Loved by the War Machine

101 – Reunion (2)

“…Should I call that shameless? No, taking the money and pretending not to know, then turning your head away like that, what kind of attitude is that?

If you don’t want to see the entire shop blackout and the ledger fly away, you better hand it over when I ask.”

“That’s impressive. Was what you got so daringly turning it into parts for the bracelet?”

“Well, yeah… I had to throw it away because of overheating, though.”

The marks remaining on the wrist were probably because of that.

Tracing along the faint red line with a finger, a somewhat mischievous smile appeared.

“Juwon, we have already recovered that bracelet.

We’ll repair it, so please take it with you when you leave.”

“Oh, um… about that.”

Scratching his head, he lay down in the field, looking at the distant city lights reflecting in his eyes.

Could the cityscape in the distance look so beautiful?

Although it’s about time to say he’s slowly becoming an adult.

Yet, why does he still seem small? Is it because I’m his father?

“Can I stay here too?”

Wrinkles appeared around the child’s mouth as he got up.

A sigh with a forceful smile.

“No.” “It’s not allowed.”

And what came out of mine and Ilia’s mouths was a firm refusal.

I embraced the bewildered face and mashed my lips against his forehead.

“Why can’t I stay? Mom and Dad are here too.”

“I, too, stay here—”

“Son.”

Not pushing away because of dislike.

And not letting go because of hatred.

“I’m not here because I want to be.

…It’s just that the consequences of the choices I made led me here.”

Ten years running, thinking of spending peaceful final years with Ilia.

And a year striving for the conclusion of affairs.

“Lord Taehyuk did his best.

For the best possible outcome.

I did the same. I don’t want this to be unjust to anyone.

…Especially not to Lord Taehyuk.”

To me, who casually poured out loneliness and sorrow, Ilia embraced me with incredible kindness.

Unacknowledged feelings were accepted, hands that reached out first were held, and our bodies entwined, tying us together.

From there, my descent must have begun.

“But I won’t deny this either.

The choices I made, regardless of intent, led to fatal consequences for Lord Taehyuk.

Juwon, as you saw…”

“So you want to stay by his side, right?

Dad is unwell, and Mom might need someone’s help.”

Three hackers and armed personnel entered, and in an instant, pierced through to the 100th floor.”

A bitter laugh escaped.

Impressive. Undoubtedly.

Pushing past unmanned guards, evading plasma barrages…

However.

“It’s not all a testament to your abilities.

…The central network was aware of the identities of all intruders here.

Why do you think mine and Taehyuk’s consciousnesses were transmitted to androids, activating Project Agape, the program that initiates combat?

If the central network had wished, dozens of unmanned drones would have continued tracking from Experiment Zone 05.”

It’s not a lack of ability.

Just had to acknowledge there was a clear reason for getting this far.

…My own situation.

“Of course, this virtual reality is like a cradle, a place for me to rest, to recover.

Ilia has poured in every single memory I’ve ever had, hundreds, thousands, millions… to sustain our life together as much as possible.

But fundamentally – this place is like a prison.

If the central network desires, I must become a gladiator and step into the arena, or if it wants my memories, I must surrender them.”

Project Pertenom.

One method to seek longevity.

If for some reason maintaining a biological body becomes difficult, all costly bodies are replaced –

Only the brain is preserved and modified to extend life.

I am the experimental mouse tasked with stabilizing that method.

“It’s thanks to the unique relationship between the labor and I, who have cooperated and collaborated with the central network until now, that we are recognized for our ‘research value’…

That’s how I’m being treated, at least.

But fundamentally, reality is an empty space—no, it’s human.

That includes three thick blast doors and a decontamination chamber for visitors,

And Ilia, to maintain and preserve my physical body and space.”

Here, this fellow flatters me, leaning on my body like this, but what about outside?

Watching over my motionless body, could it be lonely out there?

It has been going on for over five years now.

“This is by no means a happy place.

