Rainbow City

The man sitting next to me was darting about from place to place.“Phew, honestly, I would be angry too. The noble families took all the credit, after all.”“But there’s nothing we can do about it. Even if they’re immune, they probably carry the new mutated Adam virus, so it’s only natural that they should die.”“No, honey. Rumor has it that the doctor wasn’t even a carrier. He claimed to have completely overcome the virus and even transfused his blood into animals. You know Joon’s family? They were so excited because their son finally became a captain. But after Joon died during the Yeouido Adam incident last year, his mother fell into a deep depression, and lately, she’s been completely obsessed with Paradise.”“Don’t believe it, honey. It’s all just a cult.”“Of course, you’re right.”While the couple continued sharing their opinions, Kwak Soohwan and Seokhwa resumed their meal.Kwak Soohwan was outraged that some crazy bastard dared to erase his and Seokhwa’s love story, using only the surface details for their own benefit. Seokhwa speculated whether those impersonators might have come from Eden.“If the doctor and the Major are the leaders of Paradise, there must be people who have seen them directly, right?”“Hmm, I’m not sure. It’s a bit tricky to ask Joon’s mother about something like that.”“I see.”Seokhwa nodded.“So, what are you two planning to do after this?”The husband hinted at having a drink together.“More importantly, we’ve been so engrossed in our conversation that we don’t even know your names! Haha, my apologies. So, what are your names?”Every time they were about to ask for personal details, Kwak Soohwan had swiftly changed the subject.“Oh, my apologies. It’s already so late. We should get going.”Seokhwa had nearly finished his meal as well, so there was no need to stay any longer.“You must be quite busy.”“We have somewhere to go early tomorrow morning. If we get a chance next time, we’d love to have a drink with you.”Kwak Soohwan pressed his lips with a napkin and then removed it. Seokhwa also rinsed his mouth with water and bowed to the couple.“Thank you for the conversation today.”At that moment, the music changed, and the couple clapped, saying it was their favorite song. They toasted to a world where they could freely converse, holding their wine glasses.“Oh! La Vie en Rose! It’s ironic how the world turned out like this because of those French pharmaceutical companies, yet the chansons that soothe us are also French.”“Indeed, from now on, it’s truly a rosy life.”They were an amusing couple who got along well. Kwak Soohwan took out some bills from his wallet and placed them on the table.“This is too much. And didn’t I say I would pay?”“I don’t like being indebted.”“Then at least tell us your names. If you’re staying at this hotel, we might see each other often.”He asked them to lower their guard, considering how much they had already talked. The husband wondered if the young couple, still receiving government paychecks, were still cautious because they might find this freedom unfamiliar.Tap, tap, tap!At that moment, the sound of perfectly synchronized military boots overshadowed the music from the turntable. Everyone dining tensed up and looked toward the entrance. Fear of the military and superiors was deeply ingrained in their minds. Uniformed soldiers blocked the entrance, with a Major standing at the forefront, hands behind his back.“Good evening. We have received continuous reports that religious crime organizations are spreading false information and kidnapping people. This hotel has also been reported. Please take out your citizen cards. We are only confirming your citizenship, so please cooperate calmly.”Snap, the Major and the soldiers behind him saluted.The Major was as imposing as a Russian bear. Everyone inwardly felt displeased but silently took out their citizen cards. Seokhwa also took out the fake citizen card Lee Chayoon had given him from his wallet. The resemblance was negligible. The same was true for Kwak Soohwan.The soldiers checked each citizen card one by one until they reached this table. The bear-like Major, with a stern expression, approached the table and suddenly widened his eyes as if about to faint.“Gen–,,”Kwak Soohwan frowned, signaling him to pretend not to know.“Gen-General?!”Despite his imposing demeanor, Moongil couldn’t help but exclaim.General? Moongil’s loud voice was heard by everyone in the restaurant.“Haha, it’s been a while, hasn’t it? Major Moongil! Yes, my name is General Kwak. My parents gave me such an unusual name. Have you been well, Major?”Kwak Soohwan spoke with a hint of sarcasm.