#analytical bias

[chocolatepot]

I'm feeling really cranky tonight and I don't know why. Like yes the things I'm being cranky about are making me cranky but usually they don't annoy me so much?

[no1ryomafan]

I never wanna weaponize the fact I’m a film student in an argument for simple reason 1. I don’t like getting into arguments anymore, shit sucks 2. It be really stupid of me, very “urm achtually” moment if I did but can I just say? Low key feels so weird to be in any conversation about adaptation discussions cause the argument are always “if they change everything from the original it’s bad” or “if it’s a movie/show/anime adaptation of a book/comic/manga and they take out anything at all it’s bad” because while there’s absolutely many cases of this especially recently unfortunately that do suck, I’ve been taught to like- not judge a adaptation for that? And even before then, I liked weird adaptations that definitely go off from the source material or leave out a lot when I’m the retro anime head, they do that shit a lot yet I feel the need to be like *hides I like anime Kikaider, casshern sins and all the getter ovas behind me* in a adaptation context cause I’d feel I’d be COOKED even if these are examples that actually do this shit correctly while being different.

[jcmarchi]

Non-fiction books that explore AI's impact on society  - AI News

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/non-fiction-books-that-explore-ais-impact-on-society-ai-news/

Non-fiction books that explore AI's impact on society  - AI News

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is code or technologies that perform complex calculations, an area that encompasses simulations, data processing and analytics.

AI has increasingly grown in importance, becoming a game changer in many industries, including healthcare, education and finance. The use of AI has been proven to double levels of effectiveness, efficiency and accuracy in many processes, and reduced cost in different market sectors. 

AI’s impact is being felt across the globe, so, it is important we understand the effects of AI on society and our daily lives. 

Better understanding of AI and all that it does and can mean can be gained from well-researched AI books.

Books on AI provide insights into the use and applications of AI. They describe the advancement of AI since its inception and how it has shaped society so far. In this article, we will be examining recommended best books on AI that focus on the societal implications.

For those who don’t have time to read entire books, book summary apps like Headway will be of help.

Book 1: “Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies” by Nick Bostrom

Nick Bostrom is a Swedish philosopher with a background in computational neuroscience, logic and AI safety. 

In his book, Superintelligence, he talks about how AI  can surpass our current definitions of intelligence and the possibilities that might ensue.

Bostrom also talks about the possible risks to humanity if superintelligence is not managed properly, stating AI can easily become a threat to the entire human race if we exercise no control over the technology. 

Bostrom offers strategies that might curb existential risks, talks about how Al can be aligned with human values to reduce those risks and suggests teaching AI human values.

Superintelligence is recommended for anyone who is interested in knowing and understanding the implications of AI on humanity’s future.

Book 2: “AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order” by Kai-Fu Lee

AI expert Kai-Fu Lee’s book, AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order, examines the AI revolution and its impact so far, focusing on China and the USA. 

He concentrates on the competition between these two countries in AI and the various contributions to the advancement of the technology made by each. He highlights China’s advantage, thanks in part to its larger population. 

China’s significant investment so far in AI is discussed, and its chances of becoming a global leader in AI. Lee believes that cooperation between the countries will help shape the future of global power dynamics and therefore the economic development of the world.

In thes book, Lee states AI has the ability to transform economies by creating new job opportunities with massive impact on all sectors. 

If you are interested in knowing the geo-political and economic impacts of AI, this is one of the best books out there. 

Book 3: “Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” by Max Tegmark

Max Tegmark’s Life 3.0 explores the concept of humans living in a world that is heavily influenced by AI. In the book, he talks about the concept of Life 3.0, a future where human existence and society will be shaped by AI. It focuses on many aspects of humanity including identity and creativity. 

Tegmark envisions a time where AI has the ability to reshape human existence. He also emphasises the need to follow ethical principles to ensure the safety and preservation of human life. 

Life 3.0 is a thought-provoking book that challenges readers to think deeply about the choices humanity may face as we progress into the AI era. 

It’s one of the best books to read if you are interested in the ethical and philosophical discussions surrounding AI.

Book 4: “The Fourth Industrial Revolution” by Klaus Schwab

Klaus Martin Schwab is a German economist, mechanical engineer and founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF). He argues that machines are becoming smarter with every advance in technology and supports his arguments with evidence from previous revolutions in thinking and industry.

He explains that the current age – the fourth industrial revolution – is building on the third: with far-reaching consequences.

He states use of AI in technological advancement is crucial and that cybernetics can be used by AIs to change and shape the technological advances coming down the line towards us all.

This book is perfect if you are interested in AI-driven advancements in the fields of digital and technological growth. With this book, the role AI will play in the next phases of technological advancement will be better understood.

Book 5: “Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy” by Cathy O’Neil

Cathy O’Neil’s book emphasises the harm that defective mathematical algorithms cause in judging human behaviour and character. The continual use of maths algorithms promotes harmful results and creates inequality.

An example given in  the book is of research that proved bias in voting choices caused by results from different search engines.

Similar examination is given to research that focused Facebook, where, by making newsfeeds appear on users’ timelines, political preferences could be affected.

This book is best suited for readers who want to adventure in the darker sides of AI that wouldn’t regularly be seen in mainstream news outlets.

Book 6: “The Age of Em: Work, Love, and Life when Robots Rule the Earth” by Robin Hanson

An associate professor of economics at George Mason University and a former researcher at the Future of Humanity Institute of Oxford University, Robin Hanson paints an imaginative picture of emulated human brains designed for robots. What if humans copied or “emulated” their brains and emotions and gave them to robots?

He argues that humans who become “Ems” (emulations) will become more dominant in the future workplace because of their higher productivity.

An intriguing book for fans of technology and those who love intelligent predictions of possible futures.

Book 7: “Architects of Intelligence: The truth about AI from the people building it” by Martin Ford

This book was drawn from interviews with AI experts and examines the struggles and possibilities of AI-driven industry.

If you want insights from people actively shaping the world, this book is right for you!

CONCLUSION

These books all have their unique perspectives but all point to one thing – the advantages of AI of today will have significant societal and technological impact. These books will give the reader glimpses into possible futures, with the effects of AI becoming more apparent over time.

For better insight into all aspects of AI, these books are the boosts you need to expand your knowledge. AI is advancing quickly, and these authors are some of the most respected in the field. Learn from the best with these choice reads.

[meltorights]

i mean yeah a thoughtful if somewhat confusing exploration of postcolonialism vs.... perhaps every person is TWO objects instead of one?! does make analytic look kinda silly.

i thought abt putting two papers where theyre talking abt the same subject (like gender or something) and i feel like analytic might fare a bit better there just bc it's more comprehensible. But the general tendency is for analytic to tackle small distinctions with sometimes absurd results (following strictly from Formal Logic) while continentals talk about Big Questions like being human and rights in a broader context and stuff you cant necessarily apply Formal Logic to so i wanted to show that.

[teaboot]

Starting to think we told children that The Fair Folk were out there to trap you in twisted words and doublespeak and clever traps that take what you say and turn it against you for cruel and mischievous purposes just to drive home the importance of critical thinking and analytical skills

If we don’t start putting funding back into the education system I’m gonna invent a creepy pasta that steals your face if you can’t recognize media bias

[neilsblog]

Future of Business Intelligence & Analytics: Trends to Watch

In today’s fast-paced, data-driven world, organizations are constantly seeking tools and technologies that can help them convert raw data into meaningful insights. Business Intelligence and Analytics (BIA) platforms are at the forefront of this transformation. These solutions not only help businesses understand historical and real-time data but also empower them to make proactive, informed…

[teenagefeeling]

ok this comment is very interesting to me. they're talking about netflix shows that are specifically written for people who are not paying attention and how writers are discouraged from including too many details per episode. and in that context, yeah i agree. but the more i abstract this idea out, the less i agree... like "sports for people who don't like sports" sounds like a good thing if it's encouraging exercise tbh. "books for people who don't like reading" again this seems like a good thing to me? and video games for people who don't play video games are like, the only games i play lol. plus i think a lot of children's media tends to be designed to target reluctant audience members because, well, kids. so i think the issue isn't that netflix is making shows for people who don't really like tv, that's probably fine. it's more that they're forcing directors to do that when they'd rather be writing more complex stories that seems to be the issue

[techtoio]

How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Scientific Research

Introduction No one ever imagined how artificial intelligence would revolutionize scientific research. At TechtoIO, we look into how AI is not just a tool but the driver behind the rapid advancements in many scientific disciplines. That includes how science is being transformed—from better data analysis to catalyzing discovery, such as areas in health, climate science, physics, particle experimentation, and more. Read to continue link...

