The road from Seoul to Gwangju wasn't too long, so by car usually it took less time, but as they unfortunately set off in the afternoon, traffic slowly began to form, besides, they had to stop at a gas station along the way. That's why driving to Gwangju took them almost an hour, and all this clearly upset Soo Min. Hyun Woo tried to relax the atmosphere a little by joking around, but it didn't help much. Fortunately, when they finally reached Gwangju, Soo Min clearly brightened.
- All right, you will continue to lead from here Hyun Woo. After all, it's your city.- she said, stopping in the parking lot by the cafe.- But first I'll buy something to drink. Do you want something too?- Soo Min asked, looking at him.- Iced Americano please.- Hyun Woo replied, switching to the driver's seat.- Okay, wait here, I'll go alone. It will be faster this way.- said Soo Min, picking up the wallet from her purse. - And remember, when you will drive later, don't go crazy. This car beAs they slowly reached deeper into the forest, they saw a gray stone wall three meters high, which enclosed a fairly large area just before the dense forest in the back. Maybe less than a meter before the gate, the forest path turned into a gravel driveway. The gate was huge and also three meters tall, all made of metal, in a slightly darker shade of gray than the wall around. The very modern looking surveillance camera was located where the wall was in contact with the metal frame of the gate. The camera has moved right away when their car drove on a gravel part of the road.- I don't see any intercoms...- Hyun Woo spoke up, scanning with his eyes the gate and parts of the wall nearby.- What are we supposed to do? Knock?- asked Soo Min, a little bit annoyed.At the same moment she said it tough, the gate clicked slightly and began to move automatically, disappearing behind the wall and opening for them a way inside. Hyun Woo moved the car forward again and felt clea
Soo Min and Hyun Woo entered the room and looked around. It housed several tables full of various cutting and sewing utensils, also for drawing designs. One of them also had a quite large sewing machine. The largest of them also contained materials of various colors and templates for cutting out various pieces of clothing. There were several mannequins in the center, but most were covered with black sheets.- I already have several projects practically ready, so I had to cover them, since all my projects till the release date are the fashion house secret.- explained Hyun Sik probably noticing their curious looks on covered mannequins.- Detectives, please sit down.- he pointed to a small sofa located on the other side of the room, in the very corner. He himself took the armchair located opposite.- Maybe you would like something to drink?- he suggested, looking at them both rather uncertainly.- There is no need. We came here for a specific purpose and it would be better to
Then they waited for about a minute in silence. Soo Min and Hyun Woo were already near the door, ready to go out, and Hyun Sik leaned lightly against the largest table, gazing at the view through the window, and it was beautiful because it showed what was behind the house - a huge forest stretching very far. It looked like there was no wall on the back side, but a similar metal fence like at Choi's residence. Therefore, it did not block the view like the wall surrounding the front and sides of the house and the surrounding area. Finally, there was a knock on the door, and only then did Hyun Sik move.- You can come in.- he said, and then the door opened and the same security guard stood there, who brought detectives upstairs.- Jun Ho, take care of detective Kim and detective Jung.- Hyun Sik added, addressing the man.- Of course.- said the security guard and motioned both detectives to step out into the corridor.- Goodbye again.- Hyun Sik said at the end, then Soo Mi
When they got off the elevator on this floor, Hyun Woo led Soo Min down the hall to the last door. They both stood in front of them, and Hyun Woo pressed the bell. First, a dog's bark was heard, then footsteps approaching the door. Then they opened and a middle-aged woman stood in them. She was slightly shorter than Soo Min, had a small physique, long hair in black color mixed with gray tied in a ponytail, black eyes and a small head. Her face was similar to Hyun Woo's, only with more feminine features. She was dressed in an airy dress over the knee, in a very light shade of blue, with dark blue polka dots. A medium-sized sapsali dog with white hair, slightly graying at the back, hung around her legs. The dog was apparently very excited about the guests and if his owner wouldn't stand in the door he would probably run closer to them.- Hyun Woo? Is that really you?- the woman asked, looking at him.- What a pleasant surprise, I did not expect you to visit me so soon. And y
During the meal Soo Min got to know quite a lot about Hyun Woo's family. His father, Jung Hyun Jun, was an officer in The Combat Police division of the Seoul Police Agency, and when Hyun Woo was only 10 years old, he died in action during one of the more violent riots, being only 35 years old. Since then Mrs Yoon raised her son alone with the help of her's and husband's family. She also got compensation from the police and with that money she opened a small restaurant. However, when Hyun Woo graduated from Police Academy and started working at the Gwangju police station, Mrs Yoon handed the restaurant over to her sister's daughter. She only dealt with restaurant finances and orders of products needed for cooking now.Hyun Woo, just like Soo Min, didn't have any siblings, but was so popular at school that he didn't need any. However, Hyun Woo wasn't popular because of his appearance, but mainly because he has always been very empathetic towards people. He was ready to listen and
