The mystery

Our journey started with a long wait, but finally, we had the case files in our hands. We had been eager to get our hands on them and start our review. The cases were our top priority, and we needed to come up with a new plan to tackle them effectively. We decided to form two teams, with each team focusing on one of the cases.

In the previous case, there was a connection to a tunnel or mine from the 1960s. I believed it was best for Aman, Myung, and myself to handle this case. We were assigned to one team. The other team consisted of Taeri, Kang Woo, and Hyung. This division would allow us to give each case our full attention and resources.

We were lucky to have Austin on our side. He had valuable connections in the field of journalism, which would help us access hidden information and gather critical data. Austin was a lively and fun-loving individual, but when it came to work, he was as dedicated as a fierce lion. It was a small incident that brought us all together and formed the strong bond we had as a team.

Our investigation of the case files began, following a pattern we had used in our previous work. However, we always kept in mind that we were a team, and regular discussions were essential to keep everyone on the same page and share any new findings.

As I delved deeper into the cases, my visions became more intense and frequent. I felt a growing urge to confide in someone about what I was experiencing. Taeri seemed like the person I could trust, but our relationship was still in its early stages. I didn't want to risk scaring her away by revealing the strange visions I was having. I didn't even understand why these visions were occurring. I had no doubt that Taeri would believe me, but with all the other complexities in her life, including her recent reunion with her father, I didn't want to burden her with my experiences.

Our journey had been marked by patience and anticipation, and finally, the case files we had been waiting for were in our hands. With the files in our possession, we were eager to commence our review of the cases. Two cases required our immediate attention, which meant we had to devise a new strategy. We decided to create two dedicated teams, each focused on a single case.

The previous case involved a tunnel, often referred to as the mine, dating back to the 1960s. After careful consideration, I proposed that Aman, Myung, and I should handle this particular case. This assignment left Taeri, Kang Woo, and Hyung to work together on the other case. This division of tasks would allow us to concentrate our efforts and expertise, ensuring that each case received the attention it deserved.

To support our investigations, we had Austin, who possessed valuable connections in the field of journalism. Austin may have had a carefree and jovial personality, but when it came to his work, he exhibited a level of dedication akin to a fierce lion. It was a seemingly small incident that had brought us together, forming the tight-knit family we had become.

Our approach to investigating the case files remained consistent with our past endeavors. However, we constantly reminded ourselves of the importance of teamwork and held regular discussions to share our progress and insights.

As I delved further into the cases, my visions became increasingly intense and frequent. I felt an overwhelming need to confide in someone about these experiences. While Taeri was the person I trusted the most, our relationship was still in its infancy. I hesitated to reveal the peculiar visions I was having, as I had yet to comprehend their origin and purpose. I had no doubt that Taeri would believe me without hesitation, but I didn't want to burden her, especially considering the recent emotional complexities in her life, particularly her reunion with her father. It was essential to me that I didn't disrupt her newfound happiness.

We divided the case files into two parts. We focused on the 1960s because it was clear that we needed to investigate this era and search for important clues. Another team decided to work on the 1980s case to see if they could find any connections with the more recent cases. 

Speaking of the newer cases, we hadn't officially received them yet, so we had to wait a bit before we could start working on them. During this waiting time, we decided to become well-acquainted with the case files we already had. This way, we hoped to understand them better and be able to connect the dots more quickly when we did get the newer files. This preparation would help us work more efficiently and effectively when we finally got our hands on the fresh case files.

We began talking about the case as a team. I picked Aman to be on my team because I had seen his potential. However, it's important to remember that decisions would be made by the entire team, not just one person.

We then started examining the pictures from the 1960s. If we ever had questions or were unsure about something in those pictures, we knew Myung could provide us with his insights because he had experience from that time period. Myung's knowledge was valuable, and having him on the team meant we had someone who could help us understand things better, especially when it came to the pictures from the 1960s. Our team was working together to analyze the case thoroughly, and Myung's expertise was a great asset.

