Sooyoung's POV

I really love the way Korea's police force solve their cases.
It is always so efficient and spot on.
I mean, you Koreans are awesomely cool in solving the cases.

I bet the prosecutors, forensic scientists and pathologists there has an IQ of over 200?
Well, im just kidding.
This is the first round of game i've set for you people.
If you can break this case, which will soon be cases and capture me.

I'll really believe in your skills and ability.
For now, we'll see.

A challenge set for the Korea's police force.
Choi Sooyoung, head prosecutor.
We'll start with you first, shall we?
And next will be your best partner Im Yoona?

Yoona?
NO!
NO!
NO!

She can't get hurt because of me!
I can't.

I've been doing my best to take care of her and not now!
I've yet to even, confess to her!
NONONO!

"What..?"
"Who on Earth is this sick?"

Yoona shrugged.

"He's challenging the defence force, unnie"
"We have to get him quick before more sick cases come in"

Jessi nodded with a frown.
Something came into my mind as i shot my head up.

"Yoona, you're fired"

"WHAT?!"
"Why are you firing me?!"
"I did nothing wrong!"

Yoona protested with a pout.

"You can't fire me like this!"

"You're fired"
"Pack your things and leave within an hour"

I was worried for Yoona's safety.
That's the only way to keep her safe.
To get her out of this job.

I knew it from start that once im into this job,
safety was never a concern anymore.

"NO!"
"I won't!"
"I know why you're firing me!" 

Yoona exclaimed angrily with her arms crossed.
She sat down back onto her seat with an upset expressioon.

"Im going to sit here and not move a single inch"
"Try moving me you CHOI SOOYOUNG!"

Why are you so stubborn, Yoona?
I love you that's why i don't want to see you getting hurt.

"Hey Soo"
"Don't worry"
"I know you're worried for Yoona's safety"
"But look, she's as healthy and strong as an ox"
"Im sure she will be able to defend herself"
"And now, you two are staying together"
"You will be able to keep a look out for her, isn't so?"


It was then i broke into tears.
Burying my face into my hands.
I couldn't take it anymore.
I know it hadn't happen.
But the thought of it happening scares me.
I don't want to lose Yoona.

"I don't.. want.."
"I don't want anyone.. to die because of.. this.."
"It's a job.. not everyone wants.."
"Yoona still has.. her family.."
"I don't.. so it's fine if.. im dead.."
"Yoona.. is not.." 

"She is still.. so young.."
"Her bright.. future.."

"Hey"
"Soo, you're not alone"
"You have us"
"We don't want you to be dead too"
"Neither does Yoona"

Yoona walked over to us with teary eyes as she put her arms over me who was crouching over,
crying bitterly.

"Your future is as bright too Soo"
"Don't, don't judge yourself"

"Sooyoung unnie"
"Don't cry"
"Im here, i will be here forever with you"
"My family can't be bothered with me when i've decided with this path"
"Plus, this is just a threat"
"It might not really happen if we are careful enough"
"We might be able to capture him before anything goes wrong"

I turned my head towards Yoona.
Yoona's hands immediately went over and wiped my tears away,
flashing me a smile.
Her hands are so soft and smooth.
The warm touch.

"It is just a threat..?"
"Yoona, have you seen what kind of threat is this..?"
"He, this sick murderer stuff this piece of threat"
"Into a body of an innocent victim!"
"How serious can this threat be?!"

"I know, unnie"
"I know"
"Im willing to take the risks with you"
"Im willing to take my chances"
"I believe that you won't let me die that easily, unnie"
"I believe and trust you to take care of me"

"See?"
"How trustworthy are you now Sooyoung?"
"Your best partner trusted you so much"
"Is it your turn to trust yourself now?"
"Trust that you can protect her, and watch out for her?"

I pondered for a few seconds before nodding my head in agreement.
Yes, i will protect her with all my life.
Now and forever.
That's it.

"I guess so"

"Good"
"Then shall we start discussing about the report?"

