Chapter 319: Molka Criminal
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 319: Molka Criminal
Naturally, the charges against me were dropped almost immediately.
They called it "distribution of fabricated images," but the photos weren't fake, nor were they "distributed" in the criminal sense.
"You're free to go. Sorry for the trouble."
Inspector Baek Ho-hwan walked me all the way out of the station, his face a complicated mask of emotions.
Initially, the inspector had assumed I’d photoshopped images of Jeong Chan-woo and Ahn Hyun-ho with malicious intent and spread them around. He clearly hadn't imagined that male college students would actually take those kinds of photos themselves, let alone share them among friends for a laugh.
After calling the guys directly and even seeing my own "meme" photos, the inspector apologized and released me.
"I'll explain the situation to the person who reported it. They mentioned they only reported it out of caution, just in case."
Well, that’s their business.
"But do I really have to censor my own profile pictures from now on?" I asked.
Isn't this a free democracy? I could understand someone in the English Department group chat saying they found it unpleasant, but was this really a matter for a police investigation? Even if the joke was a bit much, it felt excessive.
Inspector Baek’s expression darkened, and he let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Phew... It's because we've been receiving so many reports of this nature lately."
"You mentioned that earlier."
"That's right. Specifically, composite photos involving university students have been circulating—"
"Hmm?"
"The number of victims is vast. It’s not just Gahyeon University; victims are popping up in other regions too. There have even been cases like this abroad."
Wait, I’ve heard this before. Isn't this exactly what Bong-geun told me?
"It seems they have their own private network. Technology is so advanced these days that creating things like that is simple. For example—"
"Open chat rooms?"
At my words, the inspector gave a dry laugh and nodded.
"Exactly. They’re rampant. Honestly, unless we have a whistleblower or someone goes undercover, they’re nearly impossible to track down."
"Then just go undercover."
"That’s the hard part. They create a temporary chat room to gather people before they start their activities, and then they completely close it off to new members. They only admit people they’re absolutely sure are 'one of them.'"
I compared this to the recruitment posts for open chat rooms that had recently vanished from the Bamboo Forest in my head. They matched perfectly.
"Want to take a look at this?"
I pulled out my phone and showed him the address of an open chat room I’d saved.
"You know the Gahyeon University Bamboo Forest, right? This is the address for an open chat room that was posted there."
"H-how did you get this?"
"Those guys were getting on my nerves, so I saved it just in case."
"This... this will be a huge help."
"So, as a virtuous citizen, I’ve just turned in those criminal bastards, right?"
"Yes, exactly. Of course, this is just the beginning, but you’ve definitely given us a solid lead."
"Then later on, make sure to tell the reporters that the youngest son of Uju Group played a major role in solving the case."
"……Pardon?"
He looked at me as if wondering why Uju Group was suddenly being mentioned. I just gave him a bright smile and a thumbs-up.
"Got it? I’m counting on you."
I’d spent a bit too much of my big brother’s money during the trip to Hawaii. Even when the girls asked if it was okay, I’d ignored them and splurged so much that my brother had actually called me once.
This should be enough to make up for it.
If the media reported that I’d played a big part in catching sex offenders—scum that society doesn't tolerate—my brother would probably soften up.
Ah, this worked out well.
The problem was getting solved without me having to lift a finger. This is why you have to live a good life. Do that, and good things just fall into your lap.
*
"So that's how it was settled?"
In the student cafeteria, Choi I-seo stopped eating her soft tofu stew and looked at me.
"Yeah, all sorted. Hey, give me a piece of that tofu."
"No. Eat your own. I'm surprised it was resolved so easily, though."
"Right? I was surprised too. The timing was perfect. Some guys just have all the luck. Give me some of the soup, at least."
"I told you, eat yours."
"You can't even give me one bite?"
I pouted my lips, trying to look cute, but I quickly pulled back when I-seo made a move to smack me.
"You ordered soft tofu stew too," she pointed out, gesturing to the stone pot in front of me.
Right. I did order soft tofu stew.
"I'd share if it were a different dish, but why ask for mine when we're eating the same thing? Besides, you haven't even finished yours."
"……I accidentally put too much salt in it earlier."
"How much could you have—Ptooey! Ptooey!"
Spit flew everywhere. After taking a bite of mine, Choi I-seo rinsed her mouth with water and glared at me.
"I'll pour some of my soup into yours. If you mix in some rice, it should be edible."
"Thank you!"
"Sigh, why do you drain my energy with such weird things?"
"Hey, I was pouring the salt when someone walked by and bumped into me. It wasn't my fault."
I felt a bit wronged. I continued the conversation while eating the now-salvaged stew.
"Ye-rin’s been really busy lately, right? Did she say filming started?"
"Yeah, she said it’s a pretty significant role this time. What was it... the oldest sister at an orphanage?"
"What? You even know her role?"
"We talk on the phone every night. Since she can't come to school lately, she calls all the time."
"……So that’s why she didn't pick up when I called."
Choi I-seo bit her spoon with a "tch."
"Huh? What was that?"
"Nothing."
I nodded as she brushed it off with an awkward smile.
"It’s true she didn't pick up because of Seo Ye-rin. I saw the missed call, but it was too late to call back."
"……If you heard me, why did you pretend you didn't?"
"Because your reaction was cute?"
"……."
At my words, I-seo’s ears turned slightly red as she focused intently on her stew. She often gets shy when the conversation turns this way, and it’s honestly adorable.
"Since you shared your stew, I'll buy the coffee and cake."
After finishing our meal, we headed to a cafe on campus. Since we still had some time before our next lecture, we continued chatting.
