“I understand. Thank you once again, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung! I will dedicate my body and soul to serve you for a lifetime!”
Salute.
Han Seo-Jin throws a salute.
She returns the salute.
Zap.
A gray flash, and she disappears from sight.
Whoosh.
The waves crash white.
The sun has completely set, and the white moon rises.
The night sea sparkles under the dark blue night sky.
Is this enough?
I turn on my phone and check Han Seo-Jin’s YouTube channel that I subscribed to.
[Once again humiliated after France! Moscow and the Kremlin Palace fall silent! The entire free world is enchanted by the world-class K-hero’s feats that struck at the heart of a superpower! “Kim Deok-Sung is truly the hero of the entire free world.”]
[Korea, now surpassing great powers to become a superpower?! K-hero Kim Deok-Sung captures the attention of the whole world! The USSR trembles, America is astonished, Japan is jealous, and France loves the K-hero Kim Deok-Sung’s highlight reel!]
The familiar high-quality national pride video thumbnail catches my eye.
Clearly, Han Seo-Jin has bounced back.
Seeing her post the video so quickly, it seems she had the upload ready long ago.
My encouragement must have worked.
I feel inexplicably proud.
The national pride video is dizzying, though.
Just as I closed the YouTube app.
Brrrrrng.
A call comes in with a vibration.
‘Aris?’
The caller is Aris.
I pick up the phone without delay.
“Saionji-senpai?”
[Ah, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung. Thank you for answering swiftly. I am calling because…]
Just then, Aris’s voice from the speaker is interrupted.
[Ah-chan big sister! Seira wants to see Deok-Sung oppa sooooo bad!!]
Seira’s babyish voice cuts through.
My head spins.
[As you can see, the president is urgently looking for Mr. Kim Deok-Sung… So I had to contact you like this.]
Aris resumes speaking.
Wow.
I’m seriously losing it.
Tears are about to flow.
[Deok-Sung oppa, I miss you sooooo…!]
Seira’s childlike voice comes through my smartphone.
I’m really going crazy.
I feel even guiltier knowing her symptoms of dementia are probably my fault.
[It’s okay if you’re busy, but if you have time, I’d appreciate it if you could be with the president. I humbly ask you, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung.]
Aris speaks earnestly.
He speaks.
[Partner. Can’t you just go to my sister for my sake?]
The Black Prince speaks in my head.
I let out a sigh.
There’s nothing I can do.
With Aris earnestly pleading, I felt my resolve weaken a bit, plus it’s partly my fault that Seira has gone a bit kooky, so I’ll let it slide this time.
“I’ll go. Where is it?”
[I’ll send you the address. Thank you for taking on this difficult request, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung.]
Click.
The call ends.
Soon after, a text arrives.
“······It’s again by the beach.”
The place where Seira and Aris are is also a beach.
Whether it’s fortunate or unfortunate, it’s quite far from where I currently am and the barbecue party.
I walk along the beach.
The sound of the waves lapping against the night sea fills my ears.
“Sandcastle. Sandcastle. Seira wants to build a pretty sandcastle with Shiro-chan!”
I hear Seira’s slightly lisping voice from afar.
And beside her, I see Aris, who is building a sandcastle with a little shovel.
Building a sandcastle on a moonlit beach.
If someone saw this, they’d think I’m actually a dementia patient.
[Still, it’s a relief that our lady has returned to her usual self.]
The Black Prince speaks weakly in my head.
As he said, unlike earlier, Seira is back to being her usual 15-year-old beautiful girl self now.
Though there’s still the issue that she’s not fully back mentally.
I was prepared, but facing Seira right now leaves me speechless.
“Oh? Oppa Deok-Sung?”
Seira’s red eyes turn toward me.
She comes running with a smile.
“Oppa Deok-Sung! Seira missed Oppa Deok-Sung!”
Suddenly rushing in, she dives into my arms.
I can’t help but hug her in surprise.
This is ridiculous.
[······Sister.]
The Black Prince sighs softly.
For today, I feel bad for the Black Prince.
According to the setting, the two were once comrades who fought side by side on the battlefield.
Given that Seira is showing signs of dementia, even if I were the Black Prince, I’d be heartbroken.
“Oppa. Seira has been playing well with A-chan Onee-san and listening to her. You should praise me.”
She comes over with her teddy bear and sticks her head out.
Behind her, Aris bows her head slightly with a faint blush on her face.
“······Please praise me, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung.”
If Aris asks, there’s no way I can refuse.
I reach out and pat Seira’s head.
“Yeah, good job.”
“Thank you for the praise, Oppa Deok-Sung! Shiro-chan also thanks you, Oppa Deok-Sung!”
Seira grabs the teddy bear’s right arm and shakes it.
She then takes hold of my wrist.
“Hey, Oppa Deok-Sung. Let’s build a sandcastle together with Seira and A-chan Onee-san, okay?”
In the background, I see an incomplete sandcastle.
There are small shovels and toy trucks placed in front of it too.
Where did they even get these kid toys?
Quite the talent.
“······I hate to ask, but I’d appreciate your help.”
Aris says softly, her face still red.
[Partner, just do it.]
The Black Prince requests as well.
Since I’m here, I might as well handle whatever comes my way.
I also feel a bit sorry for Aris, who’s taking care of Seira by herself.
“Sure, let’s make it together.”
I sigh and sit down.
“Wow! Seira is so happy that Oppa Deok-Sung is playing with me!”
Seira beams with joy.
“Thank you, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung.”
“Mr. Kim Deok-Sung.”
Aris nods her head.
