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.
Zeke instinctively pulls out the Phantasm and gives it to him.
"Here..." Zeke said. "Use this... I'm sure it works.."
Glendale looks at the black and red scissor for a while--- the only material memory he has left of his father.
"And... Oh, if you want it back... its yours. I'm not going to complain. It belongs to you. You're his son. You should have it." Zeke added.
He nods, and slowly takes it off Zeke's hands.
It faintly glows on his hand as he slightly smiled and resumed to cutting the image of the tower.
The Phantasm wasn't like any other scissor. Besides it's rocket and fire generating abilities, it can also cut through pictures perfectly and precisely with ease, and it takes effect even if the user is a non-wielder.
Soon enough, Glendale was able to remove the perfectly cut Seoul Tower image from the magazine.
"Wow... look at that..." Jihyo said. "It looks like the real thing, only very very tiny..." She giggles.
Glendale faintly giggles as well as Minji takes some paper and asks him to paste the cut-out into it.
Glendale soon proceeded to do another one almost immediately. He finds several things on the magazines that remind him of his father--- a protein shake: because he always exercises to be strong, a travelling bag: because he loves to travel when he was younger, and a first aid kit: because whenever Glendale gets injured, he always carries a medkit to immediately tend to his injuries.
As Glendale continued to cut more and more pictures, Zeke, Jihyo and Minji discover more and more about his father. He began telling them stories about their adventures, quirks, and fun moments.
Jihyo notices Glendale was occassionally smiling--- something he wasn't doing for days since his father died.
Hours have passed, and soon, it was already four in the afternoon. The four of them have already finished the scrapbook, and it looked beatiful with all the cut-outs, decorations, and doodles in it.
"This is actually amazing now!" Jihyo cheered. "Look at this! It's cute! There's even small bells that chime a little!"
"Do any of you guys have acetone?" Zeke suddenly asked.
"Why?" Minji asked as they all looked at him.
He was touching his nose with his pointing finger.
"Well... I forgot we used super glue and I scratched my nose. Now I can't pull it out."
"Oh!" Jihyo laughed as Minji and Glendale followed. "Jeez. You're so clumsy, Zeke. Hold on, I think there's acetone here..." Jihyo stands up as they continued to laugh.
Glendale then turns to Minji. "Miss Minji... I dont understand. Why are you going lengths for me...? I'm just some stranger's kid..."
"Glendale..." Minji exhaled. "I understand how you feel. I've... lost a daddy too. It's hard... its really difficult, and the pain lasts for a lifetime. But... youre not alone in dealing with it. You got us! I mean, sure.. we arent blood related... But we will treat you as family. Always." Minji smiled.
Glendale smiled back a bit. The warmth that they all gave him today is reminiscent of home. It never felt awkward. Its as if... they're relatives.
"...stay still, Zeke!" Glendale snaps away from his thoughts as he and Minji look at Jihyo, who was now trying to remove Zeke's super-glued finger off his nose.
"...Ya... Jihyo! It's still stuck!" Zeke whined as Jihyo tried to pull his finger off his nose.
"Relax! It's your fault you got into this. Who scratches their nose with a super glue on their finger?! You idiot!" Jihyo said as she poured more acetone on Zeke's nose.
"In my defense, I didn't know it was super glue. The brand name is written in hangeul and I can't read hangeul properly yet! O...oi! Ow!" Zeke said as Jihyo attempts to pull his finger away again.
"You should've felt it was super glue because the container looks like it contains super glu-- Ugh. Zeke...you know... maybe I should start calling you Clum-Zeke... Yeesh." Jihyo said as she pulls one last time, and Zeke's finger now prys free off his nose. It turns red from all the pulling she made.
"...or maybe I should start calling you Zeke the Red Nosed Reindeer instead." Jihyo laughed.
"Hey!" Zeke frowned, rubbing his nose.
Glendale and Minji looks and giggles at their witty banter.
"Uhm... Mister Zeke, Miss Jihyo, Miss Minji...?" Glendale spoke.
"Yes?" Jihyo said.
"Can we... go to my daddy?" Glendale asks.
"Oh..!" Jihyo looks at him with a surprised face. "Why, sure, sure! Just wear your coat, okay? Its still freezing outside. We'll be waiting on you." Jihyo replied as she smiled.
A few minutes pass and the four go to Benedict's resting place. There were a few flowers on it--- flowers that Zeke and Jihyo left after he was laid to rest.
"Daddy..." Glendale spoke softly.
He then brings out the scrapbook, and kneels in front of his father's grave.
"Im sorry I wasnt able to visit you earlier... But.. we made this so I can remember you... I miss you so much..." Tears started forming on Glendale's eyes. "I hope, when mommy and I meet, I'll be able to... show how great of a daddy you are to me..."
