Chapter 6: Ryu Taesan

The auditorium buzzed with energy, the speaker's voice echoing through the large hall. I tried to focus, but my mind felt like it was drifting somewhere else. My eyes were on the stage, but in a flash, everything around me seemed to blur. Suddenly, I found myself standing on a dimly lit street, the road leading to Sera's new place.

The scene before me was chaotic—Sera, pale and terrified, was being dragged by a middle-aged man, his grip rough and unyielding. My heart pounded in my chest as adrenaline surged through me. Without a second thought, I lunged forward, slamming my fist into the man's face. His head snapped back from the impact, but I wasn't done. I punched him again, anger fueling my every move, until he stumbled backward and fell to the ground.

I leaped onto him, pinning him down with all my strength, holding him tightly so he couldn't escape. His struggles were desperate, but I refused to loosen my grip. My breaths came out in ragged gasps, but I kept my focus sharp. I turned my head towards Sera, who was standing frozen a few feet away, her face white with fear, her hands trembling.

"Just go to Dohyun's parents. Don't stand here—just go!" I shouted, my voice harsh with urgency.

Sera's eyes widened as she took in the scene, but she nodded quickly, her expression terrified. She turned and ran, her footsteps fading away into the night.

As I struggled to keep the man subdued, I fumbled for my phone, my mind racing. There was only one person I could think to call in that moment—Kim Jongkook, the one person I trusted implicitly. He lived nearby, and I prayed he would arrive in time. My fingers dialed his number, my voice frantic as I explained the situation. Thankfully, Jongkook nim arrived in less than five minutes, rushing to my side.

By the time he got there, my muscles were screaming in protest, my grip on the man starting to weaken. I was exhausted, barely able to keep holding him down. I knew taking this guy to the police station alone wasn't an option—he was too dangerous, and I was too drained. With Jongkook nim's help, we managed to drag him to the police station.

We presented the CCTV footage as evidence and explained the situation to the officers. I called Dohyun and told him to bring Sera. When they arrived, Sera's hands were still shaking, her voice barely steady as she explained everything to the police—how the man was her father and how he had been torturing her for many days. I watched as the officer scribbled down the details, writing out the General Diary entry.

But then something strange caught my eye—the officer wrote the date as April 5, 2022. My mind stalled, confusion swirling. No, that couldn't be right—it was March, I was sure of it. I glanced down at my phone screen, expecting to see confirmation, but instead, the date showed April 5, 2022.

A wave of disorientation washed over me, my mind spinning. How was this possible? I glanced back at the officer, then at Sera, trying to make sense of it all. And then, suddenly, I heard the faint buzz of a vibrating phone, cutting through the haze in my mind. The sound seemed to drag me back, pulling me from the future into the present.

I blinked and found myself back in the auditorium, the murmur of the crowd filling my ears. My phone screen now showed the date as March, just as I remembered. My head spun with the realization of what I had just experienced—somehow, I had seen a glimpse of the future. It was vivid, too real to dismiss as a dream.

I looked over to where Sera was sitting a few rows away, her expression still tense. Her phone was vibrating on the desk in front of her, the name flashing on the screen: DAD. My chest tightened with a surge of protectiveness. I couldn't let that future unfold—not if there was a way to change it.

Without wasting another second, I hurried out of the auditorium, my mind racing with the weight of what I'd seen. I dialed Kim Jongkook again, my voice urgent as I told him to meet me at the restaurant nearby. If I was going to change what was coming, I had to act fast. This time, I wouldn't take any risks.

Jongkook-nim was already waiting for me at the restaurant, a hint of concern in his eyes as I arrived, a bit out of breath from hurrying. He didn't waste a moment—stepping forward, he pulled me into a firm hug, as if trying to reassure me through the strength of his arms. I could feel the weight of unspoken words between us, a familiar warmth in his embrace that made the whole situation feel a little less overwhelming.

"It's good to see you," he murmured, pulling back slightly to look me in the eye. "Tell me what you need, and then... well, I've got something to share too."

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. His trust meant everything, but I knew what I was asking would sound crazy. "Alright, Jongkook-nim. I need your help to arrest someone. But there's a catch—I don't have any concrete proof."

Jongkook nim's brows furrowed, but he kept his tone calm. "What's going on, Ryu Taesan? Give me the short version."

I glanced around to make sure no one could overhear us, then leaned in closer. "It's about a girl, Yoon Sera. Last night, she showed up on my rooftop, out of nowhere. I heard a noise, went to check, and found her there—shivering, desperate. She asked for my help, and I couldn't just turn her away. I found a safe place for her to stay—one of Dohyun's empty apartments. But here's the thing... she ran away because of her father. He's been torturing her, and I need your help to put an end to it."

