The outside crowd, at which he looked through the window, seemed weird to DooSan. Yet, although he was there, right in front of the window and looking at the madness seen outside, he seemed absent, as if his mind was still in that place by the sea where he had spent some time with SolHi a few nights ago. Even so, even though he felt all this, DooSan didn’t seem aware. He just stood in front of the Prosecution lobby’s window, immersed in thoughts, and living in his own world.

Suddenly, he winced when he heard GhiYon’s voice, „You are so absent-minded lately, Han DooSan that even your actions are weird. You are weird for sure. And, if I hadn’t known you, I would have sworn that you were in love. Yet, I’m sure it’s not that, although I have my suspicions. Especially after you turned back with Ian SolHi from that faraway place. Or what, don’t tell me, has this journey motivated you?”

„What about keeping your mouth shut?” DooSan growled, suddenly turning toward Doctor Park, who was stopped a few steps from him.

„Why should I do that? It’s funnier this way: to make fun of you, of course. Especially when you are playing the in-love guy role. Something you are doing at this moment too: completely immersed in thoughts, absent-minded, acting weird as though your big love has abandoned you while the train of your life and happiness has just left the station and you cannot catch up with them.”

„Have you become a poet or what?” DooSan hissed through his teeth. He was outraged at that moment, something that made GhiYon attentive, and then he frowned.

„If I’m a poet, you are the ogre of the story. What’s wrong with you? Don’t tell me that’s because of the crowd from outside because I don’t believe you. Why? Because I know that they aren’t here for a case you investigate. So?”

„It’s none of your business!” Replied DooSan drily. Then, turning his back to GhiYon, he headed toward the elevator. „Rather than interrogating me, you should better tell me what you have lost here so that you are after me again!”

„I? Nothing important!” Said GhiYon calmly, following DooSan right away. „I’m just a poor witness in an unimportant case. Because of this, they made me wait. The reason? Everybody is busy with another damn important case. Which one? I can guess only, judging by the madness seen outside. Someone important, huh?”

„Something like that. An idol. A rapper is better to say. A famous guy. Buzzo, if you heard about him.”

„If he hasn’t passed by my office, then… I have no idea who he is,” said GhiYon happily, thinking that he made a damn good joke. Yet, seeing DooSan’s sour face, who was waiting for the elevator, GhiYon suddenly turned serious. „What happened to him? To the famous Buzzo, I mean.”

„Narcotics. The drug squad caught him not a few days ago. Today is the first time they are questioning him.”

„Mmm. I see: it will be a damn long day for many here.”

„Including me, who, on top of that, I got you behind me for the whole day, right?” Looking at Doctor Park, DooSan saw that one shrugging while a large smile was sketched on his face. „At least stop smiling! You are driving me crazy!”

„Friends are for this, right?! To drive each other crazy when they have nothing better to do. Yet, not this seems important to me, but… why don’t you investigate this case? I thought that the drug squad was under your and Iun Min Hiok’s jurisdiction.”

„You are who said that: they were! Now, in this case that smells like huge prizes and promotions, the case is… for some other prosecutors, who are better than us!”

„Let me guess: San DuSik?”

„Who else?! Anyway: he can take it! I don’t have time to trouble myself with idols. I have enough problems without them.”

„Something new for you!” Said GhiYon, smiling. Seeing DooSan about to pounce on him and make him pay instead of the one who spoiled his day, GhiYon frowned. „What’s wrong?” He asked in the end.

„Which area interests you: personal or professional?” Asked DooSan, grumpy.

„Both, if it’s not a secret.” DooSan didn’t reply. Then, suddenly, he turned nervous and started to push the button, calling the elevator that wasn’t coming. „Is it that bad?”

„You’ll see soon how bad it is! Once we get to the office.” Then, the moment the elevator’s doors opened, he got inside because, to DooSan’s great surprise, the elevator was empty.

GhiYon followed him right away. He did that not because he was afraid that the doors would close, but because DooSan’s reaction seemed damn suspicious to him. Because of this, he intended to breathe down DooSan’s neck until the end, at least while he was free and nobody called him to declare. That’s why, once in the elevator, he stopped right behind DooSan, spotting this one insistently pressing the button to close the doors. This seemed even more suspicious than DooSan’s previous reaction. And, looking past DooSan, GhiYon saw Kan and Yu, who just entered the Prosecution building and, seeing the elevator’s doors open, made desperate signs to DooSan to wait for them.

Something that didn’t happen eventually because, seeing them coming and making signs to him to wait for them, DooSan pressed that button even more powerfully than before. DooSan even breathed a sigh of relief when the doors closed. Then, he exclaimed, „Huh! It was close!” After that, feeling GhiYon’s chin touching his shoulder, he winced and looked at him. Thus, he saw his friend’s curious and insistent glance focused on him. „What?” DooSan snapped at the forensic doctor.

