Back to the earth….
It is almost a day. Ji Sung sits on a chair inside a room full of work desks and chairs.
A laugh was booming from the TV on the wall, combined with the chatter of many officers. It was a comedy show, but there were no smiles at all on Ji Sung's complexion.
Their many officers casually walk and make fun of something. There were many of them busied on laptops on their desk that were divided by plywood cubicle wall
It was far from what he imagined about the cold and full of cigarette smoke at the police station, like in the movie he watched. It's such a lively and clean room, reminding him of the work office rather than the police station.
The vibrant smell of cold oden, pizza, tteokbokki, and coffee accompanied him. Dae Woo bought the food many hours ago for Ji Sung, but he did not touch it, except for coffee and mineral water. He lost his will to eat.
Sometimes a phone would ring, pulling his attention, hoping someone would be bailing him out. But no, it is not.
Despite being in a crowded palace, he feels alone. How is Mom doing? Does she do alright in the hospital? Hopefully, she didn't wake up and discover what happened to Jo Sung. She would be sad, and his condition could deteriorate.
What happened to the Kang Family? Why didn't they come by? Or what happened to Han Yeon? Should she go and bail him out? Did they abandon him?
No, Kang's Family never would do that. Sure, they were poor, just like Yang's. But they are all good people. And Yeon….
Everything happens because of Father. If he stayed with Yang, everything would differ.
Ji Sung clenched his fists. His fingernails dug into his palms until they turned red. His hatred for Father flourished.
A tud of a cup of tea landed on the desk, stranded Ji Sung. Putting his long coat on the chair, Jo Wo seated next to him. A severe man noticed Ji Sung's food and grabbed one oden.
"Don't feel like eating? It could be a waste. Eat. Dae Wo bought that food for you." Cold his voice, but after many years of life under constant hell, Ji Sung knew Jo Wo cared about him. He pushed a box of pizza closer. "Eat. If your mom saw you become even more skinny, she would be sad. Eat for her."
"Thank you, Sir." Ji Sung ate his first pizza, and it spread a satisfaction inside his mouth that made his tongue dance. "Could I see my mom in the hospital?"
"No, not yet. You know the procedure, right? Be patient. Your uncle would come at any moment. He was shocked back then and promised to come. Perhaps the next day." Jo Wo scanned Ji Sung's phone on the desk next to Tteokbokki. "Your girl didn't call?"
Ji Sung kept his mouth full.
"Don't worry. A girl would love a bad boy. She would never tell you about that, but they surely love it."
Is it supposed to be a joke, or did he try to entertain him? Whatever it is, it works. Ji Sung's smile bloomed.
"Anyway, where did you get that?" Jo Wo arrested Ji Sung's bracelet closely. "It's a rare bracelet, you know. How much did you pay for it?"
"It's a gift from my father." Ji Sung remembered he must keep a secret about Isekai Gate.
"Did you hate him? Why wear those things?"
Ji Sung smirked. Hate, hate was… something lenient for him. He despised him. "Yeah, but Mom asked me to wear it anytime and anywhere."
Smiling, Jo Wo showed his palm and asked nicely. "Could I borrow it?"
"No." Ji Sung's hand retreated away from Jo Wo. "Sorry, I can't. Mom would scold me."
"Just a sec. Your Mom is not here. Let me see. It does not cost you anything—"
"No." Jo Sung was guarding his hand tightly as he feared the police would do anything about it. Rarely worry spouted on himself, but He didn't want to become another Kennedy. Who knows inside Jo Wo's mind? Who knew he was on the light or dark side?
"Are you buying that thing?"
"Like I said, it came from my father. Mom told me that. She never lied to me."
"Then let me see." Jo Wo almost stood from his seat, trying to grab Ji Sung. "I want to observe it closely. After that, I will return—"
Ji Sung raised his voice. "I said no!" His words sent a shock wave that silenced everyone there. Evey eyes were on him, and that stopped Jo Wo on track.
His cold eyes, like seeing a criminal now, feasting on Ji Sung's face like a hungry crow, stunned him for a second.
"Jo Wo, what happened?" asked the girl on the next seat. "What happened, Kiddo?"
"Nothing. We were just playing a game. Isn't it, Kiddo?" Jo pulled his hand. Perhaps he worried that his colleague would think he was doing something terrible to Ji Sung. He rose, snatched his long coat, and walked without a single word.
Waggled on his wrist, Ji Sung noticed a similar bracelet on Jo Wo's hand. He was unsure about that, but it could be a different bracelet. It was just a glimpse before Dae Wo came, and his arms walled Ji Sung's vision.
It could be he is also a Traveler. No, it couldn't be. If so, why does he seem to hate Ji Sung? He should have warmly welcomed Ji Sung.
"What game do you play with him, kid?" Dae Wo seated on the same chair Jo Wo was set early and placed two bentos on the table. "Look like you didn't like eating street food and fast food. So I bought another one. Here, eat."
Ji Sung opened his bento after Dae Wo pushed him but had not touched it yet. He asked, "What happened with Jo Wo? Why is he so obsessed with my bracelet?"
"It's a long story, kid." He shrugged and studied Jo Sung's bracelet. He laughed casually. "hehei, you had the same bracelet, kiddo."
"Same bracelet?"
"Yeah, the one his deceased brother gave him. It was a tragedy." Dae Wo started eating his bento while he captured Ji Sung's curious expression. "What, you wanna hear it for me, kid?"
"Sure."
"Then Eat first, come on. You would look like a zombie if you continued like this."