Yieum stared through the interrogation room window in disbelief.
While they had been staking out Sehwa Construction, Yang Taekil’s killer had walked into the station and turned himself in voluntarily. He had even brought the hand axe used in the murder.
The detectives lined up outside the room traded remarks as they watched the interrogation unfold.
“A pumpkin rolled in with the vine.”
“Detective Kim and I just got back from Sehwa Construction. We were this close to chasing the wrong lead.”
“So why’d he kill him?”
“He said Yang Taekil constantly humiliated him in front of the others and treated him like garbage. Apparently he’d been holding a grudge for a long time. Then Yang got drunk, passed out, and the bastard hacked him with an axe.”
“Fucking psycho. Even for gangsters, how do you swing a blade at your own people?”
“Then why turn himself in?”
“Guess he got scared once detectives started sniffing around. First thing he asked when he came in was whether confessing would reduce his sentence.”
“That’s the weird part.”
“What is?”
“Yang Taekil outranked him by a mile, didn’t he? This is basically insubordination. Do you really think the organization’s going to let him live? Prison’s probably more dangerous for him than running away would’ve been.”
“…That’s true.”
Inside the interrogation room, the suspect confessed to everything without resistance.
The way he lounged comfortably in his chair while explaining the murder made him look less like a killer and more like a customer discussing loan terms at a bank.
The questioning continued for some time before Team Leader Oh finally emerged with a satisfied nod.
“He confessed to everything. The murder weapon’s already been sent to the National Forensic Service, so once the results come back, we’ll hand the case over to the prosecution. Good work, everyone.”
The detectives congratulated each other, clapping shoulders and exchanging relieved smiles.
But beneath the celebration lingered a subtle uneasiness.
Yieum understood exactly why.
Still, he had no intention of ruining the atmosphere, so he kept quiet.
Standing silently before the glass, he stared at the man inside the interrogation room for a long time.
“It’s not even midsummer yet, but the rain’s been insane lately.”
“No kidding.”
“Ah, our team leader’s completely wasted. Look at him. He’s in heaven right now.”
At Detective Lee’s comment, Yieum glanced back into the restaurant.
The team leader and the other detectives were gathered around a table piled with grilled pork belly and empty soju bottles. Team Leader Oh’s face was already flushed bright red.
“Your older brother works at the Central District Prosecutors’ Office, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I saw him there the other day when I went in on business. Seriously, his presence is no joke. The rumors weren’t exaggerating. But his name was… uh…”
Detective Lee trailed off awkwardly.
Yieum already knew why.
When their father named his children, he had somehow settled on Kim Malgeum, Kim Mideum, and Kim Yieum. To this day, Yieum still couldn’t figure out what had possessed the man.
His older sister had accepted her fate well enough, but his older brother Kim Mideum was still actively searching for an opportunity to legally change his name.
“He was more easygoing than I expected.”
“What? Did you think I’d be uptight just because he is?”
“Hey, don’t bring that up again. You’re embarrassing me.”
The two burst into laughter together.
Yieum understood perfectly well that the atmosphere in Violent Crimes Unit 2 hadn’t been great when he first transferred in. He was young, came from the academy, and held a high rank. Of course they hadn’t welcomed him warmly.
“Honestly, everyone thought the same thing. Police academy graduate, rich family, fast promotion track. We figured you’d transfer out sooner or later. What this department really needs are people willing to wear out shoe leather. Truthfully, I didn’t think you’d last this long.”
“But I like it here. It suits me. I like the team too.”
“Well, that’s good to hear. Oh, right. About the guy who turned himself in today—”
Before Detective Lee could finish, the restaurant door swung open and Jung Namsu stuck his head out.
“How long are you two planning to stay out here?”
After making enough noise to drag them back inside, he herded them to the table.
At some point, the number of empty bottles had multiplied considerably.
The moment Yieum sat down, someone filled his glass again, and Jung Namsu immediately plastered himself against his side.
“Sunbae-nim, why are you ditching me to hang out with Detective Lee? That’s so mean—”
Detective Lee grimaced.
“You disgusting bastard. Stop clinging to him. Detective Kim, don’t indulge him when he’s drunk. He gets worse the more he drinks.”
“Why? What’s wrong with this?” Namsu protested loudly. “Detective Kim and I are partners. There’s a reason partners get called work wives, you know. We’re closer and more intimate than married couples. Right, our Kim Yieum?”
“Our Kim Yieum?”
Yieum stared at him in disbelief.
This little shit.
Even while being glared at, Namsu only giggled drunkenly.
Though they were both the youngest members of the team, Namsu was completely different from him—warm, affectionate, and shamelessly clingy.
Annoyed, Yieum tried to shove him away, but eventually gave up and let him hang off his shoulder.
Time passed.
By the end of the night, nearly everyone was thoroughly drunk.