[garymdm]

The Road to Decision Nirvana: Why Data Still Reigns Supreme

We all strive for perfect decision-making. But let’s face it, flipping a coin isn’t always the answer. Decision Making vs Decision SupportThe Data Dilemma:The Takeaway: Decision Making vs Decision Support That’s where decision support systems (DSS) come in. These clever tools analyse data, run simulations, and offer insights, but they leave the final call to you. They’re the ultimate research…

[sweetlog]

When Science Becomes a Pawn in the Game of Agendas

Science is often seen as the beacon of truth and objectivity, a pure pursuit of knowledge for the betterment of humanity. But what happens when this noble quest is hijacked by those with ulterior motives?

Take a journey through history, and you’ll find numerous occasions where science was not just a tool for discovery but also a weapon wielded for political gain. From the tobacco industry’s infamous manipulation of health studies to the distortion of climate change data, the narrative of ‘scientific consensus’ has been strategically shaped and reshaped to fit the needs of the powerful.

It’s a tale as old as time: an organization funds a study, hoping the results will back their product or policy. When the science aligns with their interests, it’s paraded in front of the public and policymakers alike, a testament to the ���rightness’ of their cause. But when the results are inconvenient, they’re dismissed, discredited, or worse, buried in the annals of forgotten research.

Tobacco Industry and Health Studies For decades, the tobacco industry funded research to cast doubt on the harmful effects of smoking. This campaign of misinformation aimed to delay regulatory and public health interventions. Notorious for manipulating scientific evidence, the industry created a narrative of uncertainty around smoking’s health risks, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

Climate Change and Energy Corporations Energy corporations, particularly those in the fossil fuel sector, have been accused of promoting skepticism about climate change. Despite a consensus among climate scientists about the human impact on global warming, these companies have financed studies and campaigns to amplify uncertainty and hinder environmental regulation.

Political Agendas and Public Health In some cases, political entities have selectively used scientific data to push health-related policies. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, various governments and organizations were criticized for cherry-picking scientific findings to justify their approach to lockdowns, mask mandates, and vaccine rollouts, often ignoring the broader consensus or evolving nature of the science.

Biased Funding and Research Direction Politics can deeply influence the direction and quality of scientific research through funding agendas. When companies or political groups fund scientific studies, there is a risk that the research may be biased towards outcomes that support the funder’s products or policies.

The politicization of science is not just a betrayal of the scientific method; it’s a breach of public trust. It creates a world where facts are flexible, and truth is transactional. It’s a world where the question “What does the science say?” is less about empirical evidence and more about who’s funding the research.

So, what’s the takeaway? Be vigilant. Question the source. Understand the funding. And remember, true science doesn’t serve an agenda; it seeks to understand the world, irrespective of the implications.

[crossdreamers]

Real scientists unmask the anti-transgender Cass Review as methodologically flawed and misleading

The Cass Review, a widely cited report on gender-affirming care in the U.K., has been heavily criticized by researchers for its methodological flaws and unsupported claims.

A new peer review published in BMC Medical Research Methodology found that the review lacked statistical rigor, misrepresented evidence, and excluded key studies without justification.

Headed by pediatrician Dr. Hilary Cass, the Cass report dismissed gender-affirming medical care as unreliable, recommending "exploratory therapy," which critics argue is akin to conversion therapy.

The review applied biased analytical methods, misquoted previous studies, and selectively adapted assessment tools to justify anti-trans conclusions.

It also advocated randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for puberty blockers, which experts denounced as unethical. Despite its flaws, the Cass Review influenced policies, leading to a U.K. ban on puberty blockers and contributing to restrictive health measures in the U.S.

Chris Noone and his colleagues write:

Using the ROBIS tool, we identified a high risk of bias in each of the systematic reviews driven by unexplained protocol deviations, ambiguous eligibility criteria, inadequate study identification, and the failure to integrate consideration of these limitations into the conclusions derived from the evidence syntheses. We also identified methodological flaws and unsubstantiated claims in the primary research that suggest a double standard in the quality of evidence produced for the Cass report compared to quality appraisal in the systematic reviews.

Experts urge policymakers to reject the report, calling for research centered on patient autonomy and accurate scientific analysis.

See Them for more.

The science paper can be found here: Critically appraising the cass report: methodological flaws and unsupported claims

[jcmarchi]

Future-Ready Enterprises: The Crucial Role of Large Vision Models (LVMs)

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/future-ready-enterprises-the-crucial-role-of-large-vision-models-lvms/

Future-Ready Enterprises: The Crucial Role of Large Vision Models (LVMs)

What are Large Vision Models (LVMs)

Over the last few decades, the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has experienced rapid growth, resulting in significant changes to various aspects of human society and business operations. AI has proven to be useful in task automation and process optimization, as well as in promoting creativity and innovation. However, as data complexity and diversity continue to increase, there is a growing need for more advanced AI models that can comprehend and handle these challenges effectively. This is where the emergence of Large Vision Models (LVMs) becomes crucial.

LVMs are a new category of AI models specifically designed for analyzing and interpreting visual information, such as images and videos, on a large scale, with impressive accuracy. Unlike traditional computer vision models that rely on manual feature crafting, LVMs leverage deep learning techniques, utilizing extensive datasets to generate authentic and diverse outputs. An outstanding feature of LVMs is their ability to seamlessly integrate visual information with other modalities, such as natural language and audio, enabling a comprehensive understanding and generation of multimodal outputs.

LVMs are defined by their key attributes and capabilities, including their proficiency in advanced image and video processing tasks related to natural language and visual information. This includes tasks like generating captions, descriptions, stories, code, and more. LVMs also exhibit multimodal learning by effectively processing information from various sources, such as text, images, videos, and audio, resulting in outputs across different modalities.

Additionally, LVMs possess adaptability through transfer learning, meaning they can apply knowledge gained from one domain or task to another, with the capability to adapt to new data or scenarios through minimal fine-tuning. Moreover, their real-time decision-making capabilities empower rapid and adaptive responses, supporting interactive applications in gaming, education, and entertainment.

How LVMs Can Boost Enterprise Performance and Innovation?

Adopting LVMs can provide enterprises with powerful and promising technology to navigate the evolving AI discipline, making them more future-ready and competitive. LVMs have the potential to enhance productivity, efficiency, and innovation across various domains and applications. However, it is important to consider the ethical, security, and integration challenges associated with LVMs, which require responsible and careful management.

Moreover, LVMs enable insightful analytics by extracting and synthesizing information from diverse visual data sources, including images, videos, and text. Their capability to generate realistic outputs, such as captions, descriptions, stories, and code based on visual inputs, empowers enterprises to make informed decisions and optimize strategies. The creative potential of LVMs emerges in their ability to develop new business models and opportunities, particularly those using visual data and multimodal capabilities.

Prominent examples of enterprises adopting LVMs for these advantages include Landing AI, a computer vision cloud platform addressing diverse computer vision challenges, and Snowflake, a cloud data platform facilitating LVM deployment through Snowpark Container Services. Additionally, OpenAI, contributes to LVM development with models like GPT-4, CLIP, DALL-E, and OpenAI Codex, capable of handling various tasks involving natural language and visual information.

In the post-pandemic landscape, LVMs offer additional benefits by assisting enterprises in adapting to remote work, online shopping trends, and digital transformation. Whether enabling remote collaboration, enhancing online marketing and sales through personalized recommendations, or contributing to digital health and wellness via telemedicine, LVMs emerge as powerful tools.

