It was Haru’s silhouette. Though her face wasn’t visible, she was distinct enough to recognize at a glance.

‘No way…’

But the knife work wasn’t Haru’s skill. No, a beginner couldn't imitate advanced techniques, but an expert could mimic clumsy knife work.

Moreover, the location of the wounds—the liver and lungs—were not meant for an instant kill but for a slow, agonizing death.

“What, did you find something?”

“Ah, no.”

At Oh Gaeng’s words, Haesu turned away from the scene.

This was not a place one could stumble upon by chance unless they had come here deliberately.

Jumping to conclusions could deeply wound her. He had to be cautious—but he also had to investigate.

For now, Haesu went to find Kim Ji-an and asked her directly.

“Ji-an, did you see Haru at the crime scene?”

At Haesu’s question, Ji-an’s eyes widened dramatically. Then, they trembled as if an earthquake had struck.

“No.”

“You met her.”

Ji-an averted her gaze and lowered her head.

A few days ago, Kim Ji-an had encountered someone while running away from her uncle under a bridge.

“Oh…”

It was completely unexpected—Haru. She couldn't understand why Haru was there.

Haru’s hollow and dry gaze seemed to know everything Ji-an had been through.

She leaned in close to Ji-an’s face and spoke in an emotionless voice.

“Want me to kill him for you?”

She uttered the chilling words as if it were nothing, her innocent face making them seem all the more genuine.

“No. I mean, I don’t know.”

Haru, seeing Ji-an’s confusion, led her to a spot under the bridge where the river flowed beneath them.

“I grew up in an orphanage.”

“…”

“When I was five, the head of the orphanage sold me to a man.”

Ji-an, who hadn’t reacted to the mention of an orphanage, turned her head.

“There, I once ate my own flesh to survive.”

Ji-an covered her mouth with her hands at the unspeakable horror of those words. Somehow, she didn't think it was a lie.

“I don’t do that anymore. I’d rather die first.”

As Haru spoke plainly, Ji-an saw herself reflected in her. The deep sorrow in Haru’s expression gave Ji-an a strange sense of comfort.

“If you catch the landlord’s eye, life becomes a blessing. That’s what happened to me, and it’ll happen to you too.”

“…Really?”

“Of course.”

There wasn’t a hint of doubt in Haru’s answer.

She stood up and held out a hand to Ji-an. When Ji-an took it and got up, Haru leaned close to her ear and whispered.

“Today’s conversation is our little secret. If you tell anyone, you’ll be in trouble.”

“Huh? Ah… Oh, okay.”

It was a strange encounter with a strange older sister—one who was both warm and terrifying.

Ji-an suddenly recalled the news that her uncle had been stabbed to death, and the thought crossed her mind that Haru might be the killer.

‘What should I do? Should I say she did it?’

She couldn't just blurt it out. Haru had done it for her sake.

“I don’t know.”

“Keeping quiet doesn’t help Haru. The CCTV caught her following you. If things continue like this, she’ll be treated as a suspect.”

Ji-an’s face instantly turned pale. She shook her head violently.

“I… I don’t know. I really don’t know.”

“Got it.”

For a moment, she hesitated, but then she remembered Haru’s warning and ultimately kept her mouth shut.

Even though Ji-an kept repeating that she didn’t know, Haesu had already gathered a lot from her reaction.

That she had spoken with Haru about something. That she had a reason to hide the fact that she met Haru. And most importantly… that she had not witnessed Haru committing the crime.

The possibility that Haru was the killer had decreased.

‘It’s not Haru.’

But the more he leaned toward that belief, the more thoroughly he had to investigate.

He couldn’t let the other detectives put Haru on the suspect list. He had to find undeniable proof that she wasn’t the culprit.

After work, Haesu headed to Kim Ji-an’s home. It was a semi-basement unit in a three-story house about a kilometer away from the Reed Building.

Thunk thunk—

“Uncle’s here!”

“Hello! I’m Kim Ji-won!”

“I’m Kim Ji-gu!”

The children greeted Haesu brightly. Though they hadn’t spoken much before, he had seen them a few times, which was fortunate.

