The Perfect

CEO Ryu stated coldly. So, he had trouble with Yangsimless. Maybe he got ripped off. Just then, he suddenly turned his body sharply. I was startled! He looked outside with sharp eyes, scanning from side to side.

“What’s wrong?”

“I feel like someone’s watching us…”

Not a feeling, it’s a fact. Passersby all glanced at this car. How expensive it must be. Someone who is targeted by Heartless driving such an eye-catching car, this man must be out of his mind. CEO Ryu fiercely stared at the passersby before returning to the matter at hand.

“This isn’t about personal greed. It’s to preemptively prepare for crises using Director Kook’s abilities. Director Kook is so self-centered and money-driven that he doesn’t care about public interest or sacrifice. He’s currently working for the Special Department because of Mr. Han Jemyung, but he could quit at any time. He has the best abilities but is the worst person.”

So contact me. Though I also work for money, I have a formal contract with the Special Department to work for the public good. To me, it seemed like a case of the pot calling the kettle black. However, I didn’t express my opinion.

“Of course, my comments about Director Kook are purely personal opinions and not official statements backed by evidence.”

He added a caveat. What kind of grudge does Yangsimless have against this person that both the Special Director and this person tremble at the mention of his name?

“Thank you for your offer, CEO Ryu, but I must decline. I am satisfied with my salary from the Special Department. However, I will contact you if I notice anything particularly strange.”

That man is always strange, so only when something is exceptionally odd. The other party didn’t seem entirely satisfied with my answer but nodded.

“Understood. Still, if you change your mind about the job, please contact me.”

He handed me a business card. The shiny paper was so luxurious that I felt guilty just touching it.

“By the way, I have one more request. This is purely a personal favor, but I hope you can fulfill it.”

He lowered his voice and looked at me seriously. What kind of request could it be? I got nervous preemptively. He looked me straight in the eye and handed me a paper envelope that was by his foot. A bribe, perhaps?!

“Please take this.”

“No, I can’t accept something like this…”

“You must.”

He firmly placed the envelope in my hand. I had no choice but to take it, though my expression hardened. The envelope was quite large. It must be worth millions. Damn, I was conflicted. Should I bury it in the ground since depositing it in the bank might raise suspicions?

“Please give it three times a day if possible.”

…Money?

“Although it has a good filter, giving too much at once makes the water cloudy, so please give only the amount I’ve noted.”

It was definitely not about money. I looked back and forth between the envelope and him.

“This?”

“Yes. Please.”

“Where?”

“Where else? Only my darlings will eat this.”

Food? Darlings? I was confused, looking back and forth between the envelope and him, then noticed the printed logo on the envelope.

‘XX Aquarium, Tropical Fish Specialist’

“So this is… fish food.”

Not money. Damn it.

“Yes, food for my darlings.”

“……”

“By the way, did you see my darlings at the 4K office? How were they?”

I recalled the fish tank in the office. Why is he worried about someone else’s office fish?

“Well, they seemed fine.”

“Really? My babies are sensitive to temperature. If it drops by just one degree, they catch a cold. Did you notice any white spots on them?”

“Well, I didn’t look closely…”

“There are also supplements inside. I’ve written the instructions, so please follow them.”

“……Okay.”

“The youngest likes to hide, so I put in some structures. I also included the latest filter, so please install it. And…”

“CEO Ryu.”

“Yes?”

“Are the tropical fish yours?”

I must have confirmed it. He closed his eyes tightly and turned his head. After a few breaths to calm himself, he looked at me again.

“Yes. They were my darlings. But that wicked, vile bastard took them from me…”

He turned his head again, took a deep breath, and then looked at me with his usual expression.

“My comments about Director Kook are purely personal opinions and not official statements backed by evidence.”

“……Okay.”

“Then, once again, please take care of it.”

He extended his hand. I shook it briefly and quickly opened the car door. This person isn’t normal either.

“Mr. Han Jemyung.”

What now? Does he want me to take the fish for a walk?

“Have you fired a lot of guns?”

“What?”

“You have calluses on the inside of your hand.”

I looked at the palm I had shaken hands with.

