Taeko Pov:

I was three when my mother and I left japan behind and moved to Daegu. The memories of japan are faint, like whispers in the back of my mind—quiet streets lined with small homes and the soothing scent of the sea that always seemed to linger in the air. I remember the feel of sand under my feet, though the faces of people have blurred over time. It was home once, but those days feel like they belong to someone else's life now.

My father passed away when I was five. I was too young to fully grasp what was happening, but I remember the hollow feeling of loss that came with his absence. He was Japanese, a gentleman with lovely eyes and a sweet smile. I felt like I was on top of the world as he carried me on his shoulders. Then everything changed when he head left this world one day. In order to start again, my Korean mother had to move us to my grandparents' house in Daegu.

Moving to Daegu was like entering a new world. In stark contrast to Shimamak's calm, it was busy and noisy. My grandparents accepted us with open arms, but a gloom of the loss we had experienced filled the atmosphere. Because my mother had to work long hours to support the family, my grandparents took on the role of guardians and taught me the local language, customs, and way of life. Daegu's streets and my family's warmth gradually took the place of Shimamak.

However, Daegu was not without its difficulties. They made sure I realized that I was different from the other children because of my heritage of mixed race.

"Whoa, look at that Yuki Onna with the half-Korean face!" I heard the kids call out one winter afternoon. The name stung—Yuki Onna, the snow woman of Japanese folklore, a spirit known for being cold and otherworldly. They didn't mean it kindly. A snowball hit me square in the back, followed by laughter from the small group of boys who had thrown it.

I froze, the sting of the cold snow quickly melting into the sting of their words. I kept my head down, swallowing back the urge to cry. They had no idea, and perhaps they never would. Being half Korean and half Japanese, I didn't quite fit into either world. I was an obvious target as a result.

As I brushed the snow off my coat and dashed away, I reminded myself of something my grandparents always said. "You are both Japanese and Korean, Taeko. There is strength in that. Don't let anyone make you feel less because of it."

Still, on days like this, it was hard to believe them.

"Whoa, Yuki Onna, go away! Don't come to the playground!" A child yelled, his tone mocking, as a snowball flew in my direction. I was trying to ignore the taunts as I passed by in silence, but they continued.

Without thinking, I crouched down to protect myself as the snowballs began to rain down on me. Using stereotypes like "half-Korean" and "Yuki Onna" repeatedly, as if they were defining me, their voices echoed in my ears. I tried to distance myself from their laughing by clenching my hands. The snowballs stopped smacking me, though, all of a sudden.

I slowly raised my head and peeked through my hair to see what had happened. A boy of my age was standing in front of me, his arms outstretched, his back to me, as if to protect me from the others.

"Yah!" he said, his little voice resonating surprisingly loudly over the playground. "Why do you bother her so much? I'll inform your parents if you don't go!" Although his little size, he maintained a ferocious and protective attitude with his arms crossed tightly over his chest.

The boys paused, looking at each other, not knowing how to reply to this unexpected protector. They looked to be about to argue back for a second, but then one of them muttered something under his breath and moved forward with a sly smile on his lips.

He pushed him away abruptly, like he were nothing. The kid let out a terrible cry as he crashed hard to the ground. He winced in pain, and I gasped, watching in anxiety.

"What do you think you're doing, huh?" The bully, who was taller than him, scoffed. The others in the group turned away from me and toward him. They started hurling snowballs at him ruthlessly, one after the other, without hesitation. His screams of pain pierced the atmosphere as he curled up, trying to protect himself from the blow.

"You bad boys, stop it! I'll tell your parents about it." he yelled Between sobs, causing his voice cracked.

One of the boys answered, "Oh, go on," his plump face wrinkled with laughter. He grabbed another snowball and prepared to throw it at the kid who was lying on the ground.

I couldn't take it anymore. It was one thing for them to bully me and I...I had grown used to their taunts...but to hurt someone who stood up for me, someone who didn't even know me, that was too much.

Fueled by a mix of rage and determination, I rose to my feet, feeling a surge of courage I hadn't realized I had.

"YAH! LEAVE HIM!" I let out a scream that was louder than I ever imagined I could have.

Everything came to a stop. There was a strange silence on the playground as the snowballs stopped to fly. The boys turned to stare at me in shock and froze. Even the kid lying on the ground, his face streaming with tears, looked up at me, his small almond brown eyes widen with surprise.

