Invisible String

Spring

- Why don't you sleep? - Si-eun asked worriedly.

Joong-Gil tilted his head to the side, looking at her.

They were both sitting on the couch in his office, side by side. Since the conversation they had had days before about everything they knew, their relationship had... changed. They had grown closer and almost every day they met in his office to talk. And to be honest, these meetings were beginning to be her favorite part of the day.

- I have nightmares. So I prefer not to sleep.

- How bad are they?

It took him a while to answer.

- Bad enough.

- You know. – she leaned her head on the back of the sofa, turning to the side so that she could face him. - I like to think of things that make me happy before I go to sleep. Sometimes it works and I can sleep without having a single nightmare. What is it that makes you happy and peaceful?

Joong-Gil stared at her.

- You.

Si-eun's eyes widened slightly, warmth spreading across her cheeks.

He smiled at her reaction, looking away.

Si-eun tried to think of something to say, but was interrupted when she heard a knock on the door and saw a reaper enter.

Joong-Gil stood, moving toward the young woman.

When the young woman said goodbye and left the office, Si-eun stood up, walking over to Joong-Gil.

- You should smile more. - she said, giving a smile, but then shook her head. - No, you'd better avoid smiling, otherwise all the female grim reapers will fall in love with you.

He grinned.

- Don't be silly.

She crossed her arms, squinting her eyes.

- Don't act like you don't know that they all have a crush on you.

Raising an eyebrow, he took a few steps toward her.

- Are you jealous? - he joked.

Si-eun snorted, rolling her eyes.

- Don't be ridiculous.

Hearing him laugh, she felt her cheeks flush.

She still wasn't used to hearing him laugh or seeing him smile, and the moments that did happen were few and far between. But these moments were her favorite.

Si-eun felt her cell phone vibrate. Pulling it from her pocket, she checked the time.

- I have to go. We have a new case.

She rolled her eyes at the look on Joong-Gil's face. She couldn't understand why he disliked her work so much.

- You could at least pretend not to hate my team.

- I prefer to be honest. - he said.

Si-eun shook her head.

- You're ridiculous. - Well, see you tomorrow. - she said, walking toward the exit.

Arriving at the office of the prevention team, she stopped when she saw Jung-woong and Ryung-gu together.

- Am I too late?

Jung-woong denied.

- Ms. Koo isn't here yet.

Si-eun sat down, waiting for the reaper, who didn't take long to arrive.