Ha-rin struggled to support Seon-woo's weight as she guided him inside her apartment. He was heavier than he looked, and completely unconscious. After a few seconds of effort, she managed to settle him onto the sofa.
She carefully removed his coat, placing it neatly aside, then poured a glass of water and left it on the table within reach. His eyes were closed, his breathing slow and steady.
She stared at him for a moment longer than necessary.
"Understanding you is impossible," she muttered softly to herself. "You're just… weird."
A small, unintentional smile escaped her lips.
Gently, she brushed his hair back from his forehead, fixing the strand that had fallen into his eyes. For a brief second, her hand lingered—
Then she froze.
A faint sound echoed from the balcony.
Ha-rin straightened instantly.
"Who's there?" she demanded, her voice sharp.
She reached for her service pistol and moved silently toward the balcony. Pulling the curtain aside in one swift motion, she scanned the space.
No one.
But just as she relaxed—
A shadow slipped away from the corner of the wall.
Her expression hardened.
A black car stood parked in the shadows across the street. Inside, a man wearing a dark hoodie spoke quietly into his phone.
"Sir… she's not alone," Ji-hoon whispered. "The CEO is with her."
On the other end, Ryu Tae-jin's voice was calm—too calm.
"Hm… interesting," Tae-jin replied coldly. "Leave them alone for now. Come back."
A pause.
"Our victory is very close."
A thin, chilling smile spread across Tae-jin's face.
"Yes, sir," Ji-hoon answered before ending the call.
The car disappeared into the night.
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, filling the apartment with a soft glow.
Seon-woo lay asleep on the sofa, while Ha-rin stood in the kitchen, preparing coffee. Dark circles framed her eyes—she hadn't slept at all.
A low groan came from the living room.
"Ahh… my head…" Seon-woo muttered, sitting up slowly and pressing his palm to his forehead.
Ha-rin was at his side immediately.
"You're awake," she said neutrally, handing him a glass of water. "Drink this."
He took it, still disoriented.
"I… last night… I'm here?"
"Yes," she replied shortly. "You drank too much."
Silence fell between them.
Seon-woo looked at her carefully, as if searching her face for something hidden.
"Did I say anything… last night?" he asked quietly. "To you?"
Ha-rin paused.
For just a second, her expression turned serious.
Then she lied.
"No. Nothing important," she said quickly. "You were just drunk."
Suspicion flickered across Seon-woo's face, but he didn't push. Instead, his eyes softened with concern.
"Your eyes are red. Didn't you sleep?"
"No," she answered honestly. "There was someone on the balcony last night. I was working on that."
His body stiffened.
"What?" he said sharply. "Are you okay?"
"Yes. I'm fine."
"But why would someone come here?" he asked. "What do they want?"
Ha-rin met his gaze, her voice steady but serious.
"Obviously… they want you dead."
She paused, then added quietly,
"They came here because of you."
Seon-woo frowned. "Why would anyone want to kill me?"
"That," Ha-rin said calmly, "is something you'll have to figure out yourself."
She shifted the topic smoothly.
"By the way… is your headache better now?"
He nodded. "Yes. I feel better."
Standing up, he straightened his clothes.
"I should go. I'll see you at the office."
Without another word, he walked toward the door and left.
Ha-rin remained where she was, watching him disappear down the hallway—her expression unreadable, her thoughts dangerously loud.
Because some truths were still unspoken.
And some secrets… were getting closer to the surface.
Seon-woo sat behind his desk, flipping through a stack of files, his expression focused but distant. The morning light streamed in through the glass walls of his office, reflecting off the polished floor. Across the room, Ha-rin worked quietly on her laptop, her posture alert—too alert for an ordinary day.
A soft knock broke the silence.
"Sir," Dae-jin said as he stepped in, "Ryu Tae-jin is here to see you."
Seon-woo looked up, surprise flickering across his face. "At this time?" he murmured, then nodded. "Send him in."