Jongkook nim studied my face, his expression serious. "Did she actually tell you that her father tortured her?"

"No, she didn't say it directly."

"Then how do you know, Taesan?"

I hesitated, my mind racing with flashes of last night's events—Sera's haunted eyes, the tremble in her voice, the bruises she tried to hide. "It doesn't matter right now," I said firmly. "What matters is that she's in danger."

Jongkook nim's gaze softened, but he shook his head. "It does matter, Taesan. You're trying to do something that might be impossible without evidence. But I believe you. I know you wouldn't do this without a reason."

I felt a knot tighten in my chest, grateful for his faith in me. "Jongkook-nim, I can't just stand by and let something happen to her. Even if it means bending the rules... she's in danger, and I can't bear the thought of what might happen if we don't act."

Jongkook nim sighed, rubbing his chin as he thought it over. "There is one thing we could try. It's not bending the law, but it might give us the proof we need. But we'd have to do it carefully."

My heart lifted slightly with hope. "What is it?"

Jongkook nim leaned closer, his voice low. "First, we need to lure him out. Do you know where he lives?"

I shook my head, frustration bubbling up. "No, I don't. But I know what he looks like."

Jongkook nim raised an eyebrow. "How do you know that?"

A shadow crossed my face, memories I couldn't share pressing down on me. "Don't ask me that right now. Just trust me—I know what he looks like."

Jongkook nim nodded, not pressing further. "Alright... but you haven't drawn anything in over a year, Taesan. Are you sure about this?"

"It doesn't matter," I said, determination hardening my voice. "I'll draw him, and you need to find him today, no matter what. When you do, lure him to a fake location. Tell him you know where Sera is, but give him a decoy address. We'll plant fake actors in the apartment to keep him busy. But make sure everyone's safe—he might get violent."

Jongkook nim nodded again, his expression turning grim. "Okay, I'll handle that. Just draw his face. Does he live around this area?"

"Yes, somewhere nearby," I replied, my hands already reaching for a pen and paper.

As I began sketching the rough features of the man who had terrorized Sera, Jongkook nim watched in silence. But after a few moments, he cleared his throat, breaking the tense quiet. "Can I ask you something, Taesan?"

I kept my focus on the paper, my voice distant. "Yeah, go ahead."

"Won't you go back to your own house? It's been so long."

I paused, my pen hovering over the paper, before letting out a bitter laugh. "My mom abandoned me, Jongkook-nim. She doesn't want me to be a part of her life anymore."

Jongkook nim shook his head, frustration lining his features. "But it's your company, Taesan. You should be the one running things. Don't you want to take back what's yours?"

I exhaled slowly, the weight of my unresolved past pressing heavily on my shoulders. "I will. But I need more time. I can't do it until I find my uncle."

Jongkook nim's face softened, concern edging his voice. "It's been long years, Taesan. He vanished without a trace. How do you expect to find him?"

"I and you have been searching him for six months," I said, my tone resolute. "I'll keep looking, no matter how long it takes. And as for my mom... I'll deal with her in time. My dad's death—there's something off about it. It wasn't an accident. It was murder. Whoever did it tried to take both of us out, but I survived."

Jongkook nim's eyes widened, a mixture of shock and sympathy flashing across his face. "And your sister's death... was that a mystery too?"

"Yes," I replied, my voice barely a whisper. "There's so much I need to uncover, Jongkook-nim. But right now, I need you to stay at the company. Don't let my mom realize you're still in contact with me. I think she's hiding something—she blamed me for my sister and dad's deaths, but I know it's not the full truth."

I put the finishing touches on the drawing, my hand steady despite the storm raging inside me. Finally, I handed the sketch to Jongkook nim, meeting his eyes with a fierce determination. "Here. I've finished it."

Jongkook nim took the drawing, studying it carefully. His eyes flicked over the features before he muttered under his breath, "I've seen him before."

My heart skipped a beat. "What? Where?"

"At the bar nearby. I've seen him a few times, lurking around."

A sharp thrill of hope shot through me. "That's good, Jongkook-nim. Now, do exactly what I told you. Find him, and inform me about every move he makes."

He nodded firmly, slipping the drawing into his jacket. "I will. And Taesan... be careful."

I nodded back, the weight of our plan settling in. It was risky, dangerous even—but if it meant keeping Sera safe, it was a risk I was willing to take.

