meters from this house– no, 20 meters.
Bodyguard: But…
{{MC}}: If not, I’ll… I’ll tell Victor…
The guards were forced to follow my request. The door opened a crack, and I finally went in.
??: Miss, have you ever heard the expression, ‘a sheep in wolf’s clothing’?
{{MC}}: Huh?
I paused for a moment. The old man before me looked at me with smiling eyes, an expression of significance on his face.
{{MC}}: Wh– Who me?
The old master laughed, and I found myself laughing as well, and the atmosphere lightened up.
{{MC}}: Hello, I’m {{mc}}.
Old Man: I know. I was friends with your father. My name is Charles, but call me Grandpa Chuck.
{{MC}}: Hello, Grandpa Chuck!
I took out my recorder pen, set up the camera, and started the interview.
{{MC}}: When you were on the program, your superpower was that you possessed a personal other dimension where you could fire one-of-a-kind colored glaze works.
{{MC}}: Might I ask, how did you discover you had this superpower?
Grandpa Chuck: It may sound strange, but in the beginning I didn’t know what this space was for. I just thought it was an ordinary place.
Grandpa Chuck: At the time, I took my wife there, and she liked making handicrafts, so I set up tools for her there.
Grandpa Chuck: I slowly discovered that the place had a kind of rare glazing stone that gives the crystal unique colors.
{{MC}}: So, when you first learned about the other dimension, how did it make you feel?
Grandpa Chuck: At first, of course I didn’t believe it. I was shocked. I thought it was something spooky, and even that I wasn’t a normal person myself. That I was a monster, hahaha.
{{MC}}: …And afterwards?
Grandpa Chuck: Afterwards, I met someone, and he told me that I can use Evol to do some things. That I was an ordinary person who was very useful to this world.
{{MC}}: That someone…
Grandpa Chuck: Was your father. So later I become the first guest to be on the program.
Having said that, Grandpa Chuck looked at the camera and fell silent with thought.
Grandpa Chuck: Really, the true miracle isn’t Evol. It’s this world.
Grandpa Chuck: Evol isn’t a bit special. I’m also just a normal person with a life and troubles of my own.
Grandpa Chuck’s words made my mind race. Perhaps letting everyone understand this idea was my father’s goal when starting this show 17 years ago.
Superpowers aren’t particularly special. Everyone lives on the same Earth together.
{{MC}}: How did you meet my father?
Grandpa Chuck: He recognized straight away that the glazes I fired were not of this world. Later he slowly became the kind of friend I could talk to about anything.
As he spoke about my father, Grandpa Chuck’s face showed nostalgia, yearning, and sorrow.
{{MC}}: And when… when… was the last time you saw my father?
Grandpa Chuck: The day of his car accident.
My heart suddenly leapt into my throat. I had a vague sense that I was about to grasp the truth.
Grandpa Chuck: Child, I have to apologize to you. That day, he came to my house in a hurry. He said there was something in my space he had to find. I was preparing to take him there.
Grandpa Chuck: Then your dad got a phone call. His expression changed suddenly, and he said he would come back later. Then I never saw him again…
Hearing what had happened that day for the first time, I felt a little choked up. What was that phone call my father got? What was it in the other dimension that he needed to find?
Grandpa Chuck: If I had taken him in sooner, that accident wouldn’t have happened…
Grandpa Chuck patted my back, and for a time, we both said nothing.
Grandpa Chuck: Child, do you want to see it? My special space?
Grandpa Chuck: Ever since that day, I haven’t been back.
I composed myself, nodded, and followed Grandpa Chuck in.
Grandpa Chuck had me close my eyes, and when I opened them again, a workshop appeared before me. This was the place Dad wanted to come to before his accident.
From the looks of it, no one had been here in years. A row of unglazed crystals on the ground had cobwebs growing on them.
{{MC}}: Did my father say what he needed to find in here?
Grandpa Chuck: I don’t know. I only know he was very busy then, frequently disappearing for stretches of time. He had a heavy look on his face.
This coincided with my own memories. Dad was always so busy then, and he would very sternly urge me to mind my safety, a lot like… a lot like recently.
Grandpa Chuck handed me a glazed cup. A pony-tailed little girl was painted on it.
Grandpa Chuck: Recognize her? It’s you.
I looked closely at the little girl. In her hand was a red balloon, and she had a broad smile.
{{MC}}: This is…
Grandpa Chuck: Your father painted it. At the time, he was going to give it to you as a birthday present. Now it’s finally made it into your hands.
I gently brushed my finger along the cup and then carefully put it away.
{{MC}}: Thank you.
{{MC}}: Grandpa Chuck, can I come here regularly in the future?
Grandpa Chuck: Sure.
Grandpa Chuck wiped away his sad expression and smiled at me.
Grandpa Chuck: Be my guest. Although next time, you don’t need to bring those bodyguards outside. Grandpa Chuck isn’t a bad guy, after all.
{{MC}}: They… they were… sent by my friend.
With that, I suddenly remembered Victor would be giving me a call today. I hurriedly check my phone.
It said it was after 11 a.m. I turned it off silent mode so that I wouldn’t miss his call.
