[Eunoia]
(Eunoia Law Enforcement Detention Facility)
Silence filled the vast white chamber.
The room resembled neither a prison nor a hospital.
Countless transparent crystal-like devices floated quietly around the circular platform at its center.
Soft blue light flowed through delicate veins carved into the floor, connecting every machine to the bed suspended in the middle of the chamber.
Haneul lay perfectly still upon it.
Dozens of translucent neural restraints were attached to the back of his neck, temples, wrists, and chest.
Thin streams of silver light pulsed through them with mechanical precision.
For the last.....
Five years and two months.
Haneul had remained exactly like this.
Unable to move.
Unable to speak.
Unable to open his eyes.
His body had been completely frozen under Neural Suspension Enforcement, one of Eunoia's highest judicial punishments.
Only the minimum life functions had been maintained.
His heart continued beating.
His lungs continued breathing.
His mind remained conscious.
He could think.
He could remember.
He could feel every passing moment.
Yet his body had obeyed nothing.
Like a living doll placed under endless examination.
Around the chamber, countless monitors had continuously recorded every memory, emotion, and thought that surfaced within him.
Everything he had experienced in another world.
Everyone he had met.
Every decision he had made.
Had been preserved through the Chrono-Memory Observation System, a device created by Eunoia's World Law Department to reconstruct every moment of an offender's journey beyond their assigned world.
A mechanical voice echoed throughout the chamber.
"Punishment period complete."
"Duration: Five years and two months."
"Remove all neural restraints."
Two security officers stepped forward.
One by one.....
The silver plugs detached from Haneul's body.
The restraints around his wrists unlocked.
The devices behind his neck withdrew with soft mechanical clicks.
The light surrounding the bed slowly disappeared.
One of the officers looked down at him.
"You may leave now."
For several long seconds.
Nothing happened.
Then.....
Haneul's fingers twitched.
Slowly.....
His eyelashes trembled.
His eyes opened.
For the first time in over five years.
The bright white ceiling reflected in his eyes.
His body felt unfamiliar.
Heavy.
Stiff.
Almost as though it no longer belonged to him.
Carefully....
He pushed himself upright.
He wore Eunoia's official detention attire a long ivory robe woven from luminous threads that shimmered faintly beneath the chamber lights.
Silver embroidery traced elegant patterns across the sleeves and collar, marking him as someone who had served judicial punishment under World Law.
It was simple.
Clean.
Neither humiliating nor luxurious.
Merely a symbol of atonement.
His complexion remained as delicate as ever, though an unmistakable quiet sorrow lingered within his eyes.
Just then.....
The chamber doors slid open.
A tall young alpha entered.
His broad shoulders filled the doorway effortlessly.
Dressed in the dark navy uniform of the Eunoia Judicial Division, he carried himself with calm confidence.
His sharp features looked masculine yet approachable.
A silver officer's insignia rested neatly against his chest.
He gave a brief nod toward the security officers.
"You may leave."
They bowed before quietly exiting the chamber.
The room became silent once again.
The alpha slowly walked toward Haneul.
For several moments.
He simply looked at him.
Then a gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Welcome back."
Haneul blinked quietly.
He looked at the unfamiliar man.
There was kindness in his expression.
Yet....
He couldn't remember ever meeting him.
Throughout those five years....
His eyes had remained closed.
The man smiled apologetically.
Seeing the confusion in Haneul's eyes, he instinctively reached out and lightly rested a hand on his shoulder.
Haneul flinched.
Almost immediately.
The alpha withdrew his hand.
"I'm sorry."
A helpless smile crossed his face.
"I completely forgot."
He placed a hand over his own chest.
"My name is Doyeon."
"I was assigned as your personal judicial officer."
"For the past five years."
"I handled your case."
"And I was responsible for looking after you."
Haneul lowered his eyes politely before bowing.
"Thank you."
Doyeon's smile widened.
"I'm actually glad your case was assigned to me."
His voice remained warm.
"I watched every memory recorded by the Chrono-Memory Observation System."
His gaze softened.
"I saw your entire life in that other world."
"The people you met."
"The family you built."
"The happiness."
"And the pain."
He chuckled quietly.
"I never thought judicial work would make me cry."
Haneul lowered his head.
His fingers unconsciously tightened against the sleeve of his robe.
