April 7, 2006

  Splash! A group of delinquent male students poured water on Ko A-young. She shivered in the cold. Surrounded by the delinquents in the boys’ bathroom, she trembled. Creak… Gamamusa entered the bathroom and looked at the boys. “…What are you doing here? Class is about to start.” The boys glanced at Gamamusa, then turned back to Ko A-young. “Yo, looks like a prince on a white horse is here to save a thief like you… urgh?!”

  Mid-sentence, Gamamusa zapped one of the boys in the waist with a taser. The boy collapsed, foaming at the mouth. The other delinquents turned to Gamamusa, saw the taser, and slowly backed away. As Gamamusa approached with the taser raised, the boys charged at him—only to rush past and flee through the door. Gamamusa turned off the taser, tossed it into a toilet, and flushed it. “Evidence destroyed.” He turned to Ko A-young, extending his hand. “You okay?”

  Ko A-young and Gamamusa skipped class and left school. They went to an amusement park and rode a rollercoaster. “…Got something to say to me?” Gamamusa asked Ko A-young, sitting next to her on the ride. She started to speak but stayed silent as people screamed behind them. “You stole stuff, didn’t you? What’d you take? Want me to cover for you?” They rode a Viking ship next. Ko A-young said nothing. After spending time at the park, evening came, and they finally sat on a park bench to rest. Ko A-young confessed. “…I stole some stuff from kids in class.” Gamamusa nodded. “Five sanitary pads, four pencil cases, two umbrellas, right? I know.” Ko A-young looked at him, stunned. “…How do you know that? Even I’m not sure. Did you investigate me?”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Gamamusa shrugged and turned to her. “But why were those delinquents beating you up? What’d they steal from you?” Ko A-young shook her head. Gamamusa looked away. “Then I’ll deal with them. You stay put.” He stood calmly. Ko A-young sighed. “…What are you gonna do? Sit down. It’s my fault.” Gamamusa turned to her. “Then you need to pay for your sins, A-young. Those guys don’t care whether you stole or not. Only you can solve your problems.” He stood up. Ko A-young had no idea what he planned to do, but she instinctively knew she had to follow his words. “…Don’t come to school tomorrow, A-young.”

  …

  Jung Min-ju entered the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office building. The gazes of those around her were unwelcoming. Word had spread that she was investigating North Korean spies. The desk let her in, but their response was uneasy. Jung Min-ju headed to the Korean Peninsula Division office. Inside, about twenty agents were seated. One approached her, introducing himself in fluent Korean. “Hello. I’m Suzumura Hideki, head of the Korean Peninsula Division, investigating espionage on the peninsula. What brings you here?”

  Jung Min-ju decided to introduce herself briefly. “…My name is Jung Min-ju, an NIS agent. I came to Japan to investigate the spies Gamamusa and Gamagogi. I understand your office tracks spy activities—is that correct?” Suzumura glanced at the other division agents before responding. “…Let’s discuss this in our reception room. Talking here is improper.” Jung Min-ju nodded and followed him. Behind her, the other agents whispered. “Tch, that Korean agent’s reckless. Investigating that monster Gamamusa alone…” Another agent shrugged. “…Well, she thinks he’s just an ordinary spy. Let’s watch a bit longer. Once she learns the truth, her approach might change.”