Chapter 7: Cracks in the Mask

“Did you hear? Apparently a twenty-three-year-old is joining the Seoul Metropolitan Police as a profiler this time. Isn’t that insane?”

Han Suyeong.

As if entering the National Police University at the age of eighteen weren’t impressive enough, she had graduated second in her class—a true prodigy.

On top of that, she had become a criminal profiler, a position notoriously difficult to obtain even through special recruitment, and was assigned straight to the Seoul Metropolitan Police as her first post.

Even seasoned profilers struggled to make it into Seoul Metro, so it was no wonder that a fresh graduate from the Police University being placed there became the talk of the organization.

Rumors even circulated that she had been brought in as a countermeasure—to curb the growing media exposure of private profilers—by appointing someone from the Police University, an elite often referred to as “true-blooded” within the force.

She was undeniably a headline-worthy figure. A brilliant mind, tall and slender physique, and striking looks—almost unreal in how perfectly she seemed put together.

At first, most people looked at her with skepticism. They assumed that an inexperienced rookie was being thrown into major cases purely because she had full backing from higher-ups.

Si-eon was no different.

To be honest, he had viewed her through tinted glasses, and everything about her had rubbed him the wrong way.

He couldn’t accept the idea that an inexperienced newcomer—someone who barely understood investigations—could sway the direction of a case with a single remark. That was why he had said things that could easily hurt her.

But with time, he realized the truth.

Everything had been a misunderstanding, exaggerated by rumors.

She wasn’t a decorative figurehead with no real ability. If anything, she seemed to make a conscious effort not to stand out. She refused all media interviews and promotional requests from above, spending her days responding to multiple investigation support requests instead.

And after experiencing the Kang Young-hoon case firsthand, whatever prejudice he had left shattered completely.

Sure, she lacked field experience. But she wasn’t the type to sit quietly and just talk. The fact that she had even considered subduing the suspect instead of running away in that situation had been unexpected.

Only now did he feel like he truly understood who Han Suyeong was.

No—more precisely, he realized that he wanted to understand her.

“Preference.”

As Si-eon turned the word over in his mind, a lingering image from a past moment surfaced, making his eyes narrow.

—

“It’s nothing, really.”
“I hope everything works out well.”

A woman smiling—something he had never seen before.

She was someone who tried hard not to show her emotions. Every time he saw her, she wore a dry, impassive expression, as if she didn’t quite know how to smile.

Ah.

There had been one other time—when her mask had cracked and her emotions spilled out honestly.

—

“Why would you be so reckless? Without any safety gear, going up against the suspect—”
“They say if your head doesn’t work, your body suffers. That phrase suits you perfectly, Team Leader.”

That expression, filled with pent-up emotion, was just as unforgettable.

As he recalled the few glimpses he’d seen of her emotions, one thought crossed his mind.

Perhaps… he had grown interested in her.

The door clicked shut.

Suyeong pressed her lips together as she carefully stepped into the building.

Men who had shown interest in her were nothing new. She’d received countless confessions over the years. Each time, she had done the same thing—refuse without leaving any room. She had neither the desire nor the luxury to date anyone.

But the man who had confessed today said he would try to match her “preferences.”

She felt irritated by his boldness. Determined to put a clean end to it, she searched for the right words—when, suddenly, one face came to mind.

—

“Baek Si-eon, Team Leader from Violent Crimes.”

Of all people, Baek Si-eon.

The moment his name surfaced, she thought it was ridiculous. And yet, the more she considered it, the more she realized there was no better way to make the man give up completely. As expected, he backed off without further persistence.

She thought she’d feel relieved, just as always.

But—

—

“You seem more human now.”
“I think that’s the first time I’ve seen you genuinely angry.”

Remembering what he’d said left an uncomfortable knot in her chest. Her once-brisk footsteps slowed, then stopped altogether.

“….”

She silently repeated his name, then squeezed her eyes shut.

