Dirty Sweet Baby Chapter 3

His face…….

Cha Mugyeol’s face…….

It is a cosmic mystery that cannot be explained by reason. His jawline is as distinct and sharp as a powerful downward stroke of a calligraphy brush dipped in ink, and his long, dark eyelashes are as elegant and captivating as meticulously carved decorations, strand by strand. The harmony of his well-defined cheekbones, the hollows that descend from them, and his horizontally long lips is breathtakingly beautiful.

It is so splendid that it is overwhelming, and so unrealistically perfect that it cannot possibly exist, which conversely makes it seem as ephemeral as a dream that will soon disappear.

Perhaps anyone would want to touch Cha Mugyeol’s face. Just to confirm whether it is a tangible reality or a beautiful illusion born of delusion, just once…….

Beep, beep!

Just then, his pager went off. Hearing the repeated electronic tone, Heeheon forced his drooping consciousness to pull itself together.

‘Ha, that’s enough. Let’s not get lost in thought. First, I have to do the guiding that needs to be done right now…….’

However, after checking the pager screen, Heeheon’s face contorted in a peculiar way. He, too, had been trained through practice not to be surprised by much and to maintain his composure, but he could not help but react this time.

“An emergency summons……?”

It was not a regular summons. The headquarters had summoned Baek Heeheon on an emergency basis.

Moreover, the one who had summoned him was the Central Army Special Operations Commander. A general-grade officer, in other words, a one-star brigadier general. Compared to Baek Heeheon, who held the rank of second lieutenant, it was an incredibly high rank. Why would a high-ranking commander, whom he would never even brush past by chance…….

Probably……. Perhaps.

‘Is it because of Cha Mugyeol?’

Somehow, he could not think of any other reason.

The fire in his uncooled heart was reignited. His heart began to beat fast and his mind began to stir. But, for some reason, he felt that what was to come had finally come. Maybe he had guessed from the beginning that it would turn out this way.

Yes, in fact, from the moment he heard the news that he had awakened as an S-class Esper, he had felt the moment when he would face the real him, not something on a TV screen, drawing closer and closer. Like a nightmare that visited him every day, his presence, which was nailed down and had taken root in Heeheon, was growing steadily.

‘Let’s calm down.’

There was nothing to do now but brace himself.

He was not reuniting with a puppy love or a first love. He was only meeting the source of a festering, damp, and dark emotion that had festered for a long time. It had been five years anyway. Baek Heeheon was no longer the Baek Heeheon of the past. He had gone through countless unforgettable experiences and had found a second identity as a guide. So, no longer like before…….

‘Even if I meet Cha Mugyeol.’

Wouldn’t he be able to breathe calmly, steadfastly, and with dignity?

‘It’s the same for him. It’s been five years, so maybe even Cha Mugyeol has changed. The news was just a screen, after all.’

With a rough hand gesture, Heeheon turned off the pager. He entered the information of Captain Seong, whom he had just finished guiding, into the dedicated touch pad in the guiding room, and left the place with reluctant steps.

*

After passing through complex inspection procedures and a security full-body scanner, he headed to the top floor of the Center’s central building.

This place was a restricted area commonly called the headquarters, with its official name being the Military Strategy General Command Headquarters. A tight security system was in operation everywhere, and the building itself was designed with a focus on maintaining thorough security. Basically, only general-grade officers could enter, and it was a space that a second lieutenant like Heeheon would not dare to frequent.

A tight security system was in operation everywhere, and the building itself was designed with a focus on maintaining thorough security.

‘It’s quiet. I can’t feel anyone’s presence.’

The entirely white interior was very spacious with passages extending in various directions, but the walls and floors were so strangely soundproof that not even a small sound could be heard even when he strained his ears. Upon closer inspection, the windows were not real windows but artificial glass panes with adjustable interior lighting. It seemed to be for the purpose of completely blocking the leakage of information to the outside.

Everywhere he looked was systematic and sophisticated, like a sterile space.

After passing through a corridor that was clean without a single speck of dust, Heeheon arrived at the private office of the Central Army Special Operations Commander. He confirmed the nameplate on the door and knocked twice, briefly.

“Come in.”

The door opened automatically before him.

In the center of the spacious office, a middle-aged man was sitting at a huge desk. He was Brigadier General Kang Joongmo, the Special Operations Commander.

Behind him, the national flag of the new government was displayed imposingly, and on both sides, the insignia of the army under his command was solemnly hung. The light pouring in from the artificial glass panes even created a halo effect, making it a situation where one could not help but pay attention. It was a sight that would have intimidated even a reasonably seasoned soldier.

However, from the moment the door opened, all of Heeheon’s attention was focused not on Brigadier General Kang but on the left corner.