“That’s right, you guys are great at greeting people. You talked to your sister earlier, right?”

“Yeah.”

“She said you’re a super nice police officer.”

“She really said that? That’s unexpected… While your sister is studying for a bit, you guys can stay with me. Go pack your things.”

“Yay!”

“Let’s go play!”

The children, unaware of anything, were just happy, stuffing their bags with toys. Haesu had to pack the actual necessities.

Beep—Click—

When the front door opened, the children’s eyes widened.

“Wow…”

“Whoa!”

Haru had been informed beforehand and was there to greet them.

“Hi.”

“Hello…”

They seemed oddly intimidated. Rather than Haru, it was probably the large, unfamiliar space that overwhelmed them.

Haesu unpacked their things in an empty room.

“Make yourselves at home like it’s your own place. Run around, touch whatever you want—except for the things in that room.”

“Yeah, don’t touch my stuff.”

“Really?”

“Wow! Yay!”

Only then did the children start running around excitedly. The house had always felt unnecessarily spacious with just two adults, but now, with the kids around, the space seemed just right. Luckily, the downstairs unit was empty.

Watching the children’s carefree joy, Haesu momentarily forgot about the case and chuckled.

He went to the kitchen and prepared sausages and bulgogi—things kids would like.

For the first time, all four chairs at the new dining table were filled.

“Time to eat.”

“Yes!!”

“Yes!”

During the meal, the kids marveled at every bite, much like Haru.

Then, suddenly, the youngest burst into tears.

“Hic, hooong.”

Haesu was taken aback by the sudden crying.

“Ji-gu, why are you crying?”

“It’s just… so delicious… Our sister should be eating this too, but she’s not here.”

Haesu’s chopsticks stopped. How had they been living for a single meal to be this precious?

He placed a sausage on the youngest's spoon and spoke.

“Your sister is eating something even better, so don’t worry.”

“Really?”

“Of course. And later, you can eat together with her again.”

“Yay!”

After eating, Haesu checked his phone.

‘Feed them, then bathe them.’

For the first time, Haesu filled the outdoor bath with warm water. He put the kids in first, then took off his shirt and joined them.

The children were so thin their ribs were clearly visible.

“Wow!”

The second child, Ji-won, pointed at Haesu’s scars and asked.

“Mister, why does your body look like that?”

“This? Because I caught a lot of bad people.”

“That’s so cool!!”

“I want to be like you, Mister!”

“Then eat a lot and exercise a lot.”

At Haesu’s words, Ji-won’s expression turned sullen.

“I can’t… eat a lot.”

“No, you can now. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

Just then, the door to the outdoor bath creaked open.

Haru stepped in, wearing dolphin swim shorts and a workout T-shirt, as if she planned to enter.

“Uh, this is a boys-only area!”

“Should I not come in?”

“Ah, n-no.”

“You're pretty! My sister is ugly!”

“Your sister is pretty.”

“No, she looks like an elephant.”

“Hahaha! Elephant, elephant!”

Haru sat at the edge of the bath, dipping just her feet in and splashing the water.

Watching her, Haesu’s mind grew even more complicated.

Just then, Ji-won splashed water at her.

“Take this!”

For a moment, a murderous glint flashed in Haru’s eyes as she was hit by water on her face and T-shirt.

“Whoa! Me too, me too!”

The youngest also began splashing her enthusiastically. They hadn’t dared to splash Haesu, but Haru must have seemed easier to tease. There were no watchful eyes here.

Haru sat still at first, but then she stepped into the bath, spread her hands as if gathering energy, and started splashing water at them.

Her movements were precise and efficient, making the water streams look sharp.

“Ack! S-stop!”

“S-sister! We surrender, we surrender!”

“Starting was your choice, but ending is mine. You should have been ready for this when you attacked.”

Even after they surrendered, Haru didn’t hesitate and continued splashing relentlessly. In the end, the kids couldn't even open their eyes and were pushed back, grabbing towels and fleeing from the bath.

With the children chased away (?), only Haesu and Haru remained in the outdoor bath. Haesu watched her quietly, and their eyes met. She quickly looked away.

