Jimin
Baekhyun and I have been looking over the CCTV camera footage for the past hour or so while Minji’s dad has gone to check with forensics about the liquid inside the injection. It’s so difficult to figure out who is who when all doctors wear the same damned lab coat. There’s always so much going on – people running around. If I am being honest, it makes me respect the medical profession even more. I'm not sure I'd be able to work in that chaos - even if it is organized chaos.
My thoughts dart to Minji and Jungkook. I wonder how they are doing with Mr. Oh. I know Minji can probably break through the ice and get to him but Mr. Oh isn't exactly a good man himself. I can never forget the way he treated her in the beginning. He called her names, tried to hit her, exposed her reality on live TV and then sent thugs to her apartment. I can't forget the look on her face when she saw her friend Dong-Min hurt or how she blamed herself for that. The only reason he is nice to her now is because she risked her life to save his son. Byung is different from his father and although I don't particularly go along well with him, I think he's pretty decent. Minji told me how during the teaching practice he was always checking on her to make sure she is okay and he would drive her to the school and to the hospital. Sometimes I worry that they are too close. I don't worry about Minji but I do worry about him trying anything. It's only natural but I know Minji and I trust her completely. I know she would never hurt me that way.
‘Do you really think we can find something from here? I’m not even sure what we’re looking for.’ Baekhyun says with a slight frown, bringing me out of my own thoughts.
‘I don’t know either but Mr. Kyung told us to look so that’s what we’re going to do.’ I say and he nods. I look at him and see how tired he actually is. I wonder if he even slept this night. Jungkook said something about him tossing and turning in his sleep and I wonder when he got the last decent sleep. I can’t imagine what it feels like to be raked with so much guilt. ‘How about you go and get some coffee for us?’ I ask.
‘Yeah that sounds good hyung.’ He says. He stands up and stretches as he leaves the room we’re in. A few seconds later, the door opens and Minji’s father walks in.
‘How is it going?’ He asks as he sit down next to me. I pause the footage and turn slightly to him.
‘Okay I guess. I didn’t see anything but maybe I’m not doing it right.’ I say as I rub behind my neck, barely able to look at him.
I remember the first time I had seen her father – it was when Yoona was participating on that dance show with Taemin. We were over at the girls’ apartment and they had prepared so much food for us – it felt like a feast. Her father had come to bring some food and had looked at each one of us in the eye and told us he was the District Attorney. It was a warning of course, that should we hurt the girls, he knew how to make us pay. I was so intimidated by him but I still liked him. Something about his character I guess drew me and made me admire him. It feels so long ago when it’s only been a few months. Things have changed so much since then.
I recall my talk with him from yesterday. I felt like I was about to * myself since he knew I was her boyfriend. I was expecting some kind of tongue-lashing or some serious warning but instead he showed me trust. He showed me that he trusts me with his secrets but more importantly with his daughter. It’s every father’s fear that their daughter ends up with someone who will hurt their princess. Minji may not act like one but she definitely is his princess.
‘Hey don’t worry about it. I used to think the same way when I started.’ He says with a smile as he places his hand on my shoulder. ‘I used to hate doing this because I’m very impatient and I didn’t start out at being good at it. My wife taught me how to observe the details. She’s really good at observing the environment around her, I’m better at reading and profiling people. Comes with our jobs I guess.’ He says with a shrug before he goes serious again. ‘How has Baekhyun been doing?’ He asks.
‘He’s frustrated but determined.’ I reply and he nods. ‘I think the poor kid hasn’t had a decent sleep in a while.’ I add.
‘He’s not a bad kid but he needs direction. I can’t imagine it being easy when the only role model he had walked out on him. Gambling addiction isn’t easy to get over but with proper help he can overcome it.’ He says and I nod.
‘I really hope so. He deserves to have a chance at life. He really wanted to do better and I think he would have if it wasn’t for that * Chi-Won.’ I say.
‘I know. Unfortunately, there are way too many people like Chi-Won – those who pretend to be one thing but are actually another. They’re good liars and it’s difficult to see beyond their lies and pretenses.’ He says.
‘Do you really think we can nail Mr. Lee down?’ I ask suddenly and he sighs.
‘I don’t know but I have to believe so. I won’t be naïve and tell you – yes, we’re definitely going to catch him. He’s a crafty son of a * who knows how to hide behind his powerful friends but he hurt my daughter so I won’t stop until I do catch him.’ He says. Anyone can see the determination in his eyes – a determination which both Minji and I share.