“Oh, oh? Yes. I’ve been well.”Moongil stuttered like a malfunctioning AI. Meanwhile, Seokhwa gave Moongil a slight nod.“Oh, do you know each other?”“Hmm, let me check the citizen cards first.”Moongil hastily proceeded with his duties, checking the couple’s, Kwak Soohwan’s, and Seokhwa’s citizen cards. He kept opening and closing his mouth, as if he had a million things to say, looking incredibly restless, almost like a drug addict.“Well then, Major Moongil, may we leave now?”“Yes! No, I mean, yes.”Finally, after saying their last goodbyes to the couple, they got up and started walking. The sound of military boots followed closely behind. When they reached halfway down the corridor, Kwak Soohwan turned around.“General! Doctor!”Moongil finally shouted out cheerfully, saying it was good to see them.“When did you return? You should have told us! We were so worried after hearing that you left the city to recover! I’m so relieved that Dr. Seok is safe too. We were so worried and kept worrying…”Moon Kil’s eyes welled up with tears. If Dr. Seok had died, they had felt they would never see their captain again. Thanks to their captain, they had received special promotions and plenty of money.“My return is still top secret. Why are you here?”Kwak Soohwan glanced toward the restaurant. It was far enough that no one seemed interested.“Don’t get me started. Ever since I got promoted to Major, I’ve been busier, and they’ve been driving me crazy with tasks. And they say this new religious group is a scam? Have you heard that they’re impersonating you two? We’ve had reports of them taking people’s money and kidnapping them, and I’m busy tracking them down. I’ll catch those bastards and deal with them myself!”The rumor about the religious group kidnapping people was likely a trap set by the higher-ups to capture them. Since the term “rebels” was no longer effective, they labeled them as criminals.“They wouldn’t be walking around openly if they were stupid, right?”“That’s exactly what I’m saying. But we have to follow orders from above. Captain, since you’re back, are we reviving our squad? And Dr. Seok, how is your health?”People always asked about Seokhwa’s health first when inquiring about him.“I’ve gained a lot of stamina. I’ll live long. Thank you for your concern.”Moon Kil laughed boisterously. Without Kwak Soohwan, he would have slapped Seokhwa’s back with his bear-like hand.“But Captain, why did you return secretly?”“To catch those impostors you’re after. Give us all the information you have.”“Well, about that—”“Wait.”Kwak Soohwan signaled Moon Kil to be quiet and looked toward the corridor connected to the restaurant. Seokhwa also saw the couple hurrying toward them.“They haven’t left yet, fortunately.”“They left too much money. I felt bad thinking they wouldn’t take the change, so I brought this instead.”The husband handed Seokhwa a paper bag. Inside were warm, freshly baked scones and bagels.“Thank you, we’ll enjoy this.”“But… Major Moon Kil?”The husband, who had been smiling contentedly, now looked serious as he addressed Moon Kil.“Yes, go ahead.”“My wife has some information to report about that religious group.”“Ah, such reports should be given to—”Kwak Soohwan lightly kicked Moon Kil’s leg.“Yes, that’s right. You should report it to me.”The wife glanced around nervously before mustering the courage to speak.“The religious group that’s kidnapping people… could it be Paradise?”“Yes, that’s correct.”“Oh, I wonder if Joon’s mother wants to leave but can’t. One of my neighbors joined that Paradise group. They said they operate on a recommendation system and offered to recommend me as well.”Since they knew Major Moon Kil, the wife didn’t mind speaking more freely even in the presence of Kwak Soohwan and Seokhwa.“Do you still have contact with that person?”It was Seokhwa who suddenly asked.“Yes. I’ve tried to persuade them not to get involved with a cult several times. That was just a few days ago.”“Do you know their whereabouts?”“They’re probably at home? Oh dear, was it wrong of me to say anything? Joon’s mother trusted me enough to recommend it to me. There won’t be any repercussions for her, right?”“Is there a reward for such information?”“Honey!”The wife covered her husband’s mouth, embarrassed by his question.“If there’s a recommendation system, it means only acquaintances of the members can join?”“I’m not sure about that, but it seemed they were recruiting people from various professions. They talked about creating a new Paradise and forming a new country, which sounded absurd. My wife and I are teachers, so maybe that’s why they recommended us.”While the report was given to Moon Kil, it was Seokhwa and Kwak Soohwan who seemed more interested.Seokhwa folded the bread bag in half and looked at Kwak Soohwan, who nodded in understanding.