Harin sighed as she boarded the bus home. The second day of the two-day shoot had finally come to an end after countless poses, camera clicks, light shooting, and outfit changes. The photographer, who was a big name in the industry, had been as insufferable as she had expected him to be, making her relieved to be done with him. Still, Harin couldn't help but feel sad at the prospect of her short modeling career having such a bitter finale.
The day had finally come to an end.
Harin leaned her head against the window, watching the cityscape blur past. The exhaustion had settled into her bones, and as her body relaxed, her mind wandered back to the pressing issue of Gilsu. Her thoughts swirled with the gravity of the situation, mingling with the fatigue from the long hours in front of the camera. They needed to call the police, but how could they ensure their safety by doing so?
Harin knew that paying him wasn't a solution; Gilsu was like a dog: once he smelled blood, he wouldn't let go. Still, she closed her weary eyes and wished that it was an option for just a second.
Then, she thought back to the looks the boys had given her at the garage and wondered what they thought about her knowing someone like Gilsu. She was worried they'd gotten the wrong idea.
The rhythmic motion of the bus did little to soothe her racing mind. Arriving at her apartment building, she trudged towards the elevator, feeling the day's weight with every step. The ride up felt interminable, but finally, the elevator doors slid open, revealing the dimly lit hallway of her floor. Harin stepped out, her gaze dropping to the floor as she walked towards her door.
When she looked up, she stopped dead in her tracks. A dark, tall, muscular figure loomed ominously by her apartment door, the dim lighting casting long shadows that obscured his face. Her heart pounded in her chest, and a surge of fear coursed through her veins. Who could this be at this hour?
As she took a cautious step back, aiming to retreat and press the elevator button to close the doors, the figure shifted slightly, and recognition dawned.
It was Seokdae.
Relief mingled with residual fear, but her reaction was one of anger.
"Are you here to finish the job?" She spat, her voice laced with bitterness. Memories of the night Gilsu's troop of loosers broke into her home and Seokdae, at the very least, hadn't intervened, flooded back, igniting a simmering rage within her.
The boy in front of her was clad in dark pants and a sweatshirt, along with a windbreaker. His face remained impassive, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—regret, perhaps. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small USB drive, extending it toward her. "Gilsu has been documenting everything on this," he explained quietly. His voice was raspy.
"I need your help."
Harin stared at the USB in his open hand, a storm of emotions swirling within her. Anger, distrust, and a reluctant glimmer of hope battled for dominance. With a weary sigh, she took the USB from his hand.
"Come in," she muttered, her voice heavy with exhaustion. She punched her code into the door, and it clicked open, allowing them entry into the small sanctuary of her apartment.
As they stepped into the apartment, the first thing that struck the boy was the sense of space. The apartment was relatively large, with an open layout that allowed for easy movement between areas. Soft, golden light from the setting sun filtered through expansive windows, casting long, warm shadows that danced across the hardwood floors. Everywhere he looked, houseplants thrived. Large leafy greens occupied every corner of the living room, lined shelves, and hung from the ceiling in planters.
Despite the abundance of plants, the apartment felt somewhat lacking in personal touches. There were no photographs or artwork on the walls; instead, the decor was minimalistic, with clean lines and neutral colors that complemented the natural light and the greenery. It feels more like a curated space than a lived-in home, a blank canvas waiting to be personalized.
Harin bit her tongue as she looked at the bare living room. The stark difference reminded her of how different things used to be. When Harin was younger, a lot of pictures hung on the walls of their old apartment. Most pictures included her mother and father, with Harin as a baby appearing in one or two of them. The rest were of Harin at important life events like her middle school graduation or standing proudly with perfect report cards. Harin had printed and hung the latter ones herself.
After they moved, the box with the pictures got lost, and Harin didn't bother printing new ones. She didn't have any with her father, and hanging pictures of just herself all around her house felt weird.
They walked to the living room in silence, the tension palpable. Harin motioned for Seokdae to sit, while she too collapsed onto the beige couch, rubbing her temples. The weight of the day's events and the magnitude of what Seokdae had brought to her felt almost crushing.
"Why now, Seokdae?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why are you coming to me with this?"
Seokdae took a deep breath, his usual stoic facade cracking slightly. "Things have gone too far. This is not who I am."
Harin studied him, searching for sincerity in his expression. After a long moment, she nodded slowly. "Alright. I'll figure out what to do with this," she said, gesturing to the USB. "But you need to be ready to face the consequences too. I'll try to get a good word in with my dad, but I can't promise anything."
