Chapter 79
Jeon Jeongwoo never showed up. Instead, another researcher removed the needle, dabbed my arm with antiseptic cotton, and kindly told me I could go straight home. I grabbed my bag and walked out to the lobby, heading for the entrance. Right in front of the entrance was the car my father had arranged. What a suffocating route. That’s what I thought. Without Yu Hyunjae, what was even the point of living?
My provocation of my father had been pure impulsiveness or defiance. I hadn’t expected him to play along, but his response wasn’t bad. Not bad? I sneered at my own thought. What kind of messed-up childhood had I had to think a stiff, proud man saying a simple “thank you” was not bad?
I hesitated for a moment, then pulled out my phone—the one in my name—and opened the messenger app. The first name at the top was, of course, Yu Hyunjae. I tapped his name and started typing.
[I’m gonna go kick Han Jaemin’s ass soon.]
[Do I need your permission?]
[Can I go?]
The read receipt appeared quickly, but the reply took forever. I waited patiently, keeping the window open.
[Let’s go together.]
Not stopping me, not even warning me—just saying let’s go together was kind of funny. I stifled a laugh, mindful of the driver’s gaze. I didn’t want to give my father any more reasons to scold me.
***
“Wow, Chanhee.”
Han Jaemin was wearing an ill-fitting, neat suit, and—ridiculously—he was standing in front of a well-tended orchid, holding floral scissors.
“Haven’t seen you in a while. You’ve grown so much. Kids really do grow up fast.”
“You’ve changed a lot too.”
“Ah, I’ve been growing orchids lately. Aren’t they pretty?”
Han Jaemin grinned, pointing at a few pots that reached his knees.
“These little things are hilarious. They get so ugly when they’re in the sun. All wilted.”
Indeed, the leaves by the sunny window were a sickly pale green compared to the healthier ones in the shade.
“But these days, they’re the only ones who listen to me. Wilt in the sun, revive when I give them shade and water. So transparent.”
“I didn’t come here to talk about plants.”
“Neither did I, kid.”
Han Jaemin deliberately brushed off the leaves from his knees and turned to face us.
“Why’d you bring Hyunjae with you? For protection? Surveillance?”
“None of your business.”
“Or are you scared? Huh? Scared?”
“Cut the wordplay and just answer.”
Han Jaemin swung the scissors around his finger, looking relaxed. I didn’t want to get involved, but his shameless face made me furious.
“You should’ve just rolled with it when I was being nice. Or you shouldn’t have gotten involved in the first place. Who was it that came begging, saying they’d do anything if I just granted their wish? Did you think I’d let you back out so easily just because you’re some well-bred young master?”
Han Jaemin slowly approached us. Yu Hyunjae’s hand covered mine, ready to grab me at any moment.
“Haven’t you seen the dramas? Once you’re in, it’s really hard to get out. You’ve got to lose at least a pinky finger to be let go. Oh, of course, that’s just the standard for the lackeys.”
“So you planted that thing at school because I wouldn’t cooperate? You were threatening to kill me?”
“Hmm.”
Han Jaemin pressed the sharp tip of the scissors against my chest. Through the thin fabric, I could feel the cold blade.
“No, no. I’ve spent too much money and effort making you. Why would I kill you? That’d be a waste.”
“…….”
“You’re smart, right?”
Han Jaemin looked up at Yu Hyunjae. Hyunjae stared back at him without flinching.
“Hyunjae. Don’t you want to be happy with Chanhee?”
Yu Hyunjae didn’t answer, but Han Jaemin kept talking.
“Then you shouldn’t be under that man. Come over to my side. Bring Chanhee with you.”
Han Jaemin’s tone was firm. He’d always been good with words, but now he sounded even more confident.
“Do you know what kind of man that guy is?”
“…….”
“He’s cruel, ruthless, and—yeah, just a psychopath. The kind who’d get life in prison if he were ever tried.”
“You’re going too far.”
