Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Shoulder Tackle (4)
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I'd imagined a scene where rough-looking gangsters were interrogating someone, occasionally smacking the perp's head with a file folder.
But the actual police substation was no different from a bank.
"What brings you here?"
Early evening.
I pushed open the door to the substation, and a patrol officer asked me that.
But the answer didn't come from my mouth.
"He's my guardian!"
That agitated voice made me turn my head, and there stood Suyeon.
Barefoot, with her broken heel sitting on the bench, holes riddled through her stockings.
What the hell happened to her?
Just as she said, I'd been summoned here as Cheon Suyeon's guardian.
But I probably wouldn't need to play that role.
Because Cheon Suyeon wasn't the type who needed protecting.
She handled everything on her own without a hitch, never caused any trouble, and stuck rigidly to her own rules.
That was Cheon Suyeon.
That's why I'd been anxious the whole way here.
Worried about why she'd dragged me to a police station.
And as always...
Bad premonitions have a way of coming true.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Directly across from the chair where Cheon Suyeon sat was another woman.
A white skirt and pale legs peeked out from under a blue jacket pulled over her head.
Dusty white sneakers, too.
It was Dahye.
Of course it was.
That's why Suyeon called me.
Just as I'd feared, the two of them had gotten into some trouble.
I looked back at Cheon Suyeon.
No visible head injury, and aside from the broken heel, she seemed fine all over.
So Dahye must be the one who got hit?
Seeing her looking so smug just made my irritation boil over.
I'd fallen for that attitude once, but what the hell was I thinking? Right now, I wanted to deck her.
Yeah, Suyeon.
I started living with someone right after we broke up, sure.
I get that you might resent me for it.
But Dahye just got caught up in it.
She had no idea.
She's the most innocent girl in the world, coming to my place just because I said so.
So Dahye would never...
...be cowering like a criminal like that.
Cheon Suyeon shot me an aggrieved look, but it only pissed me off more.
So I raised my voice even louder toward the officer.
"I'm Park Dahye's guardian. What happened?"
"What?! Hey! I called you! What the hell are you saying?!"
"Suspect, calm down and take a seat. Don't make this bigger than it is."
"Suspect? I didn't do anything!"
"We've already taken statements from the witnesses. Keep this up, and we'll have to cuff you."
"Ha... seriously... you...!"
Cheon Suyeon slumped back down and punched the bench.
If she's the suspect, maybe Dahye really did hit her.
If so, I'd have to give her a piece of my mind too.
I hurried over to Dahye and knocked on the blue jacket.
A familiar face peeked out.
Her face was pale, her legs trembling, and she was breathing heavily for some reason.
Because of me, she's ended up like this...
"Dahye, you okay?"
Even so, she smiled when she saw me.
"Yeah... Seonghyeon... I guess I got a little startled from running all of a sudden... Hehe..."
"Sorry."
"Why are you sorry...? I should be the one apologizing. This isn't because of work, right?"
"No, I got the call after work. It'll be over quick, so hang in there a bit longer and we can head home."
"Okay..."
Even in this mess, worrying about my job—she was heartbreaking.
At least she wasn't hurt anywhere.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After that, I got the full story from the officer.
A chase that started right in the middle of the street.
Cheon Suyeon caught red-handed by patrolling officers.
Witnesses said there'd even been an attempted assault.
Cheon Suyeon... you're really out of control.
"So what's the charge?"
"She showed up at the victim's home before, so we're treating it as stalking for now. And Cheon Suyeon said you're her guardian—do you know her?"
"Ex-girlfriend."
"Ah..."
The cop gave a subtle smile and glanced at Suyeon.
This whole situation felt so foreign to me.
But to the police, it was probably routine.
"Got it. You can go once we file the report."
"Can you punish her?"
"Probably... not. First offense, and stalking requires proving persistence or harassment, which is shaky here. Still, filing the record will make it easier to handle next time."
"Then just let her go."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Won't happen again."
I'd love to throw her in holding...
But I just asked them to call another guardian for her and wrapped it up.
She's got more pride than anyone.
Dragging her parents into this would hit her hard enough.
As Dahye and I were leaving the station...
Cheon Suyeon muttered in a small voice.
Her tone was thick with barely suppressed anger.
"Kwon Seonghyeon... I called you."
"I know. That's why you got off with a warning."
"Ha... you... really... I'm Cheon Suyeon. How can you treat me like this? I'm right here—why take her side...?"
