PTT - 22

After feeding Soon-ae some honey water and tucking her into bed with a thick blanket, Raon finally allowed herself to take a deep breath. Glancing at the clock, she realized it was already three in the morning. After a hot shower, she entered her bedroom and exhaled heavily. The day had felt unusually long and chaotic, weighed down by everything that had transpired.

Drying her hair with a towel, Raon glanced at her phone, which she had flipped over earlier. It was already Sunday. Though distinguishing weekdays from weekends often lost meaning during critical missions, now that the Cheonsung-won case was resolved, she could afford to rest for the day.

“My body feels so heavy... I need to sleep soon.”

Sitting on the edge of her bed, Raon absentmindedly swiped through her phone screen. A notification icon caught her eye. Who could have contacted her at this late hour? Unless it was spam, the timing was oddly peculiar.

Her curiosity was resolved within seconds when she saw the sender’s name: “Team Leader Baek Siheon.” Instantly, her drowsiness evaporated as alertness took over.

[Are you free tonight?] 

[Sleep well without dreams and get back to me.]

Since being assigned to Special Unit 4, Raon had never exchanged personal texts with Baek Siheon. His message stirred many thoughts.

Had his offer to meet not been an empty gesture? Staring intently at the text sent just forty minutes ago, Raon muttered to herself.

“He must’ve just gotten off work...”

Why had he asked if her schedule was clear? It almost seemed like he wanted to meet privately over the weekend. Her thumb hovered aimlessly over the keyboard, unsure whether to reply immediately.

After much deliberation, she eventually sent a generic response, deliberately sidestepping his question.

[Is there something you need?]

Less than a minute after hitting send, her phone vibrated. On the glowing screen appeared the name “Baek Siheon.” There had to be a reason for him calling at such a late hour. After hesitating briefly, Raon pressed the green answer button.

“...Yes, Team Leader.”

- Still awake?

“I was finishing up some tasks before going to bed. Is there something urgent?”

He had told her to sleep well, so it likely wasn’t an emergency. But knowing why he had messaged her in the middle of the night would make it hard to rest. After a brief silence, a soft chuckle came through the speaker.

- No, nothing urgent. I just got off work earlier than expected. Things ended quicker than I thought.

“Ah... Did the handover go smoothly?”

- Yes. Thanks to that, I think I’ll be able to relax this weekend.

But why contact her then? As if reading her mind, Siheon added gently:

- So, I was wondering... How about having dinner together tonight—well, technically today? Just the two of us.

“Just the two of us?”

- Yeah, just us. If you’re okay with it, I’d like to invite you over. I’ll make that kimchi stew you liked.

“...Why?”

Though she knew it was a foolish question, she couldn’t stop herself from asking. The unexpected invitation left her throat dry and her mind swirling with confusion. Countless possibilities tangled in her thoughts like spider webs. Yet, Siheon’s voice remained calm and composed.

- No particular reason. I guess I just wanted to see you, Yoo Raon.

“...”

- Let’s eat together and talk about things.

“...Understood. Please send me the address and time via text.”

- Sleep well, and see you tomorrow.

She had plenty of excuses to decline: spending the weekend with her grandmother, wanting to rest at home after a long week. But despite all those options, she found herself unable to turn down his offer. Though unease lingered, firmly rejecting him felt impossible.

Raon stared at her phone as she dried her hair with a towel. His words—”I just wanted to see you”—kept echoing in her ears, like a broken radio stuck on repeat.

---

The appointment with Baek Siheon was set for 7 PM, allowing Raon to spend her afternoon leisurely. She visited a local rice cake shop, picking up black sesame rice cakes and rainbow-colored tteok that her grandmother loved. They spent the lazy, sunlit hours knitting together in the living room.

Afterward, Raon prepared herself and stopped by a nearby salon for a haircut. The drastic change left her staring at her reflection for a while.

“Oh my, customer! This bob suits you so well. You look even prettier with short hair!”

For years, Raon had kept her hair long, but now it barely brushed her shoulders. Despite the stylist’s compliments, she knew it would take time to adjust.

