A Sensational Killer

Ju-Won entered the school building and walked into his classroom, adjusting the red and white tie on his uniform and tucking in his white sweater. Ju-Won pulled out his hand mirror from his pocket and arranged his silver hair neatly as he took his seat near the window so the breeze could gently rustle his hair. He looked out and saw students playing in the courtyard. They were small from that height like ants crawling around in the dirt. Ju-Won held in a sneer and he organized his desk neatly and took out a book from his bag. The book was irrelevant and Ju-Won couldn’t read it since it was in English, it was just something to get eyes. He used this time to listen in to his classmates while pretending to read, counting to thirty before looking to the next page and taking fifty seconds every fifth page.

“Do we have a test today?” Someone asked.

“That lip tint is super cute! Where’d you get it?” Someone else cheered. Ju-Won glanced to see two girls chatting. The lip tint one was holding a pretty bland shade of pink, compared to his natural lip color it looked so dull.

“Did you hear about what happened to Mina?” A different voice whispered. Ju-Won’s ears perked in the direction of something more interesting than ugly people. A small group of five, three boys and two girls, all gathered in the far back corner of the class. Ju-Won rotated himself in his chair to point his ear toward the conversation.

“No? She’s been gone for a day or two,” one of the girls said.

“Do you think she’s sick?” The other girl asked.

The tallest of the boys looked around. “I heard she’d died. The police found her body yesterday.” The group of students exchanged looks of shock while Ju-won bit the inside of his cheek.

“You’re kidding! Was it by CK?”

“I mean, probably!”

“You think they’ll hit again?”

“Mina was so nice too! She was so pretty!”

Mina was so pretty… Ju-Won could hear Mina’s cries echoing in his ears. She pleaded for mercy and begged like an animal. She really lost it when he cut her hair. It was what she prized most about her look; long, silky soft, and a beautiful chestnut brown. She claimed it was natural but Ju-Won learned the truth. She had given him feeling, the one that ate at his very being, the feeling that told him he wasn’t the prettiest anymore. Ju-Won tried to curb his tendency but sometimes it would get out of hand. His attempts went from some rumors to sabotage, but every time it ended this way. She couldn’t help being prettier than him and she loved rubbing it in his face. But in the end, didn’t have anything to rub in while he sat on her chest cutting her hair into a bowl cut.

One of the girls glanced over at Ju-Won, while he pretended to read. “I heard CK only kills pretty people. Hopefully, they don’t come for me next time!” Ju-Won knew what she was implying. She was ugly and he was prettier than her. No way someone would lower themselves to kill the unwashed like her.

Ju-Won looked out the window again and noticed a pair of men walking into the school building. They weren’t teachers or students, and definitely not someone’s parents. Ju-Won felt tense. He put his book down without the page saved, and Ju-Won stretched his senses outward. He could see two shadows coming down the hall, hear footsteps, and even smell a cigarette in the air. The smell made Ju-Won gag.

The door opened and the homeroom teacher stepped inside followed by two men, one smoking a cigarette. The one with the cigarette was older, with a beard, and wore gross clothes. His hair was messy, he smelled like smoke, and the sound of his voice was low and gruff.

“Uh… Good morning class,” the man said. The students went to their seats and stopped talking to listen closely. “I’m Detective Cha and this is Junior Detective Choi.” He said. He explained that Mina Lee, a classmate that went missing four days ago, was found last night on campus. Ju-Won was bored listening to the ugly man but was focused on the second man.

Detective Choi was young, clean, and fresh. His hair was black and neatly brushed, and he wore a white button-up tucked into slacks and dark brown shoes. The man was handsome, to the point that Ju-Won felt the familiar feeling he got when he saw anyone pretty. Someone who rivaled him.

Detective Choi stepped forward to speak, and Ju-Won instinctively leaned in. “I apologize for our disruption, but we believe someone could’ve seen something. If you know anything at all, please step forward.”

No one moved. No one spoke.

Ju-Won raised his hand. “How do you know one of us could’ve seen something?”

The old man said, “Mina went missing on campus and was found on campus, it’s very unlikely that no one could’ve seen or heard anything at that time.”

Ju-Won’s face soured at the old man responding to him. He wanted Detective Choi to speak.