We began comparing the pictures of both the old and new crime scenes. One striking difference we noticed was that in the old pictures, there were no arrow marks indicating the exit pathway. But when our team took pictures of the current crime scenes, those arrow marks were clearly visible. In fact, I personally saw them with my own eyes.

This discovery raised a lot of questions and sparked many speculations among our team. However, we knew it was important to wait for the entire team to come together before drawing any conclusions. It was crucial to discuss and analyze this finding as a group, considering everyone's opinions and insights. So, we patiently waited for all team members to gather so that we could have a comprehensive discussion about the significance of these arrow marks and what they might mean for our case.

Meanwhile, the other team began their discussions about the cases from the 1980s. They noticed that all these cases had something in common – they involved the use of the same poisons used in previous murders. This discovery piqued their interest even more, and they couldn't wait to get access to the case files.

However, the case hadn't been officially handed over to them yet. There was still a need for a press meeting to release an official statement about the transfer of the case. So, all of us especially them had to patiently wait for this announcement before they could dive into the new set of case files. This meeting was essential to make sure that all the necessary procedures and information were in place for the team to begin their investigation into these cases from the 1980s.

As the day drew to a close, we realized that everyone on the team was extremely tired. Taeri and I both noticed how exhausted everyone appeared, so we came up with a plan. Instead of discussing our progress right then and there, we thought it would be better to head over to Taeri's cafe for some relaxing coffee and a chat about the case.

So, Taeri, Myung, Austin, and I decided to ride in one car, while Kangwoo, Aman, and Hyung chose to come in another. We reached the cafe, and it was in a beautiful, peaceful neighborhood. The cozy atmosphere of the cafe welcomed us, providing a perfect setting for our discussion. We sipped on our coffee, enjoying the comforting ambiance as we talked about our day's work and how to move forward with our investigation.

The small cafe had a charming and cozy atmosphere. As we stepped inside, we were greeted by the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the comforting sound of soft jazz music playing in the background. The lighting was gentle, with warm, dimmed bulbs hanging from the ceiling, creating a relaxed ambiance.

The cafe's walls were adorned with local artwork, adding a touch of creativity and character to the space. Wooden tables and chairs were neatly arranged, offering an inviting place to sit and unwind. The soft chatter of other patrons filled the air, creating a friendly and intimate atmosphere.

Large windows allowed natural light to filter in, offering a view of the serene neighborhood outside. The counter displayed a tempting array of pastries and desserts, enticing us with sweet treats to accompany our coffee.

Overall, the small cafe provided a haven of tranquility, a place where one could escape the hustle and bustle of the outside world and engage in meaningful conversations while savoring the simple pleasures of coffee and good company.

Taeri wasn't able to manage the cafe herself for obvious reasons, but her friend had stepped in to assist with running it. As we walked into the cafe, Taeri's friend greeted us with a warm and genuine welcome. There was a sense of care and hospitality in her behavior that made us feel instantly comfortable.

When Taeri and her friend saw each other, they shared a tight and heartfelt embrace, as if they had been separated for a very long time, which, in fact, they had been. It was a touching moment as they reconnected, and it was clear that their friendship was strong and enduring. The cafe, despite the change in management, still carried the same welcoming and friendly spirit that Taeri had originally created, making it a special place for both its regular patrons and newcomers.

In that lovely cafe, we enjoyed some truly exceptional coffee, which we believed was among the best in the world. It's not an exaggeration; the coffee they served was indeed exceptional, and the recipes behind these brews were closely guarded secrets waiting to be unraveled.

As we settled down and began discussing the progress of our respective cases, it became evident that our team had a lot to share and discuss. We were filled with updates, findings, and insights, and the conversation flowed freely. However, the other team seemed to have less to report, and the atmosphere on their end appeared more subdued.

I took the lead and addressed the group, saying, "Guys, we've got some intriguing updates to discuss."

All eyes focused on me, waiting to hear more.

"We've made some significant progress," I continued, "and we've come up with quite a few speculations about this case."

Hyung chimed in, asking, "Like what?" 

This question indicated that everyone was eager to learn more and was curious about our findings and ideas regarding the case. It was a moment filled with anticipation as we prepared to share the details of our investigation and theories with the rest of the team.

