This is the special force squad S2

#31 "Death of a High School Student (7)"

As Yeo-ju, who had just finished two days of intense training, trudged into the teachers' office, Tae-hyung, as if to acknowledge her efforts, placed a cup of coffee in front of her and patted her shoulder a couple of times. Yeo-ju sipped her coffee, her eyes half-open.

현 예 지

Excuse me… Is Teacher Yeoju here…?

The door slammed open, revealing Yeji. Yeoju, startled, stood up, bumping into Joohee, who was passing by, and spilled her coffee.

I couldn't help but be surprised when he poured hot coffee on my legs, which were already covered in stockings.

남 여 주

Ah, it's hot...!

Even the paper cups they were holding fell to the floor, and Taehyung and Namjoon jumped to their feet and approached Yeoju. Her skin was already red and swollen, and Yeoju frowned in pain.

Joo-hee repeatedly bowed her head, apologizing, while Yeo-ju waved her hand, saying it was okay. Yeo-ju told Ye-ji to go to the counseling room first, while she herself headed to the bathroom.

남 여 주

Ah… I’m dying of pain. Of all times, I had to bump into her… I wonder if Yeji made it to the counseling center.

The heroine soaked a tissue in cold water and gently dabbed it on her spilled coffee leg. Despite the pain that coursed through her bones, she quickly left the bathroom.

I suddenly had an ominous feeling

The door to the counseling room was slightly ajar, and the sound of someone's conversation grew louder through the crack. Yeo-ju crept closer and peered through the crack to peek inside.

The blurred silhouette gradually became clearer, and soon it was Joo-hee. Joo-hee had Ye-ji sit down, and from behind, she held her shoulder, speaking to her.

진 주 희

Yeji, why are you looking for Teacher Yeoju?

현 예 지

Ssa, the teacher is the class president, so we talk to each other sometimes…

진 주 희

Ugh… If you lie, you can’t use it.

Joohee shook her head, running her fingers through Yeji's hair. Yeji's throat clenched as if swallowing, and Joohee's hand continued to caress her.

진 주 희

The male and female leads are police officers, so you're asking them to at least give a statement since you're a police officer?

진 주 희

Why are you making such a surprised expression, it's embarrassing.

현 예 지

How did the teacher do that…

PEARL

The thing is, I really don't like the male and female leads... I wanted to kill them right away, but Ocean, that bitch ruined my plan.

Yeji tilted her head at the incomprehensible words, and Juhee, or rather Pearl, smiled faintly and spoke in a rather loud voice. It was unclear whether she was mumbling or addressing the female protagonist.

PEARL

Why don't you come out now? How long are you going to eavesdrop like a rat?

At those words, Yeoju calmly opened the door and went in. Pearl. A narcotics unit leader and the person who believed Ocean had caused Dolphin's death.

A war of nerves erupted between the two, and Yeji, sitting in the middle, was flustered and at a loss. Yeoju grabbed Yeji's wrist, pulled her up, and spoke to her.

남 여 주

Get out, get out now.

Yeji looked at Yeoju with wide eyes, and Yeoju bent down and whispered in her ear.

남 여 주

Kim Namjoon, go see Teacher Kim Taehyung…

PEARL

Please join me. This is really boring…

Yeji turned the doorknob and went outside, and for some reason, Pearl didn't even flinch. Expecting her to move, Yeoju prepared to fight, but it was all in vain.

PEARL

Are there any more of your team members out there? Those teacher students you brought with you? They look quite handsome…

남 여 주

Shut up… Are you the one who killed Choi Won-guk?

PEARL

Wow... so cool. You're really the epitome of a no-nonsense person, aren't you? Hahaha. I didn't know you'd ask right away...

PEARL

Yeah, I killed that little shit.

Pearl glanced up and down at the female protagonist, seemingly amused, then quickly shifted her gaze to her long fingernails, saying she had killed Won-guk. The female protagonist's expression slightly soured, but she had expected it to some extent, so it wasn't all that shocking.

Before the heroine could say anything, Pearl spoke again. The heroine shuddered at her high, yet somehow eerie voice.

PEARL

You said you joined hands with Ocean?

남 여 주

I don't think it's your job.

PEARL

Oh really... this is fun... I think I know why Boss and Ocean like it lol

남 여 주

While I'm at it, let me ask you one thing.

남 여 주

Whose head is this?

Pearl's expression hardened rapidly at the heroine's words. But soon, she smiled brightly and jumped down from her desk to the floor, shaking off the hem of her skirt.

For a while, only silence flowed between them, and it was so quiet that even the sound of the students who had finished their classes and were running across the playground could be clearly heard.

PEARL

You must know him. Oh, what was his real name…

PEARL

I remembered…!

PEARL

Yoon Ha-eun, it was Yoon Ha-eun.

