99.
“Please stay on topic.”
“I’ll try. So what exactly do you want to say?”
“On the day of the incident at the hospital, did you know about it beforehand? You knew Haseo’s father would betray him, didn’t you?”
Choi Mujin slowly raised the corner of his mouth, then took out a cigarette from inside his jacket. He put it between his lips and looked at Jeong Heejun. Though he had taken out the cigarette, he didn’t seem to intend to light it. Reading the puzzlement in Jeong Heejun’s eyes, Choi Mujin readily provided an answer.
“Haseo asked me to try quitting smoking.”
At those words, Jeong Heejun’s expression changed strangely.
“Then, as you wish, let’s get back to the main point. Did you know about the betrayal?”
Choi Mujin’s eyes curved into crescents.
“I knew.”
“You!”
Jeong Heejun approached and slammed his fist on Choi Mujin’s desk.
“If you knew, why didn’t you separate that person from Haseo! If you had done that beforehand, such a thing would never have happened!”
“If I had separated them beforehand.”
Choi Mujin tucked away the cigarette, placing it in the empty ashtray.
“Perhaps it would have been the happy ending you’re thinking of. But that couldn’t happen.”
Looking at Choi Mujin’s slowly darkening eyes, a chill ran down Jeong Heejun’s spine.
“Love is something that changes too easily.”
“Were you planning to make Haseo a loner?”
Choi Mujin didn’t answer this question. But even without an answer, Jeong Heejun was certain. Though he hadn’t directly orchestrated events, he had moved with some level of certainty.
“A loner? I would be by his side.”
“How can you be so selfish! Have you ever once considered Haseo’s feelings?”
“If I hadn’t considered them, I wouldn’t have done what I did.”
“I’m going to tell Haseo everything.”
“Exactly what are you going to tell him? Do you have any definitive evidence? Or do you think Haseo will fully accept your speculation?”
“I am Haseo’s only friend.”
“I know.”
Long, thick fingers slowly tapped the desk.
“That’s why you’re still in one piece.”
It was an unexpected statement. Jeong Heejun listened to the rhythmic sound while his mind raced. After going through a difficult period, Haseo was now gradually finding normalcy. And what about Choi Mujin?
He was trying to quit smoking because Haseo had asked him to, and he was tolerating the irritating Jeong Heejun because he was Haseo’s friend. As his anger subsided, Jeong Heejun noticed something he hadn’t realized before. It wasn’t just Haseo who was changing. Choi Mujin was also changing as he followed Haseo.
“That’s unexpected.”
“Perhaps.”
What would be best for Haseo? Though the deliberation was long, he had reached a partial conclusion here.
“Fine. I will tell Haseo all of these facts, but I won’t add my personal opinion. In exchange, I have one condition.”
“I don’t think you’re in a position to set conditions.”
“I’m saying this as Haseo’s friend. Kneel before Haseo and apologize. And I want you to confess everything.”
“At this point?”
“I think it’s a conversation that’s only possible now.”
“I’d rather not take such a risk.”
“If you do nothing, the situation will remain as it is. Make your choice.”
With those final words, Jeong Heejun left Choi Mujin’s office. He gave a slight nod to Park Dongsu, who was guarding the front of the office, and then left the Isaac Finance headquarters. Now it was up to Choi Mujin to decide what to do.
As promised, Jeong Heejun handed over the materials he had investigated to Haseo. Once again, they met at the convenience store.
“I’m sorry for always asking for favors, but thank you.”
“Haseo, I told you we’re friends. Think of it more casually.”
“What if I ask for something huge one day?”
“Anything. Just say it. I’ll give it to you.”
At this seemingly exaggerated statement, Haseo laughed softly.
“It’s fine. I have some pride. Thanks for the materials.”
“Don’t mention it.”
The materials Jeong Heejun provided included the hospital’s internal CCTV footage, records of people entering and exiting, and how the note Haseo received had been delivered. Looking through the materials on the spot, Haseo found that they weren’t significantly different from what he already knew.
“The CCTV records near that hospital room at the time are not available. Someone must have deleted or taken them. And the entry records won’t be much help either. I confirmed that the person who set the fire was related to Chairman Jang, but it seems like the others were hired with money.”
“I see.”
“More importantly, Haseo.”
“Yes?”
“About that person.”
“That person?”
“Director Choi, Choi Mujin.”
“What about Mujin-ssi?”
“To be honest, I don’t like that person. I really don’t like him. I hate him more than bugs.”
