The apartment was quiet.
But Kang Ha Eun wasn't.
⸻
She leaned against the wall, watching Kang Ara carefully.
"…Ghost Eyes."
Ara didn't look up.
"I told you to stop."
⸻
Ha Eun sighed.
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
⸻
Ara finally turned, her expression firm.
"You're not getting involved in that case."
⸻
Ha Eun held her gaze.
"…you're worried."
Ara didn't deny it.
⸻
"Drop it," Ara said quietly.
⸻
A pause.
Then Ha Eun nodded.
"Fine."
⸻
But deep down—
She had already made her decision.
⸻
The next day felt lighter.
A weekend.
⸻
Kang Min stood by the door.
"Ji Won."
"I'm coming!"
⸻
She stepped out a moment later, fixing her hair.
"Okay, now I'm ready."
"You said that already."
"And now I mean it."
⸻
He shook his head slightly.
"Let's go."
⸻
They walked side by side, the city calm around them.
"So where are we going?" Ji Won asked.
"You'll see."
"You always say that."
"And you still follow."
"…true."
⸻
They entered a small eatery.
Simple.
Quiet.
⸻
They sat down.
Ordered food.
⸻
Not long after—
The door opened.
⸻
Kang Ara walked in.
Kang Ha Eun right behind her.
⸻
They looked around for a seat—
And then—
Their eyes met.
⸻
A pause.
Recognition.
⸻
"…Captain?" Ara said, slightly surprised.
⸻
Ji Won looked between them.
"Wait—you know him?"
⸻
Ara nodded.
"We work together."
⸻
Kang Min stood.
Calm as always.
⸻
Ara stepped forward slightly.
"This is my younger sister, Kang Ha Eun."
⸻
Ha Eun gave a small smile.
"Hi."
⸻
Kang Min nodded.
"Song Kang Min."
He glanced at Ji Won.
"My sister, Song Ji Won."
⸻
Ji Won smiled warmly.
"Hi, nice to meet you."
⸻
Ha Eun smiled back.
"You too."
⸻
A small silence followed.
Not awkward.
Just new.
⸻
Ji Won looked between them, then said naturally—
"Do you want to join us?"
⸻
Ara hesitated for a second.
Then looked at Kang Min.
He didn't object.
⸻
"…okay," Ara said.
⸻
They sat together.
⸻
At first, the conversation was simple.
Light.
⸻
"So you're a reporter?" Ji Won asked.
Ha Eun nodded.
"Yes."
"That sounds interesting."
"It is," she said, smiling slightly.
⸻
"And you're in high school?" Ha Eun asked.
"Yes. Unfortunately," Ji Won replied.
⸻
They both laughed softly.
⸻
Ara watched them for a moment.
Then looked at Kang Min.
"You brought her out?"
"Yes."
"She needed a break."
⸻
Ara nodded slightly.
"That's good."
⸻
A brief silence passed between them.
Not uncomfortable.
Just calm.
⸻
Bong Soo would have been talking non-stop.
But here—
It was quieter.
More natural.
⸻
"Your brother is really quiet," Ha Eun said.
Ji Won smiled.
"You get used to it."
⸻
"And your sister is really serious."
"That too."
⸻
They laughed again.
⸻
For a while—
It felt easy.
⸻
No case.
No pressure.
No danger.
⸻
Just four people sharing a table.
⸻
After eating, no one rushed to leave.
⸻
"So," Ji Won said, standing up, "we're not ending it here, right?"
⸻
Ha Eun raised an eyebrow.
"Ending what?"
⸻
"This," Ji Won said simply.
⸻
A small pause.
⸻
Then Ha Eun smiled.
"…I guess not."
⸻
Ara looked at Kang Min.
He gave a small nod.
⸻
That was enough.
⸻
They stepped outside together.