The station was quieter than usual in the early afternoon, the usual hum of phones and typing filling the air. Ahn Soo Bin sat at her desk, carefully reviewing a small theft case report that So Hee had assigned her.
She had been nervous at first, but the earlier observation task had boosted her confidence. Still, every time she glanced toward So Hee, she felt her heart skip a beat.
"You're still staring," came a teasing voice.
Soo Bin jumped slightly. Shin Jae leaned casually against a filing cabinet, smirking. "Careful, intern. You'll give yourself away if you keep staring at Lieutenant Kim like that."
Soo Bin blushed and looked down at her papers. "I'm not staring," she mumbled.
Shin Jae chuckled. "Sure… sure. Keep telling yourself that."
So Hee walked over just then, her steps quiet but commanding.
"Intern," she said calmly. "Have you checked the witness statements against the security footage yet?"
"Yes, ma'am," Soo Bin replied quickly, trying to hide her nervousness.
So Hee leaned slightly closer, her eyes scanning the report. "Good. But pay attention to the timestamps. Accuracy is everything. Even a small mistake can cause bigger problems later."
Soo Bin nodded, heart racing. She couldn't help noticing how composed and focused So Hee always looked, even when giving feedback.
Across the room, Shin Jae gave her a knowing look. "See? Even when she's serious, she's… intimidating, but impressive, right?"
Soo Bin laughed nervously. "Yes… very impressive."
Shin Jae shrugged and wandered off, leaving her to her work.
The afternoon brought a small surprise. An elderly man had lost his wallet near the station's public area. While other officers debated how to handle it, Soo Bin remembered So Hee's advice: observe carefully and act thoughtfully.
She calmly approached the man, asked questions politely, and coordinated with the desk clerk to check the CCTV. Within minutes, the wallet was returned.
So Hee had been watching silently. When Soo Bin returned to her desk, So Hee's eyes met hers briefly—a subtle nod. Approval.
Soo Bin's chest swelled. She had done something right, even if it was a small task.
As the day drew to a close, Soo Bin packed her bag, reflecting on everything she had learned.
Observation. Focus. Patience.
And admiration that continued to grow, stronger than ever.
She glanced toward So Hee one last time, catching her reviewing another case file with perfect attention to detail. Soo Bin felt a flutter in her chest—something she couldn't quite name yet, but knew was special.
And in that quiet moment, she silently promised herself:
One day… I want to be as skilled, confident, and composed as you are.