MIM 95

Ma Jae-seung picked up the gun that fit perfectly in one hand and immediately pointed the muzzle toward the floor. Perhaps due to his shooting training, his stance with the gun didn’t look awkward. Shin-woo first confirmed there were no bullets, then roughly checked its condition. Among the items that could be purchased here, he had chosen the most convenient one to carry, the lightweight type that police officers typically carry when off duty.

“It’s a Glock 17, actually not an expensive gun since it’s mass-produced. But because of Janggang City’s strict gun control laws, you have to pay almost ten times more. It’s somewhat better here. It should be easy to use for a beginner. Here, try holding it.”

Shin-woo stopped talking and handed the gun to Ma Jae-seung after ensuring its safety. As Ma Jae-seung hesitated with the gun in hand, Shin-woo pressed close behind him and whispered.

“Remove the magazine.”

“…Why did you get this?”

“Nothing wrong with being prepared. This isn’t a neighborhood we’re familiar with either. Hurry.”

At the urging, Ma Jae-seung reluctantly removed the magazine. “That’s right. Now load the bullets one by one. Press them toward the back, yes. After confirming it’s loaded, hold it like this.” Following the gentle instructions, Ma Jae-seung awkwardly licked his lips. His discomfort grew more evident each time Shin-woo’s breath brushed his ear or when Shin-woo’s hands covered his own.

“Aim like this. See that magnet on the refrigerator? The round one.”

“…I get it, so don’t stand so close.”

By the time he finally asked for some space, Ma Jae-seung’s nape had turned bright red. “It’s because it’s hot.” After making what sounded like an excuse, Shin-woo stepped back, and Ma Jae-seung awkwardly adjusted his posture, seemingly able to breathe easier. Before Shin-woo could approach again, he quickly turned around and asked once more.

“If there’s something I need to know, tell me now.”

I’m worried your mother might hurt you. Shin-woo frowned, swallowing the words he couldn’t bring himself to say. Though he didn’t know exactly what conversation they had, Joo-yeon had looked fierce when he last saw her. That woman had stayed quiet until now only to convince Ma Jae-seung and secure her share. If Joo-yeon decided to give up on Ma Jae-seung, there was no telling what she might do.

Still, it seemed unlikely she would back down easily, having invested considerable effort in Ma Jae-seung. She needed his money to maintain her luxurious lifestyle. There was no other way…unless she joined hands with Ma Jae-seung’s brother…

The suspicions were endless. There was no need to spread his uncertain speculations to Ma Jae-seung, who had neither friends nor family left. Shin-woo casually shrugged his shoulders.

“Did you forget? I’m in charge of your security. Since there are many variables abroad and I’m not familiar with this place, I thought we needed more aggressive weapons to protect ourselves.”

“Are you afraid Mom might kill me?”

Shin-woo, who had been turning away with a smile, froze. Ma Jae-seung quietly placed the gun on the dining table, passing by Shin-woo, who stood half-turned away.

“Even though I was trapped in a greenhouse, I wasn’t just a flower.”

Dark pupils turned toward Shin-woo. The gently rippling gaze that shone with determination wasn’t that of a wounded child. Ma Jae-seung slowly approached and pressed his thumb against the barcode tattoo below Shin-woo’s ear, as if trying to smudge it. The barcode on the reddish skin became clearer under pressure. Their eyes finally met as the penetrating gaze persistently followed.

“It wasn’t about the money, was it?”

Ma Jae-seung spoke as soon as their eyes met.

“If it were just about money, you wouldn’t have protected me to such an extent. If you felt threatened enough to prepare a gun, you wouldn’t try to reassure me with nonsensical words, saying it’s nothing.”

“You are to me…” The voice that had been growing increasingly faint was suddenly cut off by a knock. Knock knock. Shin-woo, who had been blinking blankly, snapped back to attention at the following knock. Ma Jae-seung quickly hid the gun that had been on the table in the kitchen drawer and asked through his teeth.

“Did you buy something else?”

“No.”

Shin-woo stuffed the gun into his back pocket and took a short breath at the door. Outside the slightly opened door stood an elderly man with a kind face, smiling brightly.

