That day ended earlier than expected.
The station, which usually stayed active until late hours, began to empty before evening. Instructions had come down after the meeting—everyone was dismissed early. Not as a reward, but as a reset.
The pressure was there.
Everyone felt it.
And for once, they were given space to breathe.
Kang Min didn't waste time.
He packed up, gave a brief glance at the board, and left.
⸻
By the time he got home, the sun hadn't fully set.
The door clicked open, and the familiar quiet greeted him—this time, not unsettling.
Normal.
He stepped in, removed his shoes, and walked into the living room.
Ji Won was there.
Sitting comfortably on the couch, her attention glued to her phone, fingers moving quickly across the screen.
The sound of her game filled the room.
Alive.
Active.
Healthy.
She noticed him almost immediately.
"Oppa!"
Her face lit up.
"You're back early."
Kang Min nodded slightly.
"I am."
He watched her for a second.
She looked better.
Much better than the previous night.
That alone eased something in him.
He turned slightly, heading toward his room.
But before he could take more than a few steps—
"Oppa."
He stopped and looked back.
Ji Won had already put her phone down.
"I want to go somewhere."
Kang Min frowned slightly.
"Where?"
"Ara's place."
He didn't hesitate.
"No."
Ji Won blinked.
"Why?"
"You just got discharged yesterday," he said. "You need to rest."
Ji Won sat up properly.
"I've been resting."
"That doesn't mean you start going out immediately."
She pouted slightly.
"I've missed them."
Kang Min didn't respond.
"It's been almost a month," she continued. "I haven't seen Ara and unnie."
He crossed his arms slightly.
"You can call them."
"That's not the same."
Kang Min shook his head.
"Not today."
Ji Won stood up now, walking closer.
"Oppa, please."
He didn't move.
She continued,
"I won't stay long."
"No."
"I'll be careful."
"No."
She frowned.
"You're being too strict."
"And you're not listening."
Ji Won sighed, then softened her tone.
"I really miss them."
Kang Min looked at her.
She wasn't being stubborn.
She meant it.
Her voice carried it.
"I've been stuck inside for days," she added. "I just want to see them."
Kang Min hesitated.
Just for a moment.
That was enough.
Ji Won saw it immediately.
She stepped closer.
"Please."
He exhaled quietly.
"…Fine."
Her face lit up instantly.
"Really?"
"Yes," he said. "But we won't stay long."
"That's okay!"
Kang Min reached for his phone.
"I'll call Ara—"
Before he could finish, Ji Won quickly grabbed it from his hand.
"No!"
He frowned.
"What?"
"It's going to be a surprise."
Kang Min looked at her.
"A surprise?"
She nodded eagerly.
"Yes."
He paused for a second.
Then let it go.
"…Alright."
⸻
At Ara's house, the atmosphere was calm.
Not quiet.
Focused.
Ara and Ha Eun were seated in a hidden room, their attention on the board in front of them.
The space wasn't obvious.
To reach it, you had to pass through the restroom, then notice the second door—one that didn't stand out unless you knew it was there.
Inside, the room was different.
A large board filled one side.
Photos of victims.
Notes.
Connections.
Timelines.
Everything arranged carefully.
Ha Eun stood near the board.
"If this pattern holds, then the movement before the incident is more important than the location itself."
Ara leaned slightly against the table.
"He doesn't choose randomly."
Ha Eun nodded.
"There's always preparation."
Ara looked at one of the photos.
"But we still don't know how he does it."
Before Ha Eun could respond—
The doorbell rang.
They both froze for a second.
Then looked at each other.
"Were you expecting someone?" Ara asked.
"No."
The bell rang again.
They moved immediately.
Out of the hidden room.
Through the restroom.
Back into the living area.
Ha Eun walked to the door and checked.
Her expression changed instantly.
She opened it.
"Kang Min?"
Ji Won beamed.
"Unnie!"
Ha Eun blinked slightly, then smiled.
"Come in."
