Na Hwa-Jin

Something about the report bothered Hwa-jin.

Not the accusation itself.

The timing.

The wording.

The way every statement seemed almost too organized.

Most complaints reaching the ERPB were emotional. Angry parents. Frustrated students. Desperate teachers. This one felt different. Someone had spent time building it.

And someone clearly wanted the bureau to pay attention.

Han-rim didn't care.

The moment she finished reading the file, her mood had soured.

"Tch."

She tossed the folder onto the table.

"I hate cases like this."

Geun-dae looked up from his laptop.

"You hate every case."

"Not like this."

She crossed her arms.

"People like that shouldn't be allowed anywhere near kids."

Unlike Han-rim, Hwa-jin wasn't interested in assumptions. Reports could be fabricated. Witnesses could lie. Evidence could be manipulated. The only thing that mattered was what he found in person.

Still.

The complaint had reached his desk.

Which meant it couldn't be ignored.

The school had already been notified by the time the three inspectors arrived. Administrators greeted them with forced smiles while teachers suddenly found reasons to look busy whenever the group passed.

Eventually, they stopped outside the faculty office.

Han-rim glanced toward the file.

"Which one is it?"

Geun-dae checked the name one final time.

"The new teacher."

Three months.

That was all.

Three months inside the school, yet somehow enough time for a complaint serious enough to bring the ERPB through the front gates.

Without another word, Hwa-jin pushed the door open.

The room immediately fell silent.

Several teachers straightened.

One quickly hid whatever was on their phone.

Only one person looked up calmly from their desk.

Han-rim narrowed her eyes.

...That's them?

For a brief moment, nobody moved.

Then Hwa-jin stepped forward.

His expression remained unreadable.

"...You're the teacher mentioned in the report."

Han-rim's gaze never left them.

Geun-dae silently watched.