LFD | Chapter 1.5

Yoongyeon lifted his head and stared blankly at Dojae. The words didn’t make sense, so he tried to gauge the situation.

Dojae grinned, the cigarette dangling from his lips as he took another deep drag. Then, whoosh, he blew the smoke right into Yoongyeon’s face.

“Ugh,  cough cough!”

“If you wanna save yourself and your friend, see that over there?”

He stretched out his free hand into the air. Yoongyeon’s gaze followed the direction of his finger towards a cluster of crumbling, abandoned houses.

“Why there…?”

“Throw it.”

“…What?”

Yoongyeon tilted his head, staring at Dojae again. The man just smirked.

“Yeah. Toss it there where no one can find it.”

He clamped the cigarette between his lips, grabbed Yoongyeon, and yanked him to his feet. Still not understanding, Yoongyeon glanced at the people around him. But they all averted their eyes, as if they already knew how this would end.

“B-but… this is expensive, isn’t it?”

Yoongyeon voiced his genuine confusion. Dojae nodded.

“Exactly. So throw it.”

The cigarette between his lips burned bright red. He took another deep drag, exhaled, and ash scattered into the air. Seeming bored with waiting, Dojae pulled Yoongyeon forward by the shoulder. He gripped him with his right hand, holding the cigarette in his left, then spoke in a low voice.

“I’m not a patient guy. Unless you wanna get shoved, throw it now.”

“……”

Yoongyeon glanced back at Dojae, who loomed behind him like a wall. For a second, he wondered if the man had lost his mind, but if the owner was telling him to throw it, fine. He raised his arm.

Behind him, Dojae smiled faintly, unseen.

Whoosh.

With the sound of splitting air, the wallet arced through the sky before disappearing into the cluster of houses with a dull thud. It had flown so far that Yoongyeon couldn’t even see where it landed.

Dojae smirked, taking one last long drag before pinching the cigarette between his thumb and middle finger. He flicked off the ember with his index finger and tossed it aside.

“You know how much you just threw away, right?”

“…Ten million won?”

Dojae patted Yoongyeon’s shoulder, almost like praise.

“Then you also know you just racked up over ten million won in debt, yeah?”

“What?!”

Shocked, Yoongyeon whipped around, only for Dojae to spin him right back. Then, leaning down, he whispered into his ear.

“You said you’d pay me back. You lost the wallet.”

“No! No, why should I—?!”

“Then go fetch it. But can you?”

Yoongyeon’s eyes desperately scanned the houses. This was insane. He was being forced to throw it, and now he had to pay for it? This is why you don’t mess with thugs, he lamented internally.

“Or… pay with your body?”

Dojae’s hand slid up Yoongyeon’s back, pressing against his kidney. Then higher, until it rested near his heart.

“Think this’ll cover it?”

“This is bullshit!”

Yoongyeon turned, glaring fiercely, only for Dojae to jab a finger into his chest.

“A heart might leave me with some change. How ‘bout I just take half?”

A shiver ran down Yoongyeon’s spine, and he smacked Dojae’s hand away. The man still looked amused. Around them, someone sighed quietly. Even they seemed to pity Yoongyeon’s obliviousness.

“See what happens when you touch other people’s stuff?”

“Ahjussi.”

“It’s hyung.”

“……”

Yoongyeon clenched his fists, itching to punch that smug face. But he knew Dojae would grab him before his fist even connected. And honestly, he was a little scared. So he just huffed quietly, glaring. There was nothing else he could do.

“Let him go.”

Dojae gestured to Hyunggu, who was standing nearby. After exchanging a glance with Minhyuk’s companion, they cut the cable tie binding him.

Yoongyeon figured he’d think things through once he was out of here and moved toward Minhyuk, but Dojae suddenly yanked his arm back.

“Ugh!”

“Where d’you think you’re going?”

“Y-you said you’d let me go!”

Yoongyeon struggled, trying to pull free. Dojae tilted his head.

“I said I’d let him go. Never said anything about you.”

“…Huh?”

When Yoongyeon stared up in disbelief, Dojae looked like he was holding back a laugh. Unsure what to do, Yoongyeon blinked rapidly before glancing at Minhyuk. The other boy shook his head slightly and headed down the stairs.

‘Let’s meet again… alive.’

Yoongyeon wondered if any of this had gone in his favor. First, he was forced into debt, and now he wasn’t even being let go? Only now did it sink in just how badly things had gone wrong.

“You’re coming with me.”

Dojae grabbed the back of Yoongyeon’s collar, yanking him along. The fabric pulled tight, dragging him forward.

“W-wait! Hold on!”

“Yeah, sure.”

Yoongyeon tried to pry Dojae’s grip loose, but the man held on like a vice.

“No! Why?! You said you’d let me go!”

“I never said that.”

“I don’t wanna! No!”

His feet scrambled against the ground as he was dragged backward. He locked eyes with Hyunggu, who was following behind. The guy was grinning like this was the best show ever.

“Aaack! I said no!”

