Chapter Text

Lifetime

Chapter 1: The Dead Woman in His Dream

An unconscious woman laid on a cold floor drenched with her own blood. Her body wrapped on a thin white cloth. Cops were crying around her. Blood splashed on the cream walls of her living room. A man staring blankly due to shock. 

With heavy steps, Hwang Si Mok slowly approached the police line. A familiar guy blocked his way towards the body. The man, like the rest of the cops, had tired and weary eyes. 

For the first time in his life, Si Mok entered the crime scene that was so familiar to him filled with fear and with a heavy heart. 

Gusty cold winds blew from the window. Stars glistened in the night sky. 

He pushed the guy's hand blocking him and sat down to take a closer look at the body. 

As he cautiously lifted the cloth, he felt a sudden chill reaching his spine. The chill was beyond his imagination. It was so freezing and numbing. 

Like being caught in a hole, he didn't see nor hear anything or anyone around him except for the dead woman on the floor, the watch she wears on her thin wrist, the calendar on her desk and the sound of his heart beating loudly. 

Yes, she is the new and the fourth victim of the infamous Yejang serial killer.

Si Mok lifted the cloth and saw a peculiar yet so familiar face. June 3, 2020 -- printed on the calendar. 4:10 am - the time he saw written on her mouse ears-shaped watch. 

Then, a deafening streaking sound reached his ears. He covered his ears in pain. Along with the pain, tears began flowing from his eyes.

From that bleak house, he was brought to a place with a striking light. The light was so bright that it was blinding. 

Coming from the light, he saw Eun Soo, Lee Chang Jun and now with them was his friend, Han Yeo Jin. Eun Soo held Yeo Jin's hand and caressed it. Both laughed as if they were having a good time. 

They turned their heads around as they noticed the presence of Si Mok. Wearing the same clothes as he could remember them, Eun Soo and Lee Chang Jun smiled at him. Then, both of them went on their way towards the light. 

Yeo Jin, on the other hand, had poignant eyes. She stayed and stared at Si Mok for a longer time. 

"Thank you" she whispered. 

With a gloomy eyes, she also flashed him a smile. Her beautiful, warm and full of vigor smile. Capable of brightening a day full of sorrow. Her smile that made him smile for the first time in his life. Then, she followed their steps towards the light. 

Si Mok didn't know what that smile meant. Was it a smile of reassurance or of a farewell? 

Si Mok stretched out his arm and tried to reach them. But before he did, the striking light faded. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------

"Is there a chance you won't be okay?" Si Mok asked.

Han Yeo Jin shook her head with a smile on her face. 

Si Mok tilted his head.

"Is she telling the truth?" he wondered.

"Cheers" she said as they clink their glasses. 

The restaurant ahjumma brought the pajeon on their table. 

Yeo Jin reached the platter laid before her. The yellowish slightly brown panjeon garnished with green scallions and carrots smelled really great. 

"This looks good," she commented. 

Yeo Jin took a portion for herself and ate it gratefully. 

"It's delicious," she added. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Si Mok felt heavy as he opened his eyes. He touched his pillow and realized that it was soaked with his tears. He wondered why he was not feeling well that morning. 

Can this be just a hangover? Well, it's fine because it's been a while since he had a drinking buddy, he thought. 

It took him a while before rising up from his bed. Only the call from his mentor, Kang Won Chul, prompted him to rise from his bed. He agreed to meet him at the place they had talked about on the phone. 

As he walked closer to the bathroom, he suddenly recalled the striking light in his dream. His unexplained fear. The brutally murdered woman. 

"Was that woman Eun Soo?" he asked himself. For a few moments, he stood in front of the toilet just wondering what that dream could mean to him. 

After preparing all the things he needed for his transfer to Gangwondo Province, he went for a drive. Finally, in their meeting place, he met his senior, Kang Won Chul, who helped him till the end at the expense of his own job. 

From then, he realized that he was not alone anymore. As long as he has people like Kang Won Chul, Han Yeo Jin and his special investigative team, he will always have someone to look forward to in his life.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

"Goodbye, Geomsanim''. Yeo Jin said as she waved her hands to Si Mok who dropped her infront of her house. 

Si Mok looked at her for the last time. "Take care, Kyeonggam-nim "he said. 

"You do not need to be so formal to me. I am your friend and your drinking buddy, remember?" Yeo jin reminded him. 

"Yes," He nodded. 

"Ah. Don't you think it's time for us to level up our friendship? Why don't you just call me Yeojin-ssi?" she said jokingly. 

SiMok nodded his head as an answer. 

"Hwang SiMok Geomsa-nim, call me anytime you need a friend, okay?"

Si Mok bowed his head and returned to the taxi they had ridden. As the taxi moved, he noticed a very familiar watch. 

"Where did I see that watch again?" he asked himself. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Back again to the same dream, he enters a strange yet familiar crime scene. An unconscious dead woman laid on the floor. Crimson splashed on the walls. White cloth covering the dead body. Police line surrounding the area. 

Based on the way the body was positioned, it can be concluded that she was stabbed a number of times before she met her death. 

Once again, he observed that the dead woman was wearing the same watch Yeojin wore that day. 

But unlike the first dream, he heard the police siren, the commotion outside and the cameras flashing. This dream was so similar but was also very different from the first. Instead of a calendar, he found a drawing on that woman's desk.  

He slowly walked towards the desk with the same fear he had when he dreamt the same dream two weeks ago. 

A sudden call awakened him from his sleep. It was Prosecutor Seo Dong Jae. 

"Ya! SiMok-ah!! Are you okay? Don't you know what happened to your police friend?" 

SiMok was swiftly raised from his bed. 

"What?" he shouted.

Chapter Text

Chapter 2: Male friend but not a Boyfriend

A sudden call awakened him from his sleep. It was Prosecutor Seo Dong Jae.

"Ya! SiMok-ah!! Are you okay? Don't you know what happened to your police friend?"

SiMok was swiftly raised from his bed.

"What?" he shouted.

Without thinking twice, he reached for his coat and car keys. He ran outside as fast as he could. He was barely wearing his slippers when he immediately rode his car leaving the caller hanging.

"What happened to her?" he asked, trying to catch his breath.

"What the h*ll! Why didn't you tell me? So, she will be the assigned Senior Inspector in our branch?" Dong Jae shouted.

"What?" Si Mok replied and rolled his eyes.

"I've heard your engine. You were still driving at this hour?" Dong Jae added.

SiMok ended the call. He felt that it would be a waste of time to listen to Dong Jae. Unfortunately, he was already on the road when he ended it. So, he parked his car on the side. He took a deep breath and tried to comprehend the things that just happened.

"So that was just a dream, right?" he asked himself.

He searched for Senior Inspector Han Yeojin's name on his contact list. He stared at her name on his phone for a few moments until he realized that it was already 2 am.

"She must be sleeping right now," he thought. So, he placed his phone down. He was about to reverse his car when he noticed how beautiful the night sky was.

He stopped his car on the side of the bridge. Went out. Walked along the side road. Listened to the engine of the fast moving cars and watched the stars.

After calming himself down, he recalls the night when he said goodbye to Yeo jin before he left for Tong Yeong, the night he went to see her in her house upon his return and the night he said his second farewell to her before leaving for Wonju branch.

He also recollected the dream he had. The dead woman. The watch. The calendar. The cold floor. The intense pain.

"What could be the meaning of all these?" he asked himself.

A cold chilly wind blew on his face. Then, he realized that he was wearing too thin clothes given that he jumped out of bed that fast.

He returned to his car and drove back home. When he reached his dormitory, he placed his car keys on his desk and noticed the drawing made by Yeo Jin for him.

