Walking down the hallway after submitting his resignation, memories of the past suddenly flood back. Was it shortly after he first became a police officer? There is no point now in wondering what it was they didn't like about him. Back then, his senior would nonchalantly slide stacks of documents from his own desk onto Gakbyeol's. It was always long after the workday had ended. Even when he protested, all he got in return was mockery.

Similar incidents continued after that. They would intentionally cut off only Gakbyeol's opinions during meetings and blame him for things that weren't even mistakes. They openly ignored him in front of others, yet laughed it off as if it were nothing whenever someone asked why. There were days he was even hit. Cigarette burn scars still remain on his back and waist.

"Are you just slow?"

"If you want a long career in the force, do as you're told."

He hated those words he'd heard countless times. But what he hated even more was himself, unable to say a single word back. He thought it would pass if he just endured it. He figured he would eventually move to a different department and never have to see them again.

Indeed, after moving to the Mystery Investigation Unit, he didn't see them for a long time.

So he thought it was over. But not long ago, he saw a familiar face walking from the end of the hallway. In that moment, his body reacted first. His heart sank, just like before. That single voice brought back all the memories he thought he had forgotten.

It started that day. Checking the end of the hallway first every time he arrived at work. Taking detours to avoid where they were, pretending everything was fine when they crossed paths, and even worrying about being left alone for fear of being caught by them.

He could have told the Mystery Investigation Unit team members. Maybe that would have been a better solution. But he didn't want to. He didn't want to explain, and he hated the idea of someone looking at him with pity because of it.

So the conclusion was simple. I just have to leave.

He felt no particular emotion even as he handed in his resignation. However, as he closed the door and stepped out, he felt strangely empty. In the end, I'm the one leaving again.