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Chapter Text

Being a top graduates was an easy feat for Kim Gaon. What wasn’t is when he is tasked to accept a post at live trial show while keeping an eye for the infamous Kang Yohan.

Carefully, he shifted on the sofa that started to feels hard on his bottom while he shouldn’t be feeling that way. Kim Gaon was bewildered when his professor had voiced out his disagreement and not so subtle discontent at Kang Yohan’s view of justice and the way he achieved it. Sure the man’s first choice of action more than often leaned on the violence side, but to actually called the man ‘a monster’ rang his internal alarm.

He barely hides his scoff when his professor went on and on about Kang Yohan’s shenanigan throughout his career. Kim Gaon knows better than to judge a person from a third person’s opinion, even though the said person is literally his father figure. That was why he decided to cut short the conversation with his trade mark harmless smile and promise his professor to be vigilant around Kang Yohan.

***

Kim Gaon was glad that he has a sound mind to actually wait until their first encounter to assess the chief.

He’s so fine – was the first thought that run through his mind when their eyes met and he visibly gulped to stop his mind from conjuring any inappropriate thought.

He prepared to great the chief formally when the older extends his hand and his voice rang crisp to welcome him to a battlefield.

Intrigued, Kim Gaon flashed a smile, “I can’t wait for the excitement” and he was rewarded with a million dollar smirk that makes him feels hot under the collar in the full functioning air-cond room.

What am I getting into?

“Keep up the spirit, Kim-pansa” Kang Yohan slowly unclasped their hands, smiles hanging on his lips.

***

To say Kang Yohan was not surprised would be an understatement given how the young judge had reacted to his subtle provocation. He had K did a thorough background check on him and he had an epiphany that he might be another fresh-graduates with holier-than-thou sense of righteous. His uncanny resemblance to his late brother also may be another factor that contributes to his initial thought.

But he was wrong. Kim Gaon was nothing like that. And for once he was glad to be wrong. Kim Gaon might be just the right person to increase his probability of winning his long-winded game.

And that was why he offered his associate judges a dinner after the first win. He’s very much interested to know if Kim Gaon deserved to be included in his plan and how he would be best used at.

Reserving a whole restaurant for a dinner wasn’t something he usually does despite his wealth. But for this special occasion, he relented. The dinner starts smoothly, as Oh-pansa excitedly provides small talks here and there while tasting the appetizer. He offhandedly answered her questions while stealing glances at the suddenly quiet Kim-pansa.

Maybe he is not that interesting afterall

Kang Yohan was beginning to doubt his thought when an opportunity presented itself.

“What do you do in your leisure time, bujang-nim?”

“I hunt” Kang Yohan looked briefly at Oh-pansa before moving his eyes on Kim Gaon. “I love the thrill it gave when they come rushing at me with their teeth bared” he picked up his wine glass and swirled it slowly, “and I shoot them between their eyes” he maintained the eyes contact and takes a sip of drink.

To his delight, Kim Gaon doesn’t show a hint of disgust. “The bigger the prey, the better” he added just to see if the young man would flinch.

“You must be busy, bujang-nim. Hunting prey day in and day out” Kim Gaon cut the steaks carefully and bites a small piece, humming at the new flavor.

“It is enjoyable” Kang Yohan smirked. Oh-pansa noticed the awkward tension hanging in the air and forced herself to laugh.

“Do you often have this kind of meat, bujang-nim? This wild boar really have a deep flavor”

“No. In fact, I don’t give much thought to my food. I can’t taste my food so they are more or less the same”

Kim Gaon perked up. As a son of restaurant’s owner, he has a high affinity towards food. He can’t believe a man like Kang Yohan that practically sleeps on money doesn’t enjoy delicacies appropriate of his status.

“Your tastebud might have been spoiled since young” Oh-pansa tried to joke.

“Must be hard to be a little prince” “Little prince?” Kang Yohan’s eyes went frigid for a moment but Kim Gaon managed to catch it. It wasn’t an eyes of a person who lives luxuriously or recklessly for all his life.

“You know what, my father was a loan sharks. Calling me a little prince would be a funny thing, don’t you think so?”

“Are you implying he was a heartless jerk? Which in a way, makes you one too?”

“Indeed. You seem to understand the essence of it. Must be because your family history” Kang Yohan returned the jibe, and happy to his face falters for the first time tonight.

“Which family doesn’t have their own history, don’t you think so bujang-nim?” Kim Gaon countered evenly.

Kang Yohan laughed. Looks like he wasn’t the only who did the background check up.

Interesting

Chapter Text

The dinner went relatively well given the conversation that flowed through the night. If he was honest, it was a little exhilarating to exchange jibes and double-meaning words with Kang Yohan. Now, he can see why Kang Yohan is equally respected and feared by allies and foes. His violent tendency aside, that man possesses unique charm and intelligent that can draw peoples in. And if you’re not careful enough, you won’t notice until you’re already within his grasp. Which is why, he can understands Professor Min’s warning. A sense of uneasiness rose in his heart. 

Does he really want to associate himself with Kang Yohan? What merit does it have to go through with Professor Min’s request?

To tell the truth, he is not an ambitious man. Going into law was a second chance given to him, courtesy of Professor Min and his best friend, Soo Hyun. But he doesn’t actually aspire to be the most righteous man or does he wants to entangle himself in the intricate webs of system that is more grey than white. To him, the system is long gone - deviated from its definition, blinded by the power of riches and politics. He had first-hand experience with how rubbish the system is in the face of greater power. Younger him had long gave up to see the justice in the system. He wonders, what would become of him if there’s no Professor Min and Soo Hyun in his life. Would he have acted more rebellious growing up and end up a criminal? 

That night, Kim Gaon had troubles sleeping, restlessly tossing left and right for most of the night. He neither can shake off the conversation he had with Professor Min nor can he removes Kang Yohan’s imprint from his mind. He might not have much faith left in the system, but there’s so much to explore about Kang Yohan. He doesn’t believe that Kang Yohan is what peoples make him to be. For someone who used such severe methods in achieving his goals, he actually managed to give out fitting sentence to the defendant. In a sense, Kang Yohan is minutely better compared to the other judges. 

He sighed heavily in the dark. Let me just see who he is and how far he will go.

***

Kim Gaon hops in the first taxi he caught once he clocked out for the day. After much consideration, he decided to digs out information about Kang Yohan – both his personal information and how his mind worked while working on a case. As much as he is satisfied on the sentence delivered to CEO Joo, there are some aspects that left to be pondered – like the statement given by Dr Safety. 

He arrived home at the same time Soo Hyun does. He carelessly left his coat and bag on his work bench and urged Soo Hyun to follow him to the rooftop. 

“What’s the hurry?” Soo Hyun sat on one of the chair and turned her body in his direction. 

“I need your help” he blurted carefully - aware that there’s a chance that Soo Hyun will not agree to his request. 

“With what?” she straightened up and wiped off her smile. Kim Gaon was a lot of thing, but he doesn’t always initiate asking help from others. 

“I need a listening device” 

“What? Why? Is something wrong, Gaon-ah?” she asked anxiously and inched closer to her best friend.

Kim Gaon contemplated how much he should tell Soo Hyun. Knowing how Soo Hyun loathed the man like Kang Yohan the most, he doesn’t want her to hinder his investigation, what’s more baselessly build unnecessary opinion on Kang Yohan. Somehow he knows that Soo Hyun will object his involvement with Kang Yohan and persuades him to stay away from the older judge. 

“For work purpose. I need to find out about something” Kim Gaon wished he at least have a mug of coffee to hides behind. 

“Is it dangerous?”

“No!” he answered a little too quickly which make Soo Hyun squinted her eyes suspiciously. “I promise it was nothing like that. You know how I like to see the situation thoroughly before I decide on something. It’s for a case I’m working on”

A case known as Kang Yohan

Soo Hyun sighed heavily. Seeing how Kim Gaon is bent on being secretive, she relented for now. If something suspicious shows up, she can just investigate it herself. “Give me a day to prepare it”

“Thank you, Soo Hyun-ah” he beamed. 

***

Once he received the device, he makes way to Kang Yohan’s office. It was still early and Kang Yohan is not expected to arrived in another half an hour or so. In the dark, he walked back and forth, critically considering the best non-conspicuous place to put the device. 

Luck must not be in his side when he heard the click-clack of leather shoe on the marble floor. In his panic, he swiftly placed the device on the underside of the table’s left corner. Then, he dashed to one of the book shelves and pick out a book on environmental law. Leaning sideway casually on the shelf, he waits for the inevitable. 

Light switched on and Kang Yohan stopped in his track, “Kim-pansa?” he raised a brow and stares at the younger man. “I don’t remember setting an appointment with you this early in the morning” 

Kim Gaon flashed a smile and showed the book cover to the chief, “I came for this. The library is still closed”

“I thought we had it covered. Why do you need that? Is there something bothering you about the case?”

“No, not at the moment” he closed the book and waited until the chief stands in front of him. 

“Anything else?” Kang Yohan asked calmly when he saw the younger stay rooted at the same place. 

“I have a question, bujang-nim” Kim Gaon put on a timid expression – like it pained him to even think to ask the question. 

But the little play doesn’t worked on Kang Yohan’s predatory eyes. “Oh?”

“Do I need to set an appointment every time I want to see you?” 

Kang Yohan smirked. He’s not a little deer but a little fox. 

“Of course…” he paused deliberately,”..not. You are always welcome in my presence” he whispered into Kim Gaon’s ears. 

The younger judge suppressed his shudder by chuckling. “Mark your word, bujang-nim”

Kang Yohan moved back couples of steps and stares deep into Kim Gaon’s eyes. 

Brave little fox want to play

“I’m a man of my words. You can count on it”

“I will” 

***

It took Kang Yohan less than 24 hours to discover the listening device. Amused, he rolled the little plaything in his palm. 

I should show him something interesting after all his hard work

With that thought in mind, he lazily called Lawyer Ko and makes few offhanded remarks about the witness and the ruling. On top of that, he called Minister Cha to provoke her about CEO Joo. He wanted to stop there, but Jung Sun Ah called his phone just before he wants to go home. Standing in front of the window, he looked on the nightscape absently while listening to her sickly-sweet voice reminding him about how the foundation was not happy with the little stunt he pulled. 

“It was only little game and I won this round. You should try harder next time if you’re so unhappy” he then cut off the call.

A game indeed. Kang Yohan smirked as he keeps the device in his drawer. Show me what kind of game are you playing at, Kim Gaon. 

***

True to his expectation, Kim Gaon storms into his office a few days afterward. His face has lost all traces of playfulness. 

“Why are you doing this?” Kim Gaon glared at the older judge. 

“You need to be more specific, Kim-pansa” 

Kim Gaon can feel his frustration rose to a dangerous degree. For the past few days, he had heard more than enough remarks regarding the last case. For all his worth, he can’t figure out which side Kang Yohan is actually on. And why on earth is he’s doing this? 

The information about the older that he managed to learnt doesn’t help much to his building irritation. Some childhood classmate of him that supposed to know him well had painted the older man as a devil. A monster – someone so terrible that he’s way passed redemption. He spoke carelessly as if he has the right to label another human being into such condemnation. He regaled the stories on how Kang Yohan had created a chaotic mess between the rich and poor students in his class as a revenge for being excluded. On top of that, the hearsay regarding the fire he survived ten years ago was caused by himself. All because he doesn’t agree with his brother’s decision to donate all their fortune. It was ridiculous. Ten years ago, Kang Yohan is already on his way to become a great judge. He has a bright prospect and doesn’t need to depend on the family fortune. Despite only knowing him for a short time, Kim Gaon noticed that even though the older does indulge in luxury, he wasn’t the type to flaunt his wealth. So, he was sure that at least money was not the motive even if it’s true that the older man had started the fire back then. 

He was so angry at the blatant ease other people judged Kang Yohan as a monster. He was so angry that he wanted to punch the older man to find out why exactly he let other peoples to view him as such. [Including him] – why does Kang Yohan want to show him his shady side. 

And that was when it all clicked.

He closed the gap between them, eyes somewhat softened. “You were testing me, right?”

Kang Yohan laughed. “You’re quick” he agreed immediately. 

“Why do you even need to do that?” the younger grumbled. 

“You don’t get to join my game freely, Kim-pansa” he smirked as he run his fingers on the younger’s side and finally returned the listening device by slipping it smoothly into his pant pocket. 

“Who’s playing a game with you?!” He stuttered, suddenly conscious with the way the older’s hand seems to linger on his body. 

“Scared already? You seem bolder few days ago” 

Kim Goan tried to shift backward to avoid the awkwardness. He caught the small blinking red dot on the big art piece and before he know it, he rushed to grab Kang Yohan but the bomb explodes just as he grasped the older’s man collar. 

They were flung backward and all he could feel at the moment was How hard it is to live as Kang Yohan. 

Chapter Text

Groaning, Kim Gaon tried to pry open his heavy eyelids. The first attempt was unsuccessful. He grunted as he takes stock on how bad he was feeling – his head is throbbing and his limbs weighed tones. He moved his hands and legs lightly just to confirm they are still attached to where they belonged. There were sharp pain on his back and on his left lower abdomen. In conclusion, he is in bad shape but thankfully alive. 

Kang Yohan!

That get Kim Gaon to scrambled to sit up and his eyes searched the empty foreign room anxiously. Given how quiet his surrounding is and the bright light outside, he can’t figure out what day or time it is currently. Placing his hand on the abdomen’s wound, he scooted to the side table to search for his phone but the device is nowhere in sight. 

Gritting his teeth, he makes it out of the bed and room limply. The old pattern wallpaper, rows of polished black doors and never ending empty corridor doesn’t help his panicky state. Desperate, he shouted, “Anybody here?” No answer. He walked down the corridor until he couldn’t anymore; sweat starts beading on his forehead. “Hello?”, he tried again, louder this time. 

“So noisy” A sweet teenage girl dressed in Victorian-style dress wheeled out from the left side’s corridor. Seeing the pale man hunched over the rail, the girl rolled her eyes before trying to move away. 

“Wait please” Kim Gaon wanted to get closer to her but she wheeled back with every step he took. Raising both his hand in surrender signature, he asked, “Are you perhaps related to Kang-pansa? Do you know where he is now?”

The teenager looked so affronted like Kim Gaon just commits a grave mistake. “I don’t know any Kang-pansa” she scoffed. “If you’re talking about Yohan, he’s probably on his way to destroy another person’s life”. Without giving any chance for Kim Gaon to respond, she wheeled away quickly, disappearing behind the one of the black door. 

What was that?

Taken aback, he continued walking until he reached downstairs and decided to head to the east side. The large open floor kitchen comes into his view, together with a middle-aged lady standing over the counter, wiping the dishes silently. 

“Excuse me” he called out hesitantly.

The lady turned back, she visibly flinched for a moment before she squared up and looked at him sullenly. “Why are you up and about, sonnim?”  

“Bujang-nim…Kang-pansa, where is he? Is he alright?”

“Young master is at work. It’s almost 11 in the morning” she raised her right hand, showing the wrist watch. “Young master is fine”

Fine was not the answer he wanted to hear. If he’s this injured, there’s no way that Kang Yohan wasn’t. 

“Please make way to your room, sonnim. Your meal will be delivered to you accordingly. Please note not to wonder around the mansion” he approached Kim Gaon and escorted him back to his room. 

Once the door clicked shut, he had a fleeting thought to go out again and find a way to contact the older judge. But his wounds throbbed and he started to feel dizzy, forcing him to lie down again. 

What with the peoples in this house?

***

Kim Gaon startled awake when he feels a pair of hands ghosted over his chest. He abruptly sat up, forcing the older man to leaned back as to avoid bumping their head together. 

“Bujang-nim!” he grabbed one of Kang Yohan’s wrist when he sensed the older wants to stand up, ignoring his sudden movement is pulling at his wound. He doesn’t even register what was the older trying to do to him earlier. Relief flooded his system, knowing that Kang Yohan is more or less in one piece. He run his eyes over the older’s body, up and down, trying to see if he’s injured. Apart from the slight nick on his forehead, his clothes pretty much hid everything else; making Kim Gaon unable to assess further, though the man does seems fine. 

Chuckling, Kang Yohan allowed the younger to check him out. “I’m fine” he said at last when he noticed the younger is no longer as tensed as minutes ago. 

A retort died on the tips of his tongue when his eyes zeroed on the beige coloured bandage barely visible on the man neck – the wound was dangerously close to his pulse point, which is hidden cleverly by the man’s skin tone and the large robe he’s wearing, which non-surprisingly in beige colour as well. With his free hand, he pulled open the robe, showing the patch of bandage. “How is this fine?” he glared hotly. 

Later when he is calmed, he will berate himself over his recklessness in ‘harassing’ his superior – physically and verbally. Though, he will later be a little angry at himself for not enjoying the naked skin more. But that’s the story for later. 

Now though, he is gripped with irrational fear seeing how the older can brazenly hides his injury and acts normal. 

“It’s nothing” Kang Yohan replied after he managed to find his voice. He feels suffocated being pinned with the younger’s heavy gaze and unnecessary question. He slowly removed Kim Gaon’s hand from his robe’s collar before stands up and fixed his robe properly again. “Turn back. I’ll change your dressing”

“I asked you a question, Kang pansa-nim” he paused, trying to force down his anger, “don’t you know it’s only polite to answer them back” 

Kang Yohan smirked. He bends down to takes the square bandage and started changing the old bloodied bandage on Kim Gaon’s back. “Why bother when it is so minor” he answered. “Exaggerating is only for kid. You don’t see me as one, do you?”

“Then, why bother to put on bandage when you can leave it open like that one?” he pointed to the older’s forehead. 

“Brat, you’re too talkative tonight. Rest” he picked up the tray and walked out from the room, leaving Kim Gaon to stew in his annoyance.

***

The next morning, Kim Gaon rises early in order to pick up where he had left last night conversation. After he washed up and slip on loose shirt and pants, he makes way down the corridor again, pushing open every unlocked doors, trying to find Kang Yohan’s room. Finally, after seven attempts he managed to find the right door. 

Kang Yohan was stunned when his door was pushed open from the outside and one sheepish looking young man poked his head inside. “You should be resting, Kim-pansa” he keeps his eyes on the mirror while fixing his tie. 

Seeing that Kang Yohan doesn’t tell him off, Kim Gaon took it as a permission to enter. “It’s morning. I can’t afford to sleep in on working day” 

“But you’re off duty” Kang Yohan picked up his coat and briefcase from the bed, and faced the young man again. “Take it easy”, he patted Kim Gaon’s shoulder.