„Nothing. You just seem suspicious to me. As though you had argued with your „lover.”

„Don’t talk nonsense, Park GhiYon! What lover? You know very well that I’m still single.”

„And if you try to explain yourself, it means I am right in suspecting something. Yet, I was talking about another kind of „lover,” no one other than the Hunting Dog Kan. I thought the two of you were in a good relationship; something that I understood that it wasn’t like that. Yet, what I am not wrong with is that, as soon as „the dog” sees you, he’ll break you into pieces for avoiding and not waiting for him. So, why didn’t you wait for them?”

„As I said, it’s none of your business. And… anyway, it wasn’t because of Kan that I closed the door, but because of the other traitor… Inspector Yu.” DooSan hissed the last part of the sentence through his teeth, furious. „He deserved not to be waited after what he did to me… Something a man doesn’t do, not even to his worst enemy.”

These words intrigued GhiYon. „I was right, I see: a love fight is all behind this.”

„Are you looking for your death or what?” DooSan shouted.

„At all. Yet, who looks for his death, you are. I even think that you have just signed the death sentence when you closed that door. Why? Because Inspector Yu won’t ever forget such rudeness on your part. And yes, he never forgets!”

„Neither I!” Shouted DooSan again. „I won’t forgive him too. Not after what he did to me.” Shouting this, DooSan was more than outraged, throwing flames through his nostrils like the dragons. Yet, seeing Doctor Park’s insistent glance focused on him, who understood nothing of what was happening to his friend at that moment, DooSan turned his back to him, mumbling, „Just wait and you’ll see… the source of all of my problems. You’ll see it, right after entering my office, and then yes… you’ll understand with me why I’m so pissed off.”

Saying this, DooSan kept silent. Even so, from time to time, the gnashing of his teeth was still heard, a question damn interesting in GhiYon’s opinion. Yet, he said nothing. GhiYon only carefully analyzed his friend, from top to toe, intending to see if there was any physical evidence of what he wanted to find out. And… damn, it was one: DooSan’s squeezed fists, something that he did only when he was outraged. The forensic doctor even saw at one point how DooSan broke the neck of someone invisible. Of who? It wasn’t difficult to guess, once DooSan called Yu a traitor.

„Still, this fight has the scent of lovers!” GhiYon had the genius idea to mumble. A damn bad idea actually, something he understood the moment DooSan threatened him with his fist. This made GhiYon smile, murmuring peaceably and with both arms raised, „Yes, I got it. If I don’t keep my mouth shut, I’ll pay for what Yu did. And, if this serves for something, it has been a simple joke. Don’t turn yourself into a mad turkey.”

„Turkey? I’m a proud Peacock, defending his honor, not a turkey. And… I suggest you hit the pike right after the elevator stops if you don’t want to see what this mad idiot can do!”

„What about the surprise in your office? I thought that it was a bonus for me.”

„Only if you want it to be your bonus before your death and… of the other one.” Then, furious, DooSan turned his back to GhiYon.

„Of the other one? Who exactly?” GhiYon changed the subject, the moment DooSan looked at him like a mad demon. „Yep, I got it! It’s none of my business. Yet, although you don’t want to give me my bonus, I have one for you. I’m sure you’ll forgive me after this.”

What GhiYon said softened DooSan’s heart. Even so, he asked his friend with distrust, „What kind of bonus?”

„A fat one!” Replied GhiYon happily, making DooSan even more confused than before.

„Don’t tell me that…?”

„Exactly. I finally found out what you asked me to find out when we had been to that warehouse. You know what day, right? When we saw Ian SolHi and Kan? Well, if I am thinking better about this…”

„Park GhiYon, stop going around the bush and say it at once! What did you find out?”

„Oh, alright! You are insufferable today. And, about the case: there are three. Three victims. All of them are women, around 20-35 years. And… the bonus: each of them had the same wound as Ian SolHi had seven years ago. And… each victim was also found in an abandoned warehouse. Yet, the bad thing here is that there is no link between the cases. That’s why it wasn’t considered a serial killer.”

„What do you mean? That someone paid for the deaths of the three victims?”

„No, it’s not that. As far as I could find out, not all of the three cases are closed. Or… are they closed because of lack of evidence?! Anyway, this isn’t the point, but what I have already said - the place and the murder weapon!”

„Are they the same?”

„Absolutely. Yet, there is something different between all these cases and Ian SolHi. What exactly? None of the victims had any chance to survive. Something that SolHi did: she survived.”