“Was it the Cutie Killer? Is the CK here?” Someone asked.

The class started to get unsettled by the thought, and panicked chatter stirred.

Detective Choi pulled up his sleeves, his action caused the class to quiet down. “We would like to interview each of you individually. You may have seen something and not even know it. We’ll begin from the front of the class and make our way to the back.”

He looked over to Ju-Won. “So that means, you’d be first,” he said.

Ju-Won stood and waited near the detective as they explained to the class their process of how they’ll interview each student in an empty room with a camera to record everything.

Ju-Won then followed the detectives into the empty classroom, it was only two doors down and he could hear other classes going while the detectives prepared their equipment.

The two detectives sat on one side of a table, behind the view of the camera. Ju-Won was sitting on the opposing side, facing the officers and the camera.

Detective Cha began the interview by having Ju-Won sit and introduce himself in front of the camera before Cha continued on to further questions.

“Did you know the victim?”

“I did know Mina. A bunch of us knew her, she was one of the prettiest girls in our classroom.” Ju-Won said.

“Were you two close?”

“Not very close. We’re both people on the more popular side but operated in different bubbles.” Ju-Won’s leg began to softly bounce. He couldn’t help but glance at Detective Choi standing looking into the camera as he filmed Ju-Won. Ju-Won moved his head every twenty seconds to give a new angle to the camera, only slight movements.

“Do you remember where you were after school on that day? October 22nd.” Detective Cha asked, his tone was less of inquiry, and more like an accusation.

“I believe on the 22nd I was at Berlitz Cram School further in town and stayed there until it was pretty late,” Ju-Won said. Not letting his face give away his suspicion of the true intentions of the detectives.

“Mina went to Berlitz as well, did you know that?” Detective Cha said.

“I have seen her there sometimes, but we never really spoke.” Ju-Won could remember seeing her walking with friends to the cram school. Her flock followed close behind her heels as her beautiful long hair swayed.

Detective Cha paused for a moment. Ju-Won held his gaze. The detective broke first to reach for a bag, he pulled a folder from inside the bag and presented Mina’s picture. Back when she was still so pretty…

“Did you see here that day at cram school? At Berlitz?” Detective Cha asked.

Ju-Won was disgusted by the boldness of this old man. Ugly and had the audacity to ask such a question him, but he held himself together.

“No, I don’t believe I saw her there that night,” Ju-Won could see her packing up her things that day as the final class bell rang and she got ready for cram school. Alone.

The detective took out another picture. It was crime scene photos, nothing of Mina, only the surroundings. “Mina suffered thirty-six cuts and stabs across her body, mostly aimed towards her face, and a large amount of her hair was cut and tossed aside,” he said.

“That’s horrible,” Ju-Won said while the scene of cutting Mina’s hair played in his mind.

“It really is. Only a sick monster could do something like this to such a sweet girl.” Detective Cha said.

Ju-Won glanced at Detective Choi, who was staring at Ju-Won through the camera. That man gave Ju-Won the same feeling, the same itch that Mina did. Detective Choi is young, handsome, and physically attractive, Ju-Won is nothing compared to him. Without the man here, Ju-Won would easily be the star at the school. Now people were most likely whispering about how hot or cute the detective was instead of Ju-Won. The itch got even stronger and Ju-Won’s leg shook faster.

The room was silent.

Then a phone rang.

Detective Cha sucked his teeth before standing. “I need to take this, Detective Choi will handle the rest of the questions.” The older detective rushed out of the room to answer his call, heading down the hallway so Ju-Won couldn’t hear.

Detective Choi sat down in the open seat. His shirt was unbuttoned more, showing his collarbone and his muscular chest. Ju-Won itched at his collarbone and his hand drifted slowly across his chest as it went back to his lap.

Detective Choi’s voice was soft and kind with the perfect amount of depth to it. “So let’s continue.”

Ju-Won almost smiled but remembered why he was being questioned.

“So, I’m going to show you another picture. This one is more graphic, are you ready?” Choi asked.

Ju-Won nodded.

Detective Choi presented a picture of Mina’s body. “As my partner mentioned before, this young lady suffered thirty-six cuts and stabs. What would you make of this?”