At the sound of that name, Ha-rin's fingers paused over the keyboard. Her shoulders stiffened almost imperceptibly as she lifted her gaze toward Seon-woo, her instincts screaming a warning she could not voice.
Moments later, the door opened again.
Ryu Tae-jin entered the office in a perfectly tailored black suit, his presence commanding and coldly confident. Ji-hoon followed a step behind him, silent as a shadow. Tae-jin's lips curved into a polite smile as he greeted Seon-woo and took the chair opposite him. Then his eyes shifted—to Ha-rin.
"Detective Lee Ha-rin," Tae-jin said slowly, his tone serious. "May we have a private conversation?"
Ha-rin didn't hesitate. She closed her laptop and met his gaze head-on.
"No," she replied firmly. "I can't leave Mr. Seon-woo alone. Whatever you want to say, you can say it in front of me."
A faint tension passed through Tae-jin's face.
"I am Seon-woo's uncle," he said, his voice tightening just a little. "We're family. What threat could I possibly be to him?"
Ha-rin's eyes hardened.
"Sometimes," she said calmly, "the greatest threat comes from one's own family. And often, the person never realizes whether that family is a guardian… or an enemy."
Seon-woo glanced between them, sensing the unspoken conflict.
"Uncle," he said evenly, "you can speak in front of Miss Ha-rin."
Tae-jin frowned. "How can you discuss personal matters in front of someone like her? She could be dangerous for you."
"She's not," Seon-woo replied without hesitation. "I trust her completely."
For a brief moment, Ha-rin looked at him—really looked at him. There was something almost painful in her eyes. Seon-woo offered her a small, reassuring smile, unaware of the weight his words carried.
Then he turned back to Tae-jin.
"Why are you here, Uncle? Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
Tae-jin leaned back slightly, his expression smooth once more.
"Some meetings are better without prior notice," he said. "They feel more… honest."
Suspicion crept into Seon-woo's eyes. "You always do this. Surprise visits, vague reasons. What's really going on?"
Tae-jin leaned forward, his voice dropping.
"It's about your security. You have enemies, Seon-woo. Many of them. And I don't want any of them to hurt you."
From behind her calm exterior, Ha-rin watched him closely. Every word he spoke felt rehearsed, every concern perfectly placed. Anger simmered quietly beneath her composure.
"I can take care of myself," Seon-woo said firmly. "You don't need to worry."
Tae-jin smiled—softly, dangerously.
"Just remember this," he said. "Not everyone in this world deserves your trust. Sometimes… the closest people turn out to be the most dangerous."
His gaze flicked briefly toward Ha-rin.
The room fell into an uneasy silence.
"All I want," Tae-jin continued, standing up, "is for you to always trust me."
Seon-woo rose as well. "I do trust you, Uncle," he said honestly. "You're all I have."
Tae-jin's smile deepened as he turned toward the door. Halfway there, he stopped and stepped closer to Ha-rin. Leaning in slightly, he locked eyes with her.
"We'll meet again, Detective Lee Ha-rin," he said in a low, deliberate voice.
"I'll be waiting," she replied, her tone just as steady.
Straightening, Tae-jin chuckled softly.
"I like your attitude."
And with that, he left. Ji-hoon followed, the door closing behind them.
Silence returned to the office—heavier than before.
Seon-woo remained standing, his brow furrowed as he looked at Ha-rin. Confusion, doubt, and an unexplainable unease clouded his expression.
"Is there something you want to say?" Ha-rin asked calmly.
He hesitated. "No… nothing."
She offered a faint smile, closed her laptop, and walked out toward the cafeteria. Seon-woo stayed behind, watching the empty doorway, unaware that the people he trusted most stood on opposite sides of the truth—and that the shadows around him were growing closer.