“These are from gaming. I spend so much time gripping joysticks. I mainly play PS games, but I also have some unreleased games. My friend has almost every game chip, so if there’s something you want to play, I can lend it to you…”

“No, I don’t like games. I prefer real fights.”

He chuckled. I awkwardly laughed and got out of the car. As I crossed the street, I called the office where I should have been working by now. After a few rings, I heard a voice say, “Hey, Jemyung.”

“Byunghee, can you lend me a game console?”

I heard his surprised voice over the receiver.

Thud. A coffee cup was placed in front of me. Due to the rising prices of imported goods, coffee had become a rare treat, and its fragrant aroma filled the air. I held the cup with both hands. It was warm. Despite the hot weather, it felt nice.

“Is something good happening?”

CEO Na, who had given me the coffee, asked. Only then did I quickly close my gaping mouth. Still, I couldn’t stop my lips from curling into a smile. Something good indeed. You personally made me coffee. This is something straight out of a novel…

“The break room is at the end, so from now on, you can make your own coffee whenever you want.”

Like dry ice, he extinguished even the tiniest spark of hope. But it was fine. The protagonist always has a cool side to be impressive.

“You said you were coming from the Special Department?”

“Yes.”

“It looked like you came in the L&Y representative’s car.”

You saw that? I glanced at the window behind CEO Na. Can you see from here? Did he wait by the window for me to arrive…?

“Manager Hong said he saw it.”

Manager Hong, aka Clicker? His eyesight is unnecessarily good.

“I have a few questions about this incident.”

“Yes.”

If he asked for my bank account password, I’d give it to him. Though there’s only 560 won in it.

“You said the paramedic was the instigator?”

“Yes. Director Kook somehow figured it out. I didn’t know.”

“It’s natural for a civilian not to notice. Even if Mr. Han Jemyung was right next to him.”

How did he know I was right next to him? Sensing my confusion, he explained.

“I read your report from earlier.”

The report I wrote after testifying at the Special Department? How many people have seen it before me?

“You had a tough day.”

His gentle voice made me tear up unexpectedly.

“I really almost died because of Director Kook. I wasn’t in a position to ask for help. But he watched me get shot because I didn’t ask for help!”

“You got shot?”

“No. I almost did, but I dodged it with my quick reflexes. If I weren’t so smart, I’d have bullet holes all over my body.”

“So you’re saying Director Kook didn’t save you because you didn’t ask for help?”

“Yes! Does that make any sense? In that situation, shouting for help would have gotten me shot. How could I shout for help?”

CEO Na nodded. He was very understanding.

“So does Director Kook’s grudge end if he hears someone ask for help? Did you perhaps not thank Director Kook for saving you from Heartless last time?”

He was overly understanding.

“Well, it’s not that I didn’t want to.”

“I understand.”

“……Yes.”

“It might be uncomfortable, but please do as Director Kook wants next time. That way, this will end quickly.”

Then I won’t see you.

“You escaped alone this time too, right? Without Director Kook’s help. Honestly, I was impressed.”

“Escaping is my specialty.”

“Yes. Even in a scary situation with Heartless. That’s probably why the L&Y representative showed interest in you.”

“Oh, CEO Ryu wasn’t… um.”

“If it’s uncomfortable to explain, you don’t have to.”

It’s not uncomfortable. I just paused to organize my thoughts. I explained to him what happened today. I really explained it thoroughly. I didn’t miss a single line. And I added at the end.

“Can you believe he asked me to spy? Of course, I refused. He even tempted me with a lot of money, but I firmly rejected it. Yet, the representative clung to my pants. And then he even gave me an envelope.”

“An envelope?”

“Well, it wasn’t money. But the point is, he kept asking.”

He seemed deep in thought. I emphasized once more.

“But I firmly refused.”

“So CEO Ryu…”

“He begged me to join his company.”

“He asked about a cook?”

A cook. There it was again. I realized that CEO Na was deep in thought after hearing the word “cook.” Both CEO Ryu and CEO Na were sensitive to the word “cook.” Yet, Yangsimless, who heard it directly, had no reaction.

“What exactly did the paramedic ask Director Kook at the scene?”

“Just if he was a cook.”

“Did he say exactly that? Nothing else?”

