CH70

When the film crew went to Cooper Miller's house to coordinate for a shoot, they went with light hearts. However, that light-heartedness quickly faded.

"Cooper Miller, huh. Ian has been calling this guy a lot recently, hasn't he?"

"Yeah, it seems so. He's kind of shy and seems to be struggling at home and school, so it's worrying."

When they met Cooper's mother after leaving the house, the film crew felt something was off.

"Is this Cooper Miller's house?"

Usually, the expected response would be 'Yes, who are you?' but the answer the crew got was unusual.

"Oh, has that child done something?"

"No, that's not it. We are a film crew from Caleb School making a documentary."

Handing over their business card, the crew members exchanged looks. They were seasoned enough to notice that the response was odd. After explaining in detail what they were doing and what help they could provide, the hesitant woman let them in.

"But your reaction just now was quite unusual, may I ask why?"

"Ah, that is…"

After hesitating, the woman sighed deeply and opened the door to Cooper's room. The crew, having glanced inside, immediately contacted Isaac.

It was a typical room with old wallpaper, messy bedding, a computer, and a desk filled with books. At first glance, nothing seemed special, but a closer look told a different story. An open notebook was filled with dense writing.

-Denver, that jerk called me a chink and hit me. Everyone else just laughed.

-My stepdad Nolan tells me to just do sports. Screw that. He knows nothing…

The wounds from home and school were deeply pressed into these words, and as they continued, the anger became more defined.

-I want to kill them all. A gun should be enough for those who think they're better just because they're bigger.

-I need to finish this before going to high school. Maybe around the end of April?

The writings clearly looked like a plan for a crime. Blocking Ian, who was quickly reading the content, Director Isaac closed the notebook.

"It seems like it's not good for you to keep reading this. Okay?"

"Alright, I'll stop."

Regardless, the important parts had already been read.

While checking the computer, a staff member chuckled bitterly and stood up.

"There are also traces of crime planning in the search history."

"Ah… I see."

Isaac washed his face with dry hands. This was supposed to be a light-hearted project to create good memories for his grandson, and he hadn't expected such an incident.

Turning around, he saw Cooper's mother, who had just learned about this fact, and the stepfather, who had hurried back home, both looking pale.

"I'm sorry to say this, but I'm glad we found out this way."

"…We were trying to talk to the child and prevent it before an incident occurred."

So the crime happened earlier and more impulsively than planned.

'It also made sense that the first victim was the mother.'

Now that they had a clear understanding of the situation, the remaining question was how to conclude this matter.

"What happens if we report this to the police?"

The lawyer, who was consulting on the legal aspects of the shoot, answered.

"Since he hasn't actually committed the crime and considering his young age, he probably won't get a prison sentence. Instead, he'll be admitted to a mental health center."

It's natural to seek treatment when you're sick…

"His school days would be ruined, and even a normal life would seem difficult then."

"What do you hope to do then?"

At Isaac's question, Ian sighed deeply.

He knew. Just calling the police was the easiest and cleanest thing to do.

'At least the crime can definitely be prevented, and the media would praise this documentary for preventing a mass shooting in advance.'

The TellMe project was also going well, which would be a way to repay Charlotte for making time for this.

'But is this really the right thing to do?'

If asked whether he would regret this decision later, he couldn't give a certain answer.

The weight of a child's fate being decided pressed heavily on his chest when his phone rang.

"Hello?"

It wasn't the solitary phone of John's but his usual one.

The caller was Rachel, and it wasn't a regular call but a video call.

"Excuse me for a moment."

"We don't mind."

After asking for permission, Ian took the call.

-Aaaaah! Ian, Ian!

Evan's face, streaming with tears, filled the screen.

He had been fine during their call yesterday, which made it puzzling why he was like this now.

"Evan? What's wrong? Why are you upset?"

-Sorry, Ian!

Behind Rachel, who was hurriedly comforting and soothing Evan, the TV showing an episode of Moonlight was briefly visible.

