PAYBACK BOOK 2.

Chapter 4.

Lee Yoo-han

 

That name is clearly my name, but perhaps because I've been called by other names so often lately, I've started to wonder what it would sound like if I heard my real name. The teasing might sound unfamiliar, but it seems I'm overthinking it. What dispelled the unfamiliarity was the accent and pronunciation, which vividly brought back memories. It was the same voice that used to call my name. I should have been startled at being caught so unexpectedly. Still, I was so delighted I almost burst out laughing, even though my weakness had been discovered before I could begin a proper investigation or plan.

 

"Damn it, man."

 

Another curse escaped Myungshin's lips. He shifted his gaze from me to the manager and Han-Soo, seemingly deep in thought, trying to piece together the situation.

 

"What kind of messed-up situation is this? You bastard, you didn't accidentally run into me at the art gallery that day, did you? You did it on purpose and conspired with that jerk Han-Soo; that's a prank..."

 

The manager standing next to him made a move to stand up when he heard Myungshin's words, before yelling at him angrily with a tense expression, as if he couldn't tolerate it any longer.

 

"Watch your words. Don't swear like that."

 

Myungshin glared at the manager, trying to say something, but before he could, I intervened, pushing my chair back. *Creak* As I slowly stood up, Myungshin's gaze spun to me, his face contorted for a moment. Ah, that's it. I couldn't help but chuckle. I asked slowly, aware of the sarcastic smile on my lips.

 

"My name is Lee Taemin. But do you know me?" Myungshin's eyebrows twitched as I deliberately asked in a teasing manner.

 

"Are you pretending not to know me?"

 

"Lee Yoo-han... I think I've heard that name somewhere before," I took a step forward, my gaze mirroring his.

 

"Eh, Chung Yoo-han? Just like your name, isn't it?"

 

Suddenly, Myungshin's distorted face froze. A low thud- the sound of my footsteps was drowned out by the sudden commotion in the lounge. Myungshin's heart skipped a beat, reacting to the shrinking distance. I stifled another burst of laughter. That's why the past might be a good thing. No matter how much the other person grows up, in my memories I'll still see them as a child. I'm forever stuck with him. Even though he's the one trampling on me, deep down I don't feel that afraid of him. Because to me, he's just Chung Myungshin.

 

"That's strange. Who would even insult their own name like that?"

 

I stopped, maintaining a distance of about an arm's length, and stared at him with a neutral expression.

 

"Am I the Lee Yoo-han you know? I'm asking you, Mr Chung Yoo-han."

 

"Mr..."

 

"Answer my question first. I'm genuinely curious why your name is Chong Yoo-han."

 

He kept his mouth shut as if afraid a flower would fall, glaring at me fiercely. I looked back at him, unable to suppress a smile, before narrowing my eyes. I lowered my voice so only he could hear.

 

"Suddenly, I remembered something fun. Back then, there was this guy who kept complaining about wanting to be as strong as me. He even went on about how my name sounded pretty cool."

 

"Damn...that's..." He lowered his voice to my level before muttering heavily, as if suppressing anger.

 

"That was in the past."

 

"Then prove it."

 

A question mark appeared in those sparkling eyes, wondering what proof was needed. I took another step closer and continued. "If you've gotten stronger, then attack me! I'm happy to be your opponent, you bastard! I'll knock you down right here!" 

 

*Thump* I heard footsteps clearly, though not my own. Myungshin, backing away, clenched his jaw so hard that his face trembled. It was as if he flinched. For a fleeting moment, the shame of his own recoil was etched in his eyes and face. But it was only a fraction of a second before a gentle smile appeared on his lips, as if wearing a mask.

 

"Ah, I think I misjudged you, Mr Lee Taemin. Next time, I'll make sure to check before approaching you." He paused for a moment, as if trying to calm his trembling voice, before narrowing his eyes and whispering in a suddenly cheerful tone, as if he had remembered something.

 

"Just wait a few more hours. Then I'll launch an attack and settle this once and for all." The moment he finished speaking, he turned and strode away, disappearing just like that. But the trembling voice, unable to suppress his anger, lingered in the air. Left behind, I should have laughed loudly at that guy who'd bolted away, but my smile had completely vanished.

