HYDP C22

Chapter 22

 “That was Yeon Sanhong—the ‘fragile’ one you called him—who did that to Gu Pilju.”

“……”

“The one who crippled Gu Pilju like that was Yeon Sanhong.”

“……”

“In that accident, it wasn’t only Sanhong who was injured. Gu Pilju hovered between life and death that day too. Then, while hospitalized, Yeon Sanhong did that to Gu Pilju and disappeared.”

At Baek Cheon-jung’s words, Cheonguk quietly lowered his head. Then he bent forward and began to laugh.

Looking down at him, Cheon-jung spoke low.

“You can laugh right now?”

“…Haa.”

Holding back laughter until even the tear ducts were damp, he let out a breath.

“With that little body… the way he fought with everything he had just to protect himself. Fuck. Honestly… makes me want to pet him.”

“…Unbelievable. You lunatic.”

“How admirable is that. Right?”

When he pictured him battling for his own body, the laughter burst out on its own. It only grew and showed no sign of stopping. In the end, half giving up, Cheon-jung halted the questioning and quietly stepped out.

“Team Lead Cheon won’t dodge discipline, will he.”

“Hardly. He left a man in that state—how could he.”

“Four weeks minimum recovery, they said.”

Watching him laugh, pity pooled in Suho’s eyes.

“Does Mr. Yeon Sanhong… sell drugs by any chance?”

“No. Why.”

“Because since the boss came back from seeing him, his… state is strange. Like he’s someone else.”

“…What could it be. He’ll snap out of it.”

Grinding the butt in the ashtray, he put out the ember. Then he approached the quiet man sitting in the back. Name: Ahn Si-yeong. A long-time victim of Gu Pilju’s abuse.

To the hollow-eyed Si-yeong, he handed a drink and asked carefully.

“Is it true you were abused by Team Lead Gu Pilju.”

“…Yes.”

His pupils were empty. The moment his designation became known inside, his job was as good as gone. A wretched outcome.

“For now, go to the infirmary and rest.”

“……”

“Go on.”

Bowing his head low, Si-yeong quietly left the waiting room.

After that day, there was no word from Seo Kang-jo.

Naturally, he figured, he’d be holed up somewhere busy minding some part of his business. For Sanhong, it was a relief.

He even entertained a pointless wish that he’d disappear forever.

Let him never appear before him again. Let it quietly end on its own before something loud happens.

Cheonguk, too, didn’t show. That, too, turned out to be a three-day resolve. All the talk about liking him and whatnot—empty bluster.

After such big words, he’d vanished without a hair in sight; that, he liked.

“As expected.”

Pouring hot water into a paper cup of instant coffee and stirring, he smiled slightly. Next operation, he’d surely be out for blood to kill him.

“Haa…”

Who knew when they’d barge in again—but thinking on it only made him tired. His body ached, his mood as well, and just as a twinge of ennui rose, the twins’ faces came to mind.

He decided that today, no matter what, he would go. He hung a “Closed” sign on the pawnshop door and headed straight out of Horangyong-dong.

He went straight to a supermarket.

Once beyond Horangyong-dong, brilliant lights filled the streets. The particular liveliness of a neighborhood where people lived filled his eyes.

The walk to the market felt like a rare stretch of peaceful rest.

With a cart in hand, he moved about calmly and filled it. He wasn’t the type to ban everything “unhealthy” outright, but he didn’t let them run wild either. Right in the middle. He wanted to raise the kids without being overbearing. But impulse buys were hard to resist.

“Closing-time sale!” calls tempted him on all sides; in the end, he picked up another basket. He ended up lugging two.

His careful hand choosing household items carried a desire to be helpful, even knowing Huigang had probably already ordered it all online.

“Not every day! Omega suppressants at a shock sale!”

“……”

The shout in his ear made him stop.

Drawn by the “half-off for first release” banner, he stepped over—indeed, the prices were lower than usual. And from a reputable brand—quality he could trust.