Before either of them could continue.
Two security officers entered once more.
"Officer Doyeon."
"Everything is prepared."
"The court is ready."
Doyeon nodded.
"Understood."
He looked back at Haneul.
"Come on."
"They'll explain everything from here."
"They've finished studying your case."
As Doyeon turned to leave.
A gentle tug stopped him.
He looked down.
Haneul's trembling fingers had lightly caught the edge of his sleeve.
His voice came out barely above a whisper.
"Will I...."
"Be able to go back?"
Silence settled between them.
Doyeon's smile faded slightly.
After a long moment.
He answered honestly.
"I can't tell you."
"Only the court can."
He carefully placed his hand over Haneul's fingers before gently moving them away from his sleeve.
"Let's go."
Haneul quietly nodded.
Doyeon smiled awkwardly.
"Sorry."
"I'm a little too comfortable with physical contact."
As they began walking down the endless white corridor.
Doyeon glanced sideways at the omega walking a step ahead of him.
Such a fragile person....
he thought.
"After everything.
You're still choosing that world."
He spoke aloud.
"You've completed five years of punishment."
"If the court refuses..."
"Will you break the law again?"
Haneul didn't answer.
He simply continued walking.
With every step....
The fog inside his mind slowly disappeared.
The memories that had remained distant throughout his punishment became vivid once more.
Taekyun.
Haru.
His baby
Their smiles.
Their voices.
Their warmth.
It all returned with painful clarity.
His breathing trembled.
A quiet hiccup escaped Haneul's lips as he stopped before the enormous courtroom doors.
He stared silently at them.
Only one thought remained in his heart.
Will I ever get to see you again...?
Beside him, Doyeon quietly observed the fragile omega.
Without saying anything, he reached into his uniform pocket and pulled out a small fruit candy wrapped in transparent paper.
He held it out toward Haneul.
"Here."
"It'll help a little."
"Don't be too nervous."
A reassuring smile curved his lips.
"I'm here with you."
"And I'm sure...."
He paused for a split second before unconsciously adding,
"he'll help you soon."
Haneul slowly turned to look at him.
Doyeon's eyes widened.
He immediately cleared his throat in embarrassment and waved his hand.
"I....i mean."
"Me."
"I'll help you."
A faint flush crept onto his ears.
Haneul looked at the candy resting in Doyeon's palm before quietly accepting it.
"Thank you."
Doyeon smiled with visible relief.
"See?"
"Now don't stop here."
He lightly gestured toward the courtroom.
"Let's go inside first."
With a deep breath.
The enormous courtroom doors slowly opened.
Doyeon stepped forward first before glancing back over his shoulder.
He gave Haneul another small, reassuring smile.
"Come."
Haneul quietly nodded and followed behind him.
As they walked into the courtroom, Haneul couldn't help but steal another glance at Doyeon.
He didn't understand it.
They had never met.
At least.... not that he could remember.
Yet Doyeon had been talking to him ever since he woke up, trying to ease his anxiety with awkward jokes, quiet encouragement, and an almost excessive kindness.
It felt strangely familiar.
Like someone who had known him for a very long time.....
Yet at the same time,
he was still nothing more than a stranger.
[Weekend/8pm]
The dining room was unusually lively.
Warm lights illuminated the long dining table as everyone quietly enjoyed dinner together.
Seoah had already finished eating and was peacefully asleep in Bora's arms after becoming sleepy halfway through the meal.
Beside Haru sat little Taeha.
The five-year-old struggled earnestly with his chopsticks, his tiny brows furrowed in concentration.
Haru patiently guided his hand.
"Taeha-nim."
"Like this....."
She adjusted his fingers around the chopsticks before helping him scoop some rice with his spoon.
"No rush."
"You'll learn slowly."
Taeha nodded seriously before trying again.
This time, he managed to pick up a small piece of egg.
His golden eyes immediately brightened.
"I did it!"
Haru gave a small nod.
"Hood job."
Across the table, Taekyun quietly watched the siblings before speaking.
"Haru."
She looked up.
"How did your test go today?"
"It went well."
"It was easy."
Taekyun nodded once.
"Good."
Silence settled again before Nayeon spoke.
"I've been thinking....."
She glanced at Taekyun.
"I want to take leave next week."
"Jina has been planning a trip."