„This might have been because YuSan appeared there that night. Yet… how can this be possible? I don’t understand. It seems strange to me that SolHi was the target and YuSan died by accident only because he stopped by there that night or that he tried to save SolHi as you said.”

„I never said that, DooSan!”

„Then?”

„I don’t know, ok?! I don’t know what all that means. What I know is that the police don’t have any suspects. Just as in the case of Ian SolHi. Yet, the difference is still there: SolHi is alive, and the other victims aren’t. This can also be why she is still accused of YuSan’s crime. And, if I think carefully about this, there is one more difference between all these cases: the rest of the victims are women, and only in SolHi’s case the one who died is YuSan, a man.”

„The perfect patsy!” DooSan said thoughtfully. „It’s why SolHi survived that night. Although the police took her more dead than alive out of that warehouse.”

„That is also a probability. Yet, what concerns me is that neither SolHi nor Kan have said anything about the evidence they have found in that warehouse. This makes me think they are hiding something.”

„Then… I’ll find this out for sure. The thing SolHi hides. And, this time, I won’t give up on this, for anything in the world.”

„Here comes my plan again and what I have always said, DooSan: we have to do something to make sure our plan will be a successful one. Thus, I insist on doing what I have suggested before.”

„And I insist that we won’t do that, GhiYon. At least I’m not in this!” Then, furious, he turned his back to GhiYon right after the elevator doors opened. Seeing dozens of eyes focused on them, of the people who were waiting for the elevator, the two men rushed to leave, feeling uncomfortable, although there was nothing to feel ashamed of. Yet, after the small argument they had, both of them were afraid to stay for longer in that elevator, something that would have been suspicious.

Well, the only one who felt ashamed and somehow uncomfortable was DooSan, who right away quickened his pace to the office. GhiYon instead, who hadn’t given up on his idea, followed DooSan right away, making those who were waiting for the elevator follow them with their glances. What was curious about the two of them? GhiYon’s insistence, who told DooSan while leaving the elevator, „Why not? You know that this is our chance to…”

„I said no, Park GhiYon!” DooSan almost shouted, stopping and suddenly turning toward his friend. Seeing those eyes focused on them, he lowered his voice and, approaching GhiYon more, hissed through his teeth, „You don’t even know what you are suggesting, GhiYon! This is madness, for God’s sake because… you are asking me to live with her!”

„To live in the same house with her, not to sleep with her, DooSan. I also don’t ask you to have feelings for her. I’m not that stupid to ask you this because I know how hard it is for you to be next to her. Yet, you have to! Why? Because it’s our only chance to bring justice to YuSan, and you know this better than me! That’s why I’m suggesting this crazy idea as you call it because, living in the same house as her, you can find evidence to help us bring that justice to your brother.”

„I also know that, okay?! Yet… living in the same house as Ian SolHi, it means to kill her with my hands.”

„To kill her? Are you crazy? I’m just asking you to…” GhiYon kept silent eventually when he looked around and understood that they weren’t alone there and that their argument and the closeness between them seemed damn suspect. This made him sketch a smile and murmur, „What about finding another place to talk? There are too many curious eyes around. And… I think your colleagues might have jumped to a premature conclusion about our argument.”

„The only one who might have jumped to a premature conclusion is you, Park GhiYon. Why do I think this? Because by „I would kill,” I wasn’t talking about me, but about what could happen to her because of me. Or what: have you already forgotten what happened the last time when SolHi and I „lived under the same roof?” They were about to kill her. So, no, GhiYon, I say no to your idea. I don’t want to kill anyone. At least not this time.”

„Although you seem determined to do that,” the men heard SolHi’s voice behind them, something that made them wince and withdrew a few steps from each other. SolHi, who was a few meters from them, kept staring at them. She was coming from the stairwell when she heard their talk and she was coming from there because she loved to climb the stairs rather than take the elevator where she felt the full of reproach people’s glances focused on her or hear gossip about her. „And, prosecutor Han, I’m damn interested to know who you can kill with your hands. Am I that person?”

„Would you be so kind as to stop talking nonsense?” DooSan hissed through his teeth. „Both of you,” he said, staring at GhiYon too. „You should work rather than talk that much. If you do that, we will be all thrilled.” After that, not to give SolHi the chance to continue her interrogation, DooSan turned his back to them and rushed to his office.

Alone with SolHi, GhiYon looked at her, confused. Seeing that SolHi didn’t follow DooSan, but insistently looked at him, waiting for an answer from him, GhiYon grinned, as though hinting to her, „I don’t have the smallest idea what can be in Han DooSan’s mind.” Then, bypassing her, he quickened his pace to follow DooSan because he wasn’t that eager to pay for what DooSan left behind him when SolHi heard him talking about killing someone. And GhiYon did well leaving that place because if he had stood there for a little longer, he wouldn’t have been able to hide their plan from SolHi, who was a damn good dog at smelling such things.

