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“Yuto, I brought you some fried chicken,” said Rob brightly as he stepped into the hospital room. He was clad in a leather jacket and holding a package wrapped in paper. Yuto was sitting up in bed on the phone, and raised his hand lightly at Rob to acknowledge him.
“Sorry, Paco. Rob is here, so I gotta go. —Yeah, I know. I’ll let you know.”
“On the phone with Paco again?” Rob teased as Yuto brought his phone down away from his ear.
“Yeah. He says he’s coming down here again next week. I told him not to, since I’m being discharged soon, anyway.”
“You two brothers are like peas in a pod. Kinda makes me jealous.”
“Oh, come on. And chicken again? Are you trying to fatten me up?”
“Actually, I am. You need to put on a bit more weight. I like a little meat on my guys.”
Rob put the paper package on top of the TV and pulled up a chair, grunting as he lowered himself into it.
“I stopped by the mall just now, and it was packed.”
“I mean, it’s Thanksgiving, after all. —Hey, Rob. You should go back to LA. I’m fine now.”
Yuto couldn’t stand the idea of Rob not being able to spend Thanksgiving weekend with his family because of him. If it weren’t for Yuto, Rob would probably be back at his family home, enjoying his mother’s roasted turkey and pumpkin pie and cuddling with adorable Katie to his heart’s content.
“You try to send me away to LA every chance you get, Yuto. Am I a nuisance to you?” Rob said with an exaggerated frown. Yuto laughed as he shook his head.
“Of course not. I’m really grateful. But I’ve already caused you so much headache already, I just feel bad. I don’t know how I can thank you.”
“No need to feel bad,” Rob said, patting Yuto’s feet over the sheets.
“Thanks. When I’m discharged next week, then, let’s head back to LA right away.”
“You’ll need to be on crutches for a while, right? No rush. We should head back once your pain is gone. Don’t worry about me. I can still write papers while in DC, and I’ve been going out with friends to let off steam, too. I haven’t been twiddling my thumbs all this time, you know.”
Rob’s kindness never failed to allay Yuto’s anxieties. He turned to the window, where the bright sunlight was streaming in. Rob followed his gaze.
“Can’t believe it’s almost the end of November,” he murmured.
“Yeah. Time flies.”
After Thanksgiving, shops would gear up their marketing for Christmas. Towering Christmas trees would go up and be decorated, and the streets would be completely taken over by holiday cheer.
It was only about a month ago that Yuto had fought in the remote jungle of Colombia alongside Dick and Corvus. Yet, now it felt like an eternity ago.
After watching Corvus draw his last breath, Yuto had been taken by helicopter, still unconscious, to a hospital in the capital of BogotĂĄ. The bullet had passed through his leg, but he had undergone emergency surgery for his shattered tibia and fibula. Once the metal plates were inserted into his leg, Yutoreturned to his hospital room to find that Dick and the rest of the group were nowhere to be found. Instead, a staff member from the American embassy was waiting for him.
Yuto asked the staff member to contact FBI headquarters, and once they were notified, Heiden and Rob flew down to see him. Upon hearing the entire story from beginning to end, Heiden had cradled his head, overwhelmed. The incident was so much larger than expected that it seemed that there was nothing he could do until he consulted his higher-ups back in the States.
However, Heiden did order security to be beefed up at the international summit. Upon scrutinizing all the employees at the Marquiladin, it was found that three of them had suddenly gone missing without a trace. Further investigation into their identities revealed that all three had been using fake names.
The three employees were most likely the lackeys that Corvus had sent in to infiltrate the hotel. As soon as they had gotten wind of the death of their leader, they had aborted the mission and fled.
Amidst vigilant security, the reception party wrapped up without issue. Yuto was wholeheartedly relieved. The lives of many innocent people had been protected.
After that, Yuto had requested to be returned home early. He was laid out and transported in a stretcher like a terminally-ill patient, and flown back to the States. After arriving in DC, Rob had stayed by his side at almost all hours, taking care of him. Two weeks later, he was able to walk with crutches. Now, he was undergoing rehabilitation as he counted down the days until his discharge.
Heiden occasionally came by to visit, but his face was glum. The upper brass had decided not to open an investigation into Manning, citing that Yuto’s testimony alone was not credible enough.
Yuto didn’t feel much disappointment at the news. This incident not only involved Manning, but also the US military and the CIA. There was no way the case would see the light of day.