 

"Wow, that was incredibly satisfying! But what did you say that made him run away like that?" Han Soo, who was walking beside me, exclaimed excitedly, while the manager standing opposite him expressed his concern.

 

"Is it okay if you meet like this?"

 

"No," I muttered briefly before turning back. I wasn't okay at all. First, I'd provoked him, triggering a sudden outburst that led him to plan a future act of violence. Then there was the possibility of not having enough time to prepare. Nothing was going my way. I couldn't let this end too quickly, and I couldn't let my anger flare up again. I needed to gradually teach Myungshin a lesson that what he did to me could come back to haunt him like a boomerang. Because revenge exists in this world, and there are still people like me who aren't afraid to do the same dirty things he did.

 

After reassuring the manager that I would handle it myself, I arrived at Alice's maze, a place I hadn't been to in a long time. Even though it had been almost a month, I couldn't forget the familiar face, yet I was stopped at the entrance because this guard wasn't the familiar one who usually stood at the back entrance.

 

"You can't go in this way."

 

The guard, with his intimidating demeanour unlike before, blocked my path, making me slightly uneasy. I stopped and stared at him silently, without speaking.

 

"What?" The man, who looked like a rookie guard, narrowed his eyes to survey the situation. "Please use the front door."

 

"I am not a customer."

 

Then he examined me from head to toe again, because I was dressed rather shabbily, so I probably didn't look like someone who worked there.

 

"Do you have an appointment with someone inside? I wasn't informed in advance. Please let me know, and I'll contact someone inside." 

 

I was about to say that I didn't have an appointment and intended to see the boss, but then I realised the source of my anxiety when I heard the next question.

 

"May I know your name?"

 

"...."

 

He lowered his head as he radioed someone inside, before urging me on, even though I refused to answer.

 

"Could you please tell me your name?"

 

"Lee...Taemin"

 

When I responded based on an experience, the guard immediately radioed those inside. But when he received the reply, his expression changed...Become cold and indifferent.

 

"He said that there's no one with that name among the boss's acquaintances."

 

"You could try asking the club manager."

 

"He's busy right now. Please contact him later and come back..."

 

"...won"

 

"What did you say?"

 

I looked at the guard, who had a look that said, 'What are you talking about?', before reluctantly opening my mouth again. I never imagined in my life that I would have to speak this word by myself.

 

"...Please tell them that someone whose real name is Two Hundred Won is here to see them."

 

Suspicion flickered across the guard's face for a moment, but he still blurted out, "His real name is Two Hundred Won", over the radio, and it seemed he got his answer. He returned a moment later, placing his hand on the plugged-in earphones and blinking in surprise. Then he cleared his throat and took a step back.

 

"Uh, ahem, please come in, sir... two hundred won."

 

If they change the security guard again, I'll never set foot here again. I made that vow as I walked past the guard, whose face was flushed from trying to suppress laughter. But strangely, the anxiety hasn't gone away, as if something bigger is waiting for me.

 

I felt a little strange because it was the first time I'd ever seen the waiter's face. Even stranger, he didn't understand my question before I'd even finished speaking, and he walked into the boss's room.

 

"Is Director Yoon here?"

 

Even though he might be stuck at work and couldn't come, I still asked just in case. However, the waiter tilted his head, his face full of amusement.

 

"Director Yoon? There's no one named Director Yoon in our store. If you're looking for one of our customers..."

 

"No, it's alright."

 

As soon as I plopped down on the sofa in the unoccupied room, the boss opened the door he'd just closed and came in. He was talking loudly on the phone, but when he saw me, his eyes lit up with a troubled look of delight. At that moment, I was about to get up, wondering if I should leave, but the content of his conversation held me back.

 

"Oh, yes, yes, the hundred won is in my room already." Was that Prasawat on the other end of the line? I immediately regretted paying attention to that. "Oh, saying 'hundred won' makes it feel like only half of him has entered. If I stick my head in, could I say 'fifty won' is here?"

 

Wahahaha?...

 

The boss laughed hysterically at his own joke. I thought even I, who isn't actually named "Two Hundred Won," was getting this irritated. Then, the person actually using that name must have wanted to kill the speaker, right? So all he could do was clench his fists in frustration.  Luckily, the person on the other end didn't seem to be going along with it, so the boss's laughter quickly subsided.

