Dangerous Investigation Diary

Ep. 58 ° Child Abuse Case at a Prestigious Kindergarten (1)

After replying to the email, I immediately ran to the hospital, hoping to receive a reply. A 30-minute walk took only 15 minutes. Breathing heavily, I flung open the door to the police commissioner's office without knocking. The commissioner looked at me in surprise. It felt like it had been ages since I last saw him.

치안총감 [52]

"What's so urgent that you didn't even knock..."

하여주 [29]

"...sorry."

하여주 [29]

"It's been a while, Chief Inspector."

치안총감 [52]

"Yeah, well... it's been a while."

치안총감 [52]

"You're not a member of the strong team, so there's not much to see."

하여주 [29]

"Shall we talk?"

치안총감 [52]

"You're impatient too. Sit down."

As we sat down at the long table, the Chief of Police handed me a document. It was a contract. The team name was Violent Crimes Unit 1, and it stated that we would reunite for exactly six months. It was devastating to be stamping my fingerprints on the thing I hated most. But right now, my priority was you.

하여주 [29]

"...I brought all the seals. Should I sign or stamp it?"

치안총감 [52]

"As you please."

치안총감 [52]

"Can I ask why you changed your mind?"

하여주 [29]

"......"

치안총감 [52]

"That must be a difficult question."

치안총감 [52]

"Then I'll change the question and ask again."

치안총감 [52]

"Is Yoon Do-hyun's son in danger?"

Those words stirred my still, unwavering mind and stopped my busy hand from signing the contract. I looked up at the Chief of Police, and his eyes told me he already knew.

치안총감 [52]

"I heard that you were a victim of this recent shooting."

치안총감 [52]

"It's really unfortunate."

치안총감 [52]

"That guy Do-woon... was the one who opposed the team's disbandment until the very end."

By the time I heard the last sentence, I couldn't look at the contract anymore. As I straightened my posture, his gaze demanding an explanation, the Chief of Police began to tell me the rest of the story. A story I hadn't known unfolded before me.

치안총감 [52]

"That kid was the first to notice your wound and report it quickly."

치안총감 [52]

"For some reason, he is absolutely opposed to disbanding the disciplinary action."

치안총감 [52]

"I didn't even sit idly by and watch your promotions get delayed."

치안총감 [52]

"He also said that he couldn't stand to see Officer Ha ruined."

치안총감 [52]

"First you were angry, then you were crying, and finally you were on your knees, right?"

My whole body trembled. There was a reason the old man said those things yesterday. He said things like, "Don't you think I didn't try hard?" and "I held on to you until the very end, thinking I wouldn't be able to see your face if you really broke up." Why did he go through all that because of me...

치안총감 [52]

"Finally, I showed him the team evaluation report and only then did he accept it."

치안총감 [52]

"If the team is only holding on to Officer Ha, then he said he has nothing more to do."

치안총감 [52]

"Didn't I tell you this?"

치안총감 [52]

"Well... seeing you kneeling down says it all."

That's right. Even if the current situation is unfair, he doesn't want to make a big fuss, so he just keeps his mouth shut and lets it go. He's a man with tremendous pride who would never bend, but seeing him kneel before his superior because of me... he just kept his distance from me for my sake.

치안총감 [52]

"I wonder what Yoon Do-woon's reaction would be if he saw you like this."

치안총감 [52]

"Should I welcome it or stop it?"

치안총감 [52]

"Think carefully before you write."

치안총감 [52]

"Your seniors have already signed. Except for the injured former police officer."

치안총감 [52]

"The case has already been resolved and is probably being investigated in that old office."

치안총감 [52]

"I have a meeting so I'll go first. Take care of it yourself and put it on the desk."

The Chief of Police left the office after placing the contracts his seniors had personally written on the table. After examining the six contracts, each clearly written in their own handwriting, I looked at my blank contract and pondered: Would he really be happy to be entering this den?

He must have given me his knee because he hates me being in danger, getting hurt, being sick, or feeling sad. So, what should I do, knowing everything and being left alone?

Perhaps my answer was already decided. It was now my responsibility to protect the man who had sacrificed his pride and fallen into a coma for me. For my sake, I would capture those bastards and ensure they received their just punishment. And after I safely completed the case, I would be happy.