Yu Hyunjae finally spoke up, seemingly conscious of me. He must have felt uncomfortable hearing such things about my father.
“Going too far? Kids, this is just the truth. Got it?”
“You talk like you’re some righteous hero.”
“Me? I’m not a good person either.”
“…….”
“But at least I don’t ruin people’s lives like that.”
Han Jaemin stared at Yu Hyunjae as he spat out the word cripple.
“Stop it.”
“Scared, huh, Chanhee?”
“What do you want? Just say it.”
“I already told your father everything in detail. Now you want to negotiate again? You’ve got some nerve. You’re not in a position to bargain with me. You’re supposed to listen to what I say.”
Han Jaemin finally threw the scissors to the ground and started tapping my cheek.
“You know about the experiments at the National Mana Research Institute, right?”
“…….”
“Don’t play dumb. You’re selling yourself out there.”
“What a fucking mess.”
“Hand it over to me.”
“……What?”
“We’ll do it at our hospital. Everything about you from now on.”
“……That’s—”
“Or you can donate it to both sides. Either way, we’ll know first.”
Han Jaemin started tapping my cheek harder, his voice oozing confidence. Yu Hyunjae finally grabbed Han Jaemin’s wrist. Their eyes clashed in the air, the tension between them sharp enough to cut.
“Take your hand off.”
“Someone taught you well.”
Han Jaemin lowered his hand. His wrist was red and swollen, as if burned. It looked grotesque. I glanced at Yu Hyunjae.
“You really don’t want to go to England, huh?”
The men behind Han Jaemin stepped forward, ready to strike. Han Jaemin raised his uninjured hand to stop them.
“Leave it. Don’t interfere.”
The men bowed their heads.
“Think carefully. Both of you.”
I was completely cornered. I bit my lip, unable to say anything.
“I know every way to make you miserable.”
Han Jaemin’s face darkened.
“Kids like you? You’ve got to raise them in the dark, just giving them water. That’s how they grow fast.”
“…….”
“Make sure to tell your father. If he wants to live comfortably, he should stop letting his son run wild like this.”
Han Jaemin patted my shoulder. His grip was strong.
“Don’t worry too much. Just go to England. I’ll make sure this one never dies.”
For a moment, I thought of Jeon Jeongwoo’s face when he said he’d never let me die. It was a similar sentiment, but the way it was delivered felt different. I remembered Jeon Jeongwoo calling himself human. What did it even mean to be human? At least for these two, being human meant moving for their own desires. In that world, I was just a tool. My humanity wasn’t even a consideration.
So what was my human desire? What would I do, without limits, to reclaim my humanity? I looked at Yu Hyunjae. He felt my gaze and gently squeezed my hand from behind. The warmth of our intertwined hands was so vivid.
***
“You should just go to England as planned.”
Only after we left the suffocating building did I finally manage to say what I wanted. Yu Hyunjae looked at me anxiously.
“……I’m not forcing you. It’s just what I think.”
I quickly added.
“……Okay.”
The answer came faster than I expected. Yu Hyunjae continued in a clear voice.
“I have to go.”
“……Yeah.”
“You’re strong, right?”
I hesitated for a moment, then nodded firmly, pretending I hadn’t.
“And me leaving is the way for both of us to live strong, without any weaknesses.”
Even though I understood, something inside me surged. I blinked rapidly, trying to hold it back.
“I’ll get stronger. Maybe even stronger than you.”
“You might already be.”
“Not just in strength, but in everything.”
“…….”
“Only if I’m stronger than you in every way will my heart be at ease. Sorry. It’s a selfish thing to say.”
“You’re such an asshole, but you’re so kind.”
I finally burst out laughing. Yu Hyunjae didn’t laugh at all, but I stood there on the street, clutching my stomach and laughing hysterically. How could someone be this stupid? This blindly devoted? Love could be so ridiculous sometimes. And yet, I wanted that ridiculousness so desperately.
“Yeah, get stronger than me. Got it?”
We headed back home. Now was the perfect time to sort everything out.
