"There's a chance that Kim Sun Hee's stalker is not working alone."

"Working alone? You make it sound like she's got a collective of stalkers. Not that it's impossible -- I mean, have you seen that face. She can have a dozen of stalkers."

Hyuk cleared his throat.

"That's not the point, DA Park."

His surperior sensed his reproachful tone. Immediately, he straightened up and looked at the case file again. 

"So, this really isn't just a simple stalking case, huh?"

"It could be bigger for all we know. But I'm hoping it isn't. The smaller the case, the faster we solve it."

DA Park closed the case folder and looked at Hyuk.

"If that's the case, we're taking this situation slower than usual, then," he said, "You solve gang crimes faster, Detective Lee. This is a stalker case and you've had one too many; I don't know why you're taking so long."

"This is a case unlike any other."

The district attorney nodded. "I get what you mean; I mean, come on...it involves a very pretty woman," he said, looking slyly at his young detective, "And not just any woman -- an actress. I see why it would take long."

Hyuk sensed what his sunbae was trying to tell him. He looked at his superior, hoping to act all clueless or at least reproach the senior for being so immature. But DA Park just smiled serenely at him, opening today's newspaper.

"Take all the time that you want, Detective Lee," he said, "But don't worry, you can go out with her after the case."

"You have to extend your arms and really look into his eyes. Remember, after an x number of years, you finally found the love of your life. Is that how you look when that happens?"

Sun Hee heaved a sigh and tried again, hugging the mannequin that was supposed to stand-in for her co-actor. She tried her best, but it was difficult to get into character when you're acting with a lifeless object. She's had one too many romantic scenes; she should be good at this.

But that disturbing phone call last night distracted her. 

"Sun Hee, you're not getting it."

The director was already getting frustrated with her. Immediately, she let go of the mannequin and bowed apologetically. 

"I'm sorry," she said, "I'm...just not in...the right condition today. But I am trying."

"I know Lee Won Bin can't make it today, but I just need you to perfect the scene," the director was saying, "Just because you're not the lead actress, doesn't mean you shouldn't give your all still."

You don't have to remind me.

Despite the cutting inner thought, Sun Hee smiled at her director and nodded. She resumed her position and stared at the mannequin, pretending it was her co-actor. Sun Hee took a deep breath before saying her lines.

"Finally, I found you," she said.

"You found me," said the director, reading from the script, "But didn't I tell you we can never be together?"

"That's what you always say."

"Our love is a tragedy. You will never have a happy ending if you're with me."

Sun Hee reached out for the mannequin, touching its soft head.

"Cut! Okay, that's not enough," said the director, leaving Sun Hee flabbergasted. She knew she was giving it her all; what the hell was wrong with him? She stepped away from the mannequin. Her director was reading the script and looking around the set. Sun Hee knew she was in trouble, but she wondered if he was seriously considering replacing her at the moment.

"Ah, I get it now," said the director, "You, over there!" He pointed.

Sun Hee saw Detective Lee stop sipping on his yogurt.

"Yes?" he asked.

"Come over here."

The detective was obviously confused; Sun Hee, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel a little excitement. It was that little feeling she always had whenever he came near. It was fortunate that Lee Hyuk managed to keep a safe distance when necessary; otherwise, Sun Hee's excitement might get the best of her. She didn't know what she'd do.

He looked handsome as always as he walked towards the director, hands shoved in his favorite dark jacket. 

"I need you right now," said the director, "You're her stylist right?"

"Oh. Yes."

"Stand right in front of her."

Omo. Wait...thought Kim Sun Hee as her director positioned Lee Hyuk in front of her, Is the Director planning to--?

"You stand in for her co-actor while he's not here," the director told Hyuk. 

"What am I supposed to do?"

"Just stand there and let Sun Hee act," said the director, "I'll rehearse the lines so all you have to do is reallt stand there. Sun Hee's having difficulty expressing her love to a mannequin."

"Well who wouldn't?" she complained, "Have you tried making out with a mannequin?"

There was an awkward silence. Lee Hyuk just stared at her, wondering if she knew what she was talking about. Her director, on the other hand, seemed immediately flustered, coughing out of nowhere. It was then she realized what that could've meant -- and she figured she didn't want to know.

"Anyways, uh...Hyuk, just stand in front of her," said the director, positioning the clueless detective in front of Sun Hee, "Her character will act like she saw yours after a number of years. Just read what the script says and go with the flow."

Hyuk seemed confounded, but he didn't bother addressing anymore. Instead, he just did what he was told -- stood in front of Sun Hee and looked down at her.

There was something magical about being this close with the detective. These past months, he still maintained his cold exterior, but there were times when Sun Hee managed to make him laugh or smile; it was always at her expense, making herself look like an idiot or prodding him to talk more. 

They rarely got this close; the last time they did, she was fearing for her life and he was comforting her.

"Okay, let's try this again," said the director, "One, two, three -- action!"