 

"...Huh? It's not funny at all?"

 

He seemed shocked, glancing at me once before turning to whisper and try to persuade the person on the phone instead.

 

"What are you talking about? You could use this joke endlessly. For example, instead of saying 'I want to penetrate you,' you could say 'I will help. Originally, I only paid 400 won. By saying that, you guys could play hide-and-seek in a lively and exciting atmosphere without any shyness..."

 

The boss's proposal was immediately rejected.

How did I know?

 

"Hello! Hey! Hello!"

 

That lunatic hung up. The boss put the phone to his ear and shouted in bewilderment, then turned to look at me with a puzzled expression.

 

"Isn't that interesting? And romantic too! I promised to bet you 400 won!"

 

"Hmm, why the displeased expression... Oh!" 

 

The perceptive shop owner nodded as if he had discovered something in my eyes.

 

"So that's how it is. It's not four hundred won, but to be precise, it's three hundred won. You need to wrap your arms around that crucial part and insert it into yourself. Three hundred won is more than enough. Heh heh, I must have misspoken."

 

I wanted to throw my phone at the boss who was apologising. This was the first time I'd ever envied that lunatic who could just cut the line, so all I could do was clench my fist. The phone was clutched tightly in my hand. Of course, the boss dialled that crazy guy again, completely convinced by his newly corrected assumption.

 

"Haha, Jay is usually so meticulous that he can't stand anything wrong... Uh, Jay, it's me. I meant three hundred won... what was it?"

 

"He's busy. If you're going to talk nonsense, should I hang up? Wait a minute! Damn it!... Ahem."

 

I was hoping the boss would retaliate and say something much harsher to that lunatic, but in an instant, the boss forgave everything. I chuckled involuntarily, which irritated me.

 

"So there are people around you, huh? Ah, I understand. Talking about something so embarrassing... Ah, I understand. The thing is, I was going to tell you that...I found that thing."

 

The boss sat down opposite, smiling casually. He didn't say what he found, but it must be something important to that lunatic to hear him say that. It can proceed at a leisurely pace without being interrupted.

 

"He's better than I thought. He's the same age as the one you're looking for. That person, both in his personal life and personality, is a total jerk and incredibly self-centred. Perfect timing. It's a perfect match... Hmm, yes. Everything's been taken care of. In about a month, that kid's life should be completely ruined. By then, it'll be ready for use."

 

A chilling smile played on the shop owner's lips as he spoke.

 

"He dared to mess with my shop in my own territory like this, so he has to pay me back in a way that's fair and square." Turning to meet my gaze, the shop owner's cold expression returned to normal.

 

"Okay, I'll contact you back later."

 

After hanging up the phone and sitting comfortably on the sofa, he asked me… "You're suspicious, aren't you?"

 

When I answered honestly, he smiled as if he appreciated it.

 

"That's right. Let me explain."

 

I leaned forward, wondering what this so-called fair compensation was and who would be available in a month. It might just be a gut feeling, but I have a strong feeling this is related to Chairman Kim. I focused my attention on the boss who had spoken up.

 

"Therefore, listen carefully."

 

I nodded.

 

"Besides the 300 won, there are countless other jokes that use your name. For example, the price decreases each time you take off your clothes."

 

"Ten won...it can make Jay's heart burn with a raging fire."

 

Damn it! Is this a joke? Just as I was about to lose my temper and frown, the boss, who was looking at me, suddenly burst into loud laughter.

 

"Wahahaha! I'm just kidding, really! Why am I so crazy today? From 300 won to taking off your clothes for 10 won per piece! Again! Oh my god! I'm acting crazy!"

 

The boss clutched his stomach and rolled around on the sofa before starting to pant heavily as if he couldn't catch his breath. I stood up, hoping he would choke on air and get it over with.

 

"Cough... Haha. Hey, where are you going?" He sat up awkwardly, tears streaming down his face, and pointed his finger at me. "Okay, I understand. I won't tease you about your name anymore. Don't be mad. Now, sit down. I'll upgrade your rank to 2000 won and call you by that name instead... Haha!"

 

"Promote me to 2,000 won!"

 

Seeing me do that, he hastily opened his mouth to speak. He remained engrossed in his own jokes, pounding his fists on the sofa loudly. So I left him behind and walked out the door without a second thought.

