Chapter 115
Choi Jonghyeon recognized me at a glance. There were plenty of benefits from my News9 appearance, but this was another one. I didn't have to waste time explaining who I was.
"Hello."
"Can't say the same."
Choi Jonghyeon eyed me with blatant wariness. But I felt differently. To me, this was like seeing a colleague from a few years back—familiar and intriguing. In the original timeline, our first meeting would've been three years from now. Back then, he'd been friendly toward me from the start. Today, though, I'd come on too strong for that kind of reception. The matter was just that urgent.
"Have you checked Kim Jeongu's location?"
"He's at the office right now. His voice sounded as bright and normal as ever."
He was still prickly, like he couldn't quite trust me.
"Let me ask you one thing."
"Go ahead."
"Lawyer Cha, have you been possessed by a spirit or something? Working a side gig as a shaman?"
His question was dead serious, but I couldn't help chuckling. Knowing the future did make me seem a bit like a fortune-teller, but sadly, no guardian spirit had chosen me.
"No."
"Then why do you say that stuff with such certainty?"
Maybe I should've just said yes.
"I've lived this long, and I can say with absolute confidence that I've never met anyone like you, Lawyer Cha."
His gaze had drifted to the orphanage kids playing in the playground. Clutching his crossbody bag like a treasure, he let out a disbelieving scoff.
"Some total stranger comes up to me out of nowhere and says my junior's gonna kill himself, and I'll take the fall for it... Normally, I'd write that off as bullshit and ignore it."
"Why didn't you today?"
"Well, you're you, Lawyer Cha. Sure, some folks in legal circles grind their teeth at types like you—arrogant glory-hounds who think they're above it all."
"Then why'd an arrogant glory-hound like me get you to come out here?"
"You know Yun Se-yeon, right? You've done a few features with her. I've heard things from her, and your moves so far... they line up with my goals, at least somewhat."
"I see."
"But if what you told me turns out to be bullshit, my trust in you drops to zero."
He turned back to me and added, "All I want is to stop the bad shit coming my way. Kim Jeongu's death. And my getting dishonorably fired."
"You think I'd just roll over and get fired over some frame job? I'd dig up the truth and cling on. Iljungilbo's ideology doesn't match mine, but I'm not planning to leave just yet."
In truth, "doesn't match" was putting it mildly. Iljungilbo's stance was the polar opposite of Choi Jonghyeon's. It was tied to Wooshin Group by blood and marriage, the epitome of pro-chaebol media. Reporting on Wooshin while working there was like tightrope-walking without a net.
"Fine, Lawyer Cha. I'll buy that you know things about me. Maybe you heard from Yun Se-yeon."
"I haven't heard anything from Yun Se-yeon."
"And that time I said I'd blow the whistle—even write a book if I had to—when the higher-ups screwed me over. I don't know how you know that, but okay, I'll grant you that too."
Choi Jonghyeon rubbed his dry face in confusion. Instead of answering, I followed his gaze to the orphanage kids.
"But how the hell do you know about Angel's House? Honestly, that's why I came here."
That was exactly why I'd chosen this meeting spot.
"How do you know? I've never shared Angel's House with anyone. I'm the only one who thought it was suspicious."
Kim Jeongu's death had been a turning point for Choi Jonghyeon in his previous life. He'd believed that as long as he had a foothold at a major paper, people would listen—and that he could spark change from within. But when Jeongu actually died, he didn't even fight the frame job. He just quietly got fired. Then he wasted years drowning in guilt, only snapping out of it shortly before meeting me.
"I think saving Kim Jeongu comes before Angel's House."
He might pride himself on not crumbling easily, but humans don't fully understand themselves. Letting talent like Choi Jonghyeon waste away was a loss.
"I'm certain I know more about Angel's House than you do right now."
"And?"
"Once we save Kim Jeongu, I'll tell you how I know. And maybe share everything else I know with you."
A spark lit in Choi Jonghyeon's eyes.
"Deal. So if I do what you say and keep Jeongu from... shit, this is ridiculous, but keep him from killing himself?"
"Exactly."