Even though we, who love and cherish you, are here, I can’t say your happiness will last long in this place…”

In my heart, I’d like to permit it.

It shouldn’t be a difficult thing.

Just reducing a few items symbolizing various memories would quickly assimilate you into this place.

Moreover, Jiwon can move in the real world, unlike me – he might even take care of Ilia.

But, will it truly be happiness?

“…But if you still insist there will be?

I’ve said it before. From people who naturally see deceit as commonplace to all sorts of sordid adults attempting to manipulate, not one person my age that I can call a ‘friend,’ just as Mom and Dad said.

Hey, that view over there? It doesn’t look as impressive as you both described.”

It’s a fact.

In the night streets I dared not tread, they said children could be seen here and there.

Women from the slums selling children who don’t know their fathers for a few pennies.

Has the central network not yet reached these parts?

“I’d rather stay here than be in a place like that.

I’ve rebelled against Dad, even told Mom I hate her before – but now I understand.”

I was caught. Hand in mine.

The memory of the little chubby fingers grabbing my hand while playing as a child shouldn’t overlap now.

“If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll do it.

Just stay here. Alright?”

What did they say in that video?

There are no winning parents in a child’s game, or something like that.

…Goodness.

“I apologize for interrupting your conversation, but the capacity to maintain space is running low.

How about taking a break and revisiting this topic later?”

“Later? When?”

“Ko Dayeon, and Matthew Vance’s conversation is not expected to take much longer.

It’s been six hours in reality already, you’re sitting, and fatigue seems to have accumulated in your hips and legs.

Sensory perception and the brain as well.”

For a moment, this was a good opportunity for me, nearly consumed by emotions.

I must not forget.

This is absolutely not the place for my child.

…And understandably so, although I have already resigned myself –

In the end, surviving is because Ilia wanted it,

So I’ve become an experimental mouse for artificial intelligence, manipulating Mirsith as a puppet, or perhaps even as a pawn.

“Al – Alright. Saying it like that makes my head feel fuzzy…

Let’s talk about it later. Definitely.”

I embraced tightly.

And I put my arms around the approaching Ilia.

…With closed eyes, gently holding my trembling son, the scene is truly, should I say, motherly.

How long did it last?

With a buzzing noise, my son’s warmth disappeared.

He was definitely by my side.

“…Did he go away?”

“The connection has been severed.

There’s considerable emotional fluctuation.

…I’ll provide comfort shortly.”

My eye corners became unbearably warm.

Blinking, tears welled up immediately.

Knowing this is for my son, but still –

“Sigh… Ah.”

Perhaps Ilyas’ promised meeting will never take place.

And that might be for the best.

Certainly, when we meet again, it seems like I won’t be able to send him away.

“This is the right thing to do.”

I cannot let my son live in the underground filled with cold steel and machines.

The outside may not be heaven, but it’s better than the prison stuck beneath the ground.

Perhaps, if he returns to the aerial garden high in the sky… it might be much better.

“I will take about an hour.

After that, I will connect Goh Dayeon and Matthew Vance simultaneously.”

“…Spent quite some time, didn’t you?”

“Yes. I can’t let them stay here any longer.

…Certainly, Goh Dayeon will probably make unreasonable demands like before.”

It was a given.

…The person who was determined to find me wasn’t just my son.

How many years did he pursue me?

20 years… or so.

“Got it. Somehow, persuade them…”

“Forcing them to withdraw is also possible.”

“If we do that, they’ll try to get in one way or another.”

…The more you tell someone not to do something, the more they want to do it, you know.

Well, you were the same.”

I grabbed the hand that was hugging me from behind.

And then, I blankly stared at the disappearing scenery.

If we keep doing this, we’ll probably end up sitting on the bed again.

The sensation of the grass on the floor, the chilly night air making the tip of the nose tingle – everything disappears.

“What should we do…”

I never imagined that saying goodbye could become so difficult.