Before my parents could worry any further, I quickly spoke up.
“Let’s see the report details.”
“……Pardon?”
“You just said it yourself, didn’t you? You said you came because of a ‘report’ regarding a suspected prosecutor impersonator. Then the details should be on the official phone, right?”
Perhaps it was because I spoke so specifically?
The young officer faltered immediately.
“It is true that a report was filed.”
This time, Officer No stepped in a beat late.
He even went as far as to personally show me the official phone in his hand.
[ 112 Report: 72-3 Daesan-ri. There seems to be someone impersonating a prosecutor. ]
“Who is the reporter?”
“As you well know, we cannot reveal the identity of the reporter. There is a possibility of them seeking revenge out of spite.”
Of course, they would say that.
“That’s very strange. I’ve never once gone around this neighborhood saying I’m a prosecutor with my own mouth……”
The young officer’s eyes lit up, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
“Your friend clearly told us yesterday, didn’t he? That you were a ‘Prosecutor of the Republic of Korea’.”
Got you, you brat.
“Are you saying it’s not impersonation just because you didn’t say it yourself? You didn’t even deny it at the time.”
“Exactly.”
“……What?”
“Whether it came from my mouth or through someone else’s, the only time my status as a prosecutor was revealed was at that scene yesterday. Besides, it hasn’t been long since I moved down to the countryside.”
“……!”
Only then did the young officer wear an “Oops!” expression.
“That’s why I’m saying it’s strange. Only four people heard it, so that means the reporter is one of them, right?”
“Y-you might have mentioned it in passing elsewhere…… or maybe your friend reported it.”
Oh, is that so?
I didn’t have a shred of patience left to listen to this kind of nonsense.
“Then, why don’t you try calling the reporter right here?”
“……As I told you……”
“I understand the importance of protecting the reporter’s identity. But I suspect this is a false report.”
Would the police really go this far just to get petty revenge?
The police I knew weren’t that rotten.
……At least, I wanted to believe that.
‘Report counts are also included in the 112 situation room’s performance records.’
It was a common method used by police to pad their numbers.
What if a crime is happening right in front of them, but it hasn’t been reported?
For example, if a vehicle suspected of drunk driving is swerving in front of that patrol car.
‘Then, before stopping the car, they report it to 112 first. Claiming there’s a suspected drunk driver nearby.’
If the situation room then issues an order and they end up making an arrest on the spot?
Naturally, it’s a bonus to their performance rating.
Of course, such situations aren’t common.
‘They report it themselves using their personal phones and then immediately turn on the sirens.’
They could just perform a random stop-and-search, but having a report makes it more official.
Furthermore, if it actually turns out to be drunk driving, it’s even better.
Even if it’s not, it’s not bad because the ‘report dispatch’ itself is recorded.
They even get a small dispatch allowance for 112 calls.
“Then should I reveal my identity here and officially file a report with 112? Saying that there’s someone trying to maliciously slander me.”
“Pardon……?”
“Generally, a false report is punishable by a fine of up to 600,000 won or detention under the Misdemeanor Punishment Act…… Ah, the law was revised recently, wasn’t it?”
So, was it the ‘Act on the Operation and Management of 112 Emergency Reports’?
“If someone fabricates a report about a crime or accident in an emergency, an administrative fine of up to 5 million won can be imposed.”
However, this matter wasn’t that light.
“But in a case like this, where the ‘police’ fabricated a report for the purpose of retaliating against a civilian, we should go by the Criminal Act, shouldn’t we?”
“……”
Was it because I spoke with such certainty?
The two of them became as silent as stones.
Their faces turned pale white.
“Article 123 of the Criminal Act. Since a public official abused their authority to cause harm or disadvantage to a civilian, this could constitute the crime of Abuse of Power and Obstruction of the Exercise of Rights.”
“……”
“And if the content of the report is clearly false and the intent was simply to target a specific person, it could also be the crime of false accusation, right?”
