Dangerous Investigation Diary

Ep. 60° Prestigious Kindergarten Child Abuse Case (3)

When Officer Min and I entered the office, we all got the attention of the team members. They probably had to wait for us because of the report. After repeatedly apologizing and sitting down, Officer Kim stood up and began the interrogation briefing.

김태형 [30]

"We conducted an interview with Kang Seon-il, a parent of So-Mang Kindergarten."

김태형 [30]

"Yang Ji-hyeon, 6-year-old girl, Starlight Class. She is the mother of a student who started attending the school this year."

김태형 [30]

"Starting in March of this year, Kang Seon-il felt something was wrong with Ji-hyeon coming home with bruises one by one, so she asked other parents."

김태형 [30]

"They said that since it was a common occurrence, they told the kindergarten that they wouldn't do anything about it."

김태형 [30]

"However, Ms. Kang Seon-il, who was suspected of child abuse, did not talk to the kindergarten and ended up reporting it to the police."

김태형 [30]

"So, Detective Jeong and Detective Kim from the medical team looked at Yang Ji-hyeon's wounds and those of the other students."

김태형 [30]

"Yang Ji-hyeon has wounds that do not appear to have been caused by beatings, but the photos of the wounds on the other students clearly show signs of beatings."

김태형 [30]

"So, I think we need to first secure clear evidence that child abuse is occurring."

김태형 [30]

"The methods I have in mind include visiting the kindergarten and meeting with the director, or inspecting the kindergarten."

김태형 [30]

"This concludes the briefing."

김석진 [33]

"Yeah, thank you for your hard work."

김석진 [33]

"It must have been a long time since you interrogated me, but thank you for being so thorough..."

김석진 [33]

"Officer Min and Officer Ha were quite late. Why was that?"

Inspector Kim's sharp eyes landed on me and Inspector Min, and as I became nervous and didn't know what to do, Inspector Min opened his mouth instead.

민윤기 [32]

"I called you because I wanted to talk to you briefly, but the conversation ended up being a bit long."

민윤기 [32]

"Sorry I'm late."

김석진 [33]

"I guess you can't tell me what you were talking about?"

민윤기 [32]

"...that is,"

하여주 [29]

"It's nothing."

하여주 [29]

"I was just... very confused when I returned to the team."

하여주 [29]

"Thank you for listening to my concerns."

김석진 [33]

"...Okay. Don't be late next time."

When Inspector Kim’s suspicious gaze disappeared, I finally felt relieved. Inspector Min mouthed a thank you, and when I saw that, I held back the many words I wanted to say. It’s not just me who’s having a hard time, so I thought it would be better to just leave this matter alone.

김석진 [33]

"Hmm... I was originally planning on visiting the kindergarten today."

04:41 PM

김석진 [33]

"The time is a bit ambiguous. It's almost time to get off work..."

김석진 [33]

"Let's wrap things up here for today and leave work."

김석진 [33]

"Sergeant Kim stays and writes the report, and when Sergeant Kim receives the report, he sends it to the superintendent."

김태형 [30]

"Yeah... working overtime here too..."

김남준 [31]

"Write quickly... I can get off work too..."

김석진 [33]

"Detective Min, please come see me for a moment."

민윤기 [32]

"...yes."

It suddenly occurred to me that perhaps my pledge just now could be completely ruined by the quick-witted Inspector Kim. The atmosphere between the two was not good.

Inspector Kim and Inspector Min came up to the rooftop alone for the first time in a long while. They took a breath of fresh air, but the rooftop was filled with cigarette smoke because of Inspector Kim. Inspector Min, who was also a smoker, furrowed his brow at the sight of Inspector Kim smoking.

김석진 [33]

"...Why are you looking at me like that?"

민윤기 [32]

"Just... the person who was warned not to go to the running scene was smoking."

김석진 [33]

"It's the police administration team. There's no reason to think about that."

김석진 [33]

"Has the scientific investigation team adapted well?"

김석진 [33]

"You liked that kind of thing."

민윤기 [32]

"It was just... just so-so."

민윤기 [32]

"When a hobby becomes a job, it turns into hatred in an instant."

민윤기 [32]

"I was able to hold on thanks to Officer Kang's guidance."

김석진 [33]

"Oh, that mad scientist guy?"

민윤기 [32]

"Mad Scientist?"

김석진 [33]

"I heard he's cooped up in the library all day and just looks at evidence."

민윤기 [32]

"...I don't know. I don't really know about that..."

