26.
“Isn’t it hard to cook when you’re injured?”
When asked that, Haseo shook his head.
“It’s fine. I cook wearing nitrile gloves, so there’s no problem with the wound.”
As he continued cooking, what he finished wasn’t particularly delicious. He seemed to be trying hard, but why wasn’t his skill improving? Not long ago, he had put something in the doenjang jjigae that made it taste sweet. When this was mentioned after the meal, he explained in embarrassment that he had added a little sugar.
“I heard adding a little sugar makes it more delicious… I’m sorry.”
Seeing his dejected expression, it was hard to say anything more. In the past, Choi Mujin would have scolded him for making such food. Recently, Choi Mujin had become strangely lenient with Haseo. Perhaps it was because he saw the clumsy guy trying so hard. Or maybe he was just getting softer with age.
Choi Mujin shrugged and turned his attention back to his tablet PC.
This was driving him crazy. Haseo finished washing the dishes and took off his rubber gloves. The person who had only been asking strange questions had finally given Haseo an order. He wanted him to check Choi Mujin’s tablet PC.
‘How am I supposed to do that?’
The tablet PC was mostly kept in Choi Mujin’s study, so it wasn’t easy for Haseo to touch it. And even when it was brought outside, did that make things any easier? Not really. At those times, Choi Mujin was holding it in his hands. Though he was a director of a finance-related company, in reality he was closer to a gangster. Knowing this, he never let the tablet PC out of his hands.
Haseo, trying to look for an opportunity, started preparing dessert. It wasn’t anything special, just washing and cutting some fruits to serve, but when he filled the plate, it looked quite presentable.
“Have some fruit.”
When he put down the plate on the table, Choi Mujin finally put down his tablet PC.
“I’ll go wash my hands.”
He could just eat with a fork, but he diligently went to wash his hands. With Choi Mujin leaving the living room, Haseo had his first opportunity. With a pounding heart, Haseo reached for the tablet PC on the sofa. With slightly trembling hands, he pressed the power button and the screen turned on. Then a password prompt appeared.
Needless to say, the tablet PC was password-protected. But being so fixated on getting hold of it, he hadn’t imagined this part. Haseo, fidgeting nervously, tried entering random numbers. But of course, it was the wrong password.
People usually use numbers related to themselves for passwords, they say. But all Haseo knew about Choi Mujin was his eating habits and sexual preferences. No matter how anxiously he tapped in passwords, nothing changed. Haseo let out a thin groan and put the tablet PC back on the sofa. And at that moment, a voice came from behind.
“What are you doing?”
The moment he heard the low voice, his heart sank. Haseo had no idea what to do in this situation. So after turning his confused thoughts over, he ended up doing something unexpected.
“I’m sorry!”
He shouted and then approached Choi Mujin and kissed him. Since he moved so urgently, it was more like a headbutt than a kiss, making his teeth hurt from the collision.
“What?”
Choi Mujin looked at Haseo with a puzzled expression, but by then, he had already bolted. Following the sound of the laundry finishing, he hid in the utility room.
“Huh?”
Finally coming to his senses, Choi Mujin touched his wounded lip from the headbutt.
“This troublesome kid?”
It was the first time his lips had been stolen in this way. What on earth was he thinking to do such a thing? Wondering this, he looked down at the table and saw the neatly cut pile of fruit. Though he had no decorating skills, seeing the fruits arranged by color showed the effort that went into it.
‘I think I understand.’
Choi Mujin sat back on the sofa and picked up a fork. Some shapes were uneven, but that didn’t affect the taste. Being expensive fruit, it was delicious. And until he finished all the fruit, Haseo did not come out of the utility room.
“I’m going out for a while.”
Only after he announced he was going out did a head slowly emerge from the utility room.
“Take care.”
Haseo greeted him with an awkward smile. Looking at him, somehow laughter bubbled up. Choi Mujin lightly waved his hand and then stepped outside.
Today again, Park Dongsu took the wheel. The chairman of Isaac Finance had warned Choi Mujin to be careful, yet still asked for his help in urgent matters. Even though they were both from gangster backgrounds, they had walked different paths. Even among gangsters, those who sat at the top tended to move less, and the current chairman was the son of such a person.
