#28 Between Love and Colleagues 1
Yuchan's scheme had been a resounding success. Minjeong knew nothing about X. Just like the stalker. So all he had to do was bring her onto his side. If he confessed honestly and asked for her help, the trust he'd built over time would shine through, or so he thought. In reality, what Minjeong believed in wasn't the faceless X who had blackmailed her—it was Yuchan, who had helped her countless times at the academy.
"I've gathered everything in one place, but there's really not much."
How tightly had she hidden it that it took this long to find? It wasn't until ten minutes later that Minjeong brought out a small cardboard box. Inside the box, which seemed more suited for love letters, were the blackmail notes from X, tucked away securely. Meeting Yuchan's gaze, Minjeong answered awkwardly.
"Someone told me to do it, but it was still illegal. Breaking into someone's home without permission, moving murder evidence around on a whim, and installing listening devices... I hid these documents just in case."
"I burned them right away. Even if they look into the before and after, I'd be implicated in tampering with evidence too. I didn't know you had it in you to be so bold, Minjeong."
"Pardon? You burned them? Wouldn't it be better to keep them for if an investigation comes up later? It might have been smarter to have them accepted as evidence that you were blackmailed..."
"I wanted this whole thing to stay buried forever. If you hadn't been involved, I never would have thought of it again."
According to the scenario Yuchan had crafted, he'd eventually have to share the letters he'd received too. It was better to plant the seed now than to spin explanations later and invite needless suspicion. Minjeong seemed to accept his explanation readily enough. Unauthorized entry and evidence tampering were different levels of crime. She'd suffered nightmares just from moving the body. She could understand Yuchan's reaction.
"H-how... did you dispose of it?"
After several hesitations, Minjeong finally asked. In truth, he'd ground it up in a blender and fed it to the fish in the reservoir as daily rations, but he saw no need to say that. The mood grew frigid, and Minjeong fell silent, idly tucking her long straight hair behind her ear.
"Sorry, that was a stupid question."
"No, it's fine. Let me take a look first."
Yuchan opened the box and examined the strange documents. Five sheets of A4 paper in total. This was the first tangible trace of X he'd encountered after running in circles. Skimming through, it read like a game mission list—tasks to be carried out in sequence. The first page was devoted entirely to blackmail. What X had dug up on Minjeong: her job, career history, address, vehicle registration copy, several photos, family details, friends' info, and more. It was densely packed, starting from her inner circle and flaunting that he was ready to harm her at any moment.
Facing again what she'd tried to bury in the box and forget, Minjeong's shoulders trembled. Memories of that nightmare day resurfaced. Yuchan naturally pulled her into an embrace. She flinched at first, looking up at him with startled eyes, but soon leaned her head quietly against his comforting warmth.
The second page was a satellite map of the area near Yuchan's house. Red pen marks detailed infiltration routes that avoided detection and escape paths, with meticulous precision that even left Yuchan—who prided himself on such matters—impressed. The rest outlined exactly how to break into his house, how to install the bugs, and so on. No wonder there were no traces. All the groundwork had been done; Minjeong had just added the finishing touch.
The documents were all printed, making handwriting analysis impossible. Yuchan clicked his tongue. He'd hoped for even a slim lead. For now, there was nothing to uncover.
As Yuchan carefully withdrew his hand from her shoulder, Minjeong spoke up.
"I started by investigating the A4 paper itself."
"You mean the printed sheets?"
"Yes. I figured I'd check everything I could. I bought samples from nearby stationery stores and compared them—all five sheets from different paper companies. This one's Korea Paper, this Hansol Paper, this Double A, and I couldn't find the last two, but the texture and composition differ slightly each time."
Yuchan stared blankly at Minjeong as she explained in her crisp, no-nonsense voice.
"I even tried looking into the printer ink... Why?"
"No reason. I just assumed you'd be sitting on your hands. Honestly, I'm impressed."
"When you're getting blackmailed one-sidedly, you have to do something. Couldn't go to the police, so I played detective."
Most women would freeze in terror in a situation like this, right? Strictly speaking, it was futile effort. Paper wasn't handmade; it was mass-produced by the millions and distributed everywhere. Identifying the company wouldn't lead anywhere. Still, Yuchan gave her points for not sitting idle and trying something.
"You're embarrassing me. Here I was, too scared to do anything but suck my thumb and try to forget. I had no idea you were working so hard."
"All I managed was this much. Besides, you must've been way more scared than me."
"Anyway, I'll take this and look into it more."
"What? I should help too!"
As Yuchan slipped the papers into his jacket, Minjeong jumped up. Her long hair fluttered with the motion. It was the reaction he'd expected, so he had his prepared response ready.
"You know this isn't some ordinary matter. At first, I did want your help."
