Evening sunlight sparkles off the man-made lake water, hues of orange, purple and pink splattered in gold. In the distance, the Rainbow Bridge is a hustle of activity with the moving traffic on top, the bridge light flickering to life. The skies are steadily darkening and a faint moon shows its waning face.

Guk-doo stands at a less crowded shore of the lake, away from the park bordering it — a famous sightseeing spot, boots and socks discarded, bare feet in contact with the cool, slightly damp sand. The lake is his secret spot to unwind. How does a cop unwind? Does he get to enjoy a day off, truly? He can steal a relaxing moment or two and they would be enough eventually adding up. He doesn't know about others, but this is true in his case.

He came here straight after his meeting with Heeji and running into Bong-soon and others at the Downtown Mall. He has to attend the MP's party next. What a day off, ugh. His mind harkens back to his talk with Heeji. Why did he meet her? On official business, yes, and yet he couldn't help but ask a personal question weighing on his mind.

"Why did you decide to be done with me?"

A small chuckle escaped her lips.

"I'm surprised you asked," she said. "I thought you would never ask the way you walked away that day."

"Well..."

"Guk-doo, do you still love me? Do you even... No. Did you even love me?"

He fell silent in the wake of her accusatory gaze narrowed on him. Her rising anguish had betrayed her soft tone. She still was keeping it together. They were inside a mall, after all, surrounded by people.

"Guk-doo, when was the last time we did something together that we enjoyed? It's been a year! We hadn't even kissed!"

"What?" His patience snapped at that point. He shook his head. "Was that what you were looking for? Physical... affection..." he trailed off, enraged but also embarrassed. To put such a blunt question before a woman... He didn't do this even while investigating lady criminals.

"Don't twist it into something ugly." Heeji scowled. Her face was red with anger. "I wouldn't have minded being apart if I felt that sense of belonging together. You know, the feeling that you're loved even when you're miles apart and don't see each other..."

"Heeji, I told you. I'm not experienced in these things. I told you I'd be busy with cases, that my work would come first. You were okay with things. You were okay with going slow. You were okay with things between us progressing slowly, were you not?"

"Yeah," she exhaled a breath that sounded like a sigh. "But I guess I got greedy. That's what love is about, no? Getting greedy. Never getting enough. You understand now, don't you? You have somebody who you care about. Someone you can't let down. Someone who's made you realise what love is and everything involved in it. And that wasn't me, was it? That could never be me... Am I wrong, Guk-doo?"

He hung his head, unable to meet her eyes for a split second. Then he was whispering the words, I'm sorry.

He was desperate. His apology was heartfelt despite his indifferent, robotic, cool exterior. Heeji must have seen through it. She chuckled.

"Guess I wanted to hear your apology and also apologise to you, Guk-doo."

When he looked at her, she smiled at him gracefully, with a bit of guilt.

"You don't need to apologise, Guk-doo. The breakup didn't break my heart, so. We weren't meant to be, were we? I thought time would create and strengthen our love. But it was fading away right from the moment we got together. I noticed, but kept ignoring the signs. On the day when I finally broke the news, I felt sorry for you. I was the one who forced this on you, and I was the one who called it quits. Your indifference hurt me, but I expected it."

"I care about you, Heeji. I at least did, even if it was platonic love. Sorry, I couldn't give you the romantic love you wanted. I don't want us to be awkward when we run into each other again. I hope we can treat each other as old friends some day..."

He'd always been honest, but it was difficult for him to open up about something vulnerable as his "true" feelings. Heeji smiled and switched topics.

"It's okay...I know it all began with me. So, what kind of coffee do you want?"

The question took him by surprise. She chuckled again.

"You're a nice guy, you know, Guk-doo."

The compliment also blew him away. She shook her head.

"I was just chasing my ideals when I chased you. I'm equally at fault. That makes us even, huh? We got together without knowing what love was. Yeah we could have had a different ending but it wasn't meant to be. It's a good thing we ended things."

"Yeah..."

He sighed, and she pointed to his coffee that arrived. She smiled brightly for the first time during their meeting, causing him to smile a little. She prodded him to smile some more.

