Sniping - Chapter 2

When El returned home, she locked the front door and leaned against it, trying to steady her trembling breath.

Her face, chilled by the cold wind, had turned red. The bittersweet taste of rich hot chocolate lingered in her mouth, and she licked her lips, savoring it.

She had gone to a café.

For others, it was an ordinary outing, but for El, it was extraordinary.

El’s mother, Lee Do-hee, had moved to America while pregnant with her. Though Do-hee passed down her beautiful appearance to El, she was far from being a good caregiver.

Until she met Chris, El had grown up neglected and abused, never stepping foot outside her home. Do-hee, while locking El away, continued meeting different men outside until she began living with Chris.

At Chris’s home.

As a result, El was often left alone at home, with Do-hee only dropping by occasionally to stock the fridge, as if fulfilling some minimal duty. Perhaps sensing something suspicious about Do-hee, Chris followed her one day and discovered El. When confronted, Do-hee had flown into a wild rage.

When El was 12, Do-hee died in a sudden car accident. Chris took her in, bringing her to his home.

Even if it was out of guilt or pity, El was grateful.

Though she now lived with Chris, she couldn’t break out of her reclusive habits. Being a sniper, Chris also had much to conceal, so he left her to her ways.

Thus, El grew up eating only what she needed, wearing only what was necessary, and spending almost all her time indoors. The growing pile of money was irrelevant to her lifestyle.

After lingering at the entrance for some time, El finally moved to the living room, slowly taking off her sneakers and collapsing onto the couch.

Sitting in the café, even briefly, made her feel like a normal person.

Through Chris, El learned how different she was from others. Yet, when Chris asked her if she wanted to live like everyone else, she had shaken her head.

El didn’t know any other way of life. She had lived like this since birth, and it was what felt familiar.

Kwon, Hyun, Se.

Her lips moved silently, forming the three syllables of his name.

A ticklish feeling, like a sprouting seed within her, became unbearable, and El abruptly stood up.

Like the bittersweet taste of the hot chocolate still lingering in her mouth, Kwon Hyun-se lingered in her mind.

“El, come again.”

When the ivory-haired man had said those words, El had been looking at Hyun-se. As he smoked, his narrowed eyes had been fixed on her.

“Kitty, wouldn’t it be nice to see you often?”

His low voice had a magnetic pull.

The entire way home, she felt as though his gaze was still on her, her whole body tingling.

Should I go back? Would that be okay?

It had only been a one-time visit, but Kwon Hyun-Se’s face—calling her ‘Kitty’—kept floating before her eyes.

She had even told him her name.

He had called her pretty and given her a nickname, so he must be a kind person.

But why would it be nice to see me often?

—

A passing elderly woman with white hair glanced at the café and the two Asian men before disappearing around the corner.

Kim Jae-Chan sat at an outdoor table, sipping freshly brewed coffee, marveling at the crisp autumn weather paired with the hot drink. The combination was so pleasant it made him smile.

Kwon Hyun-Se emerged from the café, setting down the newspaper he had been reading and sitting diagonally across from Jae-Chan, crossing his legs.

“Do you think she’s really a tattoo artist?”
“Of course not.”

Hyun-se’s tone carried a clear hint of mockery, as if saying, “You’re a National Intelligence Service agent, and you can’t spot such a simple lie?” Irritated, Jae-chan retorted, “It’s just an offhand comment, alright!” before lowering his voice to continue.

“She doesn’t fit in at all. She doesn’t even seem like a modern kid. Did you see what she was wearing? No young woman dresses like that.”

The navy hoodie she wore was faded, her black jeans were so worn they had turned charcoal gray, and the white T-shirt beneath the hoodie had frayed edges—not the intentional kind found in vintage clothing. Her sneakers were equally worn out.

Her face, devoid of even the most common lip tint, and her hair, simply tied back, made her look like a street vagrant—if not for her striking features.

“So what? She’s still pretty.”

“…Wow, you’re unbelievable. You’re seriously unpredictable.”

Jae-Chan shook his head at Hyun-Se. Given their line of work, temptations were common, and sometimes exploiting them was necessary. But he couldn’t recall a time when Hyun-Se had called anyone pretty.

“Kitty, huh? Did he get hit on the head with a brick?”

