TRPM 241

chapter 241

Sophia watched the love triangle surrounding Han Geon-woo and couldn’t help but smile inwardly.

From her perspective, stepping back and observing it all felt like watching a scene straight out of a comic or a drama.

“They’re really amusing… the three of them.”

How long had it been since she had felt something like amusement…?

Being a spy for the organization that vanished, once led by Oracle—no, now led by the head—had made it hard to find any enjoyment.

Even before becoming a spy, during the time she was being trained as an assassin, there had been no time to feel joy.

But now, every day brought her some pleasure.

“… Although the Artist still seems wary of me.”

Richard, the chairman, must have assumed she was keeping an eye on the Artist. Sophia thought so.

Yet surprisingly, Richard had not given her any specific task.

The reason was simple: it was impossible for her abilities to monitor the Artist, Han Geon-woo.

Richard genuinely cared for his subordinates.

Even if she mentioned this, he probably wouldn’t believe it outright, so it was better to remain silent.

“Except for occasionally feeling the Artist’s gaze on me, things are really peaceful now.”

Without a mission, there was no need to be tense. Without tension, peace settled in her heart.

And with peace came enjoyment in her daily life.

Of course, she was still a target for criminal organizations, so she didn’t let her guard down completely. But for now, she was enjoying this ordinary life.

“Let’s get some lunch soon… but where should we eat?”

“There’s a restaurant mentioned in the pamphlet. I think they might have lunch prepared for visitors there.”

Seeing Han Geon-woo change the subject while eating cotton candy, Sophia suggested this.

Although the pamphlet didn’t detail where to have lunch, if Shinsae Church had prepared it, it would naturally be at the restaurant.

Thinking this, Sophia led the group to the restaurant.

And then…

“Mom! Dad! Let’s go there too!”
“Haha… okay, okay.”
“Phew… let’s go slowly, slowly.”

Watching the children who seemed to have come with their parents, Sophia’s expression stiffened.

“……”

She could barely remember her own parents’ faces anymore.

They had been killed by a criminal organization, and there were no photos left.

Not just her—anyone who had been kidnapped and trained as an assassin by a criminal organization probably couldn’t remember their parents’ faces either.

“There are faint memories, but…”

Sophia gave up trying to force herself to recall her parents’ faces.

Even if she tried, it would only intensify her longing.

“Unni, why do you look like that?”

Seeing Sophia’s expression, Lee Ha-eun leaned in and asked.

Sophia couldn’t answer properly.

Any answer would only bring discomfort to both the speaker and the listener.

Normally, she might have answered, but today was a good day, and she didn’t want to discuss such topics.

“It’s nothing.”
“Hmm…”

Sophia gave a casual answer, and Ha-eun, realizing Sophia wasn’t fine, decided to let it slide. She had no intention of forcing Sophia to speak.

“……”

Yeon Mi-rae quietly watched Sophia as they headed to the restaurant.

After finishing lunch at the restaurant, Yeon Mi-rae made a suggestion to the group.

“Please let the Master spend the afternoon alone with Ha-eun.”
“… Really?”

Ha-eun looked slightly surprised.

For her, Yeon Mi-rae was both a good elder sister and a rival in love.

And now, Yeon Mi-rae was giving her a chance to be alone with Han Geon-woo? Ha-eun couldn’t help but feel surprised.

“I have something I want to discuss quietly with Sophia.”
“Me…?”
“Yes.”

Sophia repeated the question, and Yeon Mi-rae nodded to confirm she had heard correctly.

“… Since you’re giving in, I won’t refuse! Geon-woo, you heard that?”
“Yeah. Where should we go?”

Ha-eun left excitedly with Han Geon-woo, leaving Yeon Mi-rae alone with Sophia.

“… Don’t you want to stick with the Artist too?”
“I do, but listening to your story seems more important right now.”

Thinking about it, they had lived in the same house and worked at the same guild, yet had rarely had personal conversations.

“We’ve mostly talked about work and barely about personal matters…”
“… That’s true. I apologize if it was uncomfortable. I tend to hold back because of my spy habits.”
“I’m not asking you to apologize.”

Yeon Mi-rae waved her hands to stop any apologies.

Until recently, there had been no one around, so their conversation wouldn’t be overheard. But now that others had finished eating, there were more people nearby.

Normally it wouldn’t matter, but given Sophia’s past as a spy, it was wise to consider security.

“Also… I’m sorry to ask this…”
“……”

Yeon Mi-rae hesitated before asking:

“What were your parents like?”
“……”

Sophia understood why she was being asked. Seeing a happy family before lunch had clearly stirred something.

“Well…”

But Sophia couldn’t answer. She couldn’t remember.

