The Prosecutor’s Office’s Proposal Chapter 164

Officer No Seonhui looked at the people in the prosecutor’s office, her eyes filled with concern as she looked from one to the other. Having learned that I was to be disciplined, Officer No had taken care of me in every way she could whenever she saw me over the past week. She seemed even more worried, as it could not only negatively affect my future promotions but there was also a lot of talk behind my back. If even I could hear the rumors, surely more must have leaked to Officer No, who wasn’t even the person directly involved.

Prosecutor Joo, who had been reviewing the documents to be sent to the trial prosecutor with me, replied.

“It’s not exactly a happy occasion, so it’s better to just rest quietly. Let’s go out for a meal once Officer Lee returns.”

“Still….”

The administrative officer bit her lower lip as if disappointed, but since it was her boss’s decision, she did not add anything more. I was also grateful for Prosecutor Joo’s decision, as I didn’t want to show the office staff having a noisy party near the district office right before my disciplinary action. Of course, I was just as grateful for Officer No’s concern.

I organized the documents for the trial prosecutor flawlessly. Since this was my last task before the suspension, I meticulously packed even the minor physical evidence so that we could win even if Chief Tak and Oh Jahyeon flipped their confessions.

As soon as I delivered the documents to the administrative officer from the trial prosecutor’s office, the clock in our office hit exactly 6:00. For the first time since I was assigned here, Prosecutor Joo turned off his computer on time, stood up, and put on his jacket. Chief Song and Officer No seemed surprised as well, but as someone who had always suffered from working late, I was the most shocked.

“Prosecutor, are you leaving work already?”

Officer No’s reaction was a step faster than mine. Even for Officer No, who had worked with him for a year, it seemed this was the first time she had seen Prosecutor Joo stand up to leave at his regular time.

The three of us watched Prosecutor Joo with faces like we had seen a ghost, waiting for his answer. Unexpectedly, Prosecutor Joo nodded readily and, instead of looking at the officer who had asked, he looked at me and opened his mouth.

“I have an appointment with my family. And since today is the day Officer Lee is unfairly disciplined, I shouldn’t make you work late. We finished the big goal of indicting the Chief Prosecutor as planned, too. You’ve all worked hard.”

Pushing his office chair in, Prosecutor Joo gave a slight nod toward me.

“Officer Lee, stand up. I’ll take you home. I should see you off as the representative of this office.”

“Ah…, yes, thank you.”

I never thought I’d actually leave on time because I was being suspended.

I quickly tidied up my desk area. I’m usually neat, so even if I had left it as is, it wouldn’t have been embarrassing, but since I might be away for a long time, I wanted to leave it as neat as possible.

Finally, I shut down my computer and stood up. It was my first time leaving work on time since arriving at this office.

Since it was 6:00, the hallway and elevators were packed with people leaving. We sent down elevators full of staff several times. There didn’t seem to be any chance we’d get on. Prosecutor Joo suggested.

“Shall we take the stairs?”

“Yes, Prosecutor. If you don’t mind.”

“I’m fine, I was just worried Officer Lee might be tired.”

We pushed through the people standing around and opened the emergency exit door. I thought it would be empty as usual, but there were quite a few staff members leaving through the stairs for similar reasons.

I tend to be sparing with my words when there are ears around. Since words spoken without thought often came back to haunt me like arrows, I didn’t say anything unnecessary. So, I kept my lips tightly sealed until we reached the parking lot, and only after arriving in front of the car did I open the mouth I had kept firmly locked.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were meeting your family?”

I asked in the quietest tone possible, but as he was opening the driver’s side door, he stopped and stared intently at me. Only when I wanted to avoid his gaze because his steady stare made me feel shy did he answer.

“Sorry. Should I have told you about something like this in advance?”

I thought I had hidden my feelings well enough, but because he was a perceptive person, he had read my thoughts immediately. I wanted to deny my petty self, but feeling that would also be found out, I eventually admitted it honestly. My voice slipped out in a whisper.