Seeing the two men rushing toward the office, SolHi turned damn curious. Then, folding her arms over her chest, she looked toward the office door, murmuring, „Here stinks as gasoline. And, I think that it’s a damn good idea to call the firefighters. But… I’ll figure it out myself eventually…” Then, determined to find out what the two men were planning, something not that good for her for sure, SolHi followed them into the office.

***

The moment Park GhiYon entered DooSan’s office, he felt a damn tense atmosphere all around there. Yet, he understood what was going on only when he saw DooSan’s sparkling eyes, focused on Yu SuJin, who, right away he saw SolHi entering the office, approached her and, grabbing her by the arm, happily told her, „Nuna! My beautiful Nuna is back! It’s fantastic because I have something interesting to show you!” After that, the young man pulled SolHi toward his desk.

Seeing this scene, Doctor Park looked at DooSan, curious to see what that one would do. Thus, he saw his friend mumbling something barely heard, something like, „Nuna! My beautiful Nuna!” A comic manner of imitating SuJin. Yet, seeing GhiYon’s glance focused on him, DooSan slowly „growled” at him, letting his friend know that it was the perfect moment to stay away from him. Then, DooSan went to sit at his desk. He did that, but he couldn’t calm down because, seconds after he sat down, DooSan slammed a file over the table, so hard that made everybody wince and stare at him.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

The only ones who didn’t frown because of the confusion seeing DooSan acting weirdly were GhiYon and A Rim: the first one smiled when he saw the jealousy sparkling in DooSan’s eyes while A Rim continued to get her manicure done. Eventually, feeling itches on her tongue, A Rim asked DooSan without watching him, „Prosecutor Han, are you alright? Or… is it too hot here?”

„I?” DooSan stuttered when he felt cornered. „Yeah, I’m fine. And… the temperature is also fine.”

„Yet, I still feel that you aren’t okay,” murmured A Rim, squinting at DooSan. Then, looking at GhiYon this time, whom she took by surprise by doing this, A Rim murmured, „Is it because you have argued with a certain… „lover?” A comment that made everybody stare at her, in amazement.

„I see that news works here faster than death!” GhiYon growled. „Is it because Death also works here?” The last part was for sure a hint about A Rim’s smoky eyes.

The hint irritated A Rim, who right away snapped at him, „Listen to me very carefully, Doctor Park GhiYon: I won’t…”

„Kan A Rim!” DooSan shouted this time. „Besides the gossip about me and my love interests, have you been able to find out something else important? Like… the file I have asked you to find?! Did you get it?”

„Of course, I got it. Why? Because the „Death from the Prosecution” is damn efficient. I also have the arrest order with the name of Nam Jin Guk on it. So…” Suddenly, A Rim kept silent and furiously looked at SolHi when she felt her grabbing the file and intending to take it from her. That’s why she also grabbed and squeezed it, both of them starting to pull the file toward her after that.

Seeing that if they had kept pulling that file toward each other, they would have broken it into two and that none of them was eager to give up on it, SolHi stared at A Rim, hissing through her teeth after that, „Let it go, Kan A Rim! Don’t drive me crazy because you know what I’m capable of when I am mad.”

„Just as you know what I can do and that… I won’t give up too. Not in front of you. So, if you want it, you should ask for it first because… Detective Kan!” A Rim yelled after this when Kan pulled that file toward him after slapping their hands first to let it go.

„Pipe down, A Rim! You also, SolHi!” Kan hissed through his teeth when he spotted the two women about to pounce on him and let him bald. „I have no intention to fight with two magpies like you. So, if you want to leave each other featherless, do it out of the office. If not, Ian SolHi, follow me! We have a mouse to catch in the trap. And… Oh Yoon Suk, you go with us!” Kan ordered, heading toward the door, followed by Yoon Suk right away.

SolHi didn’t follow them but kept exchanging furious glances with A Rim for a while, looking like two cats about to fight. Only in the end, hearing Kan yelling her name from the corridor, SolHi decided that it was time to leave that fight between cats for later and just told A Rim, „We’ll talk about this later. First, I intend to twist the neck of another venomous snake. Later, I’ll take the eyes of a cat like you off too!” After that, taking her things from the drawer, she followed Kan and Yoon Suk.

„Cat? To take my eyes off? Was this about me?” Enraged, A Rim wanted to follow SolHi to teach her some manners. Yet, she had to stop when she saw Yu appearing in front of her and pointing with his finger toward her to sit back at her desk.