He waited seriously, as if my memory was crucial. I paused for a moment and then gave him the exact words he wanted.

“He said, ‘So there really is a cook. It’s an honor.'”

“An honor.”

CEO Na muttered, looking at the desk.

“Is it a secret that Director Kook was a cook?”

“It’s not a secret. He was never a chef.”

“What?”

“Chef is just Director Kook’s nickname. His last name, when written in English, is pronounced the same as ‘cook,’ so he was called a chef. The secret would be who gave him that nickname.”

“Who?”

“It’s a secret.”

He answered with a slight smile. I smiled back, but soon my smile faded.

“But he died three years ago, so there’s no secret left.”

“Died? Did the paramedic hear about it before he died?”

“Who knows.”

Who knows? So the nickname was widely known then. As I thought lightly about it, CEO Na’s words rang in my ears.

“Someone believed to be dead might not actually be dead.”

“……”

“You don’t seem very surprised.”

Well, it’s not surprising. Three years ago, the world was chaotic. The whole world was like a battlefield, and there are still many people whose fate is unknown. It’s rare but not impossible for someone believed to be dead to be alive. Many people played dead and lived under a different identity.

“Is the person who might not be dead a bad person?”

I changed the topic and added.

“So is that why they’re interested in Director Kook’s instinct? CEO Ryu said Director Kook has a good sense for bad things.”

He just smiled. Why do representatives do this? When they don’t want to answer, they just smile. Is this a trait of being a representative?

“By the way, if you’re declining L&Y’s offer, I’d like to ask you to join us.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Will you come to my side?”

“I’ll submit my resignation immediately and come over.”

“Great. I really wanted to have you as Director Kook’s partner.”

“… Now that I think about it, the Special Department won’t let me go.”

“That’s true. You’re too good at your job. Honestly, everyone who’s worked on the field with Director Kook has been repelled by him, so it’s hard to find new people. It’s rare to find someone responsible like you, Mr. Han Jemyung.”

That’s because I wanted to impress you!

“If you come to an agreement with the Special Department, please consider moving to 4K. It’s hard to work as Director Kook’s partner, but we’ll compensate you well.”

“No, thanks…”

“If you want, we can provide you with housing. There’s an empty apartment above mine.”

“I’ll think about it.”

I clenched my jaw to hold back a smile. He’s inviting me to live above him. Does he have feelings for me…?

“There are office employees living below and next to me, so you’ll feel like family.”

“…”

“Unfortunately, Director Kook lives elsewhere. But if you prefer, we can arrange a house near Director Kook.”

I already live close enough! I should put my house up for sale. Knock, knock. There was a knock, and Clicker entered.

* * *

Manager Hong, Seungjae, didn’t like the Special Department employees. Because he was a Special Department employee himself. The biggest hindrance while capturing Heartless had always been the Special Department. Instead of helping, they always created obstacles. Just because a company wasn’t contracted by the government, they withheld essential information. They often handed over information provided by this side to L&Y.

It was hard to tell if they were the Special Department or L&Y. If only we had a government contract, things would be easier, but the tasks designated by the government were always problematic. Heartless doesn’t only threaten public facilities. They also threaten individuals. However, due to a lack of manpower, such tasks are rarely assigned to companies.

They downgraded cases like the one brought by the Special Department employee this time, and if the victim died, they just covered up the incident. 4K was great because it didn’t discriminate against its targets. Of course, Director Kook was overly money-driven, but it was fine because CEO Na managed him well.

But now, a Special Department employee, having received help from CEO Na once, was sticking to him like glue. Seungjae handed the documents to CEO Na while glaring at Han Jemyung. The guy who bragged about being a coward was smiling and drinking coffee in front of CEO Na. Hmph, knowing CEO Na’s good nature and clinging to him. Soon, you’ll be…

“Manager Hong, do you have business with Mr. Han Jemyung?”

“What? Oh, no.”

Seungjae quickly answered and averted his gaze from the Special Department employee.

“By the way, Manager Hong, you said you saw Mr. Han Jemyung coming. Did you see it from the window?”

“What? Oh… yes.”

