TWELVE 34

However, when I returned home, I did not see Gi Seoin. The spot where his car was usually parked was also empty. Since I was in a state where I didn’t know what kind of unsightly scene I might make, I was actually relieved.

I sat in front of the house, staring pointlessly at a landscape where the only living, breathing things were myself and the weeds. The tip of my nose felt cold. It felt like only yesterday that I was grumbling about the heat, but already even autumn was drawing to a close.

What a pathetic sight…

As soon as the thought occurred to me that I looked miserable, I lifted my backside from the ground. I should wash up and just go to sleep.

The house I entered after opening the front door was desolate as always. Whenever I went out and came back in, I got the impression that time had stopped in my house alone in this world. Also, lately, I’ve fallen into the illusion that someone is here. Today was no exception.

However, when I went to the kitchen to drink some water, I was swept by an anxiety that it might not be an illusion. Inside the trash can, a bread wrapper that I had never eaten was thrown away.

As if possessed, I searched the entire house. Only then did the traces of another person, which I had carelessly overlooked, come into view one by one.

Is it Gi Seoin?

…It is Gi Seoin.

The question mark immediately concluded with a period.

My head and heart throbbed, and my stomach felt nauseous. I immediately changed the door lock password once again. This time, I combined numbers that had absolutely nothing to do with me so that even Gi Seoin could not deduce them.

At the same time, I considered the possibility that I might have gone crazy. I thought I might be seeing things due to the alcohol. I agonized over whether to call Gi Seoin and ask. I didn’t put it into action because I felt like I wouldn’t hear the answer I wanted.

Even my haven, which I had loved all my life, was becoming unfamiliar. I hid myself under the covers.

He is here.

Today, Gi Seoin was in front of the house. The difference from before was that he did not get out of the car even after seeing me, nor did he follow me. What was inside his head had always been a subject of study for me, but there had never been a time when I wanted to look into it as much as now. What exactly is left that is so regrettable about me for him to go that far?

If Gi Seoin was doing this because he wanted to torment me, it was a perfect achievement of his goal. These days, I suffered whether I saw Gi Seoin or couldn’t see him. Breaking up with Gi Seoin was the same as gouging out 18 years from my life. There was no way it would be easy.

A breakup, how ridiculous. It’s not like we were in a romantic relationship. What exactly was the relationship between us, which was too close to be just friends, but even more so, definitely not lovers…

“I thought Gi Seoin liked you.”

It wouldn’t be him, but I…

Before I could face what form Gi Seoin had taken within me, I cut off the thought. Disregard and oblivion were the most reliable weapons I could wield.

“Hello! I’m here for work.”

“Mr. Seungkyung is here? Ms. Dami is in the breakroom, go on in.”

The President spoke while pointing toward his eyes. That’s right. I kept forgetting the fact that a dark blue bruise had formed on my face. Actually, because I haven’t looked closely in a mirror, I don’t even know well if it’s dark blue or bright red.

“Oh my, the bruise has gotten darker.”

Lee Dami clicked her tongue upon seeing me.

“What is this on such a handsome face? You have to sue.”

“It’s okay. It usually gets darker before it heals anyway.”

“So, are you going to leave Kim Junghwan alone?”

In an instant, I realized that I hadn’t considered the disposal of Kim Junghwan. I hadn’t even picked up the calls from a place assumed to be the police station. It might be an excuse, but I simply had no mental energy to spare.

“I haven’t thought about it yet.”

“What? Naturally, you have to make him receive punishment, whether it’s prison food or a fine.”

Lee Dami had a face that looked like she couldn’t understand at all. I could understand her feelings. I must look like a fool to her. It wasn’t a misunderstanding.

“But that cowardly bastard Kim Junghwan. I thought he would bite and tear at the person who hit him until the end, but isn’t it unexpected?”

“What is?”

“By the way, did the bruise get covered up a bit?”

Because of the President who suddenly appeared, Lee Dami’s attention was diverted. I was burning with impatience to hear more details about the story she had started.

‘Thought he would bite and tear at the person who hit him until the end, but it’s unexpected’?

The person who hit Kim Junghwan was Gi Seoin. If it’s ‘unexpected’… does that mean Kim Junghwan reached a settlement with Gi Seoin or something?

“Excuse me…”

I stepped in between Lee Dami and the President, who were having various conversations about my bruise.

“The story Ms. Dami just mentioned, can I hear more details?”

“Which… ah, that! Right. It’s a good thing. I heard it from the President too.”

At that, the President asked, “What story?” and then started with an “Ah.”

“I thought you’d know since you’re an acquaintance of Mr. Seungkyung, but you haven’t heard anything?”

“No…”

“Well, then listen and pretend you don’t know. It seems Kim Junghwan decided to settle. Just took a few bucks and that’s it. They said he decided not to press charges either.”

“Don’t those things get passed on as criminal cases? Is that possible?”

Lee Dami took even my curiosity and asked.

“Well.”

The President, who shrugged his shoulders, looked at me as if gauging my reaction.

“I only heard it from my maternal aunt, so I don’t know exactly, but it seemed like the two of them knew each other from before. Not personally involved, but professionally. Kim Junghwan is a doctor, after all.”

