After twelve hours, the train reached the border between Mongolia and China. Even before it came to a stop the train was buzzing with restlessness in anticipation of the border inspection. Although considered easier than the Russian border checks, the inspection here still took an average of three hours. Sometimes, it lasted even longer, leaving passengers with no choice but to remain locked inside the train the entire time.
The train came to a complete stop, and the border control agents boarded. They patrolled in teams: one border control agent, one customs officer, and two police officers. Each team thoroughly searched its assigned zone. They scrutinized all kinds of forms and documents and compared the pictures in passports and their owners. Bag checks and pat-downs followed. Most searched within a reasonable degree, but some were extra thorough. They would order each piece of luggage to be pulled out and opened up. They would look under the bed, drawers, and even trash cans. In the meantime, no one was allowed in or out of the train, and no one could sleep peacefully while the inspection was going on.
Things weren’t different for Taekjoo and Zhenya. The two men sat in the cramped compartment, facing each other. They weren’t really talking, having just woken up. They didn’t feel like reading either. Half-conscious, half-asleep, they simply waited for their turn to come.
Truth be told, of all the passengers on the train, these two had the most reason to be nervous. They were carrying Colts, portable explosives, and other pieces of advanced tech. Taekjoo and Zhenya had hidden them ahead of the inspection, but they were up against seasoned, expert border patrol officers. In the worst-case scenario, if a Colt were found, the situation would get out of hand. They couldn’t let their guard down.
To make matters worse, there was something else that bothered Taekjoo. It was Zhenya’s leg between Taekjoo’s knees. Sitting on opposite beds and facing each other, it was inevitable that their long legs would overlap. While Taekjoo’s leg stopped around Zhenya’s thighs, Zhenya’s leg, on the other hand, was pressing deep between Taekjoo’s legs. Too deep. A little bit more, and his knee would touch Taekjoo’s groin.
Taekjoo, annoyed, stared at the intruding knee. The look was clear enough for anyone to understand—assuming they understood basic social cues. However, this was Zhenya, and he simply returned the gaze. He didn’t move at all.
“Move.”
After patiently waiting for a long time, Taekjoo finally made his demand.
“It’s not my fault my legs are long.”
Zhenya shrugged and gave his cheeky response. He didn’t even bother pretending to move. Well, since Taekjoo was the one feeling uncomfortable, then it made sense that he moved. But he did not, either. He wasn’t gonna let Zhenya play him around. There is no better retaliation against bullies than ignoring them.
Taekjoo looked outside and showed no reaction. He yawned a couple of times, feeling drowsy. No fun at all—Zhenya said, sulking at Taekjoo’s boring reaction. Even then, Taekjoo pretended not to hear, picking at his ear.
That was when it began getting noisy outside the compartment. here was some rustling outside, and soon after, the inspectors entered. They first handed in their passports. Taekjoo was still using a fake identity of a Japanese, but a different one this time. Sakamoto Hiro had been reported missing after the hotel explosion, so Taekjoo had switched to a new Japanese identity. After checking their passports and forms, the inspector gave them back.
Then, the baggage inspection began. Zhenya was not worried in the least bit. He looked very confident. Taekjoo also tried to keep his cool as best as he could.
“...?”
Suddenly, he felt someone staring at him from the side. A police officer of the inspection team was gazing at him. Did he notice something suspicious? Feeling like the guilty party, Taekjoo grew uneasy. He moved his eyes away in the most natural way he could, but even after some time, he could feel the stubborn gaze. It did not leave him—not even once. Something didn’t feel right.
The inspection continued all the way to the bathroom. They pulled the showerhead from the wall and even disassembled it. They searched through the flooring and bedding before finally leaving the compartment. Taekjoo couldn’t stop himself from letting out a sigh of relief.
But then, the door opened again. One of the officers was back, the one boring a hole in Taekjoo earlier. Zhenya and Taekjoo looked at each other, clueless.
The officer ordered them to face the wall and stand straight. It was unexpected, but there was no need to cause unnecessary noise, so they did as they were told. The officer started with Zhenya. He patted Zhenya down from the shoulder, chest, and waist all the way down to his ankles. Then, he finished the search by lifting Zhenya’s arms.
