S Chapter 21

It was noisy right from the entrance. Perhaps thanks to the weekend rush, there were simply too many people.

‘I’m already drained.’

Shin Jukyeong tightened his grip on Gong Eun’s hand.

“Don’t let go.”

At his resolute words, Gong Eun nodded. However, his body, already brimming with excitement, couldn’t stay still. He wiggled his bottom and kept glancing at his older brother’s face, signaling, ‘When are we going in?’

“Let’s eat cotton candy!”

“Shall we ride the express train first? What do you think?”

“Mom! Look at this!”

As many people gathered, boisterous chatter could be heard from all directions. It was understandable. Dreamland was a theme park that enjoyed a lot of popularity before the Dungeon explosion incident.

“Hey, Gong Eun.”

Cha Jae-min, who had disappeared saying he was going to the restroom, reappeared holding a red balloon. Gong Eun immediately brightened. Kyaaa! Just one balloon made him all fluffy and happy. Shin Jukyeong’s face also grew warm with satisfaction.

‘It’s a good thing Jae-min came along.’

His thoughtfulness was completely different from his own. Just a few hours ago, he was worried he shouldn’t have brought them out… but seeing his youngest brother’s joyful face, those thoughts had long vanished. No, he even felt a sense of apology.

‘I should have done this sooner.’

As he briefly regretted, a blue balloon suddenly entered his view.

“……?”

“Take it.”

It was Cha Jae-min.

“Me… take it?”

“Is there anyone else besides you? I got it for free anyway.”

When Shin Jukyeong stood blankly, Cha Jae-min impatiently asked why he wasn’t taking it. Fearing his brother’s mood would sour, he quickly accepted it. He found himself with a balloon in his left hand and Gong Eun’s hand in his right. Shin Jukyeong stood awkwardly, feeling a strange sensation. Thinking it over, it was his first time coming to a theme park like this. And with his family, no less.

‘Not bad.’

No, frankly, it was quite enjoyable. He hadn’t done anything yet, but that’s how it felt.

Having entered, Dreamland was as splendid as its popularity suggested.

“Should we ride the bumper cars first?”

“Something not dangerous.”

Shin Jukyeong, having little knowledge of rides, deferred the choice. Cha Jae-min nodded, seemingly in agreement.

“The carousel would be good. Gong Eun, want to ride the ‘ehe-hing-hing’?”

“Ehe-hic? Ung!”

Under Cha Jae-min’s lead, Shin Jukyeong and Gong Eun trotted along. The carousel queue was less crowded than expected. Since Cha Jae-min decided to ride with Gong Eun, Shin Jukyeong naturally became the bag-watcher.

“Minha~!”

“Sungjun! Kim Sungjun! Look at Mommy!”

“Daddy’s here~ my little princess!”

As he stood idly, it was noisy on both sides. A quick glance showed everyone filming with cameras or camcorders.

“……”

Are they making memories? Right. This is the kind of attitude one should have in a place like this. Lesson learned. Shin Jukyeong put down his bags and approached a group of female students taking photos.

“Excuse me, students.”

“Hey! This time… huh? Yes…?”

“Could you watch these bags for a moment? There’s a lunchbox inside, and it shouldn’t be knocked over.”

“Oh… yes…”

“Thank you.”

Shin Jukyeong bowed his head politely, then ran off somewhere. Watching his broad back disappear, one of the female students mumbled.

“But why does he talk like that? He looks the same age… how peculiar.”

Within a few minutes, he returned with a disposable camera in his hand. And… churros too.

“Please share these.”

“Oh, it’s fine…”

“Then.”

After a slight bow, female student C, watching Shin Jukyeong walk away, nudged her friend’s shoulder.

“Damn. Should I get his number? He’s so cute.”

“Hey, grab a spear. Capture him now.”

“Go, go! Make it happen.”

“We’re taking home a groom today, mom, dad.”

As they laughed among themselves and headed towards Shin Jukyeong…

“Jae-min~! Eun~! Look this way! My princes~!”

He was clicking his thumb and middle finger together, showing off insane moves. Click-click-click! His fingers were so fast, it was almost rapid-fire.

“…It was a father.”

“The person riding next to the child must be his wife. Handsome men really do get snatched up early…”

“Have a beautiful love.”

“He must have gotten married really young.”

The female students were rather unbiased.

Shin Jukyeong was thoroughly scolded. Cha Jae-min, after getting off the carousel, flared up in anger. He snatched the camera, threatening him not to do it again. Shin Jukyeong worried he might throw the camera away as he yelled, face flushed, but fortunately, he didn’t. Shin Jukyeong was relieved that he could still safeguard their memories even while being reprimanded.

After that, they went around the amusement park, focusing on rides Gong Eun could enjoy, such as the children’s exploration boats, jungle cups, and bumper cars. After playing for a while, it was already lunchtime.

“Let’s eat over there.”

Cha Jae-min pointed to a quiet outdoor terrace. All the restaurants inside were full, requiring a wait. Bringing their lunchbox was a stroke of genius.

