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

Ch16. Let's Play!

Amidst the rain, Seokjin's heart raced as he sprinted towards the looming Seoul police station, his coat offering little resistance to the downpour. The world outside seemed to conspire against him, drenching him to the bone. Fumbling with one hand, he wrestled open the car door, seeking refuge from the heavy downpour. He started the car and delved into the inner pocket of his coat to find his cellphone.

Seokjin's fingers moved with precision as he dialed Sooyuki's number, his breath hitching with each digit. The car door slammed shut with a resounding smash, sealing him within a cocoon of silence. In that instant, the noise of traffic and the relentless downpour took a respectful step back, fading far away in the background. Only the sound of the ringing bell could be heard. He mistakenly pressed the radio button but what really caught his attention was the song playing on it; 'Gather My Tears' by Seo Jiwon.

The melody triggered a rush of memories, carrying him back to a simpler time, when he was young. He remembered hearing this song for the first time on a mixtape that Aera gave him as his twentieth birthday present. A relic from his past resurfaced in his mind. He begins to hymn the song. . .

내 눈물의 편지 하늘에 닿으면
When the letter of my tears reaches the sky

언젠가 그대 돌아오겠죠 내게로
One day you will come back to me

난 믿을 거예요 눈물 모아
Gathering my tears, I will believe in that...

The song came as an unexpected reminder of life itself. Seokjin realized that there were very few people with whom he had created good memories, but when he did, it didn't always just remain a piece of memory in his brain but became more than that. It turned into a part of his soul and body that he valued and cherished for a lifetime. Aera was like a guiding torch in the dark nights for Seokjin. He was like a sailor on a small boat sliding over the soft cold black waters. Her light, no matter what happened, never failed to reach deep into his bosom. Once, Jieun asked him if it was tough to remember Aera. He smiled and said no. How could it be tough to remember his most adored memory? He would rather spend an eternity playing it over and over in his mind.

"Seokjin oppa! Why were you not picking up my calls?" An anxious voice from the other side of the cellphone brought him back to the present moment. "Oppa! Are you there?"

"Yes I am. I was in Gyeonggi-do investigating a case." He reached out and turned off the radio, putting its sentimental tune to a halt.

"Oppa! Where's Aeseok? Is she at home? I'm almost there. Just taking the lift." Sooyuki's worry was palpable, he heard elevator's gentle hum in the background. "She's at home right?" Seokjin looked at his watch. "She should be there any minute. What happened?"

"Mwo? What do you mean she should be there? It's Sunday!" Sooyuki entered the lift and pressed the button. Her voice trembled with anxiety as the elevator moved her closer to Seokjin's floor.

"Well it's a long story. She was really mad at me this morning about the whole Jungkook thing. You know how much Aeseok misses him. Later, I put her in the bed but she sneaked in the back seat of my car. I had no idea she was there. And-"

"So you have her?" Sooyuki ringed the bell.

"No. I mean yes an hour ago. Chungsol and I were investigating the case in Gyeonggi-do and he found her in the back seat sleeping in my car. I sent her back home with him. They should be there any minute."

"Oppa, they are not here."

Seokjin's heart plummeted, a cold dread washing over him. "What do you mean?"

"I was at the convenience store when I noticed Aeseok's ID in the hand of a girl nearby. She seemed to think it belonged to a random kid, but I spotted it as I was checking out at the counter. The girl mentioned that the child had been forcefully taken away in a car by a police officer. I don't feel good about it. We need to contact Chungsol immediately!"