PS-02

First Love.

 

Or rather… if I were to be completely honest, an unrequited love that got caught in his net?

 

Either way, it had been a long time since such memories surfaced.

 

After finishing his second year of high school, he had gone abroad to study.

 

That was already over ten years ago.

 

From time to time, I had heard bits of news about him through the media.

 

But Ji-eun never expected to face him in person.

 

And in a place like this.

 

In a situation like this.

 

“……”

 

He had changed quite a bit. No, he had grown into a full-fledged adult man.

 

The pomade-styled hair that was neatly slicked back was nothing like the tousled strands that used to fall over his forehead after lunchtime soccer games.

 

The way he effortlessly pulled off an expensive suit—one that was unmistakably high-end—was also unfamiliar.

 

But his straight nose, sharp jawline…

 

And those deep, unwavering eyes that had a way of unsettling people—those hadn’t changed.

 

“You didn’t miss me?”

 

…Even those lips, which could infuriate a person with just a few words.

 

Unconsciously, Ji-eun bit her lower lip.

 

Did I… miss you?

 

Me? You?

 

“Are you kidding me?”

 

…!

 

At Ji-eun’s sharp remark, the team leader, Detective Jung, and even Min-jun’s secretary behind him flinched.

 

But their shock was brief.

 

“Of course… I missed you like crazy!”

 

They were soon hit with an even greater shock.

 

Because, all of a sudden, Ji-eun broke into a bright smile, threw her arms around his neck, and hugged him.

 

God, I missed you so much.

 

I think I’m going to lose my mind.

 

“……!”

 

Of course, the one most taken aback was Min-jun.

 

But Ji-eun didn’t care.

 

“Min-jun, how do you keep getting more handsome every year?”

 

She didn’t hold back in expressing just how thrilled she was to see him again.

 

Then, as if snapping back to reality, she quickly let go and turned around.

 

Oh, right. What’s wrong with me?

 

“Min-jun, this is our team leader.”

 

With a bright expression, Ji-eun started introducing her colleagues.

 

“Our team leader dresses like a detective, but surprisingly, he’s only ever worked desk jobs.”

 

Caught off guard by the sudden introduction, the team leader nodded awkwardly.

 

“Oh, uh, hello, Vice President!”

 

“And this is Detective Jung Ha-na.”

 

When it was her turn, Detective Jung turned red without realizing it.

 

“N-Nice to meet you.”

 

“You remember that junior I was really close with in college? The one who drank way too much at our first MT* and threw up everywhere?”

 

“……”

 

“It’s been so long, you probably forgot. Even I can barely remember it now.”

 

Min-jun didn’t respond.

 

But Detective Jung’s eyes had already widened like a startled rabbit.

 

Oh my god.

 

That incredibly handsome man…!

 

The Vice President of Shin-Young Group…

 

He knows that I threw up when I was a freshman?!

 

TL/N: *MT: Membership Training, a bonding retreat for college students in Korea.

 

Detective Jung, flustered, asked in a disorganized manner.

 

“Senior Ji-eun. Ah, no, Chief Yoo. Were you two… really close?”

 

“Yes.”

 

There wasn’t even a second of hesitation in Ji-eun’s answer.

 

“But, you know, it’s kind of awkward to say, right? Like, ‘I’m friends with the son of the Shin-Young Group!’ That just sounds like bragging.”

 

“Oh my goodness.”

 

“But… are we going to be okay, though?”

 

Ji-eun turned her gaze back to Min-jun.

 

Even at the mention of “we,” he remained silent, simply looking at her.

 

Whatever.

 

“It’s just… I was wondering if there would be a lot of talk. You know, about preferential treatment in the investigation or whatever.”

 

Right now, what mattered to Ji-eun wasn’t the gaze of a former classmate who seemed to look down on her professional life.

 

“To be honest, I don’t think this ba— no. I don’t think Min-jun illegally sold stocks.”

 

No matter what, she could never become that bastard’s secretary.

 

“…Even if he had sold out the country, I’d probably still let it slide.”

 

Absolutely not.

 

“What should I do? I really don’t think I can participate in this investigation.”

 

No. No. Absolutely not.

 

“And the team leader knows, too. I’m kind of weak when it comes to personal connections.”

 

After finishing her sentence, Ji-eun looked back and forth between the team leader and Min-jun with a nonchalant expression.

 

She was proud of how well she had handled the situation.

 

Ji-eun was caught off guard by the sudden appearance of this guy, but a crisis was also an opportunity.

 

His absurd question—asking if she had missed him—was ridiculous, but she had managed to overcome it.

 

Suppressing the emotions that almost surged, Ji-eun focused solely on managing the situation.

 

Stay calm.

 

“Chief Yoo?”

 

“Yes, Team Leader.”

 

“I know very well that you are not weak when it comes to personal connections.”

 

But for some reason, the team leader didn’t seem to budge at all.