"Han Kyeonggamnim" he called her name as he picked the cute drawing of a man smiling.

----------------------------------------------------------------

"A woman in her 20s found dead at her apartment" announced by a female news reporter wearing a crystal blue vest.

Yeojin watched this broadcast at Yongsan station upon her visit to their office.

"According to the investigation, the murderer targets women living alone" the reporter continued.

"I will really catch that psycho" she said with a face of both anger and determination.

"Who gave him the right to take someone else's life? He better be careful when he meets me. I will throw him right away once I see him" she added.

"He targets women living alone. You better be careful Yeojin-ah. You are also a woman" Captain Choi remarked.

"Nahh. But I am a policewoman. So he better prepare himself for me" Yeojin confidently said.

"Woah. That's our Kyeonggamnim. yokshi--" Lieutenant Jang Geon interrupted.

Yeojin smiled. Lifted her chin up and nodded with pride.

----------------------------------------------------------------

A phone suddenly rang. Jang Geon brought Yeojin's phone to her as she left it close to his desk.

He took a glimpse at it wondering who the caller might be.

"Oh.. Your boyfriend is calling you, Senior Inspector Han" he teased.

Hwang SiMok Geomsanim's name flashed on her phone screen. Yeojin shook her head to Captain Choi who curiously looked at her expression after Jang Geon's joke.

"Hello, Kyeonggamnim. Can we meet today?" SiMok asked on the phone.

"Sorry but can we schedule it tomorrow? We have to welcome a new officer today"

"Ah I see," SiMok replied.

A tall clean-looking man in his 20s appeared right before Yeojin's eyes with a smile on his face. Initially, if not for his police uniform you would think he was just a high school student. He had young features and looked very innocent.

"Good Morning, Sunbaenim. I am Officer Park Tae Goo. I'm looking forward to working with you all" he said, reaching his hand for a shake.

"Gonna end this call now, Geomsanim", Yeojin said.

Officer Park looks kind and gentle with his round eyes and charming smile. Before anyone else, he reached out his hand to Yeojin first for a shake.

"I am your fan, Senior Inspector Han Yeojin," he giggled.

"Ah yes" Yeojin smiled awkwardly.

"Woah. Our Senior Inspector Han, now has a fan. Our Yongsan Superwoman." Jang Geon teased again.

Yeojin clapped her hands and straightened up her body.

"Okay. That's enough for greetings. Now we should start working"

"Yes, Sunbaenim," Officer Park said excitedly. His eyes never left Yeojin.

"There is something strange about the way this kid smiles" she thought but didn't delve into it further.

----------------------------------------------------------------

After a long day at work, Yeojin decided to head home. She walked towards the bureau elevator and heard men gossiping about an employee bringing her boyfriend to work.

The two arrogant-looking men gazed at her as if she was the party involved. But knowing that she doesn't have a boyfriend, she confidently walked past them and rode the elevator.

Yeojin got off the elevator and noticed a very familiar man.

"Hwang Geomsanim?" she called the man wearing a suit checking his phone.

"Kyeonggamnim" he answered.

"Why are you here? Is there something urgent?"

SiMok suddenly held her shoulder with his two hands. Looked straight into her eyes. Yeojin was caught off guard by his sudden action.

"Are you alright?" SiMok asked. His eyes looked exhausted and worried.

"I should be asking you the same thing. Geomsanim, you look really tired"

"Oh this is nothing" he slowly slipped his hands touching her shoulders.

"Where are you going today? Can I go with you?" he asked earnestly.

"Dating at work? Wow, some people just really don't know professionalism" she overheard from the two guys passing by. In fact, they were also the same guys gossiping on the elevator entrance and were also the guys who seemed to hate her from the day she entered their office.

Yeojin sighed as she heard their remarks.

"Can I go with you, Kyeonggamnim?" SiMok repeated.

Yeojin looked at him suspiciously. SiMok stared at her. His eyes filled with determination.

"I guess you've already heard that YongSan station is the assigned team for Yejang serial murder case, am I right? Wow. Geomsanim. You really know everything" she joked.

SiMok had no response. However, his face strangely seems to look a lot more disturbed. His eyebrows now more furrowed.

"So you'll tag me along. Okay?"

"Well. I've got no choice" she teased him.

----------------------------------------------------------------

May 29, 2020. A female college student was found lifeless in front of her dormitory at Huamdong. She was stabbed ten times. Initial evidence revealed that the culprit appears to be the Yejang Serial Killer.

SiMok accidentally stepped on the car brake right away after hearing the news from the radio. In fact, SiMok and Yeojin were on their way towards the most recent murder site in Insadong.

"Again?" Yeojin said, gazing at Si Mok's eyes.

"Geomsanim, can you please drop me off here? I really need to go to that site immediately".

" But we are already close to Huamdong (3rd victim murder area). We can go to Insadong later together, " Si Mok insisted.

Yeojin shook her head. She was about to get out of the car when he grabbed her arms trying to stop her. Yeojin removed his hands from her arm.

“But--” Si Mok uttered.

"I'll be fine. You better first check Huamdong site alone since I have already visited that yesterday. They need me there more" Yeojin added.

She got out of the car and waved to Si Mok.

"Drive safely, Geomsanim"

"See you later, Kyeonggamnim" he uttered.

Then, Yeojin waved her hands to call the taxi on the opposite road. A yellow taxi stopped in front of her and she rode it. SiMok watched her as the taxi went away.

After the taxi left, Si Mok shook his head. Stepped on the gas and went to the third murder site in Huamdong.

----------------------------------------------------------------

A dead female college student wearing blue jeans and striped shirt now slumped in the corner, bathed in her own blood. The woman's hair disheveled. The thin white cloth barely covered her face and body. Blood splashed on the walls like it did in most of the crime scenes. The area had a distinctively pungent and sickening odor.

"Aish," YeoJin said. She was teary-eyed and frustrated.

SiMok came after 30 mins. He went directly to the victim and lifted the thin cloth covering her. He sighed out of relief when he saw the mouse ear-shaped watch on the victim’s wrist.

He lifted the cold wrist of the woman on the floor. He examined the body to see if it was the same woman he saw in his dream. But unfortunately, he didn't see the same date and time. The dead woman had a mole on her hand but the woman he saw in his dream did not. He also didn't feel the same fear he felt in his dream. He turned his head back to Yeojin who is now speaking to a young officer he is not familiar with. He gazed at them, his eyebrows now furrowed.

The young officer suddenly patted Yeojin’s shoulder trying to calm her down. His physically affectionate behavior surprised SiMok.

After witnessing the young cop being too close to Yeo Jin, he stepped away from the dead body and went to her side. Looking at the guy sternly, Yeojin introduced him to SiMok.

"Geomsanim. This is Officer Park. The new officer at the Yongsan station"

SiMok looked at him with suspicion. He inspected him from head to toe. He is taller than SiMok by about three to four inches. He had a charming and cunning smile.

Officer Park reached his hands for a shake but SiMok ignored it.

"Sorry but you are not YeoJin Sunbaenim's boyfriend, am I right?" he said with a soft smile on his face.

SiMok didn't respond and immediately returned in the murder scene as if he didn’t hear him.

"No way," Yeojin replied, shaking her head.

"Why is he acting like that?" she thought.

"Is he jealous?" Officer Park joked.

"What? We don't have that kind of relationship. He is just like that. Don't mind him".

When Officer Park came in, he followed Yeojin wherever she went. He followed her when she talked to the detectives in-charge, when she interviewed the witnesses and in searching for evidence. He even offered her a coffee to cheer her up after seeing how frustrated she was for not yet catching the killer.