He did usually resolve needs during heat cycles, but still, he’d been taking suppressants regularly, just in case. He was nearly out—at this price, it seemed right.

He bought three sets.

It was as if Huigang’s nagging voice echoed beside him. By the time he left the market, both hands were weighed down. Loading the trunk and wiping sweat from his brow, he made a resolution to himself. The bags drooped like calabashes, making a mockery of his “I’ll buy just a little.” Loading the trunk and wiping his brow, the image that popped into his head made him laugh alone.

Thwack!

Someone suddenly smacked the back of his head hard.

“Ah…!”

“Hey, what brings you to this neighborhood?”

“…Ah.”

Typical Horangyong-dong punks. Young, faces sharpened by the sting of constant debt.

“What’s all that—lugging so much. Where are you going?”

“……”

Never in life could he let these punks find his place. Before he could think, one shifted the topic.

“Forget that—how much will you give us for this.”

“What is it.”

“A watch, idiot. Can’t you see?”

“I can see that—where’d you get it.”

“It was a gift.”

“……”

“…Fuck, don’t look at us like that—wasn’t stolen, okay? You accusing us?”

Plainly not cleanly obtained. Theft, extortion… take your pick.

“Hey! So how much will you pay!”

“I don’t appraise.”

“What? Why the fuck not?”

“Go find out somewhere else.”

As he turned, the boss grabbed his shoulder. Gwak Ju-young.

“Appraise it while I’m being nice. How much’ll you pay.”

“Then how much do you want.”

“Five million won.”

“Then get a loan for that amount.”

“What? A loan? A pawnshop gives loans?”

“……”

They didn’t even know what a pawnshop was. Pressing his lips, he finally explained, calm.

“If you need cash, you put up collateral and take a loan. Repay principal and interest within six months, you get the item back. Understand?”

“…Ha, fuck. So you’re saying ‘hand over the goods,’ right?”

“……”

“So do we get a loan from you?”

“No. I don’t deal with things that aren’t people.”

The air chilled. Maybe that was too far; dipping his head slightly, he added:

“Kidding.”

“…Fuck. Why are your jokes so shitty? We might’ve gotten hurt feelings between us.”

Grinning, Ju-young slung an arm over his shoulder and leaned his weight.

“But I’m a credit delinquent.”

“Doesn’t matter. Just pay within six months.”

“So, five million—right away?”

“We write a contract. I’m off now—let’s talk tomorrow.”

“Right. Yeah. We’re counting on you, Sanhong.”

“…Don’t count on me. Count on your conscience.”

They were the type that needed everything explained one through ten. The punks broke up, promising tomorrow.

He steadied his breath. Grateful his private life wasn’t exposed, he firmed his resolve.

If anyone trailed him, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill.

“Yeah. Don’t trust easily. It’s all a trick to get you killed.”

“I know. I don’t trust.”

“Hah, the guy who ‘doesn’t trust’—you think I haven’t known you long? If it were anyone else, you’d have killed him already and called Iori.”

“That’s true.”

“That guy, Iori—temper aside, he’s damn good when he works.”

At Huigang’s words, he smiled and agreed.

Stepping away from Horangyong-dong for a bit, he headed home for the first time in a while. As expected, Huigang welcomed him, and the kids came toddling, the way they always did, into his arms.

They always led with their heads; with his ribs aching, he couldn’t even check them—just hugged them. Now, with the kids asleep, he and Huigang were catching up after a long time.

“They said the kids talked about you at kindergarten.”

“Me? About me?”

“Must’ve been a time to share parents’ designations. Turns out you were the only dominant Omega among the parents. The kids were all surprised.”

“…Kids these days are fast. They talk about that already?”

“Some of the quick ones are already getting tested.”

Touching the alcohol-free beer can with his fingertips, he nodded.

“They even said there’s a rumor at kindergarten that you’re like a fairy.”

“What’s that supposed to mean.”

“Remember when the kids’ friends came over before? Looks like they saw the family photo over there.”

“Ah.”

On the living room table, a small frame sat.