DP Episode 72

Deep Pivot Episode 72

On the messy floor, a few soju bottles lay scattered around.

Even if a burglar had broken in, Yeon-woo thought it would be difficult to leave the house in such disarray. But whenever his father came, the first thing that happened was that the entire place got turned upside down.

People might say no one keeps cash at home anymore, but Yeon-woo used to live on cash for years because his father’s presence prevented him from using a bank account.

Every once in a while, his father would show up unannounced, ransack the entire house, and take any cash he found without a second thought.

The hospital fees Yeon-woo had saved for Jeong-woo, the rent due next week, and two months of overdue gas bills—all of these would vanish without a trace after a visit from his father.

No matter how many times they moved, his father always managed to find them. After moving to this house owned by Choi Jeong-sook Yeon-woo had given up trying to hide from him.

As a result, the marks from his father’s last visit still linger on the glass door. And today, as if following a routine, his father shattered the taped-up glass and visited once again.

“Why doesn’t a grown man like you keep even one bottle of soju at home?”

Cha Kyung-soo complained while unscrewing the cap of a new soju bottle left in the kitchen sink. Nearby, dried snacks freshly bought from the convenience store lay scattered around.

“…I’m still a student.”

“Students don’t drink? You’re 20 and an adult now.”

“I don’t have money for alcohol… I really don’t have a penny right now.”

“Damn…”

Cha Kyung-soo’s hand rose toward Yeon-woo’s head, and Yeon-woo reflexively gritted his teeth.

“You think I’m a fool, you little brat?”

Luckily, it seemed his father was still in a decent mood. His hand only mimicked a striking motion before pulling back, tossing the soju bottle cap into the sink.

“You’re going to make a lot of money now, aren’t you? Since you became a guide, right?”

“…….”

“Give me your card.”

“I don’t have one.”

Cha Kyung-soo’s gaze swept over Yeon-woo, the frigid chill in his eyes sending a shiver through the air. Taking a swig straight from the soju bottle, he spoke in a low voice.

“What do you mean, you have nothing? Are you really going to make me repeat myself, Cha Yeon-woo?”

He tried to sound like a concerned father. But Yeon-woo knew that this was just the precursor to violence. The smell of alcohol in the room, the lowered voice, and the kindly way his father called him by name were all signs of the final warning.

Yeon-woo hated hearing his name come out of his father’s mouth because it always led to insults and abuse. Even though he now stood taller than his father and had no reason to be afraid, the fear was still deeply ingrained.

Fear leaves a stronger mark than any other memory. Once, Yeon-woo barely stopped his father from throwing Jeong-woo out the window. He feared that someday his father would do the same to him.

When empty soju bottles piled up and the smell of alcohol thickened, he would remain quiet and still to avoid catching his father’s eye. Days when he wished he could disappear like dust to avoid his father’s steps haunted his memories. He would huddle with Jeong-woo in the corner to avoid being tripped over.

“…I really don’t have any money. Not a single penny for you. It’s all for Jeong-woo’s medical bills.”

“Damn it, always with that Jeong-woo…”

The stench of alcohol accompanied the profanity.

“Who cares if some orphan dies or not? You care more about him than your own father?”

It was Cha Kyung-soo himself who had put Jeong-woo on his family registry because he wanted the welfare benefits meant for the children. Yeon-woo, who never received a bit of that support, was left to shoulder his father’s burdens.

“You’d rather your father starve to death than worry about that brat?”

Grabbing Yeon-woo by the hood, Cha Kyung-soo shook him. Though Yeon-woo was strong enough not to be dragged around, he couldn’t bring himself to shake off his father’s hand.

“Stop it. I’ll call the police.”

Yeon-woo said softly.

“What? Call the police? On what grounds? What are you going to report your father for, you brat?”

Smack. A stinging pain spread across Yeon-woo’s face. Cha Kyung-soo swore under his breath as he lashed out at Yeon-woo’s head, sniffing habitually.

“You think you’re grown up now and can stand up to me, huh? Your own father’s starving to death, and you can’t even spare a few bucks? You ungrateful brat.”

The hand rose to strike again but was suddenly stopped by Yeon-woo.

“…Don’t hit me. If you do it again, I’ll call the police.”

Cha Kyung-soo looked at Yeon-woo’s hand holding down his arm. He frowned for a moment, then let out a mocking laugh.

“Are you allowed to touch civilians, as an awakened one?”

Yeon-woo hesitated, loosening his grip. Sensing the hesitation, Cha Kyung-soo closed in, threateningly.

“Go on, report me, you brat. Imagine reporting your own father. Do you think the police will believe an awakened one like you, who’s as big as a bull, was assaulted by a civilian, especially his father?”

An empty soju bottle fell from the sink with a clatter. Grabbing another bottle still half-full, Cha Kyung-soo drank deeply and poked Yeon-woo’s shoulder with the bottle’s end.

The recent gunshot wound hadn’t completely healed, and Yeon-woo gritted his teeth against the pain. But his body, which had given up resisting, kept retreating into the corner.

