The Boy’s Statement

"...Moving on," Detective Song says, purposely overlooking the fact that Gun knew such a morally ambiguous skill. "It says in the report that the three of you—including your brother and your sister—ran away from home. Where have the three of you been staying?"

"We stayed at a motel on the first night. Then, we stayed at my brother's friend's house for a few days. After that, we started renting a studio apartment around winter break."

"I see," Detective Song nodded in understanding. "What was the reason for your running away, if I may ask?"

"Things were getting out of hand. That man was going to attack Yeo Ri."

"Why was he going to attack her? Does he... beat you up often?"

"Hyung and I? Often. But Yeo Ri is different. That man had never raised his hand against her up until recently."

"Oh? And why is that? And can you specify when exactly 'recently' is?"

"Early November, I think?" Gun shrugged, "He had always treated Yeo Ri better than us."

"Let's talk about your brother. Has he always been such a prick?" Detective Song changed the subject. His lips curled up into a grimace as he remembered how tough it was to detain that guy. One of his colleagues got hit by the young man while trying to take him into the police car that day and suffered a terrible injury. But, trying to get his confession was even worse. He was so uncooperative that they had to change the interrogator several times.

Gun snorted, "'Prick' is an understatement."

Detective Song chuckled as he shuffled through the case file. "Did you know where your brother was before he came to the house?"

"He was at work; a packaging factory, if I remember correctly. I called him to let him know about Yeo Ri since he was closer to the house, so he got there first."

The two detectives nodded. This matched the statement given by Lee Hyuk.

"Other than to save your sister, was there any other motive for Lee Hyuk to kill your father?"

Gun shrugged, "Who knows. He's always been fighting back and defying that man since a long time ago." He remarked, "But one thing is for sure: Hyung cares about Yeo Ri a lot."

"Hyung loves Yeo Ri more than anything," Gun added, almost begrudgingly.

"Oh, she must be the apple in your eyes, huh?" Detective Song remarked amusedly. It was the first time he met such close siblings. But given their upbringing, it was inevitable for them to stick close together.

Afterwards, Detective Song pulled out several pictures from the case file and arranged them neatly in front of Gun.

"These are pictures of the victim at the crime scene," he says. "The autopsy report came out and it was concluded that the victim died from excessive shock and blood loss. In these pictures, one can see the thirteen stab wounds inflicted on the victim's abdomen, one stab on his back, several older gashes on his collarbone and arms, and... uh..." Detective Song coughed awkwardly, "...the mutilated private parts."  The detective could not help but shiver at the photo despite being an experienced detective of over ten years. His family jewels shrunk at the thought of how much rage that Lee Hyuk kid must have felt to have done such a thing.

"And this is a picture of the murder weapon," he says, adding another picture on the table.

Gun observed the photos with an indifferent look, causing the detectives to wonder whether he had a lot of guts or he just didn't care.

"Do you know where your brother could have gotten this knife? He wouldn't say anything during the interrogations."

"..." Gun pursed his lips. That knife was his. Gun pondered whether he should tell the truth or lie about it. Since Hyuk had not said anything, it was clear that he was trying to protect his little brother. Gun felt rather perplexed; they had always been at odds with each other, so why did Hyuk protect him? As smart as he was, Gun simply could not figure the man out, though he had already thought of several possible reasons.

Detective Song saw that the young boy had a complex expression on his face and allowed him some time to arrange his thoughts.

"That knife is mine."

The two detectives took a double take at his statement. Detective Song raised an eyebrow in surprise and curiosity. "Yours? Where did you even get it? How did it end up in your brother's hand?"

"Please do not misunderstand; I only bought that knife for self-defence. I got it from my acquaintance, Hwang Se Jin-ssi. He's a knife collector," Gun spoke the truth. "Hyung probably found it and stole it from me when I wasn't looking," he lied with a straight face. Since Hyuk took the burden of shielding him, he might as well continue to use it, lest his efforts would be wasted. Unknowingly, Gun had already started to forget Hyuk's previous wrongdoings thanks to his recent actions.

"I see..." Detective Song sent a furtive glance at his partner. They would definitely have to go meet Hwang Se Jin soon.

Gun glanced at the clock on his phone. "Is that all? It's getting late and my sister might be looking for me."

"Ah, yes, of course. Thank you for coming, Student Lee Gun. If there's any development on the case, we will be sure to inform you," Detective Song says, bidding him farewell.

Gun gave them a polite nod in response, leaving to go back to the hospital.