Detective Jeon (2) : He, Never Left | JJK

Ch2. Fruit Salad

Vices of men can't be tamed by reasons of high intellect or gullible eruption of tricks that subconscious morals play on the mind; but must be kept in check by the virtues of true acceptance of its folly.

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[ Seoul Detention Center, Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province ] - Day 2

Tobaek's eyes tried to search the hands of Jungkook, who seemed to carry nothing today as he sat on the chair placed right across the wooden table. They were in a closed room without a glass barrier between them this time. Tobaek coughed before saying, "Envelope?"

Jungkook said nothing but keenly observed his face. It looked clean. Tobaek must've taken a shower today, he thought. There was no ugly white beard, it has been trimmed nicely. In comparison to yesterday's wicked smile, his face held a mild expression. When Jungkook pulled his hands from under the table, for the first time he saw a glimpse of hope in Tobaek's eyes. He took out an envelope from his jacket and placed it on the table.

Tobaek stared at the envelope for some time. "Open it." He pointed to his hands, which were cuffed. Jungkook again said nothing. "I told you I don't know who they were," he said impatiently.

Jungkook waited for a few minutes before taking out a cigerette lighter from his pocket. He casually took out a photo and folded it from the middle. He then lit the lighter.

"Hey! What are you doing? D-... Don't!"

Jungkook examined his changed body language, "Are you sure?"

"Hajima! Don't burn it!"

"It's been ten minutes and I've heard nothing for which I came here. Do you think I'm here to take orders from a scumbag like you!" Tobaek felt like something got stuck in his throat. "Speak now!"

"I took the money. I ... I was offered lots of money to do that. Something that could secure my family. They told me I'll never get caught and even if I do, they'll take care of my family. I had no job, no house, and no money. The landlord kicked us out. We were living on the streets, eating thrown-out garbage from the meat and vegetable shops nearby. What else was I supposed to do?"

"Lie!" Jungkook turned on the lighter again and burned the first photograph.

Tobaek banged his head on the table and started to cry out loudly. "No! No! No! It's not a lie!"

"You're lying!"

"Let me at least see it once!" Tobaek stoop up from the chair and knelt down to his knees. "I'm begging you, please! Jaebal! Jaebal! My son would've died living in such conditions."

Jungkook's face showed no sign of mercy. He was as calm as the dark blue ocean at night time. "And?"

"I didn't want him to suffer. I didn't!" The cries of the convict echoed out in the entire room.

Jungkook took out another photo from the envelope and showed it to Tobaek. It was a picture of a young boy, who was making a sand castle on the beach. This was the first time Tobaek had seen his son in five years. He has grown a lot. The smile on Sooho's face as he sat to pose next to his castle filled Tobaek's heart with both joy and agonizing pain.

"I won't ask you again. And?"

Tears were rolling down his face as he made eye contact with Jungkook. "I blamed Aera's parents for everything! Things would've been different for me if they had not killed my parents. It was all their fault! All their fault!"