FOX IN A SUIT

Chapter 31: Memory Wiped Out

The morning sun stretched its rays across the busy streets of Seoul as Jiyeon headed back to work, her thoughts still consumed by the dramatic events of the previous night at the Moonlight Mansion. Despite her resolve to confront the obstacles that lay ahead, a persistent feeling of uneasiness ate away at her, casting a shadow over the familiar sights and sounds of the city.

Meanwhile, Minwoo found himself wandering through the maze-like aisles of the Moonlit Bookstore, his mind captivated by the mysterious puzzle that had led him there. His lingering emotions for Haejin weighed heavily on his heart, compelling him to find comfort in the pursuit of wisdom and influence.

As Jiyeon entered the precinct, she was met with the usual commotion of police officers diligently carrying out their tasks. However, her return did not go unnoticed, and rumors of the previous night's events spread rapidly through the station.

Detective Oh, Jiyeon's colleague and friend, came up to her with a worried look on his face.

"Detective Kang, are you okay?" he asked, his voice brimming with sincere concern.

Jiyeon gave him a feeble smile, her thoughts consumed by the perilous situation she had become caught up in.

"I'm alright, just a bit unsettled," she responded, her tone revealing the inner unrest.

Detective Oh nodded, his eyes reflecting understanding as he gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder before getting back to his tasks.

Jiyeon longed for a sympathetic ear, someone who could truly grasp her experiences, given the peculiar events that had unfolded in her history. And there was no one else who could understand her situation except for Han-neul, who had also experienced similar bizarre events.

"Detective Oh!" Jiyeon urgently called out her friend's name. Han-neul glanced in her direction after coming to a halt just a short distance away. Jiyeon glanced at the wall clock behind where Detective Oh stood and then focused her attention back on him. "Would you like to get a cup of coffee?"

Han-neul arched an eyebrow but ultimately ended up smiling. "Your treat?"

Jiyeon responded with a smile and gave a nod of confirmation.

Meanwhile, as Minwoo went about his daily tasks as a bookshop clerk, he found comfort in the familiar rhythm of the Moonlit Bookstore. Visitors and fresh faces came and went, perusing the shelves brimming with ancient books and enchanting relics. Minwoo greeted each person with a polite nod, his mind still captivated by the Enigma Puzzle and the enigmatic secrets it held.

As the day progressed, Minwoo's fatigue started to take its toll on him, with the visible signs of sleep deprivation showing through the dark circles under his eyes. Nevertheless, he persevered, resolute in his commitment to carry out his responsibilities with unwavering focus and meticulousness.

While Minwoo was helping a customer find a rare grimoire, he noticed an unusual person lingering by the entrance of the bookstore. There stood a young woman, her otherworldly allure and delicate figure revealing her spectral nature.

Filled with curiosity and fascination, Minwoo discreetly watched the ghost as she glided through the aisles, her eyes locked on a specific customer perusing the shelves. Feeling a sense of unease, Minwoo made the bold choice to confront the ghost and question her about why she was there.

"Excuse me," Minwoo murmured gently, his voice barely audible as he approached the apparition. "How can I help you today?"

The ghost turned towards Minwoo, her gaze filled with an ethereal glow. She grinned playfully, her ethereal figure shimmering in the subdued glow of the bookstore.

"I'm just here to observe," the ghost replied mysteriously, her voice resonating gently in the air. "I have a particular interest in that human over there."

Minwoo frowned, intrigued by the ghost's cryptic words. He glanced over at the customer the ghost was referring to, observing the innocent expression on her face as she perused the books.

"What is it about her that piques your curiosity?" Minwoo asked, his voice filled with doubt.

"Seriously, isn't it clear? She's a virgin!" The ghost cried out with great enthusiasm, its voice reverberating throughout the shop. Unnoticed by the customers, Minwoo couldn't help but hear it distinctly. He shielded his ears and glared at the apparition.

"Ugh, did you have to announce that she's still a virgin?" Minwoo grumbled with annoyance.

All the customers shifted their gaze in the direction Minwoo indicated. The ghost let out a mischievous laugh at his action, quickly scanning the surroundings. When he realized that all eyes were on a woman nearby, he suddenly felt self-conscious.

"Ugh," he sighed, casting a glance at the ethereal figure before moving on.

Minwoo approached the woman he had noticed, who had given him a cold stare as he neared her. He politely inquired, "Is there anything I can assist you with?"

"Are you serious?" the woman snapped. "After what you just did, you're offering to help me?"

