The boring afternoon slowly passed. NIS field agents rarely come to work at headquarters. Because there's nothing to do. At most, it's just handling the costs related to conducting activities and writing reports on the results, sometimes Kwon Taek Joo also writes reports. He even had all his expenses approved before the vacation. It's a natural habit that develops because you never know when a new task will be assigned. Kwon Taek Joo nonchalantly flipped through the desk calendar . He couldn't remember the last time he took a vacation this long. It became a daily habit for him to be called up when he was on leave.
At least Zhenya intervened and thanks to that he could relax in his busy life. Kwon Taek Joo keeps nagging Zhenya, but it's true. Who knows when there will be another excuse to take a break like now? If he didn't want to go to work and feel unfair at the same time, he should have enjoyed himself properly now, but there was nothing to enjoy. He didn't sleep well and each day was boring. What have you done in the past?
Usually , Kwon Taek Joo doesn't even have
enough time to rest, and recently he hasn't had time to be bored because he's been
spending all his time with Zhenya. There's nothing to do. He rummaged through this and that and then turned on the internal message. Kwon Taek Joo tries to talk to Yoon Jong Woo easily.
"What are you doing?"
Yoon Jong Woo read the message after a while. Late answer .
"Work, nothing else."
"Want to go for a drink tonight?"
"Can't. I have to go boss hunting tonight."
"2D Boss, right?"
"It's 3D?"
"You have to eat, too."
"Can't. Even if I starve. I still have to do it. If senior isn't going to help, then don't talk to
me anymore. I really have to leave work early today."
"Really? Then let me help."
"Really?"
"Really ."
Kwon Taek Joo answered while turning on his laptop. He borrowed it from Yoon Jong Woo around the end of lunch. On the desktop there is a game where he calls himself a waste. After entering the ID and password, Kwon Taek Joo pressed the login button. However , a message appears to confirm the password. He tried again and the notification line continued to appear . Kwon Taek Joo reopened the message.
"Did you change your password?"
Yoon Jong Woo read the message and was silent for a while. It seemed like he could
hear the shaking of his head through the computer screen. Not long after, messages from him flew in one after another .
"What are you doing, senior? You said you would help."
"Yes, I will help you upgrade your level."
"Ah, don't!"
"What is a password?"
"You think I'll tell you?"
Yoon Jong Woo rarely shows strength. Kwon Taek Joo tried again by slightly changing
the current password. He successfully logged in after 3 tries. He just replaced the exclamation mark with a hook in the existing password. This loose guy is working at the
National Intelligence Agency .
It appears that the login notification also goes to the mobile app associated with the
account. The normally silent message window blinked non-stop.
"Senior ."
"Senior?"
"Senior?"
"Teacher , please answer me."
"What's wrong? You said you were busy."
"Do you think your hair color is much more beautiful?"
"There are a lot of items I've never seen before."
"Don't touch my child."
"I said I would raise the level."
Kwon Taek Joo did not respond any further after finishing that sentence and continuously pretended not to know the message window was flashing. He was browsing the updated user interface when his phone rang. The caller was definitely Yoon Jong Woo. As soon as he pressed the listen button, he heard a gasp.
"Why? You said you were busy?"
-Can we eat together? I must leave before 11 o'clock.
Kwon Taek Joo immediately logged out of the game and teased Yoon Jong Woo.
"Senior said it's been a long time since he invited me to dinner, so why do you have to
do it like this? Must you turn me into a bad person?"
—Why must we invite you to dinner today?
"Because I want to drink today."
What a selfish statement. Yoon Jona Woo's breathing became more rapid. Although he
couldn't see it, Kwon Taek Joo could tell that he was pulling his hair and shaking.
"I work here."
He hung up the phone. The phone still has no new messages. After work, Kwon Taek Joo made a reservation at a nearby meat shop. Yoon Jong Woo grumbled and asked if he was going to buy pork, and then he ordered pork belly. His eyes continuously glanced at the laptop turned on next to him. The game automatically runs on the screen. What's so interesting about fighting and gaining experience? Kwon Taek Joo is completely incomprehensible.
"Hey, it's cooled down."
"I'm eating."
