KTC | Chapter 43

It was a weekday morning, so the Yeongjong Bridge was clear. The two black sedans breezed through Yeonsu District without any detours and entered Michuhol District. Traffic started to build up a bit from there, but congestion quickly cleared, so they reached their destination in less than an hour.

After an early lunch at a famous burger joint, they stopped by a beauty salon and then found a photo studio. The photographer, thrilled to be shooting such good-looking models, snapped away with passion. The results were satisfactory to all. He offered the photos for free if used for store promotion, but Seo Jihan naturally declined.

They then headed to the nearby community center to apply for ID cards, wrapping up all their errands. But for Seo Jihan, his day was just beginning.

“Buy whatever you want, Father.”

Taking Choi Seonwoo to a department store, Seo Jihan spoke like a third-generation chaebol on a date, determined to splurge. However, Choi Seonwoo, still in his neat clergy shirt and Roman collar, was not easily swayed.

“Don’t mess around, Brother. Just buy what you want. I hardly ever wear casual clothes.”

At that moment, a ‘click’ sound came from somewhere. Choi Seonwoo, sensitive to attention, immediately turned his head, aware of being the focus of someone’s lens. A young couple, startled, quickly lowered their phone.

The bodyguards, unsure whether to intervene, looked to Seo Jihan for direction. Such conspicuous behavior caught Seo Jihan’s eye, and he shook his head, prompting Choi Seonwoo to approach the couple directly.

“Hello. Did you just take a picture of me?”

“No, not at all!”

The man quickly pocketed his phone, and the woman, embarrassed, exclaimed loudly. Choi Seonwoo simply smiled broadly at them.

“I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. Enjoy your shopping.”

Knowing the truth but choosing not to argue, Choi Seonwoo returned to Seo Jihan, who looked puzzled.

“You should’ve asked them to delete it. You know they were lying, so why let it slide?”

“It’s enough. I’ve spoken with them and seen their faces. It’s not some unidentifiable street here; they’d feel too exposed to upload it anywhere.”

“You’re smarter than I thought.”

“Flatterer.”

Choi Seonwoo chuckled, and Seo Jihan perked up, bending over with curiosity. Suddenly at eye level, Choi Seonwoo’s gaze dropped down. Seo Jihan, even in plain sweatpants and a white cotton T-shirt, shone with an almost sculpted quality, his puppy eyes sparkling innocently.

“You can keep talking informally.”

“I’d rather not.”

While physical proximity wasn’t an issue, Choi Seonwoo maintained a psychological distance, lifting Seo Jihan’s chin to raise his head.

“Stop the chatter and just buy some clothes. Consider sizes a bit larger for future growth. Sitting in the choir in such shabby clothes isn’t right.”

“Alright. But let’s start with a winter coat for you. Just looking at you makes me cold.”

“I’m fine as is.”

“Oh, come on, don’t be so rigid. Look around. With your standout face and that Roman collar, you’re an easy target. Even changing your clothes would reduce half the attention.”

“…Hmm.”

He couldn’t argue with that. In such a flashy place, a priest’s attire was indeed conspicuous. If he had known, he might have worn a zip-up hoodie, but now, the Roman collar peeked conspicuously between his coat lapels.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t necessary to stick to clerical attire so far from home. Outside of Mass, where vestments are mandatory, a priest’s dress is quite flexible. What once was considered as everyday wear, like the clergy shirt and Roman collar, has evolved over time. There was no obligation to broadcast his clergy status while away from his pastoral duties.

“True, I hardly have any casual clothes for vacations. I should buy something casual.”

Choi Seonwoo removed his Roman collar and tucked it into his coat pocket. Disliking how young he often appeared, he had stuck to more formal attire since his ordination, but now felt old enough to dress more comfortably.

“I’ll buy it for you.”

Does he have a ghost of miserliness haunting him?

“Why should you? I have money too.”

“I know. The priestly salary that barely makes a million won a month.”

“Is it okay to blurt out someone’s salary like that? Who taught you?”

