Dirty Sweet Baby Chapter 38

“No, but, hey… why in the world am I the one receiving a commendation?”

Center, 15th floor, main conference room.

Heeheon whispered to Cha Moogyul with an expression that said he had no idea what was going on. Countless camera flashes burst around the two of them, and the applause was endless.

A large banner was hanging at the top of the conference room.

「Special Promotion Appointment Ceremony of the Central Crisis Response Special Task Strategy Headquarters」

Thanks to an unusually early response, it took less than a week from the gate’s appearance to its elimination. This was an unprecedented record, so it was quite a hot topic.

Cha Moogyul had annihilated all the creatures that poured out from the gate’s entrance, which allowed the 9th Special Task Force to enter the gate’s core without any attrition and quickly destroy the core. It was indeed an excellent coordinated effort worthy of praise.

‘I get that, but why am I getting a commendation, and even a special promotion…’

Heeheon, dressed in his formal uniform, blinked his eyes in bewilderment. The barrage of flashes stung his eyes. The golden medal pinned to his chest glittered brilliantly as it caught the light.

For official ceremonies like this, one had to wear a separate formal uniform, called a dress uniform, instead of the usual combat fatigues. It was a formal attire with a name tag, ribbon rack, and insignia on the chest, and even a formal cap on the head. You could think of it as a suit worn by soldiers.

Cha Moogyul was also wearing the same formal uniform next to Heeheon. However, as he was a brigadier general, the epaulets on his shoulders and the insignia on his collar were twice as fancy. And the insignia below his name tag was not a company-grade insignia like Baek Heeheon’s, but a general-grade insignia, so it was larger and more conspicuous.

“You should receive it, hyung. Who else would?”

“I didn’t really do anything.”

“Initial response. You answered the emergency call first and were the first to join the battle on site.”

“What, in the end, you were the one who killed all the creatures…”

“Then I guess that just shows how low your rank is, hyung. A brigadier general can’t get a special promotion for something like this.”

‘…Right. There’s some truth to that.’

Cha Moogyul was already in such a high position that one could suspect collusion between business and government or corruption, so it would be impossible for him to get a special promotion even if he wanted to. A 24-year-old being a general officer? Did that even make sense? Of course, among manifestors, there were occasional cases like Cha Moogyul who rose to a high rank at an early age. It wasn’t entirely impossible depending on performance. Which was probably why it was more of an issue.

Heeheon glanced at the medal pinned to his chest. Then he turned his eyes and stole a look at Cha Moogyul’s chest. The same medal was pinned on him.

‘Well, it doesn’t feel bad, though…’

Second Lieutenant Baek Heeheon. Now, he was First Lieutenant Baek Heeheon.

‘First Lieutenant Baek… First Lieutenant Baek. It’s a bit awkward.’

Heeheon repeated ‘First Lieutenant Baek, First Lieutenant Baek’ to himself. It just didn’t roll off the tongue. But it wasn’t a bad feeling, so the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

‘I wonder if Mother will be happy when she hears the news…’

With the promotion, his salary and allowances would go up, and various welfare benefits would increase as well. It was a minimal difference, but the thought that his mother would be happy came first. She would know that her son was doing well even from far away, she would be relieved—thinking like that made the special promotion feel welcome. Because he had caused his mother so much grief.

“You’re smiling.”

As he was lost in thought about how to break the news over the phone, Cha Moogyul whispered from beside him.

“Huh?”

He hadn’t heard him properly.

When Heeheon asked him to repeat himself, Cha Moogyul let out a chuckle.

“You were frowning the whole time.”

“…”

“Are you happy?”

Heeheon answered dazedly.

“I am, happy. I guess…”

“Hmm. Looks like you have more of a lust for power than I thought.”

“Not really. I’m just happy thinking about telling my mother.”

“Is that so?”

“She’ll be pleased, won’t she? She’ll probably be happier than me.”

“Haha.”

Cha Moogyul laughed out loud. As if to capture that moment, the flashes from the cameras held by the administrative personnel went off all at once. Flash flash flash. Strangely, although Baek Heeheon was the one who got the special promotion, Cha Moogyul also seemed to be in a pretty good mood.

“Then you can go and tell her in person.”

“In person…?”

“We need to visit a general district soon. Of course, you’ll have to accompany me, hyung.”

Wait a minute. Going to a general residential district?

Though momentarily flustered, Heeheon quickly regained his composure. Cha Moogyul was a director of Musan Group and its sole heir. In the mornings, he always reviewed documents and handled company affairs. He was constantly giving work instructions over the phone as well. But there had to be a limit to what he could direct remotely.

“Are you going to keep working for the group? But you’re an esper now. It must be tough to manage both…”

“What, are you worrying about me right now? You, hyung?”