Ju-Won was distracted looking more at the detective than the photo. “I guess this person hated her a lot.”

Detective Choi nodded. “That’s what I’m thinking. Do you know anyone in this school who hated her enough to attack her?”

Another feeling stirred in Ju-Won. Not like how it was with Mina.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know anyone like that.”

This feeling wasn’t painful like Mina, it felt like a fluttering in Ju-Won’s stomach. Its intensity increased every second Ju-Won looked at the young detective in front of him.

“May I ask you an odd question?” Ju-Won said.

The detective, clearly surprised by the sudden change, nodded. “Please do.”

“H-Have you ever fallen in love?” Ju-Won asked.

Detective Choi seemed to be taken aback by the question for a minute before answering. “I’ve felt love before, but I’ve been a bit busy with a serious relationship. Why do you ask?”

“Is it possible to kill someone you’ve fallen in love with?” Ju-Won said.

Choi pondered again, this time staring intently at the student before him. “I’ve seen plenty of cases where loved ones have hurt each other. Even unrequited love can turn sour if someone is rejected and is motivated in such a way.”

Ju-Won’s heart was racing, why would he ask such odd questions? He wasn’t in love with Mina. Ju-Won couldn’t place why, but Detective Choi made his head warm and his heart jump.

“I apologize for such odd questions. I just had a theory, but it seemed far-fetched.” Ju-Won said.

Choi shook his head. “Maybe you’ll become a good detective with that head you got. That’s an okay theory you have. Do you know anyone who liked her that she may have rejected recently?”

Ju-Won didn’t care about that bitch anymore. He just wanted Detective Choi to ask about him.

Ju-Won shook his head, “I can’t remember anyone in particular.”

Detective Choi collected the photos. “Thank you very much for your cooperation. I know this is a very grim subject, but I would appreciate your discretion when you go back to class.”

Ju-Won stood and made eye contact with the detective. “Does that mean the Cutie Killer is a student?”

The detective put away the folder, stopped the recording, and walked with Ju-Won back to class. “We have our reasons for being here. You should be careful, you seem like a nice kid. But I don’t think a serial killer is here at the school. If you find anything concerning, you can bring it to me or another officer at the station and we’ll take your statement.” Choi patted Ju-Won on the head before opening the door for him.

The way that Choi didn’t know that Ju-Won was debating on ways of killing his itch right there was almost funny to Ju-Won. But the itch faded when the detective tried to comfort him and the other feeling from Ju-Won’s stomach stirred again.

The rest of the day was a blur. Ju-Won’s classmates were in and out, people mostly talking about what questions the detectives asked them and comparing their responses. Ju-Won couldn’t stop thinking of Detective Choi. Something about him was different from other people, but Ju-Won couldn’t place it. Ju-Won tried to dismiss it but every time a student came back from answering questions Ju-Won would crane to see even a glimpse of the younger detective. Before he could find answers in himself the final school bell rang out, and students began leaving and flooding the halls.

Ju-Won started to leave as well when he saw the two detectives outside the school talking. As he walked in the direction of his home he watched the two detectives part ways; Detective Cha in a taxi and Detective Choi started hiking up an alleyway. Ju-Won found himself following Choi’s path down the alleyway. It wasn’t dark enough outside to hide so Ju-Won tried to stick to corners and keep out of sight. He followed the detective for about fifteen minutes before Detective Choi went upstairs into an apartment building and entered one of the units. Many people were around, going home from their shifts at work or just insisting on being in the way. The irritating laughter of children radiated from the nearby playground. It seemed like a nice neighborhood, the apartment building was clean even with the trash truck making their rounds.

Ju-Won waited across the street for his detective to come out. A couple passed and Ju-Won was still there, waiting with the itch and the other feeling both striking at the same time. The itch demanded to be the cutest, demanding blood. The other feeling demanded Detective Choi and Ju-Won needed him alive to understand whatever that meant.

After the sun had set, Ju-Won couldn’t wait any longer. He snuck up the stairs and to the door of the unit he’d seen the detective walk into. Ju-Won closed his eyes. Once he entered he would only leave with blood or the detective. The itching and the feeling competed against each other. Ju-Won knocked on the door and waited, whenever the door opened Ju-Won decided one of the two sensations would win out.

