Chapter 716: Angel's Gift (2)

In Chae Mi-Hyun's home in Jeju Island, her younger brother Chae Seok-Hyun had run into the house the moment he saw us. It was because some men had jumped the wall and bullied him the night before.

I asked Park Eun-Chan to pause the shoot for a moment, then immediately called the security team that had come with Kang Eun-Gi.

"Soo-Chan, I need a favor."

-Yes, hyung-nim.

"Leave one team here on site, and send the other two to track someone down."

There were a total of three teams that had come with Kang Eun-Gi. The first team consisted of Lee Soo-Chan and the boys from Reverse Entertainment. The second team was from TOP Security, the agency regularly responsible for protecting Division Jung's household hired by Reverse Entertainment. The third was a private security team sent by Choi Eun-Tae.

-Who exactly are we tracking?

"Last night, some punks climbed over the wall and bullied Ms. Chae Mi-Hyun's younger brother while he was playing in the yard. He has autism, so he couldn't even defend himself. It happened around 8 p.m..."

-Understood. Please describe them.

When I looked at Chae Mi-Hyun's grandmother, she described what she remembered. "They were in their mid-twenties, about 180 centimeters tall. There were three of them. One had yellow-dyed hair, another was wearing earrings, and the third had a thick gold chain. He was quite large."

Because there were plenty of hotels and guesthouses near the Jungmun Complex in Jeju, she suspected they were tourists staying nearby.

They had once installed a security camera, but after a hacking scare, they had taken it all down. That meant the only way was to take photos of the suspects and have Chae Mi-Hyun's grandmother confirm them.

"You heard that, right?"

-Yes. We'll take photos as soon as we find them and send them via Kk Talk.

"Thanks. Sorry to put this on you."

-Don't worry, this is nothing. We'll be in touch soon, so just focus on the shoot.

"Appreciate it."

After ending the call, I turned to Chae Mi-Hyun and her grandmother. "You'll hear back soon."

Both of them nodded.

Then I spoke to Park Eun-Chan. "Mr. Park, could you set up fixed cameras only on the first floor and then give us some space?"

"Yeah, that's probably best given the situation. If the kid's already wary of people, the fewer bodies around, the better." Park Eun-Chan looked around. "Alright, everyone. We'll set up the cameras and then step outside."

"Yes, Mr. Park."

"And set up just in the living room and dining area. No other setups."

"Understood."

Since Chae Seok-Hyun had fled to his room on the second floor, we moved into the house as quietly as possible.

***

Inside Chae Mi-Hyun's home, the place looked like it was prepared for raising a toddler. Each furniture corner was covered with soft guards and I could feel Chae Mi-Hyun's care for her brother in every detail.

After handing us drinks, Chae Mi-Hyun went upstairs with her cousin Yoo Jung-Ae to begin trying to talk to Chae Seok-Hyun.

Meanwhile, the crew that had come with Park Eun-Chan finished setting up. "We are all done, Mr. Park."

Park Eun-Chan nodded and looked at Kang Eun-Gi. "President Kang, we're counting on you."

Kang Eun-Gi was appearing alongside Chae Mi-Hyun on

The Omniscient Viewpoint

as her talent agent. To appear on the broadcast as Chae Mi-Hyun's talent agent, Kang Eun-Gi first had to establish a rapport with Chae Seok-Hyun. They were about to reveal to the world that Chae Mi-Hyun had a younger brother with a developmental disability, so it wouldn't make sense for her talent agent not to be by her side.

Kang Eun-Gi nodded. "Don't worry."

"And if it really doesn't work out, we can always postpone the broadcast. You don't need to push too hard."

"Understood."

Just then, Chae Mi-Hyun came down alone from the second floor. "I don't think Seok-Hyun will come down for a few hours... What should we do?"

When children with autism felt afraid, they often ran away to escape the situation.

Park Eun-Chan handed Chae Mi-Hyun a tissue to wipe her tears and said, "Ms. Mi-Hyun, it couldn't have been easy to reveal all this. I'm just thankful you had the courage to do it. I know Chief Jung asked for it, but even if he hadn't, I'd have tried to be as considerate as possible."

