The Commissioner blinked a couple of times before opening his eyes.

“A woman got the highest score in the practical exam?”

“Yes, sir. She was already known during the physical test phase for breaking the national women's record in the 100-meter dash this year.”

“She beat the track record…? Was she an athlete?”

“She was a bodyguard, sir.”

“A bodyguard, huh? Well, I guess occasionally we do see some exceptionally fit individuals. Even though she’s a woman, she must have unusual bone structure and muscle.”

“Actually, it doesn’t seem to be that either.”

The secretary spoke while displaying her personal information on a tablet for the Commissioner. He took it, glanced at it, and widened his eyes.

“Is… is this really her?”

“Yes, I was also surprised at first. Her appearance doesn’t match the records.”

“Hmph…”

Just looking at her photo, she has the delicate image of a first love. Nothing about her suggests a muscular build.

The Commissioner and the secretary had once seen her at a rib restaurant with Shin Haesu, but at the time she was wearing a hoodie and leggings, and the photo showed her in police uniform, so they hadn’t recognized her as the same person.

“Formerly from Daeseong Guard…”

Instead, the Commissioner naturally thought of Ahn Seo-eun. A businessman who genuinely supports the police—if that’s not sincerity, then it must be a lie.

“If she was a bodyguard, she’s had real-world experience, right?”

“Yes, probably, but the responsibilities of police and bodyguards are fundamentally different…”

“That’s why she aced the practical exam with such a lead, right?”

The secretary started to argue but hesitated. The Commissioner wasn’t listening for feedback. His words meant: follow my decision.

Picking up on the atmosphere quickly, the secretary nodded deeply.

“I agree completely.”

“You do? I knew you had an eye for talent, Chief Kim. Then…”

The Commissioner took a long sip of his banana milk, raised a finger, and waved it through the air.

“Send her straight in.”

“You mean, assign her directly to the Violent Crimes Special Investigation Unit without going through probationary service?”

“Yes, under the Commissioner’s authority. Besides, I might be gone next year, and who knows if the unit will even exist then? Let’s see how the unit handles this.”

“Understood.”

Headquarters of the Violent Crimes Special Investigation Unit.

Screeech—

The head of Violent Crimes Team 3 from Gangjin Station suddenly burst open the door. Alongside Team Leader Kwak from the Unit, he was one of the longest-serving detectives in Gangjin Station.

“What the? What are you doing here? You came to brag about your new female recruit?”

“Yeah. That too. But guess what? This is a double celebration. You punks in the unit—get ready to welcome a fresh new recruit!”

“Huh?”

At the mention of a new recruit, Oh Gaeng, Haesu, and even the youngest member stood up and focused on the entrance.

The Team 3 leader took a step to the side and spread both hands behind him. With that, the new recruit, previously hidden behind him, came into view.

The uniform fit her like it was tailored, and her face shone even without a hint of makeup. The moment they saw her, the eyes of the unit members widened.

“You guys look like you're about to die of happiness. Tch, too bad I don’t get to tease you now. Take care.”

Chuckling at their reaction, the Team 3 leader disappeared into the background.

At the same time, the recruit gave a textbook salute to the team leader.

“Reporting! Patrol Officer Haru, reporting for duty with the South Chungcheong Violent Crimes Investigation Unit as of today!”

“Huh… sister-in-law?”

“Sister-in-law?!”

It had been over a year since they saw her briefly, so the members thought she just looked similar to someone they knew—but when they heard the name, they were sure.

None of the team members knew that Haru had become a police officer.

All eyes naturally shifted from Haru to Haesu. But he too had his eyes wide open in surprise.

“How… are you already here?”

“Already?”

“Wait, you knew she became a cop since you live together, right?”

“What the hell’s going on?”

As Haesu and the team members were thrown into confusion, Haru calmly brought order to the situation.

“When I completed my training, I requested to be assigned to the South Chungcheong Violent Crimes Unit. The Commissioner approved and assigned me directly. He said to let the unit seniors decide.”

“Ah… the Commissioner?”

The team leader and Oh Gaeng looked at Haesu again. Naturally, suspicion arose—did he call in a favor?

Just then, the team leader’s personal phone buzzed.

Bzzzz Bzzzz

“Whoa?!”

[Commissioner Cho Gam-chan]

It was a direct call from the Commissioner. The team leader nearly dropped the phone but caught it and answered quickly.

