The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of Seoul Station, painting long golden streaks across the busy office floor. Ahn Soo Bin fidgeted nervously at her desk, trying to organize the files she had been given. Every time she looked up, her gaze inevitably drifted toward Kim So Hee, who moved through the station like she owned the place—calm, precise, and undeniably captivating.
Soo Bin's heart skipped every time So Hee passed by. She told herself she was here to learn, to gain experience—but it was impossible not to notice the lieutenant's effortless charisma.
"Hey, intern!"
Soo Bin jumped slightly and looked up to see a cheerful girl with short hair grinning at her.
"I'm Lim Won Young," she said, extending her hand. "I'm doing my internship at the hospital, but we'll probably see each other a lot."
Soo Bin shook her hand, smiling. "Ahn Soo Bin. Nice to meet you!"
Won Young tilted her head, noticing Soo Bin's constant glances at So Hee.
"That's So Hee, right?" Won Young whispered. "She's amazing… everyone talks about her. You lucky thing, getting to work here."
Soo Bin blushed furiously. "Y-Yeah… she's… very impressive."
Just then, a familiar voice called out quickly as if in passing.
"Soo Bin! Hi!"
Soo Bin turned and saw Lee Go Eun, her classmate, hurrying past the station entrance.
"Go Eun!" Soo Bin started.
"I'm just passing through!" Go Eun called with a quick wave, glancing at So Hee. "Good luck today. I have rounds at the hospital, so I can't stay!"
Soo Bin laughed nervously. "Okay! See you later!"
And just like that, Go Eun disappeared down the street, leaving Soo Bin slightly wistful but more focused on the station work.
Their attention was quickly pulled to the intercom:
"Attention, station personnel: a lost child has been reported near the nearby park. All available officers, please respond."
So Hee's voice cut through the room as she approached them. "Intern, come with me. Observation only."
Soo Bin nodded eagerly, following the lieutenant.
At the park, chaos met them: parents shouting, officers running back and forth, and a small boy crying near the fountain. So Hee quickly assessed the scene.
She knelt slightly, scanning the crowd. Her eyes caught a mother pacing nearby, obviously searching. So Hee's intuition honed in on the child's behavior—the way he clutched a small toy, his eyes darting toward the fountain and then the street.
"See that?" So Hee whispered. "He's avoiding the busy street. Most kids run toward safety, but he's frozen near the fountain. He's scared, but he trusts open spaces over crowded areas."
Soo Bin watched, fascinated.
So Hee signaled to two nearby officers. "Check the fountain area first. Approach slowly and calmly."
Within moments, the officers discovered the boy hiding behind a bench, tears streaming down his cheeks. So Hee knelt down calmly, speaking softly, her voice steady and soothing.
"It's okay, you're safe now. I'm Kim So Hee, and we'll get you back to your mom," she said gently.
The boy looked up, trust forming in his eyes. So Hee extended her hand, and he took it hesitantly. They walked together a few steps, and So Hee kept up a calm conversation, distracting him from fear.
Moments later, the mother ran over, tears of relief streaming down her face. "My baby! Thank you! Thank you so much!"
So Hee nodded, already scanning the area for any other issues. "Observation and patience. Always remember those two things," she instructed Soo Bin quietly.
Soo Bin's heart raced—not from fear, but from awe. Every step So Hee took was confident, precise, and compassionate. She had anticipated the child's behavior before anyone else even knew where to look.
"You were incredible," Soo Bin said softly, once the mother and child had left.
So Hee's gaze met hers briefly. "Observation is key. And empathy. Remember both."
Soo Bin felt a thrill of inspiration—and something deeper she didn't yet understand.
Back at the station, Soo Bin returned to her desk, still glowing from the experience. Won Young leaned over with a playful grin.
"See? You're already impressing her just by observing," Won Young said.
Soo Bin smiled softly. "I hope I can keep up."
And as she glanced at So Hee, reviewing another case file with perfect focus, Soo Bin felt a strange, thrilling certainty. This was only the beginning.