KILLER | Jeon Jungkook |

37

I turns to the man standing beside me, a small smile playing on my lips as I nod, silently urging him to make his way to the stage. The moment his name is called, the room erupts into a symphony of applause, each clap a testament to his hard work and dedication. With confidence in his stride, he moves towards the stage, basking in the well-deserved recognition.

On the stage, two men stand, exuding pride. My heart tells me that my dad's pride shines even brighter than Jungkook's. He believes in him with unwavering faith, and today, that belief has been justified. A warm smile graces my face as I witness them embrace, my dad's hand patting his shoulder in a silent display of paternal pride and love. These two men, my pillars of strength, have saved me in ways words cannot express.

As Jungkook accepts his award for capturing the notorious serial killer, the cheers and applause reverberate through the venue, a cacophony of celebration and admiration.

I can sense the anticipation in the air as Jungkook takes a deep breath and begins his thank-you speech. The words flow effortlessly from his lips, each syllable carrying the weight of his dedication and hard work. I can almost hear the echoes of his voice as he practiced those very words countless times throughout the past week, each repetition adding a layer of emotion and sincerity to his speech.

As he speaks, the room falls silent, hanging onto his every word. I find myself mouthing along with him, knowing each phrase and pause by heart. The familiarity of his speech doesn't dull its impact; if anything, it amplifies the depth of his gratitude and the significance of this moment.

I can sense the relief in those words, "-Everything is over, we are all safe now-" as Jungkook spoke them.

The past week has been a whirlwind of emotions for me, with memories that are still so vivid and raw in my mind.

The sharp, echoing sound of the gunshot, the intense pain, and the gripping fear as I lay in the hospital bed were incredibly overwhelming. Even though the gunshot only grazed my shoulder, the emotional impact it left is undeniable. The experience with fake friendship and the lurking danger of the serial killer who was my best friend has left deep scars that will take time to heal.

The case has finally wrapped up after a week of hunting for Minsang. Minjung got shot by Seojun, leaving Minsang as the sole culprit. But since he was considered harmless, the search for him was called off, and the case was shut using all the photos and videos found at the scene as evidence.

She stood by my side, bringing me back from my thoughts. I smiled at her and turned to look at Jungkook and his team - Seojun, Hoseok, Namjoon, Joohee, and Hojin - who were all gathered together. Hojin walked up to the mic, nervously biting her lips, and began her speech.

"It's kind of a weird situation, you know. I wasn't actually a police officer this time, but I still ended up helping out like one. My mom always wanted me to have a normal life, but deep down, I always wanted to be a police officer," Hojin's voice trembled as she spoke. "I used to tell her that one day she'd see me getting an award and she'd be so proud. It's just... she's not here now. But I know wherever she is, she'd be really proud of me at this moment."

As Hojin finished her emotional speech, the room was enveloped in a poignant silence, the weight of her words lingering in the air. Hojin took a deep breath, her gaze shifting from person to person in the room, her team standing by her side in silent support.

Jungkook stepped forward, his expression a mix of pride and empathy. Placing a hand on Hojin's shoulder, he spoke softly, "You did amazing, Hojin. Your strength and courage inspire us all." Hojin looked at him, a mixture of gratitude and relief in her eyes.

Yuna and I exchanged a glance, both touched by the moment unfolding before us. We could sense the bond of friendship and camaraderie that held Jungkook's team together, strengthened by shared experiences and mutual respect.