Sitting down with a trowel, she helps Seira build a sandcastle.
Playing in the dirt like this brings back memories from childhood.
Back in elementary school, playing in the apartment playground with friends in the dirt.
Whenever we played, I always remember my mom calling me for dinner.
It stirs up a mix of feelings.
Let’s just build a sandcastle.
A considerable time passes while we focus on making the sandcastle in silence.
“It’s done!”
Seira exclaims, and the completed sandcastle comes into view.
Clap, clap.
We dust off our hands.
[Good job, partner.]
The Black Prince speaks in my head in a low voice.
Good job, my foot.
“Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung.”
“Thank you for playing with Seira, Deok-Sung Oppa!”
Seira waves her hand, giggles, and runs over to hug me.
“But I don’t want to part with Deok-Sung Oppa. Can’t you stay a little longer?”
She says, lowering her head.
Normally, I’d have a response ready, but Seira is a patient right now.
I’m not the kind of cold-hearted person to reject someone who is hurt because of me.
My mouth feels bitter.
“Mr. President. It’s time to return to the hospital room for some rest…”
Aris, looking a little flustered, tries to interject, but just then—
She flinches.
Seira’s body trembles.
Her face turns red.
“B-but Se-Seira… O-oppa’s arms feel so nice…”
She speaks to me in an awkward tone, different from before.
[Lady?]
The Black Prince calls out to Seira in my head.
[Could it be she’s coming back to her senses…?]
The Black Prince’s guess is spot on.
Seira has just regained her sanity.
So, unlike her childish regression mode, she’s shy now.
I let out a sigh.
“Mr. President.”
“Se-Seira’s not the President!”
Seira puffs up her cheeks, her face flush.
She looks away.
I gently detach Seira from my arms while saying,
“I know you’re back to your senses now. Mr. President.”
I silently sigh inside.
There’s a limit to being a softie.
“No, that’s not true! Se-Seira’s still…”
Seira breaks into a cold sweat at my remark.
Her crimson eyes begin to tremble.
Seira gazes down at the floor.
It’s clear she’s regained her sanity.
[Oh, dear lady… ]
The Black Prince lets out a sigh just then.
“Mr. President.”
Aris speaks calmly.
“Did you call? A-chan I—”
“…You’re back to normal, aren’t you?”
Aris cuts Seira’s response off.
She takes Seira’s hand and speaks.
“Thank goodness… Mr. President. I’m really relieved.”
Aris bows her head.
Her shoulders tremble slightly.
Suddenly.
Aris pulls Seira into a hug.
Seira, caught off guard, brushes her cheek lightly against Aris’ shoulder.
“…I can’t even joke around in front of Aris now.”
Seira chuckles softly.
She caresses Aris’ head affectionately and steps back.
“Thank you, little one, Aris. For taking care of this body.”
Seira bows her head to both me and Aris.
Seeing that makes my heart soften unexpectedly.
I don’t remember it, but she rushed to save me to confront Ivan.
Taking the side effects of regression to infancy into account.
[Partner. If you have something to say to your sister, be honest. Don’t regret it.]
The serious voice of the Black Prince echoes in my head.
He usually acts frivolously, but he gets particularly serious when it comes to Seira or Olivia.
But right now, I owe Seira a debt, so it can’t be helped.
“Thank you. Chairman. For saving me.”
Just then, Seira snaps back to her senses.
It’s best to honestly express gratitude when someone has saved your life.
I thought this as I awkwardly thanked her.
Seira’s crimson eyes waver.
Her face turns red.
“Th-th-that’s…”
Unlike her usual self, pretending to be carefree and seductive, Seira looks flustered.
She brushes her white hair aside and stammers.
“As the Chairman, it’s only natural to protect my beloved student, isn’t it? There’s no need for gratitude, little one. I…”
Seira places her hand on her chest.
Her red gaze turns towards me.
“I… I’m only satisfied knowing I protected you. So, there’s no need for thanks.”
A soft smile appears on Seira’s lips.
She usually acts foolishly, but this time, she looked somewhat mature.
“…I understand, Chairman.”
Compared to the cold and aloof atmosphere of President Ichiro, her gentle yet oddly adult-like demeanor left me with no choice but to respond this way.
Swoosh.
Seira opens her fan and says, “Heh. Hearing your thanks… The memories of playing with you… weren’t so bad. Sometimes it’s nice to have fun like this.”
Seira playfully winks mischievously.
Sigh.
I’m just as foolish.
How could I have momentarily mistaken that silly chairman for an adult?
“In that sense, I just need a little more fresh air…”
“You still can’t go out freely. You need to rest, so you must return to your hospital room, Chairman.”
Aris cuts in sharply to the chairman’s words.
Hearing Aris’s surprisingly firm voice, the chairman chuckles awkwardly.
“…I want to go out, but it can’t be helped. I suppose I have to return to the hospital room with Aris now.”
The chairman quickly changes his words, glancing at Aris.
Aris smiles softly at the chairman’s answer.
“Well then, little one. I’ll be going in, so don’t stay up too late and get to bed early, alright?”
“Thank you for your hard work today, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung. See you next time.”
Seira waves her hand, and Aris gives a slight bow.
Seira, holding Aris’s hand, disappears towards the hospital.
Whoosh.
Left alone by the nighttime sea.
The sound of waves fills my ears.
‘I’m alone again.’
[Partner. Alone? That’s sad. I’m here too.]
The Black Prince immediately retorts.
Yeah, thinking about it, I’m not entirely alone.
[How about returning to the BBQ party? The ladies will be waiting for you anxiously. It’s impolite to keep a lady waiting, Partner.]
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