“You should too” Kim Gaon retorted, making the older raised his brow. 

“Pardon?” 

“You were a victim of terrorize attack. It happened in your very own office. You shouldn’t take it lightly, even if your injury is minor. You can afford a couple of days off too”

I didn’t take him as a nagger, Kang Yohan thought internally. 

“Something like this can’t possibly faze me, Kim-pansa. You’re belittling me a little too much if such child play is enough to get me to lay low” he smiles, before leaving the room.

Annoyed, Kim-pansa run past the older man and blocked his way. “Child play? It’s your life and safety I’m talking about here! Can you not be so nonchalant about it?”

What life and safety? They no longer hold any meaning for me. Kang Yohan only laughed in lieu of answer and go around the younger judge.

Unnoticed by both men, at far corner, a teenager in wheelchair hid behind a wall, listening in their argument. “Idiot”, she mumbled quietly. When will he wake up?

***

Kim Gaon had learnt that the older had a bad habit of speaking only in his favor. If there’s anything he refused to say, he will clamp up and started being sarcastic or provocative. Such habit really is testing his patience, but Kim Gaon has mastered the art of speaking; he’s confident that he’ll be able to make the older to open up sooner or later. 

Past noon, Kim Gaon already used up all his endurance for staying put in the room. Bored out of his mind, he started to wonder around the mansion again. He had finished checking out the floor he’s living currently, except for two doors which tightly locked each time he tried to enter. He had seen Mrs Ok enter one of the rooms once; and she had stayed inside for noticeable amount of time and when she came out, her eyes were red. He deduced that it might be her previous master’s room; either Kang Yohan’s father or his brother’s. He avoided picking up the lock of that room because it feels quite rude to enter the deceased’s room and disturbed the memories in there; which most probably are not related to Kang Yohan personally. Moreover, he’s sure that Kang Yohan’s niece would be crossed with him if he dared to venture inside. 

The other locked room on the other side of the mansion is however, is kicking at his instinct to explore. Hence, for the past couple of days, he had learnt the movement pattern of Mrs Ok and Elijah as to not alert them of his little adventure. After making sure that the path is clear, Kim Gaon grabbed a scissor and pick up the lock of the room. Once opened, he slowly descends the flight of stairs in the dark, while keeping in mind to move quietly. 

“It’s a basement” he mumbled softly, seeing a full shelf of linens and towels, and the clutter of cleaning equipments. He walked further in and was surprised to see traces that resembled a bedroom and bathroom. The dusty makeshift bed and crude looking book shelf filled with hardcover books in English and other languages had him frown. “Someone lived here?” he asked disbelievingly. 

Why would someone lived here when this mansion have more than enough rooms?

Suddenly, he remembered a snippet from the dinner he shared not long ago with Kang Yohan. “Calling me a little prince would be a funny thing, right?”

Heart chilled, he reached out with shaky fingers to pick up the red book on the bed. He flipped through the book quickly and abruptly stopped when he found an old picture; a picture of a man and a little girl – the man was uncannily similar looking as him. His heart dropped to his gut. “If this little girl is Elijah, then this man…”

“Yes, her father. Kang Yohan’s brother. The true master of this mansion, Kang Isaac” a voice said flatly from behind him.

He turned back and faced with an unimpressed Mrs Ok. “You’re too curious for your own good, sonnim”

Kim Gaon quickly got over the fact that he and Kang Isaac had similar faces and focus more on the important part – as of why this very small space is most probably Kang Yohan’s room. 

“This was Kang Yohan’s room, right?” 

“Correct.” the answer come flatly. There was no undulation in her voice; like she was simply stating a fact. There was no trace of concern from knowing young Kang Yohan had lived in this kind of room; small, cramped and secluded – like a little prison. Kim Gaon feels his heart thudded painfully. 

“Why?” his voice come out hoarse. 

“Do you know that he was an unwanted child? Apart from that he had grown to be a scary child; a mo–“ 

“Don’t! Don’t you dare continue!” Kim Gaon snapped. He clutched the book tightly because he can’t trust himself to not attack the lady in front of him. “How could you say such thing about him?”

“Because I knew him. I raise him myself.” she defended herself. 

Kim Gaon scoffed. “But do you ever know the real him? Have you ever try to understand him?”

“Do you” she countered evenly. Seeing the anger on the young man’s face, Mrs Ok promptly makes an exit.

***

That night, Kim Gaon foregoes dinner; instead he waited silently on the couch in Kang Yohan’s study. When the clock strikes 10 pm, the older judge enters – wearing another large soft robe and pants, hairs still damp from the recent shower - and sat on the couch opposite of him. He showed no sign of surprise for seeing him waiting there. 

“I heard you skip dinner. Why the long face?” Kang Yohan asked with folded hands. He started to feels like a guardian coaxing a sulking child, given how much banter they had since the bomb explosion. 

“I found out about the basement” Kim Gaon said evenly, his eyes trained on the older’s. 

Kang Yohan eyes hardened and shift his relaxed posture to upright. “You’ve been snooping around”

“I was bored” he argued back, successfully garnering the older’s anger. He rose from the couch and walked over to Kim Gaon, towering over him, and brings his face closer to the younger. “Being too curious would do you no good, Kim-pansa” 

“Really?” 

“Really” Kang Yohan inched closer. 

Kang Yohan was caught off guard when the younger place a palm over his eyes. Before he can even react, there was a fleeting soft peck on his forehead. Angered, he removed the palm and shot out his hand to choke the younger. “What are you doing?!” 

“It’s not for you. It was for younger Kang Yohan..” Kim Gaon stuttered in between words, trying to get air in his lungs. Kang Yohan tighten his hold, yet, the younger continued, “..for his lonely soul”

“There are documents for the recent case in your room. For your bored mind” He released the younger and walked away from the couch. 

***

Entering the room, Kim Gaon quickly noticed the piles of documents and a familiar looking phone on the side table. Upon inspection, it was his phone – the tempered glass and casing look new. “He must have had it repaired” he sighed. 

Did I push him too far just now?

He unlocked the phone and dialed Soo Hyun’s number. After days of contactless, she must be worried sick. The call connected after the second ring. 

“Gaon-ah!”

“Uhh, Soo Hyun-ah”

“Where are you? Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. I’m at Kang Yohan’s place” 

“What?! Why? I thought Professor Min already told you that he’s dangerous!”

“He’s not!” Kim Gaon was quick to defend the older judge. “He’s different but he’s not what peoples make him to be, Soo Hyun-ah” he added, too tired of listening peoples discredit Kang Yohan. 

“You can’t be serious, Gaon-ah. You need to stay away from him..no, you know what, quickly leave his place. I’ll come pick you up – right now”

“No. I can take care of myself, Soo Hyun-ah. I’ll decide who I want to be with and where I want to be at” he then cut off the call and switched off the phone. Soo Hyun will no doubt try to call him again and he doesn’t have the energy to deal with her at the moment. 

Chapter Text

Kang Yohan twirled the pen absentmindedly, the documents on his table has long been abandoned as his mind betraying him by replaying the moment when the younger’s soft lips brushes his forehead last night. Kang Yohan can’t put a name for the mess he’s feeling inside – his heart warmed at the gesture; he can’t remember when someone last showed him a simple tender affection, but his mind cruelly reminds him that it was a mistake on Kim Gaon’s part – that what happened was nothing more than a misjudgment from an emotionally distress young man; he must be shocked by the difference between what was expected and the reality of his childhood. 

Kang Yohan laments this unexpected course of events – their interaction shouldn’t progress this way; their relationship should only be of superior and subordinate; in fact, he doesn’t want the younger to exceed the limitation he initially set; which is a mere sidekick. 

While he intentionally consents the younger running around sneaking about him; it was only to lower his guard around him and to entice him to stand by him for his game. He never intended the younger to develop any feeling for him – especially not [pity]. He doesn’t need the younger to act humane around him. He’s been proud of his identity as a [ devil as peoples often called him. 

The buzzing of his phone snaps him out of his reverie; fishing out the phone, he smirked at another task well done by K. His loyal follower had put a stop at every possible way out for Minister Cha’s son. This way, Minister Cha will be left with no choice but to witness her son being put on trial. He can’t wait to see Minister Cha tears out her mask and finally show her family and the country how disgustingly greedy and heartless she actually is. 

Satisfied that everything is on track, he tidied the documents, grabs his briefcase, and drives home. Though it was relatively early, he sees no points to stay in the office any longer. Once home, he goes straight to kitchen to prepare a quick dinner for himself. He had decided on ramyeon while he was driving earlier. 

Unexpectedly, there’s a spread of dishes waiting for him under a cover with a hand-written note from Kim Gaon. He huffed amusedly. I’m sorry for overstep yesterday.

As expected, he regrets it. Kang Yohan shook his head lightly, trying to bury the twinge of disappointment in his heart. He doesn’t bother to lift up the cover of the dishes; instead he takes out one of the ramyeon from the cupboard. 

“I got stamp of approval from the younger Kang. Is it too much to get it from the older Kang too?” 

Kang Yohan turned around and saw the younger judge leaning against the door frame. “You meant Elijah ate your food?” he asked disbelievingly. Until couple of days ago, she still whined about Kim Gaon’s presence in the mansion and had asked him repeatedly to throw him out or else she will kill him herself. When exactly the teenager warmed to the younger judge? 

“Yes” he smiled proudly and approached the table and lifts the cover. He doesn’t explain how he stubbornly made his presence known to the teenager – coaxing her with three fresh meals daily, trailing behind her every time she leave the comfort of her room; either engaging in small talks or simply sat with her; playing with Kkomi and persuading her to play games together. Regardless of the initial cold shoulder, she eventually tolerated him; though her sharp tongue and eye rolls didn’t cease – which may or may not be influenced by certain Kang-pansa, it was enough for now. “Sit down and eat properly.” Subtlety, he slips the note under his palm before he moves to the counter, asking “Tea or water?”    

“I believe you have something of mine” 

“Ahh, this?” Kim Gaon shows the piece of paper, before he crumpled it and chucks it into his pocket. “I thought you will arrive late. So I left the note in case I fell asleep before you come home”

“Water, make it warm” Kang Yohan said, deciding not to further discuss the content of the note. He sat down and began eating quietly. Kim Gaon placed a glass of water in front of the older and pulled a chair opposite of him. His hand falters, once realizing that the younger is staring at him – almost as if he’s accompanying him. “You need something?” he blurted, unable to continue eating. 

“No” Kim Gaon answered shortly. “Why aren’t you eating? You don’t like the flavor?” the younger asked when the older stop moving his chopstick. 

“I told you before that I can’t taste well” he takes a sip of drink, waiting for the younger to get the hint and leave him alone. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work in his favor. “You can get back to what you’ve been doing” 

“I wasn’t doing anything earlier, except waiting for you to come home for dinner” he flashed a smile and guided his hand to the rice bowl. “Eat up. Take a pity on me; I spent a lot of time cooking these” he pouted. 

Blinking slowly to digest what he just heard, he starts eating again – pretending that the younger’s word doesn’t scratch his heart, making it itchy and beats just a little strangely. 

Don’t overthink Kang Yohan. This is only temporary. 

***

Kim Gaon follows Elijah’s line of sight and it direct him to Kang Yohan – dressed comfortably in casual soft clothes, hairs down and sitting serenely; nursing a book with a glass of whiskey sat within his hand reach. He blinked. Elijah might have thought she was being discreet but if even Kim Gaon would notice such stare, no doubt Kang Yohan might too; even though the older choose not to address it. 

An hour earlier, he and Elijah had barged into Kang Yohan’s study, intending to invites him to spend some time relaxing outside under the sun, but were curtly rejected. Annoyed, Elijah doesn’t want to hear another word of objection; opting to wheel around quickly – away from the study, lips turning downwards.  But Kim Gaon was quicker, he pressed his hand on the handle, stopping the girl from running away. 

“Fine then. At least, let us play here” he had negotiated. Without waiting for approval from the older, he guided the girl to the couch and purposely angled her wheelchair in Kang Yohan’s line of sight – so that they can check each other out if they wished to. The originally moody girl gradually let go of her displease, immersed in the card game. 

Kim Gaon sighed inwardly. Given how tense the uncle and niece’s relationship seem on the surface, he’s equally amused and frustrated at how similar they actually are – cold on the outside but soft inside and they both love to hide behind sharp and barbed words. 

The somewhat tranquil atmosphere was shattered by the incessant buzzing from Kang Yohan’s phone. A brief smirk played on his face before he closes the book he was reading and makes beelines toward the front door – no doubt he’s going out, probably setting another net to catch his prey. 

Once Kang Yohan disappears from their sight, Elijah put down her cards, stares at him and said solemnly “When do you think he will wakes up?”

Opening his mouth, Kim Gaon struggles to answer her. “I don’t know, Elijah” he paused and noticed melancholy openly painted on her face. 

“I don’t want Kang-pansa. I just missed my uncle” she muttered softly. 

***

In his opinion, Lee Young Min’s trial was nothing but a rollercoaster ride. Kang Yohan cunningly led the trial – showing that he sees eye to eye with the counsel’s logic and taking into consideration about the defendant’s anger issue and the lack of love and education from his parents, but it went downhill the moment countless testimonies came in, testifying for his assaults. As a result, Kang Yohan hands down the sentence – 30 flogging. But when the older declared that the punishment will be aired publicly, Kim Gaon disagreed. He glanced at the older judge – wanting to voice out his disagreement, but his warning smile shot him down. 

He swallowed his words and waited until they are back in the mansion. Both men were occupied with their own thought, making the ride home unusually tense. 

“Can I have a word with you, Kang-pansanim?” he asked, once the car is parked.

“Hmm” he concurred. “Go on first. I’ll see you in the study”

With that, he exited the car and makes his way to the study. He was in the middle of formulating his thought when Kang Yohan entered with two mugs of coffee – he passed one to him and signaled him to sit on the couch. 

“Why did you want the flogging to be aired publicly?” 

“For the victims of course.” Kang Yohan smiles, but in Kim Gaon’s eyes, it was an infuriating smile – the one he showed when he was feeling like a boss in game. “Isn’t it common to allow the victims to see their assailant’s punishment?”

“Make sense” he agreed and he saw Kang Yohan nodded amiably. “But what about the rest of the population; the children and the elderly? Do you think it’s alright to let them watch the flogging? Especially for children, do you have any idea what the consequences would be?”

“Do I need to think that far? My job is to give out the sentence to defendant. And I did just that” he smirked lazily. 

“How could you? It was very irresponsible of you to neglect the consequences of your decision!” Kim Gaon fumed. 

“You seem to forget one important thing, Kim Pansa” he paused and crooked his finger, calling out to the younger judge. Against his better judgments, he moves closer to the older judge. 

Dusting away the non-existent dust on his shoulder, Kang Yohan whispered, “I am and always will be the devil judge”

Feeling challenged, Kim Gaon smirked, “Then, I’ll show you what a human judge will do. Again and again; until you remember that you’re also a human, just like me” he grabbed the older’s hand and placed it over his heart. 

Chapter Text

The ruling of Lee Young Min’s case had caused Kang Yohan to be preoccupied with a battle of wit with Minister Cha – where one side doesn’t yield to the other side. Minister Cha put a pressure on the chief through Chief of Justice and the foundation; threatening him of possible replacement if he keeps targeting her son. The chief retaliated by threatening her to come out clean regarding the investigation involving K’s father if she wants her son safe. 

Thanks to the hubbub, Kim Gaon has ample time to think of a damage control for the case. With the help from computer genius, Elijah, he begins to devise a plan to satisfy the victims while not implicating the unnecessary citizens. Firstly, he collected all the testimony videos and went through one by one to check their authenticity – he doesn’t think it was above Kang Yohan to rig the videos. He checked the background of the victims and make sure none of them falls under minor or elderly categories. Then, he had Elijah traces all the IP address of the victims and recorded them. Then he draws a consent form that states every victim allowed to stream the execution video will allow the dual camera function – as a security measure; to make sure that the victims do not watch the video with unrelated party. He also put down that the video will be available on the time of punishment only; the video shall never be recorded or share in any way. Failure to follow the conditions will result in fines and their Dike account will be suspended until further notice. If the victims agreed they can scan their thumbprint digitally and once verified, they will be given a password to stream the video. To avoid any problem, he had Elijah make a program to crosscheck the IP address of the victims, their registered ID, Dike account and thumbprint and create a different password for each victims. Once everything prepared, he writes a report and send them to Kang Yohan for approval. Lucky for him, Kang Yohan had smiled when he read them and promised to get the proposal approved by Chief of Justice. He doesn’t ask how the older got the approval so quickly, instead he focused on getting in touch with related persons to ensure everything go on as he envisioned. To avoid any early objection, he had the technician of the Dike apps to only send the consent form to the victims 10 minutes prior to the execution. 

As expected, the comment section become floaded once the supposedly video of public execution only showed a blank page with one sentence – restricted video content. 

“Are you happy now?” Kang Yohan asked, as he tsked at the blank page of dike apps. Legs crossed, he tossed the remote carelessly on the table, and picks up his drink.

“Very” Kim Gaon smiled widely, “I did well, didn’t I?” he turned his body towards Kang Yohan, barely able to hold his excitement.

Kang Yohan looked at the gleeful youth whose practically buzzing in his seat. His mind unhelpfully conjured an image of an excited puppy wagging its tail. He blinked. Out of nowhere, he had this sudden impulse to pat the younger’s head. “You do realize that I will take the hit for the indirect omission, right?”

“How are you considered lying? You only said the execution will be aired publicly, you didn’t explicitly mention every citizen will get access to the video.” the younger grinned. 

“Brat” Kang Yohan admonished gruffly – unknown to him, his voice doesn’t come out angry, but fondness, with slight note of pampering. 

***

It was entirely coincidence that Kim Gaon awoke in the middle of the night. Feeling slight discomfort from dry throat, he dragged his sleep-addled body to get a drink. Passing in front of Kang Yohan’s room, he caught rough groans and grunts – so brokenly, it carry his feet to pushed open the door and approached the older; flipping open the bedside lamp, he saw how his body twisted painfully and his pale face beaded with cold sweats. 

Alarmed, he placed a hand lightly on the older’s back, barely touching the scar from the fire he survived years ago. “Kang-pansanim”. No response. “Kang Yohan” he pressed his hand down firmer. A gasp and his hand was thrown when the older rose abruptly – eyes glazed from his hunted memories, short breaths leaving between his lips harshly. “Bujang-nim?” he tried again, though this time, he stands a little further from the older, keeping his twitching arms that desperate to hold the older by himself – trying to give the older some space and time to come back to himself. Silently, he saw confusion, anger, and shame flitted across the older’s eyes before they turned rigid. He knows nothing good will comes out if he stubbornly inserts himself in Kang Yohan’s personal space now.

