The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. Taeyang stepped out, the silence of the hallway wrapping around him like a worn coat. The buzz of the city below was long behind him, but its weight still clung to his shoulders.
And then he saw her.
Hana stood outside his apartment, arms folded, worry etched into her face. When their eyes met, her expression eased just a little enough to show she'd been waiting.
"You're late," she said softly.
"I know." His voice was tired, apologetic.
She didn't scold him. She stepped aside as he unlocked the door. When they entered, the quiet of his apartment welcomed them like a familiar sigh.
She took his jacket without asking, then returned moments later with a glass of water.
"Long night?" she asked, sitting on the edge of the coffee table across from him.
Taeyang gave a slow nod. "Yeah."
He didn't elaborate, and she didn't press the issue. But her gaze lingered on him, studying the faint furrow in his brow, the distant look in his eyes.
"Is everything okay?" she asked, voice lower now.
He hesitated, then smiled faintly. "It's nothing I can't handle."
She didn't believe him, but she let it go. She always did, trusting that when he was ready, he'd tell her. Still, she reached out and touched his hand lightly.
"I'm here," she said.
"I know," he replied, softer than before. "Thanks."
She stood after a moment, brushing invisible dust off her sleeve. "You should sleep. You look like you haven't in days."
He let out a quiet breath. "I will."
At the door, she paused and turned back. "Goodnight, Taeyang."
"Goodnight."
When the door shut behind her, the silence that followed was deeper.
Taeyang waited a few seconds, then moved across the room. He knelt beside a locked drawer, twisted the hidden mechanism, and opened it carefully. Inside was a small stack of files, notes, photographs, symbols, and maps, carefully pieced together over months.
He flipped through them quickly, documents partially redacted, surveillance images, familiar names tied to unfamiliar connections.
Everything was still vague. Still dangerous. Still just out of reach.
He stared at the centerpiece: a blurry photo of a figure turned just enough to hide their face, but not their intent.
Patterns were forming. Pieces sliding into place.
And then, in the quiet of the room, barely audible even to himself, Taeyang whispered:
"I'm close…"
He didn't smile. He didn't move. Just stared at the evidence, the fire behind his eyes quiet but steady.
He would tell Hana someday.
But not yet.
Not until he was sure.
Not until it was safe.
The next evening, Taeyang found himself parked down the street from Hana's office building, the low hum of the engine a counterpoint to his thoughts. He hadn't told her he was coming; he just wanted to see her, to ground himself in her presence before diving deeper into the murky waters of his case.
When the glass doors slid open, he spotted her immediately. Her hair was pulled back loosely, her shoulders a little slumped with the day's fatigue. She looked like she needed rest, and perhaps someone to simply walk beside her.
But she wasn't alone.
A man walked beside her, his posture composed, a folder tucked casually under his arm. Taeyang recognized him instantly, the same stillness, the calm strength he'd seen just yesterday.
It was him.
lee Jiwoon.
Hana's face lit up as she spotted Taeyang. "Taeyang?" Her voice was filled with surprise and warmth. "What are you doing here?"
"I was nearby," he said. "Thought I'd give you a ride home."
She smiled, then gestured between the two men with a hint of excitement in her voice."Oh, right! You two haven't properly met." Her eyes sparkled as she turned to Taeyang first."Taeyang, this is Officer Lee Jiwoon, one of the best. He's been helping me out with everything lately. He handles cases with this calm focus that's honestly impressive. I feel safer knowing he's around."
Then she turned to Jiwoon, her voice softer now, almost affectionate."And Jiwoon… this is the Hwang Taeyang. My best friend since forever. The one I never stop talking about."
She gave a small, bashful laugh, looking between them."I can't believe you two are finally meeting."
Jiwoon extended his hand with a calm expression. "We've met. Sort of."
Taeyang took his hand slowly, his eyes narrowing with a flicker of realization. "You were there… on the bridge. Yesterday. With the boy."