‘I hate him for what he did to my family – to my noona, to my hyung, to Minji.’ I say as I ball my hands into fists as I remember the stitches on her face and the bruises on her neck. Just thinking of it makes me so angry.
‘I know you want to catch him just as badly as I do. If it was anything else, I would have told her I’d handle it but I know she won’t let go of this and you won’t either. You would not leave her to deal with this alone – I knew that the moment I saw you holding to the evidence she gave you.’ He says and I smile.
‘I wouldn’t dream of leaving her to deal with this psycho by herself. Jungkook and I made her promise she has to tell us everything she’s doing.’ I say and he nods.
‘When I saw you two, I couldn’t help but profile you. It’s a habit of mine.’ He says as he chuckles to himself. ‘Jungkook is a good brother and he has a lot of traits that Minji has – stubborn, fearless and protective of those around him. He cares a lot about family.’ He says and I nod.
‘The moment he found out about having a sister, he wanted to find her. He was so scared she’d reject him at first. It terrified him but they connected immediately, maybe because they’re twins.’ I say and he nods.
‘As for you, you make her happy Jimin. It’s easy to see why – you’re supportive and caring. You’re protective of her but in a different way – instead of opposing her decisions, you make sure to let her know she’s not alone. Did she tell you about Minho?’ He asks and I nod. ‘That episode almost destroyed her. She went from the strong, active, funny, happy woman to simply existing for a while. She wasn’t eating, she wasn’t talking but luckily, she had Yun with her and she found herself again but it wasn’t easy. I’m finally seeing her being truly alive again and you are the reason for that.’ He says. I feel myself getting chocked up at what he says.
The door opens again and Baekhyun walks in. ‘Oh hi Mr. Kyung. Do you want me to get you some coffee?’ He asks but Mr. Kyung shakes his head.
We spend another twenty minutes before we finally get what we are looking for. ‘There… that must be him right?’ I ask and Minji’s father nods. We watch as he goes in and then we see Hoseok running in. After a few minutes Minji runs in as well and following that is the ‘doctor’ rushing out. It shows him holding his arm as he tries to cover his face so not to be seen in the camera. We follow him outside through the street cameras and he goes to a motorcycle.
‘There. Zoom in to get his license plate.’ Minji’s father says as we pause the frame. He’s shown us how to work the apparatus so now Baekhyun has taken lead. Every now and then, Mr. Kyung and I exchange looks and I see the happy smile on his face. He was right of course about Baekhyun – with the right direction, he can change his life for the better. Perhaps, what he needed was a proper male authoritative figure and he has found that in Mr. Kyung. For the first time in weeks, I see excitement in his eyes.
I write it down on a piece of paper and hand it to him. He receives a call and excuses himself as he goes out and I turn to Baekhyun. ‘How are you feeling?’ I ask.
‘I’m feeling great and I just feel really hopeful.’ He says. ‘For the first time in forever, I feel like I am doing something decent and good. Something to help my noona instead of the other way round.’ He adds and I nod. Mr. Kyung walks back in and I look at him.
‘I just got a call from my friend in forensics. He identified the chemical being used. The chemical would have caused her heart to stop and it would not have even showed up in an autopsy.’ He says and I sigh. It's so scary to hear it like that. We would have just thought that something went medically wrong. ‘I’ll be working on trying to trace where it came from.’ He adds.
Mr. Kyung
I’m in my office after trying to make sense of the loose ends we have. Minji met with the sketch artist and provided me with the sketch of the hitman. I’ve forwarded the drawing to some people I know but I’m still waiting for a reply. We’ve identified the substance used but that hasn’t gone anywhere yet. The more time that passes, the more chance there is of the hitman getting away, unless he still wants to finish the job which is the more likely scenario. The only problem with that is that his job has increased in caliber – it doesn’t just involve Minji’s friend but most likely Minji herself.
As for Lee – my bet is that he will be cautious for now. He wouldn’t want anything coming back to him so he’ll definitely try to keep a low profile. Still, I know in my gut he won’t just sit around and wait. He’ll try to keep tabs on what we’re doing but how?
I look at the notice board in my office which is starting to build up. On one side there are the photos of the main victim – Sung Yoona. Next to her is a photo of her brother, Hoseok and Minji. Right in the middle is a photo of Lee and a copy of the sketch.
I hear my phone ring and I smile as I see her name. ‘Hello yeobo.’ I greet her, happy to hear my wife’s voice.
‘Hey honey. How are you?’ She asks. I hear the clattering as she is probably making something to eat.
‘I’m good. I miss you sweetie. How about you? How are you?’ I ask, looking at the cup of coffee that has been sitting on my desk for the past hour without being touched.
