Yoona was on her way to Jessica's dorm to pick her up as requested. As she arrived outside Jessica's condo, she noticed that the door was wide open. She immediately entered, alarmed by the open door.

 

Inside, she found Tyler, Jessica's boyfriend, about to slap her. Yoona's anger flared, and without a second thought, she rushed to Tyler and landed a hard punch on his face. Tyler fell to the floor, taken aback by the unexpected blow.

 

"That was a strong punch, Detective," Tyler hissed, rubbing his jaw.

 

Yoona's gaze remained fixed on him, her anger still simmering. "Want to experience another one?" She raised her fist threateningly, ready to strike again, but Jessica intervened, shouting at Yoona to stop.

 

"Enough!" Jessica's voice was firm as she stepped between them. Yoona looked at her, puzzled by Jessica's reaction.

 

"Do you even realize what you're saying, Ms. Jung? He was about to hit you!" Yoona's voice was laced with frustration, unable to comprehend Jessica's seemingly irrational behavior.

 

"You're just exaggerating. He would never actually hit me, he loves me," Jessica defended, her gaze lowered to the ground, avoiding Yoona's eyes.

 

Yoona's eyes widened in disbelief at the statement. Tyler approached Jessica and placed his hand on her waist, pulling her closer to him. Yoona was utterly taken aback by this unexpected turn of events.

 

"I think you should get your eyes checked, Detective," Tyler sneered, earning another eye roll from Yoona.

 

"Unbelievable," Yoona mumbled under her breath.

 

With a scoff, Yoona turned away, disappointment clear in her eyes. Jessica's actions left her frustrated and disheartened. As she walked down the hallway, her mind was filled with thoughts about the surprising and bewildering situation she had just witnessed.

 

"They made a fool out of me. How pathetic was I to expect anything from her? I was caught off guard, damn it," Yoona muttered to herself, frustration and anger bubbling within her.

 

Suddenly, her wrist was grabbed, and she was pulled into the elevator. She looked up to see Krystal, the younger Jung sister, with a mischievous grin.

 

"Ms. Jung?" Yoona questioned, surprised by the unexpected encounter.

 

"It's Krystal," she cheerfully announced.

 

Yoona raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Krystal's unusually happy demeanor. This was a stark contrast to the usual icy attitude she encountered from her.

 

"Where are we going?" Yoona asked, unsure of what was happening.

 

"Oh, you'll see!" Krystal replied with a playful smile, holding onto Yoona's arm as she led her to a car.

 

In the passenger seat, Yoona observed Krystal starting the car and programming the destination into the navigation system. Krystal's giggles filled the air, and Yoona couldn't help but feel puzzled by the situation she had found herself in.

 

"Go ahead, take a picture. It'll last longer," Krystal teased, noticing Yoona's lingering gaze.

 

Yoona quickly averted her eyes, feeling slightly embarrassed. "How can I trust you after the last time we met, when you slapped me across the face? Are you out of your mind?" Yoona's frustration was evident in her tone.

 

Krystal laughed awkwardly, reminiscing about that particular encounter. "Calm down. As if I wouldn't have done the same to someone who d my . Consider yourself lucky, I could have broken your leg that day."

 

To Yoona's surprise, Krystal's words were met with laughter from her. Confused, she asked, "What's so funny?"

 

"Nothing. I'm just glad I'm actually having a normal conversation with you," Krystal replied, shaking her head.

 

Krystal's genuine smile and lightheartedness made Yoona wonder about the dynamics of their relationship. She couldn't help but feel intrigued and curious about the day ahead with Krystal.

 

"I was just curious why you suddenly decided to drag me into your car. Is there a particular reason?" Yoona inquired, her curiosity piqued.

 

Krystal grinned mischievously. "Consider this my apology for slapping you that day. I was in a bad mood due to an argument with my mom, and then you happened to be there. Things just went downhill from there."

