I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay down My Gun

Chapter 659

"Ugh. I felt this last time too, but wearing such formal clothes that I never usually wear feels kind of weird."

"Isn’t this how you would normally dress for an MCN event or a contract thing? I usually wear something like this when I go out."

"That’s true, but how did we end up here?"

Friday, Week 4, September 7 PM.

With only two days remaining before the Expo ends, the lounge, hundreds of meters above the ground, had large floor-to-ceiling windows through which the blinding lights of the Expo could be seen. The light pollution was so intense it seemed as if it might be harmful.

The sky outside was filled with clouds, and instead of moonlight, rain was falling steadily. Although this year had fewer rains than usual for August, the typical hot and humid summer weather was still very much present.

The only saving grace was that numerous drones, floating high above, formed a wedge shape and were gently shaking off the raindrops falling on the Expo and theme park below.

Despite this, a considerable number of people had gathered at this location today.

Hoddeok, Limit, Kim Stone, and Kato. Plus, Lorenatina and Olivia, along with three of Viyam’s little ones. A total of ten people, each wearing similar or different clothes, were waiting for someone.

Some had slightly nervous expressions, while others looked confused about what was happening.

Before the main guests arrived, we sat at large seats where the outside could be seen.

"As you can see today, it’s not a course meal. We’re doing a grill-your-own-style, so you can eat as much as you want. The meat will be grilled by humanoids."

"…Wearing such formal clothes, I feel like I’m at a company dinner."

"Except for Lorenatina, everyone here is technically here for an Icarus-related work dinner. Considering the cost, it’s like a dinner that costs about 50 million won."

"Wow."

It couldn’t be helped.

Since only important people had gathered, we couldn’t settle for something casual. We had imported some of the high-end meats that are usually only available at places like Wallje Galbi. There were probably about 30 kg of it waiting.

Even as people began to chat among themselves, humanoids resembling the youngest mecha were moving busily to start setting things up. Twelve individual grills were set up, and the food was arranged neatly.

After some time, two sets of footsteps could be heard approaching from the open elevator. Naturally, it was my parents.

I quietly stood up and walked toward the hallway to meet my mom and dad, who were slowly walking toward me from around the corner. They were dressed much more casually than usual.

"Did we arrive too late?"

"You must have been hungry, my daughter."

"How can you say I’m hungry when I just want to see you, seriously."

"Ah, I get it. I get it. My back hurts."

Now it was difficult for me to even hug them from behind. I had reached 250 kg, after all. Wherever we go, I won’t be able to ride any attractions at theme parks.

Anyway, we walked with my parents to the table, and everyone, except for my friends, stood up and bowed their heads. They didn’t really need to, but still.

As expected, Lorenatina and Olivia casually walked over and shook hands with both mom and dad. It was a relief they didn’t do any awkward, formal handshakes like a Beju-Volkis greeting.

When the main guests arrived, my mom spoke to Iris.

"Nice to meet you. I heard you’re helping our daughter with her work. If there’s anything uncomfortable about her physical changes or anything, don’t hesitate to tell us. We’ll scold her properly."

"Eh, ah, no! I’m actually so comfortable, it’s great!"

"Why are you interrogating our editor as soon as you meet her?!"

Seriously, I was about to lose it.

Of course, everyone could tell that part of it was intentional. My parents chuckled and slowly sat down to start eating, while a humanoid that had been waiting nearby began grilling the meat. Only then did everyone begin eating.

It seemed like the ventilation system had been carefully constructed, as the smoke from the grill was immediately sucked up by the ducts next to it, and soon the conversation began in earnest.

Well, it was more like a bomb was dropped.

"Jin-ah."

"Yes?"

"After the Expo ends, we plan to leave the mecha daughters in Korea for a while. Probably around October, we’ll bring them back, but it's not certain."

"Since they were brought here by plane, wouldn’t it be fine to take them back the same way?"

"Normally, that’s what we planned to do, but there’s been some suspicious talk about the military humanoid business."

…Should we even be hearing this? The expression on everyone’s faces showed confusion, but my parents skillfully changed the subject. In short, they didn’t say anything further.

I was supposed to figure out the details later or perhaps guess what was going on myself, so I just nodded without thinking much.

