“What’s this? Why are you all over the place, like a TV character just jumped out?”
“I was in a hurry, so I flew out like I popped out of a comic. Had to catch this talented person before he bolted.”
Jeongrok, leaning his elbow on the partition next to Jung Yoon’s desk, waved a hand in front of Jung Yoon’s eyes before brushing it up to his brow in a playful salute.
“Stop grinning like that, punk. It’s gross. We’re already short on people and now you want to drag another one in?”
Jeongrok’s loud entrance only made Jung Yoon stiffen.
His eyes widened, shoulders twitching at the sight of Jeongrok’s smug grin.
The team leader looked ready to puke.
“Come on, you know I’m not that kind of guy. Just tell me what you need, and I’ll snatch them up.”
Jung Yoon couldn’t stop staring at Jeongrok, trying to pick apart his familiar features.
“What do you mean, ‘just what you need’? Even if the president showed up, you’d be powerless.”
“The Korean police are straighter than you think. Not even the president can get away with some things.”
“Yeah, right. Just take him and get out.”
Eventually, the team leader seemed to give up and motioned toward Jung Yoon with his chin.
Their eyes met briefly—vacant and tired on the team leader’s end—and whatever it meant, he clicked his tongue in pity.
“I don’t care. You brought him, so he’s your problem. Don’t come crying to me.”
At that, the other detectives lost interest and went back to their work.
The office filled with the hum of radios, ringing phones, and ambient chatter.
“Officer Woo Jung Yoon?”
When Jung Yoon didn’t reply, Jeongrok tilted his head.
“Huh… Not you?”
Feigning theatrical disappointment, Jeongrok puffed out his chest and sighed dramatically like he was about to pop a balloon.
“…Huh?” Jung Yoon hesitantly turned his head toward him and responded in a careful tone, trying to hide his unease.
“…That’s me.”
Trying to stay composed, Jung Yoon placed his hands on the keyboard and straightened up, putting on a disinterested mask to counter Jeongrok’s searching gaze.
“I’m Woo Jung Yoon.”
A brief silence passed.
Jeongrok’s expression shifted ever so slightly.
He frowned, one brow arching in curiosity.
Jung Yoon caught that.
His heart dropped.
Did he recognize him?
Even though he was now a different Woo Jung Yoon, his face hadn’t changed.
The name, too, was the same—denial wouldn’t work.
But Jeongrok’s reaction stopped there.
The silence dragged until Jung Yoon, now embarrassed, let out a quiet sigh.
Jeongrok blinked, shook his head, and smiled wide—bright and carefree.
If Jung Yoon were anyone else, that smile alone could’ve knocked the breath out of him.
His heart clenched.
It was the same expression—the same face he had fallen for countless times.
He never imagined he’d see it again.
He had underestimated how vivid Jeongrok still lived in his mind.
His heart thudded against his chest, practically vibrating.
“It’s much more…”
Jeongrok spoke slowly, his deep voice brushing Jung Yoon’s ears like static.
Jung Yoon leaned forward without realizing it, captivated.
But again, Jeongrok trailed off.
He took a step back, putting distance between them.
Jung Yoon, now acutely aware of his awkward behavior, quickly straightened up.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Jeong Jeongrok.”
Jeongrok offered a handshake, catching Jung Yoon off guard.
His pulse throbbed in his ears.
He stared blankly at the extended hand before finally reaching out, mumbling,
“…Yes.”
The warmth of the handshake spread through his arm.
It was just like before—the size, the pressure, the feel.
A warmth he thought he’d never touch again.
“Uh… are you mad?”
As their hands lingered, Jung Yoon’s face slowly darkened.
Jeongrok, about to say something, was interrupted—
Beeep, beep.
Zing, zzzing—
The office exploded with noise—walkie-talkies, phones, alarms.
Jung Yoon tried to pull his hand away, but Jeongrok beat him to it, picking up a phone with his free hand.
Still holding onto Jung Yoon.
Everyone’s eyes turned toward them.
Jung Yoon stiffened again, his arm tense.
“Captain, your phone etiquette kinda…”
Unfazed, Jeongrok clucked his tongue and hung up, still not letting go.
Jung Yoon could only gape at him.
Anyone else and he’d have grabbed them by the collar.
But it was Jeongrok.
All he could do was frown and pout.
“What’s this? You two are playing ‘Red Light, Green Light’ or something?”
The team leader cut in, clearly done with the spectacle.
Startled, Jeongrok finally dropped Jung Yoon’s hand and scratched his head like he was the one flustered.
Jung Yoon bit his lip, assessing the tension in the room.
As angry as he was, he reminded himself—Jeongrok was a deputy.
“We’ll probably have to move desks later…”
Jeongrok muttered as he checked the buzzing phone again.
The surrounding alarms flared once more.
“Let’s head to my car.”
Snapping out of his daze, Jung Yoon grabbed his keys, handcuffs, and phone.
Jeongrok gave a quick glance at his clean desk, then back to Jung Yoon silently trailing after him.
“…Interesting.”
The quiet murmur made Jung Yoon flinch.
He turned, but Jeongrok just smiled and walked ahead.
“Jung Yoon.”
“Yes?”
“We tried… but it didn’t work. Guess you’ll just have to tough it out.”
Jung Yoon turned to see the team leader waving without looking away from the monitor.
He gave a small bow in return.
He understood the meaning.
It still stung.
His colleagues sent him worried glances.
Jung Yoon silently assured them with a firm nod.
They waved back half-heartedly.
With a soft sigh, he shoved the handcuffs into his back pocket and followed Jeongrok.
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