Not a voyeur, seeing it from the window. Someone must have told him. But he couldn’t say that the person who informed him had tailed the Special Department employee. Why does Director Kook have a grudge against this guy? Feeling a gaze, he turned to see the Special Department employee looking at him suspiciously. Seungjae quickly changed the topic to work. After listening briefly, CEO Na gave instructions.

“There should be CCTV in the high-risk designated area. Check all records from a week ago.”

“Right now?”

“Is there anything urgent?”

“Director Kook ordered us to investigate a vehicle’s black box.”

“Why?”

“Someone vomited in Director Kook’s car…”

“Cough!”

The Special Department employee suddenly started coughing. Drinking coffee with a smile, he must have choked. His face turned red, and he sprayed everywhere.

“Cough! Ugh- cough, cough.”

“Mr. Han Jemyung, are you alright?”

The ever-kind CEO Na looked at him with concern.

“Yes… cough, I’m fine. The coffee was just too hot.”

CEO Na glanced at the now-cold coffee cup but said nothing and turned back to Seungjae.

“Did the black box capture the culprit?”

“Yes. However…”

Clang—

This time, he dropped his coffee cup. Seungjae frowned. Can’t even drink coffee properly? CEO Na, as always, was kind.

“Are you okay?”

“Sorry. The cup slipped.”

Both looked down at the coffee cup. Had a mug with a big handle ever been slippery? It felt odd, but Seungjae continued his report.

“The black box captured something, but it only got the top of the head. The culprit has two cowlicks…”

Again, the conversation was interrupted. No sound this time, but both turned to look at the Special Department employee as if on cue. Though there was no noise, a spectacle of frantic movements unfolded before their eyes. The Special Department employee was furiously ruffling his hair. What’s he doing?

“It suddenly itched.”

Seungjae openly took a step back. CEO Na also subtly leaned back. CEO Na resumed the conversation.

“If something was captured, Director Kook will find it.”

“Yes. But Director Kook has been acting strange lately.”

“How so?”

“He usually identifies targets for revenge faster than anyone with his instincts. But he still hasn’t found the person who distributed flyers in the apartment…”

Screech—

Again, you? They turned to look at the source of the sound. He was half-sitting on the chair he had pushed back, seemingly ready to bolt if needed.

“I got a cramp in my leg.”

Another flimsy excuse, but both chose to focus on the conversation.

“Still can’t find someone from the same apartment? That’s unlikely.”

“No, it’s true. He’s completely frustrated about it. I’ve never seen him take this long to find someone. CEO Na, this must be one of those cases, right? When Director Kook’s instincts don’t work, it’s either of two things, right?”

“Yes, it’s either of two things. Dead or…”

No sound or flashy movement this time, but they looked at the Special Department employee again. He was leaning forward, his ears perked up. It was a bold eavesdropping stance, quite unsettling. Yet, CEO Na understood. The Special Department employee was a victim of Director Kook as well. Still, feeling somewhat guilty, the Special Department employee laughed awkwardly.

“Ha, ha, ha. I guess I should leave now?”

“You can stay. Aren’t you curious?”

“Yes.”

The Special Department employee answered immediately and leaned forward, asking openly. What are the two things when Director Kook’s instincts don’t work? The answer was given.

“Dead or someone he shouldn’t seek revenge on.”

A brief silence followed. The Special Department employee looked dazed, then gradually brightened. Seungjae could guess his thoughts without looking. He probably thought he might be the latter. Seungjae quickly interrupted his fantasy.

“Don’t get the wrong idea that you might be the latter. Someone Director Kook shouldn’t seek revenge on has nothing to do with rationality or justice. It’s purely a personal matter to Director Kook.”

What’s he talking about? The Special Department employee silently questioned with his expression, then looked at CEO Na. CEO Na nodded, agreeing with Seungjae.

“Director Kook has a keen sense for enemies. Think of it the opposite way. His instincts don’t work for someone who could never be his enemy.”

“The opposite of enemy… does that mean a close friend?”

“I doubt it’s at the level of friendship.”

“Then perhaps a benefactor…”

“Oh, come on. The opposite of an enemy is obvious.”

Seungjae interjected loudly.

“Love! Isn’t it love?!”