Devil’s Music

Two days later.

Geon Kim, covered from head to toe in a scarf, sunglasses, and hat, nervously tapped his foot at New York's Kennedy Airport. It was a different look for him, one usually reserved for greeting someone important.

"Is this your first time in the US since coming back?" Lynn asked with a small smile, noticing his anxiety.

Stopping his foot tapping, Geon nodded silently.

"It's the first time I've seen so much since being discharged from the military."

Geon repeatedly checked his watch and bit his lip, prompting Lynn to pat his back reassuringly.

"It's good that you thought to bring your family here, Mr. Geon."

Geon smirked bitterly.

"I've hardly spoken to my father since that incident. Of course… he used to hover around me at home after my discharge, but I never really opened up to him. I'm not sure if that will ever change."

"A family means people you share meals with. It's not just about eating together; it means spending significant time with those who are as annoying as they are beloved. Seeing them often is crucial."

"Well... the change in my father started when he lost his job in Seoul, not when he was busy with work. I'm actually worried about spending time together since we used to clash a lot at home."

"Listen, he apologized later and seems to be trying hard now. Oh, here they come."

Lynn had met Geon's mother, Yeongha, on a few trips to Korea and recognized his family immediately.

Taewoo and Yeongha, hauling three large suitcases, looked around the unfamiliar American landscape like country folk. Shihwa, bursting with excitement, ran toward Geon from afar with a joyous expression.

Geon saw his family from a distance. His father, who had been tormented by demonic whispers in his youth, recognized him instantly. Yeongha, watching Geon with a complex expression, lowered her head like a sinner when their eyes met.

With loving eyes, Yeongha alternated her gaze between Geon and Taewoo, while Shihwa, who hugged and clung to Geon but spoke cheekily, shouted.

"Brother!!! Hey, how could you not show your face even once!"

Geon chuckled and patted his sister's head.

"Haha, was the flight too long for you?"

"Too long! I came to see you; how could it be hard? Hehe, actually, I complained a bit to dad on the plane."

"Why were you scolded?"

"You gave us first-class seats, which were comfortable and the meals were good, but the flight was so long my back hurt. I complained about why you need to work in the US and make us suffer, and dad scolded me."

"What did he say?"

"He said that we, as family, should be proud of the achievements you've worked hard for here, instead of complaining about a few hours of flight time right before your album release. Hehe."

Geon saw Taewoo slowly pushing a cart with the luggage.

"Father… have you been shouting often lately?"

As Shihwa linked arms with Geon, she said,

"Not at all. Everything changed after you went to study abroad. He's been working hard and is very kind to mom and me. He even cries at night holding a soju bottle he can't drink, looking at your photo."

Geon slightly bowed his head and scuffed his feet against the ground.

"I see…"

Though they approached slowly, the physical time was inevitable. Yeongha reached Geon first, hugged him, and fondled his face.

"My son, are you well? Oh, my child, you've grown even more handsome."

As Yeongha touched his cheek, Geon held her hand and smiled.

"I'd cause a scene if I took off my sunglasses here, mom. Have you been well?"

Yeongha nodded nonchalantly, while Shihwa complained.

"Mom, you always say you're sick to me, but you tell brother you're fine? You even got osteoporosis! Always going to the hospital and taking medicine."

As Geon looked surprised, Yeongha covered Shihwa's mouth and said,

"Child! Your brother is struggling abroad! Hoho, no, Geon, it's osteoporosis, but it's okay with medication."

Geon turned to Lynn, who nodded and made a phone call.

"Yes, this is Lynn. Is there an osteoporosis specialist at Downtown Hospital in New York? Oh, yes. The patient is... Mr. Kay's mother. Not right away? Hoho, it doesn't have to be right away. Please check when the doctor is available and let me know. Thank you."

Geon smiled at Lynn's conversation, feeling grateful that even though it wasn't an emergency, Larry was ready to

rush over.

"Ah, father. Have you been well?"

Taewoo, fumbling with the luggage, replied awkwardly.

"Yes... Geon, have you been well?"

"Yes… have you been healthy?"

"Um... always the same."

As Geon reached out his arms, Taewoo looked puzzled. After holding his arms out for a moment, Geon said,

"Father, hug me."

Surprised by Geon's unexpected request, Taewoo looked at Yeongha, who smiled and nodded.

"Hoho, it's been a long time since I've seen the two of you hug. What are you waiting for? Go on and hug him."

