She blinks at him, stunned. "What?"

Tight-lipped, his nostrils flare when he breathes out, his hefty exhale creating a fleeting cloud that dissipates into the freezing night.

Scowling, Jin asks again, "Was that Dongmin-ah?"

She recovers from her initial guilt and, instead, switches from being dumbstruck to piqued at his shamelessness all in under a few seconds.

The reason why he's so red-faced is because of that?

Ignoring his question, she stuffs her now chilled hands in her coat's pockets before walking past him, noting to herself to carry gloves tomorrow in case this temperature persists.

She pauses not too long after seeing a small, busy kiosk handled by an elderly man selling tteokboki, and then she starts thinking of what she's craving for and where they should eat. Right now, bulgogi or soft tofu stew is calling her name.

"Why can't Namjoon oppa join us for dinner again tonight?" she asks Jin without looking at him, remembering suddenly the absence of their friend even though she's preoccupied watching a group of people in suits stuff their faces with steaming rice cakes.

Her stomach rumbles quietly at the sight, reminding her that her last meal was hours ago, and her hand comes up to rub her center.

"How about answering me first before asking me a question?" Jin chides, his voice loud enough to be heard over chatters and pop songs blasting from different shops and restaurants.

Aside from seeing her come out of her boss' car, he's also clearly miffed with her pert attitude.

Coming up beside her, his arm accidentally brushes against Song-hee's and the contact brings her eyes up at him.

Evenings in Myeongdong were always effervescent and it's why the neighborhood quite literally means 'bright cave'; it does seem a little tone-deaf to Song-hee, though, how animated and busy the streets are considering what's been broadcasting in the news.

Aside from the bone-chilling cold of the evening, the crescent moon looks lonely as no stars twinkle in the sky tonight, making the heavens look all the more bleak and lifeless.

The hustle and bustle of Jung-gu had no problem illuminating the streets of Myeongdong though, and thanks to that she can see Jin's sulking face as clear as day.

Her eyes narrow, her shoulders rolling back as she straightens her posture.

It's ridiculous sometimes, she thinks, how a grown man his age can still get like this - grouching and frowning like he isn't 27 years old.

"Yeah. It was Dongmin- he was just kind enough to drive me here," she says, critical of his reaction.

The orange glow of hanging food lanterns along with the purple, blue, and red haze from different neon signs cast a variety of hues on his face, making his glower all the more apparent.

She shakes her head at him.

"It's not a problem, is it?" she asks with an eyebrow cocked, her question sounding more like a statement than an actual inquiry.

Jin rubs at his icy nose despite the absence of an itch, trying to contain his juvenile and obviously unwanted jealousy.

It's an insignificant thing, he knows, and he feels foolish moping about it the way he is but that didn't stop him from grumbling further.

"I could have walked to your building, you know," Jin tells her, clutching the leather satchel she had given him on his latest birthday.

As much as he didn't want to dwell on it anymore, the green-eyed monster in him pushes.

It may be hard to believe considering how he's behaving right now, but Jin is usually very laid-back - it's just different with Song-hee.

Beside him, his friend fiddles with the collar of her pale pink coat and adjusts the straps of her white shoulder bag.

He knows just from her actions alone that she's over the topic, but won't tell him on the off chance that he ends up feeling bad about it.

Song-hee isn't non-confrontational, she actually has quite a strong personality. She's firm but she is too empathetic - maybe even to a fault.

Evidently, her too-big of a heart is an enormous reason as to why he's grown so fond of her over the years, but Jin wishes she could be a little more selfish.

He's talked to her about it before and she said she'd work on it, but at the same time he understands her altruistic nature and why it's hard for her to adjust.

"Why would I make you walk back to my building when you're already at our meet-up place? Plus, with this snow? I think I prefer you not as a popsicle." She chuckles at her own lame joke, peering at Jin expectantly only to cop a disapproving look from him.

He loves her, truly he does - he has for years now- but she's definitely no comedian, not between the two of them anyway.

