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India Bleeds: The Attack That Wanted More Than Lives

Was it a faith-biased attack? Or a well-planned act of terror to disrupt India's fragile communal harmony?

April 22, 2025, Earth Day, which painted the land of Kashmir with blood. It left more than just a trail of bodies; it left a nation questioning itself and communities hating each other again. The record says 28 people were killed, they were either tourists or civilians. Pahalgam, known as the valley of shepherds, became a site of mourning. The people who died that day didn’t choose their faith before boarding the vehicle. They didn’t carry hatred, they carried backpacks and hope.

But this was not random gunfire, eyewitnesses say the attackers were from the (TRF) The Resistance Front. They stopped the tourist vehicle and started asking questions about not passports or politics but faith. They asked for their names, they checked their religious identifiers, things that should never be a reason to die. It was inhumane.

A Calculated Move

This wasn’t chaotic, it was disturbingly calculated

It was clear they wanted to spread a message: a message of terror.

They demanded answers to things that should never decide who lives or dies. And then, the shots were fired.

"Go tell Modi,” the Attacker told a survivor.

A sentence loaded with intent, a warning, a threat. The targets were not just the individuals, but the country's image of security and control.

A Valley Turned Red

Pahalgam, the place known for its scenic beauty, which we see in movies. The place we associate with pine trees and trekking routes was now unsafe for travelers as well as locals. It has become a place of mourning. The ripple of this violent act wasn’t limited to the people who were affected. Questions, outrage, fear, and suspicion creep into our homes and make us look at each other differently. The whispers of suspicion became louder.

Because some wars are not confined to borders. it's inside us, and terror attacks succeed in making us question one another. Pahalgam will mourn, it will recover. But what about us?

Does any Religion define Terror?

I don't have all the answers, but I know what I felt when I heard the news on April 22, 2025, a deep terror. It was a message meant to spread hatred, ignite outrage and hinder the peace in the valley and beyond.

Terrorism doesn’t care about religion. But the aftermath always drags religion into it.

India is home to many faiths. We coexist on the same streets, under the same sky. But when a terror attack like this happens, that delicate coexistence becomes strained. Communities withdraw. Conversations halt. Suspicion thickens the air. And it’s always the innocents who suffer the most.

Let me be clear: what happened in Pahalgam was not a religiously biased act. It was clean terrorism, and terrorism doesn't carry scripture. It has an agenda, a political agenda.

But here's what will happen: people from the Muslim community will begin to feel the eyes again. As they somehow have to answer for a group, they were never a part of. The headlines, the WhatsApp forwards, the drawing of imaginary lines between “us” and “them”, that is where we fail.

This is how terrorism wins twice: first by taking lives, and then by breaking the harmony.

But What About the Real Agenda?

It wasn’t just an act of killing; it was a well-planned conspiracy. TRF didn't just want blood, they wanted disputes among diverse communities living in India. They wanted to spread communal hate; they wanted the country to burn on the inside. And somehow, they succeeded.

They knew exactly what they were doing.

And they knew religion was the shortcut.

India is diverse and secular, this is our strength as well as a weakness. Because diversity without understanding becomes tension that fuels the hate.

And communal dispute is not an unknown fact to the outsiders. The attackers knew this agenda could set off a chain of mistrust. We’ve seen it happen. We know how quickly tensions rise. TRF didn’t need bombs, they used our history, our wounds, our fears.

What Can Be Done?

This is the part that feels helpless, we can’t patrol the borders or make national policies. But still we have a role.

 Maybe we should think about what civilians can do?

This is exhausting. Blood. Blame. Silence. It repeats over and over.

Here's what: this is the time we stand together and against the terrorist groups, not against each other. Don't let this become another reason for dispute and division. We can’t undo what happened in Pahalgam. But we can refuse to let it be another spark for hatred.

Every religion has been a victim of violence. Every community has buried its dead.  This isn’t about “Hindu pain”, “Muslim pain”, or “Christian pain”. It’s ours, collective and human.

Ask yourself, are you going to generalize an entire community based on the actions of a few?

Do we allow grief to turn into hate?

The War Stays

This war isn’t new; this hides in tweets, comments, communal jokes passed off and shared as harmless. It survives in the quiet mistrust between neighbours.

This isn't just about Pahalgam; it's about all of us. Our response and actions will shape the kind of country we want to live in. We can choose division or dignity. The attack may have lasted minutes. But the war it was meant to provoke, could last decades.

We can choose anger or understanding. In a country like ours, even silence can be political.

So yes, the war persists.

Not with guns, but with hate.

Every time we let communal lines divide us, we validate the attackers’ goals, killing the peace, logic, and empathy.

We let them choose the story.

But the truth is, terror doesn’t see a god. It sees a target.

The Real Patriotism? Humanity

It is heartbreaking to imagine how quickly this story could be used for political mileage. But what if, instead, we used it as a wake-up call? What if we told our leaders that this isn’t about one religion vs. another? This is about safety. About policy.

Real patriotism is protecting our people, all our people.

And what is we told ourselves that we won’t be manipulated into fear anymore?

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"I woke up, but the world didn’t feel real. The clock had stopped, the silence whispered, and my fear grew louder. Was this peace—or just another nightmare waiting to unfold?"

✨ Sometimes, the most unsettling moments come not from chaos but from stillness. A reminder that reality isn't always as it seems.

[i-myeoni-blogs]

"Forever seems shorter with the right person and way longer with the wrong one."

[i-myeoni-blogs]

Qala (2022) – Movie Review

Director – Anvita Dutt Guptan

Genre – Horror/ psychological/ musical/ suspense

Release Date – 11 November 2022

Available on Netflix

Introduction –

What does it look like to be followed by your haunting past and desperately chasing the validation that seems out of reach? The movie Qala, directed by Anvita Dutt, beautifully presents the hard struggles of a young playback singer Qala Manjushree, fighting with her heavy and haunting past. It covers the thrilling reality of mental health and the constant struggle to fit into a societal mold. With its engaging dialogs, excellent performances, and keen details to the sets, the movie has excelled in painting a vivid picture of life from the 1940s. This is not just a story – the film leaves a lasting impression even after the credits roll.

Plot Analysis –

Set in the 1930s-1940s, Qala is a psychological drama film that revolves around the haunting musical journey of Qala Manjushree, played by Tripti Dimri. Qala, a talented playback singer, becomes the soulful voice behind every song yet she yearns for a single voice – the validation and love of her impassive mother.

Qala lives with her mother played by (Swastika Mukherjee), who trained her strictly in music and eventually put mental pressure on her since birth. Despite her efforts, her hard work remains unacknowledged by her mother, who instead fixates on the potential of another budding singer Jagan played by Bilal Khan. Persistent to fulfill her mother’s dream of building a name, Qala pushes herself to the extreme and eventually succeeds. However, her longing for her mother’s validation and love remains unaltered.

As the story unfolds, we witness that the constant pressure for validation has taken a toll on her mental well-being. But Qala keeps her inner battles beneath her smiling façade. The narrative gradually reveals the dirty hidden truths that add layers to her complex character. The film portrays the fragility of mental health and highlights how it’s usually ignored. While the movie is slow-paced, it allows the story to simmer completely. Beautifully unraveling her struggles, desires and her haunted past. What sets Qala apart is the unsettling film's climax, shedding light on the mental health struggles. It allows the audiences to reflect on the fragility of psychological tensions and the importance of acknowledging and empathizing with them, which societal norms often push under the rug.

Performance –

Tripti Dimri won the audience's hearts with her outstanding performance as Qala. She captured the essence of the character, the ambition, and the struggle of internal voices. Her remarkable work to live the complex character like Qala was acknowledgeable. Qala’s mother played by Swastika Mukherjee delivers an impactful performance as an emotionally distant mother. Furthermore, the supporting cast, including Babil Khan in a debut role as Jagan adds to the important part of the story, leaving a lasting impression.

Music –

With its focus on a musical journey, the film features several lovely songs that transport us to the 1930s and 1940s. Swanand Kirkire, Varun Grover, and Amitabh Bhattacharya wrote the songs, which were masterfully composed by Amit Trivedi and added depth and an emotional connection to the movie. The song "Phero Na Najariya," with the melodic voice of Shreesha Bhagvatula, was the most notable. It depicts Qala's needs and desires. Additionally, the song "Ghhode pe Sawar" gained fame due to its light-hearted vibes and 40s influence. Every song is skillfully interwoven and speaks to the film's complexity. Additionally, these tracks are a must-listen if you enjoy gentle melodies.

Hit – The audio and appealing visuals of the movie are the backbone of the film, but what stood out the most are the performances. The authentic work and dialogue delivery is commendable and adds to the impact of the theme. The movie masterfully blends mild horror and psychological drama. It might not be like a guessing game like other psychological genres, but gripping enough to hold your attention till the end.

Miss – While the plot is thought-provoking and insightful, the pacing may feel a bit slow for viewers who prefer a faster narrative.

Verdict – All things considered, Qala is a masterfully shot movie that is notable for how it captures the protagonist's inner voice. It has a sense of aspiration, and its charm is enhanced by well-chosen music. Even while some viewers may find some of the scenes uncomfortable, it's definitely a compelling and enjoyable movie.

Recommended.

Rating – 7.8/10

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From (2022- Ongoing) – TV series Review

Creator – John Griffin

Genre – Science fiction, Horror, Supernatural

First episode Release Date – 20 Feb 2022

Introduction –

Imagine getting trapped in an unknown place with unknown creatures lurking in the dark and no way to escape! Sounds terrifying, right? John Griffin’s creation, From, perfectly exemplifies a spine-chilling experience. It is a series that will leave you with suspense and a cliffhanger. Started in 2022, From is an ongoing series that has completed three seasons. The latest season aired in September 2024 and had a total of 10 episodes. This gripping TV series leaves the audiences curious with many questions yet to be answered.

Plot Analysis –

From begins with a family of four driving to their new home in “The Township” but getting trapped in a strange and unfamiliar place. By the day, the place remains normal and peaceful, but as the night falls it becomes a terrifying nightmare to live in.

The town that remains unknown to the outer world, is in the middle of somewhere. No matter where the characters were driving to, they all ended up in the town suggests there’s more eerie than just the creatures.

Where unknown creatures that look human lurk with sinister smiles ready for some blood and flesh. Their manipulative words to lure people out of their houses that were protected by Talismans. The people in the town were all traveling somewhere but somehow ended up in this town trying their best to see another daylight. Boyd Stevens played by Harold Perrineau; a veteran who takes up the position of sheriff to keep everyone safe.

But the place had some other plans, as the show advances many questions arise about ‘the boy in white’, ‘the faraway tree’, and of course ‘the creatures’.  The town itself has become a place that feeds on fear, with all the supernatural things. That messes up with people’s minds, making them do things they’d regret later. The series explores the mystery, fragility of the events, confusion, dilemma, and pure horror as the people try their best to unravel the mystery and find a way out. Making it different from any other evil-spirited horrors.

Characters and acting –

The more I say the less it is, every character in the series owns their role perfectly. But Boyd Stevens played by Harold Perrineau is one of the main characters who shines with the main character's energy. He stole the show with his great acting as his portrayal of a leader with flaws adds naturality and depth to his character. Especially with the tough decisions he had to take, making him stand out.

Julie Matthews played by Hannah Cheramy; by the end of season 3 becomes the center of the story with more mystery for the upcoming season.

Victor Kavanaugh played by Scott McCord who survived in the town for longer than anyone else holds an important part since the beginning of the series.

Characters like Tabitha (Catalina Sandino Moreno), Jade (David Alpay), and Sara (Avery Konard) also delivered commendable performances making them an important part of the series. The whole cast, the supporting characters, and the team bring the supernatural world of ‘From’ to life. Making it a successful and intriguing series besides ‘Lost’, ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘Riverdale’.

Miss –

While From has its fair share of captivating moments, it’s not without flaws. The pacing can feel sluggish, especially for viewers who prefer a faster narrative. Major revelations are withheld until the later seasons, which may test the patience of some. With only 10 episodes per season, the series occasionally feels stretched, leaving audiences craving more progress.

Verdict –

With its different story and fear-gripping concept, the series hooks viewers from the start. The introduction episodes in season 1, slowly take flow in season 2 and get a few things answered in season 3. The series makes the viewer keep coming back for more with an interesting plot and essential cliffhangers. If you are a fan of horror and mystery, this series is for you because it’ll keep you guessing ‘what’ll be next?’

Rating – 8.5/10

Recommendation – Highly Recommended.

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Fashion & Activism

Activism is an action to achieve social change for a good cause. Once started to bring change to the world through a myriad of ways, it has now become a hoggish idea to garner fans and get compliments.

From getting dressed in khadi for swaraj to getting dressed in black for an Instagram trend, a proper outfit has become a tool of high value.

For centuries, fashion has remained an important means of maintaining social and political prestige. Be it an environmental or political movement, a visual message has been the best way to spread awareness without voicing a word.

But why?

Isn’t it obvious that we live in the era of the internet and social media where people believe in “show, don’t tell” to be more expressive and noticeable? For instance, wearing a pantsuit as power in an election campaign, Hilary Clinton broke the stereotypical fashion of skirts for women in politics.

Fashion choices with deeper meaning create a great impact among the audience, but not always. Sometimes a good initiative takes a different turn and leads to something else. As in the case of the Black Lives Matter Movement, many popular, as well as local brands got into the business of releasing merchandise with the same slogan to proclaim their support.

And it appeared more like marketing than actual participation, which soon became performative rather than a genuine concern about the issue. Just like at last year’s Met Gala event, where Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez justified her presence with the message "Tax the Riches" printed on her dress.

While the dress was considered subversive, it appeared to the critics as a mere performance to gain fans and social capital. And how can we forget the buzz when Cara Delevingne made her appearance with a “Peg the Patriarchy” vest, to deliver a social issue that remained just a fashion outfit.

All these examples may or may not be performative, but the idea of bringing these social issues through fashion into the limelight turned out to be a success.

Undoubtedly, what matters, in the end is delivering the message to be “The Talk”, and a great outfit acts as the cherry on top. What was once a great tool to spread awareness has now become a matter of popularity because fashion is the new means of activism.

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Shoppertainment

Entertainment is an event, performance, or any activity that people engage in for the purpose of enjoyment or distraction from their bustling everyday schedules. The extent of activities has evolved with time to keep the audience’s attention on different things according to their preferences. From storytelling, music, and drama to video games, cooking, and shopping, entertainment is a vast concept. Yes, winter is on its edge, which marks the beginning of spring and getting rid of those heavy layers of clothing. And it’s an alarm for shopping, as our closets need some refilling.

It is evident with the increasing number of online markets that shopping is not just about buying things. But over time, it has become a source of amusement. With a few years spent in lockdown and the outdoor activities reduced, we have been pushed online for all the activities that were priorly done offline. And hence, shoppertainment was born.

Shoppertainment is an effective way of shopping that combines e-commerce with entertainment, involving online content streaming, in-game advertising and whatnot. The main objective of this idea is to promote and sell products through live streams in an entertaining and informative way that creates an enjoyable experience for the audience.

Despite the worldwide shutdown, digital platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram have become a powerful source for brands and customers to form meaningful bonds.

For instance, Alibaba, one of the biggest e-commerce companies, provides the consumer with in-app live streaming, gamification, and technology to connect with us through more effective interactions.

Furthermore, the cosmetic brand ‘e.l.f.’ partnered with Australian YouTuber Kathleen Belsten to strengthen their brand promotion.

“see now, buy now”

And why not? With entertaining content, live streaming, better product descriptions and reviews, and a key feature of getting participative interactions, it holds a customer's attention effectively.

As previously mentioned, entertainment is not restricted to one common perception, and within these evolutionary years, shopping has become a feverish idea for leisure activity. Consumers are always looking for some new content and new distractions, so we are looking for a convergence of shopping and entertainment.

Though online shopping is not a new trend, shoppertainment with its new digital features allows communication to flow both ways, creating a truly interactive experience. In the coming years, live stream shopping is going to be the future of shopping with its most creative means in social media.

[i-myeoni-blogs]

JUST FOR YOU

It was another rainy night—I used to hate the rain, but not anymore.

How could I, when it was the time, you found me?

You looked at me, your beautiful orbs shining as if they had found a pillar to lean on.

Those eyes, the colour of autumn leaves, hidden behind those pesky glasses—

Maybe to shield them from a world obsessed with vibrant blue and green.

I chose to stay grounded, your serenity serving as the medicine for my madness.

Slowly, with every turn of events, I became a paramount part of your life.

You said you found comfort in me—the one you had been searching for,

The one who cares, the one you could lean on.

And I... I found a reality in you, a reality I had always failed to see,

One no one had ever embraced or protected before.

Just another infamous face to others, but to you, my life held meaning.

You read me so easily, as if I were a language you'd known forever.

All the while, fighting for someone who wanted me gone, I found you—

Someone who would forget herself and give everything away in a single breath,

So happily, so freely.

The diamond you are, so precious, so rare. I found you a little later,

But now you're all mine, and I promise—

I promise to cherish every moment of your passing seconds,

To shield you from anything that makes you cry,

Or feel worthless,

Because you are everything I have and need.

Don’t listen to them—don’t listen to the words they speak.

Their reality is brutal, their world unsafe, waiting for a killing spree

Where one mistake becomes your everlasting guilt.