Suspicious talk. If I piece together what was just said… Two things seemed clear. First, they had no choice but to leave them in Korea, and second, there was some questionable business related to military humanoids.

‘…Could other defense contractors be throwing some interference?’

If that was the case, the defense industry friends would probably be sneaking around the U.S. Congress trying to plan something right now… but well, the production line was almost complete, so there wasn’t much left to do.

Once they put out the high-performance models they’d been using in the Expo as business prototypes, other companies would naturally be out of the picture. I get why they’d try to interfere like this.

But that wouldn’t be enough.

However, the next statement made me completely disregard those thoughts.

"Should we leave them at our daughter’s place?"

"Wait, what? Mom!?"

"Just kidding, just kidding. Mom can’t even joke? I’ll leave them at the Icarus Korea branch, so don’t worry."

Everyone almost burst out laughing. For more than one reason.

For a moment, I nearly jumped up in shock. I mean, no matter how big my house is, if the number of guests keeps increasing like this, it would be chaotic. Plus, the originals are over in that other world...

Wait a second.

Does that mean… my parents are saying they’re going to make the mecha daughters “legally” roam the world?

When I locked eyes with my mom, she smiled.

Jackpot.

"Please leave them at the Icarus Korea branch. Our house is too small as it is. It’d be more convenient to have a whole apartment to accommodate them."

"Right, as I said, I’ll leave them at the branch. But after that, your mom and I aren’t sure what will happen."

"Why is that a problem?"

The ensuing silence made the situation even more tense.

From what she just said, it sounds like… leaving them there isn’t just about finishing up with the Expo, but it might be a prelude to a new mess. My danger sensors were going off like crazy.

To understand this unease, I first had to remember that the five machines that would be stationed at the Icarus Korea branch were sentient. They could set their own goals and take autonomous actions.

But what in the world were they planning to do?

The answer came from my parents.

"One day, those kids might come to visit you because they miss you, and they might come all the way from Yeouido to Cheongdam."

"Ugh."

"Jin probably already knows, but those kids… no, wait. It’s better to ask you first. What do you want to do? You don’t have to decide now."

It was a much more refined question than the ones I ask the little Viyams. Starting from the question, this was completely different.

So now I had two choices. Should I leave the mecha daughters there, or should I put them to sleep until I need them again? Actually, there might be a third option.

Strictly speaking, these mecha Viyams weren’t the main bodies. They were electronic life forms that could move their consciousness freely, and the main bodies were in New York.

So couldn’t I just leave them there and open the door when I want them?

With that, I gave a simple answer.

"I’ll tell you later."

"Wow. Eugene, you just totally defeated them..."

"As expected, a child can never win against the parents."

"Isn’t it usually the other way around?"

"I can hear the local broadcast!"

It was so frustrating, really.

Of course, my parents didn’t start this conversation for no reason. Considering their position now, they needed to lighten the mood a bit after everything that had changed.

If I were in their shoes, I’d probably sweat a bit too if I were invited to a dinner with Tim Cook – who, in this world, had probably already retired ages ago.

Anyway, my mom gave a small laugh and continued.

"You’ve been talking too long. Please eat comfortably."

As the meat cooked and its fat melted, it sizzled as it hit the charcoal. The dinner had begun.

"…Didn’t you just laugh exactly like Eugene?"

"I’ve noticed it before, but it’s really a perfect match."

"Thank goodness that kind of joke didn’t come my way..."

"Now it’s your turn, Kato."

Meanwhile, Eugene was unaware of the local broadcasts.

In that place, a separate conversation was taking place.

"Did you enjoy the Expo, everyone?"

"Ah, yes! It was so much fun! It’s just unfortunate I couldn’t come more often!"

"It’s really unfortunate you couldn’t come more often. And the two of you, who have been close to our daughter... you seemed to enjoy your time quite a lot, didn’t you?"

"Heh, yes, thanks to her."

"It’s all because of that Eugene brat..."

In the lounge, when Eugene wasn’t around, the table they had been sitting at was quickly cleared, and a new table with desserts, various drinks, and a selection of well-known high-end liquors was set up.

As the bubbles from the champagne in the glass rose, Eugene’s mother, Lee So-yeon, let out a quiet breath.