Jin tells her this and Song-hee's cheeks turn pink in offense and embarrassment, her pretty brown eyes glowering at him with judgement.

The sight makes him grin, his chest growing warm with endearment, and his grumpy mood slowly lifts.

"You are literally the last person who can call me out for not being funny. Your jokes are the worst and if Namjoon oppa were here, he'd agree with me one-hundred percent." She retorts with a harsh roll of her eyes, making him scoff.

"My jokes are top-class, what are you talking about?"

Immediately, her features contort to mock him.

"What did the dog say to the wall?" Her voice lowers in an attempt to copy his, quoting one of his puns. "Wolwol!"

Eyes creasing, Jin laughs, not at the quip necessarily, but more so at how offended she is. Nonetheless, the warmth initially flooding his chest travels to his face.

"Were you trying to prove your point? Because it didn't work. It's a good joke and it's one of my best lines," he argues, though playfully just to keep the banter going.

Song-hee chuckles, not passing up the opportunity to bully him more.

"No way," she contests, tucking back strands of her brown hair that escaped behind her ear.

Earnestly, she says, "I think your best joke is calling yourself 'Worldwide Handsome.'"

Jin slows down and shoots her a wounded look. "Hey, don't go below the belt."

She laughs heartily at that.

After a few minutes of wandering the streets and checking out food stalls, they decide on the quaint restaurant around the block exuding the delicious smell of home-cooked meals. The thought of galbi jjim - braised short ribs - already makes her mouth water.

They order their food at the counter; Song-hee pays for Jin as an apology and as a sign of her appreciation since he waited so long for her earlier.

Initially, he insists that there's no need but, eventually, he lets her pick the tab up; the smile he tried hiding didn't go unnoticed by her.

When they settle in their seats, she makes a contented sigh as she shrugs off her coat and hangs it over her chair, revealing the white knit sweater she wore underneath.

Jin follows suit and she whistles.

She has always appreciated his masculine and elegant sense of style. He wears pricey ensembles that suit him greatly and his new hairstyle, she notes, elevates his look even more.

Last week, he changed up his usual hanging bangs for a trendier cut and he's really handsome with it.

"Have people in the office commented on your hair already?" Song-hee asks, curious yet partially wanting to tease him.

Despite trying to egg her friend on, she takes in his new coiffure with an approving nod.

Jin is a vain man so he doesn't look even a tiny bit flustered at her question.

"Of course they have," he replies without lifting his gaze from the menu. "Nothing special, though. They just said I'm the most handsome operations manager in the world."

The admiring look on Song-hee's face disappears and, instead, replaces with one of disbelief. She tuts at his brazen attitude.

"Well, that comma hairstyle is best only on idols." She tries to pick on him, sneering, but it backfires since he's unbothered by her comment. It is a drop in the ocean to him.

"It's a relief, then, that I'm as good-looking as idols are." He ripostes with nonchalance, like being this shameless isn't a tad bit embarrassing for him.

She shakes her head as she watches him flip through the menu.

"You're so shameless," she remarks, slightly defeated knowing she can't bruise his ego.

He grins at that, setting the laminated booklet down.

"Definitely, but I don't think it's as bad as before," he shifts in his seat so he can lean his arms on the edge of the cedar table.

His almond-shaped eyes glint thoughtfully and the small smile tugging at his plump lips indicates he's about to say something obnoxious.

"Your constant rejection of my feelings for two years-" he pauses to bring his fingers up to represent the numbers, "- and counting- for sure helps tone it down."

"Hey," her eyebrows furrow in her pointed expression even though, at this point, she should be used to it. "How can you keep bringing that up so casually?"

Jin chuckles at the expected switch of emotions but still finds the unfavorable look on her cute.

Her full lips jut out ever-so-slightly and her upturned nose scrunches in her soft scowl.

She's beautiful.

Flustered by his sudden thoughts, he turns his head, burning ruby red.

"It's not like it's a surprise." He brushes it off, hoping he's still managing a casual tone.

Thankfully, Song-hee didn't seem to pick up on anything.

