By Zephyria Lee-eum stared at the man in the interrogation room with an incredulous expression. During the time he had been holed up at Sehwa Construction, the culprit who killed Yang Taek-il had voluntarily come to the police station, even bringing the hatchet he used to kill the man as evidence. The detectives, who had been standing side by side watching the interrogation room, each chimed in.
“Jackpot.”
“Detective Kim and I went to Sehwa Construction, and we almost barked up the wrong tree.”
“Why did he kill him?”
“Yang Taek-il apparently ignored him and humiliated him in front of the others. He harbored a grudge. So, while he was drunk and asleep, he just went for it with the axe!”
“Crazy bastard. No matter how disloyal gangsters are, how can you stab a member of your own family?”
“Why did he turn himself in?”
“He must have been scared because the detectives were poking around everywhere. He asked if he would get a reduced sentence if he turned himself in right away.”
“That’s strange, isn’t it?”
“What is?”
“In terms of hierarchy, Yang Taek-il is way above him. It’s insubordination, so would the organization just let it go? Wouldn’t he be in more danger in prison? He would have run away instead.”
“That’s true.”
Throughout the recording, the culprit confessed willingly. The way he leaned back comfortably in his chair and explained made him seem like he was there for a loan consultation rather than being a murderer. The interrogation went on for a while, and Team Leader Oh came out, nodding with a satisfied expression.
“He confessed everything, and we handed over the weapon used in the crime to the National Forensic Service, so let’s send it to the prosecutor’s office as soon as the results come out. Good job, everyone.”
They patted each other on the back, saying they had done a good job, but they still seemed uneasy. Lee-eum knew the reason for it, but he didn’t want to pour cold water on the good atmosphere, so he kept his mouth shut. Lee-eum looked at the man in the interrogation room and was lost in thought for quite some time.
❖ ❖ ❖
“It’s not even midsummer, but it’s raining like crazy.”
“I know.”
“Ah, our Team leader is drunk. He’s having a blast.”
At Detective Lee’s words, Kim Yi-eum turned his head and looked at the team members inside the restaurant. The team members, including the Team leader, were drinking soju with pork belly, and Team Leader Oh’s face was flushed red.
“Your Hyung is at the Central District Prosecutors’ Office, right?”
“Yes.”
“I went there a few days ago for work and saw him. Wow, he’s got a presence like the rumors say. But his name is, what was it…”
Detective Lee couldn’t easily continue, and Lee-eum knew why. When his father named his children Kim Malk-eum, Kim Mid-eum, and Kim Yi-eum, he still couldn’t understand what he was thinking. His Noona had adapted well enough, but his Hyung, Kim Mid-eum, was still constantly looking for a chance to change his name.
“He was more down-to-earth than I thought.”
“Why? Did you think he would be a snob like me?”
“Hey, why bring that up again? You’re embarrassing me.”
The two burst into laughter at the same time. Lee-eum knew that the atmosphere in Violent Crimes Unit 2 wasn’t good when he was first assigned there. He understood. He was young and had a high rank. He wouldn’t be a welcome presence to them.
“Everyone probably thought the same thing. He’s from a prestigious university and has a great family. When we heard he was coming to our team, we thought he would be leaving soon. What we really need is someone who can run around until their feet are sweating. I didn’t think you’d last this long, to be honest.”
“I like it here. It suits me. The team members are great too.”
“That’s good then. Oh, Team leader was saying, that guy who turned himself in today,”
While the two were talking, the door opened and Jeong Nam-su poked his head out. “How long are you two going to be alone? Come inside,” he said, making a fuss, so he ended up being dragged back to his seat. A lot more empty bottles had piled up in the meantime. As soon as he sat down, his glass was filled, and Jeong Nam-su started rubbing against him from the side.
“Sunbae, why are you abandoning me and playing with Detective Lee! You shouldn’t do that-”
Detective Lee scolded Nam-soo.
“You disgusting bastard. Stop clinging to him. Detective Kim, don’t put up with Nam-soo’s drunken antics. He’s even worse when he’s drunk.”
“Why, why? What’s wrong with this? Detective Kim and I are partners. So much so that people call their partners their wives. It’s because they’re closer and more intimate than a married couple. Isn’t that right? Our Kim Yi-eum?”