YeoJin can't help but be touched by how womanly this young officer treats him. She would always say that woman in their field should not be treated special since they are all police regardless of their sex.

However, Officer Park treated her not extremely special but a little bit more with care unlike her other workmates.

Unfortunately, SiMok witnessed how friendly Officer Park was with Yeojin. He pretended not to see them but couldn't help but be distracted. He would stop from time to time to observe what they were doing.

His eyebrows were furrowed, the entire time he was there. When he saw Yeojin smiling at him, his eyes bulged. He can't help but pout on what he saw. Then, he shook his head again to focus on the dead body in front of him.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Few hours have passed. The investigation team finally wrapped up the crime scene. They have finally brought the body to the morgue. Retrieved important evidences like the murder weapon which was an ordinary knife that can be bought in any hardware store, the woman's mouse ear- shaped watch and everything that appears to be a vital evidence.

After finishing everything, YeoJin stretched out her arms.

"I'm heading home guys" she announced.

"Let me take you home, Sunbaenim," Officer Park offered.

When Si Mok heard this, he went immediately to Yeojin’s side and sternly looked at Officer Park . YeoJin awkwardly smiled and shook her head.

After comprehending the scenario, Officer Park bowed his head, said goodbye and left the scene.

SiMok waited for Yeojin until she finished wrapping up the scene and bidding the investigation team goodbye.

"Can I drive you home, Kyeonggamnim?" he asked.

Chapter Text

Chapter 3: The Intruder

"Can I drive you home, Kyeonggamnim? " he asked.

Yeojin nodded and went straight to the front seat beside him.

"Are you still staying in the same apartment in Namsan?"

"No. I've placed that on lease. I am currently back on my rooftop place" she explained.

While on their way, they talked about how the recently murdered women were connected with each other, how fast the distance of the previous crime to the one discovered today and how slow it took for the second victim's body to be discovered.

They also talked about the chance of an accomplice inside of the police or prosecution that delayed the investigation for a few weeks.

Like SiMok, Yeo Jin can't help but wonder why she had the same mouse ear- shaped watch like the third victim. However, she can't and won't throw that gift from her nephew just because of its similarity with the watch of the most recent victim.

Along the way, YeoJin was so tired that she felt sleepy. SiMok, being a not so talkative guy, was not helping. After a few moments of silence, Yeojin began to yawn and eventually fell asleep.

When they reached her place, SiMok realized that his companion was already sleeping. Her head was leaning on the car window. He wondered whether he should wake her up or let her sleep more. He gazed at her and saw how tired she looked. Her short bobbed hair with bangs. Her closed eyelids. He watched her as she was sleeping.

“She sleeps like a baby”, he said while smiling.

Then, her hair suddenly fell from her ears, covering her face. SiMok, without realizing it, reached her hair with his hands to sweep it back behind her ears. He didn't understand, but he felt a sudden warmth deep inside him. He only touched her hair for a few seconds but his heart began to beat rapidly. He felt hot for a moment, but didn't know the reason for it.

“Can it be because the aircon is now turned off? Or maybe because my face was too close to her?” he thought.

After coming back to his senses, he swiftly returned to his straight sitting position in the car. He took a deep breath and unbuckled his belt. He opened his car door. Then, he knocked on the window where Yeo Jin was leaning.

YeoJin was shocked for a moment. With a pile of documents she had read and investigated in the office, it was not shocking that she was so tired that she fell asleep during the ride. After waking up, she yawned and stretched her arms. She unbuckled her seat belt and opened the door. SiMok inspected the area where her apartment was located. The street was dark and quiet. He hoped that this place would keep Yeojin safe from criminals. Unfortunately, as they approached the gate of the apartment where her rooftop house was located, he saw shards of glass on the floor.

"What are these?" he asked after following the trail of window glasses from the gate of the apartment to the staircase on the way to her rooftop house.

"Wait. Did someone just break into my house?" she asked as if it was nothing to be worried about.

"Why would they break into a house of a minimum wage earner? They would just waste their time".

SiMok picked up a piece of the broken window glass. As he inspected it, he realized that the glass was from the main window in front of the house.

"This won't do," he said.

"What?" Yeo Jin questioned.

"This is nothing new in this village. You might think it is dangerous here but nothing bad usually goes here aside from some thieves breaking into the houses from time to time. And guess what? Last time, I was even able to catch one of those thieves with my bare hands" she said proudly.

Walking closely towards her house, he inspected the broken window in front. Looking at how damaged it was, he inferred that the window cannot be fixed for just a few hours. He glanced at his watch to check the time and saw that it was too late for a carpenter to be available that evening. Looking at Yeojin with a worried face, he sighed.

"This won't do. I can't let you stay here. Not today when you are trying to catch a murderer. Pack your bag and I'll find you a place to stay tonight"

"But I am not just an ordinary woman but a policewoman, remember?”

Si Mok immediately recalled the dead woman in his dream. The date he saw on the calendar which is a few days from now. The mouse ear-shaped watch. The small physique of the dead body. The thin wrist. The drawing. Blood splashed on the walls. Cops crying around the dead body. Everything seems to match YeoJin. He can’t risk her safety just like that knowing the murder has already killed three women in just a span of two weeks.

“But can you sleep with your windows open like that?” He challenged her.

She was silent for a moment and tried to process what he said. SiMok, as expected, had that emotionless face. But you can see from his eyes that he is serious about his question.

“So, will you let me stay in your house?” Yeojin jokes to brighten up the atmosphere between them.

0

“Why not?” he immediately answered without thinking twice.

“It is not like there is something wrong with that,” he added.

Yeo Jin was shocked with his sudden reply. Her mouth is now slightly opened. She never thought that Si Mok would take her joke seriously. She knows that he is not the type of guy who easily shares his personal space with just anybody. As a matter of fact, she was just trying to make fun of him. She never knew she would be digging her own grave.

Before even trying to respond to him, a call interrupted their conversation.

“I’ll wait for you downstairs. Don’t forget to bring your necessities.” He said before he took the call.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now in Si Mok’s apartment, she looked around the entire unit. The unit was clean, organized and quiet. A medium sized frame with abstract painting was on the wall. His shelves were full of books. Empty kitchen area containing only basic cooking utensils. A lamp shade and a single twin-sized bed.

His home felt like him. It was bleak, dark and quiet. She noticed a picture frame on his desk. It was their team’s photo before Eun Soo’s death. She smiled at the thought of Si Mok starting to feel like a human. However, she also felt sorry after seeing Eun Soo's face in the photo. It suddenly crossed her mind how much she knew SiMok was affected by her death. Teary eyed after recalling her memories with EunSoo, she sighed and sat on the black sofa in his living room with her luggage. Meanwhile, SiMok went to the kitchen to make her some tea.

“I’m really sorry for bothering you,Geomsanim. If you’re uncomfortable with this, I am willing to go to the hotel today and sleep there”

Knowing how considerate, YeoJin is. SiMok knew how embarrassed YeoJin was, thinking of how much of a burden she would become to him.

SiMok returned to the living room where she was and placed the cup of tea in front of her.

He looked at her sternly. “Don’t think of yourself as a burden. I am the one who asked you to stay here so I that I can sleep sound without thinking about your safety”.

She was again surprised by his sudden confession. This guy doesn’t really know when his words can be misinterpreted. YeoJin felt hot for a moment. She felt awkward because he said those words looking so serious. To put off the awkward feeling, she started to joke again.

“You know Geomsanim. You can really be cheesy sometimes”

" Me?" Si Mok wondered in what way his statement was cheesy for her. After seeing her giggle, he can't help but smile at her. She really knows how to lighten up the mood. No doubt she is my friend Han Yeojin. SiMok thought.