Leaving the meat that was about to burn and putting the bloody meat into his mouth, it
was as if Yoon Jong Woo didn't even look at the grill. Is this what it feels like to be tired
of being a disobedient teenager? Kwon Taek Joo looked at the boy, then rolled up a book and handed it to Yoon Jong Woo.
"Ah."
Yoon Jong Woo opened his mouth without doubt. He seemed to have forgotten who his opponent was because he was just looking at the game screen. His cheeks were puffed up as he chewed diligently . But not long after, the jaw movements began to slow down, and even the boy's calm face turned red as if he was about to explode. That's because the rolls only contain Cheongyang chili and raw garlic, but no meat.
"Ah! Ah!"
Yoon Jong Woo covered his mouth awkwardly . Urgently looking for water, he grabbed Kwon Taek Joo's glass. There was no way the burning mouth could know it was soju. Yoon Jong Woo shouted without a sound. Kwon Taek Joo gave him an empty bowl to spit out.
However , Yoon Jong Woo stubbornly shook his head and swallowed what was in his
mouth. Thinking about your parents being farmers, you can't throw away even a single
grain of rice. No, how should he say it? Because of self torture, his gentle eyes were filled with tears. The tip of the nose also turned red.
"That's it. Don't look away while you're eating, okay?"
"Ha, ha. You did that on purpose, right?"
"But maybe it was a mistake."
Reply shamelessly . Yoon Jong Woo grumbled with resentful eyes.
"If you were in combat, you would have died of poisoning. He was confirmed dead after
drinking the water. "
"Anyway , there's no way I'm going to the scene."
"Then just do as you wish?"
"There's nothing wrong with that. From the beginning, if it weren't for the seniors..."
Yoon Jong Woo, in anger, suddenly expressed regret. Kwon Taek Joo shared.
"There is no one I trust more than you. I might die alone without a partner , if that's the case then you should provide rear support or cover. What is a good partner for?"
"Ah, really! Then that day I will submit my resignation"
Yoon Jong Woo's attitude only made Kwon Taek Joo tease him even more. He soothed
the boy, asking if he wanted to eat cold noodles.
"Cold noodles and water."
Yoon Jong Woo, who was fuming from the spicy food, quickly relieved his mood. He
didn't want to be fooled anymore so he obediently closed the laptop. He didn't know how long it's been since the two of them sat facing each other like this outside of lunch. Kwon Taek Joo often has to go on business trips, so if he doesn't spend time alone, it's difficult to meet him. In the past, even when it was difficult to arrange time, they still met regularly , but recently it's almost impossible. It's all because of Zhenya. I don't know when it was natural for Zhenya to spend time outside of work.
"Senior . Are you lonely these days?"
Yoon Jong Woo suddenly asked, his eyes narrowed.
"What? So unexpected."
"It's strange that you're suddenly so muddy . Should I arrange for you to go on a blind date?"
"Do you know any girls?"
"If that doesn't work, then my sister won't either"
"Why would you sell your whole family just because you don't want to drink with your
superior?"
Funny kid, he even drank alcohol today. Yoon Jong Woo quickly filled the empty glass.
"Who knows? What if it was fate? If my sister can't have it then there's my cousin, if she
says she doesn't like it then even..."
"You want to cut ties with your family, right?"
"Not why? What about senior? Guaranteed retirement age, being a civil servant earns a
lot of money . is tall, has a beautiful body and a beautiful face. People have a bit of a stiff
and dirty personality ... How about that? Why don't you give in to your lover?"
"You have a talent for pretending to give compliments, right?"
Yoon Jong Woo secretly looked to see if he was being scolded any more. Kwon Taek
Joo sipped the glass of wine and drank it all. He looked dissatisfied at Yoon Jong Woo
then picked up the bottle of wine. Yoon Jong Woo held out his glass more sincerely than
ever.
"How about you? Not dating? Good times."
"Looking like this, I'm still a celibate."
"What does that have to do with dating?"
"If you date, you must get married."
"Definitely ..."
"Wow, bad guy. Are love and marriage two different things?
"Of course it's different. Do you know if the other person wants to marry you or not?"
"If you really love, you won't have time to measure those things, right? I don't want to let
that person go home. If we want to be together forever , then we'll get married."