Oh, really? Our Lee-eum? This bastard. He frowned and glared at him, but Jeong Nam-su just laughed, drunk. Although they were the same youngest member, Nam-soo was more affectionate and outgoing than him. Lee-eum was dumbfounded and pushed the clinging guy away, but eventually just left him alone.
As time passed, everyone got tipsy, and Lee-eum, who was relatively sober, took care of them one by one, putting them in taxis before finally heading home. Before going home, he stopped by a nearby convenience store to buy hangover cures and ice cream.
He shook the plastic bag and got on the elevator, and when he arrived on the 13th floor, he went straight to the front door. He stood in front of the door and looked for his card, but he couldn’t find it no matter how hard he searched. Had he lost it?
He was about to enter the password and go inside when he heard someone behind him. Had someone come out of the house next door? Lee-eum turned around to greet them, but he was at a loss for words. Young-shik, whom he had seen at Sehwa Construction during the day, no, Choi Won-joon, was standing there. He was wondering if he was seeing things because he was drunk, but he looked quite clear.
Choi Won-joon approached him at a leisurely pace.
“Did you drink?”
“……”
“You’re doing it again? You were like this during the day too.”
Before he could finish speaking, he snapped his fingers right in front of his eyes. As if to break a spell.
“Snap out of it. Why do you lose your mind whenever you see me? I know I’m handsome, but.”
“What are you…”
As Lee-eum leaned against the door, on guard, Won-joon spotted the ice cream in his hand and smiled.
“I like ice cream too.”
“What is it… Why are you here?”
“I came to pay you back. I owe you 150,000 won.”
Lee-eum held out his hand. “Give it to me.”
Choi Won-joon was frozen, just staring at Lee-eum’s face.
“I’ll give it to you inside. There’s something I want to talk about too.”
“What could you possibly have to say to me?”
“Did you forget? You told me to come if I had nowhere to go. You said you’d take me in.”
Lee-eum looked like he had been hit, with his mouth open. He had definitely said that, but that was only under the assumption that his memory wouldn’t return. How could he possibly take care of a grown adult? Meanwhile, Choi Won-joon was making a pathetic face.
“Why doesn’t Ajusshi keep his promise to Young-shik? Are you a bad person?”
Lee-eum scoffed.
“Don’t call me Ajusshi. You’re six years older than me.”
Won-joon smiled slyly.
“Oh, you did a background check on me.”
“……”
“Is that why you’re so prickly? Because you know who I am?”
“Enough. I have nothing to say to you, so go. Congratulations on getting your memory back and meeting your family. Consider the money received, so don’t come looking for me. Goodbye.”
He gave a rough greeting and tried to come in and close the door, but a foot suddenly intruded inside. Then, Choi Won-joon showed his face through the door and smiled.
“Our detective is so cold. Why are you being like this when we’ve been through thick and thin together?”
“Take your foot out, please?”
“I said I have something to talk about. Is it so hard to listen for a moment?”
“I said take it out.”
“Okay, then. I’ll have to go to the police station tomorrow and ask about what I’m curious about.”
“Do whatever you want.”
“I heard that Omegas are legally restricted from supporting the Violent Crimes Unit. How is it that Detective Kim Yi-eum is able to work? Should I ask a higher-up? Who’s higher up there? Team leader? The chief of police?”
Lee-eum glared at Choi Won-joon with a hardened expression. He pulled the door and crossed the threshold. The other party had come right up to his face, but Lee-eum didn’t even think about stopping him. The words he had just said felt like they were paralyzing his brain.
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
Lee-eum involuntarily took a step back as he brought his face closer. Was he testing him? Was what he said about the scent not a joke? No one had ever mentioned Lee-eum’s Pheromone scent before. He was curious how the guy knew something that even his family didn’t know, but Lee-eum feigned ignorance.
“Get out. Unless you really want to go to the police station.”
“Ah, you’re such a cold man. It seems you like Young-shik, but Choi Won-joon isn’t your type.”
“Stop talking shit and get lost. What kind of threat is that, you bastard.”
“I didn’t come here to threaten you. I came to ask you a favor.”
“Ha, a favor?”
“Let me sleep here.”
“……”
“I can’t sleep. Let me sleep here.”
“Are you crazy?”
“I hear that often.”
Lee-eum just stared at him, dumbfounded, as Choi Won-joon came closer and dropped his head on his shoulder. Lee-eum flinched and stiffened. He couldn’t feel the Pheromone scent, but strangely, it was hard to move.
“Let me sleep here. I’m going to die.”