chapter 005 steps to recovery 2/2       "Have you seen our team leader?" Dae Gu asked as he walked over to his Soo Sun, putting his hands on the desk. She looked up at him and blinked before shaking her head.

"I haven't heard from him since you guys got into the hospital. It's strange, isn't?" She leaned back in her chair and tapped her pen on her chin. "He hasn't made an appearance here either...It's been like 2 weeks. Where could he be?"

Dae Gu nibbled on his lower lip and looked away, trying to figure out where he could be. "Maybe...he called in for a small vacation." He predicted. "I should go ask Chief Kang." Soo Sun nodded and watched Dae Gu walk away. He walked down the hall until he reached her door, opening it then walking into her office.

"Chief Kang." Dae Gu said before bowing. "I won't be long. I just need to ask a couple questions." Chief Kang nodded and held up a finger,  for she was on the phone speaking to someone. Dae Gu sat down in one of the chairs and waited patiently for her to get off of the phone. Once she was done, she shifted her entire attention on to the boy.

"Alright, Dae Gu. What did you want to ask?" She questioned, her eyebrows slightly raising. "Is this about Hyung Cheol?"

Dae Gu firmly shook his head. "It's about our team leader. Panseok." Chief Kang blinked a bit in surprise. "We haven't seen him in 2 weeks...we're starting to get worried. I was wondering if you could possibly know where he is? Maybe he called in for a vacation?"

Chief Kang sighed deeply and leaned back in her chair, letting her arms fall on to the arm rests. "My, my...So you guys haven't heard then?" Dae Gu looked up at her in alarm. "...Panseok is resigning from his position, Dae Gu." His eyes widening. "He just called in for the request this morning...as for his whereabouts, I assume he's still at his apartment complex."   "And you accepted his request to resign?!" Dae Gu exclaimed.   Chief Kang frowned. "Dae Gu, you of all people should know that it's hard to convince Panseok when his mind is set on something. He's a stubborn man. If I had said no, he would have went to the public and announced the resign, that way he wouldn't need my permission. This is already a big matter. We can't make it a bigger one. If he wants to resign, then that's his decision. If he feels like it's for the best, not only for his physical but mental and emotional health, then let him do that decision." She paused as she studied his gloomy expression. "However, you can try your best to convince him otherwise, Dae Gu. It would be a terrible loss for one of our best to leave...And I know he meants a lot to your team, more specifically to you."   Dae Gu looked at her in bewilderment. "W-What do you mean--"   She smiled at him. "Oh, you make it obvious, my boy; your feelings for him. You try to convnce us you're the monotone type of person but you do genuinely care about people, especially Panseok. You had known him for many years, and now you two got reunited and he's become a pillar in your life hasn't he?" Dae Gu swallowed thickly and lowered his gaze to the ground, a blush crossing his cheeks. "I am fully aware of our LGBT friends here in the police department, and I'll let you fully understand that I accept all ual orientations despite the media's words. If you love him, go to him. Don't let him leave your life again." Dae Gu took a moment to process all of her words as he idly nibbled on his bottom him.   "Me? Love him? A man? A man that I once thought killed my mother? A man who saved my life now two times? The man whom who was the sole reason why I joined the police force? Was it truly possible...? And here I thought it'd always be Soo Sun..."  Dae Gu thought to himself before patting his knees a bit before he got to his feet. He headed for the door but then stopped himself. Slowly turning around, he looked back at Chief Kang and bowed his head in thanks. She smiled softly at him and watched him leave in a bit of a hurry.   "My, my." She chuckled to herself as she headed for her desk. "And you thought you had everyone fooled, Dae Gu..."   "Where are you going, Dae Gu?!" Gook exclaimed as Dae Gu ran by them, his hand glued to Taeil's.   "I'm going to go kick Panseok's ." Dae Gu growled as he grabb