Ha Eun stood in front of the house for a few seconds before pressing the doorbell.
The building was quiet, almost too quiet for a place that had just lost someone. Curtains were drawn, windows shut, and even the surrounding area felt unusually still, as though the weight of what had happened had settled into the walls.
She adjusted the strap of her bag slightly and waited.
Footsteps approached from inside.
The door opened.
A young man stood there, his expression guarded, his eyes tired in a way that suggested he hadn't rested properly. He looked around nineteen, his posture tense as he held the door halfway open.
"Yes?"
Ha Eun gave a polite nod.
"Good afternoon. My name is Ha Eun. I'm a reporter."
The boy's expression remained unchanged.
"We're not interested."
He began to close the door.
"Please," Ha Eun said calmly. "I won't take much of your time."
He hesitated but didn't open it wider.
"There's nothing to say."
Before Ha Eun could respond, another voice came from inside.
"Who is it?"
A young woman stepped into view behind him.
She looked to be in her mid-twenties, her face drawn but composed. Her eyes moved from her brother to Ha Eun, assessing the situation quickly.
"She's a reporter," the boy said.
The woman looked at Ha Eun for a moment, then back at her brother.
"Let her in."
He frowned.
"No—"
"Let her in."
Her tone left no room for argument.
He stepped aside reluctantly.
Ha Eun gave a small bow as she entered.
"Thank you."
The living room was neat, but the atmosphere carried something heavy. Family photos were arranged on a shelf, a reminder of what had been normal just a day ago.
"Please sit," the woman said.
Ha Eun nodded and sat down carefully.
"I'm sorry for your loss."
The woman gave a small nod.
"Thank you."
The boy remained standing for a moment before taking a seat at a distance, still watching Ha Eun cautiously.
The woman went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of water, placing it in front of Ha Eun.
"Here."
"Thank you."
Ha Eun accepted it.
"Is your mother home?" she asked gently.
The woman's expression softened.
"She's in her room."
"Is she alright?"
The woman shook her head.
"She hasn't been herself since yesterday."
Ha Eun nodded slowly.
"I understand."
A quiet moment passed.
Ha Eun reached into her bag and brought out a small recorder.
"I'd like to record our conversation, if that's okay."
"That's fine," the woman replied.
The boy didn't object.
Ha Eun placed the recorder on the table and turned it on.
"Can you tell me about your father?"
The woman spoke first.
"He was a lawyer."
"I understand he worked at Haedong & Park Legal Partners."
"Yes."
"He's been there for a long time," the boy added.
"Twenty-eight years," the woman said.
Ha Eun nodded.
"That's a significant part of his life."
"He was dedicated," the woman said. "Work was important to him."
"Did he have any issues recently?" Ha Eun asked.
Both siblings exchanged a glance.
"Not that we know of," the woman replied.
"He didn't really talk about work," the boy added. "But nothing seemed wrong."
Ha Eun listened carefully.
"Did he have any enemies?"
"No," they both said.
"Did his behavior change recently?"
The boy thought for a moment.
"He started coming home later."
The woman turned to him.
"You didn't mention that."
"I didn't think it mattered."
Ha Eun noted it.
"How long?"
"A few weeks."
"Did he explain why?"
"No."
"He just said work was busy," the woman added.
"Did he receive unusual calls?"
"Not that we saw," the boy replied.
"Did anyone visit him at home?"
"No."
Ha Eun continued,
"Do you know if he handled any important cases recently?"
The woman shook her head.
"He never discussed details."
Ha Eun nodded.
"Where was he last seen before yesterday?"
"He left for work," the woman said.
"And didn't return."
The boy's jaw tightened slightly.
"They found him outside."
Ha Eun's expression softened.
"I'm sorry."
The woman nodded again.
Ha Eun turned off the recorder.
"Thank you for your time."
The boy looked at her.
"Will you find who did this?"
Ha Eun met his gaze.
"We're trying."
It wasn't reassurance.
But it was honest.
She stood up.
The woman walked her to the door.
"If you remember anything, please let me know."
"We will."
Ha Eun stepped out.
The door closed behind her.
She paused briefly before reaching for her phone.
⸻
At the same time, Ji Won sat quietly in her classroom, reading a novel.
The classroom buzzed with light chatter, but she remained focused, her attention fixed on the pages in front of her.
A student appeared at the door.
"Ji Won."
She looked up.
"The principal wants to see you."
Ji Won closed her book slowly.
"Okay."
She stood and walked out, her steps calm.
The hallway was filled with movement, students heading to different classes, voices overlapping in a constant rhythm.
When she reached the principal's office, she stopped at the door.
Before knocking, she heard a voice inside.
Her mother.
Ji Won's expression shifted slightly.
She raised her hand and knocked.
"Come in."
She opened the door and stepped inside.
Eun Sang sat across from the principal.
Ji Won bowed slightly.
"Good afternoon."
The principal, a middle-aged man with a composed demeanor, nodded.
"Come in, Ji Won."
She stepped forward.
"Sit down."
Ji Won sat beside her mother.
Eun Sang looked at her.
"We were discussing something important."
Ji Won waited.
The principal leaned forward slightly.
"There's an upcoming school election."
Ji Won glanced at him.
"For what?"
"The head girl position."
Ji Won's expression remained unchanged.
Eun Sang continued,
"I want you to sign up."
Ji Won replied immediately.
"I'm not interested."
Eun Sang didn't react yet.
"You should listen first."
Ji Won stayed quiet.
"I want you to become the first junior student to hold that position," Eun Sang said.
Ji Won looked at her.
"That's not something I want."
The principal spoke,
"It would be a remarkable achievement. It would become part of the school's history."
Ji Won met his gaze.
"And?"
"It would benefit your future."
Ji Won leaned back slightly.
"I'm not interested in school politics."
Eun Sang's tone hardened slightly.
"This is not just about preference."
Ji Won turned to her.
"It is to me."
The room fell quiet.
Eun Sang continued,
"You have the capability."
"That doesn't mean I have to do it."
The principal added,
"You should consider the opportunity carefully."
"I have."
Ji Won's voice remained calm.
"If I see my name on that list—"
She looked at both of them.
"I'll tell everyone I didn't sign up."
The principal's expression changed.
"And I'll withdraw."
Eun Sang opened her mouth to speak, but Ji Won stood up.
"The bell is about to ring," she said. "I have class."
She bowed briefly and walked out.
The door closed behind her.
The principal leaned back in his chair.
"That was unexpected."
Eun Sang remained silent for a moment.
"She's stubborn," she said.
The principal folded his hands.
"What do we do?"
Eun Sang exhaled lightly.
"We leave her out of it."
He nodded.
"That would be best."
They moved on to discuss school matters, including donations and administrative concerns.
The conversation remained formal.
When it ended, Eun Sang stood.
"I'll take my leave."
"Thank you for coming," the principal said.
She gave a small nod and walked out.
Her steps were steady.
But her thoughts were not entirely settled.
Because for the first time in a long time—
Ji Won had made a decision she could not influence.