Taekyun calmly continued eating.
"Hm."
"Go ahead."
Jina smiled immediately.
"I was thinking of taking Haru and Taeha with us too."
Taekyun's gaze shifted toward his children.
Before he could respond.....
Haru quietly spoke.
"I still have school work."
"I can't go."
Jina sighed dramatically.
"Come on."
"You're still a kid."
"Let's go and have some fun for once."
Haru simply lowered her eyes without answering.
Beside her, Taeha tilted his little head.
"Trip...."
He blinked excitedly.
"We go park?"
Jina laughed.
"No."
"A much better place."
"Our Taeha will come with us, right?"
Before Taeha could answer, Taekyun gently wiped the corner of his lips with a napkin.
The little boy looked up.
"Seoah go too?"
Jina nodded with a smile.
"Yes."
"Seoah is coming too."
Taeha smiled happily.
Taekyun looked toward Nayeon.
"Where are you planning to go?"
"I managed to get tickets at the last minute."
"It's only for one week."
"We're going to Shanghai."
Taekyun nodded calmly.
"You two enjoy yourselves."
"Leave the children here."
"I'll look after them."
Nayeon looked at him.
"But, Taekyun....."
"It's only one week."
"It'll be nice for them to get out as well."
Jina nodded in agreement.
"Exactly."
"Oppa."
"It'll refresh their minds."
Before anyone else could speak.....
Haru quietly said,
"I don't want to go, Imo."
Jina looked disappointed.
"Fine....."
"If you really don't want to."
She turned toward Taeha hopefully.
"At least Taeha will come, right?"
"You know how attached he and Seoah are."
Taekyun looked at his son before calmly answering,
"It's alright."
"I've got him."
Jina opened her mouth again.
"Oppa, I still think it'd be better if...."
Before she could finish.
Nayeon gently held her hand beneath the table.
She gave her a small shake of the head.
Jina understood immediately.
She let out a quiet sigh before smiling.
"Alright."
"Then please look after them."
"If you need anything....."
"Just call me."
Taekyun nodded.
"Don't worry."
"It's only a week."
Dinner soon came to an end.
Taekyun slowly stood from his chair.
Before leaving, he leaned down and gently kissed Taeha's forehead.
"Be good."
Taeha smiled brightly.
"Okay, Abba."
Taekyun then rested his hand lightly on top of Haru's head.
"Sleep early tonight."
Haru quietly nodded.
"Yes, Abba."
For only a brief moment.
Taekyun studied her expression.
She looked obedient as always.
Yet beneath those calm eyes.
He could still see the sadness.
And the stubbornness she tried so hard to hide.
It had already been two days since he had forbidden her from seeing Eunseo.
She hadn't complained.
But he knew.
She missed her friend.
Without saying anything further.
He quietly left for his study.
The study room was silent.
Taekyun loosened the top buttons of his dress shirt before rolling his sleeves to his forearms.
He sat behind his desk.
Stacks of company files waited for him.
His laptop rested quietly beside them.
He opened it.
Instead of beginning his work.
He entered a familiar password.
A folder appeared.
Private Archive
His fingers paused briefly.
Then.....
He opened it.
The screen filled with security camera footage recorded five and a half years ago.
Footage from Haneul's bedroom.
Without Haneul ever knowing.
Taekyun had installed those cameras shortly after bringing him home.
At first, it had been for security.
Later...
It had become something entirely different.
Every single night.....
For the past five years.
He had watched those recordings.
Again.
And again.
The first video began playing.
Haneul was asleep beneath the blanket.
Peaceful.
Breathing softly.
Another clip.
Haneul carefully carried little Haru back to bed after she had fallen asleep beside him.
Another.
Haneul quietly eating breakfast while humming to himself in his room.
Another.
He suddenly woke from a nightmare in the middle of the night, breathing heavily.
Another.
Haneul laughing.
Smiling.
Living.
Each recording carried a different memory.
Yet Taekyun never grew tired of watching them.
His finger lightly tapped the keyboard once more.
Another video opened.
This time.....
The camera had captured Haneul much more closely.
His face filled almost the entire screen.
The familiar gentle smile.....
The warm eyes...
For a long while.
Taekyun simply leaned back against his chair.
Silent.
Watching the person he had lost.
As though those old recordings were the only place where time had never moved forward.