After that, both went to sleep. YeoJin slept on the sofa in the living room while SiMok slept in his bedroom. He was aware of how awkward it was for Yeojin to sleep in a bachelor’s house. Knowing that, he chose not to offer her his bed.

Feeling tired but reassured, SiMok slept faster than he usually does.

“Thank you, Geomsanim” YeoJin texted SiMok.

After a few seconds, a buzz was heard again. But since both were already sleeping, no one bothered to check their phones.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Next day, YeoJin woke up a little bit earlier than she usually does. She cooked rice and bought some side dishes along the area where SiMok’s apartment was located. She checked his refrigerator and was shocked by what she saw. The refrigerator was empty like it was when you purchased it from the mall. It only had a few bottles of water, a can of kimchi and an overripe apple.

Meanwhile, the striking sunlight greeted SiMok’s face. He stretched his arms and sniffed this seemingly delicious meal. He thought for a while that his mother was there. He opened the door and saw Yeo Jin cooking.

“You’re up, Geomsanim?” she greeted as she laid the utensils and plates on the table.

“Come, let’s have breakfast before we go to work”.

YeoJin pointed to the chair in front of him. SiMok was hesitant at first but was too shy to reject her offer.

She sat in front of him and smiled.

“Thank you, Hwang Geomsanim for letting me stay here''.

“I’m not really a great cook but I really tried my best.” Yeojin scratched her head.

SiMok held the spoon and tasted the soup in front of him.

“It’s good,” he said while nodding.

“Not everyone loves my cooking to be honest. But I am really glad you liked it" she shyly replied.

Actually, the meal was bland. But that was a good thing because SiMok doesn't love dishes with strong flavors. He doesn't enjoy sweets, too salty and too fatty food.

"I'll enjoy the meal. Thank you."

"But you really didn't have to do this for me," he said.

YeoJin shook her and responded with a smile.

After finishing the meal, both prepared themselves for work. Simok washed the plates as Yeojin took her bath.

Yeojin finished preparing herself for work faster than SiMok. He was just about to wear his necktie when he saw Yeojin on the way to the door. Running outside of his room trying to catch her, he said "Do you want me to drop you off in your office?".

With hair still disheveled and his necktie wrinkled, he rushed out of his room to offer her a ride. Seeing this, YeoJin shook her head, declining his offer. She glanced at his wrinkled necktie then thanked him with a smile. She appreciated his offer and initiative but rejected it since it was getting late and she knows he needs more time to prepare himself.

And also, she was reminded of her lost reputation for being accused of dating at work. She can't afford to be accused of living with a single man that may further degrade her reputation, she thought. Before leaving the house, she looked back. Remembering how cute disorganized SiMok was when he offered her a ride, she can't help but smile.

--------------------------------------------------------

In the office, YeoJin was about to leave when Officer Park surprised her with a visit. She saw him waving his hands at her in the hallway. Trying to avoid having another dating issue, she immediately grabbed his arms and took him away from the crowd.

"What are you doing here?" she asked him, looking annoyed.

"There's a new evidence left by the murder, Sunbaenim. A cigarette bud was found in front of the house of the new victim when she doesn't even smoke".

"The DNA. What happened to the results?" YeoJin interjected.

"I took it to the laboratory for analysis before coming here," Officer Park explained.

"Very good, Officer Park" she patted his shoulders.

"Well, I am your fan, Sunbaenim. I'm not bragging but I'm also the one who found that evidence" he said confidently trying to get her praise.

Yeojin stroked his hair like a puppy. “Aigoo. You did well, our maknae”.

Meanwhile, SiMok decided to drive to the police bureau to fetch YeoJin after her work. From his side mirror, he saw YeoJin and Officer Park laughing together. At the sight of this, his eyebrows furrowed while his lips curled inward. He felt a nasty feeling he couldn't explain. He didn't like Officer Park from the first time he met him. He didn't like the way he smiled at him. The way he seemed to always try to please Yeojin. And worst of all, he didn't like the way he smiled at Yeojin. That guy seemed suspicious in his eyes. Suddenly, SiMok's eyes widened when he saw Yeo Jin stroking Officer Park's hair.

He immediately parked his car in the area closest to the entrance of the building and went between YeoJin and Officer Park. His eyebrows were still pulled closer together and his lips curled inwards.

"You're here, Geomsanim?" YeoJin greeted as she bowed her head.

SiMok bowed his head in response to her greeting. But SiMok's eyes were still on Officer Park who greeted him with a smile.

Suddenly, the atmosphere between them got awkward. SiMok stared at Officer Park with a very serious expression. Likewise, Officer Park looked at him and Yeojin with a questioning look.

"Don't misunderstand. I'll just be getting something with him" Yeojin tried to explain.

"I'll be going then, Sunbaenim. Goodbye" he bowed his head. Before leaving, he smiled at YeoJin and ignored SiMok as if he wasn't there.

"Okay, good job" she replied.

Inside the car, SiMok didn't try to say a thing to her. Yeojin wondered why he seems so easily angered these days but chose not to force him to speak up unless he'd like to.

------------------------------------------------------------------

At exactly 9pm, they reached SiMok's unit. Yeojin observed that the light inside the house was lit. They both stared at each other as if communicating with their eyes. She looked at him with her eyes asking if he was expecting a visitor. He shook his head as an answer. Coming to the conclusion that an intruder might be there, both of them took the elevator. Slowly, they went closer towards the door of his unit. Like an instinct, both placed their ears before the door trying to listen to what the intruder might be doing.

To their surprise, the door suddenly opened.

Chapter Text

Chapter 4: Regrets only happen when one fails to choose between yes or no.

At exactly 9pm, they reached SiMok's unit. Yeojin observed that the light inside the house was lit. They both stared at each other as if communicating with their eyes. She looked at him with her eyes asking if he was expecting a visitor. He shook his head as an answer. Coming to the conclusion that an intruder might be there, both of them took the elevator. Slowly, they went closer towards the door of his unit. Like an instinct, both placed their ears before the door trying to listen to what the intruder might be doing.

To their surprise, the door suddenly opened.

"SiMok-ah,are you there?" an old woman greeted.

"Eomma?" Si Mok replied to the voice.

YeoJin looked at the old woman with grey hair and SiMok. The old woman had poignant eyes and a serious aura like him. Aside from their eyes and their aura, it seems that the woman have no more similarities with. There was an awkward moment of silence between them that lasted for a few seconds. Now realizing that the old woman was SiMok's mother, Yeojin bowed her head and greeted her while smiling.

"Good evening, Eommoni"

In fact, she was so surprised to meet SiMok's mother but was also equally happy to meet her. She was curious all along who could be the mother of her most respected prosecutor. And now, she was right in front of her.

"I am Senior Inspector Han Yeo Jin. It was nice meeting you" she reached her hand to her.

With a slightly opened mouth, SiMok's mother was equally surprised to see a woman with her son. Knowing his condition, she never thought that someone would date her son. She looked at Yeojin from head to toe. Feeling the awkwardness, she replied with an even brighter smile.

Without answering her, she immediately grabbed SiMok's arm and took him away from his guest.

"Who is she? Is she living with you? Why are her things here?" she whispered to SiMok.

Han Yeo Jin brought her rejected hand down. As she watched SiMok and his mother whispering in the corner of the kitchen at a distance away from her, she
smelled a familiar dish. Is she cooking seaweed soup? It might be her birthday, she concluded.

"Are you here to greet me on my birthday? If not, then I think it would be best for you to leave now. Someone might reprimand you for going here". Simok said as politely as he could to his mother.

