Kwon Taekjoo, was well awareof Zhenya family. He knew exactly how they had acquired their current wealth power.
Zhenya had also contributed to expanding his family's influence. Even so, Taekjoo accepted him.
He didn't believe that Zhenya had completely changed.
Zhenya kept some distance from his family, and the wrongdoings of the Bogdanov family didn't directly affect Kwon Taekjoo's interest, so he decided to ignore them.
More clearly, Taekjoo simply didn't have time to dwell on such matters. In extreme situations, he was swept up by emotions, as if caught in a storm.
This was the first time he had made a decision based on his heart rather than his head. Was it reckless?
Despite the current concerns, the secret meeting between North Korea and Russia might amount to nothing. It could end with just an exchange of new information between the two countries.
If their agreement didn't threaten South Korea's security, Taekjoo would have no reason to feel uneasy.
However, he couldn't shake that discomfort. As long as he kept Zhenya close, similar issues were bound to repeat themselves. While Kwon Taekjoo continued to work for South Korea and Zhenya remained rooted in Russia, there was no escaping this cycle.
It wasn't as if he hadn't foreseen it. Knowing all this, he had accepted it, but why did he still feel so restless?
"Yevgeny Vissarionovich Bogdanov, the Russian ambassador to South Korea?"
From the beginning, Taekjoo should never have let headquarters find out about him. Nor should he have allowed them to know that Zhenya was helping him.
Even though Zhenya always meddled in his own way, this was a covert operation. No else should have been exposed to it.
Still, Kwon Taekjoo got involved with him recklessly, excusing himself with the notion that he couldn't stop him. Fueled by the faint belief that Zhenya wouldn't betray him, he certainly deserved the reprimand from Director Kwak.
Thinking about Zhenya, Taekjoo knew he shouldn't let him continue acting on his behalf. The more involved Zhenya became in his affairs, the harder Zhenya's situation would become. He had to be aware of this.
"Come on, Kwon Taekjoo, get a grip. You can't lose your mind over a romance."
He shook his head irritably, trying to calm his frustration. At the moment, he heard a voice calling him from behind.
"Sunbae!"
Kwon Taekjoo turned and saw Yoon Jongwoo at the end of the hallway, waving his arm Taekjoo full turned towards him as Yoon Jongwoo quickly ran over.
"What were you thinking about so deeply? I've been calling you, and you didn't hear me."
"Really? Sorry."
"The director called for you, right? Did you just come from seeing him?"
"Yes."
"Did he give you a hard time?"
"Do you think I'm always getting scolded?"
"Then why do you look so bad? You said you only slept during your break. Still haven't recovered? No one can beat time, not even you, Sunbae."
"What do you mean I can't beat time, idiot?"
Kwon Taekjoo made a motion as if he were going to kick Yoon Jongwoo in the rear. Jongwoo exaggeration his movements, dodging and playing along. After dodging back and forth, Jongwoo finally gave up and got caught in a headlock.
After horsing around for a while, Taekjoo forgot what he had been thinking so deeply about.
"Ah, Sunbae. Please be more careful. I think you twisted my neck."
"A man whining."
"And you, who can snap the neck of any big guy with a single blow, say that? Now, you really sound like yourself, being so hard on others."
"You sure talk a lot now that you've got more experience. Your tongue's gotten pretty loose."
"You always scold me when you're feeling guilty. After all this time, were you going to leave without seeing me?"
"Why should I see your face all the time?"
"Wow, that's harsh. So, saying I'm the only one you can trust was just lip service. You only come to me when you need something."
"Why are you complaining so much today? Did he heat get to you?"
Faced with the constant teasing, Yoon Jongwoo expressed his discontent with a visibly hurt expression.
" I was worried. Right after hearing the explosion, communication was cut, and i thought something really bad had happened."
"I'm not going down that easily."
"But you were out of contact for two days. They said there were no Asians among the mercenaries captured alive at the scene. How could I not be concerned?"
"That was for good reason…"
He tried to explain but stopped himself. The explosion had destroyed his communication equipment, leaving him with no way to contact headquarters.
The problem was that instead of finding another way to communicate, he had spent those two days with Zhenya. Of course, if Zhenya hadn't shown up, he would have been arrested by Cuban police or killed on the spot, and he never would have been able to contact anyone.
"…never mind. It's my karma, my fate."
"Don't do something so reckless again. You don't have ten lives, so try to be more careful."
Taekjoo nodded vaguely and patted Yoon Jongwoo on the shoulder. Jongwoo, who had been scolding him fervently, quickly calmed down. It was amusing and kind of adorable how quickly he flared up and then cooled down.
"You act like a wife."
Taekjoo laughed and ruffled Jongwoo's hair roughly. Jongwoo, who had been sighing openly, suddenly stopped and began looking around. Taekjoo also looked around.
"What's going on? Is something happening."
"No, just in case."
"Just in case what?"
