RFL Ch 20 – Main Story End

As if reading Jaeyi’s mind, his phone rang. Jaeyi hurriedly shoved the pill container into his pocket and answered the call.

— You’re already at the cafe.

Song Hankook’s greeting was light and cheerful, a stark contrast to the ominous feeling it evoked. Jaeyi frowned and glanced around.

“Are the preparations complete?”

— Well, the signal flare has been lit…

The “signal flare” Song Hankook referred to was the moment the youngest Omega of the Sunnung Group started feeling the effects of the drug. According to the plan, Jaeyi was supposed to go to the designated hotel room at that time.

— But I’ve changed my mind about the location.

He changed the plan at the last minute. He let out a sly chuckle, as if he had sensed the police presence around the hotel room.

— I thought, what if this is a trap?

Jaeyi’s body moved before he could even think. He jumped to his feet, gripping his phone tightly.

— When making a deal, you have to cut off all of your opponent’s escape routes, son. Even if you know it’s a trap. No, you have to make them walk into hellfire even when they know it’s hellfire.

His heart pounded fiercely. The soothing classical music playing in the hotel lobby was drowned out by the sound of his own heartbeat. Jaeyi forced himself to speak, his throat tight.

“…Where are you?”

— Hey, just let go for a second.

Jaeyi stopped abruptly. Choi Jooyoung had been yelling in his earpiece. Jaeyi had intended to answer him as soon as his call with Song Hankook ended, instructing him to confirm Kim Sooin’s location.

— I must have told Mr. Kim Sooin. Right?

But there was no need. Jaeyi gritted his teeth and removed the earpiece. With the distracting noise gone, the devil’s voice became clearer.

— I thought you were a smart fellow, but you’re so foolish. For a mere love… Wasn’t your brother precious to you?

Jaeyi started running again, his feet pounding against the gleaming marble floor as he yelled desperately.

[Where are you, dammit?!]

— Your lover seems quite agitated. Why don’t you let him hear your voice?

It could be a lie. It could be another trap. I have bodyguards, and Choi Jooyoung is watching too, so how… Even as he ran, Song Jaeyi clung to these thoughts.

— Fuck, how dare you spit…

— Ugh!

But the moment he heard the sound of a slap and a short groan, his hopes crumbled. Jaeyi’s hands trembled with rage, as if he had been the one struck. His feet, losing their direction, paced anxiously near the entrance.

“Don’t touch him.”

— Haha, hey, be gentle with him. He might bear my grandchildren someday, even if he can’t marry you. It wouldn’t do to damage him, would it?

[What do you want? I’ll do whatever you say, just don’t touch him.]

It was all his fault. If he had told everyone sooner, or at least confessed to his mother yesterday, this could have been prevented. They might not have been able to imprison or punish his father, but at least Kim Sooin wouldn’t have been… this worst-case scenario could have been avoided.

— You have to be punished for taking your father so lightly.

“…”

— You haven’t forgotten our rule, have you? When you’re being punished, you must always be…

Alone.

Jaeyi muttered and removed the communication device from his belt. The devil’s whisper continued in his ear.

— A car will be waiting for you at the new address I’m sending. It will bring you here, so come comfortably. Now that you’re an adult, you know how to treat a guest your father has invited, right?

The eerie laughter overlapped with an old memory. Something his father had said to him before he quit hockey.

“You’ll regret it again. You should have listened to your father back then.”

— As long as you listen to me, nothing will happen. Of course, this drugged friend of yours will be leaving behind a very personal memento in the form of a video… but if our deal is kept, it won’t be going anywhere, will it?

His words, tragically, were true. Jaeyi was filled with bitter regret.

— This is lenient treatment for a son who betrayed his father.

The call ended with a chuckle. Just then, he saw a group of men in the hotel lobby, looking around as if searching for him, probably wondering why he had abruptly ended the call.

Jaeyi quickly jumped over a flowerbed and ran towards the main street, avoiding their notice. Horns blared from all directions at his reckless crossing, but he didn’t stop. Even if the place Song Hankook was sending him to was a pit of fire, he didn’t care. The address to hell arrived via text.

❤︎₊ ⊹

The back alley of Vecum Seoul had a somewhat rundown atmosphere. It was quiet and deserted for a place in the heart of the city, with few passersby.

There was a large cafe tucked away in the alley. It was one of the few businesses in the area with parking right in front and opened early in the morning. Sooin slowly walked into the cafe he had scouted earlier.

The cafe was empty. The middle-aged employee was reading a book, not expecting any customers this early on a weekend morning. He looked up and hurried over to take Sooin’s order.

“Can I help you?”

Since he wasn’t really there for a drink, Sooin casually glanced at the menu.

“Yes, chamomile tea…”

Suddenly, Choi Jooyoung’s voice shouted from his earpiece.

— Hey, Kim Sooin!

“…”

— I’m getting a bad feeling. Should I send someone to stay close to you? Huh? They can just sit at another table!

Sooin paused, frowning and touching his ear. The employee, who had been looking at the POS system, gave him a questioning look.

“…I’ll have something warm.”