The company cafeteria hummed with quiet noise—clinking cups, low conversations, the soft hiss of the coffee machine. In the far corner, Ha-rin sat alone at a small table, her laptop open, files and classified documents spread neatly across the screen. A cup of coffee rested beside her, long forgotten, slowly cooling as her eyes scanned line after line with intense focus.
She was so absorbed in her work that she barely noticed the three employees entering the cafeteria.
Two men and a woman, laughing casually, they chose the table right next to hers.
Ha-rin didn't look up. But she heard everything.
"Have you noticed her?" one of the men whispered, lowering his voice—though not enough. "She's always in the boss's office."
The second man chuckled. "Yeah. And that close to him? I bet she's his girlfriend."
The woman scoffed, jealousy sharp in her tone. "Girlfriend? Please. So… plain? The boss's type is definitely different. And anyway, Oh Mi-rae is the one who likes him."
The first man laughed softly. "Simple? I think she's pretty. And Mi-rae isn't his girlfriend—she just likes him. The boss never talks about his personal life. Still… something's going on."
Ha-rin's fingers froze on the keyboard.
Slowly, she lifted her eyes from the screen and glanced in their direction, one eyebrow arching ever so slightly. The shift in her presence was immediate.
The three employees went silent.
Awkward smiles replaced their confident expressions.
"Did you want to say something?" Ha-rin asked calmly, her voice steady and direct.
The second employee panicked. "N-no! We were just… talking about workload," he said quickly. "You know, so much work lately. Even breaks feel stressful."
"Yeah," the first added, forcing a grin. "By the way, you're new here, right? Which department are you from?"
Ha-rin closed her laptop with deliberate slowness, a hint of sarcasm in her smile.
"Department?" she repeated. "I'm from another company. Just here for a project."
The woman leaned forward, suddenly friendly. "Oh… so a secret project? Wow. The boss must really trust you. You're lucky."
Ha-rin met her gaze and offered nothing more than a polite, unreadable smile. She reopened her laptop and returned to her work, shutting them out as if they no longer existed.
The employees exchanged uneasy looks before turning back to their half-hearted gossip, their laughter quieter now.
Ha-rin's eyes moved across the screen, but her thoughts drifted elsewhere.
She had faced criminals, killers, and men who hid monsters behind smiles.
Office gossip was harmless in comparison.
And yet, she couldn't ignore the truth behind it.
In this building, surrounded by whispers and assumptions, Seon-woo stood at the center—unaware of how many eyes watched him, judged him, and waited for him to fall.
Ha-rin took a slow sip of her now-bitter coffee.
The danger wasn't always loud.
Sometimes, it smiled… and sat right next to you.
The meeting room at Police Headquarters felt colder than usual.
Ha-rin stood straight across the table, her posture firm, her expression unreadable. The Chief Detective studied her carefully, fingers interlocked, his gaze sharp with concern.
"Lee Ha-rin," he said gravely, "the situation has become far more dangerous. You're being watched as well. From now on, you need to be extremely careful."
Ha-rin nodded once. "Sir… I believe someone was outside my apartment last night."
The Chief exhaled slowly. "That's what I suspected. The real phase of your mission has begun."
He paused before asking, "How far have you gotten?"
"I have my doubts," Ha-rin replied, her voice steady but restrained. "But until I have solid proof, I can't say anything."
"Who do you suspect?" the Chief pressed.
For the first time, Ha-rin hesitated.
"I can't tell you yet," she said after a brief pause. "Because right now… you wouldn't believe me."
Her eyes hardened with quiet resolve.
"That's why I won't name anyone until I have undeniable evidence."
She bowed her head respectfully. "If you'll excuse me, sir."
Without waiting for a response, Ha-rin turned and walked out of the room. The Chief remained seated, watching the door long after it closed, unease settling deep in his chest.
The convenience store glowed brightly against the night, fluorescent lights reflecting off the glass doors as Ha-rin and Seo-jin stepped inside. Soft music played in the background, mixing with the low hum of refrigerators and the muted chatter of students near the counter.