As a variety show producer, his priority was always viewership ratings. But thankfully, it didn't seem like he intended to exploit Chae Mi-Hyun's family struggles for laughs.

"Thank you, Mr. Park."

"Come on, it's just basic decency." Park Eun-Chan glanced up toward the second floor. "The kid had such clear eyes... How could someone go so far as to jump the wall and bully a child like that?"

It was just a passing comment, but it hit hard like a thorn pressed into the chest.

"Alright, we'll step out for now."

Park Eun-Chan gave a small nod and exited the house with the film crew. Chae Mi-Hyun bowed and started heading back up the stairs. She clearly wanted to convince her younger brother and bring him down as quickly as possible.

However, Kang Eun-Gi shook his head. "Let me try. Ms. Mi-Hyun, I'll need your help though."

"What are you planning to do?"

Kang Eun-Gi grinned. He was about to use a method that had never once failed when dealing with Joseph.

***

"Did someone order jjajangmyeon~?"

Kang Eun-Gi had ordered extra-large jjajangmyeon[1] and sweet-and-sour pork[2] from Blue Dragon Restaurant nearby. After setting it on the kitchen table, he shouted in a booming voice. The kitchen was right next to the stairs leading to the second floor, so his voice carried easily upward.

I moved to a far corner of the kitchen, keeping well out of the camera's view. Then, from the shadows, I pulled up the memo app on my Galactica Note and began writing cue cards for Kang Eun-Gi.

[One more time!]

Seeing my note, Kang Eun-Gi called out again in an even louder voice. "Did someone order jjajangmyeooon~~?"

At that moment, we heard a door opening upstairs.

Click.

"Jjajangmyeon is delicious! Is there jjajangmyeon?"

Thump, thump, thump.

Chae Seok-Hyun's clear voice rang out as he ran down the hallway. It was already past 1 p.m., right when hunger would peak. We knew he couldn't resist any longer.

'

Of course. No one can resist jjajangmyeon

.'

Even Joseph back at the orphanage would forget his anger for a moment if jjajangmyeon was involved.

As soon as Chae Seok-Hyun emerged from his room, Kang Eun-Gi shouted even louder. "Yes! Your jjajangmyeon is here—extra-large from Blue Dragon Restaurant. We have sweet-and-sour pork, too!"

"There's sweet-and-sour pork too?"

Chae Seok-Hyun's voice lit up with joy as he bounded down the stairs.

Thump, thump, thump.

But just as he reached the bottom step, the footsteps stopped. Chae Seok-Hyun paused at the base of the stairs and cautiously peeked his head out to look into the kitchen. Seeing Kang Eun-Gi standing there, he froze again, unsure of what to do. After all, the stranger he saw outside was now inside the house.

That was when Chae Mi-Hyun stepped beside Kang Eun-Gi just as we had planned and spoke. "Seok-Hyun, Uncle Eun-Gi here bought jjajangmyeon for you. He heard you like jjajangmyeon. And Uncle Eun-Gi is my friend. Go on, say thank you to my friend."

This time, she introduced Kang Eun-Gi as her friend.

Chae Seok-Hyun tilted his head and asked, "A friend of noona?"

Kang Eun-Gi answered for himself. "Yes. I'm your sister's friend. My name's Kang Eun-Gi. I hope we can get along, Seok-Hyun."

As he said that, Kang Eun-Gi casually slung an arm around Chae Mi-Hyun's shoulders. She did the same, leaning gently against him.

Only then did curiosity appear in Chae Seok-Hyun's expression. "Are you really friends?"

Chae Mi-Hyun nodded. "Yes, Seok-Hyun. He's my closest friend. And he helps me with a lot of things."

At that, Chae Seok-Hyun pouted. "But Seok-Hyun is your best friend, noona! Is Seok-Hyun not your best friend anymore?"

Chae Mi-Hyun flinched and hesitated to respond. "Well, it's just that..."

I quickly typed on my phone and held up the screen.

[She has one more best friend now!]

Kang Eun-Gi glanced at the note and said, "No, you're right. But now your sister has one more best friend."

Chae Seok-Hyun answered sulkily, "There's only one best. That's why it's called best."

When Kang Eun-Gi started sweating nervously, I typed again.