There stood a man by the window, with his back to the door.

Only a glimpse of his back was visible, but that alone was more than enough. It was Cha Mugyeol.

Cha Mugyeol, dressed in a suit, was staring at the window in an insolent posture with one hand thrust into his pocket. He could not even see what kind of expression he had, but he felt like he knew even without looking. It would be a languid, bored face, as if he were bored.

Heeheon silently swallowed a nervous breath. His gait as he entered the room was so subtly stiff that it was barely noticeable. To be so concerned with Cha Mugyeol during his first meeting with Brigadier General Kang Joongmo, a general-grade officer, that he wasn’t even paying attention to Brigadier General Kang. It was an unthinkable thing.

“Second Lieutenant Baek Heeheon, from the 5th Administrative Unit.”

Heeheon saluted according to procedure. It was an exemplary salute, perfectly executed. It was a sight that could be used as a model for training cadets.

“Mm, yes. I finally get to see you in person.”

Brigadier General Kang gestured with his hand. He had the relaxed composure unique to middle-aged men who have achieved a position of success. A glimpse of the naturalness that only those confident in their background and achievements could exude was visible.

“There’s no need to talk at length. I heard that Second Lieutenant Baek was brothers with Director Cha here. For brothers to manifest late, one after the other… hoho, it’s a remarkable thing. Don’t you think so?”

Heeheon lowered his salute and replied politely.

“With all due respect, we are not biological brothers. Our parents remarried.”

“Yes, I heard that was the case. But even so, it is a remarkable thing. It’s not an issue to be taken lightly.”

Brigadier General Kang, who had stood up, leaning on the table, cast a glance toward the window. For some reason, the corners of his mouth looked a little awkward. It seemed that Brigadier General Kang was just as conscious of Cha Mugyeol’s presence as Baek Heeheon was.

“The vast majority of the Awakened manifest congenitally. They are judged to be Awakened from birth and grow up as training cadets in the special residential district, so they live lives that are detached from ordinary family relationships, sibling relationships, and so on, on the outside. Second Lieutenant Baek would naturally know about this.”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Right. For an ordinary Awakened, there are comrades, superiors, and subordinates, but no older or younger brothers. This is the only, a special case. So how can it not be special?”

The only brothers…….

Special?

‘Wait a minute.’

Heeheon understood the hidden meaning in Brigadier General Kang’s words.

The ominous premonition he had been vaguely feeling was hitting the mark as a certainty. In the end, he knew it would come to this.

“Well, in that line of discussion, the Ministry of National Defense and Musan Group’s intentions have aligned. The current situation is receiving a great deal of public attention. It is creating a massive propaganda effect. It is estimated to be of astronomical value.”

Awakened brothers who both manifested late, beating the atrocious odds.

And one of them is even an S-class Esper.

The sons of Musan Group who became national heroes…….

Even looking at just the fragmentary pieces, such a stimulating and interesting title comes out.

In reality, even if Cha Mugyeol and Baek Heeheon were on distant terms, no different from strangers, the higher-ups would think differently. In an era where the absolute threat of creatures exists, they have no choice but to extensively publicize and promote the Awakened in order to gain the support of the people. This was a story that was also connected to the maintenance of the new government’s power.

“For that reason… we have become indebted to you, Director Cha.”

Brigadier General Kang Joongmo bowed his head respectfully. Naturally, it was not a display of courtesy to Baek Heeheon. Looking again, Brigadier General Kang was clearly trying to read Cha Mugyeol’s mood.

From the perspective of Heeheon, who was a mere second lieutenant, Brigadier General Kang was a far-off superior, but to Cha Mugyeol, the heir of Musan Group who held sway over the political and business worlds, he was just a military official. Since Musan Group had the status to negotiate with the Minister or Vice Minister of National Defense.

“Now, Second Lieutenant Baek, you should greet him as well.”

“……”

“Second Lieutenant Baek.”

At Brigadier General Kang’s urging, Cha Mugyeol quietly turned to face this way. The white light, which was almost indistinguishable from actual sunlight, poured down his cheek and the bridge of his nose. The glare was excessive. And a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce through the light assailed Heeheon.

Before Heeheon, who could not easily open his mouth, could speak, Cha Mugyeol moved first.

“It’s been a while.”

The moment he heard that voice, it felt as if a thorny noose was caught around his neck and was tightening.

“……I apologize, Brigadier General-nim. This position is far too much for me.”

This is the worst-case scenario. Having reached a conclusion in an instant, Heeheon opened his mouth. A rather rough voice burst out.

“Our ranks do not match.”

For Baek Heeheon, this turn of events was a disaster.

To be tied together as a pair of brothers, for promotional purposes… that meant, in other words…….