March Novel (Completed) - Chapter 111

“…So, if you activate this mode, the baby won’t experience much growth pain. It’s also our most sought-after product these days, as word has spread that babies cry significantly less.”

Sehwa nodded, half-distracted. It wasn’t because he was interested in this state-of-the-art cradle or whatever it was; it was simply his way of saying thank you for the explanation.

However, Gi Taejeong seemed to interpret it as a positive sign and immediately handed his card to the employee. It was a thick, jet-black card from the Federal Bank, one Sehwa knew well. The only difference from the one Gi Taejeong had given him was the large Air Force emblem embossed in the center.

He shook his head, meaning no, but Gi Taejeong didn’t seem to notice. Or perhaps he knew and simply ignored it… And so, today, items whose purpose Sehwa couldn’t fathom piled up steadily in front of him.

“Is this all the color options?”

“Customization is available. Do you have a specific color in mind?”

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

“Oh, if he resembles Madam, the baby must be adorable. Then I’ll find colors that match Madam’s skin tone.”

The employee bowed politely, saying she would compile color chips and send them to the Brigadier General’s personal information.

What does my skin tone have to do with a bed recommended for babies’ naps? Sehwa just sighed deeply.

Every day, Gi Taejeong dragged him around the banquet hall, sweeping up expensive equipment displayed in special exhibitions. Perhaps word had spread that he felt burdened, as now the employees didn’t even mention prices, simply taking the card from Gi Taejeong. They didn’t realize that this very fact burdened Sehwa even more… No, the employees probably didn’t care. The important customer would be Brigadier General Gi Taejeong.

Gi Taejeong had definitely been acting strangely since Commander Oh Seonran’s visit. He had always showered him with gifts like a bombardment, doing as he pleased, but lately… it was hard to explain, but the feeling and manner in which he treated him were different from before.

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

“……”

Sehwa timidly tugged at Gi Taejeong’s sleeve. It was his subtle signal to stop.

“Why are you so ungreedy?”

Gi Taejeong clicked his tongue but stopped his steps towards the next booth.

“There’s a little over a week left. The second trial. This time, we’ll definitely conclude the case…”

Turning towards the banquet hall entrance, Gi Taejeong cleared his throat softly.

“And then… I’ve had all the necessary items brought into the official residence, so take a look. At least you won’t have any inconveniences raising the child there.”

He didn’t know what kind of reaction Gi Taejeong was hoping for. No, he vaguely understood. It seemed clear that Oh Seonran had provoked him in some way.

Recently, Gi Taejeong seemed to be trying not to propose things to him like commands. He would speak, then bite his lip as if that wasn’t right, or subtly trail off his words, giving Sehwa that impression. Still, the habit hadn’t completely disappeared; he still tried to negotiate by handing over both medicine bags and expensive baby products.

“Do you need anything else? Well, I’ve never raised a child myself, so I wouldn’t know.”

“……”

Sehwa silently followed Gi Taejeong. His chest felt heavy, like he had indigestion. …He had never dreamed of such things. The books and swaddling clothes Commander Oh Seonran had given him were enough.

If he could, he too wanted to give Saessak the very best. Anyone who has a child would feel that way. But that meant ‘the best I can do for my child within my means,’ not accumulating expensive items that he couldn’t buy even if he sold his organs a hundred times over.

“Oh, I’m also looking for a sitter. It’ll be a while before he can leave the protective room, but… they said I should arrange one in advance to get a good person.”

Sitter…? Sehwa swallowed hard instead of sighing.

Everything Gi Taejeong gave him was ultimately a debt. His goal was to win the trial, so afterwards, there would be no reason for him to be involved with Sehwa, who would have served his purpose. He was showering him with various things now, as if on a whim, but what if things went slightly wrong? Who knew how he would change then and squeeze him dry?

Of course, in the past, he had thought that if Gi Taejeong didn’t tire of him even after the trial, he would gladly continue their relationship. But now…

Sehwa’s throat felt raw, as if he had swallowed hot water, and he tapped his Adam’s apple. He didn’t think that everything Gi Taejeong had shown him was a lie. When his eyes were half-rolled back in dark fury, he trembled, thinking it was all an act… But now, looking back, Gi Taejeong wasn’t the type of person to fake feelings he didn’t have for someone like him in the first place.

It was just as he had said when he turned away after giving Gi Taejeong the medicine. It was merely a matter of sincerity; he seemed to have liked him regardless. However, Gi Taejeong’s feelings ultimately stemmed from a specific purpose. It was different from the feelings Sehwa had harbored.

