Springfield, Illinois, United States.
Barack Obama stood by the window of the state senator's office with his arms folded, the afternoon sunlight falling over him. He was dressed in a white shirt with a red necktie.
A deep crease lined his brow, and the conversation he had with his wife a few days earlier kept echoing in his ears, stirring his thoughts into a restless swirl.
[Honey, you know we still haven't finished paying off your student loans and mine, not to mention the mortgage. And we haven't even started saving for the girls' tuition.]
[If you really run for the U.S. Senate, you'll have to quit your legal work because of conflicts of interest. That means our income will drop.]
[Even if a miracle happens and you actually get elected, we're already barely managing to maintain this one household. How are we supposed to handle two homes while going back and forth between Washington and Chicago?]
Even now, he kept a home in Chicago, where he lived with his wife and two daughters, travelling back and forth to Springfield—the state capital—to carry out his duties.
But going back and forth every few days between two cities within the same state, roughly 300 kilometers apart, was an entirely different matter from becoming a U.S. senator and having to fly for hours to Washington.
[Leaving aside the general election, even just getting through the primary will require at least several million dollars, unlike a state legislative race. How do you plan to raise that kind of money?]
Fortunately, thanks to Seok-won—who had become like a friend to him despite their age difference—he had managed to avoid falling into heavy debt. Even so, after his failed attempt in the last U.S. House of Representatives election, he had placed a considerable financial burden on his wife.
Obama could only feel sorry toward his family as he thought about the reality that the money meant to be saved for his two daughters' college funds was instead being used to pay off the debt left behind by that defeat.
Yet even knowing how reckless it was to jump into a U.S. Senate race—and that doing so might make life difficult for his wife and two daughters—he found it difficult to abandon his desire to step onto the larger stage of the federal Congress and try to change America with his own hands.
Obama wore a bitter expression, feeling as though he were rationalizing his actions like an alcoholic who keeps drinking, telling himself each time that it will be the last glass.
"I suppose I really am selfish, if I still can't let go of this dream even knowing how much hardship it will cause my family."
His wife had opposed his involvement in politics from the very beginning.
Even so, she had quietly supported him from behind. But after their two daughters were born, and he failed to help properly despite the promises he had made, she was left to shoulder all the work, household responsibilities, and childcare on her own. Gradually, she became exhausted.
Their marriage had even faced a crisis where it nearly fell apart completely.
They had only just managed to restore their strained relationship and stabilize their lives, so he did not need her to say it out loud to understand how resentful she must have felt when he announced that he intended to run for the U.S. Senate again.
But Obama still did not want to miss this opportunity, no matter what.
"Haa..."
Just as he let out a deep sigh without realizing it, a knock sounded from outside.
"Senator, the guest you mentioned has arrived."
Edryn, who had been connected with him since their days at the Annenberg Challenge Foundation and had continued working with him ever since, opened the door and delivered the message.
"Ah, I see."
Turning away from the window where he had been standing, Obama brightened and stepped outside to greet his guest personally.
In the not-so-large adjoining room, Seok-won stood side by side with his executive secretary, Manager Han Ji-sung.
Behind them, as always, stood Baucus, the large-built Black bodyguard who guarded his back.
Obama broke into a wide smile and extended his hand toward Seok-won, who now carried an even more charismatic presence than the last time they had met.
"It's really been a long time."
"I hope I'm not interrupting your work."
"If it's you, you're always welcome."
Obama looked at his face, still so handsome that it drew admiration.
"Rather than standing here, let's go inside and talk."
"Sure."
"Edryn, please bring us some tea inside. What would you like to drink?"
"Coffee will do."
"Then please bring two cups of coffee."
Obama placed a friendly hand on Seok-won's back and guided him into the inner office.
After the two of them sat facing each other on the leather sofa, Obama spoke first.
"You must be busy, yet it seems you still found the time to come all the way here."
"It was Nelly's birthday not long ago. Since I'm her godfather, I felt bad for not preparing a birthday present, so I came to give it to her even if it's a bit late."
At Obama's request, Seok-won had become the godfather of his eldest daughter, Nelly Obama.
"Nelly will be thrilled when she finds out."
Just then, Edryn knocked and entered, placing coffee in front of the two of them before leaving the room.
"It may not be the top-grade coffee you usually enjoy, but it's brewed from fairly good beans, so it should still be decent."
"Hmm. It's actually quite good."
Seok-won took a sip of the coffee and showed a fairly satisfied expression.
Seeing that, Obama also raised his cup to his lips and spoke.
"Ah, by the way. I heard you didn't forget to send another generous donation to the Annenberg Foundation this time either. You must be busy running your businesses, so you probably don't have much time to worry about other matters. I'm truly grateful that you continue to help every year."
"It's a good cause, so of course I should help. Besides, if I thought I would end up abandoning it halfway, I wouldn't have started donating in the first place."
Even for someone counted among the richest people in the world, making steady donations every year was not easy. Hearing him speak of it so casually made Obama think to himself.
'He may be younger than me, but he's a friend with a broad mind and much to learn from.'
Thinking about it now, Obama felt truly fortunate that he had formed a connection with Seok-won, who had become such a towering figure on Wall Street that people called him the Midas Touch.
In reality, Seok-won provided campaign funds whenever elections came around, offering direct support. On top of that, thanks to the fact that Seok-won—whom he had introduced—now sat at the very top of the Annenberg Foundation's list of major donors, Obama's own standing within the foundation had risen as well.
