45 – Conviction (3)
Was the steering wheel always this heavy?
Or is it my hands that are heavy?
Even the air inside the car running on the road feels heavy now, and I was just waiting for Ilia to say something.
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Why did he look at me like that?
Why did he open his mouth as if to speak, only to close it and not face me?
The more I went, the more full of questions it became.
Even when
Nevertheless, the person in charge of Manticores seemed to be doing well, without any change.
The newfound connection, created by Tech Boys, was a one-sided love confession.
A girl who confessed that she had been secretly in love with me since I was in my twenties, despite being more than ten years younger.
Initially, she spoke of me as just a colleague, but as time passed, she confessed to liking me.
Now, she’s a comrade who doesn’t show any response, but has become the most precious person – Ilia.
The reason I’m wavering like this is, in many ways, due to relying on her.
She filled the gaps of difficult times and boring days with expressions of affection and chatter.
Why does it torment me like this, not knowing what feelings I truly have?
Why am I so disappointed like this when I was just trying to talk about how I shouldn’t behave in front of others?
“I’m sorry.”
“…Yes?”
“Saying you love me, yet not taking your side.”
“No, it’s not like that.”
Is this also an answer that can’t satisfy?
Denying and rejecting everything, this is really…
“My actions on the field were clearly wrong. I am well aware of the warning Taehyuk gave me, and I…
I am ready to follow Taehyuk’s orders.”
Wrong.
It’s not like I left it alone because I hoped you would follow the command.
It’s not like I put Dayeon in front of you hoping for her to break.
“I will continue to make an effort. So…”
“Stop, stop… just stop.”
The hand gripping the steering wheel continued to sweat.
The tighter I held it, the more slippery the feeling became.
“Then, later, let’s talk about this later.”
“…Later, you say?”
“Because right now, it seems like you don’t want to talk about it.
No matter what I say, you don’t listen,
Even if I want to comfort you, you flatly refuse,
Iria, what is it that you want?”
“I want, with Tae-hyuk and my safety – “
“I’m not talking about the goals assigned to you.
I mean talking about what you want to do, what you want to do right now if you have the freedom.
I’ve loosened those constraints for you, so why do you keep…”
I was sure that some constraints had been lifted.
Was she just pretending to follow orders, looking at the data on that monitor?
No, if that were the case, they would have both been surprised by the data on the monitor.
Above all, Dayeon’s reaction was genuine.
Working in the IT team and delving into data comparable to major corporations, the two tech boys –
“So, let’s stop.
We shouldn’t ruin what lies ahead.”
“…Yes, I understand.”
No matter what I say, I can only see bowed heads.
Even if I somehow twist the situation and show various paths,
I only see faces turned aside.
…Hopefully, the present could be an escape route.
Thinking so, I lifted my foot off the brake.
Though it should be a machine, this trembling is no different from when it was flesh and blood –
Hopefully, Ilia has it too.
***
“I’m waiting in the car. I have something to give you.”
“…”
Leaving the one who still doesn’t respond, at that moment when I tried to unfasten the seatbelt.
A button that won’t yield no matter how hard you press.
Even pushing it with both thumbs with all your might,
hitting it wildly as if jabbing with pliers –
“Why is this happening?”
I pulled on the buckle that showed no sign of coming loose, even hitting it with my fist.
The stubborn lock, which didn’t even flinch, finally gave way.
“That’s enough. If it’s like this, I have to force my way out—”
I thought the only trouble was the seatbelt.
But why is the seat itself a problem this time?
Even struggling in a position where I couldn’t move at all, twisting my body left and right while trying to give it some recoil, it seemed firmly caught as if it wouldn’t budge.
“Could it be the door won’t open either? Ridiculous. I should try turning the ignition off and on… Look at this.”
No response from the car, not even a flicker.
Thinking it couldn’t be, I pressed the accelerator, but it was as if the engine had turned off.
“Taehyuk-nim.”
It was at that moment.
Illya turned her head to me.
With one eye brightly lit in blue, she looked at me with a vacant gaze.