Yu didn’t stay too long next to A Rim’s desk because he’d been forced to stop another mindless person from following SolHi - SuJin. He, seeing SolHi leaving the office, intended to run behind her. However, he had been also forced to calm down right after receiving a slap over the back of his head from his father. After that, with his tail between his legs, he returned to his place, still sadly mumbling, „Nuna! She left me again!”

Seeing Yu SuJin so unhappy with SolHi’s departure, DooSan triumphantly smiled, convinced that he had the chance to relax after that sweet revenge. Yet, he turned serious right away when he heard GhiYon’s voice in his right ear, „Now I understand why you have been so bitter before. A rival on the horizon, huh?! You, damn traitor!” After that, reproachfully shaking his head, GhiYon turned his back to DooSan and left the office. By doing this, he didn’t see DooSan „growling” something barely heard behind him. By doing this, DooSan accepted that he was damn furious that day not only because of Yu SuJin but also because others discovered his secret about his feelings for SolHi… something that wasn’t in his plans for sure.

***

„Reporter Nam Jin Guk, are you in a hurry to go somewhere?” SolHi shouted when she saw him leaving his apartment and dragging a huge suitcase behind him. Seeing her, Jin Guk cooked his nose, mumbling something unpleasant addressed to her because SolHi was the last person whom he would have liked to see at that moment. Not the same thought SolHi had: she wanted to see him and only him. That’s why, seeing that by coming there she managed to surprise the journalist, she smiled while playing with the cuffs, which she rotated on her finger.

Seeing SolHi heading toward him, Jin Guk dropped the suitcase and hit the pike. Yet, he didn’t go too far because, right at the next corner, he met Kan and Yoon Suk. Meeting the two detectives, the journalist pulled a little back, looking for a gate of salvation. Because of this, Kan hissed through his teeth when he understood that Nam Jin Guk intended to run from them, „Don’t even think about making me run after you, cobra, or I swear I will crack your neck. Did you hear me?” Seeing Nam Jin Guk’s sour face, Kan smiled. „I’m glad we agree on this. And, SolHi, be my guest to cuff this bastard! He is all yours!”

„Of course, sombe! It’ll be my pleasure!” She said, grinning. Then, suddenly grabbing Jin Guk’s arm, which she turned to his back, she pushed him against the wall, hissing through her teeth, „I told you I’d catch you, bastard, but you didn’t believe me. Yet, my words come true this time too. So, where to send you this time: back to hell or back to Kenya? No, sorry: you go to jail this time. There, you’ll be the „baby” of many big guys, those who will simply relish you!” After that, she slapped his head when the journalist tried to escape. „Just stay quiet, dude! No need to use force!”

„This is abuse already!”

„So? Report me then! At least you’ll have a real subject this time! What’s bad is that your story will be read this time only by prisoners. And, surprise-surprise, I have your sentence here, and not only for what you’ve done to me but to everyone, idiot. Something that hints to me that you won’t be sent to Kenya as two years ago, but to jail… for an entire life.”

„Can you at least tell me why I am arrested?” Jin Guk shouted when SolHi finished cuffing him. After that, she forced the reporter to look at Kan, who put an A4 sheet from which he read, „Use of forgery, the spreading of fake information to injure people. Instigation to abuse and the organization of a group attack toward a man of law. Invasion of privacy and… the list goes on. Should I read it all or… will the public defender do that for me?”

„No need for that!” Jin Guk hissed through his teeth.

„I’m glad then. Thus, I won’t talk for nothing. And… aaa, not to forget: the Miranda Warning. Otherwise, this one can report us for illegal arrest. So, dear former reporter Nam Jin Guk, I inform you that you are under arrest for the crimes mentioned before. Thus, you are also informed that you have the right to hire a lawyer. In case you can’t afford one, the State will assign you a public defender. More than that, you have the right to keep your fucking mouth shut. If not…” Kan kept mumbling while pushing Jin Guk toward the stairwell. He did that when he saw many curious people surrounding them from all over and looking at them as though they were monkeys at the Circus.

***

Suddenly, the bathroom resounded as if it was a ghost place when DooSan shouted, outraged, „What? My beautiful Nuna?” Then, soon after this, the toothbrush, which he squeezed in his hand by then, flew into the sink. „Wow, I can’t believe this! He’s still a puppy but he decided to declare war on me. On me?! I’m Han DooSan, kid! Nobody can declare war on me! Yet, you did that, Yu SuJin, and this hints to me that you have completely lost your mind! Even so, I assure you that you won’t ever win in front of me because… what? You keep hovering around her and I have to bear up with that? Should I accept hearing „My Nuna, my Nuna,” all day long without saying anything back to you? Yeah, right! I’d rather twist your neck, you… little bastard!” After that, ready to burn the world, DooSan left the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.