Challenges and Considerations for Enterprises in LVM Adoption

While the promises of LVMs are extensive, their adoption is not without challenges and considerations. Ethical implications are significant, covering issues related to bias, transparency, and accountability. Instances of bias in data or outputs can lead to unfair or inaccurate representations, potentially undermining the trust and fairness associated with LVMs. Thus, ensuring transparency in how LVMs operate and the accountability of developers and users for their consequences becomes essential.

Security concerns add another layer of complexity, requiring the protection of sensitive data processed by LVMs and precautions against adversarial attacks. Sensitive information, ranging from health records to financial transactions, demands robust security measures to preserve privacy, integrity, and reliability.

Integration and scalability hurdles pose additional challenges, especially for large enterprises. Ensuring compatibility with existing systems and processes becomes a crucial factor to consider. Enterprises need to explore tools and technologies that facilitate and optimize the integration of LVMs. Container services, cloud platforms, and specialized platforms for computer vision offer solutions to enhance the interoperability, performance, and accessibility of LVMs.

To tackle these challenges, enterprises must adopt best practices and frameworks for responsible LVM use. Prioritizing data quality, establishing governance policies, and complying with relevant regulations are important steps. These measures ensure the validity, consistency, and accountability of LVMs, enhancing their value, performance, and compliance within enterprise settings.

Future Trends and Possibilities for LVMs

With the adoption of digital transformation by enterprises, the domain of LVMs is poised for further evolution. Anticipated advancements in model architectures, training techniques, and application areas will drive LVMs to become more robust, efficient, and versatile. For example, self-supervised learning, which enables LVMs to learn from unlabeled data without human intervention, is expected to gain prominence.

Likewise, transformer models, renowned for their ability to process sequential data using attention mechanisms, are likely to contribute to state-of-the-art outcomes in various tasks. Similarly, Zero-shot learning, allowing LVMs to perform tasks they have not been explicitly trained on, is set to expand their capabilities even further.

Simultaneously, the scope of LVM application areas is expected to widen, encompassing new industries and domains. Medical imaging, in particular, holds promise as an avenue where LVMs could assist in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of various diseases and conditions, including cancer, COVID-19, and Alzheimer’s.

In the e-commerce sector, LVMs are expected to enhance personalization, optimize pricing strategies, and increase conversion rates by analyzing and generating images and videos of products and customers. The entertainment industry also stands to benefit as LVMs contribute to the creation and distribution of captivating and immersive content across movies, games, and music.

To fully utilize the potential of these future trends, enterprises must focus on acquiring and developing the necessary skills and competencies for the adoption and implementation of LVMs. In addition to technical challenges, successfully integrating LVMs into enterprise workflows requires a clear strategic vision, a robust organizational culture, and a capable team. Key skills and competencies include data literacy, which encompasses the ability to understand, analyze, and communicate data.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, LVMs are effective tools for enterprises, promising transformative impacts on productivity, efficiency, and innovation. Despite challenges, embracing best practices and advanced technologies can overcome hurdles. LVMs are envisioned not just as tools but as pivotal contributors to the next technological era, requiring a thoughtful approach. A practical adoption of LVMs ensures future readiness, acknowledging their evolving role for responsible integration into business processes.

[xxepherr]

.ೃ࿐ELECTION DAY

summary — in which austin accidentally lets it slip that hasan’s faceless (yet public) girlfriend is the woman they’re currently watching analyse the maps on CNN. 

pairings — hasan piker x politicalcorrespondent!girlfriend!reader

pronouns — she/her

word count — 1893

note — i personally would have “6’4 jacked boyfriend” as his contact name so that whenever weird men try to hit on me they see that but thats just me (and this reader insert ofc) (also this is nothing special just me rambling tbh — what’s to say this political!reader doesn’t become a mini series)

THE DAY WAS HERE. election day. not only was it the day your boyfriend had spent hours upon hours preparing for for weeks, but you, too. you were a political journalist and correspondent currently working the map for CNN during the weeks in the lead up to the election. 

it was a big day for you. four years ago you were streaming your own map coverage to fifteen thousand people on twitch, accessing your sources across multiple states to provide statements on what was going on nationwide. being asked a couple months ago to run the maps in front of millions was certainly a step up, but it gave you control to speak objectively without bias unlike most of the other news anchors and correspondents that were pushing right-wing sentiment over any other coverage. 

you hadn’t seen hasan in a few weeks now unless you counted facetimes and tuning into his streams. you’d get texts while he was streaming and the occasional kaya video ( because apparently she’d been whining with your leave ). it wasn’t the same, but you were both incredibly career-driven people, so being hours apart by plane wasn’t as daunting as it probably should’ve been.

“you’re gonna be late to stream,” you laughed softly, fiddling with the cap of the bottle of water someone had gotten you. endless tabs were open on your laptop in front of you, following aspects of every state because there was still hours to go before the polls closed, so you were only needed in short segments for now to go over 2020 and 2016 county votes in particular states at a time. 

“you’re right,” hasan’s voice was slightly staticky through the phone. “i might have to focus on kornacki or fox news so that i don’t spend too long staring at you.”

“aw,” you let go of your phone, holding it between your ear and shoulder to screw the cap back on the bottle. one of the directors caught your attention across the room, holding up his hand to say that she had five minutes before they were back on air again. “i’m back on in a few . . . i’ll have your stream open on my laptop, though!”

“good luck today,” hasan said softly as he started his stream, leaving it on his opening scene while his mic was muted. people were already flooding in by the thousands. “i’ll talk to you in, what, twelve hours? i love you.”

“twelve hours,” you hummed in agreement, “i love you more,” you sighed softly, noticing that the twitch tab was reloading to take her to his ‘starting soon’ overlay. “good luck.” you ended the phone call first, quickly putting it back on do not disturb and placing it over on the table that was full of analytical notes. the board that now had the map of the united states of america was lit up again, an empty canvas waiting for you to load up the old votes to load up projected blue and red areas.

TOO MANY HOURS TO count and three hundred thousand viewers into the election, hasan was still going strong. despite the pull to watching CNN more than he probably should, he managed to force himself to switch between fox news to laugh at republican propaganda and msnbc. though, he would one hundred percent lying if he said he didn’t have CNN up on his second monitor. 

things were steadily climbing, and josh ( ettingermentum ) was back after mike from PA left the call. josh, who had been raging on ( no seriously, no one had really heard him be that loud all day ) about how the democrats fucked up was finally broken up when austin joined the call, the atmosphere shifting.

christmas sign in full view and a cold slab of a slice of pizza being shoved into his mouth, austin’s discussion on if he was being sent to prison if the republicans dominated was dwindled until josh left the call to analyse the polls for twitter. 

“ugh, can we watch something else?” austin asked, barely swallowing his mouthful of pizza first. “all i’ve done is watch fox today.”

“yeah,” hasan chucked humourlessly, clicking around mindlessly between tabs as he tried to find msnbc’s coverage. because the tabs were so small thanks to the fifty million twitter tabs he had open, he almost groaned in frustration when he accidentally clicked on the CNN tab.

 the tab where you were conveniently fiddling with the data of state of pennsylvania. it was already a dangerous game having you on screen when the chat knew what the silhouettes of you looked like — photos from behind of you walking with hasan, photos of your eyes after he tried to do your makeup, mirror fit checks with your face covered by the phone . . . chat only needed to be railroaded enough to work it out. 

just as he was about to switch tabs again, austin opened his mouth. “oh, man, i miss her,” there was a shift in his tone, more than just him speaking without thinking. familiarity shone through. from the way he casually uttered your nickname to the sigh, it was probably worse than railroading. it was the train forgetting to slam the brakes on worthy. 

hasan wisely kept his mouth shut as he switched to fox news — anything was better than CNN currently — and his eyes slowly zeroed in on the chat. question marks upon question marks until it eventually morphed into ‘holy shit she looks familiar’ and ‘girlfriend reveal????’ to ‘omg face reveal’ and his breathing faltered. 

someone switched the chat to emote only mode in the few moments he was silent for, austin thankfully following suit. glancing at his second monitor, you were still doing your thing, this time discussing the iowa flip from blue to red, completely oblivious. 

