IWT 02

 Chapter 02

법원 로비 복도.

Court lobby corridor.

“이건 또 왜 이래.”

“Why is this happening again?”

The eyes of female staff passing by were drawn to Seongjin struggling with the vending machine.

About 187 cm tall. Broad shoulders, a solid chest, and a perfectly fit body without any extra fat. Thick eyebrows and deep eyes that were both gentle and charismatic. From his forehead down to his sharp nose and strong jawline, even his side profile looked perfect.

Rather than a violent crimes detective, he looked more like a model.

Bang—Bang—

“Ah, damn it. Why does this thing always eat only my money? Is this another way the government collects taxes?”

He kept arguing with the vending machine as if he didn’t care about the stares around him.

At that moment, Chaerin, who had just come out of the courtroom, caught Seongjin’s eye.

She looked too young to be in court. And seeing her come out of a murder trial room made her look even more out of place.

His curiosity was slightly stirred.

“Did she come here for a tour?”

Without realizing it, he scanned her from head to toe.

About 165 cm? No, maybe around 167 cm. Long arms and legs. Beautifully shaped eyes with deep pupils. A straight nose and slightly firm red lips. Long black hair that made her small face and milky white skin stand out even more.

“Is she an idol?”

The only word that came to his mind was beautiful.

But what caught Seongjin’s attention the most was the strange aura coming from her cold, expressionless face.

“Is she the victim’s family?”

The girl didn’t seem to belong in this place at all.

Many guesses and questions filled his mind.

Then—

“Why are you standing in front of the vending machine? What, did the court steal your money again?”

“Ah, well… yeah. But why did you come out so late?”

Chief Choi came out of the courtroom with a big laugh.

Seongjin’s attention naturally left Chaerin.

“I met someone before coming out. Anyway, stop fighting with that vending machine. Let’s go eat some seolleongtang and then go to the sauna. Watching the trial all day made my body stiff.”

Chief Choi stretched his neck and shoulders as he walked toward the parking lot.

“Still, I’m really glad today’s trial ended well. When I ran in with the documents earlier, I was so nervous I thought the guy might be declared innocent.”

Seongjin held his forehead as he spoke.

“My heart almost exploded.”

“I was shocked too. I thought you weren’t going to make it.”

Beep—

Chief Choi unlocked the car.

“You look tired. I’ll drive.”

Seongjin massaged Chief Choi’s stiff shoulders.

“Good. Then you drive today. I haven’t slept for days. I’m exhausted.”

“You’re overworking yourself solving cases lately.”

“Lately? It’s always like that. Anyway, hurry up. I’m starving.”

Chief Choi threw his jacket to the back seat and sat in the passenger seat, cracking his stiff neck.

“By the way, do you know what people say about you these days?”

Seongjin smiled while fastening his seatbelt.

“What do they say?”

Chief Choi leaned his seat back and closed his eyes without much interest.

“You really don’t know?”

“Just say it.”

“They say you’re possessed by a spirit. They say you’ll quit being a detective soon and start telling fortunes.”

Seongjin said with a grin while driving out of the parking lot.

“Oh really? If I’m possessed, you must be pretty happy. Then should I read your future first?”

“Oh! Really? Please do! My birth date and time is—”

“That’s enough. I don’t need that.”

Chief Choi closed his eyes and pretended to read fortune signs with his hand.

People saying he was possessed… it sounded ridiculous.

But Seongjin had worked so hard today, running around because of the trial.

Chief Choi thought he should at least play along.

“How does my future look? Am I getting promoted?”

Seongjin asked seriously.

For Seongjin, Chief Choi’s words were not just a joke.

Chief Choi had found the key witness in today’s trial.

Not only that, over the past few years he had solved many cases that were about to become unsolved.

Cases with no witnesses and no clues.

Yet Chief Choi somehow always found hidden witnesses and evidence.

There was no explanation except that he seemed almost supernatural.

“Is it still far?”

“Hmm… I don’t know about your promotion. But I feel a strong message from the gods telling you to focus on driving properly.”

Chief Choi laughed at his own bad joke.

“Come on, Chief. Stop joking and tell me. What happens to me? Do I get promoted? I really need to get promoted this time.”

But Seongjin refused to give up.

“Your promotion is decided by the higher-ups. Why ask me? And don’t worry, it’ll happen eventually.”

“Ah, come on…”

Seongjin complained with a disappointed face.

“You’re the weird one for believing that nonsense about being possessed. Stop talking and drive. I’m hungry.”

Chief Choi crossed his arms and closed his eyes again.

“Then at least tell me your secret. How do you always find evidence and witnesses like a ghost? Please tell me.”

Seongjin begged again.

Every time he asked before, Chief Choi simply said it was a detective’s instinct.

But today he was determined to find out the secret.

“You’re not cute.”

Chief Choi said seriously.

“Are you serious? I’m suffering because I followed you into this job.”

Seongjin complained.