"Woo-jin, when are you going to the military?"
"Who knows? I haven't gotten my draft notice yet."
"Do your parents try to block it or anything? Usually, rich families find ways to get their kids out of it."
"My parents aren't like that. They told me that unless I'm physically ill, I should go and serve. My big brother went, too. My second brother couldn't go because he was overweight."
"Hmm."
"Why? Do you want me to find a way out of it?"
"Half and half?"
That was unexpected. I thought I-seo would definitely say that dodging the draft illegally was wrong.
"Part of me doesn't want you to go. It’s not about my stance on national defense; I just don't want to be apart from you."
"And the other half?"
"I want to see you with a buzz cut. I think you'd look cute."
"……."
"When you shave your head, can I touch it? No, wait—can I be the one to shave it for you?"
"You can touch it, sure. But if I shave mine, you have to shave yours too."
"My head? Even women in the military don't shave their heads, do they?"
I-seo touched her hair, looking flustered. But that wasn't what I meant.
"No, I mean shave down there."
"You want me to get... a waxing?"
"Yeah! If you shave my head, I'll shave your hair down there!"
Honestly, I’ve always wanted to try it with her being completely smooth. As I made the request with sparkling eyes, I-seo sipped her coffee and thought about it for a moment.
"I... well. If you... want me to—?"
Wait, I didn't actually expect her to say yes.
"I-seo, what should I do?"
"What now? I said I'd do it."
"I've got a hard-on."
"Deal with it."
Just imagining shaving Choi I-seo’s pubic hair made me stand at attention. I felt like if I actually tried to do it, I wouldn't even get halfway before pouncing on her.
"Ahem. How’s Ah-rin? I don't see her much since our classes don't overlap."
I answered while still picturing a smooth I-seo in my head.
"She’s busy too. Her Neutube channel is doing pretty well. She said she goes to the Taekwondo dojang three or four times a week to practice."
The Taekwondo performance channel, "Cheer Up Team," which Yoo Ah-rin opened with her Master, had been picked up by the algorithm from the very first video. With help from Oh Yun-ji, a Neutube expert, they’d borrowed editors and professional equipment, so even their first video didn't look amateurish. Plus, the Taekwondo performances were incredibly flashy.
Of course, the leader Yoo Ah-rin’s stunning looks played a huge part too.
"But why is the name 'Cheer Up Team'? Honestly, it's a bit—"
"Lame?"
"……."
"Their dojang is called 'Daehan Himnae Taekwondo.' Apparently, it was named during the IMF crisis to encourage people."
"Ah."
"The Master wanted to call the team 'Stay Strong Team,' but Yoo Ah-rin fought tooth and nail against it, so they compromised on 'Cheer Up.'"
"She’s having a tough time too, then."
I heard they aren't just going to post performances; they plan to upload daily vlogs and challenges to build the team members' characters.
"That sounds fun. Ah-rin’s putting a lot of thought into it."
"That’s why she asked me to make an appearance."
"You?"
"Yeah, she wants me to appear as her boyfriend. She says there are too many guys hitting on her in the comments."
"……."
I-seo narrowed her eyes and rested her chin on her hand, clearly displeased. I just sipped my coffee, keeping an eye on her reaction.
"Then can I set a photo of us as my profile picture too?"
"I mean, you could... but then the rumors would really spread."
It wasn't common knowledge at the university yet that I was dating all three of them. People just suspected I was dating one of them. In fact, those rumors mostly stayed within the English Department; other departments probably didn't even know.
"Sigh, fine. I'll hold back. But don't go on Ah-rin’s channel either. It’s really not good if weird rumors keep spreading about you."
"Okay, I got it."
Everything will probably reset once I go to the military anyway.
I had that thought in the back of my mind.
"Let's head out. I need to use the restroom."
The "excitement" I-seo had caused earlier had subsided, so I could finally stand up. After a quick trip, I found I-seo waiting near the entrance. I was shaking the water off my hands when Ahn Hyun-ho and Lee Gyu-a walked into the cafe.
"Oh, I-seo. Hey."
"Hello, Senior."
"Uh, yeah. Long time no see."
Ahn Hyun-ho had once pursued Choi I-seo relentlessly. He said he’d moved on, but meeting like this still seemed a bit awkward for him.
"Ahem. Begone, peasant."
I squeezed in between them, and the expressions of both individuals instantly relaxed. I thought we’d just go our separate ways, but...
"Oh, Kim Woo-jin. Good timing. Let's talk for a second."
Ahn Hyun-ho sent Lee Gyu-a to go order and called me over as I-seo stepped out of the cafe.
"What?"
I wondered if he was going to ask about the police investigation over the ahegao meme.
"Are there any weirdos hanging around I-seo lately?"
"Who? You?"
"I'm being serious."
Seeing his grim expression, I slowly crossed my arms.
"What's going on?"
"Well, Gyu-a said she feels like she’s had a stalker recently."
"A stalker?"
"Yeah. She said she saw someone taking photos? Or videos? Something like that."
"Hmm."
I glanced toward Choi I-seo. She was gesturing for me to come out, wondering what was taking so long.
And beyond her.
Across the street, there was a man holding his phone at an unnatural angle, pointing the camera toward I-seo.
"Is it something like that?"
I wasn't being entirely serious. A phone camera could just happen to be pointed that way by chance. You’d be a psycho if you just grabbed any random guy on the street and accused him of being a voyeur.
So, I’d just pointed him out as a hypothetical example, but...
"That bastard’s running!"
The moment the man made eye contact with us, he suddenly panicked and bolted.
Without a word, Ahn Hyun-ho and I both took off after him.