36 | Police investigation
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I headed back to the police station in a state of distress after seeing the patient off. Since I had spoken to the police officer in advance, I expected my parents and Seo-yi to be there. When I arrived at the station, my parents seemed to have calmed down a bit; instead of rushing at me, they just glared at me.
You've arrived. We're moving to the interrogation room. Would you like to go to the area with the camera, or just proceed with the questioning?
“Ah… I don’t think we really need a camera.”
Then follow me.
The professor and I headed to the interrogation room together. Since it was my first time at a police station, I was quite nervous even though I hadn't done anything wrong. So, I entered the room with the police and was questioned. The questions I was asked were preposterous, though.
“Your father said that Seo-ah spoke first and used profanity. Is that correct?”
“What do you mean… I was walking with the professor when I was suddenly hit.”
I have a medical certificate as well; I will give it to you.
I handed the medical report to the police officer. It showed bruises on my knees and hands, but more seriously, damage to my eardrum. Since I still couldn't hear well in one ear, the officer looked at the report with a somewhat serious expression.
“Oh… that’s a bit much.”
"Seo-ah, are you saying that you were suddenly hit?"
"yes that's right."
And well, I heard that your father used unspeakable profanities against Seo-ah...
“I absolutely never did that. After being hit, I panicked and collapsed on the floor.”
The professor helped me stand up, and I simply told my father what I had been holding back.
Do you remember what you said?
“…Yes, I am a doctor. I became one because my parents forced me to study when I was a student.”
I hadn't been in contact with my family since I was a student due to stress, but my mom came to see me a while ago asking to borrow money.
“So I said a few harsh things to my mom… I think I did it because I was a bit worked up at the time.”
But I was right. After that, he came back with his younger sibling and asked me to lend him money once again.
“I got angry at those words, so I said something back then too, because Father really loves Mom.”
“I think that’s why he came to see me. That’s why my father said back then that he didn’t need a daughter who didn’t listen to her mother… and I told him that I didn’t need a father who beats his daughter.”
The police officer listened to what I had to say attentively. I asserted my innocence, claiming that I had absolutely never used profanity, and the officer seemed to believe me. He said that regardless of whether I had used profanity or what the family situation was like, I was the one who was hit and my father was the one who committed the assault, so a report would be filed.
I felt gratified and relieved, but at the same time, I felt uneasy. Perhaps it was because they were family, but even though they hadn't done anything for me, I felt uncomfortable. Just as a wound on my body stung, a corner of my heart ached.