 

Yoona nodded, understanding that sometimes bad moods could lead to unexpected actions. She didn't want to dwell on that particular incident, especially when it involved an accidental .

 

"You and your mom seem to have your fair share of arguments," Yoona remarked, sensing a strong bond between Krystal and her mother.

 

Krystal chuckled. "I've reached a point in my life where I avoid unnecessary arguments. So, even if you told me that 1+1 equals 5, I'd say you're absolutely correct. Enjoy."

 

Yoona couldn't help but laugh at Krystal's response, finding her sense of humor quite amusing. She was surprised by how open and carefree Krystal was being with her.

 

As they arrived at the Korea University Ice Rink, Yoona was taken aback by the skating proposal. She soon found herself slipping on the ice while Krystal burst into laughter.

 

"Are you crazy?! This isn't a proper apology, Krystal Jung! AHHH!!" Yoona exclaimed, half in frustration and half in amusement.

 

Krystal's laughter echoed through the rink as she watched Yoona's mishap. She skated over to help Yoona up, still chuckling.

 

Yoona's eyes rolled at Krystal's amusement in her misfortune. Krystal extended her hand, and Yoona didn't hesitate to grab it. However, Krystal's own attempt to stand backfired, causing her to fall onto the ice.

 

Krystal groaned mentally, her eyes rolling. But Yoona seized the opportunity and pulled Krystal along, resulting in an accidental, and slightly inappropriate, position where Krystal was lying on the ice with Yoona on top.

 

The proximity made Krystal's face flush, and she stammered, "Y-you're heavy."

 

Quickly standing up, Yoona extended a hand to help Krystal to her feet. Once they were both standing, Yoona placed her hands on Krystal's shoulders.

 

Krystal's cheeks reddened further, and she protested, "Your hands, get off!"

 

Both of them were caught in a moment of playfulness and embarrassment on the ice rink, an unexpected twist in their day together.

 

"Goddamnit! I'm holding onto you because I don't want to fall again!"

 

Krystal's exasperation broke the silence. Yoona furrowed her brows at Krystal's reaction, wondering why she seemed so surprised by her explanation.

---

 

Meanwhile, Red Velvet and Seulgi had gathered at the park to spend some quality time together. It was quite apparent to Irene and the other members that Seulgi was acting a bit more distant towards Irene.

 

Setting up a picnic under the slightly cloudy sky, the members enjoyed their food, taking advantage of the perfect weather.

 

Seulgi, however, decided not to eat with them, much to Joy's curiosity. "Seulgi Unnie, why aren't you eating with us?"

 

"I'm just not hungry," Seulgi awkwardly responded, causing Irene to secretly roll her eyes.

 

Wendy chimed in, "We got Pringles here! We got these for you!" Her words made Seulgi's smile stretch from ear to ear, and Irene couldn't help but feel her heart skip a beat at the sight of Seulgi's radiant smile.

 

Taking the offered Pringles from Wendy, Seulgi thanked them, and they returned her gratitude with smiles. The group continued chatting about various topics, enjoying the camaraderie. Seulgi, however, stood slightly apart, embracing her role as a protector.

 

Unbeknownst to Seulgi, Irene was gradually feeling more and more hurt by her distant behavior. As the others suggested taking a selfie by the lake, Seulgi's eyes followed them. Joy and Yeri picked up on Irene's hesitance and left the two alone.

 

The air was thick with silence, Irene watching her members have a blast by the lake, and Seulgi standing behind her, observing Irene's interactions. "Aren't you getting tired? You can sit here next to me," Irene offered, struggling to find the right words.

 

"I'm fine, Ms. Bae," Seulgi replied, her tone devoid of any emotion.

 

Here we go again with the formal address. Irene sighed, feeling the weight of the strained atmosphere. She turned to face Seulgi, her heart aching at the lack of emotion in Seulgi's eyes.

 

"What happened?" Irene's question hung in the air.

