Bittersweet

5_Bittersweet

'Jiing -' 






Wonwoo's phone rang as he was driving. Seungcheol turned his gaze to the window, telling him to take it easy. Wonwoo glanced around and answered. It was Mingyu. He hung up without even answering when Mingyu suddenly asked if he had time.

Seungcheol was curious, asking who it was calling, and Wonwoo just said he was a friend. Seungcheol let out a laugh at Wonwoo's reaction. Seungcheol told him he wasn't interested in anyone else but Wonwoo, that he'd never met anyone as fun as him and that he probably never would, so he shouldn't worry. He didn't even know that that was his biggest worry.




Wonwoo's presence with Seungcheol meant he was going to get his clothes wet. Wonwoo seemed to be having a hellish time, but Seungcheol, who was as excited as children on a spring picnic, seemed to know Wonwoo's feelings, and he began to add his own twist to Wonwoo's method, suggesting that they try it this time.

Every time Wonwoo held the jackknife, he wondered, "What if I just go for Seungcheol's neck?" But even that would be a nightmare, so he had no choice but to put down the jackknife, which he'd cleaned thoroughly every time. If you're holding a knife, you should be able to cut something, but your hands wouldn't obey. He knew that if he reached his destination, the tip of the jackknife in his hand wouldn't be Seungcheol, but someone else.









- 









Finally, we arrived at our destination. Today, another nightmare will plague me. Wonwoo opened the door hesitantly and got out of the car. Seungcheol, naturally, took a position to watch Wonwoo through the window from the backseat.

Wonwoo, as always, hid in a convenient spot without any change in expression. He erased all signs of life until his target arrived. In fact, the only signs of life came from the car Seungcheol was riding in. This was also part of his strategy. When his gaze fell on the car, which was freely spreading its presence, Wonwoo, having erased all signs, would launch a surprise attack from behind. Then, the target would fall helplessly.





Today, too, the man's gaze shifted involuntarily to the car Seungcheol was riding in. His vision narrowed with fear, and he only realized Wonwoo was approaching after the jackknife pierced his body.

Wonwoo's unique style was complemented by Seungchul's. Wonwoo, who usually stabbed and then stabbed, was dragging his feet this time. This left his target eagerly awaiting an opportunity to escape. Wonwoo wanted to end things quickly, but Seungchul was watching, so he dragged his feet.






Seungcheol's method was this: if there was even the slightest chance of survival, people would display superhuman strength to escape danger. Seungcheol found that person's final struggle amusing. So he said he would instill false hope in his target, whose death was already certain. After that, the target's face, sensing his imminent death, revealed anguish, despair, and emptiness.

Wonwoo slowly drove his target into despair, first with his own footsteps and then with Seungchul's. Wonwoo squeezed his eyes shut. The target's helplessness seemed to be transmitted through the jackknife. Despite Seungchul watching him, Wonwoo could no longer endure it, sobbing and swinging the knife.







What about Seungcheol? He was looking at Wonwoo with an expression that suggested he'd had his fill of fun long ago. "Yeah, if he can hold out like this, he'll last a long time." It was the same feeling. Seungcheol ordered his subordinate at the wheel to bring Wonwoo over, and Wonwoo, battered and battered, barely managed to get into the car.





"You've worked hard. I'll send you home right away today."

"...thank you."

"Go there."






As soon as Seungcheol finished speaking, the engine started. The car moved back down the road. After wandering around, Wonwoo arrived at his house. Seungcheol smiled and waved, and Wonwoo bowed low, not straightening until Seungcheol's car pulled away. When the sound was completely gone, he straightened and entered the house.

Wonwoo's life was utterly miserable. He lived a life where he couldn't die even if he wanted to. He had no choice. Wonwoo was a scoundrel who, on the king's orders, ignored countless criminals.

butFor what reason and on what charges did they have to lose their lives?









-









It was evening. Naturally, Mingyu came to the house. Unlike before, Mingyu was wary of Wonwoo, but Wonwoo was exhausted from the day's events. He thought he should just let the conversation end and send them off, but Mingyu was nagging at Wonwoo.





"Who is it this time?"

"...what?"





Mingyu's words were irritating. The fact that he'd assumed I'd killed someone, of course, was destroying Wonwoo's heart. He'd never felt that way before, but for the first time, he felt disappointed in Mingyu.





"You went back into the organization and did some background checks on me?"

"Tell me where and who you killed."

"Kim Min-gyu. I'm not in the mood today, so..."

"So what? When has it not been like that?"






How could Mingyu change like this just because he joined the organization once? "This guy's completely determined," Wonwoo thought, turning around. Mingyu grabbed Wonwoo. He could feel a considerable amount of strength in his grip. Wonwoo tried to shake his hand away as usual, but this time he couldn't. Mingyu, his resolve firmly set, probably wouldn't have let Wonwoo go so easily.

Wonwoo finally shed tears in front of Mingyu. Seeing the tears streaming down his face, Mingyu panicked and relaxed his grip. Wonwoo lowered his head and wiped away his tears.





"...brother?"

"Are you feeling better now? Did you really have to scratch my insides like this?"

"...but hyung."

"Yeah, who doesn't know that you're doing this to stop me?"







Wonwoo handed Mingyu a jackknife. Mingyu, of course, had no intention of accepting it, but Wonwoo forced it into his hand. Then, avoiding Mingyu's gaze, he began to tell his story. No, it wasn't about his story, but rather what was to come.





"I wished that jackknife would end up on Seungcheol hyung or me. But that will never happen in my life. I'm not strong enough to kill hyung or myself.

"..."

“But maybe it could happen in your life, Min-gyu.”

"Brother, what are you talking about?"






Wonwoo paused for a moment. He glanced back and forth between the jackknife he'd handed him and Mingyu's eyes. "Since we've both made up our minds, isn't it time to speak?" Wonwoo's gaze returned to the floor. In a low, deep voice, he spoke.







"You are my only savior who can end this nightmare, Min-gyu."

"uh?"











 
"I think it'll be okay with you. You finish me off."