Chapter 22: Fans, Promises, and the Night Before the Storm

The silence stretched on for quite a while.

I slowly shifted my gaze toward the sky.

‘As I thought, the night sky in Seoul isn’t great.’

Was it because the fine dust was so severe? There wasn’t even a hint of a star to be seen.

‘Ah. I want to go back soon.’

The scent of soil and grass carried by the wind. The refreshing night air of the countryside. The clusters of stars scattered across the sky—none of those could be found here. I missed all of it. Of course…

‘There are stars of youth shining even brighter here.’

It was while I was lost in those thoughts.

“……My fan?”

At some point, the person standing on the ledge had stepped down completely. Jaejun, from Revive, let out a hollow chuckle.

“It’s a nice thing to hear.”

“I’m serious.”

“Come on. I haven’t even debuted yet, so what fan?”

“I believe they call people like me ‘hardcore fans’?”

“But what did you mean by ‘No. 5’?”

Without a word, I pulled out my phone.

“I’ll show you the people who became your fans before I did.”

I immediately played the voice messages I had received.

— Brother! Where did you go? Why aren’t you answering?

— You didn’t block us, did you? I’m going to be really mad!

— How can you leave like this! Even if you’re going, at least say goodbye, you jerk, Han Jaejun!

In an instant, Jaejun’s eyes began to turn bloodshot. However, the highlight was still to come.

— Brother… *Sob!* I’m sorry! I left because I didn’t want to be a burden anymore, but I didn’t know you would end up like this too… *Waaaaah!*

“Th-this is Hyesung’s voice?”

— I heard everything. They said you went to the CEO’s office every single day. Because of me… and then you got on the CEO’s bad side because of it…

Jaejun squeezed his eyes shut as if he couldn’t bear to listen any longer.

— Brother… I’m returning soon.

“!?”

At this, Jaejun’s eyes snapped open.

“He’s… returning? Really?”

— After hearing about my situation, Representative Shin helped me with everything. She got me a lawyer, paid my penalty fees… and she said she’d help me debut at another company if I want to.

*Thud!*

Jaejun collapsed onto the spot as if his legs had given out.

“……Really…….”

A smile broke through Jaejun’s distorted face.

“That’s…… really great.”

— So, brother, come back too. Okay? Let’s do this together again… I don’t want to debut unless it’s with you guys. Representative Shin said she’d make it happen…….

I quietly lowered my phone.

“…….”

Under the pitch-black Seoul sky, Jaejun was burying his face in his knees, sobbing sorrowfully. I left him alone for a moment so he could process his emotions. And then.

“……Those were voice letters from fans No. 1, 2, 3, and 4, who have been waiting for your return more than anyone.”

“…….”

“How about it? Knowing this, do you think you can stop me from becoming Fan No. 5?”

At that very moment.

*Gurgle.*

In the quiet stillness, a sound like a clap of thunder echoed loudly. Naturally, it didn’t come from me.

“……Ah. Why does it have to have no sense of timing at a moment like this? How embarrassing.”

Wiping his eyes with his sleeves, Jaejun slowly stood up.

“I’m hungry.”

“Let’s head down. It’s more embarrassing for a guy to stay up here acting all sentimental anyway.”

“I don’t think I saw you at the company. Where did you come from?”

“From below that neon-lit stage you’re looking down at.”

“Come on. I won’t think anything weird, so tell me the truth. You’re not a cop, are you?”

“I told you, I’m your fan.”

“You really are a strange person.”

Jaejun, who had caught up to my side, let out a chuckle.

“Even so…… thank you. No, I mean it sincerely. Thank you for saving me.”

I lightly patted Jaejun on the shoulder.

“You should come over to my place for a meal sometime.”

“Are you a good cook?”

“It’s the kind of food where two people could eat and you wouldn’t notice if one of them died.”

***

I decided to stay by Jaejun’s side for the time being. He was still in a precarious state. Once someone has made the extreme decision to end it all, it wouldn’t be strange for them to try again at any time.

*Click.*

After quietly closing the hotel room door, I immediately pulled out my phone. It happened to be ringing continuously. I had already checked the gist of it through messages.

“Yeah, Seok-gu. You’re saying Representative Bang decided to leave the company?”