“Would you like to come to our room for a drink?”“Haha, you said you were busy earlier. And why go to a room when we can enjoy the night view here—”“We’ll escort you to our room.”Moon Kil moved behind the couple, clasping his hands behind his back. The sudden chilly atmosphere made the husband rub the back of his neck nervously.“Well, you see, my friend—”“There will certainly be a reward from the city.”Kwak Soohwan grinned reassuringly.The couple, Kwak Soohwan, and Seokhwa were seated facing each other in the sitting area of their room.The other soldiers had been sent away, leaving only Moon Kil and two trusted subordinates guarding the door. From the moment they entered the room, the couple’s anxiety about their safety was palpable. The presence of Major Moon Kil at the door implied that the two men in front of them had even greater authority.The glasses of liquor were placed in front of them, but no one touched them.“Uh, excuse me.”“I’ll get straight to the point. Could you recommend us to the person in Paradise?”Kwak Soohwan spoke, and Seokhwa nodded in agreement.“What, what?”The wife looked at Moon Kil in surprise.“We want to become members of Paradise, but we didn’t know how.”Seokhwa casually said something dangerous.“That sounds strange.”“Does it?”“To be precise, we want to infiltrate them, not join.”Kwak Soohwan moistened his lips with a sip and invited the couple to do the same.“Infiltrate?”“Yes.”This time, Seokhwa began explaining to the couple in a way they could understand.“A religious group that deceives and kidnaps people is a criminal organization. We’re actually from Seoul Shelter, and we were dispatched to stop Paradise’s criminal activities. That’s why we couldn’t reveal our names during dinner.”See? Dr. Seok lies so well.Kwak Soohwan muttered to himself, though it wasn’t a complete lie.“Oh! That’s great! So you’ll save Joon’s mom from the cult?”She clapped her hands in delight.“Of course. If you recommend us to Paradise, you’ll also receive a hefty reward.”Kwak Soohwan brought the landline phone from the room and placed it on the table.“Let’s strike while the iron is hot.”“But who will give us the reward?”“The military will.”“Then, will the Major vouch for this?”The husband whispered, covering his mouth with his hand so Moon Kil couldn’t see.“What if the Major denies it later and takes all the credit?”Yeah, city folks have been fooled too many times.“First, let’s make sure the information is valid.”Kwak Soohwan was smiling, but his eyes conveyed an intimidating presence, prompting the wife to pick up the receiver.“Let’s put it on speaker.”Seeing her hesitation, Seokhwa reached out and pressed the speaker button. It felt like two villains from Russia were harassing city folk.The wife reluctantly set the receiver down and pressed the numbers. Seokhwa memorized the phone number. The dial tone rang for a long time. As two seconds ticked by, the couple swallowed nervously. It seemed like no one would answer… Would they be let go if the call wasn’t picked up? Just as they worried.[Hello?]The wife sighed in relief and raised her voice to the speaker.“It’s me, Joon’s mom!”[…Oh? Is that you, Yongji?]“Yes, it’s me, Yongji. Were you sleeping?”[No, I just got back from going out. What’s up? If you’re going to say something weird again,]“No! I’ve been thinking deeply, and the more I think about it, the more I believe Paradise is the shortcut to true happiness.”[…Ha, thank you. I’m glad my sincerity got through to you. I really hoped you, of all people, would be saved with me.]Kwak Soohwan signaled that this was enough, gesturing for her to wrap it up. They had confirmed their contact.“But Joon’s mom, I’d feel too guilty if I were the only one to be saved without my family and relatives. Could I possibly recommend my relative too?”Too nervous to notice the signal, the wife kept talking smoothly.[…A relative? What do they do?]Now she looked at Kwak Soohwan and Seokhwa, eyes wide, seeking an answer. Their plan to cut the call and handle things afterward was failing.Kwak Soohwan quickly pulled a paper from the table and scribbled down his thoughts. If they were relatives, they might share the same profession, so he wrote “teacher.”[Hello? Yongji?]“He’s, he’s a businessman!”[A businessman? What kind?]“Yes! A company that supplies equipment to broadcasting stations. You know that field is booming lately.”Her incredible quick thinking made Seokhwa rub his forehead. Things seemed to be spiraling out of control.