SU | Chapter 3.9

A week had passed. Yoo Han was engrossed in cleaning the office, wearing the long padded coat that Snake Hyung had given him as if it were a precious talisman. Although Ji Youngwon hadn’t shown himself since the day Yoo Han was ill, Yoo Han waited for him patiently.

The money tree by the window had grown taller and its leaves more lush. Yoo Han couldn’t help but think absurdly that, like his growing feelings, the plant seemed to be thriving too.

Buzz-buzz—Yoo Han quickly pulled out his phone from his coat pocket and answered it eagerly.

“Hello!”

– Hey, it’s Gu Kangsan.

“Ah, Manager Gu. What’s up?”

– I was thinking of hitting the sauna after work today, and the guys keep asking for you.

“Yes? Sauna?”

Gu Kangsan’s voice was surrounded by noisy chatter as he spoke.

– Will you come? After the bathhouse, we can grab some soju… Kid, you hardly wash well anyway, when else will you go… Hahaha. Just get over here. You’ll see, the scrubbing… they’ll just, wow, scrape your back.

Yoo Han laughed and replied.

“Sure, I’d love to join. Thanks!”

Any lingering awkwardness with the office hyungs had completely dissolved. They’d take Yoo Han’s laundry and wash it for him when it was time, and they’d take him out when he had no other plans, truly becoming friends to him, who had grown up under such unlucky circumstances.

All this was because Yoo Han had proven his worth at the office. Feeling more relaxed, his previously gaunt cheeks had filled out nicely, and he was no longer losing sleep due to stress.

– Hmm… Alright, call me later and come down.

“Okay, take care.”

After hanging up, Yoo Han affectionately traced the mother-of-pearl nameplate of the Director. He wondered if the Director would ever join them for such casual outings. Probably not, right? Lately, his thoughts always seemed to end with Ji Youngwon.

Yoo Han flipped the desk calendar to December. A new month had arrived, and he hoped to see the Director’s face today. He even had an excuse to strike up a conversation—a pack of cookies he wanted to give, which expired today.

He was debating how to approach without getting a figurative slap in the face when suddenly, the office intercom rang, making him jump. The speed dial had been set to ring through to Gu Kangsan’s phone for a while, but recently, Gu had switched it back.

“Speed Errand, how can I help you?”

Yoo Han confidently managed the call. He’d memorized the service manual thoroughly, enabling him to schedule office visits smoothly.

“Ah, walking your dog? We can’t do one-offs, but if you’re looking at a regular arrangement, I can certainly schedule a consultation for you. Yes… Yes, yes. Haha. Oh… Thinking about a year’s contract? How about visiting our office tomorrow for a consultation? We offer more discounts in person than over the phone. Yes, yes.”

Although he was instructed to brush off minor requests, securing regular engagements through face-to-face consultations was best. Moreover, Yoo Han had started to enjoy resolving minor tasks that Speed Errand usually considered trivial, like helping elderly with paperwork or quick courier services. Thanks to Gu Kangsan reducing his bell running tasks, he had more time, and he found these small errands far less distressing than others.

“Yes, I’ll be here to assist you tomorrow. Thank you!”

Helping where needed was something Yoo Han might not easily experience again. Behind the joy of receiving was always a complex aftermath, but behind the joy of giving was nothing but pure happiness.

Even though it was merely a favor tinged with obligation, Yoo Han was thrilled to feel this joy, something usually reserved for the fortunate. He felt almost wronged that he had lived so long without this joy. Ironically, it was here at the errand center that he came to realize this.

After the pleasant call, Yoo Han looked up and basked in the sunlight streaming into the office. The electric heater that had disappeared was now quietly sitting at his feet.

“Director.”

On the rooftop, Ji Youngwon leaned against the railing smoking a cigarette, glanced over at Executive Director Gu.

“Got a call. They’ve located Kim Minjae. Should we proceed with the bell runner task?”

“Who’s going?”

“Since the morning tasks are done, I guess Manager Gu and his regular team will go.”

Ji Youngwon inhaled deeply from his cigarette and casually flicked the butt to the ground.

“We got no other plans this afternoon, right?”

“None, sir.”

“Tell Manager Gu to come over right now.”

“Are you planning to go with them?”

Executive Director Gu asked, somewhat surprised. Ji Youngwon exhaled the remaining smoke and muttered.

“Just want to see what this guy looks like.”

An hour later, Gu Kangsan showed up precisely. The sedan carrying the three smoothly headed towards their destination. As Gu turned the steering wheel, he asked the passenger, Gu Kangsan,

“What’s the address?”

“XX-dong.”

Something about the name of the neighborhood seemed familiar, making Executive Director Gu push up his glasses. Gu Kangsan sighed heavily,

“That bastard. Seems he’s been living just five minutes from where Yoo Han used to stay.”

Ji Youngwon, his arms crossed and eyes closed, smirked slightly. The proverb about not seeing what is right under one’s nose seemed to apply in their world too, but the circumstances surrounding Yoo Han appeared particularly clumsy.

Yoo Han’s old neighborhood was not far from Ji Youngwon’s building. They quickly arrived at their destination, but the narrow alley had hardly any parking space. The car finally stopped in front of a convenience store. The three men stepped out, already annoyed.

“Are you sure Kim Minjae is at home?”