'I'm good and I miss you too. How’s our precious princess doing? How is she handling everything?’ She asks and I scoff.
‘You know how she is. She’s determined to get this done. At least she has her brother and Jimin looking out for her.’ I say and she sighs.
‘I’m glad to hear that. I still have to meet those two but if you trust them, I trust them. You know I’m not surprised to hear that though. She’s exactly like you when she wants something to be done.’ She says, almost sounding a bit amused.
‘It’s not like you aren’t like that as well. That’s why you and I always made a good pair. That and our natural chemistry. Can you believe how many years have passed since our first mission together?’ I ask and I hear her sigh contently.
‘It’s been what – thirty years now? You had a crush on me instantly and tried to do everything to impress me.’ She replies. I can imagine her smirking as she says so as she crosses her arms across her chest and gives me that seductive look of hers.
‘How could I not? You were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen and I knew I wanted to make you mine and I did.’ I say, sounding confident as I did back then.
‘Yes, you did. I was playing hard but you didn’t give up which made me like you more. I knew you’d fight for me.’ She says giggling. It sounds good to hear her giggling because I know how worried she has been about Minji. ‘So, tell me a bit what you’re dealing with.’ She says, getting into work mode.
‘We have two people we need to catch. There’s Lee – we need to find evidence against him. That’s going to take some time and more work. I never liked the guy even though we were in the same group. We were always butting heads.’ I say.
‘I can imagine why. You’re two completely different people. He’s all about the bad, illegal things and you’re about everything which is right and just which is why I am so proud of you.’ She says and I can’t help but smile.
‘You always know what to say, don’t you?’ I ask. I hear stifle her chuckles and I can imagine her smiling as she does so.
‘That comes with the job of being your wife but it’s easy to say those words because it’s the truth. One of the many things that makes you so sexy is the fact that you’re incorruptible.’ She replies. ‘Anyways, what about the second one? That son of a * who hurt our daughter?’ She asks. I can hear her getting riled up.
‘Things are moving slowly yeobo. We have a sketch of his face but I’m still waiting for someone to identify him. We managed to find out the substance but we’re stuck for now. As for the license – it was a stolen vehicle as I suspected so that’s another dead end. We have no clue on who he is and catching him is more important right now.’ I say.
‘I know. Yeobo you will catch him, I know you will.’ She says and I sigh. ‘I’ll be moving next week. I already settled the papers and everything. I’ve contacted Adam to help you as well.’ She says.
‘Hmm yeah that’s good. I haven’t seen him in a while and I could use his help.’ I say. Adam is a detective with the Seoul Police Department and also my wife’s cousin. It’s not the first time he has helped the NIS on a case – especially when NIS needs to remain hidden.
‘I know. That’s why I called him. Honey I know this is serious and I know it’s probably useless to tell you but don’t overwork yourself. You sound tired. Go home and get some rest.’ She says and I sigh.
‘I just want to try and figure out how I am going to get to Lee.’ I reply, tapping my fingers against the desk.
‘You won’t figure it out if you’re too tired. Go home, have something decent to eat not just ramen and have a good sleep then get back to work tomorrow.’ She says and I sigh and nod even though she can’t see me.
‘Yes ma’am. I will go home and eat. I miss your cooking though.’ I say with a pout and I hear her chuckle once more.
‘Don’t worry. When I get there I’ll make sure to cook you some great food. Good night yeobo. I love you.’ She says and I smile.
‘I love you too honey and sleep well.’ I say before I hang up. I stand up and grab the coffee and throw it in the sink. I grab my laptop and put it in the bag and then switch off the lights and lock the door. I head outside as I start walking outside of the building, I see Minji walking towards me with Jimin and Jungkook. ‘Hey, what are you doing here?’ I ask.
‘I figured you’d still be working so we decided to bring you and Baekhyun some food. Where is Baekhyun?’ She asks.
‘I sent him home two hours ago. He was dozing off at his desk.’ I say and she smiles. ‘How about you come with me and we can eat there? He probably hasn’t had decent food anyways.’ I say and she nods.
‘How was the moving in?’ She asks as we begin walking next to each other while Jungkook and Jimin walk behind us.
‘For now, I just moved in an apartment which simply has the necessities. At least we have some furniture to start with so I can’t complain. Your mother will be moving in next week so during this week she’ll be sending some stuff.’ I explain and I nod.
‘Were you really considering coming to Seoul before this happened?’ She asks and I nod.
