The leaves dropped to the ground when the chilly wind blew through its twigs. Dong-sun walked up to the tree and took a step closer. Sun Hee focused her eyes on the man hiding behind the tree, who bolted. Dong-sun tried to catch up with him, but he was faster than light. Sun Hee panted and grasped the tip of his coat.
"That's enough. Let it go," she said.
"He's been following us ever since we came here."
"Maybe he is some kind of paparazzi. Gosh, I'll turn into your girlfriend in no time."
"My manager will kill me if we become the hot topic tomorrow," he said as he put his hands on his waist.
"I'm sorry. I might ruin your career," she said.
"It's okay. I'll be fine. Besides, if something goes wrong, you'll be in more trouble than me."
Sun Hee nodded. "I know. Your fans are crazy. I remember when Mee Yoon and Daewon were all over social media. Daewon's fans gave her an anxiety attack." Dong-sun bowed his head. He was guilty of taking part in the plan to make Mee Yoon come back to Daewon. But regrets are always late.
"By the way, what do you want for dinner?" Dong-sun changed the topic.
"I want Heuk Dwaeji Gui (Black pork BBQ)." Sun Hee pouted.
"That sounds great! I want to try their Haemul Ttukbaegi (Seafood Hot Pot)," he said.
"Oppa."
"Hm?"
Sun Hee's eyes beamed as she gazed at him. "Why don't you like hearing Mee Yoon's name? Every time I mention her, something feels off about you. Is there something wrong? Did you fight?"
"You are indeed a psychiatrist. Am I that transparent?" he asked.
"Not really. I am just sensitive."
"Sun Hee, there's nothing wrong between us." Her heart pounded as he called her name. She shook her head to erase her malicious fantasies.
"Every time I hear Daewon and Mee Yoon's name, I am reminded of the murder case. I don't feel good about it. That's why I want you to focus on us. You and me," Dong-sun said as he pointed at her and himself.
"This is our day. Don't you forget that. Every day is not always like this." Dong-sun held her hand as they walked the dark path.
"This might be our first and last dream. Tomorrow, we will wake up and face our realities and we can never go back to this dream, so let's cherish it as long as we are still in the moment."
Sun Hee's icy fingers warmed up as he slipped them into his pocket. She couldn't take her gaze away from him, as if he were a figment of her imagination.
"Sun Hee, don't you know what you are doing is dangerous?" He grinned.
"What? What do you mean?"
"We are walking on a dark path. It's cold, the moon is beautiful, and we are alone. How can I stay calm when you are looking at me like that?"
Her flushed cheeks glowed in the dark. She tried to pull her hand out, but he held onto it.
***
Bright lanterns hung around the pub while a violin played classical music. Smoke filled the air with an exquisite mixture of a nostalgic wildfire, delectable wafts of scorching proteins and fats. The whiff of exotic herbs and spices created a blend of pure olfactory nirvana. Violet and pink lights dominated the place and the pouring sound of Magpie craft beer made everyone drunk.
Youngsoo grabbed a bite of the Philly cheesesteak. He also ordered shrimp quesadilla. A few bottles of beer were looking at him as he indulged in the delicious dinner after a long run.
"They almost caught me because of that damn twig," he said as he munched the food.
Earlier, Detective Jeon Ryung gathered the team to investigate a new identity. While Detective Dan was assigned to do a background check, he was on the lookout.
"I knew that Yang Hajoon was suspicious. And now he is targeting Sun Hee. What a jerk," he mumbled. After Daewon dropped Dong-sun's name, everyone was on the move to validate his claim.
Youngsoo cracked his spinal cord as he flexed his back. "I should protect her as much as Mee Yoon. They are both precious to me. I will never forgive that guy if something bad happens to Sun Hee." He drank a glass of Magpie beer. "Ugh. That hit the spot," he said. He shifted his attention to the shrimp and put his fingers on it.
"What's his real name again? Dong-sun? Park Saeroyi? I don't know anymore. He's been using different names to cover up his identity. The more mysterious he gets, the more it draws him nearer to the crime." His monologue ended when a drunk man dashed to his table, causing his food to spill on the table.
"What the..." He remained seated as the drunk man stood up. "Hey, Mr. Please be careful next time. Don't mess around if you can't handle your liquor." The man glared at him. He had a tattoo on his bald head. The deep scars on his belly screamed menaces.
"Do you have a problem with me?" the man asked. His voice was deep and croaky.
"Not at all." Youngsoo drifted his eyes to his food and said, "You poor thing." The man grabbed his collar and lifted him. "I know you are referring to me." He locked his vengeful eyes with his.
"This is a misunderstanding, Mr. Please spare me," Youngsoo said. The man smirked. "Spare? That is out of my vocabulary." He raised his fist and was about to punch him, but Youngsoo grabbed a bottle of beer and smashed it on his head. The man was dizzy, but he didn't fall to the floor. He threw a couple of punches, but Youngsoo dodged them off.
'I am a prosecutor. I must not fight violence with violence. I should not draw too much attention.'
In a single stroke, Youngsoo hit his neck with the edge of his hand and the man lost consciousness in his arms. Their commotion intrigued the spectators. "It's okay. We're friends. I'm going to take him home," he said and faked a laugh. Youngsoo hugged the man and dragged him out of the pub.