[havant: You can call me at this number.]
I borrowed Seo-yoon’s smartphone and dialed the number Hainha had given me.
– Yes, Your Holiness.
As if he had been waiting, Hainha picked up the phone as soon as it rang once. Efficient, like a true agent.
“Is it a good time to talk?”
– Of course. Please go ahead.
His voice was monotonous yet firm. It was as if he would have made this work no matter how difficult the situation was.
I liked that. It felt reliable.
With someone like him, I could trust him to take good care of the kids. He’d surely do it with a sense of responsibility.
Honestly, my first impression of him wasn’t great, but now I was starting to think he was quite a decent guy.
It definitely wasn’t because he had sponsored me a lot of money, changing my mind. I just realized he had a blunt personality from the start.
“Hainha, how do you usually spend your time? Do you have some spare time?”
Hainha didn’t respond immediately to my question. He was being cautious, just like when I had asked for his phone number.
– First, I would like you to explain what this ‘event’ is. Does it hold any special meaning?
“That was just my humor. I simply wanted to have a conversation.”
– Oh.
“Was it not funny?”
After a brief silence, the usually quiet Hainha opened his mouth.
– Honestly, I don’t know where the punchline is.
“……”
Another awkward silence followed.
Having been shocked into silence, I regained my composure and cautiously asked Hainha, “So… you were trying to induce laughter by distorting the truth on purpose?”
– I see.
Even after my long-winded explanation, the ruthless agent showed not a hint of amusement. Consequently, I was shocked once again.
‘The bishops were rolling with laughter though?’
When I was actively serving as the Pope, I occasionally made similar jokes. I used to exaggerate how the goddess warned us to be careful of colds, saying a disaster would strike on the ground if we didn’t.
Every time, people would initially panic, but after I revealed it was a joke, they’d end up laughing heartily.
So, I confidently made the joke, but it didn’t land at all. It seemed my ‘Pope-special humor’ wasn’t working in this world.
“I’m sorry. Let’s skip the nonsense and get to the point.”
– Yes, please do.
Though I was a bit hurt by Hainha’s unsmiling tone, I covered it up and stated my purpose.
“Please be a babysitter for my children. I will compensate you.”
– You want me to take care of… kids?
His reaction was dripping with reluctance. Fearing he’d reject my offer, I quickly added more detail.
I had a special means prepared for this kind of situation.
“If you accept, I’ll give you a ‘Liam one-time free pass.’ Just so you know, any returnee you bring along will be weaker than Liam. I trust you understand what this entails.”
– ……
Perhaps tempted by the offer, Hainha quietly fell into thought. He was likely calculating the pros and cons in his head.
In the meantime, I enjoyed sipping my green tea in leisure.
How much time passed? Hainha finally broke the long silence and spoke up.
– I’ll do it.
The outcome of his contemplation was a positive response. It was the answer I had been hoping for.
It seemed he deemed the country’s interests more important than personal trouble. I nodded with satisfaction, smiling.
“That’s an excellent decision. I hope you get promoted for this.”
– Thank you…
“Then, could you come over right now? I’d like to talk face-to-face.”
Without hesitation, Hainha replied.
– Please wait ten minutes. I was already planning to visit today.
His quick response was quite heartwarming.
*
“Nice to meet you.”
Hainha really arrived in just ten minutes. He was panting, probably having rushed over.
He was likely staying nearby, prepared for my sudden actions.
Actually, Liam was the bigger problem, but he might have already given up on that. After all, a mere agent couldn’t stop a former hero.
“Who is that?”
“Why is he here?”
Erina and Ibailla, who were playing in the living room, hid behind me and asked. Since they had missed him last time because they were napping, this was their first meeting with Hainha.
Soon, the twins peeked out curiously, observing Hainha. They were wary of the stranger.
“Erina, Ibailla, greet her. She will be around often.”
They glanced up at me, hesitated, then bowed. Hainha squatted down to greet the girls.
“Hello?”
Just one word. Too brief for a greeting, but at least she seemed friendlier than when dealing with me. It reassured me that she didn’t dislike the kids.
“Please, sit down.”
I guided Hainha to the dining table, exchanging warm glances with the twins.
Unlike last time when I just served water, I offered her green tea this time. Last time, she was an unwelcome guest; now she was a welcomed one.
“Long time no see?”
Liam, already seated, waved and grinned at Hainha. Hainha flinched slightly before slowly sitting down.
It was clear she was a bit scared. I smacked the troublemaker on the back to facilitate a smooth conversation.
“Go take care of the kids.”
“Got it.”
Liam obediently answered, pulling the girls into a hug.
Erina smiled brightly, snuggling into Liam’s embrace, while Ibailla nestled against him quietly.
Soon, the three of them started playing and chatting excitedly. It was a lively atmosphere that always lifted my spirits.
I smiled watching the girls have fun, then suddenly said, “Agent, you need to play with them like that from now on.”