{Hello! Welcome. Was it a long journey?}

The old man immediately greeted them in French and held out a paper bag he had been carrying. As Shin-woo, who couldn’t speak a word of English let alone French, narrowed his eyes examining the paper bag, the old man chuckled and opened the bag to show its contents.

{This is a baguette. I thought you might be hungry, so I bought some while getting mine. I also put some milk in the refrigerator, did you see? Feel free to eat as much as you want.}

“…I don’t speak French. Are you giving this to us to eat?”

Realizing the language barrier, Shin-woo gestured holding bread and opened and closed his mouth. When it seemed the message wasn’t getting through, he even made “nom nom” sounds. Though his face burned from the laughter erupting behind him, he had no choice.

{You can’t speak French at all? How do you plan to travel without knowing at least a little? Young foreigners these days. They have no manners.}

“We don’t want bread, old man.”

Just as an irritated Shin-woo was about to turn the old man away, Ma Jae-seung caught the closing door and poked his head out.

{Hello? I like bread. Thank you.}

{Oh! This gentleman can speak French.}

{I can speak a little French. We enjoyed the milk too. My name is Ma Jae-seung.}

Shin-woo stepped back slightly and watched Ma Jae-seung speaking French fluently. While trapped in the mansion receiving homeschooling, Ma Jae-seung had learned various subjects. French must have been one of them, but it was fascinating to see Ma Jae-seung speaking a foreign language for the first time. Shin-woo lingered nearby, glancing at the lips forming unfamiliar pronunciations.

{That’s great. It would be troublesome if we couldn’t communicate at all with long-term guests. Aren’t you going to eat? I can recommend some restaurants.}

{Thank you for the bread. I like baguettes.}

{But this isn’t enough for a meal. Have you ever tried French food? Is this your first time here?}

{This place is beautiful. I like beautiful houses.}

{That’s right! It’s really beautiful here. We receive many travelers every year.}

{Where is the bathroom? I am lost. I don’t understand. Good morning.}

The old man’s eyes darted around, seemingly confused by Ma Jae-seung’s attempts at French. What had Ma Jae-seung said? Had he been suspicious of why such kindness was shown? Being perceived as an overly cautious traveler might raise suspicion. While Shin-woo was deep in thought, the old man spoke again.

{Well, it’s not morning…but anyway, let me know if you need anything later. I live in that cottage down there. Just come and knock on the door.}

{Thank you.}

As Ma Jae-seung took the bread with a bright smile, the old man left the cottage with a confused expression. Ma Jae-seung brought the baguette to the kitchen, careful not to drop any crumbs, cut it in half, and handed one end to Shin-woo.

“I was hungry, so this worked out well.”

“First time I’ve seen you speak French. What did you say?”

“Just being polite, nothing special.”

Though Ma Jae-seung brushed it off with a smirk, the conversation left a deep impression on Shin-woo. They ate the baguette in silence, stealing glances at one another every so often.

After finishing his bread without caring about the crumbs, Shin-woo finally dusted off his hands. Then, as if dropping a casual remark he’d been hesitating to make, he said, “That was impressive?”

Ma Jae-seung cleared his throat while fiddling with his remaining piece of baguette. 

“It’s nothing, really.” 

His face was slightly flushed as he mumbled. Finding his pleased expression cute, Shin-woo grinned with his arms crossed on the table, intending to praise him more.

“You can order at restaurants too. I was worried about the language barrier, but this is great.”

“That much is nothing. Just basic travel French.”

“Your voice seems to change completely. Lower and…more mature, I guess?”

Though the compliment was intentional, it wasn’t entirely insincere. Ma Jae-seung’s tone became much lower when speaking French, producing a deep voice that resonated like in a cave. The unfamiliar language was mysterious and somewhat sexy. Plus, it felt strange having to follow Ma Jae-seung’s lead, contrary to their usual dynamic.

After teasing until Ma Jae-seung’s nape turned red, Shin-woo checked the time. He was getting hungry, and after spending too much time in planes and cars, he wanted to breathe some fresh air.

“Want to go for a walk? We could get food while we’re out.”

{Okay.}

The soft response echoed in his ears. Shin-woo held back his laughter and followed Ma Jae-seung, who confidently took the lead.