Chapter 248: Chapter 249: Kiska's Shopping

Miroslav, after completing the task of delivering a bag handed to him by Gregory to someone, got into the car where the driver and a member of the organization seated in the passenger seat were seemingly exchanging radio communications with the security personnel following Geon's car, as indicated by the ongoing radio noise. Closing the car door, Miroslav asked, “Where is the lady?”

The organization member in the passenger seat, holding the radio, turned his head, “She’s just finished dining in front of Juilliard and is almost at the department store.”

“Is that so? Let’s go.”

As the car started, Miroslav, looking out the window briefly, noticed they were heading into downtown Brooklyn and suddenly asked, “Brooklyn? Which department store did she go to?”

The organization member turned again, saying, “Century 21 on 87th Street.”

Miroslav, shocked, hit the headrest of the passenger seat hard, “What!!! Oh…”

Realizing that the security team, formed less than two years ago, wouldn’t know about an incident from four years ago, Miroslav grabbed his bald head in frustration, “Radio them. Find out where they are now.”

The organization member, confused, urgently sent a radio message, “Security team, where are you currently?”

“We’ve just arrived at the department store. Dropped the lady off in front a moment ago.”

Hearing this, Miroslav covered his eyes and pressed on his forehead, “This is madness…”

The organization member cautiously asked, seeing Miroslav's distress, “Why... What’s wrong?”

With a heavy sigh, Miroslav pressed his hands against his eyes, “Century 21... It’s the place where the lady witnessed the death of Natalie... Ah…”

The organization member gasped, flabbergasted, “What???? Really?”

Miroslav, pressing his head, waved his hand dismissively, “Just hurry.”

The car carrying Miroslav sped up, honking its way forward.

**

Kiska, led by Geon's hand and clutching a rabbit doll, stepped out of the car and saw the first floor main entrance of the department store. Puzzled by the somehow familiar atmosphere, Kiska tapped her foot on the ground. While Geon was occupied with a call, Byung-jun led Kiska by the hand towards the department store entrance. Kiska glanced around the familiar entrance of the department store and noticed scars on the waist of the two large trees there.

Kiska, looking at the scars that seemed to have been made by a strong impact, then observed the building across from the department store and its surrounding buildings. Byung-jun, seeing Geon engaged in a call some distance away, looked down at Kiska and suggested, “Geon’s busy on the phone, shall we go in and look around first?”

Byung-jun tried to pull Kiska along, but she resisted, planting her feet firmly and pushing her hips back. “What’s wrong? You want to go in with Geon?”

Byung-jun noticed Kiska's wide eyes filled with tears, looking frightened. “What’s the matter?”

Kneeling to meet Kiska’s eye level, Byung-jun saw her looking around in terror. Wiping her teary eyes, he asked, “Kiska, what’s wrong? What happened?”

As Kiska flailed her arms, Byung-jun, holding her side, shouted, “What’s wrong! It’s dangerous on the road, Geon! Geon!”

Geon, seeing Byung-jun and Kiska, quickly ended his call and approached. Seeing Kiska struggling, Geon knelt to her level and she hugged his neck, calming slightly. Geon looked at Byung-jun, who shook his head, “I don’t know, she suddenly…”

Geon reassured Kiska with a soothing voice, “Kiska. What happened? I’m here. I’ll protect you.”

Kiska clung tighter to Geon, who then decided to carry her, saying to Byung-jun, “Something must have happened. Let’s shop quickly and return.”

“Alright, the security will stay outside, only two will follow from a distance. I’ll also stay a bit away, let’s buy what we need and go. Kiska doesn’t seem well.”

“Got it, hyung. Let’s go, Kiska.”

As Geon walked into the department store with Kiska in his arms, Byung-jun saw the fear in Kiska’s face. After making sure everything was clear, Byung-jun signaled to two waiting organization members before following Geon into the department store.

Kiska, trembling in Geon’s arms and looking around, saw the department store’s interior vastly changed from the ruin she dreamt of every night. The bright atmosphere, with gentle classical music playing and friendly staff smiling upon eye contact, gradually cal

med Kiska. Geon, feeling her relax, set her down and extended his hand.

