The sky outside turned a deep violet, fading slowly into the ink of night. Inside the HQ, most lights were off except for the occasional patrol down the halls. It was quiet, eerily so.
Yuna sat alone in her department, her desk cluttered with files, printed documents, and a steaming cup of instant coffee she hadn't touched. Her laptop glowed before her as she tracked the strange connections between Mina's father, the two senior officers, and the surveillance camera hidden in Room 8. Something about it didn't sit right with her.
She didn't plan on leaving. Not tonight.
Around 8:30, hunger reminded her she was still human. She picked up the last packet of ramen from her bag and walked down to the cafeteria. It was dimly lit — only two tables occupied, one by an intern and the other empty.
She sat down, opened the protein bar, and stirred the hot water into the ramen cup. Just then, a familiar figure entered.
Joon.
He didn't speak immediately. Just walked to the vending machine and returned with a bottle of strawberry milk in hand. Without a word, he placed it on her tray.
"…What's this?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
He shrugged casually. "You look like someone who likes strawberry milk."
"…That's oddly specific," she said with a small smile, poking at the ramen.
"I saw you drink it once. First week," he said, taking the seat across from her.
Yuna blinked. "You noticed?"
Joon didn't answer. He just opened his bottle of water and unwrapped his sandwich.
The two ate in silence for a while, not awkward but comfortable. The kind of quiet where both people don't feel the need to fill the silence. Occasionally, their eyes met. A few times, she caught him staring, but he always looked away first.
When dinner ended, they exchanged a quiet "goodnight," and Yuna returned to her department. The caffeine from the coffee kicked in again, and she resumed working.
Hours passed.
Her notes became messy, and her typing slowed.
The soft glow of her desk lamp illuminated only a portion of the room now. The rest of the office was nearly swallowed in darkness, save for a faint yellow ceiling light in the corner and the towering view of the cityscape shining through the glass wall behind her. It was a beautiful contrast — Seoul sleeping under millions of lights while she sat wide awake, chasing shadows.
At some point, she gave in. Her body slumped forward slightly, head resting on the crook of her folded arms. Her glasses slid up, now resting on top of her head, her soft breathing the only sound in the room.
Joon passed by.
He paused outside the glass doors, noticing the dim light.
Then he saw her.
Sleeping — still in her seat, desk lamp glowing behind her, her face softened in rest.
He slowly pushed the door open. It gave a small click, but she didn't stir. As he stepped inside, his eyes shifted to the photo frame on her desk — a picture of Yuna as a child, beaming in the arms of a tall, kind-eyed man.
Her father.
Joon leaned closer, his brows drawing together. He felt as if he had seen the man somewhere, but he couldn't remember. Keeping his thoughts aside, he glanced back at her.
The glasses on her head looked uncomfortable. He gently removed them and slipped them into the front pocket of her handbag. Then, without hesitation, he picked up the bag, nudged her chair slightly back…
And in one smooth motion, he lifted her.
Bridal style.
She murmured something in her sleep but didn't wake.
The door to the department room clicked behind them as he walked toward the resting lounge. Thankfully, it was empty tonight.
He pulled the blanket back and gently laid her down on the small bed, adjusting the pillow under her head.
Yuna shifted slightly but remained asleep.
Joon stood there for a moment, watching her. The city lights glowed through the frosted window above the lounge, casting soft lines over her sleeping figure.
With a sigh, he sat down on the couch nearby, opened his laptop…
And stayed.
Just in case she woke.
Just in case she needed anything.
Just in case.
The blanket was warm.
The lights were dim.
After a while, Yuna blinked slowly, her vision still hazy from sleep. Her gaze shifted around the unfamiliar space before it landed on a familiar figure across the room.
Joon.
He sat on the lounge couch, laptop balanced on his knees, eyes flicking between the screen and her. His white shirt sleeves were rolled up, jacket placed neatly beside him.
"…You're awake."
His voice was soft but carried that usual calmness.
Yuna slowly sat up, brushing her hair back.
"Where…?"
"The resting lounge,"
he replied, closing his laptop gently.
"You were asleep at your desk. I didn't want to leave you like that."
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"You carried me here?"
He gave a small nod.
"Yeah. You didn't wake up even once. Should I be offended or flattered?"
She chuckled, rubbing her eyes.
"Guess that says a lot about how tired I was."
"You've been overworking,"
Joon said quietly.
"It's okay to push hard… just not to the point you forget you're human."
Yuna looked at him, expression softening.
"Thanks… for not just leaving me there."
He leaned back slightly.
"Didn't feel right to."
She smiled faintly. "How long did you wait?"
"Long enough to make sure you'd be okay," he replied.
Then glanced at his watch.
"It's past 1 a.m. I figured you shouldn't go back home alone, especially since you came by bus this morning."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"You remembered that?"
Joon raised an eyebrow.
"I notice things."
There was a pause.
Not awkward.
Just… warm.
She nodded slowly, slipping her feet into her shoes.
"Okay then. Let me grab my stuff."
"No need," he said, reaching behind the couch and lifting her handbag.
"Already packed it for you."
Their hands brushed again as he passed it to her. Yuna held the strap tightly and looked at him.
"…Thank you...sir"
He gave a sight smile.
"Come on. I'll drop you home."
Later in his car
The city passed by in glowing ribbons of amber and blue as his car moved through the late-night roads. Inside, the silence was calm — neither rushed nor tense. The music was low, just a soft instrumental guitar.
Yuna sat beside him, the seatbelt crossed over her coat, her face turned toward the window.
"You really didn't have to,"
she said, breaking the silence.
Joon glanced sideways, one hand on the wheel.
"I know."
"Then why?"
He hesitated a second, then answered, voice lower this time.
"Because I wanted to."
She looked at him.
And this time, he didn't look away.
Their eyes met — not for long, but long enough.
Her heart did a small flip.
Joon smiled again, just slightly.
"Besides, it's not like I'm going out of my way. We live next to each other."
"Still…" she said, almost whispering.
"Umm....Thanks for noticing I needed someone tonight."
He didn't reply.
He just drove — the silence between them now filled with something softer
The car pulled in the parking of their apartment building. Joon parked the car and stepped out to open the passenger door for her.
Yuna blinked, amused.
"You're being suspiciously polite."
"I can't carry you twice in one night," he teased
She laughed and stepped out.
They walked into the lift together. waited for it to open its door to the nineth floor. The door opened, Joon and Yuna stepped out, walking towards their flats
He handed her the handbag.
"Here. You forgot your glasses. I put them inside."
She paused, her hand lingering on the bag.
"H-huh?....thanks"
He shrugged. "You're welcome"
Yuna stood in front of her door now, just a few feet away from his.
"Well…" she smiled.
"Good night...sir"
"Night, Yuna."
She started walking toward her flat, then stopped midway and turned slightly.
"And..."
He raised an eyebrow.
"I like strawberry milk," she said with a shy grin.
He smiled — genuine, quiet, and warm.
"I know."
She waved softly, then slipped into her apartment. Joon stood there a moment longer, watching the door quietly.
Then, with a sigh that only he heard, he turned and walked to his.
The hallway fell quiet again.
But something between them had shifted — not loudly, not all at once, but just enough.
A closeness.
A promise.
Something unspoken.
[ End of chapter 9 ]