Chapter 6 - New Partner

(**NAME-ssi - a polite way of talking to people who you don't know that well.

***Maknae - the youngest person of the group.

****Hyung - older brother; a polite way a younger male calls the older male. )

They went to the main part of the police station, specifically to Chief's office. When they entered the room, Soo Min immediately saw a young man sitting opposite the desk, who, seeing them, immediately stood up and saluted. He looked younger, but was a head taller than Soo Min, had black hair long enough to cover his ears, and the bangs fell slightly on his left eye. With this face he could successfully become a model, actor or even an idol. Only his silhouette matched the image of the model policeman almost perfectly - broad shoulders and arms, muscular body clearly visible through the tight black shirt he was wearing, plus well-developed legs. This man certainly ran fast, and it was highly possible that he did some martial arts.

- Soo Min, this is Jung Hyun Woo, an officer from Gwangju city in Gyeonggi Province. He is 28 years old, was promoted recently and transferred to Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Investigation Departament, Violent Crime Section as a reward for solving a very complicated case in which a middle-aged man kidnapped, raped and murdered boys between 6 and 12 years old.- the Chief introduced the young man.

- I heard about it on the news. A very difficult case.- replied Soo Min.- Good job, I'm not surprised you got a promotion. Congratulations.- she turned to Hyun Woo, smiling slightly, but since she wasn't used to complimenting others, it turned out a bit artificial and probably that's why he smiled back so faintly.

- Hyun Woo.- Chief turned to him.- That's officer Kim Soo Min, our best detective. As in Violent Crime Section one spot is open, you will work there now peacefully and will be Soo Min's partner.- he announced, causing Hyun Woo's slightly wider smile, and surprise on her face.

- Chief, I think I said already that I don't need a partner.- Soo Min spoke up.

- I know you said that. But Hyun Woo needs to work with someone from whom he can learn a lot and you seem to be the best candidate.- Chief replied, then approached a bit so that his next words could be heard only by her.- Besides, he is new and certainly not like the rest of your colleagues. I think it's better for him to land in your hands than anyone of the rest, don't you think? It would be a shame for such a nice boy to change into, for example, the next detective Min Joo Chan. I think it's enough that Lee Jung Mo is following in his footsteps...- he added, clearly knowing how to approach her.

Soo Min sighed slightly, closing eyes for a moment. He was right, it would certainly be bad. Finally she raised her eyelids and looked first at Hyun Woo and then at Chief Kim.

- All right then. He can become my partner.- she finally agreed.

- Wonderful!- said Chief, smiling broadly.- I know you're good at your job and don't need much help, but if you will keep on working all alone, you might die from overworking yourself. And I can't allow it, your skills are too valuable.- he added finally.

Soo Min only rolled her eyes slightly in response, but a slight smile appeared on her face.

- In that case, I am very happy to be able to work with you, officer Kim Soo Min.- Hyun Woo spoke up, and joy was clearly audible in his voice.

- You can now take him with you, show the station and the Section. He should take Dae Shim's former desk, since it stand right next to yours.- commanded Chief.

- Okay. Come wih me.- Soo Min turned to Hyun Woo and he immediately went out into the corridor with her. She showed him the station, and before they entered the room where the Violent Crime Section headquarters was located, Soo Min turned to him.

- Now we will enter our Section. I need to warn you that 'pigs in uniforms' reside here.- she said.

- Pigs in uniforms?- asked Hyun Woo, surprised.

- That's what I call our colleagues. They deserve this title, and as soon as you get to know them better, you'll find out why and admit I'm right.- Soo Min answered, finally opening the door. When they entered the room, curious glances immediately fell on Hyun Woo.

- We have a new friend?- Jung Mo asked, clearly pleased.

- Wait, I know your face from somewhere.- Han Eul interjected.- Aren't you the policeman from Gwangju who solved the case of this bastard who kidnapped, raped and killed young boys?- he asked curiously.

- Yes, that's right.- Hyun Woo replied.- I was promoted and directed here.- he added after a moment.

- This is officer Jung Hyun Woo from Gwangju city in Gyeonggi Province. He was directed to us and will be my partner.- added Soo Min.

- Wow, this is new.- said Joo Chan.- I thought you didn't need anybody to help.- he added with a bit of malice in his voice.

- I had no choice. Chief Kim urged me to take care of him.- Soo Min answered calmly, not letting him provoke her again.

- Hyun Woo-ssi**, you're a good-looking man.- Jung Mo said, wanting to change the subject.- How old are you? I would like to know if I still remain maknae*** or not.- he added with a slight smile.

- I am 28 years old.- answered Hyun Woo.

- So I have another hyung****.- said Jung Mo, clearly happy, but soon Joo Chan interrupted him, urging to go back to moving files to Soo Min's desk.

- Your desk will be here.- Soo Min turned to Hyun Woo, pointing to the desk next to her.- You can move it a bit closer, we will work together after all. - she added, and he immediately got to work. Then Hyun Woo and Soo Min began to sort out the files of the "Cherry Blossom Reaper" case that Joo Chan gave them.

- We will be taking care of this case?- asked Hyun Woo, clearly shocked after seeing the name written on every folder of the files.

- Yes, today this case was handed over to me.- confirmed Soo Min.- The daughter of the CEO of the fashion house, Choi Ye Eun, is missing. It turns out that the bouquet of artificial cherry blossoms found yesterday has her blood sprinkled on it. Finding out about that, Choi's family put pressure on Commissioner General and that's why the detective was changed.- she explained.

- Wow, this family is really powerful, right?- asked Hyun Woo.- I heard that the families of other missing and murdered girls also asked to change the detective, because the case got stuck, but then no one reacted.- he added after a while.

- Welcome to the great world of our capital. The people of Gangnam are generally rich or have power, but in the case of the Choi family, they have both.- Soo Min replied, sighing slightly.