I gathered the pictures from both crime scenes that I brought earlier and laid them out on the table for everyone to see. Their eyes immediately locked onto the images, and it was clear that their curiosity had been sparked. The pictures held their attention, and you could see the intrigue in their expressions as they began to examine and discuss what was going on in these crucial images.

Aman was the first to draw our attention to the pictures. "Look at the pictures, same place in two different timelines, yet what is more interesting is these arrow marks right here, they lead us to the exit," he pointed out, his tone filled with intrigue.

Austin, always the one to ask direct questions, chimed in, "What about them?"

Aman continued, "The arrow marks, they were not there when the 1960s massacre happened."

I added, "So, whoever did this might have known this place for a long time."

Taeri, ever inquisitive, suggested, "Could it be the drug dealers?"

Myung, who seemed to know more about the 1960s incident, disagreed, "No, I don't think so. No one knew about this place in the picture," he pointed to the images.

Kangwoo, who had been listening intently, asked, "Care to explain?"

Myung then shared a story that left us all in shock. "Look, after the evacuation and the explosion, and before the police came, I went back into the tunnel to search for Mohan's uncle. However, the opening to this place was filled with rocks, making it impossible for us to enter inside."

This revelation left us all in a thoughtful silence as we considered the implications. I broke the silence by questioning, "So you think someone involved in the massacre is responsible for this?"

Myung shook his head, "No, I believe someone who is a victim might be responsible for this."

The room fell into a heavy silence, each of us exchanging questioning glances. We couldn't fathom what Myung was suggesting – that someone who had suffered in the 1960s massacre might be responsible for the recent events.

Myung continued, undeterred by our shocked expressions, "You've heard my story. You know my story. And now that I am with my daughter, do you think I would still lie? If I am the killer you are looking for, would I be foolish enough to befriend you and stay at a police camp with utmost security and scrutiny? And come on, you are detectives; if I was the bad guy, wouldn't you have found it by now?"

His words sank in, and I found myself agreeing with him, breaking the heavy tension in the room. "I agree with Myung," I said, hoping to ease the growing doubts and suspicions among the team. It seemed like everyone had relaxed a little upon hearing my support for Myung.

Just when we thought the discussion had reached a turning point, a chilling premonition struck me, and I felt compelled to share it with the team. "And that's when I saw another vision and not a good one..."

The room went silent once again, and the tension resurfaced. My visions had been a mixed blessing, offering glimpses into the past and potential clues but also foreboding premonitions. We were on the cusp of uncovering a truth that could reshape our entire investigation, but it was clear that the path ahead would be filled with uncertainty and unexpected twists. Yet I chose to be silent about them.

As we were sitting in the cafe, a very rude customer walked in. He started demanding things in a way that annoyed both Taeri, her friend, and the other customers. Everyone in the cafe was getting irritated, but no one dared to confront the rude customer. It was clear that someone needed to step up and address his behavior.

I decided to be the one to take action and speak up. But just as I was about to do so, Taeri had apparently had enough. She started snapping back at the rude customer and even intentionally spilled his drink on him. Surprisingly, no one in the cafe seemed shocked by her actions. To be honest, it seemed like the rude customer had it coming for the way he had behaved.

"An irritating guy, who was being extremely rude to Niveditha (by this time, I am familiar with their faces, and this vision was like a confirmation stating Niveditha is none other than Taeri) and she has had enough. Mohan was about to step up for her and wanted to scram him off of the place. By the time he decided to move forward, Niveditha threw something on the ground and threw a fit at him and he scrammed off. Neither the owner of the hotel nor the customers spoke anything about it" 

Snap! I was back in reality, and I realized why I had this strong sense of déjà vu. I chuckled to myself, and everyone at the table looked surprised and curious about my laughter. They asked me why I was laughing, and I explained that it felt like I had experienced a similar situation in the past, which was why it seemed so familiar. We all had a good laugh about it.

Uncertain about what lay ahead, we enjoyed a peaceful evening together. It was a day filled with interesting twists and a sense of familiarity, and it left us all wondering what the future had in store for us.