“austin,” hasan finally said, tone flat. there was no use making a big fuss out of denying it — that would just make it more obvious. 

austin chuckled nervously, awkwardly. “uh . . . sorry, hasan. i didn’t think about it . . . awkward.”

“clearly,” he grumbled, digging his fingers into his hair for a moment as he thought. the election was put on hold in his mind for a moment as he switched the screen to the full facecam. he wasn’t going to directly deny or confirm anything, so instead he said, “take what you will from what austin said. in saying that, don’t go harass her, clearly she was faceless for a reason. anyway,” hasan cleared his throat, “moving on, back to the election . . .” and he swiftly moved on like nothing ever happened ( while the mods were timing out anyone who asked about it for an entire week ).

“PENNSYLVANIA AND NEVADA ARE expected to be the closest as of currently,” you gestured to the map that demonstrated the slight wave from the blue shift. “we’re looking at about half a percent, but election night is full of surprises so . . . we’ll continue to keep an eye on that for now.” the directors in the back signalled that the camera was no longer live, and you nodded and took a deep breath. the polls weren’t looking as good as everyone had expected it would look for the democrats.

finally off the air for a much needed break, you wandered back over to your little table off to the side. notes were piling up, but upon noticing the spam of notifications flashing across your phone. weird, you thought, your notifications usually not showing up unless it came from verified accounts across all social media platforms . . . until you noticed that it was coming from your private instagram and twitter account. super weird. 

and then the text from hasan. 

6’4 SUPER JACKED BOYFRIEND: uhhh so austin accidentally told 300k people we’re dating 

6’4 SUPER JACKED BOYFRIEND: call me when ur done? so sorry

oh. on one hand the first part was exciting. three hundred thousand? it was a new viewership record for him. on the other? that means a shit ton of people knew the secret you guys had spent almost two years safeguarding. you’d wanted to keep your face out of everything because you had your own career and didn’t want his to intertwine with it. a healthy work-life balance was keeping that shit separate, but it was only really time until people found out anyway. it wasn’t the best kept secret, anyway. 

still, you weren’t mad. you sent off a quick text saying ‘it’s alr’ with a smiley face emoji and shut your phone off completely, shoving it off to the side and turning your laptop back on. you’d be back in california tomorrow, anyway, it could be dealt with then.

THE AIRPORT WASN’T AS secretive anymore. tired after only getting a couple hours of sleep because you got back to your hotel at some god awful hour this morning, it was an instant relief to see hasan waiting for you, dresses comfortably to not draw too much attention to himself — which was difficult because he was fucking huge.

either way, you had no energy to do anything but collapse into his waiting arms, letting him engulf you until you were suffocating. “this is nice,” you mumbled. “sorry i didn’t call, was so tired.”

“you’re fine,” he promised, pulling you back slightly to look at him. “i missed you,” he slipped his hand into yours, and he took your suitcase with his other hand. it was nice to be able to publicly be in his presence without worrying, so much so that you leant into his arm, tiredness dragging your feet.

“missed you more,” you said honestly, but there was more on your mind than just small talk. “where’s austin? motherfucker’s been blowing up my phone.”

hasan chuckled, “if i hear him apologise one more time i’m gonna commit a hate crime.” he then shook his head, “he wanted to stay at the house but i told him to come ‘round tomorrow . . . want you to myself first.”

you knew what that was code for, so you shook your head with a silent laugh. “let me sleep first, god.”

and sleep you did. the house was silent thankfully so you were content tucked up in hasan’s arms, stealing him from clocking in with his twitch chat for ten hours in a fit of selfishness that you were entitled too.

“austin might’ve saved our relationship,” you teased, trailing your fingers up his arm that was tightly wrapped around you, both on the verge of falling into dreamland. “now we can go out on proper dates again.”

“you can tell him yourself,” hasan’s arms tightened around her a little bit more, so full of warmth that the blanket was starting to render useless. “when he knocks our door down tomorrow morning.”

“aw, come on,” you tapped his arm a little harder, fighting the urge to gnaw on his forearm. “you love him.”

“i love you, he’s just my side piece,” he kissed the side of your neck tenderly, “night, baby.”

“g’night,” you mumbled back with a soft smile, the world drifting away for just that little bit longer until tomorrow rolled around. you could deal with your very public relationship then.

[thesportsprgirl]

Since Lando is involved, there's of course a particular narrative that has popped up around his Monster release and which other drivers deserve it more, so I'm going to get on my professional soap box once again because oh my god shut the fuck up already.

My creds: dual BS in Business Analytics and Marketing. MA in Strategic Communication (thesis on sports PR in the social media age). MBA with a sports economics coursework emphasis. Consultant working in corporate partnerships in a variety of sports, including motorsport.

Based on what I've seen today, people have no idea how much work goes into securing personal sponsors. In order to get a personal sponsorship deal, you and your team have to pitch the sponsor and demonstrate the value that it will bring to their business through things like DATA and RESEARCH. Engagement metrics, impressions, reach, products sold, brand recognition, return on investment, etc.

If a McLaren sponsor does a personal sponsorship of Lando as well, it's because his team pitched and demonstrated that the metrics bear out that it would be worth their money. It's not like oh let's throw money at this kid bc VIBES. Or bc Zak Brown says we had to. I keep seeing people implying that they just picked him on a whim, when things like this take ages to decide, with a ton of data, a ton of research, and a ton of really smart people analyzing it before making the call.

You have to show a sponsor the reasons that they should work with you and why it's worth their money. Lando and Quadrant have done that. And it's a fuckton of work to not only get them, but to deliver the results to retain them. Some of those results are in the form of social media engagement that they've gotten from Lando and his brands likely before the drink was even contracted.

Identifying sponsors, pitching and securing their money, etc. is a multi-billion dollar industry that requires a ton of work, data analysis, content testing, focus group testing, etc. The people saying "it should have been _____" clearly either have a personal bias or don't understand the level of personal brand you have to have to get this sort of a deal.

Lando has larger reach, more engagement, recognizable brands with very passionate followings, etc. when compared to some of the other drivers people are bringing up here. He's selling out merch collection after merch collection after merch collection, and that is not true of 90% of the other drivers on the grid. He sold so many tickets to Landostand that they quite literally BUILT ANOTHER GRANDSTAND. And sold that one out, too! These are things that come with a ton of value to sponsors. Sponsors are seeking out his audience based on demographics. It's not some sort of conspiracy, it's business.

Right now, there are a couple of drivers that are LEAGUES above the others when it comes to the effort they've put into developing their personal brand, ability to drive product, and relevancy within high disposable income and retail-spending fan demographics (Lando over indexes with four key demos: young women, highly educated women, queer men, families with children). Averaged across these "big spender demos," Lando is in the top 2. I can say that based on the data I have at my fingertips.

tl;dr - Monster is looking to sell product. Data says Lando Norris sells product because people actually like him very much.

[ghostlynightpanda]

Hi! Can I request Chishiya x fem!reader who is like Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds? So she also has eidetic memory and high IQ etc. Sorry if something is unclear, my English is very bad, so I use a translator😔🙏🏻

Calculations of Trust

A/N: I’ve never watched Criminal Minds, but I still tried my best to write someone based on what I read about Spencer Reid online. I hope this fits his character the way you wanted!

Synopsis: Stranded in the deadly Borderlands, a brilliant and emotionally analytical woman teams up with the enigmatic strategist Chishiya, blending cold logic and empathy to outwit brutal games—forming a powerful alliance that could be their key to survival, and maybe something deeper beyond.

warnings/content: Chishiya x fem!reader, fluff, canon-typical blood and violence, 2.561 words

Part 2

The sky looked the same.

That was your first thought when arriving in this bizarre world. You weren't sure why that thought struck you first—why your brain zeroed in on cloud patterns and the familiar texture of summer heat against your skin. But when everything else felt wrong, your mind clung to something right. The skyline stretched over Tokyo, unchanged. But the silence—that was alien. Not a car, not a voice. Just the ghost of the city, paused mid-breath.

