Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Jeong-hyeok protects Se-ri from the house inspection by claiming that she is both his fiancée and a confidential Division 11 operative. The explanation makes questions about her missing papers difficult to pursue openly. Se-ri plays along when the village women arrive to investigate the new relationship, while Jeong-hyeok’s soldiers struggle to believe their usually truthful captain has invented such an elaborate cover.
Cheol-gang orders wiretapper Jeong Man-bok to listen to the house, hoping to use Se-ri against Jeong-hyeok’s family. Man-bok remembers helping track the captain’s older brother before the fatal truck collision, a memory that makes his new assignment painful. Jeong-hyeok also examines the recent crash site and learns about unusual armour on the trucks. Meanwhile, Seo Dan returns from Russia and Seung-jun settles into his protected northern residence.
Believing her escape is close, Se-ri shares food and farewell awards with the soldiers and gives Jeong-hyeok a tomato plant. Their bickering now includes small gestures of affection, though both still treat her departure as final. Jeong-hyeok drives her to the boat and unexpectedly goes aboard with her. They exchange their full names before a coast guard vessel interrupts the journey. Hiding below deck, he kisses her as the guards prepare to uncover them.