Lee Hyeseung stared at the back of Hawoon. He raised his brows, confused at what Hawoon was whispering with the new boy.
He gave a small tap on his shoulder. "Is he the one behind this mess? What he's saying?"
Hyeseung met with silence. He tilted his head, crouching down to Hawoon's level. There was an unreadable expression on his face. "Hey…"
"…"
He shook his shoulder but still no response. "Hawoon… what happened?"
"… do you trust me, Hyeseung?" Hawoon tilted his head, staring in his eyes.
"What… why are you asking-" Hyeseung didn't like the look in his eyes. He knew Hawoon is going to do something he would not like it.
"I asked… do you trust me?" Hawoon emphasized on his words. Hyeseung was silent for a moment before taking a long sigh. He nodded. "Okay…then-"
Hawoon stood up with Suho in his arms along with Hyeseung. "Whatever you're going to do, make sure you gave some thought to it." Hyeseung whispered, chin tilted, pointing behind Hawoon.
Hawoon turned to see heads of Second and Third Division speeding towards him. Their eyes fell on the boy in Hawoon's arms.
"What a reunion!" Kim Taekwon, head of second division trailed off. "I almost teared up… never thought I would see Commander of Royal Army to lose his composure like that."
Hawoon clenched his teeth, giving a pressed smile. "I'm moved by your concern, Mr. Kim." His eyes were throwing daggers at him. "But… I think there are more important matters…"
"… that should concern you. Rather than, crying over the union with my son."
Taekwon was still smiling, but irritation was visible on his face. "Right… I better focus on the thing I'm here for."
His eyes fell on the boy in Hawoon's arms. "Who's this kid? His hair…"
Hyeseung glance at Hawoon waiting what he was going to do. His expressions were firm and cold. Let's just trust him… and hope it isn't some stroke giving bullshit.
"This all mess…" Yang Youngjoo, head of Third Division observed Suho. "… is he the one behind this?"
"Doesn't add up," Kim Taekwon sneered. "Too young to have awakened. Unless…" His smirk widened. "Unless we've encountered a true mana prodigy."
Hawoon swallowed dryly, tightening his hold on Suho, shielding his face. "I guess… we can call him that."
"Wow… this kid has bright future." Youngjoo eyed him, amused. "With training at EMS, alongside the other students, he's bound to achieve great things."
But Kim Taekwon eyes darkened at his words. No… if this boy were to join EMS, my Taeui would be forced to compete with him. I can't let that happen.
"We should take him with us," Taekwon said firmly. "This entire mess needs to be investigated. We must uncover exactly what happened here."
Youngjoo nodded, agreeing with him. Hyeseung narrowed his eyes, observing Taekwon. He isn't the type to care about such things. Something's fishy.
"Hand him over." Taekwon's tone brooked no argument.
"I can't," Hawoon said flatly.
"What?" Taekwon shot him an uneasy glance. "You didn't just say what I think you did."
"You heard exactly what I said." Hawoon's face straight, eyes bored.
"What?" Taekwon scoffed. "Don't test me, Hawoon. Just because you're commander of the Royal Army doesn't give you the right to obstruct an investigation."
"I said… I can't." Hawoon's voice thundered this time, sending silence crashing over the crowd.
Hyeseung shot him a look, half disbelief, half warning. What the fuck are you doing, you bastard?
"Hah! Why this bastard…" Taekwon dragged a hand down his face, his patience fraying with rising fury. He moved closer to Hawoon. "Hey… you do realize what you're saying."
Hawoon showed indifference, enraging Taekwon. "Fuck… why are you causing trouble for us?"
As far as I know, it won't really cause any trouble." Hawoon tilted his head, his tone mocking. "You just want to take him with you to make sure he doesn't become an obstacle in your way.
"What?" Taekwon's eyes wide with fury. "What kind of bullshit are you spouting, bastard?"
"I'm right! Your son…" Hawoon snickered, eyes glaring. "He studies at EMS. It's no secret, how you always pull your strings and get rid of any student that might pose threat to your son."
"Why…" Taekwon shot a glare at him. "Why are you doing this? Going this far just to prevent taking this boy with us?" Taekwon pointed to Suho. "There must be a reason."
Hawoon hesitated. He didn't know what to say and how he should get out of this. He felt every eye on him, Hajun clutching his coat, Hyeseung's stare boring into him while these elite officers testing him.
"…He's my son."
"…" A stunned silence fell.
"Huh!" Hyeseung unintentionally let out, mouth apart. Oh! This bastard… He's really going at it.
Taekwon blinked, then scoffed. "Your… son? Don't make me laugh. You only had one son. That cry baby clinging to you." He jabbed a finger toward Hajun, who sniffled, snot running down his nose.
"He's my adopted son." Hawoon's voice was steel. "You don't know him because I never publicized it. And I don't care if you believe me. He's mine."
Taekwon poked his tongue inside his cheek. "You're really asking for it… you expect me to believe this bullshit?"
Youngjoo watching everything, decided to remind them again of his presence. "Commander… this isn't the time to fuel your rivalry. Just hand over the kid. It won't be good for you too."
"Honestly, I don't really care." Hawoon was nonchalant.
"Hah! I can't…" Taekwon stuffed his hands into his coat pocket, taking a moment to calm himself. "…okay… okay…"
Hajun was watching everything. He might not be the powerful and brave like his father, but he was smart. He analysed the situation. He should do something. He bit his lips thinking if he should do this or not.
His mind went back to Suho. He did everything to protect him. Hajun should do something to pay him back. He swallowed dryly. "D-dad…"
Hajun pulled on Hawoon's coat looking up to him. "What… is there something wrong? What happened?" Hawoon worriedly asked.
Hajun nodded. "I'm alright… it just… Hyung is injured. He needs to get a check-up."
"…what?" Hawoon was stunned. Hajun innocently locked eyes with him. He got the hint. "Oh! Yeah! He needs to get checked, right?"
Everyone had their eyes on them. "I think you got the message. Please make a way for us… I need to get my son to hospital." Hawoon had poker face.
"…" Without saying anything, Taekwon stepped back, giving him space.
"Thank you!" Hawoon passed by him giving a look. Taekwon clenched his teeth.
Hyeseung and Hajun followed him behind. "You almost gave me stroke, bastard." Hyeseung whispered, only audible for Hawoon. Hawoon just smiled. They settled in a car and drove away.
Taekwon and Youngjoo watched them leave, except one was burning with rage. That bastard… I won't leave him alone that easily.