Small and Fragile Things - Chapter 26

Illy had been brainwashed since childhood.

The moment someone pushed the right button, all the deeply embedded beliefs in her head would trap her like a net.

That’s why they’d drilled those ideas into her hundreds of times—to prepare for a moment like this. It wouldn’t be easy to shake the conviction that she was someone the world and its people could never truly accept.

“They’re not the kind of people you think they are, Illy.”

“No. They’re all good people. They’ve been nice to me. They… treat me like I’m just a normal person. Do you even know what that means?”

“Ha… That’s how they trick you! They make you feel safe, gain your trust, and in the end, they—”

“Enough!”

Illy shook her head hard, refusing to hear another word. But her reaction said it all—she was already wavering. It was only natural. She knew how ignorant she was.

She didn’t know much about the outside world or people. She hadn’t experienced enough to trust her own judgment, and she knew it.

That’s why it was so easy to shake her—just like this.

“Think about it. Why would those people treat you well when they don’t even know you? You think they brought you along for no reason?”

“……”

“What you see isn’t everything. They’ve already figured out you’re naïve and clueless. That’s why they’re using you—pretending to be kind.”

This was the moment to drive the final nail in.

“Oh, and… your mother’s been worried sick since she heard the news.”

“My mom…?”

“Yes, Illy. Your mother. And your father, too. They’re nearby. If you come with me now, you can see them.”

Just as expected, Illy’s expression shifted the moment her parents were mentioned.

“I can see them? Myself?”

“Of course. They’re waiting for you at home.”

“The house where my mom lives? She’s really waiting for me?”

“Yes. You wouldn’t believe how worried they’ve been.”

Illy’s eyes went wide with surprise, then she lowered her head and started fiddling with her fingers.

Scratching at her nails and chewing her lips—clear signs that she felt cornered. That was enough.

Park Eun-young was almost certain now. If she just left her alone for a bit longer, Illy would come out on her own. She silently rejoiced. Good thing she hadn’t gone in guns blazing, and instead, coaxed her gently.

She glanced around—nobody seemed to be coming to get Illy. Luck was on her side today.

“Alright. I’ll go…”

Just like that, Illy opened the door and stepped out.

“You made the right choice. My car’s over there—let’s hurry.”

“Before that, I want to ask you something.”

Park Eun-young turned back confidently. Whatever the question was, she could talk her way through it.

But the face that met her up close was startlingly unfamiliar. So unfamiliar, it gave her goosebumps.

“Isn’t it weird?”

“What is?”

“You say those people are dangerous. That they’d do terrible things for money. But… aren’t you the same? You did awful things to me too.”

Illy had a look on her face that Eun-young had never seen before. Her eyes were cold as ice and yet burned like fire—as if she could slice her in half with her gaze.

Eun-young felt like she was being stripped bare.

“It’s dangerous to be with them, but it’s fine to go with you? You think I’m stupid?”

It was as if the part of her she never wanted to acknowledge had been exposed to the world.

“You’re doing it right now—lying to me.”

“Illy, what are you talking about? I haven’t—”

Eun-young blushed, flustered, but Illy exploded with fury.

“Liar!”

What Eun-young didn’t know—couldn’t have known—was this, her predecessors had dangled Illy’s mother in front of her too many times before.

Each time, Illy had believed them. Hoped. Got her hopes crushed. And again. And again.

“There’s no mom waiting for me!”

“Ugh…!”

Caught completely off guard, Park Eun-young lost her balance and stumbled.

Illy shoved her aside and bolted back into the building without even a glance back. All Eun-young could do was stand there, dumbstruck, and watch her disappear.

***

Gi-seon finally headed toward the office, but she only got half his prediction right. The situation wasn’t good—but thankfully, Jung-pal was safe.

“What the hell is this now…”

A man she’d never seen before was sitting at the head of the table, calmly smoking a cigarette.

The guys who had been guarding the office were kneeling on the floor, and Jung-pal was stuck on the couch, unable to move.

