Just Like Before [Pinocchio]

°ᵃʰⁿ ᶜʰᵃⁿ ˢᵒᵒ'ˢ ˢᵘˢᵖⁱᶜⁱᵒⁿ°

The next day seemed more normal. Everyone started working further on their news subject aside from In Ha and Dal Po. You wandered through the hallway of the police station, remarking people passing by. You still needed to find a story to fill in for your captain. You passed by and made several attempts to catch some words, hoping it would make a story. But you found nothing more than information about the food they give in Ma Wa Ri. "Oh, there you are." You heard a familiar voice mentioning behind you. You rotated your body, facing your elder brother. "I've been looking for you everywhere! You're like a ghost sometimes, you know." He remarked before noticing your facial expression. "What's with the long face? Did something happen?" He asked as you shook your head in response. "I just- didn't sleep well. Do you have anything new? I really need information for a new article." You sighed after explaining. "Well, In Ha and I have found a video of Gi Jae Myeong thirteen years ago. She's trying to convince her mother to make it an item." Beomjo explained as you nodded. "Do you think she can pull it off?" You inquired as he shrugged, "Not sure, but she isn't someone who gives up easily, so we'll see how it turns out." He chuckled as you simpered. His phone commenced going off as he gave you a gesture. He grabbed his phone and wandered off. "Yes, captain!" 

You continued wandering through the building before hearing words coming from the investigation room. You instantly got down on the floor and leaned against it with your ear, listening to what they were saying. "Moon Deok Soo communication?" You murmured to yourself. A shadow approached you as you rotated your head, facing Dal Po. "It's about Gi Jae Myeong," I stated, trying not to start a conversation. He nodded his head as he got down as well, placing his ear on the door. "What is it that you're trying to do?" A male's voice got heard through the door. "Yeah, you're making this so grand." Another voice spoke. "I solved an unbelievable puzzle." It was Ahn Chan Soo. "Team leader, may I ask your attention as well?" his voice continued. "Gi Jae Myeong lost his father thirteen years ago in the Micheongri factory fire case." He started explaining as you remarked Dal Po getting more focussed. "But then, Moon Deok Soo is the one who falsely accused his father. Thirteen years later, Moon Deok Soo became a murder and hid his existence. In the call log of Moon Deok Soo himself, Gi Jae Myeong is there. Don't you think that's suspicious?" Ahn Chan Soo questioned as your e/c orbs slowly shift up, making eye-contact with Dal Po.

"What do you want to say?" A male's voice spoke. "You think that Gi Jae Myeong kidnapped Moon Deok Soo?" The same voices questioned. "It could be more than that." Ahn Chan Soo replied as our gazes increased. "Do you think he ki-" You started, Dal Po placed his fist on his mouth as a smack got heard on the other side of the door. "Timjangnim! I will delve into Gi Jae Myeong." Ahn Chan Soo called out full of confidence. "Gi Jae Myeong is the nation's hero! Not too long ago, our boss gave him an award for Brave Citizen. He's even going to ring the New Year's bell." Short silence remains before the voice of the team leader continued: "Messing with someone like that, pointlessly, is the way to get kicked in the tank.", "Timjangnim!" Ahn Chan Soo whined. "This kind of evidence is only circumstantial. If additional evidence comes out, then start investigating." You slowly raised yourself from the ground, scratching your head. "It's way scarier than we thought. We should split up and delve into this case." You stated as you turn around, doing an attempt to leave. "No." Dal Po spoke with an earnest tone. "We should talk this out." You shut your eyes and take a deep breath. "Dal Po-" You felt his presence approaching. "I told In Ha everything, she will reach out for you soon." Dal Po mentioned, a soft pair of lips being placed onto your hair. 

