바실래아

≡ pt.2:: ↷

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The more you reveal the truth
behind a seemingly real lie,
the harder it is to believe it.

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“I’m Detective Son Jaehyun. The 16 of you are under arrest as prime suspects regarding the murder of Min Seojung, and the murder of Do Aera.”

In the interrogation room’s tense atmosphere, as the detective settled opposite him with a stack of papers and photographs, Hyunjin looked out the window.

Despite the blinds shielding him from a clear outside view, he could still notice the rush of the detectives and officers as they moved with their coffee mugs in their hand, clumsily placing it on their respective desks.

Minutes later, the familiar face of Chan caught his eyes, who was being dragged into the room beside him, rage and a feeling of being wronged spread across his face.

Hyunjin leaned ahead, wanting to see more, when the detective cleared his throat while opening his laptop : a sign that he’d soon begin asking him questions.

“So,” the detective started, placing his elbows on the table, “were you in the audience the night of Min Seojung’s murder?”

“Yes.”

“And were you present when Do Aera allegedly jumped from the rooftop of Vasileia’s clubhouse?”

“No.”

“Where were you then?”

“At home.”

The detective sighed at Hyunjin’s quiet short answers, and signalled to his colleague to let him go, and make him wait outside. The detective could make out easily from Hyunjin’s posture and speech, thanks to his years of experience, that he was nervous but honest.

Out went Hyunjin, in came Yeonjoo, anger in her eyes as she continuously grumbled with the phrases “let me go!” and “wait till my father hears about this”

Having seen many like Yeonjoo in his previous investigations, the detective gestured her to sit down once his colleague left his grip on her.

“Where were you during Seojung’s death, when she fell?”

“I had left the hall to search for a bathroom.”

“Oh really? We got a different answer about you from someone else though, someone you know actually, who said you ran out anxiously while looking here and there in panic.”

“What the hell? Yeah, I mean, I did run out, so what? That doesn’t mean you can just suspect me, right? I was looking around for the bathroom in panic because...because-”

“Because of what?”

“Do you really want to know, detective? Oh fuck, fine! It was because I hadn’t changed my tampon, and I was afraid I’d bleed right through my $50,000 dress!” she shouted, only to be met with a nod from the other side.

“Okay fine, let’s say I believe your alibi. What about claims that you were involved with Hwang Hyomin, Bang Chowon and Min Jiryun in bullying Aera and allegedly provoked her to jump and commit suicide? Is that true?”

“Bullying? Provoking her to jump? Mr Detective, are you interrogation us or are you making up a twisted murder story?”

“So you confirm Aera’s death was a murder.”

“What? No, I-I never said that!”

“Thank you for answering my questions, Ms Yeonjoo. You will be called into the station later with a summoning order if we need to ask any more questions.”

Yeonjoo growled as she strutted out of the room, pursing her lips while clenching her fists, and walked out to the entrance, where she left with Seungmin and Felix.

Hyomin’s interrogation finished within the next hour, and she found Hyunjin as she trembled in worry. With a hug, Hyunjin took her home, praying with all his heart that nothing would happen to her baby sister.

Changbin was the last person in line, and he entered the room calmly, pulling the chair opposite the detective and sitting.

“I’ll be very honest here, just like my sister, Chanmi, hopefully was. I’ll tell you everything I know, as long as you promise something.”

“What is that, Mr Changbin?”

Changbin leaned, replicating the detective’s posture as he whispered, “The topic of death and murder is quite sensitive to someone named Min Jiryun. So, don’t call her in. Any questions you need to ask her, you can ask me.”

“Alright then, understood. Let me start with what I know: you were right beside your sister when Seojung fell, right? You were at home on the night of Aera’s death, right?”

Changbin nodded, before mentioning, “Yes, and my sister was there on the rooftop, but she told me she had her back turned when Aera jumped.”

“You believe that, Changbin?”

“I believe everything my sister says, detective.”

“Okay. Was there anyone else with Chanmi that night?”

“As far as I know, Hyomin and Chanmi had started to leave minutes before she jumped. Seojung, Chowon and Yeonjoo were trying to pull her back from jumping. Jiryun and Jisung were there but they said and did nothing, just waited for Seojung to pull Aera down. Yuri was talking to Aera and tried convincing her not to commit suicide.”

“What about those 8 people bullying Aera?”

“Bullying Aera? I don’t know, I don’t think Chanmi told me anything about that. But, by my instinct, detective, I think it’s possible.”

Changbin rose and stepped away from the table. Reaching the door back, he turned to add to his statement.

“Oh yeah, Chanmi said she heard a scream from Aera too.”

“A person jumping wouldn’t scream, but a person being pushed might.”

“Being pushed? What are you saying, someone practically murdered Aera and she didn’t actually jump? Don’t joke around, detective.”

“I’m serious, we have evidence too.”

“Evidence? What evidence?”

“We found the fingerprints of Min Seojung, Bang Chowon and Kim Yeonjoo on her arms, neck and under her nails.” the detective informed as he stood, before concluding.

“We have enough evidence to believe Aera’s death was a murder, covered up as a sucide to protect the reputation of the actual killers.”

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