Yoona and I nodded as we each got ourselves a chair and sat around Sica.

"Look"
"The pathologist said this yesterday night right?"
"The victim was being cut open without any anaesthetic given which explains the muscles contraction"
"At the same time, from it seems like he had extracted a piece of woolen material"
"I think it is at my laboratory"
"I'll get it go for some tests later"

Creepy, isn't it?
These days, killers have a brain.
Not like those in the past who don't have one.
Cases solved in a day are now no longer available.

"Okay"
"Does it mean that he had stuff something into to muffle her screaming?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

Sica chuckled.

"Or it can be that he was trying to force something into or something"
"Since he killed her underground, the screaming couldn't have be transmitted out of it"
"It is nearly impossible given that the vehicles over them are moving around with their loud engines"
"It can't be"

That's plain sick.
The pain being cut open.
Can't even shout.

"And, the pathologist seemed to have found a strand of hair"
"In the hand of the deceased victim"
"But that hair doesn't belong to her from our tests reports Soo"
"So there might be a possibility that it is from the killer or not"

"It must be from the killer, isn't it?"
"Why is there a possibility of it not from the killer unnie?"

"Yoona, the killer is smart"
"He could be trying to mislead us"
"You see, if he is smart, why would he even leave that strand of hair in the victim's hands?"
"There is a reason behind it"
"Im sure"

This is the first time, to be honest,
a case gotten this tricky and tough.
Even Sica can't solve it so quickly.

Sica then closed the file and put it onto my table.

"We have to wait for the final report of the pathologist to see if there is any bruising etc showing up in the victim's body"
"As well as the report from my team before starting the investigation Soo"

"Oh, okay"
"Please try to get it done quickly Sica"
"I know it's hard on you"

Im feeling sorry for Sica.
Looking at her heavy eye bags.
She was working so hard for me.

"Soo, can you do me a favour?"
"I'll get the reports on your table by next morning if you do me this favour"

"What favour?"
"Can you drive me to a nearby clinic or hospital?"

"WAE?!"
"Are you sick?!"
"Why are you still at work?!"

"Im not Soo"
"It's Tiff"
"She's in my office resting"
"Can you drive me there?"

Had a shock of my life, seriously!

"Why don't you drive, unnie?"
"I've seen your driving license before"

"I don't drive for a reason Yoona"

Actually, Sica i think sometimes,
you should just get over the damn phobia.
It's been a year and half.

"Yup, she doesn't drive for a stupid reason"

"She's afraid of driving into the drain"
"She failed at her car parking too"
"So trust me, if she drives, you'll need more insurance than others while riding her car"

Sica rolled her eyes at me with her fist raised a little.
Oh come on, i was just saving her from the difficult situation right?

Yoona giggled.

"I'll drive you"
"Now?"

Sooyoung stood up, grabbing onto her car keys.

"Yoona, coming?"

"Right away!"

"I'll meet you two at the carpark"
"Give me 15 minutes"

"Sure"

Waiting for Sica at the carpark, Yoona spoke.

"Unnie, have you seen this Tiff person Sica unnie has been talking about?"
"Like for the past two years?"

I gave Yoona a shrug.

"Photos, yes"
"Real life, no"
"So we're in for luck to see"
"Look"

I said as i pointed over to the door.
Sica was helping onto that mysterious Tiff we've been hearing about her since two years ago.

I immediately went over and helped her while Yoona drove the car over.

"What happened to her?"
"Why is she so warm?"

"The consequences of being a fool"

"Think get her to the nearest hospital Yoona"

"Alright unnie"
"On my way!"

Yoona drove for 15 minutes before arriving at a mini hospital.
I quickly got down together with Sica and helped Tiff out of the car.

Into the A&E, the doctor came out an hour later.

"How is she, doctor?"

The doctor smiled and assured me with a pat on my shoulder.

