Location: Incheon International Airport – Return to Korea
Cameras waited like wolves in tailored suits.
News vans blocked the exits. Microphones swung like swords. Reporters—some curious, some hostile—shouted questions before Jiwoo even appeared.
> "Is the Aurora Project a cult?"
"Why won't you show your face?"
"Are you controlling minors with unregulated funds?"
"Do you deny involvement in the collapse of several global equity markets?"
Eunsol's hand tightened on Jiwoo's sleeve.
> "They've already written the ending," she muttered.
> "Then we'll write our own beginning," he replied.
---
Back at Aurora Hills – The Screens Never Sleep
Inside the villa, every screen buzzed with headlines:
"The Billionaire Ghost: Who Really Controls the Peace Spiral?"
"Financial Messiah or Global Manipulator?"
"Anonymous Korean Male Suspected in Multinational Political Disruption"
Even some of the people they helped—mayors, school directors, small business leaders—were being pressured to publicly distance themselves.
> "We were grateful… but we had no idea who was funding it."
> "It was… all very strange. We thought they were backed by NGOs."
---
The Circle's Emergency Meeting
The seven girls sat with Jiwoo in the lowest level of the villa—where no signal could penetrate.
Sena threw a folder on the table.
> "They're using misdirection.
All their accusations are framed in questions—not statements.
That way, they damage us without responsibility."
Jihye added, "They're pulling old footage. Twisting context. Creating villains without ever naming one directly."
Mirae looked at Jiwoo.
> "We have to go public."
---
The Dilemma
Jiwoo leaned back in his chair.
Silent.
For a long moment.
> "If we speak now, we break the mystery.
The idea that this peace belongs to everyone, not just us."
Noeun: "But if we stay silent… they'll fill the silence for us."
Yoori: "Sometimes truth has to step into the light. Not to justify itself—but to remind people what it looks like."
---
The Decision
Jiwoo stood.
Then said something no one expected.
> "Then don't show me.
Show them.
Every student. Every village. Every elder. Every changed life."
> "Don't defend me.
Defend what we've done.
With no edits. No spin."
> "Let the world see who we helped.
And let them speak."
---
The Circle Activates
Within 24 hours, the Circle launched the campaign.
> #WeWereThere
A woman in Morocco: "They rebuilt my school. No cameras. No contracts."
A boy in Norway: "They taught us to speak the truth without fear."
An elder in Indonesia: "They asked for nothing. And gave us peace."
A father in Bhutan: "My son sleeps through the night again. That's all I need to know."
---
The Response
The media split.
Some doubled down: "Staged."
Others retracted: "Independent verification confirms Aurora Peace Nodes exist in over 22 locations."
The people?
They chose.
In every country the Circle touched, peaceful gatherings formed.
No slogans. No signs. Just silence. Gratitude. Testimonies.
> "I don't care who he is.
I care what they've done."
---
The Final Blow
Jiwoo never stepped in front of a camera.
But a new video surfaced online—leaked from a hidden source.
It was Jiwoo, years ago.
Wearing the same hoodie.
Holding his little sister's hand.
Sitting outside a bank.
Rejected. Broke. Hungry.
The caption read:
> "You made fun of this boy for being poor.
He built a world without making anyone feel what he felt that day."
---
Final Scene – Rooftop, Late Night
The Circle sat together, wind rustling gently through the trees.
Sena scrolled through the latest headlines.
"Anonymous Architect of Peace Receives Nobel Nomination"
"Aurora Circle Confirmed in 30+ Countries. Grassroots Peace Revolution Accelerating."
Mirae hummed a melody softly under her breath.
Noeun, leaning on Jiwoo's shoulder, whispered:
> "You didn't fight them."
> "No," Jiwoo replied.
> "You outlived their noise."
---