I awakened from my memories and returned to reality to find that tears had already filled my eyes. After Kim Dongbaek died, I followed his will by clearing up my past and living a normal life. I married my wife, became a chef with the help of my father-in-law, and inherited Wolunjeong. My children and then grandchildren were born.

It might be a columbarium I go to every year, but I seemed to have a lot of tears, perhaps because I was reaching the age of 70.

“We have become weepers. Cough.”

Park Muyeol stood next to me and rubbed his nose. There were slight tears in his eyes. Somehow, I seemed to know how he was doing even if he didn't tell me. Just then, Park Muyeol spoke again, “Chuntaek.”

“What is it?”

“That thing.”

“What?”

“In fact, I hated you at the time when you left the group and returned to a normal life. I couldn't understand it."

I listened to him seriously. Our eyes were fixed on the photo of Kim Dongbaek that was next to the urn of ashes. It was a photo taken one summer day at the beach. It was a photo of me, Seonyeong, Kim Dongbaek, and Park Muyeol. Our youth was truly beautiful.

“...But now it seems to make a little sense. The words Dongbaek said at that time.”

“It's fine.”

“I'm sorry I hated you at that time.”

“Why are you bringing it up now? Let's go. It is cold.”

“Yes.”

The two of us quietly walked out of the columbarium. The atmosphere here was still solemn and along with the sound of his shoes, Park Muyeol's low voice was heard from the side, “I was alone in the organization after you left.”

“......”

“At that time, I was really at a loss.”

I nodded quietly. “...I guess so.”

“I am a very honest and upright person, so I felt a lot of pressure to lead the Legless Bird organization after you left.”

“......”

“Therefore, I fixed my personality. I was afraid Dongbaek's vacancy would be felt. I thought and acted like Dongbaek as much as possible.”

Park Muyeol had changed since that day. I had wondered why there was such a thing. There was only one thing I could say to him. “...You did well. The guy called Ma Seokdu that you pa.s.sed the position to not long ago is a good guy.”

“Um, have you met already?”

“He is in Metheus. He made a vigilante group. He is a very good guy.”

“That brat didn't even contact me...”

Park Muyeol pursed his lips while making a sad expression. Perhaps he would call Ma Seokdu straight away after separating from me. Well, that was it. By the way...

“Will you come tomorrow?”

Park Muyeol wondered, “Tomorrow?”

“Tsk tsk. You already have dementia. The World Compet.i.tion.”

“Ahh~ I'm going. I should go. However, isn't it bad to say that your friend for 40 years has dementia?”

“You don't remember the other day in the game when you asked me if I had dementia?”

“Cough. Let's see. I think I've left the car door open...”

The uneasy looking Park Muyeol started to move quickly. I looked at his back and just laughed. I could laugh like this because there was Park Muyeol. I was always grateful to him. I called out, “Do you need to p.o.o.p or something? Let's go together!”

* * *

The long-awaited Christmas.

Today was the start of the World Compet.i.tion. Mido was already living in the hostel since she had to train with the other players. I came outside early in the morning and Jeonghyun and my daughter-in-law were busy. 

“Jeongdo, are you ready~!” Kim Mikyung shouted while putting foundation on her face.

Jeongdo entered her room. It was safe to say that he was a handsome man after he put on neat clothes.

“Are you getting married? What did you dress up for?”

“What about you, Mom? Why are you putting on makeup?”

“This child. Are men and women the same?” Kim Mikyung said this while once again patting her face with foundation.

I watched it and Choi Jeongdo made a mischievous sound effect. “Ddusi ddusi.”

“What is that?”

“Every time the girls put on foundation in cla.s.s, I tease them with this sound effect. Ddusi ddusi ddusi.”

“Hohoho, so funny. Are you popular with girls?”

“Of course. Whose son am I? I look like Mom.”

“Hohohoho!”

The laughter of the two of them rang through the room. I listened to their conversation before sitting next to Choi Kanghyun on the sofa and watching TV.

-There are a large number of people here at Jamsil Union Square Stadium in Seoul. The first event is expected to take place at 12 o'clock...

The TV was currently showing a special on the Arkstar World Compet.i.tion. It was the same every time I watched a regular broadcast. I felt like it was a popular game that attracted the attention of the public. I heard that the president was also coming to watch.

“Mido is there now...?” I heard Choi Kanghyun's murmur while watching TV and gave a small nod.

“Probably. She had a position in yesterday's opening ceremony. Her appearance while holding the Taegeuk flag was very handsome.”

The opening ceremony of the World Compet.i.tion was held last night and it was truly a celebration of people from all over the world. Representatives from various countries entered the stadium and Mido proudly raised the flag in the name of South Korea. The city was crowded with foreigners of various nationalities who had come to watch the World Compet.i.tion. Fortunately, the government and Union had built a special venue for the World Compet.i.tion two years ago and I heard they had expanded it further this year.

