The next morning, Seoul Station buzzed with its usual rhythm. Officers moved briskly through the hallways, phones rang incessantly, and the faint smell of coffee lingered near the break area.
Ahn Soo Bin tightened the strap of her bag, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Today, she would get more hands-on experience under Kim So Hee. She didn't know exactly what that would entail, but she was determined to impress.
"Intern!"
Soo Bin jumped at the familiar voice. It was So Hee, standing near the central desk with her usual composed demeanor.
"You'll be accompanying me on a minor case today," So Hee said, her voice calm but commanding. "It's nothing dangerous—just follow my instructions and observe carefully."
Soo Bin nodded eagerly. "Yes, ma'am!"
Across the room, Kang Shin Jae leaned against a pillar, smirking.
"Careful there, newbie," he called out. "Lieutenant Kim doesn't miss a thing. And she notices everything."
Soo Bin flushed but tried to ignore him. Her focus was entirely on So Hee.
The "case" turned out to be a misplaced delivery package at a local convenience store. While the situation was minor, it gave Soo Bin a chance to watch So Hee in action.
So Hee quickly assessed the scene:
Confirmed the package's recipient and sender
Checked CCTV footage on the store's monitor
Noted small details the store clerk had missed, like a delivery label partially torn
Within minutes, she had located the correct owner and ensured the package would be delivered safely.
Soo Bin was in awe.
"How do you notice all that?" she whispered as So Hee filed a report back at the station.
So Hee glanced at her briefly, expression neutral. "Observation and focus. Always pay attention to the details others overlook."
Soo Bin nodded, committing every word to memory.
Later, back at the station, Shin Jae wandered over, teasing.
"Wow… look at you, intern. You survived your first real assignment with Lieutenant Kim." He smirked. "Impressed yet?"
Soo Bin rolled her eyes but couldn't stop her heart from racing. Shin Jae might be teasing, but he was right—she was completely captivated by So Hee.
"Just… learning," Soo Bin replied, smiling faintly.
Shin Jae chuckled. "Fair enough. But watch yourself—she has a way of noticing more than you think."
By the afternoon, Soo Bin was reviewing reports quietly at her desk. So Hee approached without warning, leaning slightly over her shoulder to glance at the files.
"Good," So Hee said. "But double-check the timestamps and names. Accuracy is everything."
Soo Bin nodded, cheeks warming under her watchful gaze.
When the day finally ended, Soo Bin packed her bag, reflecting on everything she had learned.
Observation. Focus. Patience.
And a quiet admiration that continued to grow, even stronger than yesterday.
She glanced toward So Hee one last time, catching her looking up briefly, eyes sharp but calm. Soo Bin felt something flutter inside her chest—something she wasn't ready to name yet.
And as she left the station, the thrill of wanting to impress So Hee burned brighter than ever.