INTERCEPT

The next morning, Taeyang woke up earlier than usual. The fresh morning air beckoned him to run around the neighborhood of his new home. Dressed in simple sportswear and running shoes, he was calm, enjoying the quiet of the morning, and thinking about many things, from his work to his new life.

While running on a shady path, Taeyang quickened his pace. However, he suddenly spotted a woman who seemed to be running towards him. He frowned for a moment, then recognized the girl-Jiwon.

Unintentionally, the two of them met in the middle of the road. Jiwon seemed a little out of breath, as if she was chasing something. When she saw Taeyang, she stopped for a moment with a small smile on her face.

"Are you jogging too, Detective?" asked Jiwon in a teasing tone.

Taeyang stopped for a moment and looked at her, somewhat surprised. "Yeah, I just wanted to walk around. Just moved in," he replied casually.

"Seriously? You're running?" Jiwon smiled, as if not believing Taeyang's answer.

Taeyang just nodded slowly. "Yeah, I think I should explore the neighborhood."

Jiwon stared at him for a few seconds, then started walking after Taeyang. "I live around here too. Come on, I'll go jogging too," she said in a whining tone, making Taeyang smile slightly.

"Follow me?" Taeyang asked in surprise. "Why should I?"

Jiwon snorted, as if not accepting. "Why, you think I can't run?" he asked in a nosy tone.

Taeyang laughed softly, seeing Jiwon's always cheerful and energetic attitude. "Fine, but don't expect me to slow down just for you."

Jiwon chuckled, and they began to run together, although Taeyang maintained his fast pace. However, she couldn't help but smile. Perhaps, this brief encounter could be the start of something unexpected.

After a few minutes of running together, Jiwon started to fall behind. Although she tried hard to keep up with Taeyang, the man's pace was much faster. Taeyang occasionally glanced back and saw Jiwon who looked exhausted, but still tried not to give up.

"Seriously, you don't have to chase me," Taeyang said as he slowed his pace, finally deciding to slow down.

Jiwon let out a long breath, laughing softly. "I can keep up, don't think of me as weak," she replied excitedly.

Taeyang just smiled slightly, feeling a little amazed by Jiwon's determination. Although he had only just met this girl, he was beginning to feel a strange bond between them. Maybe it was because they both loved to fight and didn't give up easily.

They continued to run together, and along the way, Jiwon occasionally asked lighthearted questions that made the atmosphere more relaxed. Although they both seemed to belong to very different worlds, there was a comfort between them that made the time fly by.

After a few kilometers, they stopped at a small park, with park benches all around and shade trees. Jiwon sat on one of the benches, took a deep breath and smiled in relief. "I think I need a drink," she said, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

Taeyang sat on the bench next to her and just nodded. "You're tougher than I thought," he said, slightly impressed with Jiwon's effort.

Jiwon just chuckled. "Of course. I don't give up easily."

After a few minutes of rest, the two of them walked back toward their house. When they reached the crossroads that separated their houses, Jiwon turned around and saw Taeyang.

"Thanks for accompanying me jogging this morning," she said with a light smile. "I guess I can join you more often, if you don't mind."

Taeyang nodded, though his expression remained calm. "Sure. But if you keep falling behind, I'll keep going."

Jiwon chuckled. "I'll catch up, take it easy."

They parted ways on the road, feeling lighter than before. Perhaps, that morning jog was the start of something more. But clearly, for Taeyang, the day felt a little brighter because of his encounter with Jiwon.

A few days after jogging together, Taeyang returned to his work routine as a detective. The rigorous and vigilant work often left him feeling exhausted, but Jiwon's presence in the last few moments gave him some relief. Even though they don't see each other often, Taeyang feels something different whenever Jiwon is around-something that's hard to explain.

One night, after a hard day's work, Taeyang decided to go to the new house he was now living in. A house that had started to feel more like home thanks to Jiwon's frequent visits, though more often than not it was just to chat or bring food.

Just as he arrived home, there was a knock on the door. He opened the door to find Jiwon standing with grocery bags in hand, smiling broadly.

"I brought dinner," she said, holding up the grocery bag.

Taeyang smiled a little, feeling rather used to Jiwon's little surprises. "You really can't stop coming, can you?" he said, half teasing.

"All I can do is help," Jiwon replied as she stepped into the house. "And I feel a little worried that you're not eating well."

Taeyang raised an eyebrow. "No need to worry about that. I can cook for myself."

"But it's better if I do the cooking," Jiwon replied confidently, arranging the ingredients on the table.

Taeyang just chuckled. "Alright, I give up. Go ahead."

That night, they sat together, enjoying a simple yet warm dinner. Taeyang never felt full with just food, but Jiwon's presence gave him a different flavor. Something he thought he would never see again after years of spending time alone.

When dinner was over, they sat in the living room over a cup of coffee. Taeyang broke the silence.

"You know, sometimes I feel lonely, even though I'm surrounded by people," he said quietly, speaking more deeply than usual.

Jiwon looked at him, then softly said, "But you're not alone, Taeyang. At least there's me."

Taeyang looked at her, feeling something warm creep into his heart. Perhaps, it was precisely with Jiwon often coming and being present in his life that he began to find the meaning of this simple togetherness.

That night, after Jiwon said goodbye, Taeyang sat for a while in the living room of his house, contemplating. He knew that his life would go on with all its challenges and his busy life as a detective, but one thing was certain: there was a space in his heart that was now filled by something new, something that made him a little more complete. Maybe it's not just about the case or the job, but about the relationships that are beginning to form, in the most unexpected ways.