PAPER HEARTS - Ryeji (English ver)

Chapter 6

– How are you so good at this? – Yeji asked, genuinely interested – If you were passionate about this job, just imagine the possibilities.

– Thank you, Yeji – she responded with a smile, keeping her eyes on the road.

– I never would have figured it out – Yeji added excitedly, beginning to admire Shin Ryujin professionally – and you did it in... – she counted on her fingers – less than five minutes.

– I guess so – she replied somewhat indifferently. She wasn't fond of compliments – When we get there, I'll need you to follow everything I do exactly. – she said – Got it?

– Whatever you say – Yeji nodded, bringing the back of her hand to her forehead in a mock salute. Ryujin gave her a small smile but didn't say anything more until they arrived at the high school. When they parked, they headed towards the entrance, which was guarded by a security officer, something that piqued the lawyer's interest.

– Excuse me – she smiled, somewhat falsely – Can I find the football coach here?

– Are you referring to Mr. Marcus? – the man asked politely. Ryujin nodded, already having the name of her suspect – Yes, go ahead. He should be at the basketball court – he said, pointing them in the right direction.

– In what world do they let you into a place like this so easily? – Yeji whispered as they walked toward the court.

– In what world would anyone suspect a pretty face? – Ryujin replied. Yeji agreed, trying to make sense of it – I want you to record the confession.

– Confession? – Yeji asked, confused. Ryujin just nodded, handing her a small disposable recorder.

When they arrived at the court, they spotted Marcus, an older man in a tracksuit, even wearing a cap and a whistle hanging from his neck. They walked toward him, ignoring the stares from the students playing basketball.

– Mr. Marcus? – Ryujin asked, smiling falsely again.

– That's me – he nodded, looking at her. Ryujin memorized his face.

– You must be the coach here. You see, my friend and I are looking for our cheerleading uniforms – she smiled, sounding innocently convincing – You haven't seen them, have you?

– You two? – the man asked, subtly checking them out. The older girl noticed and felt uncomfortable – Are you seventeen? – he asked, not quite believing it, a bit suspicious.

– How did you know? – Ryujin asked, feigning surprise. They were making it so easy.

– I've never seen you at this high school – he said, crossing his arms.

– That's because we don't study here exactly, as you can see from our clothes – she replied, acting like a spoiled teenager, inspired by Yeji – and we might've left our uniforms here after the last game – she shrugged, pretending to be embarrassed – We study at the south high school.

– I see – he responded softly – Actually, that's where the next game will be – he smiled, stepping a little closer – It's Friday night. Will you be there?

– Oh, Mr. Marcus – Ryujin replied – I don't think so. We don't have our uniforms. Do you have another one, Sandra? – she looked at Yeji, who just shook her head, unsure of what to do.

– The uniforms won't be necessary – he nodded – Do you know where Central Park is? – he asked. Ryujin couldn't help but laugh as the location where the killer left the bodies slipped out of his mouth.