Raehyun believed that proper legal punishment for the victim's mother could prevent the need for additional retribution, halting In Hyuk's involvement.
On the day of the press conference, Raehyun, donned in a white suit, arrived at the orphanage.
Stepping out of the car, he observed In Hyuk playing with the kids near the gate, a bright smile gracing his face in his black suit.
As the officials entered the gate, In Hyuk directed the children indoors and stood upright, facing Raehyun.
Raehyun appeared like an angel in white, while In Hyuk resembled a devil in black. But the question lingered: Was In Hyuk truly a devil?
"Am I making the right choice?" Raehyun questioned himself, recognizing that they deserved punishment. However, he acknowledged that the current method of punishment was not the correct approach.
"Exactly, I am," he thought for a moment. "If everyone starts punishing others, how will we tell good from evil?"
In Hyuk guided the officials participating in the conference to a location where tables were set for the press conference. Raehyun followed others and sat beside In Hyuk.
"We guarantee that Blossom Care Centre was not involved in any illegal acts, nor did it ever support unfair and cruel treatment. We escorted the victim with utmost care and received positive feedback about the victim's adjustment in their new house. We declare that we were completely unaware of the facts and the ruthless treatment by the victim's adoptive family. We are starting a petition to ask for proper punishment from the law authorities. We ask for your support, please," Raehyun gave his speech.
In Hyuk looked at Raehyun and smirked, "Proper punishment?" he whispered.
Raehyun wanted to convey to In Hyuk that he is going to ensure proper punishment for offenders, so don't do anything stupid.
After the press conference, In Hyuk walked to his car and entered the backseat.
Raehyun quickly followed, opening the driver's door and addressing the driver, handing him car keys, "I will escort him myself; you can take my car."
In Hyuk remained silent and calm as Raehyun drove them home.
"What do you think about it?" Raehyun asked.
In Hyuk looked at Raehyun through the front mirror and replied, "What are you talking about?"
"Filing a petition," Raehyun clarified.
In Hyuk gazed out of the car window and questioned, "Do you think it will work? The police don't even have evidence."
"We can make them speak on their own," Raehyun suggested.
In Hyuk, still staring out of the window, shared a poignant memory, "Do you know what it feels like to starve to death? Remember when we were chased out of our own country, unable to eat for days. It was unbearable and painful. She was only six years old."
Raehyun applied the brakes abruptly, causing the car to stop with a sudden creek. In Hyuk bounced on the sudden halt. Raehyun looked into In Hyuk's eyes through the front mirror, confirming his guess that In Hyuk couldn't control himself after what happened. Nervously, Raehyun gulped and restarted the car.
Silence filled the car on their way home. In Hyuk got out of the car and walked towards the front door. Raehyun hurriedly came out, calling, "In Hyuk, brother."
In Hyuk turned, remarking, "It's a bad sign; whenever you call me brother, something bad happens."
Raehyun suggested, "I will ask Dad to hand over the company to a trustworthy employee. How about you study history as you wished? It will make you happy; you've always liked history so much."
"I ended it," In Hyuk replied. "I stopped liking it. In history," he sighed before continuing, "my brother, whom I loved more than anyone, slashed me to death, and I still have nightmares. History is not interesting anymore."
In Hyuk entered the door, leaving Raehyun clenching his hands in guilt and regret. He turned around with teary eyes, thinking, "There must be other ways; why did I choose this way?"
Raehyun walked to the bus stop, needing to return to the university dorm before it closed.
Lost in thought, he moved slowly. At the bus stop, he sat on a bench, staring down. Buses passed by, unnoticed, as he was deeply engrossed in his thoughts.
After hours, all the buses stopped running. He placed his hand on his heavy chest and began wailing loudly. He cried a lot but pain in his chest didn't seemed to disappear.
In the morning, the university dorm guard opened the entrance door and found Raehyun lying in front of it.
"Student, get up. What are you doing here?" The guard asked as he woke up Raehyun. Raehyun stood up and rushed inside, his face red from the cold.
Injae, just waking up, saw Raehyun wrapped in a blanket and asked in a hoarse voice, "Where were you yesterday? Are you coming back just now?"
Raehyun, turning his back to Injae, replied, "I came late; the dorm door was already closed."
"What?" Injae exclaimed, "Then where did you sleep?"
"Where else? On the floor outside the door," Raehyun replied, trembling in the cold.
Injae got up, picked up toothpaste and shampoo, and said, "Dumb, you should have come on time or in the morning. We don't even have morning classes. What was the hurry?"
Injae went out to shower, and Raehyun went to sleep.
Later in the day, Raehyun was getting ready for the afternoon class. Injae, already prepared, was watching news on his cell phone, focusing on Raehyun's speech at the Blossom Care Centre.
"Wow, you look cool," Injae complimented.
"Cool nonsense," Raehyun rejected.
"Did you ask your friends and relatives to sign the petition yesterday?" Raehyun asked as they headed to class.
"Injae replied, "Of course, I did my best to get signatures. But there's one thing I don't understand."
"What thing?" Raehyun asked.
Injae pondered, "Why don't people sign the petition easily? It's not like signing a petition will cause them any harm."
"Selfish," Raehyun replied. "All their excuses are false. They are just selfish."