"A team?...like what are we gonna do, we are just senior high students."
"You said your father was a prosecutor?"
"Ya, so?"
" Are you really a fool..or are you just pretending to be one? We can go through the files of your dad's cases. If something was really up, your father must have left something behind"
" Ooooo...I see, so do I just have to go through the files and find something fishy?"
" Is it ok if I come over and help...no offense but, I mean like ...with that brain of your's i don't think you can find anything"
" do you have a death wish"
*laughs loudly*
" ok ok, sorry, but can I come over?"
"yea, whatever"
*after the class got over*
" In-ha aren't you going to come back with us today?" Ji-a asked looking at Ji-chul suspiciously
" You guys can go first, I've got something to do with him"
" O-ok, bye"
*Kyung-hoon glares at Ji-chul and leaves*
"let's get going"
In-ha and Ji-chul walk to In-ha's house.....Ji-chul is still staring at In-ha, trying to figure out what she's thinking
" What is it this time?"
*coughs the awkwardness off* " I was just wondering how your parents passed away.."
"Even I don't remember anything about that night, so I don't think you can hear that part of my memory"
" What do you take me for, I wasn't trying to hear your thoughts"
In-ha laughs at him. They both continue walking to her house in silence
*At In-ha's house*
" grandma I am back, I have a friend with me"
" who is this handsome guy" *chuckles*
" he is a new student...he just transferred"
" let me bring you something to eat'
" we will be in dad's office"
They both go into her dad's office, it's all covered in dust. They start by cleaning the place and sorting the files.
" woohoo, I am tired now" *Ji-chul lying on the ground ready to die*
" you've got no stamina bud"
*annoyed* "it's just that I am not used to cleaning, I have lots and lots of sta-"
" Yaya whatever, just get to work instead of running your mouth"
*door opens*
"Kids aren't you tired, here have some snacks"
They have some snacks and get back to work. In-ha is busy searching through the files to search for something that seems problematic, but she doesn't get anything even after searching for 2 hours.
" don't you think we have searched enough? I don't see anything in particular"
" Ma'am, could you stop complaining for once? I am sure that your father must have left something behind"
Suddenly a box catches In-ha's attention, she opens it and finds a bunch of papers and files.
" Oi, Ji-chul, over here. Look at these, don't you think this is something important, otherwise why would dad keep it in a separate box?"
" SQ slush funds? now, what's this supposed to mean?"
" I am not sure either, for now, I think we'll have to go through this bunch of files...before that let's do some research on SQ"
"ok, you can search the web, I'll go through these files"
In-ha starts searching the web for information related to SQ, she finds out that they are one of the most respected and wealthiest conglomerates in the country.
" I don't see anything that stands out about them, there is only good news up, but that's the thing I find strange"
" why?"
"I mean think about it, every business has its good times and bad times, but why is that SQ group only has good times. Isn't it strange"
" Now that I think about it....it is kinda sus"
While In-ha is still surfing about SQ group for more news, Ji-chul is rummaging through the files, he finds the reports stating SQ's slush funds, and he is shocked at how corrupt they are.
" they are no saints...look at these reports...the number of slush funds are mind-boggling"
" Now I think we should go behind them....but how are we going to get news on them, it's not like we have a source or anything"
*Ji-chul smirks* "Who do you think I am, my father was a detective, I know one of his colleagues, he still comes by from time to time"
" what do you mean by 'was a detective' where is your dad now?"
" He was murdered, but it was disguised as a suicide"
*In-ha feels guilty* " I am sorry for your loss"
" Why are you sorry? did you kill him?" *laughs*
*annoyed* " even that is a joke for you, just work"
" I will find and punish him!"
" Who?"
" The person who killed my dad, he was such a nice person, he never harmed anyone. He always did his best as a father and as a civil servant, he always stood for justice.... he didn't deserve a death like that..."
In-ha notices that Ji-chul's eyes are filled with tears
" we are in it together, so let's work hard and find the person who is responsible for our parent's death, let's stop for today...we at least got a lead, SQ group"
" yea, I guess that is a good start... it's getting late, I'll get going now"
" Ok, goodbye, see you tomorrow"
.
.
.
.
*the next day*
In-ha is on her way to school when she suddenly notices that she is being followed. She starts walking faster but the steps behind her are getting faster along with her's. She feels that a hand is approaching her, she catches that hand and twists it.
" WHO ARE YOU!"
" IT'S ME! JI-A"
she suddenly notices and lets go of Ji-a's hand, Ji-a is still in pain and angry at In-ha.
"I mean why would you be so sneaky"
"I was trying to surprise you...who would know that you'd attack me"
" ok fine, i am sorry about that"
They both continue walking to school, In-ha notices Ji-chul at the gate.
"Ji-a, I'll talk to you later for now I've gotta go"
" are you going to Ji-chul? What's going on between you two"
" I'll explain later, for now, I need to go"
Ji-a look's at In-ha strangely and decides to talk to Kyung-hoon about this whole situation.
" Don't you think that there is something strange with In-ha lately? like she used to hate Ji-chul because he was too nosy and talkative"
" even I think it's strange....she doesn't share things like before, I think she is hiding something"
" This is it, let's ask her after school what all this is about"
Meanwhile, In-ha and Ji-chul are discussing
" let's learn a bit more about SQ group and the case before asking your dad's colleague's help"
"yea, even I think that's better.... let's go to your home after the school's over"
" ok, let's head for classes or we are going to be late"
TO BE CONTINUED~
~OB