Seokdae's jaw tightened, but he nodded, determination in his eyes. "I understand. I just want to make things right."
Harin sighed again, feeling the enormity of the situation bearing down on her. "Okay, let's do this."
...
Seokdae left her apartment soon after, leaving Harin alone with the USB drive and the daunting task of determining whether it contained solid evidence or merely circumstantial details. She inserted the USB into her computer, the screen flickering to life as she navigated through the files.
The first folder contained scanned documents—contracts, financial statements, and letters from victims Gilsu had scammed. Harin's heart ached as she read through the desperate pleas for help and the stories of ruined lives and shattered dreams.
Another folder held a series of grim photographs. Images of beaten and bloodied people, their faces contorted in pain and fear. There were photos of drugs, large quantities of cash, and other illegal items—firearms, forged documents, and even disturbing images suggesting human trafficking. In between- some photos of Gilsu clearly laughing while beating up young teens.
That trash enjoys this.
As she clicked through the evidence, Harin felt a wave of nausea wash over her. She pulled the USB out of her computer, unable to look any longer. Her stomach churned, and she struggled to keep her composure, the reality of Gilsu's crimes weighing heavily on her mind. She felt sickened, both by the evidence and by the realization of the danger they were all in.
Gilsu might be a small fish, but Harin had a feeling that the people he was operating for weren't.
That night, Harin went to bed feeling uneasy. Sleep eluded her as she lay there, thoughts racing and her heart pounding. Every time she closed her eyes, the images from the USB replayed in her mind, haunting her dreams and keeping her awake.
Harin woke up at 6:30 the next morning, like clockwork. She had a quick breakfast before she packed her bag. All of her books and notes were carefully placed on her desk next to all of the extra material and her pencil case. Instead, Harin shoved a change of clothes into her backpack along with her headphones and a thin wad of cash. A next stop at the kitchen filled her bag with some food before the girl left the house at 7:30.
She drove to the airport and caught a long-distance bus bound for Busan. Harin was going to meet her father.
Harin's father, General Shin Woojin, has been holding the highest post at the Busan Military Command as the Commanding General. Renowned for his strict discipline and unyielding demeanor, he is a figure of authority and respect within the military community. His reputation as a stalwart leader preceded him, making him feared by his subordinates.
His neatly trimmed hair is midnight black in color and styled to one side with a side part. Piercing eyes, a deep shade of brown, seem to observe everything with intense scrutiny, missing nothing. His skin, weathered by years spent in harsh conditions and grief, had a rugged quality that only enhanced his formidable persona. His face was chiseled, with sharp features that reflected years of discipline and leadership. Standing tall with a broad, muscular build, he carried himself with an air of confidence and unwavering resolve.
Shin Woojin has the type of appearance that most would associate with a mafia boss. He is a no-nonsense type of guy, often smoking, never smiling. And he was, in a sense, Harin thought. It's not something that's generally known, but Harin got to know that her father would occasionally beat people if he was told to by higher-ups.
It's not like they don't deserve it, right? Dad wouldn't beat someone for no reason!
Before Harin got the memo, she would often catch a bus to Busan to see her father. The guys at the gate would look at each other helplessly but let Harin in eventually when it was confirmed that she was his daughter. She would be led into his office at times; other times, she would join some direct subordinates to her father.
Four guys who were sharing an office as the D.P. of the Busan army base. The D.P. is essentially the army police who look for deserters, soldiers who are trying to illegally avoid their military service. Han Hoyul, the oldest of the bunch. Ahn Joonho, the genius rookie. Heo Giyeong, the computer genius. And Jeon Seokho, Seokdae's older brother, who had joined the military after his mandatory service to make money for Seokdae to continue school,.
Harin would come to visit the base regularly over a period of six months, hoping to share a meal with her father or show him her accomplishments in school. She didn't once catch a glimpse of the middle-aged man. Instead, she would spend a few hours in the D.P.'s office as they did their work and then be led back to the entrance by a soldier picking her up.
She had come to meet her father but instead had soon gotten close to the soldiers in the office, especially Hoyul oppa, who was someone she could joke around with. The older man would treat Harin as a younger sister, which the girl wasn't used to but soon learned to relish in.
In the base, her father was known as the devil because of his usual demeanor and conduct. Because he would regularly do surprise visits at the office and drill them, Hoyul oppa once joked that he was always happy to see Harin because that meant that they were safe from the devil for the day.
Harin's smile had frozen at that. Instead, all the pieces clicked in her head. All of the excuses she had made for her father about him being too busy with work to meet her were washed away like cheap chalk on a sidewalk road.