 

"Oh, wait a minute. Jay hasn't been around much lately because of Chairman Kim, but I'll contact you as soon as he's back," the boss said, wiping away tears and speaking haltingly.

 

"And I've been keeping a close eye on Chung Yoo-han. He was bragging about having a business trip abroad soon. Oh, speaking of which, if...That 200 won coin could just be renamed "two dollars" when going abroad... Preeeed! Hahaha. Look at me! Two dollars?! The country's name could be "two dollars"! 

 

Wow!

 

“…”

Bang!

 

I slammed the door shut, but as I walked up the stairs, the boss's laughter still echoed loudly down the hallway. Damn it! I'm never setting foot here again. Having someone by your side who can find the information you need is certainly an advantage, but that person is someone I feel more uncomfortable with than happy about. 

 

I looked up at the tall building, its top invisible in the dark night sky, before getting up from the railing I was leaning against. It was now 11:55 PM, and drowsiness was slowly creeping up on me. I drove off early in the morning, stopped at the film studio, and then immediately shot at the studio in the afternoon. And then I ran into Myungshin while I was standing there.

 

With wide, calm eyes, he surveyed the cars driving away silently into the night, gradually losing control due to exhaustion. When the sun was so dry that I thought I might miss that crazy guy's car, I decided to use an easier method. Even though I didn't have a pass to enter and exit the front gate, Security in the underground parking lot was quite lax. 

 

I stealthily slipped into the darkness and walked past the guard who was engrossed in his TV, down to the underground parking lot. It was like an endless, winding tunnel. I don't know if it was the cold air or the distinctive smell of the underground level, but I felt like I was walking past a graveyard for a moment. 

 

Soon, I saw a parking lot packed with cars. I glanced left and right for a while before finding the elevator lobby I was looking for and walking inside. Luckily, someone was walking ahead of me, so I was able to follow them in. I pressed the floor number while thinking about that crazy guy's house, which I'd seen once before. After getting out of the elevator, I turned left and walked until I came to a grey iron door.

 

The large window had black horizontal stripes at the bottom. I took out my phone to check if he had called, but there were no missed calls or unread messages. I called once and sent a text message saying, "Are you busy?" So all I could do was sit and wait. Apparently, he probably wouldn't.

 

I've been to Alice's Labyrinth for a while now. But no matter how busy I am, I should at least stop by to change my clothes. I thought that as I closed my eyes, repeatedly telling myself not to fall into a deep sleep, as if casting a spell. Yet, the exhaustion from a long day immediately weighed down on my body the moment I drifted off to sleep. 

 

The uncomfortable sensation from the cold marble floor gradually disappeared before I drifted off to sleep as if unconscious. Everything went dark; my body and consciousness were still during that moment. I wasn't just sleeping normally, but in such a deep sleep that I felt like I had lost track of time. So when I jolted awake and opened my eyes at a faint sound, I was momentarily spaced out.

 

Where am I? I forced my eyes to blink, barely able to keep them open, and the first thing that appeared in my vision was that the place I was lying in wasn't a cold hallway...The last thing I saw before falling asleep was a soft bed, and my back was touching it. I tried to get up, shocked by the reality, but something cut through and pressed down on my chest before I could. Huh? Just as I was about to move my head with difficulty, I heard a whisper in my ear.

 

"My own phone."

 

"Is there an incoming call?" That's when I realised the sound that woke me was the vibrating phone, and the large figure lying beside me sat up amidst the commotion. The darkness seemed to jolt my still-sick mind. My eyes, adjusting to the dim morning light, noticed the crazy guy sitting beside me, talking on the phone. He was leaning his bare body against the headboard, running one hand through his hair. Even with my poor vision, I could clearly see his strong, well-defined muscles from his exercise.

 

"Understand"

 

I tried to sit up again while looking at him, who was speaking softly because he had just woken up as well. But he, who didn't even look at me, seemed to notice something as if he had psychic abilities. Then, preemptively, he moved and shoved my shoulder, forcing my head back down onto the soft pillow.

 

"Tell them to wait. I'm coming right now."