"Don't worry"
"It's the flu period"
"She must have gotten a cold from the weather"
"You can bring her home to rest after she finish her IV"

"Thanks a lot doctor"

"No problem"
"It is my job"
"But let her have plenty of rest during this few days"
"If not, her condition might worsen instead of recovering"

"I will doctor"
"Can i go in and see her now?"

"Oh sure"
"She is awake already"
"At the last bed from the left"

"Thanks"

"Don't worry Sica"
"She is fine"
"I'll wait for you with Yoona at the cafe opposite the hospital"

"Thanks Soo"

Yoona's POV

"Americano?"

I shook my head with a grin.

"I wanna try latte!"
"People says latte is nice with cute drawings i can request for!"

Sooyoung unnie chuckled a little.

"Why not i draw for you?"

"Sure, if only you can draw me a something delicious in it"

HAHA, draw me a latte?!
Oh Sooyoung unnie!
You're hilarious!

"Sure"

Sooyoung unnie then shot me a wink before walking to the counter.
10 minutes later, she walked back with a tray in her hands.

To be honest, i was really curious.
What had she done for my latte.

"OHMYGOD!"
"SOOYOUNG UNNIE!" 

I had a shock of my life.
Seriously.
I looked at the latte in disbelief.

"What on Earth is this?"

"My artwork of course!"

I was trying so hard to hold onto my laughter.

"Your drawing?"
"Did you get a D or even an U-grade for your art in the past?"

Sooyoung rolled her eyes as she sat down infront of me.

"What?"
"Can't i get a U-grade?"
"I just can't draw alright?"

I laughed and took a sip of the latte.

"Mmm"
"Taste nice though"

I said with a smile.
I noticed the uneasy look on Sooyoung unnie.
Guess she is still worried, isn't she?

"Unnie"

I put down my latte and gave it a stir.
The artwork was really a little too much.

"Hmm?"

"Don't be so worried"
"Im good alright?"
"We've gone through a lot of self-defence courses"
"Don't worry"

I tried to assure her by placing my hands over hers.

"I'll try Yoona"
"It's hard"
"But i'll try"
"Don't worry about me"

Yuri's POV

While i gave my students a short break from their dance lessons,
my phone rang.

"Im fine Yuri"
"Really"

"You sound bad Tiff"
"Have you been to the doctor?"
"Do you need me to bring you to one?"

"You don't have to worry"
"Just tell Taeyeon that i can't be there later in the afternoon for her violin lesson"
"If you could just help me teach her, i'll be real grateful to you"

"Okay i will"
"I'll come over as soon as i am done here"

"Nono"
"Yul, you don't have to come-"

"That's it"

Tiff's sick.
Why is it that no one even bothered to take her to the doctors?

After ending the call, i called my students over.

"Class, i've something urgent today"
"I've to go now, can you all come back again for another make up lesson?"

"Neh"

Grabbing onto my bag and slinging my violin over my shoulder,
i ran out of the dance studio and got on a cab.

"Yoboseyo"

"Hey Taeyeon"
"Tiff's asked me to drop you a call that she have to cancel the lesson with you today"
"Or if you want, i can go in for her"

"Why?"

"Tiff's sick"
"She can't make it today"

"Fany's sick?!"
"Where is she now?"
"I can visit her, can i?"

"Im not too sure either"

"Why is she sick?"
"Has she been to the doctors?"

"I don't think so"

"Why?"

"I think Jessica didn't bring her to one"

I replied with a shrug.

"Jessica?"
"That girl who left the flowers at the doorstep and ran off?"

"Yup"

"Why didn't she bring Fanyfany to the doctors?!"

"I don't know too"
"I'll drop you a text later if you wanna visit Tiff"
"Got to go, see you later"

"Okay"
"Thanks for calling Yuri"

Yes!
I've managed to get another person to have a bad impression for Jessica.
Well, she deserves it, don't she?

Arriving outside the laboratory 15 minutes later, i knocked on it.

"Excuse me?"
"Who are you looking for?"

"Is Jessica or Tiffany inside?"