Ultimately, it was concluded that Yuto had been abducted by the Colombian anti-government guerillas. The incident was filed away, albeit heavy-handedly, as a simple abduction case. The truth had been buried in darkness for eternity along with Corvus’ death.
“Mind if I turn on the TV?”
Perhaps noticing Yuto’s silence, Rob tried to alleviate the mood by pressing the button on the remote. A young female reporter appeared on the screen, holding a microphone.
“This again? The news these days is all over the Manning case,” Rob frowned as he turned down the volume.
“—Mr. Bill Manning still remains unconscious in life-threatening condition after being sniped by an unknown assailant shortly after leaving his home two days ago, in the early hours of the morning.  Investigative authorities have directed all available resources to find and arrest the perpetrator, but the investigation has stalled due to a lack of promising leads. This is Patricia Robins reporting, in front of Washington Hospital Centre.”
“Sniped right after winning the seat of Vice President. Unlucky man.”
Yuto nodded silently. At first glance the incident seemed to have ended with Corvus’ death; however, an ironic twist had been waiting for them at the very end.
Manning was shot the next day after the votes were counted for the general election. In the general election, the majority of the popular vote had been won by the Republican presidential candidate. Voting by the Electoral College was to take place next month, but the vote was more or less already decided. If time had passed without issue, Manning would have been Vice President soon after ringing in the New Year.
“I know it’s not the most appropriate thing to say, but it almost feels like divine punishment,” said Rob.
Yuto had felt the same way when he heard the news about Manning being sniped. However, later he changed his mind.
It wasn’t divine punishment. Someone had exacted revenge against him. The snipe had no doubt been organized by Corvus’ surviving men. Corvus was loyal solely to Manning; in the same way, Corvus’ men were loyal to him only. That was it, simply said.
“I wonder what’s going to happen now,” Yuto wondered aloud. Rob folded his arms, looking uncertain.
“Hmm, it’s hard to say. This kind of thing has never happened before. I’m guessing a new Vice President is going to be elected once the next President’s term begins. Manning was shot through the head, so in the worst case, he might be in a persistent vegetative state for a while – a vegetable, in other words. Even if he regains consciousness, he’ll still suffer some kind of disability. His career as a politician is over.”
Back when Manning was projected to win the race, Yuto had been overcome with despair at the lack of justice in this world. But knowing Manning was in this state now didn’t make him feel any better. Although Manning certainly deserved what was coming, the blood spilled by a chain reaction of revenge was never a pleasant thing. Nothing would ever be born from revenge.
Whenever he thought of these things, he couldn’t help but remember Dick each time. He had not heard from Dick at all since they parted at Bogotá. He also had no idea where Corvus’ body had gone. Where had Dick disappeared to, taking Corvus’ body with him?
Was Dick satisfied that Corvus was dead? Yuto certainly hoped that the gaping wound in Dick’s heart had begun to heal at least a little after seeing his years-long wish of Corvus’ death come true. However, knowing his personality, Yuto had a feeling that Dick was feeling an even bigger despair at not being able to exact revenge with his own hands.
—Are you telling me to continue living in a waking hell?
Dick’s eyes had held an immense sadness when he said those words. He was like the last living animal of a species about to go extinct, all alone after losing all of his brethren.
“Yuto, what’s next for you? Are you going back to the FBI?”
Rob seemed to be concerned as Yuto had been vague about what he was planning to do from now on. Surprisingly, Heiden had invited him back to the FBI. As long as Yuto completed the proper training in Quantico, he could officially become an FBI special agent. It was all up to him.
“—I need to think about it a bit more. I’m not really sure what I want to do.”
“I see. Well, first things first, you have to get better. Which means you have to eat. Alright, let’s dig into that fried chicken I brought.”
Rob looked excited as he unwrapped the package. He made no mention of Dick, and that was his own way of showing consideration to Yuto.
“Here you are,” Rob said, holding a piece of chicken out. Yuto quietly stared at him.
If something were to happen to Rob in the future, he knew he would drop everything to be by his side. Even if he was on the other side of the world, if Rob needed help from him, he would get there somehow.
That said, it felt sheepish to put these thoughts into words. Yuto instead kept his vows in his heart.
“What is it?” Rob said.