Hoyul oppa had, of course, apologized a lot, even writing her excessively after she had left that day, but ultimately, what's done is done. Afterwards, he had even sent her pictures and updates about her father. Harin had shortly relished what she had previously wished for so strongly: getting to know her father. Still, soon after, Harin texted Hoyul oppa.
'It's okay, Oppa. I'm really okay; there's no need to worry. I guess I was just so happy to be there that I forgot my place, you only reminded me of why I was coming to the base in the first place. I think it's pretty clear by now that he doesn't want to see me, so I think it's best I leave it be."
Harin still kept in touch with Hoyul and the other guys occasionally, but that was the last time Harin had made her way to Busan. Until now, that is.
As Harin sat on the bus, her mind drifted to memories of her father. Despite their strained relationship, she knew he was her last hope. She knew she had to stay strong, not just for herself but for Sooho and everyone else on the USB stick that Gilsu had hurt. The evidence on the USB was their best chance at bringing him to justice, and she was determined to see it through, no matter the cost. The evidence she found on the USB included damning information about police officers in Seoul being bribed by Gilsu and his gang. This corruption made it clear that she couldn't rely on local authorities to help them. The situation was too dangerous, too deeply rooted in criminal activity.
Harin had tried reaching out to her father multiple times over the past few weeks to check up on him, but all her calls and texts went unanswered. General Shin's silence was unsettling, but Harin understood his position. He was a busy man, and their relationship had always been more professional than personal, anyway. Nevertheless, she was desperate now, needing his help. This trip to Busan was her last resort.
She hoped that he would see her if she insisted hard enough. The gravity of the situation demanded it.
It was about 3 in the afternoon when Harin arrived at the airport in Busan. Another hour of catching a taxi eventually left Harin at the gate to the base. The girl was exhausted, but still, she went up the guard shack and smiled at the soldier on his shift. The boy looked barely older than her as she leaned on his hand, which was placed on the small table in front of him.
Harin raised her hand and knocked on the window, separating the two of them.
The guard stationed at the gate of the Busan military base stirred from a half-dozing state as Harin approached. His uniform, crisply pressed and adorned with various insignia denoting his rank, suggested he was relatively new to his role. With short, cropped hair and a youthful face, he looked barely older than Harin herself. Leaning on one hand propped against the small table in front of him, he blinked sleepily as Harin raised her hand to knock on the window separating them.
The sudden knock startled him, causing him to sit up straighter in his chair. His eyes widened momentarily in confusion and perhaps a touch of anxiety, mistaking Harin's approach for the arrival of his supervisor. As he registered her presence fully, his posture relaxed, and a faint blush colored his cheeks as he took in Harin's appearance. Despite the seriousness of his duty, her beauty didn't go unnoticed, momentarily catching him off guard.
Despite her inner turmoil, Harin appeared flawlessly beautiful, clad in dark blue straight-legged jeans paired with a black basic shirt that seamlessly met the waistline of her pants. Her face had her normal amount of make-up on—mascara and lipgloss—along with some concealer under her eyes to cover up her lack of sleep.
"How can I help you?" he managed to ask, his voice betraying a slight nervousness despite his efforts to sound composed.
"I'm here to see General Shin Woojin. He's my father," Harin stated calmly, her voice carrying a mix of determination and expectation.
The guard hesitated, uncertainty flickering across his face. It was clear he wasn't accustomed to such requests, especially when they involved the commanding general. Sensing his hesitation, he glanced around nervously before deciding to step away from the window and towards another younger soldier in the back of the shack, also asleep. The two talked for a few seconds before the first boy walked a few paces to a walkie-talkie mounted on a nearby post. He pressed the button and spoke into it with an earnest tone, relaying Harin's request to his supervisor.
Several tense minutes passed before he returned to the gate, his demeanor noticeably altered. Where before there was hesitation, now there is deference. He approached Harin with a respectful bow, his back bending almost ninety degrees as he spoke. "I was ordered to take you to the D.P. office, Miss."
Harin nodded, offering him a reassuring smile. "You can speak to me comfortably; I think you're older than me," she said gently, her voice calm and reassuring.
As they walked through the gate and into the military base, the guard maintained a respectful distance, occasionally stealing glances at Harin out of the corner of his eye. Harin fought hard to suppress her smile. The boy next to her was undoubtedly handsome; his features were chiseled, with a strong jawline and piercing eyes that seemed to hold a hint of curiosity as he glanced in her direction. His uniform fit him well, emphasizing a lean yet muscular frame that spoke of disciplined training.
