The morning bustle of Seoul Station had settled into a steady rhythm. Phones rang occasionally, officers walked briskly past desks, and the soft hum of typing filled the air.
Ahn Soo Bin adjusted the strap of her bag nervously. Today, she was being given her first small task under Kim So Hee's guidance: reviewing reports and organizing files for a local theft investigation. It wasn't glamorous, but it was a start.
"Intern, come here," So Hee called from across the office, her voice calm but commanding.
Soo Bin hurried over. Her heart pounded every time she approached So Hee.
"You'll handle the preliminary report," So Hee instructed, handing over a stack of papers. "Check details carefully. Nothing can be overlooked."
Soo Bin nodded vigorously. "Yes, ma'am!"
Lim Won Young, who had been observing from across the room, leaned over. "See? She notices everything. But you… you're holding your own pretty well."
Soo Bin laughed nervously. "Thanks… but I still have so much to learn."
Won Young smirked. "Don't worry. You'll get there. And maybe… if you survive So Hee's scrutiny, you'll even impress her."
Soo Bin's heart skipped a beat. Impress her? The thought made her palms sweat.
Later that afternoon, a small incident gave Soo Bin a chance to show her initiative. A lost wallet had been reported in the station lobby. While other officers debated what to do, Soo Bin remembered So Hee's advice: observe carefully and act thoughtfully.
She calmly approached the front desk, asking polite questions, checking CCTV with the clerk's help, and within minutes, the wallet was returned to its anxious owner.
So Hee had been watching silently. When Soo Bin returned to her desk, So Hee's eyes met hers briefly. A subtle nod. Approval.
Soo Bin felt her chest swell.
This was just the beginning.
As the day drew to a close, Soo Bin packed her bag, glancing once more at So Hee, who was still meticulously organizing files. The admiration she felt had grown stronger today.
And in the back of her mind, a single thought lingered:
One day… I want to be like her. Not just in skill, but in presence. In confidence.