He smiled faintly and handed over his card. The employee, still looking puzzled, quickly processed the payment. Sooin took the buzzer and moved as far away from the counter as possible.

“What, do you want to advertise that this is a trap?”

— See, this bastard… You said it was just a precaution, just in case. But you’re expecting him to come, aren’t you?

At the quietly muttered question, the employee behind the counter glanced at him, his gaze suspicious. Sooin smiled again, and the employee quickly looked away.

“I’m hoping he will.”

— You crazy bastard. I should just…

“Choi Jooyoung.”

Sooin covered his mouth and lowered his voice.

“I told you. There’s hardly any evidence against that bastard for what he’s done so far. Even if we catch him this time, it’ll probably just be for illegal drug possession. He might not even be detained, let alone imprisoned.”

The buzzer vibrated as he finished his whispered words. Sooin paused, put on a forced smile, and picked up his tray. He chose a secluded corner table, hidden from view from the counter.

“But if he comes for me… assault, threats, confinement, kidnapping. He’ll be adding at least four charges to the list.”

— This bastard is really fearless.

“You’re tracking my location anyway. Don’t worry, I’m wearing the tracker.”

Sooin fiddled with the white plushie attached to his bag. The bear, which had swallowed the miniature tracking device Jooyoung had given him, looked up at him with an innocent expression.

“But even if you’re going to intervene, wait a bit. We need to gather enough evidence.”

— You asshole, is that any way to talk to me? I want to drag you out of there right now and take you home.

Sooin chuckled softly and took a sip of his warm tea. He had been somewhat nervous on his way to Vecum Seoul early in the morning, but now he felt at ease. This was much better than having to leave everything to Song Jaeyi and step back as if offering him as a sacrifice.

“Sorry for asking such a difficult favor. I’ll pay you back properly once this is over.”

— Pay me back? What the hell…

Choi Jooyoung, his language becoming increasingly foul as the crucial moment approached, continued to curse. Sooin listened to his ranting like it was background music, gazing out the window. A suspicious man in a black hat kept glancing in his direction from afar.

— Hey, I need to connect with Song Jaeyi soon. Don’t be surprised if I go quiet for a bit.

“Okay, just keep tracking my location. And I repeat, don’t come too soon…”

— I get it, you bastard! Even if you beg me to save you, I won’t barge in!

As he listened to Choi Jooyoung’s outburst, Sooin observed the man outside. Where did he park his car? Is he planning to lure me outside? As he pondered, he felt drowsy. His hand holding the teacup felt heavy.

Finding it strange, Sooin slowly put the cup down. His blurry gaze drifted from the chamomile tea to the window again. The man who had been observing him from afar was slowly approaching.

His mind screamed danger, but his eyelids felt heavy. A wave of drowsiness washed over him, plunging his vision into darkness.

❤︎₊ ⊹

“Did you send our son the location where the van is parked?”

“Yes.”

“Is the Omega ready?”

“Yes, he’s resting in the container next door.”

“Tsk, I feel bad for bringing such a valuable guest to a place like this.”

The muffled voices echoing in his ears made him nauseous. His body, already affected by the drug, was trembling. His stomach churned, his skin felt cold, and the sound of his own breathing was amplified in his ears. His ragged breaths made all other sounds seem distant and distorted.

Did they lure Song Jaeyi here?

Sooin opened his blurry eyes. All he could see was the gray floor and black leather shoes. His forehead, pressed against the rough, gritty floor, felt hot and painful.

Get a grip. How did I get here? How far am I from Vecum?

As he struggled to think, fragmented memories returned. The scene that had stopped at the cafe resumed in a car. When he woke up in the unfamiliar car, his wrists and ankles were already tied.

The car had driven for a long time on an unpaved road before stopping. He was dragged out of the car, his limp body pulled and pushed from both sides.

They took all his belongings. His bag, the plushie containing the tracker, everything was confiscated. They blindfolded him, and he was led away, still disoriented. Large men gripped his arms tightly, forcing him up a steep slope.

When the long climb ended, a round pill was forced into his mouth. He was punched in the stomach when he tried to resist swallowing it. He was dragged away like a sack of potatoes, and then…

“He’s a guest, but is it okay to treat him like this?”

…placed here.

“He might get hurt.”

The owner of the shiny black shoes clicked his tongue, feigning concern. Two men approached and grabbed Sooin’s hair. With his hands tied behind his back, he was dragged away without a chance to resist.

“Ugh…!”

They threw him onto a mattress. Lying on his side, his limbs bound, Sooin could finally see his surroundings.

He was inside a long shipping container. The square space, lit by a single lightbulb, was dim, and more than fifteen men in black masks were milling around.

“Put the camera over there. Yes, so you can see the trees outside.”

The devil appeared, pointing towards the dark forest. He pulled a chair over with a gleeful expression and sat down in front of Sooin, adjusting the camera and peering through the viewfinder with a look of perverse enjoyment.

“Don’t we have any lights? His beautiful face isn’t showing properly.”

“Yes, I’ll turn on the flash.”