You took in your surroundings.

No people. No traffic. Just… nothing. You stood in the middle of a crosswalk, frozen, surrounded by still life. Abandoned phones buzzed with notifications that no one would answer.

Your mind kicked into gear. Eidetic memory activated.

Five minutes ago, you were running toward the subway, trying to catch the train after working a little later than usual.

You turned a corner. There was a flash—like fireworks.

And then— You were here.

In the middle of Tokyo. A city that once buzzed with life.

But now? Silence.

You weren't alone for long. A nearby explosion—a concussive boom of noise—jerked you into motion. You ran. Found others. Confused, shaken. They were like you: wrong time, wrong place, no memory of how this world replaced your own.

And then came the games.

Your hands shook. You were honest enough to admit that.

The first game was brute strength, speed, raw terror. Spades.

But even in fear, your brain remained loyal. You noticed the pattern in the balance plates before the man next to you slipped and got impaled. You memorized the tilt sensitivity after watching one test run. You counted the milliseconds between the trap triggers.

You didn't win because you were the fastest. You won because you didn't panic.

Now it was numbers.

The rules seemed random at first—red lights flashing in sequence, pressurized plates, a 3x3 grid.

But you saw it. The Fibonacci intervals in the flashes. The relationship between the pressure sensors and the golden ratio. It was coded math, and everyone was guessing.

You weren't.

You survived. Again.

One pair of eyes watched you the entire game, not with fear, or respect, but calculation. You didn't notice him yet but he noticed you.

The third game looked innocent—like a corporate team-building exercise on steroids.

Eight players. One tower. Ten floors. One room on each level. Each room held a puzzle that advanced you or eliminated you. No hints. Just "Solve or Die."

This was your domain.

The others bickered, shouting over each other as they failed on Floor Three's rotating sequence riddle.

You didn't shout. You stared.

"Wait," you said calmly, interrupting a panic spiral. "The door mechanism—look at the marks. Someone's already tried the wrong sequences. There's a pattern in the wrong answers."

They blinked.

You knelt, running your fingers across the scratch marks, whispering numbers under your breath.

"Floor Three's answer is 13. Fibonacci again. They're using mathematical sequences tied to human cognitive bias. Floor Four will use base-12 logic. Let me lead."

Some hesitated. Others followed.

You cleared the rest of the tower in under 20 minutes.

Every. Floor.

No casualties.

When the exit door slid open and everyone rushed into the light, cheering, you hung back. Breathing in. Processing.

And that's when you noticed him.

White hoodie. Platinum-blond hair. Lean frame. Calm.

He leaned against the wall near the game's edge like he'd never been concerned at all. His eyes didn't match the grin on his face—because the grin was casual, but the eyes were surgical.

"You weren't just solving," he said. His voice was light. Quiet. "You were analyzing the game designers themselves."

You stared at him, guarded.

He smiled wider. "Most people panic. You... profile."

You narrowed your eyes. "And you were watching."

"Observation is underrated," he said. "But then again, so is intellect."

He stepped forward, hands in his pockets.

"I'm Chishiya. And I think you're wasted out here, playing games for peasants."

"…Excuse me?"

"There's a place. A stronghold. The Beach. We collect cards. Build power. I think you'll be a good asset."

Your stomach twisted at the word asset. But part of you knew: intelligence attracts opportunists. Still—something in his tone wasn't exploitative. More like… strategic alliance.

You considered him. He didn't seem like a follower. And you weren't one either.

But the look in his eyes? He saw the way your brain worked. And you saw his. And that made him the first person in this world who felt even remotely familiar.

"…Fine," you said. "But I'm not just muscle for your puzzle-hunt."

He gave a slight nod. "Of course not. You're far more interesting than that."

The Beach wasn't a sanctuary. It was a masquerade.

Everyone wore the same smile, drank from the same bottles, and pretended they weren't all one bad game away from bleeding out on concrete. You watched them from the railing above the pool deck, arms crossed, mind whirring.

You'd been here three days. Already mapped the layout, memorized exit points, analyzed the card collection gaps, and mentally categorized the power players by behavioral patterns. Hatter: Delusional narcissist. Aguni: latent trauma, soldier instinct. Niragi: dangerous—impulse-driven, no empathy. Kuina: calculating, adaptable.

And Chishiya?

Uncrackable.

He didn't talk to people. He examined them. You weren't excluded. In fact, he seemed particularly interested in you.

You kept your distance. Avoided the parties. Watched the Beach from the outside while living inside it. You preferred it that way.

But that didn't stop him.

He found you again.

On the rooftop at dusk. You were alone, mentally replaying a hearts game you hadn't played — just in case. Trying to guess how the designer might think. Preparing.

"I don't like wasting potential," came his voice behind you.

You didn't turn. "Then I assume this conversation has a purpose."

"I want to know how you think."

You turned now, facing him. "Why?"

"Because you don't react. Not the way most people do. You solve the problem and walk away." He tilted his head. "But then… you save people. Like our team in the Tower Logic game."

You met his gaze, cool and unreadable. "You observed all that the whole time?"

His smile curled. "Observation is underrated."

You didn't smile back. "So is empathy."

He said nothing, but his expression faltered—just barely.

The next game came.

Six players. Clubs game. Team strategy. You, Chishiya, Kuina, and three others you didn't recognize.

The arena was a circular facility—ten rooms branching off a central hub, each room holding part of a code that had to be assembled and entered into a control panel to stop a detonation countdown. Cooperation required. Pressure high.

You immediately stepped into role.

First: layout. Second: player observation. Third: behavior prediction. You mentally assigned roles within minutes, logging where each player went, how fast they moved, what patterns they repeated.

You whispered to Kuina at one point, directing her to Room 6. "The clues are mirrored. He's looking in the wrong spot. You'll find the second half of the cipher in the vent."

She blinked. "How the hell did you—"

You didn't answer. No time. You moved.

By the twelve-minute mark, you had memorized all four ciphers, identified the red herring rooms, and were correcting the errors of the weakest players—quietly, efficiently.

People began looking at you with something between awe and unease.

Everyone… except Chishiya.

He watched you with narrowed eyes, arms folded, expression unreadable. You couldn't tell if he was analyzing your method, or your motives.

The six of you survived. The bomb didn't go off.

You stayed behind in the lobby, alone again, scribbling numbers into the dust with your finger—reworking a hypothetical failure scenario.

Chishiya stepped into your periphery. "You had the solution at the halfway point."

You didn't look up. "Yes."

"But you kept feeding it to the others. Slowly. Piece by piece."

You finally looked at him. "Would you have rather I let them die?"

His eyes narrowed slightly. "If efficiency is the goal, why not just input the code yourself and let the weak ones be removed?"

You studied him for a long second.

"Why save people?" he asked, voice light but sharp. "You're smart enough not to care."

You tilted your head.

"Emotion isn't weakness," you said calmly. "It's data, too. Empathy helps you predict behavior. Understand intent. If you ignore it, you're only seeing half the variables."

He stared at you.

You stared back.

Two brilliant minds. Opposing algorithms.

But for the first time, there was something like respect between you. Something mutual, if unspoken.

He turned to leave. "You're interesting," he said over his shoulder. "That's rare."

You didn't respond. Not out loud, anyway. But your next move was already forming.

And somehow, you knew: so was his.

The announcement still hung in the air.

Another high-ranked hearts game.

You felt the chill thread down your spine — not from fear, but from certainty.

This wasn't logic. Not just logic. It was trust. Emotion. Manipulation. A game designed to tear alliances apart.

Your eyes flicked across the room. Eight players total. Circular arena. One glowing pedestal in the center, one screen above it.

Game Name: "Trust Fall."

Objective: One player is the traitor. Only the traitor knows they are the traitor. Everyone else must identify them correctly within 30 minutes. If the majority guesses wrong, all non-traitors die. If the traitor is correctly identified, they die. If no decision is made in time, everyone dies.

Timer: 30:00.

You exhaled slowly.

Someone muttered behind you, already accusing someone else.

You didn't flinch.

You weren't afraid.

