“Ilrey glanced at his watch just as Chang-in had finished pouring the wine.This visit—separate from the mission Ilrey was now handling, which involved Hogan and even the UNHRDO Asia branch—had been prompted by matters of military supplies exchanged with Kyle, so Ilrey had come to Chang-in’s room to discuss them.Since most of the terms were already agreed upon, only a few additional checks were needed, and the business was quickly concluded.Chang-in, who had heard that Kyle had recently acquired the rare book he’d been seeking, had cracked open a Scotch to discuss it at leisure—but the moment he raised his glass, Ilrey glanced at his watch and said, “I suppose I should be going,” rising from his seat. Chang-in watched the Scotch with regret.“Why so soon? Is something wrong?”Chang-in knew well that Ilrey, here as an ordinary operative rather than an instructor, had no other duties at this late hour. Even if it related to Hogan, Hogan wouldn’t risk any foolishness tonight, so Ilrey could hardly be busy—and it was still too early for bedtime.Ilrey shook his head as he surveyed the clock. “No. It’s almost time for your nephew to show up.”“Taeui? You arranged to meet him tonight, right? Around what time?”If he was meeting Taeui with alcohol, Chang-in decided to lower his glass without protest.“I didn’t set an exact time, since he doesn’t come only tonight—but he usually arrives around now.”Ilrey quirked an eyebrow at the implication that Hogan must finish work and shower before Taeui could come. Chang-in chuckled.“So he comes every night? I’m glad you two are getting along. But if Taeui only comes when Hogan is free—”Chang-in began refilling both glasses.“Since we’ve opened these, finish yours off before you go. He’s a decent fellow. Hogan has extra tutoring tonight, so Taeui won’t be free for a while.”Standing beside Chang-in as he poured ice into his glass, Ilrey considered for a moment. He could easily finish his Scotch and had no need to hurry back if Taeui didn’t come—yet he seemed reluctant to linger here too long, just in case.“Why not just call him and set a time?” Chang-in nodded toward the phone on the desk. Ilrey agreed.He pressed the extension button a few times; soon the call was answered. Ilrey’s lips moved.“When will you be here?”“…Ilrey? Why are you calling so urgently?”“I’m in Chang-in’s office. I wondered when you’d arrive.”“Uncle’s room? You want me to come there?”“That wasn’t my intention, but if you’d like, it’s fine. You can do your business here—though I doubt you’ll enjoy it.”“…No. I don’t particularly want that.”“Chang-in says your nephew doesn’t want to see you.”“Hey! Why are you twisting the truth? That’s not it!!”Ilrey cut the call short to scold him, and Chang-in heard Taeui’s mosquito-like voice shouting through the receiver: “Tell him the truth! Tell him the truth!” Chang-in chuckled. Although he wouldn’t literally believe everything Ilrey said, his nephew—the quick-witted boy—hadn’t realized it yet, though he would soon. Taeui collected himself and spoke calmly.“Anyway. I have a lot to do tonight, so I’ll be a bit late. Maybe very late. Don’t wait up—why not just sleep?”“I can wait until your alarm goes off.”“…Fine, Room 18. I’ll come before midnight. I can’t make it by eleven….”“Okay. Let’s say between eleven-thirty and midnight.”“Alright. See you soon, Room 18.”He grumbled, “Tell Uncle I said hi,” then hung up.Chang-in heard the soft click of the line and looked up, eyes wide. Ilrey set the receiver down with a silent, delighted smile—eyes narrowed in genuine pleasure. He’d smiled like that before, even offered a smirk, but never had his eyes twinkled so. He chuckled as he replaced the ice bucket.“It still feels surreal, but I’m glad he’s doing well. Otherwise he wouldn’t have stayed here for years. Every time I come to Berlin to see my nephew, I still get [N O V E L I G H T] a strange feeling.”Chang-in found it remarkable. He never imagined Taeui and Ilrey would get along. Their personalities had always seemed entirely dissimilar—if there was one thing they shared, it was treating serious matters lightly. Yet where Ilrey genuinely found it trivial, Taeui faced it head-on, determined to meet it courageously.“Strange, isn’t it?” Chang-in blurted. Ilrey glanced up from the Scotch glass Chang-in had set before him.