[Then he must be close with the people at the stations too?]“Of course. It’s practically a monopoly.”[…Alright. Can I call you back tomorrow then?]“Yes, sure. I’ll be home, so give me a call.”[Yongji, you’ve made a great decision. Thank you. Let’s join Paradise together.]“Thank you too. Rest well, I’ll be waiting for your call.”Click, Kwak Soohwan let out a deep sigh after the call ended.“I, I meant to just confirm and hang up, but the conversation kept going…”“No, you did well. Thank you.”Seokhwa bowed his head in appreciation.“Did well, huh? Supplying broadcasting equipment, my foot. We don’t even know anyone in that field.”“We haven’t got the confirmation yet, anyway.”“True, but, elders.”The husband almost got riled up at the word “elders.”“Are you going home now?”“We have to. We didn’t book a room.”“Thank you for inviting us to your home.”“No, we never—”“Thank you.”Seokhwa, who had thanked them, stood up and started gathering his things.Watching them from the door, Moon Kil felt like Dr. Seok and the General had returned from Russia as a couple of con artists. It wasn’t like Dr. Seok to act this way, but maybe he’d been influenced by the General over time…“Moon Kil.”“Yes, General!”His loud response was more due to his guilty conscience. He’d called him General reflexively, but Kwak Soohwan had addressed him by name earlier.“If we manage to get into Paradise, tell Penguin to give us a hefty reward. Also, go buy two suits for us, ones that fit well. Don’t buy cheap ones.”“Uh, um, hey, wait a minute.”“Elder, stay with us until we get the call tomorrow.”During the Master system era, dealing with soldiers was rare, but in this era of freedom, it seemed like they were always involved.“Are you a soldier?”“Sorry for the late introduction. I’m Major General Kwak Soohwan from Rainbow City.”The husband’s jaw dropped, revealing his crooked lower teeth. Embarrassed for trying to show off in front of someone so high-ranking, his face turned red. Kwak Soohwan? He’d heard that name before.“What?! Kwak Soohwan?!”The wife pointed at Kwak Soohwan with her index finger.Controller Kwak Soohwan was known to be one of the founders of Paradise. Could it be the same name? She slowly withdrew her pointing finger. Seokhwa, who had gone to the dressing room, grabbed his gun and tucked it inside his coat. He was the first to get ready to leave.“Calm down, dear.”“Let’s finish quickly and get back to normal.”Seokhwa was eager to return to his lab, with many things to check. Understanding this, Kwak Soohwan also grabbed his long coat.Meanwhile, Moon Kil instructed his sharp-eyed subordinate to buy the suits. He and another subordinate would stay to guard the middle-aged couple and the two “con artists.”What started as a polite conversation turned into a forced invitation. Despite being pressured, the couple decided to treat Seokhwa and Kwak Soohwan with the utmost respect. Where else would they get the chance to network with a Major general? They were adept at turning crises into opportunities.Moon Kil checked for any bugs in the couple’s house, ensuring there were none before giving the all-clear for open conversation.“So, is your friend a soldier too?”“No.”Seokhwa, feeling full, merely poked at the apple with a fork.“Then what?”“A researcher.”“Oh! What kind of researcher?”“Various viruses.”He didn’t specify anything about Adam. Kwak Soohwan, behind the blackout curtains, was conversing with Moon Kil.“Where in Seoul were you?”“Yeouido.”“My, such a capable young man. So why are you with the Major general? A doctor and a soldier? Are you brothers?”“I am.”“What?”“I’m the Hyung.”She covered her mouth in surprise.“Hehe, I almost made a mistake. It’s good to look young. I thought you were younger because you don’t speak informally to him.”“I’m used to it. Hard to change.”Seokhwa had rarely spoken informally to anyone, a result of having few friends.“True, if I told my husband to start speaking formally, it’d be awkward. I’m actually two years older than him.”“Same here. I’m two years older.”During intense moments, Seokhwa did call him Soohwan. It was their signal, meaning he couldn’t endure much longer and to take it easy. Recalling their intimate moments, Seokhwa quickly tried to erase the thoughts. Thankfully, his blood flow didn’t shift yet.“Why are you trying to infiltrate, Dr. Seok? You’re not even a soldier.”“The situation turned out that way.”“So many secrets. But, it’s a bit exciting, isn’t it? Who would have thought something like a spy movie would happen in my life?”“Do you like spy movies?”“Yeah, I love them. After the regime change, I watched movies non-stop for a month.”