On a tranquil weekend afternoon, amid the serene ambiance of a café renowned for its exquisite afternoon tea and delectable scones, Yi-soo’s repose was interrupted by a ringing phone. With a start, she answered, her expression swiftly shifting as she absorbed the news before ending the call abruptly.
Across from her, Hyun-seong observed, his tea poised midway to his lips, the bitter-sweet taste lingering. “Was that Detective Ahn?” he inquired.
Yi-soo nodded, her thoughts momentarily elsewhere. “Yes, it was Detective Ahn.”
“Another weekend call from him? Do you need to head to the station?” Hyun-seong’s concern was evident.
“No, it’s not that… I’m just puzzled by what I heard.”
A half-eaten scone sat on Yi-soo’s plate, forgotten amidst her bewilderment. Moments ago, she had reveled in the simple joy of spreading clotted cream and strawberry jam. Now, her countenance was clouded with confusion.
Sensing her distress, Hyun-seong ventured, “What’s wrong?”
“Attorney Kang… No, Mr. Kang Jin-won, he passed away in prison an hour ago.”
The news landed with unexpected weight, leaving Hyun-seong momentarily speechless. He furrowed his brow, setting down his tea, the peaceful ambiance of the café disrupted by the grim reality of death, and the surprising loss of Kang Jin-won.
Yi-soo sighed heavily, her hand brushing across her weary face as she recounted the details she had gleaned from Detective Ahn to Hyun-seong.
“It turns out, the victim’s family was housed in the same detention center.”
As she spoke, memories of their visit to the Colosseum resurfaced, where they had been introduced to a sinister game called ‘Go Stop,’ where the prize varied depending on how close the falling blade landed. Unable to stomach the unfolding tragedy, both Yi-soo and Hyun-seong had fled Yangpyeong together. That night, a young applicant had met a grisly end.
“The woman who died… it seems she was the biological sister of the criminal who murdered Kang Jin-won,” Yi-soo continued, her voice trailing off into a heavy silence.
Hyun-seong let out a heavy sigh, processing the cruel twist of fate.
“I can’t fathom how such a coincidence came to pass… In a fit of rage, he struck Kang Jin-won with a hatchet.”
“Where did he even get such a weapon?” Hyun-seong’s disbelief was palpable.
“It seems he smuggled it from a woodworking factory, small enough to escape notice. It was a meticulously planned murder…”
Yi-soo’s mouth felt parched, her heart heavy with unease. In the blink of an eye, a grieving family member had become a perpetrator. The thought gnawed at her: could they have prevented this had they apprehended Kang Jin-won sooner?
Regardless of Jin-won’s abhorrent deeds, his demise couldn’t simply be viewed as justice served. He needed to face the full extent of legal consequences. Yet, for some, his death might be seen as a fitting end to his crimes.
Like ripples in a pond from a single stone’s toss, events often set off a chain reaction. “It’s the domino effect,” Detective Ahn once mused in passing.
Yi-soo raised the ceramic cup to her lips, savoring the tepid tea’s comforting embrace as it trickled down her throat, infusing her with warmth. Across from her, Hyun-seong, attuned to her silent distress, regarded her with concern.
Though time had dulled the sharp edges of grief, the loss of her beloved sister lingered heavy in Yi-soo’s heart, an ache unmatched by any other. She hoped to lay to rest the haunting specter of Kang Jin-won’s memory.
“If only I could shoulder your burden as well,” Hyun-seong murmured softly, his gaze tender as he gently entwined his fingers with hers, his larger hand enveloping hers completely.
“Shall we seek solace by the sea?” he proposed, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
Yi-soo’s eyes brightened at the mention of the sea, her spirits lifting like the sun breaking through clouds. With a soft smile, she blinked her long lashes in agreement.
“Since we explored Incheon last time, how about the East Sea this time?”
Anticipation blossomed within Yi-soo, her cluttered thoughts suddenly cleared by his proposition. “When should we depart? I’m free next weekend.”
“When should we go? I have no commitments next weekend,” she replied eagerly.
“Let’s go now,” Hyun-seong proposed.
“Now…?”
With a low chuckle, Hyun-seong rose from the table, prompting Yi-soo to hastily gather her belongings.
As they stepped out of the café, a melodious chime bid them farewell, its clear tones echoing like a benediction, ushering them towards their seaside adventure.