"Then why not now? If it's dangerous, we should face it together!"
Minjeong planted her hands on her hips, glaring at him with her bright, sparkling eyes. He nearly chuckled, imagining her scolding students at the academy just like that. Yuchan held up the very first page right in front of her—the one with her personal details.
"I didn't have anything like this. This creep is especially fixated on you. If you dig in, he'll retaliate for sure."
"How can you be so certain? You're in danger too."
He fell silent first. Yuchan was greedy. Catching X was important, of course, but dispelling Minjeong's suspicions about him was achievement enough for now. He had this odd certainty that X wouldn't strike immediately. X had plenty of chances to cut off Yuchan's social lifeline but hadn't. There must be a reason. Yuchan figured it was because this was a game. If X was a fellow enthusiast like him, the timing and mood weren't right for the climax yet. So X's priority dropped. Meanwhile, after a year of investment, Minjeong's home was now his. Having endured extreme tension and fear, she'd shed her misunderstanding and found an ally to fight alongside. It wasn't just sweet music and cozy vibes that moved a woman's heart. Thrillers and horror films proved that crisis and danger stimulated primal mating instincts too. Indeed, she'd leaned into his earlier shoulder embrace without protest.
"Come on, let's investigate together. I can help."
"I know you can be helpful. I've watched you for a year. I know how smart you are, how good your judgment is. But no. It's too dangerous."
As Yuchan clamped his mouth shut, Minjeong snatched at the papers in his hand—or tried to. If he hadn't easily dodged, she might have succeeded.
"It's fine."
"No, it's not."
"It is!"
Like a kitten pouncing on catnip, Minjeong lunged this way and that for the papers, while Yuchan dangled and shook them just out of reach. Height difference aside, his natural reflexes outmatched her, so her attempts kept failing. Realizing she couldn't just chase the paper, she grabbed his thick arm tight.
"Give it here quick. I won't let go until you agree to investigate together."
Then it dawned on her. The arm she'd always seen as thick and manly was trembling faintly. He was scared too. How could he not be, facing an unknown assailant alone? Yet he stubbornly insisted on handling it solo. Why? To keep her out of it. Realizing this, Minjeong felt a swell in her chest. From her first day as an instructor, when other teachers dismissed her as a young woman, Yuchan alone had been kind. He'd counseled her like it was his own problem during tough times, always a steady, invisible support. Even if there'd been cause, it was foolish of her to suspect him of murder even briefly. And now, he was putting on this brave front to protect her.
"Hey..."
"Yes."
"I get it. Wanna have a drink before you go?"
"Pardon?"
Only then did Yuchan unclench the fist he'd been hiding, his arm twitching from the tension.
2. The living room was already a mess. While Minjeong fetched drinks, Yuchan rolled a lint roller with adhesive tape over the carpet, picking up stray hairs. Minjeong appeared with two soju bottles wedged between her fingers. In her other hand, a plate of dry snacks. She'd even changed clothes—pink dolphin pants and a slightly thick black hoodie.
"Sorry the place is such a disaster. No one's ever come over. You can put that down; I'll clean it spotless tomorrow."
Minjeong hooked a cushion tangled under the sofa with her toes and plopped down on it. With his wealth of experience with women, the situation screamed green light. Inviting a man over late at night, knowing he drove, and offering drinks—what else could it mean? The surprise was that Minjeong was making the move. Of course, he'd invested heavily in her personally and knew she'd eventually crave him herself. Meeting a dark knight straining to protect her amid lonely battles must have tilted her favor toward him massively. The one hitch: she knew about him and Nayae. This was basically cheating.
"Don't like soju? I have beer too."
"When have I ever turned down soju?"
"True, you hold your liquor like a champ."
Minjeong chuckled softly and shook a bottle with a clink. Inside the green glass, a handsome whirl betrayed her experience. In Korea, most social butterflies drowned their college years in booze. Blind dates? Booze. Hanging out? Booze. Club events? Booze. In this narrow land with few joys, youth always paired with alcohol. Minjeong was no exception; Yuchan had been shocked when he first learned her capacity.
"You have no idea how relieved I was."
"That I'm not a murderer?"
Minjeong gave a troubled smile at Yuchan's petulant tone.
"Given the situation, you can't blame me. But personally, I trust you deeply. As a colleague and as a person, you're a good man, Yuchan."
Minjeong poured clear soju into the glass Yuchan held out. He hated the taste and smell but always drank it with her since she liked it. Yuchan took the bottle and filled her glass in return. They clinked lightly.
"Is this as a junior colleague? Or person to person?"
"Wow, Yuchan, you're quite the bad boy. Never saw that side."
"So, your answer?"
"Hmm... man to woman?"
A playful laugh mingled with the pleasant chime of glasses touching, filling the room.