The station felt a little different that day.
Not because anything had changed in routine—but because someone new had entered a space that had once felt… predictable.
Kang So Ra.
Her presence lingered even after she had stopped talking. It wasn't loud or overwhelming, but it carried a quiet confidence that naturally drew attention. Officers greeted her politely, some curious, others already familiar with her name.
But she didn't seem to care much about any of that.
Her attention stayed in one place.
"So, you're still working too much," So Ra said casually, leaning against the edge of So Hee's desk.
So Hee glanced at her. "And you're still making assumptions."
"It's not an assumption if it's true," So Ra replied with a small smirk.
They spoke easily.
Comfortably.
Like there was no gap of time between them.
From across the room, Soo Bin tried very hard not to stare.
She really did.
But her eyes kept drifting back.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Why are they so… comfortable?
She pressed her lips together slightly, flipping through her notebook even though she hadn't written anything in the past five minutes.
Every now and then, she caught small moments—
So Ra leaning slightly closer when she spoke
So Hee actually listening, not just responding
A faint smile appearing on So Hee's face
She doesn't smile like that with me…
The thought came quietly.
But it stayed.
"Soo Bin."
She flinched slightly.
"Hm?"
Go Eun stood beside her, watching her with calm, knowing eyes.
"You've been on the same page for a while."
Soo Bin blinked, then looked down quickly. "Oh—yeah. I was just thinking."
"About your notes?" Go Eun asked.
"…Something like that."
Go Eun didn't respond immediately.
Instead, she followed Soo Bin's earlier line of sight.
Straight to So Hee and So Ra.
"Ah," she said softly.
Soo Bin froze.
"…What?"
Go Eun looked back at her, one eyebrow slightly raised.
"You're not very subtle."
"I don't know what you mean," Soo Bin replied quickly.
Too quickly.
Go Eun didn't push further.
But the small smile on her face said enough.
"You know," she said calmly, "that's Kang So Ra."
"I know," Soo Bin muttered. "You already told me."
"Mm. But I didn't tell you everything."
Soo Bin looked up, curiosity slipping through despite herself.
"She's not just a childhood friend," Go Eun continued. "She's someone who's been by So Hee's side for a long time. Even when she was abroad, they stayed in contact."
Soo Bin's chest tightened.
Just a little.
"They understand each other easily," Go Eun added. "That kind of bond doesn't disappear."
Soo Bin looked down at her notebook again.
"…I see."
Her voice sounded normal.
But her fingers tightened slightly around her pen.
Across the room—
"So," So Ra said, glancing around, "are you going to introduce me to your team?"
So Hee followed her gaze briefly.
Her eyes landed on Soo Bin.
Just for a moment.
Then she spoke.
"Come here."
Soo Bin looked up immediately.
"Me?"
"Yes."
She stood quickly, walking over, trying to ignore the strange feeling in her chest.
"This is Ahn Soo Bin," So Hee said. "Intern."
Soo Bin bowed slightly. "Nice to meet you."
So Ra studied her for a moment.
Not rudely.
But carefully.
Then she smiled.
"Ahn Soo Bin… I've heard about you."
Soo Bin blinked.
"You have?"
So Ra nodded. "Quite a bit."
Her eyes shifted briefly to So Hee before returning to Soo Bin.
Something about that look—
It made Soo Bin feel… aware.
"I hope it was nothing bad," Soo Bin said with a small laugh.
So Ra chuckled lightly. "Not at all. You seem… interesting."
Soo Bin smiled politely.
But inside—
Her thoughts were louder.
She's confident…
And she knows So Hee well…
She felt it again.
That small, uncomfortable feeling.
"So Ra is a lawyer," So Hee added. "She just returned from abroad."
"Ah, that's impressive," Soo Bin said.
"It's just work," So Ra shrugged. "Nothing special."
There was a brief silence.
Then—
"Well, I won't interrupt," Soo Bin said quickly. "I have some notes to finish."
She turned before anyone could stop her.
Walking back to her desk a little faster than usual.
She sat down.
Opened her notebook.
Stared at it.
But she didn't write anything.
Why does this feel like this…?
She exhaled slowly.
Trying to calm herself.
Across the room, So Hee watched her for a moment.
Just briefly.
"She's energetic," So Ra said beside her.
"Yes."
"And easy to read."
So Hee didn't respond.
So Ra glanced at her.
Then smiled slightly.
"You like her."
So Hee looked at her.
Calm.
Unshaken.
"She's a good intern."
So Ra laughed softly.
"Right."
She didn't push.
Not yet.
But the look in her eyes said she wasn't convinced.
Meanwhile—
At her desk—
Soo Bin rested her chin on her hand, staring blankly at her notebook.
"You're doing it again," Go Eun said quietly, sitting beside her.
"Doing what?"
"Thinking too much."
Soo Bin sighed.
"…Am I that obvious?"
Go Eun gave her a small smile.
"Only to me."
There was a pause.
Then—
"…She's important to her, right?" Soo Bin asked quietly.
Go Eun didn't pretend not to understand.
"Yes," she said simply.
Soo Bin nodded slowly.
Her chest felt tight again.
"I figured," she murmured.
Go Eun watched her carefully.
Then spoke.
"And you?"
Soo Bin froze.
"…What about me?"
Go Eun leaned slightly closer.
Her voice calm.
But direct.
"Is she important to you too?"
Silence.
Soo Bin didn't answer.
But she didn't need to.
Because this time—
She didn't deny it.