The courthouse doors opened and Baki walked out with Heeyeon next to him.
Reporters rushed toward them before they even reached the first step. Camera lights flashed everywhere and everyone was shouting questions at the same time. Baki stopped and closed his eyes. He took one deep breath and let the noise wash past him.
"Mr. Hanma, what is your response to the revelation of Chairman Charles Choi's alleged ties to the Yamazaki Syndicate? Were you aware of this prior to today? And how do you feel about the public condemnation you faced in the absence of that information?"
Baki opened his eyes and looked at the reporter. He reached out and took the microphone from her hand. "What others choose to say has never concerned me. I knew where I stood from the beginning."
He gave the microphone back and walked down the steps. The reporters immediately turned to Heeyeon. She watched Baki walk away and looked annoyed, then turned to the cameras and started answering their questions in a polite voice.
Seongji and Vin Jin were waiting at the bottom of the steps. Vin Jin stood up straight when he saw Baki coming. Seongji watched him walk down with his hands in his pockets.
"How did it go?" Seongji asked.
"I received bail," Baki said. "Full hearing is next week on the RICO filing."
Seongji nodded. "Good. At least things worked out."
"Thanks." Baki stopped next to them and looked at the street. "The Red Paper got to the court on time."
"It did," Seongji said. "But even with old man Bakugo's testimony, you would have gotten bail anyway."
Baki turned to look at him. "Old man Bakugo testified against me."
Seongji froze. "What?"
"He stood up in court and said I attacked without any reason." Baki's voice was calm. "He pointed at me directly."
Seongji was quiet for a moment. Then he breathed out slowly through his nose. "Jichang Kwak and the others are missing. Someone got to old Bakugo before he arrived at the court. They might have done something to him. Fortunately, Manager Kim rescued and brought him to the courthouse in time."
"Manager Kim?" Baki said.
"Yes."
Baki looked back at the street. "Why would he do that?"
"I don't know," Seongji said. "He left right after he dropped old man Bakugo off."
"I guess I will have to visit the White Tiger Job Centre," Baki said.
Seongji nodded. "You should."
"What else?" Baki said.
Seongji sighed. "Prosecutor Choi Kangmi was kidnapped by Gun Park before the RICO filing got to the court. Gun kept her at a junkyard outside the city. The kids went there to help her and Johan Seong followed them. He is in the hospital right now but he is going to be fine."
A geniune smile appeared on Baki's face. "Haha. I should treat him to something nice."
"You really should," Seongji said. "I also encountered Goo on my way to the court. It seemed he wanted to get the Red Paper for Gun."
Baki scanned him from head to toe. "And I was wondering why you look so battered. I guess it's because of that loud mouth."
Seongji chuckled. "He's strong, you know? Especially his sword techniques. Fortunately, Vin Jin got there in time. I was able to come to the court safely because of him."
Baki looked over at Vin Jin, who had been standing quietly the whole time. "When did you get back from Cheonliang?"
Vin Jin blinked. "Just today."
"Hmm," Baki said. "Good work. You have grown. Let's see, I will throw a barbecue party when the others return."
Vin Jin smiled. "Yeah. It's been a while since we had a get together."
"Let's go find old man Bakugo for now," Baki said, turning back to Seongji. "I want to hear what happened directly from him."
Seongji took his car keys out of his pocket. "He hasn't come out yet."
"Then let's wait here," Baki said.
---
James put his phone face down on the desk and stared at the wall.
Gun had failed. The Red Paper had reached the court. Baki Hanma was free on bail and the RICO filing was now public. The courts would start looking at Charles's money and properties very soon. Everything Charles had worked for over the years. All of it out in the open and most of it gone.
He had not expected this to happen. He had not thought Gun Park would fail. That was his mistake and he took a moment to accept it.
He had lost this round.
"You're very quiet," Kitae said.
James turned around. Kitae was sitting on the sofa with both arms resting on the back of it. He was so big that the sofa looked too small for him. He watched James with a calm and empty expression.
"Gun failed to get the Red Paper," James said. "Baki Hanma got bail. Charles's properties will probably be taken because of the RICO filing."
Kitae said nothing. He did not look interested in any of it.
"You're always careful around Baki Hanma," Kitae said. "Why?"
James looked at him for a moment. "He reminds me of you."
Kitae tilted his head a little. "So you're careful around me too?"
"No," James said.
"Why not?"
"Because we need each other," James said. "Neither of us can reach our goals without the other. So we don't need to be careful with each other." He looked straight at Kitae. "Baki Hanma has no deal with me. He has no reason to leave me alone. That is the difference."
Kitae looked at him for another moment. Then he leaned back and looked up at the ceiling. "I want to meet him."
"Who?" James asked.
A wide smile appeared on Kitae's face. "Baki Hanma. I wonder... how tasty he would be."
James looked at him and said nothing.