Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Today, Yi-jun looked exactly as he always did. Which is to say, he was dressed perfectly, without a single flaw in sight.
With his hair neatly slicked back, the scent of heavy cologne, and a high-end suit without a single wrinkle, he was a remarkably consistent man.
‘A consistent man…?!’
That reminded her of someone else. Jae-gyu’s status message on his messenger app was "Consistency is the answer," and it suddenly popped into her head. Bom let out a small giggle.
“What’s so funny?!”
Bom snapped out of it at the sound of his irritated voice.
“Huh…?!”
“Aren’t you getting in?!”
Startled by the unexpected demand, Bom asked him cautiously, “Um, why should I get in?”
Even the reckless Jae-gyu would at least tell her the reason and the destination before making her get in. Yi-jun let out a sigh and swung the passenger door open.
“I am escorting you home today.”
“I can just take the bus…”
“Didn’t your house get broken into?”
How did he know that? It was strange. Yi-jun was a prosecutor, not a police officer; there was no reason for him to know about a petty theft in Cheongseol-eup. It was a minor incident that hadn't even made a single line in the local news.
“I’m here because of that.”
“Because of the break-in?”
Though puzzled, Bom got into the car for now. Perhaps the break-in was a bigger deal than she thought, or maybe it was connected to another case.
‘But why isn’t he saying anything? He’s just staring.’
Yi-jun kept his mouth shut the entire way to Cheongseol-eup. Instead, he kept glancing over at the passenger seat—at Bom.
She waited, thinking he would say something soon, but he merely furrowed his brows in silence or twitched his lips.
“Mr. Choi Yi-jun.”
When the Stone Bridge, signaling they were almost home, appeared in the distance, Bom couldn't stand it anymore and spoke up first.
“Um, didn't you have something to say? About the case.”
“Ah.”
As if he had forgotten, Yi-jun let out a short breath and slowed the car down significantly.
“What is the extent of the damage? Any injuries, missing items, or… things like that?”
“I was a bit startled, but I’m fine. Nothing was stolen, either.”
The enclosed space of the car was so thick with Yi-jun’s oakwood scent that her head throbbed. She wanted to get out quickly, but the car’s speed only grew slower.
“But how did you know my house was targeted?”
“Well, my investigator told me he heard about it at the station.”
“It’s not like the case was transferred to the prosecution, right?”
She asked the question that worried her most, and Yi-jun let out a dry laugh.
“Do you really think a petty theft case like that would ever reach the prosecution?”
If that was the case, there was only one reason why Yi-jun had come.
“…Then, did you come all this way because you were worried about me?”
“What? Kgh!”
At her words, Yi-jun suddenly broke into a fit of coughing as if something had gone down the wrong pipe. He curled his hand into a fist and covered his mouth, his face contorting wildly.
“Ha. What a… ridiculous thing to say…”
“Mr. Yi-jun, are you okay?”
“I am perfectly fine.”
After crossing the Stone Bridge, Bom asked him to pull over. The car stopped at the same spot where he had dropped her off last time.
As Bom rustled about to open the door, Yi-jun, who had regained his composure, drew a firm line in a low voice.
“I only came because it was a matter related to a crime. Do not harbor any useless misunderstandings.”
She had thought it was natural for acquaintances to worry about each other, but apparently, the suggestion had rubbed him the wrong way. She hadn't expected him to get so defensive and offended. Bom apologized readily.
“I’m sorry.”
She bowed her head slightly.
“Well then, please get home safely.”
With this, they really wouldn't have any reason to meet again. It’s better this way. Bom stepped out of the car feeling relieved.
She thought it was a clean break. But things got complicated.
“Huh?”
She heard the familiar roar of a car engine from somewhere. In the distance, she saw a black sedan racing toward them. Bom’s eyes widened.
‘Wait, isn’t that Jae-gyu’s car?’
In an instant, the car screeched to a halt right in front of them. Just as expected, Jae-gyu stepped out. As Bom’s eyes darted around anxiously, Jae-gyu strode toward her.
“Bom!”
Bom was flustered. She hesitated, looking back and forth between Yi-jun’s car and Jae-gyu. Of all times to show up. The timing was terrible.
“Um, what brings you here so suddenly…?”
She knew that Yi-jun and Jae-gyu weren't exactly on friendly terms. It would have been great if Yi-jun had just left, but contrary to her hopes, he got out of his car as well.
As fate would have it, the three of them were now facing one another.
“…”
“…”
“…”
The atmosphere was chilling. From the moment he stepped out of the car, Yi-jun’s brow was heavily furrowed. He let out a low, growling rasp.
“Seon Jae-gyu. You again?”
“Choi Yi-jun. How’ve you been?”
Jae-gyu was grinning, though it was hard to tell if he was actually glad to see him. Yi-jun, on the other hand, clearly wasn't.
‘What is even happening right now?’
For now, the two men were in a standoff, looking at each other with hostile eyes.
Despite the tension, seeing the two men of similar height standing side by side was quite a visual. They had completely different vibes, but they were both undeniably handsome.
