Meanwhile in Korea...
In the morning, Hwang Hyunjin woke up alone. He looked sadly at the empty bed next to him: Seungmin was no longer there - he had run off to work. Hwang walked into the kitchen. Well, he need to cook something again. Sometimes loneliness just came over him. Seungmin has Yeji. And who does he have, Hwang Hyunjin? Hyun sighed. With Yeji's arrival, he and Minnie communicated less often, although they were best friends. Therefore, he was very happy about yesterday's visit, although he did not express great joy. For breakfast, Hyun made an omelette and coffee, after which he decided that he needed to take more orders for paintings. He was an Artist from God. And every successful person in Korea considered it an honor to have in his home a portrait of himself or his family, made by Hwang's brush. Well, or at least another picture of him. Landscapes, portraits, still lifes - he could paint anything. Any of his paintings became a masterpiece. That's why Hyun always had orders.
After completing the work, Hwang decided to personally deliver the order. «I'll take a walk at the same time», - he thought. Although delivery was usually done by courier or Korean Post.
So he left the house and walked through the slums of Seoul to the center where the customer lived. The path was long and Hwang stopped at a store - he was thirsty. The day was hot. Hyunjin went into the store and bought a bottle of Cola. Leaving the store, he again saw a poster with Lee Felix nearby and came closer. «How handsome this guy is», - thought Hwang, looking at the image of Lee and sipping Cola, - «I wish I could draw his portrait from life».
Suddenly he felt light touches on his hips...
Hwang turned around sharply and saw a short, stocky boy, deftly rummaging through his pockets in search of profit. Yeah! The slums of Seoul are not that safe for walking. Hwang grabbed the insolent man by the hand.
-Ahhh, let me go, it hurts! - he yelled. Hwang slapped him on the back of the head.
-What are you doing?! You're stealing! Don't you know that you can't do that? - Hwang asked sternly.
-I'm hungry, - the impudent boy squealed.
-Where are your parents?
-I don't know... I haven't known anything about them for a long time.
-I see, - said Hyun. - Then I'll take you to the police. By the way what is your name?
-Seo Changbin, - answered the impudent thief. -And if you don't let go, it will be worse for you.
-Why? - Hyunjin asked.
-I'm from the «Stray Kids» criminal group. Have you heard, maybe? It will be worse for you, - the impudent man continued to threaten. Of course, Hwang had heard about the «Stray Kids» - they kept the entire criminal world of Seoul in fear, the members of the group were of different ages. Many stray kids also worked for them. Hwang Hyunjin was not afraid. Not at all.
Holding Changbin's hand tightly, Hwang dragged him to the police.
-No, I don't want to! - Changbin persisted. He started to struggle and bite Hwang's hand, but Hwang shook him properly.
-You want to eat, right? Let's go to the store, I'll buy you something. And then I'll hand you over to the police.
Changbin agreed. They went into the store and bought a full bag of pies and a bottle of juice. When they left, they found a bench and sat down. Changbin began to eat, simultaneously talking about his difficult fate. It turns out that he had been a wanderer for a long time. He made his living by begging, and sometimes acted as a drug dealer for the StrayKids, for which they provided him with protection. If the beggar's day didn't work out, he would steal. This happened this time too.
Once Changbin had eaten, they set off again. At the same time, Hwang had to deviate from the original route. They walked through the streets of Seoul, Changbin chatting incessantly about everything, Hwan holding his hand tightly. Finally they reached the police station.
-Here, a thief, and a homeless one at that, - Hyunjin said, handing Changbin over to the policeman.
-The chief of police will come now - Mr. Kim Woo-Jin. - said the policeman, - Mr. Woo-Jin, what should we do with him? - the policeman asked the police chief who approached and pointed at Changbin.
-Let's put him in the children's room first, - said Woo-Jin. - Will you write a statement?
-No, - said Hwang. He already felt sorry for Changbin. Hyunjin had a truly kind heart.
Changbin was taken into a room where another boy with cunning narrow eyes was already there.
-Hello, Binny! - he exclaimed.
-Annyong, Inny! - Changbin replied. The boys hugged.
-Do you know each other? - Hyunjin was somewhat surprised.
-Yes, this is Yang Jeongin. Or I.N. We are best friends. He's in «Stray Kids» too, - Changbin said. - Inny, like me, is homeless.
Hyunjin felt sorry for both tramps. But he needed to send the order. He left a bag with a few remaining pies for the boys and left the police station. After standing on the porch for a while, pondering the fate of the guys, he went back in.
-Can I pick them up when I'm free? - he turned to Woo-Jin.
-Certainly. Fill out the papers and we will release them under your responsibility, - Kim Woo-Jin replied. Hwang Hyunjin came out again.
Having reached the center of Seoul and handing the painting to the customer, Hwang received a lot of money for it. Now he will buy tickets to Lee Felix's concert for himself and Seungmin! He decided to paint a picture a day. The image of a smiling Seungmin suddenly appeared in his memory. «I need to dial Minny», - Hwang thought.
-Hello, Minny. Let's meet today?
-Hello, Jinny... - Seungmin answered sadly.
-What happened to you? Something happened? - Hwang was seriously worried about his friend.
-Here's the thing... Yeji and I... broke up... For good... - Seungmin almost cried. - She found some policeman. His name is Kim Woo-Jin. Full, nightmare...
Yes, it was real horror. Hwang thought about it. That's how it happens. He just saw Woo-Jin himself at the police station.
-Let's go to Lee Felix's concert, - Hwang suggested. - I just received the money, I'll buy us 2 tickets. At least you'll get relax...
-Come on, - Seungmin agreed. - Will I come in the evening?
-Certainly.
-Annyong.
-Annyong.
Hwang Hyunjin purchased tickets to Lee Felix's concert.
Meanwhile, the Seoul police...
-Well, Binny, what kind of guy brought you? - Jeongin asked Changbin, taking a bite of another, already cooled pie.
-I wanted to pull out his wallet, but this guy caught me, - answered Binny. - He seems to be a good guy, even though he handed me over to the police. So, he bought me some pies and juice when he found out that I hadn't eaten since yesterday. The «Stray Kids» haven't given jobs for a long time, and you can't earn much by begging. How did you end up here?
-And the «Stray Kids» kicked me out, now I'm on my own, - Jeongin said. -The deal they offered me was too dangerous, and I refused. This is the second time this has happened and they have refused my patronage.
At that moment, Police Chief Kim Woo-Jin walked in.
-Guys, I think you are lucky. This gentleman, Hwang Hyunjin, is going to take you under his own responsibility, - Woo-Jin told them. The boys looked at each other - bewilderment was visible in their eyes: why does this Hwang need them? Noticing this, Woo-Jin reassured them:
-Everything is fine. Mr. Hwang is a famous person in Korea. He always helps those in need. Known for his charity. - Woo-Jin came out. The guys thought about it. After a few minutes, Jeongin said:
-It's probably still better than selling drugs.
Changbin remained silent. Deep down, he was even glad at this prospect.