The police officers sensed that they were completely screwed.
“Do you really want to take this all the way?”
Thud.
Immediately, the two police officers dropped to their knees.
They began to beg desperately, rubbing their hands together.
“W-we were wrong!”
“P-please show us mercy, Prosecutor.”
There wasn’t even a need to show my ID.
They were already clearly aware that I was a prosecutor.
After all, who could doubt my identity any further in this situation?
“S-Seo-jun……”
Just then, a voice full of worry came from behind.
It was my mother.
I let out a soft sigh.
“I’m not making a bigger scene because my parents and a guest are here. If you do this again…… you can really look forward to what happens next.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
“Leave. Before I change my mind.”
“Excuse us!”
Soon, the two police officers fled the scene as if they were escaping.
It’s because of people like them that most honest people get insulted as hicks.
Less than an hour later, my friends, who had heard about the situation, came to the house.
Rumors travel fast in this small town.
Then again, the police had been dispatched to a private residence.
“T-that really happened?”
“Those dirty cops are really something else. Anyway, they picked the wrong person to mess with. Messing with our Prosecutor Baek.”
Hyung-taek burst into laughter, looking refreshed.
On the other hand, Jin-gu had a very guilt-ridden expression.
“I’m sorry, Seo-jun. Getting caught up in this because of me……”
“Why are you apologizing? The ones who did wrong are the ones at fault.”
“……My friend.”
Jin-gu looked like he was about to burst into tears.
Anyway, I’ve known this guy was soft-hearted since a long time ago.
“Unless you’re already going through male menopause, don’t you dare cry.”
The quick-witted Hyung-taek poked Jin-gu in the ribs.
“I’m not crying!”
“Not crying my foot…… Your eyes are already welling up.”
“It’s because dust got in my eyes.”
“Yeah, right.”
It was then.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Prosecutor? Are you inside? I have something to tell you……”
Through the crack of the slightly open sliding door, a face peeked in and her eyes instantly widened like a rabbit’s.
“Excuse me. I didn’t know you were with guests.”
“……Did I see that right?”
Hyung-taek stood up as if he were possessed by a ghost.
And then.
Slide.
He pulled the door wide open.
“……Oh my god……”
A moment later, Hyung-taek’s jaw dropped.
After all, a woman who looked like she stepped out of a dream was standing there.
“How can a person be this pretty……”
Hyung-taek, realizing his mistake, quickly shut his mouth.
Truly a country bumpkin.
“S-S-S-Shin Hye-seo!?”
Jin-gu’s reaction was at least better.
He recognized who she was immediately.
“What? Shin Hye-seo?”
“Yeah! Don’t you know her? Last year, you said you watched the drama ‘Queen of Laughter’ with your girlfriend and liked it!”
“No, I know her. But why is Shin Hye-seo here? Isn’t she just a look-alike?”
“Does that unrealistic face look like just a look-alike to you?”
I lightly steadied my breathing.
‘……Well, it’s fine.’
Don’t panic.
I already have an excuse prepared that even worked on my parents!
“She’s a witness for a case I’m handling.”
“……?”
In an instant, Jin-gu and Hyung-taek turned to look at me with dumbfounded expressions.
“What case?”
“Didn’t you say you were quitting being a prosecutor?”
“Does the prosecution give cases to people who are quitting these days?”
“Seo-jun. You have to make the lie at least somewhat believable for us to pretend to believe it……”
……As expected, it didn’t seem to work on these guys.
‘How on earth am I supposed to explain this?’
Should I just tell the truth?
‘That won’t do.’
That would be a bad move.
‘It’ll make it look like Shin Hye-seo fled here because she committed a crime.’
Ordinary people would definitely think that way.
If she’s innocent, why would she need to hide in a remote place like this?
They only say that because they don’t know the prosecution.
‘It’s not that I don’t trust these guys, but……’
It was then.