"Uh… um…"

Dropping the cart and awkwardly approaching, Taewoo hugged Geon. Though it was awkward, Geon, trying to bridge the gap with his father, hugged Taewoo tightly before trying to pull away.

However, Taewoo, putting strength into his embrace, held Geon from slipping away. Although it wasn't the first time, feeling his father's warmth for the first time since maturing was genuinely comforting.

As Geon felt Taewoo's strength and let himself be held, Taewoo said with a trembling voice,

"I'm sorry… my son."

Geon closed his eyes. If he opened them, the tears that had filled his eyes might fall.

Adjusting his sunglasses and wiping his nose, Geon slipped out of Taewoo's hands and chuckled.

"Haha, no need to apologize. It's cold; let's go to the car and talk."

"Yes…"

As they watched, Lynn quickly arranged the car, and without needing to walk to the parking lot, they exited the airport and directly loaded the luggage into the waiting vehicle, with Geon being the last to get in the car after removing his scarf and sunglasses.

Seeing his son's face for the first time in a long time, the family couldn't take their eyes off Geon. Having made many friends and important people in the US, the way his family looked at him warmed Geon's heart.

Before heading home, they stopped at the Bronx Zoo, where Geon, laughing, named a gorilla after Shihwa, which earned him a strong hit on the back of his head from her.

Though a small lump formed on his head, it strangely didn't hurt. Watching Taewoo touch his head and worry about the lump made Geon's heart grow even warmer.

After a quick lunch, they returned to the Red Castle, having been informed in advance of Geon's family's visit, Miroslav hid over 80% of the organization members and all the weapons.

At the majestic front gate of the Red Castle, only four men in black suits greeted Geon and his family. Seeing the enormous mansion from the car, Shihwa exclaimed.

"Wowww!!! What is this, brother? Do you live in a place like this? Does the company provide this too?"

"Haha, no. It's someone else's house; I'm just staying here."

Hearing Geon's words, Taewoo looked worried.

"Why did you refuse the tuition money father sent? With that, you could have at least rented a place. Isn't it uncomfortable living in someone else's house?"

Feeling Taewoo's concern, Geon laughed and shook his head.

"It's not like that, father. Haha."

"Isn't it? Come out right now. Father can afford to rent an apartment in Manhattan."

"Haha, father, I have a lot of money."

"Huh? If you have money, why are you staying in someone else's house?"

"Hehe, I don't know how to explain. Just don't worry about it."

As they passed through the mansion's garden, Yeongha exclaimed from inside the car.

"This is a truly beautiful house. What does the owner do to live in such a place?"

Unable to tell his family that Gregory was part of the Red Mafia, Geon smiled and changed the subject.

Shihwa, who had loved dogs since childhood, was thrilled to see the guard dogs.

As the car stopped in front of the annex, Geon got out first to unload the luggage. The organization members quickly came to help, but Geon gestured with his head, and they smartly backed away.

Taewoo helped Geon with the luggage, and Yeongha admired the beautiful exterior of the annex. Shihwa already ran to a white swing next to the annex and sat on it, shouting.

"There's a swing inside the house! And in such a beautiful garden! Mom, mom! Take a picture of me!"

"Hoho, okay."

Watching his family enjoy themselves, Geon pushed the luggage and opened the door to the annex, then suddenly froze.

Behind him, Taewoo pushed the luggage and caught up, suddenly stopping when he saw Geon's reaction.

"Son, what's wrong?"

Geon didn't answer Taew

oo's question, and sensing something was off, Shihwa and Yeongha approached the entrance of the annex.

"Brother, what's wrong? Did a thief break in while you were away?"

"Yeah, Geon, what's wrong? Look at mom."

Behind the door, which Geon had inadvertently blocked, a woman's voice, speaking Korean, could be heard.

"Oh my! Mother, father! You're here?"

Startled by the sudden female voice, Taewoo looked at Yeongha, who was also shocked and pushed past Geon to see inside.

From inside the annex, a tall Western woman with platinum blonde hair wearing a red apron and a cute face that didn't match her height, walked out holding a ladle.

Brushing past Geon, she stood in front of Yeongha, Taewoo, and Shihwa, bowing politely with a graceful smile. The three of them, taken aback, returned the greeting and looked at Geon.

With a complicated expression, Geon muttered quietly.

"Kiska..."

>

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