민윤기 [32]

"Anyway, that's what happened. Hyung, was it okay for you to work for the police administration team?"

김석진 [33]

"As for me... compared to the Strong Team 1, all I did was chew on something."

김석진 [33]

"It wasn't fun, though."

민윤기 [32]

"...Right. I did that too."

김석진 [33]

"...Can I ask why you suddenly accepted when you were absolutely against team gatherings?"

민윤기 [32]

"Well... I felt guilty and suddenly regretted it."

민윤기 [32]

"It's also because of the heroine..."

김석진 [33]

"...Right. Half of our kids came because they thought of Yeoju."

김석진 [33]

"Even though Yeoju resisted strongly, the other kids all came together."

민윤기 [32]

"...Actually, I ran into the heroine in the hallway a few days before the team meeting."

민윤기 [32]

"She looked terrible. Dark circles under her eyes and a face without makeup..."

민윤기 [32]

"It makes me sick to my stomach when I see that. Plus, it smells like cigarettes."

민윤기 [32]

"I found out that it smelled because I was on my way back from meeting my hyung and Namjoon."

민윤기 [32]

"But at that time, I asked him if he smoked because he was upset, and he asked me what he would do if he did."

민윤기 [32]

"I couldn't control my anger, not at him, but at myself... so I reached out first."

김석진 [33]

"...Somehow. Is that why you called the kid today?"

민윤기 [32]

"Yeah. Since that day... I've been worrying a lot, it's driving me crazy."

민윤기 [32]

"If I don't do this, I feel like I'll die, but even if I do, I feel like I'll die."

민윤기 [32]

"This time, it's not just about being unconscious, it's about being able to treat someone's portrait."

민윤기 [32]

"But I feel guilty about doing it to the female protagonist, or something... I can't say I won't do it."

민윤기 [32]

"It made me think of old times, so I did it."

김석진 [33]

".....Good job. It seems like you've improved a lot since before."

민윤기 [32]

"That's right... After Dahee became like that, my thoughts also changed a lot."

김석진 [33]

"...Let's go down. The kids must have all gone by now."

김석진 [33]

"I'll keep it a secret that I hit Yeoju. Even if it were known, nothing good would come of it."

민윤기 [32]

"thank you."

Contrary to Ha Sun-kyung's expectations, Superintendent Kim took it lightly when Superintendent Min hit him and didn't even give him a warning. Did Superintendent Kim change his mind because of the breakup, was it related to Superintendent Min's past, or was it Shin Da-hee's problem?

Only Inspector Kim, who left all our questions behind and went down the rooftop, knows the real reason.

When Superintendent Kim and Inspector Min returned to the office, they were greeted by Superintendent Kim, who was busy typing on the computer keyboard, and Superintendent Kim, who was yawning with his mouth wide open while holding a pencil. It seemed like all the other team members had left work.

김석진 [33]

"If you have a lot to do, you can come tomorrow and do it."

김남준 [31]

"It's okay. It won't be long."

김태형 [30]

"Ouch... I wish someone would write this report for me..."

김남준 [31]

"You guys should leave work first. I'll finish up and leave work with Sergeant Kim."

민윤기 [32]

"Okay. Good work, everyone-"

After Superintendent Kim and Officer Min packed their bags and left the office, only Superintendent Kim, clutching his head, and Officer Kim, pressing his eyes tightly, remained. The night of the first violent crimes team, which had been a long time coming, was still long.

I left work a little early and walked home very slowly. I thought about going to see my uncle, but I decided not to because I thought I couldn't stand it. If I become a person as cool as my uncle, and if the day comes when I can proudly stand in front of him, then I will go.

Maybe the old man who always followed me behind was running another, countless other lines, leaving behind me. What did we each gain during the year? How long will it take to find the answer?

박성진 [33]

"What are you doing here, our youngest?"

I was lost in thought for a while, but then a face suddenly appeared in front of me, startling me so much that I fell flat on my face. The person who made that face startle me as well, Superintendent Park, repeatedly apologized and grabbed my hand to help me up.

박성진 [33]

"Are you really surprised... Sorry."

하여주 [29]

"Oh, no. It's okay."

박성진 [33]

"Are you finished work?"

하여주 [29]

"Okay... I'm going home."

박성진 [33]

"The way he walked along was exactly like that."

하여주 [29]

"It's been a while since I've done this and that, so it's hard..."

박성진 [33]

"...Can I ask you one thing?"