"No matter how crazy that Russian is, he couldn't be spying on the national Intelligence service, right."
"Why'd you bring him up all of a sudden."
"He looks at me like he wants to kill me just because I touched you. With those sharp eyes, it seems like he could slice someone to pieces."
"But he hasn't hurt you, has he? Don't be so dramatic."
"It's just that he's so gentle with you, so you don't know how terrifying he can be. Couldn't you tell him not to contact me?"
"He reaches out to you? Seems like he wants to be your friend."
"No, no I don't want that!"
"Then tell him yourself."
"Are you trying to get me killed."
"If you can't, then just befriend him. You two seem to get along."
Yoon Jongwoo gritted his teeth and swallowed hard, his fists trembling visibly. Kwon Taekjoo chuckled, unfazed.
"You think that guy listens to me?"
"If it weren't for you, Sunbae, I.."
"I haven't said a single word, right?"
"Can I read minds now?"
"Don't lie,"
Yoon Jongwoo shot Kwon Taekjoo, who was laughing, a look of disdain.
"Are you sure nothings wrong?"
"Why does something always have to be wrong? Anyway, let's grab a drink. It's been a while."
"Now? I'm still on my shift."
"Just tell them your going out for work. If there's any trouble, I'll cover for you."
"Don't you trust your Sunbae? I can protect you. Come on."
Kwon Taekjoo wrapped his arm around Yoon Jongwoo's neck and started walking down the hallway.
Yoon Jongwoo struggled for a moment, asking to be released, but quickly gave up and asked what he was going to buy him. After all, they were close colleagues who got along well.
"You know you're a terrible boss, right, Sunbae."
Yoon Jongwoo muttered as he stretched. It had been a while since they'd caught up, and they'd likely discuss work, so instead of heading to a restaurant, they went to Yoon Jongwoo's apartment.
Yoon Jongwoo's place, which Taekjoo hadn't visited in a long time, hadn't changed at all. It was a small two-bedroom apartment facing east, meaning it didn't get much sunlight.
The blinds were closed, leaving the place dim even during the day. Clothes were scattered haphazardly on chairs, coat racks, and workout equipment. The area around the computer was cluttered with random stuff, except for the small space right in front of the chair.Taekjoo wondered how he lived and ate in such a mess.
As Kwon Taekjoo tossed some clothes into the laundry basket, he remarked,
"What a mess."
Only then did they manage to clear enough space to sit across from each other. As Yoon Jongwoo prepared the grill, he began grumbling.
"A mess', you say? Come on! I've told you a thousand times before. You always barge into my personal space and time without any notice. You even take my stuff!"
"Hey, I may be many things, but I've never tried to take anything from you, right?"
"Did you forget the last time you used my game character with permission? And you treat my car like a taxi. And. Now this. You said you'd treat me something nice, so why are we here? You don't really think of your employee as your servant, do you?"
"Don't be so dramatic. Beside, didn't I bring something nice?"
Kwon Taekjoo gestured towards the bags he'd set on the table. On the way, they had stopped at the nearby market and brought sashimi and beef—foods Yoon Jongwoo enjoyed and perfect for pairing with drinks.
Even the sashimi and meat cuts had been handpicked by Yoon Jongwoo, so his sudden complaints seemed to have another case. The way his eyes drifted off proved it.
"You're just trying to avoid getting scolded,"
taekjoo teased.
"So, you little brat, how about living a bit tidier? Is this a pigsty or a home? Air the place out morning and night. When was the last time you did laundry? It's a miracle you haven't gotten sick living and eating in here. That's why you're always weak, right?"
It wasn't hard to see through Yoon Jongwoo's shallow excuses. Faced with the barrage of scolding, Jongwoo whined,
"Why are you lecturing me when I didn't even invite you!"
"Don't you know intervention is a form of care? You should be greatful that a superior like me is looking out for you."
"Unwanted attention is violence. Talking to you feels like I'm back in the military."
Yoon Jongwoo grumbled in a defeated tone, continuing his complaints as they set the table.
"They say having a boss favored by the higher-ups is a mistake. I think i messed up from the start."
"You think I'm favored? I don't think anyone in the office had written more disciplinary reports than I have."
"Is that something to be proud of? That makes it even worse. If you're loyal to the higher-ups, then be fully loyal. But you always do things your own way. It's not just about achieving the goal. I've been scolded several times for helping you."
"I didn't get you scolded this time."
"Is that the face of someone who didn't get scolded?"
"What's wrong with my face."
"You're always worried, which isn't like you."
Taekjoo instinctively rubbed his face. Could it be that even someone as oblivious as Yoon Jongwoo had noticed his concern?
He couldn't deny that, after being warned by Director Kwak about Zhenya's involvement, he had been on edge. But it wasn't just that weighing on him.
Meanwhile, Jongwoo had divided the grill into two sections, grilling the meat and boiling water for instant noodles. He quickly prepared the alcohol, sashimi, and a few side dishes.
