I’m Obsessed With the Suspect - Chapter 56
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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56
Upon entering the on-duty room, what caught her eye was Inkyu’s back as he was brushing his teeth.
“Hyung!”
Inkyu, who was standing in front of the sink, turned around toward Cheong-a and faced her as she ran toward him with a bright smile.
“Mmph?”
“Thank you!”
“Uh, huh? Wha?”
He couldn’t speak properly due to the toothpaste foam filling his mouth. However, Cheong-a nodded as if she understood everything and wrapped her arms around Inkyu’s large frame.
“Mmph! Wha happen?”
Flustered, Inkyu flailed his hands. But before he could say anything more, Cheong-a quickly pulled away and smiled brightly.
“What do you mean why. I’m grateful. As expected, you’re the only one who thinks of me.”
“Wha?”
“I’ll do well and come back!”
“Huh? Wha you doing?”
Instead of answering, Cheong-a waved her hand and left the on-duty room at the same speed she had entered. Inkyu stood there dumbfounded, still holding his toothbrush in his mouth, staring at the door where Cheong-a had disappeared.
After standing there touching his ear tips for quite a while, he finished brushing his teeth and began washing his face with cold water. It wasn’t planned, but he did so because he felt feverish.
***
[DeFate] [DeFate] : The preparations are going well, right?
[DeFate] [DeFate] : Look at the photo I sent and ask them to style you similarly
[Mushroom] : Who is this person?
[DeFate] [DeFate] : A senior from the department next door
[DeFate] [DeFate] : Her father is apparently a police chief somewhere over there
[DeFate] [DeFate] : So she said she’d attend a regional meeting in that area first before coming up
[DeFate] [DeFate] : You know that new pier in Jamsil? The boat will stop there once in the middle
[DeFate] [DeFate] : She said some executives will board there together, so you should finish your business before then and get off there
[Mushroom] : OK
[Mushroom] : But I really didn’t get an invitation this year, right? I’m feeling kind of sad..
Although police alumni held many gatherings, this leadership event was somewhat special. The number of people invited was also limited.
People recommended by headquarters directors or section chiefs. Or executives vouched for by frontline police chiefs. Only those who graduated as valedictorian or salutatorian from the Police Academy, along with those who had received commendations or achieved significant planning results in recent years, received tickets. So it wasn’t strange that Cheong-a had been on the invitation list every year.
‘But I was excluded this year.’
Ah, of course, there had been years when she received invitations but skipped them using work as an excuse, so in a way, she could humbly accept it.
However, unfortunately.
The fact that the invitation was cut off precisely when she was transferred to Central Police Station was inevitably quite disheartening.
[DeFate] [DeFate] : Should I make you feel even sadder..?
[Mushroom] : ..Let me hear it first.
[DeFate] [DeFate] : The alumni association treasurer told me
[DeFate] [DeFate] : Originally a ticket was allocated to you, but? Someone requested that you be removed and another person received it
[Pink Box] [DeFate] : ㅠㅠ
Cheong-a looked at her phone and cursed out loud for quite a while.
When she lifted her head, she saw her reflection in the makeup studio mirror.
“Ha, shit.”
Even if she departed with a resolute determination to win, there was no way to deal with the melancholy that settled on her expression.
A studio staff member with a bright smile approached Cheong-a, whose shoulders were completely drooped.
“Hello, customer! Why are you looking so depressed?”
“Yes, hello.”
“Oh my, this unnie is a celebrity. A celebrity. Right?”
“That can’t be…”
Even if it was just empty flattery, this was a bit much.
Where on earth is there a celebrity who looks like this?
Cheong-a looked at the staff member with a face that showed she didn’t believe it at all.
“Really? My goodness. You’re tall and your face is so small, I really thought you were a celebrity. Ahaha. But oh, your arms and legs are… quite sturdy.”
Could there be any greater compliment for Kim Chung-a, a police officer of the Republic of Korea, than being called sturdy? She felt a little better. Of course, it was different from what the manager intended.
“Unnie’s advantage is that your face is kind of vague and indistinct.”
“…”
“If we do your makeup properly, you can pull off any atmosphere. Just tell me what concept you want and I’ll make you look exactly like that. Really anything, everything is possible.”
At those words, Cheong-a fumbled through her phone and brought up a photo, showing it to her along with a request to make her look like this.
Then the manager made a somewhat troubled “eh” sound.
“Really like this?”
“Yes.”
“Who is this person? A YouTuber? Or maybe a game streamer? That’s strange, there aren’t many people I don’t know…”
Of course you’d be seeing her for the first time.
She’s a headquarters employee. No matter how many people you know, manager, you might not know this person. So you don’t need to make such a sad expression.
Cheong-a swallowed the words she couldn’t say and opened her mouth.
“Anyway, please make me look like this face.”
The manager, who had been lost in thought for a moment, brought her face close to Cheong-a’s and asked in a small voice.
“But why are you doing your makeup like this? You’d be really pretty with idol-style makeup.”
“…”
“Are you going to get a refund for something? Or are you going to fight someone?”
“Mm. Something like that. I do need to win.”
“Ah. Okay!”
The manager took a deep breath. Then she quickly moved her hands and began picking up various items to create the base for her skin.
“Just trust me, unnie. I’ll make it so you can even get a refund on a tricycle I bought 20 years ago!”
“Wow…”
She vigorously nodded at Cheong-a’s request to finish as quickly as possible, then began picking up the pace.
Foundation was layered on top of foundation, and the shading brush went back and forth for a long time.
Before long, an unfamiliar face was taking shape in the mirror.
***
The winter river wind was sharp as a blade.
Of course, it was somewhat better than the sea off Incheon. The wind there, laden with salt, was a bit more stinging and painful.
Getting out of the taxi, Cheong-a pulled up her coat collar and walked toward the pier.
Fortunately, the coat Yeonhui had lent her was warmer than expected and felt good against her neck.
‘I was worried because it was thin, but it’s really warm. Maybe I should buy a coat like this when I get my salary.’
Cheong-a walked toward the pier, fidgeting with the soft sleeves.
Finding her destination wasn’t too difficult. The brilliant lights and large banner were quite visible from far away.
The white exterior wall illuminated by the lights looked almost like a building floating on the Han River.
A lively atmosphere was already flowing from the ship.
Cheong-a deliberately slowed her pace in front of the entrance and walked slowly. It was because quite a few people were passing through the entrance. It would be troublesome to face other people.
As she slowed her steps, her heartbeat actually quickened. Cheong-a took several deep breaths to calm herself.
“Hello. Please show your invitation.”
Taking out her phone, Cheong-a displayed the QR code that Yeonhui had sent her on the screen.
Beep.
“Yes, it’s confirmed. Ms. Hwang Sera. After entering, please leave your coat on the left and pick up your prize draw number.”
“Thank you.”
Fortunately, there was no particular interference or suspicion.
Cheong-a bowed her head lightly and climbed the boarding stairs.
Inside the ship.
A somewhat different world was unfolding there.
The sharp wind from outside disappeared as if it were a lie, and soft lighting and elegant music filled the space.
Cheong-a naturally looked around, scanning the interior.
People gathered in small groups at tables or by large windows. Everyone was laughing and chatting pleasantly, but they all had faces that harbored their own purposes.
Tonight, Cheong-a had to find the group connected to Manager Oh here.
Who was the person linked to the Yongyon Gang.
Who was trying to do terrible things to South Korea.
‘But surely it’s not everyone except me who’s on the same side, right? Oh no, that can’t be.’
Cheong-a tried to compose her troubled expression and hurriedly quickened her steps.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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