남 여 주

What…? Why is Ha-eun…

PEARL

This is why I don't trust people, lol. Anyway, you guys... You trust all the gangsters...

Only then did the heroine's expression soften, as if understanding had dawned on her. Pearl smoothed her hair and approached her. Then, out of the blue, she grabbed the back of her neck and flashed a chilling smile.

PEARL

Please don't show off... I hate seeing you. Ocean, that bitch is annoying me to begin with, and if you do this to me, I won't be able to stay still either.

After saying what she had to say, Pearl released her grip, and only then did the heroine cough and gasp for air. As Pearl opened the door and began to leave, the heroine caught her breath and spoke.

남 여 주

Your organization seems to be out of its mind...? Hahaha. Or do you think you can beat us?

남 여 주

Dolphin. Remember? The former narcotics officer you killed.

PEARL

shut up…

PEARL

How many times have I told you that's not true! Why do you keep blaming me? That dolphin bastard got shot and died because he was slow, so why is it my fault?

남 여 주

Do you remember anything? I thought I'd forgotten everything because I'm so stupid...

While Yeoju and Pearl were engaged in a heated exchange, Yeji ran back to the teachers' office. With every step she took, the sound of her slippers squeaking echoed through the hallway.

Yeji opened the door to the teachers' office without even bothering to knock, and all the teachers inside turned their attention to her. Only then did she regain her senses, repeatedly bowing and apologizing. Taehyung approached her.

김 태 형

Kim Yeo-ju, what about Teacher Yeo-ju? You came alone?

현 예 지

That's... Teacher Yeoju told me to go to Teacher Namjoon and Teacher Taehyung...

김 남 준

Me? Teacher Taehyung and I aren't in charge of the second year?

김 태 형

If the heroine told you to do that, there must be a reason. Let's go first. Is there a quiet place?

When Taehyung gestured for Namjoon to follow him, Yeji reluctantly closed the illuminated laptop, grabbed her coat, and headed outside. Yeji followed Namjoon and Taehyung out the door.

They arrived at none other than the emergency stairs. To be precise, the three of them arrived there, led by Yeji's hand. Yeji glanced outside the door, then quickly locked it with a click.

Taehyung and Namjoon didn't ask what was going on, instead stamping their feet and biting their lips in desperation. Yeji hesitated to speak, holding back her words.

김 남 준

We're also police officers working on the same team as Yeoju. Yeoju said that, right? She said she was a police officer.

Namjoon was the first to speak. They say the more desperate the person, the more likely they are to speak. That's how desperate they were. Taehyung's eyes flickered with agreement with Namjoon's words.

At those words, Yeji shifted her gaze, first to Namjoon, then to Taehyung, and then back to the floor. But in the end, her gaze finally landed on Namjoon.

Namjoon showed Yeji the detective ID card he always carried in his pocket, then he rummaged through Taehyung's clothes and smiled as he handed her the same ID card with a different photo.

김 태 형

Now tell me. What happened to the heroine, what were you trying to say?

At Taehyung's words, Yeji's lips twitched, and soon she heard the small but beautiful voice she had heard in the teachers' room.

현 예 지

You may not know this, but I'm Hyun Ye-ji, the younger sister of Hyun Ye-rim, a second-year student. My older sister was the first to discover the truth after Won-guk died.

현 예 지

There wasn't a single student who held a grudge against Won-guk Sunbae. He was such a kind and sincere senior that I doubt anyone would have held any ill feelings toward him, let alone harbor any ill feelings toward him.

현 예 지

But one day, Won-guk Sunbae started to look unwell. He said it was because he had a cold, but you know how it is… That expression you get when you're feeling scared, anxious, and like your throat is being strangled. It was exactly that.

현 예 지

It's strange, isn't it? A senior who was so energetic right before the CSAT showed up dead. So I kept an eye on him for a few days, and then this happened.

At Taehyung's question, "Is that the end?" Yeji bit her lower lip. She glanced up at the emergency stairs again, took a deep breath, and continued.

현 예 지

Actually, the first discoverer was my older sister, but there was another witness.

김 남 준

Who was that? If he was a witness, he saw the victim die? Not the corpse after death?

현 예 지

Yes. There was someone who saw Won-guk Senior collapse after smelling something like perfume sprayed on him, and his wrists were slit. They even knew who it was.

현 예 지

That's me.

김 태 형

What…? So what you're saying is…

김 태 형

You're saying you know the culprit.

Yeji nodded slowly at Taehyung's question. Taehyung, feeling childless, draped his arm over the stair railing and let out a deep sigh.

김 태 형

But why didn't you report it? If you had reported it then, the victim would still be alive today.

현 예 지

No. Senior Won-guk and I would both be dead.

현 예 지

The other person is the vice principal.