"It isn't, but I still don't like it."

"I thought we agreed that I can keep liking you?"

"Yeah, on the condition that you try to get over your feelings and not make me feel bad about it." She reminds him deliberately, her hands clasping together.

Jin pauses, growing a bit conscious and wary at that. "Oh, am I making you feel bad?"

Catching the hurt in his demeanor, Song-hee shakes her head, emitting a long but silent breath.

"No, not necessarily," she amends, pausing to run a hand through her soft hair and to think about what she's going to say and how she's going to say it.

"It's just that - people always get the wrong idea about us. Even Dongmin earlier said he thought we were together," she explains to Jin - Jin, whose face dimmed slightly at the mention of her boss' name.

Song-hee is incredibly flattered that someone as big-hearted, hard-working, loyal, intelligent, and handsome as him has taken a liking to her. It's not that she didn't see Jin as a guy, but she's just at a point wherein anything and everything is more important than dating.

God- especially when she has so many career decisions on her plate.

She bites her lip, a more pressing thought appearing at the forefront of her mind.

She's praying to any superior being willing to grant her plea that her friend won't ask about her potential freelancing stint regarding the Lotus.

She really doesn't want to rehash the argument from last time, but it seems her prayers have fallen on deaf ears because his next set of questions essentially bring the matter back up.

"Why does it matter if he thinks so? Aren't you planning to leave the agency once you get another break with your journaling?" He asks, his tone an odd mix of interest and ire.

"Speaking of, have you decided on something new to write about yet?" He prompts, eyes now pressing on her expectantly.

At that, Song-hee swallows, scratching underneath her pearl earring as she tries to avert from his gaze.

She didn't plan on lying to him, but she didn't like the incredulous look dawning on his features either.

"The SMPA's offering money for leads and it's just too good to-"

Her best friend cuts her off with an urgent and very firm head shake, surprising her a bit. His umber eyes are wide and pregnant with opposition and disbelief.

"Song-hee-ya!" He interjects.

She motions hastily for him to pipe down so that customers at the surrounding tables don't overhear their conversation. He very clearly looks distressed, though, and she feels a pang of guilt shooting up her heart.

Jin notices her shrink a little and, in turn, wills himself to calm down a bit despite his alarm.

He knows money is kind of tight right now with her, especially with her plans of going freelance- but going after a serial killer?

Jin can feel himself blanching with just the memory of last night's breaking news. It's mortifying to even think about.

"Oppa, you know it won't just be for the money if I do this," she jogs his memory, as if reading his mind.

Her gaze sinks even deeper into his. "There hasn't been any serial killer cases in the country for almost two decades until now! Information of any kind, big or small, will help - and I really do want to help."

Of course she does, he thinks to himself.

These are exactly the times he wishes Song-hee could be a little less selfless.

"Detectives and the police exist for a reason, Song-hee-ya." He coaxes, pushing his point.

"And there's also a reason why they're asking for help," she deadpans.

Trapped. He's trapped and defeated at that. He pauses for a moment, thinking of what to say and suppressing the urge to rub his temples.

"Take it however you will, Song-hee-ya, but I can take care of you." He says almost cautiously, his eyes roaming her face.

Although significantly less frazzled-sounding, he doesn't know how else he can appeal to her.

The intensity of his words and the sincerity behind them is enough to make her heart flutter for a transient moment.

Jin's soft and warm hand hovers over her petite one. He holds her - with no other intention but to show her how genuine he is.

"Whatever you need, I'll gladly help you out with. You don't have to stress about returning favors or repaying anything - knowing you'll be safe is more than enough. Please just don't do this." He implores, teeth unconsciously gnawing on his bottom lip.

In an attempt to lighten up the mood and to move on from this topic, Song-hee sits back and smiles, blowing air from her mouth and sending a few strands of hair to fly.

"Let's not worry about this right now, okay? I haven't decided yet on what to do anyway, " she says.

Naturally, he's still unsettled but he nods anyhow.