I asked him,

"Do you have Shin Yejoon's number?"

"Yes. Why do you need it?"

"Just give me. I need to contact him"

"Okay. But you never met him before right?"

"Yes. But I need to now."

After leaving the restaurant, I wandered over to the nearby park. The cool evening air brushed against my face, but my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. I clutched my phone tightly, staring at Shin Yejoon's number—Jongkook-nim had given it to me. But I hesitated, unsure if I was truly ready to dial it, to face the answers about my sister and father's deaths. Shin Yejoon, a name that carried a weight of memories. He used to call my dad "Uncle" since our fathers had been best friends. But despite that connection, he and I were practically strangers.

I had never been the outgoing type; always the quiet one who hid in my room, feeling awkward about engaging with new people. So, I never really spoke to Shin Yejoon. I didn't even know what he looked like. But my older sister, Ryu Jia—she was different. four years older than me, she had always been bright and social. She called Yejoon oppa because he was three years older than her. They shared a bond I could never understand. She pursued her dreams fiercely, living with her group members from a young age, while I remained on the periphery of her life. I regretted not being closer to her. But regrets wouldn't change anything now.

Lost in these thoughts, I found myself pressing the call button before I could second-guess it again. My breath hitched as the line rang, and then a voice came through.

"Hello?" His tone was calm but unfamiliar.

I swallowed hard. "Hello, is it Shin Yejoon?"

"Yes. Who's speaking?"

"Taesan. Ryu Taesan."

Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy, as if he was processing my words. Finally, he spoke again, a hint of surprise in his tone.

"Taesan? Jia's younger brother?"

"Yes. I... I want to meet you, Yejoon-ssi. Can we meet somewhere, please?"

"Ah…sure… I'll let you know the time."

"Thank you."

I hung up, the dial tone lingering in my ears. I could sense the shock in his voice—he probably never expected to hear from me. I remained seated on the park bench, my mind swirling. Something felt off, as if time itself had become malleable around me. I had glimpsed the future before, but now, I wondered if I could access the past too. With my eyes closed, I concentrated, trying to slip back into time the way I had with the future. But nothing happened. It was as if the power to shift time wasn't entirely mine. Someone else was controlling it, guiding me through these strange moments.

I was pulled out of my thoughts by a soft voice. A little girl, maybe around six years old, had sat beside me, munching on snacks. Her innocent presence brought a small smile to my face. She looked up at me, her eyes wide and curious.

"Do you want some?" she offered, holding out a few of her treats with a shy smile.

I chuckled softly at her sincerity and shook my head. She studied my face for a moment before asking, "Are you sad?"

"No, I'm fine. Are you here alone in the park?"

She nodded. "Yes. I spend most of my time alone, and it's fun, isn't it? I don't have any friends."

Something about her words struck a chord deep inside me, and I couldn't help but look at her more closely. "You don't have friends? Why not?"

Her expression grew serious, too mature for her age. "Because I'm scared."

"Scared? Scared of what?"

"My life. My life could ruin someone else's—someone's passion or dreams. So, I decided not to make any friends."

I felt a pang in my chest at her words. She was just a child, yet she spoke with the weight of an adult. "You're still so young... too young to be thinking about things like that."

She gave me a knowing look, her lips curling into a small, mysterious smile. "I'm not as little as you think. Anyway, I have to go now. Have a nice day. I hope we meet again."

Before I could ask more, she got up and ran off, leaving me with a sense of unease. I glanced down at the bench where she had been sitting and found a small piece of paper left behind. I picked it up, scanning the park for any sign of her, but she had disappeared as quickly as she'd come.

The paper in my hand had a drawing on it—a tiny bird in blue, sketched with precise lines. It seemed strangely familiar, but I couldn't place where I had seen it before. My mind raced, trying to recall its significance, when my phone buzzed, breaking my thoughts.

It was a call from Kim Jongkook. I quickly answered, and his voice filled the line.

"The job's done. Police have arrested him. Your girl is safe now."

Relief washed over me, but I couldn't help correcting him. "Thanks, but... she's not 'my girl.'"

A chuckle came from his end. "Young guys always say that before it turns into something more. Anyway, I'm hanging up. I'm still at the station, overseeing the interrogation."

"Do you need me to come down there?" I asked, a bit uncertain.

"No need. I've got it covered. I'll call you if anything else comes up."

As the call ended, I glanced back at the little drawing in my hand. That strange encounter with the girl lingered in my mind. A new mystery was unfolding, and I felt that somehow, it was all connected.

Then I got back to the uni.