I stooped, picked up a couple of small stones, and began to throw them at the bullies without giving it any thought. The kids stumbled backward in astonishment as they shouted as the pierced stones hit their targets. When they realized they were no longer in charge, their arrogant expressions changed to ones of pain. A few of them fell, holding their legs or arms where the stones had hit them.

I didn't wait till they were better. I hurried up to the child, who was still sitting in the snow, and quickly got him up. "Come on!" I said urgently. His legs wobbled slightly from the fall, but I straightened him, grabbed his hand, and we dashed. We didn't have time to look back—not with the bullies groaning at their bruises, likely to cry out for their parents any minute now.

With the cold air burning our faces and our breath bursting into thick white clouds of fog, we ran as quickly as our small legs would allow. My hand tightened over his, dragging him along as we ran between streets and buildings, my pulse thumping.

Our feet slowed after what seemed like an eternity. Exhaustion began to take over our bodies that had pushed us ahead. At last, we came to an end in front of a tiny, peaceful shrine hidden away from the crowded streets. Our breath came out in short, audible phases in the cold winter air as we stood there, panting heavily.

I released his hand and leaned over, placing my hands on my knees catching my breath. He did the same beside me, both of us huffing, trying to calm down after the escape.

When our breathing finally steadied, I glanced over at him. His tear-streaked face was a little calmer now, but his cheeks were still flushed from running. Still a little unsteady but thankful, he glanced up at me with a little smile.

"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice soft, though it trembled a little from the cold.

Wiping his face with his sleeve, he nodded. He said, "Yeah... thanks," in a voice that was almost grown above a whisper. "You're... strong."

"Are you crazy? What brought you here to help me?" I asked, watching him give me that broad, boxy smile that seemed completely out of place because of what had just happened.

"Ha, you should thank me," he said with confidence, scoffing proudly as he crossed his little arms over his chest. "I saved you."

"You saved me?" I retorted by crossing my arms and mimicking his pose. "I saved you!"

He looked at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. A small, playful smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Okay, okay! We both saved each other," he said, giving up with a cheeky grin.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his response, even though the corners of my lips were curving up into a small smile.

"You know," he went on, cute little voice, "I see them bullying you. Yet, I just couldn't tolerate it any longer today. I thought that maybe I had to jump into action." A little pout formed on his lips as he gazed down at his shoes as his voice faded.

I had a wave of empathy. It wasn't easy for him either—despite knowing that he could have been hurt, he had stepped in. Awkwardly shifting my weight, I searched for the perfect words. I gave him a final grin and said, "Thank you so much."

In a second, the hesitation disappeared as his head snapped up and his face brightened with excitement. He grinned and replied, "You're welcome!" After a moment of silence, he said, "By the way, I'm Kim Taehyung."

"Jin Taeko," I replied with a small smile. It was the first time I had said my name out loud in a long time without feeling that usual twinge of uncertainty. But somehow, with him, it felt right.

That was the beginning of our friendship. As the days stretched into years, we became closer and closer, like two perfectly matched pieces of a puzzle. I thought that our bond was unbreakable, as strong as iron, and we became inseparable. However, fate had other plans for us. Taehyung and I finally parted ways after high school, swept away by life's tides. Our once close bond faded as we walked into different worlds.

Flashback Ends.

My shoulders were gently shaken, bringing me back to the here and now. I blinked away the fog of memories from the past as I opened my eyes. I let out a quiet sigh as I got used to the police station's low lighting.

Jisoo said, "You should go home; it's already three," in a stern yet quiet voice. He was standing behind me, a worried expression on his face. "You've been here for hours."

Still confused by the memories whirling about in my head, I blinked. The cold reality of our current situation—him in jail and me anxiously trying to put together what had gone so wrong—faced the warmth of those familiar, old times spent with Taehyung.

"No, it's okay," I mumbled, moistening my parched lips and shaking my head. With so many things left unanswered, I wasn't ready to go just yet. "Did you get any information on the victim?"

Jisoo sighed, knowing how stubborn I could be. He gave me a knowing look but nodded. "Yes, we got some," he said, turning around to grab a folder from the nearby desk. He handed the file to me, his expression serious.