 

Seulgi furrowed her brows and tilted her head, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

 

Irene let out yet another sigh, stepping closer to Seulgi. "What happened between us? We were fine before, but something's changed. What's going on?"

 

Seulgi maintained her guard, responding, "I have no idea what you're talking about, Ms. Bae."

 

Irene's eyes rolled involuntarily, and she locked her gaze onto Seulgi's, hoping to break through her defenses. "And there you go again with the surname."

 

Seulgi's eyes flickered, a sign that Irene had struck a chord. "It's what I initially called you, Ms. Bae."

 

Irene's eyes remained fixed on Seulgi's, determined to get to the bottom of this. "Correct me if I'm wrong. You've been acting this way since Suho came into the picture. You confronted us out of nowhere last night, leaving both of us stunned. It seemed like you were upset with him. I've been trying to figure out the reason by myself, but I know that I'll only understand if you tell me."

 

Seulgi sighed, knowing there was no more point in keeping her feelings hidden. She recognized that not confessing now would only lead to regret later.

 

"You're right. I'm upset with him."

 

Irene's curiosity piqued, and she listened intently, ready to resolve whatever was causing the friction between them.

 

She couldn't stay upset with Seulgi for long. Seulgi had become a significant presence in her life, carving a unique place in her heart. Seulgi's entry into her life had been an unexpected blessing.

 

"Why?" Irene inquired, her heart racing as she sensed the conversation heading toward an unexpected revelation.

 

Seulgi contemplated whether she was ready to confess her feelings, aware that her confession might end in rejection. She reassured herself that her feelings weren't too deep yet, so sharing them wouldn't be too devastating.

 

"I feel a strong dislike whenever I see him, Ms. Bae," Seulgi admitted.

 

Irene was at a loss for words, her heart racing faster now. She sensed that the conversation was about to unveil something significant.

 

Seulgi continued, "I'm upset because he likes you."

 

Irene felt a jolt in her chest, realizing where this conversation was headed. Her own feelings for Seulgi were far from superficial, and she'd always felt more comfortable around her than with other men. She hadn't expected that her own emotions would be mirrored in Seulgi's confession.

 

Her members and Irene had a heart-to-heart talk the previous night, during which Irene teared up while confessing her feelings for her "Dumb Bear Bodyguard." The flood of thoughts in her head – worries about people's reactions and acceptance – had caused her to cry. However, her members' support and encouragement reminded her that her happiness mattered most, regardless of others' opinions.

 

"So, what if he likes me? What's your issue with it?" Irene challenged Seulgi, ready to confront her and push for a confession.

 

Seulgi let out a scoff, her gaze fixed on Irene's raised eyebrows. "And now you're defending him? Do you like him too?" Seulgi's inquiry was laced with a tinge of jealousy. She hoped Irene wouldn't admit to having feelings for that guy, as that would be a real blow.

 

Irene understood Seulgi's underlying concern. She recognized Seulgi's tendency to ask if she liked Suho was driven by jealousy. "Seulgi, can you please stop assuming that I have feelings for him? If you want to say something, just say it. I'm here to listen, and nothing between us will change."

 

Seulgi heaved another sigh, her nervousness evident in the way she scratched the back of her neck. Irene noticed her unease and encouraged her to speak her mind. "Come on, Seulgi. Whatever is bothering you, share it with me. I won't judge you, and I promise our relationship won't be affected."

 

Summoning her courage, Seulgi prepared to confess, "Look, Ms. Bae, I just wanted to tell you that—"

 

"Irene!" Their conversation was interrupted by someone, prompting Seulgi to suppress the urge to lash out.

 

"Suho? What are you doing here?" Irene's surprise was evident, not expecting Suho's sudden appearance.

 

"Hi! Your manager mentioned you were here with your members, so I thought I'd drop by to see you," Suho explained with a friendly smile. "Hello, Detective Kang,"

 

Seulgi greeted, bowing politely while inwardly rolling her eyes at the interruption.