They stepped inside.
Ara appeared from the living room.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"You're here?"
Ji Won ran toward her.
"I missed you!"
Ara smiled faintly.
"I can see that."
Kang Min stepped in behind her.
"Sorry for coming without notice."
"It's fine," Ara said.
Ha Eun closed the door.
"Sit down."
They moved into the living room.
Ara brought drinks and snacks, placing them on the table.
Ji Won was already talking.
"I was so bored at home."
Ha Eun smiled.
"You should still be resting."
"I am resting," Ji Won said. "This is resting."
Ara shook her head slightly.
"Only you would say that."
Ji Won laughed.
She turned to Ara.
"Thank you for coming to the hospital."
Ara nodded.
"It's nothing."
They continued talking.
Light.
Normal.
Time passed without anyone noticing.
⸻
Eventually, Kang Min stood up.
"I'll use the restroom."
Ha Eun pointed.
"Down the hallway, second door."
He nodded and walked away.
⸻
Inside the restroom, Kang Min washed his hands and splashed water on his face.
The coolness helped.
He lifted his head slightly, looking into the mirror.
And that was when he saw it.
Something behind him.
Not obvious.
But there.
A line.
A space that didn't quite match the rest of the wall.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
He turned.
Stepped closer.
His hand reached out.
He pushed.
The door moved.
Slowly.
Revealing a space beyond.
Kang Min paused for a second.
Then stepped inside.
⸻
The room was larger than he expected.
Empty at first glance.
But not entirely.
At the far side—
A board.
He walked closer.
Turned it slightly toward himself.
And stopped.
Photos.
Victims.
Details.
Connections.
Everything.
The same case.
The same investigation.
But this—
This wasn't from the station.
His expression changed.
Not confusion.
Recognition.
⸻
Back in the living room, time passed.
Ji Won was still talking with Ha Eun.
Ara glanced toward the hallway.
"He's taking long."
Ha Eun shrugged slightly.
"Maybe he needed time."
Ara stood up.
"I'll check."
She walked down the hallway.
Reached the restroom.
Opened the door.
Empty.
Her gaze shifted immediately.
The hidden door.
Open.
Her expression changed.
She stepped inside.
⸻
Kang Min was standing in front of the board.
Reading.
Observing.
Taking it all in.
Ara stopped behind him.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then—
"You saw it."
Kang Min didn't turn immediately.
"How long?"
Ara stepped closer.
"A while."
He turned slightly.
"You've been doing this on your own?"
She shook her head.
"No."
He waited.
"It's me and Ha Eun," she said. "She refused to stop. I couldn't leave her alone."
Kang Min looked back at the board.
"So you created a separate investigation."
"Yes."
"To keep her safe?"
"Yes."
He was quiet for a moment.
Processing.
Then he spoke.
"I'm joining."
Ara blinked slightly.
"What?"
"I don't trust everything at the station," he said. "I'll work with you here."
Ara studied him.
"You're serious."
"Yes."
She didn't argue.
Just nodded once.
"Alright."
⸻
When they returned to the living room, the atmosphere had settled.
Ji Won had fallen asleep on the couch.
Ha Eun sat nearby, scrolling through her phone.
Ara spoke first.
"He knows."
Ha Eun looked up.
"What?"
"The room," Ara said.
Ha Eun's eyes shifted to Kang Min.
A brief silence followed.
Then Kang Min said,
"I'll be joining."
Ha Eun looked between them.
Then nodded slowly.
"Okay."
No resistance.
No surprise.
Just acceptance.
⸻
Kang Min walked over to Ji Won and carefully lifted her into his arms.
She stirred slightly but didn't wake.
"Thank you," he said.
Ara nodded.
"Drive safely."
Ha Eun added,
"Let us know when you get home."
"I will."
He carried Ji Won out.
The door closed behind them.
⸻
Inside the house, the silence returned.
But it wasn't the same.
Because now—
the investigation had changed.
And it was no longer limited to the station.