Having finished my thoughts, I filled out the remaining blanks on the contract and headed back to our old office. I was immersed in this potentially fatal case, this time not for the satisfaction of my superiors, but solely for our happiness, my uncle, and the peace of our nation.

The door hadn't changed, the scent of wood had. A slightly musty smell. I opened our office, where everything was the same. The interior, like the exterior, was the same as before. My seniors, surprised to see me, stood up. I was truly back.

하여주 [29]

"...hello."

하여주 [29]

"This is Police Officer Haejoo from Team 1."

Not knowing how to react, I introduced myself, something I hadn't done even when I first arrived at Team 1. Several of the seniors wiped away tears after hearing what I said. They probably lived with a constant sense of guilt, knowing full well they were seeing me as someone else.

김석진 [33]

"...You came. Thank you."

하여주 [29]

"I should come. This is my place."

민윤기 [32]

"Then shall we brief again?"

민윤기 [32]

"Our... Strong Team 1 has a new case."

김태형 [30]

"I'll do it."

Briefing... When I was in the administrative team, it was something I couldn't help but find so boring, but here, just hearing that word makes my heart race. As I just said, this is truly my place.

김태형 [30]

"Case number 2003ra375."

김태형 [30]

"Incident reported date: June 30, 2003. Location: Somang Kindergarten, Hyeonbu-dong."

김태형 [30]

"It is a famous and prestigious kindergarten in our country."

김태형 [30]

"Although there have been ongoing controversies over child abuse since the hospital opened, we are currently operating without any major incidents."

김태형 [30]

"Yang Ji-hyeon's mother, Kang Seon-il, was the first to report the incident, as she found it strange that child abuse was continuing."

김태형 [30]

"The details are currently being investigated... We have decided to proceed with the questioning when Kang Seon-seon arrives at around 3 o'clock."

김태형 [30]

"Until then, please carefully examine the circumstances of child abuse at Somang Kindergarten and the history of reports."

김태형 [30]

"This concludes the briefing."

Child abuse... I've never dealt with it before, but it's a type of case whose seriousness has already been recognized in society. Seeing how it's relatively small compared to the current societal scale, I felt like the first case was a test case.

하여주 [29]

"...Can I go somewhere for a bit?"

김석진 [33]

"where?"

하여주 [29]

"Ah... I was in a hurry so I couldn't tell my team seniors."

정호석 [31]

"Yeah. He collapsed earlier, so I was really surprised when he came here all of a sudden."

김남준 [31]

"You fell down?"

하여주 [29]

"Yes... I'm a bit panicky."

하여주 [29]

"Can I go and come back?"

김석진 [33]

"Okay. Go quickly and come back. Be careful."

하여주 [29]

"thank you."

I had to go directly to my seniors in Police Administration Team 1, who were probably the most worried about me right now, to tell them about my well-being and my future plans. Even though I was dissatisfied with my work with the team, I desperately wanted to speak directly to the seniors who had saved me from my straying path.

As I entered the office of Police Administration Team 1, the first thing I noticed was Superintendent Park's eyes, which had been tense and tense from work, instantly softening as they met mine. Sergeant Lee, standing next to me, already had tears in his eyes, and I burst out laughing.

이민혁 [31]

"Officer Ha! Are you okay...?"

하여주 [29]

"Hahaha it's okay. Sorry for worrying you."

박성진 [33]

"You went to the hospital, right? Where did you get your medicine?"

하여주 [29]

"I got some IV fluid. I'm really fine now!"

이민혁 [31]

"thank god..."

하여주 [29]

"...So, there's something I'd like to tell you."

박성진 [33]

"...I received the email. So that's how it ended up?"

이민혁 [31]

"What, am I the only one who doesn't know?"

하여주 [29]

"I think this is the best choice for someone who owes me a favor that I can never repay even if I spend my entire life doing it."

하여주 [29]

"I would like to be away for just six months."

하여주 [29]

"I'll be back safely after work, so please wait for me and welcome me back when I do."

하여주 [29]

"I will always support this team from afar."

박성진 [33]

"Yeah, you made a good choice."

박성진 [33]

"It's a bit of a shame to send a talented person like you to another team for six months."

박성진 [33]

"For you, I'll support you no matter what."

이민혁 [31]

"Wow, you're joining the reunion of Team 1?!"

하여주 [29]

"Yes... that's how it turned out."