“Take responsibility for what you did.”

“Ahjussi! NO! Let me live!”

Yoongyeon screamed until his throat burned. He really didn’t want this. Maybe stealing that wallet had sealed his fate from the start. Even as he kicked and begged, Dojae didn’t so much as blink.

“This brat’s got a mouth louder than a damn trumpet.”

Hyunggu snickered from behind. The other men offered to take Yoongyeon themselves, but Dojae shook his head.

“It feels better when I catch the mutt myself.”

In the end, Dojae dragged him into an elevator. Yoongyeon screamed, begging even for this much mercy.

“It hurts! Let go!”

“So you can run off again?”

Dojae tightened his grip, realizing Yoongyeon was faster than he looked. Soon, Yoongyeon was shoved into a car with no way to escape.

“You said you’d let me live… sniff…”

“I never said I’d kill you.”

“You’re taking me to kill me, aren’t you?!”

Dojae winced at Yoongyeon’s loud wailing, digging a finger into his ear. He glared out the window, not even sparing him a glance.

“One more word before we arrive, and I’ll break something. Got it?”

The icy tone made Yoongyeon clamp his mouth shut. He didn’t even want to sit close to Dojae, so he squirmed away, pressing himself against the door. Staring out the window, he thought to himself:

‘I’ll find that wallet no matter what.’

Unaware that Dojae had no intention of using the scratched-up wallet again, he swore to himself he would escape.

The car moved from a backstreet into the bustling city, then beyond, toward an affluent neighborhood Yoongyeon had never been to before. His eyes sparkled despite himself. Just moments ago, he’d been cursing Dojae in his head. Now, he couldn’t help feeling a twinge of envy.

“Get out.”

Once the car stopped, Dojae stepped out first. Hyunggu, who’d arrived ahead of them, jogged over.

“Go see Sehun. The collection date keeps getting pushed back. Sort it out.”

“Yes, hyungnim.”

Yoongyeon scoffed internally.

‘Not a finance company, just a loan shark. What kind of “collections” need personal visits? These guys are just local thugs.’

Noticing his expression, Dojae smirked silently before heading inside. Under the sharp gazes of the other men, Yoongyeon reluctantly followed.

“Why’d you even bring me here?”

He couldn’t keep the annoyance out of his voice. Dojae climbed the stairs and answered without looking back.

“You said you’d pay me back. With your body.”

“I will pay you back, but—huh?! My body?!”

Yoongyeon flinched, covering his chest with both hands. He even leaned back, trying to put distance between them. Dojae paused at the front door and glanced over his shoulder.

“…You’d be better off not thinking at all.”

He gave Yoongyeon a disdainful look before walking in. Standing there, Yoongyeon belatedly realized he’d just been insulted.

“I’m smart, you know?!”

But no smart person would actually talk back to Dojae. Too bad Yoongyeon hadn’t figured that out yet. He stepped inside, approaching Dojae, who was already sitting on the central sofa.

“Sit.”

Dojae motioned to the spot beside him. Yoongyeon remained standing, sulking. Watching him, Dojae marveled at how expressive one person could be.

That aside, why had he even brought this kid home?

Sure, the brat’s backtalk was amusing, but manhandling some kid in front of his men wasn’t a good look. His own place had been the first thing that came to mind for privacy. But now that he was here, it felt like he’d just let a thief into his house.

It’d be awkward to kick him out after bringing him here, so Dojae just said the first thing that came to mind.

“Stay here until you pay me back.”

“How am I supposed to pay you back here?”

“Dunno.”

“…Then how long do I have to stay?”

“That’s up to you.”

Dojae pulled out his phone, checking messages.

He hadn’t planned on keeping Yoongyeon locked up. The kid wasn’t completely clueless, so he’d probably leave on his own eventually. Though Dojae did feel a little awkward about outright telling him to get out.

Yoongyeon narrowed his eyes, irritated by Dojae’s indifferent attitude. The lack of proper communication made him wonder if he was being toyed with. His voice sharpened with frustration.

“What exactly am I supposed to do?”

“Figure it out yourself.”

“…?”

Yoongyeon’s glare intensified at the vague answer. Then something seemed to click. He covered his chest again, leaning back.

“You actually want me to pay with my body?! I’m not that kind of guy, you know?!”

Dojae looked up from his phone. His eyes had gone cold. Slowly, carefully, Yoongyeon lowered his arms. He could see the danger in that gaze.

“I-I mean… I’m sure that’s not what you meant.”

He knew when to back down. Avoiding Dojae’s piercing, no, glaring eyes, he turned his head slightly, whistling a shaky tune to play it cool.

“Your house is… n-nice.”

“…Anyone would think you’re here for a tour.”

At that, Yoongyeon turned back. Facing Dojae’s fierce eyes was terrifying. He could feel the man staring but pretended not to notice. Soon, he heard a scoff.

“Dumb puppy.”

“I’m not a dumb puppy.”

“Yeah, whatever. Use any room except the study or my bedroom.”