Keeping his distance, he asked softly, “What do you need?” when Kang Yohan managed to find his bearing. 

“Get out!” Kang Yohan spat though his gritted teeth, jaw tensed from being caught in vulnerable condition. Kang Yohan blamed himself from feeling something around the young man which is likely resulted in the horrid nightmare – the usual Isaac standing in the sea of fire, looking silently at him was replaced with Gaon, wearing his court’s attire; the dream Gaon’s eyes were disappointed, blood trailing down his downward lips, before he turned around and walks away from him. 

Sighing, Kim Gaon plopped down on the floor, leaning against the bed foot, eyes staring at the half opened door – he was close enough to Kang Yohan but without his sight on the older judge, in order to give some semblance of privacy to him. “You said I am always welcomed in your presence” he paused, playing with his fingers for distraction, “so, don’t push me away” he whispered. 

“I’m sorry; I saw your scar. I won’t ask anything personal. I promise I won’t be curious about the nightmare. But please tell me if you need anything now. A drink maybe? Or do you want me to take away the blanket? Open the window perhaps?” he continued softly. 

Still panting, Kang Yohan asked, “Why are you doing this?”

Kim Goan heard the meaning behind the question but he realised their current relationship isn't steady enough for him to tell him the truth - for sure the older man will think of the worst. Instead, he hedged, “For distraction; at least if it worked, you can get back to sleep” 

“I don’t need anything. Go” Kang Yohan moves away from kneeling position to leans against the headrest. His hearts is calming down and he no longer sees the ghost of Gaon behind his eyes. 

“In a while. I found your floor is comfortable” he replied, relief to hear that Kang Yohan is no longer panting harshly. 

That got Kang Yohan to chuckled. Silly little deer he thought as he stares at the head of the young man. “Go back to sleep.” his tone softened. 

The unspoken I am alright get Kim Gaon to stands up. Without looking back or another word, he leaves the room and head back to his own room.

***

The unexpected restricted view of the  execution thwarted Minister Cha’s chance to create trouble for Kang Yohan. Her initial plan to exaggerate the severity of her son’s wound to garner sympathy while trashing Kang Yohan’s reputation went down the drain. With the citizen in the dark, she can’t play the victim without experience backlash from the citizen. 

She was thinking of a new tactic when Jung Sun Ah visits her and offers a solution – a bigger homework for Kang Yohan. Smiling, she called the prosecution office to make the necessary arrangement. 

***

Nowadays, it was hard to get hold of Kim Gaon. After countless failed calls, Yoon Soo Hyun decides to wait for her best friend in front of the main entrance of the court building. Lucky for her, she managed to notice him as he walked out.

“Gaon-ah” she called out, jogging to him, and saw his smile dimmed. The smile she’s wearing waver, just as her heart dropped. Kim Gaon was never unhappy to see her – this noticeable change bothered her so much, it confirmed her suspicion that it must be related to Kang Yohan; the evil judge that resort to violent and also a murderer of his late brother. The tips she received through email from Jae Hee had helped her investigation regarding Kang Yohan, proving how dangerous the judge is and the role he played in the fire ten years ago. It terrified him to have the devil in close proximity to Gaon. 

Kim Goan, who’s usually ride home with Kang Yohan clocked out early today to get some groceries. He wanted to try new recipes for dinner tonight but meeting Soo Hyun had messed up his plan. “Soo Hyun-ah, why are you here?”

“I need to talk to you” she guides him toward her car. Reluctantly, he hops in. 

“About what?” 

“Kang Yohan” she answered shortly and observed he gets tensed. Unhappy, she snapped, “Do you have any idea who he is, Gaon-ah? Behind all that twinkle and popularity, he’s a very dangerous man. You will get hurt being close to him, understand?” 

Sensing that their conversation will take an ugly turns, he asked her to stop the car by the roadside. “Where did this came from, Soo Hyun-ah?”

“I investigated him” Soo Hyun sighed heavily. “You won’t believe what I found out.” she holds his hand tightly. 

“You think I didn’t? I investigated him too.” he confessed. She smiled, thinking that she finally got through Kim Gaon. “You have your opinion, I do too.” he continued calmly. “I asked you to please respect my opinion and decision. Regardless, I will face the consequences by my own”

Soo Hyun’s eyes widened, shaking the young man, she argued, “Are you planning to throw away your life? For that man? Are you crazy, Gaon-ah? What did he promise you? What did he do to get your loyalty?”

Kim Gaon sighed. It’s a pity that Soo Hyun is just another person that fall into the illusion of Kang Yohan’s savage personality. “I owned myself, Soo Hyun-ah. I know I’m not the best when it comes to making decision; heck I did a lot of questionable things growing up. But I still have my head and heart, I have my own ears and eyes. I can decide for myself if I want to be near Kang Yohan. Whatever I did with him or for him will be of my own volition.”

“Are you still Kim Gaon?” she asked weakly, unable to understand how her best friend, her crush, her first love is hell bent on defending Kang Yohan. When did the judge become more important than her in Kim Gaon’s eyes? 

“I am.” Kim Gaon slowly removes her hand from him. “I have something to do. See you next time” he offers a small smile. Seeing that she sat frozen, he exits the car quietly. 

***

Jung Sun Ah was unhappy with the outcome of the rapist trial, she made it clear when she sent an invitation to meet him at an abandoned warehouse. So it was within expectation when he found himself ambushed from behind – hit with a blunt object and wakes up tied on a chair. After testing her patience’s couple of times, he ought to surrender some of control, so their little hunting game is balanced. 

“Hello, young master” she greets sweetly, once he regained consciousness. 

“Sun Ah” he pulled at the handcuff, to see if there’s any leeway to defend himself against her coming assault. “To what do I owe this special occasion?” he smiles, ignoring the blinding similarity of the interior design of the warehouse to the original mansion – the similar layout, furniture and decoration, nauseate him. He always had a hard time understanding her crazy obsession toward him and the mansion. 

“Your eyes have been naughty, young master” She comes closer, bending her upper body toward him. “It makes me sad” she pouted. 

“Really?” he smirked to masked his fear of thinking Kim Gaon had alerted Jung Sun Ah. He can’t have the younger man to be in her radar – she is too unhinged and unpredictable. He doesn’t know if the younger can hold himself against her. “That was rude of me isn’t it?” 

“Indeed” she agreed. “We can’t have that, right?” she made a docile expression, much to his annoyance. “That’s why, I prepared a little surprise for you” she smiled, as she plunged the needle in his arm – its content immediately takes effect, making him feel disoriented and waves of hot pain rolled down his entire back, especially on the burnt skin. I should put her on trial for illegal drug possession was his last thought before he went under. 

***

It was unknown how long the time has passed, but when he comes into, he is in his car, on the road leading to the mansion. He stretched his back experimentally and had to immediately bite back the groan. It was still hurting – the scar, but he no longer feel dizzy. He starts the engine and drives all the way to the garage. 

He makes sure to keep quiet, seeing it was late into the night, but the light was on in the living room, where Elijah is sleeping, half-sprawl on the couch and Kim Gaon nodding off beside her. Looking at him like this, relaxed and unguarded, pulled at his heart string. Did I make the right choice by dragging him into the hunt?

Years of practice were the only reason he managed not to howl in agony when he picks Elijah up. The pressure and her weight are pulling at his every nerve and tissue; that he almost stumbled after the first step. 

“Bujang-nim?” Kim Gaon gets on his feet, all traces of sleep blown away, after seeing Kang Yohan home. Earlier, Elijah had been worried about Kang Yohan’s tardiness – the older was apparently never spend a night outside since the incidence. At first, he had coaxed the teenager by saying that his uncle probably cooped up his office, working on documents for the recent case or he might be meeting colleague for personal reason. She had leveled him a suspicious look but relented. They ate dinner in awkward silence and she decided to watch movies in the living room – she thought he couldn’t notice that she was simply waiting for her uncle to come back. When the clock strikes midnight, she was no longer calm, fidgeting with her fingers and chewing her lips, while her eyes alternate between the clock and the door. He tried to cajole her to sleep and promised to wait for her uncle. She was hesitant at first, but she can’t fight off her sleepiness for long. When she finally falls asleep, Kim Gaon allowed the panic to engulf him. He calls the older continuously but the calls won’t go through. Helplessness soon makes him meditate to put off his mind from conjuring unnecessary gruesome scene. 

“Quiet” the older shushed. Breathing in, he walked slowly to Elijah’s room with Kim Gaon trailing behind him like a lost puppy. Once he placed her down on the bed and tucked her in, he makes way toward his room, not sparing any thought of the tail he newly acquired. 

“Kang-pansanim!” Kim Gaon grabbed the older’s arm and faced him. He registered how pale he is and how his usually straight back is hunched slightly. “Are you hurt? Do you need medical attention?” he guided the older to sit on his bed. His internal alarm rang louder at his obedience. 

“No and no” he answered curtly. 

“You can’t be fine when you’re like this! Tell me what can I do?” 

Chuckling, he asked, “Are you sure you won’t regret standing by me?”

“What nonsense are you spluttering now?” he snapped.

Kang Yohan held the younger’s chin between his thumb and finger, “Stop fussing. I am well and alive. Think carefully and answer me.”

“I won’t” he said confidently. “Come what may down the road, I won’t regret it. But I can’t promise that I will always agree with you, or that I won’t be angry at you.”

Kang Yohan laughed at the naivety of the young man. It was easy to say that because he is yet to experience life or death situation. He is yet forced to make a difficult decision – the one that had him stuck between rock and hard place. He is yet drowned in an abyss that will make him willingly sell his soul to a devil just for a chance to escape. How young and foolish. “Becareful, Kim pansa. I might take your word for a truth” he teased. 

“I dare you to find out whether I’m telling the truth or not”

What am I going to do with you, Kim Gaon-ah?

Chapter Text

Kim Gaon watched the glaring contest between the Kangs helplessly – he can at least understand where Elijah comes from but why on earth Kang Yohan isn’t backing down either. The teenager sat sullenly, with her hand folded to her chest while her uncle sat opposite of her, in similar fashion but his lips were jutting out mockingly. Kim Gaon scanned the dining table to make sure there was nothing sharp or heavy objects that could be doubled as weapon should either of them decides to get physical. Kim Gaon could feel his lunch sat heavily in his stomach the longer he let the Kangs to their antics – he really should get up and continue clearing the table instead. 

He kicked the older’s leg and signaled him to concede; but the older simply ignore him. From the look of it, Kang Yohan didn’t put in his mind about his earlier hint to coax the teenager about his tardiness last night. Kim Gaon sighed, “Do you want a dessert, Elijah?” 

“Yes, pistachio almond ice cream” she smirked. The slight upturn of her lips resemble Kang Yohan so much that it warmed something in him. 

But he must be feeling too happy too quick because the next moment, Kang Yohan growled, “Rejected”.

Kim Gaon raised his brow questionably. “What..?” he begins but was cut off by Elijah. “Gaon asked me, not you Yohan” she replied smugly. 

“Why you little..” Kim Gaon heard the older mumbled. “Get me grill peaches n’ cream ice cream” he ordered. 

Elijah widened her eyes briefly – there was a trace of surprise before it quickly disappears. The Kangs went quiet all of a sudden; their sharp daggers tucked away – like they both traveled back to reminisce a distant memory. Kim Gaon observed keenly as he ordered the butler to order the ice creams. 

Later, he will learn that Kang Yohan absolutely hates pistachio almond ice cream just as much as Elijah hates grill peaches n’ cream ice cream – for the latter, it was because her uncle used to tease her how her round cheeks resemble peaches and each time Kang Yohan eat anything with peach, he will say that he was eating her cheek.

Now though, he joined the Kangs eating ice cream – each of them with their own thought but the air around them was no longer as tensed. 

***

His work in the office had kept him from fulfilling his promise to grant Elijah a wish as a token of appreciation for her help with Lee Young Min’s case. That was why he didn’t think twice when the teenager had asked him to accompany her to a shopping mall. It was weekend and the weather is perfect for an outing. 

Elijah was oddly excited – she took extra time to dress up and she was chattier than usual the whole way to the mall. At the mall, they visited computer stores where she bought few gadgets in which Kim Gaon had no idea how they functioned. Then they went to handbag shop, she strolled through the aisle; checking the new collection but none of them interest her. They continued to bookstore; where she picked up few books in foreign language after carefully reading their summary. If asked, he would say that the book doesn’t seem to suit her age but since Elijah doesn’t – unlike when they were in previous stores – he kept his thought to himself. Indifferently, she handed him the paid books and wheeled away, leaving him to clutch the book dumbfounded. 

They are for her uncle, he realized a moment later as he jogged to catch up with her. Knowing her tsundere personality, Kim Gaon doesn’t comment on the purchase. He happily guided her to a café at the neighboring building. He queued up to order drinks and snacks while Elijah gets herself comfortable by her chosen table. 

Imagine his surprise when he saw Yoon Soo Hyun slides beside him when he was waiting for his order. “Soo Hyun-ah?” he paused, and looks around – for what; he isn’t sure, but he get conscious at her sudden appearance. “What are you doing here?” 

“I was in the area. I want to get a drink and saw you. So here I am” she was smiling before she noticed double portion of drinks and snacks on the tray he was holding. “You’re not alone” she stated. “You’re not here with Kang Yohan, right?” she accused. 

Kim Gaon laughed. The mental image of him sitting with Kang Yohan in a café, drinking and eating leisurely was too bizarre for him. “Nope” he said, as he walked towards Elijah. 

Elijah stares at the newcomer gravely, “I don’t know you would invite a guest, Gaon-ah” 

To save the situation, he quickly introduced the girls to each other. “She’s my friend. Can she join us?” he coaxed, sliding the mocha frappe and a slice of vanilla cake in front of her. 

“Hmm” she assented. 

Yoon Soo Hyun who was baffled at how careful Gaon was treating the teenager sat beside him gingerly. She snatched his drink and takes a sip. Kim Gaon laughed awkwardly. “We’ve known each other since kindergarten. She’s always like this around me.”

“Really?” Elijah said flatly. 

“You didn’t tell me how you know this young lady, Gaon-ah?” Soo Hyun teased, interested to know why Kim Gaon is babysitting her.

“She’s…” Kim Gaon was interrupted by a phone call from Oh pansa. “I need to take this call” he said shortly. “Behave” he mouthed to Yoon Soo Hyun as he walked out of the café.

“So?” Soo Hyun prompted. 

“Does it matter how we got to know each other?” 

“I’m just curious.” she paused, “You two seem close”

“I don’t know you, Miss Yoon. I’m not inclined to share information with stranger” 

Soo Hyun’s lips twitched. The teenager doesn’t speak in a way normal teenager does; it feel like she’s talking to an adult – with the way her condescension tone sounded. She suddenly thought of a possibility. “Are you perhaps related Kang-pansa?”

Elijah scrunched her brow. She doesn’t like the woman in front of her. The way she asked speaks volume of her dissatisfaction toward Yohan. “I don’t think it’s your business either way”

Soo Hyun smirked, “You are, don’t you? Gaon seems too invested in your uncle, in you as well – probably. I wonder why that is?”

Elijah scoffed, silently cursing Gaon’s choice of friend – the woman is grating her nerves the more she speaks. “Poor you. Are you this sour because Gaon doesn’t pay you much attention?”

“Brat! Do you think Gaon will put up with you and your uncle forever? He will regret it sooner or later!” she yelled, overlooking the stares from the other patron in the café.

Neither of them notices the arrival of Kang Yohan; too engrossed in their argument. So, Elijah was shocked when the woman was pulled back by her collar and thrown to the pillar with a loud thud when her shoulder makes contact with it. “How dare you!” he choked the woman, “if I see you near her again, I’ll make you regret it” 

To make it worse, Kim Gaon chose that exact moment to enter. He rushed to Kang Yohan and pulled him back, seeing how red Soo Hyun’s face from the lack of air. “Bujang-nim! Stop please!” he pleaded. He doesn’t know what happened, but he can’t let Kang Yohan’s rage to continue. 

Kang Yohan steps back but he was glaring menacingly at Kim Gaon. “Don’t think this is over yet!” he spat. 

He then takes Elijah away from the café, leaving Kim Gaon to deals with Soo Hyun. 

“Did you saw that?” she fumed. “You would still choose him?”

“What happened, Soo Hyun-ah?” he sighed. 

“You asked me? You should ask him! He came out of nowhere and attacked me!” 

“I’ll sort this out. You should go back first” 

***

Kim Gaon knocked on Elijah’s door a couple of times before she opened it. She was glaring at him fiercely, “What?” - her eyes were red rimmed, and he is feeling guilty for ruining her good day. 

Kim Gaon raised the shopping bag he was holding before he placed it gently on her lap. “I am sorry” 

“For what?” she bites back. Seeing that Kim Gaon is flabbergasted, she frowned. It was one thing that Yoon Soo Hyun had ruined her outing, but to actually vilify Kang Yohan in front of her face was a big no-no. She doesn’t care what people thought of him behind her back, but only she can insult and provoke the older man. Plus, she implied that Kim Gaon was only a temporary fixture in their life – she had said it with so much conviction that she feared it might be the truth. So Kim Gaon needs to be more specified in his apology if he wanted her forgiveness.  

“For everything that went wrong at the café. I shouldn’t have left you alone with Soo Hyun” 

Elijah scoffed. “Yohan will screw you over this” she said before she slammed the door close.

***

Kim Gaon braced himself as he enters the study. He stands in front of the older who was sitting on the table - face a thunderstorm, and he feels his guilt doubled. He still doesn’t know what transpired between Soo Hyun and Elijah and what exactly had triggered the older’s rage. 

“Did you think I was being too lenient on you, Kim pansa?” Kang Yohan asked coldly. “That I would allow you to take my niece outside without my permission?” 

“Elijah wanted to go out” he said quickly, but his voice thinned when he realized he forgot to inform the older. “I forgot to tell you. I’m sorry” 

“Sorry won’t cut it!” he stands up. “Do you realize I can charge you for attempted kidnapping?” 

“Kidn…?” Kim Gaon paused, astonished. “I was with her. She was safe with me!”

“Really?” he steps closer to Kim Gaon. “Then, tell me why Soo Hyun was there? Yoon Soo Hyun; your childhood friend, a detective that is actively seeking my information – past and present. How you could you leave Elijah with her?”