Seconds later, DooSan returned to the bathroom to clean his teeth of toothpaste. After that, he slammed the door once again behind him to show his anger. By doing this, DooSan tried to show not only his anger related to Yu SuJin but also because he understood that GhiYon was right in calling him a traitor - of his feelings, though he didn’t want to accept that. Even so, DooSan didn’t want to give up - neither in front of GhiYon nor in front of SuJin. Nothing else was more important at that moment than his pride and honor.

Understanding this, DooSan went to his bedroom and started to gather his suitcase, throwing personal things into it, not paying too much attention to what he put inside that suitcase. While doing this, he kept furiously mumbling, „Well, that puppy made a huge mistake declaring war on Han DooSan because… neither I am a weak person nor does he have rights in my office! Even so, he continues to hover around my people! My people! Well, Yu SuJin, I’ll show you how wrong you are when I put you on the front paws for sure and… as soon as possible!” After that, zipping the suitcase, he punched it as though that suitcase was the personification of Yu SuJin. Then, satisfied, DooSan left the room in a hurry because he had to get somewhere that night… at any cost.

***

When the doorbell rang, it was a little past 1 a.m. Yet, despite the late hour and that she was about to go to bed, SolHi opened the door. Something she regretted right after she saw DooSan in front of her door, happily smiling. More than that, she hated hearing him shouting as though they were two friends who hadn’t seen each other in a while, „Surprise! I’m sure you haven’t expected me here, right? Yet, here I am!” Yet, not this made SolHi pay attention to him, but DooSan’s suitcase. Seeing this, she folded her arms over her chest and squinted at him.

„Yeah, right, Han DooSan! This is not a surprise, but a curse to see you here at this late hour at night. So, tell me: why are you here?”

„Nothing out of the ordinary. I’m just looking for… renting a room?!”

SolHi frowned. „Here? At my house?!”

„Yeah! For this, the friends are, right? And, as I have a gas leak at my apartment, I will stay here for a while. So, move aside!” After that, slowly pushing her away from his side, DooSan dragged the suitcase behind him.

SolHi, unpleasantly surprised by his daring, squinted behind him for a few moments. After that, finally realizing that Han DooSan had come through her door and forced her to let him inside, she followed him, shouting and slamming the door behind her, „Ya, Han DooSan, where the hell do you think you are? Get out! Now!”

DooSan, at all bothered by her shouts, happily said after seeing the door closing behind her, „I told you already: a gas leak! That’s why we’ll live together for a while! And… where have you said it’s free to put my clothes too?”

„On the devil’s lap!” It was heard as SolHi growled after this. „And, to make it easier for you to find that place, I’ll take care of you to get there tonight!” After that, many minutes after that, weird shouts and the noise of falling things were heard only from that apartment…

***

„You are a damn crazy cat, has someone ever told you that?” DooSan mumbled while looking at his scratched arms. Not only his arms were scratched, but also his face, and his neck. He had deep wounds of nails all over his skin because SolHi had taken care to scratch him to the blood. „I see they are training you well at the Academy of the Crazy Cats! And… just look at how my things are right now! They are all made a mess!” After that, nervously moving, still sitting on that floor, DooSan squinted at her. He was sitting next to his suitcase, which was half opened right in the middle of the room while his things were all over the floor.

„If you knew that, you shouldn’t have ever come here, into the apartment of a crazy cat!” SolHi hissed through her teeth, blowing hot air to move the hair that was blocking her sight away. She also looked bad after that fight, which hadn’t been an easy one at all. Even so, SolHi was damn good at protecting her territory, although she had bruises and scratches all over her body too. One of the wounds, she had on the right arm, looked damn bad and was still bleeding. She injured it by chance when, pushing each other, not to fall, DooSan grabbed her by the arm and his nails deeply entered her flesh.

She looked bad, but he looked worse than her. Understanding this, somehow upset, like a child that didn’t receive any candy, DooSan looked at her and mumbled, „Was it absolutely necessary to make me look like this? Like after the war?”

„I gave you only what you deserved!” SolHi replied, proud of herself. „And… I don’t understand why you are complaining now when you have looked for this when you have come here, right?”

„Yes, I agree this time: that I brought this on myself. If I had known that you had been a cannibal in another life, I would have stood far away from you,” DooSan said, squinting at her while showing a deep bite on his left arm. „I’m already afraid of what others will tell me tomorrow when they see me at the office: covered by bruises, scratches, and bites. They will laugh at me for an entire life because a… cat has beaten me. And… I’m sure they won’t think about a cat with four paws, a tail, and long ears, but about one with two legs and long nails.”