Sun Hee took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

"Finally, I found you," she said, looking into Hyuk's eyes.

"You found me," he said, monotonously reading from the script, "But didn't I tell you we can never be together?"

"Add some more life in it, Stylist!"

Hyuk looked at the director then back at his script. Sun Hee tried not to laugh; the detective was clearly a rookie to the drama scene. 

"You found me," he tried again, this time adding more emotions, "But didn't I tell you we can never be together?"

"That's what you always say," Sun Hee replied indignantly. 

"Our love is a tragedy," read Hyuk, then he looked into Sun Hee's eyes, "You will never have a happy ending if you're with me."

She reached out to him and held his arm.

"Then I'd be willing to find happiness in a tragedy."

The script said she was supposed to shed a tear. Fortunately, Sun Hee was good at this part; without hesitation, a tear rolled down her smooth cheek. She hoped Detective Lee would not break charatcter; the next scene has him pulling her into a hug. Knowing him, he would probably make an excuse and say that he didn't --

Omo!

Before she could finish her assumptions, Sun Hee found herself enclosed in his arms. Her head landed on his chest, her ears hearing his beating heart for the first time. She felt his hand wrap around her shoulder protectively. 

"If you're sure then."

Without warning, another tear escaped her.

What in the world --?

"PERFECT!"

The director snapped them out of their senses. Immediately, Hyuk let her go and Sun Hee automatically edged away from him, gripping her script tightly and hoping no one could hear the fast beats of her heart. She looked at the Detective; he seemed cool as a cucumber, staring at the director , still looking carelessly handsome.

"That is what I want to see later, Sun Hee!" pointed out the director, "God, all it took was your stylist to bring that out." Then he turned to Hyuk, "Have you never seriously considered acting?"

"No, I'm not a big fan of dramas."

The director tsked and shooked his head. "What a waste, you would look good on TV," he remarked, "But I bet you're doing a better job with kicking in real life." He laughed at his own little joke as he walked towards the staff, shouting out orders. Sun Hee stared at his retreating back, still hugging the script close to her heart. 

"Are you okay?"

Detective Lee was looking down at her, his eyes curious.

"Oh...I'm...just distracted," she lied to him. Immediately, his eyes shifted from curiosity to worry.

"If you're thinking about that phone call last night, don't worry," he told her, "I sent the recording to my superiors at the station. They'll get right to it."

"That's...good," she said, avoiding his gaze, "I'm glad to hear that."

The Detective sensed something was off with her. Sun Hee pretended she was busy with her script, but in reality, she was flustered. She didn't know what triggered the feelings  -- his stare? The way he said his lines?

"Miss Kim, the staff from the station will be doing an inspection tonight," he told her, "They advised me to bring you home at ten in the evening instead."

"Really? That's...good."

"Everything seems to be good to you today, Miss Kim," said the detective, smiling crookedly at her. He then bowed at her. "If you'll excuse me, I'll have to make a call. Don't you have to memorize your lines?"

"Ah...yes, yes, that's right," she said, opening her script and perusing it. Once Detective Lee turned his back, however, she gazed at him as he made his way back to his quiet corner. 

She couldn't pinpoint it, but there was really something about him. 

Something that smothered and drew her in at the same time.

Detective Lee was beginning to think he made a wrong decision. But what could he do? He was already there.

When DA Park told him to distract Kim Sun Hee for an hour or two while they search her house for signs of spies or stalkers, he planned to just bring her to the nearest cafe, sip some coffee, and do some work. But when she insisted that she wanted one shot of Soju, he couldn't help but oblige to her wishes. He didn't want to; she was just very persistent. She said she had a bad day during the filming, she deserved this break. 

Now, here he was -- faced to face with a slightly drunk Kim Sun Hee.

"...I mean...what does he want right? Throw myself at that actor?" she was saying, raising her seventh glass of Soju, "He wasn't even a good kisser. God, sloppy, I tell you! Sloppyyyy!"

Hyuk watched her, leaving his second shot of soju untouched. He crossed his arms to resist temptation. Given the state of Kim Sun Hee, he knew he would be her designated driver, which means he can't afford to be drunk. 

She poured another glass, almost spilling the contents. 

"Miss Kim, I don't think you should --"

She drank it straight up.

"...drink another," finished Hyuk, watching the actress smack her lips with pure satisfaction. She set the shot glass on the table and looked at him with a dazed and obviously drunk expression on her face.

"Are you human?" she asked.

He was caught off guard.

"I'm sorry?"

"Why are you always rigid? It's like...you're this stone cold statue that barely sheds any emotion," she continued, staring at him, "Whenever I see you, it's like you're a statue."

She poured herself another drink.

"Tell me Detective Lee, are you human?" she asked again, "Because you always have that dead look in your eyes."

He didn't know if he was going to be offended or not. But he told himself that she was drunk; drunk people aren't always at their best. A drunk Kim Sun Hee was definitely one of the people he should tolerate.