“Soo Hyun would never do anything to Elijah!” 

“Do you even know what she said to Elijah? I should’ve pull out her tongue right there and then!” 

“Kang Yohan! Could you please don’t let your anger ends in violence?” Kim Gaon yelled. 

“Why? Worried for her? Then, go to her! Guard her well so I couldn’t catch her” he smirked, and continued, “otherwise, I can’t promise that I will let her go”

“Don’t you dare!” Kim Gaon grabbed the older’s collar. Whatever Soo Hyun said, it was not enough to have her life threatened by Kang Yohan. 

Unfazed, he choked the younger and pushed him until his back collided with the wall, “I dare. I always get rid of those who stand in my way, especially if they touch what belonged to me” 

***

Kang Yohan has been giving him cold shoulder since that confrontation. His apologies were shot down and his attempts at reconcile were ignored. By the end of the week, Kim Gaon had felt like his spirit has hit rock bottom and he was close to resort to kneeling in front of the older judge until he earns his forgiveness. He doesn’t know how he got through his working hours this whole week with his head in the cloud and guilt hang heavily in his shoulder. He spent every non-working hour to figure out how to mediate in the problem, but with Yoon Soo Hyun adamant to not reveal what she had said to Elijah, he had no room to work out the solution. Frustrated, Kim Gaon had refused her invitation to hang out together. She can’t expect him to overlook her fault, and piled it on Kang Yohan. 

Kim Gaon was walking dispiritedly towards the building entrance when he saw the familiar looking motorcycle parked by the roadside. He saw the motorcycle following after Kang Yohan’s car couple of days before when he was waiting for taxi. He doesn’t know if Kang Yohan was aware of it, but it feels ominous to see the bike again. 

***

When Minister Cha announced that there was an illegal practice of buying witness for CEO Joo’s case, Kim Gaon was in his office; working on some documents. Oh pansa had stormed into the office and switched on the television. She has been flustered at the allegation and rambled on and on about the injustice of the situation as she was watching the press conference. As of Kim Gaon, he can see the merit of such allegation and there was a possibility that it was the truth. While Kang Yohan had said it was due to guilty conscious that the witness changed his statement; Kim Gaon had thought it takes tremendous amount of courage to go against a powerful CEO. If it’s not, Kang Yohan was wealthy enough to bribe the witness. 

Kang Yohan must have foreseen the attack, because few hours later, he countered Minister Cha’s statement by holding his own press conference in the court of live court show. Oh pansa had dragged him to the court saying, even though they were not involved in the allegation, the witness was the tipping point that allowed the defendant to be evicted and they had unanimously agree to the ruling, so they should show some support to Kang bujang-nim. 

Kang Yohan had savagely justify his action and revealed that he had helped the witness financially after he lost his job for revealing the truth about the leakage and contamination. Kim Gaon watched silently as Kang Yohan overturned the situation in his favor; amazed that the older judge doesn’t bow under the attack. He thought the case will finally be concluded, but Kang Yohan doesn’t stop after clearing his name; instead he revealed that he received tips saying that the money donated for Dream Home Village project are being used elsewhere. He also revealed the party involved which include Social responsibility Foundation, the President, Minister Cha, Chairman of Saram Media and Chairman of Minbo Group.  

Once he dropped the bomb, he leisurely walked out from the court, ignoring the swamp of reporters firing questions at him. Kim Gaon wasted no time to run after the older judge until they are both in Kang Yohan’s office.

“Your preys this time are too big, don’t you think so?” 

Kang Yohan doesn’t answer but only smirked at him. “Why do you go after them?” he asked again.

“Hmm, you’re clever Kim Gaon, why don’t you guess?”

“It’s because of something personal, right?” 

“I told you I will get rid of those who touched what belonged to me” 

“Revenge? What did they do?”

“Something unforgiveable!” Kang Yohan growled. 

Kim Gaon watched the unconcealed hatred swimming in Kang Yohan’s eyes and knows that all the preparation he did all this time was for this hunt – the end game.

Chapter Text

Kim Gaon doesn’t know what he should be feeling that the recent uproar regarding the Dream Home Village project had given him a chance to ease back into civilly friendly atmosphere around the older judge. Anyway, beggar can’t be chooser; as awkward as it is, he’s glad to be able to talk to the older again. 

Standing few steps apart from Kang Yohan, both facing the glass window overlooking the cityscape, Kim Gaon asked, “How would you proceed with this case, bujang-nim?”

“We will need information” he paused, “Plenty of them” He steps back, widening their distance, as he explained, “After the pandemic, the foundation begins expanding its charity. But they didn’t spend the most money on disaster relief. Instead, they focused on advertisement. They created an image of the wealthy taking social responsibility and used that as a weapon to take over the administration; to give them absolute power, unchallenged by others. Do you have any idea what that kind of power can do to the weak?” 

After a beat, Kang Yohan continued, “They can destroy anyone they wanted with a blink of an eye. If they reach that height, do you think law and justice will serve their purpose anymore?”

“Noble as it sounded, your justification that is - you admitted that ultimately you wanted revenge” Kim Gaon approached the older judge. “You declared a fight against the country. Can you see yourself winning against them?”

Kang Yohan laughed. “I am a man of talent, Kim Pansa. I will get there eventually”

“Sure – you will. But have you ever spared a thought what would become of you at the end?” Kim Gaon asked anxiously. “What about Elijah? Have you ever thought of her while you headlong into your hunt?”

Eyes hardened, Kang Yohan responded, “Constantly”. A pause. He schooled his expression to appear calm, “Regardless, the Dream Home Village that they’ve been working extensively is just a mean of creating large asylum using citizen’s donations to put the homeless, the poor and those with social discontent all in one place and get them out of sight. After that, they will start a widespread redevelopment of the city”

Seeing that Kang Yohan refuse to address his concern, he reel back and talked about the case, “I bet they purchased the land for it for cheap under a borrowed land. Did you get your hands on definitive evidence?”

“Not yet. It wasn’t easy. Should it be otherwise, they might stage another explosion to retaliate against me” he stated wryly. 

Listening to the carelessness Kang Yohan perceived his safety and the possible attack he might received from his enemies had Kim Gaon sucked in deep breath. “Give me all the information you have on the foundation” he blurted.

Kang Yohan smirked, pleased to finally reach his small goal to get Kim Gaon does his bidding. “Are you implying you would help?” he asked in mock indifferent. 

“Since you’ve been so generous in indulging me in your game, I might as well contribute something” he paused and held the older’s gaze, “Promise me that you will remember that you’re not alone” that you have me and Elijah in your live. We are waiting for you to start living your life.

Kang Yohan keeps silent – he doesn’t promise anything in return. He leveled the younger with a nameless look but from the smirked he’s sporting, Kim Gaon could sense that the older judge will have a lot of fun gathering the information. 

***

Kang Yohan indeed had a lot fun hunting down the financial data. He first started the dice rolling by creating a diversion – to create internal strife between his enemies. By flipping a coin, he decided to target Minbo group first. His plan was simple; to visit the chairman and make it look like the chairman hand him something. He simply make use of the flyer of complains and asked the receptionist for an envelope, and wasted couple of minutes sitting in the lounge to complete his plan. Easy-peasy. 

The chairman of Saram Media caught whiff of his so called meeting with the chairman of Minbo Group soon enough, that it impressed Kang Yohan how he had succeed in making his enemies feel like sitting on pin prick. He got invited to a lunch and he had ordered the most expensive meal course on the menu. He focus on eating imperturbably, as he listened to Park Du Man rambles on and on – how he shouldn’t trust whatever document he received from Min Yong Shik, that he would never exploit the donation money, that Min Yong Shik was always jealous of him and would use this opportunity to push the blame on it. Kang Yohan doesn’t respond to any of his statement, only looking at the chairman playfully. At last, he caved in, saying that he already prepare the financial data and will give it to him. Once he get his hand on the document, he left the restaurant swiftly. 

Kang Yohan thought that Min Yong Shik must have inserted in his own person within Park Du Man’s rank for the man to get the information so quickly. A day after his lunch with Park Du Man, Min Yong Shik invited him out for a dinner. Kang Yohan still employed the same tactic when facing the chairman of Minbo Group. Park Yong Shik more or less say the same thing as Park Du Man, while pointing fingers at the other chairman for being suspicious and might’ve involved in the money embezzlement. Similarly, Park Yong Shik also prepared the supposedly financial data of the foundation and gave it to him. Kang Yohan almost couldn’t hold in his laughter at how quick his enemy turned back on each other, plus the similar scheme they used. 

His next target, the President thought it would intimidate him to be surrounded and escorted to Blue House by his security personnel. Kang Yohan finds it in himself to spare the President some dignity by not laughing outright in his face. What was his worth – a clown playing an empty big role in the government? Kang Yohan mused as he entered the president’s office. Kang Yohan retaliate the president’s threat by starting a live video together with the president; coolly telling the citizen that the president had suggested them to give joint statement about the foundation’s corruption and promised to uncover how the donated money being used. 

***

While Kang Yohan had his fun outside, enjoying expensive free meals, Kim Gaon was stuck at home analyzing piles of documents Kang Yohan brought home. At the end, he figured out that the money donated by citizen should’ve been enough to cover the project. He also find out the foundation advertised and exaggerated their donation. Moreover, the data given by Park Du Man and Min Yong Shik were fake and useless. 

He was tidying up the papers when Kang Yohan joined him in the living room, praising him for his effort. “We’ve got nothing good so far” he concluded to Kang Yohan after explaining his analysis. 

“It is expected.” he commented shortly.

“What’s next?” Kim Gaon asked, as he watched the older rounded the couch to lean against the wall.

“How’s the tips-off going on?”

Kim Gaon shook his head lightly, hand folded to his chest, “Unhelpful. They are either lie or prank from the citizen. Looks like they’re after the reward.” 

“Even so, we should still reward them”

“Seriously? I don’t see how this method is helping the case” he grumbled unhappily. Kang Yohan is depending on his money to forge the way again. 

“What we lack now is the number of informant. We need the people to come forward. We can easily attain this by throwing money” he shrugged lazily. 

“You seemed confident” the younger commented dryly. 

“In this game, we need confidence the most. Only this way, we can fool them”

Kim Gaon scoffed, “You sound like an experienced con artist”

Chuckling, Kang Yohan back away from the wall and approach the younger until they are side by side, only to whispered, “Am I?”

***

Reporters of multiple media group filled up the seats in the court of live court show. Their low murmurs died down at the arrival of Kang Yohan and the associate judges. Kang Yohan, dressed immaculately as always takes a stand in the middle of the floor, looking at ease and confident. Kim Gaon could feel his lips twitched as he takes a sit on the front row bench, together with Oh-pansa. 

Kang Yohan started the press conference by showing evidence that both chairman of Saram Media and Minbo Group had gave documents on the foundation's financial data. However, he disclosed that the documents have opposing information and needed to be further analyzed. 

Kim Gaon was dragged into the spotlight by the older judge by divulging his participation in studying the financial analysis. He said, “Kim pansa found out that the amount of money they claimed they’ve donated and the amount that was received by the foundation don’t add up. 

When asked if he had the financial data, Kim Gaon realized that Kang Yohan really can lie with a straight face when he agreed that he indeed has the said data. Following that, he implied that the money was either being embezzled or was never donated in the first place, causing ruckus among the reporters. His attention was momentarily disturbed by the flashes of camera that almost blinded his eyes. Before he knows it, Kang Yohan once again approached him. “I’m sure everyone here aware that our Kim-pansa is a righteous person” he smiled at the audience, “but what you don’t know is the story that lead him to stand by his principle” 

Kim Gaon stands up, eyes widened at the article cut out – showing that his parents fell victim to con artist which lead to their suicide. Breath stuck in between his ribs, he felt like the courtroom is spinning. He stares unbelievably at the older judge; eyes red-rimmed, heart crushed at his betrayal – for using his painful past as leverage in the case. He would have yelled at him, punched him if it’s not for the older’s palm planted on his shoulder, forcing him to stand still. 

“Young Kim pansa had fought hard. He came out stronger and reached this far”, he said while looking into the younger’s eyes. “He couldn’t stand keeping silence seeing such hypocrisy and had vowed to do his best to get to the bottom of this case”. He turned back to the audience, smiling proudly. He concluded the press conference by promising to reveal the content of the financial statement in one week time. Kim Gaon shared a brief look with the older judge before Kang Yohan turned around to leave the courtroom. 

***

Kim Gaon stormed into the study, yelling the older’s name and punched him hard in the face. Kang Yohan smirked before he catch the younger’s raised hand – ready to punch him again in one hand, locking it tightly, and with his other arm placed against the younger’s chest, he pushed Kim Gaon until his back collided with the wall to pinned him in place. 

“Why did you have to do that?” he shouted, “was it fun?!” 

“A little payback for your stunt” he smirked. “I thought I told you that I’m a vengeful person” he said nonchalantly. 

“You’re heartless!” Kim Gaon spat. 

Kang Yohan laughed. “We already established that I am a monster. Have you ever seen a monster with a heart?” 

“Damn you, Kang Yohan!” Kim Gaon struggled against the restriction, only for the older to press his arm harder, digging into his ribs, making him hard to breathe. 

“Now that I have let you blow your steam, listen here carefully.” Kang Yohan inched closer, bringing his face so close to Kim Gaon that their breath mingling. “Do you regret helping me?”

The question caught Kim Gaon by surprise. Astonished, he open his mouth to answer, but no word comes to mind. 

Slowly, Kang Yohan released the younger man and steps back. “Think carefully. Once you have the answer, tell me” For I will let you go the moment you regret your decision.( 1) 

Kim Gaon doesn’t know how he made it back to his room. He woodenly lies down on the bed, willing his body to fall asleep. That night, his sleep was hunted by his memories – the shocked he felt when he found out about his parent’s suicide, the emptiness he felt at the funeral hall; the realization that he was left alone sank in, the anger he felt when he saw the smirking Doh Young Choon step down from the bus, the regret he felt for not bold enough to plunge the knife in Doh Young Choon’s chest and the unfairness he felt for Doh Young Choon’s light punishment. 

***

Working together with Kang Yohan, with an unanswered question between them was not pleasant in the least. Few days later, he finally comes to a conclusion after given the question some serious thought. Knocking on the office door - a feat he rarely does nowadays; he squared up once granted permission to enter. 

Kang Yohan looked up from his paper, and raised a brow. “What can I help you with, Kim pansa?”

“You’re a jerk” Kim Gaon cursed, causing Kang Yohan to chuckle. “But I don’t regret my decision” he admitted. 

Kang Yohan rounded the table and stands in front of the younger. “Am I privy to the reasoning behind it?” 

He scoffed. “Nope. I am still angry at you”

Kang Yohan smiles, “So I shall give you a present to be in your good grace again” he teased. 

“Pardon?” the younger asked, dumbfounded. 

“Tell me Kim Gaon, what you thought of Doh Young Choon’s punishment?” he pulled a chair and sat down. 

The cursed name got Kim Gaon’s bristle to rise. “Unfairly light” he answered through gritted teeth.

“And here I thought you’re a rule abiding citizen. Did I just smell resentment from you?” the older taunted mercilessly. 

“I can be upset even though the sentence followed the law” he snapped.

“Indeed. You can” he paused and rise again from his chair. “Would you only be upset if you get to know that the scumbag didn’t serve his sentence but out there, somewhere, living his life freely?”

“What?!” he yelled. 

“Come with me” was the only thing Kang Yohan said before he was dragged to a prison. Kim Gaon was too shocked to even asked for an explanation while they are on the way to the prison. Once there, Kang Yohan brought him to the visiting room. 

He waited in trepidation, body shaking from anger and confusion as he saw an old man walked in, wearing the Doh Young Choon’s number, yet the face was wrong – the man wasn’t Doh Young Choon. It couldn’t be him; he had etched his face and his uniform number so deeply in his heart and mind that he never once forgets the con artist. 

With shaky steps he walked to the glass, separating him from the old man and banged the glass, “Who are you? Why are you in there? Get out! I want to see Doh Young Choon!” he yelled. 

The old man’s expression doesn’t waver. He stares at the young judge serenely, “I am Doh Young Choon”

Angered, Kim Gaon turned toward the patrol officer, “Get Doh Young Choon here, NOW!” he shouted. 

“He is Doh Young Choon” come Kang Yohan voiced, putting a brake on his fury. “He’s the Doh Young Choon that served the sentence for the past years”

“He’s not….” the younger stuttered, “he shouldn’t..” he looked at the older judge exasperatedly, tears pooling in his eyes helplessly. 

“He’s not Doh Young Choon but he can be Doh Young Choon. He shouldn’t be serving the sentence but he can be put in there to do so.”

Kim Gaon stares at the old man and Kang Yohan alternately. Kang Yohan sighed inwardly before pulling the young man out of the room to the field between the prisons compound. 

“Who?” he asked, gripping his chest tightly, the air feels thin and heavy at the same time – he can’t breathe in enough air. “Who did it?”

“Minister Cha” Kang Yohan answered shortly.

“Why did you do this to me?” the younger shouted, panting harshly in between his words. 

“Would you rather I keep it away from you? Would you sleep better thinking the scumbag is caged and serving his sentence quietly?”

“Fuck you, Kang Yohan!” he shouted. The unfairness of all of it makes the younger howl brokenly, kneeling on the hard ground, uncaring if the grass would ruin his pants. 

“I said I will give you a present, Kim pansa” Kang Yohan said, once the younger calmed down. “I will let you get your revenge on him. Anything you want him to be or to do, I’ll grant it all” 

Kim Gaon pushed himself from the ground and walked toward Kang Yohan, and asked “What’s the catch?”

“I want you to see that my way is the better way to get justice. I want you to see and learn my way; fight power with power.

Chapter Text

Kang Yohan and Kim Gaon were in the middle of a discussion when there was a brief knock on the door. Without waiting for Kang Yohan’s consent, a woman enters; her heels making sharp sound against the marble floor. Kim Gaon saw how quickly Kang Yohan’s eyes hardened as the woman walked toward them. He was about to excused himself when the woman stops behinds him and placed her hands on his shoulders, pushing him down on the seat again. “No need to be shy” she whispered in his ears and shifted her attention on Kang Yohan, “Hello, young master” she greeted coquettishly. He immediately doesn’t like how she sounded.  

“What do you want?” Kang Yohan asked curtly – eyes on her offending limbs on Kim Gaon. If only he can severs her arms by sheer power of glare.  