Seo-jin headed straight for the ice-cream freezer while Ha-rin stopped in front of the ramen shelf, scanning the rows of neatly stacked cups and packets.
Seo-jin opened the freezer and pulled out two familiar flavors before walking over to her.
"Your favorite," he said lightly. "Or do you feel like trying something new today?"
He held out a few options.
Ha-rin frowned slightly, thinking. "Chocolate… or strawberry. Why is this suddenly so hard to decide?"
Seo-jin smirked and dropped all the flavors into the basket.
"You always take too long to decide."
She shot him an annoyed look before breaking into a small smile. "That's not true. I just… don't like too many options."
She picked up a packet of ramen, then hesitated and placed it back. The uncertainty flickered briefly across her face.
Seo-jin stepped closer, reached out, and picked the same ramen.
"This one," he said confidently. "The spicy one. Trust me—you'll like it."
Ha-rin looked at him, curious. "Why are you so sure about my taste?"
His lips curved into a quiet smile, mischief shining in his eyes.
"Because you're not that hard to understand."
She laughed softly, a sound she rarely allowed herself.
Seo-jin carried the basket to the counter as the cashier scanned the items. He paid casually, sliding his card without hesitation. Ha-rin watched him in silence, something unspoken settling between them.
Outside, the night air was cool.
They walked side by side along the road, sharing ice cream, talking about nothing important—work complaints, random memories, meaningless jokes. For a brief moment, Ha-rin felt normal.
No threats. No shadows. No secrets.
But even as she laughed, her instincts stayed alert.
Because comfort, she knew too well, was often just another disguise.
And peace… never lasted long.
The street near the park was washed in soft yellow light, the glow of old lampposts stretching across the pavement like tired shadows. Ha-rin and Seo-jin sat on a roadside bench, ice cream slowly melting in their hands. For a moment, the night felt calm—almost gentle.
Seo-jin broke the silence first.
"How long do you think this mission will last?"
Ha-rin took another bite, answering casually, as if the question carried no weight.
"I don't know… it's going to take a long time."
She hesitated, then added more quietly, "And Seon-woo… I've seen it. He trusts his uncle completely."
Seo-jin's expression darkened. "Then when will you tell him the truth?"
"When I have proof," Ha-rin replied without hesitation. Her tone sharpened. "Tae-jin isn't a victim. He's the culprit. But exposing him won't be possible without evidence. Without proof… no one will believe me."
She paused, her gaze drifting toward the trees lining the park.
"And I think… Tae-jin has started to suspect me."
The memory of his cold eyes in the office tightened her chest.
"Then you'll have to be even more careful," Seo-jin said quietly. "The danger has increased."
Ha-rin turned to him and smiled—small, confident, unshaken.
"Don't worry. I can handle it. You know that… I'm strong."
He let out a short laugh. "Yeah. A little too strong."
They both laughed, the sound brief but real.
Then the low purr of an engine cut through the night.
A black luxury car pulled up near the bench.
Both of them looked up at the same time.
The door opened, and Seon-woo stepped out. His face revealed nothing—no smile, no anger, just a calm mask that made Ha-rin's pulse quicken.
"You're… here?" she asked, surprised.
"I was on my way home," Seon-woo replied casually, glancing between the two of them. "I saw you and stopped. What are you doing here?"
"We were heading home too," Ha-rin answered.
Seon-woo's gaze settled on her. "Then come with me. I'll drop you off. Seo-jin too."
Ha-rin hesitated and looked at Seo-jin, silently asking for his opinion.
Seo-jin gave her a soft smile. "You go, Ha-rin. I actually have somewhere else to be."
She opened her mouth to protest, but he gently interrupted, firmer this time.
"Go."
Reluctantly, she nodded. "Bye."
She walked toward the car with Seon-woo. He opened the door for her, and they got inside. The engine started, and the car slowly disappeared down the street.
