Even in the noisy crowd, Guk-doo hears the voice saying his name. He spins towards the source of the noise.

Bong-soon shrinks back in her seat. She has no concern for how she might appear; she wholly intends to pull her companions with her. The quicker they leave, the lower are the chances that Guk-doo finds them. Her hand grasps her brother's. But that tug isn't enough to stop the guy from screaming — "Guk-doo!"

Guk-doo, on the verge of changing directions, locates the individual who called out to him. In swift strides approaches Bong-gi.

"What's going on?" Bong-gi looks up and down Guk-doo's tall figure with one eyebrow raised. He's not a guy to beat around the bush, just like Guk-doo. "You were with Heeji?"

Guk-doo shrugs and throws a sideways glance at Bong-soon, who shuffles in her seat. "Is this weirdo our Bong-soon?"

Without thinking, Bong-soon knocks her foot into his shin. The kick must have hurt, but he laughs. She heaves a sigh, glancing down at her flamboyant yellow geometric-patterned dress.

"Weirdo? I think I look fine, Guk-doo. Classy even. The colours aren't of my choice though."

"Classy? Nope, you look like a dunce. Like a silly female robber out of an anime with those masks and goggles on. Too good this mall checks citizen's identities before letting people in, huh?"

Bong-soon doesn't look at Guk-doo, her fists curling into the leather of her sling bag. All this good natured banter. When he's with Heeji until a moment ago? Why did he even meet her? What if they are getting together? The new thought chokes her. She heaves another heavy sigh. "Oh, cut with the insults, will you..."

"Haha..."

Guk-doo's laughter is boisterous. Before Bong-soon can respond, Bong-gi interjects, "Well, this is a surprise. I don't recollect you quarrelling like this in high school. You'd agree on pretty much everything and Guk-doo, you weren't talkative. You were chatty with us compared to the silence you subjected others, but..."

"Huh, bro..." Bong-soon throws a dismissing look at her brother and shakes her head. "We'd sometimes. But rarely. Many things changed from high school, I guess..."

Guk-doo inclines his head with a light chuckle, "Well, a few things changed and a few things didn't. They never will. As for Heeji... She was a victim of sorts in a musical shop arson and I was checking on her as I'd with all the victims... Part of my civil and moral duties for the force."

Bong-soon feels a deep sense of relief. Guk-doo doesn't lie. He's deathly honest all the time. So it must be the truth...

Guk-doo goes on, "I had to know she was doing okay. Pretty noble of me to check on the woman who dumped me, huh?"

Bong-soon's eyes widen at the words. She has misunderstood the situation then. Guk-doo didn't dump Heeji. Heeji did. Ugh, my best friend isn't a player. I knew this already... The wave of emotion in her chest is so intense, she's blurting out before she can stop—

"How can she? When there can be no one like you..."

Guk-doo and everyone raises a brow, yet she can't stop.

"Yeah, you're flawed Guk-doo... but you're also perfect. Overprotective but devoted... How do I describe this..."

Guk-doo stares at her unblinking, his limbs frozen. On a second look, everyone is frozen. Hana. Bobg-gi. Bong-soon holds her tongue, looking away. Ugh nope, I don't mean it. So embarrassing. I sounded so wounded for your sake, Guk-doo-ah. I didn't mean any of it. That was my crush from my teenage years. How to take it back... While her thoughts swirl and bathe her in discomfort, Guk-doo appears delighted.

"Hah, only you could ever think of me that way."

She catches the troubled look crossing his eyes when she looks at him. She eventually has to look at him, right? What other way was there? Only you could ever think of me that way. His smile is affectionate, soft, the curve of his eyebrows flattened and the wry tilt to his lips. Even the way he gently pats her head, brushing her hair with nimble fingers, she finds it all unfair.

"I'm grateful you view me in such high standards, Bong-soon."

Bong-soon heaves another sigh that escapes her mask and clouds her glasses. "Ah, how I always melt for you. I'm a complete weirdo. I'm going home..."

She's raised her voice only for the last part. Guk-doo only heard that part.

"You forgot which way to go?"

He pokes fun at her when she stomps her foot and turns in the wrong direction, rightfully so. "I won't be able to guard you tonight. Do-young will be there. But call me if you need anything."

"Ugh, don't tell me. I don't wanna talk to you right now.Bong-gi let's go. Come Hana..."

She grabs her brother and Hana by their jacket sleeves. She wishes she weren't such a mess of feelings. Her mood changed from anxious to happy to frustrated so quickly. Yeah, I'm a mess and you get to be cool, Guk-doo!? Gimme a break. I'm so wired.