She pouted, “So cold”. She rounded the table and sat on it, her thigh almost touching the older’s elbow. “Don’t you miss me?” 

Kim Gaon raised a brow. He had this absurd thought to drags her out from the office; away from Kang Yohan. She shouldn’t be looking at Kang Yohan with such round innocent eyes, she shouldn’t be talking to Kang Yohan with her sweet child-like voice, and she shouldn’t be near Kang Yohan like that; sticky and slimy – like a snake. Everything about her feels wrong and he instinctually dislikes her. 

“State your business or leave” Kang Yohan warned, as he moved to stands up. But she was quicker, moving swiftly to grabs Kang Yohan’s tie to bring their face closer. Kim Goan leaps up from his seat and barely able to stops himself from rushing forward to separate them, if not for Kang Yohan’s hand strangling her neck tightly. “Behave” he said through gritted teeth before he pushed her away.

Jung Sun Ah still had the nerves to smile and spare a sideway glance at Kim Gaon, “Oops”

Kim Gaon pretty much annoyed at this point. He scoffed, “Do you need something, Miss?”

“Jung Sun Ah” she said, still smiling as if unaffected by what just happened. “Young Master doesn’t tell you about me?” she put on a surprised expression. 

It was fake – Kim Gaon could tell that much. Oddly enough, she gives the same impression as Kang Yohan – dangerous and unpredictable. 

“Too bad; I thought we could be a great friend. After all, we share a similar interest” she said at Kim Gaon, while stealing a glance at Kang Yohan deliberately. 

Both Kang Yohan and Kim Gaon frowned. “I’ll call the security if you keep wasting my time” Kang Yohan said dryly.

“It’s not cute of you to be so mean at me, Young Master” she pouted, again. “I come bearing good news” she smile, before continued, “just so you know, I am part of the live court show operation support committee now.”

“Really?” Kang Yohan deadpanned. 

She nodded once. “Now, you can come see me whenever you miss me” 

Kang Yohan smirked, “Then I’ll make sure to never miss you”. Kim Gaon feels a satisfaction from seeing Jung Sun Ah’s face fell. “If nothing else, you can see yourself out. I am actually busy here” he gestured at the door. She stomped her feet once and walked away, but not before stopping by Kim Gaon’s side to whisper, “Work hard”

Kim Gaon frowned, confused as of what she might be referring to. It can’t be anything good, if her earlier provocation and statement were to be an indicator. 

“Stay away from her” Kang Yohan reminds the younger. “She’s not easy to handle. Don’t try anything on her by your own”

“Do you look down on me?” he asked, smiling, “or are you worried for me?” he teased. 

“Yes and yes” 

The unexpected answers made Kim Gaon flustered. He was a little affronted at the first answer but it was override by another feeling as he registered the second answer. “I’m a lot stronger than I look” he defended his honor, while trying to hide the rising blush, hoping that Kang Yohan won’t notice anything. 

Kang Yohan laughed mockingly. “What is the probability of a baby deer winning against a lioness?”

“What?” this time, his blush spread mercilessly because of the endearment. 

“Shall we continue?” Kang Yohan signaled at their laptop. Kim Gaon wanted to say no, he wanted to bolt out from the office, but duty calls, so he obediently sat down again. 

***

Kang Yohan placed the steaming cup of coffee in front of Kim Gaon and sat few seats apart from the younger judge. 

“Here” Kang Yohan slides a flash drive over to Kim Gaon, which he caught in one hand and picks it up. 

“What’s this?”

“Case files for the upcoming trial. You can choose whichever strikes your fancy”

“Are they all related to your enemies?”

Kang Yohan chuckled. “They might be or they might be not”

“How did they catch your attention?” Kim Goan asked, wonderingly. He wanted to know the root of his hatred toward his enemies, enemies which the older willingly sacrifices himself to hunt until the end, one way or another.

“How did I catch your attention?” the older returned the question back. 

A moment of silence passed between them, while they hold each other’s gaze.  

“Will you sincerely answer my question?” Kim Gaon asked quietly. He is breaching the fine line between colleague and something else. He prayed that his question doesn’t push the older away and become closed off again. Once was enough, he couldn’t bear if the older decides to ignore him again.

“What about you?” 

“It was Professor Min” Kim Goan started. “He was my professor back in the university. He was also like a father figure to me. Not long ago, he approached me, to offer me a position as an associate judge for live court show. At that time, he said it would be a good way to start my career. He said; with him nearby, it would be easy to assist me – personal and career wise – should I need it. At that time, all I knew about you was your glory as a feared and respected judge. To be able to work with someone like you was a good opportunity for me as well – or so I thought. But it changed when I first reported to duty. I met Professor Min. He may not be so subtle in disliking your approach for justice. He wanted me to keep an eye on you, to balanced out your violence tendency and make sure that the trial and sentence follow the system”

“So, what changed?” Kang Yohan asked evenly, intrigued. Professor Min or Min Jung Ho wasn’t someone worth giving attention to, in his opinion. He had a little interaction with the said man, hence, he never thought to be alert around him. Now that he knows that man was the one who install Kim Gaon – his brother lookalike – by his side, whether it was intentional or not is worth to look into. He will have K to investigate the man thoroughly; to see whether his target was simply because of their opposing belief, or he is trying to get the water muddy. If it’s the latter, he will gut the person who dared to use Kim Gaon as a pawn. 

“Just for reminder, I have heard of hearsay saying that you would do anything to get to your target. But since I’ve never see the extend of it, I thought I could spare my opinion on you until we actually meet. And to answer you, it was the explosion. It gave me a chance to learn about you”

Chuckling, Kang Yohan asked, “How’s that helping your confidence to keep standing by my side?” 

“I learnt that there’s Kang Yohan hidden within Kang-pansanim” Kim Gaon smiled, a bit too happily to Kang Yohan’s liking.

“What nonsense are you saying now?” Kang Yohan’s frowned, before taking a sip of the cold coffee. This conversation wasn’t as light as he thought. He ought to have a stronger drink – if he wants to get through this. Would it be too late if I add in scotch now?

“Don’t mind me. Your turn” Kim Gaon looked at the older eagerly, as if waiting for a bedtime story.

Kang Yohan sighed inwardly. “I’m sure you know that the fire happened in an old church when my hyung was planning to donate the family fortune to the foundation? That I and Elijah were the miracle survivors” 

Kim Gaon nodded, observing that Kang Yohan had tensed up; there’s an unconcealed hatred in his eyes, his knuckles turned white from how strong he clenched them on the table. 

“What you don’t know was how Elijah had lost her ability to walk since that day. It was Cha Gyeong Hui; she stepped on the bench that trapped Elijah’s leg and pushed on her head, trying to crawl her way out. The other peoples, the President, the Foundation Chairman, the Minbo Group and the Saram Media were selfish enough to ignore a young couple’s attempt to search their missing daughter in a sea of fire. Fine, they were scared for their life – I’ll accept it. But how could they turn up in the hospital, in my room, the very moment I gained consciousness, to ask about the donation? They said it was so unfortunate – that was happened was a tragedy. But did they remember that they had pushed away my brother when he was looking for Elijah desperately? Did they asked what happened to Elijah and how she’s faring after the whole ordeal? All they did was shade crocodile tears in front me and asked about the donation. Tell me Kim Gaon, should I not hate them and burn them down?”

Kim Gaon paled. Kang Yohan’s scar was scary enough that he can’t imagine the pain he had to endure during the fire. And Elijah; sweet little Elijah had lost her leg because of Cha Gyeong Hui. Kim Gaon’s mind blanked. How could they be so heartless to young Kang Yohan and little Elijah? “Kang-pansanim” he called out shakily.

“What?” come the brusque respond, still too deep in the hunted memories. 

“When everything is over, can you do me a favor?” To allow me to grief for young Kang Yohan – to cry for him where he couldn’t and to hug him to soothe his broken soul. 

“I’ll see about that what the time comes” he paused, “Enough for stories, what you gonna do with Doh Young Choon?”

Kim Gaon gulped, his throat feels too dry suddenly. “I don’t know yet, but I do know that I want to hurt him just as much as he did to me. But, how can we catch him? He might be anywhere” 

“Don’t fret you little brain over a minor thing. I had that covered.” Kang Yohan smirked. 

“How?” Kim Gaon asked, dumbfounded.

“Let just say, I found an interesting discovery during my investigation and decided to pay an extra attention to every possibility that could get me to win the game”

Kim Gaon didn’t continue to probe, seeing that Kang Yohan had resort to speaking in roundabout way again. 

“For now, Doh Young Choon can be use to bait Min Gyeong Hui to speak. I had a few things that I need from her.”

“What could you possibly need from her?”

“Weakness – the weakness of the other four. Only when I firmly grasped them, I can plan my attack perfectly.”

“When will we start then?”

Kang Yohan laughed, “Eager, aren’t we?” 

“Well, you did asked me to learn your way. If we dilly dally, when will I master them?” Kim Gaon shrugged.

“Brat” 

***

Kang Yohan stiffled a laugh after looking at Kim Gaon’s downcast face. They were in his car, on their way back to the mansion after meeting Minister Cha’s assistant. Earlier, Kim Gaon had asked for money – lots of them and volunteered to speak with Minister’s Cha assistant. He was a little too excited with the prospect of playing villain, that he had ignored the exasperated look on K’s face, as well as, exempted from giving any pointer to the younger. Unsurprisingly, when he opens the door to the old store room, Kim Gaon was facing the assistant - with 2.5 million dollar in between them - looking so infuriated. He proceeds to walked in and showed the younger how to speed up the process. After K had drives the assistant back, he had mocked, “You don’t even know how to use a good tool”, which had the younger to sulked until now. 

“What’s next?” Kim Gaon finally asked after the silence stretched too long. 

“We will wait. Let the problem simmer between Minister Cha and her assistant, while I put on ideas in her head about Jung Sun Ah” Kang Yohan smirked.

“Jung Sun Ah?” Kim Gaon frowned, unhappy at her name. 

Kang Yohan spares a glance at the younger after listening to his tone; which his head unnecessarily supplied as jealousy; before he focus back on driving. “ Yes, she’s the master mind behind the foundation.” 

“You seem close to her” Kim Gaon probes. Kim Gaon fixed his eyes outside to avoid them being scrutinized by the older.

“You can say so. I’ve known her since we were young” Kang Yohan answered offhandedly. Flashes of memories cross his mind, especially the one where she tried to steal Isaac’s necklace. 

Kim Gaon wants to say ‘that’s it?’ but he knows that he can’t say it without sounding like a jealous lover so he shut his mouth to avoid further embarrassment. 

“When the time is ripe, we will catch Doh Young Choon” Kang Yohan said as he parked and turned off the engine. “For now, cook something. I’m famish” he said and exits the car, without waiting for the younger.

Kim Gaon shook his head at the older’s antic. At least he’s honest enough to ask for food directly. If this was months ago, he would need to force the older to eat his food. He smiles to himself, as he jogged to catch up with the older judge, “What do you want to eat?” he yelled from behind, only for Kang Yohan to stop, and turned halfway, “You choose”. 

***

The time come sooner that Kim Gaon expected. In the middle of midnight, he and Kang Yohan borrowed the natural darkness to hide behind a tree near Doh Young Choon’s cottage; the one he always use to make carving. 

“You’re ready?” Kang Yohan asked softly. 

“More than you could think.” Kim Gaon clenched his fist tightly. The moment he waited is finally here. He will make sure that the scumbag will wish for death instead of living. “No word of wisdom for me?” he asked lightly, to shake off the anger building inside of him. After all, they need the scumbag alive for now. 

“I’m sure you can manage”

Kim Gaon smirked at the older before he makes way to the cottage silently. Lucky for him, the door was unlocked and he slipped in easily, catching the other man in surprise. 

“Who are you?” 

He had asked. Kim Gaon wanted to laugh. Would he recognize who he is if he tell him his identity? Would he remember his parents? Would he feel guilty for his sin which lead to his parent’s suicide? Remembering K’s report on how Doh Young Choon had spend years in this place, with his family, trying to live quietly, honestly; to build a new life had him seething in anger. How could such man be allow a second chance after he ruined his family and so many other peoples. But what made him explode was when Kang Yohan said that he had found where his money were hidden; the same money Doh Young Choon claimed had lost to his family. 

Kim Gaon rushed to the man, and push him down on the table and choked him with both hands. “Die!” he tightened his hand around the man.

“Please stop!” a woman and a lady rushes in and kneel by his legs, begging him to spare the scumbag. For a moment, he imagined himself and his mother begging in front of Doh Young Chon to return their money. He falters. He raised one hand and punched the man in his face before he lets go and step back. 

“Why do you waste your time for this scumbag?” he asked the woman. “Do you think he has changed?” he yelled.

“I am sorry. I know my sin. I will do anything to earn your forgiveness” Doh Young Choon pleads, crying and kowtowing hard on the floor. 

“Please forgive my father” the young lady begged. 

Kim Gaon closed his eyes briefly to center himself. He then hauled up the man and throw him out before locking the door, trapping the woman and the lady inside. 

Doh Young Choon crawled to him, crying and begging for forgiveness. He thought his act would moved Kim Gaon; maybe it would be enough if he doesn’t know the truth, but Kim Gaon already knows the greedy beast hidden behind his mask. People like Doh Young Choon would never regret their sin, they were selfish enough to step on everybody else as long as they can attain their desire. 

“Do you sincerely want my forgiveness?” he asked coldly.

Doh Young Choon nodded frantically. 

“Then, burn them all” he said, pointing at the lump covered in black cloth. “Your money, burn them all” he repeated. 

“N-no, not my money” the man stuttered. 

“You won’t admit that they’re yours?” Kim Gaon laughed. “Fine, then I’ll burn them. It’s alright as long as they’re not yours right?”

Doh Young Choon looked at the window, where his wife and daughter were watching him, banging on the glass, begging to be released. His head snapped to the young man, as he uncovered the cloth, revealing bundles upon bundles of money, and started pouring oils on the money. He runs to the young man, to stops him, only to be punched and kicked down. 

Kim Gaon lights up a match and hold it above the money, “Stay right there or my finger might slip” he warned, successfully frozen the man in his spot. “Doh Young Choon, between your money and your family, I wonder which one you would choose?” he smiles, and dropped the match, burning the money away. 

While Doh Young Choon was busy trying to keep out the fire, yelling “my money! my money!”, Kim Gaon pours oil around the cottage and starts another fire. Panicked, the trapped women begin screaming again, begging for mercy and calling Doh Young Choon to save them. Kim Gaon watched on how Doh Young Choon didn’t bother looking at the burning cottage and focused on saving his money instead. His heart chilled. The scumbag really deserves death. 

“Doh Young Choon!” Kim Gaon shouted. The said man stunned and looked at the young man, only now registering the other fire. “Don’t you care about them?” he pointed at the glass window. 

Doh Young Choon looked at the window briefly, before he continued putting off the fire. Just as he succeeded, he checks the unburned money, only to find out they were papers all along. He laughed hysterically, before he remembered something. He turned around and found out that his wife and daughter no longer standing by the window. Before he could take a step toward the cottage, another man appears, together with his family. Their disappointed face had scared him; he quickly run to them to explain, but was slapped by his wife, “We are over” she spat and walked away with his daughter. He wants to run after them, but the newly arrived man had caught him and throws him on the ground and steps on his chest. “Nice to finally meet you, Doh Young Choon.” he smiles and signal another man to takes him away. 

Once K dragged the scumbag away, Kang Yohan walked to Kim Gaon who was standing dazedly, staring at the burnt fake money. “You did well” he said softly and rubbed the younger’s head.

“They will be proud of me, right?” Kim Gaon asked quietly. 

“I am sure they are” 

Chapter Text

“Penny for your thought?” Kim Gaon whispered from behind Kang Yohan, body bending over the couch and hands behind his back, staring at the laptop screen – Juk Chang was being his usual crazy self; proclaiming his patriotism and urging his fellow comrades to joined his cause and prevail over the society evildoer. He scoffed at the irony. 

“By all means, enlighten me” Kang Yohan smirked, one hand propped against his head lazily. 

Kim Gaon rounded the couch and sat down beside the older. He looked at the screen again before he pause the video. “You’re worried”

Kang Yohan straightened and looked at the younger incredulously. “I don’t do worry” he said dryly. 

“For Juk Chang’s victims. You are worried for them” Kim Gaon clarified. “And you have this mean look that practically screams trouble” Kim Gaon imitated Kang Yohan’s expression – eyes squinted menacingly and lips slightly upturn. 

Kang Yohan huffed and tap the younger’s forehead lightly. “You’re normal again” he commented, seeing how the younger is back to his playful mode. Honestly, he was glad that the younger is no longer brooding. Since that night, Kim Gaon was acting weird. He locked himself in his room for couple of days, not speaking and barely eating, and God knows if the younger had any sleep. Then, out of nowhere, he was being hyperactive – conquering the kitchen and making batch after batch of sweets, transforming the kitchen into five stars bakery. Elijah was happy for the first few days, but even she could only eat so much of dessert. At the end, the younger judge had robbed the older to eat all his baked goods. Kang Yohan, who wasn’t a fan of sweets doesn’t think twice to sacrifice his stomach. If he had Mrs Ji to sneaked in some medicine, it wasn’t anyone business but his. 

Kim Gaon blushed. He cleared his throat and pointed at the screen. “How do you want to deal with him?”

“Put him on trial”

“But, he’s protected by the President, right?” he remembered Yoon Soo Hyun’s rant of how she couldn’t do much to Juk Chang because he will get bailed each time he was arrested. “How can we get him for good?”

“We will need a little help from a detective”

Kim Gaon gasped, “You want to use Soo Hyun?”

Kang Yohan frowned. “Don’t fret. She’s not an option. I know a detective that can keep Juk Chang long enough to be put on trial”

Kim Gaon watched the sour expression on the older’s face and something just clicked in his mind. “I didn’t ask because I worry for her, or because of any tender feeling. I simply don’t think her involvement will do us any good”

“Did I say anything?” Kang Yohan retorted, keeping his face stern to shot down any weird thought from forming in the younger’s head. 

“Nah..I heard it loud and clear” Kim Gaon laughed, which earned him a blow on his rib from the older. 

“Instead of sprouting nonsense, show me how good you are in a fight” Kang Yohan said and stands up. He signaled the younger to follow him, only for the younger to scramble behind him, spluttering his glorious days as a street fighter.

Unsurprisingly, Kim Gaon got his ass handed to him by Kang Yohan. The older judge didn’t go easy on the younger, expertly defending himself against the younger’s attack while attacking the younger’s blind spot. The spar ended after three hours, with the younger sprawled on the floor, breathing heavily and a week worth of bruises. 