"Come on. We're both over it. Our love was nonexistent anyway. The coffee is going cold. Let's drink."

He smiled a bit awkwardly and nodded. And they drank while they chatted about things. She wanted to know what happened of the arson in the musical store. He put it vaguely together before her. How could he explain the bombing conspiracy to a civilian? Plus, the investigation conducted by the civil police led to nothing. The crude bomb, containing lead azide, exploded inside a guitar, causing the arson, but no one could identify the perpetrator. And at the last minute, someone from the owner's side comes up saying he did this to claim the insurance.

The case aside, it was true he never experienced a heart break. Hell, how did he find a girlfriend when duty was everything to him? All of a sudden, this pretty girl has waltzed into his line of sight on his regular patrols during an investigation. The motorcycle chain snatching case. They'd run into each other a couple more times. He'd kept her company, just to keep her safe, and dropped her to her music studio. One day, she'd asked him out, and despite his rejection, she appealed to him again. And again, until he agreed.

What was he to do? She would even visit the PD, where his colleagues, would take her side and advice him, "go for it. You even surely have to find a girl."

Does he have to? He didn't know. It was an unknown territory. And the part of him that always dared move past his fears and inhibitions said it was okay for him to at least try. Especially with a girl who seemed to understand his mindset, his terms and conditions when it came to love.

"I was a fool..." he whispers, kicking a rock and picking up another, tossing it into the lake. His mind has finally returned to the present moment. He allows himself to exhale. "I shouldn't have agreed. Love should happen and it should be unconditional. Look at where it brought me and Heeji. Bong-soon hates me because of this!"

He shakes off the anguish and tosses another stone, reorganising his thoughts, shedding some positive light on them. His issues with Heeji are resolved. That sudden goodbye was awkward and unbidden, no matter the state of their relationship. Today's meeting accomplished a purpose. Towards the end, they could smile at each other and share a coffee.

"She was right..."

He whispers, thinking of Heeji again, listening to the faintly shimmering water quietly moving and the chatter of crowds nearby.

"I never loved her.. I couldn't define love until Bong-soon... Had I realised earlier how we'd have been? All those years in our high school and after that..."

He can't help but chuckle, imagining the various possibilities before concluding he's still glad to be friends with her. He gets to be with her somehow. Just moments by her side are enough for now. He recalls their recent meeting at the mall, remembering how she called him "perfect." How's he even perfect? Only she could say that.

You're so precious to me. I guess I went crazy to say all the stuff I said to you at the mall. And you indulged me, too. I lose my wits when I'm with you, Bong-soon. I dunno I'm supposed to win your trust, but am I making you annoyed with me?

I don't want to present an illusion of myself. But then you always saw me for who I am.... You know all the unpredictable, bizarre parts of me and still accept me. Even if only as a friend...

***

Guk-doo fixes the bow tie under his shirt collar and adjusts his blazer. He brushes back his bangs, checking his image in the dresser before posing the question, "Do I presentable for a high-society party?"

Do-young guffaws. The two men are standing in Guk-doo's bedroom preparing for the latter's evening that's coming. Guk-doo has been at it for ten minutes, wearing the only shining, pristine black formal suit he owns, frowning at his reflection each time, tweaking the appearance of his hair or the tie a little.

"Should I keep the bowtie or not? Maybe I shouldn't wear a tie, right? I've never worn such attire. Not even at prom. I know Do-young, you don't have experience either, but I want a second opinion. Do I look okay? I can't screw up tonight."

"You say that as if you're going on a date!" More laughter escapes Do-young. "You look fine! I bet you'll look dashing even if you go into your civilian work clothes."

A genuine smile touches Guk-doo's lips as he bops his friend on the head. "You're exaggerating."

He turns to the gleaming surface of the mirror again. Dress code cannot be ignored at parties, but since he's just investigating, this look will suffice.

"You know," Do-young says, chuckling to himself.

Guk-doo raises an eyebrow, glancing at his friend through the mirror. "What?"

