# Side Story 2
Tap, tap. Alex’s continuous tapping of his pen on the desk suddenly stopped. He rolled his eyes to look at Haylen.
“Do you really think I can do this well?”
“Yes, only you can.”
At this unhesitating answer, Alex let out a deep sigh. It was already surprising that Haylen was suddenly quitting the organization, but now he was asking Alex to become the next boss.
“…There’s also Fenil.”
In Alex’s opinion, Fenil was more suited to be the next boss than himself. She was cold-headed and understood the organization’s situation better than anyone else.
“No. It has to be you.”
“…Why?”
What was the reason it had to be him specifically? Haylen’s steadfast gaze fixed on him as if he hadn’t even considered anyone else. Alex lowered his head under the mounting pressure.
“Fenil doesn’t prioritize ‘Alice’ above all else.”
“And me? Do you think I’ll prioritize the organization?”
“Yes, I’m sure you’ll do well.”
Unlike the coldness that had always characterized Haylen, his warm words penetrated Alex’s heart. Haylen’s eyes were full of overflowing trust.
Why did he look at him that way? Their relationship was merely one-sided. If Haylen decided to cut ties, Alex would have no choice but to become a stranger.
Though Alex thought of him as a friend, deep down he had always prepared himself for the possibility that Haylen might distance himself at any time. It was only natural since Haylen didn’t trust others. That applied even to someone like Alex who had spent a long time with him.
So Alex had never received trust from Haylen during all those years. After all, it would be impossible for Haylen to trust someone he didn’t even believe in.
But Haylen was different now. Alex had thought he was just a friend in name only to Haylen, but was that not the case?
“…I don’t know. Whether I can do well, or if I’m suited to be the boss.”
“There’s no one else who can be the boss. I can trust you with this.”
Alex sighed, not hiding his complicated feelings. Haylen was also aware that he was entrusting Alex with a heavy burden. But he had realized it on the day he talked with Alex.
That Alex was someone who suited the role of boss even better than himself. Alex said he didn’t regret joining ‘Alice.’ Hearing him declare that he never would, Haylen became unable to consider anyone else.
Faced with words that contained not a trace of falsehood, Alex had no choice but to end his endless internal conflict. If this was how it was going to be, he had no choice.
“…Will you keep in touch from time to time?”
Still lacking confidence, but figuring he should at least try. He didn’t understand why Haylen trusted him so much, but this was what Haylen wanted. Alex couldn’t trust himself, but he could trust Haylen.
At Alex’s indirect answer that he would become the boss, Haylen showed a gentle smile.
“Of course.”
Though he had never told anyone, ‘Alice’ had become special to him too. It was merely a place he had created to survive, but as time passed, feelings of fondness had unconsciously developed.
It was all because of them, the executives. He had thought he could discard them at any time, but now that was impossible. He had to admit it.
That even excluding Kay, they had come to occupy a significant part of his life. Because of that, he could no longer cut them off carelessly.
Having realized this, Haylen could entrust the organization to Alex with confidence. He was certain that Alex would create an even better organization than he had.
* * *
Kay approached carefully to Melia, who was sitting quietly.
“Are you okay?”
“Does the boss… know?”
Melia, who had been staring at the place where Haylen had been sitting for a long time, quietly opened her mouth. Kay immediately understood her feelings and gave a quiet smile.
“He’ll come to know.”
The reason Melia reacted to Haylen’s departure wasn’t because of the organization. It was simply because she wouldn’t be able to see him anymore. But Haylen didn’t know that. He mistakenly thought she was anxious because it might harm the organization.
That was the decisive reason why Melia couldn’t maintain her composure. She turned her gaze to look at Kay.
She could see Kay looking at her without difficulty just by turning her head. He was someone she could see anytime. That’s why she couldn’t easily imagine Kay leaving.
“I like it here.”
“……”
“But you and the boss don’t, right?”
However, that was only her own thought. Though she wished they would stay here forever, she couldn’t tie Kay and Haylen down because of her selfish desires. Desperately suppressing her desire to hold onto them right away, Melia smiled. It was a bright smile as if telling them not to worry about her.
Kay hesitated for a while, moving his lips. He wanted to reassure Melia, but being someone who wasn’t good with words, he didn’t know what to say. Finally, after much consideration, Kay managed to utter a single sentence.