‘Yeah. The office has been nagging me for the past four months but I didn’t want to leave your mother behind but two weeks ago the Seoul Severance hospital called her to offer her a job. She’ll be the head of the Emergency Department here so it was an easy thing then. We were just working on the apartment and tying up lose ends at work.’ I explain and she nods. ‘Have you thought about where you’re going to live once you graduate?’ I ask and she shrugs.
‘I haven’t thought so far ahead Appa but I’m guessing Yun and I will probably both stay in Seoul. We have all the more reason to now.’ She says with a small smile as she looks behind her towards the boys and I smile as well.
We finally arrive at my apartment which shall be my new home. I take out my keys and open the door. We go up the stairs and reach my own apartment and go in to find Baekhyun trying to set up a table. ‘Oh hi Mr. Kyung. Eomma sent this table since she’ll be staying with Auntie for now. I was trying to set it up.’ He says.
‘Here let me help you.’ Jimin quickly offers as he goes over next to him. The two of them start working while Jungkook sets the bags with food on the kitchen counter before he goes to help as well while Minji comes next to me.
‘Have you heard anything from Mr. Oh yet?’ She asks and I shake my head. ‘Jungkook is convinced he won’t help. I wouldn’t blame him but I think he will. I could see it in his eyes – that yearning to do the right thing, not for him but by his wife.’ She says and I nod.
‘Maybe. Oh has always been proud and always used his heart before his mind. Lee was the thinker in that duo.’ I say and she sighs.
‘I feel bad for Mr. Oh. I really didn’t like him at first but I can’t even begin to imagine the trauma he went through. I used to think he was too harsh on Byung and that he was a bad father but I never stopped to think about how hard it must have been to raise a boy by himself.’ She says as she chews on her lower lip.
‘It doesn’t forgive all the bad things he’s done Minji. It’s good to be empathetic but don’t be too empathetic. That’s when people take advantage of you. Just look at Baekhyun and Chi-Won.’ I say and she sighs once more.
Minji
We finish eating dinner and then the three of us start walking back to my apartment. Just like yesterday, they’re sleeping over and it seems so is Yoongi since he’s coming with Yun. Namjoon is going to stay with Hoseok and Yoona tonight while Taehyung and Jin return to the dorm.
We reach the apartment and go in to find Yun and Yoongi already here, sitting in the living room. ‘Hey everyone.’ Yun greets.
‘Hey Yun, hey Oppa. How are the others? We had a very busy day and couldn’t visit.’ I say with a frown.
‘They’re hanging in there you know.’ She comments. ‘We were thinking of watching a movie but we were going to wait for you.’ She adds.
‘Ahh sounds good. We need something to relax to.’ Jungkook comments. ‘Sis do you have any good wine?’ He asks and I smile as I nod.
‘I’ll get things ready. Jimin can you help me?’ I ask and he nods as we head to the kitchen. I grab the bottle of red wine and five glasses. I grab some packets for snacking and look at Jimin. ‘Should be enough right?’ I ask.
‘More than enough.’ He replies as he grabs the wine glasses and bottle of wine. I grab the packets and go to the living room as Yoongi and Jungkook argue about what movie we’re watching.
We end up watching a comedy, all of us agreeing that we need something to loosen us up a bit. Suddenly, after just a few minutes, I hear a loud crashing sound and a scream coming from upstairs. I look at Yun as she gasps. ‘Dong-Min.’ She whispers. I jump from the couch as I go running towards the door.
‘Minji wait!!’ Jungkook yells from behind me but I don’t stop. I reach his door and slam my fist against it.
‘Oppa!! What’s going on?’ I yell at the top of my lungs as Jungkook and the others reach me. I go to knock again when the door flies open.
‘There’s a huge ass cockroach in my bedroom!!’ He yells. I let out a relieved breath and I hear the boys chuckling.
‘You scared us half to death!’ Yun exclaims, or practically screams at him as she holds her hand to her chest while she hits him repeatedly with her other hand.
‘And what do you think I just went through? Do you know how big it is!! I can’t sleep here!’ He says as he looks at us horrified. I look over at the boys who shrug. Well there goes my plan to sleep in Jimin’s arms tonight.
‘We’re having a sleep over at our place. Why don’t you come over? Then we’ll help you try to find it in the morning.’ I say tiredly.
‘I’m calling Pest control first thing in the morning kitten, don’t worry that pretty head of yours about that. I’ll send them to your place too.’ He says.
‘Fine. Do whatever you want. Now come on. We’re going to have to restart the movie because of you scaredy-cat.’ I say.
‘You know you’re worse than me Oppa. You’re scared of mice, rats, cockroaches, bees and spiders and even ants.’ Yun says rolling her eyes while Dong-Min sticks out his tongue at her.