“My father was strict, and my mother was kind… I think.”

Even that was only a guess from vague memories—not a definite answer.

“… I see.”

Seeing Sophia like that, Yeon Mi-rae felt pity. She had also lost her parents but still had their photos and clear memories.

Above all…

‘I had my Master and the Master’s mother.’

Especially Han Geon-woo’s mother, Han Jae-hee, who even said she could consider her a daughter.

Though she never went that far out of politeness, thanks to the two of them, Yeon Mi-rae could still feel the warmth of family despite losing her own.

“… Do you know that Parents’ Day is coming up in a few days?”

After thinking for a moment, Yeon Mi-rae asked Sophia.

“Parents’ Day?”
“Ah, Parents’ Day is…”
“No, I know about Parents’ Day in Korea. I understand what it is. In the U.S., the dates are different, but there’s Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.”

Sophia asked only out of curiosity as to why Parents’ Day came up.

Yeon Mi-rae half-ignored her question and explained Korea’s Parents’ Day.

“In Korea, people give carnations to their parents on Parents’ Day.”
“Yes… it used to be like that in the U.S. too.”
“So I want to ask you…”

“Would you prepare carnations together this upcoming Parents’ Day?”

“… Why me…?”
“Even if not by blood, there are people who care for you like a daughter.”
“… I’ll pass.”

Sophia initially rejected Yeon Mi-rae’s sudden suggestion.

She understood the intent behind it, but for Sophia…

‘(I have no one who cares about me….)’

… Or do I?

“……”

Seeing Sophia deep in thought, Yeon Mi-rae didn’t push further. She merely foresaw Sophia eventually accepting the offer.

That night.

Back home, Sophia lay on her bed, recalling what Yeon Mi-rae had said earlier:

‘(Someone who cares about me.)’

There were a few people who fit that description.

‘(First, my late parents.)’

Sophia knew where their graves were. If she ever returned to the U.S., she planned to place carnations on their graves.

And…

‘(… Chairman Richard.)’

Richard had saved Sophia and her colleagues, who had been raised as assassins by criminal organizations.

He took them under his wing—not forcibly—but they chose to stay with him out of gratitude.

‘(We decided to help Chairman Richard to repay his kindness.)’

So Sophia and some of her colleagues infiltrated various criminal groups to gather intelligence.

Some, like the part-time worker they met today, weren’t skilled enough for such tasks.

‘(And Chairman Richard knew the dangers they faced, so he supported them as much as possible.)’

He emphasized their safety above all else, even ensuring escape routes if needed. This is why Sophia could steal a sample of the cure and escape from Mars when she learned of the zombie virus outbreak in Singapore.

‘(I’ve also heard he took risks to save Albatross PMC, including Mr. Morris.)’

Richard genuinely cared for his subordinates. That’s why Morris, Sophia, and the others sincerely followed him.

‘(……)’

Thinking back, Sophia had never celebrated Richard’s birthday or anniversary, even though she respected him.

That was because she had been active as a spy and couldn’t properly contact him…

‘(… No, that’s just an excuse. Maybe I should at least send a carnation like Kan-hwa suggested.)’

Father’s Day in the U.S. was still far off, but Sophia seriously considered Yeon Mi-rae’s suggestion.

Some time later, in the chairman’s office at the Global Awakener Association headquarters.

Chairman Richard inspected a small delivery box that had arrived.

‘(Is this… a carnation?)’

A pink carnation.

He tried to check who sent it, but the sender’s name had been erased.

‘(It’s similar to a method used by a smuggler arrested long ago. If you’re not the intended recipient, it appears as if the name is there.)’

He checked the flower’s meaning on a device:

‘(Confession of love, gratitude, graceful gesture….)’

At his age, confession of love or a graceful gesture didn’t apply.

That left gratitude.

‘(Did someone I saved or someone I sponsor send this to show thanks…? But then there would be a letter…)’

It seemed unlikely that anyone would use a smuggler’s method. But no letter meant the sender wanted to remain anonymous—or had to remain so.

‘(… Come to think of it, didn’t Korea give carnations to parents on Parents’ Day?)’

Richard, having researched Korea while keeping an eye on the Artist, realized this was a gift for Parents’ Day.

Then suddenly, a secretary entered, catching the scent of carnations.

“Chairman, Madam is here… hmm? What’s this fragrance?”

‘(Knock before entering! And this…)’

A gift from a daughter to her parents.

“… Daughter? But Chairman Richard only has sons….”
“… Honey? Daughter? What are you talking about?”

Behind the secretary stood Richard’s wife, radiating anger.

‘Wait! That’s not it…!’

Richard had to break a sweat clearing up the misunderstanding with his wife and secretary.