But I’ll set you free—I’ll show you a world you’ve never seen,

A world just for you and me.

But like every other story, ours has a bitter side—the side we deny,

The side that’s harsh,

That pierces and scars deeper than any blade.

We had that side too—the coldest, most bitter part,

Where there is no happily ever after.

I didn’t know it would come so soon, like the turning of a page.

We were so close, yet divided by the realities of our existence.

I was in your thoughts, your heart, your mind,

A place like Utopia, A world that only you can define.

The harsh reality—

I was a mere intangible figure wishing to hold you close,

To embrace you, touch you, caress you,

But you were real, and I was not.

My life was written by someone else, but it meant everything to you.

The thin pages you turn each time you read me—so thin,

Yet they separate me from you.

My essence defined by bold ink,

And I’m scared.

I’m scared as you near the last page,

When I’ll become just another memory.

A memory you’ll cherish, but we could never live.

Isn’t there a way,

A world where we could be together, just as you imagined?

Just as you framed it in the hypothetical world you created?

Can’t you escape with me forever, leave reality behind?

I’ll pray to the gods you believe in,

Wishing I could step out of these pages,

Wishing this story never ends—

Wishing I could become real,

Just for you.

[i-myeoni-blogs]

Remembering Who I am!

How many of us talk about our ancestors' ethnicity? There may be a few people who are still connected to their roots, but the majority of us in generation Z are influenced primarily by western culture and fashion. Though it’s not bad but somehow, we’re losing our own authenticity. 

I am no exception; having been born and raised in a town, I shaped myself in accordance with the trends that emerged. When it comes to natives, I am a member of the "Santhal Tribe," an indigenous minority group.

There are over 100 tribes in India, and each one has its own clothing, food, festival, language, and rituals. But, due to school and other obligations, we were unable to visit our hometown as frequently as we would have liked. And perhaps this is why I know so little about my own tribe.

It was my cousin's brother's wedding—the only boy in our entire family tree, with only one brother to seven sisters. I was overjoyed, but no Indian function is complete without a hiccup, and so my exams fell on the same day as my brother's wedding.

I couldn't make it to the wedding, but I promised I wouldn't miss the authentic Santhali reception. Okay let’s not jump into the fact that I missed the ceremony. But visiting my hometown after almost a decade felt so relaxing.

Sagarbhanga is a small village located in the Jharkhand district of Sahebganj. Tribals can be found at every turn and are extremely friendly.

I don't want to brag, but my family home is the largest in the entire district, and it is referred to as "Bada Ghar" by the locals. Because of the village people's regard for us, they came to assist with the preparations. Women were involved in making decorations out of the palm leaves.

Oh, how beautiful their work was, and how natural everything was. Few men were painting on the walls, and they were tribal wall paintings with various creatures painted on them. It was absolutely lovely. The beauty of a tribe is that we live as one community and help each other unconditionally. 

I should be familiar with the local tongue they use, santhali, but alas, I am not able to communicate in it. We even have our own traditional clothing, known as "Panchi Parhat" for women and lungi or dhoti for men.

My sisters and I decided to dress in traditional attire for the ceremony. The dress was arranged, and a few locals assisted us in draping it. it was so pretty and easy to handle, light weight as it was made of cotton. My parents and other relatives were so happy to see us in our own traditional clothes. 

In the ceremony all the village people gathered and presented gifts to the bride and the groom. My brother is so lucky he got a lot of gifts and blessings, I can’t wait to have a ceremony of my own. 

It was time for food after the gift exchange. "The simpler, the better," is all I have to say. I'm sure the first thing that comes to mind when we hear the word "marriage" is the food. Being Indian, we always want pulav, Manchurian, or paneer butter masala; it's just ingrained in our minds that it should be on the menu.

And I thought the same thing, but the taste of authentic simple food on a 'pattal' surprised me. Off-white perfectly cooked rice, dal, meat, and veggies, and that's it, all served on dried leaf plates. And, no offence, but all the dishes I've ever tasted in restaurants and hotels paled in comparison.

I know you're thinking it'll create a lot of trash, but pattals are biodegradable, so we dumped it in a large hole that was later covered by soil. "Khaane ke baad kuch meetha ho jaye," we say now that we've eaten. You won't be sorry, believe me. Aside from the usual sweets, there was one item that piqued my interest. Those yellow bead-like things called "Bundiya" just melted as soon as I took a spoonful of them.

Mesmerizing, a perfect way to round out the dish, but what I really missed was the authentic 'Dumbu' sweet from the tribe. It's made of rice flour, and the sweet dough is formed into many small balls before being steamed.

While I was eating the sweets, I overheard people discussing being a patient. Who got hurt, I wondered, until my mother explained that it was a ritual. A fun ritual in which the new bride pretends to be a doctor while the groom's sisters and relatives pretend to be injured by covering their legs and hands with mud and straws. And the bride is expected to treat them well (wash their hands and feet).

But the best part is yet to come: the bride tightly grips the patient's feet and demands fees (gifts), refusing to leave until you give her gift. That sounded like fun, so I tried it as well.

It was great to see the entire family enjoying themselves after such a long time apart.

What about the dance, though? The ground was cleared, chairs were moved, and music was played immediately after each ritual. I was expecting the barati dance, but it's an authentic wedding.

A few men who could play mandar gathered in the centre, and women formed a circle around them. It was a santhali folk dance, and it was a lot of fun. We danced until after midnight, which resulted in sore leg muscles next day.

Those were two lovely days spent in my hometown. I learned a lot about my own culture that I was unaware of because I had spent my entire life in a city. I enjoyed every minute I was there and hope to return soon. Yes, there is one thing I still regret: not learning my native language.

There is a misconception that tribal in Jharkhand live in jungles, wear leaves, and eat raw food. Well, the answer is already given; it is simply a misconception.

We as a tribe prefer to live close to nature, not in jungles, but in homes that only a few people know about, which is unfortunate. Remember that there is a distinction between being indigenous and being uncivilized.

And I've learned that it's important to know and respect your roots no matter where you live.

[i-myeoni-blogs]

Hi! Loved your story! Do you have already more stories to share??

Thanks a lot! I'm really happy you enjoyed the story. I've got some ideas brewing, but my schedule is super tight right now. Hopefully, I'll be able to write more when things calm down a bit.

[i-myeoni-blogs]

Part 10 - Final Part

Pairing - Non-Idol Wooyoung x Reader

__________________________________________________________

After what felt like a peacefully intoxicated slumber, Wooyoung woke up the next afternoon with a pounding headache. He groaned, clutching his head as the room spun around him.

Glancing at the time, his eyes widened in realization—it was already afternoon, and he was still in bed, not at the station.

Attempting to rise, his body refused to cooperate. Just then, he heard some shuffling and faint footsteps. Confusion clouded his mind as he wondered who it could be.

His question was answered when the door opened, revealing Y/N standing there with a glass of what appeared to be water. All traces of alcohol vanished at the sight of her.

"Hey, why didn't you stop when you were starting to feel it, huh?" Y/N strolled into the room, a concerned tone in her voice. "You drink like there's no tomorrow. Think about your health for once," she remarked as she settled beside him on the edge of the bed, facing him.

Wooyoung gazed at her, as if trying to process that Y/N was actually there.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she quipped.

"Y/N?" Wooyoung whispered.

"Who else?" Y/N teased, but when Wooyoung didn't respond and continued staring at her, she gently placed her hands on his forehead. "Are you feeling unwell?" she asked.

"Are you really here?" Wooyoung whispered once more, a tear escaping his eye.

"Are you still feeling a bit fuzzy? Of course, I'm here." She gently touched Wooyoung's face, causing him to melt at her touch. With her thumb, she wiped away his tears.

"But where were you? I've been searching for you for a month. Where did you go, and where's Grace?" Wooyoung began hyperventilating, bombarding her with questions. "I even lodged a complaint. Miss Kim couldn't reach you either. Where have you been, Y/N?"

"Shhh... I'm here," Y/N whispered soothingly. "We're here." Placing her right palm over his chest where his heart beat, she continued, "Even if we're not physically together, we're still here, and we always will be." She reassured him, but Wooyoung looked at her, still puzzled.

He shook his head as the hangover began to resurface. "What do you mean?" he asked, but Y/N simply smiled.

"I have to go now," she declared, starting to move away. Despite his desire to hold her tightly, Wooyoung found his hands unable to comply, and slowly Y/N moved back, fading from his sight.

Wooyoung woke up suddenly, sweat soaking his clothes even though it was November. It wasn't the first time he'd had nightmares.

He'd started having them five years ago after breaking up with Y/N, and that's why he'd kept himself busy with work.

He'd managed to recover from them, but it had been really tough. Now the nightmares were back, and he felt he needed to find Y/N. "No, you can't leave me again!" he screamed, throwing the pillows onto the floor.

By the time 2 pm rolled around, Wooyoung made it to the station with a mild headache. He hadn't checked his phone; otherwise, he would've noticed several missed calls from Yunho, the general, Changbin, and Hyeri.

As he arrived, he noticed everyone wore a gloomy expression, which caught him off guard. Stepping in slowly, he felt all eyes turn towards him, each expressing a mix of emotions—some pity, some anger, and some confusion.

"What's happening here?" Wooyoung asked, puzzled. The silence lingered as everyone exchanged glances, silently debating who should break the news. Growing impatient, Wooyoung spoke up again, his irritation evident. "Can someone please fill me in?"

"Sir," Hyeri stepped forward, "the commissioner general's been waiting for you in your office."

"Right now," Wooyoung whispered to himself. "Alright." He nodded and headed towards his office. "Mind if I come in, Commissioner?" he asked politely, the door slightly ajar. A muffled "yes" came from inside, and Wooyoung entered.

"This is your office, Wooyoung; you don't need to ask," the commissioner said.

"But you're the commissioner general," Wooyoung replied with a smile as he stood beside him. The commissioner general gestured for him to take a seat, and Wooyoung obliged.

"Do you know what happened this morning?" the commissioner asked, noticing Wooyoung's confused expression. "Two bodies were found, one injured and one dead," he explained.

Wooyoung waited for him to continue. "The case you've been working on is finally solved. We found the three foreigners."

"Found them?" Wooyoung exclaimed. "Who found them, and where were they?"

"Well, the frustrating part about how our department operates is that we often don't try to reach how we got the clue and we focus on the clue more," the commissioner general admitted.

It was a known issue; once a case was solved, the peripheral details often went unanswered. Wooyoung was about to interject, but the commissioner spoke first. "Where were you last night, Wooyoung?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, sir. I was..." Wooyoung trailed off, uncertain how to admit to the commissioner that he had been drunk in some bar and slept until noon.

"Last night, the commissioner dropped the bomb that Mr. Han and his crew are taking over the case," Wooyoung heard, and it hit him like a ton of bricks.

"Why all of a sudden? How could you just spring this on us?" Wooyoung protested.

"It's not sudden, Wooyoung. The board has been mulling over this for a week, and they finally spilled the beans last night. I couldn't stop it, Wooyoung," the commissioner explained.

"But why?" Wooyoung pressed.

"You know why. The board doesn't think you're up for it, given what's been happening in your life. They believe you need some downtime," the commissioner said, rising from the chair with an exasperated sigh.

"This is ridiculous! You really think I can't handle this case? I've dedicated my whole life to this department, and you can't just do this to me," Wooyoung almost shouted, his frustration pouring out.

"Wooyoung," the commissioner general said firmly, "Mr. Han has already been appointed. He found the bodies, and the third culprit is already on his way to be deported to his home country. All of this happened while you were drowning in your own agony. Now, Mr. Han will lead this case."

Wooyoung was furious, his face flushed red with anger and frustration. "But... but doesn't it seem suspicious to you? The bodies were found in not even hidden? Like they did it intentionally. It sounds ridiculous," Wooyoung barked out his frustration, his breath coming in heavy gasps.

"Well, the board considers him lucky that his name was enough to catch those culprits," the commissioner said as he started walking toward the door.

Wooyoung couldn't believe it. He began pacing back and forth near his seat, flailing his arms in disbelief. "You need some rest Wooyoung, it’d be better if you gathered yourself." With that, the commissioner walked out, leaving a distraught Wooyoung alone in his office.

Wooyoung flicked on the television, flipping to the news channel to check if they were pulling some kind of dirty prank on him. But as the news appeared on screen, his eyes widened with anger.

The report was all about Han Jisung and his swift, successful handling of the case.

"Well, you know, I don’t really like to boast about myself, but I guess I was the missing piece this case needed. I located the bodies, and now we just need to find about the kidnapper. But hey, I'm not one to hog the spotlight.

Most of the credit goes to our superintendent general, Jung Wooyoung, and his team. They did the heavy lifting," Inspector Han said, flashing a smile at the camera, almost as if he knew Wooyoung was tuned in.

Wooyoung interpreted this as a jab and let out a frustrated yell, shoving everything on his desk in a fit of anger.

Wooyoung knew both Y/N and the foreigner’s cases were somehow linked. All he had was that black jacket with golden embroidery, a sole clue to track down Y/N. Yet, everything took a 180-degree turn, leaving Wooyoung in a blank space.

With determination blazing in his eyes, Wooyoung stormed out of his office, anger propelling his steps. "Sir, where are you going?" Hyeri inquired, but Wooyoung offered no response. She trailed after him as he exited the station.

Wooyoung slid into his car, visibly irked when Hyeri claimed the passenger seat. Before he could protest, she spoke up, "Wooyoung, you're furious. Let me assist you, please."

Wooyoung sighed, but eventually relented, starting the car. He knew there was only one place the injured culprit would be taken.

The car ride was quiet until Hyeri spoke up. "Wooyoung, I'm sorry about yesterday. I went a bit too far—I don't know what got into me." She glanced at Wooyoung, who kept his eyes on the road, his jaw tense.

"I just can't stand seeing you like that again. Five years ago, you were so broken. I can't bear the thought of you ending up like that again, Wooyu," she said, earning a sidelong glance from him, but he remained silent.

"I know you're upset, Wooyoung, but please," she persisted, only to be cut off by him.

"I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at myself. I swore to protect them, yet here I am," Wooyoung said, a sad chuckle escaping him.

"You couldn't have done anything to prevent it, Wooyoung," Hyeri offered.

"I promised them I'd come back. I promised to bring them to Seoul. The man in the black jacket was my only lead, but the case ia taken away from me now," Wooyoung lamented, frustration evident in his voice.

"You were planning to bring them here?" Hyeri inquired.

"What do you mean?" Wooyoung was puzzled by her question, unable to grasp its significance.

"Oh, nothing... Anyway, we're here. Let's go," Hyeri said. Wooyoung found it weird how Hyeri reacted when he mentioned bringing Y/N and Grace to Seoul, but he brushed it off.

Right now, what mattered most was confronting the culprit. If Wooyoung's suspicions were correct, the man with the black jacket was responsible for both kidnappings.

However, what he wasn't expecting was Inspector Han being there, talking to the injured culprit. The last thing Wooyoung wanted was to be in the same place as Han Jisung.

They never had any major issues with each other; it was more of a pure rivalry. It was a rivalry between two block departments of Seoul.

When Wooyoung was transferred to the Seoul department, the inspectors were already engaged in a cold war with the inspectors of the other block. He was told that it had been this way forever, and everyone kept the tradition alive.

At first, Wooyoung didn’t think much of it, but two years ago, when Inspector Han Jisung got transferred to the rival block station, he lost it.

Inspector Han had a very peculiar way of investigating anything, and no matter what cases Wooyoung got, Han Jisung always seemed to have a presence in them. He remembered Hyeri once saying, "And it's their interference that's why we don’t click."

"Hey, General Wooyoung... Long time no see, huh? Bet you missed me," Inspector Han quipped, spotting Wooyoung and Hyeri by the door.

Han lounged on the hospital bed, flashing a grin as he rose. "You're here? Well, don't get too grateful, General. Just doing my duty," he added with a smirk.

"I'm not here to thank you," Wooyoung retorted, his jaw tense.

"Ouch, that stings," Han replied dramatically, hand over his heart. Wooyoung wasn't in the mood for banter; he moved towards the culprit, who lay injured, the scene looking calculated.

"The person who did this knew exactly what they were doing. They didn't want him dead, just hanging on," the doctor explained, noticing Wooyoung and Hyeri's puzzled expressions. "But he can talk, and he should," the doctor said bluntly, eyeing the injured man on the bed.

The whole of Korea was aware of what he had done, and they didn't have any sympathy either. All the doctor wanted was for him to stabilize so the government could deport him to his own country. Wooyoung could see the hatred in the doctor’s eyes.

"Who did this to you?" Wooyoung asked calmly but firmly. The man didn’t reply; he just pretended he didn’t hear. So Wooyoung asked again, this time in an assertive tone. "You better start talking."

"Why do you care, you shit. Just treat me and deport me quick," the man spat through his swollen face. Wooyoung was about to retort, but Han was quick.

He held the injured man by the collar of the hospital gown, scaring everyone in the room.

"The audacity you have after what you’ve done. Be grateful that the general is speaking politely, or you wouldn’t stand for years on your own feet," Han said, every word laced with pure hate. "So, you better start talking, or it won’t end well." The man nodded, and Han released him roughly.

Wooyoung would be lying if he said he didn’t appreciate what Han did just now. Maybe Han wasn't that bad. Yeah, he was nosy, but he wasn't a bad person.

