By Zephyria 
【Regarding the employee assault case, the prosecution issued a summons to Kim Ji-cheol, the son of Assemblyman Kim Yong-taek, today. Chief Prosecutor Park Seon-wook announced that there are no exceptions before the law and that he would uncover the truth through a rigorous investigation. At this very moment, many people are holding pickets in front of the building where Assemblyman Kim’s office is located, protesting and demanding his resignation.】
“What’s this? I thought they’d let him off easy because he’s the son of a big shot.”
“It’s just a show anyway. The public opinion is bad, so they’ll pretend to do something and then drop it.”
“Yeah, after the recording was released, it’s clear they’re all in it together. The people’s champion, my ass, it’s the champion of power. They hide and cover up the crimes of those with power. Isn’t that right?”
Lee-eum, who was watching the TV screen, turned his head. In front of him, Jeong Nam-su was holding his spoon with a sour look on his face. They had come to the restaurant after work to have dinner and part ways, but unfortunately, news about Kim Ji-cheol came on TV.
Nam-soo grumbled as he picked up a piece of well-fermented kkakdugi with his chopsticks.
“What’s the point of running around until you get blisters on your feet? Most people think like that anyway.”
“It’s not like it’s been a day or two. Just eat a lot.”
The owner of the gukbap restaurant, knowing their professions, casually drops off a plate of sliced pork head meat. It’s his way of saying, don’t worry about it and eat. Then he changes the channel to something else and scolds the protesting customers, saying it’s his store and he can do what he wants.
Nam-soo seemed to feel better and smiled as he put the pork head meat in his mouth, then looked at the soju in the refrigerator.
“Want some?”
“Go ahead. I’m okay.”
Nam-soo immediately got up, opened the refrigerator, and took out a bottle of soju. “Hey, boss, add a bottle of soju to my tab.” He poured the liquor into a glass as if it were water, gulped it down, wiped his lips with the back of his hand, and then brought up the news from earlier.
“Kim Ji-cheol, huh? It’s strange. When he caused that ruckus before, how much did the press block the articles and everything? But now they’re trying to devour him. Do you think the opposition party is really trying to take down Assemblyman Kim?”
“I don’t know…”
“Ah—whatever, I hope that bastard gets punished this time. It’ll be hard to get him jail time, though.”
He’s probably already reached an agreement with the assaulted employee behind the scenes. At best, he’ll get a fine or a suspended sentence.
“By the way, what happened to Kim Yun-shik?”
“I met him, but it wasn’t him. He’s been living as a homeless man and sold his identity for money.”
“To whom?”
“He doesn’t know. That’s why I’m going to the Nambu Police Station tomorrow morning. There’s an organization that was arrested last year for a similar method. A Hyung I know is there, so I’m going to ask him. If I know the exact route, it’ll be helpful.”
“I’ll go with you.”
Nam-soo’s glass was empty, so he filled it with soju, and they were talking about this and that when Roh Seon-gyu called. “Just a moment.” He asked Nam-soo for his understanding and answered the phone, but he immediately heard a shout from the other end of the line.
【Hey! Kim Yi-eum! Did you know?】
“Jeez! Why are you yelling?”
【Young-shik! Oh my god, I almost fainted. That’s Young-shik, right? The CEO of Sehwa Construction!】
Lee-eum frowned. The article was published with a photo, so Roh Seon-gyu must have seen it too. He’s never been interested in the news before… Then suddenly, his mind went blank. His Noona, Kim Malk-eum, remembered Young-shik’s face.
Did his Noona see the article? No, if she had, she would have contacted him first. He prayed in his heart that she was too busy to notice, but Roh Seon-gyu brought up something out of the blue.
【Too bad, Kim Yi-eum….】
“What is?”
【You were feeding, housing, playing with, and cherishing someone you didn’t even know, and it turns out he’s a second-generation chaebol. Young-shik liked you so much. He followed you around calling you ‘Ahjussi, Ahjussi,’ and hearts were practically dripping from his eyes. In dramas, this is 100% a love story.】
“…….”
【If you were an Omega, you’d be set for life. It’s such a waste, really.】
Listening to him, Lee-eum started to get annoyed.
“Hang up if you’re going to talk nonsense.”
【I’m going to hang up. I’m busy too. Oh, I’ll send you the photos and videos.】
“What videos?”
【Wait for it.】
A moment later, photos of Choi Won-joon arrived in a message. He was smiling with his eyes curved, eating ice cream, swinging on a swing in the playground, and playing in the dirt, looking innocent. Lee-eum’s lips twitched as he nonchalantly played the video.
【Hyung… I’m scared… Hyung… sob… Call Lee-eum Ahjussi….】
The location was on top of a playground slide, and Young-shik was crying because his body was stuck, and Roh Seon-gyu was holding his hand next to him. Below, people in work clothes were separating the cylinder. The sound of the machine grew louder with each whir, and the cries of Young-shik grew louder, followed by sighs of pity from the mothers around.
