While going to the meeting place, Soo-hyun glanced at Ho-beom’s hand. He thought it was just covered in blood, but the skin was also scraped. He really beat him thoroughly. Wondering if there might be a bandage, he opened the glove compartment in front, only to find a knife wrapped in newspaper. Soo-hyun grimaced and quickly shut it.

“What are you looking for?”

“A bandage. Your hand is bleeding.”

Seemingly unaware, Ho-beom briefly looked at his own hand and smirked. It’s fine. It’ll heal if I leave it.

Even without being given directions, Ho-beom turned confidently at each intersection.

“Did you eat the porridge properly?”

Soo-hyun had suspected it, but now realized it truly was Ho-beom who had asked someone to prepare it for him.

“I ate it…”

“And the medicine?”

“I still have some left.”

“Make sure to take it regularly. It would be troublesome if you got sick again.”

At those words, Soo-hyun looked at him with hopeful eyes.

“Are you actually worried about me?”

“Of course. Baek Soo-hyun needs to stay healthy so he can sleep with Prosecutor Seo and record videos.”

I should have known. This bastard. After rolling his eyes, Soo-hyun looked ahead and noticed they were approaching their destination. Ho-beom parked a short distance away in front of a store, then took something from the console box. It was a black object about the size of a 100-won coin, which he held up and scanned Soo-hyun from head to toe. Seeing Soo-hyun in an oversized coat with a turtleneck covering his neck, he made a displeased expression.

“Is that the only outfit you had?”

“Why?”

“You look too childish.”

Who’s calling whom childish? Soo-hyun pulled down the knit turtleneck that was covering his neck, revealing the bruises and bite marks Ho-beom had left, and grumbled.

“Look at the state of me. How can I go around showing this?”

Ho-beom looked at the wounds and remarked casually:

“The bruises are lasting a long time.”

His tone suggested it had nothing to do with him. He handed the black object to Soo-hyun. It’s a voice recorder. Attach it inside your clothes. Soo-hyun secured it to a suitable spot inside his coat. When he asked about a camera, Ho-beom pulled out a watch from his pocket, seemingly having anticipated the question.

“Your hand.”

When Soo-hyun obediently extended his arm, Ho-beom fastened the watch to his wrist, followed by several instructions.

“See the button on the side? Press it to record. Don’t let him notice. And don’t press it too obviously.”

Looking at the watch reminded Soo-hyun of the one Ho-beom had selected for him when he went to meet Min-jun. Was that also for this purpose? What’s the point of wondering now? If this guy decides to monitor me, he’ll use whatever means necessary.

“If Min-jun wants to sleep with me today, should I record it right away?”

At that, Ho-beom snorted. Muttering, what confidence. Soo-hyun pouted, his pride slightly wounded. He was also curious. If such a thing actually happened, what expression would Ho-beom make watching a video of Min-jun and Soo-hyun having s*x?

It’s obvious.

This bastard would invite his friends over, play the video, and throw a party. With a woman by his side.

As Soo-hyun smiled bitterly, Ho-beom grabbed his chin and looked him in the eyes.

“Focus. Stop thinking strange thoughts.”

It felt almost like hypnosis. When Soo-hyun nodded in understanding, Ho-beom released him, telling him to go. After opening the door and stepping outside, Soo-hyun took a deep breath. Looking back, he saw Ho-beom still parked in the same spot. The dark window tinting made it impossible to tell if he was watching.

Crossing the street to the restaurant, the meeting place, Soo-hyun was greeted by the same employee he’d seen before helping at the entrance. I have a reservation. For Seo Min-jun. Yes, I know. The man had a good eye for details. Following him inside, Soo-hyun noticed the room was in the same location as before.

Knock, knock. The door opened, and Min-jun appeared.

Soo-hyun froze as he entered.

“You’re earlier than I expected.”

Min-jun smiled, welcoming him. But he wasn’t alone in the room. To his right stood a woman with a bob haircut, and to his left was a little girl with large, round eyes clutching a rabbit doll with one arm.

Seeing Soo-hyun hesitate to enter, Min-jun stood up, smiling, and approached him.

“You look surprised. I should have told you beforehand.”

He took Soo-hyun’s arm and guided him inside. The woman rose from her seat and greeted him.

“Hello, I’m Kim Seo-young. I’ve heard a lot about you. Nice to meet you.”

The woman with the somewhat cold impression was clearly Min-jun’s wife from the family photo he had seen.

“Daddy, who is this?”

The little girl sitting in the chair looked at Soo-hyun curiously, her eyes sparkling.

“Remember I told you? Daddy’s brother. Uncle Soo-hyun.”

The little girl awkwardly placed her hands on her stomach, said, “Hello, Uncle,” then looked at her father and smiled shyly. Though startled, Soo-hyun maintained a calm smile and waved slightly to the child. Hello. Then he faced Min-jun’s wife and bowed his head.

“Hello, I’m Baek Soo-hyun. I didn’t know you would be joining us.”

“Really? I’ve heard so much about you. I really wanted to meet you.”

Soo-hyun sat down and shifted his gaze to Min-jun. He still wore that kind smile. As if that incident had never happened. Like someone genuinely happy to meet a beloved younger brother.