"I always have that dead look in my eyes," he told her, "Looks could literally kill."

She laughed shrilly, surprising the people seated beside them. "No wonder they call you the Grim Reaper," she said, "Cause you are the death of them."

There was something amusing in the way Kim Sun Hee managed herself during her drunken state. She smiled widely at passing customers, randomly sharing quotes, and just laughing. During her fifth glass, she was about to dance on top of the table, but Hyuk had the sense to pull her down. Anyone could see she was out of her senses.

And she didn't care.

"Tell me, Lee Hyuk," she was saying, breaking his reverie and pouring another shot, "Do you do anything else apart from catching bad people? Do you have a hobby?" she then set the bottle back and looked at him, batting her eyelashes, "Am I your hobby?" She leaned towards him, resting her chin on her hands. 

Oh my god, she's drunker than I thought. 

He simply smiled at her.

"Miss Kim, you should stop  drinking," he told her, "The inspection should be done in fifteen minutes. I'll take you home shortly--"

"You didn't answer my question!" she exclaimed, "Do you have any hobbies?"

Her eyes raged at him. Hyuk was startled with her reaction. Kim Sun Hee looked as if she was going to scratch his eyes out if he didn't answer her question. She stood up, holding the edges of the table. He noticed that people were already looking at them.

"I do," he told her, "But I'll only tell them if you sit down."

He thought she would keep up with her furious act. Fortunately, she simply smiled at him and settled down, opening another bottle and pouring another glass. With another drink, she smacked her lips again and listened to him. 

"I...collect robots," he began.

"Those little toy robots? The ones you assemble?"

"Yes, I have lots of them."

"Wow, that's interesting," she said, nodding wobbly at him, "Who knew you could be such a kid? What else?"

He thought about it. "I read books," he continued, "A lot of them. I read them when I'm at the station."

"Oooh a bookworm," she commented, "What's your favorite?"

"I have a lot."

"Are you the type who reads during the holidays?"

"Nestled in the corner of the room with hot chocolate -- yes. I do that."

She nodded at him, biting her lip. "Do you run or workout?"

"Yes, more on the running. It takes my mind off things."

"What things?"

"Stresses at the office."

"So you listen to music while you run?"

"Yes, it keeps my rythym. That way, when I run, I'll know how long I've been running."

"Well, aren't you systematic."

"Pretty much."

There was a short silence. Kim Sun Hee was just staring at him, still holding her glass. A part of him was curious, wishing he could read her mind. He was partly surprised with himself; he rarely talked to anyone about these little things -- let alone with a client he was supposed to protect. Another part wished he could take back all the things he just said. But for some reason, he felt comfortable.

Suddenly, her smile transformed into an annoyed frown.

"See how fun it is when you open up!" she complained, banging her shot glass, "We're getting to know each other and we're getting closer! You're not just some guy out to protect me."

She scowled at him as she drank another shot, clueless to the fact that she left him astounded once again. 

"But I am just a guy out here to protect you," he told her, "It's my job. And I'm being professional, Miss Kim."

She frowned at him. "Sometimes, I wished you'd stop being professional," she said, "And it's not Miss Kim. It's Sun Hee," she pointed at her lips, "Kim. Sun. Hee. Say it with me."

"I'm sorry?"

"Say my name!" she exclaimed, "Kim."

"Kim."

"Sun."

"Sun."

"Hee."

He faltered.

"Hee."

When he said her name, a satisfied smile spread on her face.

"From now on, Detective Lee, I'd like to think that you are human," she told him, "You can start by calling me Sun Hee when we are alone." She laughed again, taking a bite of the radish cubes. Lee Hyuk, on the other hand, gazed at this enigmatic woman opposite him. She was definitely beyond frivolous, almost crazy, now that the thought about it. 

There were times when he couldn't understand her completely -- why she said such things, why she picked those shoes, and why she was always bugging him. She had mannerisms he often found annoying,  but when he was reminded of them, there was fondness somewhere. He didn't know if this feeling came because it's been long since...he had feelings.

No, that's not it.

As he watched the actress call out the waiter for another bottle, he found himself thinking again. 

Who was this woman? 

In the end, he just mumbled.

"Sun Hee."

A/N: Sunny and Grim Reaper's love story is the epitome of a tragedy. Can you imagine? Living two lifetimes and still not ending up together? Eun-Tak did mention that they had four lifetimes. In this time period, Sunny's is set for the harvest, but I've always wondered about the Grim Reaper -- how many lives has he already had?

I do have a theory: the Higher Grim Reapers who punished him did say that he was punished him for 600 years. Maybe, he was sent to some sort of hell after killing himself as Wang Yeo. That must have been his second life. When the deity figured it was time for him to redeem himself, he sent Wang Yeo back as a Grim Reaper, hence his third life, which took 300 years (a total of 900). If my theory is correct, then this is his fourth life.

And that jives well with Sunny. <3