Knife Dance

EP27 

"Are We Really Doing This?"

"You can't just walk out of there, it's the only way."

"No, but do they really believe this?"

"So you think I'm just gonna let a kid walk out after six weeks of work?"

"By the way, you're not trying to kill me, are you?"

"I'm trying to save you. You have to live."

"Because of Jae-seung? That's what you're saying."

"What are you talking about? Are you kidding me? I'm serious."

Little Martiz waits for the light. 

Gyuri is now standing at the crosswalk. 

She moves almost at the end of the signal, and I hit her as she crosses. 

She goes down. She sprawls. A three-week injury to her front teeth. 

"Oh, that really fucking hurt."

"Yeah, that's what she deserves, three weeks out.

Then, after an unauthorised absence, she sends a late text message. There are two missed calls. 

"Director, I was in a serious car accident on my way home. I'm in the hospital and will be there for a month."

"It's going to be a while before I'm able to get back to my normal routine, and the work is too much for me, so I'm going to retire."

"What hospital are you in?" 

"Yonsei Hospital"

"I'll visit you after work."

Gyuri's hands were shaking. 

I knew that she had indeed had an accident, but I didn't know what kind of harm I would do to her if I found out the secret of the nursery and told her she was leaving. 

I left the recorder on and placed it somewhere in her room. 

I left the recorder on and left it somewhere in her room, in case there was any evidence. 

I was honestly scared. 

I thought they might kill Gyuri on the spot. 

These guys were such a cruel and crazy group. 

I watched them come up from the first floor of the hospital. 

There was a chief and two henchmen. 

The director always wears her long, flowing hair in a high ponytail and wears neutral coloured clothes. 

Behind them came a gay couple. 

I wanted to kill them immediately, given the way they sexually assaulted and tortured the children, but I didn't. 

They all had to meet their end together and I had to engineer it. 

Those bastards always carry all kinds of knives and stun guns. 

The first thing I thought was, I hope they don't kill Gyuri. 

I hope they don't kill Gyuri. 

I only wanted to preserve her life. 

Technically, she was at fault, but I had destroyed her husband and her life, too. 

I can feel the life in their backs as they walk up the stairs, looking very uncomfortable. 

"Gyuri, are you quitting?"

"Yes. You don't have to pay me for this month's work, Director."

At that moment, one of the gay couples next to her says something.

"You bitch, do you have something up your sleeve or something?"

"Nothing, really. I'm just tired of working."

"Mi-Jin introduced me to it and explained it to me, but it's not really my thing."

The director said with a frown.

"Really?"

"Gyuri, it was so hard for you to get hurt, but you should think about it."

"If you've been up to no good, then you'll get what you saw."

"I'll pay you all of this month's salary. And if you're under any pressure because of my interview the other day, don't worry."

"And don't talk about it when your people are hurt. Get some rest, and remember, like we wrote in the contract, you're never to talk about it, okay?"

"Yes, I understand."

"You have to decide which side you're on. It's up to you."

"We could be gone as soon as tomorrow. That's the kind of place we are, you know what I mean?"

"Yes."

And that was the end of the visit. I knock on the wall three times. 

'OK, this is a recording of an indirect threat, this will be useful'

I thought. Last minute, 

I decided to collect all the evidence and items that would be used against them in court if they didn't die.

Even if I were to die, my guilt would be clear. 

It is time to tell the truth. 

Gyuri must live. 

"Gyuri, you may be followed for months, so be careful."

"They're probably not looking for new teachers anymore, and they're tight on security."

"I'm starting to think I can sniff out a scent and run out of the country."

"So am I done?"

"Gyuri."

"Huh?"

"I feel a little sorry for you."

"For putting you through all this?

"Don't you get it yet?"

"About what?"

"What the hell happened to your life?"

"What do you mean?"

"Have you ever thought about why things keep happening to you since you met me?"

"I have thought about it."

"Do you think it's just because of the drugs?"

"Well, isn't it because of my addiction?"

"It's Gyuri. Actually, my name is Park Se-hoon."

"What?"

"Don't you remember?"

"Think about it. Do you remember how I looked in high school?"

"I do."

"Not a single night did I sleep well. Every day was a nightmare and I thought I was going to die."

"When I think about how you guys used to ignore me and bully me, it gives me the will to live."

"So here I am, homeless, trying to get back at you and die."

"Including your husband Jae-seung, remember?"

"But my revenge made me feel a little too compassionate to kill you."

"I won't get involved anymore. But you'll live to regret it for the rest of your life."

"I really want to kill you, honestly. I don't want to destroy your entire family, Hijaman."

"And you're a little less than Jae-seung, because he treated me like an orphan and made fun of me every day."

"Gyuri, you were lucky to get away with bullying me back then, but now you're unlucky to get away with it."

"I can't give you medicine anymore. Work hard at the furniture store and raise your daughter well."

"That's the last thing I'm giving you, you know if you call the police?"

"You just keep your mouth shut and live with your breath. Just like you're supposed to."

"I'm sorry."

"You don't have to be sorry. It's okay."

"Don't contact me anymore. But thanks, I got the material."

"It was fun watching you fall apart."

"No one will be safe if I tell anyone about this."

"You'll be discharged in a few weeks, get off your meds, and get on with your life."

"ㆍㆍㆍㆍㆍㆍ"

"If that kindergarten director doesn't die."

"Are you going to kill him?"

"Gyuri, I've committed more crimes than I realise, and I shouldn't be alive to take revenge."

"If those nursery school teachers aren't dead, I need you to testify against them."

"Just promise me that."

"And if you don't, you will."

"Okay."

"Okay, change your phone's save name."

I leave the hospital room. 

Gyuri was probably the first person I decided not to kill in my revenge.

Because I cared about her. 

I don't know if it's justice or what, but she helped me gather evidence and data on the nursery, and I'd already killed her husband, so I thought a punishment that made her live with the situation would be more appropriate. 

Because that little girl and her mother did nothing wrong. 

I got out of the hospital and was sitting at home in a daze when I got a call. 

'Jung Dahae'

"Brother, do you want to go for a walk?"

"I thought we could have dinner after work."

"Okay. Shall we drink soju tonight?"

"Okay, just a little bit because I have a job tomorrow morning."

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)