【The mother who was there took it and gave it to me. She said to keep it because it’ll all be memories later.】
Roh Seon-gyu chuckled and laughed, and Lee-eum briefly thought that Choi Won-joon in the video was cute. But he soon tried to come to his senses and slapped himself on the cheek. This is Choi Won-joon, not Young-shik. Don’t get confused.
In the meantime, a short message arrived from his Noona.
【Emergency. Call me as soon as you get off work.】
❖ ❖ ❖
【I doubted my eyes when I saw the photo in the article. You knew all along, didn’t you? And you didn’t say anything?】
His Noona’s agitated voice came from the car speaker.
“I found out later too.”
【The bag? You definitely returned it, right?】
Lee-eum hesitated. Choi Won-joon hadn’t taken the bag, so he had it at home, but if he told his Noona the truth, she would definitely ask why. He lied and said he had returned it, and his Noona let out a sigh of relief.
【Did Kim Mid-eum say he saw him that day too?】
“Hyung didn’t see him properly. Choi Won-joon was curled up and sleeping.”
【That’s a relief. That bastard is grinding his teeth because he got screwed over by Sehwa, and if he finds out you’re involved with that family’s son, he’ll chase after you with fire in his eyes. He’ll think you knew who you were and approached him on purpose.】
Lee-eum agreed with his Noona. If his Hyung found out, he would suspect Choi Won-joon’s intentions first. He would think that he had deliberately approached his younger brother for impure purposes and would make a fuss about not letting it go.
And if his father found out…
Just imagining it sent shivers down his spine and made him feel cold. He absolutely, no matter what, had to prevent that from happening.
【I’m getting a call. Let’s talk tomorrow. Lock the doors and windows.】
Okay, good night….
After ending the call, the car had already arrived at the entrance of the apartment. He passed through the barrier and went down to the underground parking lot, but there weren’t many empty spaces because it was late. He barely found a spot left in the corner, parked, and headed for the exit, but his eyelids were heavy.
Lee-eum, who was rubbing his face to chase away the sleep, noticed someone standing in front of the exit. He recognized who it was and slowed his pace. Conversely, the other person was approaching with large strides. He was already tall and stood out, and he was even holding a white bouquet of flowers.
Choi Won-joon, who was right in front of him, tilted his head slightly and smiled as he stared at Lee-eum’s face.
“You’re late. Did you have a lot of work?”
Seeing him talking so nonchalantly, the anger that he had been suppressing boiled over. You son of a bitch. You lied about being in Rut and took advantage of me? He regretted not bringing the empty medicine bottle and throwing it in his face.
Seeing Lee-eum’s expression changing every moment, Won-joon felt sorry.
“I understand. You must have felt bad. You must have thought I tricked Detective Kim.”
Lee-eum unknowingly burst out in anger.
“You did trick me, didn’t you? How can you be so shameless? Do you think I’m a joke?”
“Oh dear. You must have been very upset.”
“Are you kidding me? Is that something that can be brushed off with the word ‘upset’?”
“It may sound like an excuse, but it wasn’t my intention. My father made me do it.”
Lee-eum scoffed in disbelief.
“Tell me something that makes sense! Are you saying your father told you to trick me into thinking vitamin D was a Rut Suppressant? And you expect me to believe that?”
Won-joon’s eyebrows twitched.
“Ah—it was about the Suppressant?”
“…….”
“You were only angry about that?”
“Only?”
Ha, really. He wasn’t even curious anymore, and he didn’t want to listen anymore. He was about to tell him to never see him again and leave, but Choi Won-joon grabbed his arm. Then he suddenly held out the bouquet of flowers.
“Take it. I came because I wanted to apologize, no matter the reason.”
“Let go.”
“Please take it. Then I’ll leave.”
“I don’t need it, let go!” He swung his arm wildly, and the bouquet was hit and fell to the floor with a thud. Watching the flowers rolling on the floor, Won-joon bit his lip and made an exaggeratedly upset expression.
“Detective Kim. Are you really going to do this?”
“Yes, I am. So don’t show your face in front of me again. This is my last warning.”
Choi Won-joon lowered his gaze and smiled sadly and bitterly.
“Okay…. If you really can’t forgive me, think of these flowers as me and trample on them. Then I’ll give up my lingering feelings,”
Before he could finish speaking, Lee-eum kicked the bouquet with all his might! The bouquet flew far away and crashed miserably next to a pillar, and the torn petals landed one by one from the air to the floor.
Lee-eum turned to Won-joon and coldly rebuked him.
“Did you see that? Give up your lingering feelings, and keep your promise. Please. Huh? Please!”
The gloominess disappeared without a trace, and a manic smile began to spread across Choi Won-joon’s face.
“Darling, did you play soccer a little when you were younger?”
Regardless, Lee-eum walked towards the exit. He glanced back before getting on the elevator, and Choi Won-joon was still standing there. Not hurt at all, but with his eyes gleaming like a child who had found an interesting toy.