Without getting an exact answer from him, SiMok's mom greeted Yeojin and reached her hands back to return the shake a while ago.

"Sorry for my behaviour a while ago. I was just so surprised to see a beautiful lady visiting my son's house. Thank you for coming" she said.

"Sorry for causing disturbance to your son's house. By the way, happy birthday Eommoni. I wish you a long life" Yeojin greeted her.

At Yeojin's greeting, his mother's eyebrows were raised. She began to grasp the situation. This lady does not know it was his birthday. This means that they must really be just colleagues. She sighed for a while the reached Yeojin's hand.

"It won't be too much for you if I offer you to eat with us, right?" she offered.

Although she was disappointed that YeoJin wasn't his son's girlfriend, she was still happy to see his son starting to have friends like a normal person. That single step alone was a huge progress, she thought.

"Of course, Eommoni. It will be my pleasure" Yeojin replied.

The three of them ate on the dinner table. SiMok's mother kept looking at Yeojin's face with a smile. Several thoughts come to her mind. She thought that if this lady was not her son's girlfriend or the girl he likes then why would he bring her to his unit when he is so sensitive in keeping his personal space. That thought alone made her smile the whole time they were eating.
Her frequent glances began to make Yeojin feel awkward. But knowing the elders well, she tried to understand her. So in return, she would smile at her to distract herself from how awkward it was.

The doorbell suddenly rang as they were about to finish eating. A man with grey hair was caught on the entrance camera. SiMok opened the door. The man entered the house bashfully without even greeting the owner of the house. He grabbed SiMok's mother's arm.

"Aren't you getting tired of playing mother to your dysfunctional son? Do you think he would appreciate you if you visited him on his birthday?"

Yeojin's jaw dropped. Her lower eyelids raise. She congratulated the wrong person. It was not his mother's birthday but it was SiMok's, she realized.

"But I am his--" SiMok's mother tried to talk.

Before even finishing her sentence, the man dragged his mother out of his unit. Leaving Yeojin and SiMok alone. It was too awkward to say anything so Yeojin stayed beside him in silence.

After a few moments, Yeojin initiated the talk.

"Don't you want to walk outside, Geomsanim?" she ask.

SiMok, who was looking down before, looked at her and nodded his head.

They walked in the park close to his unit. The night breeze was warm. Trees were standing still. Like a light ball, the moon glistened in the sky.

"Why aren't you asking me anything?" SiMok asked.

"Do you want ice cream?" she said.

He smiled as a response.

"Okay, wait for me here." YeoJin rushed to the nearest convenience store and bought two chocolate flavored ice creams.

SiMok sat on the bench outside of the store as he waited for her. YeoJin reached out her card to the cashier. The part-timer placed the two ice creams inside the plastic bag. Then, she ran towards the bench where he was.

"I'm not sure if you like chocolate flavor" she said, reaching to him the ice cream tube she bought.

"I--" SiMok replied.

"Oh. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to. I'm not a nosy person. You don't have to worry about me" she waved her hands.

"I really feel sorry for my mother. I think I ruined her life" he said while looking down.

"If only I was normal enough, to be someone she could be proud of. If only she didn't have me, then he could still be happy with my father. I know she regrets having me in her life. And I feel equally sorry for not feeling how lonely she felt because of that" he said with a poker face like he used to.

Yeojin stayed silent for a moment.

"You know...Regrets only happen when one fails to choose between yes or no. But she chose to have you. She may have faced problems raising you but that doesn't mean she regrets it" she assured him.

----

The night deepened. The sky was clear. The moon looked young and full. They walked side by side like they always do. Yeojin looked at SiMok with worried eyes. While SiMok glanced at her from time to time. SiMok felt safe for the first time in his life.

They continued walking until they reached his unit. Once they got inside, YeoJin started packing her luggages while SiMok cleaned the dining table.

"Are you sure your broken windows are now fixed?" SiMok asked.

"Yes. I've spoken with the landlady before work and she told me I can now return to my house" she answered.

When Yeojin was finished placing her clothes and things on her bag, she heard shards of glass falling on the floor. She rushed immediately to the kitchen to see what just happened.

To her surprise, she saw SiMok lying on the floor with his ears covered due to the pain. SiMok is once again experiencing tinnitus. He heard a ringing streaking sound from his ears. When Yeojin arrived in the dining area, he was still conscious but was in deep pain.

YeoJin recalled how stress triggers his tinnitus. She could just imagine how much it hurt him to be visited by his mom only to be bullied by his stepfather.

Seeing him in pain, she rushed towards his side. She grabbed his shoulders with her arms. Brought him from the dining area to the living room. She lightly patted his back while he was enduring the pain.

After his pain subsided, he looked at YeoJin.

"I'm sorry," he said.

Yeojin shakes her head and smiles. She understands him. She wanted to help him in times like this. To be his best friend whenever he needed one.

After a few moments, SiMok started to talk.

"I'll drive you to your house".

"This won't do," Yeojin responded.

SiMok's eyes bulged in surprise. What could she mean by that? He wondered.

"I--" she hesitated and clenched her fist.

"Can I stay here for another night?" she said with her eyes closed.

SiMok was surprised.

"You know-" she tried to explain.

"Today's your birthday and I've given you nothing but a headache. So it's fine, if you wish for me to go. But I wouldn't want to leave you here alone after seeing you like that," she further justified herself.

SiMok didn't answer and just stared at her.

"Ok, fine. Just allow me to finish cleaning the kitchen while you rest in your room. After that, I will call a taxi and go home. What do you think?" she said after hearing no response from him.

Again, SiMok didn't answer. Thinking that, SiMok needed more space. She nodded her head and decided to go for the second option. But before even standing up from the sofa, SiMok grabbed her arms. YeoJin looked at him.

"I'm really sorry but can you stay with me tonight?"

Like before, she was once again flustered by his statement. She nodded despite not being able to grasp the situation yet.

Then, she left him on the sofa and went to the dining area. She took a deep breath and felt her heart racing again.

Chapter Text

Chapter 5: His Worries

"I'm really sorry but can you stay with me tonight?"

Like before, she was once again flustered by his statement. She nodded despite not being able to grasp the situation yet.

Then, she left him on the sofa and went to the dining area. She took a deep breath and felt her heart racing again.

After she finished cleaning, she went to the living room. There she saw SiMok already sleeping on the sofa.

Moving as quietly as she could, she went inside SiMok's room, got his pillow and blanket. She cautiously lifted his head on the pillow and placed the blanket over him.

She sat on the sofa where he was sleeping and gazed at him. She leaned closer to his face trying to observe him. With her fingers, she traced his eyebrows, his eyelids, his tall nose and lips. She wondered how he could feel that he was unworthy to be born if he was this beautiful. Unintentionally, the corners of her mouth raised up. She fell asleep with a smile while watching him sleep.

--
YeoJin was awakened by the sound of her phone alarm. She immediately reached for it in her coat pocket, turning it off. To her surprise, the pillow she placed on SiMok's head is now on her head. Likewise, she was covered with the same blanket she gave him last night.

After realizing it, she stopped for a moment then shook her head. She didn't want to put a meaning to it.

Yeojin heard the clanking of the plates and spoons when she stood up from the sofa.

"Sorry, Geomsanim. I failed to--" she tried to explain.

"Eat" he said as he laid down a soup on the dining table.

"I'm not really a good cook but I hope it won't taste bad for you".

Yeojin sat on the chair. She grabbed a spoon and tried the soup.

"Wow. Geomsanim. Is this what you call bad cooking? This is nothing compared to what I served you yesterday" she scratched her head.

"I'm glad you liked it," he answered.