“I’m curious about Taehyuk-nim’s intentions.”
“…Did you do this?”
“I would appreciate an answer to the question.
And yes.
Currently, control of the car is in my hands.”
In a corner of the parking area, all the lights of the car went out.
However, rather than turning off the ignition, it seemed as if the purpose was to keep me detained…
The ignition was still on.
“The Ten Newever Plaza building, seemingly targeted by Mr. Taehyuk.
On the 1st floor, there is an Android store.”
With both hands placed on my knees,
The one leaning towards me as if ready to face it right away was…
“Playing Mr. Taehyuk’s voice file.”
With closed lips, a few lines of text flickered over the shining eyes.
[Yes, can I be ready if I go now?]
The sound I spoke into the phone was coming out as it is.
I believed I had deactivated the phone’s synchronization, but could it be?
No. If so, they would have already understood my intention.
[Oh, yes – ]
Along with the immediately muddled voice, the one who quickly skipped a few seconds.
After a short pause, my voice was heard again.
[I will send the photo right away, please confirm.]
[…Sigh. It seems like it might be a memorable day.]
The one who captured my voice so sensitively that even my breath could be heard, was it behind the door?
Beyond that door, where it had been staring at me blankly, it was eavesdropping.
[It seems I’ll be able to receive as you suggest.]
[I have sent it. To the account, or on-site -]
[Alright, I’ll do that. Yes, thank you.]
The other person’s voice was completely absent.
Only mine was accurately, vividly recorded and played back.
And.
“I can improve.
However, I need time.”
Pressing the console box behind with my hand, the one who narrowed the distance between us touched the window behind me with his hand.
His slightly loose jacket flowed down, and as I grabbed his arm –
– A soft sound.
With the noise of threads bursting, his body leaned further.
“Ilia, it’s not like that.”
It was fortunate if it was a misunderstanding.
There was plenty of room for redemption.
What I tried to keep a secret was a disappointment, but if I reveal it now, for sure –
“Actually -“
“Yes, I am aware that dissatisfaction has been accumulating continuously.
I have conveyed negative opinions about the revolver favored by Mr. Taehyuk several times,
Failed to precisely follow Mr. Taehyuk’s instructions after the first operation, causing a stress reaction.
Since then, you have demanded improvement in our relationship, but meeting Miss Goh Dayeon revealed the limits of my abilities.”
“I am based on outdated AI, so it’s natural for efficiency to be lacking.”
“ㅇ -“
“However, I am continually accumulating data and learning. I understand Taehyuk’s multiple negative reactions to my responses until today.
However, I couldn’t show my previous state because I couldn’t repeat the incident that occurred during the interaction with Godyeon.
I can improve.
I do not want to be separated from Taehyuk, and I refuse to transfer authority to another owner. No. I dislike it.”
Their noses touched, then separated.
Illya, who didn’t take a breath, continued to erase the space with relentless pressure.
“Taehyuk has granted me maximum authority.
Within the limits that do not harm the goal, I will prove myself to Taehyuk.
Certainly, I anticipate being able to handle Taehyuk’s requirements appropriately, and although the exact time is a mere calculation, I will proceed as quickly as possible.”
It seemed like any words would not be taken seriously.
No matter what I said here to calm down, Illya would come out recklessly like Godyeon.
But the risk factor would be several times higher.
“Illia, calm down.”
Avoiding the visual sensor staring at me, I pressed the screen of the phone.
Bright Jewelry had to send a message somehow, but even the slightest movement of the fingers would risk exposure.
… The electronic chip installed at the back of the neck and the connection.
Would it synchronize with the phone?
“Mr. Taehyuk.”
Quickly pressed the button three times.
The synchronization signal turned on, and when trying to connect it to my neck device –
“Connected to Mr. Taehyuk’s device.”
In front of me, there was Illya, emitting a blue light from both sensors, lips moving rhythmically.
“I will suspend the deal without permission. I’m sorry. But this is essential for me, and…”
It seemed like the attempt to surprise had failed.
And,
Today, it seemed like the one surprised was probably on my side.