"I don't want to let that person go home, if
that person wants to continue to be with
me then just do that. Don't get married blindly. I'm also not saying that marriage is unrealistic. Civil servant? Are you a civil servant? I can't tell that person when I'm going to leave and every day I receive a life allowance higher than the basic salary, what do I do where, I go out more days than I stay at home. If a person gives birth, he or she must raise the child alone. If he or she dies, it is unlikely that the country will find the body, let alone treat it as a meritorious person. Which girl do you say accepts?"
Yoon Jong Woo's lips pursed. He couldn't argue because it was all right. Kwon Taek Joo
poured all the remaining wine into his glass.
"If people like us confide, it would violate work rules, and keeping secrets would be
cheating in marriage."
"Senior is right. To be honest, I'm a bit embarrassed. Well, we're not here for the money . It's all for the sake of the country that we exhaust our bodies and our spirits to work."
"It's not too late now. You can run away."
"Anyway , I'm a celibate person. It's not like the seniors who work at the scene."
Yoon Jong Woo muttered and then asked a rather serious question.
"Senior , how long do you plan to work?"
"I don't know."
"Didn't your mother force you to get married? She only has one senior, her child."
"Why not? If a man gets married too late, the baby born will not be healthy . In your mother's mind, she must have thought about getting married and embracing you top"
"I wonder if senior is celibate?"
"No? Haven't you ever thought about that?"
"Hmm... What about finding a more stable job now? If so, the reason for not getting married will disappear ."
"Is that as easy as it sounds?"
"If you think it's easy, it's easy."
"Find a job that suits your personality ."
"As long as you don't call me to the scene, it's okay."
"I just trust you..."
"Ah, don't say that anymore."
There's no need to cry when your senior says he believes in you. Cold noodles were brought out. Yoon Jong Woo quickly added vinegar and mustard with a sullen face and then cut into bite sized pieces. He intended to eat just out of
politeness, and also because Kwon Taek Joo had already ordered. But as soon as he
turned away, he picked up half of the noodles and slurped it down. A bowl of cold noodles was gone in the blink of an eye.
"Ah, I should have ordered regular cold noodles. So little."
"There's a cold noodle dessert."
"Lie."
Kwon Taek Joo clicked his tongue and ordered another bowl of cold noodles, 2 portions
of meat and 2 bottles of soju. Yoon Jong Woo's expression looks very happy. If he
invited him, he would eat as deliciously as he does now, but why did he refuse so strongly just now? Yoon Jong Woo opened the soju bottle first and filled Kwon Taek Joo's glass.
"Honestly , if you were a senior, wouldn't the security companies invite you back? The
Blue House is also very possible."
"Such things are very complicated and I can't do it my way. And to be honest, it's just there to create an atmosphere, there's no need to exert any effort."
"I don't understand why you want to work hard. If you want to waste your body like that,
go abroad and make more money ."
"The reason is not money . You have to at least think that you're patriotic to feel less
guilty. You can't harm others for money because you will doubt yourself."
"Then let's open a gym and exercise for a living."
"That doesn't feel realistic."
"Wow, that's really strange."
"Seniors like this make my mother feel very uneasy . Instead of having a daughter-in-law
or a grandson, I think she just wants her senior to settle down."
"If we get married, can we be stable?"
"At least you will think of others when using your body. Even if it is your body, it will not
completely belong to you anymore, but also to your family members. Family is like rabbits, how can you step on it?"
Let's see, Kwon Taek Joo never thought about that. You can't imagine it because you've never experienced it. If you have family. If the number of people he has to protect increases, will he really change? Won't you feel uncomfortable about a life that only
pursues safety? Just being someone's husband and father. Can personal and family
responsibility quench his thirst?
Kwon Taek Joo thought for a moment then burst out laughing. He suddenly remembered Zhenya. The bastard's existence was deeply ingrained in his brain and blocked even his wandering thoughts. That's right, my theme is family like rabbits. He'd better give up that idea before being eaten by that boy for his stupid actions. Yoon Jong Woo said why. He shook his head as if nothing happened.
"But is your mother still healthy? Long time no see. In the past, I often followed my senior to eat."
"If not, my mother would have talked about you already . If you have time, let's take you
home"
"Eh, but why didn't you tell me?"
"Ah... My mother has a close friend these days."
