The Cop Is Too Strong [EN]: Chapter 35

Chae-yeon called out, and Shin Hae-soo turned around.

“Ah… Chae-yeon.”

Chae-yeon met Hae-soo’s wavering eyes and was certain. There was only one reason this penniless man would be lingering in a department store, especially in the women’s clothing section.

‘He must have heard about my breakup with Dong Nam-cheol and came to find me,’ she thought. ‘I don’t know how he found out, but that’s the only explanation.’

He had never once visited her at work during their three years of dating.

“What brings you here?”

Hae-soo hesitated, unable to answer immediately. Chae-yeon chuckled inwardly at his reaction.

‘How predictable.’

Chae-yeon pretended not to know and changed the subject.

“How have you been?”

“Same as always, catching criminals…”

“Got promoted yet?”

“Yeah, this year.”

“Good, it was about time. What about a place to live?”

“I got a studio apartment near the station.”

“Rent?”

“Yeah.”

At the word ‘rent,’ Chae-yeon sighed softly and looked away. She reached out and casually touched Hae-soo’s arm.

“You’ve gotten even buffer?”

Hae-soo twisted his arm away from her bold touch.

‘Tch, whatever, I’ll give you what you want to hear,’ she thought.

Chae-yeon clasped her hands together and spoke in a tone filled with guilt.

“I broke up with Dong Nam-cheol.”

Hae-soo’s brow furrowed deeply at the mention of Dong Nam-cheol’s name.

Just then.

Clack, clack, clack.

A striking woman approached from the direction of the restroom, her high heels clicking. She was dressed smartly in a white blouse with a ribbon neck and a sky-blue skirt.

Chae-yeon’s eyes were drawn to her, and she was about to wait for her to pass when the woman stopped. Right next to Hae-soo.

Chae-yeon’s pupils widened in shock.

“Y-you have company?”

“Oh, this is Haru. Haru… this is Chae-yeon.”

Hae-soo fumbled for the right way to introduce her and simply used her name. Haru gave a light nod and stood close behind Hae-soo.

‘What is she, a model?’ Chae-yeon wondered.

Chae-yeon quickly scanned Haru. Her heels were obviously nine centimeters high [approximately 3.5 inches], yet she was about the same height as Hae-soo, and she was slender without an ounce of fat. She didn’t seem to be wearing any makeup, but her beauty shone through.

‘Where did this cheapskate find a woman like this…’

Judging by Hae-soo’s reaction, he wasn’t here to show her how well he was doing out of spite. From the beginning, Hae-soo was the type to be pathetic in front of money but not engage in such underhanded tactics.

But she couldn’t help feeling resentful.

“Ah… you came to buy your girlfriend clothes? Come into our store, I’ll help you pick something out. You’re not good at picking out women’s clothes, are you?”

“I can pick them out just fine.”

Just then, a clear voice came from behind. Chae-yeon turned around and was startled.

‘A-Ahn Seo-eun, the director?’

Chae-yeon knew the face of Ahn Seo-eun, a member of the owner’s family. She knew her even better because she occasionally swept through the department store.

“Hae-soo, you have quite the network of female acquaintances, don’t you?”

“Not really.”

“Is that so?”

“Well, I’ll be going now. Have a good time!”

Chae-yeon, even more flustered by Hae-soo’s acquaintance with Ahn Seo-eun, quickly bowed and retreated.

She hid inside the store and watched them through the glass. She couldn’t figure out what the relationship was between the three of them.

But one thing was clear: the formidable Ahn Seo-eun was showing signs of jealousy.

‘What happened in the meantime? If that’s the case…’

She imagined herself standing between the two women, both of whom were striking even from a distance.

‘I’d look like an squid…’ [A Korean slang term for someone unattractive when compared to more attractive people.]

Chae-yeon squatted down inside the counter and swallowed her embarrassing delusion.

*

In front of Hae-soo’s house.

Chief Kang handed Hae-soo a shopping bag full of items.

Haru bowed deeply to Ahn Seo-eun and Chief Kang.

“Really, thank you so, so much.”

“It’s nothing. I had fun today too. Let’s go shopping together again sometime. Okay?”

She looked at Hae-soo, seeking his permission. For now, Hae-soo was acting as Haru’s guardian.

“Um…”

Hae-soo turned to Haru. Haru’s cheeks were flushed as she kept her head down. She was enjoying it. She had been making this expression throughout the shopping trip. She didn’t say it, but she was really happy.

He also remembered how he had dealt with the high school girls in a non-violent way, and it seemed like she would be fine without him.

Above all, he had faith that Ahn Seo-eun would be able to handle any situation well.

