Chapter 32
Eun Wol woke to the faint press of warmth beside him. For a long moment, he lay still, listening to the steady rhythm of Gyu In's breathing. Half-buried in the pillow, Gyu In's face was softened by sleep, the sharp edges of his expression dulled into something almost unguarded.
When Eun Wol shifted, something on the coffee table caught his eye. A small square of film leaned against the empty cups, its colors barely settled. He reached for it, blinking at the image. Himself and Gyu In, fast asleep under the same blanket, shoulders pressed close.
Tucked beneath the polaroid was a folded note, written in Seol In's familiar hand.
Gyu In,
It is really nice seeing you again. I am heading out to see a couple of friends before flying back. You do not have to send me. Call me if you need me.
Eun Wol,
Be nice to my brother. I am watching you.
Eun Wol let out a quiet breath, his lips pressing into something between a sigh and a laugh. It was exactly the kind of mischief he expected from her, and it left the room feeling oddly lighter.
She was just like her brother.
The lightness lasted only a second.
His phone buzzed sharply against the mattress, the name on the screen freezing him in place.
Eun Bin.
He slipped out of couch before Gyu In could stir and answered in a low voice. "Eun Bin?"
Her words came fast and clipped. "Oppa, I found one of their locations. They are moving drugs there tonight. I cannot risk being seen, but you and Gyu In might be able to get in. Collect evidence."
Eun Wol's stomach tightened. "Are you serious? It is dangerous."
"That is why you stay outside," Eun Bin cut in sharply, exasperation edging into her voice.
"What?" He blinked.
"That is why you stay outside. Gyu In can go in." Her words were firm now, muffled sounds in the background making it clear she did not have time.
Eun Wol pinched the bridge of his nose. "I cannot believe you are saying that. I am not staying outside like a sitting duck."
"Do you want me to explain it slowly?" she hissed. "I do not have time. Ji Hun… I do not think it is safe for him to go, so I did not tell him."
"Then how does that make it safe for Gyu In to go?"
"He will find a way, will he not? I will send you the location in a bit. Be careful."
Before he could argue further, the line went dead.
Eun Wol stared at the dark screen, heart hammering.
Behind him, the mattress shifted. Gyu In's sleepy voice cut through the quiet. "Who was that?"
Eun Wol snapped the phone shut, pulse still racing. "No one you need to bother with."
Gyu In pushed himself up on one elbow, eyes narrowing. "That tone does not sound like nothing."
Eun Wol turned to face him, jaw tightening. "It is dangerous. You cannot just go barging in there alone like you always do."
A crooked smile tugged at Gyu In's lips. "What, worried about me now?"
"Do not joke," Eun Wol shot back, sharper than he meant. His fists clenched in his lap. "If you are really going, then I am not letting you do it by yourself. I am not standing by while you throw yourself into something that could get you killed."
The room went quiet for a beat. Gyu In watched him, the glint of amusement in his eyes softening into something more serious.
"Eun Bin found a location," Eun Wol said, voice lower now. "Drugs. They are moving things tonight. She cannot risk going herself. This is a chance to collect evidence."
Gyu In swung his legs off the bed, stretching, still half-lidded but already calculating. "Okay. I will go. Alone."
"No." Eun Wol ran a hand down his face, frustration bleeding through. "It is dangerous, and you know it. I am going with you."
Gyu In hesitated, the idea of not being alone clearly tempting him. Then he shook his head. "I can handle it. You stay with Ryu Chan. You can guide me from outside."
"You are insane," Eun Wol snapped. "Are you even hearing yourself? I am not letting you go alone. Together."
"Relax," Gyu In said, reaching for the polaroid and lifting it. "You think I do not know what I am doing? You are not exactly the one to lecture anyone about staying safe."
Eun Wol blinked. "Excuse me?"
"Exactly." Gyu In's eyes glinted. "Fine. You come. But you stay in the car. No matter what."
Eun Wol exhaled sharply, frustration tangled with something heavier in his chest. "Fine. But if something goes wrong, I am not just standing by."
"I have got you," Gyu In said softly, voice low enough to tighten Eun Wol's chest.
Then his mood flipped, just like that.
"Oh. We look cute." He waved the film in the air. "I am putting this in my wallet."
"Are you seriously talking about that right now?"
"Send me the location when you get it," Gyu In said, already moving. "I will let Ryu Chan know our next step."
*
Eun Wol's hands were still shaking slightly at his sides. There was no time to dwell on it. Ryu Chan had already arranged a nondescript car for them, one that would not draw attention. Eun Wol checked the equipment again, fingers lingering over the mini cameras to make sure each one was ready. Nearby, Gyu In leaned against the car with his arms crossed, eyes sweeping the quiet streets with alert precision.
"Relax," Gyu In said casually, though nothing about his gaze matched his tone. "We have a plan. Just follow my lead and nothing explodes. Hopefully."
Eun Wol shot him a look, eyebrows lifting. "Hopefully? That is not reassuring."
