Mishmash Ramen Made by Dumping Everything from the Fridge, Roughly Clean Up—Already Past 9 PM
We scarfed down some mishmash ramen made by dumping everything from the fridge into it, tidied up roughly, and it was already past 9 PM.
Kim Jeongu the reporter had a ton of questions for me about all the cases I'd handled so far. I only gave him the short version after getting his promise not to run any stories on it.
Choi Jonghyeon pretended not to care at first, but he slyly wedged himself in and tossed a few questions my way.
"It must've been hard to believe in Kim Yeonjun at first, but steering straight for an outright acquittal instead of a reduced sentence? Impressive. Especially for such a high-profile case, and your first trial as a lawyer—no way you weren't sweating it."
Choi Jonghyeon crossed his arms and eyed me. His expression was oddly off for someone handing out praise like that.
"As you know, I'm a bit of a moonlighting guy."
"Moonlighting?"
Kim Jeongu asked like it was the first he'd heard of it.
"I got possessed by a spirit a little while back."
"Pardon? A spirit? You mean like the kind shamans get?"
"Yeah. Once the general tells me exactly how it'll go down, there's no real tension."
Whether he actually bought it or not, Kim Jeongu stared at me with eyes wide as saucers. Choi Jonghyeon tsked like it was pathetic.
"You're buying that a bit too easily, Jeongu. We're journalists, remember?"
"……You were joking?"
"He's just salty 'cause I asked if he got possessed earlier and now he's holding a grudge."
Choi Jonghyeon stretched with a yawn and stood up.
"Drove all the way from Mokpo—I'm beat. Gonna wash up and crash."
"Where should I sleep? Got a sleeping bag? I'll take the study."
Kim Jeongu trailed after Choi Jonghyeon toward the bathroom. Choi shot me a quick, subtle glance—like he was asking what to do.
"You two take the bedroom. The study's a mess anyway—no room to lie down. I'll crash on the living room sofa."
"I'll clean the study!"
Kim Jeongu said urgently. Choi and I exchanged a look, and he shook his head.
"No can do. There's order in that chaos. Mess it up and we'll never find anything later."
"Still—"
"Sofa in the living room's got blankets and cushions. Just throw those on."
As Choi Jonghyeon ducked into the bathroom, Kim Jeongu sidled over to me.
"Lawyer-nim, couldn't I take the living room instead?"
He sounded desperate. It didn't seem like he just preferred sleeping alone. There had to be a reason—but whether it was safe or something else, I couldn't risk leaving him to it.
"Sorry. I'm sensitive—can't sleep if someone's next to me."
"……I see."
He'd said his place was nearby, so I figured he'd bail and head home any second. I poured myself some water from a bottle and asked casually,
"Any reason you can't share with Reporter Choi?"
"Oh, no, it's not that. I toss and turn, talk in my sleep, snore like crazy. Didn't want to bother you."
Kim Jeongu gave an awkward laugh. Right then, Choi Jonghyeon emerged from washing up and slung an arm around his shoulder.
"It's fine. Once I'm out, you could carry me away and I wouldn't know. Big bro here's gonna hug you tight—sleep'll come right on over. Haha!"
With that, Kim Jeongu had no comeback. He quietly washed up and headed to the bedroom with Choi Jonghyeon. I killed the living room lights and lay on the sofa, head toward the balcony so I could spot him if he slipped out.
In the dark, even if my eyes were open watching, he wouldn't notice.
Around 12:30, a world-shattering snore erupted from the bedroom. Kim Jeongu had mentioned his snoring, so maybe that was it—but
"……."
No. The second he confirmed Choi Jonghyeon was dead to the world, Kim Jeongu slipped out.
He headed to the kitchen and grabbed a cup from the shelf.
Glug glug.
The pour of water was audible. Open kitchen plan—everything visible from the sofa. Kim Jeongu pulled a small packet of pills from his pocket, filled his mouth with water, and shook a bunch into it. Sounded like more than one or two.
"……."
Then he headed back to the bedroom. I decided to wait till he was asleep. Sat up on the sofa, sipped the coffee I'd stashed underneath.
At least during this watch period, night shifts were on me.
Checked the time on my phone—new text.
(Photos: sizzling golden meat on the hot plate, group shot with everyone)
He'd been griping via text about me not keeping him in the loop. I started to reply but closed the flip—drunk dialing would follow for sure.
Lay back, staring at the ceiling. Then—
Screeech.
Sharp door sound. Footsteps thudded across the floor, sensor light flicked on at the entryway.
Kim Jeongu. Coat on, slippers half-on, he eased the door open carefully. Wedged a shoe in the gap so it wouldn't lock behind him. Faint stairs descending beyond the crack.
I moved to the balcony to track his direction—decide whether to tail.
Soon, he emerged at the building entrance.
Convenience store?
He came out with a black plastic bag. Couldn't see inside. Back into the building—up the stairs. I hit the sofa again.
"Hoo……."
Breathing hard from the climb, he kicked off his shoes, set the bag on the dining table, pulled something out—clinking bottles.
Rummaged a cabinet for a glass, grabbed the bag, and trudged toward the study.
Booze.
Not the bedroom where Choi Jonghyeon snored on oblivious. Study for solo drinking.
I tuned in to the sounds. Small place—focus caught every detail.
-Ugh…….
The reflexive sigh after soju hit the air. Didn't know if he even liked it, but even if he did, chugging like this at a senior's place? Most would hold back.
Hesitated, then got up.
Threw the pill packet in the trash earlier.
Phone light on, opened the bin.
(Before Bed)
Stilnox 10mg tab x1
Indenol 10mg tab x1
Ativan 1mg tab x2
Lexapro 20mg tab x1
Psych meds. Stilnox—common name zolpidem. Rest for depression too.
But the shocker: not just one packet.
What the hell.
Seven more. Slightly different designs, but all listed ingredients. Varied antidepressants, but every one had Stilnox 10mg.
Stilnox over 10mg is overdose.
Different designs? Probably hit multiple clinics for off-insurance scripts to stockpile.
Addiction. Side effects too.
Stilnox—aka zolpidem—prime side effect mimics sleepwalking. Wake up texting/calling, raid fridge, wander out, drink. Even suicide attempts. Unpredictable actions, but one constant: no memory next day.
So the suicide attempts from side effects too?
I'd tried Stilnox in my past life. Researched heavy since it's crime-scene staple. Warnings everywhere, but chronic insomnia forced a month. No issues for me—probably 'cause I'd quit booze long before, scared I'd spill secrets drunk. Zolpidem plus alcohol amps side effects double.
Block the booze now?
Back to sofa, pondered. barge in? If side effects raging, no real talk. Choi clueless on depression so far—no texting sprees or attempts? Watch tonight, probe tomorrow when clear-headed.
4 AM…….
Two hours since he holed up boozing. He staggered out clutching the black bag, glanced around, left it by the door, then slipped into Choi's bedroom like nothing happened.
Bedtime now?
Sighed. Severe depression, hidden so tight even close buddy Choi oblivious. Explains the solo-sleep pleas.
Talk to Choi first thing when he wakes.