April 29, 1942
Subin bit her lip. A sword-wielding military policeman entered the classroom and examined the students' attendance sheets. Yonhui College was one of the schools the Governor-General of Korea kept under surveillance because it wasn't founded by the Japanese. Everyone was startled by the sudden arrival of the military policeman, muttering among themselves. The military policeman, who had been carefully examining the attendance sheet, slammed it onto the teacher's desk with a loud bang. Subin sighed. "They came to confirm the name change." The professor in charge flinched in surprise.
“Why are there students in the classroom who haven’t changed their names?”
Everyone instinctively recognized the student. The military policeman shouted toward the classroom.
"Choi Soo Bin!"
"Yes."
Soobin rose from his seat. The military policeman snapped his fingers, signaling for them to come over. Everyone was seething with anger at his arrogant attitude, but they had no choice but to remain silent.
“Come. (Come.)”
Subin went to the front of the classroom and stood right in front of the military police.
“Why didn’t you change your name?”
“Because I'm not used to Japan and Japanese…”
A military policeman kicked Soobin in the shin. As he groaned and collapsed, the policeman raised the club he was holding and struck his back and legs repeatedly. Unable to bear witness to the beatings taking place in front of the classroom, everyone lowered their gaze or turned their heads away. The professor, who had been retreating behind the podium at the policeman's appearance, quickly approached him. The professor, who had grabbed the wrist of the policeman as he raised his club again, blocked his path, and shouted.
"What are you doing? You suddenly came into the classroom and started whipping students!"
“Don’t you know that Koreans who don’t change their surnames will be expelled from school? Aren’t you friends with this guy?
“Stop it!”
A female student shouted. She then moved to the professor's side and blocked the military police in the same manner. "Yes!" Another voice came from one side of the classroom. They rose and blocked the military police. Soon, all the students stood and stood in front of the military police, while others helped Soobin up. Everyone looked up, their heads stiff, at the military police. Some even secretly clenched their fists.
"The Jo Saengjins..."
"You want to get hit?" the military policeman shouted, raising his club. Everyone flinched, but still glared at him. The military policeman pointed to Subin, who was getting up with the help of other students.
“If that student doesn’t change his/her name to a Japanese name within a week, the entire classroom will be disadvantaged. And you, professor.”
As soon as the military police left, the choked breaths burst out. That brief moment felt like an eternity. Some students, their hearts tender, shed tears. The professor was busy calming the youth living in this era of despair. Subin quietly left the classroom and headed to the base.
April 29, 1942
It rained as they walked down Jongno Street. With all the shops closed due to the rain, Yoon-ki and Jeong-guk entered the newspaper office, looking like drenched rats. Inside the small, unassuming office, several inkwells and bookshelves crammed with books filled one side. The stairs leading upstairs stood farthest from the door, and the few lights flickered precariously. "Oh, my. Comrade Hoeseon, your finances are in trouble too," Yoon-ki tsk-tsk. The chest holding the original newspapers sat near the bookshelf, surprisingly low. Directly in front of a rather shabby desk, slightly off the center of the office, a printing press was busily turning. Yoon-ki picked up a printed copy. The large Korean letters on the newspaper were quite impressive. Jeong-guk had already hurried to the stove to warm his hands. "No, wait." Yoongi found a Japanese newspaper burning in the fire pit that was disguised as a stove. Yoongi hid them by rummaging through the kindling and chuckled. Jeongguk liked it because it was Gyeongseong and the stove was warm. Do you really like Gyeongseong? Better than Manchuria? Yoongi asked childishly, jealous. Jeongguk smiled bashfully and replied, "It's even better than where I was born and raised." Five o'clock came, and as the two Manchurians' bodies grew tired and warm, and Jeongguk began to nod off against Yoongi's shoulder, someone came in with a thunderous roar.
“Who are you?”
A hoarse, almost hoarse voice rang through the thunder. Yoon-gi instinctively pulled out his gun. He quickly checked who had entered and lowered it.
“Comrade Line.”