The influence created through that connection became a solid base of support for Obama in every election.
For that reason, Seok-won was someone Obama could not help but feel deeply grateful toward.
After chatting lightly about various things and letting the atmosphere relax, Seok-won naturally brought up the main topic.
"I heard a very interesting story in New York about former U.S. Senator Janet Leitch. I wonder if you've heard it."
Seeing the puzzled expression that appeared on Obama's face at the sudden remark, he continued speaking.
"They say she won't be running in the U.S. Senate election the year after next."
"...!"
Obama's eyes widened. He had already been contemplating whether to run in the U.S. Senate election that would be held together with the presidential election in 2004.
Leaning forward in his seat, he asked hurriedly,
"Is that really true?"
Seeing that Obama could not hide his agitation, it was clear that—just as Seok-won remembered from before his regression—he had indeed been considering a run for the U.S. Senate.
Seok-won nodded, a faint smile forming inwardly.
"That's what I heard. Since the information came from senior figures within the Democratic Party, there's a high chance it's true."
Obama swallowed dryly without even realizing it.
Janet Leitch, a fellow Black politician, had once been a U.S. senator. Although she failed to win reelection in the last race, she still maintained high recognition throughout Illinois.
If someone like her had decided to run to reclaim the seat she had lost, securing the Democratic Party's nomination would have been almost guaranteed.
But hearing that former Senator Janet Leitch would not be entering the race made his heart start pounding.
"I always assumed she would run, since she's still very active. I can't understand why she suddenly decided not to."
Obama asked the question while trying to maintain his composure, and Seok-won shrugged.
"I heard she plans to run in the presidential election that will be held alongside the U.S. Senate election."
"What?"
Obama wore a bewildered expression after hearing something he had never even imagined.
"Running for president?"
"Yes. As a Black woman who was elected to the U.S. Senate, she gained nationwide recognition and considerable name recognition. It seems she believes it's worth giving it a try."
Obama shook his head, reacting sceptically.
"She indeed has nationwide recognition, but she failed to win reelection because of a series of missteps during her term. Attempting something so reckless… And she's not even an incumbent anymore, so it will be difficult for her to get through the primaries."
In fact, just as Obama predicted, former Senator Janet Leitch boldly entered the presidential primaries but, contrary to expectations, failed to attract much attention and was eliminated early.
Recalling the outcome he already knew well, Seok-won faced Obama with a serious expression.
"If the rumors are true and former Senator Janet Leitch doesn't run in the Illinois U.S. Senate election, wouldn't that be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you, Obama?"
Obama paused and looked at him.
"What do you mean by that?"
"If the strongest candidate disappears, the Democratic Party's U.S. Senate nomination would essentially become wide open. In that case, wouldn't it be worth trying for you as well?"
Obama swallowed in surprise at the remark, which seemed to see straight through his thoughts.
When Seok-won—his biggest supporter and a man renowned for his exceptional foresight—encouraged him to run for the U.S. Senate, the desire he had been trying so hard to suppress began to rise again.
"...Do you really think so?"
Obama asked in a slightly trembling voice. Seok-won nodded with complete confidence.
"Wouldn't you say you've already proven your qualifications just by winning three consecutive terms in Illinois's 13th district and earning strong support from the residents?"
Even so, Obama hesitated.
"I appreciate you thinking so highly of me, but when I ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, I couldn't even make it to the general election and lost in the primary. If I challenge the Senate, could I really succeed...?"
"That was then, and this is now."
With Obama pressing his lips tightly together in silence, Seok-won continued speaking calmly.
"During the U.S. House primary, not only was there a formidable opponent who had already won four consecutive terms in the district, but there was also that unfortunate shooting incident in which your opponent's son died. Public sympathy shifted toward him as well."
"…That's true."
The difficult memories of the campaign—when one unfortunate event followed another—came back to Obama, and he let out a small sigh.
"But this time, former Senator Janet Leitch has opened the road to Washington wide by declaring that she won't run. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Obama also thought it was an opportunity too good to pass up, but the thought of his family prevented him from making a quick decision.
Seeing this hesitation, Seok-won took the thin document envelope he had brought with him and placed it on the sofa beside him, then handed it to Obama.
"Take a look at this."
Obama looked at him with a puzzled expression, then accepted the envelope and examined the documents inside.
"…This is!"
"These are the results of a poll that was cross-verified by several research organizations. It turns out that fewer than 30 percent of Illinois residents currently view Senator Smith positively."
Since the results came from large, well-known polling organizations with established credibility, the data was trustworthy.
"With numbers like that, wouldn't it be a race worth trying?"
After slowly reviewing the poll results once more, Obama sat in deep thought for a long moment, his expression complicated. Then, as if he had finally reached a decision, he lifted his head again.
"To be honest, I've been debating whether to run for the U.S. Senate. But after hearing what you've said, I've made up my mind."
"So that means you've decided to run, right?"
Obama nodded firmly.
"I'll run in the election the year after next."
Hearing the answer he had hoped for, Seok-won formed a deep smile on his lips.
"You made the right decision. I'll take responsibility for the campaign funds, so don't worry about that."
"Really?"
"Of course."
Obama smiled brightly.
"I was actually worried about how to cover the costs. The expenses won't even compare to those from the elections I've run before. I feel a bit shameless saying this, but thank you—truly."
"Hahaha. Don't mention it. If things go well for you, that's good for me too, isn't it?"