“Good morning, Mr. Yeon.”

Mrs. Kim served a freshly cooked clam soup onto the table. It’s still hot and steaming from the clay pot. She was sitting right at the other side of the table silently stirring the tea cup in front of her. Evelyn remained in the stillness.

Last night he was waiting for her to come home and fell asleep in the living room. Around two in the midnight she came back and went straight to the bedroom, the front door opening sound woke him up. Instead, Daehwan just pretended to be sleeping and waited for two hours to enter the bedroom. He wanted to make sure she’s already sleeping soundly. He just kissed her goodnight on the cheek and reserved himself to sleep beside her in a quiet act.

The sound of the chair rattling when he moves it yet breaks the ice, he has himself seated in front of her. Taking a look at her for quite a moment then takes the spoon up. Undare to meet her in the eye. One of his hands stays under the table fidgeting, and the other holding the spoon hanging on the dish. It’s really awkward but he just doesn’t know how to start the conversation first.

‘You have something to say?”

He flinched, looking up at her who’s staring at him cool.

“You woke up early…”

No reply for some seconds, she is still staring at him. Plain and just.

“I’m sorry about last night.”

He continues, now he can look her in the eyes. It won’t do him any good if Evelyn is more narked. So he embraced his manhood apologizing to her first.

“It's the weekend.”

“What?”

“It’s the weekend, I went exercise earlier.”

“Oh, alright…”

The conversation took a break by the slurping sound of the soup dish and he looked back at Evelyn who’s putting jam on her toast. Evelyn forgave his gibberish last night by not lengthening the talk about it anymore, it seems that way he thought. It might also be for the best. So they could have their breakfast calmly and peacefully.

***

Three days before the first hearing of Kang Dong Il’s case, Investigation Team 1 were having an intense briefing with the provincial prosecutor who’s helping them. They’re presenting the final engineering for the court day to her.

“The kids lawyer prepare strong case against the charge of aggravated assault and the second degree murder accusation.”

“But we can only put them to trial for beating Kang Dong Il, aren’t we?”

“It’s true.” She nodded and tapped her pen onto the table.

“The only sentence we could charge him with only can put Sang Yoon Sik under Youth  and Criminal Justice. They will get away for at least six months and a year.”

“So, what you mean is, no strong subsection can put him under the sentence for the murder?”

“Actually there is one trump card I haven't pulled out yet….”

All the eyes in the room directed to her straightly.

“There was a blood stain on his vest and brackish mud stain on the trouser.”

“The result is finally out?”

Daehwan's eyes widened with excitement considering it’s a big progress for the case that's been making him have a headache for months.

She stands up and walks beside Daehwan who’s just finished presenting the case to the white screen projector.

“But the thing is…” She continues.

“Rim Yoo Hee made a confession. Contrary to that, Sang Yoon Sik denied everything. If we can make Rim Yoo Hee goes into second degree murder trial, then what are we gonna do with Sang Yoon Sik?”

“It could be a shifting blame, Yoo hee said that she’d been asked by Yoon Sik to help him beat Kang Dong Il. Yoo Hee assisted in taking Dong Il’s vest but one of the shoes was off from his foot. So she can only manage to put them by the bush in a rush…”

The meeting went on for about 3 hours, they really worked hard to deliver this case with the best solving of justice they could do. When it’s done, everyone who’s coming out of the room looks so exhausted not just physically but emotionally.

Woorim and Daehwan were the last to walk out of there with some piling of documents for the case. When they were in the middle of the talk, one of the female officers approached and walked by their side, greeting and smiling brightly at them.

“Are you still doing that case, Mr. Yeon?” The young woman starts the conversation to Daehwan who’s walking side to side.

“Yeah, that case only got more frustrating day by day.”

“I hope it’ll be done as soon as possible. You’re working very hard Mr. Yeon.” She smiles again, this time while fidgeting on the papers she’s holding in her hands.

“Uh, yes. Thank you.”

Her act was obvious, she’s blushing in the conversation with him. Blatantly showing how much excitement. Done with some other short conversations, she cheered him up one last time and excused herself to go and walk past them in the same direction.

“Cheer up, Mr Yeon.”

It’s unbelievable, how dense you could be? It’s unbearable for Woorim watching him be so nonchalant. How can his sunbae be so clueless  and blank of the idea the girl might take an interest in him. So he blurted out his vexation, short and straight forward.

“She likes you.”

Daehwan glanced at him quickly. He chuckled.

“What in the nonsense you are talking about?” 

“I’m serious. Can’t you see?”

“Come on sunbae, you’re not that bad. You just need to get easy on those frowning on your face.”

His right eyebrow twitches with those words Woorim said. Daehwan cut in before Woorim told him other stupid things.

“What do you mean ‘not that bad’ eh?”

He slapped the back of his head lightly. Woorim grunted and grinning, making a silly face.

Before Daehwan could continue, his phone rang. It was from Evelyn. He’s walking away from Woorim who’s still grumbling by that hit on his head.

“Yes, Evelyn…”

He began to speak on the phone once making sure none’s around.

“The architect you’re talking about. Can you arrange a meet up with him?”

“Is it about the villa house?” She just hummed to his question.

“Sure. I’ll make the call. When would you like it to be?”

“I’m alright anytime they’re available.”

“Okay got it. I’ll make a call to him quickly and update you soon.”

“Thank you, Mr. Yeon…” She muted for a moment, but then hung up.

“Who’s calling her boyfriend by the surname?”

Daehwan mumbled while dialing a contact on his phone. The voice on the other line answered quickly. It’s the voice of a young man that sounded cheerful and friendly answering the call from him.

“Gayoon, are you busy this Saturday afternoon?”

“No, I don’t think so. What’s going on?”

“Remember when I said someone I know wants to renovate their villa house in Gapyeong-gun?” That guy caught up fast to his talk.

“So I recommend you to her.”

“Can you meet up with her to discuss it further?”

“Alright.”

“Should I call your company first?”

“Hahaha, no need hyung.” He chuckles. “Will you also come along later?”

“I’m afraid I can’t be. I need to go to Gangneung for two days.”

“Isn’t it gonna be awkward?”

“Why?” He is confused.

“Wait a minute, you don’t think I’m sending you to flirt with her, aren’t you?”

Gayoon laughs at his reaction.

“Okay I got it. Send me the details when it’s fixed.”

“Yeah…” He pouted and looked at his phone screen. Hanging up on the connection and walking back to Woorim who’s been talking with someone inside the administration room.

That’s the girl that was talking to them a few moments ago. It turned out Woorim and Daehwan are also going to the administration office where she’s been. She sneaks her gaze to Daehwan since he’s been outside talking on the phone by looking through the door glass. So when he’s coming back to Woorim who’s in front of her desk, she’s embarrassed and puts down her face.

When they walk out to the parking lot and enter the car, Woorim finally brings it out.

“Sunbae, why don’t you make the first move and ask her out?”

He’s looking at him in surprise once again, “Why should I?”

“It’s clear she likes you and she’s pretty.”

He turns on the car engine and puts on the seat belt. This time Daehwan thinks he should make it plain, so there’ll be no more nonsensical talk.

“I’m seeing someone.”

Couldn’t believe his hearing, Woorim’s jaw drops looking intensely at his sunbae. Unluckily Daehwan doesn’t want to pay any attention to the conversation more and just focuses on driving the car out onto the road.