.
Do Hwan remembered that day clearly.
In the dim quiet of his memory, he stood across from Jong-suk and said, carefully,
"Move to another apartment."
Jong-suk hadn't asked why. He never did. He simply nodded and left the house with the same calm expression he always wore—too calm for someone who had already lost too much.
After Jong-suk left, Do Hwan picked up his phone.
"Did you really think that would help them?" he asked.
On the other end, Eun-woo stayed silent for a moment before answering.
"I don't know if it'll help or not," he said honestly. "But I don't want big sis to forget everything. And I don't want Jong-suk to keep living like this either."
he swallowed.
"Moving apartments… that was their plan."
The memory faded.
For Jong-suk, time stopped.
He stood frozen in the corridor, his breath shallow, his thoughts scattered—until a voice cut through the stillness.
"Hey?"
Jaeahn stood in front of him, concern clear in her eyes.
"Why are you rushing like that?" she asked softly.
"Um… are… are you okay?"
She reached out her hand, offering to help him stand properly.
But Jong-suk didn't take it.
From behind her, a familiar voice echoed—a voice he knew too well.
"Big sis!"
Jong-suk's chest tightened.
Eun-woo stood there, mid-step, confusion written across her face.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, startled. "Didn't you say you'd come home early today…?"
"hey… are you okay?" she asked, her voice trembling.
But Jong-suk didn't answer.
Something in him hardened. He stepped forward and pushed past Eun-woo—not hard, just enough to make his intention clear. He ignored her completely.
Jaeahn noticed immediately.
"Eun-woo, let's go," she said, gently but firmly.
"We still have a lot of work to do."
They entered the apartment. Just before the door closed, Eun-woo and Jong-suk's eyes met.
Eun-woo felt it instantly.
Before…
Those eyes were always filled with warmth—strange jokes, quiet care, a softness that never faded.
But now—
They're not the same.
"I'm sorry, Jong-suk," Eun-woo whispered in her heart.
The door shut.
Jong-suk sent a message.
Where are you? I've arrived.
The door across the corridor opened.
Do Hwan stood there.
Right next to Jaeahn's apartment.
Jong-suk stepped inside.
The first thing he said was sharp, controlled—but heavy with accusation.
"You knew, didn't you?"
"You knew Jaeahn lives here. That's why you told me to move here, right?"
Do Hwan didn't hesitate.
"What?" he replied calmly. "Jaeahn lives here? I didn't know. If I did, why would I tell you to move here?"
Jong-suk stared at him.
"…Fine. Leave it."
He exhaled slowly.
"So what if she lives here?" he said, forcing indifference.
"If you don't want to talk, then ignore it."
"…Okay," Do Hwan said.
Jong-suk hesitated—just for a moment—before finally deciding to stay.
A while later, Jong-suk stood up.
"Hwan, I need to go to the office," he said. "There's something urgent. Some documents… I'll be back in one or two hours."
"Why didn't you bring them with you?" Do Hwan asked.
"I forgot," Jong-suk replied.
"…And an important case suddenly came up."
"Okay," Do Hwan said.
At the office, Jong-suk realized something immediately.
This was no ordinary case.
His assistant's daughter had been murdered.
Jong-suk spoke carefully, but the assistant shook his head violently.
"No!" he cried. "He didn't even ask for money."
Jong-suk frowned. "Then what did he say?"
The assistant's voice broke.
"He just said… 'She's also part of the project.'"
"…What?" Jong-suk whispered.
"What should we do, senior?" the assistant asked desperately.
"I want him caught."
"That's why I called you," Jong-suk's senior said grimly.
"This isn't the first time."
He continued, lowering his voice.
"Before this, there were similar cases. Kids were kidnapped. No ransom demands. Just the same words—'part of a project.'"
He looked directly at Jong-suk.
"I want you to handle this case."
"Me?" Jong-suk said, stunned.
"Why me?"
"You won't be alone," the senior replied.
"I've already assigned someone to work with you."
Jong-suk sighed. "Who?"
"She's not just anyone," the senior said.
"She's never lost a case. Extremely sharp."
"…Fine," Jong-suk said quietly.
"I just need to solve it."
But inside, his thoughts spiraled.
What the hell is happening?
What kind of killer calls this a project?
Meanwhile, back at the apartment—
Do Hwan was working when the doorbell rang.
Ring.
Ring.
He opened the door.
"Eun-woo?"
Without warning, he hugged him tightly.
"I didn't think I'd ever see you again," he said, her voice shaking.
"I missed you so much."
Do Hwan stiffened slightly.
"…I didn't," he replied dryly.
Eun-woo pulled back, searching his face.
"Do Hwan," he asked without hesitation,
"Is Jong-suk still angry at me? Does he still think—"
"How are you doing?" Do Hwan interrupted.
Before she could answer, another voice joined them.
"What are you doing here?"
Jaeahn stood behind Eun-woo.
"Nothing, big sis," Eun-woo said quickly.
"I just met the new neighbor."
"Hello," Do Hwan said politely.
"Please come in."
Jaeahn didn't hesitate. She stepped inside.
"What do you do for work?" she asked.
"Uh… investigator," Do Hwan replied.
"And you?" he asked.
"Prosecutor."
Do Hwan smiled faintly.
"You haven't changed, Jaeahn," he whispered.
At that moment, Jong-suk entered.
Do Hwan noticed the bandage on his hand immediately.
"What happened?" he asked. "Are you hurt?"
"It's nothing," Jong-suk said. "Just a scratch."
Jaeahn looked at him carefully.
"Did you move here?" she asked.
"You're the one I bumped into in the corridor earlier, right?"
Jong-suk's gaze stopped on Eun-woo.
"…What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Your brother invited us," Jaeahn answered.
"…Okay," Jong-suk said after a pause.
"Make yourselves at home."
He extended his hand.
"I'm Lee Jong-suk. Prosecutor."
Jaeahn's eyes widened.
"Whoa—really?"
"I'm Ahn Jae-hyun. Prosecutor too."
As they spoke, Do Hwan noticed something unsettling.
While talking to Jaeahn, a unique smile appeared on Jong-suk's face.
A smile that hadn't existed for a long time.
Elsewhere in the city—
A car stopped in the middle of the road.
A young boy stepped out.
He opened the trunk and dumped a body wrapped in black plastic onto the asphalt.
Without looking back, he turned away.
For just a second—
his face was visible.
He looked… exactly like Lee Jong-suk.