His feet stumbled over scattered belongings on the floor, and as he fell backward, a long shadow loomed over his face.

“Go on, report me, you arrogant brat.”

Cha Kyung-soo moved toward him, looking ready to strike.

“I raise a kid for nothing, only to be betrayed. This brat doesn’t know gratitude.”

Whack, smack, whack. The blows rained down on Yeon-woo’s head and shoulders. As he instinctively curled up and covered his head, a voice suddenly broke the tension.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

The onslaught stopped. Yeon-woo slowly opened his tightly shut eyes. Through his fear-clouded vision, he saw the silhouette of someone gripping his father’s wrist.

“Who the hell are you?”

With the ceiling light behind him, his face was obscured, but Yeon-woo instantly recognized Seo-joon.

“And who are you to barge into someone else’s house without permission?”

“And who are you to enter someone else’s home and assault a young student?”

Seo-joon’s gaze swept across the chaotic room.

“Who are you to invade someone’s home and attack a young student?”

Yeon-woo quickly pulled himself together and stood up, his body trembling.

“Lieutenant, I’m all right…”

“I’m this student’s father. What business do you have here?”

Clearing his throat, Cha Kyung-soo sneered, a sinister scowl twisting his face. He turned his harsh gaze from Seo-joon back to Yeon-woo. Before Yeon-woo could say anything, shaking his head, Cha Kyung-soo snorted.

“You’d better mind your own business and move along, while I’m speaking nicely. Got it?”

Seo-joon’s eyes, which had been fixed on Yeon-woo, turned back to Cha Kyung-soo. His face hardened.

“It’s hard to move on when you’re not allowing me to.”

“And who are you? What’s it to you?”

“Cha Yeon-woo.”

Seo-joon asked without taking his eyes off Cha Kyung-soo.

“Is this person really your father?”

“Y-Yes. Lieutenant, I’m fine. I’m sorry, but maybe you should just…”

“Did this man just assault you?”

“You brat, I’ve had enough…”

Cha Kyung-soo twisted the wrist that Seo-joon held while trying to swing his other hand, which held a soju bottle. In one swift move, Seo-joon restrained the other wrist, pinning Cha Kyung-soo down.

Soju spilled from the tipped bottle, and Cha Kyung-soo, now completely subdued by Seo-joon’s overwhelming strength, looked up at him in bewilderment.

“You… You’re one of the awakened, huh?”

Seo-joon silently stared at him. Sniffing as usual, Cha Kyung-soo curled his lips in a sneer.

“You know what happens if an awakened one lays hands on a civilian, right?”

“Don’t you know that civilians aren’t allowed to attack the awakened?”

“You bastard! Who gave you the right to stop me from disciplining my son? Let go of me! Let go!”

Pinning Cha Kyung-soo’s arm behind him, Seo-joon pressed him against the wall and searched his pockets. Taken by surprise, Cha Kyung-soo thrashed and shouted angrily.

“You bastard! You’re in for it today! The whole world will know how an awakened one beats a civilian! Help me! My son, Yeon-woo! Are you going to let your father die?”

Ignoring the shouting, Seo-joon held up a small ziplock bag containing white powder between his fingers.

“Is this cocaine?”

“You… What? You bastard! Let go of me!”

But his struggling did nothing under Seo-joon’s grip. Seo-joon turned to Yeon-woo, who looked horrified at the unexpected sight. He quietly said:

“I hate interfering in others’ matters, but just possessing drugs is a serious crime, and turning a blind eye to this is aiding and abetting.”

“You bastard! Let go! That’s not drugs!”

“We can find out at the station.”

With one hand restraining both of Cha Kyung-soo’s wrists behind his back, Seo-joon pulled out his phone. As he started dialing, Cha Kyung-soo’s face turned pale, and he flailed madly.

“Let me go! You’re wrong!”

Suddenly, Seo-joon released him. Falling flat on the floor, Cha Kyung-soo quickly scrambled to his feet. Seo-joon calmly watched him, holding his phone to his ear.

“You bastard…!”

Backing away, Cha Kyung-soo snatched the bag from Seo-joon’s hand and dashed out of the house, kicking over furniture and soju bottles. The sound of his footsteps echoed up the stairs before fading into silence.

“…”

“Lieutenant, I… that…”

“Oh, Dr. Kang.”

A voice on the other end asked something.

“No, I called the wrong number. Sorry.”

After a brief apology, Seo-joon ended the call and looked over at Yeon-woo. His tear-streaked face had turned pale. Seo-joon quickly stepped forward and wrapped his arms around him.

“I didn’t know, Lieutenant. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean… I…”

“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

Yeon-woo’s frantic rambling was silenced by the gentle question. His knees buckled, and he slowly sank to the ground. Seo-joon crouched beside him, soothingly stroking his hair.

“Everything is okay now. It’ll be all right.”

Yeon-woo, trembling, leaned heavily into Seo-joon’s embrace.