He had once been a national judo athlete and gold medalist.

After his injury, he planned to become a coach.

But Chief Choi was the one who led him into the police force.

That’s why Seongjin always trusted him like an older brother.

But now he was starting to feel frustrated.

“How many times do I have to say it? It’s instinct. A detective’s instinct.”

Chief Choi answered the same way again.

“There must be something behind that instinct.”

“There’s no secret. A detective just digs until something comes out. Just keep digging.”

“But there must be something different—”

“Wake me up when we reach the restaurant.”

Chief Choi turned his head and closed his eyes.

Seongjin pouted his lips.

“Yes, sir. Rest well.”

The road in front of the courthouse intersection was, as always, completely jammed.

Seongjin turned his head toward the window.

The bus stop was crowded with people heading home.

Some were busy with their phones. Others were talking on the phone with different emotions on their faces.

Among them, a girl stood completely still, as if she existed in a separate space.

Seongjin immediately recognized her.

“Ah… her.”

It was Chaerin.

Her cold, expressionless face was the same as before.

And the strange atmosphere around her made it hard for him to look away.

The longer he looked at her, the more his mind felt strangely blank.

“Light changed. Let’s go.”

At that moment, Chief Choi glanced at Chaerin and then urged Seongjin.

“Ah—yes.”

Seongjin stepped on the accelerator.

But through the side mirror, Chaerin’s figure slowly disappearing began to remain more clearly in his mind.

[“Next stop is Jeong Inhye Neuropsychiatric Clinic.”]

Chaerin took off her earphones and put them into her jacket pocket.

She reached toward the stop bell.

But her finger hesitated.

Her body froze like a child standing at a red traffic light.

Then she closed her eyes tightly and pressed the bell quickly, like forcing bitter medicine into her mouth.

Beep—

After getting off the bus, she saw a stylish building covered with blue glass among gray buildings.

“Is this the place?”

She took a deep breath and walked inside.

In the luxurious lobby, she slowly read the information board.

“10th floor.”

She stood in front of the elevator.

But her finger hesitated again.

Should she go up?

Or turn back?

Ding—

At that moment, a message notification sounded.

「This is a reminder for today’s appointment. Please arrive before 6 PM. – Jeong Inhye Neuropsychiatric Clinic」

As if pushed by the message, Chaerin finally pressed the elevator button.

Ding—

“10th floor.”

The elevator doors opened.

Two nurses greeted her with friendly smiles.

“Have you been well? This is your first visit since we moved the clinic, right?”

“Yes.”

The interior looked more like an art gallery than a hospital.

“Director is waiting for you. Let’s go in.”

Knock. Knock.

[“Yes, come in.”]

A gentle voice came from inside.

“Director, Chaerin is here.”

“Welcome, Chaerin. Have you been well? Was it hard coming here? Sit comfortably.”

Dr. Inhye greeted her warmly.

“Okay.”

Chaerin sat stiffly at the edge of the sofa.

“That sofa isn’t meant to be sat on like that. Relax.”

Inhye smiled softly.

“Would you like some tea? I bought some black tea at a conference in Europe last week.”

“Yes.”

“Nurse Kim, please prepare some tea.”

Chaerin quietly looked at Inhye.

Clear skin that matched her coral lipstick.

Sharp and beautiful facial features.

A black silk blouse slightly open under her white coat.

A perfectly fitted skirt and high heels.

If she wasn’t wearing a doctor’s coat, it would be hard to believe she was a psychiatrist.

The many certificates and TV photos on the wall made her shine even more.

Chaerin wanted to become someone like her.

She always admired that confident smile.

But at the same time, that perfect appearance created an invisible wall.

“Did the case go well?”

Inhye sat down with a recorder and laptop.

“Yes.”

Chaerin answered briefly.

“You worked hard. I was worried because this case seemed especially difficult for you.”

“It was a little hard. But I’m okay now.”

Chaerin’s heart softened slightly seeing Inhye’s sincere concern.

“That’s good. Then since the case is solved, shall we talk slowly today?”

Inhye flipped through the chart like a curious child waiting for a story.

Chaerin’s face turned cold again.

Ten years.

It had already been ten years since she began telling Inhye about that place.

Yet it still felt uncomfortable, like wearing clothes that didn’t fit.

Talking about that place again.

“Is it still hard to talk about it?”

Inhye asked gently.

Chaerin answered with a deep sigh.

Knock. Knock.

“Director, I brought the tea.”

“Leave it here. Chaerin, how is the aroma? It feels refreshing, doesn’t it?”

Inhye changed the topic to help her relax.

But Chaerin only stared at the tea cup silently.

Inhye thought today’s counseling might not work.

She quietly lifted the tea cup.

Then—

After the steam from Chaerin’s tea almost disappeared—

Chaerin finally spoke slowly.

“4일 동안 그 사람을 따라다녔어요. 그곳에서….”
“I followed that person for four days. And there….”