Invitations | MinSung

4

Jisung's hands were shaking uncontrollably as he leant forward to pick up the paper crane, hiding it away in his pocket. He crouched down to get a closer look to see if there were any visible injuries, trying to ignore the loud thumping in his chest. He noticed scratches and bruises around her neck, which he assumed meant that she had been strangled to death.

Jisung was going to get up and leave, since there was nothing more that he could do, but he froze when his eyes landed on her hand. On her left hand, she wore a white gold ring, studded with small diamonds, that fit snugly around her ring finger. Jisung's heart filled with guilt, sadness and regret in a split second. He felt tears build up in his eyes, unable to bear thinking about the person who had just lost their loved one... because of him.

"... so, please, go ahead and enjoy the rest of the event!" Jisung heard Jang Dae Hoon wrap up his speech and stood up, immediately. He left the body and ran as far and fast as he could, realising that he spent too much time at the crime scene. He stopped behind a building, far from the event, and tried to catch his breath as he almost collapsed to the ground.

He crouched on the floor and leaned against the wall of the building, burying his face in his knees. He wiped his tears on his sleeve, hating how soft-hearted and emotional he was. One would think that, after all this time, Jisung would've been used to the feeling of guilt and disappointment, but he was still the immature, sensitive boy he always was.

"Are you OK?"

Jisung looked up and saw the man from earlier on that day; the one who wouldn't leave him alone. He quickly stood up, wiping his tears and snot away.

"I'm fine." He answered with a monotone voice, avoiding eye contact out of embarrassment.

"Here." The man sighed and held a tissue out to Jisung, who took it, sheepishly. "What are you doing all the way here alone?"

Jisung remained silent, unable to think of a believable excuse.

"Not much of a talker?" He asked, to which Jisung didn't respond. "Fair enough. Then, how about you tell me why you were lurking around the freshmen's origami stall?"

"Huh? Why- but, I- I didn't..." Jisung blabbered, struggling to get a sentence out.

"Take your time." The man yawned as he leaned against the building, waiting for Jisung's answer.

"It was an interesting stall." Jisung muttered, knowing how stupid he sounded.

"Oh, really?" He raised an eyebrow, taking something out of his pocket. Jisung could tell that this man was suspicious of something about Jisung and was trying to catch him out with words. "What about it was interesting? Want one?" He held a cigarette out to Jisung, who shook his head. However, as Jisung looked at his face close up, he realised that he had seen that face before.

"No, thanks."

"Suit yourself." He put the pack of cigarettes away, keeping one for himself. Jisung watched as the man held his lighter up to his face, remembering exactly where he had seen him before. It was the man who had bumped into Jisung that night at Jang Dae Hoon's annual dinner. But what was he doing here? Jisung had already suspected that this man was closely involved with Jang Dae Hoon, but he didn't think too much of it. Now, he was more than curious to know who exactly this man was.

Before the man could light his cigarette, his phone buzzed in pocket.

"What is it?" He sighed, answering the phone. "What?" His tone changed, noticeably. "How? Wait, I'll be right there." He fumbled with his phone, shoving it back into his pocket, in a frenzy. He didn't even look at Jisung before running off towards the department of medicine.