When the door opened, warm light spilled from the crack, and Choi’s face was shrouded in golden light. “Ju-Won? What are you doing here?”

Everything felt warm inside. It smelled like something had just finished cooking. Choi had a blue t-shirt with English on it and black sweatpants with a concerned look written all over his face.

“Detective… Your partner, the older man, told me I should find you if I had extra information about Mina. I went to the police station as you told me, but you weren’t there.” The younger replied.

Choi took a moment to process the situation. Ju-Won’s hands were weirdly damp. He kept wiping them awkwardly together so often that he couldn’t count between occurrences.

“You caught me a little off guard. Let me put on some better clothes and we can have a quick talk.” Choi looked outside. The air was cold and the wind was picking up. The apartment wasn’t very well-lit, so Ju-Won was almost surrounded by darkness except for the light from Choi’s apartment. “Why don’t you come in too? I’d hate for you to catch a cold because of me.”

Ju-Won nodded and the detective allowed him to enter.

The inside of the apartment was comfortable. From the doorway, there was a smooth brown sofa with a glass coffee table in front of it with a mug on a coaster. A book with the cover face-down was next to the mug. The detective’s uniform was on a hanger air-drying near the window at the back of the room next to a desk that had a laptop, notes, and more books.

“You like to read?” Ju-Won asked.

“From time to time, it keeps me from being bored without resorting to my phone or TV.” Choi walked into the living room and cleared the stuff off the coffee table. He closed his laptop and took his notes with him into a room down the hall where he closed and locked the door to change.

When Ju-Won took a deep breath, everything smelled clean, but there was also a strong aroma of kimchi stew in the kitchen. The couch was soft and the coffee table was spotless as if it had been cleaned earlier in the day. There was no dust on the floors either.

Detective Choi returned in a long-sleeved sweater with jeans this time, not what Ju-Won was expecting but he shrugged it off.

Choi walked to his desk and collected a pen and a blank piece of paper. He also set his phone on the coffee table to show it was recording audio.

“So, what exactly did you want to talk about?”

Ju-Won didn’t really think that far. His palms were sweaty, his stomach turned, and he couldn’t look at the detective anymore.

“Well, I heard that she was seeing someone at school.” He mumbled.

The phone was positioned closer to Ju-Won.

“I heard she was dating a teacher for grades.” He said a bit louder.

“Do you know this teacher by name?”

Ju-Won shook his head. “I don’t know which teacher.”

Choi leaned forward. “You’re doing great. It could really be useful in catching whoever’s doing this.” Ju-Won’s words dripped like honey, assuring him to relax a little.

Choi’s presence shifted for a moment. “May I ask why you didn’t tell us this today? When we were alone at school?”

Ju-Won’s relaxation was ripped from under him, the honey stinging like acid.

“Well-”

There was a knock at the front door that cut him off. Ju-Won was frozen. Detective Choi didn’t miss a beat as he stood to open the door.

Detective Cha entered the room, dragging his cigarette stench with him. “I hope I’m not intruding.”

Choi shook his head. “Nonsense, we’re still going to have dinner after this is over. Everything on the stove is already done. If you want you can start without me.” Cha chuckled and slowly moved into the kitchen, locking eyes with Ju-Won as he passed.

Ju-Won needed to leave. The time wasn’t right, his opportunity had passed, and that’s when he realized how right it all was. He happened to see the detectives part ways, but not where Cha wound up. Choi somehow didn’t notice him following him the entire way to the apartment. While Choi lived in an apartment, no one moved in or out of the building… Then Cha showed up. It was all a little bit coincidental.

Choi sat down on the floor instead of the couch, on the opposite side of the coffee table from Ju-Won. He blocked the most direct path to the door.

Choi picked up the pen and tapped it on his notepad. “So, I’ll ask a new question. How familiar are you with the Cuite Killer?” He gave a big handsome smile, his teeth the prettiest shade of white.

Ju-Won’s breath hitched, and his heart ached as the feeling spread all over him. The warm feeling was devoured by pain. He looked over to the kitchen to see Cha give him a wink, which confirmed his suspicions. He was caught, foolish, and unaware, and Choi would die.

Tonight.