After that, I never got any news about Kang-Dae. He went overseas, and I didn't meet him again.
Our daily life slowly returned to normal.
But I remained hesitant—I didn't know if my mother would survive or not.
Summer holidays passed, and the date of my mother's death began to creep closer.
Even though Kang-Dae was gone, there was no logical reason left for my mom to die…
Yet my anxiety grew with each passing day.
D-Day: I didn't let my mother step outside.
Everyone kept asking why I was so anxious. I told them, "I saw a dream where you died today, Mom."
She understood my fear and stayed indoors.
The day passed.
She lived.
I knew what changed—it was the butterfly effect.
Saving Kang-Dae in that abandoned building...
If I hadn't saved him, Mom would've been the one who had to.
And she would've died.
My intervention saved him.
And it saved her.
And it saved me.
I'm so relieved.6 years later—
As you already know, I'm Ji-ah.
Yes, that Ji-ah—
The one who inherited her parents' top-tier genes.
And yes, I'm flexing.
Not only did I major in criminal justice,
I also passed the civil service exam.
I'm officially a detective,
Just like my old lady.
In exactly one month, I'll join the office.
A rookie, yeah. But can I help it?
I can't stop smiling.
In my past life, I graduated a year later—
I took a drop year because I had way too much going on.
And right after my graduation party...
I died.
What a freaking tragedy.
So this time?
I'm a free spirit.
While I was celebrating my victory with a little solo dance party—
I heard a voice behind me.
> "You know how embarrassing it is to see you dancing in public like this?"
Ah. Dae-hyun. My annoying younger brother.
Maybe I should properly introduce them now.
Dae-hyun and Dae-yoon.
Middle schoolers.
Little devils who pretend to be angels.
They both excel in whatever they do.
They both live to roast me.
Gone are the days of innocence—
Now they wear devil masks and treat me like their personal ATM.
But hey—
That just gives me more chances to smack them every time they ask for money.
I sighed, turned, and said, "You know, people are supposed to dance when they graduate. Well, how would you know? You're not going to graduate like me. I'm the smartest of you all."
Da-yoon stepped forward with a bouquet and handed it to me. "Sister, that's why we're here—to celebrate. Mom and Dad are coming too."
I hugged them both tightly. "You should've come alone. Why'd you drag them along?"
She laughed. "Because they were excited to see you at your graduation party."
Dad smiled, a softness in his eyes. "They might not acknowledge it out loud, but they're proud."
Dae-hyun and Da-yoon burst out laughing. Typical.
We cut the cake, posed for way too many pictures, and later went to a fancy restaurant for dinner. The night was full of noise, teasing, and warmth.
Time flew, and before I knew it—it was time for me to join the office.
Well I didn't join my mother's office because they don't appoint rookies.
So I thought, one year of experience and then I'll get there.
That morning, I was so excited that my steps felt lighter—literally, I almost floated into the office like some K-drama heroine.
But... no one was there.
Guess what?
I came an hour early.
Wow. Dedication or stupidity?
Anyway, to make a good impression, I brought coffee for every desk. Yes. Every. Single. One.
Caffeine peace offering. Classic move.
At 9:00 AM sharp, the office started filling in.
"Hello everyone! I'm Kim Ji-ah. I hope to learn from you all!"
I said that with the brightest smile I could summon.
Then someone behind me whispered,
> "She's the daughter of Detective Eun-ji."
Oh no. Not this again.
Here we go—the reputation thing.
Then came my senior. The man I was assigned under.
Middle-aged. Serious face. Probably hasn't smiled since the 90s.
He looked me up and down and said in a rough voice:
> "Don't flatter yourself just because you're someone's daughter. Prove yourself. Or leave."
Wow. Did I mess up just by existing?
As I stood there frozen, a guy from the other desk walked up to me.
> "Hey, I'm Jung Min-ho," he said with a sympathetic face.
"You really did get yourself in trouble."
I blinked. "Why? What did I do?"
> "You're under Detective Han Dae-sik. He's strict. Like... allergic-to-smiling level strict.
Most rookies either cry in the washroom or leave the agency in a week."
Huh? Should I run away now?
Like, just vanish into thin air?
Why of all people—why me?
Internally: sobbing in K-drama background music
What should I do now? 🥲