Because Chishiya was here.

And he wasn't talking, either.

It turned ugly fast.

One girl started crying. A man began shouting at another, pointing fingers. Everyone was looking for tells — shifting eyes, nervous hands.

But the traitor? Might not be nervous at all.

You stayed still, listening. Absorbing.

So did he.

At one point, your eyes met across the room. Not a word. Just a nod — the barest flicker of recognition that said: You're watching the same patterns I am.

You moved closer. Quietly. Avoiding attention.

"They're emotionally reactive," you whispered to Chishiya when you were close enough. "We need a baseline of behavior before paranoia infects it all."

"Already too late," he murmured back. "They're spiraling."

"We isolate. Compare responses. Narrow it down by contradiction."

He nodded once. "Together, then."

It was brutal, in its design. Every ten minutes, you were allowed to interrogate one person as a group. It was chaos.

So you and Chishiya ran it like a silent operation.

You led the questioning. Calm. Cool. Clinical. You asked for timelines, movement patterns, memory details.

He watched them. Every microexpression. Every inconsistency.

"I saw her move toward the pedestal earlier," one player said.

"She said she didn't," Chishiya countered softly, almost amused. "But you did."

The woman froze.

Bit by bit, the lies unraveled.

But the closer you got, the more the others turned on you.

"You two think you're better than us," someone spat. "You act like you already know everything."

You stepped forward. "No. We just don't let fear do our thinking for us."

But they didn't want calm.

They wanted blood.

Twenty Seconds Left

Only two options remained: the woman, or the man next to her.

The others were screaming at each other.

You and Chishiya stood shoulder to shoulder.

"It's her," you said softly. "She slipped up. Three minutes ago, she said the clue was in the screen prompt. But that was only visible after the first vote. She couldn't have known that... unless she was the traitor."

He paused. Nodded slowly.

"Agreed."

"But we'll need at least one more vote to swing the majority."

Chishiya looked at you. A rare flicker of uncertainty passed through his expression. "What if we're wrong?"

You didn't hesitate.

"We're not."

He smiled. Just a little. Then turned to the others.

"You're all too busy panicking," he said, his voice cutting through the noise. "You missed the only actual tell."

Then he pointed at the woman.

The votes followed.

She screamed. Denied it. Begged.

The screen flashed red.

TRAITOR IDENTIFIED. GAME CLEAR.

The door to the arena hissed shut behind the others. Silence returned. Heavy. Absolute.

You didn't move. Neither did he.

The digital clock on the wall blinked back zeroes. You watched it for a moment, eyes unfocused, as if the weight of the aftermath had only now begun to register. Not fear — just the gravity of the choices you made.

Chishiya stood to your left, arms still crossed, but there was no smugness, no satisfaction in his posture. Just that same unreadable calm. Like the sea before a storm.

"You hate relying on people," he said, voice quiet in the echoing space.

You tilted your head toward him. "So do you."

A small breath escaped him. Not a laugh, exactly — more like the exhale of someone surprised by how unsurprising something feels.

"But we didn't lose," he said.

"No," you agreed, stepping slowly into the center of the room. "We didn't."

Your eyes trailed the lines in the floor, where earlier you'd stood with half the group ready to turn on you. People break fast in games like this. You understood why. But it still left a taste in your mouth you couldn't quite name.

He followed, hands slipping into the pockets of his hoodie.

"We won easily," he added after a pause, as though testing the shape of that truth.

You stopped, turning to face him fully now. "Not easily. Efficiently."

He gave a soft shrug. "With everyone else flailing in panic, I'd call it easy."

You raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying we make a good team?"

Chishiya didn't answer immediately. He looked at you, and this time the gaze lingered — not with calculation, but something deeper. Curiosity. Understanding. The faintest trace of something warmer.

"Better than good," he said. "Strategically, you're the only one I can work with who doesn't slow me down."

Your lips curled slightly. "High praise. Coming from you."

He gave you a glance, dry but not unkind. "Don't let it go to your head."

You turned your attention to the dim hallway ahead, the path back to the Beach. The false security. The chaos waiting in the next game.

"You want to keep working together," you said, more a conclusion than a question.

"Yes," he answered. No hesitation. "Until we get out of this world."

You were silent for a moment. Then, you asked — quieter — "And after?"

Chishiya looked at you. Really looked at you.

And for once, his answer wasn't immediate. His eyes searched yours, as if weighing something unspoken. You wondered what he saw: a mirror of his own isolation, or something that cracked through the cold logic you both wrapped yourselves in like armor.

"Maybe," he said finally. Simple. Honest.

Not a promise. But possibility.

You let the silence stretch between you again — not uncomfortable, just full.

Then, finally, you turned toward the exit. He walked beside you, footsteps syncing in a rhythm neither of you acknowledged but somehow matched anyway.

Two minds. Sharp. Calculating. Unrelenting.

But now—aligned.

And beneath all that logic, beneath the masks of detachment you both wore so well, something else had started to take root.

Not trust, exactly.

But the beginning of it.

And perhaps, someday, more.

Masterlist

[lieutenantbatshit]

until i found you. (hwang jun-ho x reader)

Summary: You meet Hwang Jun-ho at a prestigious police conference where you're invited as a guest speaker. The moment you lock eyes from across the room, there's a spark. Throughout the conference, you catch each other's gaze again and again, drawn into a silent exchange neither of you fully understands yet.

A/N: Jun-ho is my current fixation lately. In-ho still holds a special place in my delulu heart but Jun-ho is becoming my bias wrecker 😩 why are the Hwang brothers so damn fine

The hum of polite chatter filled the auditorium as the sea of uniforms, sharp suits, and the occasional flash of polished badges reflected under the stage lights. You stood at the front of the hall, just a little off-center from the podium, your presentation slides illuminating behind you with quiet authority.

The conference was about a cross-border event — a joint police training and strategy summit between Korea and other Southeast Asian nations. You’ve been invited as a guest speaker, someone with deep experience in cross-cultural criminal justice cooperation. Your name was announced earlier, your credentials were read aloud to a roomful of attentive faces.

But one face — one set of eyes — kept pulling your focus.

He sat in the third row from the front, his uniform neat, his posture perfect. There was something in the way his gaze lingered. It was steady and analytical, but soft at the edges. Every time your eyes flicked across the crowd, they locked with his. Not in a challenging way, but like he was trying to memorize you.

You finished your speech to a round of professional applause, and as the moderator wraps up with closing remarks, people began to rise, gather their folders, and shift into conversation clusters. You slipped your notes back into your bag when you heard soft footsteps approach you.

“Excuse me,” a voice said. You glanced up to see him, and there he was, the man you kept locking eyes with. 

He offered you a modest smile, the kind that’s all in the eyes, and gave a slight bow before speaking. “I wanted to thank you for your talk. It was… different. In a good way.”

You smiled back. “Different is better than boring, right?”

He chuckled, low and slightly bashful. “Definitely.”

There was a beat of silence before you tilted your head a little and asked, “I didn’t catch your name earlier…?

“Oh, right,” he said quickly, his eyes widening like he couldn’t believe he forgot. “Sorry. I’m Jun-ho. Hwang Jun-ho.”

“Nice to meet you, Jun-ho,” you offered your hand as he shook it gently. It felt formal, but at the same time, something was lingering in the gesture.  He scratched the back of his neck and then held something out in both hands. “I… thought you might like this. It’s not much.”

You glanced down and saw it — a hanji bookmark. It was delicately crafted, with a design of a single magnolia blossom inked in soft watercolor tones. At the bottom, there’s a tiny Korean proverb written in Hangul: 시작이반이다 — “Starting is half the task.”

“It’s handmade,” Jun-ho said quickly. “By my mom, actually. She likes to craft. I carry a few when I travel.”

You ran your fingers gently along the textured paper, feeling your heart catch a little. You couldn’t help but smile. “This is beautiful. Thank you.”

He shrugged with a small grin, as if he was glad you liked it but unsure how to say it out loud. Then, his hand slipped into his pocket, pulling out his phone.

