PASSION Chapter 5 Part 7

Chapter 5 Part 7

"Though that's likely, we could have still destroyed some evidence and left the case unsolved. But a green rookie went and ruined that completely, so it's worth being displeased about."

"I would have been killed by Ilay if I hadn't testified!"

"That's not the concern of those above."

His uncle shrugged as if it wasn't his concern either. Tae-ui stared at his uncle with a dumbfounded face in disbelief. What kind of organization operates like this? Though they say organizations have more corruption the higher up you go, how could it be like this?

Though Tae-ui had rushed to his uncle to protest vehemently as soon as the short-term solitary confinement decision came down, his uncle just spoke calmly. Saying he was protesting to the wrong person, and protesting would be useless anyway.

Tae-ui knew that too. He hadn't come here hoping to somehow avoid it using his uncle's power from the start. He just wanted to rub his unfairness and anger against his uncle.

"Uncle... don't you feel sorry for me at all? What is this? My fate turning so unlucky right after coming to this island corner, feels like I'm possessed by something."

Though he bowed his head low while venting his anger at his uncle—in a way he himself knew was somewhat unreasonable—asking why he had brought him here, his uncle didn't even snort in response.

"Tae-ui. You seem to have forgotten, but I was expecting you to contribute to improving our side's performance by doing your job well. As I said, I need to get my superior promoted. But now... with you from my team going to solitary like this, hasn't a situation arisen where you're even cutting into my points? My heart aches."

"Then who told you to bring me!"

"Now now, let's let bygones be bygones together, and know you're better off. Rigrow was already dragged down to solitary because they said he was a flight risk. Though he's not one to run away."

His uncle changed the subject. Though Tae-ui still muttered something with a dissatisfied face, knowing it was useless to say more, he decided to swallow his complaints with a sigh.

Training had been suspended immediately when the incident occurred. It was still suspended. Though "still" only meant a day and a half had passed.

Though he had seen Ilay yesterday while being dragged around various places, come to think of it, he hadn't seen him once today. To Tae-ui who just realized this, his uncle added that he had already gone down to solitary this morning.

Tae-ui sighed. Even so it was just a difference of one day. Tae-ui had to go down to solitary tomorrow morning. Yesterday he couldn't even return to his room from being harassed by superiors. Of course he hadn't slept properly either. After sleeping in his own bed tonight, from tomorrow he would have to stay on the hard prison floor.

"How long do I have to stay there?"

"Ten days for now, but who knows. Could be shorter, could be longer."

"Probability-wise, the latter seems more likely."

"I suppose so. That's how the crime of displeasing works."

He sighed heavily again. But after staring at his feet briefly, Tae-ui tried to think positively. If he had to be in solitary for ten days anyway, that meant when he got out the joint training with the European branch would already be over. Considering how exhausting these ten days had been, maybe it would be better to rest in prison for ten days.

"Anyway, go suffer a bit in there. In exchange, I'll smooth over you coming to my room during training."

His uncle spoke as if doing him a great favor. Tae-ui stared straight at his uncle from where he stood on two feet in his uncle's room. Then asked weakly:

"Is entering restricted areas during training also grounds for solitary confinement?"

"The crime of displeasing encompasses all grounds in the world. You know that."

"I know..." Tae-ui sighed. He had often joked about this with his classmates in the military. That among crimes committed in military life, the crime of displeasing was the greatest. Actually that saying applied not just to the military but to general society too. It applied to human relationships too. Once marked, things become troublesome for a long time - was this place any different?

"They'll probably come to your room from solitary tomorrow morning. Say goodbye to your colleagues tonight. You won't be able to see them for a while, so you should say farewell in advance."

"Why are you talking like someone crossing a path of no return!"

"It happens sometimes. People who go to solitary and never return."

His uncle spoke with a smile that could have been joking or serious. This was exactly when he wanted to strangle his uncle.

Tae-ui shook his head and turned to leave. Having seen his uncle's face that needed no farewell, he felt like leaving now. Staying longer would just make him more upset.

"First thing I'll do when I get to my room is burn that damn book I borrowed from uncle"

"Hmm...? Ah, wait! I told you I haven't read that book yet! What did the book do to deserve such treatment...!"

"The crime of displeasing encompasses all grounds in the world. You know that too, Uncle."

