[40th Chapter]
I did not entirely dismiss the thought of leaving and going back. I thought I had waited enough and this was where it should end, but as soon as I considered leaving the park, the bruise on Green’s face came to mind.
What would Green think if I left the park now and arrived here late? Would there be someone else who could extend their hand to help Green?
Surely, there would be. Thinking that only I can help Green is too arrogant.
However, it is true that since our conversation started, Green’s demeanor has changed. This doesn’t mean I am the only one who has helped Green. It means there is no one around to offer a helping hand to her.
Whether I leave this place and go home or return to headquarters, it wouldn’t matter. In fact, doing so would be a relief for me, without any other burdens. But what about Green?
I stopped my steps to leave the park and turned back to look at the bench where I had talked with Green for a week. I have never thought of myself as a great person, but I believe I can be helpful to someone if I try my best.
So, I sat back down on the bench and decided to wait for Green for just one more day. If she didn’t come by the end of today, then I would accept that it was over.
Time passed endlessly, and I got tired from just sitting in the park, so I went to a nearby convenience store to buy something to drink. However, I quickly returned because I was anxious that Green might arrive while I was gone.
The long summer day began to fade, and the hot air gradually cooled down. I ate a triangle kimbap from the convenience store and continued waiting for Green, but she still hadn’t appeared.
It was already dark, and although I had made up my mind to wait, I couldn’t stop thinking that it was already over.
Twelve hours had passed since the scheduled time, and after sitting outside for so long, I felt tired.
I briefly visited the convenience store and returned to the park. I saw Green standing with her head down.
Her hair was messy, and her clothes were disheveled. She was trembling, and I slowly approached her to pick up her dropped wallet from the ground.
As I lifted my head, our eyes met. One cheek was swollen, and her mouth was slightly torn. The injury seemed to have healed a bit since it happened.
Should I ask about her injuries?
No. Just act normally. Treat her like nothing is wrong.
My careless sympathy might deepen her trauma instead.
For the first time, we didn’t sit apart on the park bench. We sat side by side on one bench, listening to each word she said.
Anger welled up inside me. Green, who had endured domestic violence for nearly ten years, seemed broken inside. It seemed as if she regarded being hit as normal, and I found it hard to speak.
But I had to. If I didn’t, she would surely suffer worse when she returned home.
“Have you reported it?”
“What? If I report it, my dad…”
“What about Miss Galaxy? The important thing is not her father, but her.”
My tone became colder. Green looked surprised, realizing she had never thought of herself as important before.
“It’s not okay.”
“Yes.”
What can I do for Green? Although I want to punch the face of her father right away, it won’t solve anything.
“Just a moment.”
Thinking the situation might drag on, I stepped away from Green and called someone on my smartphone. Since it was already past midnight and she couldn’t go home immediately, it was better to make sure everything was reported properly.
“Yes, older brother.”
Yubin’s lively voice came through the phone, indicating she wasn’t asleep yet.
“Didn’t you go to bed?”
“I was watching a movie, so it’s this time. Where are you, older brother?”
“I’m outside.”
Unable to explain everything, I told her it was work-related and I couldn’t come home, and Yubin responded casually.
Sure enough, the last argument wasn’t because I was out, but because I didn’t say anything about it.
After hanging up, I watched Green sitting quietly on the bench. Suddenly, I wondered if Yubin knew about Green’s situation.
Probably not. Usually, Yubin didn’t single out Green for conversations, and both Yubin and Yura had seen Green as “someone absent-minded.”
Based on my speculation, I might be the only person on Earth aware of Green’s current situation. I wished I had a headache, as my mind felt unusually clear and calm.
Approaching Green, who was looking down, she raised her head. When I touched her bruised face, she jumped in surprise and stared at me.
“Hey, hey…”
She seemed confused about what was happening. Wanting to ask why she was acting like this but unsure how to start, she looked flustered.
“Let’s go.”
“What?”
I took her hand and led her to a nearby police station.
Since it was Friday night, there were drunk people and many police officers, and despite the late hour, the station was bustling.
With bruises all over her face, Green entered the police station, drawing some attention. The noisy room suddenly fell silent.
Without stopping, I approached a police officer, and Green tried to avoid the gaze of others.
“I want to file a report.”
“Yes, what happened?”
“Domestic violence. My friend was beaten by her father.”
“Please sit down first.”
At dawn, sitting side by side in the police station, we answered the questions. Most of the talking was done by Green. I held her hand whenever she hesitated to speak, encouraging her.
“Huh?”
The police officer, who had been typing on the computer, looked puzzled after checking Green’s identity.
“This person is a hyper-human?”
Green seemed startled, and I noticed her reaction. My brows furrowed, and I glared at the smiling police officer.
“A hyper-human being a victim of domestic violence? What did you misunderstand…!!!”
Rage rose, but I managed to control it and stood up, grabbing the officer’s collar.
“You idiot. A girl was beaten, not a hyper-human. Can’t you hear properly? Should I make it clearer?”
Although I often lose to HunterKiller, I’m not weak enough to fail at restraining a civilian. Despite being a police officer, he was still a regular human.
