As the first light of morning lit up the room, Taeyeon's alarm went off. Even though it was his day off, he had gotten up early and started researching the new case on his computer.
He now officially had a serial killer case in front of him.Due to the nature of the murders, they had deemed it appropriate to name this killer: "The Eclipse Killer."
According to the lab analysis from the Eclipse file, a piece of fabric had been found under the fingernails of the most recent victim, Min Hajun — a strip of black leather.
Most likely, in a desperate attempt to defend himself, Hajun had managed to grab and tear off a piece of the killer's clothing. But clearly, it hadn't helped him survive. There was no other evidence. Just like the other five murders, this one had left behind almost nothing to go on.
Only one of the previous cases had any trace evidence: a bit of mud and a cigarette butt stuck to the victim's shoe.
The mud had been tested in the lab and turned out to belong to a nearby forested area.
The crime scene investigation team searched the entire forest. Eventually, they came across a section with bloodstains. The blood matched the victim. This meant the killer had murdered him in the forest and then transported the body elsewhere —specifically, to a park a few kilometers from the police station.
Why he did that… no one would know until the killer was caught.
That day, Taeyeon stayed glued to his computer until noon. His eyes ached from staring at the screen for so long. Just as he was about to take a break, his mother called.
"Hello, my dear," she said warmly.
"How are you, son? What are you doing?"
"I'm fine, Mom. Just the usual — working."
"But today's your day off, isn't it? Come have dinner with us tonight. It'll help you clear your head a bit. Your father and I miss you. We haven't seen you in a while."
"Sure, I'll come. Just text me when dinner's ready."
"Alright then. We'll be waiting. See you later."
"See you."
Taeyeon thought to himself, This is good.
Because of work, he hadn't had time to spend with his family lately. This would be a nice opportunity — both to rest and to see them.
Their house wasn't too far, maybe a twenty-minute drive, so it wouldn't be a problem even if he left late.
The rest of the afternoon passed quietly for him.
He didn't want to overload his mind with more thoughts of murder that day. He tried reading a book, watching a show — but oddly, he felt bored. Maybe I'm just not used to doing nothing. My brain's wired to work nonstop, he thought.
While flipping through channels on the TV, he finally came across something interesting and started watching.
A few hours later, a phone notification startled him. At first, he assumed it was his mother.
But it was too early for that. When he glanced at the screen and saw the name, a small smile formed on his face. It was none other than Jenyeong.
"Taeyeon-hyung, are you home? If you're free, can I stop by?
I won't stay long — I just want to drop something off."
Taeyeon replied, saying he was home and that Jenyeong could come over. About ten minutes later, the doorbell rang. When Taeyeon opened the door, there stood Jenyeong, holding out a large container toward him.
"Hey Hyung, I made your favorite—orange cake. Hope you like it."
"Thank you, but you really didn't have to. You went through all that trouble for nothing."
"Not at all. You've been working too much lately. I thought you deserved a little reward," Jenyeong said with a smile.
"That's very kind of you. Thanks. Come in, let's eat it together. We can spend some time together too."
"No need. I don't even like orange cake. I made it just for you."
"Come on, at least have a bite. You put in the effort."
"Thanks, Hyung, but I'm good. You must be tired anyway. I don't want to bother you. It's your day off, right? We'll talk another time. I'll get going now."
"Wait—" Just as Jenyeong was about to leave, Taeyeon grabbed his arm.
"I'm not busy. I'm just sitting around doing nothing. I'd rather spend time with you. And you're not bothering me at all."
Jenyeong seemed surprised. He stayed silent for a few seconds before replying.
"It's nice to hear that. I'd love to, but I really can't. I have something to do."
"Alright then, I won't keep you. But come by later, okay? I'll save you a slice."
"No promises. See you later, Hyung."
As the young man walked away, Taeyeon couldn't help but watch him leave. After Jenyeong left, Taeyeon took the container to the kitchen, removed the cake, and placed it on a plate. He cut himself a slice and went back to sit in front of the TV, eating as he watched. A big smile was on his face.
Even if he didn't realize it, the reason behind Taeyeon's restlessness wasn't work—it was Jenyeong's absence. Since the boy came to the courthouse almost every day, Taeyeon had grown used to having him around. His absence felt… strange.
...
It was already evening when Taeyeon hit the road. As he arrived at his parents' house, the delicious smell of food could be sensed even from outside the door. He rang the bell, and when his mother opened it, he gave her a long hug. His father was waiting in the living room and stood up to greet him with a warm embrace as well. After a few minutes of catching up, they all sat down at the dinner table. Knowing Taeyeon was coming, his mother had prepared all his favorite dishes.
After some small talk, the conversation shifted to the Eclipse murders.
"We've been trying to solve these cases for months.
But like I said, whoever's doing this is definitely very intelligent.
Otherwise, who could commit murder without leaving a single trace behind?"
"Oh my dear boy… I just wish you had chosen another profession.
How do you deal with seeing such things all the time?" his mother asked sadly.
"I love what I do, mom.
Catching these horrible people and bringing them to justice—
That's an honor for me.
No, I don't enjoy being exposed to such horrors…
But this country needs good people like us if it's ever going to get better."
"I know, son, I know…
Anyway, let's not talk about all this now. It's depressing.
Tell me instead—
Is there someone in your life?"