Do-young chuckles again. "I was thinking you... changed."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"You are still a ruthless, cold, robotic guy going at a breakneck speed to solve crimes... Someone who pretty much not cares about anything else..."

"Hah..." Guk-doo rolls his eyes. "Come on, I wasn't like that!"

"You were like that!"

Do-young crosses his arms. Guk-doo sighs.

"But I see you have softened Guk-doo. You're smiling a lot and... you even allowing me to assist you this evening. This is a certain childhood friend's influence, is it not?"

Guk-doo presses his lips together. He's been oblivious to these changes in himself. But he's not dumb. Do-young's observation is enlightening, but the changes can't be that drastic.

"I don't know, Do-young... I never second guess my actions or words... but I know I'm kinda... brusque..."

Guk-doo plops down on the bed, not caring if it causes creases to form in his suit. "I was told so, when I joined the force. I'm who I am... Don't think it will change."

"Well, it has!" Do-young claps his hands, grinning cheerily. "And it's the influence of your dear childhood friend."

Guk-doo heaves a sigh, questioning why he's indulging himself in this stupidity. Why did he bring Do-young here? Why have this stupid back and forth?

"Honestly, Do-young, dear childhood friend? She has a name. Why are you using these eloquent sentences?"

"I don't know... Maybe using her name is also forbidden. Like using the word pretty is forbidden..."

"Hahhh..."

"Well, I'll call her sister..."

"Well, come on, don't tease me!" Guk-doo lets out a breathless chuckle, which turns into laughter. Do-young can't believe the sight in front of his eyes.

"You're laughing?! Normally you'd punch me. And although you don't intend to hurt me, it would hurt!"

Guk-doo shakes his head. "Really, Do-young, the way you are describing me... It's as if I was a monster before..."

"No, you weren't." Do-young claps his hands again and plops down on the bed next to Guk-doo. "You were a robot! I enjoy seeing these soft sides to you more often. Now I'm not afraid of you going to the party and accidentally crushing Oh Sun's hand while shaking hands."

"Well, I already shook hands with her. This won't be the first time."

"Well, then this might be your opportunity to dance with her?"

"Do-young, I'm going there to investigate."

"Yes. Now that you've already softened, why not try to enjoy the moment for once?"

Guk-doo rises from his feet and heaves a heavy sigh. "Do-young don't make me regret my decision to bring you here? Also... what about Bong-soon? Are you sure the other detective is guarding her properly? Have you double-checked?"

"Um, haven't you double checked? I know you're grateful I'm here. I understand better thanks to your childhood friend... uh, my sister. Yeah, you won't take advice but... try to enjoy the party while also sleuthing, okay?"

"I'll keep that in mind."

Guk-doo claps Do-young on his back, the sound of which echoes in the room. "Guk-doo! Was that on purpose?"

While Do-young grimaces, clutching his back, Guk-doo chuckles and swiftly walks out of the bedroom, but not before tossing his keys onto the bed.

"I'm leaving. Please lock the house for me. Yes, I'm grateful to you, dear friend!"

After Guk-doo leaves, Do-young is alone replaying his friends last words for the evening. He breaks into a wry smile. "you were smiling again. I know you from our academy days, Guk-doo. I'm glad about all the positive changes you're undergoing. Maybe being with Bong-soon will finally free you from all the stress you put on yourself to be the best cop out there. I really hope you have a bright future with my sister..."

Muttering the words aloud, he shakes his head. Then he locks the house and walks towards his work post to guard Bong-soon. He can't help but observe the winds blowing air rather cold tonight. But soon the seasons will change. Now change is a good thing, isn't it? Even if we can't see it now, it's definitely for the better. What more changes will his life and his best buddy's life undergo? And as much as he isn't a steadfast cop as someone, what of the case? And Bong-soon? Heaven's blessing, perhaps it will all end in favour of greater good. 

***

Up next: Guk-doo does some sleuthing after which Bongsoon joins him. A party that reminds of prom? Some dancing included after which follows danger and someone's heartfelt confession! 

AN: That's all for now. Please vote and comment! <3

merry christmas ya all <3