“She says it’s okay.”

“Great. Haru, I’ll contact you.”

“…Yes.”

On the way up to the house after seeing Ahn Seo-eun off, Haru’s steps were subtly lighter than usual.

‘She’s a woman after all.’

*

That night, Hae-soo lay still, gazing at the night sky through the window.

A strange experience from a few days ago came to mind.

‘Has the reset ability changed?’

The ability to see things from another person’s perspective about an hour later.

‘Has it changed? Or has it been added?’

He had been extremely careful with his reset ability since the incident with the paralyzed female student. So he thought it might have changed.

‘I’ll know when the time comes.’

Hae-soo quietly watched Haru, who was hugging a shopping bag instead of his sleeve for once, before closing his eyes.

***

On the way to work, a call came in as soon as he put on his helmet on his motorcycle in the parking lot.

“This is Shin Hae-soo.”

-Chief Shin! Where are you?

“I’m about to head to work.”

-Ah, just, just wait a moment, please?

“What’s going on?”

-It’s, well, it’s nothing much, just a moment!

Soon, a car stopped in front of the building, and Chief Gu got out. He was carrying a large box.

“What’s that?”

“This is, it’s a gift for you!”

Chief Gu’s face was flushed, wondering what the gift was. Hae-soo took off his helmet and opened the box.

Inside were black long-sleeved shirts and pants. But the shape was a bit strange.

“Do you remember? When Chief Shin was seriously injured during the Mocking Ghost case, I mentioned police equipment.”

Chief Gu took out the shirt and held it up for Hae-soo to see, continuing his explanation.

“This is a new material protective suit that I’ve been researching and manufacturing for a long time. It’s slightly elastic, breathable, and, most importantly, highly protective. I received a sample and tested it with a kitchen knife, and it can’t be pierced with ordinary force.”

“Hmm…”

It looked like functional sportswear with holes and was very thin. But when he picked it up, it was quite heavy than it looked.

Seeing Hae-soo’s reaction was doubtful, Chief Gu earnestly emphasized the need for it.

“It’ll be as comfortable as if you’re not wearing anything! This took a whopping eight months to make. And here, these gloves too.”

He also gave him thin gloves made of the same material that fit snugly on his hands, like surgical gloves. Looking closely, he could tell that they were all extraordinary products.

“How much… is this?”

“Ah, hahaha, don’t worry too much about the price, just use it carefully. I’ve made a lot of money thanks to you, Chief Shin, haven’t I?”

“How much is it?”

When he asked repeatedly without a smile, Chief Gu reluctantly held up two fingers.

“Two thousand?”

“Two hundred million [Korean Won, approximately $150,000 USD].”

“Huh…”

Hae-soo stared at Chief Gu in surprise at the price. He was honestly a little surprised. Even if he had benefited from him, he didn’t expect him to spend such a large sum of 200 million won just as a gift.

The production period was eight months, so it took almost a year including the manufacturer, so he couldn’t refuse even if he looked at the sincerity. The size and purpose itself were tailored to him, so he couldn’t give it to anyone else.

“I’ll use it gratefully.”

“Haha, I just hope Chief Shin doesn’t get hurt… Oh!”

To repay his kindness, Hae-soo immediately took off his top and put on the protective suit on the spot.

Chief Gu hurriedly looked around and covered Hae-soo with his body.

It was really comfortable like functional sportswear and breathable.

Hae-soo put the pants and gloves in the storage bag in the box and took them.

“I’ll put these on when I get there.”

“That’s perfect. I’m so proud!”

“Then I’ll be going.”

“Yes, good luck!”

Chief Gu had a purely happy expression.

*

The short and intense vacation for the entire Violent Crimes Unit 1 was over. As he entered the office, the members of the other teams greeted Hae-soo.

“The Assault Captain is here?”

“Wow, Unit 1 looks great!”

“Have you arrived, Senior!”

The loud greeting of the youngest member, who arrived first, echoed through the office. He looked like a gangster as always.

Oh Gyeong-i high-fived Hae-soo once and turned to the youngest member.

“So, how was your vacation, maknae [youngest member]?”

“I went on a trip with my girlfriend.”

“What?”

“What did you say?”

Following Oh Gyeong-i, Hae-soo also turned his head.

“Our maknae had a girlfriend?”

The maknae blushed, his face capable of taking down a cow with his bare hands, and replied.

“Yes, it’s been a year.”

“Wow, that’s great, great. Hae-soo…”

Hae-soo returned to his seat without saying a word and picked up a dumbbell.