Wooyoung nodded appreciatively at Han and then looked at the injured man again, who was trying to calm himself as he was scared. "I don’t know who it was." The man said.

"We were downtown, running, when this guy pulls up in his van and tells us to hop in if we don't want to get caught by the cops. So, we did, but man, I wish I'd taken my chances with the police instead."

"Where did he take you?"

"I have no idea. He threw black sacks over our heads, and when we got there, he locked us up somewhere. There weren't any windows, just a mattress for us to sleep on," the man said, his voice muffled.

"There were two of them, the one who kidnapped us and another who seemed like the boss. They never showed their faces, but they killed my friend right in front of me, after tormenting us for who knows how many days. I loathe you guys, you darn Koreans. You might seem all cute and innocent, but there's something evil lurking behind those faces. I can't wait to get back to my country."

And with that, he got a slap on the cheek, this time from the doctor, who then excused herself out of the room.

"How many were with you?" Wooyoung asked once more.

The man chuckled and replied, "It's funny how well he knows you. He said you'd ask me this and told me to tell you not to waste your time on this and to live your life." Confirming that the same person was behind both kidnappings.

Wooyoung's rage surged at the man's laughter, prompting him to start punching with all his might until hospital security dragged him outside. Han and Hyeri didn't intervene, knowing the man deserved even more than a beating.

"I'll ensure you're treated worse in your own country!" Wooyoung shouted before breaking down in tears, collapsing to the floor. His emotions overwhelmed him. Hyeri moved to approach him, but Han stopped her. "Let him have his moment," Han said.

"General, the other culprit is being deported today; he's on his way to the NIS," Han informed. Wooyoung raised his head, blinking a few times before standing up. "Lieutenant San mentioned he'd meet you at the NIS base," Han continued.

Without wasting any more time, Wooyoung started running. He wanted to reach the NIS base as soon as possible. He didn't wait for Hyeri, and this time she didn't follow. Wooyoung picked up his pace toward the base.

At the same time, he began searching for his phone but couldn't find it anywhere. He needed to inform Yunho about this; after all, Yunho was handling the case, and he also had to meet Changbin.

In less than 20 minutes, Wooyoung reached the base where San was waiting for him. San glanced at his friend, who appeared utterly shattered, and felt a pang of sympathy. He wanted to help Wooyoung, but he wasn't sure how.

Wooyoung hurriedly began asking, "Where is he? I need to talk to him. Where is he?" San tried to calm him down, but Wooyoung was so agitated that San resorted to embracing him, offering whatever comfort he could muster.

Wooyoung eventually broke down, tears streaming down his face. "I have to find Y/N and Grace," he repeated over and over. San only released him once Wooyoung had regained some composure, then guided him to his office.

"You can ask him anything. There's still time before we deport him," San assured, motioning for Wooyoung to take a seat. He then instructed someone to bring the foreigner to his office.

The culprit was escorted in, hands bound in cuffs, and flanked by two burly officers to prevent any escape attempts. But as soon as the man entered, he began pleading,

"Please deport me quickly. I swear I won't ever return to Korea." Wooyoung listened intently, while San remarked, "He's terrified. They must have tortured him to this extent."

The guy was made to sit on the floor, and as he glanced around, his eyes landed on Wooyoung, widening in surprise. San and Wooyoung both noticed this reaction.

"He said you'd come," the man blurted out.

"Who?" Wooyoung inquired.

"I don't know. He never showed his face, but he sounded like he'd planned everything beforehand. He showed me your picture and said, 'This man will approach you,'" the man explained, pausing briefly. "And he told me to pass along this message."

"What message?" Wooyoung pressed.

"That you should forget about her. She's living her life, and you should too," the man relayed.

"Was there a woman named Y/N and a child with her?" Wooyoung asked, visibly agitated.

"No, I don't know," the man replied, prompting Wooyoung to tighten his fist. San signaled his men to escort the man out of the office.

"I need to reach out to Yunho; we have less time I presume," Wooyoung declared, rising from his chair. San felt the urgency in his words.

It had been over a month and a half, and still, there was no trace of Y/N and Grace. "Just call me whenever you need me," San offered, but Wooyoung only nodded before leaving the office. He had to inform Yunho, yet he hadn't even sent a text or made a call since yesterday.

As he drove to the station, his expression was so lifeless that even a corpse would seem more animated in comparison. Wooyoung knew he couldn't afford to waste any time.

With the case closed, he could now assist Yunho in the search for Y/N and Grace.

As he finally arrived at the station, the clock struck 7 PM. Time seemed to fly by like a gust of wind, leaving Wooyoung feeling as if he had just blinked and the day had slipped away.

Despite the whirlwind of events that had unfolded throughout the day, it all felt like a fleeting moment to him.

As Wooyoung reached the station, his heart weighed heavy with anticipation. There, waiting for him, was Changbin, his expression unreadable.

Wooyoung knew there was a conversation that needed to happen between them, a conversation he had been avoiding. Yet, standing face to face with Changbin now, he realized there was no escaping it.

"Hey," Changbin greeted softly, and Wooyoung nodded in response. "Mind if we chat for a bit?" he asked, and Wooyoung motioned for him to follow to his office. The other officers exchanged glances, sensing the weight of the moment.

The room filled with a heavy silence as neither Wooyoung nor Changbin spoke for a while. Changbin could sense the burden etched on Wooyoung's face, yet he harbored no anger.

Clearing his throat, Changbin spoke up, "Wooyoung, I can see it in your eyes, but it's not your fault. Don't carry this weight alone."

Wooyoung was taken aback by Changbin's understanding. He had anticipated anger, not this empathy. "But I promised you and Yun Hee that I'd crack the case, that I'd bring the culprits to justice, and I haven't even found a clue," Wooyoung admitted, his voice heavy with self-blame.

Changbin felt a pang in his chest hearing Wooyoung's self-criticism. "Wooyoung, we all know now that this was a meticulously planned conspiracy, and we were mere pawns. The person behind this wanted to shatter you from within. Yun Hee and I have never doubted your abilities; we understand the dirty games played against you. We're relieved the culprits are caught, dead or alive. But that's not why I'm here," Changbin reassured. "I'm here for you, amidst all this chaos. I want you to know that I'm by your side, and I'll do whatever it takes to help you find Y/N and your daughter."

“Thanks Changbin.”

"I'll take a look at the business the Lee's have and let you know if I find anything. But I really should head out; Yun Hee's alone at home." Changbin rose from his seat, a hint of concern in his voice as he moved to leave.

"Oh, and Yun Hee wanted me to remind you that you're not alone." With a grateful nod from Wooyoung, Changbin exited the room.

Wooyoung hastily searched for his phone after Changbin departed. He needed to call Yunho, but before he could, Hyeri burst into his office, causing him to jump at the sudden intrusion.

"What's going on?" Wooyoung asked, his tone edged with frustration at the interruption.

"Excuse me, Sir, but I have some urgent news," Hyeri said, her voice trembling. "The Jeju police department contacted us and gave us this." She handed an envelope to Wooyoung, her fingers shaking.

Wooyoung's heart pounded as he tore open the envelope, dread pooling in his stomach. He could see the fear in Hyeri's eyes as she nervously bit her lip.

As Wooyoung unfolded the letter, his world seemed to tilt. Questions and doubts swirled in his mind, each one more frantic than the last. "They sent this just now, but they made the decision yesterday," Hyeri explained, her voice barely above a whisper.

Wooyoung's grip on the paper tightened until the edges crumpled, his anger palpable. Hyeri watched him, a sense of foreboding settling in. She knew she had more to reveal, but fear kept her silent.

Wooyoung took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He set the now-crumpled paper aside, his voice a mix of disbelief and fury. "An official notice that the case is closed," he murmured, a bitter chuckle escaping his lips. "Just because they couldn't solve it, they labeled Y/N as a runaway." His fists clenched, knuckles white with rage. "On what grounds? What proof do they have?" he demanded, his voice rising.

Hyeri, almost stuttering, couldn't find her voice. Instead, she took out her iPad, her hands trembling, and showed him the next piece of the puzzle, the unspoken truth hanging heavily in the air between them.

"They sent us this." There it was, a picture posted on Instagram—many pictures, actually, of Y/N, smiling and happy on vacation. But what was wrong with that?

The unsettling fact that Y/N was with someone who didn’t look like just a friend. In the picture, Y/N was in the arms of a man, slightly lifted off the ground—a man who was not Wooyoung.

"They're going to release a statement tomorrow," Hyeri said hesitantly.

Wooyoung squinted at the picture. He had seen the man somewhere before. Recognition dawned on him: it was Kang Yeosang, the son of Mrs. Kang, whose testimony had led to Mr. Lee's downfall.

Yeosang had been missing for the past two to three weeks, and now here he was with Y/N.

Hyeri watched Wooyoung closely, expecting an outburst, a shattered iPad, something dramatic. But to her surprise, he remained calm, a strange tranquility in his demeanor. He simply handed the iPad back to her without a word.

The case was closed, but Wooyoung’s reaction was anything but what she had anticipated.

His eyes betrayed a storm brewing beneath the surface, yet he maintained a composed exterior, leaving Hyeri bewildered and concerned.

"The Jeju police announced that they plan to address the media," Hyeri began, but stopped abruptly when Wooyoung's stern gaze met hers. "Because Y/N faked her own kidnapping and ran away."

"What?" Wooyoung's voice was tight with barely controlled anger. "If the case is closed, why are they bringing it up publicly now?"

Hyeri took a deep breath before answering, "They consider it an act of treachery. The note they found at her house—they claim she forged it. That's why this is being treated as treachery, and both Y/N and Yeosang are being summoned to the police station."

"Huh, unbelievable. I should talk to Yunho." Wooyoung began searching for his phone, but it was nowhere to be found. He muttered to himself, "How dare they close the case? These pictures are fake, I know it." With frustration, Wooyoung threw his bag to the side and grasped his head, taking a deep breath.

"What if it really is true?" Hyeri said calmly, testing the waters.

"What did you say? These pictures are true?" Wooyoung asked sharply. "Even a high schooler could tell these are fake. The pictures were found, and those foreigners were caught this morning. Doesn't it sound suspicious to you?" His tone was rude. "This is fake."

"But repeating it won't change the truth, Wooyoung," Hyeri countered. "The case is already closed. The world believes in solid proof, not emotions." She was right, and Wooyoung detested the fact that she was.

The world, the police, and the court would only believe in solid evidence.

"No," Wooyoung bellowed, defiance lacing every syllable. “No, No, No….” His shouts reverberated in the room as he swept everything off his desk.

"Why?” Hyeri shot back, her voice rising in frustration. “Why does it always have to be Y/N? Why can't you just forget about her, damn it? She left you.” Hyeri's anger flared. “She wasn't even worth it, just a regular writer who wasn't even a cop. She wasn't even that good of a woman. And that kid she claimed was yours? What if she’s just lied to you?"

Her words cut through Wooyoung like a knife, leaving him reeling in pain and confusion. "Remember those five tough years you went through? It was me who stood by you, through thick and thin, while you battled your demons. I was the one who held your hand, wiped your tears, and cheered you on. Not her.”

A slow chuckle escaped Wooyoung as he turned to face Hyeri. "I see what's going on here. Taking your shot because Y/N isn't around," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "But these pictures mean nothing to me. I know they're fake. Closing the case was the only option to keep me away from finding the truth, and it means I was getting close."

He paused, his expression serious. "You talk about being there for me during tough times, but bringing food doesn't mean you understood what I was going through. How could you, when you don't even know one percent of my struggles? And now, you could be involved with them too, couldn't you? Trying to push Y/N out of my life?"

Wooyoung's tone was firm as he continued, "I won't fall for this. I've suffered from not trusting Y/N before, and I won't make that mistake again." He locked eyes with Hyeri. "No matter what you try, I'll find her. And now that the case is closed, I have more freedom to search. I'll do it my way, on my terms. Just you wait."

Hyeri threatened him, "The chief and board members knew you’d say that," she said. "There are orders, Wooyoung. If you don’t stop your madness, say goodbye to the Seoul Police Department." And as for trust, let me tell you this: the child you're so concerned about, Mingi knew about it. Y/N told him about the child. You didn’t know, did you?”

Wooyoung looked back over his shoulder, a smile playing on his lips. "You think that mere threat would stop me?" he said. With determination, he added, "If this is my restriction, I’m breaking it." Wooyoung tore off the badge from his shirt and walked outside.

Other officers glanced his way, surely overhearing everything Hyeri and he had said, but Wooyoung didn’t dwell on their thoughts. He headed straight for the exit, where he spotted Han with a surprised expression, suggesting he'd also heard everything.

Before Wooyoung could speak, Han said, "I have some really important information about the jacket," blurting it out just as Wooyoung guessed he would. "Come with me," Han asked, gesturing for Wooyoung to follow.

Without hesitation, Wooyoung complied, making his way toward the car and settling into the passenger’s seat.

"I came across a sketch of the jacket when I was assigned to the case," Han explained as he started the engine. "It looked familiar, and after you left the hospital, it clicked."

"Where? Where did you see it?" Wooyoung asked eagerly.

"Relax, he can give you a good answer," Han reassured him as he parked the car outside an art studio.

"Who?"

"Come with me."

They entered the studio together. It was breathtaking, with grandeur evident in the large walls adorned with an array of paintings and crayon sketches. People milled about, admiring the artwork or quietly working on their own blank canvases.

"Are you okay?" Han asked softly, his gaze drifting around the art studio.

Wooyoung let out a quiet sigh, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "I'm... just here, you know? Neither fully alive nor completely gone. Just holding onto hope that someday I'll find them. It's like I've become numb to everything. Lost..." His voice trailed off, a sad smile playing on his lips.

Han felt a pang of helplessness wash over him as he listened to Wooyoung.

"Can I help you two?" The woman, dressed in formal attire, who seemed to be the studio owner, inquired. “Oh, Han after such a long time?” She said as she saw it was Han.

"Oh, it’s always a pleasure to see you, Alice,” Wooyoung noticed that Han was such a sweet talker, maybe that is his way to find clues. “But we are on duty and we need to see your brother real quick,” Han completed, and a sigh slipped from the woman's lips. She pinched the bridge of her nose and said, "Of course, it is always him."

Han placed his hand over his heart and gasped. “If it weren’t for work, I’d have come here only for you, I swear on my poor heart,” Han replied dramatically, and Wooyoung was sure if he heard another word coming out of Han’s mouth he’d puke.

The woman nodded understandingly and motioned for them to follow her. Leading them down a hallway and through a long corridor adorned with massive paintings protected by glass, she explained that these artworks belonged to the man they sought, Hyunjin.

Finally, she knocked on the red door, but there was no response. Sighing once more, she unlocked the door.

Inside the room, the walls gleamed white, but they were shielded by protective plastic, with paint sprays and spills scattered about.

Amidst it all was a man, slender and wiry, his hair cascading long enough to be tied back with a hairband. He swayed to the rhythm of his music, lost in his painting.

"Hey, Hyunjin," the woman's voice pierced through his concentration as she approached, plucking his headphones away.

"What?" Hyunjin snapped, irritation evident in his tone.

"Got some visitors for you. Next time, either keep your door open or ditch those dang headphones," she scolded, stomping off.

Hyunjin rolled his eyes, then turned his attention to Han and Wooyoung. But his expression shifted when he caught sight of Han.

"My brother, Han," he exclaimed, ushering them inside.

Hyunjin was stunning, like a piece of art meticulously crafted to exude beauty. "Sorry 'bout my sister, she's a bit off her rocker anyway. What brings you here?" he asked, his voice softening with a hint of apology.

Hyunjin settled onto the bar stool and gestured toward the small couch in his studio room.

"You remember that jacket sketch from a few weeks back?" Han inquired, his tone laden with concern. Hyunjin furrowed his brows, trying to recall, then nodded as realization dawned on him. "Can you show us the sketch?"

"Of course, no need to ask, just make yourselves at home," Hyunjin replied dramatically, rising from his seat to search for the sketch. "By the way, why that sketch?" he queried.

"I need to see who wore that jacket," Wooyoung said.

"Well, I don't know if this would be enough, but..." Hyunjin produced a sketch wrapped in protective plastic. "Here you go." He extended his hand to offer the sketch, and Wooyoung hesitated before accepting it, his heart racing.

He was too scared to look at the drawing, but when he saw whose sketch it was, he was shocked to the core.

"So, do you know him?" Hyunjin asked. "I was in Ulsan. I heard there's going to be a demolition of the area near the lighthouse. It was my favorite place, so I went there to bid my farewell. That's when I saw him, and my eyes were glued to him. I drew this after three days, based on my memory," Hyunjin explained, and Han almost clapped at his narration.

“You are gay.” Han blurted out earning a glare from Hyunjin who was ready to throw his speech on how wrong Han was.

“How did you even become a cop?” Hyunjin remarked. “I was saying this on the arts perspective, he looked so good to be sketched, like a sheep in wolf’s clothing, he looked like he was maintaining his demeanor to never be found, I saw the art.” Hyunjin started to banter.

"Ulsan, you say?" Wooyoung repeated and Hyunjin stopped and looked at Wooyoung.

"Yeah, do you know him?" Hyunjin asked again.