Since Yieum remained comparatively sober, he helped the others into taxis one by one before finally heading home himself.
On the way back, he stopped by a convenience store near his apartment and bought hangover remedies and ice cream.
Swinging the plastic bag idly at his side, he rode the elevator to the thirteenth floor and walked straight to his door.
Standing there, he searched for his key card—
—but couldn’t find it.
Did I lose it?
Just as he was about to punch in the code instead, he sensed someone standing behind him.
Thinking it was a neighbor from across the hall, Yieum turned automatically to greet them—
—and froze.
Youngsik.
No.
Choi Wonjoon.
The man he’d seen earlier at Sehwa Construction was standing there as if he belonged in the hallway outside Yieum’s apartment.
For a second, Yieum genuinely thought he was hallucinating from the alcohol.
But the image before him was far too vivid.
Wonjoon approached leisurely until he stopped directly in front of him.
“You’ve been drinking.”
“…”
“There you go again. You looked exactly like this earlier today.”
Then, without warning, he snapped his fingers sharply in front of Yieum’s face.
Snap.
Like he was breaking a spell.
“Wake up. Why do you always look so stunned whenever you see me? I know I’m handsome, but still.”
“What the hell is this…?”
Keeping his back pressed against the door, Yieum watched him warily.
Wonjoon’s gaze drifted toward the plastic bag in his hand. Spotting the ice cream inside, he smiled brightly.
“I like ice cream too.”
“I asked what you’re doing here. Why are you here?”
“I came to pay you back. I still owe you 150,000 won.”
Yieum immediately held out his hand.
“Then give it to me.”
But Choi Wonjoon didn’t move.
He simply stood there staring at Yieum’s face.
“I’ll give it to you inside. I also have something I want to discuss.”
“What could you possibly have to say to me?”
“Did you forget? You told me if I had nowhere to go, you’d take me in.”
Yieum stared at him like he’d just been slapped.
Sure, he had said that—
—but only because he’d assumed the guy was an amnesiac with nowhere else to go.
How the hell was he supposed to let a fully grown man move into his apartment?
Meanwhile, Wonjoon put on an exaggeratedly wounded expression.
“Mister, why won’t you keep your promise to Youngsik? Are you actually a bad person?”
Yieum scoffed immediately.
“Don’t call me Mister. You’re six years older than I am.”
Wonjoon’s eyes curved mischievously.
“Oh? So you did look into me.”
“…”
“Is that why you were acting so prickly? Because you already knew who I was?”
“That’s enough. I have nothing to say to you, so leave. Congratulations on getting your memory back and finding your family. Forget the money. Just don’t come looking for me again.”
He gave a curt farewell and started to shut the door—
—but a foot jammed itself into the gap.
Then Wonjoon leaned forward, smiling brightly through the narrow opening.
“Our detective is so cold. We’ve already rubbed shoulders and shared body heat, haven’t we?”
“Move your foot.”
“I told you I have something to discuss. Is listening for one minute really that difficult?”
“I said move it.”
“Then I guess I’ll have no choice but to visit the police station tomorrow and ask about something I’m curious about.”
“Go ahead.”
“I heard Omegas have a hard time applying to violent crimes units because of regulations. So I wonder how Lieutenant Kim Yieum managed to join one. Should I ask someone senior? Who would be highest-ranking there? Your team leader? The chief?”
Yieum’s expression turned cold instantly.
He yanked the door open.
Wonjoon stepped cleanly across the threshold and into the apartment.
Even when the man closed the distance between them, Yieum couldn’t bring himself to stop him. The words he’d just heard felt like they had temporarily paralyzed his brain.
“What kind of bullshit are you talking about?”
As Wonjoon leaned closer, Yieum unconsciously stepped backward.
Was he testing him?
So the thing about the scent earlier hadn’t been a joke after all?
Until now, nobody had ever commented on Yieum’s pheromones. Not once. He wanted to know how this man had noticed something even his own family hadn’t—
—but outwardly, he feigned ignorance.
“Get out. Unless you really want to end up at the police station.”
“Ah, how heartless. I guess you liked Youngsik, but Choi Wonjoon isn’t your type.”
“Stop spewing bullshit and get lost. Threatening a cop? You’ve got some nerve.”
“I didn’t come here to threaten you. I came because I need a favor.”
“A favor?”
“Let me sleep here.”
“…What?”
“I can’t sleep. Put me to sleep.”
“…Are you insane?”
“I hear that a lot.”
Yieum could only stare at him in disbelief.
Then, suddenly, Choi Wonjoon stepped forward and dropped his forehead heavily against Yieum’s shoulder.
Thud.
Yieum flinched hard, his entire body going rigid.
He still couldn’t smell any pheromones.
And yet, strangely enough, he found himself unable to move.
“Please,” Wonjoon murmured quietly against his shoulder.
“Put me to sleep. I feel like I’m dying.”