When Hyun Woo finished helping his mother, then along with Soo Min said goodbye and left the apartment. Then they took the elevator down, left the apartment block, headed for the parking lot and got into the car. Of course, this time Soo Min took the driver's place again and Hyun Woo the passenger's seat. They fastened their seat belts and Soo Min started off the car park onto the street leading to the exit from Gwangju, towards Seoul. It was already getting dark, so they probably won't be able to do anything more today than taking the car to the parking lot at the police station and writing down a report about the conversations they had today.- Hyun Woo.- Soo Min said when they stood at the traffic light.- Yes, sunbae?- he asked, directing all his attention from the view outside the window at her.- I think we should add Ye Eun's brother to the list of suspects.- she announced, causing a shock on her partner's face.- I don't understand, sunbae... Why?- asked
The next day, on Saturday, the entire Violent Crime Section met in a restaurant run by the wife of officer Kim. Soo Min, since she already knew the address where Hyun Woo lived, decided to pick him up on her way and drive to the restaurant. By the time they arrived to the place, Jung Mo stood outside smoking a cigarette. Han Eul, Dae Shim and Joo Chan were already inside the restaurant, sitting at one of the tables located by the window, that's why they were clearly seen.- Hyun Woo hyung.- Jung Mo's face brightened, seeing him.- Sunbae.- then he bowed to Soo Min, which slightly surprised her. It was rare for Jung Mo to be so kind to her, but maybe because Joo Chan was usually with him.- Hi, Jung Mo.- Hyun Woo replied, smiling brightly.- Hello.- said Soo Min, looking at Jung Mo and even gave him a gentle smile.- Is everyone present?- she asked.- Basically yes. Only Sang Kyu is not here yet, but he called officer Kim and informed that he would be a little late.
(*Hoobae - younger colleague in school/work.**Soju - korean alcohol, similar to vodka.)- Officer Kim. It's so nice to see you, sunbae-nim.- Soo Min smiled brightly as he came closer. They hugged each other slightly, then she used hands to point on her partner standing nearby.- This is Jung Hyun Woo, the new detective I told you about, officer Kim.- she introduced him.- Hello, sunbae-nim.- Hyun Woo said with due respect and even saluted, making officer Kim laugh slightly.- Good good. You don't have to say hello to me with that much respect.- the man said after a moment.- Call me officer Kim, that's all I need.- he added, patting him lightly on the shoulder.- Okay, officer Kim.- Hyun Woo corrected himself immediately, smiling broadly.- I've heard a lot about you. And I'm not just talking about what they said on television.- replied officer Kim.- Soo Min also told me a bit when she called me. And
On that day, exactly one month after they took up the "Cherry Blossom Reaper" case, Soo Min and Hyun Woo were just coming out of court after the final trial. Lee Joo Young was found guilty of course, but not entirely aware of his actions. Unfortunately, the final opinion of the forensic doctors clearly indicated his at least partial insanity, so instead of prison, he was locked up in a psychiatric hospital, but in a closed ward, and under the clear custody of the police. The court gave doctors a chance to undergo treatment, at the end of which Lee Joo Young will be examined again to see if the treatment will have any effect on him. If not, and Lee Joo Young continues to unrepent, he will be imprisoned with a life sentence.- A little bittersweet sentence, isn't it?- Hyun Woo asked as they descended the stairs and headed towards the parking lot.- Yes, very much.- Soo Min admitted, sighing heavily.- But that was the opinion of doctors. I don't really believe in Lee Joo Youn
At the beginning of the next week, a lot happened. Firstly, the court hearings of "Cherry Blossom Reaper" began, and with them a huge stir among the public. Although CEO Choi seemed to be completely cut off from his recent son and heir, the attorney firm representing the fashion house and the Choi family decided to represent Joo Young in court, specifically Jang Chang Woo himself as his lawyer. However, he did not try to prove his client's innocence, but to alleviate the punishment as much as possible, based on the preliminary opinion of the forensic psychologist that Lee Joo Young was not completely aware of what he was doing.At the same time, Kim Dong Min, the same one who stayed with Lee Joo Young in a foster family after the Gwangju orphanage burned down, came to the Seoul police station and turned himself in. He confessed of being guilty of helping the "Cherry Blossom Reaper", because Dong Min was a hacker with the nickname 'Void' and all the technical stuff - getting pla
Joo Young hated that thought, therefore, he did not want to see absolutely anyone. But that changed when Joo Young heard that Kim Dong Min wanted to visit him. He even asked for this himself so this man could be let in. His little Dong Min, whom he always wanted to protect from all evil. He knew seeing him would definitely make it all more bearable, however, he was afraid that this visit would make someone suspect that Dong Min had something to do with Joo Young's 'mission', so he had to ensure today that it was Dong Min's first and last visit. No matter how badly he wanted to see him again... Joo Young had to protect Dong Min, he was his hyung after all. Joo Young had decided so from day one, when he had defended his dongsaeng from one of those obnoxious guardians in that damn orphanage, and for that had been given a hard spanking himself in his place. Now it should end exactly the same way - Joo Young had to take the punishment for the two of them.- Dong Min-ah... - he spoke