“…I would be grateful if you did.”

“I’ll tell you from now on.”

We got into the car side by side. As he fastened his seatbelt, he asked.

“If I do that, will Officer Lee report your schedule to me in advance from now on, too? Without just running off alone to go watch a movie.”

“That was back when we weren’t dating yet….”

I muttered back, but seeing his expression, I quickly corrected myself.

“I will tell you right away.”

“Why are you being so self-conscious?”

A light chuckle was heard, and the curve of his lips was unexpectedly warm.

“I’m just not used to this kind of situation.”

“Dating? Me too. Do you think I’d be used to it?”

It was a conversation between beginners who had just started dating.

Prosecutor Joo seemed to think we were on the same level when it came to dating, but he was still more experienced and mature than me in every aspect. While I was quick at work or study, I was very clumsy at human relationships themselves. The layers of unhappy memories piled up were too deep.

Thanks to that, now that we had actually started dating, even Prosecutor Joo, with his cold personality, seemed like a much more affectionate lover than I was. A feeling of apology sprouted in a corner of my heart.

Because it was rush hour, traffic was slightly congested. While slowly appreciating the still-vibrant Haneul, I heard details about Prosecutor Joo’s appointment in the car.

“It’s been a while. The three of us meeting.”

“I see your younger sibling is coming, too.”

“Yeah. I see my aunt often, but it’s been years since the three of us saw each other, including my sibling. We decided to eat out for the first time in a while.”

“Your aunt must be happy.”

“I suppose. She wants us to get along well. The news about Chief Tak must have reached my sibling’s ears too, so I think they must have been hurt.”

Actually, I think Prosecutor Joo would be more hurt than his sibling. He was the type of person who rarely showed how heavy the burdens he carried were. Not wanting to just let it slide, I parted my lips.

“I think you’re having a harder time, Prosecutor. You met with Chief Tak often.”

“…That’s true.”

When I couldn’t help but point it out, he surprisingly admitted it plainly. Taking advantage of the momentum, I added one more thing.

“You should be the one to show me that you’re having a hard time, Prosecutor. It’s not good to suffer alone.”

“Is that so? By my standards, I think I’ve shown you plenty when things are tough, Lee Chaeha. Through my expressions or otherwise. And even if things are tough, I can endure it. …Because you’re by my side, Chaeha.”

Prosecutor Joo added with a chuckle.

“Now, Lee Chaeha is even nagging me in return.”

“It’s not like that….”

“I like it.”

My lips paused for a second at the unexpected reaction before moving again.

“Then….”

“But don’t start with other nagging.”

He was truly quick-witted. I had no choice but to close my mouth.

The car slowly entered the apartment complex where I was temporarily living. I told him to just drop me off at the main gate because I was worried Prosecutor Joo might be late for his dinner appointment, but he didn’t break his stubbornness to drop me off right in front.

Since we were parting while it was still bright out, we couldn’t even share a light kiss. For the first time, I missed the early sunset of winter. Instead of a kiss, I firmly held his hand first before letting go and saying goodbye.

“See you tomorrow.”

“I’ll come pick you up in the morning. Let’s go get something good to eat. You probably aren’t feeling well, so get plenty of rest.”

As soon as my palm left his, he reached out and took hold of it again. The warm body temperature transferred from his large hand seemed to convey his concern for me.

“I’m fine. I was upset at first, but since my colleagues are worrying about me, I don’t think it’s a big deal anymore.”

“Then that’s a relief.”

Guilt still lingered in his deep pupils. Since the day he was first notified of the disciplinary action, Prosecutor Joo hadn’t shown any signs of blaming himself, but dark shadows occasionally flitted across his expression. I wish he wouldn’t blame himself. He tried to take responsibility for too many things.

Everything I told Prosecutor Joo about being fine was true. When the disciplinary decision had just been handed down, my head hurt because of the rumors that would follow behind my back and thoughts of my promotion, but now my heart was at ease. Since I am working hard, I will be able to overcome it someday.