Chapter 13
On some nights, the sound of a woman sobbing could be heard. On others, there were eerie, unexplainable noises.
Because of this, the village atmosphere became tense.
The police from the town’s precinct, including Chief Choi, began patrolling the area nightly, and villagers avoided going outside after dark.
“Does Grandma Gwisoon have any children?”
At Iwan’s question, Onyu tried to recall.
“She has one son. According to my grandmother, he lives in Daejeon… I’ll check with her again when I get home.”
“Then we’ll have to discuss that house with her children.”
As Iwan jotted down Locate Gwisoon Grandma’s children, Onyu glanced at her smartwatch.
“Let’s wrap up for today. I need to go home and prepare breakfast for Grandma.”
“Alright.”
Iwan nodded and watched as Onyu put on her helmet.
“I’ll drive this time.”
Though he’d ended up riding the scooter unexpectedly, he didn’t want to sit in the back looking foolish on the way back too.
But Onyu flatly refused.
“No.”
“Why not?”
Rejected without hesitation, Iwan crossed his arms in displeasure.
“Country roads aren’t safe for city folks like you who’ve only driven on asphalt. They’re rougher and trickier than they look.”
Listing off reasons why she couldn’t let him drive, Onyu stood firm, but Iwan fired back.
“I’m a good driver. I even have a race car driver’s license.”
“Like I said, country roads are different. They’re rugged, and you never know what might jump out at you.”
“Things jumping out?”
Iwan narrowed his eyes, confused. Onyu explained seriously.
“Sometimes squirrels, cats, dogs, or deer suddenly leap out. Even runaway pigs or calves. People often end up crashing into rice paddies trying to avoid them. It can be dangerous.”
“What is this, Animal Farm? Do wild boars show up too?”
“Occasionally. Last Chuseok, one came down from the mountain looking for food and had to be captured.”
“…”
Iwan stared at her, dumbfounded.
He wasn’t shocked by the presence of wild boars.
Even cities occasionally made the news with boar sightings—how much worse must it be in rural areas?
But hearing about it on the news and realizing a boar could literally appear in your front yard were two different things. It meant he might run into one just walking down the road.
Whoever said rural life was boring clearly didn’t live it. It was downright dynamic.
“I’ll lend you a scooter once you’ve gotten used to it. Until then, learn from the backseat.”
Learn from watching? Ride this again?
Iwan scoffed inwardly. He only meant to take the wheel on the return trip—he wasn’t aiming to become a scooter regular.
He vowed that next time, he’d either drive a car or walk, and grudgingly strapped on the pink helmet he’d have gladly set on fire.
As soon as Iwan got on the back, Onyu started the scooter. He grabbed her waist again, but she gave no reaction.
Why is she so indifferent?
Frowning, Iwan didn’t like how unaffected Onyu seemed by his touch.
“Alright, here we go.”
Unbothered, Onyu’s cheerful voice rang out as the scooter rolled forward.
The scooter moved no faster than Iwan could sprint.
Maybe that’s why?
Vrrrrrrrrmmm. The engine growled boldly, but to Iwan, it sounded petty and timid.
Sigh. He held in another sigh.
What am I even doing right now?
A wave of existential doubt washed over him.
Half resigned, he sat stiffly when Onyu turned slightly to him.
“I’ll slow down. Try to get a feel for the area. You need to know the roads to ride the scooter well—and learn the side paths too.”
She smiled calmly as she eased off the throttle.
Iwan couldn’t help but chuckle.
Is riding a scooter really that serious? Onyu seemed a little smug about it. It was both adorable and ridiculous.
Shaking his head, he smiled and looked around for the first time.
The morning sun lit the countryside in its usual unremarkable fashion—fields and more fields.
But the more he looked, the more that monotony turned into a strange sense of calm.
Iwan leaned back and took in the scenery.
The fresh country air was cool and invigorating in a way the city never could be. A gentle spring breeze brushed against his cheek.
He was just starting to smile at the ticklish sensation when—
Thunk! The scooter hit a large rock, jolting violently. Iwan’s grip around Onyu’s waist tightened instinctively.
“!”
Onyu flinched at the sudden strength in his hands. She could feel the shape of his big, firm hands pressing into her. A shiver of electricity ran through her, and her heart felt like it dropped.
Feeling the strange, indescribable sensation, she shouted playfully to distract herself.
“Se—See that? That’s how unpredictable country roads are!”
“I see. Truly, you can’t predict anything. I’ll be more careful.”
Iwan smiled as he replied and tightened his grip even more.
Hmph! Onyu stiffened in surprise, her pupils trembling. But since Iwan was behind her, he couldn’t see any of it.
Maybe I should ride around on the scooter a bit more for reconnaissance?
Though he’d sworn this would be the first and last time, Iwan found himself enjoying the scooter ride way more than expected.
When they arrived home, Onyu parked the scooter by the fence and turned off the engine.
“You worked hard. Thank you.”
As she dismounted, Iwan quickly removed his helmet and responded.
“No need to thank me.”
Onyu gave a polite nod and took off her helmet. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and began tying up her hair, brushing the windblown strands back.
Watching her, Iwan stuck a cigarette between his lips. As she gathered her hair into a bun, her nape was exposed—and he bit down on the filter.
This is bad…
Grinding the filter again, Iwan’s gaze darkened. He had a feeling that, one day, he might just sink his teeth into that delicate nape.
Sensing the intensity of his gaze, Onyu looked back at him.
“Aren’t you coming in?”
Feeling oddly awkward, Iwan pulled out his lighter.
“You go ahead.”
“Careful with that. It’s really dry lately.”
He nodded, assuring her he’d be careful. Only after she went inside did he flick the lighter open.
Ting! With a solid metallic click, the flame lit his cigarette.
Hoo… He exhaled slowly, as if to cleanse himself.
Then his phone rang.
Expecting another call from Han Woo-min, his brows furrowed—but relaxed when he saw the caller.
It was Secretary Ahn.
“Hello?”
[Boss! Did you sleep well? Everything alright?]
A flood of questions came the moment he answered.
Iwan smiled softly, grateful for the ever-worried Ahn, who cared about him more than anyone except his grandfather.
“Yes, I slept fine. Nothing happened.”
[That’s a relief. I was worried you might be uncomfortable sleeping out there…]
“I’m doing well, so don’t worry about me. How’s my mother?”
[Thanks to you, she’s doing great. Her condition’s stable enough for the surgery as planned.]
“That’s good to hear.”
After exchanging pleasantries, Iwan gave some instructions.
“There are a few abandoned houses in the village. Most of the owners seem to have passed. Find out if the ownership transferred to their children, and if so, what their situation is.”
[Understood, sir.]
“And dig into Mayor Min-joo. Word is, he’s got skeletons in the closet. There’ll be plenty of dust to uncover. I want every speck of it reported.”
[Mayor Min-joo?]
“He apparently has a villa in this village.”
[Ah, I see. I’ll get on it.]
Secretary Ahn responded like he was about to begin the investigation immediately.
“Also, while you’re at it, monitor Executive Director Han’s side too. Keep me updated regularly. Discreetly—don’t let him catch on.”
[Got it!]
After a few more orders, Iwan was about to hang up when he remembered something.
“Oh, right—send me a Perfeito helmet.”
[A helmet… sir?]
When Iwan mentioned the luxury motorcycle brand, Ahn hesitated, confused.
“Yes.”
Carefully extinguishing his cigarette, even removing the stub as Onyu had asked, Iwan added with a sly smile:
“The most hip and stylish half-helmet. Something that’ll turn heads anywhere.”
