Chapter 61 — A New Mission

「Yeah, besides—Susie’s way more responsible than I was with money at that age anyway.」JJ said it with an easy smile, shrugging as if it were the most natural thing in the world.Hinata blinked, clearly surprised.「Wow… is that really the case? Huh, who would’ve known.」「My family.」JJ’s lips curved into a playful smirk.「And honestly, the sooner she realizes money isn’t all that impressive, the easier my life’ll be as a dad—especially when she hits that age where she starts wanting to date.」Hinata burst out laughing.「Wow! Esther and Rachel told me you’re a total girl dad, but it’s even truer than I thought.」JJ puffed his chest out proudly.「Of course I am. By the time she gets there, she won’t be impressed by the cheap thrills of whoever’s brave—or stupid—enough to try courting her.」Hinata tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes.「Will it be the same for all your daughters? Even the ones who are adopted?」「Yeah. You can believe that.」JJ answered without hesitation, his tone firm and reassuring.Hinata smiled softly.「That’s good to know.」
◽The Next Day◽
◽Wednesday, 24 August 2050◽
◽In JJ’s Living Room◽
Aurora sat across from JJ, her posture straight and her expression serious.「Grandson.」「Grandmother.」JJ replied just as firmly, meeting her gaze.「So—what country are you going to?」Aurora asked, eyes sharp.「Norway.」A slow smirk spread across Aurora’s face.「Is it because of the bitties?」JJ returned her smirk without shame.「You know it.」Aurora finally relaxed, leaning back.「Good. One of your mother’s old opponents was Norwegian. Who would’ve thought.」JJ straightened slightly, a hint of pride slipping into his voice.「I would. My memories of the Third World War are almost complete now. I remember the important names… and faces.」Hana frowned, confused.「Wait—you remember the Third World War?」JJ nodded calmly.「Yeah. While most of you were hidden away in safe places, I was born on the battlefield. I grew up in it.」Miyeon let out a nervous laugh.「So that’s why our moms arranged our marriages to you…」Mei stiffened.「Um… what do you mean by that, Miyeon?」Miyeon turned to her, voice steady but sharp.「Think about it, Mei. He’s the strongest man alive. His mother was the strongest woman alive. And like he said—people are drawn to the strongest of their generation. It’s not rocket science.」Mei gasped softly as realization dawned.「We’re strong too… but we never went to war.」Miyeon scratched the back of her head.「It’s not just that. Our genetics are—JJ.」JJ finished calmly.「Bingo.」Mei looked at him hesitantly.「Was my mother… one of your mother’s enemies too?」JJ met her eyes.「Yes. And honestly? She was the kindest one in that messed-up group of adult women.」Aurora cleared her throat sharply.「JJ. That’s your mother you’re talking about.」JJ glanced at her, then chuckled lightly.「Grandmother… your daughter taught me how to run before I could crawl. And I did—because I was terrified she’d abandon me.」「Err… you were already a big boy by then.」Aurora muttered.「Grandmother.」JJ’s voice turned firm.「I was three weeks old.」「Um… um—」Aurora suddenly puffed out her cheeks, pouting childishly.
Everyone froze.Then—
Jiyeon giggled softly.「Well, now we know why Shizuko looks so adorable when she pouts.」「Yeah, but it’s still hard to believe JJ’s grandmother looks that young.」Hana replied. Jiyeon nodded.「You’re right. My mom looks older than her.」「Facts.」Hana added bluntly.Aurora rolled her eyes and straightened herself.「Enough already. Get going. You being here is a waste of time.」JJ chuckled as he stood.「Look, Grandmother—I’m not saying Mom did a bad job. I’m just saying… she could’ve been gentler.」Aurora’s voice softened.「Mary was the most gentle one out of all of us…」JJ’s expression dimmed slightly.「I know.」He smiled faintly.「That’s why I’ll never forget—or disrespect—what she did for me and Devon. Even if I hate what happened to her… I appreciate her. Truly.」
With that, JJ left the house.
Aurora’s shoulders trembled as she wept quietly, the girls gathering around her.【Oh man… we messed up. We messed up big time.】Jiyeon glanced at Hana.「So… when will JJ be back this time?」「Probably a month.」Hana chuckled.「Norway’s politics are tricky. JJ’ll probably dive headfirst into that mess.」「So he’ll be fine then.」Jiyeon asked.「Yeah. He’ll be just fine.」Aurora spoke barely above a whisper.「Thank you, girls… I really appreciate this.」「It’s okay.」Mei said gently.「You’ve welcomed us ever since we dated JJ—or whatever variant of him it was.」Miyeon nodded.「Even if it was arranged, you always made sure JJ treated us right. Directly or indirectly. Ever since that call he made to you.」Aurora chuckled weakly.「Yeah… but if I don’t, he does stupid things. Like when he was a child.」Jiyeon’s eyes sparkled mischievously.「Oh? So JJ is prone to stupid things?」Aurora sat up straight.「Of course. All of my grandchildren are. It’s the one genetic trait I’m proud they inherited.」Mei spoke softly.「I get why you feel that way. Sometimes… when you look into JJ’s eyes, it feels like he doesn’t know how to be a normal human.」Aurora smiled sadly.「Yeah… that’s true.」
◽In the USA◽
Nora sat in her home office when a knock echoed through the room.「Come in.」
Someone chuckled as the door opened.
She scowled.「What do you want?」
「Aw, c’mon Nora—no need to act like that.」RD dropped into a chair.「Besides, I told you. Your plan was doomed to fail.」「Tch. Shut up.」Nora crossed her arms.「It was Jase’s plan that failed. I just provided the resources.」「Oh yeah—that failure.」RD sneered.「Trying to fill shoes he’ll never fit in.」Nora rolled her eyes.「That’s between you and Jase. So why are you here?」RD scratched his beard smugly.「Well… JJ bought a plane ticket to Norway.」「And?」Nora snapped.「What does that have to do with me?」RD leaned forward, eyes gleaming.「Tell me, Madam President… do you remember who the strongest women of the Third World War were—besides the Samuels family?」Nora replied flatly.「Yes. I’ve read those files more than anyone.」RD smiled thinly.「Good. Then you know this too. The very strongest of them? Mary Samuels’ closest friends.」He paused. 「And every single one of them… has daughters in JJ’s generation right.」