[GL Harem] The Seventh Night

3. A Strange Morning

10:03 AM

[Tuesday, March 10, 2020, Girlfriend's 2nd Hideout, 2nd Floor Guest Room]

I saw an unfamiliar ceiling.

Hyejeong blinked for a while, thinking about where she was.

Faint sunlight was streaming in through the curtains.

The room was quiet, and a water bottle, painkillers, and a new towel were neatly placed next to the bed.

Hyejeong, who was trying to sit up, winced at the pain rising from her knee.

이혜정

ah......

The bandaged wrists and knees caught my eye.

Only then did the memories of the previous night come flooding back all at once.

Abandoned hotel.

Black ledger.

The man who held him.

Intruders who raided the hideout.

And Sojeong, who held his hand in the darkness.

Hyejeong hurriedly got out of bed and approached the window.

Outside the window, an unfamiliar residential area stretched out.

Hyejeong found her bag on the desk.

My wallet and belongings were still there, but my cell phone was nowhere to be seen.

이혜정

Mobile phone......

When I opened the door, a quiet hallway appeared.

Gunshots and alarm sounds were not heard like last night.

Instead, the sound of dishes clinking and low conversation could be heard from downstairs.

Hyejeong slowly went down the stairs.

*

10:12 AM

[Living room and kitchen on the first floor of the second hideout]

Yerin was lying diagonally on the living room sofa, covered with a blanket.

Keun Eun-bi was sleeping face down on the dining table, and an open laptop was placed next to her.

Little Rain was asleep leaning back in a chair with his arms crossed.

Yuna was slowly stirring a pot in the kitchen.

Yuna raised her head upon hearing the sound of Hyejeong coming down.

최유나

Did you wake up?

이혜정

yes.

이혜정

Did you sleep well?

Yuna looked back at the sleeping members and smiled faintly.

최유나

Everyone just got some sleep, so they're still a bit disoriented.

Sojeong, who was sitting on the opposite side of the sofa, lifted her gaze from the documents.

Sojeong had merely changed into a comfortable black T-shirt and appeared to still not have slept.

김소정

How are you feeling?

이혜정

It's okay......

Hyejeong stopped speaking.

I remembered that the members had told me not to say "I'm okay" too much the day before.

이혜정

My wrist is fine.

이혜정

My knee hurts a little.

Sojeong nodded slightly.

김소정

good job.

이혜정

What?

김소정

The one where I said it hurts.

Sojeong pointed to the chair opposite.

김소정

Sit down.

김소정

I'll ask them to look into it again when Yewon wakes up.

Hyejeong sat at the dining table and looked at Keun Eunbi, who was sleeping face down.

Complex numbers and maps were displayed on the laptop screen.

이혜정

Did Big Eunbi sleep here?

최유나

I was working until just a moment ago rebuilding the security network.

Yuna covered Keun Eunbi's shoulders with a blanket.

At that moment, Keun Eun-bi opened her eyes and sprang up.

정은비

Who came in?

최유나

No one came in.

정은비

What time is it?

최유나

It's a little past 10.

정은비

I couldn't even sleep for two hours......

Keun Eunbi tried to rest her forehead on the table again.

Yuna held out her palm to block Keun Eunbi's forehead.

최유나

Eat and sleep.

정은비

I'll eat it later.

최유나

You say you'll eat later, but you never do.

정은비

Yuna, I can't even open my eyes properly right now.

최유나

So eat some porridge, go upstairs, and get some proper sleep.

At that sound, Yerin, who was sleeping on the sofa, opened her eyes.

정예린

Do you have porridge?

최유나

Yes, older sister.

정예린

Give me some too.

As Yerin pulled back the blanket and stood up, Little Rain also opened her eyes, frowning.

황은비

Why is everyone so noisy......

정은비

Little Rain, you're up too?

황은비

I woke up because of Big Eunbi's voice.

정은비

I spoke quietly, though.

황은비

My older sister is loud even when she whispers.

Keun Eunbi wore an aggrieved expression.