"I'm sorry about what happened yesterday-" You apologized as arms get wrapped around your waist, coming from the backside. "Don't. I heard your apologies way too much." A small smile got stored on your survey. "I'm s-" You hold back another apology. "Will you be okay?" You inquired, my back still facing him as his grip tightens around my waist. "It will be difficult at first." Dal Po stated aside your ear, his voice calming down your nerves. You nodded your head. "If there's anything I ca-", "Just stay like this for a while and keep supporting me." he nuzzled his head into your neck as his grip was still tight. You knew he was worried about his brother. "It will be fine." You murmured as you slowly rotated your body. You gently laid your hands on both of his cheeks, followed by your thumb stroking over it. His eyes were gloomy, desperate for something good to happen. You put up a smile and move your head down, causing eye-contact to be made. "It will be fine." You repeated as tears got formed into his dark orbs. "We will get out of this, together. I won't let you be alone, especially not now." A tear rolled down Dal Po's cheek. You could tell it was due to your words. He felt relieved after hearing them. Dal Po had been so strong for over thirteen years. 

You pulled him into your embrace as you felt his emotions going through your body. His grip tightened and so did yours. Tears got formed into your eyes as a sob got heard from your partner. At this moment, you felt the happiest person in the world. It wasn't a moment to be happy about, at all. But he made you feel loved. You felt happy that you could take care of him even though you knew this dilemma wasn't something you could change. All you could do was hoping everything would turn out well. 

A few days later...

"(Y/n)!" Your elder brother called out whilst you're wandering through the hallway. You start running down the stairs towards the lobby. "Ya! Stand still when I'm trying to talk to you!" You nearly trip over your own feet as you bump up against a wall. You push your weight off it and hurry towards the entrance of the Ma Wa Ri. "Stop running away from your elder brother." You stopped running and turned around. "Oppa Museun. (Older brother my ass.)" You stated brusquely. He smiled in response since you walked right into his trap. "So, what I was saying-" You gnash your teeth whilst gazing up at him. "Will you be watching our secret about  Gi Jae Myeong?" He required as you shook your head. "Well, I'm still telling you in advance. It's at 1 pm.", "Why would I even want to watch, huh?" You snap as he shrugged. "Maybe because your older brother worked on this subject." He explained as you scoff. "Now I certainly will not watch it." You turned around and started wandering off towards the outside world. "Fine! I will stop calling myself 'older brother'! I hope you'll be there at one o'clock!" He called out after you as you roll your eyes. 

"Having some troubles?" Your eyes increased as you shifted your head to the left. Ahn Chan Soo was leaning against the wall of the police station. "I already told you it was a mistake." You sighed out loud as he shook his head. "That's not what I was aiming at, but okay." You nodded, "Good." You began moving your legs, strolling off towards the café. "Hey! You should reply with 'then what is it?' not with 'good'." Chan Soo spoke with a loud tone as you couldn't help but smile. "I guess you don't want to know about my breakthrough with the protagonist himself; Gi Jae Myeong." The smile disappeared as you freeze. 'What did he just say?' you thought to yourself. "You heard me." You swiftly turned around. "Then, why would you tell me about it?" You questioned as he smiled to himself. "You're a reporter, aren't you?" He got off the wall and began approaching you. "That's exactly why I don't understand it." He stood still in front of your features. "You're a few steps behind, so I just guessed you'd be wanting some help." You bit down your lip: 'He's so annoying when he's right.' A voice remarked through your head. "Let's have a talk." He patted your shoulder as he strolled off. 

You glimpsed up at the window of the reporter's room. Choi Dal Po and In Ha were talking to each other whilst he was gazing down at you. You peered over your shoulder at Ahn Chan Soo ere gazing back up. In Ha placed her hand on Dal Po's arm, tugging on it since Dal Po didn't reply. You start hurrying up to Chan Soo. "Ah, I was already wondering when you'd show up.", "Shut up." You reasoned as he chuckled. "I wouldn't talk like that to someone who has top-secret information." I nodded my head. "If  you have that kind of information." He glared at you. "Hey, of course, I would be having this information." He exclaimed. "Or you might have information no one is listening to, so you want to try me since we were friends before." You remarked as his jaws dropped. "H-How-" You held back a grin as you two wandered up towards the café.