“Melia, you are precious to me.”
It was what he most wanted to tell her. He didn’t know if these words would reassure Melia. But he felt he absolutely had to say them.
An affectionate hand stroked Melia’s head. Initially stiffened by the unexpected words, she soon smiled as if she couldn’t help it.
“I feel the same.”
With his single statement, her anxiety began to dissipate instantly.
“No matter what happens in the future, that won’t change.”
“…Me too.”
Just as she thought of Kay, he was also thinking of her. The thought that it wasn’t just her one-sided feelings allowed Melia to feel relieved.
“Take care of yourself.”
“You too, Melia.”
They may be growing distant, but it wasn’t the end of their connection. That’s why she could smile and let Kay go.
* * *
It was when Haylen was preparing to leave the organization. Fenil, who was helping him, suddenly called out to him as if something had just occurred to her.
“Boss.”
“What is it?”
“Are you happy?”
Because it was Fenil, of all people, who asked, he could understand the intention behind the sudden question despite its abruptness. The smile on Haylen’s face disappeared.
Fenil wanted him to be happy. At that time, he had thought it was a needless wish, but now it was different.
Just as she had said, he had found a reason to live, and he was gradually getting closer to happiness.
“…I think I’m becoming happy.”
“I’m glad.”
Unlike her usual outwardly bold expression, it was a bright smile full of sincerity. As if she, more than anyone else, had wished for his happiness.
“…Thank you, Fenil.”
The reason he could change like this was because of Fenil. If it hadn’t been for her, he would never have changed. Then he would have broken down without ever finding a reason to live.
“I’m just repaying a debt.”
Fenil shook her head as if it wasn’t a big deal. Thanks to Haylen, she had been able to survive. So she was just helping him in return. There was no reason for him to thank her.
“Take care of ‘Alice.'”
“You don’t have to tell me, I’ll do that anyway.”
Haylen’s eyes curved gently. Now it seemed he could leave Alice with peace of mind.
* * *
Several months passed, and Alex became the boss. Since preparations had been made step by step, the organization was able to accept the change without particular conflict.
But no one except the executives knew why Haylen had stepped down as boss. Some thought he had died, while others said he had established another organization.
Thus, the reason for Haylen’s resignation remained an unresolved mystery within the organization.
“Is it okay not to tell them?”
“It’s fine.”
The reason Haylen didn’t explain was simple. This way, he could create confusion. If he gave a direct reason, enemies would approach immediately. Some would resent him for wanting to live a normal life, and others would see it as an opportunity.
In contrast, if he disappeared without revealing the reason, various rumors would circulate. Those rumors would surely play a very good role in buying time until he safely disappeared. The more rumors there were, the harder it would be to track his movements.
Haylen left the headquarters with a refreshed smile. The cold wind was announcing the arrival of winter. He extended his hand toward Kay, who was gazing intently at ‘Alice.’
“Where should we go first?”
Kay’s eyes, which had been downcast as if looking at something nostalgic, found light at Haylen’s words.
“…I want to go to the sea.”
Kay placed his hand on top of Haylen’s. With each step they took, it felt as if old emotions were falling away one by one. Past memories turned pure white as new sensations filled his inner being. A slight fear and enormous excitement tickled his chest.
Things he believed would never change were beginning to shift. What kind of life would he live from now on? His footsteps came to an abrupt halt.
“Kay?”
Though Haylen’s puzzled voice called to him, Kay’s gaze turned once more toward ‘Alice.’ It was a place he had unquestioningly believed was everything to him. He had thought he would live and die as Kay, an executive of ‘Alice.’
Now, he was doing the exact opposite of what he had once believed. But it felt incredibly good.
Kay slowly turned his head to look at Haylen. Their clasped hands were warm, unlike the chilly air. Eyes full of affection looked at him as always, smiling.
“Let’s go now.”
Kay began to walk again. His eyes looking at Haylen were also now filled with pure affection, though it was small enough that even he himself hadn’t noticed it.
So the two of them began to leave ‘Alice,’ where they had spent a long time together. Their feet were heavy, but their hearts were light.
As if to see them off, a brilliantly burning sunset enveloped the two. Only when the sunset faded and darkness filled in did their figures completely disappear.
