The Prosecutor’s Office’s Proposal Chapter 186

The raindrops, having fallen while pushing through the cold air, struck the café window. At the beginning of October, the ginkgo trees, which had slowly begun to turn yellow, were hit by cool rainwater under the still-hot sun. Seeing that the sky was clear, it must have been a passing shower.

I sat alone in a neighborhood café, drinking coffee with a savory aroma, and read a book. It had been a very long time since I had come out without a companion. Reading something that didn’t involve the facts of a broken law or legal statutes was even longer. I leisurely enjoyed the peaceful time, slowly savoring the flowing sentences within the novel. Unlike an interrogation report, it was writing polished smooth like a glass marble.

I had started living with Joo Taeson several weeks ago. From the suggestion to live together to actually starting our cohabitation, I don’t think it took even two months.

We left Danhyeon City, where we were born and raised. Leaving our hometown and settling down in a small city where no one knew us was not a very difficult task for the two of us, at least.

Because I had to commute to the Danhyeon District Office, I couldn’t go to a region too far away. However, whenever I turned my back on the signpost that read “Danhyeon, the best city of all, goodbye” while driving home from work, I felt a sort of liberation.

Leaving Danhyeon City was similar to putting an old film in a worn-out box and pushing it into the corner of a closet. Even though it was right nearby, I would never again take out that faded film and develop a painful past.

If I were to define the incident where Tak Sungwoong, Oh Jahyeon, and my uncle were arrested and imprisoned as a farewell to the past, then the decision to cross the border of the city with Joo Taeson meant a new future. We were free. We no longer needed to be bound to Danhyeon City, and we had the right to choose where to live together.

The conditions for moving that we considered, heads together, were only about two: “no acquaintances nearby” and “commuting must be possible.” The conditions weren’t difficult to meet. While agonizing between an apartment and a detached house, we chose an apartment, judging that busy people like us wouldn’t be able to properly manage a house. It was a clean and spacious home. That was how I came to live in a “proper home” for the first time since I was thirteen.

The rain didn’t stop while I read the small book in my hands. It was my fault for not checking the weather forecast. The coffee remaining slightly in my cup had turned icy cold, and all its once-beautiful aroma had blown away.

“Should I just go?”

I muttered to myself, watched the flowing raindrops for a moment, and rose from my seat. There was the option of asking Prosecutor Joo to come and pick me up, but I didn’t want to disturb someone who had only just managed to fall asleep at dawn after working until late the previous day. It was enough to just run through the rain or buy an umbrella at a nearby convenience store.

As I opened the café door and stepped out, a clear bell sound rang out, then stopped quickly, followed immediately by my phone ringing. Under the café awning, which protected me from the heavy rain, I checked the name of the person who had called. It was Prosecutor Yoon Gyuho.

“Hello, Prosecutor Yoon.”

Because of the sound of the rain, I had to speak louder than usual. Prosecutor Yoon’s voice, which sounded somewhat oily if heard in person, sounded quite decent today. I suppose he’s the type of person whose voice changes when talking on the phone.

— Investigator Lee, I’m sorry to call you on a Sunday. I heard you had surgery and aren’t feeling well?

“Excuse me? No, Prosecutor. I’ve recovered quite a bit now.”

— I heard there was talk that it’s still difficult for you to run. If it’s hard, you can skip tomorrow’s arrest operation meeting. It’s meaningless if you can’t go to the arrest scene. What was the other Investigator’s name again… Anyway, that person is coming too. They also said more support would be coming from other prosecutor’s offices.

“I can run. I was assigned to block the escape route from the outside during the arrest operation, and my physical condition is enough to do at least that much, so you don’t need to worry.”

— Is that so? Then I’ll trust you, Investigator Lee, and not take you off the operation.

“Yes, I’ll come to work early tomorrow and attend the meeting. I’m sorry for causing you worry.”

— What for? I’m just glad you’re not sick. But is it raining there, too?