Grandpa Chuck: Child, why are you so distracted?
{{MC}}: No, no, you don’t understand. It’s because someone who loves to worry will keep calling me to make sure I’m okay.
{{MC}}: The same one who sent those bodyguards outside the door…
Grandpa Chuck started laughing at that.
Grandpa Chuck: This person must really care for you.
Grandpa Chuck: You must be important to him, or else he wouldn’t worry so much about your safety.
Victor’s cold face suddenly appeared in my mind, and that gloomy look in his eyes last I saw him.
Thinking of this suddenly gave me an idea.
{{MC}}: Grandpa Chuck, can you teach me how to make something?
Grandpa Chuck: Of course, although there’s not time to do the whole thing. Here, paint any design you want here.
Grandpa Chuck handed me two unfinished pieces and a brush. I picked one that was cup-shaped.
I looked at the cup in my hand and pondered awhile.
Grandpa Chuck: Child, did you paint… a dog?
{{MC}}: Uh… is it hard to tell? This is a cat, and this is a dog…
Grandpa Chuck looked at the snarling cat and the goofily-grinning dog and couldn’t help laughing.
Grandpa Chuck: Haha! So vivid! I’ll go air them to dry. It should take two hours to fire.
After a long wait, finally, my first handiwork came out of the kiln.
I looked at the glittering, translucent cup tinged with a blue glow and marveled at its beauty.
{{MC}}: This will be a good apology gift…
[Main Story 11-22]
When Grandpa Chuck and I left the other dimension, the moment we stepped out, I was dazed.
What did I see?
The door of the hut was wide open, and outside it was already dusk. A pale-faced Victor stood panting in the doorway.
His face was scowling, and the dusk cast a tranquil halo over his short hair.
The moment he saw me, a look of relief and joy flashed across his face, quickly replaced by anger.
Much angrier than last time in his office. Like a giant cat ready to swallow me whole.
{{MC}}: How did you…
Victor: You idiot!
Victor clenched his teeth, snarling even more than the cat on the cup.
I guiltily lowered my head. Although I didn’t know why he was angry, I was afraid.
The next second, I was wrapped up in a tight embrace.
Was Victor stupid, or was it me?
Strange. Why does my nose feel tingly?
In the chest that I was pressed up against, I felt a heart beating blazingly fast.
{{MC}}: What’s wrong? I turned off silent mode this time so I wouldn’t miss your call…
Hearing me say that, Victor’s hand let up for a moment, and then grasped me tighter.
{{MC}}: Are you still mad?
A long time passed before I heard his muffled voice.
Victor: …No.
{{MC}}: I thought you were going to stay mad since the last time we spoke…
Victor: Am I that unforgiving?
{{MC}}: No, it’s just that time you were so mad you didn’t even call me dummy.
Victor: …Dummy.
Okay, now you did call me a dummy… but this time, I’m not even angry.
I seemed to hear Victor laughing, and then he let me go.
I just then noticed little beads of sweat on his forehead. His face looked unbearably anxious, yet like a weight had been lifted. Like a lion without a temper.
A breeze stirred in the gentle dusk outside, and a thin light fell across Victor’s face.
Seeing his face, I blurted out–
{{MC}}: …I’m sorry.
Victor: What?
{{MC}}: What I said before was over the line. I was too impulsive…
Victor: I’m sorry.
The two simple words leapt from Victor’s mouth.
{{MC}}: …What did you say?
Victor: I shouldn’t have used keeping you safe as an excuse to constrain you.
Victor: Now, I’m going back to the old me.
My heart beat like crazy. Not knowing what to say, I just stared blankly at him.
Victor was looking at me too. He didn’t look away. His smiling eyes were dignified and proud.
Before leaving the hut, Grandpa Chuck handed me a box and said it was a gift for me.
I took it and expressed to him my thanks.
Grandpa Chuck walked up to Victor, his expression turning solemn.
Grandpa Chuck: Young fella, as long as there is time, everything can change.
Hearing Grandpa Chuck’s words, a serious look came over Victor’s face.
Grandpa Chuck: Because time is the future.
Victor looked hard at Grandpa Chuck, nodded, and walked with me out of the hut.
Before getting in the car, he looked back at Grandpa Chuck’s hut. The surrounding trees seemed taller than when he’d first arrived.
Victor did not see that a narrow crack tore open above the hut. A black vortex flashed for a moment, and then closed up tight again.
{{MC}}: What are you looking at?
Victor shook his head. He turned away and stepped into the car.
{{MC}}: How did you find this place?
Victor: You tell me first, why did you come here?
{{MC}}: We’re doing a Miracle Finder revisiting segment. Grandpa Chuck was the first ever guest on the show.
Victor: How long do you think you were in there?
{{MC}}: Um… about two to three hours?
Victor: Actually, it was six.
{{MC}}: What? How could that be…
I suddenly thought of the other dimension. Could that be the reason?
{{MC}}: I… I went into Grandpa Chuck’s other dimension!
Victor: There are lots of alternate spaces like that in this world. Aside from differences in the flow of time, some of the other dimensions have even more differences.