Still, Harin had to hold herself back from sitting herself over the head because of her thoughts.
'He's not as handsome as Sooho.'
The base itself was bustling with activity—soldiers in uniform going about their duties, vehicles moving purposefully across the grounds, and the distant sound of drills echoing from a nearby training area. Harin took in her surroundings with a mixture of familiarity and apprehension, knowing that each step brought her closer to facing her father, the formidable General Shin Woojin.
Upon reaching the D.P. office, the guard knocked at the door, waiting for authorization to enter the room. A small window on the door showed the familiar room she had previously spent hours in. Inside, the atmosphere was more subdued compared to the lively exterior. Rows of desks were occupied by the soldiers, engrossed in paperwork or monitoring computer screens, the air thick with the scent of coffee and the low hum of conversation. A 'yes.' from the inside was the sign for the boy next to her to open the door for her and bow at her politely.
She turned back to the guard, who stood respectfully at attention near the doorway. "Thank you for your assistance," she said sincerely, acknowledging his role in guiding her to her destination.
The guard nodded, a hint of relief visible on his face now that his task was complete. "You're welcome, Miss. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to ask," he replied earnestly before stepping back to walk back to his post at the gate.
As Harin entered the room, she was enveloped by a wave of warmth and familiarity. Hoyul, the eldest and always the most enthusiastic, rushed over to her immediately. With his usual broad smile, he enveloped her in a bear hug, lifting her slightly off the ground. "Harin! How have you been?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine happiness and concern.
Seokho also stood up from his desk. His usually stern face softened into a warm smile as he approached her. "It's good to see you, Harin," he said, his voice carrying a sincerity that touched her. Harin couldn't help but notice the dark circles under his eyes, a testament to the long hours he'd been working. She felt a pang of responsibility, knowing she needed to help pull his younger brother Seokdae out of Gilsu's dangerous business. The sight of Seokho's exhaustion fueled her determination to make things right.
Giyeong, engrossed in his computer, barely glanced up. "Where've you been, Harin? Did you bring me a cheeseburger?" he asked, his tone as deadpan as ever. When she laughed and shook her head, saying, "No, sorry, Giyeong," he simply replied, "Hm." He turned back to his computer, trying to hide the small smile that threatened to break through. Despite his attempt to appear indifferent, Harin could sense his quiet joy at her presence. "I missed you too, Giyeong," she said warmly, earning a subtle nod from him.
Finally, Junho, the righteous and protective one, walked over with a smile that reached his eyes. He gently ruffled her hair, a gesture that had become his signature way of showing affection. "It's good to see you again, Harin," he said. His actions were always gentle, as she reminded him of his own younger sister. The familiarity and affection in his voice brought a sense of comfort to Harin.
As she looked around the room, taking in the familiar faces and feeling the genuine warmth of their welcome, Harin felt a deep sense of gratitude and belonging. "I've missed you all," she said, her smile genuine and filled with affection.
Hoyul, still beaming, placed a hand on her shoulder. "We've missed you too, Harin. It's not the same without you around here," he said, his tone playful yet sincere.
Seokho nodded in agreement, his expression softening even further. "It's true. You've been a bright spot for all of us," he added.
Giyeong was not one to show much emotion. "Yeah, it's been too quiet without you," he muttered, his eyes briefly meeting hers before turning back to his screen.
Harin's heart swelled with gratitude. "Thank you, everyone. It means a lot to me," she said, her face glistening with happiness.
After the warm reunion, Harin turned to Hoyul, who was the highest-ranked among them, and said, "Hoyul oppa, Can you take me to my father's office?. It's something serious."
Hoyul looked at her with a questioning expression. "You don't know?" he asked.
Confused, Harin responded, "Know what?"
He explained, "Your father has been on a diplomatic trip in the United States for the past five or so weeks."
Harin's stomach dropped as Hoyul's words registered in her brain. Her father hadn't told her that he was going to the US but ignored her messages instead?
"Oh, I see," she said, her voice tinged with embarrassment. She bowed to the four, explaining, "In that case, I'll go back to Seoul."
Hoyul shook his head. "No need to rush. It will be really late by the time you get home. Sleep the night at your father's house outside of the base and go back in the morning," he suggested, assuming she knew where her father's home was.
Harin felt a surge of embarrassment, her ears turning bright red as she realized she didn't know where her father lived. She quickly made an excuse. "Actually, I wanted to go to my father's office first. He has a picture of my mom there that I want to copy."
Hoyul nodded and agreed, leading her to the general's office. Before leaving, Harin said goodbye to the boys, receiving their warm farewells.
