Chapter 4 Part 15

A short distance away, League-row, who had been watching Jeong Tae-ui, paused. His expression turned strange. Then, as if dumbfounded, he let out a “ha” and laughed. The more he thought about it, the more incredulous he seemed, and his low, intermittent laughter continued for a while.

Then, his laughter suddenly stopped.

League-row stared straight at Jeong Tae-ui and muttered, as if engraving the words, “Tae-ui, so it’s Jeong Tae-ui.”

It was a precise pronunciation he hadn’t heard recently. Hearing that whisper, as if League-row was rolling the name around in his mouth, Jeong Tae-ui became even more depressed. A challenging future was already unfolding within that voice.

Uncle, can’t I go to Eoryeong instead of Shinru? I don’t mind being locked up for half a year, just isolate me.

When I go up to the Instructor’s Office, I’ll have to grab onto my uncle’s pant leg and beg him.

After begging, he just got scolded a lot.

Grabbing Jeong Tae-ui’s cheek and pulling it mercilessly, his uncle repeatedly said, “Oh dear, you idiot, oh dear, you fool, why are you in this state on the very first morning of joint training?” And each time, Jeong Tae-ui diligently replied, “I know, I already know.”

What saved Jeong Tae-ui, who was rubbing his cheeks that felt stretched a meter long, was someone who happened to enter the Instructor’s Office at that moment.

“Jeong Chang-in Chief Instructor. Are you busy? …You seem busy. May I disturb you for a moment?” The person who said that with a calm smile was his uncle’s direct superior, Vice Director-General Rudolf Gentil.

As his uncle saw him enter, he let go of Jeong Tae-ui as if nothing had happened and shook his head. “Disturbance? It’s all done. …You may go now.”

His stomach twisted slightly as he saw his uncle feign sternness with the face of a strict instructor, but Jeong Tae-ui wisely bowed his head slightly and retreated without saying anything. As he turned around, he met the Vice Director-General’s gaze and bowed his head again. As he was about to leave with just a silent nod, the Vice Director-General’s gaze fell upon him.

“Ah, yes, this young man is your nephew, isn’t he?”

Although he was speaking to his uncle, his gaze was still on Jeong Tae-ui. Jeong Tae-ui, who was about to leave, paused. Since he had been mentioned, it felt awkward to just leave pretending not to know. His uncle smiled smoothly and nodded.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Hmm. So this young man is Researcher Jeong Jae-ui’s brother.”

“Yes, Jeong Jae-ui is the older brother, and this one is the younger. Although they are twins, there’s no age difference.”

“Hmm. I see. This young man…”

The Vice Director-General’s gaze turned towards Jeong Tae-ui with renewed interest. Before, even when he first came here, he had briefly introduced himself as if reporting for duty, but at that time, the man was too busy to exchange more than a few words. Jeong Tae-ui had casually dismissed it, thinking greetings with important people were usually like that.

Clearly feeling the Vice Director-General’s gaze scrutinizing him from head to toe, Jeong Tae-ui sighed inwardly.

His brother must be really famous. It was something he was already used to, but being stared at so openly had been rare since he became an adult.

“But if you’re here, what about your brother?”

The Vice Director-General suddenly blurted out the question. Only after a few seconds did Jeong Tae-ui realize the words were directed at him, and he mumbled for a moment, letting out a “ha.”

“As for my brother, he’ll be fine even without me.”

Giving the most neutral answer, Jeong Tae-ui glanced at his uncle. It’s not like siblings are thought of as a couple or a patient and caregiver, and there’s no reason for him to be in trouble just because we’re apart, yet I’m hearing all sorts of strange things.

His uncle, who had been just watching from the side, only then chimed in as soon as his eyes met Jeong Tae-ui’s. “It’s not like twins always stick together. Well, even if they’re apart, the connection between brothers is always linked.”

“Ah, yes, that’s right.” The Vice Director-General nodded, but still meticulously observed Jeong Tae-ui.

Jeong Tae-ui swallowed a sigh, wondering if this man, too, was trying to find the differences between him and Jeong Jae-ui.

It was unavoidable, given that he had a famous brother, but within this damned organization, his brother seemed especially famous. Everywhere he went, it was all about Jeong Jae-ui, and now it was starting to get tedious.

His uncle gestured as if telling him to leave now and addressed the Vice Director-General, saying, “Speaking of which, the Second Military Affairs Department at headquarters contacted me…” The Vice Director-General immediately listened intently to those words.

Jeong Tae-ui bowed his head and left the Instructor’s Office.

After the morning commotion, Jeong Tae-ui, who had been immediately called to the Instructor’s Office and came out after a good scolding, found that the regular morning schedule had already begun. Since everyone in the branch would already know the situation, even if Jeong Tae-ui entered the session a bit late, he wouldn’t hear harsh words from the instructor. However, if he skipped it entirely, he would surely be punished twice as much.

Ah… I don’t want to go in. Now that I think about it, the regular session he had to attend now was Weapon Engineering. The news that he had been carrying a gun must have spread far and wide, so no doubt that strict Weapon Engineering instructor would give him a harsh lecture. He might even get hit with a Colt.

Jeong Tae-ui looked out the window with a heavy heart. Because the Instructor’s Office was on the ground floor, he could see outside from the corridor. The weather was exceedingly good. That made him even more depressed.

As he slowly walked towards the elevator, he passed by the office. Jeong Tae-ui slowed his steps.

Even though he had no business there, it would be strange to unnecessarily poke his head into the office. Still, if he could see Shinru for a moment, it would be good to wash away his gloomy feelings. But then again, if he went without an errand, he’d have nothing to say.

But today, at least, it seemed someone took pity on Jeong Tae-ui’s gloomy mood.

Jeong Tae-ui, who was passing the office as slowly as an ant, could see a familiar face coming around the corner of the corridor from the front. He seemed to be returning from the restroom, as Shinru, walking along while putting a handkerchief he had just used to wipe his hands into his pocket, saw Jeong Tae-ui and widened his eyes. He then smiled in welcome.

“Tae-ui hyung. What brings you here at this hour? Haven’t you started your session yet?”