After a short hospitality in the limousine, I realized it again on the way back.
Because of China’s invasion of Taiwan, the US president is not free enough to perform protocol himself.
As usual, the radio in the car kept talking about the war.
Former congressmen, military commentators, civilian security experts, and all sorts of people came out to talk about China’s invasion of Taiwan, discuss the value of the semiconductor alliance Fab 4, and mention the US military presence in South Korea and Japan. It was to bite and stretch.
– … We must not continue to invade Taiwan with the same position as now. The president must make a decision quickly.
As if to answer that, I heard the voice of Andrei, who was sitting in the back seat.
“Isn’t that decision putting us in?”
“no way? I just told you to catch Pikal… Then you said you’d give me a medal of honor. They won’t send us to Taiwan.”
I heard Jose say something, and Andrei responded right away.
“That’s something we don’t know. As if they were talking on the radio, even though they were busy, they came all the way here to congratulate us… Couldn’t you wish for something? It’s normal to exchange, right?”
At those words, Jake, who was in the passenger seat, turned around.
With a rather formidable impression.
“Are you going to make noise on the way back?”
“what’s the matter? Were you a supporter of the president? from bone marrow? Or did you change after being in the opposite party?”
“You?”
When Jake said the same expression, Andrei chuckled.
“me? I’m trying to figure it out now See what the President is doing… If it sucks, change it, if it’s good, support him. How is it, simple?”
Jose’s laughter came from behind the question.
“Ha ha ha, that is the correct answer. I should now too I used to support a local constituency member, but now I live in a public office with no connections.”
“And the f*cking tricky fate of having to move again. There can be no such thing as a local constituency member to support, to put in a complaint.”
Andrei and Jose chatted about politics, one of the main topics of conversation, while Jake, who had been looking back, shook his head and looked back.
“… In the end, I will go noisily.”
I can hear you muttering in a high-pitched voice.
José and Andrei talked all the time about intertwining politics and their fortunes.
“It reminds me of an officer… … .”
Around the time I thought of a captain who talked about politics every day during my active service.
Harry, sitting to my left, opened his mouth.
“But what about a wedding?”
“Wedding ceremony?”
I asked back, and Harry nodded.
“Yes, not only the mission is being relocated this time, but isn’t the security also being strengthened? I know going out and mailing are restricted… So what if we want to do something like an event?”
“Well, what should I ask… … .”
I shrugged.
I’ve heard that security is getting tighter due to the relocation of the mission, but it’s probably because of the bounty on my neck.
And as the cause provider, I had nothing to say.
Harry shrugged as if to follow me.
“Wouldn’t it be possible to give permission for an exception if senior asked above?”
Harry asked with a smirk, as he trembled like a smirk mixed with a smile.
“What am I… But why? Who sent the wedding invitation?”
“No, I have to send it.”
“… … ?”
I wondered what this meant.
Before I knew it, I felt Rachel tilt her head and look at me from the right, and at the same time, the conversation between Jose and Andrei, who were in the back seat, was cut off.
And while he hesitated, he heard Rachel’s voice.
“… Harry Thompson, are you saying you’re getting married?”
I looked at Harry with a puzzled face, but soon a calm answer came back.
“Yes, I do.”
“ah… no really? suddenly?”
“Originally, we decided to get married after this operation was over. However, I didn’t know that a wanted notice would be issued, the relocation of the mission would be decided, and security would be strengthened.”
“ah… uh, yes First of all, congratulations.”
In the middle of the absurdity, Jake looked back as he exchanged fists with him.
“… What is your wedding schedule?”
“Ah, I haven’t decided yet, and I plan to do it in January. It’s vacation time.”
I blinked my eyes at those words.
Since Christmas was yesterday, it was because the immediate next week was January.
After that, Rachel asked right away.
“january? You mean next week, right?”
“you’re right. My girlfriend asked me to do it quickly, so I decided that.”
“Isn’t this an American wedding custom?”
Andrei said it as if he was curious, and José continued to add his words.
“Did you find Junior Thompson during that busy period? Just in case, there’s no need to be ashamed, I was too. the child was born first It’s not bad, above all, the creation of life is always mysterious and blessed… … .”
José’s words began to stretch, but I thought the same.
Premarital pregnancy, so-called speeding, I thought.
Even if he spent most of his life with me, he still stopped by my house for a day after the operation was over.
There was no reason not to have children.
However, Harry smiled and shook his head.
“I am not sorry. Looks like you didn’t live up to expectations.”
At those words, Andrei’s voice came.
“No?”
“Yes, it is not premarital pregnancy.”
“But why? Hey Harry. I’m busy, I can’t meet you, I don’t have kids, you’re going to get married? Oh, don’t sound too bad. I’m saying this because I’m worried that you’ll end up like me. It’s just that my snout doesn’t speak well.”
“I know, Andrei.”
“… what? that you can’t speak? Or are you worried?”
“Both. So, that’s why I want to get married. Both me and my girlfriend agreed.”
Harry finished his speech, and Andrei asked with a puzzled look on his face.
“I’m busy and I don’t have kids, so I’m getting married… Do you?”
And soon the calm words returned.