“I will arrange training session with you” the older announced, making Kim Gaon balked.

“I am good enough” Kim Gaon retorted and moved to sit up. “You..you’re just out of my league” 

“I bet you won’t be able to make K sweat if you two were to spar” Kang Yohan said wryly. 

Kim Gaon widened his eyes, and about to protest again, when Kang Yohan muttered, “Be stronger. It can help me sleep better at night” 

That was a low blow, Kim Gaon sulked but his eyes softened. “Alright” 

***

Kim Gaon eyed the silent man beside him – a tall and lanky young man, probably around his age, dressed in all black. It was K; his babysitter for the night apparently. Before they separated earlier, Kang Yohan had ordered K to follow and assist him, by which the assistant had accepted readily. But Kim Gaon was a little unhappy; he might not be the best fighter among them, but he can surely hold himself against one man. Seeing the younger’s pout, Kang Yohan reminded him, “The President might have peoples to guard Juk Chang” which quickly pushed down his grumpiness. 

Scouting the empty barely lit corridor and unlocked doors, the young men move in silence to not alert their target. The rooms they entered so far were empty – no trace of Juk Chang was found, except there was one room used for his broadcasting. Even so, the computer in the room was switch off, not showing any recent activity. They walked further till the end of the corridor and quietly enter the half-opened door. They saw a tent and opened food packages and empty bottles littered on the floor. K swiftly approached the tent and flaps it open, but Juk Chang wasn’t inside. 

They were about to retreat when they noticed the footsteps and the familiar voice of Juk Chang – he’s probably talking to someone on the phone. Kim Gaon made a mistake by stepping on the empty bottle and it was enough to notify the enemy that he wasn’t alone. Juk Chang screamed into the phone, requesting back up and sprint down the corridor. 

“Shit!” was all Kim Gaon got to say before they run after the other man. They manage to catch up with Juk Chang after a while when the man suddenly stops in the middle of corridor, smirking at them. Catching their breath, they saw a group of man, each holding a metal bat, walking toward them. 

Kim Gaon gritted his teeth and braced himself for the coming fight, only for K to grip his elbow and lightly shook his head. Confused, Kim Gaon opened his mouth to say something but he noticed a black figure walking toward them. He would recognize that silhouette everywhere. He significantly relaxed. 

Kang Yohan stopped besides Kim Gaon and said, “Focus on Juk Chang” before all hell breaks loose. Kang Yohan darted to the group of man, swinging his bat, accurately hitting them. K moves almost at the same time, although unarmed, he managed to hold himself against the thugs, covering Kang Yohan’s back. 

Eyes on Juk Chang, Kim Gaon quickly run after him once Juk Chang bolted. He chased the other man down the corridors and across the bridges. He managed to grab the other man's collar before he had the chance to jumped through the window. He throws couple of punch to get the man quit squirming before he handcuffed his hands. 

"You're in for a long ride" Kim Gaon taunted Juk Chang with a smile. 

***

Thanks to Jung Sun Ah’s quick visit before the trial and the new information that K gathered, Kang Yohan decided to allow his associate judges to lead today’s trial. After the opening remark, Kang Yohan concede with Juk Chang’s request to read his national declaration, by which he doesn’t pay any attention to but focus not to let any snort or laughter to slip out. 

Then, he let Oh-pansa to question the defendant – bringing out the incidents in which Juk Chang attacked foreigner workers. He countered by preaching about legitimate anger and purity of single race, which had Oh-pansa to take a deep breath to not throwing curses outwardly at the defendant. 

With a brief look at Kim Gaon, he takes over the questioning. After granted permission to step down to the defendant, Kim-pansa talked about Juk Chang’s inclination to get attention, before he show a short video where his grandmother had insists that Juk Chang was not a bad child and only acts out due to lack of attention. Not waiting for Juk Chang to recover, Kim-pansa proceed to show another video – this time it was Juk Chang’s teacher, where he shares that Juk Chang had once copied the bullies at school but he wasn’t accepted as one, hence, in his opinion, Juk Chang was incapable to start a revolution. Then, Kim-pansa questions the defendant about the fund he collected during broadcasting and taunts him if he was using the donation to buy bombs and guns at the black market. 

Panicked, Juk Chang looked at his lawyer, by which Lawyer Ko promptly stands up to clarify the money were used to send donation to a female content writer before he shows a video to prove his statement. Kang Yohan smirked as he finally reached his goal to turns Juk Chang into a joke, a loser, instead of a revolutionist. With his usual compassionate judge’s tone and expression, he hands down a sentence befitting of his crime; three years in prison with a five year stay of execution, and he must wear an electronic anklet, so that he can get a lot of attention from the citizen. And just to spite the person behind Juk Chang, Kang Yohan make known that Juk Chang’s location can be traced through DIKE apps and he asks the citizen to be Juk Chang’s probation officer. 

***

Kang Yohan opened the door for Jung Sun Ah and escorted her down the hallway. Stopping by a cabinet filled with antique cups and crystal, Jung Sun Ah lightly traced her fingers on one the cup’s rim. “Untouched. Unchanged” she commented, while eyeing Kang Yohan.

Kang Yohan shrugged. “Shall we?” he gestured, in the direction of the kitchen. “The others are already waiting”

Jung Sun Ah smiled and follow after the judge. It surprised her to see Kim-pansa sitting across Elijah, fussing over the placement of the dishes, but she schooled her face to appear unaffected. She gracefully takes a sit beside Elijah.

“Help yourself” Kang Yohan said before starting eating. 

Jung Sun Ah assess the relaxed vibe between Kang Yohan and Kim Gaon, between the small bites she ate. By right, Kang Yohan would have rejected the food if another person is touching his food, but here and now, the judge had allow Kim Gaon to put the food on his spoon or bowl. The act seems so natural that she could guess that this wasn’t the first time it happens. Looks like something does changed in this mansion. A flash of annoyance cross her mind. How dare the pawn she planted become a threat?

“How’s the food, Miss Jung?” Kim Gaon asked.

“Delightful. You’re a man of many talents, Kim-pansa” she answered sweetly. 

“You’re flattering me, but I’m glad you enjoy the dinner” 

“What with the awkward atmosphere?” Kang Elijah scoffed, which freeze the smile on Jung Sun Ah’s face.

Kim Gaon coughed and cleared his throat exasperatedly. He looks at Elijah warningly but the teenager deliberately ignores his pointed glare. Instead, she glanced at the guest, and asked, “How do you know Yohan?”

“Elijah!” Kang Yohan warned. 

Kim Gaon sighed inwardly. He should give up salvaging this dinner and just letting the youngest to takes over. At least, he could get some information about Jung Sun Ah.

“We are acquaintance. We have known each other since young” she smiled at the younger girl, even though her smile seems strained and forced. 

Elijah looks at Kang Yohan skeptically. “Weird” she paused, and folded her arms, “Yohan never mention you before.” Then, she glanced at the older judge again, and asked, “Is she important?”

Kim Gaon’s eyes widened at the question and he looks at Kang Yohan worriedly. Would the older get angry at his niece or would he offend the guest? 

“Of course I am” Jung Sun Ah answered, much to Kim Gaon disbelief. “I used to be his only companion for as long as I can remember” she paused to looks at Kang Yohan, before she turned to Kim Gaon and said, “I was his only light in this dark scary world”

Kim Gaon couldn’t stop himself from grimacing. For the woman to blatantly put a claim over Kang Yohan like that was unacceptable. As little as he knew about her, she couldn’t possibly be his light. If she was one, Kang Yohan wouldn’t be gripping his knuckles tightly now. He placed his palm over the older’s knuckle, hoping to calm him down.

Kang Yohan chuckled – it sounded dark and ominous, “Your confidence is unparallel” he paused, and looks at Jung Sun Ah, “Too bad that you can never differentiate a fantasy from reality”

“Reality is a fantasy came true, Young Master” she retorted, still smiling. 

“I’m afraid I don’t share the same opinion. A fantasy is forever a fantasy, just like how once a thief, always a thief” he smirked. 

“Who care how I do it, as long as I get the things I wanted” 

“Pity – such behavior is really unattractive” he said lazily, “Careful” he warned, “or you might lose your twinkle” he raised his glass toward Jung Sun Ah before taking a sip of the wine. 

After couple of more jabs from Jung Sun Ah and Kang Yohan, the dinner finally concluded. Kim Gaon escorted Jung Sun Ah to the front now as she requested, only to have her strokes his face and whispered, “All good time will come to an end”

***

To retaliate against the embarrassment she suffered during the dinner, Jung Sun Ah visited Minister Cha. She revealed that Kang Yohan had bought a witness for her son’s trial and presented the said witness. Jung Sun Ah reminded Minister Cha that the judge had employ similar trick on the previous trial and this opportunity can be use to undermine Kang Yohan’s credibility. Seething with anger, Minister Cha immediately summons her assistant to get ready for a press conference. 

Poor Minister Cha had thought that she finally could get the upper hand, only to be beaten at her own game, when Kang Yohan hold another press conference to counter her allegation. In his press conference, he questioned Minister Cha’s motive and imply to the crowd of reporters that her insistent attacks is due to personal reason and because he manage to sniff out her abuse of power; both when she was a prosecutor and as a minister. Kang Yohan firstly reveal the unjust prosecution of K’s father before he reveal about Doh Young Choon. 

Minister Cha who was watching the live press conference rushed to the court to salvage the situation. However in her desperate state, she couldn’t even glare at Kang Yohan or answer the unending questions from the reporters, making the situation stickier. 

***

Kang Yohan and Kim Gaon entered Minister Cha’s office and found her sitting behind her desk, face devoid of any emotion. Kang Yohan raised a brow. “I hope you don’t forget your promise”

“I won’t. Do you mind giving me a minute?” she asked and takes out her cigars. 

“As you wished” Kang Yohan shrugged and steps outside, dragging Kim Gaon along. The younger open his mouth to asked something, but Kang Yohan could guess it. “She needs to choose between her son and her career. I don’t mind to spare her some time”

Kim Gaon nodded in understanding, and decided not to hover in front of the closed door. However, the loud gunshot had him break into the office and he stops short in front of Minister Cha’s body, her head wound is actively bleeding, painting the floor red and the gun fell close to her prone form. Shocked, he looks at the older judge and found his face distorted into a frown. 

“Foolish woman” he sighed. 

“Pansa-nim, w-what should we do now?” Kim Gaon stuttered, eyes still on the body. 

“Might as well search for the flash drive” 

As on cue, Kim Gaon crouched down and started searching – patting down the pockets and ignoring the blood covering his hands.

“Yah Kim Gaon-ah!” Kang Yohan called, surprised at the younger’s action. He doesn’t mean to let the younger to do the dirty job but seeing that he had started, he could let the young man to see it till the end. Kang Yohan then started searching through the drawers and her handbag. 

“F-found it!” Kim Gaon clutched the flash drive tightly in his palm.

Kang Yohan was about to pull the younger away from the body, when someone barged in, yelling, “Freeze! Hands up!” He could see that Kim Gaon had frozen from where he had bend over. 

“You!” the detective glared at Kang Yohan and trained her gun at his chest. “Steps back!” she then walked in closer and finally notice another man in the room. With her shaky voice, she ordered, “Get up slowly and turn around”

Kim Gaon did as he was ordered. The moment his eyes met Yoon Soo Hyun’s, her grip on the gun falter. “Gaon-ah!” she exclaimed disbelievingly. She glared at Kang Yohan briefly before she stares at her best friend again. “I know something like this would happen sooner or later” she almost yelled, chest heaving in anger and disappointment.

A moment of silent passed before she released a heavy sigh. “Go!” she said to Kim Gaon. “I never see you tonight” she said through her gritted teeth. 

Kim Gaon blinked stupidly in return and suddenly feels at lost. Seeing that the younger is incapable to react, Kang Yohan dragged the young man and drives them home. Kim Gaon was quiet the whole way home – body shaking and bloodied hand clench and unclench restlessly on his lap. 

Once home, Kang Yohan pulled the younger into his room and walked straight into the bathroom. Like a doll, Kim Gaon didn’t mutter any word and let himself to be manhandled by Kang Yohan. Kang Yohan made the younger to stand in front of the sink before he takes the younger’s hand in his own hand and scrubs the younger’s hand under the water. Noticing that the younger’s eyes is set on the bloodied water, he said gently, “Kim Gaon, looks up” which the younger immediately comply. From the reflection, he could see how red the younger’s eyes are. “Keep your eyes on the mirror. Looks at me only” he ordered. 

Kang Yohan maintained his eyes contact with Kim Gaon through the mirror while he washed the blood away from the younger’s skin before he washed Kim Gaon’s hand with a strong scent handwash. Then, he turned Kim Gaon’s body toward him, and slowly pull off his clothes, one layer after another, until the younger is left in his boxer, before he tossed the clothes outside, away from Kim Gaon’s sight. “Can you manage a bath by your own?”

Kim Gaon nodded.

“Take your time. I’ll prepare your sleepwear and put it on my bed” 

Kim Gaon nodded once again. Seeing how shaken the young man is, Kang Yohan almost say ‘Fuck it’ and proceed to bath the younger judge but he couldn’t cross the line, especially how vulnerable Kim Gaon currently is. Sighing, he exits the bathroom and walked to Kim Gaon’s room for a quick bath and to get the promised sleepwear. 

The shower was still running when Kang Yohan placed the pajamas on the bed. He then steps out again, leaving the door slightly ajar; and waited for the younger while he leaned against the wall. Not long after that, Kim Gaon walked outside, standing in front him, looking not much better than earlier. He pulls the younger inside again and guided him to sit on the bed. 

Head hung low, Kim Gaon fidgets with his fingers until Kang Yohan had enough and tilted the younger’s chin until they’re on the same eye level. “You’re shocked. You’re scared. It is understandable. You can scream at me, blame me or cry. Don’t hold it in” 

“What I did…it was…horrible. Her blood…” Kim Gaon clenched his hands, unable to continue. 

“You had her blood on you. Yes. But you didn’t pull the trigger. It was never your fault” Kang Yohan placed his hand on the younger’s nape. “Never” he stressed, as he looks into her younger’s eyes, willing him to get his word in his mind. 

“But I…”

“If anything, it was me that push Minister Cha too far. She decided to end her life because she can’t choose either one. She took a short cut and decided to run away from her problems. So don’t blame yourself”

“Soo Hyun…she saw me. She won’t forgive me..or accept me again.”

Kang Yohan sighed, "Take your time to digest what happened tonight. Once you’re in control of your emotion and mind, then you can think what you want to do with your friend. Until then, don’t attempt to contact her” 

Kim Gaon released a shuddering breath. Everything feels surreal tonight. He can't wrap his mind on how he had the gut to search a body. He had done something that he wouldn't consider doing just couple of months back. “Can I stay with you tonight?” he asked timidly. 

Eyes softening, Kang Yohan nodded and signaled the young man to lay down before he joined the younger, leaving a respectable distance between them. 

“Just so you know, if I rolled toward you, you can’t hold it against me tomorrow” Kim Gaon muttered softly in the darkness. 

Amused, Kang Yohan said, “Just sleep”

Chapter Text

Kim Gaon knows that he had promised the older judge to get his mind straight before he talks to Soo Hyun. But he can’t put off the matter behind him for long; to comfort himself while he owed an explanation and apology to her. He had woke up this morning, slightly earlier than Kang Yohan, and had the rare opportunity to watch the older still asleep; face relaxed and uncharacterically soft. He had feel content then, basking in the quietness and safety he doesn’t think the older could offer after such an experience last night. He smiled. However, it doesn’t last long as his mind remind him of Soo Hyun; her haunted and disappointed gaze had gave way to the guilt that is slowly making him uncomfortable. 

That is why he decided to look for her at her workplace without informing Kang Yohan. Kim Gaon stood outside the Regional Investigation Unit of Seoul Metropolitan Police, lingering back and forth, waiting for her to come outside. He had begged her to spare him some time, but she cut off the call without any response to his request. At first, he thought that he will need to wait for a whole day before he could see her, but she shows up not long after the phone call, only that she doesn’t deem him any attention, walking past him; as if he’s invisible.

Undeterred, Kim Gaon jogged and caught up with her. Standing in front of her, he pleaded, “Soo Hyun-ah. Please. I can explain” 

“Explain? What could you possibly explain to me after what you did last night?” she glared. “Do you know what I had to do for you?” she screamed, pulling his lapel to bring them closer. “I had to destroy the evidence” she sobbed. “How could you disappoint me like that? How could you?!” she barreled on.

Caught speechless, all the words he had prepared evaporated. His mind blanked as he looks at Soo Hyun – the anger and disappointment rolling off her seems to pinned Kim Gaon on the spot. The severity of his action finally downed on him; he had crossed the line that most normal and sane people wouldn’t. Despite what Kang Yohan had said yesterday, he couldn’t overlook his action. Eyes glazed, he could not bring himself to looks at her; as if his very presence might taint her. 

“What on Earth did you think Kim Gaon? How could you let yourself become like this?” she released his lapel and steps back. 

“I…” he paused and takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry Soo Hyun-ah. For putting you through this. You don’t deserve it. I really am sorry” 

“What is the point of helping Kang Yohan like this?” she asked tiredly. 

He’s important to me was what Kim Gaon wanted to say. I can’t let him walk to the abyss all alone was on his tip of tongue. But he can’t say either to Soo Hyun if he still want to salvage their friendship. 

Soo Hyun chuckled - it sounded broken. “Even now, you would still choose him, right?” 

Kim Gaon keeps quiet, unable to refute her. 

Gritting her teeth and tucking away her pain, she spat, “Don’t ever appear in front of me again” and walked away, leaving Kim Gaon alone on the walk way. 

***

Kim Gaon doesn’t know how long he stood there, unable to process any thought. He had expected the anger and disappointment from her, but he doesn’t expect that it could lead to their fallout. He wanted to ask for her understanding, to overlook his and Kang Yohan’s action until the game conclude, to tell her that he will offer a full explanation once everything is over. But he would be too cruel to request any of it from Soo Hyun. So, with heavy heart, he returns to the mansion, hoping to find solace in Kang Yohan’s presence; to dull the pain in his heart of the possibility of losing one of closest people to him. 

He walked to the study once he reached the mansion, knowing that Kang Yohan is probably there, reading or working on something. 

“What’s with your face?” Kang Yohan asked, in lieu of greeting, taking in the younger’s appearance - red rimmed eyes, red nose and the unbuttoned dress shirt. 