It was Taekjoo’s turn. He placed his hands against the wall. Taekjoo could feel the officer’s gaze on his back, but he pretended not to notice. The officer went down on one knee and began patting Taekjoo from bottom to top, starting with his ankles. The officer’s hands circled around his ankles before brushing up along his legs. The hands roamed up the knees and thighs, lingering around the crotch. This was certainly different from the quick search he’d done on Zhenya.
The higher the hands climbed, the more suggestive the search felt. The officer kneaded Taekjoo’s ass and discreetly brought his waist closer. Then, he reached out forward, touching the tight abs on Taekjoo’s body, tickling the muscle with his fingers. Finally, the officer’s hands latched onto Taekjoo’s thick chest.
Taekjoo held his breath and stared straight ahead, which the officer mistook as a sign of excitement. Taekjoo thought he heard Zhenya’s chuckle.
“Your hands...”
Taekjoo hung his head and began mumbling. His voice was barely audible, muttered in Korean. Neither the officer nor Zhenya caught what he was saying. Taekjoo’s hands, which had been placed against the wall, balled up into fists.
“Get your hands off me, you son of a bitch!”
Taekjoo yelled, grabbing the officer by the collar. His fist was raised, ready to land a blow on the man’s face anytime. The officer squeezed his eyes shut and hunched his shoulders, but the expected blow never came.
The man took a peek and gulped. He found Taekjoo’s fist—knuckles white—trembling right in front of his nose. Taekjoo’s expression made it clear he was deeply offended by the sexual harassment. His stare was sharp enough to kill a person. Taekjoo, holding back his anger as much as he could, finally let go of the officer, who hurried to run away.
“I think he’s very into you.”
Zhenya chuckled, mocking the furious Taekjoo. Taekjoo responded by throwing the nearest book he could grab. Zhenya caught it effortlessly and put it back where it was. Knowing Taekjoo was watching him, Zhenya didn’t miss the chance to make fun of him again.
“He looked quite fair with a nice figure. You could’ve pounded him, you know—like you just couldn’t resist. I know you’re pent up.”
“You’re the one to talk, pretty boy.”
“Oh? Am I your type?”
“Stop. You’re gonna give me nightmares.”
Taekjoo gnashed his teeth. Zhenya was all smiles, which kept annoying Taekjoo. Taekjoo glared at his partner, then began tidying up the mess around them.
Soon, the train began moving again. Taekjoo was done organizing in that short time. He picked up a random book to read.
After some time, someone’s phone started vibrating. It was Zhenya’s. After checking the caller ID, Zhenya stepped out.
This wasn’t the first time he was doing this. Whenever he got a call, he would take his phone and take the call outside, where Taekjoo wasn’t around. If it wasn’t mission-related, it was personal. But even so, he was being too cautious. The only thing he shared with Taekjoo was information related to their mission, nothing ever about himself.
Had he been just another ordinary person, Taekjoo would’ve lost interest long ago. But he wasn’t, and Taekjoo simply couldn’t.
“...”
He put down the book he was reading. He opened the door slightly and took a peek through the gap. He spotted Zhenya out of the corner of his eye. Taekjoo couldn’t hear the conversation because Zhenya was too far away, but he could see the serious look on his face.
Zhenya was alone—he didn’t have to put on an act anymore. Whoever he was talking to, he no longer had to pretend to be the fun, pleasant partner he was with Taekjoo. His voice was monotonous, his usual grin nowhere to be seen.
No one would find him inviting. Everybody would be better off staying away. All Taekjoo could do right now was hope that they would complete the mission as soon as possible and get Zhenya out of his life as quickly as possible.
“...!”
Taekjoo was about to turn away when he stole one last glance at Zhenya—only to find him looking right back. Taekjoo froze, caught off guard. Zhenya simply stared for a moment, then curved his lips into a smile—a fake, plastic one. Taekjoo looked back grimly before turning away.
Zhenya returned to the compartment. All the while, Taekjoo had been busy coming up with an excuse. But Zhenya didn’t bring it up. Rather, he acted like nothing had happened, and that bothered Taekjoo. It felt like playing a game where the other player was letting him win on purpose.