“Excuse me? Yes, Prosecutor.”

— It isn’t raining here. Then I’ll proceed with tomorrow’s plan as is. I’m in a preliminary meeting right now, so I called to confirm. It’s been a while since I’ve worked on a Sunday, so it’s grueling. Is Prosecutor Joo’s office quiet these days?

The intent of the question, disguised as an inquiry about our well-being, was transparent. Since there was no reason for me to expose information about the case we were investigating to Yoon Gyuho, I responded cleanly.

“There are no particular cases.”

— I wish we could work on an interesting case together again. I see. Then let’s see you tomorrow.

“It’s Sunday, but thank you for your hard work. See you tomorrow.”

Only after politely greeting the oily Yoon Gyuho and confirming for sure that the call had ended did I put my phone in my pocket. Fortunately, in the meantime, the heavy raindrops had eased, and the situation had become one where I could sufficiently go without an umbrella. I chose to walk quickly instead of running.

What I told Prosecutor Yoon Gyuho was true. I can run. But that doesn’t mean running is comfortable.

Since I was stabbed and underwent surgery, there are times when it aches for no reason, and after running, the rest of the day would be even harder. However, since it wasn’t enough to hinder the execution of the operation, I chose to endure it. I couldn’t stand the rumor that I couldn’t even handle a single execution of an arrest warrant properly by feigning weakness when I had the ability to do so.

Cold raindrops scattered while I moved my steps quickly. The phone in my pocket rang again, and when I answered immediately, Prosecutor Joo’s voice dropped heavily.

— Where are you? It’s raining.

“I’m coming now. You don’t have to come pick me up.”

— I already came out with an umbrella. Go into a place where it isn’t raining and wait. I’ll come to you.

“Really, I’m almost there.”

As I answered and turned the corner, I saw the side profile of Prosecutor Joo standing at the apartment entrance. His gaze, which had been scanning the surroundings while holding open a large black umbrella, extended toward me. In my delight, I waved my hand and trotted lightly toward Prosecutor Joo. Sure enough, my side ached a little. Not enough to be unbearable, though.

His footsteps were much faster than the speed at which I was approaching. A large umbrella, met closer than I had expected, shielded me from the rain in an instant. He took out the handkerchief he always carried and wiped the raindrops that had settled lightly on my thin hair and gray cardigan. It was a handkerchief he carried just in case he suddenly needed to handle evidence, but these days it was being mobilized more often to look after me than for work.

“You’ll catch a cold like that. You should have called, why are you coming in the rain?”

It was a concern that showed no sign of reproach at all. Warmth returned to my fingertips, which had been chilled by the rainwater. His gaze, full of worry, asked:

“Where are you coming back from? Without even telling me.”

“I had a cup of coffee at a café. And read a book.”

I subtly showed Prosecutor Joo the cover of the book in my hand. He seemed to have no particular interest in the book, put away the slightly damp handkerchief, and this time, he ran his fingers directly through my hair.

“Make sure to tell me next time you go out. It’s dangerous outside, you know.”

“I didn’t want to wake someone who worked all night and was sleeping. You have to get some sleep on the weekend for you to live, Taeson.”

“Think a little about how it might be harder for me if you go out alone and walk around in the rain than it is for me to be tired.”

I looked up at him intently and nodded.

“I’ll do that.”

The fact that there is someone who worries about me to this extent feels unfamiliar every time. The sight of Joo Taeson, who appears strong on the outside, living with excessive worry due to past trauma, is the same. I felt a sudden sense of pity, so I slipped my arm through his and leaned my body against him, then quickly let go. Perhaps because of that, his voice, which had softened to the fullest, returned.

“You’re hungry, right? Shall we have lunch before we go in?”

“Sounds good. How about spicy seafood noodles? Right in front.”

“Sure. Pick whatever you want to eat.”

Side by side, under one large umbrella, we headed to our regular restaurant.