Their food finally arrives and she's relieved to be overwhelmed by the savory smell of galbi jjim rather than what to do with her career.

𖣔︎𖣔︎𖣔︎

After dinner, Jin walks Song-hee back to her apartment building - something he does most nights when he can.

She can't remember exactly how long ago this became their ritual, but it's been a couple of months now for sure.

It started when Jin moved down to Insadong from Gwanhun-dong. Since their neighborhoods are so near, it just became an unspoken thing.

She appreciates it a lot. She enjoys being around her closest friend and, most times, being with him at the end of the day is what she looks forward to the most.

It's a little after 10 PM now and despite her pleasant thoughts, she feels incredibly iffy still seeing young faces in school uniforms litter the streets.

The fact that they're laughing around and chattering unnerves her; it's like they haven't seen what's been happening to students like them on the headlines.

She grimaces as the image of the young girl on national television yesterday resurfaces in her head.

"We're here," Jin, unaware of her shudder, announces, his neck craning to look at the old building she lives in.

He rocks back on the balls of his feet as he resonates an 'ah', rubbing his hands together since the freezing cold continues to hold out.

"Thank you again for the lovely dinner." He nods his head with a flashy smile after he buttons his thick coat up.

Song-hee waves him off in good nature.

"It's no problem. Thank you also, and I'm sorry again for making you wait so long earlier," she repeats even though she got to explain to him why her department had to do some overtime work today.

The business their agency was hired to make advertisements for had dumped a number of initial products they wanted commercial concepts for - with the deadlines having very little wiggle room.

"Don't worry about it; you know I'd wait longer than that for you."

Although he's just teasing, she gags automatically at his bold statement and wastes no time smacking him on the arm.

Jin guffaws, raising his hands to defend himself.

His laughter is loud and likened to the sound of windshield wipers in action. As ugly as it is, Song-hee can't help but smile hearing it.

"I'm going to leave you now," she states, patting her outfit down in a dignified manner. The quickening pace of her heart can't fool her though, nor can the subtle blush dusting the skin of her cheeks.

Jin, chuckling, nods.

Before Song-hee could fully turn away from him, his hand gently catches her arm, surprising and halting her at the same time.

He's still bright and chipper but his expression, she notices, is a little more serious. She wonders what he's going to say.

"Wait - I just want you to know I really was being sincere back at the restaurant," he pauses for a second, dark brown eyes peering at her own. "If you need anything, just tell me, alright? I'll take care of it."

From how delicately he's holding her gaze, she feels her stomach stir and her heart thump much faster than moments ago.

She breaks away from his scrutiny, hiding her face as she tugs her arm back from his hold.

"Hey, what's this all of a sudden?" she questions, to which Jin simply replies that he just wants her to know and remember that.

Once he bids her goodbye and she sends him off with a wave, she watches until his broad figure disappears from view.

She slumps after that, expelling a breath that creates a ghost in front of her face.

Ha. I don't want to think about this again.

Her head hangs. She shakes her thoughts away before they can breathe down her neck.

"Excuse me," a male voice abruptly fills the silent night, asking for Song-hee's attention.

Caught off-guard, her eyes move and she sees a pair of black suede sneakers in front of her.

She must've been really distracted because she's surprised she didn't hear or notice anyone approaching.

Picking her head up, she is greeted with a man around her age smiling coyly at her, his hands tucked deep into the pockets of his denim jeans.

Wary, she fixes her posture and studies him. "Yes?"

The stranger's doe eyes crease as his ample lips stretch, showing big, white teeth.

A hand adorned with silver rings and tiny tattoos appear from his pocket and cups the left side of his neck.

Song-hee notes how genuinely apologetic and a tiny bit bashful he looks.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but I just moved to the area and I think I lost my way. Do you know how I can get back to Daehangno?"

[A/N: This chapter is so much longer than I intended it to be but ahhh, I got carried away! It's okay, though, because who doesn't love some Jin content? But also DUN DUN DUN DUUUN for OC. Keep voting, leave comments, and add this story to your libraries if you want more <3]