"By the way, Geomsanim. I forgot to tell you. Yesterday, Officer Park said he had found the culprit's cigarette buds in front of the victim's house. He said he gave it to the lab for DNA testing before meeting me. Thank God. We are one step closer in finding that criminal"

"Omo. It's getting late. I need to go, Geomsanim. Thank you for the meal. It was so good. See you later" she said as she grabbed her bag.

"Omo, I forgot it again" she suddenly returned.

"Belated Happy Birthday, Geomsanim" she said as she waved her hands to him for a goodbye.

SiMok smiled at her cute gesture of greeting him. But once he saw her wearing the mouse ear - shaped watch, his smile faded.

He opened his phone and saw June 3,2020 as the date flashed on his screen.

----
SiMok was distracted for the entire day. He forgot the flash drive containing evidence of the plaintiff. He slightly scratched the car of his senior in the parking lot. He was totally out of focus. He kept looking at his phone. He kept sighing for no reason.

"Are you alright, Geomsanim?" his secretary asked.

"Yes" he would answer. Then, he'd be back again staring blankly.

----------

"What? So you're telling me the evidence was tampered and that you didn't get any DNA?" Yeojin almost shouted at the person she was talking to on the phone.

She tried to calm herself down, taking a deep breath. "So the snake made its way out again?".

A creaking sound from the door can be heard. Jang Geon entered the room where YeoJin was.

"Why is this man calling me?" Jang Geon scratched his head.

"Who was that?" Captain Choi asked.

"Ah. It was Hwang Geomsanim. Maybe he was curious about the Yejang serial murder case too" he replied.

Yeojin's phone rang again. The call was from SiMok.

"Hello, Geomsanim. The evidence was tampered" she said teary-eyed.

"Yes. I've heard about it already".

"Then why are you calling me? Do you want to know anything else? "

"Can I fetch you to work later? I have something important to say."

"Sorry but I will visit again the murder scene to look for more evidence."

"Uhhm.. Your watch---."

"What happened to my watch?" she asked.

SiMok was silent for a moment.

"Oh. It's nothing", he said, not wanting her to worry.

"I'll just fetch you at the crime scene later," he added.

"Okay" she turned the call off.

Yeojin looked around Yongsan station office. She tried to look for someone who is not too busy to go with her to the crime scene.

"Officer Park" she called.

"Accompany me to the site later".

"Yes. Ma'am" he answered.

SiMok spent the rest of the day calling her. He called for literally every 30 minutes except when he was inside the court for trial. He would randomly talk about things related to the crime like the watch of the suspect, the calendar and even the way the evidence was tampered.

Yeojin thought this was just out of his curiosity about the crime. But it started to distract her since it was interrupting her work, so she placed her phone on silent mode. Unfortunately, due to his several calls, her phone battery got drained.

Using the police vehicle, Officer Park drived Yeojin to the third murder site.

"I'm on my way to the murder site" she messaged SiMok.

SiMok's last court trial for the day ended late.It took him a few hours before reading her message. He tried to call her but the call was out of reach. So, he decided to call Lieutenant Jang Geon to confirm her location. He told him that she visited the site with Officer Park. SiMok then asked for Officer Park's number.

SiMok tried to reach Officer Park but he also didn't answer despite his several calls. By past 11 pm, he started to get worried. Both Yeojin and Officer Park were still not answering his calls. So, Si Mok went to the most recent crime scene and saw nobody was there anymore.

For the fiftieth time, that day, he called Yeojin. Her phone was still out of reach. He started to scratch his head. His palms begin to sweat. Yeojin was not the type to let her colleagues worry about her.

And so, SiMok observed the neighborhood of the third murder site where he was. He saw a convenience store with an operating CCTV. He went inside and asked the person in-charge for the copy of the footage.

From the video, he saw a man wearing black mask and cap following her on her route from the murder scene to the convenience store. It followed her until she was out of the footage to be recorded.

After seeing this, he got more worried. Immediately, he went to Yongsan station to ask for their help. But they said that it would need 24 hours for them to declare a full-grown woman missing.

So, he did what he could to find her. He rushed to the second and third murder site. He went back and forth from the Yongsan police station to the police bureau to her house. Yet, Yeo jin was still nowhere to be found.

---

Around 12: 30 Am, Si Mok decided to return home. Hoping for the smallest chance that YeoJin would be there.

As he turned off the engine of his car, his head started to ache. Drops of sweat still on his forehead. He unbuckled his seat belt.

He tried to calm himself by breathing in and out as he approached the door to his house.

Strangely, he felt a shadow following him from behind. He prepared himself for an attack. When the hand was about to reach his shoulders, he grabbed and twisted that person's hand. Pushed him into the wall. Grabbing his collar, he noticed that the attacker was petite but had a strong grip.

"Who are you?" he shouted.

"Geomsanim. I am Senior Inspector Han Yeojin. Sorry, that I surprised you"

Yeojin felt SiMok's breath because of their awkward face to face position. She blinked a couple of times. Grasping the situation, SiMok released his hand holding her collar.

"Sorry, Kyeongamnim. I was just surprised, '' he said regretfully.

"It's fine. Actually, It's my fault. I'm really sorry"

The vertical wrinkles on his eyebrows faded when he realized that he had found the person he was looking for.

"But why are you here today?"

"I just--"

Before finishing her sentence, SiMok suddenly hugged her tightly. Yeojin was speechless with his sudden action. Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened. What is he doing? She thought.

She felt the trembling of his body. Instead of pushing his arms away, she placed her hands at his back, reciprocating the hug. She patted his back until he pulled away from the hug.

"Sorry, Kyeongamnim" he scratched his head.

"Are you alright, Geomsanim? You were shaking. Are you sick?"

"No. It's just--"

He stopped for a moment and tried to start a new topic.

"Why are you here again? " he asked.

"I'm here to take my luggage. I am going home today" she said with a big smile.

Recalling all the dumb things he did today just to find her, the corners of his mouth pointed down.

"Why can't I reach you a while ago? Where did you go? Weren't we supposed to meet on the site?" he said in a high pitched tone.

She was again surprised by his sudden chatter. He is a man who thinks more and talks less. For the first time, he talked more than she did.

She looked at him with silly eyes and smiled. Hitting his back with her hand, she said "You are angry. Aren't you?"

The vertical lines in his eyebrows were back.

"Anindeyo (No) " he said as he blinked a couple of times and avoided eye contact .

"To be honest, I was so sad that we lost the evidence. We went to the site but didn't find anything. So to cheer me up, my hoobae asked me to play with him in the arcade across the street. We lost track of the time. So now I'm here".

"What? Do you know how much I--" Si Mok sighed.

Yeojin waited for him to continue.

"Forget it. It's getting late so you better get your bags now" he said.

Both went inside the house. Yeojin fixed her luggage and reached for the door.
Looking back, she said "Thank you so much, Geomsanim. Goodbye".

"Wait for me," SiMok replied.

"I'll drive you home"

"But you don't have to--"

He didn't reply but instead grabbed her luggage and went to his car.

There was a moment of silence while they were on the road.

"I--" Yeojin tried to break the silence.

"That guy, what's his name again?.. Ah. Officer Park? Are you close with him?" he began to speak.

"Not really, why do you ask? I am way closer to you" she replied.

"Me?"

"Yes, you and Lieutenant Jang Geon," she added.

SiMok can't hide his smile after hearing that. But Yeojin was too busy looking outside and wasn't able to see it. He looked at her for a while. And when she stared back, he would look in the other direction.

By 1 AM, they reach her house. They both stand on the street in front of her house. The moon was full. Wind was steady. The street was quiet and dark.

"I think you should go now it's getting late, Geomsanim".

