Chick 312
by Cristae312
After finishing their meal, Chloe set about cleaning.
“We’ll need to tidy up if we want to make room for the tree.”
“Okaaay.”
Groo sprawled on the sofa, watching Chloe clean. She seemed less like she was cleaning and more like she was searching for something.
Once she’d checked every nook and cranny, Chloe called out loudly, as if for effect.
“Shall we go buy a tree?”
Groo jumped up.
“Yes, let’s!”
Chloe bought a small tree, just a bit taller than Groo.
Groo had lobbied for a bigger one, but her suggestion was overruled. Even so, just having a tree made her happy.
They returned to the apartment, grinning from ear to ear. As they were about to step off the elevator, a massive Christmas tree blocked their path.
Ding-dong—
Ding-dong, ding-dong—
The sound of the doorbell being pressed over and over rang out.
“Doesn’t look like anyone’s home. Try calling.”
It was Joorim’s voice.
“I wanted to surprise them, though.”
Now it was Ijo’s voice.
Chloe tried to usher Groo back into the elevator, pressing the close button.
But Groo bounded out first, running straight into Joorim’s arms.
“Baby Princess!”
Ijo welcomed Groo, and Joorim, with familiar ease, lifted the child into his arms.
Groo, excited by the huge tree they’d brought, flushed with delight and asked over and over,
“A tree? A tree?! Is it a present?”
“Yes.”
“What do you think? Decorating a tree with your uncles.”
“Awesome!”
Now that she had two trees, Groo was so overjoyed she was nearly faint with excitement.
“Unni! We have two trees now!”
Chloe, who had been watching with a look of disapproval, finally burst out laughing at the sight.
Just then, Ijo came over, took the small tree from Chloe, and held her hand in his own—his large, slender hand enveloping hers.
“Sorry I couldn’t make breakfast this morning. I was busy picking this up.”
He gently laced his fingers through Chloe’s as he spoke.
“How are we supposed to fit such a ridiculously big thing in here?” she protested.
“Sorry about that. But the size wasn’t my idea. That one’s not exactly the sensitive type.” Joorim shrugged as he stepped into the apartment.
Ijo leaned in and asked quietly,
“I’m still better though, aren’t I?”
Chloe let out another quiet laugh at how eagerly he seized the opportunity to make his case.
“Yes, I suppose you are.”
“…Really?”
“Really.”
Ijo beamed, and Chloe faltered, meeting his delighted gaze.
Then, he raised their entwined hands and pressed a soft kiss to the back of hers.
Before she could even complain, he nudged her inside.
Suddenly, Chloe realized she actually enjoyed this noisy, pleasant commotion she found herself swept up in.
In the living room, Joorim was setting up the tree while Groo appraised the decorations.
As the door closed behind her, Ijo took her coat and headed to the clothes steamer.
“….”
Chloe silently observed this peaceful scene.
When was the last time she decorated a tree?
As she dug through her memories, she remembered: it was the last year her parents were alive.
‘Ah…’
A wave of pain struck her.
Why did these people keep reminding her…?
Of how much she missed the warmth between people. Of how much she longed to love.
Behind the growing number of ornaments on the tree, the black tower was glimpsed through the balcony windows.
While Joorim and Groo decorated, Chloe stepped out onto the terrace for a closer look at the tower.
The tower stood like a mirage, visible from everywhere and open to all who wished to approach. Yet, how such a phenomenon was possible remained unexplained.
Groo started to follow Chloe outside, but Joorim shook his head.
Ijo, meanwhile, came out to the terrace with a shawl in hand.
He draped it around Chloe’s shoulders, giving her that soft, love-struck smile she now knew all too well.
Leaning on the terrace railing, gazing at the tower, Chloe asked,
“How do you think the 99th floor raid will go?”
“We’ll make it.”
“Won’t it be hard?”
“We have to do it, regardless.”
Chloe gazed farther afield.
In the center of the park stood a gigantic Christmas tree strung with fairy lights, clearly to evoke a festive mood. Families and couples were out enjoying Christmas together.
‘Do those people not see the tower?’
Beyond the festive tree, the looming black spire was like a gravestone—a symbol of destruction.
Why do people continue to love even as the world falls apart?
“Groo asked me something.”
“What was it?”
“She asked if, knowing you’d have to say goodbye, you shouldn’t let yourself love.”
“Did she? So what did you say?”
“I asked why she’d bother with a rascal like that. Did she meet him at the kids’ café?”
Ijo burst into laughter, like a flower bud opening.
“Well, I didn’t see any such rascal. Maybe it’s unrequited love, like mine.”
He shrugged innocently.
Always so quick to lay his heart bare. Chloe, too tired to challenge him, changed the subject.
“What about you, On Ijo?”
“Me?”
“How would you answer? Should you not start at all?”
“No. I’d say, don’t deny today’s happiness for fear of tomorrow’s sorrow.”
His immediate answer came as naturally as if he were stating the sun rises in the east. Chloe had no rebuttal and found herself simply accepting it.
So that’s how you live.
Ijo smiled deeply and cast his gaze down.
“When the raid’s over, I’ll come back to you first.”
“…”
“Then we’ll travel together. groo too.”
“A trip?”
Chloe gave a quiet laugh at how naturally he included ‘us’ in talk of the future.
Clever fox.
“Cici, do you like the sea?”
“Yes.”
And I’m the one who can’t turn that fox away, she muttered to herself with bitter amusement.
“Even somewhere secluded?”
“Of course.”
A quiet place by the sea would be perfect for Groo to run and play.
Chloe smiled, picturing herself and Groo walking along a tranquil shore.
“What about me?”
“….”
“Do you like me?”
His large hands slid down her arms to enfold her hands in his.
Chloe closed her eyes tightly, then opened them.
A world without the tower.
A silent seashore.
Groo, laughing as she ran away from the waves.
And Ijo, holding her hand, as she looked at their expectant bellies, at Groo.
It was the image of happiness she’d long carried deep inside.
In truth, she’d always dreamed of a future where they raised a child and loved each other.
“Someone…”
Cheeks flushed, Chloe whispered softly.
“I wish someone would teach me how to stop myself from loving.”
I never wanted to fall this deeply.
“It’s too late for that.”
Chloe cupped Ijo’s face in her hands and kissed him gently.
Ijo’s eyes flew wide open in surprise at the sudden kiss.
Chloe laughed joyfully.
“When you come back, there’s something I need to tell you.”
The lab has been lying to you, and I’ve been a bystander.
But because I love you—and Groo—I can’t keep silent anymore.
Today, she made up her mind to destroy the life and career she’d built.
“So, come back as soon as you can, and safely.”
As soon as she resolved to reveal everything, a chilling calm settled over her mind.
She couldn’t blurt it all out right now.
She didn’t know how the Company would react.
If she sought On Ijo’s help now, she and Groo might be able to escape…
But she wanted to save the other children in the lab, too.
For that, she needed time—and Ijo had to go save the world in the meantime.
So she still couldn’t tell him.
Once Ijo entered the tower, she’d have to protect the lab kids and her unborn child on her own.
Chloe cast a sidelong glance at the bug and pressed her lips tightly together.
If she said within the Company’s hearing, “I don’t want a child,” she might be able to buy herself some time until the baby was born.
For now, it’d be safest to behave as the model researcher, under the Company’s watchful eye.
‘It’s not going to be easy.’
Still, it was all right.
‘Still, I have to do it.’
Chloe Han’s way of loving had always been sacrificial and exhausting.