“Yeah, that was us. There’s another one coming up next month, if you want to come. Anyway …” Noticing Haneul’s glare, Lisa cleared her throat. “I call this meeting to order. For today’s agenda, we’ll be discussing the petition demanding tougher punishments for perpetrators of cybersex crimes, including the nonconsensual distribution of intimate photography. I’m happy to report that the petition has garnered two hundred thousand signatures as of today and, as a result, will require an official response from government officials within thirty days.”
Hara gave a little cheer. Jin smiled. Haneul scribbled furiously for a minute then looked up expectantly.
“Next, we’re trying to raise funds to help our sister Sarang with her legal fees. As noted, Sarang has been unfairly sentenced to ten months in prison. Donations can be made via KakaoPay. Currently, we’ve raised approximately four million won.”
Jin raised her hand.
“Yes?” Lisa asked.
“Things are a little tight but might be looking better next week,” Jin murmured. “Is it okay if …”
“Of course,” Lisa said briskly. “Finally, in terms of upcoming events, we have our weekly restroom sweep next Tuesday. We’re meeting at Hongik Station. You’re welcome to join,” she added, motioning toward Dahye.
“Restroom sweep?” Dahye asked.
“We check public restrooms for cameras,” Hara explained. “Usually, they’re hidden in the walls, so we remove whatever we find and patch up the holes so they can’t be used again. Here—every new member gets one of these kits.”
She handed Dahye a slim, rectangular object that resembled a pencil case. Dahye popped off the cover. Inside she found a miniature ice pick, a small roll of masking tape, and a sheet of stickers, each of which had an image of a camera with a large red X cutting across it. She ran her finger over the tip of the ice pick and was startled when it drew blood. Feeling perturbed, Dahye closed the lid with a snap.
“We also have our second organized protest next month, on September 20th,” Lisa said. “As I’m sure you all recall, our previous demonstration was incredibly successful, so we’re hoping to replicate that. Please take some flyers with you on the way out and distribute them to your contacts.”
She clapped her hands together. “That’s all we have tonight. Does anybody have any questions? Anything we can support or discuss?”
“I have something,” Haneul said. “I’d like to talk about the potential ramifications of the Jang Hyukjoon story, which I know has been gaining some traction. Do we think the family will get involved in any way?”
Dahye stiffened. She stared at the pencil case in her lap.
“Rich people hate getting caught up in poor people’s bullshit,” Jin commented. “I bet they won’t let it go. They have to find someone to blame, don’t they?”
“Haven’t you heard?” Hara said in a hushed voice. “There are new allegations that Jang Hyukjoon was the onebehindthe whole thing. He took the videos and shared them himself, and his family paid everybody off to cover it up.”
“What?” Lisa and Haneul said at the same time.
“Yup. One of his friends leaked screenshots from their chatroom. He’s a pig,” Hara said, making a face. “The messages are horrifying. I felt sick reading them.”
“Can you send us the link?” Jin asked. “I haven’t heard about this.” The other women nodded.
“Sure. Anyway, I’m not surprised,” Hara continued. “I knew a girl who dated him a few years back. She said he was a total scumbag. Cheated on her a bunch.”
“Isn’t that why they announced his engagement to that woman? Lee Seoyeon? To bury the other news?”
“It must be,” Lisa murmured.
Dahye stood abruptly. “Sorry,” she said. “I forgot I have to be somewhere now.” She gave a small bow and left, tuning out their shouts for her to return.
+
Outside the café, Dahye leaned against the wall. She looked at the pencil case, still clutched in her hand, and removed the lid. Took the ice pick and scratched it down the length of her wrist, lightly, so it didn’t break the skin. She wondered what it would feel like to plunge it into her flesh.
A notification popped up on her phone, ending the thought. The tracker was moving.Hyukjoonwas moving. She opened the app and watched as the car made its way from Seongbuk to Gangnam, coming to a stop. Where was he going? She frowned, zooming in, and then—she looked up, her heart thumping. He had just parked in front of a restaurant. In front of Namu.
She hurriedly flagged a taxi, throwing herself in the back seat. Glancing at her reflection in the window, she pinched her cheeks to add a little color and tried unsuccessfully to smooth the wrinkles out of her clothing. At least she wasn’t wearing Bora’s old sweatpants. She kept her eyes glued to her screen as the dot blinked. It seemed almost like an invitation.
By the time Dahye made it to the restaurant, Hyukjoon had been inside for nearly an hour. She scurried into the lobby where the hostess was standing, a smile plastered on her face. The woman looked Dahye up and down as she approached, her eyes growing hard.
“Can I help you?”
“I was here last week with my boyfriend,” Dahye said. “I lost my necklace, and it was very near and dear to me. My grandmother’s. I was wondering if you had a lost and found I could peek through?”