TWO: Day one.

𓆩ཐིཋྀ𓆪

— YOON HANEE

"Come here." Hanjae pulled her into another hug. He'd expect that she'd show some weakness now that they were alone but she only silently hugged back. "Are you really not going to cry?"

"I have to stay strong for him." she mumbled. "There's no time for me to cry, Hanjae. I want to find out what happened to him." she rested her head on his chest as her hands weakly held onto his back.

He sighed. "I understand, unfortunately I can't cry that hard either... since you know." she nodded, understanding the fact that he did get disowned, so he wasn't really a father figure anyway. "And it's very likely that I will be a suspect, the main one actually."

Hanee pulled away as she gained her strength back. "I feel like we will obviously be suspects for the murder of father, but it's weird because it connects to that assassin." she clicked her tongue. "It's so weird and sudden, I think I was at home the whole time too." she said as she picked up a few suitcases. "Now I guess I'm leaving."

Her brother is known as the 'disowned delinquent son' that most people fear, thus it was clear that he could be considered the primary suspect. This scared Hanee a lot, but she refused to show it. She would be left without a partner if he was wrongfully charged in this case and found guilty. He wasn't the one, of course. Although they were both aware of their innocence, the media might have a different opinion.

Even though he works in crime, despises his father, and has the right kind of appearance, Hanjae was still a kind person at heart. Even with his occupation and way of life, he would never have the audacity to kill someone, particularly his father.

The two siblings sat down to talk about the situation before Hanee started packing. Despite their little understanding of their father's political affairs, they were aware that it was an assassination. They had minor family problems, and there was no indication in the press that he was despised or viewed negatively by the country as a whole. It is nearly impossible for someone to despise Yoon Taewoo. Nearly.

As she fumbled with her fingers, she exclaimed, "I really don't understand why someone would do this. Hanjae, check the last few cases from that killer and see if there were actual motives to assassinate who they did." With a nod, Hanjae perused stories about cases involving the politician killer.

"No motive has been found," Hanjae stated, his expression displaying distress. The more he read about previous cases, the more he began to shake. Father's friends were all slain, including our uncle. In what way can someone continue to get away with this?

Standing, Hanee inhaled deeply. "I'm just going to pack, I'll speak about this with Soyun and I'll update to you."

As Hanee packed her clothes and other belongings, Hanjae watched her with tears in his eyes. "Hanee," he called her. And his voice cracked, causing her to stop what she was doing straight away. "I do want to remind you that I'm very busy with work at this time, but I'll always be here for you. If there's any issues or you need anything, tell me okay?"

His younger sister scoffed. "Focus on your work, Hanjae. Don't worry about me. I'll be with Hanbin anyway.." he then opened his mouth again to argue but she stopped him. "Don't. I promise you that I can deal with this on my own."

"I promised Hanbin that I'd try come every two weeks for you so we can spend time together when I'm not working." he smiled weakly. "I don't want to argue with you—"

Hanee stood up with a loud sigh. "You don't need to Hanjae, I swear it's fine. I'll be fine. Your work is more important than how I feel right now."

In disbelief, he followed his sister as she carried on stacking clothes onto her bed. "Can't you tell I'm trying to cope too?" Hanee didn't respond. "I just want to help you, I was the same age as you when mom died and I thought no one could help me. And Hanbin and you saved me. So stop acting like you're okay and listen to me."

Hanee continued to ignore her brother's constant worrying and quickly walked around her room, throwing anything into the bags and suitcases that were laid in front of Hanjae. She knew he was right, but she didn't want to hear it. It hurts her feelings that he still cares for her and will do anything to protect her when she can't do the same.

But at the same time, now that her father was gone. Did this mean she still had to live up to the Yoon family expectations and standards? Those were the thoughts that immediately ran through her mind when she found out most of her father's generation of the family were assassinated.

"...and if you're the next target then what?" he blurted out. Those words cut right through Hanee and she gulped. She would never admit that she had always had a deep hidden fear that she or her brother could be a target.

"I already know what you're scheming. You're going to tell me that you're getting your... gang to protect me from that serial killer assassin guy." she said, still avoiding looking at her brother's concerned face.

He laughed dryly. "Correct. And Hanee if you go against it I swear to God–"

"Fine!" her voice rang across the room in frustration, startling him a little. "Okay, I just don't want to argue with you. I'll listen to you, but I seriously can do this on my own." she slowly turned to him and looked into his eyes. "Sorry for shouting."