“If it’s okay… could I get your Instagram? Or whatever you use,” he added, with the faintest blush on his cheeks. “For professional networking, of course.”

You stifled a smile as you typed in your username on his phone. He sent a message immediately, just a wave emoji, and you both shared a small, private laugh before another officer called his name from across the room.

“Duty calls,” he said, giving you a two-finger salute. You gave him one back as he headed off. 

You left the venue a little later, the bookmark tucked carefully between your planner. The sun dipped low over the skyline as your ride dropped you at the hotel entrance. You found yourself smiling throughout the ride, as you couldn’t help but think of Jun-ho.

As you were about to head inside your hotel, your phone buzzed, which made you blush even more. You read the text, pressing your lips as you felt yourself giggle internally.

“I would love to have lunch with you tomorrow if you’re still here.”

You stared at the screen for a beat, your heart hammering. You weren’t sure what tomorrow would bring, but tonight?

Tonight felt like the start of something quietly extraordinary. 

——

You arrived five minutes earlier at the quiet little hanok-style cafe tucked into a side street, just a few blocks from your hotel. The sky was hazy with the warmth of the early afternoon, and the scene of roasted barley tea drifted from the open windows. The carved wooden sign above the doorway gave off a warmth that matches the soft glow in your chest.

You were nervous, and you hated that you were nervous. It had been a long time since you went out on a date.

As you stepped inside, the hush of the cafe wrapped around like a well-worn poem. He was already there.

Jun-ho sat at a corner table, near a window with paper screens casting soft golden light over his face. His uniform was replaced by a casual dark button-up, sleeves rolled slightly at the wrists. He looked at his phone, lips slightly pursed, but as if he sensed you, he lifted his head.

And then, he smiled.

It wasn’t wide nor showy. It was quiet, just the barest curve of his lips and his eyes softened, but it hit you harder than you expected.

“You’re early,” you said, trying to sound casual despite the flutter in your chest.

He stood, brushing nonexistent crumbs off the table. “You beat me by a minute. I was just… making sure I had the right place.”

You laughed softly and nodded. “Looks like we’re both terrible at pretending we’re not excited.”

He smiled, then gestured for you to sit. You slid into the seat across from him, suddenly aware of how close the table was. It was close enough to notice how warm his eyes were, and close enough to hear the subtle nervousness in the way he cleared his throat. 

“Thank you for meeting me,” he said. “I wasn’t sure if you… I mean, I hoped you would.”

You glanced at him, surprised by the honesty. It made your stomach twist in the best way. “I was hoping you would ask.”

And there it was again — that moment where your eyes locked just a little too long, and you felt like the room became quiet around you. 

After placing your orders, you sipped your tea to distract yourself from the wild thump in your chest, but your curiosity won.

“So,” you began, watching him over the rim of your cup. “I’ve been wondering, what made you want to become a police officer?”

Jun-ho leaned back slightly, cradling his cup between his palms. “Ah… that’s a bit of a story,” his gaze dropped for a second, then lifted again. “But mostly, it was my older brother.”

“He was a police officer, too?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Actually, he raised me. He was… everything. You know those people who just get it? He was like that. He’s brave and steady. The kind of person you wanted beside you when the world fell apart.”

“He sounds incredible.”

“He is,” Jun-ho said softly, his fingers still resting on the cup. “I remember watching him graduate from the academy. He looked so proud in his uniform. That’s who I want to be — someone people can trust.”

You watched the way his face shifted between pride and something quieter. “He would be really proud of you,” you said, meaning it more than you expected. 

He looked up, and for a second, it was like the words settled into his chest. “Thanks,” he said quietly. “That means more than you think.”

The silence between you wasn’t awkward. It felt warm, like a gentle tide coming in. Your food arrived, and the conversation softened into laughter, into stories. You asked about his life, his favorite childhood memory that included fishing with his brother on a rainy day, his current guilty pleasure with an embarrassing addiction to cheesy Korean crime dramas, and his surprisingly poetic habit of swimming at night to clear his head.

And as you listened, you caught yourself staring. He was kind, thoughtful, a little shy, and so quietly beautiful. You weren’t expecting this — you weren’t expecting him. 

When you took the last bite of your food as the sun began to stretch longer across the street outside, you both rose reluctantly. 

“I didn’t think today would turn out like this,” you said, feeling your cheeks warm.

“Me neither,” he replied, slipping his phone into his back pocket. “But I’m glad it did.”

You hesitated, unsure if this is where the spell breaks, but then he spoke again.

“Would you… want to walk for a bit? Or do you have to head back?”

You nodded before your heart could second-guess it. “I’ve got time.”

You and Jun-ho walked side by side down a quiet street near the cafe, neither of you quite ready to say goodbye. There was a gentle hush between you as if it was comforting, like a song you didn’t want to end.

Your eyes caught on something neatly lined up beside a storefront, seeing electric scooters for rent down the alley. You stopped walking, much to Jun-ho’s surprise.

You grinned and pointed. “Those. Have you ever ridden one?”

He followed your gaze and blinked. “The scooters? Not… really. Not properly.”

You turned to him with a sudden mischievous glint in your eyes. “Want to?”

He chuckled, his eyebrows raising like he couldn’t believe you were serious, but the corner of his mouth lifted in that smile that’s fast becoming your favorite. “Right now?”

“Unless you’re scared,” you teased.

“I’m not scared,” he said, his eyes narrowing playfully. “You are so going to crash into something.”

Five minutes later, after figuring out the app and securing two scooters, you both rolled shakily into a quiet park trail, laughing like kids on summer break. The wind rushed through your hair, and your laughter echoed under the trees. You glanced sideways to see Jun-ho beside you. He was focused, a little awkward, but grinned like he hadn’t in years.

And in that moment with just you, him, the golden sky, and the light breeze, you felt it.

You weren’t thinking about your career or your hotel room or the thousand things you’ve left unanswered in your life. You thought about the way he shouted “Watch out!” as you nearly veered off the path, how he reached out instinctively to steady your scooter, his hand brushing your arm with a spark that shot down your spine.

Eventually, the path sidened into a quiet overlook facing the river. The sun dipped enough to paint the water in liquid gold. You both slowed to a stop and hopped off, breathless and flushed with laughter.

Jun-ho leaned against his scooter, arms crossed, watching you try to smooth your windblown hair. “That was…” he began, searching for the word.

“Exactly what I needed,” you finished for him, chest still rising with joy.

You stepped forward to stand beside him, eyes on the horizon, and then he did it.

Jun-ho reached out gently and brushed something from your hair, his fingers lingering just long enough to make your breath catch. Then, just as softly, he tucked a loose strand behind your ear. You looked up at him, and he didn’t look away. 

The air stilled between you. It wasn’t heavy nor expectant, just full. Full of possibility and something real.

“I’m glad I met you,” he said quietly, like it’s a secret he’s only just realized.

You knew by the way your heart skipped, by the warmth that bloomed across your chest, by the way your body leaned ever so slightly toward him. It was just a crush — it was that quiet kind of love, the kind that sneaks up on you, gentle and whole.

“I’m glad I met you, too,” you whispered.

Jun-ho didn’t try to kiss you, and didn’t rush the moment. Instead, he turned to face the river again, but this time, his hand brushed against yours. His pinky curled around yours in a quiet, wordless gesture of trust. 

And you held it there. Just two hearts, and two hands. But one soft, beautiful beginning.

You and Jun-ho stayed like that, side by side, pinkies linked, watching the sky shift from gold to lavender. He didn’t speak for a moment, as if reluctant to break the peace you’ve both fallen into.

Then, in a quiet voice, he spoke. “There’s a gala night tonight as part of the conference. I wasn’t planning to go, but…”

You glanced at him, curiosity tugging at your lips. “But?”

His eyes flicked to yours, then down to your still-linked hands. “But I’d really like to go if you’ll be there.”

Your chest tightened at the simplicity of the question. He wasn’t trying to impress you — he just wanted to share the night with you.

You nudged him with your shoulder. “Is this you asking me on a second date?”