“How thrilling will it be?”

“Who knows? I don't know, but that's why we're going.”

“Haha. That's right.” Choi Kanghyun laughed.

My first son had decided to close the clinic for a week starting from today. It was natural. I would've done the same.

“Okay, everything is finished. Let's go.” My daughter-in-law completed her makeup and walked out of her room. She wanted to go to the stadium quickly.

I smiled kindly at such a daughter-in-law. “You don't have to be in such a hurry.” 

“Huh?”

“It is only 10 o'clock.”

There were two hours left until the start of the World Compet.i.tion.

* * *

At Union's headquarters in Gangnam, Seoul...

Yoo Minseok looked down through the wide window and made a small exclamation of admiration as he compared it to last year's World Compet.i.tion.

“Wow. There are many people this year.”

“Huhu. I spent some money on advertising at the corporate level.”

Lee Seokjun stood next to him and showed a satisfied smile as he looked down at the endless crowd of people. Lee Seokjun had wanted to attract more attention than last year's World Compet.i.tion held by his brother. He was entrusted with this responsibility by his father, Lee Geonmyeong, and spread advertis.e.m.e.nts in dozens of countries.

As a result, various countries contacted him to show their advertis.e.m.e.nts during the compet.i.tion. He had signed contracts with several countries and was expected to make astronomical profit. It was an achievement for Lee Seokjun and he had taken one step closer to the president's seat.

Lee Seokjun's expression was truly elated. However, Yoo Minseok's expression wasn't that good. Lee Seokjun asked, “Why are you making that expression? Do you still have regrets about that?”

“Ah, that...” Yoo Minseok's speech trailed off at the end.

The regret Lee Seokjun was talking about was failing to bring Choi Chuntaek, the man Yoo Minseok suggested last time, to the national team. He thought he offered pretty good conditions, but he was depressed because Choi Chuntaek still hadn't called. However, it didn't seem right to hang onto the old man. Judging by the old man's temperament, the old man might've been stimulated and the result was wrong.

“Haha. My friend, I seem to have hit it on the head.” Lee Seokjun laughed.

“Cough. I'm sorry.” Yoo Minseok coughed with embarra.s.sment.

Lee Seokjun patted him on the shoulder. “...Well, it can't be helped. The elder didn't contact you, but I really owe you a favor this time. Thinking about it now, your suggestion to carry out a unified league is a master stroke. Thanks to you, I was praised by my brother for doing well. Hahaha.”

“Is that so? Congratulations.”

“So cheer up and have strength. Yes? Haha.”

Lee Seokjun's laughter rang out through the office. His pats on the shoulder was both kind and charismatic at the same time. Just then, the phone in the office rang.

Ddi ring ring!

Lee Seokjun quickly picked up the handset. “Yes. This is Department Head Lee Seokjun. Yes. Yes.”

Yoo Minseok sighed secretly while Lee Seokjun wasn't paying attention. He thought it would be good to talk to the old man again. Yoo Minseok sincerely loved Arkstar. He was someone people liked to call 'patriotic.' He heard the news that the retired secret forces would be used as national representatives this year, but if Yoo Minseok's thoughts were correct, they wouldn't perform well in this year's National Compet.i.tion. This time, the World Compet.i.tion was truly a festival of stars.

'The secret forces won't be able to handle it.'

A total of 16 countries were partic.i.p.ating in the World Compet.i.tion. This year, all Eight Supernovas would appear. Yoo Minseok's idea was that despite being armed with the magic engineering weapons of the Parta Princ.i.p.ality, they wouldn't be able to defeat the other countries who had various tactical advantages. Moreover, there wasn't a single Star Fruit talent in South Korea. This was the biggest difference.

'Hah. It might've been different if Elder Park Muyeol and Kim Sujeong hadn't refused...'

Yoo Minseok knew Kim Sujeong was the Firefly Star's Beloved, so he suggested she become a national representative. However, she refused because she had no interest. It was the same for Park Muyeol. As a result, Yoo Minseok was now even more fl.u.s.tered.

'Yes. I will ask one more time.'

Yoo Minseok gave a small nod as he was thinking.

“Huh? What...?” Then Lee Seokjun's voice, filled with surprise, entered Yoo Minseok's ears. What had surprised him? Yoo Minseok wondered about the phone call, but he couldn't hear anything.

Lee Seokjun nodded with wide eyes. “Yes. Yes. Ah, yes. I see. I will do so. I'll prepare it immediately. Yes~”

Lee Seokjun sighed as he put down his phone.

Yoo Minseok asked him, “Who called? You sounded quite surprised.”

“Um, it was Father's doctor.”

“Doctor?”

Yoo Minseok was even more curious after hearing it was the doctor. Everyone in South Korea knew that Lee Geonmyeong was in poor health. So what did his doctor say?

“Hmm. I think I need to be a bit nervous.”

“Huh? What does that...”

“Father will come to the stadium.”