"Mom...!" Taeyeon sighed.
"I've told you before. I'm not looking for anyone right now."
"Come on, sweetheart.
You're getting older—you're a grown man now.
It's time for you to settle down.
There's this girl, the daughter of a family friend.
She's around your age.
Sweet, pretty, well-mannered. A perfect match for our family too.
Just meet her once, have a chat—"
"Mom! I said I'm not interested!"
"I'm not telling you to marry her right away.
Just meet her and see for yourself.
I already talked to her mom.
She's interested in meeting you too.
Her name is Ha Minjae.
Believe me, you'll like her. She's a lovely girl."
"Ugh, mom, how many times—"
"Listen to your mother, Taeyeon," his father cut in sternly.
"She's saying this for your own good.
Meeting her once won't kill you."
"But dad—"
"That's enough, Taeyeon. Don't upset your mother.
And I'd like to see you with Ha Minjae as well.
We know her family after all."
"…Fine. I'll meet Ha Minjae.
Just so you'll both stop pushing me."
From that moment on, the tension at the table lingered. The atmosphere didn't lighten until Taeyeon left. He had arrived cheerful, but left with a heavy heart.
Once home, he threw himself onto the couch, closed his eyes, and let out a long sigh. He didn't want to meet Ha Minjae. He rubbed his eyes with his hand. That's when he remembered the cake on the kitchen table. There were still a few slices left. Suddenly, he grabbed his phone and called Jenyeong.
After the conversation with his family, spending some time with Jenyeong felt like the only thing that might make him feel better.
The phone rang a few times—
Then he heard that familiar, comforting voice on the other end.
"Yes, Taeyeon hyung? Is something wrong?"
"Uh, did you finish your work, Jenyeong?"
"Almost. Why do you ask?"
"Good then. When you're done, could you come over? Let's eat the rest of the cake together."
"I told you I don't like orange cake, hyung."
"Come on, don't turn me down. Even if you don't eat cake, we can at least have something to drink."
"Okay, okay. I'll be there in an hour at most."
"Great, I'll be waiting then. See you."
"See you, hyung."
Taeyeon was very impatient. He wanted Jenyeong to come as soon as possible, to talk to him. Around forty or fifty minutes later, the younger boy arrived right on time. But for Taeyeon, those minutes had felt like an eternity. He immediately let him in and went to the kitchen to make two cups of coffee. Then he brought the cake and placed it on the table with the coffee, sitting beside Jenyeong.
They talked for a while. But then Taeyeon noticed that Jenyeong was giving short answers and mostly just listening to him. He leaned in closer and only then did he realize how tired the boy looked.
"Jenyeong, are you okay? You look tired."
"Don't worry, I'm fine. I just got up a bit early this morning."
"I see. How was your day? Did you finish what you had to do?"
"Yeah, yeah, I handled it."
"Do you mind if I ask what it was?"
"Nothing important. I just went somewhere with Wooyeong, that's all. How was your day? You look even more tired than I do."
"Well, today—" Taeyeon paused for a moment. He'd been wanting to tell Jenyeong about the conversation he had with his family since he got home, but now he wasn't sure if it was the right decision. After all, he knew Jenyeong had feelings for him, and if he found out about it, he'd likely be angry—and worse, hurt. So he decided not to say anything.
"It's just these cases have been stressing me out. But spending time with you helps me relax a bit."
"I like being with you too." Jenyeong said, staring into his cup and letting out a deep sigh. "I wish you knew just how much I love you."
"I already know. But there's also something you know—we can't be together."
"Why not? Don't you love me?" His voice was full of sadness.
"Of course I do. But not in the way you're hoping for."
Jenyeong didn't say a word. He just kept looking at the cup he was holding in both hands—silent.
"Don't be like this, Jenyeong. Look, we've known each other for years. You're like a little brother to me, and I'm like an older brother to you. I could never see you in that way, and I never will. You can come to me whenever you want, talk to me, spend time with me—I'll always be here for you. But that thing you're hoping for... it won't happen."
"Is it because you used to be my teacher?"
"No. Even if I hadn't been your teacher, I would still feel the same."
Jenyeong set the cup in his hand down on the table and turned to face Taeyeon, locking eyes with him for a long moment. Neither of them spoke. As the silence stretched, Taeyeon felt his heartbeat quicken—and he was the first to look away.
"See? You get flustered when you look at me."
"That's just in your head."
"Say whatever you want, hyung. But deep down, I know you feel something for me too. Sooner or later, you'll realize it."
Taeyeon couldn't say a word. He tried to speak, but nothing came out. It was as if something was holding him back.
"Anyway, hyung, it's getting late. I should go. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
Taeyeon walked him to the door. Just as Jenyeong was about to get in his car, Taeyeon couldn't hold it in anymore and called out to him.
"Jenyeong... you didn't make me uncomfortable. I don't want this conversation to ruin the bond between us."
Jenyeong just smiled and got into his car, driving off into the night. But that smile wasn't the smile of someone who was happy. It was the smile of someone with a broken heart. Seeing him like that caused a sharp ache in Taeyeon's chest. It wasn't the things that happened at his family's house that haunted his mind—it was the conversation with Jenyeong. His mouth had said he felt nothing for him, but his heart… his heart seemed to say otherwise.
That night, Taeyeon couldn't sleep.