 

Thump. That crazy guy tossed the phone lightly onto the table before pressing down on my shoulder and straddling me. I instinctively twisted away, but he pressed on. He quickly pressed his body against mine, rendering me immobile. He then propped one arm on the bed and lifted himself up before asking a question in a languid voice shortly afterwards.

 

"Do you miss me?"

 

Suddenly, he started talking nonsense.

 

"Didn't we just see each other the day before yesterday?"

 

I thought he hadn't drunk enough, so I refreshed his memory. He just gave me a polite smile. I don't know why, but I felt that smile sounded reproachful. It was as if he was saying, "That's not the answer at all," so I frowned at him.

 

"Don't you remember?"

 

"It's been so long I can't even remember."

 

He probably doesn't realise he's dreaming. I wanted to voice my doubts aloud, but I could feel the intimidating presence of that guy looking down from above. Surprisingly, a sudden wave of nervousness washed over me, making it impossible to respond even softly. Then, I slowly opened my mouth and spoke.

 

"What's wrong with you? I've been waiting outside the door because you didn't contact me."

 

"Why did you wait for me?"

 

"I have something I'd like to ask you."

 

"And what else?"

 

"Is that all? Tell me straight. Did you come here just for that?" Coldness radiated from him. Waking up suddenly was bad enough, and now he was being confronted by that naked man...Not only was he holding me down, but he was also interrogating me for no reason? I pushed away his arm that was gripping my shoulder and twisted my body to escape.

 

"If it's not just that, then what other reason could there be?" I added curtly, trying to push the stone-like man away.

 

"Damn it, that's why you shouldn't do something you've never done before. People have been waiting for you for the first time in their lives..." 

 

*Thump* He pressed down on my shoulder again, forcing my half-lifted body back down onto the bed. I trembled from the force of the mattress before looking up. He looked up at him with a bewildered expression, wondering, 'What are you talking about?' But strangely, the murderous aura had vanished from his face before he mumbled curtly, his eyes softening.

 

"Is this the first time? How did you manage to stop me?"

 

"What kind of brakes?" I asked in a low voice, still angry, but the atmosphere around him changed completely before he burst into laughter.

 

"Don't worry, my lower body is beyond repair no matter what brakes you use."

 

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I sensed the hard, rigid object pressed against my lower body, just as he had described, but I deliberately looked up straight ahead as if nothing had happened.

 

"Aren't you going out?" As soon as I reminded him of his phone conversation, he smirked.

 

"That's right. I should have woken you up when I saw you sleeping in front of the door."

 

"....”

 

Come to think of it, why didn't he wake me up? I wondered for a moment before he raised his hand to smooth the hair from my forehead. The gentle touch was so soft that I didn't ask for the reason. I don't quite want to believe it, but it feels like the touch of his hand right now is the answer.

 

"Don't be silly," I spoke sharply, pulling his hand down. When he noticed my discomfort, he smiled even wider.

 

"It sounds like you're saying, 'Don't go.'"

 

"This lunatic," I muttered to myself, placing my hand back on my forehead as before.

 

"You can grab it or pull my hand away; it's up to you," he laughed, his shoulders shaking, as if amused by my words for a moment before asking… "Have you met with Chung Myungshin yet?"

 

When I widened my eyes in surprise at the sudden change of topic, he stopped laughing and leaned down to continue speaking.

 

"Yesterday we searched every computer to catch the mole who stole top company secrets," he said, his lips brushing against my neck, sucking on my skin with a wet, squelching sound. I was so focused on listening to his words that I didn't interrupt him.

 

"The person who called just now said they found the computer that still has the evidence. Who do you think is the culprit?" A frightening laugh tickled my skin as a warm tongue touched the back of my neck. I wasn't stiff from the action, but from a premonition. I felt strangely uneasy about his question.

 

“Your manager"

 

He looked up slightly and smiled at me. "I think your manager is the culprit."

 

...What did you say? My world went blank for a moment. Only a few sentences came to mind. No, my manager isn't a bad guy, but I couldn't bring myself to say what was stuck in my mouth. His words created a whirlwind of turmoil in my head, preventing me from saying them aloud. At the centre of that whirlwind was Song Myungshin. What Myungshin said was mixed with anxiety, swirling around me.

 

"Just wait a few more hours. Then I'll attack you and settle this once and for all." A few hours? If this is Chung Myungshin's doing, then he's incredibly good at keeping his promise.