“Can’t married couples live together at the official residence?”
“ah… … .”
I shook my head.
As Harry said, it was because he was considerate of not only the couple but also their children so that they could live together.
Both Jose and Marcus were living with their families.
“My girlfriend said so. I’m busy so I can’t see it, and I’m worried that I’ll go out on a mission and die, so I think it’s better to live together before it’s too late… … .”
“… Wait, did you reveal your identity?”
Jake, who was still looking behind him, asked.
It was because we couldn’t talk about what we were doing, but about the entrusted management of military facilities that we were given as cover jobs.
However, Harry even mentioned the operation and death.
He immediately shook his head.
“No, since we’ve been dating for a long time, I noticed everything. The number of bullet wounds on the body increases, and communication is lost during work, and it increases from days to weeks… One day, he told me not to die and to come back alive, but that has been several years.”
“Then Robert knows.”
“Yes, when I entered the Foreign Cooperation Bureau, I reported everything.”
“How long have you been dating?”
“Yes, about 15 years now.”
“and… … .”
Even I, who was always attached to him, was impressed by the fact that I heard it for the first time, and then I realized it again.
The fact that when Harry was with me, he had only talked about the operation or anything to do with me.
‘Construction was a crazy guy who was good at distinguishing things… … .’
It was when I felt that way.
Andrei’s voice sounded like he was full of spirit.
“What a f*ck, 15 years? Longer than my married life! Even if you divorce as soon as you get married, it will be better than me.”
At those words, José giggled and laughed, then muttered as if comforting.
Harry looked at me.
“Oh, let’s talk about it… My best man is senior. You must do it.”
“… I? What about your brothers? Do you have a brother?”
In Korea, the American expression for a bridesmaid is bestman, and it was usually asked by a brother or closest friend.
However, Harry shook his head.
“The important thing in my life is not my hyungs, but my seniors.”
“Thank you for the words… Can I really do it?”
“If the seniors I spend with every day won’t do it, who will?”
“what… yes i will thanks.”
Only then did Jake mutter as he looked back.
“… Your family will grow.”
* * *
Three days after arriving at the mission.
Jake, who had reported Harry’s wedding to the superiors, received a reply.
from Robert and Ron respectively.
Then, Harry, the prospective groom, and Kang Tae, who had just adjusted to a wheelchair, were called.
“Is it because of the wedding?”
Harry asked, seemingly on a hunch, and Jake nodded.
“Yes, I have permission.”
“Hey, that’s good. Congratulations, new groom.”
While Kang-tae tapped Harry on the shoulder, Jake added his words.
“But there are conditions.”
To that, Harry replied as if he had been waiting.
It was because I didn’t think that I could have a wedding outside on the lawn like ordinary people.
Because he was a colleague with Kang-tae, and his identity was confidential.
“sure. The conditions will of course be followed.”
Then came the concise answer.
“The date, place, and order of meals are all specified, and it is impossible to adjust personally.”
Kang-tae, who was laughing at the control that was harder than expected, hesitated, but Harry, who was next to him, nodded calmly.
“great. That should be enough.”
“There are more.”
“If there are more here… Should I put an eyepatch on the guests?”
It was a joke reply, but Jake’s answer was not.
“No, everything will be done confidentially, neither the guests nor the bride should know.”
“… … .”
Kangtae narrowed his eyes.
It was just as embarrassing as when Harry first said they were going to get married.
Controlled and confidential?
I wondered if even a global top star would not be able to have a secret marriage like this, but Harry hesitated at the words that followed.
“Attempted terrorism occurred near the mission recently.”
“… … !”
Since it had only been three days since he had returned, both faces hardened when they saw Jake.
The voice that came out of Harry’s mouth soon became heavy.
“Are you serious? Then you can cancel the wedding.”
And a quick reply came back, but Jake shook his head briefly.
“It was suppressed beforehand. The bomb was also unexploded.”
“There is no need to force the wedding.”
“No, you can.”
“But if it is an attempted terrorism… … .”
“are you okay. They said it was safe as the ceremony was held in a private room in the Pentagon, and that the upper level would take care of the movement, security, and expenses of the family and guests.”
After the explanation, Jake took his eyes off Harry and looked at Kang-tae.
It was because the replies from Robert and Ron were not directed at the prospective groom, Harry, but at Kang-tae.
Of course, I did not directly hear the related words, but that was the content of the conversation at the time.
As if he cares about Kang-tae’s reaction.
Precisely, it seemed that he wanted to know if Kang-tae had a positive view of marriage and whether he wanted it.
I said it around, but that was the general direction.
‘Do you want Lee to get married… … ?’
Jake’s head tilted.
In the past, there were often questions confirming Kang-tae’s relationship with a woman, but it was because the frequency and clarity of the question had recently increased.
Meanwhile, Harry’s mouth opened.
“then… … .”
Next, take a break for a while.
Harry’s face lit up as he looked at Jake.
“Fantastic. Being treated as a secret, being protected, and having a wedding at the Pentagon… … !”
“uh?”
When Kang-tae’s eyes widened, a smile spread across Harry’s face.
“It will be a really perfect wedding.”