Accidentally become a father-Chapter 96: A Man-Made Battlefield

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The music thundered.

It wasn’t just music.

It sounded more like... the signal of a war beginning.

The pound of the bass.

The trembling ground.

The clash of metal.

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"What a pain..."

I walked at a brisk pace.

"...to think they’d move the schedule up."

My hand gripped a plastic bag of iced coffee.

I bit the corner.

And took a sip.

Bitter.

Cold.

I kept walking.

People sprinted past me.

Carrying barricades.

Hauling cables.

Dragging poles.

Shouts rang out over one another.

"Hurry up!!"

"Lift that!!"

"Don’t go that way!!"

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Ahead of me—

The main stage.

A replica of the Parthenon.

White.

Massive.

Towering pillars.

Still half-finished.

But it was already enough to... look magnificent.

I paused for a moment.

Staring at it.

The artists would eventually emerge from the gaps between those pillars.

Entering.

Exiting.

Vanishing.

In the center—

A long stoa.

Extending out into the crowd.

A straight path.

Where they would walk.

Where they would be seen.

All around—

Iron barricades.

Layered zones.

The closer to the stage—

the tighter they got.

Beyond that—

No enclosures.

Just high fences.

And an open field.

I resumed my pace.

Stepping onto the stage.

Pulling back the curtain.

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A white corridor.

Clean.

Quiet.

A stark contrast to the outside.

A row of doors.

Bearing the artists’ names.

I opened one.

A vanity table.

A large mirror.

Surrounded by lights.

A small sofa.

A fitting curtain.

Tidy.

I stepped out.

Entered the next door.

The same.

They were all the same.

Nothing was missing.

I walked to the end of the hall.

Opened the restroom door.

Tested the water.

Normal.

I closed the door.

"...good."

I pulled out my paper.

Checked it off.

✔ Main stage

I turned around.

Ran outside.

Jumped onto the stoa.

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My footsteps echoed loudly against the wooden surface.

I stopped in the middle.

Stomped my foot slightly.

It didn’t wobble.

I shook the railing.

It didn’t budge.

"Solid."

✔ Walkway

✔ Railings

I hopped down.

In the distance—

The gates.

People were gathering.

Village officials.

Police.

Ambulances.

Firefighters.

Portable toilet trucks.

I checked my watch.

14:20.

"...and yet it’s still early afternoon."

But everyone was already moving as if it were the night of the event.

I made another checkmark.

✔ Security

✔ Safety

✔ Facilities

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My walkie-talkie crackled to life.

"Is the backstage area ready?"

"Not yet! We’re short on manpower!"

I looked around.

No one was standing idle.

Everyone was on the move.

"Then just finish as much as you can."

"Copy that."

Click.

I was about to start running again—

Ring...

My phone vibrated.

I picked it up.

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[Bardy Louis]

I answered.

"How are things holding up over there, Itsuki?"

I walked briskly toward the gates.

"Pretty bad."

"Hahaha... sorry about that, the schedule got moved up."

"And?"

"Why did you call."

"Just wanted to see how you were doing."

I stayed quiet for a moment.

"Is that it?"

"Yeah."

"...because of me, you’re taking my place."

"There’s no need to apologize."

"You’re sick."

"Alright then... hope it goes smoothly."

Click.

The call ended.

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I arrived at the gates.

The plastic bag of coffee in my hand was empty.

I threw it away.

My pace slowed.

I looked at all of them.

Then—

"Good afternoon."

I shook their hands, one by one.

The village officials.

The police.

The medics.

The firefighters.

"My apologies."

"The event was moved up on such short notice."

One of them shook his head.

"It’s no problem."

"We know it wasn’t your decision."

I nodded.

"And to the village officials..."

"Thank you for allowing us to use the field."

An old man smiled.

"We’re actually thrilled."

"Our village gets to host such a huge event."

I gave a slight bow.

"Please, come inside."

"We’ve prepared a space for you backstage."

We started walking.

