Zeke and Jihyo talks to a son with a scrapbook of grand memories that will live forever.
It's been three days since the fiasco at the Bowling Center.
Zeke and Jihyo were treated for their wounds and injuries. Zeke had to be operated to remove the remains of Shintel's rapier on his right shoulder.
Glendale didn't have any physical injuries, but he was still heartbroken over the death of his father.
An internal wound that would take a lifetime to heal.
Benedict's body would soon be buried just outside the settlement. His resting place wasn't all too grandiose-- it was only a simple gravestone with his name carved out in cursive.
Glendale didn't attend his father's funeral---for he couldn't bear seeing his father gone. He stayed on Minji and Hyungwon's place since there was an extra bed, and has been sulking ever since, not talking to anyone except for meal time.
Meanwhile, Zeke and Jihyo themselves contemplated on what happened.
The sight of a little kid, losing his father in a battle they didn't even want to be in--- it was a scenario that was too heartbreaking to bear.
Zeke and Jihyo didn't even know Benedict that much. They haven't even talked heart to heart, or bonded, or shared a drink, like how they do to Minji, or Hyungwon, or anyone else in the settlement.
Yet the pain was there.
And the realization that the reason why Benedict was here was because he wanted to see his wife, Callie, and try to make amends in their relationship... made it all the more heartbreaking.
They knew Callie was never going to see him again.
April 8, 2023, 11:55 am, Minhyuk's Settlement, Daegu, South Korea.
Zeke and Jihyo were seating silently next to the food stalls, waiting for their food to arrive.
Zeke had a huge bandage all over where Shintel had struck him with her rapier. Jihyo, on the other hand, had bandages and pain relief pads all over her body, and was still a little exhausted from the fight.
Zeke was looking at the Manifest Benedict entrusted to him. The Phantasm, as he called it. It was warm to the touch, and he feels stronger just by holding it.
But it felt wrong.
He told Jihyo alot of times that it would be nice if he had Manifest... But now he does... he feels very conflicted. He doesn't even know if he deserves wielding the Phantasm. Benedict didn't even know who he was, yet the trust he gave him was like that of a long lost friend.
More importantly, he wonders about Glendale. They haven't talked since the burial. How is he right now? How does he feel about some stranger recieving a Manifest from someone he truly cares about?
"...ke. Zeke. Zeke!" A voice snapped him out of his thoughts. It was Jihyo.
"H-huh..? Yes, yes? Why?" Zeke replied as he stuttered.
"You seem lost in thought. You okay?" Jihyo asked.
"I've... just been thinking of what happened three days ago. I still couldn't wrap my head around it..." Zeke looks at Jihyo.
Jihyo sighs. "Yeah. I feel the same way too. Losing a father like that... I... there's no words."
Silence filled the air for a while as Jihyo suddenly has an idea in mind.
"...you know, we should do something for Glendale." Jihyo said. "Something to make him feel better. Something that could lessen the pain he's feeling."
"That's a great idea. But what could we actually give him that can help?" Zeke said.
"We could... bond? I don't know. Some activity would be nice." Jihyo said in reply.
"Oh, I know just the person who can think of something." Zeke smiled. "Come on. Let's go."
Zeke then called Minji via radio to join them in planning on how to cheer up Glendale. As soon as Minji arrived, they began talking about it. After a few minutes of suggesting ideas, Minji suddenly came up with a fitting activity that they think Glendale might like.
"SCRAPBOOK MAKING!" Minji suddenly yelled.
"Scrapbook.... making...?" Jihyo asked.
"Yep. For me, it's best way to remember a dearly departed." Minji said. "When our parents died... Hyungwon and I tried to cope up with it through many means. We tried to distract ourselves through video games, watching on Netflix, and exerting even more effort in our jobs. But in all honesty... none of them worked. It only made us feel the hollow space in our hearts even more. That's where I found my mom and dad's stash of old photos. And we kinda just... had this crazy idea to make the scrapbook of our memories with my mom and dad using those old photos of us. I guess it worked. Well, unfortunately, it's back home in Busan... and you know... dumbass Koul'ins." Minji said as she chuckled.
"Wow. But... we don't have pictures of Glendale and Mr. Benedict. We don't even have internet to search it either. How can we have a scrapbook of them without the actual pictures?" Zeke asked.
"...I suggest we use magazines?" Jihyo said. "Like... we gather some old magazines, and let him find things... items... sceneries that reminds him of Mr. Benedict? And then maybe he'll cut it out and paste it on the scrapbook with a short description?"
"Oooooh I love that, Jihyo-ssi! I think that's the best way we can do this. Alright. We just need to gather some materials, then head towards our place. Glendale is most likely awake this time..." Minji said as they all scattered around and collected what was needed--- some paper, strings, coloring materials, and old magazines.
April 8, 2023, 1:00 pm, Minhyuk's Settlement, Daegu, South Korea.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
"It's open..." Glendale said as Zeke, Jihyo, and Minji went inside.
"Hey, Glendale..." Minji spoke softly. "I'm here with Zeke and Jihyo..."
Zeke and Jihyo waves at Glendale. He gives out a slight smile, and then looks away, sadness overcoming his face once more.
"We... came here because we wanted to cheer you up or something. We thought of making a scrapbook with you." Zeke said. "Do you want to... help us out?"
"Oh..?" Glendale pauses for a good while, and soon just slowly nods, and the three of them sit down next to him soon after.
"Okay, Glendale..." Minji spoke as she places down a stack of old magazines. "We have some magazines here. Look into each magazine and see if you... can find an item, a scenery, or something else that reminds you of your dad. Then we'll cut it out and paste it in a scrapbook! Sound good?"
Glendale looks at the stash of magazines and takes one. He skims through each magazine silently and unenthusiastically while the three watches.
"I... dont think this was a good idea..." Zeke said to himself. "We might've rushed him. Maybe if we---"
"Seoul Tower..." Glendale suddenly spoke.
Jihyo looks at him, then to the magazine. She sees a full picture of the Seoul Tower, with an article next to it.
"....my daddy said that if he makes up with mommy... Our first bonding place will be right here... Daddy said he has never seen it in real life, but he was excited to take me there..." Glendale continued. He soon grabs a scissor and attempts to cut it out of the magazine, but the scissor won't cut through.
"Ah... I guess this is dull..." Glendale said.