“Woah~!”

As they settled down and opened the lunchbox, Gong Eun’s eyes sparkled. Shin Jukyeong was equally surprised. From mini gimbap to fried tofu sushi, octopus-shaped sausages, rolled omelets… there was even fruit for dessert. It clearly showed it was packed with great care. Shin Jukyeong also snapped a photo of the lunchbox.

“…My mom made it, so eat it all.”

Cha Jae-min said brusquely. Shin Jukyeong glanced at Gong Eun, who was beaming, then stood up.

“Bro, I’m going to get some coffee and a simple sandwich. Jae-min, Eun, do you need anything?”

“…What?”

“Coffee and-”

“Hey!”

“……!”

Why is he angry again…? When Shin Jukyeong’s eyes widened, Cha Jae-min let out a “Ha!” and a hollow laugh.

“So you don’t even want to eat the lunchbox my mom packed? You fcking…!”

Cha Jae-min was about to curse but clamped his mouth shut upon seeing Gong Eun. However, the disgusted expression couldn’t be hidden.

“Fine. Eat it or don’t!”

Cha Jae-min sharply turned his head away.

‘Oh, great.’

Only Shin Jukyeong felt awkward.

“Jae-min.”

“Go. Go eat your damn sandwich. …I’m an idiot for trying to get along with you.”

“That’s not it…”

Even Gong Eun started to sense the chilly atmosphere. He glanced at his two brothers and then just giggled, “ehehe.” He was instinctively trying to lighten the mood with his cuteness. That sight made Shin Jukyeong feel sorry. He had only wanted to make good memories for them.

‘I did it again…’

Shin Jukyeong cleared his throat and poked a sausage, offering it to the sulking Cha Jae-min.

“I… I thought I wasn’t supposed to eat it. You said earlier it was a lunchbox for Gong Eun. It’s not that I don’t like Cha Yeo… stepmother’s food. Your brother isn’t good with words, you know. Can’t you try to understand?”

“Are you really an idiot?”

No matter what, calling his older brother an idiot wasn’t right. Even in this situation, he debated whether to point out that it wasn’t acceptable.

However, seeing Cha Jae-min’s face slightly soften, he figured it was better to just shut up. Idiot. What a friendly and endearing nickname. Shin Jukyeong decided to temporarily redefine the concept of the word for the sake of his relationship with his brother.

“I won’t be petty about food.”

Cha Jae-min said that, then offered Shin Jukyeong a pair of wooden chopsticks.

“Thanks. I’ll eat well.”

A lunchbox made with such care… it was his first time. He was glad he had taken a picture earlier.

In the end, the search for Eve didn’t even begin until the evening parade started. While there was some regret, seeing his brothers smile brightly left him with no regrets. He would have to come alone tomorrow to find Eve.

Shin Jukyeong raised the camera to use the last remaining film. And click, just as the shutter was pressed.

—Boom!

“Kyaak!”

“What! Uwaaak!”

“Aak!”

A huge explosion erupted.

“Jae-min!”

Chaos.

“Eun! Jae-min!”

People were wildly entangled before he could even react. Shin Jukyeong’s face turned pale. Where are the kids? What in the world is this? A Dungeon? That’s strange. Nothing was detected…! As he was uncharacteristically flustered, Cha Jae-min and Gong Eun appeared on the large screen broadcasting the parade.

“……!”

Gun barrels were pointed at them. There were a few other hostages as well.

Masked scum. The peculiar thing was that they all held crimson flags.

‘Those bastards…’

They were a group of psychopaths who deluded themselves into thinking they were revolutionaries. They mostly advocated for things like legalizing unregistered individuals and legalizing drugs. Watching them, one couldn’t help but feel a solemn wonder that such people could even exist.

“We are-!”

One of them began a crude speech. As expected, it was a litany of complaints about the current government. Shin Jukyeong felt uneasy, wondering if they might suddenly start shooting.

“…Heeeu, hoo-eong!”

“It’s okay. Just look at your brother, Gong Eun. Turn your head. Look at your brother.”

Gong Eun, terrified, wet himself. Cha Jae-min hid his younger brother in his arms, blocking his view. What are they doing, bringing kids into this? Fury surged, and Shin Jukyeong was on the verge of losing control.

‘These bastards, even grinding them up wouldn’t be satisfying enough…!’

Shin Jukyeong charged forward recklessly. Securing the safety of his two younger brothers was the top priority.

“Hey!”

As attention turned to him, he continued without hesitation.

“Swap the hostages. Wouldn’t a more useful person be better for you guys?”

Just as Masked Man 1 was about to convey a ‘Who are you?’ kind of nuance, Masked Man 2 recognized Shin Jukyeong.

“Isn’t that bastard the UA Group’s son? I’ve seen him in pictures.”

At the brief remark, their gazes changed.

“He’s not bad…”

A murmur was heard. Soon after, Masked Man 1 gestured with his head, pointing his gun. It meant, ‘Come up.’