Side Story (9) The Appearance of the Crow
. . .
The evening they reunited overseas, Jungkook came to see Haejoo. Stephy, who had heard Haejoo's story during the day, immediately left the room for Jungkook. The two spent time in the dorm, catching up on recent events they hadn't been able to share.
Jeongguk came here because of an illegal gambling incident.
Evidence was found that animalized beastmen were participating in the illegal gambling games where Kim Taehyung's laundered funds were believed to have flowed. Because their intelligence was far superior to that of ordinary animals, the animalized beastmen had a significant advantage. Most of the beastmen were missing members of the Jungjong clan. Unable to guarantee their safety, the authorities took this case seriously. Jungkook, who was tracking the flow of funds and the traces of illegal externalized drugs, ended up overseas. His previous cell phone suspension and the closing of private messaging apps were all part of his undercover investigation.
I wanted to contact Haeju as soon as I got here, but I didn't because of the undercover investigation.
So, Jungkook hesitated whether or not to visit Haejoo, not knowing what was going on. But he wanted to keep his promise, and he came as an official visitor, not a personal contact. If she ignored him in the classroom, Jungkook planned to quietly turn away. The classroom was more crowded than expected, so he couldn't spot Haejoo, and he was about to leave, thinking he wouldn't see her. But when she came running to him in the parking lot, calling his name, it felt like a reward for all the exhaustion from the investigation.
Jeongguk felt somehow happy after reading the return letter that Haeju had given him.Haeju wanted me deep in her heart...It was a completely unexpected twist for Jeong-guk. Every time Hae-ju had a nightmare, he felt responsible for not being able to find her quickly or stop her from leaving that day, which may have caused her trauma. Then, when Hae-ju suddenly left, his feelings of not being able to protect her grew even stronger.
Jeong-guk, already struggling with the investigation's difficulties, felt even more empty as he felt the void left by Hae-ju's departure. Still, he believed Hae-ju needed him, so wouldn't she eventually return to him? He'd asked Hae-ju to always tell him she loved him, partly because he wasn't sure about her feelings. But the answer he'd found was her feelings for him. It was truly welcome and joyful news.
The two talked about their recent activities until late at night.
Hae-ju, who was listening to the story of the investigation into the Jeong-guk case, asked.
"But weren't all of Kim Taehyung's associates arrested...?
How are you sure that Kim Taehyung's money went into it?"
"At that time, there was one person who was not arrested...
"I'm the person who came into contact with you."
At Jeongguk's words, Haeju's eyes widened. "Someone who wasn't arrested?" The faces of various people flashed through Haeju's mind like a chart.
"ah..! "
Park Jimin... Goosebumps ran down my arms as I recalled his cold gaze. He had suddenly disappeared and never reappeared. I had kept in touch with him through the Badger Club, but I couldn't find out anything besides his name, occupation, or age. And all the phone numbers he had were untraceable.
"Haejoo, that person is also Suin...?"
Huh? Didn't I write in the report that Park Jimin was Suin...?Haejoo tilted her head and answered, unable to remember the contents of the report because it was such a long time ago.
"That's right. Crow... He's someone who has incredibly quick externalizing reactions."
Externalization, the transformation from human to animal form... Most beastmen had to remain still during externalization. While the pupils and face would easily respond to externalization depending on the emotional state, externalizing the entire body required a certain amount of time. However, Park Jimin externalized in an instant and suddenly flew away.
"crow...?"
Jungkook, who was lying on the floor, sat down at his desk as if something came to mind and turned on his laptop. On the laptop, all the CCTV footage taken here was organized by date and location.
"Here, this looks like a crow's wing..?"
Jeongguk pointed to the wings of something flying by. Black wings, shining with a gleam... Haejoo, who had already approached the desk, peered closely at the screen.
"Look carefully,
This is a low-capacity CCTV installed in a warehouse, so it takes one shot every 5 seconds?
Look at this guy.."
The back of a man wearing a khaki hoodie... He suddenly vanished, leaving behind only his clothes. A black shadow appeared above him. I was certain it was Park Jimin.
"That might be true,
First, we collect feathers and do genetic analysis.
Wouldn't that be more accurate..?"
"Of course I was going to do it.
But I haven't found any evidence to analyze yet."
Jungkook leaned back in the system chair he'd been sitting in, yawned, and stretched. He'd had a hunch it was Park Jimin, but meeting Haejoo confirmed his suspicion. It was him. Kim Taehyung's remnants were still harassing Suin.
"Jungkook, I don't know if I can be of any help,
If you ever need any help, just let me know. I'd love to help."
Jeong-guk seemed to think for a moment at Hae-ju's words.
"Haejoo,
I don't want to put you in danger again.
Besides, you already know Park Jimin.
I can't get dragged into this"
"But, since I have a one-sided view,
"It might actually be helpful if you use me."
Although Jeongguk was happy to see Haeju's spirited demeanor still there, he was also worried.
"After that incident, I had a lot of thoughts while watching you struggling.
I also feel a sense of responsibility...
And I found out. I want to keep you safe.
"Using you... That's absolutely not allowed."
He made a sullen expression at Jeongguk's words.
"Well then, what... other than me going out to the field,
It's okay to talk like this... right...?"
"Yeah, this is all I can give you. Thank you."
Jungkook looked at Haejoo, desperate to help in any way he could. He wanted to protect her. He didn't want to put her in danger anymore.
After that, Jungkook often spent time with Haejoo. They would look at externalizing drug analysis data together, share their opinions, and offer advice on his unpredictable state of mind.