Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Don't Trust Anyone But Me
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June 28th, 03:12 AM.
About four hours after the estimated time of the Director's death.
"Call Justice and Lily for me. Or at least let me talk to them on the phone."
"I can't allow that. Justice has to take over the Director's role and lead the emergency response team. And Lily looks up to you and follows your lead, so she'd probably just interfere with the investigation."
I repeated my requests over and over.
But Agent J refused to grant them.
"I get it, the investigation's getting a bit rough. And you're right—there might be someone else behind this. But the Director is dead. The Director, of all people. And you're the prime suspect, Crow."
Even as she spoke to me, her eyes stayed glued to the screen of her communicator. New info must have been streaming in through the internal network.
"...If you're really innocent, the Association will let you go. Justice is probably out there right now, hunting for evidence to clear your name. So if you're not guilty, why not relax? Mr. Suspect."
"Does this look relaxing to you? They're waving around my gun—one I've never even fired—as evidence."
But knowing there was a traitor in the Association, I couldn't trust their initial response.
Of course, I trusted Justice and Lily. They were smart. They'd definitely clear this frame-up.
"...What? Hold on."
But Agent J was different. Her voice trembled for a moment.
She spat out a few short words, then bolted out of the room.
I had no idea what she'd seen, but it was serious enough to make her abandon her post.
"What's going on?"
I couldn't guess the situation. Handcuffed and alone in the interrogation room, I was cut off from the world.
"Wait! What's happening? At least tell me before you go...!"
Of course, conversation wasn't necessary.
Because I wasn't left alone for long.
Agent J returned in less than a few minutes, armed guards in tow. In a stiff voice, she rattled off her announcement like a verdict.
"Crow, you're under emergency arrest for the assassination of the Association Director and leading the terrorist attack."
"What...?"
Something felt off. Things were moving even more one-sidedly and hastily than I'd expected.
"...Calm down and hear me out. I told you I didn't do it...! And terrorist ringleader? What kind of bullshit is that... What other fabricated evidence have you—"
Bam—!
My head slammed into the metal table. I hadn't even finished speaking before they smashed down on the forehead of their longtime colleague with murderous intent.
"Emergency confinement order issued. Take him to the detention facility."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
This makes two visits now.
In the prison, where sleep doesn't come easy, I get to see an old colleague again.
"..."
But I can't help feeling uneasy. Justice's tearful gaze still lingers in my mind, making me worry this meeting might go the same way.
The Association's schemes might have taken even Lily from me.
That shy girl who always followed me with a smile—would she still believe in me?
[Oppa...?]
Thankfully, Lily's pure, clear face greets me. She's more worn and exhausted than I remember, but still as beautiful and innocent as ever.
[Oppa!]
I can tell what she's saying just from her lip movements. Her face, thinner and sleep-deprived, pales as she grabs the receiver in a hurry.
"O-Oppa..."
Her voice, finally reaching me again, is thick with sobs.
Hearing it makes my own eyes well up, but I force a calm facade so she won't worry more.
"Lily, you must be tired from coming all this way."
"Wh-what happened to you...? Turn your head. Yeah...?"
Even so, Lily can't hide her agitation. I've never seen her this shaken. Her crimson eyes tremble unnaturally, scanning my wounds.
"Ah, ahh...!"
Overwhelmed by emotions too hard to watch, she clasps her hands and murmurs a prayer.
Her voice quivers steeply, and her words tumble out so fast I can't make them out.
But the despair in her eyes doesn't fade, no matter how much she prays. Even my hazy vision can see that.
"It's too late. It's all my fault. I left your side, Oppa... If I'd been there..."
"Lily, calm down. It's not your fault. Got it?"
I try gentle words to soothe her, but the bruises left by Creep and her gang shatter Lily's composure.
Her bloodshot eyes don't blink as she burns the marks of humiliation on my neck and cheek into her memory.
"Hoo, ugh... Haaa..."
Then she squeezes her eyes shut and takes a deep breath. The trembling subsides. Lily's always been good at reining herself in.
"Oppa, it's okay. I'll get you out soon."
And just like that, she offers me comfort and hope.
Tears of anger and hatred stream down her cheeks, yet she forces a smile. The sight of her pretending nothing's wrong tears at my heart.
"Yeah, thanks. But this could put you in danger too. So promise me one thing first."
"Anything."
It's pathetic that I'm asking Lily instead of Justice, but right now, I have to entrust my life to this little girl.
"If anything dangerous happens, or if the Association starts targeting you, drop everything and run away quietly. Okay?"
She's like a little sister,
but also the colleague I trust and rely on most.
"...I'm sorry. I can't promise that. Don't say things like that, Oppa."
The white girl, more upright than me, still holding onto her untainted purity.
"I'll save you. No matter what it takes, I'll get you out, Oppa."
She swears to rescue me gladly. No longer in a position to meddle, I convey my gratitude laced with guilt.
"...Stubborn as ever. Thanks."
Having at least one colleague who believes in me—that alone lets me endure this filthy, ugly life.
"There's a lot I need to tell you first. There's a traitor in the Association. The ones behind the REP project—I and the Director were digging into them when..."
"No. It's fine. You don't need to tell me, Oppa."
But my sole ally cuts me off with surprising poise and maturity. Then she takes over the conversation.
"I already know. The REP ringleaders framed you and the Director. You're innocent, Oppa. Jealous, trashy humans are hiding in the Association, breathing the same air."
Even fed one-sided, distorted info from the Association, Lily believes me over them.
"Right? There's no way you'd do it. It's such an obvious, disgusting frame-up. Only idiots would trash you and throw fits. Even if the whole world falls for it, I won't. I know you best, Oppa. You'd never do that."
I haven't lived in vain. Everyone throws stones at me, but Lily hands me blooming flowers.
"You've lived so devotedly. And they shove you in here without a shred of gratitude."
Her words are a bit rough,
spitting cold hatred, but it means she cherishes and trusts me that much.
"There are too many evils in this world, Oppa. How dare they do this to you."
"Thanks, even if it's just words. You're all I have."
"Of course. I'm always on your side."
Lily smiles faintly.
"Oh, but... didn't Justice Unnie visit two days ago?"
"...Yeah."
"What did she say?"
"Just that she wants to believe in me too..."
I don't want to ruin that spirited smile, but mentioning Justice lets emotions slip out.
Our smiles fade for a moment.
She doesn't press further. Instead, she sheds tears in my place, comforting me.
"Unnie doubted you. Ahh, what a horrible person. Doesn't she know you'd never do that?"
"Enough. Let's drop it. Someday Justice will believe in my innocence too. Like you, Lily."
The mood grows a bit awkward. Lily seems disappointed in Justice too. Every time her hero name comes up, Lily's face hardens. She didn't used to dislike her that much.
"It's fine. So I'm secretly investigating the Association without telling Unnie."
"...Secretly?"
Maybe she's angry. Lily's mouth twitches unnaturally.
"Just in case. Oppa, you can't trust people blindly. Even if you've known Unnie forever, you can't fully trust her."
"Hold on. Don't say that."
No matter how angry she is, I can't let those words slide.
Lily sometimes says harsh things, but Justice and I raised her like a little sister.
"Oppa, look at me. Look into my eyes."
It hurts my heart.
"Don't trust anyone but me. I don't trust anyone but you either."
Lily's usual meticulous demeanor
feels unusually prickly and sharp today.