The dim space suddenly brightened. A blinding light flashed from diagonally across the room. Sooin squeezed his eyes shut and twisted his body. He felt someone climb on top of him.

Unfamiliar hands fumbled with his clothes, trying to tear them off. Sooin gritted his teeth and struggled desperately.

“Fuck, get off… ugh!”

He kicked out wildly, and pain exploded in his head. His cheek, which had already been struck once, throbbed again. The drug amplified the pain, making it feel like he was being burned. Tears streamed down his face.

“Now, now, if you get hurt, it’ll look forced, won’t it? Hmm?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Act like lovers, like lovers. This will be recorded.”

“Yes, sir!”

The man replied energetically and reached out again. The touch, gentler this time, made Sooin’s stomach churn.

He had known it would be dangerous. He had anticipated that he might lose a finger, or be tied up and beaten like a piece of meat. But he had been prepared to endure it all if it meant putting that monster behind bars. Reinforcements would arrive soon, and the pain would be temporary.

But the situation hadn’t unfolded as he had expected. They had confiscated the tracker at the entrance, significantly delaying the arrival of reinforcements. The walk up the slope after the tracker was taken had also been long, so it was possible no one would arrive in time.

If that happens…

“Why are you resisting when you’ll be enjoying it soon?”

…is Song Jaeyi going to see me like this?

Sooin gritted his teeth and struggled again. He thrashed and swung his arms with all his might, and the man, hit in the jaw, stumbled back. He climbed back on, cursing, and tried to rip Sooin’s clothes off. As Sooin, refusing to give in, swung his elbow, the devil, who had been watching leisurely, chuckled softly.

“Oh dear, are you dissatisfied with our hospitality?”

He grinned and gestured towards the wall. Two over there. The curt command sent shivers down Sooin’s spine.

“Entertain him. But not too roughly.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You can skip a few steps. He’ll be more receptive since he’s already drugged.”

The world turned upside down as they flipped him over. They unbuckled his belt, and Sooin thrashed again as he heard the click. But it was no use against the painful grip on his knees and arms. His pants were pulled down, and hands reached inside his shirt, roughly grabbing his bare skin.

Panic flared, his mind screaming as his body trembled uncontrollably. A whimper escaped his lips, and his legs instinctively pressed together. He cursed and thrashed, trying to avoid the hands that groped him from all directions.

“Can I go first?”

Someone asked in a hoarse, lecherous voice. At the same time, his pants were yanked down completely. Sooin’s hips were pulled up roughly, and he heard the sound of a buckle being undone behind him. The man, who had been smiling gleefully in front of the camera, clapped his hands. Clap, clap, clap. The incongruous sound echoed loudly in his ears.

Sooin instinctively held his breath. He heard someone tell the others to hold his legs down. There was nothing he could do anymore.

Fuck, should I bite my tongue?

Just then, he heard a loud roar in the distance.

“What’s that?”

The devil, who had been engrossed in the viewfinder, looked up. His narrowed eyes darted towards the window, which offered a view of nothing but trees. The men surrounding Sooin also paused, looking around. The roaring sound grew louder.

“That sounds like… an engine?”

Someone muttered in a stupid voice. And then…

CRASH! A tremendous impact rocked the container. Objects fell from all sides, and everyone stumbled. The hands that had been groping and molesting Sooin were all gone.

Sooin opened his eyes. His blurry vision registered the dented wall of the container and the shattered window.

The wall, crumpled like a soda can, was caved in the shape of a car hood. Ominous smoke billowed from the car that had rammed into the container with enough force to knock it over.

❤︎₊ ⊹

As soon as the call ended, Song Jaeyi received a text message. The address, sent without any explanation, was not far from the city center. The taxi ride took less than 10 minutes before they reached a winding road.

As they drove down the narrow road, the driver muttered, “I didn’t know there was a place like this here.” He kept glancing nervously at Jaeyi, who was frowning fiercely, as if intimidated by him. The taxi ride continued in tense silence.

The car soon stopped halfway up a mountain, where even the bumpy dirt road ended. The driver, sweating profusely, turned to Jaeyi.

“I… I… I can’t go any further, the road is too rough.”

Jaeyi silently looked out the window. A gray car was parked at the edge of the dirt road the driver had indicated.

Jaeyi gasped and handed the driver his entire wallet. There was no time to count the bills. The driver stammered in protest, but Jaeyi ignored him and got out. The driver seemed to want to follow him for a moment but quickly changed his mind, intimidated by Jaeyi’s fierce expression, and turned the car around.

There was a driver in the gray car parked in the distance. The man, wearing a black mask and cap, opened the door as Jaeyi approached, as if he’d been waiting. He snapped his gum and said flippantly,

“Get in.”

The car was the exact same model as the one he had been trapped in at the Vecum parking garage. The floor where the twenty-four-year-old man had collapsed and trembled, the door he had desperately tried to open, it was all the same. The identical interior, even down to the color of the seats, felt suffocating. His father’s intention to paralyze him with his trauma was obvious.

That fucking bastard… to the very end…

Jaeyi groaned softly, pressing his aching chest. He didn’t want to play into his father’s hands, but his feet were rooted to the spot.