“Who needs teaching? It’s all on the internet these days.”

That was true. Unlike Protestant ministers, Catholic priests have set salaries based on seniority, embarrassingly modest.

“Come on, let’s help John, the Brother you’re raising, repay his debt of gratitude by allowing him a comfortable day as a magpie.”

Seo Jihan, undeterred, grabbed Choi Seonwoo’s wrist and dragged him to the escalator, leading him to the lower floor packed with casual wear shops. Choi Seonwoo couldn’t hide his fatigue as he was led down.

“This isn’t some fancy Gangnam boutique, why are you so stubborn about not receiving anything? Just think of yourself as my doll for the day. I’ll pick out what you wear.”

“Fine, have it your way.”

Choi Seonwoo waved him off with an air of annoyance, while Seo Jihan finally smiled broadly, looking ahead. From two steps down, he could see the top of his head. Having had his hair done at the salon for the photo shoot, even from behind, his beauty was unmatched.

His tight pullover revealed the sculpted lines of his shoulders, back, and waist, as if meticulously crafted. It was clear why Seo Jihan was so obsessed with bulking up. Muscles weren’t something one could develop easily, but he seemed to have a natural base for it.

Seems like just yesterday he was scrawny enough to dive into my arms, and now look how he’s bulked up.

Thinking this, Choi Seonwoo chuckled just as a group ascended the escalator next to him. By appearance, Seo Jihan’s bodyguards could pass for clean-cut businessmen, except for the menacing ones leading the group. Particularly, a man in his forties at the front had a scar running from his forehead to his chin, screaming ‘I’m from the underworld.’

Well, some people are like that. You can see their life stories just by looking at the spirits wrapped around them like outerwear, without needing to peer into their hearts.

After a brief glance at the leader, Choi Seonwoo stepped down one stair and shielded Seo Jihan’s eyes with his hand, almost simultaneously as the man glared intensely at Choi Seonwoo.

“What’s going on?”

Seo Jihan murmured in confusion but calmly accepted Choi Seonwoo’s hand. Naturally avoiding direct eye contact, Choi Seonwoo whispered softly.

“It’s territorial marking.”

“Ha! What are you talking about?”

Seo Jihan reacted as if he had heard something amusing. The group of men passed by without further incident. The leader kept his gaze on Choi Seonwoo like a predator aware of its natural enemy, but Choi Seonwoo did not return the stare.

“What was that? Was there an evil spirit or something?”

Just before switching escalators, Choi Seonwoo removed his hand and Seo Jihan asked.

“It’s not so much an evil spirit as it is a person almost fused with one. There’s no risk of it transferring, but you’d be the worst match for him. Better not to cross paths.”

“Can you explain it more simply?”

“Ever seen someone on the street and for no reason felt like starting a fight with them?”

“That’s surprising. Even you feel that way?”

“Not me, you.”

Whenever Choi Seonwoo spoke in such a subtly irked tone, Seo Jihan felt a twisted sense of conquest being fulfilled. Suppressing a laugh, he bit his lip as Choi Seonwoo continued calmly from behind.

“Someone like you, carrying a lot of karma, might feel that kind of emotion mutually. If your mental strength is well-trained enough to control those impulses, it’s fine. Otherwise, you’re likely to get into trouble.”

Just then, Kim Youngchan, Head of Security, hurriedly joined the conversation.

“Father. Mr. Seo. Those men earlier seem to be following us. What should we do?”

Before Seo Jihan could turn around, Choi Seonwoo held his head with both hands and replied.

“It seems he’s just too perceptive. There’s no malice, so he’s probably just curious and watching for a bit. Leave it.”

Choi Seonwoo made the sign of the cross quietly, licked his thumb, and then traced a cross on Seo Jihan’s nape. Seo Jihan, tickled, hunched his shoulders as Choi Seonwoo’s voice murmured close to his ear.

“This is the mission Jesus Christ gave to his disciples. In my name, they will drive out demons, speak new tongues, pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will place their hands on the sick, and they will get well.”