April 6, 2006

  Jung Min-ju, now a third-year student at Dongguk Middle School in Seoul, arrived at school, opened her bag, and checked her belongings. “Pencil, pencil case, sanitary pads… okay, all here.” Relieved, she zipped up her bag and put it away. Just then, a soaking-wet female student entered the classroom. The other students ignored her. Jung Min-ju, without a word, put in her earphones and looked out the window. The wet student pulled a towel from her bag and wiped herself down. Soon, tears welled up, and she silently bowed her head, wiping them away. The bell rang, and the students took their seats. Then, the teacher introduced a new student.

  “Today, I’m introducing a new student. His name’s a bit unusual—Gamamusa. Everyone, give him a warm welcome!” The students, curious about the newcomer, clapped. The girl who had been gloomily hanging her head slowly looked up, her expression one of disbelief. Gamamusa walked to her desk and tapped it. “Long time no see, Ko A-young. Is the seat next to you free? Mind if I sit?” Ko A-young shook her head wordlessly. “Uh… yeah. You can sit.”

  …

  NIS Level 5 agent Jung Min-ju shone a flashlight at workers digging a large pit in the dead of night. Kim Min-seok, exhausted and grim, pulled up another body. This was the third already. The corpses, rotting for weeks, were covered in maggots. “Phew… I’ve never seen a mass grave like this in my life…” Digging with his shovel, Kim Min-seok uncovered another body wrapped in plastic. “Hey… Agent Jung, you need to see this.” Jung Min-ju closely examined the body buried in the pit. She compared its face to Lee Yeol-gi’s. “…Pull this one up and run a DNA test. Let’s see who it is.”

  Park Sung-jae, disguised with a towel over his head, sat at a folding table on a plastic chair, sipping vending machine coffee. He glanced at two university students sitting nearby. They held notebooks and started an interview in halting Korean. “Excuse me… sir, can we interview you?” Park Sung-jae responded in fluent Japanese. “Oh, broadcasting students from Japan? Which university are you from?” The students were startled by his fluency. “Uh, yes… we’re from Hiroshima University. If I may ask, did you live in Japan?” Park Sung-jae nodded.

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  “Well, isn’t this a nice surprise? I worked at Kim Il-sung University in Pyongyang, then transferred to Hiroshima University. I was preparing to retire there when I got sacked. So, I went back to North Korea to Kim Il-sung University.” The students looked at him with fascination. “Kim Il-sung University? People from there are under NIS investigation.” Just then, Jung Min-ju approached, speaking fluent Japanese. The two Hiroshima students were shocked. Park Sung-jae didn’t seem fazed. “What, am I being investigated? I helped with your case—can’t you cut me some slack?” he teased. Jung Min-ju snorted. “…Well, I saved you, old man, but since you helped the investigation, I’ll skip the questioning. By the way, what’s your name? I haven’t heard it yet.”

  Park Sung-jae picked his nose and beckoned her closer. “My name’s Gamagogi. It’s a North Korean surname—you probably haven’t heard it.” Jung Min-ju’s expression shifted, and she sat on a nearby plastic chair. “…Gama? I’ve heard that surname before. Back in middle school. Have you… heard of Gamamusa?” Park Sung-jae feigned surprise, acting oblivious. “…That’s my son. I was heading to Japan to meet him. He’s probably using a fake identity now. I think it’s… Nagato Soren?”

  …

  Ko A-young walked home with Gamamusa. Even as they went together, she anxiously glanced around. “…Hey, thanks for walking me home. It’s getting late, so you can go now.” Gamamusa nodded and waved. “…If anything comes up, let me know. It was great seeing you after so long.” Ko A-young nodded and entered her house. Gamamusa, feeling light, left the alley and headed to the main road. Just then, Jung Min-ju, earphones in, came from the opposite direction and bumped into him. “…You’re that transfer student.” Noticing where he came from, she realized who he’d been with. “You were at Ko A-young’s house. You should be careful with her. She’s… got a bit of a kleptomania problem.” Gamamusa tilted his head expressionlessly. “So? You’re saying I shouldn’t be friends with her because she’s a thief? Mind your own business.”