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Chapter 15
“Kim Seung-beom. Fancy seeing you here again.”
A deep voice rang out behind Seung-beom as he hurried down the broadcasting station corridor, his expression furrowed.
“Yes? Who is this?”
Caught off guard, Seung-beom forced a bright smile and turned around.
“We met at the police station recently…”
“Ah… I remember. You’re that detective I met briefly back then.”
“You remember,” said Chief Choi with a hearty laugh, bounding toward him.
“But what brings you here?”
Despite his friendly smile, Seung-beom instinctively took a small step back, wary of the sudden approach.
“This kid is a huge fan of yours. Really wanted to come watch today. If you don’t mind, could you sign this book for her? She’s too shy to ask herself, so I’m stepping in.”
“Ah, of course. Give it here.”
Seung-beom signed the book with a cheerful expression, glancing briefly at Chaerin standing just behind Chief Choi.
“The name?”
“…Suji.”
‘Suji?’ Chief Choi froze for a moment at the unfamiliar name, and Chaerin’s eyes widened behind him.
“Suji? That’s the same as the celebrity’s name,” he laughed.
Seung-beom peeked at Chaerin hiding behind Choi before returning to his signing with a smile.
“Yes. And her face is just as pretty as Suji’s.”
Chief Choi gave Chaerin a clumsy wink, leaving her a little flustered. Why did I even give him that name? Chaerin thought, feeling awkward and slightly embarrassed.
“Here you go. Indeed, your niece is as beautiful as Suji.”
Seung-beom handed the signed book to them, glancing between the two.
“Ah—she’s your niece, right? Looks like an idol, doesn’t she?”
Chief Choi beamed, turning again to Chaerin with a grin.
“Ah, yes. Well, I’m off then.”
“Mr. Kim Seung-beom.”
Just as Seung-beom prepared to move on, Chief Choi’s loud voice stopped him again.
“Anything else you’d like to say?”
“Don’t worry too much about earlier. Just rumors! Rumors! You’ve got this, Kim Seung-beom!”
“Ah… thank you.”
Seung-beom smiled awkwardly at the sudden encouragement and quickly made his way down the corridor.
“So… what did you think?”
After Seung-beom’s back disappeared from view, Chief Choi turned to Chaerin, his smile fading slightly.
“Chilly, isn’t it?”
The radio DJ’s soft voice filled the quiet car as they drove away from the studio.
[“A warm cup of coffee and good company… makes for a perfect afternoon. Today, too…”]
Since leaving the broadcasting station, not a single meaningful conversation had passed between them. The air between Chaerin and Chief Choi carried the same awkwardness and unspoken tension as a teenage daughter with a distant father.
“Seung-beom looks better in person than on TV, don’t you think?”
Breaking the silence, Chief Choi spoke first.
“Yeah… I guess.”
It was true. Looking at his innocent, kind face, it was hard to imagine him linked to something like insurance fraud.
“Next time, don’t do that.”
Chaerin glanced at the window, her cheeks slightly pink, and muttered.
“Do what?”
“Talking about idols… or names like Suji. It’s embarrassing.”
“Why? Honestly, you’re even better than most idols. Maybe you should try being one?”
Chief Choi grinned like a proud father showing off his child.
“Huh… but why are you keeping an eye on him?”
Chaerin changed the subject deliberately, knowing he wouldn’t stop.
“Detective instinct? But what did you mean earlier about feeling ‘chilly’ at the studio?”
“Just… something felt off.”
“What?”
“He smiled too brightly.”
“What do you mean? Brightly smiling but feeling cold?”
Chaerin’s odd comment made Chief Choi glance at her sideways.
“Even if someone smiles brightly, the sadness of losing someone they love lingers. But he… didn’t show any of it. Instead, there was this inexplicable, chilling aura.”
“You can see that? Feel that?”
“It’s more of a feeling than seeing. I’ve been through it myself…”
A shadow passed over Chaerin’s face.
“Then… what about me? Do you think there’s any sadness on my face?”
Chief Choi asked, his expression unreadable.
“What do you mean?”
Startled, Chaerin blinked at him, unsure if he was joking or serious.
“Just joking. Since you’re sensitive to these things, I thought I’d say it.”
Chief Choi smiled awkwardly at her flustered expression.
“Next week, there’s the trial for the traffic accident. Let’s go together. I’ll pick you up from school.”
Chaerin stiffened, flustered by the unexpected offer.
“School? Absolutely not.”
The sudden question and now the offer to pick her up—it was all too much.
“Why? Hidden boyfriend at school?”
“No.”
Her face flushed faintly at the mere mention of a boyfriend.
“Why so serious?”
“Just… don’t come.”
“The more you tell me not to, the more I want to.”
Chief Choi laughed, amused by her flustered protest, enjoying this playful tug-of-war.
