Hana stepped out of her office building, the weight of the day slowly lifting from her shoulders. She'd finished work earlier than usual, and the office was abuzz with whispers the senior officer hadn't come in today. She didn't know why, and frankly, she didn't care. The unexpected free time felt like a gift, so she took a detour before heading home.
A gentle breeze rustled the petals of the sakura trees lining the street, their soft pink leaves dancing in the wind, falling like snowflakes around her. Pulling her coat a little tighter, Hana soaked in the peaceful beauty of the late afternoon. Everything glowed. The world felt quiet. Magical. She walked past little shops and cafés, savoring the rare stillness.
She wasn't sure how long she'd been wandering when something caught her eye near a jewelry stand on the corner. A ring, glinting in the fading sunlight. The ice-blue stone in its center was almost ethereal in its glow. She stepped closer, drawn by its elegance, and carefully slipped it onto her finger. To her surprise, it fit perfectly like it was made for her. The cold blue shimmered like a piece of the sky had been captured in metal. She smiled to herself, lost in the moment.
As she began to take it off, the ring slipped from her hand, falling to the pavement with a soft clink. Hana crouched to retrieve it, but just before her fingers touched the metal, she heard footsteps and then, a soft click of shoes on concrete. A figure knelt before her, reaching down and picking up the ring with practiced ease. He stood slowly.
Their eyes met.
Her heart skipped.
The man held the ring toward her, the blue stone catching the light and matching the color of his eyes. Icy, intense, and glowing faintly with the same mysterious hue. Her breath caught.
He was undeniably handsome. Sharp features, softened by a warm expression. His eyes lingered.
"Here you go," he said, voice smooth, edged with mischief. "I think this belongs to you, beautiful."
Hana blinked, startled by the sudden interaction. She was about to take the ring when he stepped closer, still holding it out with a playful grin.
"I know, I know," he added, chuckling. "I look good, don't I? But staring at me like that makes my heart skip."
Hana's eyes widened. She shook her head, trying to brush off the dizzying sensation rising in her chest.
"I'm not staring at you," she snapped. "And seriously, are you following me? Yesterday you bumped into me. And now this?"
Her tone was sharp, but her pulse raced. The man raised his hands in mock surrender, the grin never fading.
"I'm not following you," he said lightly. "Scout's honor."
Unconvinced, Hana turned and walked away, refusing to take the ring.
"I'm not interested," she muttered.
But as she disappeared into the crowd, Jiwoon looked down at the ring in his hand. He hesitated. Something about this moment felt.....important. He sighed, then smiled to himself. Despite her rejection, he bought the ring.
Maybe someday it would find its way back to her.
Jiwoon chuckled as he walked away, holding the blue stone ring. What am I even thinking? he thought, shaking his head. This isn't the last time I'll see her.
Hana wandered through the lively streets of Seoul, but something felt off. Taeyang was away in Busan on an investigation, and his absence left a quiet ache in her chest. The city, usually vibrant and full of life, felt oddly hollow without him.
She roamed for hours, her feet moving without purpose. The bright lights, the laughing couples, the bustling street vendors none of it eased the heaviness inside her. Loneliness tugged at her, but something else irritated her more.
That guy.
The one she kept bumping into.
She scowled. Why did he keep appearing? Was fate playing a joke on her?
Before she realized it, it was past nine. She reached the main road and raised her hand to hail a cab. That's when it happened.
Crack.
A gunshot.
Her heart slammed into her chest. The sound had come from a nearby alley.
Without hesitation, she slipped into the shadows, drawing her gun. The alley was dim, but she could hear movement footsteps, muttering, shifting weight.
When she turned the corner, her breath caught. There, surrounded by a group of armed thugs, stood him.
Jiwoon.
He was calm, far too calm. Gun in hand, posture tight, eyes blazing with focus.
Another shot rang out. One of the men dropped with a scream, clutching his knee. Chaos broke loose. Jiwoon struck another down with a swift kick, then twisted the weapon out of another's hand with a clean, practiced move.
"Freeze! I'm an officer!" Hana's voice cut through the noise.
Jiwoon's head whipped around.
What the hell is she doing here?
"Hey!" he shouted. "What are you waiting for? Get out of here!"
But Hana didn't budge. She stepped forward, determined.
Jiwoon cursed and ran for her, dodging another swing. He grabbed her wrist.
"Move!" he barked.
"Let go!" she protested, struggling as he dragged her down a maze of backstreets.
"Not happening," Jiwoon muttered, eyes scanning.
Once they were safe, he stopped and released her. Hana yanked her arm back, immediately raising her gun.
"Who the hell are you?" she demanded.
Jiwoon raised his hands, grinning. "The guy who just saved your life. You're welcome."
Hana scowled. "You've got a funny way of showing it." She pulled out her cuffs and snapped one around his wrist and hers.
"Whoa, what—" Jiwoon blinked.
"You still haven't told me who you are," Hana said coldly. "For all I know, you're a charming criminal with a gun."
Jiwoon chuckled. "Charming. I'll take it."
Before she could retort, sirens wailed in the distance. Jiwoon peeked out and nodded. "It's clear. Let's go."
As they stepped out, officers rushed toward them.
"Officer Jiwoon! The situation is under control!" one saluted.
Hana froze.
Officer... Jiwoon?
"Sir, all suspects in custody," the officer added.
Hana's heart dropped. Oh god.
Jiwoon turned to her with a teasing grin. "Disappointed? I'm not the charming criminal you thought I was?"
Hana's cheeks burned. "Sir," she muttered.
Jiwoon arched an eyebrow. "Don't ever call me sir. Just Jiwoon."
"I—I'm Joo Hana si—" she corrected herself. "Hana. Looking forward to working with you… Jiwoon."
He lifted their cuffed wrists. "Planning to keep me close like this?" he teased.
Her face flushed deeper. "Don't be ridiculous," she muttered, fumbling for the key.
Jiwoon leaned in just slightly. "You're cute when you're flustered."
"Stop talking," she hissed, unlocking the cuffs.
He rubbed his wrists and softened. "You okay? I'm sorry you got dragged into that."
She blinked, caught off guard by his sincerity.
"I… I'm fine."
"Good," he said gently. "But next time don't cuff yourself to someone like that. It's dangerous."
Hana turned away, cheeks still burning, his quiet laughter echoing behind her.