“Um……”
Unexpectedly, Shin Hye-seo stepped forward calmly.
“You’re our Seo-jun’s friends, right?”
“……?”
Did I just hear that right?
‘Our’ Seo-jun?
Shin Hye-seo’s actions didn’t stop there.
Slide.
She suddenly approached and linked her arm with mine.
“I look forward to getting to know you.”
“!?”
My pupils were darting around, unable to find a place to settle.
“……What? So, Shin Hye-seo is Seo-jun’s girlfriend……?”
“Life is…… is this for real……?”
If I was like this, imagine how my friends felt.
I managed to send my friends away in a hurry.
“You guys, seriously, keep your mouths shut. I’m really, really asking you.”
At my earnest request, they thumped their chests as if telling me to trust them.
“Oh, of course, of course! Can’t a celebrity date?”
“I heard they can’t. Their marketability drops.”
“Hey! Shim Hyung-taek! How can you talk about a person’s marketability?”
“Ah, I didn’t mean it in a bad way, I just heard that’s how it is. I heard celebrities are treated like dating is a sin……”
A headache was already starting to throb.
“Anyway, it’s a secret, okay! Our lips are sealed!”
“My goodness, oh my god. My friend’s girlfriend is a celebrity. And a top star in Korea is my sister-in-law.”
Can I really trust these guys?
“Have a good time!”
“If you two have a kid, they’ll be so pretty!”
“But no speeding!”
“The partner is Shin Hye-seo!”
“Make sure to run the red light!”
Should I just silence them for good?
A moment later, as soon as my friends were completely out of sight.
“Why did you do that? What if a rumor actually spreads?”
“As I thought, my response was a bit…… like that, wasn’t it?”
“I don’t care, but are you really okay with this, Shin Hye-seo?”
“Ah! I’m fine. It’s already been almost 20 years since I started promoting. Do you think I’ve only had one or two dating rumors?”
……Well, if you say so.
“I’m more worried about you, Prosecutor.”
“Pardon?”
“You’re a civilian. It’s such a pain to have your face known through rumors like this.”
At that moment, Shin Hye-seo politely bowed her head.
“I’m sorry. I just acted impulsively because it was urgent…… Now that I think about it, it was really rude. I will make sure no harm comes to you, Prosecutor.”
If she puts it like that, what more can I say?
“I’m really fine too. I was planning on staying here for a while anyway.”
Grumble.
Then, a loud stomach growl was heard from somewhere.
It definitely didn’t come from me.
“Hm?”
Feeling my gaze, Shin Hye-seo’s face turned bright red like a ripe tomato.
“Um…… shall we eat first?”
“……Yes.”
The answer was in a voice smaller than an ant’s.
Lately, Shin Hye-seo had been very at peace.
‘It feels like I’ve come to a vacation spot.’
How long has it been since she had such leisure?
A healing life in nature, away from the secular world.
“Please eat.”
Even the food here was delicious.
Gulp.
Shin Hye-seo quickly swallowed her saliva.
It was just ordinary bibimbap and soybean paste stew.
And yet, her appetite was already piqued.
Nom.
And then, a bite.
“……!”
Closing her eyes, Shin Hye-seo wore a look of true happiness.
‘As expected, it’s so delicious.’
Shin Hye-seo liked this place more and more.
She even felt like her chronic illness was improving the longer she stayed here.
The depression that modern people, especially celebrities, carry around like a common cold.
‘Ah. I really don’t want to go back……’
It was then.
Vrrr-vrrr!
A misfortune that ruined her good mood arrived once again.
“……!”
Checking the caller ID, Shin Hye-seo’s expression hardened.
It was none other than her agency.
“……Hello?”
— P-President! We have a big problem! That issue I mentioned earlier……!
Crash!
“J-Jin-su?”
Then, through the receiver, a frantic voice and the sound of something breaking were heard simultaneously.