Uijae stared at his two phones, one showing the twelve missed calls from Lee Sayoung, and the other with Jung Binâs message. He let out a long sigh and pressed his forehead against the steering wheel. As much as he wanted to rush to the Seowon Guild to question Nam Woojin about what he knew, he couldn't shake off the voice that echoed in his mind.
"Do whatever you want. I know you're hesitating."
That voice belonged to Lee Sayoung, the one person who constantly kept Uijae tethered, the one thing that felt like a weight around his neck.
âFine, Sayoung. You win.ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Uijae lifted his head to see Gaeul watching him with a worried look. Removing his cap, which had been pushed up during his frustration, he asked calmly, "Do you need me to take you somewhere, Gaeul?"
"Somewhere...? Oh, maybe home?"
"Wonât your parents wonder where youâve been?"
"Ah, no. Theyâre both at work."
"Iâll take you home, then."
"What? Oh... but, wait, aren't you supposed to do more investigating? What about everything we just saw?"
"I do have more to check on..." Uijae trailed off, rubbing his thumb over the phone screen showing Sayoung's missed calls, "but someoneâs waiting for me."
"Okay..."
Uijae handed her his phone. "Give me your number. Iâll contact you if anything comes up."
Gaeul quickly input her number, and Uijae saved it with a short sigh.
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