“Sigh, our Hae-soo is good at catching criminals, but he can’t catch a woman. Maknae, what do you think of Hae-soo?”

“I think Senior Shin Hae-soo is excellent!”

Oh Gyeong-i raised and shook his little finger.

“Then why don’t you set him up? Is Hae-soo thirty-one this year?”

“I’m fine.”

“I’ll ask my girlfriend right away.”

The maknae picked up his phone.

“Maknae, I said I’m fine.”

“My girlfriend is in aviation. I’m confident I can find a wonderful woman worthy of you, Senior!”

Ding, diring, dingding.

The sound of a call being connected was heard. Hae-soo put down the dumbbell.

“Maknae, put your phone down.”

“Yes, I understand!”

At the lower voice, the maknae quickly ended the call and put down his phone.

Oh Gyeong-i waved his hand.

“Hey, why are you like that? Don’t just catch criminals, wow, aviation, if I had only married later…”

The team leader, who was cutting his nails, muttered.

“What was my sister-in-law’s number again?”

“I should buy my beloved wife her favorite chicken today.”

Just as Unit 1 was recharged and continuing their silly jokes in a bright atmosphere, the door to the Violent Crimes Unit office opened.

“Did the team leader arrive?”

“Did the team leader arrive!”

A well-built man swaggered in with his chin raised and waved one hand.

Hae-soo’s pupils widened as he spotted the man.

Oh Gyeong-i confirmed the man from afar and said.

“Ah, they said a new Unit 2 leader came while we were on vacation, right? He’s young?”

The Unit 2 leader looked around, spotted Unit 1, and approached with a smile.

“Hello? I’m Dong Nam-cheol, the Unit 2 leader transferred from the National Police Agency. I look forward to working with you.”

Dong Nam-cheol put one hand in his pocket and shook hands with the Unit 1 leader. Although they were the same rank, there was a difference of more than ten years in age, but he acted as if he was dealing with a subordinate.

The Unit 1 leader frowned slightly, then stood up and shook his hand.

“Ah yes, nice to meet you. I’m Kwak Soo-cheol.”

Dong Nam-cheol gripped the Unit 1 leader’s hand tightly, then released it and looked around at the Unit 1 members, saying as if declaring war.

“From what I’ve heard, Unit 1 tends to monopolize major cases? Now that I’m here, cases will be distributed fairly from now on. I trust that Unit 1 will also coordinate well.”

Oh Gyeong-i twitched his eyebrows and stood up from his seat.

“What was that?”

Dong Nam-cheol, who didn’t have muscles but was about the same height as Hae-soo, looked down at Oh Gyeong-i and sneered.

“Aren’t you a team member? You’re low in rank, so you shouldn’t be committing insubordination from the first day, should you?”

Oh Gyeong-i’s eyes were blazing. He was younger than him at first glance, but he was talking about insubordination, and blood was about to come out of his bitten lips.

“Ha…”

Hae-soo stood up at Oh Gyeong-i’s sigh, and his eyes met Dong Nam-cheol’s.

Dong Nam-cheol’s face showed no surprise at all. Hae-soo noticed it from that. Dong Nam-cheol was not originally supposed to come to the Criminal Affairs Division, especially not to Gangjin Station, which had the most cases. He came knowing that he was here.

Thinking that way made him even more displeased. Just as Hae-soo was about to move, the Unit 1 leader blocked his path.

“Okay, okay, let’s talk about case distribution later, you came to say hello today, didn’t you? Go in.”

At the team leader’s mediation, one corner of Dong Nam-cheol’s mouth curled up.

“Ah… really, I’m holding back for the sake of the team leader’s reputation. Please manage your team members well…”

Thud, thud, thud.

At that moment, Dong Nam-cheol felt Hae-soo approaching quickly.

Whack!

Hae-soo grabbed his shoulder with one hand and pressed down.

“Agh!”

Dong Nam-cheol was helpless against the tremendous force and fell sideways, hitting his head on the desk. Hae-soo brought his mouth close to his ear and said in a cold tone.

“Dong Nam-cheol, how dare you come here? I don’t know what kind of fucked up idea you came with, but the Criminal Affairs Division team leader position is not a place for trash like you. Pack your bags quietly and get out before you see something worse, got it?”

“You, you son of a bitch, you think you’ll be okay after this… Ack!”

Crack.

Hae-soo pressed down on his collarbone even harder. Dong Nam-cheol’s sharp scream echoed through the office.

“Hey, stop him, stop him!”

“Hey, Assault!”

“Team leader!”

All the members of Units 1 and 2 rushed to Hae-soo in a hurry.

<#35. The New Unit 2 Leader> End