“Absolutely! Absolutely! Don’t come!”
Ding. Dong. Daeng. Dong.
The lunch bell shook Chaerin out of her lethargy. She trudged across the playground, clearly unenthusiastic.
“All gathered? Even if exams are over, put on your gym clothes… Well, what can I expect. Class monitor, hand out the soccer and basketballs. Go play! Dismissed!”
The cool PE teacher’s words were met with cheers as children scattered across the field. Chaerin, however, sat alone in the stands, watching them quietly.
“Yes! Did you see that volley shot?”
Seunghyun, dribbling brilliantly toward the goal, noticed Chaerin in the stands.
“Chaerin!”
“….”
He waved enthusiastically, grinning from ear to ear. Chaerin shyly waved back. But her smile vanished the moment a familiar car pulled into the school.
A well-built man stepped out and strode toward Chaerin.
“Everyone’s playing, and you’re sitting here alone? Come on, join in. You need to stay healthy.”
It was none other than Chief Choi, arriving to lecture her like a parent.
“I told you not to come.”
Chaerin scowled, annoyed, watching the other kids. She couldn’t understand why he insisted on interfering.
“Going to the courthouse from here is inconvenient. Coming with me will make it easier.”
The excuse sounded reasonable, but in reality, Chief Choi was curious about how Chaerin managed at school.
“I can manage myself. Just go.”
“You came this far—come on. Let’s go together. Wow, you’re full of energy today.”
Even as Chaerin grumbled, Chief Choi just smiled, watching the kids play. Then a faint, bittersweet smile crept across his face. He quickly lowered his gaze, embarrassed by the sudden wave of emotions.
“Chaerin!”
Seunghyun appeared, noticing the man with Chaerin, panic written all over his face, and ran full speed across the playground.
“Let’s go somewhere else to talk,” Chaerin whispered, trying to keep him from seeing her with Chief Choi.
“Okay. I called the teacher earlier saying I had to go home, so let’s go.”
“Alright. Let’s move quickly.”
Better to leave the school as soon as possible.
“You need your bag.”
“No, it’s in my locker these days. We can go without it.”
Chaerin tugged Chief Choi’s arm toward the parking lot, keeping an eye on Seunghyun.
“Chaerin—”
Seunghyun, seeing her pulled away, panicked, thinking she was in danger, and ran as fast as he could.
“Huff—huff—Chaerin, are you okay?”
As Chaerin tried to slide into the car, Seunghyun grabbed her hand protectively, glaring at Chief Choi.
“Who are you! What do you think you’re doing?”
“Seunghyun,” Chaerin said softly.
Her heart pounded as she felt safe behind him, even as she was flustered.
“Chaerin’s friend? You’re handsome. But I’m not a bad person,” Chief Choi said, leaning on the car door with a grin.
“Then why are you suddenly taking Chaerin away?”
“Me? Well…”
Chief Choi hesitated, glancing at Chaerin. Saying he was her father would cause a fuss, and calling himself a familiar detective made no sense. He left the choice to Chaerin.
“Uh… then an uncle. A very… distant uncle.”
Chaerin blurted it out before thinking.
“An uncle?”
“Yes. I’m your uncle. I had some business at home, so I came to get you.”
Though she had been introduced as a niece before, never like this. The word ‘distant’ made it even more amusing, yet comforting.
“But… you came to the school once before, right?”
Seunghyun immediately recognized him.
“Sharp eyes. Yeah, I’ve been busy at home lately, so I’ve been visiting school more.”
“Sorry for being rude. I thought something happened to Chaerin.”
Seunghyun scratched his head, embarrassed.
“No worries. Having a friend like you actually makes me feel safer. Take care of Chaerin from now on, like today.”
Chief Choi smiled at both Chaerin and Seunghyun.
“Okay, Chaerin. See you tomorrow.”
“Mm…”
On the car ride, Chaerin couldn’t take her eyes off Seunghyun’s reflection in the side mirror.
“You ran like you thought I was taking you away. Haha,” Chief Choi laughed heartily.
“That’s just how he is. Overprotective,” he added, amused.
Chaerin quickly turned forward.
“But the way he made sure I was safe… like a real man.”
Chief Choi felt reassured seeing that she had friends and was doing well at school.
“It’s nothing like that,” Chaerin muttered, still flushed.
“Alright, alright. But he’s handsome, dependable, and polite,” Chief Choi said.
“Well…”
Chaerin fidgeted with her phone, embarrassed by the praise.
“Is he… a boyfriend?”
“Just a friend. Only a friend.”
Seeing Chief Choi’s playful face, she hurriedly cut him off.
“Anyway… he seems like a good kid. Be friends. Time flies, huh… already ten years.”
Chief Choi’s bright smile briefly faltered as he muttered something under his breath. Chaerin found his behavior strangely unfamiliar today.