SiMok nodded.

"Then. Good night, Kyeongamnim" he bowed his head.

He started to walk towards his car. However, he started to recollect his dream again. The watch. The time. The date. It all perfectly fits Yeojin.

"I--" he looked back.

"Yes?"

"Won't you give me a coffee before I leave?" he asked.

Chapter Text

Chapter 6: "... you who reminded me again who I really was".

"Yes?"

"Won't you give me a coffee before I leave?" he asked.

"Oh. Sorry for my manners" she laughed.

"Do you want to go inside for a coffee?"

He nodded and went inside her house.

Yeojin's house was small. The first thing you'll see upon entering her house is a sofa and a television set. Drawings and doodles are posted everywhere. If you don't know Yeojin, you may think that she has a son or a daughter living with her because it didn't look like the house of a single police woman but of a child. In a glass cabinet, a collection of iron man figures, justice league and marvel series can be seen. Her house was cramping but was warm and simple like her.

SiMok followed her as she led him to the kitchen. In the middle, it had a wooden table for two. Like his house, it seems she was also not fond of cooking, basing it on the way she only has the basic utensils for cooking.

"Wait here, Geomsanim. I will just make you a coffee".

He nodded as he hung his coat on the chair next to him. While waiting, he looked around her house. It was clean and cozy. Unlike other women who are too feminine and have a flattering scent, her house had a chic and comfortable scent.

Above the cabinet close to her kitchen, he saw two picture frames. On the black picture frame was a family picture. Inside the white frame was Yeojin with her grandmother.

"That is--'' SiMok said as he pointed to the white picture frame.

"Ah yes. That's my grandmother and me."

"Halmeoni, meet my friend, Hwang SiMok Geomsanim". She said excitedly as if talking to the picture frame.

"Ah Yes. How are you?" he answered unconsciously, making Yeojin laugh.

"You know what? Geomsanim, you can really be funny sometimes" she giggled.

"Me?" he blinked multiple times and titled his head, wondering how can a guy with no emotions be funny.

Yeojin gave him the cup of brewed coffee she made.

As a sign of gratitude, he bowed his head.

"And that is--" he pointed to the family picture in the black frame.

"Ah. Yes. Those are my mother and father". She answered him with sad eyes.

Yeojin's mother looked exactly like her. But instead of being chic, SiMok noticed how feminine she was. She wore the traditional fancy hanbok with a neat hair bun. On her lap was a little girl which he assumed was Yeojin. Wearing her hair in ponytails, SiMok found the little girl very cute. He felt his chest warming seeing her carefree smile. He wondered how his life would have changed if he met this little girl.

There was a moment of silence after that. He stared at Yeojin who was now looking down, fidgeting her cup. He wondered why YeoJin was suddenly saddened but chose not to ask the story behind it. He just stayed with her silently, respecting her privacy.

After realizing how silent they had become, Yeojin started to talk again.

"Geomsanim. Sorry to be nosy about your private life but have you talked to your mother after what happened during our dinner?"

"Not yet. Why do you ask?"

She nodded. "Ah. I don't really want to intrude but I hope you'll be a little kinder to her".

"I am" he confidently said.

Yeojin's eyes widened. She remembered how he didn't even thank her or greeted her before she left.

"Honestly speaking, I really had a bad relationship with my mom. She never liked the career that I chose. She would always say that being a police is not a woman's job. When she learned that I was planning to be a homicide detective, she threw my clothes outside of our house which forced me to stay in the university dormitory".

SiMok earnestly listened.

"But you know what? On her deathbed, she told me that she loved me and was actually proud of me. She said that she only hated the fact that I was too strong. Too brave. Too hard headed. She confessed that she didn't hate me nor my job but only what comes with being a policewoman. She hated seeing me going home with bruises after training. She hated having men pointing fingers on me at work. She hated the fear of receiving a call announcing my death after a police operation.”

"I thought she hated me. So like a child, I hated her too. But after what she said, I hated myself more. I realized that I should have cared for her more. I guess... A love realized too late is the most painful kind of love.”

“So why did you want to become a detective in the first place? If your mother was against it?” he asked.

“At first, I actually thought being a detective was cool. To help people, protect them and catch bad guys like my father. But eventually as I discovered how justice works for the good and bad, I also discovered myself. Corruption, greed and evil does not always start as it is. The rotten justice system forces the good people to become bad. Killing their principles. Twisting their conscience."

"When I was just a police officer, I met this ahjumma working in a pojangmacha. She worked hard, day and night, to provide for her mentally challenged son. She would sell tteokbokki during the day and worked as a server and a part time substitute driver during the night."

"I had hope everytime I see people like her. But one day, she substituted as a driver for a drunk prosecutor. That prosecutor had a nasty personality. He physically assaulted that ahjumma, giving her bruises all around her face and body. And you know what? He turned the blame on her after she filed a complaint against him. I tried to prove her innocence but nobody would listen because I was just an ordinary officer. I tried to reach out to many people for help. But no one listened. All just because I don't have that much power.

On that day, I challenged myself, if someone starts a change in the system, don't you think anything could be possible? "

"That a change could be possible?" she smiled at him.

SiMok was amazed by Yeojin's statement. He had never met someone who had a strong foundation of justice like her. But he was still concerned about the effect of what happened to her relationship with her most respected Chief Choi Bit.

"So weren't you sad after what happened to your Chief?" he said, trying to see her reaction.

She was silent again for a moment.

"She was someone I looked up to. When I met her, I thought I finally found someone who I can wish to become. But after what happened, yes, I was disappointed. This is why I'm very much thankful to you. Thank you Geomsanim."

SiMok blinked many times, he never thought someone would be thankful of him. As a person who has always been ostracised, he cannot help but be more thankful to her for being his friend. But instead she the one was thanking him? He had no idea how did she come up with that statement. Why would she be thankful to me who didn't do anything at all?, he thought.

"I was actually on the edge of the cliff that day when you visited me. I was so tired of living in this kind of justice system. But at the same time, I'm scared that I will soon become like them." Her eyes got slightly wet. She faced him once again and smiled.

"It was you who reminded me again who I really was. With your unwavering principle for justice, you made me believe that I can still be the person I dream to become. I will forever be grateful for having you as my friend".

SiMok responded with a nod after her words. If she only knew how much he was more thankful for having her as a friend when he lost his junior, Eun soo. They looked at each other for a few seconds.

“How about you, Geomsanim? What made you a prosecutor?” she asked, tilting her head.

“Well, my story was not as touching as yours. I decided to become a prosecutor because it is a well-paying job. And.. Out of curiosity?" He raised his shoulders.

“You know my condition well. I don’t feel emotions. For me, justice is like a tunnel. I've lived such a boring life. I want to know if I can find light after going through it or if it is all darkness after all”.

He stayed silent for a while, stirring the coffee Yeojin made for him. Trying to ponder on her question once again. Did he really just wanted to become a prosecutor because of its pay and his curiosity? He asked himself. Being so focused, he didn’t realize that Yeojin was already sleeping. Her head was still on an upright position but her eyes were already closed. Seeing her, he stood up from his chair and walked towards her. He stared at her, who was sleeping and smiled.

He grabbed her arm and placed it on his shoulders. With his other arm, he reached and held her legs. He carried her from the dining area to her bed. He slowly placed her head on the pillow and covered her with a blanket. For a while, he sat on her bed staring at face. She really looked tired but at ease. He swept the hair covering her face back to her ears. He can’t help but smile seeing how cute she looked when she’s asleep.

Then, he stood up from her bed. Went to the living room and sat on the sofa . He thought it would be better for him to stay in her house in case the attacker would enter so that he could protect her.