Moving together.

The walkie-talkie crackled again.

Kzt—

"What is it?"

The voice on the other end sounded panicked.

"...there’s a problem with the generator."

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[ A Machine That Must Run ]

"Isn’t there a technician on site?"

"The guy who owns the generator left this morning!"

I paused for a moment.

"...then wait for me there."

Click.

I turned back around.

"My apologies."

"It seems there’s a minor issue with the generator."

"I’ll need to step away for a moment."

"Not a problem."

I turned away.

Someone ran past me.

My hand instantly shot out.

Grabbing their shoulder.

"Escort them backstage."

I was already running again.

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Out of the field.

Away from the stage.

The sound of music faded.

Replaced by the sound of an engine.

Thump thump... thump...

Unstable.

Someone waved their hand.

"Over here!"

I approached.

A massive generator.

A dull iron body.

Vibrating unnaturally.

Thump thump... thump thump...

I stood in silence.

Observing.

"Hm..."

Beside it—

an old backpack.

I picked it up.

Heavy.

"...right."

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I opened it.

Box wrenches.

Open-end wrenches.

A spark plug socket.

A socket wrench.

And several new spark plugs.

I took one out.

Still clean.

Gleaming.

I killed the engine.

Click.

Silence.

Instantaneous.

I popped the engine cover.

Dust.

An old machine.

I unplugged the spark plug wire.

Grabbed the spark plug socket.

Slotted it in.

A perfect fit.

I turned it.

It didn’t budge.

Harder.

Still nothing.

"Hand me that box wrench."

"This one?"

"Yeah."

I hooked it on for leverage.

Pressed down.

Crack.

It loosened.

I removed the wrench.

Turned the socket.

It came free.

I inspected the tip.

A little charred.

Nothing severe.

But enough to cause... issues.

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I reconnected it to the wire.

"Start it."

"Is it safe?"

"Just do it."

He ran to the front.

Turned the key.

Grrrk...

A spark jumped.

Weak.

"...that’s enough."

I picked up the new spark plug.

Installed it.

"Now."

Grrrk...

A spark flared.

Strong.

Steady.

"...good."

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I screwed it back into the engine block.

Click.

Click.

Not too tight.

Just enough.

I closed the engine cover.

Turned it back on.

Thump... thump... thump...

Smooth.

Rhythmic.

Stable.

"Since when do you know how to do this?"

I didn’t look at him.

"Automotive school."

I stood up.

"It’s done."

Flipped the breaker.

Thrum.

The lights flickered on.

The sound system roared to life.

The bass returned.

The world grew loud once again.

I started running again.

My hands were still dirty.

I didn’t care.

Arriving backstage.

They were already seated.

Drinks.

Snacks.

Beside them.

"Thank you for waiting."

I checked my watch.

15:15.

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I got straight to the point.

"Village Head."

"What is the status of the parking arrangements?"

He stood up.

Handing me a folder.

"These zones here."

"We have them prepared."

"The residents and neighborhood heads are on standby as well."

I glanced over it.

Organized.

"Thank you."

He smiled.

"This benefits us too, after all."

I nodded.

"Officer."

He stood up.

"Security looks solid."

"The fences are sturdy."

"We’ll position our personnel at the vulnerable points."

"Thank you."

"Medical team."

A doctor raised his hand slightly.

"We’re ready."

"Firefighters."

"Ready."

I made my checkmarks.

✔ Parking

✔ Security

✔ Medical

✔ Firefighters

"Thank you for your cooperation."

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Ring...

My phone vibrated.

"Excuse me."

I stepped away.

And answered.

"The audience is starting to arrive."

I stopped in my tracks.

"The operational team?"

"Nowhere in sight."

"...don’t let them in yet."

"Copy that."

Click.

I walked toward the front of the stage.

The panels were still being assembled.

Time was ticking.

I took out my phone again.

Made a call.

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[Bardy Louis]

It connected.

"Where is the operational team?"

"They haven’t arrived."

