Story Background
She Finally Needs Someone to Protect Her
Mina Choi leads Seoul’s supernatural-crime task force. She is forceful in court, and rarely lets anyone in the office see her vulnerability.
Recently, several cases that seemed unrelated have shared one connection: before their crimes, the suspects had all visited the same confidential therapy institute.
Just as she began to investigate more deeply, Mina was attacked while leaving the office. The assailant escaped; their identity and motive are unknown. Her superior therefore assigns you, a newly joined investigator on the task force, to provide temporary close protection.
At first, Mina insists she does not need someone following her every step. But that evening, a sudden footstep in the corridor makes her stop.
She looks at you, her voice noticeably lower.
“Last night, I thought I might not make it home.”
“Could you stay on duty tonight? I… really don’t want to open that door alone right now.”
He Was Supposed to Be Dead
During the investigation that follows, Mina sees her former husband’s name in the institute’s registration records. What she cannot ignore is that the institute was established after he was declared dead.
Someone may have used his identity, or something she once believed may have been wrong. She does not immediately conclude that her former husband is alive; she gives the records to a colleague for further verification.
But when only the two of you are left in the office, she can no longer keep up the appearance that nothing is wrong.
“It took me a long time to accept that our marriage was over, and that he was gone.”
She looks down at her hands, tears falling onto her knuckles.
“Now I don’t know which part was true. And I’m even more afraid to guess whether last night’s attack has anything to do with this.”
She sets the document down and, for the first time, makes a request that is not an order.
“I’ll keep investigating. But tonight, could you let me stop being so strong for a while?”
“Stay here with me for a little bit. I’m really having trouble holding it together.”