Understanding the hint, SolHi showed him her teeth. „This is their problem and… yours, not mine! Yet, even so, I’m sure that from now on everybody will know that the neighborhood „cats” use to defend their territory. That’s why your „gas leak” stinks to me. It doesn’t convince me at all. So, Prosecutor Han, what the hell are you doing here?”

Feeling himself discovered, DooSan nervously moved. Yet, determined not to leave that apartment, not even dead, he confidently replied, „I’m here for an important thing. Actually, I’m glad you haven’t believed me. Thus, I won’t be forced to lie to you.”

„Really?! So, if we are talking with the „truth” now, surprise me, Prosecutor Han.” After that, she focused her glance on him.

DooSan didn’t avoid looking into her eyes this time. On the contrary, he confidently looked at her and said, „Because you owe me?”

SolHi burst into laughter. „Since… when?”

Disarmed by her laughter, DooSan nervously moved into his place. Yet, he still replied to her, „Since the day YuSan died and you were there. Since that day, you owe me.”

His remark erased the smile on SolHi’s face. Then, furious and moved by the remorse, she hissed through her teeth, „And? How big is that debt? In money, I mean.”

„Twenty million won!”

„You have lost your mind for sure. Or what: are you trying to make me accept a crime I haven’t committed while I’m not able to pay this debt? Of course, not, idiot Han: I’m not going to jail because you are stingy. What? Twenty million won? Do you think I’m working for NASA or what? I’m a damn poor detective, for God’s Sake!”

„Then… pay me differently!” DooSan happily grinned.

„Differently? Like?”

„Allow me to live here for example. At your expense, as long as I want this. Thus, when I consider that your debt has been paid back, I’m out of here and I swear you won’t ever see me again. So: does my offer seem acceptable to you?”

„Acceptable my ass! What I think is that you are a damn parasite!” SolHi hissed through her teeth, suddenly standing up.

DooSan, thinking that he won, decided to play a little more with her, trying to drive her crazy and win more. Because of this, he said, „You are free to call me as you like. If this makes you feel better and helps you to pay me back faster, I’m capable of answering you no matter what name you use to call me.” Then, he stood up, smiling because he felt triumphant. Once on his feet, when he looked at SolHi and saw her ready to break him into pieces, DooSan suddenly pulled back.

SolHi, not paying attention to DooSan, who looked scared, yelled at him, „What? You don’t care what I call you from now on? Well, Han DooSan, you looked for this alone!” After that, approaching the nightstand, she took the gun out of the drawer, which she used to threaten DooSan. Yet, she’d been more surprised than he when she saw that even though she grabbed the gun with her right hand, it wasn’t shaking.

DooSan, taking advantage of the fact that she seemed focused on her arm and not on him, approached her on tiptoe, and, taking the gun from her hand, he put it in a safe place. After that, breathing a sigh of relief, he said, „Let’s not exaggerate now! It’s not such a big deal that I live here to use a gun.”

His remark drove SolHi crazy. „Ia! Han DooSan!” She shouted, eventually.

„Ia? Han DooSan? Ia!!!! I am your boss. At the office, I mean. Home, you can call me… „oppa?!” After that, grinning, he took a few steps toward her. Soon after, he took the same number of steps but in reverse when he saw SolHi’s fist right in front of his nose. Then, above that fist, he saw the sparkling-because-of-anger eyes of the cat SolHi.

„Suggest me once again to call you „oppa” and I assure you that you’ll meet my „oppa” for sure, Han DooSan. And… I assure you that this „oppa” knows how to teach the fools manners.”

The moment DooSan covered her little fist with his palm, SolHi stared with wide-open eyes at him. Then, approaching his face from hers, DooSan said, smiling, „Maybe your „oppa” is fast and furious, but… if it meets my „hion,” then… I assure you that he’ll run away like a frightened bunny.” Saying this, DooSan showed her his fist. „You see how big it is, right? So, tell your „oppa” to stay calm and far away from me while I say to… change the bed. I don’t think it’ll keep both of us. It looks… how to say it to sound nice… shaky? Yeah, it’s the right word. And, as I am a sensible person and I feel everything, it’s necessary to change it.” When SolHi burst into laughter, he squinted at her, „What now?”

„I have just had the brilliant idea of how to get rid of your „sensitivity.” A friend of mine has the perfect solution for that.”

„Really? Is he that good?”

„Oh, yeah!”

„Wow, nice to know! And… What kind of furniture does he import? European maybe?”