Things were moving too fast to keep up.

“Yes, Commissioner, this is Captain Kwak Su-cheol.”

—So, do you like my gift?

“Ah, yes. The new recruit just arrived.”

—Perfect timing. She graduated top of her training class. I heard the unit was short-handed, so I used my authority to send her directly, skipping probation. If she’s not a good fit, you can send her back.

“Yes… thank you, Commissioner.”

Through the call, the team leader realized that the Commissioner had no idea about Haru and Haesu’s relationship, and had assigned her here on his own judgment.

He ended the call, glanced at Haesu, then raised his hands toward Haru with a big smile.

“Looks like the Team 3 leader was right—we’ve got a fresh and vibrant new recruit! Welcome to the team, Officer Haru!”

“Welcome!!”

“Freedom from being the rookie… achieved!”

Haesu decided to talk with Haru in more detail later. For now, he put his hands on her shoulders and met her gaze.

“Welcome. If you start here, everywhere else will be a piece of cake.”

“I have no intention of going anywhere else.”

“Good, good. Head over there and change into your field uniform.”

“Yes, understood.”

Judging from her tone and body language, she had clearly undergone strict discipline during training. She radiated the aura of a rookie detective.

While Haru changed in the locker room, the rest of the team huddled together with serious expressions.

“I swear… just having Officer Haru here lights up the whole office.”

“Yeah, that’s true, but… the unit’s not exactly easy—even for someone like her.”

“Hmm, we’ll have to wait and see. The Commissioner wouldn’t have sent her just to sit at headquarters.”

Even the youngest member and the team leader were concerned. Haru looked delicate, with slender limbs and a protective charm, so it was natural to worry.

Oh Gaeng was relatively calm, knowing she had taken down the four-man crew that raided Haesu’s house. But he hadn’t seen it himself, so he wasn’t completely reassured.

While expressing their concerns, they occasionally glanced at Haesu for cues.

Haesu let out a quiet sigh. Time would settle everything. Haru's skills were the real deal.

Rustle—

Just then, Haru emerged wearing her field uniform. The team members were momentarily speechless at the sight.

“Ah….”

“Mm.”

“It’s the same outfit, but it looks really different, doesn’t it?”

It was the standard gear that detectives like Haesu wore the most, but it looked completely different now. It felt like watching an outdoor clothing advertisement.

Haesu looked at her and tilted his head as he noticed two slightly protruding strings around the solar plexus area.

“What are these?”

“Ah, these strings are chest cinchers.”

In response to Haesu’s question, Haru immediately grabbed the strings in front of the team and yanked them tight. Her inner layer of clothing then constricted tightly around her chest, visibly compressing it.

The team members widened their eyes at the sight, then quickly averted their gazes, flustered.

Haru continued explaining steadfastly.

“When they’re tightened, it becomes hard to breathe and can cause indigestion while eating, so I usually keep them loose. But when I need to run to catch a suspect, the looseness gets in the way, so I tighten them up.”

“Ah, I see. Still, when you tighten them, make sure everything is tucked in properly so nothing gets caught.”

“Yes, Officer Shin Haesu.”

“Call me ‘Senior’ instead.”

“Yes, Senior Shin.”

And with that, it seemed like the Violent Crimes Special Investigation Unit was returning to its routine.

However, the youngest member wore a troubled expression, unable to act naturally upon learning that his first junior was also his senior’s sister-in-law.

That lunchtime, after finishing their meal at the cafeteria and returning to the main office, the team leader spoke with determination.

“We’re having a team dinner today! A welcome party for the newbie!”

“Today? Not Friday?”

“You never know when the weekend or a proper off-duty time will vanish, right? We should do it while we still have a clean wrap-up like today.”

“Well, you’re right about that, hyung.”

“I’m in favor too.”

“Same here!”

Everyone responded affirmatively, leaving only Haru. As all eyes turned to her, Haru remained silent for a moment, then raised a clenched fist to her chest.

“Thank you very much!”

“Great!”

The team dinner was held at Hanpan Samgyeopsal, the regular spot for the Violent Crimes Special Investigation Unit. It was the same barbecue place where the Dongdongpa guys had once caused a bloodbath.

As if it were natural, Oh Gaeng picked up the tongs. He was always the one grilling the meat, whether it was when Haesu joined or the youngest did.

That’s how much pride he took in grilling meat.

“Here, this one’s for our new youngest.”