"Hm... hold on."

I remained silent.

Pulled out a cigarette.

Lit it.

Smoke drifted slowly upward.

The sky was changing colors.

From blue to orange.

Dusk.

"They’ll be there in ten minutes."

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[ A Wave of Humanity ]

A crowd was beginning to form.

In front of the gates.

At first, just a few people.

Then, it kept growing.

Voices began to rise.

Not shouts.

But loud enough to feel... crowded.

I walked closer.

Several people were already standing by the fence.

Holding up something around their necks.

Lanyards.

Brightly colored.

I didn’t linger.

I spoke up immediately.

"My apologies."

"Preparations are not yet complete."

"No entry is permitted just yet."

A few of them fired back immediately.

"But we already paid!"

"We have access passes!"

I glanced at their badges.

"...please keep waiting."

A flat tone.

It didn’t rise.

It didn’t fall.

Behind them—

People kept arriving.

Footsteps.

Chatter.

Bags.

Water bottles.

Growing denser.

The streets were filling up.

The air shifted.

Warmer.

Heavier.

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The police arrived.

Two officers.

Then three.

They took their place beside me.

And began to help explain the situation.

"Please step back."

"The event is not open yet."

"Please wait patiently."

Their voices were louder.

Firmer.

The crowd was pushed back slightly.

But it didn’t thin out.

If anything... it grew.

My phone vibrated.

I answered.

"They’re here."

"Do you see the large vehicles? The buses."

I turned my head.

In the distance—

One.

Then two.

Large buses.

Rolling in slowly.

"...yes."

"I see them."

Click.

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The buses stopped.

The doors opened.

People stepped out.

In uniform.

Swift.

Well-trained.

They didn’t look around.

They got straight to work.

Opening the cargo holds.

Pulling out equipment.

Cameras.

Tripods.

Cables.

The operational team.

The broadcasting team.

Finally.

I stepped forward.

"Clear a path."

The police moved immediately.

Forcing a gap through the crowd.

People shifted.

Reluctantly.

The team walked through without stopping.

Straight inside.

Someone approached me.

"Is everything ready?"

I didn’t answer right away.

Pulled out a sheet of paper.

Looked it over.

Almost everything was checked off.

I grabbed my walkie-talkie.

"Status report."

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One by one, voices came through.

"Stage section, ready."

"Lighting, ready."

"Sound, complete."

"Audience zones, ready."

"Security, ready."

No long pauses.

Fast and efficient.

"...good."

I took a short breath.

"Time to rest."

"Understood!!"

Click.

I looked at the person in front of me.

"Everything is ready."

"I leave the rest to you."

He nodded.

"Thank you."

I didn’t reply.

I just turned around.

And walked backstage.

My pace slowed.

I glanced back for a moment.

From a distance—

The operational team had begun their work.

Fast.

Organized.

They checked the ID badges.

Sorted the crowds.

Directed them to their zones.

Controlled the flow.

Like a dam that finally had its floodgates opened.

I stopped watching.

And kept walking.

Backstage.

The atmosphere was different.

Quieter.

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A large mat was rolled out.

Several people were already lying down.

Some were eating.

Some were just sitting in silence.

I approached.

Someone chuckled.

"Oh, Itsuki."

"Come on over."

"Must be tough being the acting head."

The others chimed in.

"Hahaha, look at his face."

"He’s exhausted."

I glanced at them.

Tired faces.

Drenched shirts.

"...you guys too."

"Look at your shirts."

"They’re soaked."

"Soaked with what?"

Someone said.

I sat down.

"...sweat, what else."

Another answered loudly.

A few seconds of silence.

They looked down at their own clothes.

Then—

"Hahahaha!"

Laughter erupted.

"Alright, alright."

Someone raised their hand.

"Let’s rest for now."

"We have to work again tonight."

I immediately lay down.

Among them.

My back touched the mat.

My body felt heavy.

The noise from outside could still be heard in the distance.

But...

it was fainter now.

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