이민혁 [31]

"Hey, of course I'll be cheering you on!"

이민혁 [31]

"Don't worry about us and come back without any regrets."

이민혁 [31]

"Don't get hurt, and be proud of yourself."

하여주 [29]

"thank you."

I smiled as I gazed into their eyes, filled with trust, dispelling all my worries, including those I'd encountered on the way to the office—what if they weren't welcome? What if I didn't receive their support? I guess it's thanks to this innate good fortune that I'm where I am today.

하여주 [29]

"Okay, I'll be off!"

I bowed vigorously and left the Police Administration Team 1 office, firmly vowing to return in six months to be welcomed back.

And the people I met while embracing this feeling of well-being were, unfortunately... Team 3. It's been a while since the disciplinary action ended, but the aftereffects still plague the police, so I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.

Moreover, news of our team's disbandment had spread like wildfire not only within the group but also in society, and word of our reunion hadn't even spread yet. They could have used their harsh words against me.

최종호 [34]

"It's been a while since I've seen your face. I wondered where I'd seen your face before."

하여주 [29]

"...hello."

송민기 [31]

"I heard your team disbanded?"

송민기 [31]

"Did you think we could live well by disciplining you?"

손나은 [30]

"Ah! Are you still dating Officer Jeong?"

손나은 [30]

"This officer was furious that the two were dating."

하여주 [29]

"We've never dated before."

이수담 [30]

"What are you talking about? You were dating, right? If you broke up, just say so~"

하여주 [29]

"...It seems like we're not getting through, so let's end this conversation here."

최종호 [34]

"Wow... That shit is still the same. This is awesome."

최종호 [34]

"When I was in Team 1, I thought it was just some random kid who got in by luck."

최종호 [34]

"It turns out that it was a team that suited my personality perfectly."

이수담 [30]

"Do you like the team that got relegated right now?"

이수담 [30]

"It seems like you only use your brain, which you're good at~"

손나은 [30]

"What kind of key position does a kid like this have... lol"

손나은 [30]

"Anyway, our superintendent has really good tastes~"

하여주 [29]

"If you're done speaking, would you please step aside?"

하여주 [29]

"As a member of the Strong Team, I have to go solve the case."

송민기 [31]

"What? Violent Team 1? Incident?"

송민기 [31]

"There's a limit to delusions-"

송민기 [31]

"I know it's a big shock to be disbanded, but come to your senses."

송민기 [31]

"Now you're in a position where you can't go and introduce yourself as a member of the Strong Team 1?"

김태형 [30]

"Why can't you do it?"

Fearing that the news might spread negatively to my superiors, I couldn't resist the slanderous remarks from Team 3, so I just quietly responded. Then, I heard Superintendent Kim's voice above me. It was clear that the Team 3 members were flinching at the force.

최종호 [34]

"Hey~ Who is this again? Isn't it Sergeant Kim?"

이수담 [30]

"It's good that you're here. If your old teammate has a mental illness, please take care of him."

김태형 [30]

"That's my problem to handle."

김태형 [30]

"It's true that Team 1 of the Strongest Forces was reassembled as an emergency measure due to the many requests from above."

김태형 [30]

"Could you please step aside?"

송민기 [31]

"...what?"

김태형 [30]

"Please check all your emails."

손나은 [30]

"Can you take responsibility for that? This is spreading false information...!"

김태형 [30]

"I understand you guys are bored~"

김태형 [30]

"Let's go in, since no one wants to see those BU police station idiots in the hallways."

김태형 [30]

"I'll take our youngest - take care."

The sight of the members of Team 3, who were hastily checking their phones and emails, and their subsequent despairing reactions was truly amusing. Even Officer Kim, who leisurely walked to the office with his arm around my shoulder, looked delighted.

Now that it's come to this, we have no choice but to restore our reputation.

Finally... the first case of Season 2! 🥳 I'm glad I was able to finish planning the case earlier than expected, so I can show you soon... 🥺 I hope you enjoy the story that follows my path, which will be much more challenging than Season 1. 🥰

Then, let's finish by shouting out the slogan before the incident for the first time in a long time!

"Prestigious Kindergarten Child Abuse Case 🩹" - Let's tackle it with the Violent Crimes Unit 1! 🏃🏻‍➡️

_ Number of characters: 5435