"Unnie went out already"
"She's not in here"
"Im sorry i can't let you in here"
"No one can enter here unless they are part of this team or the investigation team"

"Oh it's okay"
"Thanks"

Geez.
What kind of place is this?
Do you think i would even want to enter?
I was just worried for Tiff alright?!

Tiff, where are you now?
I thought you said you were here?

"Yoboseyo..?"

She sounded weak and hoarse.
Gosh, Tiff what have you been doing?!

"Where are you now Tiff"
"Im outside Sica's laboratory"

"Im at the hospital, Yul"

HOSPITAL?!
Things got so serious?!

"HOSPITAL?!"
"WHICH?! IM COMING OVER RIGHT NOW!"

"Err.."

"Yoboseyo"
"Jessica imnida"

"Which hospital is Tiff at now?"
"Im coming over now"

"Oh, she's at this 24 hour emergency unit at the hospital with a 15 minutes drive from there you are"

"Im coming over now"

"Okay"

I quickly ended the call and ran out of the building,
and got onto another cab.

Jessica?
Tiffany was with you yet you didn't bring her to the hospital when you first realised that she is sick!
Who are you to have make her suffer so much!
Tiffany is my love, how could you?!

"I guess i'll look for a place on my own"

As soon as i entered the hospital,
I overheard this sentence.
Jessica, if you're her friend why can't you offer her a place to stay?!

"A place to live?"
"Why do you have to look?"
"You've me here Tiff!"

I interupted from behind.
I was really worried about the figure lying on the bed infront of me.

"Oh you're here"
"Tiff, i'll leave you with Yuri"
"See you tonight Yuri"

I shot Jessica dagger glares.
How could she leave just like that?
She was the cause behind Tiffany's illness!

"You should have brought her in earlier Sica!"
"You knew she was sick, don't you?!"
"If you couldn't take care of her, you could have called!"
"Look at her now, in the hospital!"

"Im sorry Yuri"
"My fault"

She apologised and walked off just like that?
Isn't she apologetic at all?

Nevermind, just you wait Jessica Jung.
I'll get back at you for making MY Tiffany suffer during your violin lesson.

After Jessica left, i went to Tiff's side and sat down with a smile.
But i was intially taken aback by Tiff's words.

"Why did you.. scold her?"

Why can't i scold her?
She made you suffer, Tiff.

"Why can't i scold her?"
"She didn't take care of you!"

"She did"
"You shouldn't.. scold her Yul!"

Tiff was coughing.
You shouldn't be worrying for her Tiff.
You should be worrying for yourself.

"I didn't.. say it infront.. of her because i figured.. out.."
"Figured out.. that you might not feel so.. embarrassed.."

"Im worried for you Tiff"
"I guess im sorry?"

"Promise me you won't do it again?"
 
"I'll try?"

"No dagger glares at Jessi too"

"I'll try my very best"

"No trying"
"You have to"

"Alright, i promise but on a condition"
"Three dinner dates"

Yay!
Three dinner dates.
Well, the promise was just to treat her better when Tiff's around.
It doesn't mean i have to when she is not around.
I wanna get my revenge on her.

"Deal!"

KYAAA.
The answer.
Ohmygod.
Im so happy!
Gonna have a date with Tiff soon!

"You'll stay at my house now okay?"
"I'll nurse you back to your perfect health"

Yes, i'll do a much more better job than Jessica in taking care of you.
Within days, you'll be as good as new!

"Alright.."

She frowned.
Did she?

Later that night, after tucking Tiff back in bed,
I carried my violin and left for Jessica's lesson.
HAHA.
Watch out, Jessica.

I entered the room.
I looked at the clock.
It was 8.05pm.
Yes, i was 5 minutes late and Jessica was there waiting for me already.
Around her, was the luggage of Tiff's.

Guess she brought it here for me.
How automatic, isn't it?

"Hey you're here"

Im sure my tone was cold.

"Im sorry for shouting at you just now"
"You know, i was just worried for Tiff"

Jessica shot me a weak smile.

