Jiwoon calmly handled the situation while Hana spoke with the other officers, explaining everything that had transpired earlier. Once the statements were done, Jiwoon stepped forward and addressed them. "Hana will give a detailed report tomorrow at the station," he said. The officers nodded and began dispersing.
As the crowd thinned, Jiwoon gently took Hana's hand and led her away from the noise and flashing cameras.
"Can I drop you off?" he asked quietly.
"I... umm"
"Don't worry about it," he said, already pulling out his phone to book a cab.
Hana blinked, surprised. It was as if he had read her thoughts. She hadn't been able to bring herself to give him her address. He was still a stranger, after all. But he understood without needing her to say anything.
As the cab pulled up, Jiwoon opened the door for her and leaned in toward the driver. Flashing his ID, he said firmly, "Make sure she gets home safely."
Hana's heart fluttered. The way he handled things with calm, consideration, and firmness left her quietly stunned.
Jiwoon turned to her with a soft smile. "See you at the station tomorrow, Hana. Don't worry about anything. I've filed the preliminary paperwork. Just explain what you saw. Get some rest."
She nodded, her cheeks flushed. "Thanks. You too. See you tomorrow."
The cab pulled away, and Hana leaned back in her seat, pressing a hand to her chest. Her heart was racing, not just from the events of the night but from Jiwoon himself. He was thoughtful and professional, yet there was something undeniably gentle about him that caught her off guard.
The next morning, Hana woke early, still thinking about Jiwoon. It wasn't just anticipation of seeing him again. No, she told herself firmly, that wasn't it.
Yet she couldn't ignore the warmth she felt recalling how he had taken care of her.
But her thoughts soon shifted. Taeyang had left for Busan the night before. He had texted her to let her know he had arrived safely, but something about it felt off. She couldn't shake the unease.
Hana shook her head. Maybe she was just overthinking. At least he had let her know he was safe.
She dressed quickly, slightly more rushed than usual, and left her apartment. She had a job to do, one that required all her focus.
The National Police Agency's office was buzzing. Officers gathered in groups, discussing the previous night's successful raid. The notorious drug trafficking ring they had been investigating for over a month had finally been dismantled, all thanks to Jiwoon's planning.
"I can't believe it," one officer said. "That case was supposed to take six months. He closed it in one."
"His strategy was textbook perfection," another added. "The way he baited them out was genius."
Hana stood near her desk, listening in disbelief. She had only just met Jiwoon, and yet here he was, already the talk of the entire department.
She turned her gaze toward him. Jiwoon stood by the window, quietly listening, hands in his pockets. He didn't gloat. He didn't even smile at the praise. His calm expression remained unchanged.
Hana admired that. He wasn't arrogant. He was focused and grounded. She respected that.
But her eyes lingered on him a little too long. When Jiwoon turned slightly, their eyes met.
Her heart jumped, and she quickly looked away.
A smirk crept onto his face as he strolled toward her. "Something on your mind, Hana?"
His voice had a teasing lilt. Her cheeks burned.
"I wasn't staring. I was just thinking about the case, and how impressive it was. You did well."
He raised an eyebrow. "Sure about that?"
He leaned in slightly, eyes locked with hers. Hana stepped back instinctively.
"I mean it. You handled it professionally," she said, her voice sharp.
He chuckled. "Thanks, Hana. But relax a little. I'm not that big on formalities."
Hana bit her lip. He made everything feel so casual. Yet she couldn't bring herself to get mad at him. His presence was disarming.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur. The team finished up reports, wrapped the case files, and forwarded everything for final review.
After nearly three hours, Hana leaned back in her chair, exhausted. She stretched, then let her head fall to the desk for a quick rest.
"Tired already?" Jiwoon asked with a soft chuckle.
She sat up quickly. He smiled. "Wanna grab some food?"
Hana hesitated. Wasn't it unusual for a senior officer to casually ask a junior out for lunch?
Before she could respond, Jiwoon grabbed her hand. "Let's go. You need the break."
They walked to the small café nearby. Hana often ate there, but walking with Jiwoon felt different. The wind tousled his hair, and she found herself staring again.
He held the door open. Hana blushed and walked in quickly. They ordered, then sat at a corner table.
As they waited, they chatted about rising crime statistics.
"What made you choose this line of work?" Hana asked curiously.
Jiwoon chuckled. "Honestly? My father wanted me to."
"And do you enjoy it?"
He paused. "Solving cases, catching the bad guys. I love that. But I'm not here because I wanted to be."
"Then what would you like to do?"
He smirked. "Guess."
Their food arrived. Hana dug into her opera cake first.
"You really love sweets," he said.
"I do," she beamed.
Jiwoon grinned. "You're cute."
She froze, her fork mid-air.
He laughed, then leaned forward and wiped chocolate cream from the corner of her lips.
"Thanks?" she muttered, her face turning red.
After eating, they walked back. Outside the building, Hana slowed down.
"You go first. I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea."
Jiwoon smirked. "Too late."
He grabbed her hand again and led her inside. In the elevator, people stared. Hana panicked.
As they reached their floor, Jiwoon let go and called out to the others, "She's my best friend. Childhood friends. Treat her well."
Hana glared at him. "Guys, don't listen to him. Just treat me like usual."
Jiwoon winked. "See you later, Hana."
She bowed politely, cheeks flushed. As she walked back to her desk, she overheard a few whispers.
"Childhood friends? That explains the chemistry."
"She's dedicated, and he's brilliant. Good combo."
Hana was relieved the comments were positive.
By evening, the office had emptied out. Hana noticed Jiwoon was still in his cabin, working.
She sighed, brewed a cup of coffee, and knocked.
He looked up, surprised. "You didn't leave yet?"
"Neither did you," she retorted. "Here. You're still human, you know."
She placed the cup on his desk.
He smiled, touched. "Thanks."
"How long till you finish?"
He smirked. "Why? Gonna wait for me?"
"Stop flirting, sir."
He groaned. "I told you not to"
"Don't stay up too late," she interrupted. "Go home and rest. You deserve it."
As she left, she called softly over her shoulder, "Bye, Jiwoon."
He blinked. Her smile lingered in his mind.
He touched his chest, whispering, "What's going on with me?"
He took a sip of the coffee she made. It was sweet, warm, comforting.
But as he leaned back in his chair, his expression slowly darkened. Thoughts of his home crept in. The place he hated, the suffocating walls, the expectations, the loneliness.
He closed his eyes, the ache in his chest rising.
But then he remembered Hana's smile.
He breathed in deeply, calming himself. He finished his work, carefully washed the coffee cup, and stored it in his locked cabinet.
With one last glance at the cup, he left for the place he once called home. Her smile was still faintly on his lips.