— You finally picked up. Yeah. But the condition is that anyone who wants to leave with him gets to go without penalty fees or other repercussions. That goes for the celebrities and even the regular staff.

“That sounds like a familiar condition.”

— It’s not necessarily a bad thing though.

“I suppose. In this atmosphere, we’d have to hire people just to cut out Bang’s lackeys anyway.”

A smile played on my lips. If he was willing to take all his people and leave on his own, it was actually a favor to us.

“You worked hard.”

— We agreed to buy out the shares at a reasonable price. Oh! I can take my commission out of it myself, right?

“Can I trust you? Representative Shin is someone with a lot of places to spend money.”

— I will serve you at a reasonable price, dear customer.

A hollow laugh escaped me. He said it like that, but knowing Seok-gu, he’d probably demand a higher voice in the company just to ensure a fair price. That’s just the kind of guy he was.

“I’m always grateful.”

— Don’t just say you’re grateful, buy me a drink.

“When should I?”

— Today.

“Today?”

— You’re heading back down soon, aren’t you?

“Hmm.”

Suddenly, a brilliant idea occurred to me.

“In that case, why don’t you just take some vacation time? I’ll treat you to some really good alcohol and food.”

— Huh?

“Since you closed a big deal, the company would probably let you go just as a reward…….”

I stopped mid-sentence. No. There was no need to waste precious vacation days on this. There was a way for him to rest while still getting paid.

“Tell them you’re going on a long-distance business trip. That way you can get overtime pay and you won’t have to show up at the office for a while.”

— What the hell are you talking about?

“Surely you aren’t going to end a deal involving hundreds of millions without meeting the client in person, are you?”

— !

For a moment, there was no sound from the other end of the line.

— ……Wow. You really. You’re a genius at being sly.

“Heh.”

— I’m packing my bags right now. I’ve always wanted to stay at your place. I can’t believe it’s happening like this.

Hearing his joyful voice, a wide grin spread across my face.

“I will serve you at a reasonable price, dear customer.”

— …….

No words came from the receiver for a moment. Immediately after.

— ……You spiteful bastard.

Seok-gu hung up right after saying that. Man, he knows I hate losing, so why does he keep poking me?

“Hyeseo?”

I immediately placed another call.

“I think you can rest easy regarding Jaejun now.”

— Re-really?

— Prosecutor! Is it true? Is it really okay not to worry?

Min Ha-ru, making a fuss in the background, was an added bonus.

“Yes. I think you can tell the other members they can relax.”

— What a…… what a relief.

For the record, those voice letters were originally sent to Shin Hyeseo. They begged her to find their brother. They asked her to tell him if she found him. That the members missed him very much.

“If possible, I’ll bring Jaejun with me. Yes. We can discuss the specific contract details then.”

***

The Representative’s office was dark.

“Representative. Aren’t you going home?”

“…….”

After a moment, Representative Bang Gicheol quietly lifted his head.

“Hey, Young-jun.”

“Yes, Representative.”

“Who the hell is that guy, really?”

Team Leader Bae Young-jun gave a bitter smile. He didn’t even have to ask who ‘that guy’ was.

‘When he first started talking about being a Secret Inspector or whatever, I thought he was just a crazy person…’

But he wasn’t just a crazy person.

‘It’s not like he’s from the prosecution or the National Intelligence Service either.’

Would those people really bother getting involved in the internal politics of an entertainment agency? They’re busy enough as it is.

“……Look into him in detail. No matter how much I think about it, something is weird.”

“Yes. Also, your guest has arrived.”

“Guest?”

Representative Bang Gicheol’s face instantly brightened. It was right after he spotted the person entering.

“Aigo, Chief. You’re here already.”

“Excuse me.”

It was the Chief of the Yongsan Police Station, who was also an acquaintance of Team Leader Bae Young-jun. Representative Bang Gicheol, his previous abrasive attitude completely gone, welcomed the guest with a beaming face.

“Now, now, tonight looks like it will be a long one. Let’s head out immediately. I’ll take you somewhere great.”

***

Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office.

“Chief Prosecutor.”

Senior Prosecutor Kang Dae-ho handed over a folder.