Out of the corner of her eye, she finds Guk-doo lifting his hand, waving, as she drags her companions away. Then notices him turn on his heel and blend into the crowd. Why were you even looking, you crazy, idiotic Bong-soon?

***

Around the evening, Bong-soon is back at her art studio with Hana, who's stubbornly followed her there.

"Hana, honestly? Why did you come here? You want to invite trouble?"

Bong-soon casts aside her mask and goggles and collapses on the couch. It's been a long, long day. Hana stands in front of her, her hands on her hips.

"Don't you need to talk? You must be pretty upset. You said pretty embarrassing things down there."

Bong-soon covers her face with her palms, "I did. I dunno why."

"Because you're you. Bong-gi was around, so we couldn't have our girl talk. Tell me what's going on? You can share your feelings with me, you know. What's bothering you? Guk-doo again, huh? Don't tell me you were jealous or bothered despite the reason he gave."

Bong-soon catches her breath and shakes her head. "I was... upset. Not after he explained, no. Gukdoo doesn't lie."

"Aha, but why were you even upset? You were unbothered by it before. Remember when we saw him buy flowers for Heeji?"

"I'm not bothered." Bong-soon tries to assert, soon her voice falls weak. "No..."

"Then what?"

"I don't know, Hana... What's changed from before?"

"Isn't it the same?"

"No, it's not. He said... well, he didn't, but I thought he... loved me. He loves me... I don't know how to feel about it..."

"Do you not love him anymore?"

"That's not it. It's different, I can't explain it. He's into me... Or maybe not. Does he still love me after I rejected and slapped him?"

"Can feelings change so fast? Your assumptions were proven wrong, right?"

"Yeah... But I didn't hear him say he loves me. If he does, if he says, then how do I react? I've been avoiding the elephant in the room, but I can't forever. I want these questions to stop popping up."

"Your emotions don't need to align with your actions. Would it have upset you if he was rekindling his relationship with that girl?"

Bong-soon shakes her head. "I don't know... Yeah, I sound like I'm lying when I say this. I'm unsure of his thoughts... Maybe we can discuss this once the ongoing cases are resolved."

A few moments pass in silence. Hana waits until Bong-soon speaks again, joining her on the couch.

"I don't blame him if he's going back to Heeji, Hana. But think about this! He tried to kiss me a couple of months ago. He's teasing, yet affectionate as always. I couldn't accept his feelings or mine. And suddenly there's not one but two women in his life?"

"Two?"

Hana's expression turns sour as her lip curls. Bong-soon shrugs. "Another woman asked him out tonight. It's work, but he's agreed to it."

"Hah! If it's work, you have nothing to worry about it."

"I know..."

Bong-soon's shoulders hunch. She curls into Hana, resting her head on the girl's shoulder. Hana rubs her friend's back soothingly and twists the conversation in a different direction. "So tell me more about your new job and everything going on..."

Catching up on her adventures is the right distraction for Bong-soon. Hana is such a rapt listener. She left out all the names of people and places and designations, but just shared the basic outline of her work at the PD and Guk-doo's mission. Simple details pique Hana's interest.

"Spy work? How exciting!" Hana giggles, but her tone soon turns serious. "Fun, but risky. I will pray that you will make it out of this unscathed, Bong-soon."

Hana grips her hand. Bong-soon mirrors the gesture. "We shouldn't meet in person often, Hana. Until this business is done."

"Oh well. I don't wanna stir up trouble for you or Guk-doo. Let's make do with video calls and... only meet on days like these. Once in a blue moon."

Before Bong-soon can say this will be over soon, her phone beeps with an incoming message. "Oh, my employer, Oh Sun, has sent a special invitation to the night's party at the MP's mansion, Rumeya."

Be at Rumeya, Instructor. A car will collect and escort you to the venue and also drop her home safely. Be there for me please

-OS

"This is unexpected, such short notice though it's 6.30. Also, won't Guk-doo be there?"

Bong-soon exhales, thinking out loud. Hana grins in response.

"Go, keep an eye on your man. What if he cosies up to another woman?"

Bong-soon finds Hana's jokes are quips made in a good sense. Does Hana approve? Her low opinion of Guk-doo is hard to alter. So not entirely. Bong-soon shakes off the smog clouding her thoughts.

"I'm going, Hana, because I can't refuse Oh Sun and I want to do some spy work. How can I let Guk-doo do it all? Am I not his partner in this?" 

*** 

AN: Short chapter <3

Next: Guk-Doo, Do-young have a heart to heart while the former prepares to the party. What awaits Guk-doo when Bong-soon also joins Oh Sun's party? WillChaos and Confusion ensue? Maybe yes!