“Haru, what did you do today?”

“Ah… I worked out. Played some games. Went for a walk.”

“What about yesterday?”

“Yesterday… Why do you ask?”

Haru’s counter-question took Haesu slightly aback.

“Just… because I worry and wonder about what you do.”

“You’re curious about what I do?”

She seemed oddly excited.

“Well, yeah.”

“I won’t tell you.”

“…Why? What’s the reason?”

Haesu’s expression grew serious.

“So you’ll be even more curious.”

With a faint smile, she left the bath first.

Watching her back as she left, Haesu’s mind became even more tangled.

What does she mean? Is she giving me a hint?

The next morning.

Haru took Ji-won and Jigu to school and kindergarten, while Haesu left early for work.

He went to check the CCTV of Reed Building to confirm when Haru had left and returned on the day of the incident.

‘From 5 PM… to 9 PM.’

Even after the incident and before the report was filed, she hadn’t left again.

Haesu tracked her movements that day through the CCTV. But he couldn’t find her. She had moved through blind spots and areas without cameras.

When he arrived at the police station, his junior, Woo Kangcheol, was at his desk, typing with messy hair.

“Did you stay up all night?”

“Ah, you’re here, senior? I just… felt bad for the kid in the detention center…”

Finding his thoughtfulness commendable, Haesu patted his shoulder and asked.

“Did you find anything?”

“Actually, I dozed off for a moment and accidentally skipped to the next file, and then…”

The way he spoke suggested he had found something. Haesu leaned in.

“This footage is from a street CCTV near the victim’s house. At this time, this car appears.”

“What?”

Haesu zoomed in on the screen to check the license plate. It was clear.

It was 2 AM. The victim hadn’t just disappeared the night before. She had left again at dawn.

Jian’s aunt had said she hadn’t returned home after going to meet Jian. That meant she had lied.

Haesu immediately called the forensic team.

“…Yes, this is Detective Shin Haesu from the Violent Crimes Unit. Have you determined the estimated time of death? Between 2 AM and 5 AM? Understood.”

Rather than feeling triumphant, Haesu felt relieved upon hearing the estimated time of death.

Haru had been home with him long before that time. She had a solid alibi proving she wasn’t the culprit.

“Who visited this woman’s house?”

“Me and the team leader. We didn’t search inside… but the place was spotless, like a brand-new house.”

“Like a brand-new house?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, senior!”

At Yongsudo Gamjatang restaurant, Jian’s aunt was running her business as usual, smiling.

When Haesu and Kangcheol appeared, she flinched.

“You are…?”

“I’m the detective in charge. We need to check something inside your house.”

“Huh? Why so suddenly?”

“We need to verify some of your husband’s belongings. Is that okay?”

“Ah… W-wait a moment. The house is a mess…”

“That’s fine. People live in messy places.”

Without giving her a chance to stop them, Haesu and Kangcheol pushed their way into the house behind the restaurant.

As the junior officer had said, the place was clean. The flooring, the wallpaper… But aside from the living room, the other rooms were left as they were.

“Usually… if you redecorate, wouldn’t you do it all?”

Hearing Haesu’s question, Jian’s aunt fidgeted with her hair, unable to meet his gaze.

“Huh? Ah, w-well, the living room got really dirty…”

“Ah, I see…”

Looking closer, something felt off. The wallpaper was wrinkled, suggesting it hadn’t been professionally done.

Haesu scrutinized the floor as well. The flooring wasn’t properly glued down.

There are moments when scattered suspicions fall into place, clicking together to form a clear picture. That moment had come.

“Kangcheol, close the door.”

“Yes, senior!”

As Kangcheol shut the door and stood guard, Haesu grabbed the wallpaper and ripped it wide open.

Underneath was a large stain of dried blood. At the same time, a sharp scream rang out.

“It wasn’t me!! I didn’t kill him! That bitch did! Why are you blaming me?!”

Jian’s aunt gripped a kitchen knife with both hands and pointed it at Haesu.

“Ma’am, if you don’t put that down… it’s going to hurt a lot.”