하여주 [29]

"What is it?"

박성진 [33]

"Can I ask why you collapsed last time?"

하여주 [29]

".....ah."

박성진 [33]

"If you're uncomfortable, you don't have to say anything."

박성진 [33]

“I’m the team leader, so I think I should know this much.”

하여주 [29]

"Oh, no. I can tell you..."

하여주 [29]

"It's a bit... complicated, and I have somewhere to go."

하여주 [29]

"If you have time, would you like to go with me and talk about it?"

박성진 [33]

"It's so nice to see you confide in me for the first time~"

박성진 [33]

"Take the lead."

I happened to go visit my uncle in the hospital with Superintendent Park, who was not in my plans. He was my new strong adult and support.

The place we arrived at was a hospital, and Superintendent Park looked a little surprised. The fact that we had to go somewhere, to visit someone in the hospital, was quite unfortunate. It wasn’t like they showed it in the police department… Especially not in the police administration department.

박성진 [33]

"...What is your relationship with this person?"

하여주 [29]

"...When I was 5 years old, my parents divorced and both of them abandoned me, so I was left alone."

하여주 [29]

"I grew up with my grandparents until I was 18, and then they passed away..."

하여주 [29]

"I'm behind on my rent, and my grades have dropped, so I won't be able to get a scholarship."

하여주 [29]

"There was a day when everything became too much to bear and I tried to jump off the roof."

하여주 [29]

"You are the one who held my hand and pulled me up at that time."

하여주 [29]

"I lived with my uncle until now... and he helped me a lot with various things, and thanks to him, I became a police officer."

하여주 [29]

"Oh, your title is sir and you are thirty-six this year."

하여주 [29]

"Anyway, he is someone I have to repay for my life's favor, and he is my pillar of support."

하여주 [29]

"These guys who are running wild these days... They are the victims of the recent riot at the Joo Eun Department Store."

하여주 [29]

"That happened to you when you went to buy the gift I asked you to buy... Do you see the teddy bear over there?"

박성진 [33]

"...huh."

하여주 [29]

"I don't like the conditions for reuniting the team, so I've decided to never work with a strong team again..."

하여주 [29]

"This was the only way to protect you, sir... So I ended up jumping into the den."

박성진 [33]

"So you collapsed that day because you saw that incident being reported?"

하여주 [29]

"That's right. You never know when you might wake up."

하여주 [29]

"I'll come back when I've caught all those guys and can face you with pride."

박성진 [33]

"...You too, you're just like that."

박성진 [33]

"I know you'll do well no matter where you are placed... but please listen to this one request."

박성진 [33]

"Don't get hurt and be careful."

박성진 [33]

"No matter what, you come first."

박성진 [33]

"This person probably doesn't want to see you get hurt while going to great lengths to catch the culprit."

박성진 [33]

"So always take care of yourself. Okay?"

박성진 [33]

"If you have anything you can't tell your seniors, contact me."

박성진 [33]

"I feel relieved because I think you're slowly becoming more stable."

하여주 [29]

"...thank you."

하여주 [29]

"I will finish my work and return safely, so please take good care of my empty spot."

하여주 [29]

"I will only trust you, Inspector."

박성진 [33]

"What? Hahaha, okay, honey~"

박성진 [33]

"You know that our team has nothing to do, so what are you..."

박성진 [33]

"Just let this slope take care of it~"

As I smiled brightly at the jokes we were joking around without any reason, Superintendent Park hinted that I should smile more often in the future, and added that I should talk to the old man thoroughly before leaving the room first.

하여주 [29]

"...Did you see that, sir? There are so many people who believe in me and support me."

하여주 [29]

"So stop worrying about me and... wake up quickly."

하여주 [29]

"I'll apologize and worry... I'll say it when I see your face."

하여주 [29]

"Now that I think about it, I finally have a chance to repay the favor of raising me and embracing you."

하여주 [29]

"I will grow up to be a great person just like you, so please watch over me until the end."

하여주 [29]

"...I'll go. See you in half a year."

As I threw a few sentences at the man who didn't answer, sadness welled up in my chin. Please, let me stand before you as a person who knows how to keep the words and promises I'm making. If there is a God, please grant my wish.

Today's episode is a bit of a break from the incident episode! ☘️ It's been a long time since I wrote a lot of my favorite dialogues 🥹 That's why I think you might not like it... 🥲 Anyway, thank you for watching today and I love you 🩵🩵

_ Number of characters: 5407 characters