"Of course, i understand"

"Okay, come let's not waste time"

Jessica nodded as i took over her book roughly,
and placed a brand new set of score sheets infront of her.

"Play this"
"I think you've sufficient practice"

I smirked, mentally.
I doubt she can play this.

With that, i can take a chance to vent back all the scoldings Tiff had on me.
Too bad, Jessica.
Count yourself unlucky.

"This..?"

I chuckled sacarstically at her expression.

"Why?"
"Im sure you can do it, can't you?"

"I'll try"

"That sounds better"

Jessica then started playing it.
The first verse was okay till the chorus.

"You got it wrong Sica"
"You're too slow for these notes!"
"Do it again!"

She tried again.

"Wrong wrong wrong!"
"How could you not get it?!"
"It's so simple!"

"It's too fast, Yuri"

Jessica let out a sigh.

"Fast?"
"This is considered the slowest in my scores file"
"You're not good for violin playing that's it"
"Just admit it"

"Yuri..?"

There was hurt in her eyes.

"I thought you said, i was good"

"Like you said, 'WAS' and not now"
"No longer"
"You can just consider learning violin"
"Not for someone like you who are of a science person"
"Science and arts can never mix"

I said to her harshly.
I just want her to cut the relationship and ties from Tiff.
Tiff is mine.

"Yuri.."

"You can just stay here and think"
"I'll get going and tell me if you still wanna continue with this redundant lessons you're continuing"
"Might as well save your money up"

"Yuri.."

I've succeeded i guess?
I've broke her self-confidence.

"Yeah?"

I answered her, half heartedly as i packed my stuff up.

"How is Tiff?"
"Is she feeling better?"

"Thanks to you"
"She is" 

I replied sacarstically as i dragged the pink luggage and pink violin case out.
Leaving that broken girl in the room, on her own.

Back to my mansion, my brother was standing by the door welcoming me with a cheeky grin on his face.

"Oppa?"
"Im back"

"Of course i know you're back"
"Am i blind?"

"OPPA!"
"Why are your words always filled with needles?!"

"Well, im just interested to know what is going on in my house"
"A stranger is pulling and playing her violin in the middle of the night"

Tiff?
She should be resting!

"Ohmygod!"
"Oppa!"
"I'll explain to you later!"

Tiff, i was only gone for less than two hours.
Do you really have to do it?
Standing outside Tiff's room, i heard a strong coughing fit.

Opening the room door, Tiff was crouching over the chair,
coughing really badly.
I frowned as i entered the room and roughly took the violin and bow away from her.

"What are.. you doing..?"
"Return my violin.. to me Yul.."
"Don't.."

"Go back to bed"
"I mean, now Tiff"

My voice was stern and upset.

"You came home with your fever subsided"
"Look at you now!"
"I told you to rest when i brought you back, didn't i?"

"I've a concert.. tomorrow.."
"It's my last.. i have to practice.. a little.."
"Return it to.. me please..?"

Look at that pale face with perspiration dripping down her forehead.

"No"
"Im going to confiscate your violin till you've recovered"

"Yul.."

"No"

"Please..?"

"No"
"Bed"
"Now"

Instead, Tiff broke into tears as walked towards the room door.

"I hate you, Yul!"
"No one ever takes my violin away from me!"

Tiff shouted at me.
This is the first time she did that.

I was shocked.
Before i could regain my composure, Tiff was nowhere to be seen.
I ran out, but i was tad too late.

She was gone.

How could i have made her break into tears like that?
Im sorry, Tiff.
I really am.

I was just worried.

"Yuri?"
"What's wrong?"

"Oppa.."

I ran to him and cried in his chest.

"Tiff ran away"
"I didn't mean to upset her.."

"Tiff?"
"You mean the girl you love?"

I nodded.

"It's okay Yul"
"Go and apologise to her when she is feeling better okay?"
"Im sure you're just worried that's why"
"Don't worry"
"If your apology don't work, oppa will help her beloved little dongsaeng okay?"

"Oppa.."

