Chapter Text
Being a police officer wasn’t for the weak. Choi Jaeseok knew this when he went through the academy – he’s seen some shit in his 40 years of living. He turned to drinking, became too reliant on drinking, and worked his ass off to become sober. Not a lot of things scare or haunt him anymore. One of the main reasons he became an alcoholic was the fact that he couldn’t save everyone. There were thousands upon thousands of cold cases that he read and experienced during his career, and they all added an impossible weight onto his shoulders. He realized during many therapy sessions that he shouldn’t let that slow him down and he should focus on who he could save, and put his energy into all that potential.
“You’re telling me some twenty somethings cracked a cold case that’s had us puzzled since 2016?” Hyunsuk, the police chief, said skeptically at the detective in front of him. Jaeseok listened next to him, crossing his arms. When he was called in the middle of the night to come down to the police station, the case closing of the murder of Kim Junghoon was not what he was expecting. That case was one of his firsts, and he was still haunted by the pictures. The kid had dreams of being an idol, even joined a company to finally pursue those dreams. He just turned eighteen.
Suddenly he was dead. The murder was not pretty. Jaeseok was sure that there were still bloodstains underneath the new mirrors they put in. Death is eternal, and blood eternally stains. It’s why history was taught. Nothing that company could do would erase what happened.
“We have one of the boys in the interrogation room,” the detective said. She had introduced herself as Jeong Haerin, and that she was a specialist in things like that. “He’s the one that came to me with all the evidence we found. Which, by the way, is virtually impossible to know if you weren’t. You know.”
“If he weren’t the one who murdered him,” Jaeseok concluded. “That wouldn’t really make sense though. The murder was in 2013. If he’s in his early 20’s, he would’ve been a teenager.”
“Exactly,” Haerin said. She sighed softly. “I’m going to let him tell you everything. When he does, I want you to open your minds to every possibility that you haven’t even thought of. Even if it sounds insane. Because it will to you. It did to me too.”
“Hang on a second,” Hyunsuk said, looking worried. “Did he admit to the murder? What do you mean?”
“What I mean is that boy? Kim Minjae?” Haerin said, motioning to her head to the tinted room near the back of the station. “Claims Junghoon told him.”
—
Kim Minjae, age 20. Born in Siheung-dong, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul. Has been a trainee at KQ Entertainment for four years, eventually debuting as the nine member group xikers where he is the leader and the eldest. Was in the top three of his class in school, and was active in dance during his time. Found the murderer of Kim Junghoon and the evidence to prove it.
Jaeseok could see the leader in him spilling out even outside of work. He sat in the hard chair of the interrogation room, back straight and hands in his jacket pockets. Minjae was calm, extremely calm for cracking one of Seoul police’s greatest failures. He kept glancing to the side, as if to keep checking on something. He was a cute kid, big eyed with brunette hair and multiple piercings in his ears. Looked like a typical idol Jaeseok’s niece would be obsessed with.
Jaeseok opened the door, and immediately Minjae’s eyes were on him. Jaeseok bowed quickly to him, and Minjae stood and bowed to him as well, almost bent at a 90 degree angle. Jaeseok was a little amused.
“Hi Minjae,” Jaeseok said. “I’m Officer Choi Jaeseok. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Minjaw blinked and gave a small smile.
“Nice to meet you, Jaeseok-sshi,” Minjae said. His voice was a lot lower than Jaeseok expected. “I hope I didn’t wake you too early.”
“I’ve had worse, kid,” Jaeseok said with a soft chuckle. He sat down across from him, placing the files Haerin gave him in front of him. “Now. I’m sure you know why I’m in this room with you.”
Minjae nodded. “Yes. I’m sure things like this don’t happen often. Or at all.” He sighed, shifting a little. “I’m sure you don’t meet people like me often though, either, so it’s new for both of us.”
Jaeseok stared at him for a moment. Minjae had cocked his head, as if he was listening to something. Then he blinked, staring at Jaeseok like he just uncovered something.
“You were a part of Junghoonie’s case,” Minjae said, surprised. “Interesting. I’m surprised he remembered you. I’m sure it was a long time ago.”
Jaeseok’s jaw clenched. Sure. it was easy to look up the newspaper clippings and find his name in them, but why did Minjae look genuinely surprised? And Junghoonie? Informally?
“How about you start from the very beginning, Minjae?” Jaeseok finally said, leaning back. “Don’t leave anything out. Even if you think that I won’t believe you. I want to genuinely hear what you have to say. No lies, no edited bits. Give it to me whole.”
Minjae eyed him critically and Jaeseok was bitterly reminded of when he was a young officer starting out and everyone looked at him like he knew nothing. He was debating whether sharing the information he had for him was worth it, and Jaeseok felt his skin prickle.
“If I tell you,” Minjae started, “I want this to fully be my responsibility. The names I mention in this, I want nothing on their records about this or this to affect any part of their life. They were just bystanders, nothing more. It was all my idea and something I pursued alone. Is this understood?”
Jaeseok sighed. “All I can say is I’ll do my best, kid. I’d have to judge just how involved these people got. You're talking about your members?”
Minjae’s cheeks grew a little pink at that, but he nodded quickly. “Yes. All I ask is the consideration of them not being involved in this. This isn't their fault.”
“You have my word that I’ll try my best,” Jaeseok said. Minjae leaned back a little, as if that burden got lifted off his shoulders. “Now. Are we ready to start?” Jaeseok waved his hand a little and Hyunsuk pressed record on the camera outside, and turned the microphones on.
Minjae sighed a little, and glanced at that same corner again. He stared at it for a long pause and then returned his gaze back to Jaeseok.
“Hello. My name is Kim Minjae,” he said. “And I can talk to dead people.”