"How many times do I have to tell you to inform me before going on these hunts?" Yuhan's voice was laced with frustration and concern as he yelled at Alina over the phone, his breathing heavy.
"Oh, come on, brother, we both know you'd never let me go," Alina replied, her tone laced with amusement. "Plus, see, I got all of them. Us! Right, Scooby and I both got them."
Alina's words were abruptly cut off as Daniel smacked her on the head, prompting her to correct herself.
They were still at the scene, surrounded by the chaos of the aftermath, but backup had arrived to take the men into custody. The commissioner, who had been speaking with them, handed Alina the phone with a chuckle. "Please take this. I don't want to face an angry Yuhan."
Alina winced as he took the phone. "Please, brother, I'm sorry. I'll tell you next time," she whined, trying to placate Yuhan's silence. Daniel struggled to stifle a laugh at his friend's predicament.
Yuhan sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, his concern evident despite the distance. He knew Alina well enough to realize that she'd never inform her again, so he let it go.
"Yes, brother, not a scratch," Alina assured him. Yuhan's voice was barely audible as he mumbled something about 'coming back soon' before cutting the call.
Alina let out a sigh of relief as she handed the phone back to the commissioner.
______
As soon as Alina and Daniel stepped into the station, a wave of cheers erupted around them. Applause echoed off the walls, the sound bouncing like victory itself.
Colleagues rose from their desks, some clapping, others whistling and calling out their names.
"Way to go, Alina!"
"Nice work, Daniel!"
The two exchanged modest smiles, nodding in appreciation. Alina basked in the warmth of the moment, her adrenaline still humming from the chase, the investigation, and the fact that justice had finally been served in the gang rape case they had been working on for months.
Alina's eyes scanned the room instinctively, drawn to the one person she knew would be sitting exactly where he always was—Yuhan. And sure enough, there he was, hunched over his computer at his usual desk, the glow of the screen lighting up his sharp features.
His hands moved across the keyboard with a practiced rhythm, but Alina knew he had felt his gaze.
Their eyes met. For just a fleeting second, the noise of the station faded. The cheers, the laughter, even Daniel beside him, all became a blur as Alina's heart gave a small, involuntary stutter.
There was something unspoken in Yuhan's eyes—pride, maybe? Relief? Or was it just… tiredness?
But before Alina could decipher it, Yuhan broke eye contact and looked back at his screen with almost calculated precision, as if the spreadsheet suddenly required his entire existence.
The silent dismissal hit Alina harder than she expected.
Her smile faltered, lips curling into a pout before she quickly masked it. It wasn't the first time Yuhan had pulled this cold stunt. But somehow, it always stung like the first time.
Still, Alina refused to let it ruin the moment. She made her way to his desk, brushing past several shoulders and slapping a few friendly backs on the way. But when she reached his seat, she stopped mid-step.
There it was. A small bottle of banana milk sat neatly beside her files.
Her eyes widened slightly, and a warmth spread through her chest. It wasn't just any drink. It was her favorite, the kind she always reached for after a stressful case. No note. No name. But she didn't need one. She knew exactly who had left it there.
Without thinking, Alina turned around, and this time, she didn't hesitate. With a wide grin splitting her face, she rushed straight toward Yuhan's desk, ignoring the startled glances from nearby officers.
"Brother!" she burst out, launching into a tight hug from behind, wrapping her arms around Yuhan's broad shoulders. "You're the best! I knew it was you!"
Yuhan groaned loudly, throwing his head back in exaggerated annoyance. "Aish, get off me, you brat. People are watching."
"I want them to watch," Alina laughed, squeezing tighter. "Let them know my brother loves me!"
The station erupted in soft laughter at the scene. Their playful bickering had become something of a running joke in the precinct. It was common knowledge—Alina's loud affection and Yuhan's grumpy older brother act were inseparable, like thunder and lightning.
"Act your age," Yuhan muttered, but Alina caught the faint upward tug of his lips.
She was about to pull away when a voice interrupted them.
"Alina," one of their colleagues called out, walking over with a puzzled expression. "There's someone here asking for you. Said his name's Darren. He's waiting outside the station."
Alina's entire demeanor shifted.
"What does he want now?" Alina muttered under her breath, exasperated. Her hands balled into fists for a brief second before she ran a hand through her hair, clearly trying to rein herself in.
Yuhan turned, his eyes darkening instantly. "Darren? That bastard's back?"
Alina didn't answer, but the silence was loud enough.
Yuhan stood up halfway from his chair, his jaw tightening. "You want me to go?"
His voice was sharp. Low. Dangerous.
Alina turned to him quickly, alarm flashing in his eyes. "No, brother. Last time, you almost broke his face with one punch," she said, half-joking but mostly serious.
Yuhan scoffed, folding his arms across his chest. "And I regret not making it two."
Daniel, who had been quietly watching from nearby, raised an eyebrow. Alina shook her head slightly at him, silently conveying, not this time. Daniel simply nodded, leaning against the desk casually, but Alina could tell he was ready to step in if needed.
"My mess, my problem," Alina muttered, more to herself than anyone else. She picked up his jacket and sighed heavily.
As she walked past Yuhan, the older man reached out and grabbed his wrist, just for a second.
"Don't let him mess with your head again," Yuhan said quietly, his voice stripped of sarcasm now. "He's not worth it, Alina."
Alina didn't respond. She just gave a small, grateful nod and slipped out of t
he station.