Hyejeong relaxed her tense shoulders a little as she watched them bicker normally.

*

10:31 AM

[Second Hideout Kitchen Table]

Warm white porridge, rolled omelets, and seaweed were placed on the table.

Yewon woke up late and sat opposite Hyejeong as soon as she came down.

김예원

did you sleep well?

이혜정

yes.

이혜정

What about Yewon unnie?

김예원

I slept well, too.

Little Rain looked at Yewon from the side.

황은비

You slept for two hours.

김예원

I slept for two hours.

이혜정

Did everyone stay up all night because of me?

Little rain put down the spoon.

황은비

Are you going to apologize again?

이혜정

no.

이혜정

Still, if I hadn't come......

김소정

Hyejeong.

When Sojeong called her name in a low voice, Hyejeong closed her mouth.

김소정

The raid yesterday was because of the ledger, not you.

이혜정

But I brought that ledger.

김소정

If you hadn't brought it, Baekya would have retrieved it again.

Yerin looked at Hyejeong after eating a spoonful of porridge.

정예린

And we've never been on good terms with Baekya.

정은비

It’s not just that we don’t get along.

정예린

Hyejeong is scared.

정은비

Why hide anything when your house has already been raided?

Keun Eunbi leaned slightly toward Hyejeong.

정은비

To be precise, Baekya has been bothering our workplace for the past few months.

정은비

What happened yesterday didn't start suddenly.

이혜정

So, were you originally looking for that ledger?

Yuna answered.

최유나

I didn't know a ledger existed.

최유나

However, there was money that had strangely passed through our account, so we were tracing its source.

이혜정

Did Baekya send the money secretly without the older sisters knowing?

최유나

huh.

최유나

It seems like they were trying to pin the blame on us if a problem arose later.

Hyejeong looked down at the spoon.

이혜정

Then that ledger could serve as evidence.

Yuna's gaze changed subtly.

최유나

Why did you think that?

이혜정

If money laundering had been done secretly, there would be records of which account the money came in from and where it went out.

이혜정

If we compare the dates and amounts, wouldn't we be able to prove that it isn't your money?

The dining table fell silent for a moment.

Keun-bi and Yuna looked at each other.

정은비

Hyejeong, do you know accounting?

이혜정

A little.

이혜정

I am studying because I want to get a job in accounting.

황은비

Do you think about the flow the moment you see it, even if you know a little bit?

Hyejeong froze at the sharp gaze of Jagunbi.

이혜정

just......

이혜정

It reminded me of what I learned.

황은비

You happened to witness a transaction, found a ledger, and happen to be studying accounting?

김예원

It's a light rain.

황은비

That's strange.

김예원

I'm still eating.

황은비

Eating doesn't make your curiosity disappear.

Sojeong put down the spoon.

김소정

Little rain, stop it.

Little Rain looked at Sojeong and then lowered her head.

황은비

sorry.

Hyejeong struggled to eat a spoonful of porridge.

Little Rain was not wrong.

Even he thought that every coincidence was too exquisite.

*

11:17 AM

[2nd Hideout Temporary Control Room]

After breakfast, Keun Eun-bi placed Hye-jeong's cell phone on the desk.

When I connected the power, the screen that was off turned on.

이혜정

Can you contact home now?

정은비

wait for a sec.

정은비

First, you need to check if there is anything strange.

Keun Eunbi connected her mobile phone to the laptop.

Hyejeong stood in front of the chair and looked at the screen with an anxious expression.

이혜정

Can I see photos and messages too?

정은비

I won't look at personal matters.

정은비

I'm only going to check the installation records and communication history.

이혜정

yes.

Yewon unwrapped Hyejeong's wrist bandage and checked the wound.

김예원

It's not very swollen.

이혜정

Is your hand okay, Little Rain?

김예원

huh.

김예원

The wound is shallow.

Keun Eunbi suddenly hardened her expression while moving the mouse.

정은비

for a moment.

Yuna approached from behind Eunbi.

최유나

why?

정은비

Look at this.

On the screen, there was a series of file names that even Hyejeong could not recognize.