"Very well," Wooyoung replied. "Thanks, Han," Wooyoung said as Han nodded in response. Then, Wooyoung turned his attention to Hyunjin and asked, "Hyunjin, can I borrow this?"

Hyunjin tsked and dramatically flipped his hair. "Of course you can, but..." he began, pausing as he was about to step out. "You know, these pieces of art are really tough to make, and there's no such thing as a free meal."

Wooyoung knew exactly what Hyunjin meant. He quickly fished some money out of his wallet and handed it to Hyunjin before rushing out.

"Wait, Chief!" Han shouted, chasing after Wooyoung, who was practically sprinting down the hall. Catching up to him outside, Han panted, "I know you're fast, Chief, but a car would save your stamina and time."

Both men hopped into the car, with Han taking the wheel. Wooyoung frantically searched his jacket pockets for his phone. "Where did I put my phone?" he exclaimed in frustration.

"You can use mine," Han offered, handing over his phone.

"I don't remember the number," Wooyoung replied, just as he felt a vibration from his bag. He had checked there before, but now the vibrating was unmistakable.

Wooyoung quickly fished out his phone and sighed in relief, though his expression turned serious when he saw the caller ID. It was Changbin.

Wooyoung answered the call and put it on speaker. "Wooyoung, I thought you should know this. Among the properties Lee owned, one has been under dispute for over 30 years—the old abandoned inn near the lighthouse in Ulsan. The government has ordered its demolition."

Everything suddenly made sense, the bigger picture becoming clear. "Wooyoung, are you there?" Changbin asked, not hearing a response. "The demolition is scheduled for tomorrow morning."

The call abruptly ended, it was Wooyoung who cut the call and it left him pale and visibly shaken, as if all the blood had drained from his face.

“Han, how fast can we get to Ulsan?” Wooyoung asked.

“If we take the road, it might be quicker but still 3-4 hours, but the streets are really busy today. Remember, there’s a protest against foreigners, so traffic is a mess. Plus, the trains aren’t running for the same reason,” Han replied.

Wooyoung glanced at his watch; it was almost 10 PM, and he desperately hoped morning would never come. “Han, I need to be there as soon as possible,” he said, his voice tinged with fear. “I have an idea. Drop me off here.”

Han hesitated, about to protest, but Wooyoung cut him off. “Drop me here and listen carefully. I need you to use your smooth talking to delay the demolition. Go as fast as you can.”

Understanding Wooyoung’s plan, Han nodded and pulled over. Wooyoung got out, gave Han a determined nod, and ran off to catch a taxi, knowing that going back to the station for his car would take too long.

As soon as he climbed into the taxi, Wooyoung quickly dialed a number, anxiously waiting for the other person to pick up.

"Hey, where are we going?" Wooyoung asked.

"We're heading to Grace’s school to pick her up," Y/N replied, grabbing her purse and car keys.

Wooyoung could hardly believe it. He was actually going to his daughter's school to pick her up—something fathers do. His face almost broke into a wide grin, but he managed to whisper a heartfelt "Thank you" to Y/N.

"Let’s go fulfill your fatherly duties," Y/N said with a calm smile. She knew how eagerly Wooyoung had been waiting for this moment, looking forward to the day he could go to Grace’s school and pick her up.

It was just a ten-minute ride, but those ten minutes truly tested Wooyoung's patience. His feet kept bouncing up and down with nervous energy. Y/N placed her hand on his knee, reassuring him that everything was okay.

The moment they reached the school, Wooyoung happily jumped out of the car and positioned himself right in front of the main entrance, eagerly waiting for his little princess to come running into his arms.

When he finally saw her, his heart swelled with joy. She wasn't alone, though; she was walking with her teacher and a group of other kids. Grace spotted him at the door, her face lighting up with a beaming smile. She gestured for her teacher to notice him too.

The teacher, a polite and good-looking man, smiled at Wooyoung, said goodbye to the other students, and gently held Grace's hand. Together, they walked over to where Wooyoung and Y/N were standing, ready to embrace their little girl.

"Teacher, this is my dad. He's a cop in Seoul," Grace blurted out, beaming at Wooyoung. She never missed a chance to mention her father's profession. Her teacher smiled and extended his hand for a handshake. "Dad, this is my teacher," she added sweetly.

"Hello, nice to finally meet you. I’m Christopher Bang, Grace’s homeroom teacher," the man introduced himself. Wooyoung returned the gesture and introduced himself, noting the awkward glance and smile shared between Christopher and Y/N.

"How are you doing, Y/N? Judging by the smile, I assume you're over the moon," he remarked, causing Y/N to laugh.

"Of course, Mommy is so happy!" Grace shouted in between.

"We should take our leave now. Grace has places to show her father, right, Grace?" Y/N said, and Grace nodded enthusiastically.

"Of course, of course, don’t let me hold you guys back," Christopher said, smiling and flashing his dimples. He was so polite and sweet. "Bye, Grace. Have fun," he said, waving at her. "Bye, Y/N and Wooyoung," he added almost in a whisper, before turning to go back inside the school.

The ride was tranquil, filled with the joy of Grace leading Wooyoung through her favorite park, where they played together. Every moment was a treasure for Wooyoung; he wished time would freeze right there.

He couldn’t believe his luck: being with Y/N again, her forgiveness, and the overwhelming happiness of having a family now. Grace, exhausted from their playtime, had fallen asleep in the backseat, leaving a peaceful silence in the car.

Y/N sensed the thoughts swirling in Wooyoung’s mind. "Christopher Bang was the guy I went on a blind date with. Miss Kim knew him and arranged the date," she revealed, meeting Wooyoung's gaze.

"I trust you, Y/N. I've learned from my mistakes," Wooyoung replied, his eyes reflecting guilt and remorse as he shifted his attention from the steering wheel to her.

"It's just a strange coincidence I noticed, that's all. I trust you," he added.

Y/N lightened the mood playfully. "You know what? You still have some fatherly duties left to fulfill," she teased, earning a puzzled look from Wooyoung.

"Hand me your phone," she requested, and Wooyoung complied without hesitation. Y/N swiftly dialed a number and handed it back to him. "There, Grace's homeroom teacher's number."

Wooyoung chuckled, almost tutting at her playfulness. "It's important, Wooyoung. Parents should always have their kid’s teacher's number handy. You never know when you'll need it," Y/N explained, and they both shared a laugh.

Wooyoung never thought he'd find himself needing to dial this number in a situation like this, but as the call connected, a familiar voice greeted him on the other end. "Hey there, Christopher Bang speaking."

"Hi, Christopher. Or should I say, 'wolf in sheep's clothing'?" Wooyoung quipped, earning a chuckle from Christopher. "Let's cut to the chase. Where are Y/N and my daughter?"

Despite already knowing the answer, Wooyoung wanted confirmation, hoping against hope that his suspicions were wrong.

"Oh, Wooyoung, how's it going? As for Y/N and Grace, I honestly have no clue. Shouldn't you, as her husband, have a better idea?" Christopher's response was casual, but Wooyoung could sense the undercurrent of concern in his voice. "I'm starting to get worried. Are they safe?"

"Enough with the act, Chan. I know you're involved in this," Wooyoung retorted firmly.

"I genuinely don't know what you're talking about, Wooyoung. I have no idea where they are, and you know I don't lie. If I had anything to do with it, you'd know," Christopher replied, his tone shifting to seriousness.

"Keep denying, but just remember, I'll expose you and anyone else involved," Wooyoung warned, his frustration palpable.

"Wooyoung you are mistaken," Christopher responded, his tone still calm as Wooyoung ended the call, feeling a mix of anger and determination.

The taxi was barely moving, inching forward at a frustratingly slow pace. To make matters worse, a massive crowd had begun to block the roads, halting any progress.

The rallies were in response to the foreigners who had harmed Yun Hee. Though they had been caught, the civilians demanded harsh punishment, calling for imprisonment or even stoning.

Wooyoung, however, didn't have time to spare. With only a few hours left, he was confident that the disputed inn was the best place to hide someone. He was becoming increasingly certain that Y/N and Grace were there.

He needed to reach the inn before its scheduled demolition, but the situation was deteriorating rapidly, making him more agitated by the minute.

It was almost midnight, and Wooyoung decided it would be best to run towards Ulsan. "Please, God, please don’t let this happen," he murmured as he pushed his way through the massive mob.

Suddenly, he remembered something important and stopped in his tracks to pull out his phone. He quickly dialed Yongbok's number.

"Yongbok was transferred to Busan last time I checked. He could get to Ulsan fast," Wooyoung thought, hoping for a quick response. What he didn’t know was that Yunho and Mingi were also in Busan. The last time he talked to Yunho, they had been in Incheon.

The call went unanswered, and Wooyoung cursed under his breath. He kept calling Yongbok, desperately hoping he would pick up, but each call went straight to voicemail. Frustrated and anxious, Wooyoung muttered,

"I don't know what to do. God, please help me." Shoving his phone back into his pocket, he started running again.

His mind raced through the chaotic mess of events: the dispute over Mr. Lee's land, Y/N's kidnapping, the foreigners being caught, the fake news about Y/N being a runaway, and the impending demolition.

It all seemed to point to one thing—that someone was orchestrating these events to make Y/N disappear without a trace, and without arousing suspicion.

Wooyoung was running, streams of tears flowing continuously and blurring his vision, causing him to fall hard. He hit the ground badly, scraping his arms and hitting his jaw.

Wooyoung groaned in pain, but his cries were drowned out by the chaos of the mob surging through the streets. He felt utterly helpless, not knowing who to turn to for help. Time was slipping away, and he feared he wouldn't make it in time.

He desperately wished that Inspector Han could convince the officials to stop the demolition. Han was trying his best, but without solid evidence or a compelling reason, the officials refused to budge.

Even though injured, Wooyoung compelled himself to rise, mustering the strength for another attempt to sprint and rescue his love. Having lost her once due to his own missteps, he was determined not to let it happen again.

When Y/N was first introduced to the team as the linguist and handwriting analyst, Wooyoung never imagined they could ever be together.

"Team, please welcome Y/N. She's a language expert, fluent in almost seven languages, and given the escalating nature of our case, her expertise might prove invaluable," announced the team leader.

Y/N stood confidently, exuding an air of authority as she introduced herself. She collaborated frequently with Yongbok, conversing in English, and an immediate rapport was established.

Wooyoung, though the team leader, had yet to approach her, unsure of how to do so without appearing awkward.

Despite being able to concoct any reason to engage with her, he found himself feeling apprehensive, and thus, he never spoke to her—until one day, when the station was deserted, and Y/N arrived early to analyze writings.

Sensing the opportune moment, Wooyoung steeled himself and made his way toward her desk. However, upon reaching her, he found himself at a loss for words, retreating awkwardly.

"Officer Wooyoung," called Y/N, causing him to nearly widen his eyes in disbelief. Slowly turning, he met her gaze.

"Don't be so hard on yourself, sir. I won't bite, and you can speak to me directly," she reassured him.

"What?" Wooyoung nearly blurted out, prompting a chuckle from Y/N.

"Officer, I can sense your inner struggle, whether to approach me or not."

"You're a handwriting analyst, not a mind reader," Wooyoung retorted, attempting to maintain a semblance of authority but immediately regretting his words.

"Of course," Y/N whispered, returning to her work. Wooyoung began to retreat to his own office but paused before leaving. "If you come across anything, meet me in my office," he instructed.

Y/N almost smiled to herself, murmuring, "Of course, you're the one handwriting as beautiful as I wish to read," making sure Wooyoung heard her, which he did.

Wooyoung found himself constantly switching between taking taxis and sprinting through the streets. He knew that if he kept up this pattern, it would take him forever to reach Ulsan.

Determined to expedite his journey, he finally opted for the subway. Despite his fatigue and a slight limp, he managed to board the train with heavy steps.

Thankfully, the trains were running behind schedule due to the chaos in the city. He counted himself lucky to have caught the last train to Ulsan at 12:15, though it also meant a longer journey ahead.

As he settled in, he couldn't help but pray fervently that he would arrive before the demolition, clinging to the hope of even the slightest chance to rescue Y/N and Grace.

At first, the train ran slowly, taking almost two hours to cover half the distance. However, once it reached Andong, it picked up speed and resumed its original pace.

It was nearly 2:45 AM, and Wooyoung's eyes were growing heavier. He was hurt, tired, and filled with sadness. Fighting against his exhaustion, he struggled to keep his eyes open.

Just then, his phone rang. With a groan, he pulled it out of his pocket and saw that it was Yunho calling. At first, he considered not answering, but an inexplicable urge compelled him to pick up the call.

"Wooyoung, where are you? I've been trying to reach you for two days," Yunho blurted as soon as Wooyoung picked up the call. "I have something very important to tell you, Wooyoung. Y/N’s case got closed."

Wooyoung didn't respond.

"Wooyoung, are you listening?" Yunho asked.

"I know it got closed, and I also know why. That bastard played it well, and he kept denying everything," Wooyoung said, his voice filled with bitterness. Yunho fell silent for a moment.

"Who?" Yunho finally asked.

"I found the man with the black jacket," Wooyoung replied.

"What are you talking about? I called you to tell you that I found the jacket—the same black jacket," Yunho said. Wooyoung's ears perked up. What was Yunho talking about?

If Yunho had found the jacket and the man, then what was Christopher Bang doing in the sketch? The case suddenly became even messier.

"Me and Mingi, we came to Busan yesterday. I was in Mingi’s apartment when I saw it—the jacket. It was Mingi’s, and he confirmed it. I couldn't believe it, but it was evidence, so I had to call the team.

Mingi doesn’t know about it yet, but they’ll come today to arrest him for interrogation," Yunho explained.

But all Wooyoung heard was that Yunho and Mingi were in Busan.

"Yunho, are you in Busan?" Wooyoung asked, trying to keep his voice calm despite his nervousness. When Yunho confirmed with a yes, it felt like a divine answer to his prayers.

"Yunho, listen carefully. I don’t think it’s Mingi, but right now, I need you to get to Ulsan as fast as you can." Wooyoung quickly explained everything to Yunho.

As Yunho understood the gravity of the situation, a series of curses escaped his mouth, and he almost immediately rushed off.

Wooyoung almost cried thinking about how much time he could have saved if he had known Yunho was in Busan earlier. Now, they both had an equal distance to cover to reach Ulsan.

Demolitions were usually scheduled for the morning hours to avoid crowd interference, and this case was no different. Dawn had already broken; it was just a matter of minutes now.

Despite his exhaustion, Wooyoung dragged his injured feet off the train and made his way towards the lighthouse as quickly as possible. The birds had started to sing beautifully, but it was the last thing on Wooyoung’s mind.

His mind, overwhelmed by the urgency and fear, began to play tricks on him.

He had to keep going, no matter the cost.

Wooyoung clutched his bleeding side, his limp growing more pronounced with each painful step. Desperation fueled his every movement as he made his way toward the road.

He spotted a taxi parked at the curb, its driver reclining indifferently in the seat. Summoning his last reserves of strength, Wooyoung rushed over and knocked on the window.

"Please, take me to the lighthouse," Wooyoung begged, his voice hoarse with urgency.

The driver looked at him, unimpressed. "No way. It's too far and too late."

Wooyoung's heart sank, but he quickly pulled out a wad of cash, practically shoving it into the driver's hands. "I'll pay you double. Just get me there fast."

The driver's eyes widened at the sight of the money, and after a moment's hesitation, he nodded. "Alright, get in."

The car roared to life, and they sped off into the night, urgency driving them forward. Wooyoung's eyes flickered to the clock on the dashboard, each ticking second hammering his nerves.

Every moment felt like an eternity, anxiety coursing through his veins as he grappled with the realization that time was slipping away.

"Faster," Wooyoung urged, his voice quivering with desperation.

The driver pressed the pedal to the floor, weaving through traffic with reckless abandon. The city lights blurred into streaks of color, a chaotic backdrop to their race against time.

Wooyoung's mind was a maelstrom of fear and hope, each passing second bringing him closer to the moment he dreaded most.

Finally, the lighthouse loomed into view, silhouetted against the predawn sky. But as they approached, Wooyoung's heart plummeted. The demolition had already begun.

The relentless sounds of machinery and the sight of workers moving with purpose filled him with a sense of impending doom.

"Stop here!" Wooyoung shouted, thrusting a handful of bills at the driver before stumbling out of the taxi.

Ignoring the searing pain in his leg, he ran towards the site. He spotted Yunho, engaged in a frantic argument with the workers, desperately trying to break through.

"Let me through!” Yunho's voice cracked with a mixture of anger and fear.

Wooyoung pushed through the crowd, his cries melding with Yunho's. "Please, stop! There are people inside!"

The workers remained steadfast, their faces cold and unyielding. Wooyoung's heart pounded as his phone vibrated in his pocket. It was Han.

With trembling hands, he answered the call, clinging to a fragile thread of hope. "Han, tell me you did it. Tell me you stopped the demolition."

There was a heavy pause on the other end, then Han's voice came through, strained and filled with regret. "Sorry, Chief. I tried my best, but it was too late."

The words drained the very life from Wooyoung, leaving him a hollow shell. He stood there, eyes locked on the site where workers, oblivious to his anguish, completed their grim task. The final demolition charges were set. The countdown had begun.

"No! Stop!" Wooyoung's voice was a raw, desperate plea as he fought to reach the workers, but their grasp held him back. His cries echoed futilely, lost in the indifferent clamor.