Tae-ui spoke to his uncle with a calm face then left the room with light steps.

—It happens sometimes, people who go to solitary and never return. He knew his uncle's words were a joke. Unless something unexpected happened, Tae-ui would come out again in ten days and stride around the branch.

But hearing those words suddenly reminded him of someone. Someone he would really miss not seeing for ten days, a lovely and cute young man.

Tae-ui hesitated briefly standing on the landing, then turned his steps. The fact that this floor was currently off limits had been broken long ago anyway. Breaking a rule twice was easier than flipping your palm once you'd broken it once. Plus hadn't his uncle said he would smooth it over?

Tae-ui gripped the pager in his pocket. As if the warmth of the message still contained within would transmit to his hand. Holding that pager that quickly warmed with his body heat, he went to the person who had sent the message. Though it was ten days, he was someone he really wanted to see before going.

When Shin Lu's room approached in the distance, suddenly the pager in his pocket vibrated. Tae-ui slowed his steps and took out the pager. He checked the text appearing on the display.

'Brother Tae-ui, where are you? Please contact me even if it's late. I'll wait.'

It was Shin Lu. Tae-ui tilted his head at those words that even seemed somewhat urgent. What could it be? His steps toward Shin Lu's room quickened.

There had been contact last night too. But being busy getting pushed around by superiors, he couldn't talk long. And today was the same - being called away as soon as he opened his eyes, being dragged around all day writing required documents and talking to people he didn't know, and now it had gotten this late. Only tonight remained before going to solitary. That's why he had been on his way to meet Shin Lu.

Tae-ui stood in front of Shin Lu's room. Since contact had come just earlier, he was probably in his room. He knocked on the door instead of ringing the bell. Though it wasn't a very loud sound, the door opened immediately. Shin Lu looked out with wide eyes.

"Brother Tae-ui."

"Hi. Were you worried a lot?"

Shin Lu stood frozen staring straight at Tae-ui. Eyes as if seeing something unbelievable. Then when Tae-ui smiled in greeting, his expression suddenly crumbled and he hugged Tae-ui tightly.

"Brother! I was so worried. So worried. They said you were going to solitary but I couldn't contact you--"

This time Tae-ui froze. Looking down in surprise at Shin Lu who had suddenly burrowed into his arms unexpectedly, Tae-ui awkwardly moved his floating arms not knowing what to do with them.

Shin Lu had his face buried in Tae-ui's shoulder while tightly hugging his waist. He seemed to be crying too. Feeling that pleasant strength hugging him with all his might like a child who lost his mother, Tae-ui slowly lowered his arms to embrace Shin Lu's back. He carefully embraced him like fragile glass and gently pulled him closer.

It was warm. The invariably fragrant soap smell brushed his nose. Tae-ui subtly carefully buried his heated face in Shin Lu's hair. It was soft and fluffy. It felt good.

How could this body be so lovely? This warm body temperature, this fluffy hair, this soft body. Tae-ui unconsciously held that body tight in a daze.

Then suddenly realizing Shin Lu in his embrace was completely still, he flinched and quietly loosened his arms. Had he held too tight? Must have been uncomfortable. He quietly loosened his arms. Had he held too tight? Must have been uncomfortable. Would he think it was unpleasant?

While checking Shin Lu's reaction and slightly loosening the arms that had held him, Shin Lu suddenly hugged Tae-ui tighter. Then whispered with his face buried in his shoulder:

"Brother. Yesterday, I dreamed about you."

"Oh... really? That makes me happy."

While wondering if he could embrace him again with the arms he had loosened, Tae-ui spoke shyly. He seemed to have even dreamed about him from worrying too much. He felt grateful and happy and tender. While waiting for Shin Lu's next words with ears perked, for some reason Shin Lu stayed silent for a moment. He hesitated as if something was catching.

Had it been a bad dream? Or did he dream I was locked in solitary forever…

Tae-ui considered saying "Dreams mean the opposite" to get ahead of it. But before he could open his mouth, Shin Lu muttered as if resolved:

"I, I dreamed of sleeping with you, Brother."

"Haha, you did? It's okay. Dreams mean the oppo..."

Tae-ui smiled and comforted Shin Lu as soon as he spoke in a slightly stiff voice, but something felt strange as he spoke. How to put it, there seemed to be a slight error in the information transfer from ear to brain.

"..."