He smiled from ear to ear and sighed in relief. "Thank you, because you're not as independent as you think you are."

She scoffed and glanced at him through her mirror. "I have two friends not including you, which are Sora and Soyun." she said sassily, emphasising the 'two'. "I'm pretty independent Hanjae."

"Riiightt.." he then got reminded of something. "Speaking of Sora, she's really bummed at the fact you two aren't working together."

Sora Adashi was Hanee's other friend. She works in Hanee's agency and is an official detective, making her a little older than her. She had the same cold appearance that startled people, some even describe her as being more intimidating than Hanee. Which in most people's eyes, was impossible.

They've known each other since Hanee joined a year ago, and she and Hanee were good friends due to their similar personalities. However, Sora and Soyun were not very close. It was clear that they didn't like each other, and it was for reasons that Hanee didn't know.

Now that Hanee was being paired up with Gunwook as trainee detectives, her usual partner was not with her. This annoyed Hanee but she chose to not talk to Sora about it, since Sora was very intimidating and had very obvious authority over Hanee. Any complaints would make the older girl mad.

"Yeah, well it's whatever." she then changed the subject. "Anyway, so why did you choose Hanbin?" she sat down at her desk chair and Hanjae stood next to her, rubbing her back. "As in, why am I staying with him? Don't you think it's safer to stay with your group rather than a normal house?"

Hanjae sighed. "Hanee I thought you were smart. You do realise my group are basically connected to the Korean mafia? You are NOT staying there, that is so unsafe. And I'm not calling you weak, but you cannot be there. Especially during the investigation."

As he explained why, Hanee nodded in agreement. "Okay, but I know that Hanbin is your best friend but what makes him particularly safe as well? What does he even work as?" She carried on asking many questions to take out all of her fear before being forced in a situation with Gunwook.

"Hanbin works as a writer, and I'm sure you know how successful he is." Hanjae said, trying to remind of Hanbin's status. "He also lives in a nice house and he and I go to gym together, he's very strong. He's also got good protective instincts and I know he'll take good care of you."

𓆩ཐིཋྀ𓆪

MONTH 1 of the investigation.

Gunwook and Hanee followed behind Soyun like lost puppies, holding their notepads in silence. The scene was still being investigated and they were just told to take notes. It was a little uncomfortable for Hanee at first, but she dealt with it and focused on the first few notes.

- No murder weapon found
- A sheet of paper with writing
- '14' in blood on the back
- Room was a mess, sign of a struggle?
- Door was locked
- Windows were locked
- Couldn't have been a suicide

Hanee gulped. "I don't understand, how would the assassin get in?" she scanned her room, and it seemed like there was little evidence to even suggest someone has broken in. "Do you think he invited them in?" she turned to Gunwook. Since they were only in working conditions, she chose to at least try be civil with him.

"I'd think so, there's only sign of a struggle." Gunwook replied. He looked at the messy desk. "Does your father usually have anything secretive in here?"

The two were startled by a voice when Hanee paused to reflect on Gunwok's question. "Wait!" When Soyun yelled, everyone in the room hurried to get to where Soyun and the two trainees were. At the bin by his desk, the three of them stood. "I found a note."

Instantly fascinated, Hanee and Gunwook peered over Soyun's shoulder to see what she was observing. There found a crumpled piece of handwritten paper in the bin. As some officials approached to read it, Hanee jotted this down in her notepad and took a step back.

Taking charge, Soyun cleared her throat. "I would like to talk to you privately." That was the end of it. Soyun's eyebrows shot up in bewilderment, and everyone in the room had the same expression.

Hanee  glanced at the paper. "Wait," she said, causing Soyun to turn around.  "That's my father's handwriting." she pointed at the paper and tilted  her head. "I don't recall him wanting to talk to anyone," she then  looked at the bin which was empty. "And this is recent too..."

"Okay, it seems like there is way more that we have to look for in here." Soyun sighed. "However I would suggest we wait until for the forensic experts to get back to us first before properly investigating his room."

The other detectives and police officers nodded and they all began to leave. "We shall keep this room closed off for investigation." she looked at both Gunwook and Hanee. "Okay, I'd suggest you two talk about what you've found. Hanee whatever you remember of your father and recent behaviours write it down too. We will start questioning you and some suspects tomorrow."