Now that he thought about it, Jeong Heejun had particularly disliked bugs as a child.
“But, it seems like that person is changing a bit too.”
At these unexpected words, Haseo blinked slowly. He had thought the next words would surely be criticism.
“Last time, you said you wanted to be stubborn with him, right?”
He had. And Haseo staying at the goshiwon and working was part of that stubbornness. Choi Mujin really disliked him doing that.
“Be a little more stubborn.”
A mischievous expression appeared on Jeong Heejun’s face.
“More?”
“You’re too docile right now. If it were me, I would do more things that person hates. Personally, I’d recommend dating other people too. And do everything you want with his money. Why pay back the debt? He’s the one who should be on his knees begging.”
Halfway through, his form of address changed from “that person” to a more derogatory term.
“Just look at this.”
Jeong Heejun tapped the materials Haseo was holding.
“If it were me, I’d rush over, grab him by the collar, and punch him. Then I’d ask, ‘Did you do it?'”
“Uh, hmm. Would he let me grab his collar?”
“Let you? If you’re doubtful, want to try it now?”
“What? Now?”
The sudden suggestion caused a question to escape his lips involuntarily.
“Yes, now. I’ll teach you how.”
“Even if I learn…”
“Look, there’s even someone to practice on right there.”
When Haseo turned to where Jeong Heejun was pointing, he saw Choi Mujin standing outside the convenience store. As Haseo was surprised, Jeong Heejun whispered in his ear.
“Approach slowly so he doesn’t get startled, and first grab the clothes around his neck. Then throw a punch. Make a fist like this.”
He kindly held Haseo’s hand and formed it into a fist.
“Then strike!”
After finishing his explanation, Jeong Heejun turned Haseo around and pushed his back. He took the documents and placed them on the counter, then helpfully opened the convenience store door. Thanks to this, Haseo found himself standing in front of Choi Mujin.
“Why are you here?”
Unable to hide his bewilderment, he asked, and Choi Mujin answered obediently.
“I have something to tell you.”
“Haseo, fighting!”
Haseo rolled his eyes and then, seeming to have made up his mind, grabbed Choi Mujin’s tie and pulled. Despite Haseo’s sudden action, Choi Mujin obediently bent down.
‘So make a fist and…’
As he was recalling Jeong Heejun’s instructions, he heard his voice again.
“Haseo, a slap works too!”
No, don’t encourage that kind of thing! Still, listening to Jeong Heejun’s words made his courage surge. So he spread his palm wide and slapped Choi Mujin’s cheek. There wasn’t much force behind it, but Choi Mujin looked surprised at being hit.
“Hit harder. That’s disappointing. Haseo, I’ll be going now.”
“L-leaving?”
“I promised to watch a late movie with Ryu Jiyeon today. Well, see you!”
“Oh, goodbye.”
Haseo absentmindedly waved his hand, then belatedly came to his senses and released Choi Mujin’s tie. However, even after being freed, he didn’t straighten up.
“You can hit me more if you want.”
It seemed he had hit too lightly. That’s why Choi Mujin was saying such things. Haseo narrowed his eyes and glared at him.
“That’s enough.”
Though it was a light slap, strangely, it had made him feel better.
“More importantly, what’s going on? You didn’t even call.”
“I came because I have something to say.”
“I’m still working, you know?”
“Then I can come in and talk.”
“Let’s go inside, then.”
It would be troublesome if a customer came in while they were outside. Choi Mujin followed behind Haseo as he entered the convenience store. Haseo, who had entered first, hid the documents from the counter underneath.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“No, it’s fine. More importantly…”
Choi Mujin made eye contact with Haseo.
“Listen to what I have to say.”
Then he slowly knelt down on the convenience store floor. It seemed like today was full of surprises. Haseo blinked and rubbed his eyes. He thought he might be seeing things, but what he saw didn’t change.
“What, what are you doing?”
Choi Mujin acting like this was rather frightening.
“I’m sorry.”
Haseo, who had been waving his hands in confusion, froze in place at Choi Mujin’s words.
“I’ve done so many wrong things. I should have apologized earlier, but I was stupid.”
Choi Mujin lowered his eyes and continued speaking as if making a confession.
“I was too foolish to say it.”
“…Do you know what you’re sorry for?”
“For trying to buy you with money and manipulate you as I pleased. For holding your grandmother. And for not stopping your father. Besides these, there are probably many more mistakes I’ve made.”
As Choi Mujin’s words, spoken while kneeling with his head bowed, came to an end, a brief silence fell over the convenience store.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