“Oh, nothing,” Yuto said lightly. “Just noticed it looks like you put on a few pounds.”
“Huh? Wait, really?” Rob frowned, looking ashamed.
“I think someone needs to go on a diet.” Yuto chuckled as he swiped the fried chicken from Rob.
“Oh, Yuto, you’re here! Welcome.”
Yuto was sitting at the counter of the bar before it opened, chatting with Neto, when Tonya came in holding several heavy bags of groceries in both hands.
“Hey, Tonya. Hope you don’t mind me visiting.”
Yuto got up and pecked Tonya lightly on the cheek and reached for the larger bag.
“Thank you,” Tonya smiled at him. “I wish Neto could take a few hints from you on how to treat a lady,” she quipped.
“What lady, Tonya? I don’t see any girls around here.”
“Oh, never mind. You can be so insensitive sometimes,” Tonya muttered as she started putting away the groceries into the fridge behind the counter.
“Tonya’s so irritable lately. Almost like a real woman. Sometimes I don’t know what to do with her,” Neto whispered in Yuto’s ear. Yuto smiled wryly and took a sip of his glass of Coke.
Neto was a stubborn one, too, Yuto thought. If only he would start treating Tonya like a lady already. One would be hard pressed to find a woman as beautiful as her, even among biological women.
Tonya was released from federal prison two months after Yuto and Rob returned to LA. It had been almost four months now since she moved back in with her older brother, Neto. Thanks to her perfect makeup and bright, flamboyant clothing, Tonya now completely looked like a woman from every angle. Her inherent good looks had been further polished and refined, and even Yuto caught himself admiring her sometimes.
Tonya had been made manager of this Mexican bar run by Neto’s friend, and seemed to be enjoying herself every day. Apparently there were more than a few customers who tried to pick her up knowing that she was a man, but Tonya breezily brushed them off, claiming that she’d had enough of smooth-talking men. In the past, Tonya had been talked into inadvertently smuggling drugs by an ex-boyfriend, and had been sent to Schelger Prison for it.
“Say, how’s the profesor?” asked Neto.
“He hasn’t changed a bit. When I told him I was coming out to see you here at Tonya’s bar, he kept insisting on coming along. It was annoying.”
“You should have brought him.”
“He has a paper he needs to finish writing by tomorrow. He’s going to miss his deadline if he spends the night drinking here.”
Perhaps Neto was imagining Rob throwing a tantrum like a child; his lips were pursed together as he tried to stifle his laughter.
“Looks like the profesor’s got a great secretary.”
“Rob can be pretty bad with time management sometimes. It was surprising. I didn’t realize until I started helping him with his work.”
Yuto’s official position was a professor’s secretary, but in reality it felt more like being Rob’s mother. Rob had an almost incredible inquisitiveness and focus when it came to things he liked, but when it came to writing manuscripts or preparing for lectures that he didn’t like, he would make excuses and refuse to start them until the last minute.
“Well, it’s perfect for you since it’s not a physical job, right? How’s your leg?”
“It’s getting better. It doesn’t hurt much anymore.”
Yuto had ended up working as Rob’s secretary entirely due to the leg injury he had sustained in Colombia. After returning to LA from DC, Yuto found that his leg was slow to heal. The persistent pain led him to seek a reexamination at the hospital, where they found an issue with the operation he received in Colombia. The doctor told him that the metal plates hadn’t been embedded correctly in his leg, so he would have to undergo another operation.
In the end, Yuto had to undergo a total of two operations, and during that time, his desire to return to the FBI began to wane. He was attracted to the job of an agent, but if he took it, he would spend his days constantly on the move across the United States. Yuto found himself wanting to take a job closer to his friends and family, having found a renewed appreciation for them amidst everything that was happening in his life.
Once he could somewhat manage to walk without a cane, Yuto began his job search. Rob approached him with an offer to hire him as his secretary.
“I’m looking for a secretary right now,” he had said. “Think of it as something that’ll tide you over until you find permanent work. What do you say?”
It would be a part-time position with the university, but Yuto thought it was well-suited for his situation since he wouldn’t be able to do physical work for a while. He decided to take up Rob on his offer.
“The profesor said he hopes you’ll keep being his secretary.”
“I appreciate his sentiment, but I think I’ve had enough of babysitting him.”
“So, you gonna switch to babysitting criminals starting in September, then?”