Seo-jin remained on the bench.
He watched until the taillights vanished into the distance.
A faint smile lingered on his lips—but beneath it, something heavy settled in his chest. A quiet realization he wasn't ready to name.
Sometimes, letting someone go didn't hurt because you lost them.
It hurt because you knew… you never truly had them to begin with.
The afternoon sun hung low over the schoolyard, casting long shadows across the cracked concrete of the playground. Laughter echoed in the distance—carefree, careless—but Seo-jin sat alone on a worn wooden bench near the edge of the field.
A book rested in his hands.
It was his shield.
His escape.
Before he could turn the page, a shadow fell over him.
"Hey."
A hand snatched the book away.
Seo-jin looked up to see three boys standing around him, grins sharp and cruel.
"What's this?" one of them scoffed, flipping through the pages. "Studying again, nerd? What do you think you'll become by reading all this?"
Another laughed loudly. "A spectacled professor?"
Seo-jin didn't answer. He simply reached out, trying to take his book back.
The boys shoved him instead.
He stumbled, his shoulder hitting the bench, his fingers curling into his palms. He said nothing—he never did.
"Give it back," he muttered, barely audible.
That was when a voice cut through the air.
"Enough!"
The boys turned.
Ha-rin stood there, her eyes blazing with anger far bigger than her size. She marched forward without hesitation, placing herself between Seo-jin and the bullies.
"How long are you going to keep harassing him?" she demanded.
One of the boys laughed. "And what are you going to do about it?"
Ha-rin didn't answer with words.
She shoved him hard. He staggered back in surprise. She grabbed another boy's bag, threw it to the ground, and kicked it aside.
"If you've got the courage," she challenged, her voice fierce,
"fight me. Otherwise—run."
The boys froze.
They exchanged uneasy looks. Whatever they had expected, it wasn't this. With annoyed clicks of their tongues and forced bravado, they backed away, muttering insults as they left.
Silence returned to the playground.
Seo-jin slowly exhaled.
He picked up his book and looked at her, a small, shy smile appearing on his face.
"You… you didn't have to fight them."
Ha-rin brushed the dust off his jacket like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Why not? I hate injustice. When they bother you, it makes me angry."
Seo-jin looked at her properly for the first time.
The way she stood—fearless.
The way her eyes burned with honesty.
Something shifted inside him.
"You're… different," he said quietly.
She smiled, bright and unapologetic.
"I'm Ha-rin. Want to be my friend?"
He nodded, smiling from his heart.
"Yes."
And without realizing it, that was the moment Seo-jin began to like her—not loudly, not boldly… but deeply and silently.
A feeling he would carry for years.
Unspoken.
The city lights slid past the windows in soft streaks of gold and white as Seon-woo's car moved smoothly through the night. The hum of the engine filled the silence between them—calm, steady, almost intimate.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Seon-woo kept his eyes on the road, his hands firm on the steering wheel. Then, in a low, careful voice, he broke the quiet.
"Seo-jin… is he your best friend?"
Ha-rin turned slightly toward him, a faint smile touching her lips.
"Yes. We've been together since school."
"Since school…" Seon-woo repeated, as if tasting the words.
Something tightened in his chest—subtle, unfamiliar. He didn't name it. He just let it settle there.
Ha-rin spoke again, her tone light, almost casual.
"If I'm ever not around… and you need me, you can call Seo-jin. He'll definitely help you."
Seon-woo's fingers tightened for a second around the steering wheel.
I don't think I'd ever want that, he thought.
After a brief pause, he asked aloud,
"But… why would he do that for me?"
Ha-rin didn't hesitate.
"For me," she said simply. "You could say we're two bodies, one soul."
Then she laughed softly, as if the words held no weight at all.
"Oh—and you can ask Soo-yun too. She gets scared easily," Ha-rin added playfully, "but she's strong in her own way."
She kept talking, her voice easy, unguarded—sharing pieces of her world without realizing how deeply they were settling into his.
