The station was unusually calm that afternoon, with only the soft hum of conversations and the occasional ringing of phones breaking the quiet. Papers were neatly stacked, reports being finalized, and the usual rhythm of work carried on without urgency.
Ahn Soo Bin sat at her desk, flipping through her notebook, her brows slightly furrowed in concentration. She tapped her pen lightly against the page, trying to organize her thoughts from the earlier assignments. Despite her usual cheerful energy, she seemed a bit more focused today—more aware of every detail.
Across from her, Kim So Hee stood near the main desk, reviewing a report. Her posture was straight, composed as always, but her attention drifted for just a second when she noticed Soo Bin biting the end of her pen absentmindedly.
A small smile tugged at her lips.
She quickly looked back down at her report.
"Lieutenant Kim!"
A voice interrupted the calm atmosphere.
Everyone turned slightly as Lim Won Young walked into the station, her presence immediately noticeable. She carried herself with quiet confidence, dressed neatly, her eyes scanning the room before landing directly on Soo Bin.
Soo Bin blinked in surprise. "Won Young? What are you doing here?"
Won Young smiled softly as she approached. "I came to drop off some documents for a medical report… but I thought I'd see you too."
There was a subtle shift in the air.
So Hee looked up again, her gaze lingering just a moment longer than necessary.
"Oh! That's great," Soo Bin said, standing up quickly. "You didn't have to come all this way though."
"I wanted to," Won Young replied gently.
There was something in her tone—soft, intentional.
Soo Bin didn't seem to fully notice, but So Hee did.
And for some reason, it made her chest feel… tight.
Won Young handed over the documents to the front desk, exchanging brief formalities, but her attention kept drifting back to Soo Bin.
"Are you busy?" she asked after a moment.
Soo Bin hesitated. "A little… but I think I can take a short break."
Before she could say anything more, So Hee's voice cut in—calm, measured.
"She has about ten minutes."
Both of them turned.
So Hee didn't look at Soo Bin directly. She simply flipped a page in her report and added, "Don't be late getting back."
Soo Bin nodded quickly. "Yes, ma'am!"
Won Young glanced between them, a faint, unreadable expression crossing her face.
Outside the station, the air felt lighter.
Soo Bin stretched her arms slightly. "I didn't expect to see you here. How have you been?"
"I've been fine," Won Young replied. "Busy… but I wanted to see you."
Soo Bin smiled, completely at ease. "You should've told me earlier! We could've met properly."
Won Young looked at her for a moment, then spoke more quietly. "I was hoping to spend some time with you… just the two of us."
Soo Bin blinked.
There was a pause.
Not awkward—but unfamiliar.
Back inside, So Hee stood by the window, her report long forgotten in her hands.
She told herself she wasn't paying attention.
But her eyes had already drifted outside.
She could see them.
Soo Bin laughing, gesturing as she spoke.
Won Young watching her—closely.
Too closely.
Why am I noticing this?
So Hee frowned slightly, her fingers tightening on the paper.
It's none of my business.
Still… she didn't look away.
Outside, Soo Bin tilted her head slightly. "You're acting a bit different today."
Won Young smiled faintly. "Am I?"
"Yeah… a little more serious than usual."
Won Young hesitated before speaking again. "Soo Bin… do you ever think about… the future? About who you want to be with?"
Soo Bin blinked again, caught off guard.
"That's kind of sudden," she laughed lightly. "I mean… I'm still trying to survive my internship first."
Won Young's gaze softened. "I'm serious."
There was something in her voice now—something clear.
Soo Bin's smile faded just a little, replaced by confusion.
"I… haven't really thought about it that way," she said honestly.
Won Young nodded slowly, as if she expected that answer.
But there was a flicker of disappointment in her eyes.
"Time's almost up," Soo Bin said after checking her phone, trying to lighten the mood again. "You should come by the shop sometime! My mom would love to see you."
Won Young smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes this time. "I will."
When Soo Bin returned inside, she went straight back to her desk, picking up her notebook like nothing had happened.
"Sorry! I'm back," she said cheerfully.
So Hee didn't respond immediately.
She was still looking at her report.
But after a moment, she spoke.
"Finish the paperwork from earlier."
Her tone was normal.
Calm.
Controlled.
Soo Bin nodded quickly. "Yes, ma'am."
She sat down, flipping through her notes again, completely unaware of the shift in the atmosphere.
But So Hee noticed everything.
The way Soo Bin's smile lingered.
The way she seemed slightly distracted.
The way someone else had just stepped into her space so naturally.
Why does that bother me?
So Hee paused, her pen hovering over the paper.
She exhaled quietly.
It shouldn't.
She's just my junior.
Yet, for the first time, that explanation didn't feel enough.
Across the room, Soo Bin hummed softly as she worked, her usual energy returning as she focused on her tasks.
But somewhere in the quiet space between them, something had shifted.
Something small.
Something unspoken.
Something neither of them fully understood yet.
And far from over…