“Yes, sir. He’s here, but are you sure we don’t need to tie him up? He’s huge.”

The man in the driver’s seat was on the phone. He kept glancing nervously at Jaeyi, just like the taxi driver.

— Don’t be scared, you bastard. He won’t try anything because he’s afraid the video will be leaked. And the boss said that if we just lock the doors, he’ll be powerless.

The conversation blared through the car speakers, the blatant disregard for his presence grating on Jaeyi’s ears. He felt insulted and his blood boiled. He hated his own body for refusing to get into the car and clenched his jaw tightly.

“Is that so?”

— Yeah, and don’t open the windows either.

“Yes, yes.”

The brief call ended abruptly. As silence returned to the car, the man urged him again.

“If you’re not getting in, I’m leaving.”

At his sarcastic tone, Jaeyi finally managed to move his feet. As he dragged his heavy legs towards the car, he repeated the promise he had made to Choi Jooyoung dozens of times in his head.

Even if something happens, I’ll save him somehow.

Jaeyi got into the car and slammed the door shut. The light faded as the door slowly closed. When it finally clicked shut, the interior became unnaturally dark, no light filtering through the tinted windows.

A dark, enclosed space. The click of the locking door. His own ragged breathing.

Everything felt suffocating. Jaeyi closed his eyes, biting his lip hard enough to taste blood.

“Wow, this is amazing… he’s really helpless, isn’t he?”

The driver chuckled. Finally at ease, he turned on the radio. Unfamiliar music blared from the speakers.

Even amidst the loud music, Jaeyi could hear his own ragged breaths, each one scraping against his raw throat. He replayed the doctor’s words over and over in his mind, but the anxiety wouldn’t subside. Helplessness and self-loathing churned within him.

“Boss said if we just lock the car doors, he can’t do anything.”

Song Hankook knew him too well. The inside of the car, devoid of restraints or anyone to subdue him, felt like a mockery of Jaeyi’s power.

“You’ll regret this again. You’ll wish you’d listened to your father.”

The ominous voice echoed in his head. The car, which had been bumping along a rough road, finally reached level ground. Feeling the smooth transition onto grass, Jaeyi slowly lifted his head. He could see the square window of a container not far away.

Song Hankook’s face flashed in the window. He was looking at a camera with a gleeful expression.

On the other side of the camera’s lens, Jaeyi saw men in black. They were forcefully restraining someone on the ground, their bodies obscuring the captive’s identity. Though the bottom of the window was blocked, Jaeyi knew instantly.

Kim Sooin is there. The realization brought a chilling stillness to his pounding heart. The fear that something might happen to Kim Sooin because of him turned his blood to ice.

Fear had always been Jaeyi’s shackle. He had never fought back, even though he knew he was strong enough to overpower Song Hankook with one hand. He never even considered breaking out of the metaphorical dark closet.

But now, only one thought pierced the icy fear gripping Song Jaeyi’s mind.

I can’t let Kim Sooin get hurt.

The terror that had paralyzed him snapped. Free of the weight that had always held him back, Jaeyi’s eyes hardened.

His sharp gaze assessed the men inside the container. There were several of them; he’d need a powerful distraction.

Jaeyi swiftly attacked the driver, choking him from behind. He shoved his thick forearm under the man’s chin and yanked back. The driver gasped, his airway suddenly cut off.

“Ugh, ghk…”

The man thrashed, his foot slamming down on the accelerator. The car lurched forward, and his rough hands clawed at Jaeyi’s arm. It was a desperate fight for survival, but Jaeyi barely registered the pain as his skin tore and blood welled.

Eyes fixed ahead, Jaeyi reached for the steering wheel. He had to change direction, prevent the car from reaching Kim Sooin. As he wrestled with the driver for control, a deafening crash echoed. The world spun violently.

Jaeyi’s body slammed against the interior of the car. His vision flickered. It was a long moment before he could slowly sit up. He was still gasping for breath, his body ached, and a splitting headache was setting in.

Despite this, he shoved against the mangled car door without hesitation. The door groaned against the jammed lock, already wrecked beyond repair. Jaeyi ripped at it savagely until the heavy metal creaked open. He kicked the precarious hinges, sending the door tumbling to the ground, finally creating an escape route.

The exit he had forged with his own hands, without anyone’s help, seemed to shimmer. He stumbled out of the wrecked car and wiped his forehead, smearing the sticky, warm blood.

The men guarding the container stared in stunned silence, seemingly hesitant to touch the boss’s son. Then Song Hankook rushed out.

“What are you idiots doing? Our guest is waiting! Grab him and throw him back inside!”

Only at his command did the men in black suits swarm forward. Jaeyi, still limping from the crash, was outnumbered. But he had never intended to defeat them all. This fight wasn’t about winning.

“I was always a defenseman in hockey. Ever since I was really small.”

“No matter how big the guys were, they could never push me around.”

He could withstand the beating. At least while he was holding them off, nothing would happen to Kim Sooin.