"Kim Hana," he began, "Executive Design Manager of Creative Designs, age 30."

I opened the file and read over the pages, which showed the happenings in her life in sharp black and white. Reports, images, and pieces of information gave a feeling that she was more of a profile than a real person. In an attempt to link this dead, icy paper to the woman who had been cruelly murdered, I followed her name with my eyes. She was popular and successful, and it seemed that she had no serious enemies. 

However there was no mention of her parents or any other background, such as friends or at least any orphange information. How in the owrld can a person especially a woman, they may call it independent but still no background, is something looks more questionable.

I kept thinking about Taehyung as I turned the pages of the file. How did he relate to her? Moreover, what would motivate someone to blame him for her death?

"Do we have anything that ties her directly to Taehyung?" My voice was calm yet quiet as I asked.

Jisoo tilted his head slightly and raised an eyebrow. "Taehyung? You mean the suspect?" he inquired in a startled tone.

I nodded, confirming it with a little murmur of acceptance. For a minute, Jisoo's eyes glanced around the room, trying to make sure no one was listening. Then his face turned to me with shock and curiosity as he moved closer.

"You know him?!" His big eyes widened as he looked at me more closely, and his voice was lower but full of disbelief.

With a forceful swallow, my throat suddenly dried up once more. Jisoo's reaction made the issue seem more serious. Now that the truth was so obvious, there was no need in keeping it hidden. "Yeah," I said, my voice nearly trailing off. "We were grown together. He is a friend."

"Friend?!" With an astonished tone, Jisoo blurted out. Before I could even respond, he grabbed my hand and pulled me out of my chair. He took me out of the station without saying another word, moving at a fast and strong speed.

As we went outside, the cold breeze hit me, but Jisoo continued. He took me a short distance from the building, far enough to avoid being overheard. When he finally turned to face me, his look was a mixture of surprise and worry as his hold on my hand relaxed.

Jisoo said, "Taeko," in a more urgent but now softer voice. "Why didn't you tell me you knew him sooner? You—" "I was out of words, Jisoo," I said,not letting him finish his sentence, letting out the feelings I had been suppressing. "After seven years, I'm terrified to see my best friend in this state. It never happened to me—I never thought I'd see him like this."

As I talked, my voice faltered, and I felt as though the burden that had been weighing me down was finally, if only a little, going away. I had been suppressing everything for so long, trying to maintain my composure, trying to be the commanding officer. I was still the girl who grew up with Taehyung, and we had a lot of unforgettable memories.

As he listened, Jisoo's face softened as he heard me. The only person in the department who had ever considered me more than an outsider was him. Jisoo had always treated me as if I were just like them, while everyone else avoided me because they thought I was different due to my heritage. That bond between us became stronger over time, and he never gave me the feeling that I didn't belong. Jisoo had come to be someone I could trust, even if we weren't as close as Taehyung and I used to be.

He paused before answering, letting out a sigh. "Taeko, I understand. I do. Basically, this is a difficult circumstance. In addition, things might get even more complicated for you if anyone else in the department finds out."

"Why would it? Not even the case has been given to me-" I began to say, but Jisoo interrupted me.

"They have decided that you will handle this case, Taeko," he said, his words falling like a weight between us.

I stared at him in shock as I froze. "What? Why would they—" "Officer Yun crossed the line during interrogation," Jisoo sighed heavily, rubbing his temples to relieve the tension.

"What?!" I exclaimed, the shock hitting me like a punch. Didn't they say they would interrogate tomorrow? I scoffed internally like when did they wait for tomorrow.

But I knew Yun was tough,still crossing the line during an investigation? This was too much.

"Yeah," Jisoo said, his jaw clenched with annoyance. "Taehyung refused to speak or utter a word. And as you are aware, Yun lost his temper. When he didn't get the answers he was looking for, he hit Taehyung."

A flood of anger swept through me. "How was that possible for him? He is more knowledgeable."

Jisoo shook his head, sighing again. "You know how Yun can be. Sometimes he thinks force will get him results. But this time, it backfired. Taehyung shut down completely after that, and now the higher-ups are concerned. They pulled Yun off the case, and I... I've recommended you."

Startled, I blinked. Did he recommended me? Didn't he say that they chose me?