Though I was a police officer, in that moment, I couldn’t think clearly.
“No, it doesn’t make sense for a hyper-human to be beaten by an ordinary person. And hyper-humans!”
I released his collar and pushed him. I knew what he would say next.
“Yeah, hyper-humans are hard to recognize. You’d only make things harder for yourselves.”
I slammed the table with both hands, leaned in close, and looked at him with a fierce gaze, lowering my voice.
“Leaving a domestic violence victim unattended or helping a hyper-human victim of domestic violence. Which one is more troublesome?”
This wasn’t something an individual should decide. Though the officer was a rookie, he didn’t have the luxury to worry about such details.
In the heat of anger, Green grabbed my hand, and as I looked at her, my rationality returned.
“Phew.”
I sighed and sat down. The officer looked startled when he saw my angry expression.
“Here, there is a victim of domestic violence and a friend who reported it. That’s all.”
I hoped the conversation wouldn’t drag on, and the officer seemed to understand, nodding and talking to other officers.
A senior-looking officer scolded him, and several officers went out to get a patrol car.
The police asked us to wait, and I sat with Green on a bench in a corner of the station.
“I’m sorry.”
Hyper-humans seem to always apologize. While I understood it considering Yubin and Yura, I didn’t want to hear apologies from them. It felt strange to apologize when there was no fault.
“I’m fine. I’ll probably be tired for a while. Let me know if you need help.”
“Yes.”
After answering, I extended my hand for her to give me her phone.
Green fumbled in her pocket and placed her smartphone on my palm, saving my number. I immediately called her number to confirm and showed her the saved contact.
“Now that I have your number, I can call you anytime, right?”
“Yes.”
Even after the brief response, I could tell she was still hesitant. I could tell instantly where she was hesitant from past experiences.
“What if you’re a hyper-human or not?”
She raised her head to look at me, and our eyes met.
“Why does it matter if you’re a hyper-human? If you’re not, it doesn’t change anything. Whether you’re a hyper-human or not, you’re still Galaxy, which doesn’t change. So, it doesn’t matter.”
“Yes…”
She nodded blankly. I assumed she understood.
But the silence didn’t last long. A patrol car arrived at the station, and a man stepped out, shouting loudly.
He was a stranger, but I recognized him immediately as Green’s father.
Seeing his face, I wanted to hit him, but I held back. Any action from me could make things worse.
“Teacher! Behave yourself!”
“Where are you?! You damn woman!”
Police officers tried to restrain Green’s father, but he kept yelling, enraged. He was likely searching for Green.
Our family was small but loving. Both parents cherished me, and I respected them. They always told me:
“When you have children someday, adjust to their perspective. You can’t always get your way, and sometimes it’s necessary to let go.”
They taught me that children aren’t possessions and that unconditional love is expected. I lived by these principles and felt intense anger and disgust towards the person hitting Green.
Entering the station, he spotted Green.
Even though they were blood-related, was it right to have the perpetrator and victim meet like this?
I couldn’t say anything as I watched him.
Of course, his gaze never turned to me; he only cursed at Green.
Was there nothing I could do?
I wanted to release at least some of the anger I felt.
“Damn woman!”
“!!”
He struggled against the police’s restraint and started running toward Green.
Seeing Green, who usually attacked us mercilessly, shrink away, made me feel terrible.
In that moment, I wanted to ease the tension.
Reason? It was unnecessary. Even if I consider myself rational, there are times when emotions override reason.
That moment was one of those times.
Just as I swung my hand toward Green, I grabbed his arm, using his momentum to throw him to the ground in a judo move.
It was a complete throw, not a pin, and the shockwave from his body knocked the wind out of him.
As I pinned him down, I pressed my palm on his chest to help him breathe and whispered softly.
“Breathe, you bastard. Don’t die alone.”
Police officers rushed in and handcuffed him, checking our safety again.
I don’t remember much after that. I recall arguing with the police about the situation, but when I regained consciousness, we were dismissed, and Green’s father was taken to jail.
Before we left, various investigations were conducted, and although I didn’t know every detail, I became a witness along with the victim and participated in the investigation.
The investigation involved only the necessary questions for me and Green.
“It’s morning.”
When I finally left the police station and went outside, the sun was rising. It was the start of the first bus service, so I dropped Green off at her house and headed back, planning to go to my part-time job in the afternoon.
“Let me know if you need help.”
I said before she went inside. She looked deep in thought.
“Okay?”
I extended my pinky finger. Green also extended her pinky, and we made a pinky promise.
“Okay.”
“Yes.”
Seeing Green’s slightly flushed face, I felt relieved.
“Go inside. I’ll watch you go in.”
“Then, take care. Thank you today.”
She turned back to wave several times, and each time, I waved her in with a smile.
Watching Green enter the house, I turned away as the door closed, heading towards the station to rest a bit.
Walking a few steps, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.
I pulled it out and saw a brief message from Green. I smiled and felt a lightness in my step.
Though there were more issues to resolve, I believed this experience would be a strength for her.
[Thank you very much. Take care. Let’s definitely go to the amusement park next time.]