The men attacked, each wielding a makeshift weapon: chairs, wooden planks, pipes. Jaeyi sighed and advanced, aiming to disarm the one with the pipe first.

Even with his experience in brutal, underhanded games, nothing could have prepared him for the savagery of reality. He managed to disarm a few, but the sheer number of attackers soon overwhelmed him. His vision blurred with blood as blows rained down.

As he fell to the ground, Jaeyi’s gaze remained fixed on the container window. He forced his stinging eyes open, determined to see if anyone tried to take Kim Sooin away.

Black boots entered his field of vision. The footsteps stopped in front of him, and the beating ceased.

“Ah, you stupid bastards.”

Song Hankook’s voice drifted down from above. Jaeyi’s blurred vision struggled to focus on the container.

“We need to be hospitable to our guest, don’t we? Do I have to spell everything out for you? You’re worse than animals.”

The sound of a slap echoed. Song Hankook crouched down, gently gripping Jaeyi’s chin and examining his face. His touch, almost perversely tender, wiped at the blood on Jaeyi’s forehead.

Jaeyi glared at him, chest heaving, his eyes burning with fury.

“You’ll regret this too.”

He spat the words out. Song Hankook chuckled, as if amused by a rebellious teenager. He tapped Jaeyi’s cheek with a blood-smeared finger.

“Clean him up and bring him inside.”

“Yes, sir.”

Song Hankook released Jaeyi and stood. Realizing he was heading towards Kim Sooin, Jaeyi roared. He struggled to his feet, but the men closed in, pinning his arms.

As if mocking his helpless struggle, Song Hankook paused and turned back. He looked at his son, his expression seeming to ask, Why didn’t you just listen to me?

Suddenly, the roar of helicopter blades ripped through the air, whipping up a fierce wind. The surrounding leaves danced wildly. Song Hankook staggered, looking around in confusion. The wind was unnatural, forceful.

“What the…? Holy shit!”

The men surrounding Jaeyi froze, staring up at the sky. A welcome sound descended from above.

“What’s that… Whoa, crazy!”

The men in black suits hesitated, then retreated. The whirring of the helicopter blades grew deafening, the rotating blades coming into sharp focus.

The wind became a gale, nearly impossible to stand against. As the black helicopter descended menacingly, the grip on Jaeyi’s arms loosened, then vanished. The men scattered in panic. Jaeyi steadied himself in the chaos.

Song Hankook, a look of dumbfounded shock on his face, stared at the sky. He slowly lowered his gaze to Jaeyi, his mouth agape.

Jaeyi wiped the blood from his eyes. His hand smeared across his forehead and through his hair, revealing his blazing eyes.

“I have a guest too.”

His muttered words were lost in the roar of the helicopter. But the explanation came in the form of security personnel who suddenly flooded the clearing.

Song Hankook finally turned to flee. Shouting unintelligible commands at the men in black suits, he ran towards the wrecked gray car. Dozens of figures gave chase, rapidly closing the distance.

“Damn it! Why the hell did you leave without the receiver?!”

Choi Jooyoung emerged from the throng of running figures, drenched in sweat as if he’d been hiking for hours. He was doubled over, retching. In his hand, he clutched a white plush toy. It was the keychain Kim Sooin had won on their date, the one he’d clung to as if they’d never see each other again. From the ripped and frayed toy, a black device protruded.

“Damn it, at least Kim Sooin had this on… Whew… at least… Did you see Kim Sooin?”

Choi Jooyoung looked up and his eyes widened in alarm.

“Holy shit! Are you okay? Do you know how many cuts you have? Oh god, look at all the blood!”

Choi Jooyoung’s small hands fluttered anxiously in front of him.

“…I’m not okay.”

Jaeyi slowly shook his head and walked towards the container. He passed Song Hankook, who was being subdued and screaming, but didn’t spare him a glance.

The first thing Jaeyi saw inside the container was light. Someone’s discarded phone lay on the floor, its flashlight beam pointed at the ceiling. Next to it was a camera on a tripod.

The camera was pointed at the opposite wall. The subject was all too familiar. Kim Sooin lay gasping on a bare mattress, his clothes torn and shredded, leaving him half-naked. He was struggling to sit up, and Jaeyi could see finger marks on his neck, as if someone had choked him.

A curse ripped from Jaeyi’s throat. Rage, hot and blinding, surged through him, igniting his exhausted body. He wanted to kill Song Hankook with his bare hands.

“Jae… uh… Song Jaeyi…”

Kim Sooin moaned his name. The sound, choked and desperate, spurred Jaeyi forward. Curses tumbled from his lips as he crossed the room.

“How… fuck… How could you… I told you it was dangerous…”

Jaeyi knelt by the mattress, his trembling hands fumbling with the knots binding Kim Sooin’s wrists. He was frantic, but the sight of the raw, chafed skin beneath the ropes made him hesitant to pull too hard. Kim Sooin gave a weak chuckle at his clumsy efforts.

“Ha… ha… Oh, it really is Song Jaeyi…”

His casual response sent a jolt of pain through Jaeyi. He muttered a string of English curses under his breath.