Yunho rushed to his side, his presence a small comfort in the midst of chaos. But there was nothing he could do. They could only watch, helpless and horrified, as the inn—their inn—crumbled before their eyes.

Three explosions. That was all it took.

The first blast tore through the morning, the ground trembling beneath them as a cloud of dust and debris filled the air.

Wooyoung's legs buckled, and he fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. Beside him, Yunho stood frozen, his face a mask of shock and sorrow.

The second explosion followed, a deafening roar that ripped through their souls, tearing their hopes apart. The inn's structure sagged, collapsing in a slow, agonizing descent, each moment stretching into an eternity of pain.

By the time the third blast echoed, the inn was nothing more than a pile of rubble. The finality of it shattered Wooyoung’s spirit. A guttural scream tore from his throat, a raw manifestation of his unbearable anguish, reverberating through the now silent morning.

Everything was gone, right before Wooyoung’s eyes. His last desperate attempt to save his love lay in ruins before him. The mechanical sounds and Yunho's frantic calls seemed distant, muted by the roaring silence of his grief.

His vision blurred, and the pain of his injury paled in comparison to the ache in his heart. The weight of his despair crushed him, and his body gave out. He collapsed onto the dust-laden ground, unconscious, wishing with all his being that he would never open his eyes again.

It was the end of winter, the end of the cold and freezing snowy fields, and the beginning of summer. Three long, excruciating months had passed since the demolition in Ulsan.

The world seemed to have returned to its usual routines—no more rallies, no more mobs on the streets, no more strange behavior from foreigners.

The world was at peace. But what is peace? Is it the contentment we feel in our hearts, or is it merely the silence that surrounds us?

Wooyoung's life was far from content. His world was shrouded in silence, but could this truly be called peace?

Rumors about Y/N still swirled around, whispers that cut deeper than any blade. People pitied him, believing the love of his life had run away with someone else.

Was this peace? Or was it the sight of his friend Mingi still fighting for his innocence, out on temporary bail, his future uncertain and fragile?

Mr. Lee had vowed to turn Wooyoung's life into a whirlpool, a storm from which there was no escape. He succeeded. Not just Wooyoung, but everyone around him felt the weight of Mr. Lee’s vengeance.

These three months had been the coldest of Wooyoung's life, freezing him from within.

He withdrew into hibernation, never opening his door to anyone. The memories of Y/N and Grace haunted him every moment. He tried to find solace in Y/N's house in Jeju, but it only deepened his despair, driving him back to Seoul.

Yet, he never returned to the police department. The general tried to reach out, but Wooyoung refused to listen. The news had died down, but the seeds of scandal had already taken root in people's minds.

Even at his friend Changbin’s wedding, Wooyoung found no peace. He was genuinely happy for Changbin, but it was the first time in three months he had left his home.

As he sat around the round table with Han, Yunho, and Yongbok, attending Changbin and Yun Hee's wedding, he felt the weight of the past pressing down on him.

It was a new beginning for Changbin and Yun Hee, a bright dawn after the darkest night. Changbin and the others were happy to see Wooyoung, but no one spoke of the past.

"Chief, are you okay?" Han asked, breaking the fragile silence.

"I'm good," Wooyoung replied with a tight smile.

"Chief, I need to..." Han began, but Wooyoung cut him off, knowing where the conversation was headed. Han earned a glare from Yunho.

"Not now, Han. Please," Wooyoung said, excusing himself. "I'll be back." He left the table, seeking refuge in the smoking area.

Wooyoung didn’t cry, but his heart wept constantly. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves as he frantically checked his pockets for his medication—pills he had been taking for panic attacks for the past two months.

No one knew about his struggle. As he gulped down the bitter pill, a waiter approached with a drink.

"I didn't order this," Wooyoung said, but the waiter insisted, handing him a note along with the drink.

Wooyoung squinted, scrutinizing the faces in the room before slowly opening the note. His eyes widened as he read the words written inside.

"I know what happened to Y/N."

Those few words shook him to his core. The story hadn’t ended with the demolition; it was just the beginning. There was more to uncover. The truth still awaited Wooyoung, and his journey was far from over.

[i-myeoni-blogs]

Part 9

Pairing - Wooyoung x Y/N

Mingi leaned back in his chair, scratching his head in perplexity. "Who exactly is this Lee guy?" he asked, his curiosity piqued by the latest case that landed on their desks like a cryptic puzzle.

Their target: Mr. Lee, a mysterious figure shrouded in the haze of Seoul's business landscape. At 50, he owned a hefty chunk of the city's skyscrapers, with whispers suggesting his influence spread even further across Korea. But what caught Mingi's attention was how this seemingly untouchable mogul ended up on their suspect list.

At first glance, it seemed like a minor issue—a few complaints here and there about Mr. Lee's hired muscle roughing up foreigners. But as they dug deeper, layers began to peel away, revealing a hidden underworld of illegal dealings and secret strongholds. Suddenly, what appeared to be a tiny blip on the radar morphed into something much larger and more sinister.

"Guess we've got ourselves a rich maniac on the loose," Y/N quipped with a playful smirk, her eyes flickering mischievously. "Well, lucky for you all, I'll see what I can drum up. Technically, I'm not on the force, but hey, who's keeping track?" She shot a teasing glance at Wooyoung, who lounged across from her, flanked by Mingi. Mingi, catching the camaraderie, couldn't help but chuckle.

"But first, food!" Y/N declared, her stomach rumbling in agreement. "Let's refuel, folks. We can brainstorm better on full stomachs." With a theatrical groan, she dove into her lunch bag, extracting her meal with gusto.

Mingi, noticing her enthusiasm, couldn't resist commenting. "You seem extra pumped for lunch today!"

Y/N grinned, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Oh, you have no idea," she teased.

Wooyoung, seizing the opportunity to stir the pot, joined in, unveiling his own lunch with a wicked grin. "So, here's the deal," he began, sliding his meal toward Mingi. "We had a little cook-off earlier. Y/N here had the audacity to claim she could outdo me in the kitchen. So, naturally, we had to put it to the test. Now, it's your turn to be the judge." Y/N just rolled her eyes in mock annoyance.

"Alright, Mingi, go ahead. Today's the day we settle this once and for all," Y/N said with a hint of determination, nudging her lunch closer to Mingi, who sat there feeling like he'd stepped into a whirlwind.

Mingi cursed himself silently, wondering why he ever got involved in this drama between his two friends. "Um, sorry guys, I just remembered my mom packed me lunch," he began, inching away from the table.

But before he could escape, Y/N and Wooyoung both raised their voices in unison, commanding him to sit back down. "We both know your parents are off holidaying somewhere," Y/N pointed out, while Wooyoung added firmly, "So park it and play judge for once."

Mingi found himself sinking back into his seat, eyeing the spread before him with a mix of trepidation and resignation. Glancing around, he noticed the intense glares being exchanged between his friends. Then, just as Yongbok passed by their table, Mingi seized the opportunity.

"Yongbok!" he called out, hoping for a distraction.

Turning with his trademark smile, Yongbok faced his friend, his uniform perfectly pressed as always. With those adorable freckles peppering his cheeks, he was like a walking charm factory, earning him adoration from all who knew him.

But beneath that cute exterior lay a surprise—a voice that could rival the force of twenty generators combined. "Hey, Inspector Song," he greeted in his deep, rumbling tone, a contrast to his gentle demeanor.

Y/N couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. It was as if Mingi and Yongbok were destined to be friends, their voices perfectly complementing each other. Once, in a fit of curiosity, Y/N had jokingly asked if they'd swallowed megaphones as kids.

"Come eat with us," he said, his voice carrying a genuine sense of camaraderie. Y/N and Wooyoung chimed in, their encouragement echoing Mingi's invitation.

Yongbok, ever the polite one, tried to gracefully decline. But when it came to Y/N, he knew better than to think he could easily escape her insistence.

"Wait, Yongbok, have you eaten?" Y/N's question hung in the air, her tone both teasing and caring. Yongbok shook his head, a sheepish grin playing on his lips.

Without missing a beat, Y/N adopted her trademark humor. "Then bring your ass here and eat with us," she declared, her words punctuated with a playful exuberance that always seemed to break through any resistance.

Yongbok chuckled, unable to resist her infectious energy, and made his way to the table, expressing his gratitude. Y/N flashed him a mischievous grin. "I can't let my little brother starve now, can I?" she teased, her affection for him shining through.

But Wooyoung, ever the instigator, couldn't resist stirring the pot. "Oh, please, we all know why you called him," he interjected with a smirk, earning himself a sharp glare from Y/N. "To have an extra judge who will vote for you."

"Come on, guys, dig in," Y/N urged, flashing a hopeful smile at Mingi and Yongbok. With a gentle nudge, they picked up their chopsticks and fork, eyeing the lunches in front of them. The tension in the air was palpable, like the calm before a storm.

Mingi and Yongbok hesitated for a moment, exchanging uncertain glances. Then, with a shrug, they each took a tentative bite from their respective lunches, much to the relief of Y/N and Wooyoung. The two of them watched anxiously, waiting for their verdict.

As Mingi and Yongbok chewed, Y/N and Wooyoung held their breath, waiting for the inevitable reaction. It was a make-or-break moment, with the fate of their teasing rivalry hanging in the balance.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Mingi and Yongbok nodded in approval, their faces lighting up with delight. Y/N let out a sigh of relief, while Wooyoung couldn't help but smirk triumphantly.

With a gentle clink, Mingi laid his chopsticks down, shooting Yongbok a grin across the table. Wooyoung and Y/N leaned in, anticipation dancing in their eyes as they awaited the verdict.

"I've reached a verdict," Mingi announced, casting his gaze between Wooyoung and Y/N. "You both really impressed me, but..." He paused for dramatic effect, drawing out the suspense. "I have to say, Yongbok's brownies take the cake."

Wooyoung and Y/N exchanged playful glares, then turned their attention back to Mingi, their voices blending in a chorus of mock outrage as they teased him for his choice.

Amidst the lively chatter of their lunch group, Yongbok's voice cut through the commotion like a spotlight on stage. "Hey, guys, hold up a sec," he said, holding up his lunchbox with a grin. Wooyoung chuckled, already sensing some mischief afoot, and shot a glance over at Y/N.

"This right here," Yongbok declared proudly, "is the real deal. Authentic Korean goodness that has that special flavor every Korean craves." His words were met with a cheer from Wooyoung, who shot a playful glare at Y/N. "I'm telling you, this is the winner," Wooyoung exclaimed, triumphant.

But just as the celebration started to peak, Yongbok raised his hand, silencing the room. He reached for Y/N's lunchbox, causing her to lean in with anticipation. The room's energy shifted from jubilation to a hush of curiosity. Wooyoung's applause faded into an uncertain silence.

"This," Yongbok continued, holding up the lunchbox with a twinkle in his eye, "is something different. It's like a fusion of flavors from around the world—a whole new experience that people will go crazy for." Y/N's face lit up with delight, bouncing in her seat, as the suspense built. What could be inside this extraordinary lunchbox? The room held its breath, waiting for the reveal.

"So, I guess you could say, I love 'em both," Yongbok concluded with a grin, "being half Korean and half Australian, you know?"

Mingi, ever the theatrical one, pretended to wipe away tears. "I knew inviting you was a stroke of genius," he exclaimed dramatically, earning groans from both Wooyoung and Y/N.

"Nice move, Mr. Jung," Y/N said, extending her hand for a handshake to Wooyoung.

"Yeah, well played," Wooyoung replied, though there was a hint of disappointment in his voice. "But did he have to hype you up so much?"

"You're too much," Y/N teased, retracting her hand with a playful smirk. "Man, Mingi, I've got this crazy craving for Yongbok's brownies," she declared, shooting Yongbok a grin.

Yongbok chuckled. "Well, I could whip up a batch for you tomorrow."

"She's like family to me, you know?" Yongbok continued, a fond smile playing on his lips as he reminisced. The coffees in front of them were slowly losing their steam, but the memories they shared were keeping them warm. "She always looked out for me, never made me feel different because of my accent."

Yongbok's words struck a chord with them all, a reminder of the bond they shared and the moments that had brought them together. "Count me in," Yongbok said eagerly, leaning forward. "Let's find her. And hey, if there's anything I can do to help, just say the word."

"Okay, let's piece this together," Yunho began, leaning against the table as they discussed the peculiar case. "We're suspecting Mr. Lee's involvement in her kidnapping, right?"

"But Mr. Lee is gone," Yongbok interjected, scratching his head in confusion.

"True, true," Yunho nodded, tapping his chin in thought. "But what about his crew? They could still be out there, holding a grudge or maybe even a family member seeking payback."

Yongbok and Mingi exchanged glances, processing Yunho's words. Mingi's eyes widened suddenly, as if a lightbulb had flickered to life in his mind.

"Wait a minute," Mingi exclaimed, straightening up in his seat. "What about the Twin Lees?"

"The Twin Lees?" Yunho echoed, intrigued.

"Yeah, when Y/N and I were deep into this investigation," Mingi began, excitement lacing his voice, "we stumbled upon this mystery: Mr. Lee had these two shadowy figures, dubbed the Twin Lees. They were like his right-hand men, but nobody ever laid eyes on them. We never could figure out who they were because, well, the case closed when Mr. Lee bit the dust."

Yunho's brow furrowed in contemplation. "So, Twin Lees... Could they be the missing link we've been searching for?"

"Hey, I'm not sure about this, but we've gotta take a shot," Mingi said with a shrug, and Yongbok gave a nod of agreement. "Let's start by talking to the folks at the Incheon department."

So, Mingi, Yunho, and Yongbok kicked back in the café, hashing out their plans before finally deciding it was time to take action. They strolled out, café doors chiming behind them, and made their way across the street to the police station. Mingi wasn't too keen on the idea at first, but Yongbok was persistent, promising that the chief wasn't lurking around.

Just as they were about to step into the station, a woman stepped right in front of them. Her eyes were swollen from crying, her hair in disarray, and she looked utterly exhausted. "Sir, please, you have to find my son," she pleaded, her voice cracking with emotion.

Yongbok, ever the calm one, tried to reassure her. "Mrs. Kim, we're doing everything we can. We won't give up."

"It's been over two weeks now, officer, and still no news about my son Sangie," the lady sighed, her voice tinged with exhaustion. Despite her weariness, her eyes blazed with determination, a fire fueling her quest to find her son.

"Mrs. Kim, please trust us," Yongbok reassured her gently, his heart aching at the sight of her distress. Tears streamed down her face as she collapsed onto the bench, her hands trembling with emotion. Mingi and Yunho exchanged glances, their sympathy mirroring Yongbok's.

"Please, ma'am, come with us," Yongbok urged, guiding her into the station with care. The other officers watched with heavy hearts, knowing all too well that this wasn't the first time the distraught mother had sought answers here. They couldn't help but feel for her, and for Yongbok, who always took it upon himself to console her.

"Here, have some water," he offered, passing her a glass in an attempt to offer some small comfort amidst the turmoil.

The woman stood in the police station, her eyes heavy with worry, her words trembling with emotion. "He's the only family I have left. I lost my husband and my daughter. I can't lose him too, or I'll die," she confided. “I’m certain he is behind all this.”

The officer, Yongbok, shook his head gently. "That's not possible, ma'am. He's dead."

"But his battalions are still alive. I testified against him. That's why he kidnapped my son," she insisted, her voice carrying the weight of past trauma. This wasn't the first time she had made such claims, and Yongbok and the other officers were sadly accustomed to her suspicions.

Yunho and Mingi, however, exchanged surprised glances but kept their thoughts to themselves until the woman had left the station.

"Who was she talking about?" Mingi finally ventured.

"Lee," Yongbok answered with a heavy sigh. Mingi and Yunho shared a look, both of them arriving at the same conclusion.

Yongbok caught on to their silent communication. "It could be the twin Lees," he suggested, and his companions nodded in agreement. "That means everything points to the Twin Lee. We have to find them soon."

Yunho slouched on the couch in Mingi's cozy living room, his brows furrowed in frustration as he muttered to himself. "Seriously, how many people did he manage to mess with even from beyond the grave? It's like he orchestrated this whole revenge plot from the great beyond," he grumbled, shaking his head at the sheer audacity of it all.

He'd just come back from chatting with Yongbok, leaving Mingi behind to sift through old case files on the computer. Yunho couldn't shake the feeling of disbelief as he replayed their conversation in his mind.

"And seriously, why is Wooyoung ghosting me?" Yunho groaned, tossing his phone onto the coffee table in annoyance. For two whole days, he'd been trying to get a hold of Wooyoung, and not even a single text back. It was starting to drive him up the wall.

Yunho leaned back in his chair, swirling his coffee absentmindedly as he mulled over the pieces of information he'd pieced together. "If Mr. Lee's the queen ant of this whole mafia scene, and those two twins are his trusty ant soldiers, then they're not just expanding the colony. They're cooking up something huge," he mused aloud.

"Sakura," he muttered, the name rolling off his tongue as he sifted through his mental notes. "That old guy? He spilled the beans about his grandson, how he was paid off to claim he knew Sakura, only to end up silenced. But by who? That's the million-dollar question, and the answer seems to point right back to Mr. Lee and this mysterious Sakura character."

