Chapter : 35
Boats preparing to set out for night fishing could be seen.
Taesin took Iseol to a large fishing boat anchored the farthest away.
“Welcome.”
The bearded captain greeted them warmly.
“Your girlfriend is really beautiful.”
“Is that so?”
Taesin smiled as he looked at Iseol.
“She’s not my girlfriend.”
“Not? She suits you well.”
The captain tilted his head in puzzlement but didn’t ask further.
“The weather today is perfect. No wind, calm waves.”
The 10-ton fishing boat, used for fishing, was large and clean.
It had a large tank for storing the catch and a cabin where two or three people could sleep.
Taesin helped Iseol put on a life jacket.
“I can do it myself.”
He quietly fastened the belt, adjusted her clothes so she wouldn’t be uncomfortable, and whispered,
“All set.”
“Th…thank you.”
Her throat felt tight, and she cleared it before speaking.
He pulled a small bottle from his pocket and held it out.
“Sea-sick?”
“You even brought medicine for it?”
He truly was meticulous.
“Big ferries are fine, but small fishing boats might be rough.”
“Take it anyway.”
Taesin handed Iseol the medicine, then carried supplies from the car to the boat.
“We’re departing.”
The two of them sat at the bow of the boat, watching the sunset turn the entire sea pink.
Thanks to the motion-sickness medicine, even though the boat rocked quite a bit, she felt fairly comfortable.
Taesin watched Iseol taking photos of the sunset on her phone, then reached out.
“Give it here.”
Iseol shook her head and put the phone away.
She didn’t want him to appear in the photos with the sunset.
Fortunately, he didn’t insist.
About twenty minutes later, they arrived at an uninhabited island.
By the time they reached the island, the sun had completely set, and the sea had turned pitch black.
The only light came from the boat’s hanging lamps.
The island had wide, flat rocks and a small but cozy beach.
From the moment Iseol stepped off the boat until she sat in the camping chair, Taesin held her hand.
“Be careful, it’s slippery.”
She almost slipped on the rocks, but Taesin’s strong frame caught her, keeping her safe.
“Sit over here.”
Iseol sat in the chair he indicated, gazing at the dark, inky sea.
Taesin and the captain set up camping chairs on the rocks, a small tank called a “living box,” a camping table, and fishing rods.
They also prepared a burner and pot for cooking ramen.
The captain showed them how to bait the hook, cast the line, and reel in the fish when they bit.
“This is when black porgies are most active. But they bite subtly, so you can’t miss even the tiniest movement.”
After catching two black porgies in a row, the captain filleted them on the spot.
“Hand me the knife.”
When the captain reached out, Taesin twirled the knife lightly in his hand and handed it over.
The skillful, toy-like motion made Iseol unconsciously hold her breath.
“Haha, I knew you weren’t ordinary, but you handle knives well. Black porgie meat is chewy, tastes amazing as sashimi. Here, try some.”
The captain placed a few slices on Iseol’s plate first.
“Wow, this is really delicious.”
While the captain prepared spicy fish stew, Taesin grilled pork belly.
The smell of the sea mixed with the savory aroma of the meat.
Perhaps because she hadn’t eaten a proper lunch, Iseol devoured the food.
It had been a long time since she’d had such a delicious meal.
“One shot of soju would be perfect with this.”
But neither the captain, who had to drive the boat, nor Taesin, who was taking care of Iseol, drank any alcohol.
“I’ll rest a bit on the boat. Call me if you need anything.”
“Captain, have some fruit too.”
“Eat together, get along. You two look like a painting.”
After the meal, the captain returned to the boat, leaving Taesin and Iseol alone.
Taesin lit a small stove.
The fire cast shadows on his face.
His high nose bridge gave him a striking, almost exotic look.
Iseol absentmindedly looked at him, and when their eyes met, she awkwardly picked a Shine Muscat grape and popped it into her mouth.
“Now tell me. Who’s trying to kill you, Mr. Lee Taesin? Why are you hiding? Why can’t the police help? Here should be safe.”
“Do you really want to know?”
“Yes.”
“Then I have to start with my father.”
“We have plenty of time.”
Iseol pointed at her watch.
“My father was the boss of the Gangbuk faction, one of the three major organizations that dominated Seoul in the 1980s and ’90s. He started that life to pay for my aunt’s hospital bills.”
Taesin continued slowly.
“He rose to prominence under the boss’s attention. He was good at it, but he didn’t like it. Then, thirteen years ago, my mother died.”
His expression darkened at the mention of his mother.
“My mother… threw herself in front of my father… and took the knife instead.”
Iseol gasped, covering her mouth.
Though he spoke calmly, the raw grief and pain were palpable.
“They moved her to a hospital, but she never woke up. My father took revenge on the organization that killed her.”
“…”
“Three years later, when I was stabbed and almost killed, my father established a legitimate capital company and began closing down illegal businesses one by one.”
He probably didn’t want his children to live the same life he had.
“The organization must have resisted.”
Taesin nodded.
“The vice president of the organization tried to kill my father and is now targeting me and my younger sibling as well.”
It was impossible to imagine his grief after losing his father.
“…Thank you for sharing such a difficult story so openly.”
“…”
“But if it’s so dangerous, what happens now? You can’t hide forever.”
“I will catch them. I cannot leave my father’s killer alive.”
His voice was firmer than ever.
Hearing the full story, Iseol felt she had glimpsed his true self, one she hadn’t seen before.
Looking straight at her, Taesin asked,
“Are you scared of me now?”
“No. Of course not.”
Why would he ask that, when he always helps and worries about her?
“You should be scared. Being close to me puts you in danger too.”
“…You said you wouldn’t hurt me. And you’re always protecting me. How could I be afraid of someone like that?”
“I am not as gentlemanly as you think.”
“….”
It didn’t seem he meant that his upbringing was rough.
Under his piercing gaze, her face warmed, and she looked away.
At that moment, she noticed her fishing rod tugged and jumped up.
“Ah! Something’s biting! What do I do?”
“Pull.”
She tried lifting the rod as the captain taught, but it wasn’t easy.
It seemed the fish might just swallow the bait and escape.
“I’ll help you.”
Taesin came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her as they held the rod together.
She felt the movement of his firm chest muscles and the warmth of his body against her back.
Iseol focused on reeling in the fish, gripping the rod tightly.
“It must be a big one. It’s so strong.”
The fish thrashed in the water.
Taesin reeled in and lifted the rod in one motion, revealing the fish.
“Wow! It’s huge!”
He placed the flailing fish into the tank.
“Wow, it’s a black porgie. Over 40 cm, I think.”
So this is the thrill of fishing.
Soon, another fish bit Taesin’s rod—another black porgie.
Excited, Iseol hugged him without thinking. She felt his body stiffen.
“Ah, sorry. I guess I got too excited.”
She calmed her wildly beating heart, like the fish in the tank, and sat back down.
