He was someone Ju Xiang had known briefly when he worked at Sovereign Casino.
“What the hell is this now.”
Ju Xiang glared at the screen. Even though they’d known each other, they were on the same Surveillance Team so they’d only exchanged formal greetings. It meant they weren’t close enough to continue contact even after quitting.
No matter how much he racked his brain, there was no reason for this guy to contact him, making him reluctant to answer the call. But thinking he might be able to hear about the atmosphere inside Sovereign, Ju Xiang connected the call.
“…What’s this about.”
—Yo, Ju Xiang! Long time no see. Lucky you, quitting. You bastard, resting well?
“So-so.”
Contrary to his answer, Ju Xiang twisted his expression. Far from resting well, since leaving Sovereign Resort he’d actually been in increasingly dire straits day by day.
“What do you want.”
—Ju Xiang, you play some poker, right? I’ve broken into a pretty good underground casino this time, let’s go together!
It was such a useless proposal that he felt pathetic for having hoped to get helpful information. Just as he was about to hang up, as if sensing it, the other person urgently shouted.
—Heyyy, just go with me once. You’re good at poker. I need to go with someone like you to properly enjoy it. And there, the payout’s pretty sweet too. I’ve already hit it big several times, you know? I won more than last month’s salary! Let’s sweep it up hot together. How about it?
“Not interested.”
—Don’t be like that… I’ll cover all the chips for the first round, so just come with me. Huh? Please.
“……”
Ju Xiang pressed his lips tightly shut and fell into thought for a moment. Normally, he would have flatly refused such pushy urging from someone he wasn’t even close to. But for him, whose accumulated stress had reached its limit, he needed an outlet, whatever it might be.
“…Where is it, this place.”
Ju Xiang got up from his seat and eventually accepted the request.
* * *
[Surveillance_1] Done. Hit the jackpot and he totally fell for it.
Ray Jun sat on the living room sofa and indifferently checked the message. It seemed Ju Xiang had fallen into another trap he’d laid.
He had absolutely no intention of leaving Ju Xiang, who had assaulted Kang Siwon, alone. There was a saying “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,” but that wasn’t Ray Jun’s principle. He always preferred to pay back more than what was done to him.
Besides, Ju Xiang was originally a bastard who made his living through loan sharking. So even if his evil deeds came back with interest, it wouldn’t be that unfair.
[Me] Keep working on it.
After sending the reply, he turned off his phone.
The Ju Xiang matter was roughly settled, and the work of sowing discord in the internal board of directors was rolling along smoothly too. Since everything was flowing according to plan, it would be perfect once he finished dealing with the Kang Siwon problem.
“…Ray Jun.”
Just then, Kang Siwon approached. Judging by his sullen expression, it didn’t seem to be for a good reason. Not that it was surprising. Ever since entering this penthouse, Kang Siwon had been constantly gloomy.
Ray Jun couldn’t understand such a Kang Siwon at all. Kang Siwon, who had been resolute even while simultaneously handling Cage staff duties and spy work—why on earth was he withering more in the penthouse? Understanding it as him adjusting to the suddenly changed environment had only lasted a day or two.
“Yeah. What?”
Ray Jun smiled pleasantly to hide the bubbling irritation rising up. Then he patted the seat next to him and said.
“Sit here, Siwon.”
“No, it’s fine. More than that, I want to go out for some fresh air for a bit…”
“I said sit down.”
His patience was insufficient to indulge him further. When he cut off Kang Siwon’s words and commanded, Kang Siwon frowned. He seemed ready to storm off right then, but Kang Siwon sat down on the sofa. He seemed to have judged that it was better to let it slide appropriately rather than confront him now.
“I need to go out today.”
“What should I do? I don’t have any plans to go out today.”
“Who asked you to go out? I said I need to go out, me.”
“No, Siwon. How are you going to go out alone.”
Kang Siwon clenched his fist tightly. The protruding knuckles were threatening. Ray Jun grabbed that hand and lifted it, lightly kissing the back of it.
“…What the hell are you doing.”
“A kiss. Why, is that not allowed? You used to allow even more than this in the old days.”
Actually, it wasn’t even long enough ago to call “the old days.” Just five days ago, the two of them had been affectionate like star-crossed lovers facing separation. That’s why now, Kang Siwon’s changed attitude felt all the more offensive to Ray Jun.
“Am I a dog? I can’t even go out unless it’s with you?”
“I never stopped you from going out, Siwon.”
“You didn’t give me the card key! How is that different from locking me up?”
“Hmm… I haven’t tied you up or put shackles on you, yet you say I’ve locked you up. Why say such hurtful things.”