"Let's verify it. Check if Jeongu's really got depression like you say. And if he's really suicidal. Crazy talk, but whatever."
My plan wasn't anything brilliant. Kim Jeongu killed himself while Choi Jonghyeon was on assignment in Mokpo. Only one way to stop a suicide: keep eyes on him constantly and intervene if he tries. Since it happened while Jonghyeon was away, he'd probably cut his trip short after hearing the news. It couldn't have been a long stakeout. No need to watch forever. And constant surveillance might deter Jeongu altogether. At the very least, it'd give Choi Jonghyeon insight into the pressure and depression his junior was under. With luck, they might even find a way to fix it.
"Mark him closely."
"How?"
"You live alone near Gwanghwamun anyway."
Choi Jonghyeon let out a hollow laugh at my words.
"You've done your homework on me."
"Not exactly top-secret info."
"Ha, fine. You seem to know everything about me anyway. So what? I live alone—so?"
"Have Kim Jeongu stay at your place for a while. Stick with him 24/7."
"Ha..."
He chuckled at my sophistry, amused at himself for playing along.
"You need sleep too, so we'll alternate. You watch him at the office, I'll take the rest of the time."
"...You're saying you'll crash at my place too, Lawyer Cha?"
"It's a two-room, right? I'll take the living room."
"Stalker much...?"
I stood up. Choi Jonghyeon glanced up at me, eyes saying what now?
"It's Friday, right? Working the weekend?"
"Not this week."
"Perfect. Call Kim Jeongu over. Make up an excuse."
In the end, he grudgingly followed me out. We headed down the stairs to the parking lot, where he approached his dented-up SUV. Not my first time seeing it. What surprised me was that it'd been in this state for three years already.
"You drive?"
"Yeah. Give me the address, and I'll follow."
I'd rather have gone in his car, but it looked like it might give out midway.
* * *
It was well past dinnertime when we finally reached his two-room apartment near Gyeongbokgung Station. Kim Jeongu was already pacing in front of the entrance.
"Hyung! Why're you so late?"
He stubbed out his cigarette and hurried over to Choi Jonghyeon.
Kim Jeongu had a kind face. About my age, maybe a year or two younger. In my previous life, I'd only heard about him from Choi Jonghyeon—never met him—but he matched the description perfectly. You could tell he genuinely looked up to his senior, just from his tone and expressions.
I parked next to the crumbling SUV and approached. Jeongu stared right through me.
"...Whoa, Lawyer Cha Juhan?"
"Yes. Nice to meet you."
Even with my News9 spot, not everyone would recognize me this easily.
"Oh, yeah. I'm Kim Jeongu, reporter. Yun Se-yeon sunbae talks about you a lot."
How much had she been blabbing about me?
"You live here too, Lawyer?"
At Jeongu's question, Choi Jonghyeon barked a laugh and slung an arm around his shoulders.
"Nah, this guy's... whatever. You'll figure it out. Anyway, he's crashing with us for a few days."
He punched in the lobby code, shaking his head as we headed up. His place was cleaner than expected. Books and papers piled high on the floor and desk, but everything else was neatly organized. He kicked aside some blocking stacks to guide us in.
"Our place is right next door—why stay at yours?"
Jeongu asked, plopping blankly onto the sofa.
"Just 'cause, man. Gets lonely alone. Figure watching your antics'll help."
"Haha, antics? But seriously, what's Lawyer Cha doing here?"
"This guy's—"
"We have some work together, so it just worked out."
I cut him off before he could say something dumb.
"Oh, can I help?"
Jeongu beamed.
"Nah. You eat?"
"Not yet. Was waiting for you, hyung. Haha."
"Ramen it is. No objections, Lawyer Cha?"
"Sure. I'll chop some green onion. Got any in the fridge? Or should I grab some?"
"Sit. You're good."
I could see why Choi Jonghyeon kept him in his memories three years after his death. The way Jeongu trailed after him to the kitchen, hovering as he prepped the ramen—it felt oddly familiar. Like watching Kang Minjae.
What if Minjae cracked under pressure from above because of me and took his own life? I tried picturing it, then shook my head. I couldn't bear the thought.