Kiska, still trembling slightly, looked up at Geon, who was smiling and reaching out his hand just like he always did in her dreams.

“Let’s go, Kiska!”

Kiska, almost unconsciously, reached out and took Geon’s hand, standing beside him. As they moved hesitantly forward, Kiska noticed a store next to the restroom where she had hidden and watched her mother four years ago. The cosmetics store was gone, replaced by a large Lego animation character display. Unaware, Geon led Kiska towards the character, saying, “Kiska, look, there’s a huge Lego over there. Want to check it out?”

Kiska, overwhelmed, shook her head and stepped back, prompting Geon to wonder, “What? Is the Lego too big and scary?”

As Kiska led the way, they naturally headed towards the department store exit. Geon, following Kiska’s lead, looked down at her, “What’s wrong, Kiska? Don’t want to shop?”

Looking up at Geon with worried eyes, Kiska saw his warm smile as they made eye contact. As they stood by the exit, Miroslav entered. Kiska, seeing Miroslav, who always took care of her despite his tattooed bald head, felt a bit relieved and took deep breaths. Geon, looking at the approaching Miroslav, brightened up.

“Miroslav! You came?”

Miroslav, appearing urgent, whispered to Geon, “Let’s head out.”

“What? Outside? We just got here…”

“Let’s talk outside.”

Miroslav, pushing on Geon’s back, led them out of the department store, where Geon asked, “What’s wrong? What happened?”

Miroslav, with a complex expression, sighed deeply while looking up at the department store building, “This is where Natalie passed away.”

Geon’s eyes widened. Looking up at the tall department store building in surprise, Geon then looked down at Kiska, trembling and holding his hand. Feeling guilty, Geon knelt and saw Kiska’s tearful and pitiful face, “I’m, I’m sorry Kiska. I didn’t know…”

Tears welled up in Geon’s eyes as he repeatedly apologized to Kiska.

Kiska, seeing Geon apologizing, began to calm down. As she wiped away his tears with her small hand, Geon’s concern for her despite his own tears made her gently hug his neck. Geon, stroking her back, continued to apologize, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

Geon, lifting Kiska and meeting her eyes, felt her gradually stabilize and asked, “I’m sorry, Kiska. Let’s just go home today.”

Kiska, looking intently at Geon, shook her head. Puzzled, Geon asked, “No? You don’t want to go home? Want to go somewhere else?”

Kiska, taking a bundle of money from her white bag, offered it to Geon, who tilted his head, “Money? Why?”

Kiska pointed to a small shopping center across the street. Geon, understanding, nodded, “Ah, want to go somewhere else?”

As Kiska nodded, Geon, carrying her, crossed the pedestrian crossing. Byung-jun, with his hands on his waist, quietly watched them and then approached Miroslav, asking, “Was this the place where Kiska’s mother passed away?”

Miroslav, sighing and nodding, admitted his mistake, “It was my fault. I should have been there.”

Byung-jun, silently watching the two cross the street, saw Miroslav signal the organization members, “Follow them.”

Four organization members quickly followed Geon and Kiska across the pedestrian crossing as Miroslav took out a cigarette. Searching his pockets for a lighter, a lit lighter was offered to him. Lifting his head, he saw Byung-jun, also with a cigarette, offering the flame with a slight smile. Miroslav lit his cigarette and exhaled a long stream of smoke. Without a word, they watched Geon and Kiska enter the opposite shopping center, with Miroslav asking, “What did the lady come to buy?”

Byung-jun shrugged, “I don’t know. It’s not like Kiska can tell us what she wants to buy.”

Geon and Kiska, arriving at the shopping center, pushed through the glass doors into the first floor. Although not as lavish as the department store, this center sold a variety of goods. Geon, still feeling guilty, comforted Kiska in his arms, “Kiska, what shall we look at first? What do you want to buy?”

Kiska, much calmer now, pointed to a store. Geon, following her gesture, quietly smiled. The store Kiska pointed to was a Cuban cigar shop, Gregory’s favorite.

>

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