“If I’d known, you should have told me. I would have brought a tracker, instead of…”

“I didn’t know… It’s just… It felt too easy, so… Just a precaution…”

Kim Sooin’s voice was much quieter than usual, his words barely audible over his ragged breaths. He sounded like a dying candle flame, and Jaeyi’s anxiety spiked. He chewed on his lip in frustration. Finally, the ropes came loose.

Jaeyi pulled Kim Sooin into a tight embrace, crushing him against his chest. Kim Sooin’s body was stiff from being bound, and trembled slightly, perhaps from the lingering effects of the drugs. The tremor fueled Jaeyi’s rage.

“Hyung, you could have been hurt. Even now, in this place…”

Jaeyi looked up, suddenly remembering the camera. The red light was still blinking, a brazen indication that it was still recording. He wanted to smash it.

But as he started to rise, he was pulled back down. Kim Sooin, sensing his intent, clung to him with surprising strength.

“Don’t.”

Kim Sooin pulled Jaeyi closer, carefully lifting his head.

“It’s all evidence… just…”

“Fuck the evidence!”

Jaeyi pushed back his blood-matted hair and looked down at Kim Sooin. Kim Sooin’s face was pale. He stammered, his gaze fixed on Jaeyi’s forehead.

“The video is the best… proof… Song Jaeyi, you’re… why are you so hurt?”

His previously half-lidded eyes widened in alarm. He gasped, cupping Jaeyi’s face in his trembling hands. His fingers traced the wounds on Jaeyi’s forehead, hovering just above the skin.

“That fucking bastard did this? Huh? Blood… there’s so much blood… We need to get to a hospital.”

His usual respectful term for his father had vanished. Normally, he would have flinched at his own words, but Kim Sooin seemed oblivious to what he’d said. His eyes filled with tears as he stammered, his touch feather-light against Jaeyi’s skin.

Jaeyi sighed. He hated that Kim Sooin was so distraught, so willing to risk everything for him. He hated it, but the anger was overshadowed by a profound sense of relief. Looking into Kim Sooin’s worried eyes, his fury dissipated.

“…I’m fine.”

After a long moment, Jaeyi pulled off his shirt and draped it over Kim Sooin, then pulled him close again.

“Hyung, are you cold?”

“…No, Hyung… not cold. Hot.”

Kim Sooin mumbled the word, his cheeks flushing. He subtly shifted away.

“Still, let’s go to the hospital… We need to look at your forehead… And document the evidence, before the drug wears off…”

His already weak voice trailed off. The tremor in his voice, the way his body swayed, made Jaeyi fear he would collapse. He tightened his hold, remembering Kim Sooin collapsing in the gray van, and a wave of panic washed over him. He cupped Kim Sooin’s face, pleading.

“I know you’re hurting, but… please don’t fall asleep.”

Kim Sooin squeezed his eyes shut, his brow furrowed as if fighting against something. He tried to pull away again. The movement felt like a precursor to unconsciousness, and Jaeyi held on tighter, pressing against him, sharing his warmth.

After a moment of resistance, Kim Sooin sagged against Jaeyi’s chest. Jaeyi’s heart lurched. He was about to scoop Kim Sooin up and run.

“It’s… not that… Not hurt… Not in pain…”

Kim Sooin whispered, his grip tightening on Jaeyi’s arms. His ears were bright red as he offered a rare explanation.

“I know this is really… not the time. But Hyung keeps… Having these… indecent… stupid thoughts… So… can you move away a little?”

His voice faded to a breath. Understanding dawned on Jaeyi. Oh. He let out a soft sigh.

❤︎₊ ⊹

They postponed giving statements and undergoing further examinations, focusing on immediate medical treatment. By the time they left the hospital, it was already dusk. Choi Jooyoung drove them home.

Choi Jooyoung, who hadn’t stopped ranting in the emergency room, continued to fume in the car, alternating his scolding between the two of them.

“I’m letting you off easy because you’ve both had a rough day, but we’ll talk about this later.”

He’s already talked plenty. Sooin thought, but he simply nodded. It was best not to provoke Choi Jooyoung when he was angry.

“But you got beat up pretty badly. Why didn’t you stay at the hospital?”

Choi Jooyoung glanced at them in the rearview mirror, his voice softening slightly. Perhaps he felt he had been too harsh. Sooin smiled faintly and looked out the window, enjoying the cool summer night air.

“Hospitals are uncomfortable.”

Song Jaeyi murmured, turning his head to rest it on Sooin’s shoulder. Sooin gently shifted, worried about Jaeyi’s stitched forehead.

“Are you okay? It must hurt.”

Song Jaeyi shook his head and reached for Sooin’s hand, his fingers gently stroking Sooin’s still-trembling hand. The touch was simple, almost impersonal, but Sooin swallowed hard.

“Your uncle offered a private room. A really luxurious one, apparently.”

“I wanted to come home.”

They reached a red light. The car stopped, and Choi Jooyoung turned to look at the two of them huddled together in the back seat. He raised an eyebrow knowingly.

“Right, I totally understand why hospitals are so uncomfortable for you.”

