Chapter 4

'Am I dreaming?' Mina's eyes got locked at her tutor's.

"Make sure you bring an umbrella next time. They say it will often rain in spring this year."

Kian was still holding his jacket, covering her head and her shoulders.

He was standing really close to Mina. His scent with the sweet-smelling spring shower was such a perfect fragrance. 

He got a little wet. His hair was neatly done that revealed his forehead. He was wearing a formal attire. He looked a lot more handsome and different now.

Because she felt like she was blushing, she stepped back. But Kian moved close to her once again.

They were standing close to each other. Just the moment Kian faced Mina only inches away from her, she noticed how he looked right now surely appealed to senses. 

Slightly wet hair, white long sleeves, two undone buttons, loosened tie. 

Kian put his jacket over her, then he carefully covered her head extending to her shoulders until her arms. He fixed it for the second time just to make sure she wouldn't get wet.

"Teacher. Why are you here in our school?" 

Kian didn't give her an answer but a glance and then he ran towards the exit gate.

Mina was left under the rain.

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'Your tutor called to inform me you did not bring an umbrella. The reason why I am here. And if you are going to ask me if your grandfather's already home, yes he is. But don't worry, Mr. Yoo will not scold you for getting home a little late. Your tutor told him he saw you at the library.'

Mina was definitely in a cloud nine at the moment. What she had heard from Ms. Kim while they were walking to the house from the bus stop an hour ago was making her heart burst in indescribable happiness.

While drying her hair, she could not help but smile from ear to ear recalling her first beautiful and unforgettable spring rain with her tutor. They were not just standing under that rain, they were standing so close to each other. Mina blushed.

She sat on the couch by the window. She looked outside. It was still raining. Her bright smile had not left her face since this afternoon. Mina was obviously in a good mood. And she hoped Ms. Kim did not notice it while they were heading home together.

She stood up and got Kian's jacket. That perfume. She did not mean to smell it, but her tutor's alluring scent still lingered on it.

Sudden knocks on the door surprised Mina.

She quickly threw the jacket on the couch and hustled to open the door.

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The awkward silence was killing Mina. She was answering a few Science exercises. She secretly stole a glance at her tutor, he was reading that book again.

'It must be his favorite book.' Mina thought.

Kian was still wearing the same formal attire Mina had seen him in when he unexpectedly showed up in her school this afternoon. She had been dying to know why he was there. But her tutor's cold seriousness intimidated Mina.

'He seemed friendly and approachable in school though.' Mina was distracted again.

Mina cleared her throat. "Teacher?" 

Kian asked her why and did not look at her.

"W..What did you do in our school?"

Kian answered her right away. "I got interviewed for my application."

"You're gonna teach there??"

"I don't know yet. It was just an interview. There are a lot of things to accomplish first."

Mina felt relieved that she did not get ignored by him. Though he still sounded distant, at least he answered her question.

Mina smilingly responded. "I am sure you can accomplish all those things and can get accepted. You're from SN University."

It was such a friendly approach but Kian remained serious. His eyes were still focused on the book he had been reading.

But Mina did not want to waste this rare opportunity to ask another question. "Did you pass the interview?"

"Yes." He coldly answered.

"See? I was right, you can get accepted."

Kian looked at her this time. He pointed at the Science book. "Are you done answering?"

Mina shyly shook her head. 

"Then continue." Kian said in his usual cold tone.

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Kian put on his jacket as soon as he stepped out of the gate.

"Take care, Mr. Park. See you tomorrow." Ms. Kim waved at him.

He just nodded and turned his back.

The gate closed.

It was not raining anymore but the night wind was a lot cooler for the spring season.

Kian got his phone while walking to the neighborhood bus stop.

For some reason, he did not want to use his car going to Mr. Yoo's house. He would always take either a bus or a taxi. But because residents here had their own cars, taxi drivers seldom entered this place.

Besides, Kian liked walking in this peaceful neighborhood. A five-minute walk to the bus stop was stress-free kind of feeling.

He opened a secret application in his phone and typed the password.

A message immediately appeared on the screen.

'Scanned fingerprints were successfully identified and copied." A sharp glare quickly flashed in his eyes.

He sped up walking. Because of the cold wind, he put his hands in the pockets of his jacket. But he slowed down his steps when he felt that there's something inside the right pocket.

He got a hold of it and took his hand out of the pocket.

Kian was already holding a piece of paper that was folded in a heart shape.

He stopped walking and unfolded it.

He read what was written:

I used to hear a lot of beautiful spring rain stories from my brother back then. And I finally experienced one, thanks to you! Your jacket protected me from the rain going outside the school and walking to the bus stop this afternoon.

And because of that, I will reward you a very interesting story.

If you see a lot of stars in the sky, look at them and wish for something. It will come true.

I am sure you are shaking your head right now while reading this, but I am not lying. I'm speaking from  my experience.

Do you know what I wished for when I saw a lot of stars in the sky last night? To see you again even just once so I could thank you for helping me at Hannan Street. And suddenly you appeared in front of our house. It's amazing, isn't it? Mina Yoo.

The night was getting colder but Mina's letter unexplainably warmed Kian's heart. He folded the paper again and put it back in his pocket.

He hated it but he got choked up reading her message.

Kian continued walking.

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Kian reached The Reed, a small bookshop at Bliss Road. He discreetly but calmly observed his surroundings before entering.

An old man, who was sitting at the small table counter, greeted him. Kian did the same and walked to him.

"The Flowery Road." He told him.

The old man gave Kian the book and smiled at him. "Page 67." 

He thanked him and turned his back.

Twelve rows of long bookshelves were lined up in front of Kian.

While holding the book the old man had just handed him, he went straight to the last row where the poetry books were displayed. He slowly walked to the corner of the last row. A huge reed farm painting was displayed on the wall. It was as tall as Kian.

He made the front cover of the book touch the painter's signature at the bottom of the painting.

The wall slightly opened and Kian immediately entered.

A small room with dim lights welcomed him. No windows, but a big glass board was leaning on the wall. Across it were a round table and five chairs. There was a black couch on the other side of the wall.

Kian sat at the table. Piled up folder files and two laptops were on it.

ACCESSED. The computer monitor showed as soon as he logged in.

He clicked the link he had received and started downloading the photo which was attached to it.

He stood up and walked to the glass board. He slid it to the left side and the wall behind it suddenly opened. Inside it was a tall shelf where different special gadgets were kept. He took out a normally looking phone and sat at the table again.

98% downloading...

99%... 100%...

Download finished!

Kian connected the phone to the computer. It flashed START SCAN on the screen. Kian pressed the command.

SCANNING... 1%... 2%... 3%...

As his eyes got fixated on the computer, his thoughts began to wander until someone crossed his mind. 

A heavy sigh filled the small room. 

Kian leaned forward to look for something among the piled up folder files on the table.

When he spotted what he was looking for, he got it. He leaned on the chair. 

He opened the white folder in which personal information was filed along with photos that were secretly taken.

Kian's heart tightened the moment he saw the first page of the documented profiles.

TARGET #1

Name: Mina Yoo