“No… um.”

Rather than worry…

Heeheon thought for a moment. Was this worry? He wasn’t sure. Then again, Cha Moogyul would do fine on his own anyway. There was no need for Baek Heeheon to get involved and be presumptuous.

“When are we going? The general district.”

“Soon.”

“Alright. Let me know when it’s scheduled.”

Going to a general residential district…

And after five years…

‘That’s right. There’s no reason not to go now.’

The only reason Heeheon hadn’t gotten permission to visit a general residential district was to avoid Cha Moogyul. So now that he was facing him directly, there was no reason not to visit. In fact, he wanted to go now. Right away.

‘Can I see Mother in person? Wow.’

Baek Heeheon is a truly unfilial son. Not visiting her even once all this time. The worst son the world has ever seen.

‘I know. It’s all my fault.’

But, still…

‘I really miss you, Mother…’

I miss her so much. I want to see her. I want to spend time with my mother.

I want to go to the general residential district, a place overflowing with old memories, and look back on them one by one.

Heeheon slowly swallowed his trembling. His eyes shone vividly, like a plant that had drunk its fill of water. He was a little grateful to Cha Moogyul. Although his share in the cause of Heeheon’s current state was not small, and this situation was a result of trying to avoid him, the source of it all, it was still true that he was grateful.

‘In the first place, Cha Moogyul did nothing wrong. It’s all my fault.’

Because Baek Heeheon fell for Cha Moogyul… tried to run away… failed…

‘It was all my choice and my responsibility.’

So it was embarrassing to even blame him. It was just that Cha Moogyul was too outstanding, too handsome, too charming, perfect in every way, had everything… That was why Baek Heeheon was always helplessly swayed by him.

‘The fact that I can’t get away from Cha Moogyul isn’t Cha Moogyul’s fault. It’s a bit annoying, but what can you do…’

“…Hey.”

Heeheon called to him casually. The photoshoot would soon be over, and it was time to get off the stage.

“Thanks.”

Heeheon tossed out his thanks, finished his salute to the cameras, and turned around first to descend from the stage. His face felt hot. Both his ears were burning red and warm.

After the appointment ceremony, Brigadier General Kang Joongmo came over and offered his congratulations to Heeheon. There was no way he would come all this way just to congratulate a mere second lieutenant… no, first lieutenant like Baek Heeheon. As expected, Brigadier General Kang’s target was Cha Moogyul.

“First Lieutenant Baek. Congratulations. It’s an honorable special promotion. I hope you continue to strive just like this in the future.”

“Thank you, Brigadier General.”

“By the way, Brigadier General Cha. I heard your performance this time was truly remarkable. The whole country is abuzz about you, Brigadier General Cha.”

Brigadier General Kang seemed to exchange only a word or two with Heeheon before immediately turning to Cha Moogyul with a smile, attempting to start a conversation. It seemed he really was trying to establish a connection with Cha Moogyul.

“On that note, there’s a gentleman I’d like to introduce you to… Would it be alright if we spoke privately in the prep room for a moment?”

“That would be a bit difficult right now. As you can see, I have a schedule.”

“It will only take a moment. And I believe he is someone Brigadier General Cha has been looking for as well.”

Brigadier General Kang lowered his voice and whispered something into Cha Moogyul’s ear. Cha Moogyul listened nonchalantly, then slowly nodded his head.

“Very well. I’ll spare a moment.”

Then he gave Heeheon a brief glance.

“Hyung, you stay here. I’ll be right back.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Let’s go, Brigadier General.”

Cha Moogyul left with Brigadier General Kang. Left behind, Heeheon stood blankly in the 15th-floor hallway for a moment before slowly making his way to a corner space. The administrative staff were busy with the post-ceremony cleanup, and it felt a bit awkward to be standing there alone, blocking the hallway.

Standing by the window in the corner of the hallway, Heeheon leaned his back against the wall and took a long, deep breath.

“Hoo…”

So I’m going to a general residential district. When will we leave? Should I call ahead to let them know we’re coming? As he was lost in such trivial thoughts, a loud voice from a distance caught his attention.

“First Lieutenant Baek!”

At first, he didn’t realize it was him being called.

“First Lieutenant… Baek Heeheon!”

Someone’s arm shot out and grabbed his shoulder. Only then did he snap his head up and recognize the person. He had heard a voice calling ‘First Lieutenant, First Lieutenant’ from the end of the hall, but he had only just realized it was referring to him.

“Congratulations, First Lieutenant.”

Captain Sung Ahwon was smiling brightly in front of him. As innocent and bright as a puppy that had found its owner.

He thrust a bouquet of flowers at Heeheon.