 

"No"

 

The crazy guy slowly looked up when he heard my refusal. He licked his lips languidly, as if regretting it, before replying with a hint of… cold "There's irrefutable evidence."

 

"Evidence? A computer, right? Anyone can sneak into the manager's desk using something like that. If it's someone in the office, everyone knows the seat is empty because my manager was in city xxx for a whole month. What idiot would leave such blatant evidence on their computer?"

 

"But that idiot is probably the culprit. Besides, your manager wasn't in xxx city for the entire month, was he? He just stopped by during that time."

 

"It's happened at the office many times."

 

".."

 

"Do you have any other excuses to deflect?"

 

He got out of bed while waiting for an answer. As the hands that had been pressing on my shoulder and face released their grip, I slowly sat up. He rocked and moved his head from side to side as if to relax his tense body, before speaking softly, as if it were no big deal.

 

"Simply arguing 'no' verbally isn't enough, because there's solid evidence, even if it's blatant. We just need to find the missing evidence. Evidence that could indicate false accusations..."

 

"Then bring out the evidence."

 

He changed his expression, tilted his head to the side, and looked down at me with an indifferent gaze. "Now I need to go to the office and discuss the punishment for your manager. Even if it's later revealed that your manager is innocent, in this industry, they make a living off rumours. False rumours spread very quickly. Even if the truth comes out later, people will still remember the widely circulated rumours. No matter how clean the boss's manager with a scandalous reputation is, if they're not useful to the company, they'll be fired anyway. That's what they say..."

 

He spoke in a slow, almost bored tone, followed by a subtle smile at the end of the sentence.

 

"Do you believe your manager is innocent?"

 

"Um"

 

"What's the reason?"

 

Because I thought the real culprit was someone else. But my mere nagging at Myungshin's words wasn't strong enough to explain anything. It was just a hunch, a gut feeling. I couldn't voice my thoughts. Then, suddenly, I realised I'd overlooked something: the question that idiot asked before announcing they'd caught the culprit.

 

"Have you met Song Myungsin yet?"

 

Why would he ask that? I knelt down the moment the thought crossed my mind. The dim morning light filtering in had no effect on him as he turned his back to the stained face. I tried to look into his eyes in the darkness and asked in a low voice.

 

"Why are you asking if I've met Myungshin yet? What do you know?" The call that identified my manager as the culprit has nothing to do with my meeting with Myungshin, except for one thing: it was a coincidence. He might be wondering the same thing as me, which means he might think that Myungshin, the real culprit, was provoked by me into falsely accusing the manager instead.

 

"I've met Myungshin," I said to him, who remained silent.

 

"We hadn't even met yet when I already argued with Myungshin. Myungshin told me to wait a few more hours. Then you asked if I knew who the culprit was. I was suspicious of Myungshin. He might have staged it."

 

I calmly told my story. He must know something because, given his personality, if I were wrong, he would probably twist the story and retort. I immediately realised that wasn't the case. I've learned from experience that if you want to get something out of him, you should be patient rather than letting yourself get angry. But he remained silent for too long, which was unusual. Why? Did I miss something, or misunderstand something?

 

"It's not like you know anything about Myungshin and are just testing the waters, is it? Or are you suspicious that Myungshin set this trap to get me?"

 

"Myungshin this way, Myungshin that way."

He murmured before smiling.

 

"That's so annoying."

 

What did he mean? While I was thinking I had misheard, he reached his hand towards my face. The hand wrapped around my neck, just below my ear, before I could even react.

 

"Didn't you say you were going to get revenge? Then why are you calling him by such a familiar name?"

 

"Look for?"

 

That comment was so shocking that I didn't even try to push away his hand that was painfully gripping my neck. I was telling my own story seriously, and saying that. Is that all the crappy stuff that came out? Even so, I'm glad to see he's genuinely annoyed.

 

"You keep saying that, and I'll misunderstand, thinking you're not just after revenge, but also still clinging to the past." The hand around my neck moved its thumb slowly to stroke my ear. That touch made me even more breathless than when he squeezed my throat earlier. Perhaps it was the laughter that was interspersed with the seemingly relaxed words. It was a laughter laced with a chilling coldness that made it anything but funny.