Keun-eunbi enlarged one of them.

정은비

There is a hidden program that accesses location information.

Hyejeong's face turned pale.

이혜정

Are you saying you are tracking my location?

정은비

huh.

정은비

It is hidden from view on the screen and transmits the location externally whenever the phone is turned on.

김예원

So, was the first hideout discovered yesterday because of Hyejeong's cell phone, too?

Keun-eun-bi shook her head.

정은비

no.

정은비

Yesterday, Hyejeong's cell phone was completely turned off.

정은비

The last transmission time is 8:46 PM.

이혜정

I was at a cafe at that time.

Yuna examined the record displayed on the screen.

최유나

When was it installed?

정은비

Friday, March 6, 4:12 PM.

Hyejeong retold her memory.

이혜정

If it's March 6th......

이혜정

I was working at a cafe.

정은비

Did you install any new apps that day?

이혜정

I'm not sure.

Keun-eunbi opened the installation list.

Between the ordinary map, messenger, and music apps, there was a single nameless gray icon.

정은비

Have you ever seen this?

Hyejeong looked closely at the screen.

이혜정

ah......

김예원

Did you remember?

이혜정

There was a QR code for a free drink coupon on the cafe table.

이혜정

I took a picture thinking it was for customers, but then I was told I needed to install the app to get the coupon...

정은비

This is the app.

Hyejeong covered her mouth.

이혜정

Then who was watching my location from that time?

Keun-eunbi could not answer immediately.

Yuna carefully grabbed Hyejeong's shoulder.

최유나

I don't know who installed it yet.

이혜정

Did Baekya do it?

정은비

We need to track the transmission address.

After copying the program, Keun Eun-bi blocked the mobile phone's communication functions.

정은비

You shouldn't contact me directly using this cell phone.

이혜정

Mom will be worried.

Hyejeong's voice went low.

Yewon lightly took Hyejeong's hand.

김예원

You can contact me on another phone.

정은비

I'll connect you via internet phone so your location won't be known.

정은비

Instead, you must not say where it is.

이혜정

yes.

*

11:46 AM

[Second Hideout: Small Study]

Sojeong closed the study door and handed the cell phone to Hyejeong.

The caller ID was not displayed on the screen.

김소정

Speak like usual.

김소정

You can say you slept at a friend's house.

이혜정

Do I have to lie?

김소정

Right now, it's to protect my family.

Hyejeong hesitated for a moment, then made a call.

The other person answered before the signal even rang twice.

이혜정

Mom, it's me.

A voice full of worry was heard from the other end of the phone.

Hyejeong tried hard to put on a bright expression.

이혜정

I couldn't contact you because my phone was off.

이혜정

It rained so much yesterday that I slept at a friend's house.

Hyejeong glanced at Sojeong.

Sojeong stood by the window without saying a word.

이혜정

yes.

이혜정

are you okay.

이혜정

I might be a little late today.

Hyejeong's eyes turned red.

이혜정

sorry.

이혜정

For making you worry......

이혜정

yes.

이혜정

I also ate rice.

After hanging up the phone, Hyejeong stared at the screen for a while.

이혜정

I've almost never lied to my mom.

김소정

Sorry.

이혜정

Why are you sorry, Sojeong?

김소정

Because I'm keeping you here.

Hyejeong put her cell phone down on the table.

이혜정

If you let me go, it will be dangerous, right?

김소정

huh.

이혜정

Then, how long do I have to stay?

김소정

I'm going to check your identity and tracking program today.

김소정

I'll decide then.

Hyejeong asked cautiously.

이혜정

Do you doubt me?

Sojeong did not deny it immediately.

Hyejeong realized the answer from that brief silence alone.

이혜정

Just like Little Rain said, I look strange too, don't I?

김소정

As the boss, I have to check.

이혜정

What about Kim So-jeong as an individual?

Sojeong's eyes turned toward Hyejeong.

After asking the question, Hyejeong lowered her gaze as if surprised herself.

Sojeong remained silent for a moment, then answered.