“Hey now, the boss should get served first.”

“The boss gets the fatty cuts. Gotta lube those creaky joints as you get older.”

“Kids, don’t stop me—I’m gonna go at this guy, rank insignia off and all.”

“Really? Hyung, are you sure about that?”

When Oh Gaeng put down the tongs and flipped a soda bottle upside down, the team leader caught his hand with both of his own.

“Hey now, of course I’m joking. My fists are my insignia, you punk. I never take them off!”

The youngest and Haesu watched the two banter like usual, while Haru stared seriously at the grill, snatching up each perfectly cooked piece the moment it was ready.

If Oh Gaeng took pride in grilling, Haru took pride in eating.

Time passed, and Haru suddenly stood up from her seat.

“I’m going to the restroom.”

“Oh, okay, go ahead.”

Once Haru had gone to the restroom, Haesu stared quietly at the grill and spoke in a low voice.

“Whether she lives with me or whether we’re close doesn’t matter—right now, Haru is just the new recruit of the Violent Crimes Special Investigation Unit. Everyone, please treat her as such. I’m sure that’s what she wants. That includes you, rookie.”

“Yes! Senior! I’ll make it clear to her!”

The team leader looked a bit flustered at Haesu’s serious tone and responded awkwardly.

“Huh? Oh, right, you noticed?”

“I sensed some hesitation. Same with you, Oh Gaeng hyung.”

“Ah, haha, sorry. It’s just... even if it wasn’t because of you, it’s our first time having a female junior. It’s awkward.”

“Right, right. I don’t know how to act. But just spoiling her and treating her too nicely doesn’t seem right either.”

“Treat her the same way you did when the rookie joined.”

“Hmm…”

The team leader glanced toward the restroom and continued.

“But what I’m really worried about is the fieldwork. I don’t know how she came out on top at the police academy, but can she really do this job with that delicate frame? You guys know better than anyone how rough our work is.”

Haesu narrowed his eyes and looked at the team leader. He was being sincere.

He had thought the team leader had realized it was Haru who had taken down that four-man crew during the incident at his house, but maybe not.

Or maybe he’d forgotten since it was a while ago.

Still, Oh Gaeng wore a similarly conflicted expression. He hadn’t seen Haru’s skills firsthand, and that slender body of hers understandably raised concerns.

It was a completely reasonable reaction.

“Time will prove everything.”

Right on cue, Haru returned.

“I’m back. Please resume grilling the meat.”

“Oh? Uh, right, of course. If our new recruit asks, we grill. Hey! Three more servings, please!”

That night, Haesu walked home with Haru. Though they had been living together for a while, walking home together gave him a strange feeling.

“How was today?”

“It was good. Refreshing.”

“The team members... they're all okay, right?”

“Yes. Chief Kwak Su-cheol seems fond of me. It’s like he’s treating me as his daughter.”

“Haha.”

“Senior Oh Kang-seok grills meat very well. Among all the people I’ve seen, he does it best. I respect him.”

“Respect, huh?”

“Senior Woo Kang-chul seems uncomfortable around me. He’s having a hard time. Why is that?”

“Hmm…”

Ding dong

- Now arriving at B1.

Just then, the elevator arrived. Haesu got in with Haru and explained in a serious tone.

“Before being a Violent Crimes Special Investigation Unit rookie, you’re someone who lives with me, so it’s hard for him to treat you just as a subordinate. The only way around that is for you to take initiative and handle things well yourself. Whatever the task, step up first. If Oh Gaeng can’t give you orders, I’ll give you plenty. Got it?”

“Yes! Understood.”

“Good, rookie.”

“This is home. We are off-duty.”

“Such a strict separation of work and life.”

Ding dong

- Now arriving at 10th floor.

Haru flicked her bouncy ponytail with a smug look as she exited the elevator. Haesu chuckled softly and followed her in.

The incident that would dispel the others’ worries about a delicate woman joining the Violent Crimes Special Investigation Unit came sooner than expected.

With no cases assigned separately, the team had just wrapped up a drunken assault case and were all heading home together.

The moment they opened the main office doors, a loud crash rang out.

BANG!!

“Shit! I told you not to call me! You pigs ignoring me now?!”

A young boy was standing on top of a patrol car, wielding a metal pipe.

Below him, several other youthful boys—probably his friends—were smashing the patrol car with metal pipes and baseball bats.