"Didn't you hear? You're the perpetrator. Last warning: one more time, and we go full legal. Don't ruin your life over nothing."
"Seonghyeon, really... don't do this..."
You need to get a grip yourself.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I left the clueless Cheon Suyeon at the station and headed home with Dahye.
Her hand in mine the whole way back was ice-cold.
Her breathing still hadn't steadied.
Once home, I took off her shoes, got her some warm water.
Then finally asked.
"Dahye, that must've been scary."
"No... not scary at all."
"Tough girl. Then why didn't you call me? You could've just said I was your guardian."
"Um... I just... couldn't bring myself to. Hehe..."
Dahye kept staring at the floor as she said it.
Like she'd committed a crime.
Ever since the cosplay, Dahye had always been so bold.
At least in this house, teasing me confidently—that's what I loved about her.
But today, Dahye looked like the bad guy.
At the station, and even now at home.
Why?
I had a feeling I knew.
But I was too guilty to bring it up.
I drew her a bath, made dinner.
She still looked down, but filling her stomach and warming up might help.
And then, around nine.
My phone rang.
Checking it...
It was Wonseok hyung, out of the blue.
[Seonghyeon. Suyeon's here pounding drinks like crazy. What do?]
I should say it's done, do whatever.
But instead, I said, "I'm coming. Hold her there," and grabbed my coat.
I felt responsible right now.
Responsible for making Dahye look like the criminal.
That was because of me and Cheon Suyeon.
Time to go end this for good.
From the cutting phone line came an annoying voice.
[Alright. Where'd I put my 3D glasses...?]
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Ding-a-ling!
No part-timers or customers inside the shop.
Probably the closed sign.
Just Suyeon at the bar nursing a whiskey and Wonseok hyung unnecessarily polishing glasses.
Hyung smirked when he saw me.
"What's so funny?"
"Wasn't laughing. What'll you have?"
"Nothing. I'm heading out soon."
"Don't be too harsh. She's human too."
"I know."
"Sigh... guess I'll step out then?"
Once Wonseok hyung left, Suyeon spoke first.
Not turning her head, just staring at her glass.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
"For real? You've really moved on?"
"How many times do I have to say it?"
"Then why'd you come here?"
"Figured you weren't getting it."
"That we're done?"
"No. Why you got dumped."
"Were you always this cruel? You're not like that."
"Nah, I am. I'm trash."
"Ha... so what? Why'd you dump me?"
"I can't handle you anymore. Or more accurately... I don't want to."
"What'd I do to stress you out? What's your problem?!"
"Dating you, I was always acting. The kind boyfriend, responsible guardian, counselor—whatever you wanted, I fit the mold. Said what you wanted to hear, did what you wanted. But I can't anymore."
"Oh, come on... that's your reason? You're delusional. That's just how relationships work. Dating, marriage—everyone kills their personality! No one's perfect from the start!"
"I thought so too. Turns out, no."
"No? That girl? Don't make me laugh! Think she's different? All girls are the same!"
"Nah. She just likes me as is. No need to fake it with her. I could just breathe, and she'd say she likes me."
At some point, Suyeon was looking right at me.
Tears streaming down her face like I'd never seen.
I figured she'd get it by now, but even after this, she had more to say?
But against my expectation...
Suyeon didn't argue.
She just grabbed my shirt, head bowed, tears dripping onto her skirt.
Then slid off the stool to her knees.
"Sorry... I just thought you'd take it all... venting to you made me feel better... you always accepted me... so I thought it was fine. Sorry. I realized after we broke up... how precious you are. Can you forgive me just once? I was stupid... please... Seonghyeon."
I'd never seen her like this.
Shocking.
More shocking was how unshaken I felt.
"Suyeon."
"Yeah... Seonghyeon... tell me. What do I do? How should I change? Just say it. I can do anything..."
"Back at the station."
But she saw my face and squeezed her eyes shut, sobbing loudly.
"Hwah... don't! Why... don't say it!"
What did my face look like to make her do that?
Probably the usual rap—psychopath, emotionless robot, four-legged CPU.
"I wasn't worried about you at all. My head was full of her."
"Don't... please don't! Why say that! I did great!"
Even if you say that, even if I look like a psycho, it's too late.
We're done.
I wandered homeless my whole life, latched onto you for shelter.
But never a place for my heart.
Now I have a home.
A sturdy one that holds me through thunder, lightning, storms.
No room for regrets.
"No turning back now. Let's never see each other again."