‘Don’t forget snakes and anything that flies, not just bees.’ I add earning a glare from Dong-Min.
‘Whatever.’ He replies as he rolls his eyes. ‘By the way, why did you look so worried? You looked like you were about to face off with some ghost.’ He asks as we begin to go down the stairs, back to our apartment. I gulp as I look at Jimin before I turn to look at him.
‘We heard a loud crash and you screaming worse than a girl. What was that crashing sound anyways?’ I ask, wanting to change the topic.
‘I um… may have thrown a vase at the cockroach.’ He says. I stop in my tracks and look at him in disbelief.
‘You… you threw a vase? At a cockroach?’ I ask as I shake my head. ‘Aish who the hell does that? Normal people use slippers or something that doesn’t break that easily.’ I complain.
‘When have I ever been normal?’ He replies with another shrug.
‘Well you’re not lying there.’ Yun says as we reach our apartment. We go inside and go and grab another glass wine and hand it to Dong-Min.
‘At least I won’t be the fifth wheeler anymore.’ Jungkook says with a shrug as he sits back down. Dong-Min looks at me and Yun and then at Jimin and Yoongi and nods before he sits down as well. Jimin and I sit next to each other with me curled next to him and his free arm around me as Yoongi restarts the movie.
I wake up next to Yun as I stretch. ‘Good morning.’ I say as I yawn loudly, earning a look from Yun.
‘If that’s the way you wake up in the morning, I feel sorry for Jimin.’ She says and I stick out my tongue at her. ‘How do you think those three slept?’ She asks, referring to the fact that Jungkook, Jimin and Yoongi ended up sharing the bed and squeezing together while Dong-Min took the couch.
‘I don’t know but I guess we’ll see. I still can’t believe Dong-Min caused such a ruckus because of a cockroach.’ I say.
‘Hey everyone is scared of something.’ She says and I nod, knowing she’s right. ‘You going to help me do breakfast?’ She asks.
‘Sure.’ I reply as I get out of bed.
Rei
I wake up after another sleepless night. It’s become something common now – nights were I toss and turn in my bed unable to sleep. Things feel like they are continuing to pile up. My brother is still undergoing treatment but our parents are struggling financially.
Last night I heard them arguing because we are raked up in debt. We had barely finished paying the old debt of the first time around but now it’s over our head. If it continues, they won’t even be able to continue to pay for his treatment.
I’ve got a part time job but it’s not enough. My friends have no clue what is going on and I don’t want to tell them. They don’t need to know – they have enough problems right now. Minji’s friend was just in a coma and Usagi’s parents are going through a hard time and are in the process of divorcing.
I sigh as I decide to go for a jog. I change into my hoodie and sweatpants and put on my sneakers as I leave the house and go for a run. I keep running but before I know it, I have tears streaming down my cheeks. I want to help my parents and my brother but I don’t know how to.
I end up pushing myself more and more as if I could run away from my problems but I can’t. I end up on the beach which is completely deserted so early in the morning. I look at the sea which comes in and then runs back in rhythm. I feel my insides burning as a scream erupts from my stomach. I scream – loud and clear. I scream at the unfairness of the world. I scream out my frustration and pain.
‘Are you okay?’ Someone asks. I gasp, surprised that someone has crept up on me. I turn to look to see a young man, probably around the same age as Dae-Won. He’s tall and keeps himself straight but something about his eyes just attract my attention. ‘I mean, you probably aren’t okay, otherwise you wouldn’t be screaming your lungs out here.’ He says with a small smile.
‘I just have a lot on my mind.’ I reply with a shrug and he nods. He walks closer to me.
‘I know and so does my Boss. We know about your brother’s illness.’ He says. My eyes go wide as I stare at him. ‘I know you’re thinking to yourself but how can they know but trust me, we have our ways. Boss wants to talk to you and offer help in exchange for your own help. He’d like to meet you.’ He says and I look at him skeptically.
‘I don’t like going off with strangers I do not know.’ I say and he chuckles slightly.
‘Understandable that’s why Boss wants to meet you at Fortina Café so that you’d be around people and be more comfortable. I’m just a teenage boy, delivering a message. Do you really think I would trick you noona?’ He asks and I smile a bit.
‘I guess not. Lead the way.’ I say and he nods. This is stupid and reckless but it can help my family so * it! We begin to walk together and then I turn to him. ‘By the way, what’s your name? I’m Rei.’ I say.
‘Chi-Won. My name is Chi-Won.’ He says, offering me a bright smile.
