Safety Pin Removal

Chapter 03 **The Photo Frame**

After turning the photo frame away, Jae-hyun looked at Sang-wook and said firmly, “”You go handle the training, and if they bring up the documentary, just say no.”

Sang-wook stepped closer and argued, “But you know how important our work is. It’s directly tied to saving lives. The more people understand and respect what we do, the more support and trust we’ll get. Isn’t that crucial? Plus, when we’re out there working, most people don’t even know what Safe Core or the bomb squad really does.”

He had a point.

Still, Jae-hyun shook his head.

He preferred to stay out of the spotlight, and Sang-wook’s reasoning didn’t change his mind.

“Sang-wook, our job is to prevent danger. If we draw too much attention, it could become a risk. People might start seeing us as some kind of spectacle. We deal with explosives. It’s dangerous.”

“I know, I know. Explosives. But to you, they’re like toys, aren’t they?”

Jae-hyun shot him a sharp look, his eyebrows furrowed.

Sang-wook quickly added, “Of course, if they go off, it’s a disaster. But when has that ever happened? You always disarm them. Disarming bombs—isn’t that like your life’s mission or something?”

Jae-hyun let out a dry laugh.

“Mission? Stop exaggerating. Just go and handle it.”

“Alright, alright. If you’re that insistent, I’ll go.”

As Sang-wook spoke, his eyes drifted back to the small photo frame Jae-hyun had turned away earlier.

Even though only the back was visible, Sang-wook knew exactly what picture it was—a little girl with a bright smile, a bandage on her forehead.

She was so cute it made you want to pinch her cheeks.

“Hey, you still keep that photo here? People might think she’s your daughter.”

“Doesn’t matter. And who else is going to see it besides you?”

Sang-wook reached out to turn the frame, but Jae-hyun slapped his hand away.

Sang-wook pulled back, tilting his head curiously.

“You’ve had this photo since before I even knew you. It’s always been on your desk. Who is she?”

Jae-hyun stayed silent.

He’d never answered that question, no matter how many times Sang-wook asked.

It only made Sang-wook more curious.

“Seriously, you never say a word. How old is she now? I remember this photo being here ten years ago. She’s really pretty.”

Jae-hyun quickly signed a document and handed it to Sang-wook, cutting him off.

“Mind your own business. Here, take this. It’s the paperwork from last time.”

But Sang-wook’s curiosity didn’t fade.

“That girl in the photo must be a young woman now. Do you still see her? If so, that’s some long-term friendship.”

“Just focus on your work. The KBC people could become clients. Go and give a good lecture.”

Jae-hyun’s tone made it clear he wanted Sang-wook to leave.

Sang-wook chuckled, finishing his coffee.

As he stood to go, Jae-hyun added, “Get out.”

“You’re so cold. Fine, I’m leaving.”

Once Sang-wook was gone, the office fell into a heavy silence.

Jae-hyun picked up the photo frame and stared at the little girl’s smiling face.

Her eyes, bright and large, were still vivid in his memory.

—

**KBC Broadcasting Station**

In the corner of the documentary production team’s editing room, Eugene was asleep under a blanket.

Soo-ah shook her awake.

“Wake up, Eugene. Eugene!”

Eugene mumbled, still half-asleep, “Soo-ah, just five more minutes. I only slept for an hour last night.”

“Why do you even bother overseeing the editing? The editing team can handle it. They’re pretty good, even if they’re young.”

Eugene had stayed up all night watching the new editor work because she didn’t fully trust them yet.

Now, she could barely keep her eyes open.

Forcing herself awake, she asked, “Did you hear back from Safe Core? Are they coming?”

Soo-ah shook her head.

“They replied, but the CEO can’t make it.”

Eugene rubbed her eyes and sat up, her hair a mess.

Soo-ah handed her a comb. “Go wash your face and comb your hair.”

“Wait a second.”

Eugene went to the bathroom, washed her face, and tied her hair back.

In the mirror, she noticed the scar on her forehead and absentmindedly touched it.

Then she smiled at her reflection.

“Another strong day ahead!” she told herself.

—

When Eugene returned, she frowned at Soo-ah.

“What’s with the CEO? Too important to come?”

“Not everyone’s as hands-on as you. They have a dedicated training team. The vice president is coming instead.”

Eugene sighed, still unsatisfied, as she fiddled with her tablet.

On the screen was a photo of Safe Core’s CEO, Kang Jae-hyun, in military uniform.

“People who are too good-looking always act so high and mighty.”

“Well, with his looks and credentials, I’d act the same. But the vice president seemed really nice on the phone. Very pleasant.”

Eugene shook her head.

“It’s not about being nice. We need the decision-maker. If we’re going to talk about the documentary, it’s better to discuss it with the CEO.”

“Eugene, I think the vice president is enough. He handles most of the contracts anyway. The CEO is hard to even meet.”

Eugene looked skeptical.

“What does the CEO even do?”

“He travels a lot for work and is involved in research related to bomb disposal.”

“So the CEO’s the real deal.”

Soo-ah nodded.

“Exactly. So why don’t you bring up the documentary idea with the vice president during the training? Maybe use a little charm?”

Eugene snorted.

“Charm? Do you think that’ll work on me?”

“Of course it will. Just comb your hair and smile. It’ll work.”

Eugene grinned.

“Alright, I’ll do whatever it takes to get Safe Core’s CEO for our documentary.”

She stood up, clenching her fists. “Soo-ah, have you eaten breakfast?”

“It’s almost lunchtime.”

“Then let’s eat together. I’m starving.”

The two headed to the cafeteria, filling their trays with food.

The nutritionist greeted them, “You’re eating a lot today. I don’t know where you put it all, being so thin.”

Soo-ah laughed.

“We need the energy. The division head’s been riding us hard.”

“Enjoy the meal. The spicy chicken is really good today.”

“I already loaded up on it.”

As they sat down, Eugene’s tray was noticeably fuller than Soo-ah’s.

They continued talking while eating.

“Eugene, I looked into it. Bomb disposal is in high demand worldwide, but there’s a serious shortage of experts. Planting bombs is easy, but disarming them? That’s another story.”

Eugene swallowed her food and asked, “Don’t you wonder what kind of person does that? How they live, how they ended up in that line of work? Everything.”

Soo-ah laughed.

“Is this the first time you’ve been this interested in a guy? Are you already curious about him before even meeting?”

Eugene didn’t deny it.

“Yeah, I’m curious. I like manly men.”

But then she sighed.

“Still, it’s not worth it. Dealing with explosives? Sounds like a short life.”

She chewed on the spicy chicken, savoring the flavor.

Today, it tasted especially good.