 

"Are you longing for the person you used to have sex with regularly in the past?"

 

"Stop spouting nonsense," I spoke, swatting his hand away, before it surprisingly easily detached itself.

 

"There's no way I'd feel any lingering affection. If it weren't for revenge, I wouldn't care what happens to Myung... whether he's alive or dead." 

 

I recalled the first time I met Myungshin in the elevator. Back then, it was more of amazement than anything else; I didn't feel anything at all. And now, I'm amazed at myself. I tried to explain this calmly.

 

"If I were still clinging to the past, I would have run away the first time we met at the company to avoid being caught as a shabby delivery boy."

 

If that were the case, I wouldn't have met the manager in the elevator, and I wouldn't have been so curious about Myungshin's changed appearance that I would have eavesdropped on their conversation.

 

Those things too. Thinking about it, it's quite interesting. My heart is so empty inside that I feel nothing, not even about him running away with my money. But because I overheard his conversation that day, I had the opportunity to fill that empty heart with the burning desire for revenge.

 

"Just because of revenge?"

 

I glanced up when I heard his flat tone. Although his face was obscured by the darkness, I could sense that his smile had faded.

 

"It was really just revenge, wasn't it?"

 

"What are you rambling about?"

 

"You're clinging to some completely absurd idea of ​​revenge."

 

He ran his hand through the hair that was covering my forehead, muttering to himself, "I only just realised how irritated I am by the name Myungshin," before averting his gaze.

 

"Didn't you tell the boss that you were the one who killed your brother and mother?"

 

"So what?"

 

I walked back nonchalantly, surprised at myself. Hearing my hoarse voice, he tilted his head up slightly before looking down at me again.

 

"Compared to believing you're the one to blame for your sibling's death, aren't you being too fixated on Chung Myungshin?"

 

"Answer me. All you want is revenge, isn't it? I'm ready to get revenge for you right now. I can push Chung Myungshin to the bottom of the abyss. I could do it instantly. I could make him penniless and forced to live on the streets. Should I do that for you? No, actually, I'm starting to really want to. Then you won't let his name slip out again."

 

"...No, don't interfere at all."

 

"....”

 

"Revenge is my duty."

 

He grinned broadly at my words, which sounded subtly threatening, as if to say, "See? You're fixated on that guy for no reason."

 

"Exactly as I said," he sneered, but I didn't return the smile. Although he didn't ask anything, I felt the long silence pressing on me, as if it were urging me to explain why I was so fixated on revenge. 

 

"Fine, because I'm Lee Yoo-han," I replied. I don't know if the time had passed as long as I felt it, but judging by the way he finally spoke, his lips dry and strained, it must have been quite a while.

 

"I must atone for my sins." I paused before repeating myself. "I must atone for my sins. Once I discovered one of the reasons my brother died five years ago, I couldn't just stand idly by. I had to be the one to redeem him.

 

"As someone who has committed sins like me, I have to clean up all the remaining mess. I'm not taking revenge for myself at all; I'm only seeking revenge to make up for the mistakes I made five years ago."

 

As soon as I close my eyes, I immediately picture the blood. The whole world, drenched in blood, as if stained red. That moment, that place, that view I gazed upon. In the eyes of my brother, who was stabbed in the dark.

 

"So don't stand in the way of my redemption."

 

After my last calm words faded into the air, he reached out his hand again to my face. This time, it wasn't my neck, but his hands cupped my cheeks instead

 

"That's really strange." He spoke in a faint voice before kneeling on one knee on the bed and moving closer. My heart started beating faster. He came closer until he could see the pair of stars more clearly. "Because your voice sounds like you're crying."

 

That's impossible. My voice sounds no different from normal right now, but the words I was about to use to argue vanished when I heard the next thing he said.

 

"Besides, it sounds like you're just living day by day trying to atone for your sins."

 

"...."

 

"Tell me, if you take revenge—no, if you've paid for your sins—what will you do next?" His cold, sharp voice drew closer, as if he already knew my answer. So I replied curtly, without averting my gaze.

 

"I'll tell you, if you promise not to hinder my revenge."

 

"Okay, I promise," I answered the question after he softly uttered the promise.

 

"Do not have"

 

"...."

 

"I did nothing because even my whole life I couldn't atone for the sins I committed." 