-----------

The morning came. SiMok was awakened by a phone call. It was Jang Geon. He looked for Yeojin on her bed and she was not there.

“Hello, Geomsanim. Please don’t be shocked but---” the caller said on the phone.

“What?” SiMok’s jaw dropped. His eyes widened. He felt a sudden chill he can't explain. Then, his phone slipped from his hands and fell on the floor after listening to the caller.

Chapter Text

Chapter 7 : “I guess .. A love realized too late is the most painful kind of love.”

It was 3:30 am when Yeojin’s phone vibrated.

“Yah.. Officer Park, why are you calling me this early? Even Senior Inspectors have to rest , don't you know that?” she answered.

“Are you at Namsan right now, Sunbaenim? I've found a new evidence. The dashcam footage of the taxi that the most recent victim rode”.

“It’s 3 am and you are bringing that up to me? Didn’t you think the other detectives hadn't got that?” Yeojin reprimanded him.

“Yes, I know but I’ve already confirmed it to Lieutenant Jang. He said this one is a new evidence.”

“Can’t we just check it tomorrow morning?"

“The taxi driver said we should take it now or never. I tried to ask him to give it to me. But he refused, saying that he doesn't trust an ordinary police officer just like me".

“Aish” she disheveled her hair with her hand.

“Okay. I’ll be there. Give me 30 minutes”.

She stood up from the bed and wondered how she got there. Did Geomsanim just carry me? She wondered. She shook her head knowing that SiMok was not the type of person to do that.

To her surprise, she saw SiMok sleeping on the sofa. Why is he still there? She wondered. Knowing that he might hurt his neck after sleeping in that kind of position, Yeojin returned to her room to bring him her pillow and blanket. Slowly, she reached for his head and placed a pillow behind it. She also covered him with a blanket.

Realizing that she was still in a hurry, she rushed to check her bag to look for her car keys. Then, she remembered how she left it on SiMok’s desk in his house. She scratched her head out of frustration. Initially, she planned to borrow his car. But witnessing how tired he looked, she chose not to wake him up. So she went directly to his house to retrieve her key. Before leaving, she smiled at SiMok who was sleeping peacefully on her sofa.

"Thank you, Geomsanim" she whispered looking at him.

The suspicious man wearing a black cap and face mask followed her again. After opening the door to SiMok's house, she went straight to his room to look for her car key. Once she found the key on the table, she saw a piece of paper and an envelope and started to write. Meanwhile, the suspicious man approached her with a sharp object on his hand.

_____

The morning came. SiMok was awakened by a phone call. It was Lieutenant Jang. He looked for Yeojin on her bed and she was not there.

“Hello, Geomsanim. Are you at home right now?” the caller said on the phone.

“No. Why?”

“Where are you? We have received an anonymous report who heard a woman screaming around 3 am inside your unit. Please don’t be shocked but according to the reporter, a man wearing a black cap and mask followed the woman who entered your unit. We haven’t confirmed the identity of the woman yet. We need you to go immediately to your unit”.

“What?” he said. With his jaw dropped and eyes widened, he felt a sudden falling sensation in his chest.Then, his phone slipped from his hands and fell on the floor.

Trying to rationalize everything, he took a deep breath and shook his head. No, it is not and wouldn't be her. He said to himself. Then, he picked up his phone and rushed to his unit.

Once he entered, he saw an unconscious woman laid on a cold floor drenched with her own blood. Her body wrapped on a thin white cloth. Cops were crying around her. Blood splashed on the cream walls of his living room. Captain Choi stared blankly due to shock.

With heavy steps, Hwang SiMok slowly approached the police line. Lieutenant Jang blocked his way towards the scene. The man, like the rest of the cops, had tired and weary eyes.

For the first time in his life, he entered the crime scene that was so familiar to him filled with fear and with a heavy heart.

He lifted the thin cloth and saw Yeojin’s face. Her hair and body was drenched with blood. Tears began to flow from his eyes. He reached and touched her blood-stained face. He held her wrist and saw the same mouse ear-shaped watch he saw in his dreams. He was so surprised that he couldn’t say anything. Holding her cold body, tears began to flow endlessly. He stayed there beside her for more than a minute crying.

After grasping the situation, he stood up and approached his desk. He saw YeoJin’s drawing for him. The calendar. And a white envelope.

“ Hwang SiMok, Geomsanim. No, I mean… Hwang Si Mok-ssi. I just want to say how thankful I am for meeting you. Thank you for pushing me to become a better person. I am really blessed to have you as my friend. Don’t forget to always smile. You deserve to be loved. Remember you’ll always have a special place in my heart. See you later. Geomsanim. Goodbye for now.” she wrote in the letter.

After reading her message, SiMok heard a streaking sound. It was so loud and was so painful that he had to cover his ears. His world turned hazy to dark. Then, he fell on the floor of the crime scene. Looking at her cold body on the floor for the last time, he closed his eyes. He heard people calling his name but he eventually lost his consciousness.

----------------

A week later, SiMok is now interrogating the man suspected of killing the four women. The famous Yejang serial killer.

The man had a tall build. He was in his 20s. He has a charming eyes and smile. An innocent look that didn’t seem capable of killing someone.

“Why did you kill her? Tell me… Park Tae Goo! ” SiMok shouted, hitting the table with his hands.

“I really didn’t want to kill her,” he said, laughing hysterically.

“But you were so protective of her when you were not even his boyfriend. It annoyed me so I just shut her off”, he said with a smile.

“F**k you”. SiMok shouted as the police officer tried to stop him.

"Geomsanim, you were so slow. She was looking at you for a long time. When we were together, all she ever did was tell me stories about you. I thought you were such an amazing person. But you were just a... A punk who can’t even confess his true feelings” he laughed maniacally.

SiMok got so angry that he punched his nose, making it bleed. The cops stopped and held him.

“Take him out,” Captain Choi said.

But before even going out of the room, he stopped and looked back at Simok who looked at him furiously.

“And you know what, Geomsanim? She called your name before she took her last breath. How romantic was that right?” he laughed as he was taken away by the cops.

SiMok lowered his head and sighed. Another tear fell from his eyes. He stared at the ceiling remembering the moments he spent with Yeojin. From their first meeting, their first case together and their last moments together.

--------
Few days later, SiMok was seen carrying two bouquets of roses. Along the way, he bowed his head and greeted his mom. To her surprise, he offered her the white flowers. He kept the other bouquet on his other hand. The other bouquet had yellow roses with red tips. His mom held his hands. Together, they entered a shrine full of pictures and flowers.

He placed the yellow roses with red tips on Yeojin's urn. Inside the glass protecting her urn were her solo photo, the special investigative team photo with EunSoo and Simok, her family photo, her photo with Yongsan police station team, her drawings and a pile of letters from the different people she has helped in her entire life.

Among the letters was SiMok's letter for her. Nobody knew what it contained. But everyone was aware of the bond they had that was more than friendship and even higher than love.

SiMok smiled with tears in his eyes as he saw her photo.

"Eomma", he called his mother.

"Uhm? " she responded.

"It would only take a single step for me to reach her before. But…I ignored that thinking she'll be with me forever", he said with a resigning face.

His mother didn't reply. But instead, she touched her son's shoulder.

“Thank you, Han Yeo Jin-ssi”

“Goodbye,” he said.

"If I was normal enough, would I have been able to protect her? If I had emotions, would I have been able to become someone she could be with? … to have a lifetime with her by my side? "

--------

SiMok was walking on his way to the parking lot. He saw a woman with a familiar smile. She had short bobbed hair with bangs and a tall figure with a petite body. At the sight of this, SiMok smiled with tears in his eyes.