Chapter 109 – Result – Part 17

Chapter 109 – Result – Part 17

“Is a celebrity here?”

“Who is it? Who is it?”

People gathered one by one, but it quickly became a crowd.

Park Inhyeok handled it well, as if he had experienced such situations many times before.

He even showed the composure to take pictures with the cellphones people held out.

“I really enjoyed Synesthete!”

“You’re handsome!”

As words poured out at Park Inhyeok, Woojin pulled up the mask he was wearing a little more.

The reason for wearing the mask was simple.

People were already asking if he was Unknown (Actor), and it would be even more awkward if it became known that he was with Actor Park Inhyeok.

Woojin said,

“Let’s go inside and eat.”

Woojin went into the store and handed the chicken stock and Miwon to the aunt.

Then, looking at the Tteokbokki and broth on the hot plate, he said,

“Try mixing one tablespoon of chicken stock and half a tablespoon of Miwon.”

The aunt, who had been blankly staring at the crowd, replied with a voice mixed with curiosity and seriousness.

“Shall I try it?”

Woojin nodded.

“A miracle will happen.”

At Woojin’s words, the aunt boldly began mixing the seasoning into the Tteokbokki.

After stirring a few times, she put the Tteokbokki in a paper cup and tasted it.

“Ah…”

It was really delicious.

She had tried many things to enhance the flavor of the Tteokbokki, but this was unbelievably delicious.

At that moment, Park Inhyeok, who had been outside, came in.

“Woojin. Should we move seats?”

It was because if there were too many people, he couldn’t talk to Woojin properly.

“Let’s eat Tteokbokki first. Give us a two-person set of Tteokbokki here.”

“Just a moment~”

Suddenly, people who had been observing started coming into the store.

The seats were quickly filled, and outside, people were eating fish cakes and openly staring inside.

The customers glanced at Park Inhyeok and whispered.

“He’s really handsome.”

“Look at his proportions.”

“Amazing, truly amazing.”

Park Inhyeok smiled and whispered.

“You’d be surprised if you saw Woojin’s face.”

Even to Park Inhyeok, Woojin was stunningly handsome, to the point of overshadowing an actor.

On top of that, he had a peculiar charm.

If it were revealed that Shin Woojin was an unknown actor, commercial offers would pour in.

Among the many commercials, if there was one that suited Woojin well…

It suddenly occurred to him that it might be an advertisement related to food.

“Here it is. Enjoy your meal. You are very handsome.”

The ajumma’s curious gaze at Park Inhyeok was fleeting, and she had no choice but to turn around immediately due to the flood of orders.

Park Inhyeok dipped the seaweed roll in the spicy rice cake sauce and exclaimed again.

“The spicy rice cakes here are authentic. And the fried food is crispy.”

Woojin also nodded as he brought the spicy rice cakes to his mouth.

What Woojin liked most and held significance for him at Ujeong Bunsik was the skewered rice cakes, and the taste of the spicy rice cakes could change as much as it wanted; it didn’t matter.

No, rather, they made it delicious using seasonings.

“Huh? The taste has completely changed? It’s really delicious.”

“Wow… with this kind of taste, didn’t they buy the recipe?”

“I’ll eat the yolk.”

They took pictures and uploaded them to social media, also revealing Park Inhyeok’s presence.

No one approached Park Inhyeok recklessly.

The line of people waiting outside was just slowly getting longer.

“Is observing fun?”

At Woojin’s words, Park Inhyeok, who was happily eating spicy rice cakes, shook his head.

Park Inhyeok’s eyes sparkled as he replied.

This was because Woojin had started a conversation he wanted to be a part of.

“Oh, it’s hard. I can’t concentrate, and my mind feels scattered.”

“As I said, it’s not easy at first. Just think of it as understanding one thing at a time. Would you mind looking at the table next to us and smiling?”

Park Inhyeok turned his head to look at the table where two women were sitting.

And when he smiled as Woojin instructed, the two women’s faces turned red, and they covered their mouths with their hands.

“You’re really handsome.”

“Thank you.”

Park Inhyeok, who had replied casually, turned his head back to Woojin.

“What did you see?”

“Hmm… just a general feeling?”

“You’re thinking it’s the typical reaction most women have when they see Actor Park Inhyeok, right?”

“Hmm… that’s right.”

“Why do they look at me like that?”

“Because I’m a celebrity? Because I’m handsome?”

Park Inhyeok gave a bitter laugh, like someone who had been caught.

“It’s embarrassing when you put it like that. I think Woojin is right.”

“A blushing face is caused by an increased heart rate due to adrenaline-induced tension, and covering one’s mouth can be a sign of lying, but it can also be an unconscious action where someone wants to hide themselves if the opposite sex is very attractive. In front of someone they like, people tend to speak less, avoid eye contact, and try their best to hide themselves. They don’t want to show or reveal anything, either superficially or internally. While tendencies vary depending on the environment someone grew up in, this is the basic foundation.”

“So, what I just said was just observing, then?”

“Yes. You considered it obvious.”

“Ah…”

“People are as complex as a mechanism made of tens of thousands of gears. But if you understand the order in which the gears mesh and turn, it becomes easier. You can predict with a high probability how that person will act in the future.”

Park Inhyeok’s brows furrowed slightly.

