That evening, Jeong did him the honor of breaking into his apartment personally.
He was sitting on In Ho's couch. Compared to Jeong's expensive suit, the living room seemed shabby and impossibly small. Ankle on knee, and leaning back into the faded upholstery as relaxed as a model. As though In Ho's home was the site of some ridiculous cologne ad.
In Ho threw his new backpack onto the table with a thump.
Jeong sat up and gave him a cold look, "Did you observe any threats to Hong Seol today?"
"No." In Ho answered shortly, "What am I supposed to protect this girl from? Papercuts?" Opening the refrigerator he pulled out a bottle of juice and took a drink, "How does a dog-haired nerd make enemies-"
Suddenly, the bottle was knocked from his hand and Jeong had him by the throat, "You will take this seriously. You will protect Hong Seol or-" He squeezed and In Ho made a choked sound.
Groping along the counter, In Ho's hand landed on something cold and metallic. Gripping the paring knife, he pressed the steel of it into Jeong's side just enough to let the other man feel the tiny bite of the point.
The pressure on In Ho's neck eased. This close he could see the delicate skin under Jeong's eye twitching, "I see you learned a few things from that gangster." He let go and stepped back.
In Ho lowered the knife but didn't put it down, "I learned enough."
Jeong glanced around the small apartment, "You can't stay here." He announced abruptly.
"What? Where am I supposed to go?"
"I need you closer to Hong Seol. There was another break in near her apartment. A woman was attacked. You'll move into her building."
"I never agreed to-"
"You agreed to keep her safe. How can you do that from here? What if she needed you? It would take an hour to get to her apartment from here on foot."
In Ho ground out, "So buy me a car."
Suddenly, Jeong changed tactics. He leaned against the wall, his posture loose and relaxed again. A friendly smile on his face. In Ho was reminded of the mask Jeong had worn when speaking to the girl. He shivered.
Jeong said in a conversational voice, "In Ha dropped out of secretarial school." His eyes watched In Ho closely, "She attended one class and then asked for a refund on the money my father paid the school. Fraud is punishable by jail time, you know."
In Ho took a deep breath and set the knife back down. His hand trembled, "Mr. You wouldn't press charges-"
"I would."
In Ho gripped the edge of his shirt in one fist. His jaw was clenched so tightly he could already feel his head aching. For a moment, he considered throwing In Ha to the wolves. She had done this, made these choices. Why not let her face the consequences? In his mind, he heard her young voice screaming, 'Wait, brother, wait-'.
He heard himself answer, "Fine."
Jeong nodded once, "Good. I'll have your things moved tomorrow." He tossed a set of keys at In Ho. The other man caught them awkwardly.
"My flight leaves in the morning but you have my cell number and my people will be issuing me regular reports." He gave In Ho one of those looks, like he could see right through him, "Don't fail me. Your life and In Ha's depend on it."
In Ho gave a bow that was equal parts mocking and subservient, "Don't worry, mighty prince. I will protect Hong Seol-Nim with my life."
Jeong eyed him coldly, "You had better," he murmured before turning toward the door.