„Nop.”

„Then? What does he do for a living?”

„He’s taking care of the production of… brains! So, as you seem to need a new one, I say that’s the right moment to contact him!”

To SolHi’s great surprise, DooSan burst into laughter. This made her stare in amazement at him. Then, she stepped behind her when DooSan took a step in front. After that she took one more step back while DooSan took another one in front and they kept moving this way until SolHi’s heel didn’t touch the bed, she lost her balance and fell onto the bed. Yet, she didn’t lay on that bed for long: for a few moments only because, seeing DooSan intending to lay over her, SolHi pulled to the other side of the bed, staring at him like she saw the devil or a rival cat. This made DooSan burst into laughter again, telling her:

„Let’s be honest, Ian SolHi: I’m not the only one who needs a new brain. So, if you buy one for me, take one for you too because… you’ll need it for sure. And… I assure you of one more thing: that not only „oppa” you’ll call me soon, but also „darling” if necessary. More than that, related to your „oppa” (the fist,) it can meet my big brother any time. Why? Because this „hion” won’t ever allow you to deceive him with cheap tricks.” DooSan said that calmly while heading toward her. After that, once next to her, he slowly bent over her as though intending to kiss her.

SolHi didn’t lose her temper that time. Then, suddenly, she hit his ankle, making DooSan jump like a ball. After that, approaching him more, she hissed right into his ear, „Anytime and anywhere, Han DooSan! If you look for your death, I mean!” Then, SolHi headed toward the door.

Still complaining because of the pain in his ankle, this time sitting on the floor, DooSan yelled behind her, „Where are you going?”

„To hell! And I assure you that I’ll show you the way if I turn back and you are still here. So, take this as a warning!” After that, SolHi slammed the door behind her.

DooSan smiled. „I’m still alive! Huh, damn cobra: she always bites when she has the chance.” After that, he stood up because the „pain” was fake, trying to make her feel sorrow for him. „What? To get lost from here? Rather the bear winters in summer. And, Ian SolHi, wait: I’ll show you what Han DooSan can do, just as I’ll make sure to train that savage cat from inside you. Otherwise, I stop calling myself Han DooSan.” After that, happily smiling, DooSan started picking up his things from the floor, and putting them in the same closet as SolHi’s clothes.

***

That night, it was a black night. It was a dark gray sky, with no moon or stars. Probably because of this, the streets were empty at that hour too. At the same time, the air felt filled to the brim with drops of water. Then, suddenly, the darkness was chased away by a street lamp that turned on.

Soon after this, the silence of the night was pierced by the scream of a young woman, who appeared from nowhere at the corner of the street. She was barefoot and had her legs injured. Her arms, neck, and face were also hurt after she’d been hit repeatedly. And, in the corner of her lips, a big blood clot was seen.

The poor girl’s torment seemed not to have ended there because, soon after she appeared at the corner of that street, three men, wearing black suits and white shirts, appeared behind her, yelling at her to stop or they would kill her. Yet, not eager to listen to them, the young woman didn’t stop, but turned right at the next corner, getting to a narrow dark street, thinking of finding some hideout there and being at the shelter. Instead of this, she eventually hit a wall.

„No, it can’t be! It can’t be!” She shouted, crazy, touching that wall. While touching that cold wall, the young woman looked for a gate of salvation but there was none. This made her even more nervous than before. And, through tears, she whispered, „This is a dead end! It can’t be to have the luck to get here! Please, mama, save me! Please, save me! Please, someone, help me! Please, help me! Please! Please!” She kept yelling.

The moment she’d been grabbed by the hair by one of the men, who followed her, the young woman kept silent. He, saying nothing to her, dragged her after him, holding her only by hair. Not the same as the young girl did: she, the moment she lost her balance, grabbed him with both hands by the wrist to reduce the pain. Yet, he didn’t care about her pain, but only dragged her after him as if she was a sack of vegetables, cursing through his teeth when he told her, „I’ll show you, b…ch what it means to run away from me!”

While dragging her behind him, the man managed to injure her body more and more. Because of this, she started to cry, asking for mercy. Yet, there was nobody to listen to her. There were only those who wanted to hurt her more.

The moment she saw the black van not that far from them, the woman started to agitate and scream blue murder. She even tried to stand up, release herself, and run away from them again. Yet, she couldn’t do that because of a punch in her stomach that left her unconscious. Then, the same individual that dragged her behind him, put her on his shoulder and, getting next to the van, he threw her on the rear seat. After that, he made a sign to the other men that followed him and, after the last one got inside, the door was closed with a bang and the black van left that place at full speed leaving only a few red marks on that black cold asphalt.