Chapter Text
September 2006
Seoul
The night was cold, and there was still much to do before this year’s games began. In-ho had been South Korea’s frontman since his victory in 2001, and the relentless work of preparing all six games had taken its toll. Tonight, however, he chose to step away from it all, leaving his staff to carry on while he spent a rare evening unwinding in Seoul.
As he stepped out of his limo in Seocho, his thoughts drifted to Jun-ho and his stepmother back in Seodaemun-gu. Guilt weighed heavily on him for cutting them out of his life. But how could he face them? How could he meet their eyes, knowing he watched hundreds of people die each year, all while his brother is now a police detective just like he had been before joining the games?
He closed the limo door behind him, dressed in a casual suit, and strolled down the street, letting the cool autumn breeze brush against his face. It was a welcome change, not having to worry about anything for the moment, especially being far from Seongapdo Island.
Oh Il-nam had been reaching out every few days, constantly asking about the progress of this year’s games while he was away in Malaysia. In-ho knew the wealthy old man was growing too frail to keep a close eye on the games, which likely meant Il-nam was on the lookout for a second-in-command. Still, he was kind enough to offer one of his estates in Seoul for In-ho’s use.
He was already considering promoting one of his most trusted staff members once he returned to the island since it seemed like the most logical solution right now.
His thoughts were interrupted when a battered car pulled into an empty parking lot ahead. The vehicle was in terrible shape, with shattered windows, deep scratches, and a tire that looked ready to burst.
As he walked closer, he noticed it parked beside a dumpster as if to hide and saw a silhouette inside. The person behind the wheel gripped it tightly, their head resting against it, their body trembling as if they were trying to hold themselves together.
In-ho wouldn’t have been surprised if this person ended up recruited for the games. Judging by the state of their car, they seemed to be struggling, likely dirt poor. He had every intention of walking past the parking lot to his estate until the unmistakable sound of a baby crying came from the car.
The sound stopped him in his tracks, instantly bringing back memories of his late wife. He couldn’t just walk away. With a defeated sigh, turned and headed into the parking lot, making his way toward the car behind the dumpster.
“Shh, Ga-yeong,” a soft, broken voice murmured from inside the car. In-ho froze. What? He stepped closer, stopping outside the driver’s door. Through the cracked window, he saw the back of a man’s head, hunched over as he cradled a baby wrapped in a bundle of dirty blankets. “I’m here, I—I’m here…”
In-ho knocked gently on the top of the car, making the man jump and instinctively pull the baby closer to his chest. The man turned toward him, eyes wide in surprise. “Huh?”
Oh, God. His heart stopped. The man before him might just be the most attractive person he’d ever seen, despite how dirty and disheveled he looked. He appeared to be in his early twenties, his features round and youthful, yet worn.
And there, in his arms, was a baby.
Where was the mother?
“Sir,” In-ho began, his gaze shifting past the man to the cluttered dashboard filled with old Seoul maps, dirty clothes, and thin, worn blankets. Was he living in this car? “Are you alright?”
The man clutched the baby tighter, his wary eyes scanning In-ho’s expensive suit with clear skepticism. “Quite fine, thanks,”
“Where are you from?” In-ho asked, partly out of curiosity and partly because he wanted to hear more of the man’s voice. When did that happen?
The man hesitated, looking away. “Um, Ssangmun-dong.”
“What are you doing way out here? Ssangmun-dong is far.” In-ho said, his tone soft.
“None of your business,” the man spat bitterly, though In-ho could see the tears forming in his eyes, making him want to reach out and wipe them away. In-ho found that he didn’t want this man to become part of the games.
“I can’t help you if you don’t tell me,” he said gently.
“I don’t want your help,” the man retorted.
In-ho raised a brow, his eyes flicking between the car and the baby. “Well, you certainly need it,” he said pointedly.
The man shifted, turning his body to shield the baby from In-ho’s view, his glare sharp and defiant. “Not from you.”
In-ho studied him closely. Studying many people on the verge of death for years, he could tell that the man looked utterly exhausted, as though he’d been running from something… or someone. His reactions were quick, almost too quick, like someone constantly on edge.
In-ho took a step closer, watching as the man inched away. “What is your name?”
“Go away!” the man shouted, his voice filled with panic, causing the baby to cry out. The sound startled him, and he immediately tried to console the child, his voice trembling. “Shh. Don’t cry, please, I’m here… don’t cry.”
In-ho couldn’t help but admire how quickly the man shifted from sharp and defensive to tender and caring. Once the baby had calmed down, In-ho asked again, his tone softer. “I’ll ask again. What is your name?”
The man looked up at him, narrowing his eyes as he glanced at the baby, then sighed in resignation. “My name is Seong Gi-hun. Happy?”
“Yes, I am,” In-ho replied, his hand reaching through the window to unlock the car door. “Now—”
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” Gi-hun stammered, his voice panicked as In-ho opened the door. He immediately tightened his arms around the baby.
Sighing, In-ho held his hand out, his gesture calm but firm. Gi-hun reminded him so much of his late wife…. stubborn and defensive.
“You can’t live in here, ” In-ho said, his voice laced with distaste as he took in the smell of the car. He didn’t want to leave Gi-hun and the baby, he would take better care of them.
Gi-hun slapped In-ho’s hand away, glaring “What gives you the right to say what I can or cannot do? You don’t know anything about me!”
“What I do know is that it’s unsanitary for a baby to grow up in this kind of environment.” He gestured to the backseat, noting the packs of cigarettes and cigarette butts scattered across the floor. No, that wouldn’t do. He’d put an end to that unhealthy addiction.
As he turned back to Gi-hun, a rare, genuine smile crossed his face, a smile he hadn’t worn in years.
“Come with me, we will take care of you and your baby.” he held out his hand again.
Gi-hun took it this time.