It was the episode where Rue sacrifices himself for Emma.

-I didn't know it was like this, and when I showed it to Evan, he just kept crying.

-Ian! Does it hurt?!

The sight of the child with a runny nose almost made him laugh.

"I'm fine."

-Uuuuh…

As if checking whether he really wasn't hurt, Evan peered closely into the screen.

Seeing Ian fine, Evan stopped crying and looked down at his phone.

-Tail! Tail!

"…Do you think you can see it just by looking?"

It wasn't even there to begin with.

It was both adorable and absurd, so a light laugh escaped him.

-Sorry. You seem busy. Did I disturb you?

"No, you called at a good time.."

Talking to Evan had lifted his spirits and broadened his perspective.

After telling Rachel he would contact her later, Ian ended the call and admired Cooper's desk.

"Wow, Cooper must be good at math, huh? This is a MOEMS workbook."

MOEMS is an international math competition with 150,000 participating elementary and middle school students across the United States and 30 other countries.

At this question, Cooper's mom smiled for the first time.

"He participated a few times in elementary school as a team. I was disappointed when he suddenly stopped going."

"This is a middle school workbook. He must have continued studying recently. Didn't you know?"

"…I see."

It wasn't to make her feel guilty; he just wanted to mention that there was still a lot about Cooper she didn't know.

Ian then asked a staff member who had checked Cooper's computer records.

"Any strange search records? When was the most recent one?"

"Hm? Probably about two weeks ago."

"It seems that was before we talked."

It might have been that the conversations they had shared had a positive influence on Cooper.

"I'd like to meet Cooper in person."

Ian had made up his mind.

***

"Hey, kid."

A husky voice that could make the faint-hearted shiver in intimidation.

Despite the menacing tone, Ian responded calmly.

"Boss, how have you been? I heard this hunt was a bust. Marcus has been saying your skills are all washed up."

"…tell him I'll kill him."

"I didn't say that, Boss."

Even though Marcus, with a face that could serve as a bodyguard on its own, looked betrayed.

'Who's betraying who first?'

It was unlikely that Breaker had contacted him through telepathy from across the continent.

It must have been the spy next to him who informed him.

-Well, that's fine. When Marcus comes back, we can talk it out like men.

"…are you planning to stay in New York?"

"No."

He would have liked to, but it wasn't possible, especially since Evan's tolerance for video calls was reaching its limit.

Marcus looked downcast at the firm refusal.

"So, what did you call for?"

-You're not really asking because you don't know, right? You're meeting that weird kid.

"Let's call it visiting a sick friend."

-That's the same thing, buddy. Do you know how dangerous people who snap like that can be?

He knew very well.

It hadn't been difficult to find such people among the homeless who lived because they couldn't die.

"Hey, that's why I learned self-defense seriously."

-The best self-defense is to not be in dangerous situations at all. And you weren't much in our last training.

"Boasting about winning against a kid won't earn you any respect. Anyway, Marcus and the filming team are nearby, so there's no need to worry."

If it wasn't about dealing with guns, there was almost no chance Cooper could overpower him.

'Unless there's a significant difference in weight, he won't lose in strength.'

Even Breaker had acknowledged this fact, dismissively so, and if he hadn't been a successful child actor, he might have been dragged off to sports.

But it wasn't entirely a good thing.

'It's hard to either gain a lot of weight or lose it.'

No one in their right mind would ask a child actor who still needed to grow to control their weight, so while it might be fine for now, the future was the problem.

That needed a separate solution.

-Protecting you is a given. If it seems dangerous, get out fast. If you get hurt, Marcus and I will roll together.

"Am I definitely going to roll?"

-We'll see in LA.

After Breaker ended the call, Marcus sighed deeply.

"Am I going to become Lonely John? It would be totally safe then."

"I see why you'd be lonely. No, don't scowl. It makes you look scarier."