[Jjajangmyeon's getting soggy! Soggy noodles don't taste good!]

Kang Eun-Gi picked it up with a worried look. "The noodles are getting soggy... Can we eat while we talk, Seok-Hyun?"

Chae Seok-Hyun nodded and headed toward the table. "

Ah,

jjajangmyeon! Jjajangmyeon shouldn't get soggy. You have to eat it right away!"

𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Thud.

Following behind Chae Seok-Hyun, Chae Mi-Hyun, her grandmother, and Kang Eun-Gi all sat at the table. Yoo Jung-Ae, who had just come down from the second floor, and I sat at a small fold-out table off to the side out of the camera's frame.

Then Chae Seok-Hyun peeled the plastic wrap off his jjajangmyeon bowl and asked, "But... is that uncle over there also one of noona's best friends?"

Chae Seok-Hyun's eyes were pointed straight at me. Without missing a beat, I answered boldly, "Nope."

"T-Then who are you?" Chae Seok-Hyun looked startled and wary.

"I'm a fan of your sister."

"A fan?"

"You know what a fan is, right, Seok-Hyun?"

"I do! Fan!"

"Right. I'm her biggest fan, so don't worry."

At that, Chae Seok-Hyun set down his chopsticks, stood up from his seat, and gave a deep bow at the waist. "Fan. Thank you. Thank you for liking my sister."

Upon seeing that, Chae Mi-Hyun covered her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes. She had hidden her brother from the world, but he had never once forgotten his sister.

Moved by Chae Seok-Hyun's gesture, I stood and returned his bow just the same. "Nice to meet you."

Chae Seok-Hyun grinned and sat back down, peeled the rest of the wrap, and started mixing his jjajangmyeon.

Sitting at the same table with a child with autism, especially one so cautious, was no easy task. But because Kang Eun-Gi and I had raised Joseph from a young age, we were able to form a bond more easily than most.

***

"You really like pickled radish, huh, Seok-Hyun?"

Without even touching his own food, Kang Eun-Gi slid the pickled radish[3] from his plate over to Chae Seok-Hyun's. When he saw how much Chae Seok-Hyun liked it, he offered up everything he had. Touched by Kang Eun-Gi's gesture, Chae Seok-Hyun gave a few shy little bows of gratitude.

As soon as the meal ended, Kang Eun-Gi, who hadn't taken a single bite, brought out the gift. It was a 50-centimeter figure of the main character I-Bic from

Robot Warrior I-Bic

.

"This is what I wanted to give you earlier, Seok-Hyun. Can you accept it now?"

Chae Seok-Hyun's face lit up. "Noona's friend is not a stranger. I-Bic! I love it! Thank you!"

"You're welcome. And thank you for saying thank you." After joking lightly, Kang Eun-Gi tried to deepen the bond further. "Seok-Hyun. Now that we've eaten, do you want to watch some

Robot Warrior I-Bic

together?"

Kang Eun-Gi stood up and gently held out a hand. Chae Seok-Hyun looked at it for a moment, then took it. Children with autism often avoided physical contact, but thanks to jjajangmyeon, the gift, and Kang Eun-Gi's kindness, he had managed to form a connection even on the first day.

As the two of them walked hand-in-hand to the living room, Chae Mi-Hyun held back her tears. It was likely the first time Chae Seok-Hyun had warmed up to someone so quickly.

Soon, Kang Eun-Gi Chae Seok-Hyun sat down in front of the TV. Chae Seok-Hyun turned on

Robot Warrior I-Bic

with practiced ease. The anime was about scientists around the world building robots to fight giant monsters from space. I-Bic, the main character, was an AI-powered robot designed to possess a human-like self-awareness.

As the theme song began to play from the smart TV, Chae Seok-Hyun started singing along. "I-Bic! I-Bic! Robot warrior I-Bic, protector of Earth~!"

Seeing how excited Chae Seok-Hyun was, Kang Eun-Gi carefully asked, "Seok-Hyun, what's the name of that monster in front of I-Bic right now?"