“Understood.”
Seemingly prepared for this, Hainha didn’t seem bothered at all. If anything, she looked enthusiastic about it.
“First, please take this.”
Hainha suddenly pulled something from her pocket and handed it to me. It was a smartphone.
It was pink, a match for me, and stylish. It looked brand new.
“What’s this…?”
“It’s a small gift for you from me, Your Holiness. Once activated, you can use it immediately.”
“……”
I looked straight into Hainha’s eyes for a moment.
Was it just my imagination? That blunt gaze suddenly seemed sharp and clever.
“Thank you so much. I’ll use it well.”
Honestly, I had wanted to buy a smartphone for a while. It’s a must to be considered a modern person.
However, I couldn’t afford one because the broadcast sponsorship settlement was due next month, but now, I had received it. It was a precise gift that hit the mark of my desires.
Since she had done something I truly liked, I decided to forgive one of her past missteps.
“Agent, I’ll forgive you for belittling me during the broadcast by saying I’ve aged. But do repent.”
“…It’s an honor.”
Holding the smartphone carefully in my hand, I began discussing the babysitting duties. First, I explained the simple rules.
“In the future, I’d like you to come promptly when I call, just like this. It might be urgent.”
Hainha promptly took out a notebook and pen and began to write. Even while writing quickly, her handwriting was neat and pretty.
“And I’d appreciate it if you memorize all the foods the children like and dislike.”
“Understood.”
“Also, when the girls ask to play, please do your utmost to play with them. If you show any sign of annoyance, they’ll get hurt, so be careful.”
“…Yes.”
While I continued to speak, Hainha paid full attention, focusing solely on my words. This behavior was incredibly commendable.
“What should we do if the kids ask for their parents?”
She even showed proactivity by asking questions herself. Sometimes she pointed out aspects I hadn’t even thought of, surprising me.
Thanks to Hainha’s active cooperation, the conversation proceeded smoothly.
“Very good. That’s all.”
Finally, all explanations wrapped up.
Only then did Hainha relax and put her notebook away. Then, without taking a break, she brought out documents from her bag and placed them on the dining table.
I looked into the papers and saw an intriguing label on top.
[Returnee Support Plan]
“What is this?”
“That’s a collection of your previous requests and examples from other countries, made into several support options for you, Your Holiness. Please take a look.”
I immediately pulled the documents towards me and began reading them carefully, eager to finish them all.
By the time I read the last page, a smile naturally spread across my face.
“Excellent.”
Summarizing the plan, it was divided into five sections. The first one addressed what I considered most important.
“So Liam and the kids will finally get their citizenship?”
At last, the family members who had merely been treated as add-ons for the returnees would now be recognized as Koreans. I expected it, but it had taken longer than I anticipated.
Feeling that it was quite delayed, Hainha immediately began to make excuses.
“Since the hero is quite… an unusual person, there were quite a few opposing opinions. However, my consistent reports were positively received, and only now has approval finally come through.”
“Thank you.”
Since her acknowledgement was a nod to her own efforts, I readily praised her. Of course, I immediately raised another issue.
“But when will my identity processing be done? You said it’d be done within a few days, so why is there still no news?”
“…For the same reason. It was delayed due to the hero, and it was only registered yesterday.”
So it was that pesky guy causing the issue again. It seemed Liam was definitely not helping with his positive image.
“Congratulations. You’ve officially received a new resident registration number as a returnee.”
Hainha’s words evoked a somewhat mixed feeling.
At long last, the oppressed life of ‘Park Si-woo’ was no more. It was a bittersweet occasion.
As of today, I was the only returnee in Korea, “Clitia Eluke.” While it hadn’t changed much, I felt a strange sense of nostalgia.
Once I had calmed the various feelings welling up, I spoke up.
“Other items won’t be resolved right away, I suppose?”
“That’s correct. We will contact you immediately once preparations are complete.”
“Thank you.”
As I continued talking, I felt that Hainha was quite intelligent and meticulous.
Plus, she looked relatively young. She was exactly the talent I needed.
Ever since I started broadcasting, there was something I wanted to do, and I intended to ask her for it.
“Hainha, there’s a more important conversation I’d like to have than the support I would receive.”
I set a serious tone as I began.
At that, Hainha tensed up, her expression growing serious again. Good posture. This was indeed a matter of great importance.
“Are you ready?”
“Please say whatever it is.”
Leaning slightly forward, I earnestly spoke.
“Agent, please tell me about expressions and interests commonly used by young people these days.”
“…Yes?”
“I heard from the news that young generations are often referred to as ‘MZ Generation.’ Please make me the ‘MZ Pope.’”
“……”
Hainha stood there with her mouth slightly open, dumbfounded, before finally responding.
“You just sounded like a really old person.”
“Why is that? I used trendy terms…?”
I really couldn’t understand today’s sensibilities.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