“I met Soo Hyun” Kim Gaon replied shortly. 

Kang Yohan frowned. “I assume it didn’t work in your favor” he rounded his table and approaches the younger. 

“She didn’t want to see me again” he confessed, looking at Kang Yohan, only to see him smiles - the genuine one. His lips unconsciously turn downward. 

“Good” Kang Yohan said happily. “That is one problem off the chart”

Kim Gaon frowned, “Excuse me?”

“She’s a probability that I wished to get rid of” Kang Yohan paused, “she once threatened to arrest me if I dare to make you do my bidding” he scoffed. “I think it’s rather wise to cut off Soo Hyun from your life”

“Why?” Kim Gaon asked curtly. He takes a deep breath to hold his temper in check. 

Kang Yohan steps closer to Kim Gaon and put a hand on the younger’s shoulder. “You don’t think it’s tiring to constantly having to mind her while helping me? Why trouble yourself?” he smirked.

“Tiring or not, it is my business. You have no say in who got to stay in my life!” Kim Gaon glared.

Seeing the younger defending Soo Hyun make Kang Yohan displeased. He doesn’t like the way Soo Hyun stood in between them in any way. “Ask yourself Kim Gaon, if Soo Hyun wasn’t there yesterday, would you have been that shaken? Were you truly afraid of what you did or were you afraid of getting caught by Soo Hyun?” 

Kim Gaon was put on the spot, eyes widened and speechless to answer the older judge. 

“I can’t have you second guessing your action..my action. Believe it or not, the path waiting for us will get tougher, crueler. A moment of hesitation might cause a disaster. I can’t have you help me and be with her at the same time!”

Kim Gaon huffed in disbelief. “I put everything on the line for you. Yet, you still doubt me and ask for the impossible from me” he slapped away Kang Yohan’s hand.

“Is she that important to you?” Kang Yohan snarled.

“She was my light in my darkest time. What do you think?” Kim Gaon said and turned away, missing the devastated look on Kang Yohan. 

***

Kim Gaon dropped his duffel bag in the middle on his room with a thud. Sighing, he then dragged his feet on the floor until he reach his bed and throw his body on it. Lying down, he placed an arm over his eyes and tries to shut off Kang Yohan and Soo Hyun from his mind.

It was unsuccessful.

The one he consider family and the one he consider important can’t tolerate each other and forcing him to ditch the other. It was an impossible feat. He couldn’t possibly choose one over the other. He may make Soo Hyun think that he chose Kang Yohan over her, but it doesn’t mean that he will throw her away from his life. 

While Kang Yohan strongly believe that Soo Hyun has power over him, it is not necessarily true. Soo Hyun may grumble and oppose his action, but at the end, the decision is his. He will follow his heart and mind, regardless of her opinion. But, Kang Yohan can’t see it. The older judge insisted that he need to abandon her in order to stand by his side. He can’t understand why Kang Yohan need to be this possessive – had he not prove his loyalty enough? Had he not make it clear that he will go the end of the abyss with him? What else should he do to make the older understands?

Kim Gaon heaved a heavy sigh. Kang Yohan was spiteful enough to question his fear over that night. Of course he was afraid of his action – afraid that he had cross the line, discarding his morality and sanity. Of course he was afraid of getting caught by Soo Hyun. He held her in high regard – she had always been his pillar, a steady presence that he can count on; a found-family that he treasures – he would hates to let her down if he could avoid it. How could the older use this reason to make him push Soo Hyun away. 

He heaved another heavy sigh, just as his phone buzzed - Elijah’s name appeared on the screen. He quickly accepts the call, knowing that he had left the mansion without saying goodbye to her. At that time, he was too overwhelmed to stay any longer in the same vicinity as Kang Yohan. 

“Elijah” he said softly, hoping the teenager isn’t mad at him. 

“You left. Did you fight with Yohan?” 

Amused at her tone, Kim Gaon smiled. “We had some misunderstanding. I just need some time for myself…to clear my mind”

“He’s an idiot. You should’ve knocked some sense into him. Why did you let him bully you?” she sounded petulant.

“He is, isn’t he?” Kim Gaon whispered. 

Silence passed between them for a moment. “Are you okay, Gaon-ah?” she asked hesitantly.

Kim Gaon forced himself to smile and replied steadily, “I’m fine. Can you do me a favor, Elijah?”

“What is it?”

“Can you keep an eye on him? Talk to him more and make sure he eats on time” Kim Gaon replied, while looking at the wall blankly. 

“You know what? You’re an idiot too, Gaon-ah” she said exasperatedly. 

Kim Gaon chuckled. “I think I am”

“Come back whenever you’re ready”

“I will” he promised and ends the call after saying goodbye. 

***

Kang Yohan knocks on the door and enters once granted permission. “You want to see me?” 

Min Jung Ho rounded his table and gestured at the sofa, inviting the judge to take a seat. “Yeah.”

“What are you making Gaon do?” the chief justice asked, face stern. “That child had been through so much. He suffered and struggled through the worst to get here.”

Kang Yohan figured out that the man must have met with Soo Hyun. “Is that why you think you could send a child to work for me? Because he had suffered and struggled through the worst, that you would think he can come out unscathed?” Kang Yohan smirked.

There was a brief change on Chief Justice’s face but he quickly recover, resuming playing a concern guardian role. “You’re putting him in danger”

“Wrong! You are putting him in danger. You used him to get to your goal, sacrificing him as a pawn, ignoring that he had thought you as a father figure, you succumb to the power she promised if you get to put Gaon next to me. Am I right?”

Startled, the Chief Justice looks at the judge anxiously. “What nonsense are you saying?” he said curtly. 

Kang Yohan smirked. “Nonsense or not, I believe you know it in your heart” he paused, looking at the man across him, lamenting why the people around the younger judge are just as rotten as the people he’s fighting. “Do you think she can give you what you want?” he asked before he gets up and exits the office. 

***

Kim Gaon leapt up from his chair, when he saw the news announcement saying that Chief Justice Min Jung Ho was attacked by someone who is presumed to be one of Judge Kang Yohan’s fanatical supporters and he was rushed to the hospital. The news continued – revealing that Chief Justice Min had held a press conference demanding the dissolution of the live court show and he had been harassed by the protests and threats of those against it. 

Worried, Kim Gaon had rushed to the hospital and saw the professor lying on the bed, with his head wrapped with bandage. 

“It was blunt head trauma” Min Jung Ho said to the stunned young man. “I’ll live” he said lightly, to dispel the tense atmosphere around the judge.

“Who did it?” 

“Who knows? I was assaulted from behind. I got a phone call, saying that they had my wife and child”

“I think you need to lay low for a bit, Professor” Kim Gaon suggested.

“You’re against the dissolution of the live court show too?” Min Jung Ho asked, taken aback. He always thought that the younger is in cohort with him. He had believed Jung Sun Ah when she said that he can manipulate Kim Gaon and use him against Kang Yohan, that Kim Gaon would surely be the downfall of Kang Yohan. 

“With the chaotic politic and the state of our nation, I don’t think the show is hindering the justice. If anything, we can use this as a way to weed out the entire rotten tree and when everything is clear, we can dissolve the show. With the right person for the right position, I think our nation and justice system can flourish”

“You’re becoming like Kang Yohan, Gaon-ah. What did he do to you?” Min Jung Ho sighed heavily. “Soo Hyun was worried for you” he added, trying to sway the young man. He can’t allow Kim Gaon to truly work for Kang Yohan. If this chess piece is useless, Jung Sun Ah will be upset and the reward he’s expecting might be gone. This is worrisome; he needs to inform her, lest he disrupt the big picture. 

“About Soo Hyun, you don’t need to worry. We just had a little misunderstanding. I’ll take care of it” he replied, choosing to ignore the bait. He doesn’t think he had the energy to start another debate on Kang Yohan to the person he consider as family. “Anyway, rest well” he said before bidding the older man goodbye and return to his office. 

***

Kim Gaon reached out his hand, blindly grabbing his incessantly buzzing phone and answered without checking the number of the caller. 

“Judge Kim Gaon? If you want to save Chief Justice Min Jung Ho, come to Hyungsan-dong slum” come a mechanical voice. He startled awake, all trace of sleepiness disappear, and asked “Who are you?”

The line promptly cut off and he saw that the number that called him was a private one. He scrambled off the bed, and run out of the house. As he entered the cab he managed to caught, he stopped halfway from saying Hyungsan-dong slum to the driver. His instinct had strongly urged him to check the hospital first, so he fired out the hospital address and prayed that his instinct won’t betray him. 

He runs to the ward, and storms in, only to see that the bed is empty. He was about to turned around when he saw a note on the bed from the corner of his eyes. The note is white in colour and only the size of a child’s palm – easily missed by a person. He approached the bed and picks up the note, only to feel his heart dropped to his gut.

All good time come to an end.

It was exactly the same sentence Jung Sun Ah had said to him after the dinner not long ago. He gripped the note tightly in one hand as he fished out his phone, dialing Elijah’s number.

“Elijah! I need you to trace Yohan’s phone and tell me his location. Now!” he fired out as soon as the call is connected.

“What? What’s wrong?” she asked, alarmed.

“Please Elijah. I need his location now” Kim Gaon pleaded, as his heart thrummed frantically in his chest. 

“Hold on. I’ll text you after I got it”

Kim Gaon cut off the call and sprints down the hallway and out of the hospital. He robbed the taxi from an elderly couple and jumps inside and slammed shut the door, yelling at the driver to start driving. 

“Where to, sir?” the driver asked hesitantly.

“Just drive” he almost screamed. Phone buzzed, he saw a text from Elijah before he tells the driver the address and urges him to drive faster. 

***

At the same time, at an abandoned building, Kang Yohan stares at the high wall around him and the spiral stairs behind him, thinking that Jung Sun Ah truly had a weird preference when choosing a meeting place. He sighed inwardly when his ears picks up the soft click clack of high heels and willed his body to relax when she embraced him from behind, placing her chin on his shoulder, and whispered, “You came. What do you think of this place?”

“Lovely”, he mustered a smile as she stands in front of him. 

“I know you would love it. Here, we can speak undisturbed” she smiles. 

“What’s so special to talk about that we need an equally special place?” 

“I want to know, young master. Why did you do it?” she asked in her sweet voice. 

“I did a lot of thing. You might want to be a bit more specific” Kang Yohan smirked. 

“Minister Cha. You told her of my secrets. Why would you be so mean to me?” she pouted. 

“Ahh that. We were just talking. Must have slipped my mind somehow” Kang Yohan answered offhandedly. “She’s dead by the way. Surely, you’re not mad at me, still?” he smiled. 

“Of course I am not. Though I am mad at something else”

“Ohh?”

“Didn’t we agree to reach the top together? You and I. Why are your eyes straying? Did I not warn you to pay attention at me only?” She steps closer and points a pistol at Kang Yohan’s chest. 

“Pansa-nim!” 

Kang Yohan whirled back to see K dangling from the ceiling, both hand tied. He saw Jae hee, standing on the platform, holding the controller, smirking at him. 

Jung Sun Ah turned his body, facing her again, and digs the muzzle of pistol on his chest, demanding his attention. She then steps backward, while pointing the pistol at his chest. “I said two years. I had all of it planned. You only need to be patient. You just need to behave. Then you can get the whole world”

He scoffed. “Too bad you didn’t get the notice of what I actually wanted. If it’s not clear enough, I never want the world.”

“Ahh, you want to burn it instead. I see, then, you would not need K or Judge Kim, right? I can easily help you” she smiled. “I have K here. Aren’t you curious of where Judge Kim might be at?”

Kang Yohan gritted his teeth, forcing his feet to stay rooted, instead of rushing forward to snap her neck. 

“You’re fond of game. So, I play one with Judge Kim. I gave him a little task to save Min Jung Ho. If he goes to Hyungsan-dong slum, what awaits him is death. Juk Chang and his gang would love to get acquaintance with Judge Kim. Hhmm, just in case, he managed to discover a little clue and found his way here, I don’t mind showing him that if I don’t get what I want, then nobody else can”

“You’re a lunatic” Kang Yohan spat, trying to push down his fear for Kim Gaon’s safety. 

“A high praise from young master” she smiled, before she glanced upward at Jae Hee, yelling, “Kill him!”

Taking her moment of distraction, Kang Yohan spins and kicked away the pistol Jung Sun Ah was holding, and jerked back slightly from the impact of the shot from Jae Hee. Slightly hunched, he takes a slow deep breathe to ignore the stabbing pain he was feeling. He had a lot to do – he needs to get K down safely and he needs to warn Kim Gaon that Min Jung Ho wasn’t in any danger but himself. He can’t let himself falter now. Placing his palm on the wound, they come away bloody. Trying to hold in his wince, he pressed his palm on the wound and slowly straightened up. 

“Pansa-nim!” 

Kang Yohan glanced toward K – he was struggling, kicking his legs in the air and frantically shaking his head, eyes begging him to get away and ditch him.

He watched Jung Sun Ah climbs up the stairs and Kang Yohan forced his legs to move, albeit slowly, to follow after her. Every small movement makes the wound to throbbed harder, as if the bullet is burrowing deeper in him. Panting, he climbed up, every now and then, he rest against the wall to catch his breath and blink away the dark spots behind his eyes. Halfway there, he takes out his phone with his free hand and dialed the younger’s number, but not before he noticed that his phone in mute mode is piled with missed calls from the younger judge and Elijah. “Kim Gaon” he said once the call is connected.

“Bujang-nim!” Kim Gaon screamed into the phone. “Are you alright?” 

“I am fine. Where are you?” he asked evenly, grateful that his voice doesn’t waver. 

“Nearby. I am coming. Don’t do anything reckless! Do you hear me?” Kim Gaon said quickly, his voice was evidently laced with fear. 

“I know. Make sure you’re out of Sun Ah and Jae Hee’s notice”

Kim Gaon makes a noise of assent and Kang Yohan cut off the line to focus on the remaining stairs before he runs out of energy. After some time, he finally reached the platform and walked closer to Jung Sun Ah and Jae Hee.

Seeing the controller still in Jae Hee’s hand, Kang Yohan calculates if he’s able to snatch it from her. “I will kill you – in a lonely and the most miserable way!” he spat as lunged at Jae Hee. 

Jae Hee swiftly throw the controller to Jung Sun Ah as she grabbed Kang Yohan’s shoulder and kneed his wound before she pushed the judge down, stepping on his chest. At the same time, Jung Sun Ah pressed the button, dropping K down. 

------

Kim Gaon finally reached Kang Yohan’s location. From his hiding place, he could see Kang Yohan standing on the platform, few feets away from Jung Sun Ah and Jae Hee, but he can’t see the older’s face, only the slight hunch of his usually straight back - the giveaway that the older may not be as fine as he claimed. He then stares at the dangling K and instantly panicked – if he were to fall from that height, he won’t survive. Kim Gaon fixed his eyes on Kang Yohan, trying to see if there will be any signal or order to help him or K. One minute he saw the man is standing, while the next he saw the man being counter attack by Jae Hee – it was impossible for him to be overpower by a woman that it rang his internal alarm. Kim Gaon had no time to continue worrying for the older judge when K suddenly drop down. He sprints over to K, hoping he can make it in time to break K’s fall. 

He yelped when K crashed his back, sending him down on the floor, without any time to brace for the fall. He can feels his jaw ached and his back groaned from the impact. He can only hopes that nothing break. 

“Are you okay, K?” he wheezed, trying to give some time to K to calm down. 

“Pansa-nim!” K shouted, panicked as he clumsily get off Kim Gaon’s back. 

-----

Jung Sun Ah saw the guest she was waiting and smiles. She doesn’t mind that the young judge had rescued Kang Yohan’s assistant. 

She turned around and stares at Kang Yohan – his blood spilling on the floor and his pale face showing the rare vulnerability. “Looks like I won the game. Judge Kim is here” she takes the gun from Jae Hee and points it at Kang Yohan’s chest, after signaling Jae Hee to steps back. 

“I hope you survive, young master” she said, smiling, before she fired the gun. 

------

“Kang Yohan!” Kim Gaon screamed when he heard the gun shot. He leapt up and rushed to the stairs, climbing as fast as he can to get to the older judge. 

His steps falter when he get to the platform, staring at the lying Kang Yohan, blood pooling around him. “No….no…..!” he whispered in disbelief, before his legs start running toward the man. He slides down beside the older man and cupped his pale face. “Kang Yohan!” he called urgently. He noticed another wound on the man - his left abdomen is bleeding too. Heart in his throat, he yelled again, “Kang Yohan!” 

Wheezing, Kang Yohan struggles to open his eyes. He feels too tired – everything hurt and he just want to rest for a while. But the familiar voice, dripping with fear, forced him to spare a moment to look at the owner. “Hmm..” he slurred. 

Kim Gaon takes Kang Yohan’s bloodied hand and pressed it on the abdomen wound while he pressed his hand on the chest wound. “Can you hear me?” he asked, and panicked when the barely opened glazed eyes is closing again. “No!” he screamed, pressing the wound harder, hoping to slow down the bleeding. “Don’t sleep! Wake up! Look at me!” he cried hysterically. 

“Please! You can’t do this to me! I will never forgive you!” Kim Gaon sobbed.

“B-brat..Too n-noisy” Kang Yohan slurred, despite his eyes closed. 

Kim Gaon was startled when he feels a hand on his shoulder. “Help is on the way” K said, voice tight as he looks at the older judge. 

“Help is coming. Please..please hang on..just a little, for me, please!” Kim Gaon pleaded, eyes blurry from his tears. 

“Don’t cry…” Kang Yohan wheezed before his hand pressing on the wound limps down and his head lolls to the side. 

“Kang Yohan!” 

Chapter Text

Kim Gaon snarled when two strangers come closer and started touching Kang Yohan – checking his pulse and his breathing. As if sensing his anxiousness, one of the men raises his hands placatingly. He doesn’t have the time to calm down when the corner of his eyes saw a movement and his body moved by itself, punching the man nearest to him when he tries to take Kang Yohan away from him. 

“Kim-pansa!” 

K quickly catches the young judge, turning him away from the paramedics, and struggles to contain the young man from hindering the paramedics. K tightens his hold as Kim Gaon started to flail everywhere, trying to break free. “They can be trusted! They are helping Kang-pansanim. He will be alright.” 

Kim Gaon stood motionless - his energy frizzles out; as he watches the paramedics carry Kang Yohan away from him. Noticing the young man had calm down somewhat, K ease up and let go of the man. But he quickly reaches out to steady him when the young judge tilted sideways. “Let’s go” he said gently, as he pulled Kim Gaon to follow after the paramedics. 