“Yes, absolutely. Changsik confirmed it in advance.”

Ji Youngwon pulled a pair of leather gloves from his suit pocket and slipped them on his right hand. The gloves, usually reserved for use underground, being donned so early was a sign of seriousness. Executive Director Gu followed Ji Youngwon, secretly sighing. Looks like they were about to clean up a mess.

“It’s downstairs.”

They arrived in front of an old villa built with red bricks. Before entering, Ji Youngwon tilted his head and looked at a basement window on the lower left, barred and covered with opaque film. A faint silhouette moved inside.

“…Some without a room end up sleeping at the office, while others live the high life.”

A slight crack appeared on Ji Youngwon’s usually expressionless face.

Knock, knock, knock. Kim Minjae, interrupted from eating his cup noodles, turned his head in irritation. His grip tightened, causing some noodles to slip between the chopsticks onto the cleanly laid linoleum, splattering yellow strands and broth.

“Damn.”

Who the hell is it at this hour? Kim Minjae grumbled as he threw his chopsticks. He stood up and walked towards the door.

“Who is it?”

With no peephole to check outside, he couldn’t see who it was. Convinced it was either the gas inspector or the postman at this time, Kim Minjae carelessly guessed.

“Who is it?”

Not waiting for an answer, Kim Minjae flung the door open.

Ji Youngwon chuckled at the unguarded opening. …Just opens the door? Kim Minjae was acting brazen, unlike someone who had run off with someone else’s money. It also proved his complete lack of guilt or awareness regarding Yoo Han.

Ji Youngwon hardened his expression as he looked at the man. Kim Minjae, his face smeared with arrogance, wiped his mouth.

“Who,”

“Kim Minjae?”

Kim Minjae squinted at the tall man suddenly calling his name.

“…Who are you?”

Despite considering himself quite large, Kim Minjae felt nowhere near comparable to the man before him. Startled by the unexpected physicality, Kim Minjae gripped the doorknob tighter, a delayed surge of wariness hitting him.

“Are you Kim Minjae?”

Kim Minjae scrutinized the man before him. The suit fit perfectly, and depending on the angle, the man’s image seemed to shift. His neat, no-nonsense face could have passed for a corporate employee from a major company at a glance, but the open shirt without a tie, the slightly crooked stance, and the chilling gaze carried an unmistakable air of a gangster. Kim Minjae held his breath, unsettled by the man’s enigmatic appearance.

Ji Youngwon asked again with patient insistence.

“I asked if you are the person in question.”

“…Who are you to know my name…”

Before Kim Minjae could finish, Ji Youngwon’s gloved hand had seized his throat in one swift motion.

“Ugh?!”

Startled, Kim Minjae’s grip loosened from the doorknob, and Ji Youngwon pushed forward. Thump! The door to the entrance closed naturally as both men were swallowed inside.

Peering from above the stairs, Gu Kangsan peeked out to observe the now-closed front door. Executive Director Gu, who had been handling a work call at the entrance of the alley, called out to Gu Kangsan.

“What’s happening?”

“He’s gone in.”

A brief shout echoed from the basement, indicating that the beating had started sooner than expected, causing Executive Director Gu to sigh.

“Do you know anything about the Director and the bell runner?”

At Executive Director Gu’s inquiry, Gu Kangsan shook his head.

“Not really sure, but it seems the Director has a special consideration for Yoo Han.”

“…Special?”

“I don’t know much myself. Just going by what Yoo Han says. Isn’t it strange that he came here himself today?”

“……”

“Even if it’s not strange for the Director, I’m more worried about that Yoo Han kid.”

Executive Director Gu clicked his tongue briefly. His brother always had a soft spot for the unnecessary, particularly weak and discarded things, and it seemed he had taken a liking to the bell runner.

“Let’s just hope it doesn’t turn into a hassle.”

As Executive Director Gu cut off the conversation, Gu Kangsan also clamped his mouth shut. Heavy thuds continued from inside the closed door, and the muffled sounds of pain suggested that a gag had been used. The continuous groans were stifled. Ugh! Ah! Cough…

Having thoroughly cleaned the 1st-floor café, Yoo Han returned to the office and waited for a call from Gu Kangsan. It was about time for him to call… Yoo Han approached the Director’s desk to recheck the request files that had come in today. Perhaps he had overdone the cleaning; his back ached slightly as he eased into a chair when suddenly the steel door burst open without a knock, startling him.

“……?”

Contrary to his expectation, it wasn’t the office staff but a stranger who hesitantly stood by the door, wiping his nose. After a brief silence, the man looked up. As their eyes met, he seemed to hobble towards Yoo Han as if about to leap. Frightened, Yoo Han stumbled backward.

The man looked unstable even from a distance. His pupils were dilated and milky, and his gait was oddly staggered, like that of a drunk. The coat he wore was neat, but as he drew closer, a strange, pungent mix of smells lingered at the tip of Yoo Han’s nose.

“How did you get here?”

Yoo Han asked, plastered against the wall as the man approached the desk. Up close, the man’s lips were white and chapped. He scratched his throat as if thirsty, a bizarre gesture.

“Where’s Ji Youngwon?”

A metallic tone tinged the man’s voice. Yoo Han, feeling increasingly uncomfortable, slid sideways along the wall, ready to flee.

“I can’t really reach the Director either… Maybe try the 4th floor.”