While being in pre-trial detention, Joo Young had no desire to see anyone, especially Choi Young Sik and his wife, Madam Lee. So he was glad when they stopped trying to get a permission to visit him. He hated these people even though they made his life so good, or at least that's what all the people around him told him. While playing the role of Choi Hyun Sik, Joo Young had heard that he was extremely lucky to be born into such a family. But what these people did not know was that Joo Young was not born into this family at all. The burden of the secret that Choi Young Sik and his wife had thrown on him was a bit unbearable at times. The only thing Joo Young was really grateful for was that he met Ye Eun after entering this family's house. Normally, as an ordinary child, he would never had a chance to meet her. However, it was a bittersweet feeling as he was supposed to be Ye Eun's older brother, so could never show her his true feelings, which probably started to sprout slowly in hi
- Joo Young calmed down, but Ye Eun began to have nightmares and was afraid to approach her brother. She wanted to tell father about it.- Madam Lee replied after taking another sip of coffee.- I told her that she can't tell anyone about it, because it's just such a disease and her brother has already recovered from it. Ye Eun was such an innocent and extremely naive child, believed in everything I told her, so she believed in this too. Ye Eun stayed away from her brother for a while, but after a year she seemed to have completely forgotten about it and normally accosted him, encouraging to play with other children. As they both grew up, she even caught a great contact with him, he spoke to her more willingly than to anyone else. I was very happy about it and I forgot what Joo Young used to do. I was so proud of him, of his academic performance, and then the results of his work. He made such wonderful creations that I was very happy to give him the place of main designer in our fashi
When CEO Choi found out that his son had confessed to everything, he seemed completely devastated. It was evident that he truly believed in his innocence to the end. Madam Lee, on the other hand, seemed much less shocked and Soo Min did not understand it at first, because she thought this woman was the one who would be more devastated by the news.Soo Min went to their house on her own, without the Chief Kim's knowledge, to just tell them about their son, that a court hearing was about to take place and to find out if they would want to attend, because however little they knew about what Hyun Sik was doing, their testimony might help a bit. Besides, Soo Min also felt that although he was not their real son, they had raised him over the years and treated as their own child. No matter what their reasons were at the beginning, they surely loved him at least a little. The more she wanted to tell them what was happening with Hyun Sik, or rather Joo Young, because he himself did not
- I don't want to believe that you could have done it all yourself. I think someone helped you, at least with some of these things.- added Soo Min, looking at him closely.- Apparently I'm not just a genius at fashion design.- Joo Young replied, his face turning serious.- You think I couldn't do it all? Why? Do you doubt my intelligence?- he asked kind of reproachfully.- I'm saying I did everything myself. I know it may be hard to believe, but I learn really fast, much faster than others. If you ask at the schools I attended, they will confirm my words. I have always had the best academic record and heard many times people calling me a genius. But to me it was natural and I never understood what all these delights were for.- he explained.- Well, if you say so, I will not pursue this topic anymore.- Soo Min surrendered, seeing that even if her suspicions were right, and he was lying, she would not be able to get any information about a possible helper out of him.- We alrea
- What about the KIA car that belonged to your father? How did you get it?- Soo Min asked, curious about this part of the story.- As for this car, when I took it from the junkyard, I didn't necessarily think about the plan.- Joo Young confessed.- I just liked this car and I didn't want it to be destroyed. When I was a child, I asked if my father would give me this car when I get older, but he said no, he would like to buy me a car more worthy of an heir to a huge fortune. Then CEO Choi added that I should not think about such old junk.- and as he said it, one could see the disappointment on his face.- It seems funny now, but as a child, I felt very hurt. So later, when I found out that my father had instructed Secretary Lee to take the car to the junkyard and see it destroyed, I had to do something. Since I knew how much Secretary Lee wanted to be friends with me, I called him and asked to run an errand that I was supposed to handle myself. Later I called the junkyard and aske
Soo Min entered the interrogation room and sat down at the table in front of a man who until recently was called Choi Hyun Sik.- Lee Joo Young-ssi...- Soo Min called him by his real name, though she had a hard time getting used to the fact that this was his name.- At the last interrogation you told us about your childhood again, but now I'd like to hear the full story of how you carried out your mission.- she said, quite cautiously to encourage him to speak. Soo Min could see clearly that he was angry with her for approaching him like that while they were talking in the basement of his house. He felt clearly deceived and spoke to her very reluctantly, but she still wanted to get the whole truth out of him. Joo Chan offered to help, assuring Joo Young would sing everything nicely after one interrogation with him, but Soo Min preferred to personally interrogate the "Cherry Blossom Reaper".- I already told you everything, Soo Min. Don't you remember?- he spoke to her comple