{{MC}}: That… was another world?
Victor didn’t respond. He unconsciously furrowed his brow.
Victor: In there, time is a physical thing. It can be touched, and it can be altered.
{{MC}}: So you mean… I can return to the past?
Victor turned his head and looked hard at me, pursing his lips tightly.
Victor: No.
{{MC}}: Why?
Victor: Because that’s a different spacetime than before.
What did that mean? I was totally confused.
Victor: You really want to return to the past?
{{MC}}: Yes… I want to find out the truth. The whole truth.
Victor gave me a look and stepped on the brake, stopping on the side of the road. The thick trees cast a heavy shadow across the windshield.
{{MC}}: I know there are some things you haven’t told me, but I really want to know.
{{MC}}: I may not have any power, but I will face it bravely, and I will take responsibility for myself.
{{MC}}: Before, I used to run from things. I thought being safe was all that mattered.
{{MC}}: But now I understand, it’s not good. Running away never solved anything.
{{MC}}: So, I’ll be brave.
Victor cocked his head slightly. He thought for a moment, and then nodded.
Victor: Good.
A cold wind blew through the city at nightfall.
A crow flew onto the roof of the car, stopping for a moment, and then unfolding its wings and flying off.
The overpass was congested with cars and the unending sound of police sirens.
I looked as a police car passed by me.
Seems like a major incident just occurred.
[Main Story 11-24]
After seeing the girl home, Victor started up the car and prepared to head back to the office.
His phone rang. It was an unknown number.
Victor answered.
Victor: Hello?
The clear and calm voice of a man sounded on the other end.
??: Hello, Mr. Victor.
Then, the person on the other end was silent. There was just the sound of the engine being cut off.
Victor paused in thought, then he turned the key and put on the parking brake.
The moment the car door opened, a pair of black boots stepped from around the back of the car.
Victor neatly closed the car door and looked at the casually-dressed, serious-faced middled-aged man before him.
??: Hello. I’m Special Task Force Commander Leto.
The man extended his hand. Victor, a look of indifference on his face, did not respond.
The man let out a laugh and put his hand in his pocket.
Leto: Mr. Victor, I came here today to strike a deal with you.
Victor: You’ve got the wrong person.
Leto: You don’t even know what the deal is.
Victor: No matter what it is, I’m not interested.
Having said that, Victor turned around and made to leave.
The man’s face had no expression. His eyes glanced at a police car speeding by.
Leto: The future is changing, with each and every choice we make.
Leto: The safety of the person you want to protect depends upon that future.
Victor’s hand paused in mid-air, and the light in his eyes intensified.
Then he turned around and once again sized up this man who called himself Commander.
Leto: Adapt to it, or overcome it. Everything hinges on your choice.
Black clouds surged in the air over the city. The two men were enveloped in a pocket of low air pressure.
A swirling darkness reflected in Victor’s eyes. He pursed his lips, then he opened the car door and drove off.
The Commander looked at the kicked up dust, his mouth curled up in a barely perceptible smile.
Someplace over a thousand kilometers from Loveland City, a storm howled.
Brutal gale winds whipped up gravel and rocked trees. A bolt of lightning split the sky, illuminating two people locked in a standoff.
Gavin’s face was completely devoid of its former calm, and in its place was wrath.
The mighty current of air beside him condensed into a sharp blade, slashing at the man opposite him.
The man looked at Gavin and squinted his eyes ever so slightly.
Then he went wild with laughter, and an arrogant expression swept back over his face.
??: Well, we’re finally starting to get serious. It’s about time!
His look became gloomy. In his narrow eyes was unbridled mockery and contempt.
Gavin: I warned you. She’s off limits.
??: Are you threatening me?
Gavin: You aren’t worthy.
The man lifted an eyebrow and slowed his speech purposefully.
??: Anyway, my objective has been reached. I don’t mind toying with you awhile longer.
??: But I don’t know how much longer this girl you so obsess over has left to live.
This enraged Gavin to the core. The gale started spiraling as dirt scattered in the howling wind.
The two fought with increasing ferocity. The man was slowly losing ground.
Then, the sky roared, and a white flame connected heaven and earth. The entire world flashed white.
When he could see again, the man was already gone without a trace.
Gavin knit his brow.
The man’s words reverberated in his mind.
That day the girl was sent to the hospital, Gavin had rushed back from his squad.
Pushing away everyone around her, Gavin stood quietly by the bed, staring at her for a long while.
He hunched down and lightly picked up the girl’s hand, placing it on his cheek.
Gavin: I will hunt down anyone who ever hurts you.
Gavin: Lend me your power– and await my return.
The rustling of the leaves outside the window seemed to remind him that time was pressing.
Gavin stood up, looked back once at the girl, and then disappeared into the vast night.
Now, Gavin stood among scattered ruins, with his right hand held to his chest.
He could feel a power throbbing in his chest, uncontrollable, ready to burst through his body.
This feeling wasn’t the first time. However this time, it was more intense than ever before.
The ground shook, and the gale swirled into a black vortex, and Gavin fell into its center.
The darkness surged forward, about to devour him.