Yuto laughed at Neto’s turn of phrase.
“Yeah, that’s right,” he nodded. On Paco’s encouragement, Yuto had landed his next job at the Los Angeles Police Department.
“I won’t give any second chances to anyone who tries to disrupt LA’s law and order. Be careful not to get arrested by me, huh, Neto.”
Although Neto still had a relationship with the gang, he himself had washed his hands cleanly from a life of crime. Yuto knew that Neto had decided to live an honest life for Tonya’s sake as well, which was why he could make such jokes.
“Oh, Neto,” said Tonya, suddenly remembering something. “I stopped by the apartment earlier and found a postcard in the mailbox. Here,” she said pulling out a postcard from her purse.
“Who’s it from? I don’t know anyone who bothers mailing me postcards, except for maybe the profesor.”
“Huh? You get postcards from Rob?” Yuto asked in surprise.
“I’ve gotten about five or six since he got back to LA,” Neto said.
“Huh. And what does he write about?”
“What he ate that day, or what movie he watched. Does he like writing letters or something?”
“—Hmm, I wonder if you’re his type.”
“What was that?”
“Nothing,” Yuto said, shaking his head hastily. He glanced at the postcard in Neto’s hand. “And who’s that from?”
“It’s signed D.B., but I don’t know who it is. It’s from Wilmington, North Carolina. I don’t think I know anyone in that area. —Hmm? D.B.? Could it Dick Burnford…?”
“Let me see that!”
Yuto snatched the postcard from Neto’s hands. The postcard had a photo of the ocean, with a short, one-line message scribbled on it.
I’m well. Wish I could see you.
It was a curt message, but the writing was unmistakably Dick’s.
Overcome with enormous relief and a surge of joy that made him tremble, Yuto pressed the postcard to his forehead.
Dick was alive. He was alive and well in North Carolina.
“Thank God. Thank God…” Yuto couldn’t help but murmur to himself. He was beside himself with joy. It had been about six months since they parted ways in Colombia. All this time, he had no idea whether Dick was alive or dead, and not a single clue he could go on to find his whereabouts.
Actually – no. Yuto hadn’t tried to find him. If Dick had considered even the small possibility of a future with Yuto, he wouldn’t have disappeared without a word. Yuto had assumed that Dick not leaving any clues behind was his way of telling him that he didn’t want to be looked for.
To him, it felt like Dick had declared that he would never see him or have anything to do with him again. And it hurt. He assumed that this time, Dick was serious about pushing him away and out of his life. He had no choice but to go on with life pretending he didn’t exist.
“Yuto. Go see him,” Neto said, patting his head as Yuto stared at Dick’s handwriting, on the verge of tears. “You want to see him, don’t you? Then you gotta go.”
Yuto looked up to meet Neto’s gentle gaze, and shook his head slightly.
“I can’t. I can’t see him. He probably hates me.”
He had gotten in Dick’s way right up until the end. Although he didn’t regret it, he didn’t expect Dick to forgive him for it, either.
“Of course he doesn’t. I’m sure he wants to see you too. Go on.”
Yuto shook his head again.
“I’d be happy to go see him if Dick had written the postcard to me. But this is addressed to you.”
“Hey, Yuto,” Tonya said from behind the counter. “I think you’re misunderstanding Dick.”
“What do you mean…?”
“Dick isn’t exactly the suave type, though he might look it. He’s a shy guy who has trouble showing his emotions and tends not to say what he really thinks. Like this postcard. I think he actually wanted to send this directly to you. I mean, why would he send this to someone like Neto? It sounds like a love letter.”
“’Someone like Neto’? Hey, is that how you treat your own brother?” Neto protested.
“Oh, hush,” Tonya said, pouting. “Anyway, I don’t know what happened between you two, but I think you should go see him. I’m sure things will go back to how you were if you could meet and talk to each other in person. Right?”
Yuto dropped his gaze to the postcard again.
“Wish I could see you.”
Can I? Yuto thought. If I were to visit him, would Dick welcome me with a smile?
Dick, will you let me visit you…?
The image of Dick that lingered in his heart refused to answer his question. He could only know Dick’s true intention by seeing him in person.
Yuto made up his mind, albeit while cradling a sense of uncertainty.
“I’ll visit Dick. I’ll go and see him.”
Neto and Tonya smiled gently at Yuto as if to encourage him.