And he hadn't stopped talking the whole time. It seemed he had a lot to vent.
"Honestly, aren't you feeling overwhelmed, Sunbae? Trying to do the work of multiple people just leaves with no time and in more danger. You're always running around—why won't you reinforce the team."
"Because having more people wouldn't change anything."
"How wouldn't it change anything? You workload would lighten significantly. At least you'd have someone to cover for you."
"On the contrary, having to look after the team members and bail them out could make things harder. Plus, who could keep up with my pace."
"Ugh… that pace is the problem. If you were just a workaholic and a perfectionist no one would say anything. But you make everyone around you follow that same pace, and that's why they complain. You even break rules and act out of line. No one says it out loud, but no one wants to have your back."
"That's fine. As long as I have you, I'm good."
"I'm not good!"
"That hurts, kid. How many time have I bought you food? Who do you think stocks your fridge with side dishes?"
Unable to find a proper response, Yoon Jongwoo clenched his fists. He bit his lower lip in frustration, and his body trembled. Meanwhile, Kwon Taekjoo placed some grilled meat on his plate.
Yoon Jongwoo, still looking displeased, ate the meat diligently.
"What I'm saying is, take it easy, Sunbae. Your goal isn't to die in the line of duty."
Kwon Taekjoo nodded absentmindedly as he opened a bottle of soju. When he tilted the bottle towards Yoon Jongwoo, Jongwoo quickly raised his glass. First, Taekjoo poured for him, then for himself.
After a brief pause, Yoon Jongwoo said,
"Cheers,"
And lightly clinked their glasses. He smiled and drank his soju in one gulp. It didn't hit him much. Maybe it was because he had been drinking stronger stuff with Zhenya lately.
He poured himself another glass and downed it immediately. As he fiddled with his empty glass, Yoon Jongwoo stared at him intently. From experience, he seemed to know that Taekjoo did this when he had a lot on his mind.
"Jongwoo, you know, right? I've been running non-stop."
"Of course. You were like a moth, all work, no tears."
"When I worked, I never thought of anything else. I didn't care of the enemy during a mission was a man, woman, elderly, or a child. Overcoming extreme, unexpected situations and finally getting what I wanted to give an incredible rush.
It was a feeling I'd never experienced before, and maybe that's why I became addicted to it so fast. Sometimes, doing nothing and just resting felt like hell. That's why I thought this job was my calling."
"Wow… if that's the case, it really sounds like it is, right?"
"Maybe it's because I'm getting older, as you said. More and more, random thoughts slips into my work. Sometimes I hesitated to pull the trigger, and my mindset seems to have shifted a bit."
Yoon Jongwoo, in the middle of preparing a large bite, passed. Processing the content, he cautiously asked,
"Sunbae, did something happen in Cuba?"
Kwon Taekjoo shook his head slightly and poured himself another drink. Then, he toyed with the empty glass for quite a whlie, seemingly lost in thought.
"It's not just that it was a problem at the time, but when I think about it, it's been a long time since I lost my initial motivation."
Yoon Jongwoo, tilting his head, popped a piece of meat into his mouth. It was hard for him to understand what part of Kwon Taekjoo had changed.
As far as he knew, Taekjoo had never failed in his duties. His recent activities weren't any different from before. In fact, Jongwoo thought it would be good if he took things a little slower.
As he glanced over at him, Kwon Taekjoo remained deep in thought, downing drink after drink.
Something was clearly troubling him, but he wasn't sharing it openly, making it hard for Jongwoo to ask directly. Instead, Jongwoo quietly severed the instant noodles, which were just right.
"You're going to mess up your stomach. Eat somthing too. Do you think your body is made of iron forever?"
For some reason, Kwon Taekjoo's gaze was fixed on the instant noodles. He stared at them intensely but didn't seem inclined to eat them, which was strange.
Finally, Kwon Taekjoo broke the silence.
"What would you do if two things you care about deeply couldn't coexist?"
"Is this about your mother?"
"Huh? My mother?"
"Your mother wants you to have stability, and you feel like this job is your calling. Isn't that what's bothering you?"
Suddenly, he felt caught off guard. It wasn't that he didn't know about his mother's concerns. He was aware of them, but he didn't think about her while he was working.
In reality, the affection and sense of duty he felt towards his mother had never held him back before. He justified it by thinking that what he did was for the good of the country and that it benefited more people, so it had to take priority.
Even when he lied to his mother to reassure her, he didn't feel guilty.
But now? Why was it different with Zhenya?
Though the situation wasn't immediate, Taekjoo had a growing sense that, at some point, he would have to choose between Zhenya and his work.
Director Kwak's warning had stirred that vague unease. If the time came to make the choice, what decision would Kwon Taekjoo make?
Just thinking about something that hadn't even happened yet filled him with increasing anxiety.