With Choi Jooyoung finally silent, the car continued its quiet journey through the night, drawing closer to Jaeyi’s house.

“Oh, and your uncle wanted me to tell you something.”

Choi Jooyoung slowed the car to a stop. Sensing the awkwardness, Sooin opened the car door and stepped out. Jaeyi frowned from the back seat.

“Come inside with us.”

Sooin thought of a puppy with separation anxiety.

“No. I’ll be right here.”

Sooin chuckled and gestured towards the house’s front gate, barely fifty meters away. Jaeyi still looked reluctant. Choi Jooyoung muttered, “Seriously.”

Not wanting to exacerbate the situation, Sooin started walking towards the house. He paused at the entrance, wanting to thank Choi Jooyoung properly, but the glare he received stopped him short. Realizing it wasn’t the time for pleasantries, Sooin decided to wait for a better opportunity.

Jaeyi joined him moments later. They exchanged a few words and then parted ways. Jaeyi walked towards him with an impassive expression, and Choi Jooyoung immediately drove off, waving briefly without giving Sooin another chance to speak.

What did they talk about?

Sooin was curious, but he decided not to ask. All he wanted was to be back in the familiar comfort of Jaeyi’s home. He reached for Jaeyi’s hand, but Jaeyi stopped abruptly, just a step out of reach.

“Hyung… you’re the best liar I know.”

Jaeyi’s expression, which had seemed blank from a distance, was now a mixture of emotions. His eyes, which looked both angry and sad, narrowed.

“And I hate liars.”

Sooin, who had been looking forward to a quiet evening at home, was taken aback. He blinked in confusion as Jaeyi’s eyes began to glisten with tears. He took a half-step forward.

“Jaeyi.”

“Don’t hide anything from me again.”

Jaeyi spoke through gritted teeth, his voice thick with suppressed emotion. What did they talk about? Sooin wondered, but there was no room for denial. He answered immediately.

“Okay. Hyung won’t do it again.”

As soon as he spoke, Jaeyi grasped his hand, placing something cool and metallic against his skin.

“…How could you sell this and not tell me? I really hate you, Hyung.”

It was his watch, the cracked surface now flawlessly repaired. Sooin stared at it, speechless. He finally whispered,

“…Did you buy it back?”

Jaeyi didn’t answer. He fastened the clasp and held Sooin’s hand, then knelt down on one knee.

The pose was reminiscent of a proposal, but Sooin was more concerned about Jaeyi’s injuries. “What are you doing? Song Jaeyi, get up.” He protested, but Jaeyi ignored him.

“The thought of what might have happened if I had been even a little later… it drives me crazy.”

“…”

“Because of Hyung… I believe it now, too.”

He whispered, his lips brushing against Sooin’s hand.

“Things like love.”

The touch of his chapped lips against his skin wasn’t romantic, but tears welled up in Sooin’s eyes. He smiled, but his face was wet.

“Stay by my side. Always.”

Song Jaeyi, kneeling on the hard ground, looked up at Sooin. The dominant alpha was once again placing himself in a position of subservience.

Sooin smiled and pulled him up. Their kiss tasted of blood and tears. Between each lingering touch, Jaeyi murmured his confessions. Hyung, I really like you. I love you. Don’t disappear. With every heartfelt whisper, Sooin nodded.

❤︎₊ ⊹

Sooin woke up late the next morning. The release of tension left him feeling heavy and disoriented. Even after waking, it took him a while to process everything that had happened.

“I’ll get it. Go back to sleep.”

Song Jaeyi, whose warm, solid weight had been pressed against Sooin’s back, moved away. Only then did Sooin register the doorbell that had woken him.

Jaeyi, naked, quickly grabbed some clothes and left the room. Sooin watched his bruised back disappear, then slowly got up. Given yesterday’s events, he felt uneasy about letting Jaeyi go alone. He threw on some clothes and followed him out.

In the living room, Jaeyi was opening the front door. Sooin couldn’t see the visitor because of Jaeyi’s large frame, but a moment later, someone rushed in and embraced him. The door slammed shut.

Sooin’s heart lurched in surprise. He stopped as a woman’s sobs filled the room.

“How… How could I… not know anything… How scared… you must have been, my son.”

She didn’t ask why Jaeyi hadn’t told her. She simply apologized and expressed her regret. Her near-hysterical crying brought tears to Sooin’s eyes. He cleared his throat.

“It wasn’t your fault, Mother.”

Jaeyi’s voice was calm. He comforted his mother with a steady embrace, as if he had rehearsed this moment countless times. It was a stark contrast to the way he had clung to Sooin the night before.

“It’s the person who deceived and used me who is at fault. So don’t blame yourself.”

Jaeyi, who had finally decided to believe in love, seemed stronger than before. Watching him, Sooin felt a surge of happiness. Even though it was clearly not a purely joyful moment, even though he was still terrified of losing someone precious, even though there were still difficult steps ahead, he felt strangely happy and relieved.

As if he had finally completed the last of his punishments.