"So what?"
"If you come, he won't like it. You probably don't feel very comfortable, right?"
"Why does my mother's best friend hate you? What do you mean 'not very comfortable'?
"Uh, that's what it is."
Kwon Taek Joo answered vaguely. Cold noodles and meat were brought on time. Yoon
Jong Woo quickly turned his attention to cold noodles. Kwon Taek Joo puts the meat on
the grill. Grill and cut. Yoon Jong Woo was so focused on eating that he couldn't ask any
more questions. After grilling the meat, he put down the tongs. Yoon Jong Woo had just finished eating cold noodles and quickly filled his glass.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"What is it?"
"I've been curious for a long time. What relationship do you have with that Russian?"
Kwon Taek Joo stopped at the silly question. He tilted the wine glass, drank the soju in
one gulp and put the empty glass down.
"What kind of relationship, just back and forth. He and I almost killed each other, but in
the end he did something to help... I occasionally meet that kid because he is the
ambassador to Korea. 'That's the kind of relationship"
"Wow, that relationship is really scary. How can you be friends with a murderer like
that..."
Yoon Jong Woo's soft voice gradually subsided. Kwon Taek Joo wondered why the boy suddenly noticed, and then a random sentence was spewed out right after.
"But senior is not so different."
"Hey, that's so rude. Why compare me to that guy?"
"Well, he's human first."
It seems like the relationship with Zhenya is so strange that even the naive Yoon Jong
Woo is suspicious. At first glance, it is difficult to guess what their relationship is like and
it is even more difficult to understand if you know the inside story. How many times had
he almost died at Zhenya's hands? Yet now, just by making eye contact with that guy,
he is already attached to him, not knowing where his life will go.
Then the story of Yoon Jong Woo's family and neighbors, news about manager Lim and
dissatisfaction in office life became the topic of discussion. While talking and drinking
another glass, two bottles of soju quickly ran out. Should I call more? Kwon Taek Joo shook his head.
"No, you go home now."
He didn't know if it was because of surprise or not, but Yoon Jong Woo's eyes opened wide. He took out his phone to check the time immediately . Still not enough, he looked
up at the clock hanging on the wall.
"It's not even 10 o'clock yet?"
"If you want to go home, it will take time. Playing games is good, but if possible, take a
shower and finish the housework."
Kwon Taek Joo's advice couldn't help but startle Yoon Jong Woo.
"Senior , I wonder if you are following me? Did you leave the camera at my house?"
"I don't need to do those things, it's too obvious, right?"
Yoon Jong Woo rolled his eyes and stood up without hesitation. After that, he maintained a neat posture and bowed seriously.
"Then I will go back first. Thank you for providing food today. I love you, senior."
He obnoxiously dropped the heart with his hand and ran away, looking back as he ran
to see if he was caught again. Kwon Taek Joo watched Yoon Jong Woo run away and bursted out laughing.
The time was almost 10 pm. Not wanting to go home right away, Kwon Taek Joo called
the staff who were cleaning the next table.
"Here, turn off the fire and give me another bottle of soju."
He decided to spend a little more time alone. It's been a long time since Kwon Taek Joo
drank alone at a place other than work. How have you lived lately? After entering NIS,
comfort disappeared from life. After completing this job, another job awaits. The number of times moving directly from one work place to the next is not rare. During his days off, he only sleeps and replenishes his physical strength.
During the early stages of his appointment, Kwon Taek Joo often split his time to meet
friends, college seniors and juniors, and comrades from when he was a special forces
soldier . At that time, he still had time and was full of enthusiasm for things like loyalty
and friendship. The problem is that in any meeting, the thing they are most curious
about is each other's current situation. Only once or twice did he try to cover it up, but
trying to lie only made him feel uncomfortable.
After leaving the rookie title, Kwon Taek Joo's workload skyrocketed and he was never
able to rest when everyone else rested. So he could hardly participate in important events such as weddings, funerals, council meetings, and baby showers. He has also never spent a full holiday at home.
For a while, Kwon Taek Joo only lived by saying sorry. Everyone says it's okay, but a relationship that only involves apologizing constantly cannot be maintained normally .
Contact became sparse and he gradually began to distance himself from everyone.