Stress was placed on the word ‘doctor.’ It was as if he was giving a hint.

“What was the other person’s job? Ah.”

Lee Dami muttered.

“Isn’t he a lawyer? What… doctors and lawyers are close. When a medical accident happens at a hospital, who is the one who covers it up… ah, there’s the answer. Kim Junghwan must have caused an accident and used that person as his lawyer. So he’s been caught by his weakness.”

It wasn’t just my guess. The President was clearly giving a hint. And Lee Dami had pointed out the correct answer.

“Anyway, let’s act as if neither Mr. Seungkyung nor Ms. Dami heard anything.”

I nodded.

“Now, let’s go to work. Mr. Seungkyung, you’re okay, right?”

The President, who gave a wink, left the breakroom first. Lee Dami, who patted my back gently, followed behind him. I organized my thoughts while sitting in the breakroom.

Kim Junghwan, who is a doctor, owes a debt to Gi Seoin, who is a lawyer, or the law firm Gi Seoin belongs to due to some kind of incident. Perhaps he was unilaterally caught by a weakness. Regardless, the conclusion is the fact that Gi Seoin is innocent. No, regardless of guilt, since it didn’t even go to court, it was essentially the same as if it never happened in the first place.

Only now did I come to know the reason why Gi Seoin could be so composed even while facing the detective.

“Ha.”

A hollow laugh broke out.

I had excessively overestimated myself. Of course. There’s no way Gi Seoin would ruin his life over someone like me.

I really should go to work now. Organizing my thoughts, I brushed myself off and stood up. But then.

“Seungkyung.”

Yoon Kijun, who appeared with an urgent momentum, gestured toward the outside.

“Don’t come out right now.”

“Why?”

“He’s here.”

“…Gi Seoin?”

Yoon Kijun nodded. I looked past his shoulder. I did so even though I knew the hall couldn’t be seen from here.

“Stay here for now and then come out.”

It was a thankful consideration, but I shook my head. Since all the lies of both me and Gi Seoin had been exposed, I didn’t need to care anymore.

“It’s okay.”

“Are you really okay?”

“He found out I work here anyway, so what.”

“Ah, that’s true.”

“Thanks. I’ll go out for the serving.”

“Huh? Yeona is already…”

In my urgency, I ran out to the hall without even hearing the rest of his words. Gi Seoin and Seo Yeona were standing in the middle of the hallway leading to the rooms.

Gi Seoin was alone. I checked repeatedly, but no companions were visible.

I approached that way. Sensing my presence, Gi Seoin and Seo Yeona looked back. First, I spoke quietly to Seo Yeona.

“Ms. Yeona, I’ll take over.”

“Ah? Oh? Really?”

Seo Yeona looked bewildered but stepped aside. I entered the room ahead of Gi Seoin just like that. His gaze scratches my back.

As soon as Gi Seoin followed me into the room, I locked the door. Click… After the noise of the latch engaging dissipated, there was only silence. Neither I nor Gi Seoin sat down or spoke; we only faced each other.

Gi Seoin was cunning. He is taking revenge on me by coming to the bar. Because here, I wouldn’t be able to ignore him.

“Why did you come?”

I asked, and Gi Seoin…

“Is there some reason I can’t?”

The guy, who only tilted his head sideways with an expressionless face, had a rebellious momentum like never before. I was so appalled that a hollow breath escaped.

“Are you going to act childishly, Gi Seoin?”

“If actions that you don’t like are considered childish, then yes.”

Gi Seoin spoke as he lowered his body onto the sofa.

“I’m going to try acting childishly.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because you’re ignoring me.”

I wanted to be resolute, but I couldn’t stop my face from contorting.

“You don’t want to hear what I have to say, let’s not even meet… because you keep saying such nonsense. I’m going to try and at least be an annoyance.”

Even while listening, I couldn’t understand why he was being like this. I suppressed a sigh and spat out only my voice.

“Does anything change by doing that?”

“At the very least, you’ll look at me, even if it’s by force.”

“That’s why…!”

Without realizing it, my voice grew louder. Since the room was soundproofed for certain, it wouldn’t leak outside, but because I hated showing an excited appearance in front of Gi Seoin, I steadied my voice.

“That’s why, I’m saying, what do you gain by going that far and drawing my attention? I really don’t understand. At this point, yeah, I wonder if you’re doing this because it’s truly fun. To torment me.”

Gi Seoin, who had a dry expression the whole time, furrowed his brow. I continued to pour out whatever came to mind.

“It must have been a sight to see, me being swayed by your every word and action. It must have been funny seeing me unable to say a single word of complaint or do anything even when you crossed the line. It’s the same now. Is it fun? Are you satisfied?”

Now, Gi Seoin no longer hid his emotions. The ripple spreading in his pitch-black pupils washes over me.

“Are you saying that sincerely?”

“Enough.”

I cut off his words and slammed the check folder onto the table as if throwing it.

“Just drink the ade you like and go. What are you going to do since you’re bored? You’ve never come alone before.”

I didn’t even wait for an answer. I turned my eyes away from Gi Seoin and soon left the room. My breathing is shallow and my chest feels tight, as if I had run at full speed. Even though I had babbled my fill, it didn’t feel refreshing at all.