김소정

I want to believe in you.

Hyejeong raised her head again.

김소정

But what you want to believe and what you can believe are different.

이혜정

What can I do to make you believe me?

김소정

Don't lie.

이혜정

I didn't lie.

김소정

Then that is enough.

*

12:18 PM

[Second Hideout Living Room]

Hyejeong sat in the middle of the long sofa.

Sojeong and Yerin sat opposite, and Keun Eunbi and Yuna had their laptops open.

Jagunbi and Yewon took seats on the chairs next to each other.

The atmosphere was much heavier than at breakfast.

김소정

I'll ask you just a few things.

이혜정

yes.

김소정

Did you hear the name Baekya for the first time yesterday?

이혜정

yes.

김소정

Didn't you feel like someone was following you before entering the abandoned hotel?

Hyejeong thought for a moment.

이혜정

I don't think there was.

Little Rain asked with his arms crossed.

황은비

Like seeing the same car repeatedly, or a strange person coming to the cafe.

이혜정

There are a lot of customers, so I'm not sure.

황은비

Then, who left the QR code on Friday?

이혜정

It was already on the table when I arrived at work.

정은비

We could find out by checking the cafe's CCTV.

이혜정

This isn't causing you any trouble, Manager, is it?

Little Rain looked at Hyejeong as if dumbfounded.

황은비

There was a tracking program on your phone just now, and you're worrying about the store manager first?

이혜정

The store shouldn't be put at risk because of me.

황은비

Why do you think everything is your fault?

Hyejeong was speechless at the unexpected question.

Little Rain still had a sullen face.

황은비

You didn't create the program, nor did you put the QR code there.

이혜정

Still, since I pressed it......

황은비

You were deceived, it's not your fault.

Yewon smiled faintly as she looked at the light rain.

김예원

You speak so gently.

Little Rain glared at Yewon.

황은비

This isn't the time to be joking.

Yerin leaned forward as if to change the atmosphere.

정예린

Hyejeong, let me ask you just one last thing.

이혜정

Yes, Yerin unnie.

정예린

Why did you pick up the ledger yesterday?

Hyejeong could not answer easily.

이혜정

I'm not sure.

정예린

There was money and other things lying around too.

이혜정

I was so distracted back then......

Hyejeong retold her memory.

이혜정

I tripped over a black notebook.

이혜정

People were coming from behind, and I think I just grabbed what was in front of me.

황은비

Really without thinking?

이혜정

yes.

김소정

okay.

Sojeong stood up from her seat.

김소정

That's all for today's questions.

Little Rain looked at Sojeong.

황은비

Sojeong unnie, are you going to end it like this?

김소정

Even if I ask more questions until Hyejeong's identity verification results come out, I only get the same answer.

Little Rain made a dissatisfied expression but said nothing more.

*

01:34 PM

[Second Hideout Living Room]

Keun-eunbi was checking the transmission address of the mobile phone tracking program.

Hyejeong ate the apple that Yewon had peeled for her little by little on the sofa.

정은비

Found it.

Yuna looked at Big Eunbi's screen.

최유나

where are you?

정은비

I hid the exact location by going through overseas servers multiple times, but the last connection point is Seoul.

황은비

Is it the white night?

정은비

I can't say for sure yet.

Keun-eunbi opened another window.

정은비

But there's one more strange thing.

김예원

What is it, unnie?

정은비

This tracking program wasn't installed only on Hyejeong.

Everyone's eyes turned toward Keun Eun-bi.

정은비

There are at least twenty-three devices connected to the same server.

이혜정

So, did other people scan that QR code too?

정은비

maybe.

최유나

What is the probability that they are all customers of the same cafe?

정은비

I need to check.

Little Rain looked at Hyejeong.

It was a look of suspicion that had lessened compared to a moment ago, but had not completely disappeared.

황은비

It seems Baekya might have been randomly tracking people around that hotel.

최유나

Did they monitor people who might witness the transaction in advance?

Hyejeong put the apple down.

이혜정

Then that means there are other people in danger besides me.