With a thoughtful expression, Yunho tapped his pen against the edge of the table. "It's like a puzzle, and we're missing a crucial piece. Who the heck is Sakura, and what's her connection to Mr. Lee's operation? The way those Lee twins are carrying on, it's like they're picking up where Mr. Lee left off, continuing his unfinished business. But without knowing who Sakura is, we're just spinning our wheels."

Taking a sip of his coffee, Yunho glanced out the window, lost in thought. "We need to dig deeper, find out who Sakura is and what role she plays in all of this. Once we crack that, maybe the whole picture will start to make sense."

As Yunho sifted through Mr. Lee's logbook, his mind raced with questions. The constant donations to a demand home piqued his curiosity. Could Sakura be involved somehow? Yunho pondered, trying to connect the dots. As Yunho delved deeper into his thoughts, he was jolted back to reality by a sudden phone call from Mingi. He picked it up quickly, expecting some breakthrough, but instead, he was met with a shock.

“Yunho, help.” Those were the only words Yunho could make out before the line went silent. Mingi's voice sounded pained, filled with muffled groans. Heart pounding, Yunho grabbed his jacket and raced to the station.

When he arrived, he found Mingi unconscious, lying in a pool of blood in the archive room at the back of the police station. Panic surged through Yunho as he quickly got Mingi to the hospital. Though the wounds weren't fatal, the fact that Mingi had been attacked out of nowhere was alarming.

This Lee case was proving to be anything but simple, bringing danger to everyone involved. As Yunho sat by Mingi's side, the weight of the situation pressed heavily on his heart.

Mingi woke up with a groan after two hours, finding himself in the emergency ward with a bandage around his head. His eyes quickly found Yunho, who looked lost, teetering on the edge of a panic attack. Mingi’s worry surged as he called out softly, "Yunho, are you okay?"

His voice was barely a whisper in the heavy silence, but Yunho didn’t respond, trapped in his own thoughts. Desperate to reach him, Mingi called out again, a bit louder this time, "Yunho, I'm asking, are you okay?"

Yunho blinked, shaking off his reverie. "Oh, yeah, I'm... I'm fine," he mumbled, running a hand through his hair in frustration, his cheeks flushing slightly. He shifted uncomfortably, fidgeting with his fingers. "But what happened to you at the station? Who attacked you?"

"I really don’t know," Mingi replied. "After I left the Incheon police station, I had some data related to Mr. Lee’s case. I wanted to review it, but suddenly someone attacked me from behind. I fought back and managed to injure him in the right foot, but I couldn’t stop him. He got away."

“That means there was something important in those files, and he was trying to stop you from seeing it. But when I reached you, the system was completely broken. Someone must have come back after you passed out to finish the job. And there weren’t even any cameras,” Yunho said, punching the air in frustration. “This Lee guy has a network everywhere.”

Yunho zoned out again, and Mingi could tell there was something else bothering him. Gently, he asked, “Yunho, what else is troubling you?”

Yunho looked at him, hesitating before asking, “Can you tell me how Mr. Lee died?”

Mingi nodded and gestured for Yunho to sit down. “Let's talk,” he said softly.

“So, Y/N and I received a mysterious note. It claimed that if we went to a specific location, someone would reveal Mr. Lee's grand plan.” Mingi paused, the tension evident in his voice. “It was a make-or-break moment. We had to gamble on whether the person was telling the truth or leading us into a trap. So, we headed there, near Mr. Lee’s headquarters. Thankfully, we had that gold coin—it was our key past several obstacles.”

Yunho listened intently as Mingi continued. “When we arrived, we found Ju Kyung standing at the crossroads, looking terrified. But he wasn’t alone. There was someone else there, someone who arrived just moments before Ju Kyung was shot.” Mingi’s eyes narrowed as he recalled the scene.

“Before that, we had a heated argument with Ju Kyung. Y/N even raised her gun at him, but she didn't fire. It was someone else who pulled the trigger. And then, in an instant, the other man vanished. We didn’t even catch a glimpse of his face.”

Mingi took a deep breath. “After that, we received the coordinates for all of Lee's bases. It was almost as if he handed them to us himself. Some of the intel was provided anonymously. We managed to seize his bases and arrest him. Everything went smoothly, almost too smoothly. Everyone was relieved—except for Y/N and me. Wooyoung isn’t usually like that, but I get why he wanted the case closed quickly. He couldn’t let Y/N and me work together anymore.”

Mingi’s voice carried a tone of sadness and longing for resolution. Yunho leaned in, curiosity piqued. “Hey, what happened after Mr. Lee was busted?” he asked, the suspense hanging in the air.

"It was strange," Mingi began, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and disbelief. "He spent just over a week in jail, completely isolated. No one visited him, no one even tried to contact him. He'd sit there, alone, staring blankly at the walls. He always cooperated with the police and never caused any trouble. Then, during one of our routine checkups, he was oddly calm, and compliant as ever. They performed the regular checks, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. But then, out of nowhere, when they called everyone for lunch, he just collapsed and died on the spot. The doctors ruled it a heart attack. But to me and Y/N, it felt... off. We pushed to reopen the case, but no one was on board. They shut it down without a second thought," Mingi recounted, the memory of five years ago still fresh in his mind.

Yunho listened intently, his mind racing. Every detail seemed to bring him closer to the truth, like a crucial piece of the puzzle had just fallen into place. He felt a surge of hope, a sense that he was on the brink of uncovering something big.

But then, his phone buzzed with a new notification. As he read it, the blood drained from his face, leaving him cold and numb.

He checked the message on his phone, and his eyes widened at the bold letters declaring, "Y/N case is closed." Mingi noticed Yunho's expression and asked what happened. Yunho showed him the text, and Mingi's face now reflected Yunho's shock.

"We need to tell Wooyoung," Mingi said softly, his eyes welling up with tears.

Part 10 (final)

[i-myeoni-blogs]

Part 8

Pairing - Non- Idol Wooyoung X Y/N Reader

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yunho and Mingi sat facing each other at a café table, surrounded by papers and a laptop. Yunho leaned in, his expression earnest.

"I think we should tell Wooyoung now," Yunho suggested, breaking the focused silence.

Mingi glanced up from the file he was poring over, meeting Yunho's eyes briefly before giving a slight nod. The nod seemed almost hesitant like Mingi was silently saying, 'Go ahead if you think it's best.' Yunho noticed the hesitation immediately.

"Mingi, what's wrong? Is there something you're not telling me?" Yunho asked, concern evident in his voice.

Mingi paused, placing the file down on the table. He took a deep breath, his brow furrowing slightly. "It's just... I'm not sure if now is the right time," Mingi admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Mingi let out a sigh and leaned back in his chair, folding his arms as he spoke. "You know, five years ago when we were working on this case, someone was feeding lies to Wooyoung. There's a person who was involved back then, and I suspect they might still be involved now. Y/N and I had our doubts about the sudden killing of Ju Kyung and Wooyoung's uncanny presence at all the wrong places. There's someone out there, and they're still in the shadows. That's why I'm hesitant to share our findings with Wooyoung just yet."

"I get where you're coming from, Mingi, but he really should know about all this," Yunho reasoned, earning a nod from Mingi—this time, an accepting one. Yunho reached for his phone to call Wooyoung, but it went straight to voicemail. "Strange," Yunho muttered, trying again with the same result. "Okay, we'll try contacting him later, I guess."

"There's another reason I'm hesitant to tell him just yet," Mingi blurted out, grabbing Yunho's undivided attention. Yunho slipped his phone back into his pocket. "I... I want to do this for Wooyoung. Even though it was the situation at the time, part of me still feels like I made a mistake knowingly, and I need to make up for it."

"What mistake?"

“I let my intrusive thoughts win for once and…” Mingi started.

"Hey, Y/N, what’s wrong?” Mingi asked, spotting Y/N sitting at her desk with her hand pressed to her forehead as if she had a headache.

“Already sick of living with the chief? Come on, it’s only been two months,” Mingi teased, and Y/N playfully slapped his arm, chuckling. “By the way, where’s the chief?” he continued.

“Oh, he’s in the general’s office, talking about the Lee’s case again. This Lee guy is a real headache,” Y/N groaned, resting her head on the desk.

“Don’t worry, we’ll catch him,” Mingi reassured her. “But seriously, you look more like a cop than a linguist right now.” Mingi lightly nudged her elbow, noticing that she felt warm. He gently touched the back of his hand to Y/N’s neck, earning a disapproving groan from her.

“Y/N, you’re burning up, what the hell? Did you tell Wooyoung?” Mingi asked, concerned, and Y/N shook her head no. “I knew it.”

"Seriously, Mingi, he's already stressed about this case," Y/N said with a sigh, watching her friend hover anxiously.

"Are you kidding? Just tell him and take a break, Y/N." Mingi pressed his hand to Y/N's forehead, and she playfully batted him away. "I can't believe he hasn't noticed. You two practically live together. It's obvious you're not feeling great," Mingi remarked with concern etched on his face.

"It's not his fault. When he's locked into something, he's completely zoned in," Y/N explained, trying to defend her partner. Mingi couldn't help but scoff at that.

Mingi was adamant. "If you won't tell him, I will."

Y/N shook her head. "No, Mingi, please don't."

Just then, Wooyoung appeared in front of them, looking slightly concerned. He had caught sight of their exchange from the general's cabin, even if he hadn't heard what was said.

"What's going on?" Wooyoung asked, his brow furrowing.

Mingi didn't hesitate. "Your girlfriend is sick, and she's refusing to tell you because she doesn't want to bother you."

Y/N shot Mingi a glare, but Wooyoung wasted no time. He moved beside Y/N and gently touched her forehead, assessing her.

"And she's refusing to take any time off," Mingi added.

Y/N attempted to reassure Wooyoung. "It's nothing, Woo, really. I'm fine, I promise." Wooyoung raised an eyebrow, clearly not impressed by Y/N's attempt to downplay her illness.

"You're going home right now," Wooyoung insisted.

"No, Woo, I'm fine," Y/N protested but Wooyoung wasn't having it.

"I'm not asking Y/N, you are coming with me right now." Wooyoung declared as he picked up Y/N's bag from her desk and reached for her hand. "Mingi, make sure to look after the team and let me know if anything comes up." With that, Wooyoung headed towards the exit of the police station, Y/N in tow, after sharing instructions with Mingi, who nodded in acknowledgment.

Mingi watched as they left the station, Wooyoung holding Y/N's hand gently yet possessively, as if declaring to the world that she was his and no one else's. As Mingi observed them, he couldn't help but imagine himself in Wooyoung's shoes, wishing he could be the one holding Y/N's hand and proudly showing everyone that she belonged to him.

Mingi found himself falling for Y/N without even realizing it. There was something about her, a magnetic confidence that drew him in. She carried herself like she owned the world, and Mingi couldn't help but admire that.

But Y/N wasn't his to love. She belonged to someone else, and it pained Mingi to know this. Fate seemed to have a cruel sense of humor.

That day, neither Y/N nor Wooyoung return to the station. Mingi's mind immediately went to the worst-case scenario—was Y/N in trouble? Was she hurt? He waited anxiously, hoping for a call or news that would ease his worries, but nothing came.

Unable to shake off his concern, Mingi's curiosity got the better of him. As soon as his shift ended, he headed towards Y/N and Wooyoung's apartment. The clock struck 8:30 pm when Mingi set out, and after navigating through some traffic, he arrived at their apartment by 9:10 pm.

Mingi's heart raced as he knocked on the door, uncertain of what he would find on the other side.

He rang the bell a few times—once, twice, three times—but there was no response. Mingi stood there, puzzled. The door wasn't locked, so he figured someone must be home. Maybe they were just caught up in something, he thought, possibly having a private moment. Deciding not to intrude, he turned to leave, but then he heard some shuffling inside.

“Y/N?” Mingi called out. He waited, hearing light footsteps approaching. The door creaked open, revealing Y/N holding a fox plushie that Wooyoung had gifted her. She looked even sicker than earlier in the day, with a cloth wrapped around her forehead.

“Oh my god, are you okay? You look worse than this morning,” Mingi blurted out, concerned.

“What are you doing here, Mingi? It's so late. I was sleeping,” Y/N replied, her voice sounding heavy, likely from sickness and sleepiness combined. Mingi quickly apologized and then held up a carry bag—it was from Y/N's favorite restaurant.

“I brought you some soup,” Mingi said, a wide smile on his face, earning a chuckle from Y/N. She opened the door wider, allowing Mingi to enter.

"Hey, Y/N, by the way, where's Wooyoung?" Mingi looked around, noticing his friend was missing. He set down the carry bag and pulled out a plastic bowl filled with chicken soup.

"He headed out to Seoul this afternoon. Remember that Kang guy who got killed?" Y/N responded, and Mingi nodded in recollection. "Well, his wife reached out. She's got some info to share about Lee's shady dealings, but she's too scared to come to Incheon, especially after what happened to her husband."

"Ah, that's tough," Mingi murmured, feeling for the woman. "She's all alone now, with her son living abroad and losing her husband like that. I heard her son's back in town now. I hope they find the strength to get through this."

Y/N noticed the soup was cooling with its lid off and mentioned she'd grab some spoons.

"Wait, I'll grab the spoons," Mingi said, rising from his seat and heading into the kitchen in search of utensils. As he rummaged through drawers, he casually asked, "When was the last time you ate?"

"This afternoon. Wooyoung made lunch and even cleaned up before he left," Y/N replied, unaware of the twinge of jealousy creeping into Mingi's thoughts. Mingi finally found the spoons and gripped them tightly. He wanted to take care of Y/N, but he couldn't help feeling like he was competing against Wooyoung, which stirred up envy within him.

"Did you find the spoons? Should I come?" Y/N called out.

"No, got 'em," Mingi replied, emerging from the kitchen and taking a seat across from Y/N. He handed her a spoon, and they began eating the soup together. Y/N let out a satisfied sound after the first spoonful, and Mingi couldn't help but smile, feeling content that he could make Y/N happy, even if just for a little while. In that moment, Mingi felt like Y/N was his, if only for a few hours.

As the hours slipped by surprisingly quickly, it was suddenly 11:00 pm, and Mingi found himself reluctant to leave Y/N's side. He wished he could stay longer, just to look after her. With a sigh, he got up from the chair, but then a thought struck him, and he reached into his back pocket.

Y/N looked up, surprised, as Mingi produced a lollipop, earning a chuckle from her. "Thank you, Mingi," she said, taking the lollipop. "Not just for this, but also for the soup and for coming over." Her gratitude was genuine.

"Are you kidding? I'll always be here for you," Mingi replied, slipping on his shoes hesitantly. "Well, sleep well, okay?" With that, he said his goodbyes and left.

The very next day, Y/N was feeling a bit better, but she was still a little under the weather, so she decided to skip going to the station. Cooking seemed like a chore, so she opted to order food instead, knowing Wooyoung was due to arrive in the evening.

The day dragged on slowly for her, spent entirely in bed. Mingi checked in with her from time to time through texts, making sure she was alright, and she responded with the same level of enthusiasm.

"I wonder what Wooyoung is up to right now," Y/N murmured to herself, attempting to call him, only to be directed to voicemail. Glancing at the clock showing 6:30 pm, she thought about preparing something special for Wooyoung's return in an hour or two. With some effort, she pushed herself to get out of bed and be a little productive, all for Wooyoung's sake.

Wooyoung trudged in at 8:00 pm, looking completely worn out. The moment he spotted Y/N bustling away in the kitchen, he couldn't help but start complaining. "What are you doing? Leave it, I'll cook. I'm still alive," he grumbled with a mix of exhaustion and irritation.

"I wanted to cook for you. You must be tired," Y/N countered gently as Wooyoung reached for the ladle in her hand. Wooyoung dropped his bag with a thud and gently pushed Y/N aside, guiding her to the nearest stool. He then checked her forehead, relieved that the fever had finally broken.

"Go ahead and cook all you want, but only after you've fully recovered. Your fever's gone, but you still look weak," Wooyoung insisted before taking over the cooking duties. He leaned in and planted a tender kiss on her head.

"How did the meeting go?" Y/N inquired.

"It went okay. We didn't get much, but we did pinpoint one of his bases," Wooyoung replied, skillfully adding ingredients to the pot. "Did you sleep well last night?" he added.

Y/N responded with a contented hum. "Okay, it's done. I'm starving. Let's eat and then hit the sack," Wooyoung declared, dividing up the beef noodles he'd prepared and setting the table. Once he finished setting everything up, he went back to Y/N, scooped her up despite her protests, and settled her on his lap.

"I'll feed my baby tonight," he announced with a soft smile.

Wooyoung and Y/N had been enjoying a cozy evening together, relishing each other's company over a home-cooked meal. Wooyoung was playfully feeding Y/N little bites of food, and she couldn't help but express how much she had missed him during his absence. However, in the midst of this tender moment, there was something she forgot to mention—a small slip of her mind about Mingi's unexpected visit the previous night.

Wooyoung and Y/N had just finished a lovely dinner together. Wooyoung couldn't resist teasing Y/N, playfully feeding her bites of food between their sweet conversations. Y/N, feeling warm and content, confessed, "I really missed you. It's been hard without you around."

As they cleared the table, Wooyoung spotted something near the edge—a wallet. He picked it up, a puzzled expression forming on his face. "Hey, did someone stop by while I was out?" he asked, holding up the wallet for Y/N to see.