“Prosecutor Baek Seojun. I’ve decided to put him on sick leave for now. I’ve informed the person in charge at the Gangwon District Office as well.”

“For a year?”

“For now, yes.”

“What are you going to do after that?”

“When he’s been properly forgotten by the public, I plan to accept his resignation as he wished.”

“Are you just going to let him go?”

Senior Prosecutor Kang Dae-ho gave a bitter smile.

“Yes. If we scold him now, it’ll only cause more of a stir.”

“That stubborn brat.”

“I’m sorry. I taught him poorly.”

“You stubborn brats.”

“Even so…….”

Kang Dae-ho hesitated for a moment and sighed.

“……Honestly, there’s no one quite like Seojun. He’s sharp at his job, he doesn’t hold back, and despite being an intellectual, he can fight…….”

“Are you taking the side of the guy who just stabbed me in the back?”

“……No, sir.”

The Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District waved his hand dismissively. It was a clear signal to leave.

“Just like you said, leave Baek Seojun alone for now. And keep a particularly close eye on the police.”

“Yes, Chief Prosecutor.”

Understanding exactly what that meant, Senior Prosecutor Kang Dae-ho immediately bowed his head.

“With the adjustment of investigative powers and all that, those police bastards have gotten quite bold lately. If they try anything against Baek Seojun out of some petty revenge, show them yourself how scary the prosecution can be.”

“I will do so.”

Even if I’m going to beat him, he’s my kid to beat. Above all, how could they sit by and watch the police—of all people—presume to punish a prosecutor?

“I’m counting on you. Handle it properly so our prosecution doesn’t lose any more face.”

“Yes, I understand.”

***

Chaos had broken out at Seojun’s family home.

“Uncle…….”

Baek Sul. The princess of this household had been whimpering all day with those big eyes of hers.

“Su-Sul? Why are you whimpering again? You have to stop.”

“Where is Uncle?”

“He’ll be back soon. Okay? Let’s just bear it for a little bit while playing with your sisters.”

“Heeeeeeng. I miss Uncle.”

Soon, Sul began to shed tears like fat raindrops.

“Sul is quite strange too.”

“I know, right. How can she look for her uncle more than her own dad?”

“When I asked her grandmother earlier, she said Sul has been like that since she was a baby.”

“Why?”

“I heard that when the Prosecutor’s brother and his wife were going through a rough patch regarding their divorce, the Prosecutor was the one who looked after Sul…….”

At Kim Jin-soo’s words, Shin Hyeseo’s expression became even more worried.

“……Then that’s an even bigger problem.”

They say even animals consider the first person they see when they’re born to be their parent. That meant Sul had spent a significant amount of time with Baek Seojun during that infancy period.

“Sul! Should we make a mud otter with sister? How about it?”

In the end, Min Ha-ru pulled out her trump card.

*Shake shake.*

As expected, Sul just shook her head with a mournful face.

“Uncle…….”

And then,

“Waaaaah!”

She finally burst into tears. And it was a very sorrowful cry.

“Th-this is going to be a disaster if the Prosecutor doesn’t come back soon!”

Just then, a lifeline appeared for Min Ha-ru.

*Pitter-patter!*

“Oh!?”

The Otter itself was charging in to eat the food they had prepared!

“Sul! Look over there! The otter is here! The otter!”

“I HATE THE OTTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

*Boom!*

The otter froze mid-reach for its food. As if it understood Sul’s words.

— ……Hang in there.

*Pat pat.*

The snowflakes that had appeared out of nowhere were comforting the otter with looks of pity.

***

Accompanied by Jaejun and Seok-gu. We left in the morning and arrived in Goseong just as the sun was beginning to set.

“Ah. This countryside smell. It’s so good.”

At my words, Seok-gu looked at me as if I were absurd.

“You’ve completely become a country person.”

“Don’t even start. I’m at the point where I feel like I’ll break out in hives if I don’t breathe this air.”

“……By the way, that’s your house, right? It looks exactly like the one in the photos.”

“Yeah, that’s…….”

My mouth snapped shut. Seok-gu’s expression had already turned extremely serious.

“Why are there two black Starex vans there……?”

*Vrooooom!*

I pressed down harder on the accelerator.