He was quite different from Choi Mujin, who had crawled up from the bottom and established himself through blood and violence. That’s why when it came to intimidating or persuading someone, Choi Mujin was sometimes more effective than the chairman.
“Park Dongsu.”
On the way back after finishing work, Choi Mujin, who had been sitting quietly, opened his mouth.
“Yes.”
Since he was always on edge after finishing work, Park Dongsu answered cautiously. But the question that came back was truly unfamiliar.
“What do young people like these days?”
Choi Mujin wasn’t particularly old. In a society where people live to be 100, being in your 30s meant you were still in your prime. When he referred to “young people,” there was only one person that came to mind.
Lee Haseo. A 24-year-old young man, certainly young enough compared to Choi Mujin. Park Dongsu quickly thought about what might be useful for Haseo.
“If they’re in their 20s, wouldn’t they like gadgets? The latest mobile phones or tablets, or maybe smart watches.”
“Really? He didn’t seem particularly interested in those things.”
“Well, getting a proper one of any of those requires spending quite a bit of money. How about clothes?”
“Clothes aren’t bad either. And?”
Maybe what he wanted wasn’t simply material things? Park Dongsu tightened his grip on the steering wheel. What else might a typical 20-year-old like? Since his own youth hadn’t been ordinary, nothing came to mind quickly.
“Movies, how about movies? I’ve heard young people watch movies, go to arcades, eat out, and so on.”
“Movies, huh.”
“If you need, I can look into movie tickets.”
“Then get two tickets for the nearest date.”
“Yes!”
Answering energetically, Park Dongsu breathed a sigh of relief. Now he’d have to look into movies, but he had gotten past the immediate hurdle.
‘No, wait?’
After parting with Choi Mujin, Park Dongsu, who was searching about movies, wore a troubled expression. Movies were so profound and difficult. First, there were multiple theaters, each with its own characteristics. Some had tasty popcorn, others had big auditoriums, some were good at this, others were bad at that. After much consideration, Park Dongsu decided to safely rent an entire theater.
Afterward, he chose a movie, but he didn’t spend much time on this part. The movie with the most screenings would probably be enjoyable. Park Dongsu booked a romance movie said to be made by a famous foreign director.
“These days, there are even arcades inside the movie theaters.”
There were also many restaurants nearby. Thanks to that, it didn’t require as much effort as expected. Park Dongsu completed his mission by creating a list of recommended restaurants.
* * *
9 PM. As usual, Haseo received a phone call in his room.
— Did you properly do what you were told?
“I-I touched it, but it had a password.”
— Did you try entering a password?
“I tried once, but it said wrong password.”
Haseo gnawed at the bandage wrapped around his finger. Blood seeped through and caused pain, but that was fine for now. It was easier to maintain his sanity if he was in pain.
— What number did you enter?
After he told the number he had pressed, the other person clicked their tongue.
— For normal passwords, wouldn’t you try a birthday?
“…I don’t know his birthday.”
The other person fell silent at Haseo’s words.
“I told you I’m just a housekeeper. I can’t do anything. There’s nothing I can do!”
His voice grew louder, but then he suddenly realized it and shut his mouth. Finding it hard to breathe, he scratched his chest with his fingers, and the other person sighed.
— Then I’ll tell you. Choi Mujin’s birthday is December 24th.
December 24th. Christmas Eve. Haseo raised his hand from scratching his chest and rubbed his neck. This wasn’t how he wanted to learn Choi Mujin’s birthday.
— Remember it.
“…Yes.”
After that, the call ended without any farewell. Haseo calmly slid his phone under the bed sheet, then replaced the bandage on his fallen hand with a new one. He put the soiled bandage in the trash can in the room. Since he was the only one who cleaned in this house anyway, there was no worry about someone going through the trash.
‘No one will know.’
He had deliberately cut himself while cooking to hide what happened to his hand. Even if someone saw it, they wouldn’t be suspicious. Haseo also rolled up the blood-stained t-shirt and placed it in a corner, then lay down on the bed.
He’d been thinking lately that he seemed to be punished for committing too many bad deeds. His grandmother had always told him to live honestly and kindly, but he hadn’t been able to.
Haseo slowly closed his eyes. Even if he slept, he often woke up from nightmares, but he still needed to rest to be able to move. So he forced himself to sleep once again today.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