“I’ve always loved Taeui, and I understand why he’s popular—but I never expected him to get along so well with you.”Chang-in placed a glass in front of Ilrey and took a seat opposite him, studying the man who’d lived with his nephew for years.Ilrey tilted his head, took a sip of Scotch, and said lightly, “We live together, though we don’t see each other every day outside. Since we’re not in the same room, I suppose I miss him sometimes, Rick?”Chang-in’s playful jab earned a half-hearted laugh from Ilrey.“But you arranged for rooms 6 and 8 so they’re just a stone’s throw apart….”He paused, swirling his glass. Only after the ice clinked twice did he murmur, “Ah—it was the room number 18, wasn’t it?”“You must have heard the entire call.”“I thought it was just a private nickname between you two.”“I did say it sometimes—‘sip-pal.’”Chang-in fell silent at Ilrey’s casual admission. Suddenly he could picture Taeui’s thought process—embarrassed defiance in using ‘18’ as a sobriquet.“But 18, huh?” Chang-in murmured wryly. “A timid rebellion, just like him.”Ilrey’s lips curved into a soft smile as he shook his head.“Did you know the meaning of 18, Instructor Jung?”Ilrey’s tone was more a private musing than a direct question. Though not expecting an answer, Chang-in replied after a brief pause, “Room number?” He could have exposed the truth for amusement, but his uncle’s heart chose to protect his nephew.When Ilrey chuckled, Chang-in realized the situation was indeed tangled—subtly so, and likely not in Taeui’s favour.“His pronunciation of Korean is very precise, and he speaks slowly, calmly, so it’s easy to understand.” Ilrey’s slow, private murmur made Chang-in smile bitterly. He wondered how long Ilrey had been watching over Taeui’s thoughts.“You’ve learned some Korean, Rick.”“Enough to understand what Taeui says and its meaning.”Chang-in silently finished his Scotch, the rich aroma momentarily clearing his mind. His first thought upon its dissipation: poor my nephew.“You’ll find his expression quite revealing, usually.”“Normally?”“Well. If he deliberately tries to deceive, it’s hard—but when he contemplates serious matters, you can see he’s thinking, though you can’t guess the conclusion. Sometimes he surprises you—so you can’t let your guard down. But normally, he’s easy to read—like with the ‘18.’”Chang-in smiled. “I suppose I understand wanting to tell him to his face.” But he was surprised—though not one to be angered by a curse, he thought Ilrey would simply deflect it.“He said it so softly, it almost sounded pleasant—‘sip-pal.’” Chang-in laughed, and Ilrey joined him.“I thought it wasn’t so bad.”“So profound?”“Rather than profound, I want to grant whatever he wishes—except what causes me pain.”“Is there anything that pains you?”Chang-in asked half in earnest; Ilrey began counting on his fingers:“Abstinence, flight, escape, separation…or some mistake or momentary error where I might—”He trailed off as if recalling a distant memory—vague as a dream, yet carved deeply like an ax. His laughter vanished, revealing a chilling calm that made Chang-in shudder.Ah, that must be pain.But only for an instant. Ilrey reclaimed his usual languid smile, unfurled his fingers, and said, “Anyway. He’s lost much because of me, so once this training ends, I intend to give him whatever he asks.”“I thank you for that.” Chang-in smiled, comforted. Ilrey’s words, though surreal, were sincere—spoken by Ilrey Regrow himself.By the time they’d emptied nearly half the bottles, Chang-in’s door burst open without warning. Footsteps echoed down the hall. Chang-in feigned surprise.“Taeui, what brings you here at this hour?”It wasn’t yet eleven; Hogan’s work should be winding down—so Chang-in wondered why Taeui was here. Yet Taeui removed his shoes and entered as if he’d expected this scene.“I finished earlier than I thought. I assumed you two would have something good to drink. Pour me a glass, Uncle.”He seated himself at the table, then glanced at Ilrey with faintly smiling eyes—then fixed him with a wary stare and murmured, “I’m here. Just one drink, then I’m off to your room. I came only to drink, got it, Room 18?”“Of course.” Ilrey lifted his glass with a grin.Chang-in paused mid-pour, then quietly resumed filling a glass. Watching his nephew gleefully accept the expensive drink, Chang-in reflected: can I truly stop worrying?As Taeui sipped and teased Ilrey—“Room 18, are you drunk? You’re giggling alone—have you found something amusing?”—Chang-in decided real concern wasn’t necessary. He saw the faint smile in Ilrey’s eyes even as Taeui prodded him.Chang-in smiled to himself. Raising his glass in a silent toast, he drained his Scotch, ice and all.

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