Was this what they called a face that could only be fate or something?

After a brief squabble with Marcus, Ian picked up his phone.

-John?

"Have you been well? Cooper."

"…It's always the same."

While casually sharing everyday stories as usual, Ian sensed the right moment to ask.

"Would you like to meet sometime?"

"…Meet?"

Surprise was evident in the response.

He had declined every request from other students outright, but it was unexpected for someone to suggest a meeting first.

"You'll be the first person I've met among those I've talked to."

"Really?!"

That statement was enough to break down the cautious barriers of the timid Cooper.

"Okay, when shall we meet?"

After setting a meeting with Cooper, Ian, driven by curiosity, asked Marcus.

"Do you think he'll recognize me?"

"If he's reasonable, he will. You've been quite prominent everywhere, haven't you?"

Indeed, Ian had been quite active.

"I'm curious to see how he'll react if he recognizes me."

Ian smiled mischievously.

***

"Why did I agree to meet?"

Swept up in the moment, Cooper nervously bit his fingernails after setting the meeting with John.

It wasn't that John wasn't intriguing. Indeed, anyone who had ever spoken to him was curious.

'He's easy to talk to and naturally likable.'

John was someone whose personal charm could be felt even over the phone.

As such, all kinds of speculations about who John could be had emerged.

-Maybe he's much older than his voice suggests? He seems really smart.

-No, maybe he's a teacher. It'd be okay if he was from school.

-Maybe he's someone famous? Ah, that might be a stretch.

Being the first to know John's identity brought a strange sense of pride, but as the time approached, anxiety crept in.

'What if he's disappointed when he sees me?'

'What if he's someone who used to bully me? Maybe he's planning to bully me again.'

Terrifying and anxious thoughts shook his mind.

He tried several times to call John to cancel the meeting but the desire to meet him at least once was stronger.

Summoning his courage, Cooper opened the door to the café and his body froze.

"…John?"

In the nearly empty café, there was only one person sitting.

And he looked incredibly intimidating.

Just as he was about to leave, their eyes met.

The man gestured with his hand, and Cooper, unable to run, hesitated and then approached.

"Jo, John?"

"Excuse me."

Before the man could reply, an unnoticed waiter appeared and placed a coffee on the table.

After taking a sip of the coffee, the man responded.

"John? I'm Marcus."

"I'm, I'm so sorry!"

Embarrassed yet relieved, Cooper quickly pulled out his phone to call John, wanting to complain about his absence.

-The ringtone sounded.

And it was very close.

As Cooper turned his head, he noticed the previously ignored waiter shaking a ringing phone.

Beneath a deeply worn cap, a mischievous smile emerged.

'Asian?'

Cooper, who was of mixed Asian descent, was still processing this welcoming sight when John smoothly lifted the brim of his cap.

Cooper's eyes widened in surprise.

He didn't notice the handsome face; his mind was overwhelmed upon recognizing the other's identity.

"Ta-da, I'm Ian Price. Nice to meet you, Cooper."

"Is, is it really Ian?!"

There was no doubt—it was Ian. John was Ian?

Shocked by this revelation, Cooper stumbled backwards and tripped, falling down.

Crash!

A loud noise accompanied a pain that felt like his head might split open.

Holding his head and groaning, Cooper was urgently questioned by Ian.

"Come on, snap out of it! Are you okay?!"

"Ugh…"

Embarrassed and in pain, Cooper struggled to respond, prompting Ian to urgently ask another question.

"Can you tell me about a place you've visited recently?!"

…A place he'd visited?

Lately, he had only been oscillating between home and school. There was no such place.

As Cooper failed to answer properly, Ian's expression grew more serious.

"Then, can you name just one friend?!"

"..."

"Damn it! It looks like you've hurt your head badly."

No, that's not it.

Ian hurriedly dialed 911, and Cooper, who had no friends to speak of, remained silent.

It was a chaotic meeting.