Seon-woo didn't interrupt.
He just listened.
There was something about her voice in the quiet of the car that made him want time to slow down. Made him think that, maybe, he could listen to her talk like this forever—about anything, about nothing.
"Dae-jin," Ha-rin suddenly said, remembering. "You didn't come with him today?"
Seon-woo glanced at her briefly before returning his gaze to the road.
"No. He had some work elsewhere."
"I see," she replied.
Silence fell again—but this time, it wasn't empty.
It was filled with unspoken thoughts, unasked questions, and feelings neither of them was ready to name.
And somewhere between the passing streetlights and the steady rhythm of the road, something quietly changed.
The office was drenched in darkness, broken only by the dull glow of a single table lamp. Shadows clung to the walls like silent witnesses. Ryu Tae-jin sat back on the leather sofa, a cigar burning slowly between his fingers, its smoke curling lazily into the air. Across from him, Ji-hoon stood stiffly, a report file open in his hands.
"Tomorrow night," Ji-hoon said in a low voice, eyes fixed on the pages. "We can carry out the next attack then. Catching Seon-woo alone won't be difficult."
Tae-jin exhaled slowly, a thin stream of smoke escaping his lips. His eyes narrowed.
"No. Not yet."
Ji-hoon looked up, surprised.
"Why? This is the perfect opportunity."
"That detective," Tae-jin said coldly. "Lee Ha-rin. She's understood far more than she should have."
Ji-hoon frowned. "You think she'll reach us so soon?"
"She's not an ordinary police officer," Tae-jin replied, his voice sharp with certainty. "She's observant. Calculated. Always watching. One wrong move from us, and everything collapses."
Ji-hoon's jaw tightened. "Then what do we do? Just sit and wait?"
A slow, chilling smile spread across Tae-jin's face.
"No," he said calmly. "We neutralize the detective."
Ji-hoon stiffened. "Neutralize… how?"
"Kidnap her."
Ji-hoon hesitated. "Sir, that won't be easy. She's trained. Alert."
Tae-jin leaned forward, his tone suddenly firm, almost amused.
"Every human has a weakness, Ji-hoon. Every single one. Let me find hers. Once she's in our hands… reaching Seon-woo will only be a matter of time."
Ji-hoon lowered his head and nodded, though unease flickered across his face.
Moments later, both men sat with glasses of whiskey in their hands. The room was heavy with silence. Tae-jin swirled the amber liquid in his glass, his eyes darkening as if pulled back into an old memory.
"Ji-hoon," he said quietly, "do you know how I reached this position?"
Ji-hoon looked confused. "What do you mean, sir?"
"My own father disowned me," Tae-jin continued, bitterness lacing every word. "He took away my inheritance. Said I was unreliable. Said Tae-jin walks the wrong path."
He set the glass down with a sharp clink and stared at the floor.
"Yes," he went on, his voice rising. "I was involved in gambling. Smuggling. Places where real money flowed. I wanted power. Control. And when my father found out… he threw me out like I was nothing."
Ji-hoon inhaled sharply, listening in stunned silence.
"I couldn't accept his judgment," Tae-jin said, his voice burning with suppressed rage. "So I ended him."
Ji-hoon's eyes widened.
"You… killed your own father?"
Tae-jin smiled—but there was no warmth in it. Only darkness.
"Yes. And then my brother and his wife stood in my way. I had to remove them too."
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a terrifying whisper.
"And Lee Joon-hyuk… my brother's loyal dog. He had to die as well. Anyone who stands in my way is erased."
Silence followed—thick, suffocating.
Ji-hoon stared at him, fear and loyalty warring in his eyes.
Tae-jin lifted his glass again and took a slow sip, his gaze unwavering.
"I lost everything to claim this seat," he said coldly. "And now—whether it's Seon-woo or that detective—no one will take it from me. Anyone who crosses my path will die."
