Jiho comforted her as if coaxing a child and quickly changed direction. As they entered a quiet side street, Jiho’s urgency grew.

Why were emotions so shaky, and what could have happened with Kim Yujun? Lajin’s apologies and resignation filled the airwaves.

“I won’t let you break. No, I can’t let you break. So.”

“I’ll go to Ms. Lajin’s house.”

“In 5 minutes. No, if I arrive within 2 minutes, I’ll tell you everything.”

Jiho wanted to hold onto Lajin. So, without disconnecting the call, he didn’t let her think about anything else. He turned the steering wheel vigorously, drove on the dark road, and kept talking to Lajin.

At this moment, if this call were to be cut off, it felt like she and Jiho would be forever severed.
“We’re almost there. Will you open the door?”

There was no answer from Lajin to Jiho’s question.

Does it feel like this when your heart is torn apart? Jiho, experiencing fear for the first time, couldn’t even breathe properly.

“I respect Lajin. That’s why I want to hear it directly.”

The words that used to be a request and an appeal had now become a plea, asking her if it wouldn’t be better to stop immediately and meet to sort things out.

But Lajin remained silent for a long time.

“Lajin.”

Whether the earnest persuasion worked or not, beyond her sobbing, a faint sound of small footsteps echoed.

With the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs, Jiho finally breathed a sigh of relief. At least, it seemed like he wouldn’t face a cold reception at the door.

“I’m parking now. So, please don’t hang up.”

She still didn’t respond, but she didn’t hang up either.

Jiho threw the car as if abandoning it and surveyed the surroundings sharply as he parked.

‘Ah, I wasn’t sending Lajin away.’

Walking down the dark road after getting out of the car, Jiho regretted it.

Why was he so careless?

Even though he knew what kind of person Kim Yujun was, he sent Lajin to that place. He hurriedly overlooked Lajin’s stress, thinking about catching Kim Yujun. Perhaps all of this was already a foreseeable event.

It couldn’t be something like going to a suite room like last time, right? Or perhaps some physical threat?

Horrible thoughts rushed into his mind in an instant.

Her being late was already a signal that something was wrong, yet he was standing in front of her house doing nothing. Jiho couldn’t make any excuses.

When it came to whether Lajin would withdraw from this or continue, it was a matter for the next issue. For now, confirming Lajin’s safety was the priority.

“Lajin.”

With his breath reaching the tip of his chin, Jiho stood in front of Lajin’s door.

“I’m in front of your house.”

As soon as her murmuring voice ended, the door clicked open.

As if being sucked into a black hole, Jiho jumped inside through the open door. Holding Lajin, who still had her phone in her hand and didn’t hang up yet, he hugged her tightly. Without the need for complicated questions or calculations, Jiho’s body moved automatically.

How grateful he was that she was right in front of him, within reach. Now that he was holding Lajin, who wanted to quit, Jiho realized what kind of emotions he had.

“Fortunately. I’m really relieved.”

As if time had stopped, inside the dark door where not even a single wind blew, Jiho didn’t let go of Lajin.

“Lajin, I’m sorry.”

“…….”.

“I wasn’t going to send you off today.”

He apologized to her for the mistake driven by greed. Lajin, without saying anything, buried her face in Jiho’s chest. When he felt her warm breath, a sense of relief finally washed over him.

If Lajin found it hard, he could remove the things that made it difficult, and if she wanted to quit, he could let her quit.

Jiho wanted to do everything she wanted. Only one thing! He wanted to convince her of that, excluding moving away like this, whatever it was.
“May I come in?”

In response to Jiho’s question, Lajin nodded slowly. Jiho, not wanting to distance himself, gently wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Then, they walked side by side.

Opening the front door on behalf of the slumped Lajin, they entered the house together.

It was her second home that he visited. Everything was the same as the first time he came.

However, under the bright light, Lajin’s face looked quite different from back then. Her once brightly shining face was now entirely red and swollen with traces of tears.

“Let’s sit together.”

Jiho held Lajin’s hand, avoiding her gaze, and guided her to the sofa, like a host. There was no need to put on airs or be cautious.

At this moment, letting go of Lajin’s hand would mean being forever distant. Jiho’s mind was focused solely on moving forward. Still, he had to respect Lajin’s decision.

To catch his breath for a moment, Jiho loosened his tie.

‘Maybe today could be the last day with Miss Lajin.’

A sudden realization flashed through Jiho’s mind. In a moment of urgency, even irrelevant thoughts crossed his mind. What if he applied the investigative techniques he always used?

Should he use the shock therapy that bursts into action from the beginning, or should he intermittently push and pull while observing the situation? Or maybe, should he reveal important facts at the end, decorating the climax? Jiho pondered for a moment.

Jiho raised his head and looked down at Lajin’s pale hand.

If he couldn’t catch Lajin today, he might not have another chance tomorrow. Today, right now. If he had to do something in this place, what would it be? Starting with the shock therapy that bursts into action from the beginning, Jiho decided to use the most effective method.

“Lajin.”

Jiho called Lajin with a calm voice. Then, without saying that everything would be okay, he simply wiped away the reddened area around Lajin’s eyes.

He didn’t utter the words that he spat out like a spell. They just looked into each other’s eyes and filled each other with emotions. Sometimes, a moment of silence can convey more than many words. When Lajin’s emotions were gradually settling down, Jiho struggled to open his mouth.

“In the future, please don’t withdraw from our work.”