Jisoo went on, his tone firmer but gentler now. "You need a promotion, Taeko. You can't continue to help us and go on patrols in this manner forever. You have the ability and the intuition; now is your time to shine. We'd better keep this between us for the time being."

Hearing Jisoo say that made my heart race a little, even though I knew he had my back. He is right; I couldn't continue doing the same old thing. I needed to move forward in my career to show that I was capable of handling bigger responsibilities. But this case... with Taehyung involved... it was complicated, and we still didn't have enough clues to even begin piecing things together. 

I let out a quick sigh, trying to slow my heart's pounding pace. The seriousness of the situation concerned me. Was I capable of handling this case? I wasn't certain. However, I can no longer afford to back down.

"When will they inform me?" I looked up at him, asking in a low but determined tone.

"Tomorrow morning," Jisoo said, slowly nodding and looking into my eyes. "You'll receive an official assignment. You have till then to prepare."

After listening to what he had to say, I nodded. Tomorrow morning, everything would be different.

Taehyung's Pov:

"So, your name?" With a hint of frustration in his voice, the officer inquired. Taehyung couldn't remember him, yet the officer looked familiar in some way. The thought of his executive design manager's body and blood swirled in his thoughts, making it hard to concentrate.

With a blank expression, Taehyung's eyes fell to the officer's uniform badge. "Han Yun," it said. He recognized the name, but his mind was unable to fully process it. But none of that matters today. His heart was too heavy, his thoughts too confused. Everything seemed far away and bizarre.

"Mister, I'm asking you again—what's your name?" This time, Yun's tone became louder as his irritation turned to frustration. He clenched his jaw and leaned forward a little, as though to threaten him.

But Taehyung barely listened to his words. He continued staring blankly, the sounds around him dull and far away. His body ached, his mind refusing to cooperate. All he could think of was the blood, the scene, and the way everything had spiraled so quickly out of control.

With each moment of Taehyung's silence, Yun's annoyance increased, and the tension in the room increased. "YAH! WHY DO YOU NOT OPEN YOUR MOUTH, BASTARD? His voice echoed off the walls of the little interrogation room as Yun shouted. However, Taehyung remained unbothered, his face blank, like Yun's questions were just background noise. He didn't flinch at all.

Yun's anger reached a breaking point. He rushed from his seat, grabbed Taehyung firmly by the collar, and pulled him to his feet. Taehyung's jaw ached sharply when Yun's fist struck his face before he could react.

Taehyung stumbled slightly, but Yun didn't stop. He pulled him close, leaning in, his voice a venomous whisper in Taehyung's ear. Then, with a forceful punch to his stomach, Taehyung hissed and  looked at Yun for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. However, Yun's fist struck his cheek before he understood it, causing him to feel dizzy once again.

Officers keeping an eye on the situation outside the investigation room sprang into action, shouting urgently for Yun to stop. Although the room was a flurry of action, Taehyung, Yun, and the heaviness of all that was unsaid were the only things there.

Without saying a word, Taehyung's first inquiry came to an end. His body still ached from Yun's fists, but it wasn't just the impact of them that hurt him; it was also the helplessness he felt since things had gotten out of hand and he didn't even know how to stop it.

And now, sitting in front of Taeko, it felt even more surreal. He had been told earlier that because of the incident with Officer Yun, the case had been reassigned. Now Taeko, the girl who had once been his closest friend, was the new officer in charge.

The sight of her across the table, her well-known face suddenly framed by the harsh light of the interrogation room, made his heart ache. Years had passed since the last time they met, and that reunion he had always dreamed of was not at all what it is now. There was tension and cold professionalism in place of friendliness and fun.

Taehyung looked at her, trying to understand her emotions, but her expression was calm. Yet there was a glimmer of familiarity in her eyes. This wasn't just any case for her, even if she was now an officer. He was aware of that. 

Even though he hated this situation, he had a strange feeling of relief. Maybe Taeko was the only one who could find the truth about this. He secretly trusted her even though their relationship had changed.

But he kept asking himself if she would believe him. Would the proof overpower their past relationship, or would she still think he was innocent?

Author Note

Hello, my lovely people! How're you doing? I hope you are doing well and enjoyed this chapter. If you did, then click the vote button; one press at a time makes your author very happy. Also, stay healthy and safe. See you in the next chapter.