Y/N, engrossed in her phone, barely looked up. "Hmm?" she murmured, distracted. Before she could respond, the doorbell chimed.

"I'll get it," Wooyoung said, setting the wallet down on the table. Y/N still hadn't noticed it, her attention fixed on her phone screen.

"I'm going upstairs," Y/N announced, already heading towards the staircase.

"I'll join you in a bit," Wooyoung replied, watching Y/N disappear up the stairs before turning back to the front door.

Wooyoung swung open the door to find Mingi standing there with a carry bag slung over his shoulder. "Oh hey, Mingi! What's up? Didn't expect to see you at this hour," Wooyoung greeted him, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

Mingi, looking a bit sheepish, hesitated before responding. It seemed like Wooyoung's mere presence was making him feel like he'd been caught doing something wrong. After a moment, Mingi managed to stammer out, "Um, I couldn't find my wallet, and I thought maybe I dropped it here, last night."

“You came here last night?” Wooyoung asked.

“Yeah, Y/N was sick so I came to check on her,” Mingi replied.

Wooyoung grinned, motioning for Mingi to come inside. "Come on in. Let's see if it's around."

Mingi cautiously stepped inside and Wooyoung, acted to search for the wallet even though he found it just a moment ago. "Is this the one you're looking for?" he asked, holding it up for Mingi to see.

Mingi's face lit up with relief. "Yes, that's it! Thanks, man," he replied gratefully.

"Hey, no problem. Just be more careful with this thing, alright? It's not like losing your keys," Wooyoung advised with a chuckle.

Mingi nodded, glancing at the time. "I should head out now. It's getting late," he said, earning another nod from Wooyoung.

After Mingi left, Wooyoung found himself lost in thought. Why hadn't Y/N mentioned that Mingi had stopped by? He wandered over to the room he shared with Y/N, his mind racing with all sorts of questions and scenarios. What was Mingi doing here when he wasn't home? Suddenly, all those rumors he'd brushed off before started to resurface, and he couldn't help but scrutinize Mingi and Y/N's interactions more than ever.

"Did you leave your wallet intentionally?" Yunho asked, curious, as Mingi finished recounting the story. Mingi hesitated briefly before nodding in response. Yunho sighed quietly but didn't press further.

"I wanted a reason to go back to her place to see her, but I didn't expect Wooyoung to show up so soon. I never meant for any misunderstandings, but it ended up making Wooyoung doubt me and Y/N," Mingi explained with a tinge of sadness in his voice. "That's why I want to make it up to him. I want to ease his burden." Yunho slouched in his chair, phone in hand, staring at the ceiling. Mingi, sitting nearby, seemed to tense up for a split second.

"So, how'd you manage to get such a long break from the police department anyway?" Yunho asked casually, shifting his attention to Mingi.

Mingi cleared his throat, looking slightly uncomfortable. "Well, it's kind of a long story. I'm suspended."

"What? No way," Yunho exclaimed, eyebrows shooting up.

"Yeah," Mingi sighed. "When I heard about Y/N going missing, I... I panicked, you know? I wanted to do everything I could to help find them. But my boss told me to stay out of it, and I couldn't just sit back and do nothing."

"You're crazy, man," Yunho chuckled, shaking his head.

Mingi managed a tight smile. "Maybe so. But I don't regret it. All I want is to find Y/N as soon as possible." The determination in Mingi's eyes was unmistakable, even as he spoke softly.

Yunho nodded in understanding. "We'll find them, Mingi. Don't worry."

"Hey, that's got me wondering—how did you find out Y/N was missing when the details were kept strictly between the Jeju and Seoul police stations?" Yunho asked curiously.

Mingi leaned back, considering his response. "Well, I've distanced myself from my old team, but Yongbok still keeps in touch with them regularly. He's one of the officers who was involved in Mr. Lee’s case."

"Ah, Yongbok, the blond guy, right?" Yunho clarified, and Mingi nodded.

"Yeah, that's him," Mingi confirmed.

Yunho scratched his head thoughtfully. "I haven’t had a chance to talk to him yet. Maybe we should plan to interrogate Mr. Yongbok soon, since he's just as tied to the Lee's case as you are." Yunho took out his phone once again in an attempt to call Wooyoung. “Okay, let’s try to connect Wooyoung first then we’ll go to Busan, to have a chat with Mr. Yongbok.” Mingi got tensed again and he stopped Yunho.

"Wait, let's talk to Yongbok first, and then we'll tell Wooyoung everything, I promise," Mingi replied urgently.

Yunho sighed a bit but agreed with him. "Thank you, Yunho. Let's not waste time; let's head to Busan. It'll take almost 5 hours," Mingi said, already starting to rise from his seat.

Mingi and Yunho opted to drive to Busan. This way, they could discuss a few things related to the case without interruptions or drawing attention. They were halfway to Daegu when Yunho glanced at his phone again, which didn't go unnoticed by Mingi.

"What's wrong?" Mingi asked.

"Wooyoung. It's already 3 in the afternoon, and he hasn't answered my calls. I wonder what's going on there," Yunho said. Wooyoung hadn't gotten back to him, even though Yunho wasn't planning to tell him about their findings. This had never happened before. Wooyoung always picked up his phone or got back in an instant.

"He must be really wrapped up in that Yun Hee case," Mingi remarked, keeping his eyes fixed on the road. They were only an hour and a half away from Busan. Mingi felt relieved that Wooyoung hadn't answered the phone. Despite having a lead, Mingi knew they needed 100% certainty before making any moves—after all, they hadn't even identified the culprit yet.

Mingi couldn't shake the feeling of urgency to find Y/N soon. It was always like this when Wooyoung wasn't around; Mingi felt compelled to protect Y/N, even though she never asked him to do so. He just wanted to ensure her safety, especially in times like these.

Mingi couldn't shake Y/N from his mind, no matter how hard he tried. It had been tough ever since that incident five years ago. When Mingi reached out to Y/N after the breakup with Wooyoung, he was met with a heartbreaking sight—Y/N, curled up by her bed, tears flowing freely, surrounded by scattered reports. Mingi discovered Y/N was pregnant with Wooyoung's child. Despite his efforts, contacting Wooyoung was futile; calls went unanswered and visits to his apartment revealed he had vanished.

"I've been trying to reach him every day," Y/N had confided in Mingi. "I even went to his place, but he's gone."

Her voice was shattered, and Mingi blamed himself. Each night, he replayed the scenario, wondering if he could have prevented it all by being more responsible and not visiting Wooyoung's apartment, losing his wallet in the process.

"Don't worry," Mingi reassured Y/N. "I'll find him. I'll make him understand."

Y/N didn't respond, but Mingi sensed her silent plea. However, despite his best efforts, Mingi couldn't locate Wooyoung until fate intervened—he stumbled upon Wooyoung at the Seoul police department. Mingi was overjoyed, eager to relay everything to Wooyoung, but his attempts to meet were met with refusal.

Rushing back to inform Y/N of the discovery, Mingi was met with an empty home. Panic set in as he tried calling her repeatedly, only to find a text message waiting:

"Mingi, thank you for all you've done. But you don't need to find Wooyoung for me anymore. Wherever he is, I hope he's happy. We've tried everything. It's time to let go. I'm leaving, Mingi. It's been great having you as a friend, but please promise me—promise you won't look for me. I need to be alone. Maybe that's how I'll heal. Thank you for everything. Goodbye."

Mingi stared at the screen, a sinking feeling in his chest. He had failed to fix what was broken. Reluctantly, he honored Y/N's request, hoping that time and space would eventually mend the wounds left by Wooyoung's departure.

So there he was, knowing exactly where Wooyoung was all along, yet he chose to keep quiet. Mingi could have easily reached out and spilled the beans, but he stayed tight-lipped. After a month, they transferred Mingi to the Busan department, whisking him away from Incheon without so much as a goodbye. He had half a mind to search for Y/N, but he remembered the promise she made him.

Then one day, Yongbok dropped a bombshell: Wooyoung was desperately seeking both Mingi and Y/N to make amends for his mistake. This time, Mingi decided he wouldn’t show up. He could have revealed everything about Y/N’s pregnancy to Wooyoung, but he chose not to and he swore on his friendship with Y/N that this secret will go with him in his grave.

"We're here," Mingi announced as he pulled up to his apartment building. "Let's take a break. It's my place. We can either continue later tonight or maybe pick it up tomorrow."

"Sounds good to me. I'm starving," Yunho admitted, his stomach rumbling right on cue, and they both chuckled. "Let's order something." They got out of the car and headed towards the cherry blossom enclave. Mingi's apartment was on the third floor—a cozy space, well-furnished and big enough for at least three people.

"So, have you figured out what you're going to do now?" Yunho asked, referring to Mingi's suspension. Mingi sighed as the elevator dinged at the third floor.

"I'll probably plead my case," Mingi replied with a chuckle.

"Hey, what about you? You're here working this case solo without your team," Mingi asked, curious why Yunho had sent his team away and opted for handling this isolation case alone, only asking for help if he really needed it.

Yunho shrugged as they entered Mingi's flat. "Well, sometimes fewer people mean clearer solutions," he replied.

The following day, Yunho tried calling Wooyoung again, but there was still no response. It was odd, but he decided to let it go for now. Mingi and Yunho were off to a café near the Busan police station. Mingi had been suspended, so he'd been avoiding the area until they cracked the case together. They settled into the café, waiting for Yongbok. When he arrived, Yunho was taken aback — Yongbok looked much younger than expected. Yunho had assumed he'd be a year older than them. With his perfectly blonde hair, Yongbok greeted them warmly before taking a seat at their table.

Yongbok's deep voice resonated, reminding Yunho of Mingi's rugged tone. For a moment, Yunho wondered how this kid could sound like a wild wolf. "Sir, the chief's been asking about you since you left," Yongbok continued, introducing himself with a nod. "Hello, I'm Yongbok," he said, meeting Yunho's gaze, who promptly returned the introduction.

"Tell the chief it'll take a bit longer than expected. He can rest until then," Mingi instructed, then turned to Yunho with a questioning look. "By the way, what took you so long?" he asked, curious.

"There was this lady who's been coming for two weeks now, filing a missing son report," Yongbok grumbled in frustration. Mingi acknowledged this with a nod, signaling Yunho to proceed.

"Yongbok, we wanted to ask you something," Yunho said, pausing for a moment as Yongbok nodded slightly in response. "About Y/N."

Part 9

[i-myeoni-blogs]

Hey guys,

I'm literally so sad today, although it's raining and it's a big relief from the constant scorching heat but I feel like crying I'm so scared.

There's this adorable little birdie that's set up a cozy nest right under my guava tree. It's using these early leaves from a plant I can't quite identify, but it's the cutest thing ever! The nest is like, tiny, I mean, it's probably only half the size of my palm. But oh no, now it's started raining, and I'm freaking out! I feel so helpless, like, what if they get all drenched? Even though the guava tree has a thick canopy, only a bit of rain is getting through, but if it gets heavier... Oh man, I hope they'll be okay! 😭

Why is it raining so much....?

The birdie is really really small.... Like the size of my index finger 😭😭

[i-myeoni-blogs]

@cherryycheoll is a fic thief so keep your eyes out because they might steal your work and then be a bitch about it if you call them out.

you can't copy someone's shit then say "I was inspired" because that's not inspiration, that's lying thief bitch behavior.

[i-myeoni-blogs]

Part 7

Pairing - Non-Idol Wooyoung x Fem Reader

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Sending Grace to Miss Kim was a good idea," Wooyoung remarked, settling in beside Y/N on the couch. "We really needed this time alone to talk about us."

Interlacing his fingers with hers, Y/N couldn't help but chuckle deeply. "Talking? How boring. I was hoping for something a bit more... romantic. Perhaps even a little passion," she teased.

"Oh, someone's feeling a bit frisky," Wooyoung teased back, a playful glint in his eyes.

"And why shouldn't I be? It's been five long years since we last saw each other," Y/N replied with a grin. Their banter was a familiar dance, a testament to the easy rapport they shared. "Unless, of course, you're suggesting you spent those years gallivanting about?" Y/N crossed her arms and pouted. “And here I thought you loved me.”

"Didn't you go on dates these past five years? Miss Kim told me about your little dates."

"Oh, did she not mention that those dates often ended abruptly? because I was preoccupied, drowning in my own tears over a certain someone," Y/N deadpanned.

"Ah, well I’m clean too. Because my time was consumed by reminiscing about a certain someone as well," Wooyoung retorted sharply.

"And yet here we are, engaging in mere conversation," Y/N remarked, rolling her eyes as she crossed her arms. "Perhaps you don't want me anymore. Is that it? Now that I'm a mother, my body has changed, and maybe I don't measure up to your past ideals. Perhaps you no longer desire me," she continued, her tone laced with a hint of insecurity. "After all, I have these stretch marks now, and my thighs aren't as slender as they once were. Surely, that's a turn-off for you, Woo."

"Whoa, hold on there. Where is this coming from? I'm still very much attracted to you, more than you realize," Wooyoung replied, reaching out to take Y/N's hand, but she pulled away.

"You're just saying that," she countered, avoiding his gaze.

"Don't believe me?" Wooyoung's tone softened. "Well then, I'll just have to show you."

With determination, Wooyoung rose from his seat, exhaling deeply before gently scooping Y/N up into his arms, bridal style, eliciting a surprised squeak from her.

"What are you doing?" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with astonishment.

"Showing you how much I love you, and how little those superficial concerns matter to me," Wooyoung replied, his smirk reflecting a newfound confidence. "Those stretch marks? I don't even notice them. And as for your thighs..." He paused, his smirk widening. "Let's just say they're a welcomed bonus in my book."

"No, no, no, no," Y/N protested with a playful wiggle, attempting to fend off his advances, her tone carrying a mix of amusement and mock seriousness. "Last time you had this smirk, and you put a baby inside me."

She couldn't help but smile as she lightly slapped his shoulders, her affection for him evident even in the midst of their banter.

"Well then, let's give Grace a sibling," he countered, his words laced with a teasing tone that only added to the warmth between them.

Maybe what they truly craved was a moment just for themselves, a pause from the chaos of the world, a sanctuary where they could bask in each other's love and find solace in each other's embrace. That night seemed to stretch on endlessly, a canvas painted with affection and whispered endearments, reminiscent of the days when their bond was unmarred by strife.

Wrapped in each other's arms, they drifted into a serene slumber, cocooned in a bubble of warmth and security as if nothing else mattered beyond the contours of their entwined bodies. But the morning's intrusion was inevitable, heralded by the gentle kiss of sunlight filtering through the curtains.

"Wooyoung, coffee," Y/N's voice, though near, seemed to emanate from a distant place as she stood by the bedside. "Wooyoung, wake up," her words echoed faintly as if carried away by a breeze until Wooyoung was jolted back to reality, gasping for air in the midst of his office.

His colleague stood before him, concern etched on her face as she offered a cup of coffee. "Chief Wooyoung, are you okay?" she inquired, noting the beads of sweat on his brow.

Managing to compose himself, Wooyoung brushed off her worries with a feeble excuse. "Yeah, I'm fine, just feeling a bit warm," he muttered, attempting to shake off the remnants of his dream.

"Hot, at the end of October?" she countered, her skepticism evident. "Sir, your AC is set to the lowest temperature, and yet you're sweating. Maybe you should take a break, you don't look well."

Ignoring the advice, Wooyoung insisted on pressing forward with his duties, though his words carried a weight that belied his true state of mind. "No, it's fine. It's almost 1 PM; we need to visit Chairman Seo and his girlfriend," he declared, masking his inner turmoil behind a facade of determination.

With a nod, his colleague acquiesced and left the office, leaving Wooyoung to grapple with the lingering echoes of his dream, and the unsettling feeling that perhaps he was not as fine as he claimed to be.

Chairman Seo and Yun Hee were deeply in love. Their comfy home, tucked away in a peaceful Georgian Bungalow, showed just how much Yun Hee wanted a house like the ones in Hollywood movies. And Chairman Seo? Well, he was head over heels for her, always eager to make her happy.

Living away from the busy town, they found comfort in each other, excitedly looking forward to their upcoming wedding. Even though Yun Hee had physically healed from past injuries, the emotional scars still lingered, making her quiet and distant, which worried Chairman Seo a lot. He was scared she might shut down completely.

When Wooyoung and his coworker finally got to Chairman Seo's lovely bungalow after a thirty-minute drive, they were stunned by how much more beautiful it was in person than in the pictures. Inside, it felt like stepping onto a Hollywood movie set, with lots of doors and pretty curtains swaying gently in the breeze, adding to the house's charm.

As they were guided by a smartly dressed servant, Wooyoung's coworker couldn't help but admire how well the household staff worked together. Eventually, they reached the office where Chairman Seo was waiting, the excitement in the air almost tangible.

"Chairman Seo has been waiting for you," the servant said as he opened the door, inviting Wooyoung in, where an important meeting was about to begin.

Chairman Seo, a young tycoon whose wealth rivaled the gleam of Seoul's skyline, had built his empire from humble beginnings, fueled by his own sweat and the modest support of his parents. Despite not towering over his surroundings, his presence commanded attention, his sturdy frame a testament to his resilience and determination. As Wooyoung entered the expansive office, Chairman Seo gestured for him to take a seat with polite grace.