Gyu In smirked but said nothing more.
Eun Wol took a steadying breath and slid into the driver's seat, forcing his focus forward. The night pressed in around them, thick with unease, the city unusually quiet as if holding its breath.
They arrived earlier than the supposed timing, which only tightened the knot in Eun Wol's stomach. Shadows pooled around the building, deep and watchful, clinging to the walls like they had eyes of their own.
"Okay," Gyu In muttered as he crouched near the entrance. "Let us place these where they will not notice."
He handed Eun Wol a mini camera, and together they moved in silence, attaching the devices to carefully chosen spots. Every faint click sounded too loud in the stillness, every step deliberate and measured.
Eun Wol's heart pounded, not only from the danger but from Gyu In's presence so close beside him. Gyu In moved with calm certainty, calculating each motion before making it. Eun Wol had to remind himself to breathe, to stay focused. One mistake was all it would take to ruin everything.
"Ryu Chan," Gyu In murmured, pressing the comm that had replaced one of his buttons. "You seeing this clearly?"
A brief pause.
"Got it."
Gyu In eased slightly, rolling his shoulders. "Good. Now we wait for the rats to come."
He placed a hand over Eun Wol's for a brief second, a quiet reassurance amid the looming tension.
Eun Wol checked the time. Forty minutes. Too long. Too short. He could not decide which was worse.
It did not take long for a black car to slide into the lot, headlights off, engine humming low. Both of them straightened in their seats, eyes locked on the scene beyond the windshield.
No one stepped out until another black vehicle arrived, stopping opposite the first. A group of men emerged, one carrying a briefcase. Across from them came another group, a mix of men and women.
Do Yoon Su led them, just as expected.
They could not hear the exchange, but Ryu Chan's earpiece picked up every word.
They waited for the moment the briefcase would open. It never did.
Instead, both groups turned and walked straight into a nearby warehouse.
Gyu In's eyes widened slightly as he looked at Eun Wol. "Did you put any cameras inside?"
Eun Wol pressed his lips together and shook his head.
"Shit. Me neither."
Gyu In's jaw tightened. "Alright. I am going in."
Eun Wol froze, panic flaring sharp in his chest. "What? No. You cannot just"
"I have to," Gyu In cut in, already opening the door, eyes scanning the shadows around the warehouse. "Stay here. Cover the car. If anything goes wrong, Ryu Chan has the feed. I will handle it."
Eun Wol's hands clenched against the seat. "I am not just going to sit here."
Gyu In turned back, his voice low and firm. "You will. That is an order. Trust me."
Eun Wol exhaled, chest tight, knowing arguing would only waste time. His gaze followed Gyu In toward the warehouse, fear and helplessness tangling in his chest.
Something slid into his hands.
A polaroid.
The photo from that morning.
Eun Wol blinked, startled, and hissed under his breath.
Gyu In was already moving, his steps smooth and controlled. "Focus. Keep your eyes on me."
Without another word, he melted into the shadows, moving like he belonged there. Each step was precise, every motion deliberate.
Eun Wol stayed behind, tension coiling tighter with every second, eyes fixed on the darkness that swallowed him.
"Ryu Chan," he said quietly, his voice tighter than he intended. "You can track him, right?"
"Yeah," Ryu Chan replied through the comm. "Dumb man's movements are all on my screen. Do not worry."
Eun Wol did not relax. Not even for a second.
*
Gyu In noticed people gathering in the middle of the warehouse. A table seemed to appear out of nowhere, the briefcase placed neatly on top.
A typical crime scene.
He slid along the wall, pressing his back close to its uneven surface, moving behind stacks of carts and boxes. He held his breath, every step measured. The smallest sound could give him away.
He crouched, peering through the narrow gaps between the carts. It was not perfect, but it would have to do.
His comms would not capture much, and there was no chance he could walk out and plant cameras. Carefully, he pulled out his phone, ensuring it was on silent, the flashlight off, before pressing record.
"All the things you wanted are here."
One of the men opened the briefcase. Neatly wrapped packages lay stacked inside.
"Open it."
"You don't trust us?"
"Trust is for the weak. You should know that by now."
Do Yoon Su exhaled smoke, the cigarette resting between his fingers, its heat glowing faintly.
The man grunted and tore open one package. Several bags of white powder spilled into view.
Gyu In lifted his phone, zooming in.
Then his foot caught something solid.
Snap.
Oh shit.
He lowered the phone instantly and shoved it into his pocket, pressing himself back against the wall as if he could disappear into it.
"Someone is here."
Yoon Do Su's voice cut through the silence.
Gyu In dropped his gaze, swallowing hard, fingers digging into the fabric of his pants. The air felt thick, the attention of the room shifting toward him.
I couldn't be found. Not here.
"Shall we find the rat before we continue?"
Amusement flickered in Do Yoon Su's tone.
Gyu In's fingers hovered over the comms. His eyes stayed locked on the group.
"Tell Eun Wol to leave. Now."