He felt even more puzzled by the implication that he needed to understand not just what he saw, but also a person’s physical reactions.

But it was clearly fascinating.

Woojin opened his mouth as if to show the way.

“Hormones. I think it would be good to start by understanding hormones. Hormones and human joys and sorrows are deeply related. I think it would be good to start by understanding hormones, like taking the first step.”

“Studying, huh…”

Park Inhyeok grinned and brought the tteokbokki to his mouth.

“The only proper studying I’ve ever done is acting. This is a big problem.”

“Shall we get going now? There’s something I think Actor Park Inhyeok might find interesting.”

“What is it?”

“First, could I trouble you for an autograph saying this snack bar is delicious? I’d like my regular spot to do well.”

“I think I’ll become a regular too.”

Park Inhyeok readily took a picture with the proprietress and gave her an autograph.

And when they came outside…

“Kyaa!”

“You’re so cool, oppa!”

“I’m a fan!”

People were swarming.

“This is a really delicious tteokbokki place! I guarantee it! Try it! Please also show a lot of love for Synesthete. Thank you!”

Park Inhyeok was greeting the people lightly, and Woojin subtly slipped away and looked at the real estate office.

Soon, they were able to get into the car, and although people gathered around the car and kept taking pictures, Park Inhyeok’s attention was elsewhere.

“The thing Woojin mentioned that’s interesting. I’ll guess. Hmm… Guessing strangers’ professions? Something like that? Is that why you suggested a drive? To guess while looking at people?”

“That’s too easy, so let’s try something else.”

“What…”

“I think it’s better to get going first. I think more people will keep gathering.”

Park Inhyeok started the car and carefully began to exit the parking lot.

When they were on the road, Woojin’s mouth opened.

“Do you know how many crimes occur in our country each year?”

“Well, since the public safety is good, isn’t it less than other countries?”

Woojin looked straight ahead and spoke calmly.

“There are 297 murders, 482 attempted murders, 782 robberies, 5,310 rapes. And 1,362 serious crimes of room invasion.”

Woojin continued.

“There are 186,957 thefts and 287,913 assaults. If you calculate it per day, there are approximately 700 fights or assaults.”

Park Inhyeok, who stopped at a signal, turned his head to Woojin.

“1,243 cases of confinement.”

“How do you know that? Why would you…”

Woojin’s answer was brief.

“Because I’m curious. And observation can also predict crimes. And catch criminals. Shall we go into that alley over there?”

At Woojin’s words, Park Inhyeok turned the steering wheel.

Normally, he would have taken it as a joke, but Woojin’s words were enough to consume his actions.

Park Inhyeok opened his mouth as if amused.

“This feels like we’re on patrol.”

***

His hair, trapped in the solitary confinement cell, was as white as if frost had fallen.

He was sitting and reading a letter, and the hand holding the letter trembled slightly.

He was the criminal who had confined Woojin in the warehouse.

[Getting appropriate sunlight and exercise is good for your body. Eat a moderate amount of food and plenty of various side dishes. If you feel distracted and chaotic as you get older, fix your gaze to the left for 3 counts, to the right for 3 counts, and similarly up and down for 3 counts each, moving your eyes 10 times, thinking of it as eye exercise…]

Rip! Rip!

He violently tore up the letter and muttered.

“That son of a bitch… That son of a bitch…”

The commissary funds that consistently came in once a month seemed to shimmer before his eyes,

[I want to see you soon]

The phrase always written at the end of the letter seemed to become a voice and echo in his ears.

He, who had been chuckling like a madman, rose from his seat and approached the barred window overlooking the hallway.

It was 9 PM.

At this hour, the whereabouts of the prison guards were unknown, as to what they were doing.

This was the result he had confirmed over two days in the solitary confinement cell.

Of course, he had intentionally entered the solitary confinement cell by injuring a prison guard.

His preparations were perfect.

He had about 30 minutes.

His hand went to his hip.

And slowly, he began to pull something out.

Surprisingly, a foul-smelling clothesline was emerging.

After pulling it out for a few minutes, he tied the clothesline to the bars.

He intended to hang himself.

He chuckled as he looked at the completed rope.

“You son of a bitch… If you think you can kill me, you’re mistaken. Do you think it will go your way?”

Perhaps having solidified his resolve, his actions showed no hesitation.

He put the clothesline around his neck and let his body sag.

The pain of his neck tightening came, and soon he felt as if his face was swelling up.

Nevertheless, he didn’t even think about putting his feet on the ground.

His will to die seemed strong.

He felt his consciousness blurring, more than the feeling of his breath stopping.

The corners of his drooling mouth curved upwards, as if he were smiling.

As his eyelids felt like they were closing and all thoughts left him.

“Number 2038!”

Bang!

A prison guard immediately burst in with a shout.

And he immediately lifted him up.

His colleague came in, immediately cut the rope, and slapped Number 2038’s cheek to check his consciousness.

“Cough! Haaah! Haaah!”

Number 2038 coughed and gasped with strange noises, regaining consciousness.

Number 2038 spat and shrieked.

“That bastard won’t leave me alone! Just let me die!”

***

Park Inhyeok’s car was entering Small Park.

At that moment, Woojin, still watching a man, spoke up.

“We should stop here. Could you turn off the engine?”

Park Inhyeok had a bad feeling.

But he couldn’t help but swallow hard.