"Hushhush"
"Oppa's here"
"Don't worry"

Tiffany's POV

I was coughing badly when the room door shot open.
Before i could react, Yuri entered the room and roughly took the violin and bow away from her.

No one ever grabs the violin off my hands.
No one ever grabs the bow off my hands.
Never.

"What are.. you doing..?"
"Return my violin.. to me Yul.."
"Don't.."

"Go back to bed"
"I mean, now Tiff"

Her voice was stern and upset.

"You came home with your fever subsided"
"Look at you now!"
"I told you to rest when i brought you back, didn't i?"

"I've a concert.. tomorrow.."
"It's my last.. i have to practice.. a little.."
"Return it to.. me please..?"

You don't know me well, Yuri.
No one, no one ever stops me.
And i repeat, no one ever take stuff that meant so much to me away from me.
You're my friend and im just keeping it down.

"No"
"Im going to confiscate your violin till you've recovered"

Confiscate?!

"Yul.."

"No"

"Please..?"

"No"
"Bed"
"Now"

I couldn't take it anymore.
I can't hold my tears back anymore.
I walked towards the room doo and spoke,

"I hate you, Yul!"
"No one ever takes my violin away from me!"

No one ever take my violin away from me.
No one..
Not even Jessi.
She didn't even do it once even if im sick and were practicing.
She would encourage me on instead and only urged me to take more breaks in between.
Jessi, i missed you.

Can you take care of me instead?

I was walking around, down the streets of Seoul helplessly.
It was dark at night, quiet and cold.
I ran out without another layer of warm clothing to keep me warm.

Where can i go at such timing?
My head is spinning.
If Jessi hadn't gone, i would be with her and she would have taken care of me.

••••••••••••••
flashback;;
••••••••••••••

–«»––«»––«»––«»––«»–
"Baby, why aren't you resting?"
"You need more rest you know"

Jessi came and wrapped her arms around my waist.

"I know Jessi.."
"Can you let me practice?"
"My concert, my performance, you know they mean a lot to me"

Violin concerts and performances are my life.
They mean a lot to me.

"I know"
"Oh well, okay"
"I'll wait here for you"
"Just practice for an hour and you'll take your medicine and back to bed okay?"
"When you're up, you can practice again"
"Plus, you're good enough to even perform without practicing"

"I'll feel-"

"I know i know"
"You're feel insecure"
"I get it, i totally get it"
"So our dear violinist, will you start playing to soothe my dearest pair of ears here?"

Jessi was smiling at me, settling herself down onto her sofa.
Waiting for me to play the violin.

I played for an hour.
An hour of playing means half of my concert's performance.

"Alright"

Jessi said as she stood up from the sofa.
Putting her hands on my shoulder, Jessi gave me a sweet kiss on my cheeks.

"You'll get si-"
 
"It's time to rest"
"Another hour of practice later okay?"
"Our baby did so well that she has to have herself some reward of a decent rest right?"

Jessi was so sweet.
She gently pushed me back to the bedroom and brought my violin case over to me.

"Here"
"Keep your baby and eat these medicine up"
"You'll feel better"

Over the whole night, or time that i was asleep.
I knew Jessi didn't even take a single time to rest but was constantly chaging the towel on my forehead.
Jessi was tired but she didn't even complain.

Later that night, i woke up feeling so much better.
I knew it was Jessi's credits.

"Hey baby"
"You're up"
"Feeling better?"

I nodded with a smile and placed my hands on Jessi's cheeks.

"You should rest"
"If not, it will be your turn falling sick baby"

"Me falling sick?"
"Wouldn't it be good?"
"So you will take care of me?"

She winked at me playfully.

"YAH!"
"I don't want you to get sick!"

"Arasso"
"Come on, dinner's ready"
"Someone wants to practice right?"

I nodded with a smile as i followed her out to the dining room.
–«»––«»––«»––«»––«»–

•••••••••••••••••••••••
end of flashback;;
•••••••••••••••••••••••