The camera would have lingered on his face then—on the obsession burning in his eyes, on the darkness that had consumed him completely.
And somewhere far away, the pieces were already moving toward a collision no one could stop.
A faint tension lingered in the air inside Seon-woo's office, heavy enough to be felt without words.
Ha-rin sat beside him in front of the laptop, her eyes fixed on the screen as CCTV footage replayed again and again. The moment of the attack looped endlessly—rewind, pause, zoom—each second examined with ruthless focus.
"There," Ha-rin said quietly, leaning closer. "From this angle… there might be a reflection."
Seon-woo leaned forward as well, his shoulder almost brushing hers. His eyes narrowed. "Yes. That shadow looks wrong." He paused. "It feels like the attacker was someone from the inside."
Ha-rin switched to another camera feed, her fingers moving swiftly—until the office door suddenly opened.
"Oh Seon-woo!" Oh Mi-rae walked in with a bright smile, her voice light and casual. "Why weren't you picking up my calls? Let's go to lunch."
The interruption snapped something inside Ha-rin. She closed the laptop slightly, her expression turning cold.
"We're in the middle of something important," Ha-rin said flatly. "You can go to lunch later."
Oh Mi-rae stared at her, irritation flashing across her face, but Seon-woo remained silent. Before the tension could thicken further, another presence entered the room.
"Detective Ha-rin," Dae-jin said politely. "Soo-yun is here to see you."
Ha-rin blinked in surprise. She glanced at Seon-woo before closing the laptop completely. "I'll need to step out for a bit."
"That's fine," Seon-woo replied, nodding. "I'll review the footage again. Come back soon."
She left the office, her steps quick but controlled.
In the hallway, Soo-yun was waiting for her. They ended up at a small café nearby, sitting across from each other with untouched cups between them.
"Ha-rin," Soo-yun said seriously, her voice filled with concern. "I'm worried about you. Don't take this case. It's too dangerous."
Ha-rin listened carefully, her expression cautious—but her eyes remained steady. "I'm here because I'm willing to take risks," she replied calmly. "Tell me everything. Don't worry about me. Nothing will happen."
Soo-yun finally relaxed a little. They talked for a while longer—quiet words, shared worries—before Ha-rin returned to the building.
Instead of going back to the office, she deliberately headed toward the cafeteria, leaving space behind her.
Meanwhile, Oh Mi-rae stood in front of Seon-woo, her patience clearly gone.
"Why weren't you answering my calls?" she snapped. "I kept calling you!"
Seon-woo looked up from the files in his hands, his voice calm. "I was tired. I was resting."
"Rest?" she repeated softly, staring into his eyes. "Then why does it feel like you're ignoring me?"
"I'm not," he said.
"Because of Lee Ha-rin," she accused.
He looked at her in shock. "Lee Ha-rin? Why would I ignore you because of her?"
Oh Mi-rae swallowed hard. "Do you like her?"
The question hung in the air like a loaded weapon.
Seon-woo paused before sitting beside her. His voice was quiet—confused, honest. "I don't think so… but I don't really know what I feel for Ha-rin."
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Seon-woo…" her voice trembled. "Is it me… or Lee Ha-rin?"
Silence filled the room.
After a long moment, he finally spoke. "You. You're my closest friend. We've been together since childhood. You've always mattered to me."
She forced a small smile, wiping her tears quickly. Then she hugged him tightly—too tightly—and left the office without another word.
In the corridor, she collided with Ha-rin.
For one second, the air turned sharp.
"Stay away from Seon-woo," Oh Mi-rae said coldly. "I told you before, and I'll say it again. He's mine. He chose me."
Ha-rin remained composed, her voice professional and steady. "Miss Oh Mi-rae, please keep your personal life separate from my work. I'm only here for his safety."
Anger flickered across Oh Mi-rae's face, but she said nothing more and walked away.