Kwon Taek Joo has lost his phone many times during actions so he has almost no contact numbers left. He teased Zhenya that he didn't have any friends, but Kwon Taek Joo himself isn't much different now. If he dies like this, the story 'He's dead' will spread in the future. He wasn't worried that his funeral would be bland. If the body was still intact, it would be lucky.
Kwon Taek Joo laughed bitterly and drank continuously . Being alone, he has more random thoughts. Until recently he hadn't had time to think about those things. The intensity of work is still too much and interferes with his dense daily life.
"Always grumbling."
Zhenya complains that he's always just working, but at times like this there's no news
from him at all. After all, what is the big event in Russia?
Suddenly the wine was so tasteless. He thought about cigarettes so he left the
restaurant. Kwon Taek Joo bought a pack of cigarettes that he usually smoked at a
nearby convenience store. Lighting it, taking a deep breath, he checked the cigarette
pack. It originally tasted like this so he was bored, or he was already used to handmade
cigars.
Just one year. How much influence did Zhenya have on him? Kwon Taek Joo didn't
notice it when he was still around but after Zhenya disappeared, he felt it with such
certainty that it was unbelievable.
Kwon Taek Joo finished a cigarette and was about to light another when his cell phone
rang quietly. A strange number appeared on the phone screen. If it's normal, guessing it's an advertising call and Kwon Taek Joo doesn't have to accept it. And in this Korean land.
There is no gang big enough to kidnap Zhenya.
Maybe someone called the wrong number .
Then he realized it was almost midnight and there could be no advertising calls. If it's
not a close relationship or urgent work, there's no reason to ignore rudeness at such a late hour. He touched the answer button with the decision to pick up the phone.
"Yes"
- Kwon Taek Joo?
The sudden questioning voice was quite familiar . But this was not a number in the
phonebook, so Kwon Taek Joo was not caught off guard.
"Right. Who is this?"
-Wow, is that right? It's me, Chanwoo.
Chanwoo. Kang Chanwoo. He remembered the familiar name. Surely there is such a person among his university classmates. He is sociable and outgoing, taking on the role
of faculty representative since his first year. Kwon Taek Joo remembers hearing the
news that he got married a few years ago.
Even though he wasn't very close, he suddenly wondered if something had happened?
"Yes. Long time no see."
-It's been almost 10 years, the world has changed. Still, you're still alive, right?
No one has been able to contact him, so there's been a lot of talk about not seeing him for several years. But no news means good news.
How are you?
Talking a lot is still the same as before. Obviously , without asking, we know what they're talking about Kwon Taek Joo. During his time in college, he brought about an
unexpected rumor. He even dropped out of a good university , so all the baseless rumors
spread everywhere. Unknowingly , he has become the main character of a fairy tale that
begins with 'Once upon a time there was a senior...
In the meantime. The thing that made Kwon Taek Joo more curious was how Kang Chan Woo found out his phone number . End stage occupational disease.
"Unlike what you expected, I'm still healthy . Are you calling to ask that?"
-This kid, what are you talking about? It's not that I'm looking forward to it, I'm just worried. There is no reason to dropout of school like that. How are you these days? Are you married?
"No, I'm busy working to make a living."
- What are you doing?
"Uhm. You don't need to know."
—Ha. The character Kwon Taek Joo remains unchanged. Must check it out, right? Everyone is curious about you.
"Everyone lives the same way, so why are you curious?"
-You don't really know that's why you're asking? Want to see if Kwon Taek Joo will
become a normal uncle. Actually , before this Mid-Autumn Festival, we decided to meet
each other. But it's really difficult to keep time.
"But.."
- But what? You come too. No matter what you do, you will rest before and after the holidays.
Kang Chan Woo quickly added another word when Kwon Taek Joo was about to immediately refuse.
-I don't know about other times, but this time you must appear.
What does that mean? Kwon Taek Joo majored in mechanical engineering at a
technical university . Most of his classmates were male and he didn't care where they
lived or what they did. He was never curious. So what is the reason to definitely attend?
When the doubt reached its climax, Kang Chan Woo continued to speak.
-I heard that Yuna Hyun came. She's about to get married. Let's meet a little bit before
that.
Kwon Taek Joo suddenly remembered another person he had forgotten about.