A last look at Seokho determined Harin to work hard and get Seokdae out of that mess.
It had been a few months prior when Harin met Seokdae. Seokho had only recently finished his mandatory military service and had been accepted as a permanent soldier.
She'd questioned him about why he would do that. Seokho had onky smiled and ruffled her hair as he explained that he had a younger brother he was supporting to go through school and become something he wanted to pursue.
Seokdae and Seokho had lost their parents a few years ago. Seokho had only been 21 and was already taking over custody of his 16-year-old brother, all while grieving.
He had dropped out of police school and worked odd jobs at construction companies or retail stores—anything to get enough money in to house and feed himself and his brother. Eventually, he joined the military and was recommended to join the P.D. by Hoyul's supervisor for excellent results in the training phase.
Harin had one thought as she listened to his explanation.
Wow, he must really love his brother.
She couldn't help but be both in awe and jealous of Seokho's brother.
It was around the same time that Gilsu's gang started harassing her. Teenage boys and girls would follow Harin home and to school, taking turns stalking her. They didn't touch her in the beginning, keeping their distance but not letting her forget their presence by being unnecessarily loud in public.
One of the boys was Seokdae. She'd noticed how he would usually keep the others in check but was still following Gilsu's orders nonetheless.
Harin's face had dropped into disbelief when she'd entered the café to meet Seokho and his brother. Seokho had just gotten his first vacation day and was excited to introduce Harin to his brother while he was in Seoul anyway.
Seokdae had looked completely different from how he usually looked. His hair was out of the usual man bun and styled instead, and he wore proper, neat clothes, unlike the track suits she usually saw him in.
And he was equally shocked when he saw her. From the nervous looks he was sending her, she guessed that Seokho didn't know about the activities in his pastime.
So Harin just took her seat, letting Seokho enthusiastically introduce the previously nameless boy to her.
Jeon Seokdae.
After that, Harin and Seokdae came to a silent agreement. Harin didn't tell Seokho and Seokdae would protect her from Gilsu's gang.
After a few weeks, the other teens had gotten bold, and harassing her from in front of the apartment building wasn't enough anymore. Instead, they would wait in front of her front door, sometimes ringing the door repeatedly or speaking to her through the wooden frame, taunting her and laughing.
More and more often, Harin would see Seokdae instead of the others. He would sit next to her front door, his head leaned back against the wall, and his eyes closed. He would sit there when she went home and silently follow her from a few feet behind when she went out.
Later, Harin would invite him inside, and they would eat Harin's cooked meals silently before Seokdae went back to his usual post.
Until the other teens broke into Harin's home one day and Harin realized that Seokdae was with them by his voice from behind the bathroom door she was hiding in.
Harin hadn't seen him afterwards. Until now, that is.
Inside the office, Hoyul gave her privacy, understanding the sensitivity of the topic for her mother. Harin felt a pang of guilt for using her mother's memory to deceive her friend. She started searching through her father's desk drawers, hoping to find any mail that had been sent to his house.
The table was made of darkly stained oak, as were the matching cabinets in the room. The walls were painted a dark gray, revealed through the bright light of the afternoon sun. The big table had a lot of drawers on both sides, some locked, probably with important documents, and others free to access. She opened the second drawer on the right, searching through the contents.
Bingo!
Amidst the papers, she found the letter envelope she needed. She quickly took a picture of the address that was printed under her father's name. As she was about to put it back, her eyes stuck to a black object that was revealed under the envelopes.
A taser. She didn't think twice and slipped the weapon into her baby blue backpack.
Better be safe than sorry...
Then she exited the room, meeting Hoyul in the hallway; there was no picture of her mother in the office.
Hoyul escorted her to the gate, offering encouragement and making excuses for her father's absence.
"Don't worry, Oppa. I know my father is a very busy person. He probably forgot to tell me," Harin said, forcing a smile.
Hoyul seemed relieved that she wasn't upset. Still, he looked at her with an empathetic expression.
"Aish, you're already so mature for your age, Harin. Sometimes I wish you would make a fuss like a child your age should," he said warmly.
"There's no use in that, oppa. Besides, I'll be an adult in two years!"
Hoyul smiled at her and asked her to come back more often, if she could. Harin smiled in response but didn't commit. As she turned and walked towards the bus station, her face was out of Hoyul's sight, and her smile faded, replaced by a look of determination and sadness.
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A/n: Sooo, long chapter once again! No sight of Sooho in this one, but don't worry, our favorite guardian angel will make a comeback next chapter :D
