“Is this a re-telling of a modern-day Robin Hood?” The level of disbelief was evident in her tone as she sat across from Youngjae at his desk. She had woken up early today, during her break – with just 4 hours of sleep last night – to be told of this kind of result?

To be clear, it was anything but pleasant. 

And, Haru didn’t hide it. 

“I can’t discuss more about the case.” Youngjae cuts her off and she looks over her shoulder at Yongguk – the same person who soothes her by sending her a silent signal as to tell her that he’ll reveal more later. 

She can only depend on Yongguk. 

“Fine, whatever.” She responds before leaning forward. “At least tell me I was right.”

At the mention, Youngjae leans back into his chair but keeps his eyes on her. Her eyebrow quirked, getting tired at how he was prolonging the inevitable. 

When he doesn’t give in, she sighs. It just kills him to admit so, doesn’t it? “Next question – will you let me see the database now?”

This time, he responds. “I said I’ll think about it.”

At least she knows he didn’t turn mute. “Didn’t you have the night to think about it?”

He hesitates. “…What are you searching for?”

Grabbing a small post-it from his desk and a pen, she got to work. Finishing the drawing on the triangular hourglass, she gave it back to him. “I wanna know if this is associated to any gangs.”

Looking down at the symbol, Youngjae didn’t need to open up the database to figure out what it was.

“It is.” He reveals before returning her drawing back to her.

Before she could ask him more questions – like which gang, the attention that was on her is shifted to the public defender who just made his appearance. Looking at him as he took his seat beside her at Youngjae’s desk, she wondered who he was defending this time.

“You’re not here for me, are you?” She had to ask. It was always trouble for her when Himchan arrives. 

“Thankfully not.” He responds before patting her head.

Like a deer caught in headlights, Haru stiffened due to the contact she wasn’t used to getting. Unaware of her behavior, Himchan focuses his attention back on the detective in front of him. 

“So, I heard I’m representing two individuals who are suspected of robberies.”

“What?” Snapping out of the trance, Haru couldn’t stop herself from blurting. “Why are you representing them?”

“Haru, he’s a public defender.” Yongguk kindly explains. “He defends people who can’t afford their own lawyers.” 

“But, they’re guilty.”

“They are innocent before proven guilty, Haru.” Himchan corrects. “Besides, even the possible guilty individuals have to be represented in court – the evidence will speak for itself.”

“Not everything is black and white.” Youngjae adds and Haru is immediately reminded by what Yongguk had told her before. 

With three against one, Haru couldn’t exactly retort and instead, suddenly gets quiet while Yongguk, Youngjae, and Himchan return to discussing the current situation.

“Can I go in to see them now?” Himchan questions while Youngjae gets up to lead him to the interrogating room. 

“So, do you want to hear about the case?” Yongguk manages to steal her attention. “I have some time now and we’ll get you some breakfast.”

***

“You were right, those two were in it together.”

Well, she finally hears it from someone. Munching on the sweet bread, Haru and Yongguk sat on the bench right outside the station.

“Apparently, those two suffered from exploitations done by the companies they had previously worked for. After finding out others and communities have experienced the same things they did, they resorted to stealing to give back.” Yongguk explains.

“…They didn’t keep the money?”

Yongguk shakes his head with a smile. “About a week or two ago, charities made news due to huge donations, right?”

Yeah, something she scrolled past without hesitation. 

“They were the ones responsible for it. Items like jewelry, they sold them to pawn shops and donated the cash from that.” 

Rendered speechless, Haru didn’t know how to respond. Noticing her lack of retorts, Yongguk sends her a small smile.

“Why did they do that?”

“Sometimes the law fails people and people then take the laws into their own hands.” He responds. “But, no one is above it so they’ll still get into trouble no matt