Moreover, he had talked about abandoning Saessak in District 4, so why was he suddenly taking care of the child? What was even more absurd was that he was naturally assuming Sehwa would move into the official residence.

“Sit here for a moment.”

Gi Taejeong took Sehwa to the resting area set up in front of the banquet hall, saying he would go buy something to drink.

Even though he appeared to be alone, he was never truly alone. Sehwa knew that there were many people hiding and guarding him. Saessak was in the incubator protective room anyway. Gi Taejeong knew perfectly well that he couldn’t run away alone, leaving the child behind, so why was he doing this?

Sehwa plopped onto the sofa and patted his thighs and knees. Lieutenant Na had said his walking had improved a bit, but he felt the same throbbing pain. And his throat had been stinging since earlier,

“……”

…Ah. Sehwa was startled and pinched his throat. It was only bothering the outer skin, but he could definitely feel pain inside.

He had been thinking that his senses felt richer than before since Commander Oh Seonran’s visit. But he hadn’t imagined that his voice would gradually open up because of it.

That person hadn’t really done anything special for him. He hadn’t offered grand comfort or painted a sparkling future. Even when he visited again a few days ago, all he did was read the books he had brought with him and look up words he didn’t know. But why…

Sehwa looked around himself in bewilderment, then slumped his shoulders. …He didn’t know either.

Sehwa, whose gaze was idly fixed on the empty corridor, tilted his head when he spotted something fluttering on the floor. Judging by its appearance and size, it looked like a receipt.

Had Gi Taejeong dropped it? Sehwa, who was about to ignore it sullenly, eventually got up, his body heavy. Well, if he kept it, he might be able to secretly refund it later. As he soothed his creaking legs and bent down,

“Ouch!”

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

The ice cream the child was holding was messily smeared on his trousers, but that could be washed… A fairly loud sound had been made, so had he not been hurt badly? Flustered, Sehwa belatedly collected himself and extended a hand. It was fortunate that this was a hospital. If the child said he was hurt anywhere…

“Don’t touch me!”

But the child sharply narrowed his eyes and slapped Sehwa’s hand away.

“……”

“I know who you are! The lower-class person who changed his fate by having the Brigadier General’s child!”

Sehwa’s face, which had been about to gently gesture again to spare the child embarrassment, slowly hardened.

“How dare a lower-class person who can’t even step foot in the 5-Star now try to steal my mom’s receipt?”

Ah, it wasn’t Gi Taejeong’s. Of course. He wasn’t the type to bother with such things. And even if he had, he certainly wasn’t the type to drop it…

Sehwa stepped back a few paces from the child with a bitter expression. It was disconcerting that even a child was pointing fingers at him, calling him lower-class, but it wasn’t entirely unexpected.

The 5-Star was small. He knew that only a fraction of that population could receive treatment at this hospital. This child, too, had probably grown up being treated as previously as Lieutenant Kim, and would naturally consider it his right to look down on others with his privileges.

“If you’re lower-class, go to a protective facility, not here!”

He wondered what a child knew. He was probably just parroting what his parents or the adults around him said. Still, he thought it was a bit unfair to be judged as having changed his fate thanks to Gi Taejeong, and Sehwa nodded. It meant he would go, so there was no need to shout.

“Aargh!”

Suddenly, a large hand shot out by his cheek, grabbed the child’s collar, and mercilessly pulled him up.

“Say that again.”

It was Gi Taejeong.

He appeared abruptly, without a sound, and roughly lifted the child, as if disciplining a rude young animal. In his other hand, he held the bottoms of two cups at once, moving so calmly that not a single drop of liquid inside sloshed.

“I said, say it again.”

Cold sweat trickled down his spine. Gi Taejeong was not someone who discriminated by age or gender when throwing tantrums. To borrow Gi Taejeong’s frequent expression, he equally hated everyone. Still, how could he treat a young child so roughly? Sehwa wasn’t hurt anywhere, and even if he was, why would he treat a child who was only five or six years old like this?

“Fuck, what did these bastards learn from their parents to have such foul mouths already?”

“Ugh, ugh, aah…! Mom…! Dadddyyyy…!”

Gi Taejeong swung the child around in the air. Then, spotting a familiar emblem on the child’s anti-lost necklace, he laughed coldly.

“These little shits really…”

Without further hesitation, Sehwa clung to Gi Taejeong.

“……”

He held onto his waist, almost embracing him. The man’s body, hard as armor, his tightly woven muscles, twitched under Sehwa’s squirming fingertips.

“……, …please.”