The two were dismissed and they ended up sat on a bench outside of her house. Hanjae had already packed the rest of her things and some workers had sent them off to Hanbin's house already.

Gunwook cleared his throat. "So–"

"No." she responded straight away. "I don't want to talk about this with you." Gunwook nodded and understood. He would usually argue back, but from how drained she looked, he decided to be quiet.

All they did today was follow Soyun around and they were already exhausted. What both of them secretly wanted was to actually become apart of the case and know everything. But all the two are, are just two trainees who will be bossed around this whole time. And Hanee does not want that.

𓆩ཐིཋྀ𓆪

It was now getting dark, and Hanee was going to spend her first night at Hanbin's house. The two had just got in his car and it was dead silent. Unlike usual, they were not at each other's throats and arguing. Just silence. Which could either be a good thing or a bad thing for Hanbin.

To loosen up the very heavy atmosphere, he decided to speak. "You two have known each other for how long? Almost three years now?" Hanbin asked. "Have you ever been close?" he asked again, hoping for at least one of them to speak.

"Close to killing myself because of him, yeah." Hanee responded straight away. "I don't get how you've known it for its whole life."

"It?" Gunwook asked in offence."You're one to talk..." he was in surprise from how she went from ignoring him to basically dehumanising him. But here it was, the old Gunwook and Hanee that was expected of them.

"Shut the fuck up, Gunwook." she sighed. "I don't feel like talking."

"You don't feel like talking yet your first words is insulting me? Yeah whatever." he rolled his eyes. "I don't get how your brother is so nice and you're the complete opposite."

"My dad just got murdered I don't know what the fuck you expect me to be acting like right now." Hanee retorted. "And leave my brother out of this, you know nothing about me or him."

"I've known you for three years, I know some things." he shrugged, glancing at Hanee. "Besides the fact you had a brother who happens to be bestfriends with Hanbin."

The two's attitudes started to shift back to their old ways and this was probably their first proper conversation - or should we say, argument in a long time. "You're both nineteen, isn't this childish?" Hanbin scoffed, although secretly enjoying the little bickering. "Oh yeah, Hanee there's one bad thing about where your room is."

"What?" she turned her head to the driver's seat in interest, expecting something that she would probably be able to pass. Most problems that come Hanee's way, Hanee can deal with. Besides anything Gunwook related.

"Your window is exactly opposite Gunwook's bedroom window." he felt the tension rise as he said those words. Hanbin knew this could either be the worst or best thing that came with Hanee staying with him. "It's my only clean spare room, so if you want to sleep somewhere else-"

In a passive aggressive tone, Hanee asked, "It's fine, I'll use blackout curtains, if you don't own any I can buy some right?"

"Uhh... yeah?" Hanbin replied with a soft laugh. Gunwook scoffed and looked out the window in silence. He watched as cars drove by, and he then started to wish he never chose this career. Living next to Hanee was not what he had anticipated to come out of this case. Instead, Gunwook chose to focus on the case rather than Hanee.

But everyone knows that he's lying. "Thanks." Hanee replied dryly, leaving the car silent until the three got home.

𓆩ཐིཋྀ𓆪

GUNWOOK

GUNWOOK:
hi

HANEE:
what

GUNWOOK:
it's gunwook

HANEE:
i know

GUNWOOK:
so you still have my number saved

HANEE:
what do you want

GUNWOOK:
are you okay

HANEE:
if you're going to mock me then give up because i genuinely don't want to hear it right now

GUNWOOK:
why are you always like this
whenever i try to be nice you're still a bitch

HANEE:
because i don't change for people like you
and you haven't even been nice to me once..?

GUNWOOK:
you and your 'people like me' bs. we're in the same exact job so pipe the fuck down ??

HANEE:
i don't care
i don't want you to work with me

GUNWOOK:
hanee i'm trying to be a little nicer because of your situation ffs. you seemed fine today.

HANEE:
a professional doesn't bring conflict into her work.

GUNWOOK:
okay but can you please just be as nice as i was being to you?

HANEE:
well clearly you weren't being nice but ok
i don't care how you treat me
i just don't fucking like you
don't talk to me outside this case gunwook.
seen.

𓆩ཐིཋྀ𓆪

Sorry for taking ages to update I swear college is the most draining thing ever. 😛