⚔️Dining Room – Jiwoo's House, Late Evening
Jiwoo sat at the dining table, her hands loosely clutching the USB stick. The flickering light from the laptop reflected on her face, casting sharp shadows that seemed to mirror the turmoil in her mind. She replayed the footage over and over, every frame etched deeper into her memory.
Joonhyuk leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching her quietly. "Couldn't sleep?" he asked softly, breaking the silence.
Jiwoo shook her head without looking up. "Not really… the footage," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yeah… I know. It's hard to believe," Joonhyuk said, recalling the weight of the secrets they had uncovered together. His mind briefly drifted back—why had he even been in her room that night? The memory was sharp, vivid. Before handing her the Project Crimson files, he had made her promise something. "You promised not to tell your brother I gave this to you," he reminded, a shadow of worry crossing his face.
Jiwoo nodded, still staring at the screen. As she read the files, her voice trembled. "So… my father… he was a spy?"
Joonhyuk's nod was solemn. "Project Crimson was one of the most classified missions. It involved deep infiltration into enemy lines… operations most people couldn't even imagine."
🌫️ Flashback – Young Jiwoo at Home
Jiwoo remembered standing by the window, clutching a small cup of tea, watching her father slip quietly out of the house late at night. She had always thought he worked late… but now, she realized he had led a double life. The truth pressed against her chest like a weight she wasn't ready to carry.
🏢 Jungwoo's Office
The atmosphere in Director Han's office was tense. Jungwoo sat across from him, the weight of his sister's safety heavy on his shoulders.
"She's getting information from somewhere," Director Han said, voice grave. "And if this leaks… it could compromise national security."
Jungwoo frowned. "Who could it be?"
Director Han's expression hardened. "It doesn't matter. She has a right to know the truth… but that truth is dangerous. If it gets out, it could unravel years of covert operations."
Jungwoo's jaw tightened. "I won't stop her."
The director's eyes narrowed. "If you don't… she will be killed."
Shock cut through Jungwoo's resolve. He realized he had no choice but to protect his sister, even if it meant standing in her way.
⚔️ Jiwoo's House – Confrontation
Jungwoo's voice thundered as he faced Joonhyuk. "Why did you tell her about Project Crimson? I warned you—"
Jiwoo suddenly stepped between them, her eyes fierce. "I found it myself. He had nothing to do with it."
Jungwoo blinked, stunned. "Are you… sure?" he repeated.
She nodded, her gaze unwavering.
After dinner, Jungwoo left, tension lingering in the air. Joonhyuk sat quietly, treated like part of the family, silently observing the sibling dynamic. That night, once Jungwoo was gone, Joonhyuk approached Jiwoo.
"Thank you," he said softly.
"I kept my promise," Jiwoo replied.
He smiled faintly. "You're lucky… you are loved."
Jiwoo's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "But I'm already a target. I deserve to know everything."
Joonhyuk's expression darkened. "If you continue digging… you might get killed."
Her lips trembled. "My life was just starting to sort itself… now it's worse than before."
🌫️ Abandoned Warehouse
Kang Minho's silhouette emerged from the shadows, facing a masked figure.
"Jiwoo's getting too close. We need to eliminate her," Kang Minho said coldly.
The masked figure inclined their head. "Consider it done. We'll need her… dead or alive."
The figure vanished into the darkness.
📱 Jiwoo's House – Late Night
A message pinged on Jiwoo's phone. Unknown number. She hesitated, then opened it: "Meet me at the old train station. Come alone."
Determined, she left a note for Joonhyuk and slipped into the night.
🚉 Old Train Station
The station was deserted, silent except for the echoes of her footsteps. Suddenly, armed men emerged from the shadows, guns raised.
"What is this?" Jiwoo whispered, heart racing.
From the darkness, Kang Minho stepped forward. "Just tying up loose ends before they act."
A firefight erupted as Joonhyuk and his team arrived. He shielded Jiwoo, thrusting a gun into her hands.
"No questions. Just fight," he commanded. Together, they fought for survival, every shot and dodge a testament to their bond and skill. By the time the smoke cleared, Kang Minho had vanished.
🌅 Dawn
Jiwoo returned home safely, tending to Joonhyuk's injuries with careful hands.
"Thank you for saving me," she said softly.
"No need," he replied. "I'm here to protect you."
The day ended quietly, but the danger was far from over. A package arrived at Jiwoo's doorstep—inside, a photograph of her father with a woman she didn't recognize. On the back, a note read: "You hold the key to everything."
Jiwoo's eyes hardened with determination. "Let's find the next clue," she said.
To Be Continued...