❤︎₊ ⊹

Song Hankook’s trial didn’t attract much public attention in Korea. This was partly due to Baek Moonhyung, who ensured the proceedings were swift and discreet. Despite the magnitude of the events, Sooin and Jaeyi’s daily lives continued as usual. At school, everyone was talking about final exams. No one knew what had happened to them over the weekend. This allowed them to return to normalcy much faster.

Sooin got another job at a cafe, visited Suye more often, and focused on his studies. He was busier than ever, trying to catch up on lost time. Even working at the cafe until 10 pm and studying until 1 or 2 am wasn’t enough. And on top of that, he had to make time for dates.

“You said you wouldn’t disappear.”

Lately, Song Jaeyi had become remarkably adept at restraining him. If he held Sooin from behind, there was no escape. Sooin, who had never felt physically overpowered, had to admit a dominant alpha was different.

“Don’t use that on me here. That’s dirty.”

“The dirty one is Hyung. Our tutoring sessions aren’t over yet, why are you always working?”

“I don’t want to fix your antisocial behavior anymore, because I like you the way you are.”

Resigned to his captivity, Sooin walked with Jaeyi clinging to him. Fortunately, Jaeyi, momentarily appeased by the compliment, was walking with him, not dragging him. Finally reaching the front door, Sooin put on his shoes.

“Anyway, I don’t want to get paid for tutoring my boyfriend. It’s weird.”

“What’s weird about it? It’s fair compensation for my labor.”

“Haha, where did you learn to talk like that?”

As soon as his shoes were on, he was trapped again. Held fast, unable to even open the door, Sooin laughed in exasperation.

“Jaeyi, let Hyung go to work.”

He patted Jaeyi’s arm, which was wrapped tightly around his waist. Jaeyi sighed, his warm breath ghosting over Sooin’s shoulder.

“…You’re too busy.”

His voice was suddenly vulnerable.

But Sooin didn’t want to accept any more financial help from Jaeyi. The repurchased watch, returned at a price higher than its original value, was more than enough. To ensure their long-term well-being, Sooin needed to continue working and studying.

“Then come with me. I’ll make you an Einspänner.”

Slightly embarrassed by the compromise, Sooin mumbled the offer. Jaeyi’s mood immediately brightened. I’ll just wear a hat, he said, a hint of excitement in his otherwise gruff voice.

The cafe where Sooin worked was a three-story black building, much larger and more professional than his previous workplace, with more staff and customers.

“Oh, Hyung’s here with his boyfriend again.”

As soon as they entered, jeers erupted from behind the counter. Sooin smiled at his coworkers. Jaeyi, as stoic as on his first visit, greeted them curtly and sat at a table near the register.

Sooin put on his apron, washed his hands, and immediately started making the Einspänner. There were no other orders or tables to clean. One of his coworkers, noticing what he was making, nudged him.

“He must really like you. Can’t bear to be apart from you, huh, Hyung?”

Sooin felt a sense of déjà vu. It reminded him of the time he’d constantly pushed away his growing feelings for Jaeyi. Back then, when everyone kept asking if they were dating, Sooin vehemently denied it. He couldn’t even jokingly admit it. He couldn’t acknowledge that he had fallen for the rude, obnoxious younger man he’d met through a boyfriend-for-hire gig.

“Is it that obvious?”

Sooin chuckled, playing it off. He placed the finished Einspänner on a tray, and his coworker stepped aside. Ignoring the teasing remarks, Sooin carried the drink to Jaeyi’s table.

“I’m working for five hours today.”

“Okay.”

“You can go home if you get bored.”

“I can read a book.”

Why does even the most mundane conversation sound so cute? Sooin wondered, amused by his own reaction. “Okay then.” He said, tapping Jaeyi’s white baseball cap before turning to go back to work. Someone tugged on his sleeve.

“Excuse me…”

He was just about to step behind the counter. The man who had stopped him was small and handsome, nervously chewing his lip. Sooin had a feeling he knew what was coming.

“Could I… maybe get your number?”

As expected. Sooin put on a troubled expression, feigning hesitation as he mentally prepared his standard rejection speech. As an employee, he needed to maintain a professional demeanor, even when dealing with personal requests.

“No.”

But his carefully crafted response was rendered useless. Song Jaeyi, who had appeared behind him, spoke first. His large frame cast a shadow over the smaller man.

“He’s my boyfriend.”

His blunt tone, even while scowling, sounded adorable, and Sooin almost laughed. He bit his lip, forcing a polite expression.

“I apologize. As you can see… I have a boyfriend.”

He bowed his head slightly, and the man quickly withdrew his hand. Oh, I’m sorry! He stammered, hurrying away. Jaeyi continued to glare at him.

“Hyung, you should write ‘Taken’ on your name tag.”

Jaeyi muttered, still scowling. Sooin turned and tapped the brim of his hat.

“Be nice.”

“…Should we restart those social skills lessons? If so, I’ll pay you properly this time.”

“You’re being cheeky.”

Sooin laughed, dismissing the comment, but a thought crossed his mind.

If I were to add something to my name tag, it would have to be ‘Taken by a slightly rude boyfriend’.