Soo-hyun’s cheek twitched with the effort of appearing calm. Meanwhile, the little girl in front came around the table with her doll. She struggled to pull out a chair next to Soo-hyun, so he helped her. She thanked him politely.

“I want to sit next to Uncle.”

Her laughing face strongly resembled Min-jun when he was young.

Soo-hyun deliberately ignored the numb, melancholic feeling rising within him.

Min-jun, who had been watching them, handed over a menu.

“I felt bad about sending you away without a meal last time. My wife suggested inviting you to our home, but I thought we should get your opinion first.”

Kim Seo-young chimed in, “Or we could go to our place afterward, depending on how things go.”

“Shall we? I should tell Mr. Kim to prepare some snacks in advance.”

“I’ll do it. Just a moment.”

Before Soo-hyun could decline, she smiled brightly, took her phone, and went outside. The door closed, leaving just the child, Min-jun, and Soo-hyun. Soo-hyun stared at Min-jun and spoke.

“This is awkward. I thought we were meeting just the two of us?”

“My wife was curious about you. I’ve mentioned you occasionally.”

“What did you tell her?”

“That you’re like my real brother.”

Soo-hyun twisted his lips into a smile. You bastard. Do you sleep with your real brother too? With the child present, he couldn’t say it aloud, so he picked up the water glass in front of him to cool his burning insides.

Just then, Ji-eun tugged on Soo-hyun’s arm and spoke to him, or rather, moved her rabbit doll as if it were speaking.

“Hello. I’m Todori. What’s your name?”

“Hello. I’m Baek Soo-hyun. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too. But why are you alone? Where are your mom and dad?”

Soo-hyun answered with a sad smile.

“They’re dead.”

The child paused momentarily, looking at Soo-hyun and then at her father. Just then, the door opened, and Min-jun’s wife entered. Min-jun composed his expression and welcomed his wife.

“Did you call?”

“Yes. Soo-hyun, please come to our house later.”

As she sat down, Soo-hyun stood up. Since earlier, he had felt dazed, as if someone had struck the back of his head. His stomach twisted painfully too. I’m sorry. I need to use the restroom for a moment.

He hurriedly rose and went outside.

The moment the door closed, his smile vanished, and the breath he’d been holding burst out.

His legs wobbled as he walked down the corridor. Soo-hyun entered the bathroom and turned on the cold water at the sink. His face felt flushed with heat. He cupped water in his palms and repeatedly splashed it on his face. Phu, phu. When he looked in the mirror, he saw Min-jun standing behind him, staring.

Though Min-jun quickly masked it, his expression had definitely been cold.

He kindly handed Soo-hyun a paper towel.

“Are you okay? I followed you because you looked pale.”

Soo-hyun dried his face, threw the towel in the trash, and turned to face Min-jun. I think I’m feeling a bit more clear-headed now.

“Why did you ask to meet if you were going to do this?”

“What?”

“I don’t understand why you brought your wife and child.”

“I told you earlier. I wanted to introduce you.”

Soo-hyun struggled to suppress the emotions welling up inside him.

“Isn’t the order wrong? Shouldn’t you have apologized to me first?”

“Soo-hyun.”

“What? Were you afraid I’d expose everything?”

“Soo-hyun.”

“I’ve always wanted to ask. Did you try to reduce my sentence? Did you actually write a petition? Did you really look for me after I was released? No, those were all lies. If you really had, you would have found me by now. How hard could it be for someone like you to find a person! You simply abandoned me, didn’t you?”

Why did you write facts in the statement that weren’t there? Why did you take the perpetrator’s side! What did you receive in return? He swallowed countless words. But Min-jun looked wronged and upset.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Soo-hyun was so dumbfounded he lost his words. Ha, haha. A hollow laugh escaped him involuntarily.

In fact, before coming here, he had thought: if Min-jun confessed his sins, knelt down, and somehow promised to atone, then… though difficult, he might forgive him. But this wasn’t the Min-jun he knew.

Soo-hyun stepped forward suddenly, yanked Min-jun’s tie, and devoured his lips. Min-jun’s eyes widened at the unexpected action. Soo-hyun thrust his tongue between Min-jun’s lips, slickly exploring inside while grabbing his crotch with one hand. Min-jun flinched, his shoulders trembling as he violently pushed Soo-hyun away.

Soo-hyun stepped back, wiping his lips with the back of his hand. Min-jun’s expression turned frightening. But Soo-hyun could read the suppressed desire in his eyes. To prove it, the lower part he had just touched stood stiffly at attention.

Soo-hyun alternately looked at Min-jun’s face and his er*ction, slowly closing the distance between them. Min-jun glared at him, clenching his molars. Soo-hyun felt excitement bubbling up inside him. Just like when he cut off Kim Do-han’s ear. Looking intently into Min-jun’s eyes, Soo-hyun moved his lips. I don’t want anything from you. Just,

“Be like before. That’s all.”

“……”

Soo-hyun touched Min-jun’s twisted tie.

“Don’t you understand? I’m saying let’s f*ck like dogs again.”

Min-jun’s gaze, immersed in anger, wavered slightly.

This time, subtly rubbing the knot of his tie, Soo-hyun smiled prettily.

“I’ll go now. Spend a nice day with your family. I’ve made other plans.”