 

Maybe that last remark about being weak was a bit of an exaggeration.

 

With an exasperated expression, the team leader continued.

 

“Chief Yoo, don’t play games.”

 

“And besides, the investigation is already complete.”

 

Inves…tigation?

 

As Ji-eun tilted her head in confusion, Lieutenant Jung Ha-na added more.

 

“The thing is… we confirmed that the two of you haven’t been in contact at all since your school days.”

 

“Hey. Kang Min-jun. Is that what you said? That’s really hurtful.”

 

Ji-eun quickly turned her head, trying to act playful.

 

“Ah, no! The investigation unit and the intelligence team already checked everything…”

 

TL/N: BWAAAH, THE SECOND HAND EMBARRASSMENT!!!

 

 

The answer was already clear.

 

They had already done a background check.

 

Not just on him, the suspect, but on her, a police officer, too.

 

Yeah… Sure.

 

The future of our country is looking bright.

 

Our civil servants are working so diligently.

 

Ji-eun suddenly turned around and spoke to Min-jun.

 

“What are you doing? If you’re not coming in, just close the door.”

 

Her voice was cold. Her gaze, icy.

 

Now, her appearance was completely different from how she had treated Min-jun just moments ago.

 

“…!”

 

“A-Ah, Chief Yoo.”

 

And in fact, it was her sudden change in demeanor that shocked everyone even more.

 

To treat the son of the Shin-Young Group’s owner like that.

 

Even the Commissioner… wouldn’t dare.

 

“Yes, that’s right. We’re not close.”

 

Not only had they not been in contact, but they were never close in the first place.

 

Ji-eun dropped the awkward act and slumped back into her chair.

 

With her arms confidently crossed, she shot him a sharp glance and spoke.

 

“So, I can’t work with this bastard.”

 

“…….”

 

“Because his personality is absolute trash.”

 

At this point, there was no turning back.

 

She didn’t care whether he made his living through stocks or something else.

 

Even if her bones turned to dust, she could never be his secretary.

 

Min-jun, who had been silently listening to Ji-eun’s words, finally let out a chuckle.

 

“That’s right. Trash.”

 

With that, he slowly stepped into the interrogation room.

 

“The media just polishes things up. In reality, my personality isn’t exactly great.”

 

As Min-jun fully entered, his secretary closed the door, and the team leader quickly stepped aside.

 

Min-jun naturally settled into the empty chair and continued speaking.

 

“That’s why Ji-eun is the perfect fit. As you can see, she’s a very objective person.”

 

His relaxed smile as he looked at Ji-eun from across the table was infuriating.

 

Ji-eun was speechless.

 

Wait, hold on.

 

“So this… was your choice?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Me, personally?”

 

“You. Personally.”

 

Unbelievable.

 

Sure, I had wondered how the commissioner even knew my name.

 

But this bastard actually requested me to be his secretary?

 

And he did it himself?

 

Ji-eun let out a hollow laugh and narrowed her eyes, prompting the team leader to quickly intervene.

 

“Oh dear, of course! You’ve made an excellent choice with Chief Yoo. She’s absolutely perfect for this kind of work! She even worked in the economics team for a whole two years! Yes.”

 

Just me…? Am I really the only one who’s perfect for this?

 

Hey, Team Leader. That was mandatory service.

 

Who graduates from the police academy and doesn’t go to the economics team?

 

“On. Top. Of. That! She worked in the industrial technology team, so she has plenty of office experience! She’ll be an excellent secretary.”

 

Has it even been six months since she transferred to the technology team?

 

“Also! She graduated from the police academy with outstanding marks! She’s a very intelligent person.”

 

She couldn’t just sit there and listen anymore.

 

“Excuse me, Team Leader, I—”

 

“Judging by the way you said ‘outstanding,’ I assume she wasn’t the top graduate?”

 

“…….”

 

The one who cut Ji-eun off just as she was about to speak was Min-jun.

 

And his next words provoked her even more.

 

“Did she end up in second place again?”

 

Second place.

 

That word alone was enough to make her furious.

 

Especially coming from his mouth.

 

Ji-eun clenched her lips, struggling to suppress her anger.

 

Eternal second place.

 

There were times when they had gone back and forth, but for the most part…

 

Ji-eun bitterly recalled those memories and let out a crooked smile.

 

Yeah. That’s right. I wasn’t first.

 

“In college, I wasn’t even second. I didn’t even make third. I had way too many things to do besides studying.”

 

“…….”

 

“Unlike privileged kids like you.”

 

Ji-eun didn’t bother hiding her displeasure as she glared at him.

 

It irritated her that he was bringing up something from over ten years ago.

 

And of all people—it had to be him.

 

“Don’t act so high and mighty. You, who always took the first place and were always so great—so where has that gotten you now?”

 

Maybe that’s why.

 

“… Just a mere suspect in a criminal investigation.”

 

Her words couldn’t come out kindly.

 

* * * *

 

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