By Zephyria 
For the first time, I realized how convenient department store shopping could be. I just had to sit on a plush sofa, drink the beverage I wanted, and specify the clothes I wanted to buy, and they were lined up before me. Even with a broad request like ‘men’s coats,’ mountains of clothes appeared, categorized by brand and color.
It was especially convenient because I didn’t have to try the clothes on myself; there was a separate fitting model. Of course, I didn’t mean the department store provided a fitting model. But I had an excellent fitting model of my own.
“How is that one?”
“I think the length might be too short.”
“You think so? It would be comfortable for moving around. But since it’s cold, a longer one would be better, right?”
At my request to “try turning around,” Lee Kyung-jin hesitated with an awkward face and slowly spun in a circle on the spot.
“Longer is definitely better. The one you’re wearing now is a long coat, right, Driver Lee?”
“It’s not fully long; it’s a half-coat.”
“…”
“It comes down to the thighs.”
“Ah, which one do you think would be better, Driver Lee?”
“I believe it’s most important that the person receiving the gift likes it. If I knew their taste…”
“No, their taste will be plain. So don’t worry about that and just tell me which one you’d want to receive as a gift. That’s the only way I can pick a good one.”
With a look of difficulty in agreeing, Lee Kyung-jin took off what he was wearing and rummaged through other coats.
“Looking at it now, bright colors suit you well, Driver Lee. Why do you always wear black?”
“When I accompany the young master, I wear dark colors to avoid standing out.”
“Wouldn’t all-black stand out more? That beige one you wore earlier suited you well too.”
At my praise, Lee Kyung-jin rubbed his cheek shyly. This ahjussi has a cute side. Chuckling, I gestured for him to try on something else.
“Ah, you got Driver Choi’s size, right?”
“Yes, but may I ask why you need it? Is the person gifting the coat perhaps…”
“Yeah, I ruined Driver Choi’s coat last time. I need to buy one for him and one more separately.”
I didn’t exactly ruin it; I just lay on top of it. Whether that coat was ruined or not wasn’t important; I just needed an excuse to meet Choi Jae-kyung one more time. Since it would be awkward to just show up, I was planning to butter him up first.
“Driver Choi’s coat was black, right? I should buy the same black one. I shouldn’t attract my younger brother’s attention and hear something strange. It’s possible he wore it to suit my younger brother’s taste.”
“He has served him for a long time, so that may be the reason.”
“I don’t mind if you wear a jacket, Driver Lee, so please dress comfortably and warmly.”
“I am perfectly fine.”
I was being sincere, but Lee Kyung-jin waved his hand and laughed as if I’d told a joke.
“That single coat I saw earlier was pretty nice. What did you think, Driver Lee?”
“Yes, it was good.”
“Give me more pros. You’re the one who wore it. You have to appeal to me so I’ll feel okay choosing it.”
At my request, Lee Kyung-jin rolled his eyes with a troubled expression. He was the kind of person who was fun to tease. I looked at him with a serious face, and after struggling for a while, he finally managed to open his lips.
“It was… light, the material was good, and it felt nice. It was easy to move in, and the design was clean…”
I stifled a laugh as I watched Lee Kyung-jin stammer through the explanation, barely recalling what the staff member had told him. I put down the cup I had been using to cover my mouth, stood up, and approached him.
“Then what was your favorite part? Since I’m the one gifting this, you have to pick the best one in your opinion.”
His face became even more troubled. I really shouldn’t tease people. I should reflect on this.
“I won’t ask you to explain this time, so just pick quickly.”
He looked a bit more relieved, but Lee Kyung-jin still agonized over it for a while. Only then did he pull out two more coats from the line.
“These two seem the best. Actually, since the price range is high, the materials and such are probably all good, and these two have clean designs.”
The fit was quite good when worn, too. Unless Lee Kyung-jin’s taste was lacking, wasn’t this proof that my own taste was quite decent? I felt satisfied with his choice.
“What about beige or camel? How about those colors?”
“Actually, the reason men mostly wear black is… largely because it’s a hassle to match other colors… I think a plain black would be the best, but if the young master gives it as a gift, the recipient will like any color.”
He was speaking quite indirectly, but he was basically saying that plain black was the best. Or perhaps he wanted to say that while the person would receive it with gratitude, there was a high chance it would end up shoved in the back of a closet.