“I didn’t know you would come here without even a letter.”
Taehyun's voice was quite gruff. Jungkook, who had just woken up, sat up in a half-asleep state. Taehyun glanced at Jungkook. Yoongi also looked at Jungkook behind him.
“I have something to discuss with the members.”
"It's not time to gather yet. It's almost time to gather, so why don't you have a meal and wait?"
“Then I’ll be grateful to you.”
Taehyun hung his rain-soaked coat on a hanger and went up the stairs to prepare a meal.
“Ah, Gyeongseong’s food tastes different!”
After a few sips of the rather delicious meal, a swarm of men came in. Seeing Yoongi and Jungkook, they paused for a moment, as if they were unexpected guests, then quickly took their seats. Jimin, as usual, sat by the window. Taehyung sat next to Jimin, fiddling with his gun. Following them, Beomgyu, Kai, and Seokjin came in, and finally Namjoon and Soobin took their respective seats. It was obvious they wanted to sit as far apart as possible. After exchanging greetings and a brief chat, Taehyun took a chair in the center of the room.
“Well then, please tell me now, comrade.”
Taehyun interlocked his fingers and stared at Yoongi. At those words, everyone's gaze shifted to Yoongi and Jungkook.
“I have to go back quickly, so I’ll just get to the point.”
I plan to leave Jeong Guk-il in Gyeongseong.
His words, spoken so matter-of-factly, caused everyone's eyes to widen. Of course, Jungkook, the person involved, was no exception. Just as Jimin was about to open his mouth, Yoongi raised his hand to silence him.
“I know. It’s shameless.”
“Captain, this is!”
“You be quiet.”
It seemed he'd already made up his mind. Kai opened his mouth, then closed it again. It was because he sensed an indescribable sense of desperation in the independence army leader. Yoongi kept repeating to himself: This was for Jeong-guk. He was a skilled boy, but regardless of his skills, Yoongi didn't want to send Jeong-guk into battle. With Japan engulfing the country, there must be danger, but Yoongi wanted to keep him away from the danger right in front of him. He'd never felt this impatient. Yoongi closed his mouth and looked at Tae-hyun.
"…All right."
Breaking the silence, Taehyun nodded. This time, all eyes turned to Taehyun.
"You're also a member of our group, so I promise to take good care of you. I heard there's a room available at a hotel near the newspaper office. Would you like to stay there?"
“Thank you, comrade. I will do so.”
Yun-gi's face relaxed even more, perhaps because he was secretly afraid of being rejected.
“Don't worry about food or lodging. I'll pay as much as I can within my budget.”
"Thank you so much, Comrade Hoeseon. I don't know how I can repay this kindness."
Jungkook kept opening and closing his mouth incessantly. A certain earnestness flashed in his eyes, but no one seemed to notice. Soon, Jungkook lowered his head. Suddenly, he felt resentful of his age, which didn't even exceed two. Frustrated, he tore at his poor fingernails.
“However, I think you have something to explain.”
Taehyun got up from his seat and looked straight at Yoongi.
“That’s why I said this.”
April 29, 1942
"The criminal Choi Young-jun is being summoned."
Another military policeman arrived and violently roused Yeonjun. He stood in the courtroom, covered in blood, looking indistinguishable from a human being or a freshly slaughtered piece of meat. He had no lawyer, and a Japanese prosecutor and judge stared at him. Yet, his face was more composed than anyone else's.
"The trial of the criminal Choi Young-jun will now begin."
The trial began when the judge struck the gavel three times.
“The defendant was arrested on the spot for attempting to murder citizen Tadayoshi Endo at his home. (피고는 시민 엔도 타다요시를 그의 자택에서 살해하려고 하다 현장검거 되었습니다.)”
The prosecutor opened his mouth.
"We will submit the gun he had at the time as evidence."
The prosecutor handed the bloodstained rifle to the judge. The judge pretended to examine it carefully, then placed it down beside his desk.
"Defendant, do you have any arguments?"
The Fed chuckled.