“I like them too.”At the mention of liking them, Kwak Soohwan, with keen hearing, approached Seokhwa. Seeing Seokhwa converse effortlessly with others made Kwak Soohwan feel both pleased and a bit jealous. As he had said earlier, he was the younger one, and Seokhwa was the elder, so this much jealousy was understandable.“If the rendezvous point is set, we’ll go alone tomorrow.”“Wouldn’t that be a bit strange?”The husband hesitated briefly, wondering if he should use formal speech. Kwak Soohwan’s casual demeanor gave him a bit of confidence. He now had a story to brag about: knowing a lieutenant general on a first-name basis.“My wife and I will go too! It’ll be more believable that you’re our relatives.”“We’re already imposing, we don’t want to trouble you further.”Seokhwa firmly refused, but the couple was already too invested in their spy movie fantasy.What danger could there be? They were protected by a soldier, and helping capture a criminal organization might even earn their family a medal of honor.“Elders, be careful of scams.”Kwak Soohwan’s words were sincere. The couple seemed like the type who would have been easily deceived even if he and Moon Kil had been impersonating soldiers.“We have a good eye for people. If things go well, we’ll get a medal and a reward, right?”“Penguin isn’t stingy. You’ll definitely get something.”“Penguin? Do you mean… Emperor Penguin?”“Yes.”Seokhwa answered, taking a bite of the apple. His stomach had settled, and the honey-sweet apple made his mouth water. He offered an apple to Kwak Soohwan, who leaned forward to take a bite.“Is it good?”“Yes, even better with your touch.”“I used a fork to poke it.”Kwak Soohwan mumbled and glanced at his watch. It was still far from midnight. To pass the time, Seokhwa explored the cozy, lived-in house of the couple.Family photos decorated the walls and tables. An old phonograph had a slight layer of dust. The tablecloths and coasters were knitted, giving the home a warm feel. Seokhwa had never decorated his home, not even when living with his mother. His shelter room had been just a place to sleep, as was his current room.“A home filled with love.” This house truly embodied that sentiment.On one wall was a large cross-stitch piece, big enough to spread arms wide. It depicted a serene forest, with green and brown threads densely packed. It reminded him of the forest he saw daily from the mountain lodge.[No man is an island][In memory of my child who left honorably]The inscription captivated him. It seemed to be a tribute to a child lost in the last Adam incident.No one is truly alone. Even after death, they are remembered by others. The remaining loved ones, though still in pain, could endure because they were together.Suddenly, Seokhwa imagined living in such a warm home with Kwak Soohwan. Their house might have stones instead of knitted items, but it would still be filled with love.Riiiing—the old-fashioned phone rang, breaking Seokhwa’s reverie. Everyone’s attention turned to the phone. The wife put her finger to her lips and pressed the speaker button.“Hello.”[You, Yongji, are such a bad person.]The voice was filled with disappointment. The wife, flustered, looked at Kwak Soohwan, who shook his head. It was a signal to deny everything.“What? Joon’s mom? What are you talking about?”[You deceived me, didn’t you?]“What do you mean I deceived you?”[All the stuff about your relatives was a lie. And saying you wanted to join our congregation, that was a lie too, right?]The wife wiped her sweaty hands on her thigh. Seokhwa scribbled a note on a piece of paper.“Say it like you don’t care if you lose her.”Both Kwak Soohwan and Seokhwa agreed. They had scouted the area and found no soldiers around.“I don’t understand why you’re saying this, Joon’s mom. I don’t know why you’re disappointed in me, but whatever it is, let’s just forget about it.”[Wait a moment!]“…What?”[I finally understand your true feelings, Yongji. Don’t be upset, I need to verify people’s identities before recommending them. I was concerned because you suddenly changed your mind… But I overlooked the fact that you and I share the same pain. I’m sorry.]“I’m still upset.”[I understand. But we can be saved together, Yongji. You know Uryong Mountain? There’s an old temple halfway up. Meet me there at 7 AM tomorrow.]“Are you coming too? Or should we go together from here?”[No, meet there. I have to go out now.]“At this hour?”[Yes, you’re truly blessed, Yongji. Dr. Seok himself acknowledged me as an exemplary follower for recommending someone related to the broadcasting station. Don’t disappoint me, Yongji.]