Bandaids & Punches ✔️

23. The Butterfly Effect

"Steer properly!" Dae Ho commands pulling Haneul's shirt from behind. "If you ruin my bike I'll not forgive you."

"Can you stop talking for a second, you've been nagging since I've gotten ahold of this thing." The doctor clicks his tongue in annoyance.

"Now you know how I feel every time you keep blabbering nonsense."

"...."

They were lucky Dae Ho recognized the tattoo on the man's arm and used his quick wits to extract information from them about who ordered Haneul's kidnapping. He didn't know who to anticipate when going into the building and thought they'd get out with more than just a few scratches.  Everything worked out in their favor and all they have to do is file a report against Jung Woobin.

"Dae Ho, call appa now! We need to tell him not to cancel the deal." Haneul yells remembering the demand the kidnapper made to his father.

The fighter takes Haneul's mobile phone from his pocket. "What is your password?"

"0311. Search for 'Appa Paris' in the contacts."

Dae Ho follows his instructions and brings the device to his ear when he hears the ringing.

"I've canceled the deal! What more do you want! Where is my-"

"—Mr. Kim, it's Park Dae Ho, Haneul is with me at the moment."

"What? How did you get there?" Jinwook asks in confusion.

Dae Ho explains to the older man how he received a call for ransom and how they escaped, leaving the details about him knowing the Hachidori gang.

"Is Haneul alright? Why is he not talking?"

"He is the one riding my bike, don't worry, he's safe. He'll talk to you once we get off." Dae Ho assures him, putting the phone on speaker.

"Hi! Appa I'm alive and kicking! Just don't lose the deal, it cannot happen a second time."

"Ah, alright. Stay safe. We're taking the first flight to Seoul tomorrow."

"No, don't," Haneul protests, "enjoy your time. There's nothing to worry about now."

"We're coming and that's final. No arguments. Park-ssi?" He calls out, drawing the fighter's attention.

"Yes, Mr. Kim?"

"Both of you stay safe till we arrive tomorrow. And...thank you once again. We owe you big time."

Dae Ho shakes his head although Jinwook cannot see him. "It's alright, you don't have to. We'll see you soon." He hangs up and slips the cellphone back in Haneul's pocket.

"Let's go to the police station to file a report against Jung Woobin."

"We have no proof against him," Haneul says dejectedly, "we don't even know if they were telling the truth."

"That's the police's job to find out. I have all the evidence they need."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"I picked their phones when you were busy staring at the man on the ground you hit and also..." Dae Ho reaches for a circular, spy camera attached to the button on his jacket and extends his hand in front of Haneul's face from behind. "I recorded the part where they confessed about Jung Woobin." He smirks when Haneul chokes out a sound of disbelief.

"H-how— you really are something else!" The doctor cackles speeding up the bike. "Woohoo!"

"You're paying for the speeding tickets, doc."