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Chapter : 18
“An office worker? You mean the kind who sits at a desk, stares at a computer, checks documents, and signs off on approvals—that kind of company?”
Director Jang tilted his head and asked again.
“Why? Is it hard to believe?”
Taesin shot back, and her gaze flicked between Taesin’s and Jaehyeok’s solid arm muscles.
“It just doesn’t look like muscles you’d build for typing documents.”
Iseol agreed with Director Jang.
Even if what they said about having worked at a company was true, they definitely weren’t people who sat quietly behind a desk all day.
“They must have had a use for them. Not every job in a company is desk work.”
“Well, that’s true. Then what—was it a modeling agency? A sports company?”
“Our director is unusually persistent today. Come on, shall we have a toast?”
Following Iseol’s cue to change the subject, everyone lifted their glasses.
“So, how’s school life? Is it manageable? It must feel awkward being surrounded by kids so much younger than you.”
“It’s better than I expected. Feels like I’ve become young again.”
“I like that positive attitude.”
The conversation continued, and just as the meal was winding down, Director Jang received a phone call.
“Mr. Im’s grandfather suddenly collapsed. I’d better head out.”
“Then I’ll go too—”
As Iseol stood up to follow, Director Jang pressed her back down into her seat.
“No need to come along. Sam, have some fruit, relax, and come later.”
“That’s right, teacher. Stay and enjoy yourself a bit more. Jaehyeok hyung even prepared dessert.”
“Well… in that case?”
After Director Jang left, Iseol stood up to help clear the table, but the room suddenly spun.
She’d accepted cup after cup of the dongdongju Director Jang poured her, and now she was fairly drunk.
“Are you all right?”
Taesin asked.
“Yes. I think it’s stronger than I thought.”
“It’s the kind of drink that gets you drunk before you realize it,”
Jaehyeok said with a grin.
“I’m fine now. I’ll do the dishes.”
Yusin stopped her.
“You can’t have a guest doing that. Hyung, why don’t you show Sam your room? I’ll bring dessert there.”
Yusin shot Taesin a look.
Taesin asked,
“Can you walk?”
“Yes, I’m okay.”
With little furniture, the living room felt spacious as Iseol followed Taesin down the hallway.
The house was far larger and more comfortable than it looked from outside.
With only the essential furniture, it felt even more open.
“Islands tend to be humid, and the sea wind wears materials down quickly, but I heard this house was built with excellent materials—sturdy enough to last for decades.”
“I heard it cost a lot. The owner supposedly spent almost all his assets on it. How many rooms are there?”
“There are four bedrooms. Jaehyeok’s is by the entrance, Yusin’s is on the left side of the hall, and this one is mine.”
Taesin opened the door and let Iseol enter first.
Two small rooms separated by sliding doors had been combined into one, creating a space that was both wider and cozy.
“There’s not much to see.”
One side held only a bed, a built-in wardrobe, and a chest of drawers.
The other had a desk, an armchair, and a small table.
There were no picture frames or clocks—none of the usual decorations—and only a few books besides textbooks.
It was the kind of room that felt like its owner was ready to leave everything behind at any moment.
Walking to the window, Iseol looked toward her own room’s window across the way, framed by yellow curtains.
No matter how many times she looked, the distance—from this room to the wall, and then to her room—was considerable.
So he’d jumped all that way in one go.
As if that distance were nothing.
“There really is nothing here.”
As Iseol turned around, she bumped into Taesin’s body—solid as a wall—and staggered.
She hadn’t realized he was standing so close.
Taesin caught her by the arm to steady her, his gaze lingering on her long eyelashes.
Then, lowering his head as if about to kiss her, he leaned in closer to look.
Startled, Iseol sucked in a breath and covered her mouth with her palm.
After eating so much food—and with the smell of alcohol—there was no way they could kiss.
Taesin chuckled softly and plucked something from her eyebrow.
“An eyelash fell.”
She wanted to bury her face in dishwater and die.
Why had she thought he was going to kiss her?
They weren’t that close—and they shouldn’t be.
Her cheeks, already warm from the alcohol, burned even hotter.
It was all that dongdongju, loosening her reason without permission.
“Ah, um… may I use the bathroom for a moment?”
“It’s next to Yusin’s room.”
Unable to meet his eyes, she hurried out.
The moment she entered the bathroom, she shut the door and splashed cold water onto her palms, patting her heated cheeks.
Get a grip.
What are you even thinking?
Her reflection looked like a perfectly ripened summer peach.
How was she supposed to face him now?
So embarrassing.
No—this was exactly when she needed to be shameless.
Act like nothing happened.
Anyone could misunderstand a moment like that.
When she returned to Taesin’s room, a strawberry shortcake piled high with whipped cream sat on the table.
Taesin pulled over the desk chair and gestured to the armchair across from him.
“Sit. Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“Jaehyeok made it. Try some.”
“Wow… this is incredible.”
“Not what you’d expect from his looks, right?”
“Exactly.”
The strawberries with whipped cream tasted heavenly.
Iseol polished off a slice in no time.
“I ate it all.”
“Jaehyeok would be very pleased.”
Setting down her fork, Iseol spoke as if something had just occurred to her.
“Right—about the kids. I mentioned that it seems like they’re instigating fights and betting on them. I spoke with the vice principal, but he said it’s hard to punish anyone without evidence. The students involved are keeping their mouths shut too, so they don’t seem likely to speak up.”
“That figures. Has anything similar happened before today?”
“Yes. Not long ago, there was a fight between Class 1 and Class 2. Those students also claimed they only threw punches because the other side offended them—no other reason. But the injuries were too severe to be dismissed as a simple fight between friends.”
“The situation might be bigger than we think.”
“…?”
“They’ll keep matching winners against each other until there’s a final victor. That’s how betting works.”
“Ha…”
“Hwang In-woo, was it? The kid who leans on his gangster uncle and does all kinds of dirty things.”
“Yes. There’s a strong chance he’s behind this too. He’s smart and always manages to dodge punishment. That’s what makes him such a headache.”
“What’s done is done, but we have to prevent it from happening again. Students shouldn’t be getting hurt anymore.”
Iseol nodded.
“But Hwang In-woo isn’t someone you can take lightly. He may be a high schooler, but he grew up among gangsters. No one can touch him. Not even the teachers.”
For a moment, a shadow crossed Taesin’s eyes.
“I grew up among gangsters too. My father came from that world.”
She’d suspected as much, but hearing it out loud was still shocking.
“You didn’t seem convinced earlier when I said I worked at a company.”
“Ah, that was—”
“It was a loan shark business. Simply put, my father was a former gangster. He ran high-interest private loans, clubs, bars, even construction material supply—every kind of illegal business imaginable. That’s how he made money and founded a capital company.”
So after his father died, he inherited it?
Were the people trying to kill him rivals in the same industry?
Gang turf wars—something you see all the time in movies.
Watching Iseol grow stiff, he asked,
“Am I frightening?”
Iseol looked at the man—excessively handsome, with deep, calm eyes—and shook her head.
She couldn’t even begin to imagine what kind of life he’d lived.
“…No. I’m not scared.”
At least, the Lee Taesin she knew wasn’t a ruthless criminal who killed people and committed endless illegal acts.
If anything, he had helped her—and kept trying to protect her.
“That’s a relief.”
He held out his hand.
With unusually long fingers, his hand looked large and strong.
Iseol hesitated for a moment, then took it.
“Come here. There’s something I want to show you.”
