Seonwoo was filling out the cufflinks, placing his phone between his shoulder and cheek as he talked to Attorney Shin.

Listening to his story, memories of the conversation they had shared when he asked Attorney Kwon Seungcheol for legal representation suddenly came to mind.

“Um, it might be inappropriate to say this, but… Even if we gather all the charges that can be prosecuted and file a case, he’ll probably get no more than five years. It’s frustrating because the actual crime he should be charged with can’t even go to trial.”

“So, what I’m saying is, I hope Attorney Shin would take on the case.”

“Huh? Who are you talking about?”

“If it’s Attorney Shin, can’t you even get probation? I don’t plan on submitting much evidence.”

“What?”

“To ensure that there won’t be another investigation on the same matter, please handle it cleanly.”

He kept asking with an expression that showed complete disbelief, but when he looked at me, who was smiling, he eventually gave up on asking any more questions. The face of Attorney Shin, who had given up asking questions while smiling at me, came to mind again, and Seonwoo almost burst into laughter.

Today marked exactly two months since Kwon Seungcheol was imprisoned.

The result came out as desired.

In the first trial, Kwon Seungcheol was sentenced to two years of probation, and he also received a fine for insufficient evidence related to habitual gambling. It was a task I had requested, but I couldn’t help but laugh at the punishment being even lighter than I thought.

[A travel ban has been issued, so he won’t be able to escape abroad.]

Even the additional requirements were neat.

“You’re competent.”

[Is it right to express this as competent? I did as you asked, but I feel uneasy.]

You didn’t even submit all the evidence. I can’t understand it at all. Attorney Shin expressed his frustration as if protesting.

“Anyway, thank you for your help.”

[The reason… Can I ask now?]

“You’ll find out soon. Are you coming later?”

[Even if I don’t want to see that scene, don’t I have to go?]

Around the time the call was about to end, Eunjae, who had finished showering, came out with wet hair. It seemed like she had come out to the living room after hearing the sound of the call.

“Oh, um. Then, I’ll see you later. Goodbye.”

Seonwoo quickly ended the call. If Eunjae heard, it would be a string of disappointing stories.

Putting his phone back into his pocket, Seonwoo took a step closer to Eunjae and untied the towel wrapped around her head, pressing her wet hair gently.

“Did you finish showering?”

“Why are you still here? You said you were going somewhere?”

“I came to see you.”

Seonwoo’s lips, which were hugging Eunjae from behind, drew a gentle line in a single breath. The lips that were smiling gently moved over Eunjae’s shoulder.

“I’ll come pick you up later.”

Kwon Seungcheol, who brushed back his shaggy hair, furrowed his brow under the hot autumn sunlight. He was wearing short sleeves. The cool air passed by his bare arms. Just until recently, it had been summer, but it quickly turned into autumn.

Is this sunlight I haven’t seen in a while?
The piercing rays of light made everything in front of Kwon Seungcheol turn white, but when his vision returned, he instinctively took a step back at the sight of the tall man standing before him.

“Yoon Seonwoo?”

His body reacted first, sensing danger. As Seungcheol’s vision gradually sharpened, he squinted at Seonwoo’s face.

It was questionable why they met here, and Seungcheol felt uneasy as Seonwoo approached him, as if the destination had been here from the beginning. Regardless of the reason, it was unlikely that someone would appear before him with good intentions.

Seungcheol, who showed no mercy as he scrutinized the face, spat on the ground, “What are you?”

“What am I? I came to greet you.”

“This guy keeps using informal language until the end.”

Tsk―a black plastic bag in front of Seungcheol’s eyes shook like a pendulum. Seungcheol could instinctively sense what it was.

This guy, I’ve seen him somewhere.

“Eat. You’ve been here for a month; you need to replenish your nutrients for the long journey.”

“What nutrients? The food here is pretty good.”

No matter what he said, everything Seonwoo said sounded annoying to Seungcheol. Seungcheol, who was muttering, scratched his temple, and Seonwoo awkwardly smiled as if he were embarrassed.

Whether he came out quickly because he wanted to avoid the embarrassment of waiting for a long time, or because of what I said that he was doing better than expected, that sight of Yoon Seonwoo brought a strange joy to Kwon Seungcheol.

There were many days when he skipped meals alone, but here, when mealtime came, a satisfying meal was served with a clatter. The pants that went in came out a little tighter.

Thinking that it wouldn’t be so bad to stay here a little longer, he casually put on his pants.

“The law is always just. If you’re innocent, it’s only natural to be released, right?”

He said it sullenly; Jitaekwang said he died on his own, not because I killed him.