Jihyo was teary-eyed as well. They all remained quiet as Glendale continued to sob.
A few minutes of silence passed, and Glendale wipes his tears.
Zeke touches his shoulder. "We'll find your mommy. We promise."
Glendale smiles, then takes out something from his pocket.
"Oh, before I forget... This is yours, Mister Zeke." Glendale shows Zeke his hand, holding a scissor.
It was the Manifest, Phantasm.
"Hey... I said you can keep it.. It's your father's, after all. Its only right that it should be kept by you."
Zeke had planned to give it to him and let him keep it, because he felt he didn't deserve the Manifest. He thought that trying to keep it to himself would leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth since it was supposed be Glendale holding it, and as such, he decided to give it to his care.
"No..." Glendale soon replied. "My daddy gave this to you for a reason. And... I know my daddy all too well. He never made a decision that he regretted... and I'm pretty sure he didnt regret giving this to you, either..."
"But.. Glendale---"
"Mister Zeke, you said before that you're my new superhero. And... I... want you to be." Glendale smiles.
Zeke's eyes widen as the scissor responds to what Glendale said by emitting a warm aura, as if it's waiting to be held by it's new wielder. He looks at Jihyo and Minji, who nods in approval.
He slowly takes the Manifest as it turns into a fiery switchblade once more. Glendale just watches as he continues to smile. Zeke smiles back.
"Thank you, Glendale." Zeke said.
"No... thank you. Thank you all..." Glendale uses his arms to pull everyone together for a hug.
April 8, 2023, 4:35 pm, Daegu, South Korea.
Hyungwon and his men were exploring a new area in Daegu, trying to find more food and supplies for the settlement.
As they prodded along, Hyungwon notices smoke coming from another street.
"Strange... Normally, smoke doesn't last too long in this cold weather... Is there a recent activity in that particular area...?" Hyungwon thought to himself. "Team, let's go to the other street. We'll investigate what that smoke is. And be ready for anything."
They slowly approach the said street cautiously. As they turn to look, they see a crashed car that was smoking, along with a few people in the snow. They seem to be bleeding and injured.
Hyungwon and the rest of his men immediately assisted the people that were scattered around. They notice that some of them were heavily armed---indicating a possibility that they may be a part of another settlement, or they're from the military.
As Hyungwon scoured the area, one of his men returned to him.
"I'm afraid we were too late, Hyungwon-nim... Most of them have already died..." He said.
"...tsk." Hyungwon grunted.
Just then, a faint, muffled cough was heard nearby. Hyungwon and a few of his mean immediately went to the source of the coughing, and reveals a woman buried in the snow.
As they dug her up, Hyungwon observes her. She had a long, straight hair that covered her face, and a slightly pale complexion. She was wearing a thick, grey coat, and underneath it was a bulletproof vest. Her left arm was bleeding profusely, indicating that she needed immediate medical care.
"She's still alive.." Hyungwon said. "Quick, get the stretcher. And radio my sister immediately, tell her we have an emergency patient and we need a space to treat her. Now."
"Yes, Hyungwon-nim!" His men said as they scatter back to the truck.
Hyungwon, who was guarding the girl, moved her hair away from her face to look at it, out of curiosity. His eyes widen slowly.
"I... it cant be."
April 11, 2023, 5:01 pm, Minhyuk's Settlement, Daegu, South Korea.
Zeke and Jihyo were now just relaxing on their favorite spot on the food stalls after their visit to Benedict's grave when they hear a commotion from the gates. They turn to see Hangyeol open the gates, with Hyungwon arriving with a woman on a stretcher. The two immediately rushes towards him.
"Move, move, move! We gotta take this person to the emergency bay, quick!" Hyungwon exclaimed.
"Hyungwon... you're back early again.. what happened? Who is that?" Zeke asked.
Hyungwon doesn't speak and moves to the side, allowing Zeke and Jihyo to see the injured woman. Jihyo's eyes widen.
She looked like a familliar idol.
In fact, she IS an idol, one that Jihyo soon recognizes.
"No.. no way. Is this... Is this Miyeon?!" Jihyo exclaimed.
"Miyeon...?" Zeke asked. "You mean Cho Miyeon from G-(IDLE)?"
Jihyo nods as they soon hear Miyeon grunt. She seemed like she was uttering something. Jihyo comes closer to her.
"Miyeon? Hey..." Jihyo said as she held her hand. "Don't worry, you're safe now..."
"Please... h... p..." Miyeon stuttered, her eyes still shut.
"What is it...?" Jihyo replied.
"Sa... Sana..."
Jihyo's eyes widen.
"Please... help... Sana-unnie..."