K deposited Kim Gaon beside Kang Yohan before he slammed the ambulance door and run to the passenger seat, but not before signaling the paramedics to keep an eye on Kim Gaon; lest the young man collapsed from the shock. 

Kim Gaon scooted closer until he is close enough to take one of Kang Yohan’s hand – the hand was ice cold. He sucked in deep breath as he grasped it tightly, hoping he can somehow warm him. 

“Kang-pansanim will be alright. Have faith” one of the paramedics consoled. But Kim Gaon was unable to appreciate it at the moment. His mind is blank except for the glaring blood stains on Kang Yohan’s dress shirt; some spot are dried and some spot are still wet; evidence that he is still bleeding. He doesn’t register whatever the paramedics were doing to staunch the bleeding or to perform chest decompression with needle thoracostomy. He doesn’t even have the courage to move his hand slightly lower to feel the older’s pulse or to look up – to see Kang Yohan’s face, which he knows for sure will be deathly pale. He can’t, no, he won’t see it – for it was sure will be his nightmare for years to come. 

Once the ambulance stops, Kim Gaon had no idea where they are at. When the paramedics wheeled away Kang Yohan, into a mansion, across a hallway, and into a room at the end of the corridor, all Kim Gaon did was run alongside them, pushing the stretcher harder, so that Kang Yohan could get treated faster. He doesn’t question why the normal looking mansion is acting and probably equipped like a hospital, he doesn’t question the nurses accepting the stretcher, taking over from them and started running to the inner room, which looks suspiciously similar to a theater room and he doesn’t question the capability of the surgeon team, whose literally held Kang Yohan’s life. With one final look, he whispers a prayer – to please have mercy on the man, to save the man and to return the man to him.

Releasing a shuddering breath, he plops down on the couch outside the room, leans his head against the wall and closes his eyes. He feels the couch dips, and K’s voice floated into his ears, “There’s a washroom upstairs.”

“Later” Kim Gaon replied tiredly. Sticky as it is, Kim Gaon can’t bring himself to move away from Kang Yohan. He is already far enough than he would’ve liked. Weird as it sound, he welcomes the blood on his hands, to remind him of how cruel Kang Yohan’s enemy is; so that he doesn’t need to doubt Kang Yohan’s action anymore. Whether the judge wants to burn them to ashes or put a bullet in them, he will gladly starts the fire or pull the trigger. 

“Kim-pansa, by any chance, is Miss Elijah aware of the current situation?”

Kim Gaon jerked upright. He fished out his phone, only to see hundreds of missed calls and texts from the teenager. He sighed heavily. ‘Should he tell her or not?’. After hovering over the call button for some time, he pressed it and waits until it is connected. “Please go to Yohan’s place, now” he said to K - in case Elijah wanted to come here. If she doesn’t want to, K could at least keep her company until the situation is a little better. 

K only stares at Kim Gaon for a moment, assessing him and his order, before he gets up. “Clean yourself. Miss Elijah is only a young lady. She is not as strong as you”

Kim Gaon grunted. Before he could say more, the line is connected. “Gaon-ah! How’s Yohan? Where is he?” she screamed into the line, not caring to pretend that she doesn’t care for her uncle. There is no time for tough love because she can feels something went terribly wrong deep down in her gut. And it terrifies her; knowing that there’s a possibility that her last family member will disappear. 

“Elijah...” Kim Gaon takes a deep breath. “Yohan is injured and he is getting treated” he hedged as much as he could. 

“How injured is he? How did it happen?” she asked frantically.

Kim Gaon sighed. If he could keep this from her, he would. But he knows it is unfair for her. Kang Yohan is her only family left, she deserves to know what happen to him. And Elijah was the reason he could find Kang Yohan. He shuddered to think what could have happen to Kang Yohan and K if he wasn’t there. “Promise me that you will listen to me calmly”

There was brief moment of silence before she assented. “Yohan…he’s injured badly. Like really, really bad. He’d been shot, twice” A gasped and Elijah screamed unintelligently into the line. 

“Elijah! Calm down!” he raised his voice to cut through her panicky state. “He will be alright. I promise!” he said quickly to the teenager.

“Where is he now?” she demanded, in between her cries.

“Somewhere safe. You’ve met K before, right? He is on the way. He will bring you here”

“Gaon-ah…I am scared” she admitted brokenly. “He can’t leave me” 

“He won’t” Kim Gaon replied resolutely. Kang Yohan can’t leave either of them – he won’t allow it. “I’ll stay with you on the line until K arrived.”

“Okay” 

Even though the lines are still connected, none of them are speaking. Only the sound of breathing and the sniffles fill the background. Kim Gaon sat frozen on the couch, eyes on the closed door – unblinking. As time passed, he saw nurses run out of the door; their gloves and scrub smears with Yohan’s blood, disappearing behind another door on the opposite side to bring more blood bags. His heart thudded painfully, thinking of how Kang Yohan is faring. 

It wasn’t until he heard K’s voice from the other line, confirming that he has Elijah with him and they are on the way, that he moved from the couch to drags himself to the washroom. He turns on the faucet and washed away the blood. He looks dazedly at the bloody water and once again seized with fear. He bawled. The fear he was feeling, it was nowhere near the fear he felt on the night of Minister’s Cha death or the fear of not seeing Soo Hyun again. This fear – it was all consuming, eating him from inside out, leaving him hollow and broken. No one had made him feels like this before; he doesn’t know how he will faced Elijah later, given how crumpled he is now. He slid down on the floor, folding his knees to his chest and hides his face in the crook of his arm, as he continues pouring out his tears. 

Once he gets his bearing, he went downstairs and sat at the same spot again. Before he knows it, Elijah wheeled in and stops beside him. They looks at each other briefly before they hugged, offering comfort to each other.

 And then, they wait.

Five hours later, the head of the surgeon finally come out and approach Kim Gaon and Elijah. Kim Gaon leapt up from the couch and looks at the surgeon anxiously. “How is he?”

“Stable but he’s not out of danger yet” the surgeon started. Elijah gasped and reaches out to hold Kim Gaon’s hand. “The abdomen wound was the least to worry about. No important organ was hit and the bullet went out cleanly” he paused, “but the chest wound is troublesome. It grazed his heart and punctured his lung. We need to digs around to get the bullet out. Hence, the bleeding was hard to control and he had lost quite a lot of blood. As it stands, he is still not out of danger. We need to monitor him to make sure there’s no post internal bleeding and we need to make sure that his lung can hold out. So, to reduce the pressure on his body, we decided to put him under until his condition is no longer precarious. You can visit him once we transferred him upstairs” 

Kim Gaon and Elijah watched as the nurses wheeled out Kang Yohan from the theater room – alarmingly still and pale – and follow after them. Once the nurses settles down Kang Yohan on the bed and checks his vitals, they left the room.

Elijah wheeled closer to the bed and takes a closer look at her uncle. Biting her lips, she stubbornly held in her tears. “You big idiot! You big big old idiot! Did you have fun scaring me and Gaon like this? You stupid man! Never know when to quit! You’ve better wake up quickly or I’ll make Gaon sell all your cars and donate all your books!”

Kim Gaon blinks away his tears and approaches the teenager, placing his hand on her shoulder. “He will wake up. If he made us wait too long, we will punish him together”

***

Soft and quick knocks had Kim Gaon open his bleary eyes and sat up drowsily as he watched the doctor and nurse doing their routine check-up. He is not quite awake yet, after spending the better half of the night and early morning staring at Kang Yohan. He had exhausted his limited topics to talks to the sleeping patient after two weeks of one sided conversation, so he had done nothing but stares at the man – while he is still pale, he had regain some colour and his hand doesn’t feels as cold to touch. Last night, he had give in to his desire to cry in front of the older man – it was not the first time, but ever since Elijah had caught him crying while wiping down Kang Yohan, he had try not to cry in day light; afraid that he will discourage the teenager and made her worried, yet it was the first time he cried after he learns the root of his fear and tears – he could finally make sense of his unwavering faith in the man, his desire to soothe and seek the man and his importance to him. When the realization first dawn on him, he was assisting the man doing a light exercise to help his blood circulation, when the ECG monitor had a sudden brief spike, which made him to stare at the monitor worriedly before he leaned down and pressed his ear against Kang Yohan’s chest. The only thought that cross his mind was ‘you should let me take care of your heart if you don’t know how to do it’. Once he registered it, he abruptly stands up and gawked at the sleeping figure in astonishment. 

Ahh..he loves this man…

“Everything looks good. I will stop the sedation as of today and we will see how he fares” the doctor commented and smiled. 

Kim Gaon staggered to Kang Yohan’s bed and looks at the doctor in disbelief, “Really?”

“Yes. His lung sounds good and clear. His vitals are good too. Don’t worry, he’ll be fine” 

Kim Gaon thanked the doctor profusely and beamed at the sleeping figure. “Wake up soon. You’ve make me wait long enough”, he bend down to swipes away the bang covering Kang Yohan’s eyes. “I miss you, Kang Yohan”, he whispered softly before he walked out to find Elijah and shares the good news. 

Alone, on the bed, Kang Yohan’s eyes twitches. 

***

Awareness returned slowly. Kang Yohan doesn’t have any idea what day or time it is currently but he knew the prickles and the slight numbness echoing through his body are most probably resulted from laying still for a long time. He had the vague collection of what happened to him, though most of them are of the crying young judge and a world of hot pain, and everything else feels muffled and far away. He wanted to let himself drift because his mind convinced him that opening his eyes was too great an effort. 

A warm hand pressed against his cheek and he turned his face into the contact, letting it anchor him into his body. His hazy mind recognized this hand – its shape and weight familiar to him. He liked having this hand on his skin – it was comforting and oddly endearing. A sense of peace washed over him, and it sparked his determination to re-acquaintance with the world of living.

“Yohan?”

Kang Yohan hummed in acknowledgement before he succeeded in prying his eyes open. The room is blessedly dim and the blurry figure looming over him slowly turned solid. “Hey”, he offered a lopsided smile. He saw the young man heaved a heavy sighed and tilted forward until their forehead pressed together. Kang Yohan stilled and allows the young man to deflate, to let go of the tension stringing him together for however long he had been unconscious. 

Once Kim Gaon steps back, they both stare at each other in silence. “How are you feeling?” Kim Gaon asked softly as he helped the older into sitting position. 

Kang Yohan huffed, “Fine, though I could use some water now”

Kim Gaon scrunched his brows at his answer before he grabbed the water bottle he had prepared earlier and passed it to Kang Yohan. He watched the older takes slow small sips of water before he passed the bottle back to him. 

“How long?” 

“Two weeks” Kim Gaon answered dryly. When Kang Yohan didn’t continue his line of question, Kim Gaon asked, “You’ve got nothing to say to me?”

Dumbfounded, Kang Yohan raised a brow, “Uhh, thank you?” It must have been taxing dealing with the aftermath of the incident. Though he doesn’t know what role Kim Gaon played in it, he assumed the young judge must have done something, at the very least covering for his absence for two damn weeks. Think of it, he needs to make few urgent calls – to ask how the hell K managed to get himself caught and to make sure they take proper measures to avoid it next time, also he needs to ask K about the current situation, especially about the lunatic bitch. 

“Thank you?” Kim Gaon hissed, very much like a cat whose tail got stepped on. “Did your brain get logged off when you met Jung Sun Ah that day? Why on Earth did you meet her alone at such shady place? Did I not tell you to not be reckless?! Why the hell did you fought with them, when they have guns? Did you think you body is made of steel?” he yelled, frustration coursing through his body. When he saw the bewilderment swimming in the older’s eyes, he just feels so worn out. “You could’ve died” he whispered as lone tear streaks down his cheek. 

Stunned, Kang Yohan tugged the young man until he falls into his embrace. He had no time to think – his sleep-adled mind is screaming to make him do something in this moment. So he hugged the young man, as tightly as he could without jarring his injury. 

Kim Gaon buried his head between Kang Yohan’s neck and breaks down. “How could’ve you let me see you like that? Why are you so cruel to me?” 

“I am sorry” Kang Yohan said softly. “I didn’t mean to. I never want to. I’m sorry, okay?” he paused, as he continued to hold the crying man. Never in his wildest dream, that he thought he would one day be hugging and apologizing to the young man. And he could never imagine why the young man would be this shaken over him. 

Kang Yohan imagined he might have mistakenly blurted out his last thought when he heard the younger said, “I can’t lose you, Yohan. I can’t live in the world where you’re not there”. Kim Goan loosened the hug and stares at the older man, “So, please don’t scare me like this again”

“You…” Kang Yohan was speechless. It can’t be what he think it is, right? There is no way Kim Gaon would feel that for him, right? He is the monster who had abandoned all humanity and burned down all the unnecessary emotion for the sole goal of getting his revenge. He had long made peace that this will be his one way ticket to doom. He had long accepted that his life’s worth is only amounted to how far he could take his revenge. He doesn’t need this. No, the point is he doesn’t deserve this. He won’t acknowledge whatever this is. He’s not worth it. He won’t let himself be buoyed by this false hope, which most probably sprouted from the younger emotional distress – God knows he’s been dealing with bloody incident back to back. “You need to rest. Your eyes are ugly” he decided to address the younger’s dark circles instead. 

Kim Gaon spluttered but thankfully doesn’t press further. Sighing, he said, “You should rest too” before he walked back to the spare bed at the opposite corner - a bed which Kang Yohan belatedly noticed. “You’ve been sleeping there?” he asked incredulously.

“Your bed is too small for two. Goodnight” Kim Gaon said dryly, before he rolled into the bed and sleeps, ignoring the weird look Kang Yohan is sending him. 

***

At the first opportunity to return back to work, he had made a dash toward it, finally grateful to escape the fussing from Kim Gaon and Elijah. One man and one teenager had obviously agreed to some kind of pact – one of them always trail behind him, that the only time he was alone for the past two days was when he’s in bathroom. Kim Gaon had frown disapprovingly at him whenever he attempts to work or do something physical, nagging at him that it would pull at his wound and whatnot. He had taken the reign from the nurse, once they’re back to the Kang’s mansion, to dress his wound and checks his vitals. On the first day they returned home, Kang Yohan almost punched the younger (in reflex) when he tried to tug at his waist band. The younger had been flustered and immediately gave him a wide berth and practically throw the fresh pajamas at him before he stormed out. He shuddered to think that the younger could have been the one changing his clothes for the past two weeks. And Elijah, she had the audacity to order Kim Gaon to called K and asked him to get him a bodyguard right in front of him. If that’s not weird enough, she had cooked for him (with Kim Gaon’s help of course) – an abalone porridge with shredded potato. It was one of the dishes that Isaac’s wife had made for him before, during their early stage of marriage. He’s not sure how Elijah still remembered that he had liked that particular dish. He almost choked when he took the first bite. He thought he had hid it well but Elijah had smirked victoriously at him, so he turned a blind eye to it and just eat silently. 

Now, alone in his office, he could finally called Lawyer Ko and asked about the current situation. Lawyer Ko relayed that the foundation had been taking peoples away as they like, including Miss Han, the little helper in Lee Young Min’s case and how the President have been spreading false alarm to the citizens about mutated virus with a high death rate. Kang Yohan also asked if the lawyer know anything about what happen at Hyungsan-dong two weeks ago. When the lawyer told him that the foundation had herded the people away using metal bats, with Juk Chang acting as the lead, Kang Yohan clenched his fist tightly, knowing that if Kim Gaon had went to Hyungsan-dong, he won’t be able to save Min Jung Ho even if he’s actually detained there, instead he would be an easy prey against Juk Chang and his gang. Kang Yohan ended the call after reminding Lawyer Ko to keep finding Miss Han. 

A knock got his attention as he sat behind his desk. He saw Kim Goan walked in and takes a sit in front of him. “I came bearing bad news”, he said grimly. 

“Let’s hear it”

“Jung Sun Ah had charmed Oh-pansa. Before coming here, I talked to her about what happened at Hyungsan-dong. She refused to see reasons and insisted that she only helps the foundation to take orderly actions. She got Oh-pansa wrapped around her finger. If she continues like this, Jung Sun Ah can manipulate her into her puppet. Sooner or later, her involvement will affect the Dream Home Village case”

Kang Yohan nodded. “True” he paused, “but I afraid Oh-pansa wasn’t the only one Jung Sun Ah manage to charmed”

Kim Gaon scrunched his brows as he asked, “Who else?”

“Min Jung Ho” Kang Yohan said each syllabus slowly. 

“What?!” Kim Gaon jumped, surprise was clear on his face. “How can it be?” he asked hurriedly, still couldn’t wrapped his mind at the exposure. “He was my professor..he can’t be….” he paused midway, and stares straight at Kang Yohan; a sense of foreboding dances in his mind. “Did he do anything to you?” he asked anxiously. 

“Not directly” Kang Yohan replied. He watched Kim Gaon widened his eyes as the realization sunk in. “Me...” he staggered backward, his face suddenly take a pallid shade as he shook his heads vigorously; thousands of thought running in his mind - every bit of conversation they’ve shared and the information he had gathered about the older judge – landed him the answer to the question he was afraid to asks aloud. “She asked Professor Min to make me approach you..because I’m your hyung lookalike…” he concluded and gasped, feeling so nauseated at the myriad of possibility if he had listened to Professor Min. “I-I’m sorry!” 

Kang Yohan get off the chair and approach the young judge, but with each step he takes, the younger takes a step back, seeming too afraid and guilty to be near him. He can’t have it – he won’t allow the younger to be guilty over something he had no control of. When the younger’s back collided with the book shelf, Kang Yohan stands close enough to the younger with both his hand pressed against the book shelf, caging the young man. “Don’t take credit over other people’s mistake. It’s a bad habit” 

Kim Gaon sucked in deep breath. “But I..”

Kang Yohan quickly cut him off, “I’m glad you’re here” he paused, and caressed Kim Gaon’s cheek, “thank you” he said softly. 

“Are they aware that you’ve found out about this?” Kim Gaon asked once he calmed down.

“Yeah, this was why I told you just now. You need to be more careful outside”

Kim Gaon nodded obediently. “At this point, how can we counter attack the President?” he switched to the important topic. The longer he let his mind linger on the other topic, the more he would feel sick. 

“The President is trying to create a smoke screen to put off the citizen’s attention over the Dream Home Village. We need to make a rain and clipped off the President’s wing”

“Juk Chang” 

“Yes, we will get him for good this time” Kang Yohan smirked.