Jiwoon gave a small nod. " I recognized you from a few nights ago. That night, when Hana fell into the pool. I figured you were Taeyang."
Hana's eyes widened slightly, then a small, rueful smile touched her lips. "Oh. Right. I suppose I did talk a lot about you," she admitted.
Jiwoon chuckled softly.
"Well," Hana said, gathering her bag. "Since you're both here, let's just head somewhere. It's still evening." She looked at Jiwoon. "I was thinking of grabbing a coffee."
"Sounds good," Jiwoon agreed easily. "There's a cozy cafe just a few blocks away if we walk."
"Perfect," Hana beamed. "Let's go!"
As they strolled down the sidewalk, city lights glowing softly around them, Taeyang fell into step beside Jiwoon. Hana walked at a comfortable pace just ahead, occasionally glancing back at them.
"Hey," Taeyang said quietly to Jiwoon, glancing over. "Thanks for the snacks yesterday. They helped."
Jiwoon chuckled softly. "No problem." His eyes met Taeyang's for a moment, a brief, knowing glance.
The warm scent of roasted beans and buttery pastries greeted them as they stepped inside the cafe. They settled into a cozy booth by the window.
The conversation flowed naturally, an easy rhythm developing between the three of them. Hana told stories from work, laughing at her clumsy missteps. Jiwoon added light-hearted anecdotes from his time in the force, occasionally glancing at Taeyang as if inviting his perspective. Even Taeyang chimed in here and there, offering dry, clever comments that made Hana laugh aloud and Jiwoon's lips twitch into a genuine smile.
Taeyang watched her, smiling to himself. It had been so long since he'd seen her this relaxed.
He also found himself watching Jiwoon, not out of suspicion anymore, but curiosity and a growing respect. The officer was calm, thoughtful, and perceptive. There was something undeniably steady about him, something that explained why Hana trusted him so readily.
As they finished their drinks and pastries, Hana leaned back with a sigh. "This was nice. I needed this."
Jiwoon nodded. "Me too."
Taeyang smiled, quietly echoing the sentiment in his mind. It wasn't just nice. It was needed for all of them.
Hana stood up, stretching slightly. "Alright, I think I've had enough sugar. Ready to head out, Taeyang?"
"Ready when you are," he replied, rising smoothly.
Jiwoon stood as well, a subtle shift in his posture. "I'll walk you two out."
Outside the cafe, they exchanged brief goodbyes. Hana turned to Jiwoon. "See you at work tomorrow, Jiwoon".
"Yeah, Hana," he said, his gaze lingering on her for a moment.
Taeyang gave Jiwoon a firm nod. "Good to finally meet you, Officer Jiwoon."
"You too, Taeyang." Jiwoon's eyes held a complex mix of new understanding and an unvoiced challenge.
As Taeyang and Hana began walking down the street, Jiwoon watched them go. He let out a slow, quiet sigh, the warmth of the cafe fading into the cool evening air.
He watched them go, a complex mix of thoughts swirling. Taeyang was, undeniably, a good man. He'd seen his courage and compassion on the bridge, recognized the sharp mind, and knew he cared deeply for Hana, a fact Jiwoon himself had gleaned from the pool incident. Yes, Taeyang was undoubtedly a strong presence.
But as he saw them disappear around the corner, a subtle, competitive fire flickered in Jiwoon's eyes. As long as a proposal remained unspoken, Jiwoon still had a chance. And he wasn't one to back down from a challenge, especially when it came to someone he truly wanted.
He would make his move. When the time was right.
Meanwhile, walking beside Hana, Taeyang felt a lightness he hadn't experienced in days. His initial wariness of Jiwoon had completely vanished, replaced by a quiet appreciation. Jiwoon was a solid presence, a good friend to Hana. This was a good thing. A truly good thing. Maybe, just maybe, this intricate, dangerous path he was on wouldn't be quite so lonely after all. But still, the secret of his investigation weighed on him. He had to keep pushing, had to find answers. For Hana. For himself.