 

Irene glanced behind Suho, noticing her members signaling her discreetly and mouthing, "Why is he here?!" Irene responded by mouthing back, "I don't know, find a way to distract him now." Taking the cue, her members approached Suho, exclaiming, "Suho Oppa!"

 

Suho's attention shifted to Irene's members, a smile gracing his face. "Hi, girls!"

 

Yeri quickly took Suho's wrist, ready to lead him away. "We have something to show you real quick!" Without giving Suho a chance to respond, she dragged him off to who knows where.

 

Irene chuckled gratefully for her supportive members. She turned her attention back to Seulgi, who was looking at her with a blush that Irene tried to dismiss. She shook her head, attempting to shake away her own blush, not wanting Seulgi to notice her flushed face.

 

"Go on with what you were going to say," Irene encouraged gently.

 

Seulgi squinted her eyes at Irene, seemingly flustered. "It's not that significant, so don't worry about it, Ms. Bae."

 

Irene blinked, feeling a pang of disappointment as her heart seemed to shatter into pieces.

---

 

"Goodbye!" Before Yoona could react, Krystal had already taken off. Yoona couldn't help but find the situation amusing. Did I really just see her blush?

 

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she got back into her car, determined to enjoy the rest of the day without dwelling on the earlier encounter.

 

Her phone buzzed with a notification: SCHEDULE FOR TOMORROW: Asian Artist Awards at 4 pm.

 

Where should I spend the rest of today? Yoona wondered. She decided that she should make the most of the day instead of getting stuck on what happened earlier.

 

"Let's go to the club," she mumbled, starting the car's engine and driving away.

 

Parking outside a private club, Yoona noticed the parking lot was busier than usual. Maybe there's a celebration or event happening inside, she speculated.

 

She removed her coat, swapping it for a black leather jacket. Exiting the car, she sent a text to Seulgi, informing her of her location. The guards greeted her with smiles as she entered.

 

"Is there a celebration going on inside?" Yoona asked.

 

"Just some idols having fun. Popular ones," the guard replied.

 

"Anyone I might know?" Yoona inquired.

 

"I'm not sure if you're familiar with them, Detective Lim, but Blackpink and EXO are here," the guard explained.

 

Yoona's eyebrows furrowed at the unexpected combination of popular idol groups being together. "They're here together?"

 

The guard shook his head. "No, they're not together. It's the birthday celebration of their managers, who happen to be close friends."

 

Nodding in understanding, Yoona bid the guard goodbye and entered the club.

 

Once inside the club, Yoona felt a set of eyes on her, and she immediately recognized the source. However, she wasn't quite in the mood for interactions, given the earlier encounter. She chose a bar stool, ordered a drink, and the bartender, who remembered her from a generous tip, inquired about Detective Kang's absence.

 

"Damn! I'm right here, and yet you're focused on her?" Yoona quipped, causing the bartender to chuckle nervously at her response.

 

As she downed her drink, she noticed someone taking a seat next to her. The newcomer, a ginger-haired girl, spoke up, offering company. "Hi, feeling a bit lonely today? Want to join me?"

 

Yoona turned her attention to the girl, evaluating her cautiously. "Your radar is quite accurate, ginger girl. I'm rather impressed."

 

The girl laughed as if it were a playful jest. "It's in my genes, you can't blame me."

 

But an unexpected voice interrupted their interaction. "Calm down, you dusty . She's not that amusing," a cold voice cut through the air, making the ginger girl shiver.

 

Yoona shifted her gaze to the short brunette who had grabbed her arm, her expression icy as she glared at the ginger-haired girl.

 

"And who the hell are you?" the ginger girl retorted, undeterred.

 

The short brunette scoffed, oozing an air of confidence. "Want to meet the Devil's child? Let me tell you, you'll regret this later. You can mess around with anyone you want, but my Detective here is off-limits. She's mine. And if you don't get that through your thick skull, I'll make sure you're choking on my Channel high heels that cost more th