Keun-eunbi could not answer.

A heavy silence fell over the living room.

*

02:07 PM

[Second Hideout, 2nd Floor Hallway]

Hyejeong went up to the second floor after hearing that she should take a nap.

However, I found a small rain leaning against the window in front of the room.

Hyejeong hesitated for a moment, then approached.

이혜정

Little Rain Sister.

황은비

why?

이혜정

You still doubt me, don't you?

Little Rain answered while looking out the window.

황은비

huh.

Hyejeong lowered her head at the honest answer.

황은비

Are you upset?

이혜정

It's a bit upsetting, but I understand.

황은비

What do you understand?

이혜정

You sisters have known each other for a long time, but I'm someone who suddenly appeared.

이혜정

You lost your hideout because of me, too.

Little Rain looked at Hyejeong.

황은비

I told you it wasn't your fault that we lost our hideout.

이혜정

still......

황은비

And it’s not that I doubt you because I don’t like you.

이혜정

yes?

Little Rain closed her lips for a moment.

황은비

I can't let my sisters get hurt if I don't suspect them.

이혜정

So, are you suspecting me to protect me?

황은비

How does it sound like that?

A small smile formed on Hyejeong's lips.

Little Rain avoided eye contact.

황은비

Go to sleep.

황은비

Your face looks really tired.

이혜정

You sleep well, Little Rain.

황은비

I'm going to sleep too.

Hyejeong turned back as she was opening the door.

이혜정

I hope you will believe in me someday.

Little Rain did not answer for a while.

Just as Hyejeong was about to enter the room, a small voice was heard.

황은비

If you didn't lie, that's how it would turn out.

*

02:31 PM

[2nd Hideout Temporary Control Room]

After Hyejeong went up to her room, Sojeong checked the identity data that Big Eunbi had organized.

정은비

Lee Hye-jeong.

정은비

Born in 2001.

정은비

I even checked family relationships, school records, and cafe work history.

정예린

Is there a problem?

정은비

no.

정은비

There are no records of connections to Baekya or other organizations, either.

정은비

I'm a really ordinary cafe part-timer.

Yuna opened the black ledger.

최유나

An ordinary person picked this up by chance.

정예린

But why is the story of the seventh person written in the ledger?

Keun Eunbi displayed a screen that was an enlarged shot of the last page.

The seventh person who can read the ledger is the key.

Sojeong stared at the sentence for a long time.

정은비

Is it also a coincidence that Hyejeong is studying accounting?

정예린

There really are too many coincidences.

Yuna touched the number on the first page of the ledger with her fingertips.

최유나

However, if this child had been after the ledger from the beginning, they wouldn't have revealed their identity so easily.

정은비

i think so too.

Yerin looked at Sojeong.

정예린

What do you think, Sojeong?

Sojeong slowly closed the ledger.

김소정

What Hyejeong said is true.

정예린

Do you believe that?

김소정

So far.

Sojeong looked up at the ceiling on the second floor.

No sound was heard from the upstairs.

김소정

But we need to find out why an ordinary child became the key to the ledger.

At that moment, a warning sound rang out from Eunbi Keun's laptop.

beep-.

Keun-eunbi immediately checked the screen.

정은비

Wait a minute.

최유나

what's the matter?

Eunbi's expression hardened.

정은비

A new command came in through Hyejeong's cell phone tracking program.

정예린

You've blocked mobile phone communication, haven't you?

정은비

So it didn't run.

정은비

However, the content of the command......

Keun-eunbi turned the screen around and showed it to the members.

A short sentence floated above the black window.

Witness confirmed. Retrieve Lee Hye-jeong.

Sojeong's gaze turned cold.

Until just a few hours ago, Baekya did not know Hyejeong's name.

However, now they knew exactly who Hyejeong was.

Sojeong got up from her seat and headed to the second floor.

정예린

Sojeong, where are you going?

김소정

Hyejeong's room.

정예린

why?

Sojeong stopped in front of the stairs.

김소정

From now on, you must not leave that child alone for even a moment.

3. A Strange Morning