The streets were still quiet, Shinsuke had just gotten out of his car. He tightened the thick coat that wrapped around his body. The snow and winter made him shiver a little.
He had passed the gate of the law enforcement building, when in the courtyard, a man approached him.
"Good morning, Shinsuke-kun." Ryuuga Tora, one of his comrades greeted.
Shinsuke looked at his watch on his right wrist, deciding to pause for a moment to reply to his colleague's greeting.
"The commissioner will send you to Murasaki-sama." Shinsuke's brows dipped sharply.
"I'm still a Japanese citizen, and have no intention of naturalization or anything in South Korea."
Even though he looks scary, Shinsuke is quite humorous among his peers. Ryuuga Tora is a mystery division detective behind the theft, while he specializes in top-level crime. In the past, the two had gone through the academy together, and had gotten to know each other because of that too.
"You're going for a walk."
"Death-defying walks."
"Definitely traveling without a wife."
Usually, Tora's jokes would be laughed at by Shinsuke, but not this time. He felt different. Strange feeling because of his wife's foreign behavior some time ago.
It wasn't that his wife was rude, it was more formal. Calls for him from his wife again became: 'Uncle'.
As Shinsuke was lost in thought, Tora was forced to pat the boy's shoulder to bring him back to full consciousness.
"Sorry," Shinsuke bowed. Feeling bad for feeling neglected by his partner.
There was some intelligence who also happened to be there, greeting them. Shinsuke and Tora replied briefly. Realizing that a lot of time had been wasted, Shinsuke finally asked permission to see the Commissioner.
"You've been waiting for the Commissioner for a long time, Takahashi."
A partner welcomes in front of the commissioner's room. The room is simple and not so big.
Shinsuke nodded. That person opened the door for Takahashi Shinsuke.
"Sit down, Takahashi!" The person sitting in the chair shouted, his face slightly irritated as if something was about to explode.
Shinsuke did. "Is this an important talk?"
***
The commissioner nodded. "Even more important than your life."
Shinsuke almost burst out laughing at the words his boss said. Holding back a smile, he said a little, "That's too much."
"Are you saying I'm exaggerating?"
"Not. Not you, but your words."
Not without reason Shinsuke said so. Shinsuke's boss always said the same thing to him or maybe to all his colleagues if they were given a mission.
***
Inspector Lee and Rae-Ah arrive at the co-hosts party. They were both invited to a small party.
Inspector Lee is undressed, and he takes Rae-ah's hand as he walks towards the owner of the party, past the dozens of guests.
"Look at our police pair! Good evening and welcome."
It was Seung-chan who greeted the two. He wasn't a party owner, but he was quite close to the person hosting the party. Because they are both in the same division. So do Rae-ah and Inspector Lee.
The sweet boy bowed deeply to his senior, "Senior Moo has been looking for Nuna for a long time. He said the party wouldn't be complete without Nuna."
Rae-ah glances at Inspector Lee. She smiled sarcastically then. The man carried Rae-ah, stepped past the greeter who was smiling broadly, I don't know what he meant.
There was a long table there, filled with food and cakes. The party fan approached the couple. It's also his birthday.
"Finally, you've arrived, sweetie."
His name is Moo Tae Gu. He is also one of the inspectors in the Republic of Korea police. He is almost forty and unmarried. He is often rumored to be close to Rae-ah. Call them friendly. Their closeness also inevitably makes Inspector Lee sometimes feel annoyed.
"Yes, and she is with me, her lover." Inspector Lee said relax and hit the mark.
This made Inspector Moo look straight at Inspector Lee, who was grinning sharply. Rae-ah asks permission to enjoy the meal because she is so tempted by all that is served on the long table.
After Rae-Ah left, Moo Tae Gu said, "Sometimes I wonder why she chose you. No matter where you look, you don't deserve it."
If it weren't for being in the middle of a party, Inspector Lee would have shown his fighting prowess. Only because of ethics he refrained from beating Moo Tae Gu.
"Yeah, that's life. Sometimes as unpredictable as heart. I'm even more surprised as to why he could accept you in the midst of your . . . how should I put it, Moo?"
Inspector Moo's two dangling hands were tightly clenched. He vowed in his heart that when the time came, he would destroy whatever was owned by the commissioner's beloved.
"Alright, I'll catch up with my chagiya first. Excuse me."
Inspector Lee rammed his shoulder against Inspector Moo's. Since the first there was created a ledge between them. Cold war and fighting for Rae-ah's attention.
***
The conversation with the commissioner left Shinsuke in a dilemma. It bothered him. He didn't know how to say goodbye to his wife. He wasn't there for a while. His hunch said so. It wasn't a matter of time, he just didn't know how to put it. Considering that he seemed angry, Shinsuke was too aware of that. Since the girl was 7 years old, it was Shinsuke who took care of her. Shinsuke also witnessed his birth. Of course the man knew what caused the woman to change.
"I don't want to die being hated by you, Kid."
That's their problem. Even though Shinsuke had married her, he couldn't treat her as a wife, but as a child.
Naomi's face crossed his mind. He had to put an end to his stupidity before curses befell him. Despite looking dashing, Shinsuke was still afraid of the Lord of Heaven and Earth.