“Alright. Just make them both black. I mean, we’re not gangsters or Men in Black, why is everything black?”
Though I also tended to avoid flashy colors. That was largely due to Min Jae-hee’s profession. Wearing flashy clothes wouldn’t be of any help when pickpocketing. Moreover, since I mostly wore things I picked up or was given, I rarely had to buy clothes, so my range of choices was narrow.
“Tell them this one is Driver Choi’s size, and this one is your size, Driver Lee.”
“My… size? Not the size of the person you’re gifting it to?”
“You’re my driver, so naturally, I should take care of my own driver first.”
“No, I’m fine. Driver Choi’s coat is for a reason, so…”
“No. I just feel like it. You’re closer to me, so it would be too sad if I only took care of Driver Choi and left you out.”
“No, I’m not sad.”
“I’m sad. Anyway, just tell them your size. Let’s buy this quickly and go eat. I didn’t have lunch at home, so I’m hungry.”
As if to prove my point, a small growl echoed from my stomach. When I rubbed my belly with a gloomy face, Lee Kyung-jin looked even more flustered.
“Hurry.”
“Ah, yes. Yes, sir.”
After some flustered hesitation, Lee Kyung-jin finally gave his size and received the shopping bag containing the two coats. I swiped my card decisively and left the department store like someone who had accomplished a great feat.
“Let’s go eat something delicious. Should we get samgyetang or something? Do you know a place, Driver Lee?”
Since Lee Kyung-jin knew quite a few places where the people I served before used to eat, he would take me to a suitable spot as long as I gave him a rough idea of the menu. If it weren’t for him, I might have just bought tteokbokki on the street or gone to a place like Gimbap Heaven; it was truly a relief.
“There is a decent place. I’ve heard the atmosphere is nice and the side dishes are clean, though I’m not sure if it will suit the young master’s taste.”
“I can check that out when we go. Let’s head there. Oh, what about my younger brother’s clinic schedule?”
“It’s right here.”
Lee Kyung-jin handed me a piece of paper and started the car.
Monday and Wednesday: afternoon appointments. Tuesday and Thursday: morning appointments.
Looking at the younger one’s clinic schedule, my thought was: Is that all? He only works this much? I’ve hardly seen him at home, so where on earth has he been and what has he been doing?
“How much does he get paid for working like this? Do all doctors work such relaxed hours? That must be a great job.”
“That is just the clinic schedule; he likely does rounds for inpatients at other times and has other schedules.”
“Ah, really? I guess so. If this were everything, he’d have too little to do. I thought doctors just made money while playing around.”
Still, since I didn’t know how diligently the younger one carried out his unspecified routine, I should aim for the clinic hours.
“Tomorrow is afternoon appointments. Afternoon means from one to six, right?”
“Probably.”
“Around two o’clock would be good. Please contact Driver Choi before we leave tomorrow and ask to see him briefly. Since it might be difficult for him to leave his post for long, ask if there’s a place near the hospital where we can talk.”
“Yes, I will look into it and make a reservation in advance.”
“Also, don’t tell my younger brother; just say I want to see his face for a moment. Tell him it’s because I have a quiet greeting to give. He’ll understand then.”
Let’s start with the younger one’s chauffeur. If I ask a few things, the outline might emerge.
If I had a connection to the police station, I might be able to see things like case files. Since I’m moving alone without my family knowing, there’s so little I can do.
I wonder if there’s a separate route for finding this kind of information. I don’t know if private investigators do this kind of work. When I think of private investigators, I have a strong perception of them as people who find cheating spouses or people who stole money.
“Understood.”
“Just keep the shopping bag safely in the car. Driver Lee, take yours when you leave.”
“Yes. And thank you. You didn’t need to take care of me as well…”
“No, Driver Lee, you’re the one protecting me. You’re the one helping me, and the one who’s always with me. It’s only natural that I take care of you.”
Now let’s hurry and eat. At my urging, Lee Kyung-jin focused on driving. My stomach continued to growl. I don’t know why I’m so hungry today of all days. As I clutched my starving stomach, my phone rang.
“Hello?”
—What were you doing that you picked up so fast?
“You’ve improved; you even know how to initiate a call now.”
—Is that a compliment?
A pleasant laugh flowed from the other end of the phone. Kwon Yi-kang’s voice is wonderful even over the phone. It’s a completely honey-coated voice. Though it’s best when heard on the bed.