Leaving the salon, Raon checked her phone’s map app. When Siheon had offered to pick her up, she insisted on taking public transportation instead.

‘It’ll probably take about an hour.’

At that moment, a small workshop located along the path to the bus stop suddenly caught Raon’s attention. Through its transparent glass window, a sun catcher shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight.

The long strands of crystal reflected the light, scattering tiny rainbows across the room. The sight was simple yet breathtakingly beautiful, and before she realized it, Raon found herself stepping inside.

“Thank you! Have a great day.”

What had started as casual browsing ended in an impulsive purchase. The shop owner’s persuasive charm had quickly swayed her, and besides, showing up empty-handed to Siheon’s place felt awkward. It wasn’t exactly a housewarming gift, but bringing something small seemed appropriate.

‘Would he even like this...?’

The decorative item didn’t quite match Baek Siheon’s usual style. If he didn’t seem pleased with it, she thought, she could always get him something else later. With that in mind, Raon boarded the bus. Beep. A clear tone sounded as she tapped her transit card.

Forty minutes passed. Sitting on the bus without needing to transfer, she soon arrived at the stop near her destination. Perhaps leaving early had been a good idea, as it was still only 6:30 PM—plenty of time to spare.

Thinking about killing time at a nearby café, Raon decided against it; she didn’t want to spoil her appetite before dinner.

‘It looks like a newly built officetel. Everything seems so new.’

Determined to confirm the exact location first, Raon began walking toward the address indicated in the message. Upon arriving at Building 315, she found the main entrance securely locked. To enter, she would need to call the specific unit number—a system that now left her hesitating.

“Ah...”

She glanced down at the watch on her left wrist. Twenty minutes remained until their meeting time. Calling Siheon already felt premature, and after some deliberation, she turned to leave. Just then, a high school student who appeared to be a resident entered the password, unlocking the door.

- “The entrance has opened.”

As the transparent door slid open, Raon reflexively followed the student inside. Perhaps Siheon had prepared for her arrival, or maybe waiting briefly by the stairs wouldn’t hurt.

Reaching the 23rd floor, Raon looked around. Seeing only one front door per floor, it seemed each unit occupied an entire level. Standing by the intercom, lost in thought, she eventually climbed halfway up the next flight of stairs.

‘I’ll contact him in ten minutes or so. No big deal.’

Leaning against a wall in a blind spot, Raon stared at her phone. What did he want to talk about? Was it really just to share dinner? Various thoughts floated through her mind like drifting clouds.

Just then, the sound of the front door opening startled her. Turning her head slightly, she peeked down half a flight of stairs.

“I should have escorted you out. Sorry about that.”

“It’s fine, Baek Siheon. I’ll come again next week.”

“Our director visits too often, doesn’t she? It’s starting to make me feel a bit uncomfortable.”

“Why? Is there any reason I shouldn’t visit? Looks like Team Leader Baek has someone special now. Makes me jealous.”

Standing casually dressed before an elevator was none other than Baek Siheon—and beside him, a woman gently massaging his shoulders. Unintentionally, Raon overheard their private conversation.

When the woman turned her face fully toward Siheon, Raon sucked in a sharp breath.

‘...What? Why is the director here?’

Gazing at him with affectionate eyes was none other than Director Kwon Jung-ah of the National Intelligence Service. Her usually perfectly pomaded hair was loose and natural tonight, and she wasn’t wearing her signature glasses—the reason Raon hadn’t immediately recognized her profile.

Why was the highest-ranking official of the NIS visiting Baek Siheon’s home? Raon’s dark eyes flickered like a candle in the wind. Their interaction exuded more intimacy than a typical superior-subordinate relationship.

“I’m leaving. See you at work, Team Leader Baek.”

“Yes. Safe travels. Stay in touch.”

Watching him press the elevator button for her departure, Raon’s confusion spiraled out of control.

After the elevator doors closed, Siheon stood gazing at them fondly for a moment before turning to input the door lock password.

At that instant, their eyes met unexpectedly in midair.