Jun-ho blinked, then laughed under his breath, caught off guard but clearly amused. He shook his head slightly, that smile tugging at his lips again. “Well then,” he said, turning toward you a bit more. “Yes, I’m asking you on our second date.”

You met his gaze, holding it. “Then I’ll be there,” you said. “Second date approved.”

There was a moment where you both just stood there, like something between you had quietly deepened. He cleared his throat. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“Looking forward to it,” you replied, meaning every word.

And when you walked back together, a little slower than necessary, the city fading into gold behind you, your heart felt full, as if it already knew.

This night might just become one you’ll never forget.

——

Back in your hotel room, the door clicked shut behind you as you exhaled with a shaky kind of giddiness. You pressed your back to the door for a second, grinning at nothing. Well, actually, at everything. At him.

Jun-ho.

The way he touched your hair, the way he looked at you like you were something rare, the way he asked you to the gala, not with grandeur, but with sincerity.

You crossed the room, heart fluttering as your step toward the bed where your dress hung, pressed and untouched until now. You hadn’t even considered going to the gala before, not until he gave you a reason. 

The fabric was a deep, elegant shade, something that catches the light in soft shimmers. As you slipped it on, zipping it up slowly, you couldn’t help but imagine his reaction. The way his eyes might linger just a second too long.

You turned to the mirror and smoothed your hands down the fabric, applying light makeup, brushing your hair with extra care. But more than anything, you felt the flow from inside — the kind that no lipstick or highlighter could match.

The feeling of being wanted. Of being seen.

Not just for what you presented at the conference. Not for your resume.

But for you. 

You heard the knock — three soft taps, a pause, and a fourth like a heartbeat. You smoothed your hands down your dreess and opened the door.

Jun-ho stood here, stilling at the sight of you. He work a tailored black suit, shirt collar neat, tie a deep navy, His hair was freshly styled, though a strand already rebels against gravity. His eyes traveled over you slowly, not a in way that objectifies, but like he was seeing something too lovely to name.

“Wow,” he murmured, blinking once. “You look…”

He trailed off, clearly searching for a word that would do you justice. 

You smiled softly. “I’ll take a ‘wow’.”

He laughed under his breath, his cheeks tinged pink. “Fair enough.”

The drive to the venue was short, filled with gentle music and even gentler conversation, your hands nearly brushing between you. When you arrived, the ballroom glowed beneath a canopy of chandeliers, each crystal catching the light like raindrops frozen mid-fall.

The crowd inside were elegantly dressed — officers, speakers, professionals from different corners of the conference — but the moment Jun-ho offered you his arm, it was like everything faded into soft blur. 

All you saw was him.

You walked in together, and more than a few eyes followed. At the far end, a long, wide table has been prepared for selected guests. Jun-ho led you there, pulling out your chair before sitting beside you. Around you, small talks started, light conversations about caseword, training protocols, someone making a joke about badge polish, but none of it really landed for you, and definitely not for him.

Because you were both leaning subtly toward each other, your knees brushing under the table, and neither of you moved away. Jun-ho murmured something about the chandeliers reminding him of the snowfall near the mountains back home, and you smiled like he was sharing a secret no one else to hear.

At one point, someone two seats down chuckled. “You two look like you’re at a private dinner.”

You glanced up, startled, but Jun-ho scratched the back of his neck sheepishly, lips pressed into a smile.

“We’re just catching up,” he said casually, though the way he looked at you afterward betrayed something deeper.

You met his gaze, and your heart already knew.

The din of the ballroom continues, glasses clinking, music weaving into the air. But for you, time has softened into a slow, golden rhythm. It wasn’t loud nor showy.

A quiet knowing. A feeling that maybe… the space between you and Jun-ho was always meant to be filled.

A fork clinked against a glass somewhere down the table, as someone gave a short toast. Applause followed, then more laughter filled the air.

And then, the band kicked in with that unmistakable brass intro.

“Do you remember… the 21st night of September...”

Your eyes widened, heart leaping with excitement. “Oh my god,” you whispered, turning to Jun-ho with your hands already halfway up in the air. “I love this song.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Of course you do.”

You didn’t give him time to be smug. You stood up quickly and reached for his hand. “Now,” you grinned, tugging him up from his seat. “Dance floor. Let’s go.”

He laughed and let himself be pulled to the center of the room, where a few guests had already started to move. The music filled every corner of the ballroom, infectious and golden, like the soundtrack to a memory that hasn’t been made yet.

You start swaying, playfully off-beat, shaking your arms with abandon just to make him laugh harder. He laughed hard, his eyes crinkled as his dimple peeked, his expression somewhere between “I can’t believe this happening” and “I wouldn’t trade this for anything”. 

Then suddenly, he steps in, and he moves.

You froze mid-twirl, eyes wide. “Wait, what? Jun-ho… you can dance?”

He smirked, one eyebrow raised. “Why do you sound so surprised?”

“Because you look like you listen to crime podcasts while folding laundry in your free time,” you said breathlessly.

He chuckled, spinning you once, just enough to make your hair fan out, and pulled you gently back toward him.

“Grew up with an older brother who made me learn every Earth, Wind & Fire song,” he admitted, sliding effortlessly into step beside you. “He said rhythm was essential for any undercover work.”

You laughed, the image of a younger Jun-ho dancing around a tiny apartment flashing in your mind. He caught your hands again, and this time, he led. You both moved in sync, like you’ve done this a hundred times. Like your bodies already knew each other’s stories.

People around you clapped along or cheered, but none of it mattered. Your world has narrowed to his hands on yours, his confident smile, the way he moved with you — not in front of you, not over you, but with you.

The chorus hits as you both sing the words, half-laughing, half-sincere. And it felt like September — warm, golden, and a little nostalgic and electric. 

You can’t remember the last time you felt this light, this free, and this alive. And when he twirled you again, his hands strong and sure, you realized that you trusted him.

Not just with your hand, but maybe with your heart.

The final notes of September faded out, laughter and applause echoing as dancers began catching their breath. You and Jun-ho were still in the middle of the dance floor, cheeks flushed, and hearts racing.

“I can’t believe you were holding out on me,” you said between breaths, managing to tease him still.

He grinned, slightly out of breath himself. “I had to save some surprises.”

But before you can answer, the band shifts. The moon changes as soft guitar chords ripple into the air, something gentle, longing, and familiar.

“Georgia… wrap me up in all your…”

Your breath caught. You know this song.

Jun-ho’s eyes softened as he heard it too, and without a word, he stepped forward again. This time he was slower, more intentional. He then offers his hand.

No more playfulness. No more crowd.

Just the two of you.

You slipped your hand into his, and he drew you in. He placed one hand lightly on your waist, the other cradling your hand with a gentleness that makes your chest ache. You rest your free hand on his shoulder, and just like that, the rest of the ballroom disappears.

You swayed together under the golden lights, moving as if the music was written just for the two of you. His eyes didn’t leave yours. There was no teasing now, only a quiet intensity, a kind of silent honesty that only showed up when words fell short.

Your fingers curled slightly against his shoulder. 

“I would never fall in love again until I found her…”

Jun-ho’s voice was barely a whisper when he spoke. “I used to wonder if I could ever feel this… light again.”

You tilted your head up at him. “And now?”

His gaze dropped to your lips, then back to your eyes. “Now I don’t want this moment to end.”

Neither do you.

Because in his arms, the world felt still. You’ve never felt so completely seen, so carefully held in someone’s presence. You leaned your forehead against his, and he closed his eyes at the contact, breathing you in like the only thing anchoring him.

When the chorus builds, he draws back just enough to look at you again. You can feel it between you. It was unspoken, but alive in every heartbeat. 

You nodded, and that was all he needed

Jun-ho leaned in slowly, giving you every second to change your mind, but you didn’t. You closed the distance the rest of the way, your lips meeting in a kiss that wasn’t rushed nor dramatic.

It was warm, certain, and true.

A kiss that said “I see you,” and a kiss that answered, “Me too.”

When you parted, your hands were still linked, your smiles quiet and glowing. The music faded as the night continued, but something between you had changed. 

What started with glances across a conference turned into a story that was only just beginning.

----

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