“Did you really want the alumni meeting that badly?”
Park Cha-young shook his head. It had only been a means to blackmail Jiwon—he’d never intended to go through with it. The man, still smiling gently, whispered to Park Cha-young,
“The man who did this to him doesn’t know about you yet. But he will find out soon. I just don’t know when.”
Park Cha-young’s eyes widened. The thought of the man who had reduced someone to this state returning to do the same to him sent shivers of terror through his body. He shook his head rapidly, tears splitting into multiple streams.
“Stay alive until then.”
With that, the man turned and walked toward the exit. After silently closing the door, not even his footsteps could be heard. Park Cha-young could only hope no one else would come.
***
The man who had visited Park Cha-young, Lee Jak, had no intention of telling Kim Seonghee about him. Since this place was only used for special purposes, no one would come unless informed.
Lee Jak wanted Park Cha-young to tremble in fear, waiting for Kim Seonghee, who might arrive at any moment. So he locked the door to the basement with a key and pocketed it. Having completed his own form of revenge, Lee Jak hurried back to the Leader’s chambers.
Kim Seonghee ascended from the underground parking lot and took the elevator. After stepping out, he spent some time on the phone with another branch. He couldn’t ignore the call, even if it was inconvenient.
When he heard he needed to go in person, he calculated the time and realized he had little to spare. He fiddled with his phone, considering a call, but ultimately put it away. A face-to-face meeting would be better. Jiwon’s chambers were just ahead.
“Hmm~ hmm~.”
Kim Seonghee hummed a tune he’d just made up. Knock, knock. He knocked out of courtesy before opening the door. The sofa inside was empty. He walked further and stood in front of the bedroom door. It creaked open. Kim Seonghee’s face twisted—not Jiwon, but Lee Jak stood there.
“Be quiet.”
That damn bastard.
“Where’s the Leader?”
“He’s asleep.”
“Why does he sleep so much?”
Kim Seonghee scowled, voicing his frustration. Lee Jak didn’t respond and tried to close the door again. Kim Seonghee stuck his foot in the gap.
“Hey. What are you doing? Move.”
“I said he’s asleep.”
“I got it, so move. I’m busy. Don’t get in my way.”
“If you’re busy, focus on your work. Don’t bother the Leader.”
“Me? I bother him?”
Kim Seonghee was incredulous. Lee Jak was calmly trying to push his foot out.
“Did he say that? That I bother him?”
“That’s my personal opinion.”
“Fuck, so you find me bothersome. That’s not him thinking I’m bothersome.”
“Is that so?”
“Ugh. Fuck. Lee Jak.”
That bastard always had a comeback for everything, and there wasn’t a single thing about him that was likable. Kim Seonghee used his slight height advantage to peer inside. Sure enough, Jiwon was lying in bed, asleep.
“You’ve seen enough.”
“You’re such a pain. Fine. Move your damn foot!”
“Yes.”
Lee Jak withdrew his foot. Kim Seonghee finally pulled his own foot out. It ached from being pressed so hard. God, what an annoying bastard.
“Tell the Leader to call me when he wakes up.”
“If I feel like it.”
“Damn it! Just do as I say!”
“Understood.”
Lee Jak nodded.
“Kim Seonghee-nim, you have your next appointment.”
A follower behind him urged him on. Kim Seonghee’s schedule was packed by the hour, and he was always busy. Reluctantly, he had to leave the Leader’s chambers. He made Lee Jak confirm again.
“Make sure you tell him.”
“Yes.”
Kim Seonghee knew he wouldn’t pass on the message. He’d just have to call himself when he had time.
That kid needs to sleep less. Sleeping so much saps his energy. He should do some exercise instead of sleeping all the time. Tsk.
He wished he could teach him himself, but he didn’t have the time.
***
When Jiwon opened his eyes, Lee Jak was sitting beside him, working. Jiwon asked in a sleep-heavy voice,
“Did Kim Seonghee-nim come by…? I thought I heard his voice in my sleep…”
“No. He didn’t.”
“I see……”
Lee Jak answered Jiwon’s question bluntly. He must have imagined it. Jiwon dismissed it lightly. Though the sleep hadn’t been restful, he did feel a bit better, both in body and mind.
“Shall I bring you some water?”
“Oh, I’m fine……”
“You must be thirsty. Drink.”
Lee Jak opened a bottle of water and poured it into a cup, then handed it to Jiwon. Jiwon, who had said he was fine, took the cup and drank. Gulp, gulp. He must have been thirstier than he realized. The water sliding down his throat tasted strangely sweet.
After finishing the water, Jiwon watched Lee Jak work for a moment before asking,
“Umm… about those people…”
“Have you come to a decision?”
“Yes. I thought about it, and I’ll just… leave it to you, Lee Jak-ssi. Just make sure I never see them again.”
“Understood. Shall I report back on how I handled it?”
“No, that’s… not necessary. Later, if I ask, then tell me.”
Jiwon forced a smile. It was almost pitiful.
“Then I’ll make sure it’s handled to your satisfaction.”
“Yes, please.”
Lee Jak was glad he hadn’t thrown the key out the window but kept it in his pocket. He’d have to pay another visit to finish things properly.
“By the way, what are you working on, Lee Jak-ssi? You always seem so busy.”
“I have a lot of responsibilities. Things are just getting sorted out one by one now.”
“So you had even more before? Why do they make you do so much?”
“Ah……”
Lee Jak hesitated at Jiwon’s question. He seemed to struggle with how to explain it, his expression annoyed.
“If it’s too much trouble to explain, you don’t have to.”
“It’s not that. I’m just not sure how much to tell you. Should I tell you everything, since you’re the Leader?”
“Not everything… is necessary. Just give me the conclusion.”
“Then, to put it simply, I’ve been involved with <Land of Happiness> since its founding.”
“…What?”
Jiwon was taken aback. Lee Jak had been involved in founding <Land of Happiness>? That was something he’d never considered. He’d assumed Kim Seonghee had just brought in someone competent from somewhere.
“How…? People don’t usually think about creating a religion, do they?”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