It was nothing more than a meaningless excuse to get out of an awkward situation. Of all the people in the world, his name had come up simply because—somewhere deep down—she felt a sense of indebtedness toward him.

As long as the rejected man didn’t spread rumors, it would all fade away.

Shaking her head lightly, Suyeong took a steady breath, opened her eyes, and began walking again.

“TBC, Producer Park Kyung-ah.”

Suyeong accepted the business card and pulled out her own card case. The producer glanced down at it, then spoke regretfully.

“This was such a great opportunity—I really wanted to land an interview with you, Officer Han. Since you refused so firmly, I was disappointed enough to ask Inspector Jo just to meet you like this.”

The suspect behind the Jongno serial murder case had been apprehended far sooner than expected. Swift police action prevented further casualties, and public response was overwhelmingly positive.

Naturally, interest in criminal profiling—which had predicted the perpetrator—skyrocketed. Though the profiler herself wanted nothing to do with the attention.

“…I’m sorry for turning you down every time.”

“Oh, no! There’s nothing to apologize for!”

Waving her hands, the producer smiled warmly.

“Still, please give us your very first interview when the time comes. No matter how busy I am, I’ll come in person if it’s your case.”

Suyeong responded with a polite smile, offering no clear promise. She didn’t want to carelessly leave room for future expectations—she knew all too well how easily that could come back to bind her.

This meeting had happened for that very reason.

She had told Ju-yeon to ask for anything in return for handling the interview requests on her behalf—and that turned out to be a mistake.

Her car of twenty years had broken down, leaving her without transportation, so Ju-yeon had asked her to give her a ride to the interview location. Given how Ju-yeon always tried to drag her into situations like this, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

“Watching you today, don’t you think interviews might not be so bad?” Ju-yeon asked, clearly hopeful.

Suyeong smiled faintly.
“I don’t think it suits me.”

“There you go again—selling yourself short.”

“It’s you who’s overestimating me, Team Leader.”

Because most profilers were hired externally, Suyeong—an NPU graduate—was one of Ju-yeon’s few direct juniors. That was why Ju-yeon always recommended Suyeong for good opportunities before herself. And yet Suyeong not only declined every time—she even handed her chances back to her senior.

“It’s not overestimating. You’re genuinely wasted.”

Clicking her tongue, Ju-yeon continued.

“You entered the Police University early, graduated second in your class, you’re good at your job, well-spoken, and on top of that—pretty. Do you think they brought you into Seoul Metro for nothing?”

Embarrassed by the praise, Suyeong lowered her gaze with an awkward smile. Ju-yeon glanced at her, then asked casually:

“By the way—why are you so determined to stay hidden? Do you really hate being recognized that much?”

The organization wanted Suyeong to be visible. To be showcased.

But that was something she couldn’t give them.

She didn’t explain her reasons. Rumors spread easily even without personal details—revealing more would only cause trouble. All she wanted was to focus quietly on her work.

Meeting Ju-yeon’s gaze, Suyeong replied lightly.

“I don’t want to steal your position yet, Inspector.”

“Oh? You’re welcome to steal it. When I retire, everything I’m doing now—you’ll inherit it all. You know that, right?”

“Who knows? You might find another junior you like more before then.”

“Seriously… you never let anything slide.”

Ju-yeon’s sulky tone made Suyeong press the car key.

Beep.

The side mirrors unfolded, the doors unlocked. Opening the door, Suyeong got in and spoke to Ju-yeon in the passenger seat.

“You said you’d come to the dinner earlier, right?”

“Mm. Oh—today’s at Go Mi-jeong again?”

“Yes.”

“Do ghosts of people who died without eating meat haunt this place or something? I asked for seafood next time, and they said they’d think about it—then booked Go Mi-jeong again? Honestly.”

Go Mi-jeong was a rib restaurant frequented by Seoul Metro staff.

The only reason Ju-yeon changed her mind—despite swearing never to go again—was because this time it was beef ribs, not pork.

It was possible thanks to the reward money granted by the head of the detective division, celebrating the smooth arrest and indictment of the serial killer.