“Well, if you want to see me living in prison, send me to the provisional government.”
“Defendant, I demand that you write in your own language! (피고. 자국의 언어를 쓰기를 요구한다!)”
The judge shouted.
"I'm just so impatient."
"Defendant, hurry up and make your statement!"
"I have no intention of arguing. Whatever I say, isn't it already a predetermined process?"
"Why are you being so disrespectful?"
As the prosecutor abruptly stood up, the judge stopped him.
“If you do not argue, you will be severely punished. (변론하지 않으면 엄중한 처벌을 받게 될 것이다.)”
"There's a saying among sheep: If you can't avoid it, enjoy it. So, as a man of Korea, I've decided to gladly accept any pain. So, no matter how much you stab, beat, or bruise me, it's no longer my concern. It will be a joy to me, a supreme pleasure."
"Defendant Choi Young-jun is sentenced to death!"
The sound of the gavel echoed throughout the courtroom. Yeonjun smiled faintly. For a moment. The judge's face paled at the sound of the voice that followed. The military policeman who had brought the governor's letter spoke in a hoarse voice.
"I guarantee the innocence of the defendant, Choi Young-jun. 질코토 총독 인.)"
Everything flowed slowly. Yeonjun could feel his hands freeing. But he was filled with anxiety. Who on earth could possibly go to the governor and argue the innocence of a condemned inmate? Yeonjun immediately sank to his seat. Endo Yamato. The familiar name flashed through his mind. He emerged from the noisy courtroom as if entranced, and leaned against the prison wall.
After a few slips of the familiar pain, I finally took a drag on the cigar. Soon, faces appeared. Taehyung, Jungkook, Yoongi, Namjoon, Kai, Jimin, Taehyun…
"Are you alright?! I heard that a man named Endo Yamato pleaded your innocence."
Taehyun, his face pale, hugged Yeonjun. Yoongi strode over to him and patted Yeonjun on the shoulder. Jungkook clasped Kai's hands and screamed, "Not guilty! Not guilty! Not guilty!"
"You've caught my weakness. If I wanted, I could blow that Yamato's brains out right now."
Taehyung spoke with a clear, murderous intent. Jimin nodded. Yeonjun dropped his cigarette and shook his head, as the two looked ready to run to Endo Street at any moment.
"Comrade Choi Beom-gyu. He's Endo Yamato. The eldest son of the Endo family is on our side—"
“What on earth are you talking about…?”
Silence flowed after Taehyun's words.
“Ah. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. But—”
“…You knew everything from the beginning, but you didn’t say a word.”
Taehyun's lips trembled. "Oh no." Yeonjun said soothingly.
“Aren’t you worried that you’ll look like that now?”
"Thank you for that. So, was that person more important than the safety of the group?"
"What the hell is wrong with you? Why can't you kick him out?"
"How can he be trusted? You should have known from the moment he started speaking Japanese while claiming to be an independence activist! Comrade—"
"You didn't even give me a chance to trust you. What do you expect? And Beomgyu can't speak Korean!"
Stop it! Kai cut him off. There's nothing we can do if we just stand here and fight. That's right! Jungkook nodded vigorously. Everyone looked at them. Yoongi opened his mouth.
“You don’t know how to speak English.”
"Ah, Captain!" Jeong-guk shouted. At that moment, several Japanese soldiers emerged from the Government-General building. Everyone looked in that direction, their eyes anxiously following the yellow uniforms. Finally, when its outline turned toward the Mirabeau Hotel, everyone, without a word, ran towards it. Inside were maps of the bases of every independence movement group on the Korean Peninsula and lists of their members. Inside were plans to assassinate pro-Japanese figures. Above all, Soobin remained inside. With a pounding heart, they arrived at the Mirabeau Hotel. A black, burnt mark appeared where the base was. Wait. Where is Comrade Choi Beom-gyu? At Yoon-gi's words, Nam-joon's face paled, then contorted to a pitiful frown. Even the heavens are indifferent. How indifferent.