Eugene wasn’t present, and neither was her spouse, Eugene’s father, Lee Hyun-jin, who would soon be the CEO of Icarus International.

Knowing that, Lee So-yeon began to speak about things she couldn’t say earlier.

"This Expo and theme park weren’t originally planned to cover this much variety of content. But after the Manifestation Day, things changed quite a lot."

"I see. Could you tell us more about that?"

"Originally, we didn’t plan to send out the kids… or, to make it easier for you to understand, people like Jin and Rain. But after Manifestation Day, my daughter proposed more than I expected."

There was some behind-the-scenes story to that.

As this thought passed through everyone’s minds, Lorenatina, just like Eugene’s mother earlier, poured herself a glass of champagne and leaned closer, making sure the conversation didn’t become dry.

She was in her 40s—though no one really noticed—and with that, she skillfully added a few words, which encouraged Lee So-yeon to open up more.

"Jin wanted humanoids and manifestors to get closer to everyone and present themselves in a positive way. There was no real need to meet them in person, but she kept going around the Expo... inviting you all here was part of that too."

"…That makes sense."

"Don’t think too much about it. My daughter isn’t that calculating. She does like to help others while making sure she enjoys herself too, but that’s just who she is."

Some of them chuckled, especially Kato.

But despite everything, they were all gathered here for a reason. Because Eugene had invited them, and in the end, Hoddeok’s group didn’t mind Eugene’s games.

Meanwhile, Lee So-yeon quietly looked at Iris, almost as if she was trying to remember something.

"Jin wanted others to understand both the struggles and joys of manifestors. In this world, there are people who experience sudden gender changes, and others who grow bodily organs that don’t even exist in humans. Don’t you agree?"

"…"

"Some might jokingly say that manifestors are a step above humans, but that’s too simplistic. It doesn’t guarantee a better life."

No one was expected to answer, and Iris quietly lowered her head, lost in deep thought. It was understandable. After all, that was the reality. Humans live their lives connected to others, and when their bodies change, it disrupts the basic premise of relationships.

Lee So-yeon’s lips formed a small smile.

Then she looked around at everyone.

"Before I was the head of a company, I was just a mother. This was just a way to make my daughter’s vision a reality. If this has brought you joy, I’m sure Jin will be happy too."

"Heh. When she comes back, we’ll show our gratitude wholeheartedly."

"If Lorenatina here doesn’t mind, of course. As you all know, my daughter is a bit shy."

Everyone chuckled lightly. Lee So-yeon smiled softly.

"It was just three years ago that my daughter returned from America. All the relationships she had known vanished in an instant, but she did everything she could, and now, this moment, and all of you, are the result of that."

"…"

"My daughter changed the course of your lives, but the reverse is true as well. Thanks to all of you, my daughter was able to endure tough times and reach this point."

The lounge had grown quiet.

Lee So-yeon spoke again.

"We may meet again, or this could be our last time. But I’ll say this as if it’s the last time. I’m grateful to have you all here as my daughter’s friends, advisors, and companions. I hope we can continue to have such good experiences in the future."

"…Of course."

"I’m sure no one here owes their life to Eugene, but when he disappears, I’m sure everyone will cry and cause a fuss."

"Heh."

She took a sip of her champagne and added quietly.

"I hope we can meet again like this in the future."

"Of course."

"Soon, Jin will be back. I hope this time hasn’t been too burdensome for you."

"Oh no, not at all. We’ve been through this before, so there’s no way it would be burdensome."

That answer was enough for her.

Meanwhile, Harmony, Dice, and Iris, with their heightened senses as manifestors, felt vibrations and faint noises. Two sets of footsteps were approaching down the hallway.

Not long after, Eugene and her father entered the lounge, and Eugene’s eyes scanned Lorenatina without mercy.

At that moment, a small sense of awkwardness settled in, and the conversation continued.

"Mom, did you tell them something weird again!?"

"Oh dear, what are you talking about? You don’t trust your mom?"

"Anyone can tell something’s off!"

It seemed like a strange conversation, but maybe not entirely unexpected.

While everyone laughed, Eugene’s misunderstanding only deepened.

The Expo was nearing its end.