“What do you think El’s deal is? And why are we even curious about her? She’s got nothing to do with us.”

“She might have something to do with us.”

Hyun-Se cast his gaze in the direction El had disappeared. He thought of her hands—surprisingly rough compared to her delicate face. Her hands, marked with calluses and small scars, were far from soft.

“…Tattoo artist,” he muttered.

As his hazel-like eyes shifted thoughtfully, Jae-Chan gawked at him in disbelief. Hyun-Se smirked.

Interesting.

This was the first time either work or a person had intrigued him this much. A nagging curiosity kept surfacing, but it wasn’t unpleasant.

—

El carefully hid her well-polished firearms behind pots under the sink and checked the time.

It was the day to buy cereal, bread, and jam. After meticulously washing her hands, she was about to head out but paused. She returned to her room and opened her wardrobe.

Her wardrobe was filled with muted, achromatic colors—no bright hues in sight. El, unusually indecisive, stared at her options.

After pulling out a pair of black jeans, her hesitant hand finally picked up a gray turtleneck sweater. It was a loose sweater that came just below her waist, something Chris had bought for her. She had only worn it once because it seemed too bright.

It’s just the grocery store, she thought.

Changing into the sweater, El grabbed her wallet and stepped outside.

After locking the front door, she turned around and heard the voice of Mrs. Catherine.

“El, where are you off to?”

Mrs. Catherine, wearing pink lipstick, was holding her mail. She was a gracefully aged woman who lived with her equally elderly dog, Leo.

“Grocery shopping,” El replied.

“I made lasagna. Want some?”

Though Catherine knew El would refuse, she always asked when they crossed paths. What could be better than sharing food you’ve made?

“I’m fine,” El declined politely.

Catherine smiled and told her to take care. El lifted the corners of her mouth slightly in return. She didn’t know what lasagna was. Most of the foods Catherine mentioned were unfamiliar to her.

Did I tie my sneakers properly?

After taking a few steps, El glanced down. Seeing the neat bow, she resumed walking, her face faintly flushed.

She hadn’t intended to, but her gaze drifted toward the café. Standing at the entrance was a man with ivory-colored hair, waving enthusiastically at her.

El’s eyes scanned the area, searching for something—or someone. Hyun-Se wasn’t there.

“El! Where are you headed? Want a cup of hot chocolate?”

Jae-Chan was wearing a black apron today.

“…Grocery shopping.”

“Have some hot chocolate first. Team Leader Kwon will be here soon.”

“Team Leader Kwon?”

“I’m the boss, he’s the team leader. Something like that. Come on, sit down. The weather’s great today, and seeing you makes it even better.”

Without meaning to, El found herself sitting in the chair Jae-Chan had pulled out. He disappeared briefly and returned with a soft lap blanket, placing it on the table.

“Use this if you’re cold,” he said.

Jae-chan’s movements were swift, likely because there were no other customers. El thought she should pay for her drink today as her eyes wandered into the café.

“So, if you’re a tattoo artist, do you have a studio?”

Jae-Chan’s voice carried through the small café.

“Only on-site work,” El said, using the answer she had practiced just in case.

“Ah, on-site work,” Jae-Chan repeated, drawing out the words thoughtfully.

Where is Kwon Hyun-Se?

What does ‘soon’ mean?

El instinctively touched the bill of her cap. With her face partly hidden, she felt more comfortable than the day before. If she was the only customer, sitting here didn’t seem so bad.

But without customers, wouldn’t the café lose money, as Catherine had mentioned?

As these thoughts floated in her mind, Jae-chan brought out a cup of hot chocolate.

“Do you live alone, El? Oh, is that rude to ask?”

She quietly stared at the man now sitting across from her.

“…Yes.”

It was unclear if her answer was to confirm she lived alone or that the question was indeed rude. Jae-chan chuckled awkwardly, unaware of the slightly sullen look on her face due to Hyun-se’s absence.

“I was surprised when you said you were a tattoo artist yesterday. Maybe I should get a tattoo myself.”

Cough!

El, who had been sipping her hot chocolate after blowing on it, choked and coughed. A handkerchief suddenly appeared in front of her.

Lifting her head, El’s eyes widened as she saw Kwon Hyun-Se.

“El, if I get one too, would I get a discount for doing it together?”

His deep black eyes seemed to pull her in entirely.