Should he actually lock him up rather than indulging this whining? Ray Jun momentarily had that thought. And soon, he rather liked that idea.
“Don’t spout sophistry. Anyway, let me out. I need to go to Hong Kong too.”
“Hong Kong, why?”
“Because my Macau stay period is almost up… I need to stamp Hong Kong or another country and come back.”
“Do you have your passport?”
“……”
As if hitting the mark, Kang Siwon pressed his lips shut. Ray Jun narrowed his eyes thinly and replied.
“You didn’t come near me all day, and the first thing you say is that? How harsh. Kang Siwon, why have you changed like this.”
“You’re the one who changed.”
“I changed?”
Kang Siwon looked Ray Jun over with sharp eyes. However, as if his thoughts weren’t properly organized yet, he couldn’t give any answer. His attitude of raising his guard first when he didn’t even properly know what he wanted was ridiculous. Ray Jun twisted his lips.
“You remember the promise you made before leaving the dorm? You said you wouldn’t avoid me even if we met again. So why are you like this?”
He muttered as if talking to himself.
“Did I really do something that terrible to you… I clearly remember you being reluctant to part with me too. Am I wrong?”
“…I didn’t want to meet again like this. What am I, some object? You didn’t even ask me, you just talked with the Baeksa Faction and decided. Common sense—what kind of person in the world thinks to lock someone up just because they don’t want to part with their roommate? You could have at least given me a hint!”
“Ah… That upset you?”
Each of Kang Siwon’s points twisted his mood even more. For a moment, a cruel look crossed Ray Jun’s face.
“Siwon, do you know what’s really common sense?”
“……”
“Not doing spy work….”
At the quietly uttered words, Kang Siwon’s shoulders flinched. Ray Jun didn’t miss the guilt spreading across that face.
“Common sense—what kind of person in the world thinks to do spy work to pay off debt?”
“Th-that’s…”
Ray Jun didn’t give Kang Siwon a chance to make excuses and harshly dug into his weak point.
“Do you know? When you give information, the Baeksa Faction uses it to blackmail people who evaded taxes at Sovereign. Ah, right. The side that evaded taxes is at fault, so it can’t be helped—that’s what you’re going to say, right?”
“……”
“Is that common sense thinking? What do you think, Kang Siwon.”
Kang Siwon’s complexion turned pale. Pitifully, though it wasn’t even a problem to feel that guilty about, he seemed quite shocked. Anyway, he was a guy who seemed like he wouldn’t be, yet was unnecessarily softhearted about useless things.
Ray Jun stroked Kang Siwon’s cheek as if pitying him and continued whispering low without stopping.
“You’re angry I didn’t give you a hint? Then Siwon, why didn’t you give me a hint.”
“…I thought you’d…”
“Yeah. I think I know even without you saying. You were worried I’d report to Sovereign or the police.”
Kang Siwon, whose lips had been trembling, finally let out a shaking voice.
“I was worried you’d… despise me…”
Ray Jun raised one eyebrow. This was another unexpected answer. Looking at it now, Kang Siwon had a strange talent for lifting his mood back up after burying it in the mud.
“You worried about that?”
“…Yeah.”
“But Siwon, look at me. Do I look like I despise you?”
No. Kang Siwon answered so quietly it barely reached Ray Jun’s ears. At that, Ray Jun crafted an even more affectionate voice.
“I don’t despise you. If I did, I wouldn’t want to be stuck with you 24 hours a day.”
“……”
“Are you the one who dislikes me? Otherwise, there’s no way you’d carelessly condemn me as changed or lacking common sense.”
“N-no. I don’t dislike you either, but…”
Kang Siwon trailed off. However, answering as if forcibly pushed like that wasn’t believable at all. He thought about provoking him a bit more until he spoke his true feelings, but today he decided to press him only this much.
“Then that’s settled. There’s no problem now, right?”
Ray Jun pulled Kang Siwon into his arms. Kang Siwon stiffened his body rigidly but didn’t resist. Patting that pitiful back, he whispered affectionately.
“Sorry for making you frustrated. I still have work left, but let’s go out together after I finish just that. We have to eat dinner anyway. Okay?”
“…Finish it quickly, then.”
“I will.”
Kang Siwon couldn’t see it, but an ominous smile hung on Ray Jun’s lips.
When all was said and done, Kang Siwon was an easy guy to handle. No matter how much he rebelled, he couldn’t escape his grasp. Of course, there were some offensive aspects, but Ray Jun decided to be magnanimous. Kang Siwon was for once—no, the first “person he liked” he’d met in his life, so he could generously overlook this much.