Chae Seok-Hyun stretched out a hand and began to explain. "That is Orthan! A starfish-type monster born on Planet X732, 120,000 light-years from Earth. It absorbs life energy using its suction cups. It's 85 meters tall and weighs 1,257 tons, but when soaked in seawater, it can grow to 2,700 tons. Its main attack is a high-pressure water jet from the mouth in its torso. And if its body is cut, it transforms into baby Orthans within one minute. It can only be killed by fire."

"Wow, Seok-Hyun. You're really smart!"

Just then, Chae Seok-Hyun's face hardened. He clenched his fists and suddenly shouted, tears in his voice. "No! I'm not smart! I'm not smart and I hurt people! I'm not smart and I hurt my sister! I'm not smart and I hurt Grandma! That's why those men yesterday didn't like me!"

As if it brought back memories from the day before, Chae Seok-Hyun began rocking back and forth. Then he suddenly struck himself on the head with his fist.

"I'm not smart. I'm not smart."

Thud. Thud.

The force of the blows grew stronger as Chae Seok-Hyun kept hitting himself. Chae Mi-Hyun rushed in to stop him. But before she could, Kang Eun-Gi, who was closer, wrapped both hands gently over Seok-Hyun's head. Even so, Chae Seok-Hyun didn't register what was happening and continued striking in panic.

Thwack. Thwack. Thwack.

Chae Seok-Hyun's fists now pounded against Kang Eun-Gi's hands which protected his head. Despite this, Kang Eun-Gi didn't even flinch. He kept his hands in place, shielding Chae Seok-Hyun and taking every blow although he had no idea when it would stop.

***

Over a minute passed as Chae Seok-Hyun kept his eyes closed, hitting his own head. Kang Eun-Gi's hands were now visibly red.

At last, Chae Mi-Hyun burst into tears and shouted, "Chae Seok-Hyun! Stop it! You're hurting Uncle Eun-Gi!"

Chae Mi-Hyun's grandmother also grabbed Chae Seok-Hyun's strong arms and tried to stop him. "Seok-Hyun. You can't do that, okay? You're hurting Uncle Eun-Gi. Stop it, please...You can't do that..."

Only then did Chae Seok-Hyun begin to slow his punches. He realized he had been striking Kang Eun-Gi all along.

"H-Huh...? Why are Uncle Eun-Gi's hands on my head?" Chae Seok-Hyun started to panic, clearly confused.

Holding back the pain, Kang Eun-Gi smiled and asked gently, "Seok-Hyun, did you say anything to those men yesterday before they did that to you?"

Chae Seok-Hyun shook his head quickly. "No. I was just playing by myself with my I-Bic sword. Then those men came and called me a retard and said I was putting on a freak show. They poked me with sticks and cursed at me. Called me stupid. I wanted to run, but they wouldn't let me. It hurt."

Kang Eun-Gi clenched his jaw and spoke slowly, trying to keep calm. "Then... that just means those men were bad people who bullied you. Seok-Hyun, you didn't do anything wrong."

"Really?"

"Of course. And what part of you is stupid? I didn't even know that monster Orthan was that scary. But you did. If that monster ever shows up, I'd ask you for help. You know its weakness."

"I-I can protect you! Orthan's weakness is fire!"

"Exactly. So you're not stupid at all. And those fuc— I mean, those men were the bad ones. Bad people are the ones who hurt others for no reason. That's what makes them bad."

After thinking for a bit, Chae Seok-Hyun nodded in agreement. "Uncle Eun-Gi's right. Seok-Hyun didn't do anything wrong. Those men were bad."

Chae Seok-Hyun's dark expression began to lift and his emotional state stabilized. Then, something completely unexpected happened.

"I'm sorry. I hurt kind Uncle. I was wrong. Please forgive me."

Chae Seok-Hyun began blowing on Kang Eun-Gi's hand and apologizing over and over. Incredibly, the emotional walls he had built deep inside were crumbling within just a few hours.

Right then, my phone vibrated.

Buzz~

A Kk Talk message from Lee Soo-Chan had come in.

[Lee Soo-Chan: Hyung-nim, we found them.]

The ones who had tormented Chae Seok-Hyun last night had been found. Now, it was time to go meet them.

1.

Jjajangmyeon

☜

2.

Sweet-and-sour pork (tangsuyuk)

☜

3.

Pickled radish

☜