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Chapter 14
What did you say?
“Stay here for a moment.”
Ji-hyuk said in an even tone, handing her a bottle of water. His face was expressionless.
Da-sol stared blankly as he left the room.
Drip. Drip.
Before she even had time to register the heat rising in her eyes, tears fell onto her pale thighs.
While she was wiping her eyes with her hand, two women entered the room—an investigator and a detective.
Da-sol sniffled and answered their questions.
Still, they were kinder than Ji-hyuk—both emotionally and professionally.
Only after the two left with concerned expressions did she realize how dry her throat was.
She twisted the cap of the bottle Ji-hyuk had given her. Maybe because she was weak, it wouldn’t open.
After several futile attempts, the door opened—not the bottle.
It was Ji-hyuk.
He strode in and stood in front of her without a word. Da-sol lowered her gaze.
“Let’s go.”
“W-where to?”
“You need to go home.”
Da-sol, staring at his broad back, slowly stood up.
“Um, Prosecutor.”
Ji-hyuk, who had been walking ahead, turned back.
“Yes.”
“Did… did you catch Kim Do-jung?”
She squeezed out the question in a barely audible voice.
“We lost him.”
“…You lost him?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry…”
Da-sol shrank down like a crushed can.
What should I even say?
Ji-hyuk spoke first.
“Ms. Da-sol.”
A low, rigid voice.
He crossed his arms. His shirt tightened across his frame, emphasizing his thick arms.
A closed mouth. Cold eyes.
It was obvious he had been holding back. It was only natural he was angry.
“Y-yes.”
“Are you usually this reckless?”
“No, it’s not like that… I just wanted to help…”
“Help is given by those who are capable of it.”
It happened in an instant.
Her guilt turned into irritation.
“W-what kind of thing is that to say? I know I messed up, but… you didn’t have to put it like that!”
Da-sol glared, clearly showing her discomfort.
“Then in this situation, should I also consider your feelings?”
“Who asked you to? It’s just… the way you say it is too blunt…”
“I told you not to care. If you had listened to me… ha…”
At his heavy sigh, Da-sol tightened her grip on the water bottle.
“I’m really sorry. I wasn’t taking it lightly…”
Maybe because she knew she was at fault, her anger quickly cooled.
“Ms. Da-sol. Acting on emotions only makes situations more complicated.”
His tone was calm. It was hard to tell whether he was scolding her or simply frustrated by her foolishness.
“In the end, this was really dangerous. You understand that, right?”
Of course. She knew.
Her head naturally lowered.
“I wasn’t acting only on emotions. I mean, I’m not saying I did well…”
“There’s no need to analyze what’s already passed. From now on, focus on solutions.”
He was like a model of a cold-minded man.
How is this even possible in a situation like this?
Not shouting or getting angry?
To Da-sol, Ji-hyuk felt like someone from another world.
“I’m really sorr—”
“That’s enough apologizing.”
Ji-hyuk cut her off coldly.
Then he took the unopened water bottle from her, twisted off the cap without a word, and handed it back.
“…Thank you.”
Only then could Da-sol drink the water properly.
“When the documents are ready, you’ll be contacted. Come to the prosecutor’s office to sign.”
“Yes, Prosecutor. Oh, right—this.”
Da-sol tried to take off the jacket she was wearing.
“Keep it on.”
Before her bare shoulders were even fully exposed, Ji-hyuk draped it back over her. Not satisfied with that, he adjusted it properly, as if fixing it for her.
“But this is yours, Prosecutor.”
“I also need to go to the office. I’ll give you a ride on the way.”
Clubbing scene
Da-sol followed Ji-hyuk down the club hallway.
There were more people than when she first came in.
From the upper level, she scanned the crowd while looking for Yumi.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
The music felt like it could shake her body apart, and dazzling lights flashed everywhere.
Still, Yumi was surprisingly easy to find.
Because she was dancing wildly in the clothes Da-sol had lent her.
“Prosecutor, I think I should go change my clothes and say goodbye to my friend…”
It felt awkward to ask him to wait. He wasn’t a taxi.
Before she could suggest going separately, Ji-hyuk replied immediately.
“Alright then.”
Da-sol pushed through the tightly packed crowd. Before long, her jacket was knocked loose and dropped to the floor.
“Oh no, that’s not mine!”
Just before it was stepped on, she quickly picked it up.
A man was standing in front of her.
“You’re pretty. Are you here alone?”
She frowned and tried to walk past, but another useless man blocked her while dancing.
She was getting irritated.
How long would it take just to get to Yumi like this?
Then a large hand touched her back.
Startled, she turned—Ji-hyuk.
He took the jacket from her and placed it back on her shoulders as if it naturally belonged there.
“Where’s your friend?”
“Over there. Near the speakers.”
She pointed. Ji-hyuk nodded, having clearly figured it out—probably from her outfit, which stood out like a tea house in a nightclub.
“Let’s go. I’ll escort you.”
Without waiting for permission, he pulled her forward by the arm resting at her back.
Through the open shirt, his firm muscles were faintly visible—so close she felt like she could touch them.
Ji-hyuk moved like a bodyguard, clearing the way.
Da-sol followed closely behind.
His scent grew stronger. A good scent—enough to drown out all the unpleasant perfumes around them.
“Ah!”
Someone shoved her from behind while dancing.
She nearly stumbled, but a strong arm immediately wrapped around her back.
Before she knew it, she was pressed against a solid body like a wall.
A warm scent filled her nose.
Above her head, she felt his breath.
Her hands were on his chest.
“Oh my!”
“Sorry! Someone pushed me!”
She shouted over the music, flustered.
Their eyes met.
They were so close it felt like they could kiss. Under the red lights, his eyes looked heated.
Before she could pull away, Ji-hyuk gently pulled her back in again.
Twice she was held—once by accident, once by his hand.
“Say that again,” Ji-hyuk said lowly, his voice cutting through the loud music.
Warm breath brushed her ear.
“What did you say?”
“I said I’m sorry. Someone pushed me…”
The DJ changed and the crowd erupted.
The music grew even louder.
“I can’t hear you,” he said again.
Da-sol leaned closer and spoke into his ear, covering her mouth with her hand.
“I said I’m sorry. I got pushed!”
Ji-hyuk tilted his head slightly, as if amused.
“Oh. Sorry.”
Then he lifted his head and let her go.
“Let’s go.”
They continued toward Yumi.
Yumi greeted Ji-hyuk with a nod and asked Da-sol,
“Da-sol, mission success?”
Da-sol shook her head miserably.
Yumi patted her shoulder sympathetically while still dancing.
“Yumi, let’s go now.”
“No!”
“I can’t stay. I—”
She stopped, unable to explain the chaos around them.
“Soon Sean’s going to come out. No choice. You go first.”
“Alright… let’s change clothes.”
“New DJ just came on. If you’re okay, just go like that. I’m fine.”
Yumi said it while still dancing.
Da-sol nodded.
As she turned away, a heavy hand rested on her shoulder.
Now she felt safe stepping forward.
No one would push her anymore.