Should I just watch for a bit? Bom took a step back and began to spectate.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m on my neighborhood watch patrol. Why?”
She had vaguely thought they didn't get along, but seeing them now, it was worse than she imagined. Sparks were practically flying between them.
“Then what about you, Yi-jun? Why are you here?”
“I became interested.”
For a moment, Bom’s heart skipped a beat. But Jae-gyu’s absurd follow-up question immediately killed the mood.
“…Interested in me?”
“Ha.”
Turning toward Bom, Yi-jun asked irritably, as if looking for a fight.
“Ms. Yoon Bom. Are you dating Seon Jae-gyu?”
“Pardon…?”
At that, Jae-gyu cut in abruptly.
“And what if we are?”
“That would be utter nonsense.”
“Wow. Are you going to indict us if we date, Mr. Prosecutor?”
“Seon Jae-gyu. Are you deaf? I asked why you’re here.”
“I’m here to try doing some of that ‘nonsense.’”
At Jae-gyu’s words, one corner of Yi-jun’s mouth curled up into a smirk. It was accompanied by a mocking remark.
“Are you blind? There’s a limit to how mismatched a couple can be.”
“My eyes work fine.”
“Then maybe you should try wearing glasses.”
“My vision is 2.5. Have you ever even heard of a human having the maximum possible eyesight?”
“Never heard of it.”
The tense atmosphere continued. Bom stared blankly back and forth between the two.
‘…Ugh, so childish.’
Bom was speechless at the sudden vision-strength competition. It wasn't even worth watching anymore.
She’d rather go look at Soljjak. Leaving the two of them to fight or whatever, Bom headed toward her house down the alley.
She couldn't understand why Yi-jun was getting so worked up over who was dating whom, but she understood Jae-gyu’s behavior even less—why was he encouraging such misunderstandings?
It was because he treated everything like a joke that Yi-jun got so annoyed. He never took anything seriously, which is why he had kissed her like that and then…
She hated that he had just shown up again like nothing had happened. Neighborhood watch? Why was he even doing that? Who did he think he was?
The familiar voice of a man caught her as she headed home in a foul mood.
“Ms. Bom!”
How had he managed to shake off Yi-jun? Jae-gyu was already right behind her.
“What about Mr. Yi-jun?”
“I lost him.”
“How?”
From a distance, she could hear Choi Yi-jun shouting, “Seon Jae-gyu, I’m not letting you get away with this!” Bom craned her neck to see what had happened to Yi-jun, but Jae-gyu blocked her view.
“Ha, it’s dangerous. Why are you walking off alone like that?”
“My house is right there.”
“Still, it’s dark out…”
“Move.”
Bom ignored Jae-gyu and stepped into her yard.
“Ms. Bom!”
“…”
“Bom. Bom-ah.”
A large hand caught her shoulder. She let out a short sigh and tilted her head up. She was about to give him a piece of her mind. But the atmosphere felt a bit different.
“Did you come home in Yi-jun’s car?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
How was she supposed to answer? She had just ended up riding with him. She didn't feel the need to explain herself.
“…”
When Bom remained tight-lipped, Jae-gyu’s breathing grew heavy.
“Are you two… contacting each other and meeting up separately or something?”
Jae-gyu was repeatedly clenching and unclenching his fists.
“Don't tell me you met up today because you were in touch.”
He had contacted her. But it wasn't a situation that could be explained so simply. Bom tried to explain calmly.
“Well, yes, but that was just because he called…”
Before she could even finish her sentence, the veins in Jae-gyu’s neck popped. Gritting his teeth, he leaned his face close to Bom’s, his eyes flashing fiercely.
“…I can’t stand seeing you with Yi-jun.”
Startled by his aggressive reaction, Bom took a deep breath.
“It’s not like I’m trying to start something with Mr. Yi-jun. And besides…”
She tried to speak steadily, but Hwang-gu, the dog at Grandma Sun-i’s house next door, kept barking incessantly. Feeling a bit frazzled, Bom continued.
“And besides… it’s none of your business, Mr. Jae-gyu.”
She had said everything she wanted to say. Hwang-gu was still barking. It seemed the dog’s nerves had been on edge ever since the break-in.
“Bom, am I not enough for you?”
Between the dog’s barking, she thought she had misheard him. Bom’s mouth slowly fell open in shock.
“…Excuse me?”
“Don’t meet Choi Yi-jun. Got it?”
Jae-gyu asked again, as if determined to get a confirmation.
“That guy is no good. I’m telling you, don’t meet him.”
His intention in suddenly bringing up Yi-jun was obvious. He was joking. He was always joking like this. Normally, she would have let it slide, but this time was different.
She had been struggling ever since her peaceful daily life was shaken by that kiss. She couldn't do this anymore.
“Mr. Seon Jae-gyu. Stop saying such strange things.”
Perhaps triggered by Hwang-gu, Bom-sik inside the house started barking along. Bom tried her best to focus on Jae-gyu, meeting his eyes and speaking firmly.
She expected him to start joking again with a sly grin, but Jae-gyu’s expression remained dead serious.
“Weren’t we… ‘some’-ing?”