 

I had to die for it to end. Then he released his hand from my cheek and stepped back to get out of bed; before this time, I would be the one to speak sarcastically instead.

 

"Have you felt less frustrated after listening to this?"

 

"Full"

 

The unexpectedly blunt answer left me too exhausted to continue the argument. No, perhaps it was the terrifying gaze he directed at me through the darkness. He'll be gone. I frowned, thinking he was someone I really didn't understand, before he, who was standing there, glanced at the clock on the table and quickly spoke up.

 

"Among the employees, there are two people we suspect might be the culprits. I asked if you've met with Chung Myungshin because I know one of the employees who has a close relationship with Myungshin?"

 

An employee who's close to Myungshin? That reminds me of the person who first talked to Myungshin in the underground parking lot.

 

"That person is suspected to be the culprit..."

 

I knew he wasn't the type to talk about that easily, so I added the last part in a very soft voice.

 

"So you have enough evidence to conclude that he's the culprit, huh?" He nodded in agreement, saying, 'Yes.'

 

"I thought it would be better to round up that guy and Chung Myungshin and get rid of them together within the next few days, but I didn't expect Myungshin to run into you. Using such a dirty method, it would be a real shame to just get rid of it easily, wouldn't it?" He asked again before turning towards the bathroom, a smirk playing on his lips. "I just thought of something fun."

 

He simply turned his face back towards me and asked arrogantly. "Would you like to hear it?"

 

"No." I immediately refused and even moved to leave the room, but his words stopped me.

 

"Then your manager would just be fired from the company." I paused and turned back to glare at him, when he grinned widely, revealing his dimples.

 

"Alright, since I shouldn't interfere with your redemption, I'll just give you a hint. A crucial clue that could turn this crisis around."

 

"So what is it?"

 

"Who do you think the other suspect is?"

 

I turned to face him completely. Yes, if I knew the other person involved, there might be a way to do something. Whether it's gathering evidence from that person or trying to persuade them, I stared at his parted lips before hearing the name of another employee.

 

"Cha Jung-woo's manager"

 

What? Was that celebrity betrayed by someone close to them? I was in shock before I heard that crazy guy offer some words of encouragement.

 

"Then go think of a good plan. But you'd better hurry, because Chang Myungshin is already at the company."

 

"Are you that rich?"

 

As soon as I pressed the first-floor elevator button, the idiot who had walked in before me asked from behind. I looked at the third-floor button he had pressed before me and turned to ask him.

 

What was he talking about? He nodded towards the elevator button I pressed.

 

"Because you refused to ride in my car."

 

"What does my not getting a ride with you have to do with being rich or not?" I asked before realising he probably meant taking a taxi. That's just how it is, you know, those... bru... what's the word again? Anyway, rich people and stuff like that.

 

Okay, I tapped my old wristwatch with my fingertips. "The first subway train has run now."

 

Then he raised one eyebrow as if to ask, 'Is that so?' I turned around to look at his expression before something important occurred to me. He didn't even know the train schedules himself, and yet he dared to babble about the capital of Lithuania? I wanted to yell at him, calling him an idiot, but before I could, the elevator stopped on the first floor, and the doors immediately opened. The crazy guy walked past me to get out of the elevator first. Left behind, I was too stunned to step out, so he turned back and urged me on.

 

"What are you doing?"

 

"Why are you getting off at this floor?"

 

"Well, you invited me to ride the subway with you."

 

I didn't invite you; I just told you that the first train had already run, that's all, right? But I couldn't express my frustration because I was busy. But I quickly pressed the button to open the elevator door, which was about to close again, so that crazy guy spoke up instead of me.

 

"Bur...what's so wrong with someone like me?"

 

He suddenly stopped talking and narrowed his eyes, staring at me.

 

"What is a slang term for rich people that starts with 'bour'?"

 

Suddenly, a slight shiver ran down my spine, mixing with a surging frustration inside. Is this guy a medium or something? How did he know I just thought of this word?

 

"I asked what 'Bour' meant."

 

"Bru…jua"

 

Seeing his smile so wide that his eyes formed a crescent shape, I realised I'd guessed wrong and missed the opportunity to tease him, who was leaning against the wall and giggling. He didn't know what time the first subway train had already run.