Ha-rin briefly returned to Seon-woo's office, said a few quiet words to him, and then left the building.
Outside, Seo-jin and Baek Dong-hyun were already waiting beside the car.
"Detective," Seo-jin called from the driver's seat. "Ready? We need to check the location where suspicious activity was reported."
"If we find something there," Baek Dong-hyun added urgently, "the case could take a whole new direction."
Ha-rin nodded and got into the car.
As it sped away from the building, Seon-woo's office remained behind—its lights still on, its owner still staring at frozen images on a screen.
Unaware that the shadows he was chasing outside were already growing closer inside.
The police station felt unusually alive that afternoon.
Laughter echoed through the bullpen as Ha-rin sat beside her partner, Seo-jin, quietly observing the rare moment of celebration. Across from them, Baek Dong-hyun looked both proud and overwhelmed, his smile refusing to fade.
"Congratulations," Seo-jin said with genuine excitement. "You finally got promoted."
Baek Dong-hyun let out a soft laugh, emotion flickering in his eyes. "Yeah… I'm really happy. Honestly, I never thought this day would come."
"Well then," Kang Min-rae chimed in, clapping her hands, "this definitely calls for a party. My friend just got promoted!"
"Absolutely," Baek Dong-hyun agreed. "If everyone's free this weekend, the party is on me." He paused before adding, "But for now… drinks are on me."
"Orange juice for me," Kang Min-rae said cheerfully.
"Coffee," Seo-jin added.
"And iced americano," Ha-rin said quietly.
Baek Dong-hyun nodded. "Got it. I'll bring them myself."
As he walked away, Ha-rin watched her team laugh together. For a brief moment, the weight she carried eased. These moments—simple, human—were rare in their line of work. And yet, even as she smiled faintly, something deep inside her refused to fully relax.
Miles away, Seon-woo sat in silence inside his apartment, staring at nothing in particular.
Oh Mi-rae's words replayed in his mind again and again, refusing to fade. He couldn't tell anymore where confusion ended and truth began.
Dae-jin sat nearby, sipping his coffee, watching him carefully.
"What are you thinking about?" Dae-jin asked casually, already knowing the answer.
"Nothing," Seon-woo replied, then sighed deeply and turned toward him. "Do you think… I like Ha-rin?"
Dae-jin paused, considering his words. Then he nodded. "Yes. I think you do."
"Why do you ask?" he added, his gaze sharpening.
"I don't understand my own feelings," Seon-woo admitted, his voice low. "Everything feels… messy."
"Give it time," Dae-jin said gently. "Clarity always comes."
They sat quietly for a few moments, the sound of coffee cups touching the table filling the space between them.
"Did you talk to Oh Mi-rae?" Seon-woo asked hesitantly.
"Yes," Dae-jin replied. "She seemed very happy."
Seon-woo frowned. "But why?"
"Because you chose her," Dae-jin said simply.
Seon-woo lowered his gaze. "I can't hurt her. She's my closest friend."
Dae-jin's voice softened, but his words were firm. "Listen to your heart, Seon-woo. Don't make decisions based on guilt. Oh Mi-rae will be fine with time."
Seon-woo stayed silent for a while. Then, slowly, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"You're right," he said quietly.
They exchanged a look—one filled with unspoken understanding.
That night, Ha-rin sat alone in her apartment, surrounded by open files and scattered notes. The dim desk lamp cast long shadows across the room as she reviewed evidence, her mind fully immersed in the case.
Then—
A notification appeared on her laptop.
New Email.
Sender: Unknown.
Subject: Now it's your turn.
Her fingers froze.
Carefully, she opened the email.
There was nothing inside. No text. No attachments.
Just emptiness.
Her heartbeat quickened.
"This…" she whispered to herself. "What is this? And who sent it?"
The silence of the room suddenly felt unbearable, as if someone unseen was watching her from the dark.
Outside, the city slept peacefully.
Unaware that the game had already begun.
To be continued…