"What?" Minwoo was unsure how to respond, so he quickly glanced at the shop's owner, Mrs. Park, who was now observing him with a disapproving shake of her head.

"If you want to help, have sex with me," the woman challenged him.

"What?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with surprise.

"Just like you said, I'm still a virgin. And you know how infuriating that is?" the woman said with frustration.

"What's so frustrating about being inexperienced?" he asked innocently.

The woman wiped away a tear as she gazed at him. "You can't understand the experience of having no one show interest in you."

"She's never been in a relationship," the ghost whispered to Minwoo.

Minwoo glanced at the woman. She didn't possess the typical beauty that others had, but there was a possibility for a remarkable change in her looks and behavior.

"Sure, I'll help you," Minwoo agreed.

"Are you going to have sex with her? How dare you!" the ghost exclaimed in disbelief.

"Not," Minwoo snapped back at the ghost before shifting his attention to the woman. "I know someone who can help you become a modern beauty."

"Really?" the woman's mood brightened.

"I'll give her a call. Just wait here at the bookshop until she arrives," Minwoo said.

The woman agreed. Following that, Minwoo departed from her and proceeded directly to the counter. He swiftly reached for the phone and dialed Hye-sun's number.

***

Detective Oh couldn't help but steal glances at Jiyeon as they strolled along the side of the road, making their way back to the office. Jiyeon was struggling to find the right approach to questioning her friend, still searching for the perfect words to use.

As they strolled along, Detective Oh couldn't help but express his growing worry. "Detective Kang, it seems that something has been troubling you since last night. Would you like to discuss it?

Jiyeon pondered, wrestling with her internal conflict before ultimately choosing to confide in her friend. "It's just... everything that happened. I sense that I am entangled in the midst of a grander narrative, one that surpasses my comprehension.

Investigator Oh nodded, his face filled with understanding. "I understand that it can be challenging, but rest assured, you have support. I'm all ears, Detective Kang."

Jiyeon gave Han-neul a quick look. "Don't you have any interest in what's been going on? I mean, we've been together all this time."

"Yeah, that's why I can tell you're getting worn out," Han-neul responded.

"No, do you recall that evening when we explored the Museum? The artifact was missing a necklace..." Jiyeon said.

"I remember, you reached out to me that night. And we both got in trouble the day after because we didn't properly ptotect the artifact," Han-neul explained.

"What?" Jiyeon asked, sounding surprised." "Remember that time we visited Ji Sung's mansion? What do you remember?"

"I failed to catch the culprit, the cunning Fox who fled with Park Ji Sung's precious collection." Han-neul recounted, "The stealing happened mere moments after my departure."

Jiyeon looked puzzled. "How about in the woods? We went there and witnessed what appeared to be a fire, followed by the presence of two women..."

"Yeah, two women, detective," Han-neul replied. "They were lost, and we helped them."

"What?" Jiyeon was in disbelief. "Something happened, it seems as though his memory was wiped or... intentionaly wiped out."

"Look at us, we were just discussing them earlier, but now..." Detective Oh said.

Jiyeon looked puzzled as Hye-sun and Aya approached them. They came to a halt in front of the two detectives.

"Hello, Detective Kang!" Aya greeted warmly.

Jiyeon returned a smile to Aya before shifting her gaze towards Hye-sun, who seemed captivated by Han-neul. "What brings you here?"

"We're heading to the bookshop," Aya mentioned.

"Oh, really?" Jiyeon exclaimed. "Well, be carfeul then."

Hye-sun grinned mischievously. "You must be kidding, Detective. They should be careful of us, is that what you mean?"

"Whatever," Jiyeon said dismissively, before she quickly pulled Detective Oh away. He bid farewell to Hye-sun before they strolled away.

Meanwhile, Aya and Hye-sun kept strolling until they arrived at the bookshop where Minwoo was employed. All eyes shifted towards the door as Hye-sun entered, the sound of the bell echoing through the room. It was clear that Hye-sun captivated the men in the room. Aya hurriedly went over to Minwoo as soon as she spotted him.

"I'm glad you've arrived," Minwoo expressed.

Hye-sun cast a quick glance at the woman seated beside Minwoo. "She may not seem particularly delicious, but she will suffice in satisfying one's hunger."

"Hye-sun, she's not food," Minwoo murmured.

"What?" Hye-sun asked, clearly taken aback." "Why did you bring me here then?"

"I'd like you to give her a makeover," Minwoo exclaimed.

Hye-sun arched an eyebrow. "Are you joking?"