"Please, Wooyoung, make yourself comfortable," Chairman Seo said warmly, his voice carrying a subtle authority softened by genuine hospitality. Wooyoung returned the gesture with a smile, settling into the chair opposite Chairman Seo alongside his coworker.

"You specifically requested my presence for this matter, sir. Might I inquire as to the reason?" Wooyoung asked, his tone respectful yet curious, reflecting both his professionalism and his eagerness to understand the task at hand.

"Hey, just call me Changbin," Chairman Seo grinned warmly, leaning back in his chair. With a flick of his finger, he pressed the button on his desk, its distant chime signaling the arrival of a woman who had been escorting Wooyoung and his coworker.

"Julie, could you please bring us some refreshments? Thanks a bunch," he said, watching her nod before she slipped out of the room. Turning back to Wooyoung, he continued, his tone serious yet tinged with urgency.

"Wooyoung, you're already up to speed on the situation," he began, noting Wooyoung's nod of understanding. "Unlike other business bigwigs, I don't have connections in the police department. I only know one person, Yongbok. When I reached out to him for help, he pointed me in your direction, mentioning your handling of Mr. Lee's case. I've heard good things, so without hesitation, I asked for your assistance. Please, help me out here, Wooyoung. I need those scoundrels behind bars or... well, let's just say, I need justice served."

Changbin's words were laden with determination and a hint of vengeance as he spoke of the three foreigners who had wrecked Yun Hee's life, Changbin's fiancée. Wooyoung grasped the gravity of the situation.

"And right now, I'm putting my trust in you because Yongbok vouches for you," Changbin added, his gaze unwavering as he looked at Wooyoung. Wooyoung returned the gaze, nodding in assurance that he would handle the case with utmost care and dedication.

"I called you here for two important reasons," Changbin began, sounding both careful and concerned. "Yun Hee is now at a point where we can try to talk to her, but she really doesn't want to leave where she is. That's why I asked you to come."

Yun Hee had been getting treatment for a whole month to help her deal with the terrible things she went through. During this time, she kept to herself and didn't want to talk to anyone. It was hard to get her to open up, even though she might have information that could help us solve the case. Right now, all we have are the short video clips from the security cameras.

"And what's the second reason?" There was a tense feeling in the room as the question hung in the air.

Changbin took a moment, thinking about how to explain. He let out a breath and said, "We'll talk about that later. For now, let's focus on getting Yun Hee to talk."

With that, Changbin got up from his chair and walked to the door. It was the entrance to his office from his home. Crossing that threshold meant leaving personal matters behind and dealing with the serious job at hand. As he reached for the door handle, he felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him, reminding him of the tough road ahead.

In a hushed tone, Wooyoung's coworker uttered, “Chairman is so different from what I had imagined him to be.” The words carried a hint of surprise and realization. “I thought he would be some intimidating businessman, old and gruff.”

Changbin, positioned near the door that linked his office to the rest of the workspace, overheard the conversation. “Yeah, I hear that a lot.” He gently maneuvered a wheelchair, with Yun Hee seated upon it, into the room. Her expression betrayed a mixture of fear and apprehension. After a month confined to her room, stepping out before someone who wasn't part of her immediate family was an unfamiliar and nerve-wracking experience for Yun Hee.

Wooyoung caught the frightened look in her eyes the moment he stepped into the room. Yun Hee, clutching Changbin's hand, seemed to be seeking reassurance in the grip of her friend. It was a look that stirred a familiar ache in Wooyoung's heart—a blend of vulnerability, fear, and a glimmer of hope. He had seen that same expression on Y/N's face before she disappeared.

Despite the urge to avert his gaze from Yun Hee's distress, Wooyoung knew he couldn't. She needed reassurance, a sense of safety, and he was determined to provide it. With a polite smile, he introduced himself gently, "Hello, Yun Hee. I'm Wooyoung. You can trust me, I promise not to breathe a word of this to anyone."

Whether it was the warmth in Wooyoung's voice or the sincerity behind his words, Yun Hee seemed to find solace in his presence. She began to share everything, not omitting even the smallest detail about the three foreigners she had encountered. "I heard them saying, 'Let's go before we miss the last bus,'" Yun Hee disclosed.

Wooyoung's mind immediately latched onto the clue. "The last bus... They must have headed downtown on a blue bus," he deduced aloud, his colleague nodding in agreement beside him.

"Yes, especially on a strike day with limited bus services," his colleague added. "That narrows down our search area."

"We'll focus our efforts there then," Wooyoung affirmed, a glint of determination in his eyes. He knew they were onto something substantial. The urgency of the situation fueled his resolve to track down those responsible and bring justice for Yun Hee. "Thank you, Yun Hee, this has helped us to narrow down our investigation. We appreciate you for taking this step," Wooyoung said with genuine gratitude, a warm smile on his face. It was a small breakthrough, but it meant they were moving forward, and that was everything to him.

Wooyoung turned to Changbin, acknowledging his contribution too. "We should go now, it’s better that we start our work soon."

Changbin offered to escort them out. He guided Yun Hee towards the bedroom first before returning to Wooyoung and his colleague. "Thank you, Wooyoung. I was at a loss about who to reach out to," Changbin confessed, his voice edged with gratitude and regret. "And," he paused as they reached the outside door, "I heard about your wife and daughter. Still, you are helping us. Thank you so much. I'm so sorry."

Wooyoung's response was firm but laced with emotion. "It's okay, Mr. Seo."

Changbin hesitated, considering Wooyoung's situation. "Wooyoung, the second thing I wanted to say was, it’s okay if you withdraw yourself from this case. I'll understand because of your wife and your daughter..."

Wooyoung cut him off with a tight smile. "It's fine, Mr. Seo. I'm in this case, and I'll solve it. About Y/N and Grace, I know their case is in good hands. They'll find her."

Changbin sensed the struggle behind Wooyoung's words, the unspoken fear and hope intertwined. "We should go, Mr. Seo."

“Changbin.”

"Yeah, Changbin." Wooyoung and his colleague left the premises, heading back to their office to discuss the new lead. This clue was vital, and Wooyoung felt a renewed determination to bring the case to a close, for Y/N and Grace, and for himself.

As Wooyoung approached the police station, he felt a curious twist of fate in the air as he stepped through the station doors. And maybe, just maybe, heaven and earth were both working in his favor that day.

Inside, a scene caught his attention. His team, usually engrossed in paperwork or discussions, was gathered around a man—a rather elderly man—who appeared to be recounting something with great enthusiasm. The officers listened intently, their expressions a mix of curiosity and interest. It was a peculiar sight, like a huddle of eager students around a seasoned storyteller.

Wooyoung approached quietly, observing the animated exchange. As he drew nearer, his team noticed him and straightened up respectfully. "What’s going on here?" Wooyoung inquired his voice a blend of curiosity and authority.

One of the officers stepped forward, his face bright with a hint of excitement. "Sir, we've got a lead," he announced, gesturing towards the elderly man who now turned to face Wooyoung, a warm smile spreading across his weathered features.

"I was coming back from the grocery store when I saw this man in a striking black and gold jacket load three foreigners into his van and drive off," the old man recounted, his voice soft with a touch of concern.

Wooyoung and his team were now gathered in his office, listening intently. "You witnessed all of this?" Wooyoung inquired, leaning forward with a serious expression. The old man nodded solemnly. "About a month ago," Wooyoung clarified, seeking confirmation. Again, the old man nodded, his weathered face reflecting the weight of his memory.

"Why wait a whole month to come forward?" Wooyoung probed gently.

The old man shifted uncomfortably under Wooyoung's scrutiny, his eyes darting around nervously. "I didn't think much of it at the time. I thought they might be university students. Oh, my poor eyes," he lamented. "It was only after I saw the news about the missing foreigners that it clicked. I recognized one of them. Sir, I'm quite poor—I have to think twice before paying my television bill. That's why it took me so long."

"Can you show us where this happened?" Wooyoung asked, his tone softening with understanding.

"Absolutely," nodded the old man with a relieved smile, grateful that his concerns were being taken seriously. They quickly made arrangements to visit the location, Wooyoung's investigative team poised for further exploration.

The old man guided them to the downtown area, which appeared quite run-down with its dim lighting and poorly constructed houses. He stepped off the van first, followed closely by Wooyoung and the other officers. As they walked, the old man paused, surveying the surroundings before pointing to a spot on the ground.

"Right here, the van came to a stop," he explained, gesturing towards the pavement. "And I was standing over there at a distance." He motioned back in the direction they had come from. "My house is just over there," he continued, pointing to a dark silhouette nearby. "It was so dark that night, but I could make out the jacket distinctly because it was different—a black jacket adorned with golden cherry blossom embroidery."

Wooyoung and his team listened attentively, nodding as they absorbed the details. The old man's earnestness was evident as he recounted the incident, his voice tinged with a mixture of concern and determination.

Wooyoung glanced around at the downtown streets, noticing how deserted they seemed. The CCTV cameras, which were rarely operational in this area, were predictably out of order. He knew that some people intentionally tampered with them, hoping to get arrested just for a warm place to sleep. As expected, tonight they were useless.

"It's been a whole month, and we still have nothing," Wooyoung muttered, frustration evident in his voice. The heavy rain that night had likely washed away any potential clues.

"You remember the jacket, right?" Wooyoung asked, turning to an elderly man standing nearby. "Could you describe it again? Maybe it'll spark something, anything."

“By the way, may I ask who these foreigners were?” the old man inquired earning a glare from Wooyoung. “Never mind.”

“They were criminals.”

The old man nodded solemnly, and one of the officials stepped forward, ready to record any details he could provide.

The day flew by in a blur, with the AI artist quickly handed a rough sketch and brief details to craft a possible design for the jacket. Meanwhile, the investigative team immersed themselves once again in the case, dissecting every detail, trying to piece together what might have transpired. They were on a mission to track down the bus driver from that fateful day, and fortunately—or unfortunately—they eventually located him.

However, the driver's memory was a dead end. It had been a month since the incident, and all he could recall was dropping off those passengers downtown. He mentioned that the three foreigners had hurriedly disembarked, perhaps because of the rain, but he hadn't thought much of it at the time.

Amidst this flurry of activity, Wooyoung found himself in his office, seeking solace with closed eyes. He was attempting to sink into the embrace of his comfortable chair, savoring the cool breeze from the AC.

"Woo, I love you," Y/N whispered, resting her head on Wooyoung's warm, bareback and planting a soft kiss on his shoulder. Wooyoung chuckled, responding that he loved her even more.

Feeling playful, Y/N wrapped her arms around him from behind, burying her face in the crook of Wooyoung's neck, recalling just how ticklish he was almost everywhere. Without hesitation, she began tickling his stomach, causing Wooyoung to squirm under her touch.

Their bodies pressed close, and Wooyoung couldn't hold back the laughter as Y/N's playful assault continued. Finally, he managed to turn around, swiftly pinning Y/N beneath him, and gently restraining her wrists above her head. "You've become quite the troublemaker," he teased, his breath warm against her face.

"Well, I'm picking up a few tricks from Grace," Y/N replied with a mischievous glint in her eyes, prompting a deep, joyful laugh from Wooyoung. As he looked at her, Y/N gazed back, studying his features as if she were memorizing them, a hint of worry shadowing her expression. Wooyoung sensed her unease and released her wrists, leaning over her but keeping his arms at her sides.

"Hey, what's on your mind?" Wooyoung asked, his tone now filled with concern.

Y/N chuckled softly before speaking, "I missed you, missed this face, this glow," her eyes fixed on Wooyoung's warm, sunset-lit features. "So warm and loving." A tear welled up, escaping down her cheek.

"Please don't cry," Wooyoung whispered, his thumb brushing Y/N's cheek tenderly. "We've been through so much pain. I can't bear to lose you again."

"You have no idea how much I love you," Wooyoung continued, his forehead touching hers gently. "I'd go to hell and back to find you if anyone tried to take you away. You're mine."

"I'll never leave you," Y/N whispered back, her lips finding him in a deep, loving kiss. But their moment was cut short by a sudden knock. Y/N quickly pushed Wooyoung away, sitting up and grabbing her clothes to dress before anyone entered, Wooyoung did the same. "I think it's Grace," Y/N remarked with a hint of urgency.

Wooyoung was in the midst of getting ready when the unexpected knocking on his door startled him. "But she was supposed to come tomorrow," he muttered to himself, pulling up his pants hastily. He glanced around for his shirt, which he had casually tossed aside earlier.

As he hurriedly slipped on his shirt, Wooyoung called out, "Baby, are you dressed?" He chuckled, assuming Y/N was struggling with her own clothes. The knocking grew louder, making him feel uneasy. "Baby? Y/N?" Wooyoung continued, expecting a playful response

However, when he turned around, Y/N was nowhere to be seen. "Y/N? Where did you go?" His voice filled with a mix of confusion and concern, he checked the bathroom and scanned the room, but there was no sign of her. "Y/N?" The knocking now seemed to echo, causing his head to spin.

Panic started to set in as the room felt suffocatingly silent. Wooyoung struggled to catch his breath, his chest tightening inexplicably. Gripping his neck, he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. Just then, the door swung open. Wooyoung blinked rapidly as he came to, his chest rising and falling with each heavy breath.

Another dream about Y/N slipping away—each time, the pain felt fresh, cutting through the haze of sleep. His colleague, sensing his distress, hurried over and knelt beside him, gently stroking his palm to soothe him.

"Chief, it's okay. You're okay," she reassured him, rising swiftly to fetch a bottle of water. Wooyoung accepted it gratefully, drinking down the cool liquid in one go.

"A nightmare?" she asked softly, receiving a weary nod from Wooyoung.

"I think you need to rest, Chief," she suggested with genuine concern. "You hardly ever leave the office, and even when you do go home, I imagine you don't get much sleep. You're pushing yourself too hard."

"I'm fine," Wooyoung replied in a stern voice.

"No, you are not, Chief. To hell with the honorifics, Wooyoung. You need to think straight, be rational, and okay," Hyeri said firmly. Wooyoung looked at her with surprise—it was the first time she had talked to him informally.

"And you need to focus here. Dammit, Mingi is looking into Y/N's case. So be here, you lovesick gentleman."

"Mind your language and your own business, Hyeri!" Wooyoung shouted.

"I am minding my business. I need our office to be a little more positive so we can solve this case quickly. But sorry, Chief, ever since Y/N left—and I'm not just talking about a month ago—you've been the same as you were five years ago," she retorted, her voice rising. "And don't mind me, but I think this time she might not come back. So get your senses back."

"Get out!" Wooyoung shouted.

"That's what you do, isn't it? When things don't go your way, you become like this. You know, the main problem isn't Y/N—it's you. I wish Y/N never comes back," Hyeri growled as she stomped out of the cabin, leaving distraught Wooyoung alone in his office.

Alone in the quiet of the night, Wooyoung knelt down, overwhelmed by thoughts swirling in his mind. Hyeri's words echoed, planting seeds of doubt that gnawed at him. He left the police station long after everyone had gone home, the night duty officers now the only company left. Going home or staying at the office were both out of the question. He felt lost, unsure of where to turn or who to reach out to.

So, almost on autopilot, Wooyoung found himself gravitating towards the nearest club. Sitting at the bar, he ordered a whiskey neat, hoping it might dull the ache inside him. Glass after glass, he drank as if seeking solace at the bottom of each one. But instead of relief, the memories he wanted to escape flooded back stronger than ever.

The room spun around him, faces morphing into haunting images of Y/N and Grace. His body felt heavy, his mind clouded with the alcohol's embrace. The bartender, noticing his state, offered assistance, suggesting a cab. Wooyoung declined, stumbling out into the chilly night air.

Walking unsteadily down the street, he caught the disapproving glances of passersby, their eyes speaking volumes of silent judgment. Each step felt like a battle against his own body, the alcohol numbing his senses but failing to numb his pain.

Then, just as he stepped onto the pedestrian walk, he collided with someone. The man's voice cut through the haze, icy with irritation. Wooyoung blinked, trying to focus on the stranger obscured by a mask. He mumbled an apology, feeling like an intruder in the ordinary world around him.

The man's cold demeanor softened slightly as he chuckled, a mix of amusement and resignation. "Watch where you're going, buddy. Some of us still have places to be," he remarked before continuing on his way, muttering under his breath about the state of things nowadays.

As Wooyoung was about to take another step, the world around him suddenly dimmed, like someone had turned down the brightness on a screen. Before he knew it, he was collapsing right onto the pedestrian walk. The darkness seemed to envelop him, and a groan escaped his lips—not the kind of groan from hitting the ground, but one born from the ache in his heart.

Wooyoung lay there, feeling the weight of more than just his body. Thoughts swirled like distant sirens, distant flashes of worry. He knew this wasn't just physical pain. The ground beneath him felt unforgiving, matching the turmoil within.

Passersby paused, concern etching lines on their faces as they approached. One voice, gentle yet urgent, broke through the haze. "Are you alright? Can we help?" A hand reached out, offering both stability and comfort.

Wooyoung managed a weak nod "Take your time," another voice offered, calm and reassuring. "We're here."

For a moment, the darkness lightened just a bit. Wooyoung closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, allowing himself to relax for a bit. The pain in his heart didn't vanish, but somehow, it felt a bit more bearable maybe because of the alcohol in his system.

Part 8