When Gi-seon entered, Jung-pal furrowed his brow briefly, then gave a subtle shake of the head—don’t do anything.

“You one of the crew?”

“What about you? What gang are you from, huh? What kind of punk waltzes in here like he owns the place—!”

“Wow. You guys really are a unit. Even the cheesy lines are copy-paste. He already said that. Just sit down, yeah?”

“You piece of—!”

“Yang Gi-seon.”

If Jung-pal hadn’t called out to her in that heavy tone, Gi-seon would’ve gone straight for the guy.

Jung-pal’s serious expression left no room for argument. So Gi-seon did as she was told.

The man’s cronies disarmed him and sat him across from Jung-pal. They exchanged silent looks—Jung-pal asking, “Did you bring Irang?” and Gi-seon shaking his head: no.

Apparently that answer didn’t please the stranger, because he tapped the table sharply to draw their attention.

“I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to introduce myself today.”

He leaned to the side and pulled something from his back pocket, tossing it on the table.

“Huh…?”

It was a plastic ID with a blue stripe—bold letters reading “POLICE.”

Below that, “Seoul Central Police Station.” His photo, name, and department were all right there.

Gi-seon stared at it with a dumb expression.

“Even your shocked faces are identical. Do you all practice together in a mirror?”

“You’re a cop…?”

“Why else would I be here? To work. Hi. I’m Detective Oh Ji-seok from the Seoul Central precinct. We just met, so I know it’s a weird thing to ask, but—are you a guy or a girl?”

Gi-seon was so stunned by the rude question that she couldn’t even answer.

Come to think of it, none of the guys looked injured. They were kneeling obediently. Even Jung-pal was being polite.

For some reason, even though this guy didn’t bring backup and didn’t look all that tough, he had the entire place under control.

Made sense now—he was a cop.

“Offended? Sorry, I’m just nosy like that. Alright, let’s move on. Is this it? No one else coming?”

“Yes. I don’t drive, so Gi-seon gave me a lift. No one else is coming. Detective, now can you tell us what the hell this is? Why are you here camping out at our place?”

The timing was suspicious—Muk-hyun and Jung Yoon were both gone. It made Jung-pal uneasy. Even scared. But he was determined to take responsibility for his people.

He forced himself to stay calm. No jokes. No nerves. He kept his tone steady.

“We got a tip.”

Jung-pal’s effort was instantly crushed.

“Choi Hyun—just out of prison—is allegedly back at it with serious criminal activity.”

“That’s a damn lie!”

His plan to keep cool evaporated instantly. Jung-pal shouted, face twisted in rage, and Detective Oh replied with a smirk.

“Come on, really? What’s going on here, then? Playing house? Study group? You call yourselves directors and managers, sitting around pretending to be classy while doing shady sh1t. It’s obvious. Why so touchy?”

“……”

“I don’t buy that crap about criminals changing. Especially not bastards like Choi Hyun—illegitimate thugs with powerful connections. No matter the sob story, a gangster’s a gangster. You can’t rehab that.”

Jung-pal gritted his teeth. He knew if he threw a punch now, it wouldn’t just be him—everyone here would suffer. So he bit down hard, till his gums hurt.

“You think just ‘cause he went to prison once, Choi Hyun’s gonna open a bakery and live a quiet life? If I believed that, I shouldn’t be a cop.”

Detective Oh chuckled with the other officers. Jung-pal hung his head. He’d made choices that deserved criticism and judgment, even if they weren’t out of malice.

Still, it was infuriating—having to listen to them insult the man he respected most.

“You’re right, Detective. Everything you said is right. But our hyung-nim… he really is trying to get out. He’s down south right now, trying to wrap things up—”

“Spare me the promises. I don’t want your BS. All I care about is whether that tip was true or not.”

Gi-seon, who had been quietly fuming, finally spoke up.

“What exactly was in that tip? What are you saying our hyung-nim did?”

Detective Oh’s gaze sharpened.

“Prostitution. And bribery.”