RL

Both Keisuki and Naota seems not affected by family death

That guy, if you meant Tae Ju, is played by a very popular actor who's past work always a good character and usually ended up with the female lead. And the list of female leads included some big names. He works included Thirty Nine again with 3 fls. So questionable if suddenly he would play a villain?

I am simply looking for a less tragic ending

Purely speculation. There is a chance that Keisuki did bring the gun to Makiko's home, and her son took it and killed the shop owner. Then all 3 are lying protecting her son. It also resulted in a parallel of what happened 23 years ago. Both underaged for criminal responsibility but have work and school consequences. The 2nd time Makiko and Keisuki met at the night of killing was to dispose the gun.

Just checked the minimum age with criminal responsibility is 14 years old in Japan. At 6th grade will only be 11 to 12 typical or max 13 years old. And the son of Makiko is way below that whatever he has done.

Totally agreed. And stooding body totally exposed rather than lying on the bridge just asking to be shot.

Watched ep 6 again still no clue who is the present time killer. None of the other 3 friends of Junichi shown any emotion like Junichi after killing someone. So if the drama is consistent, seems none of the 4 killed the shop owner. And disposed of the gun is an important part. Makiko doesn't have a car.

The killing of Hideyuki remains to be a big mystery, as confusing as ever after 6 episodes. Just like who took the gun, no hint.
Thinking a bit more on the confession of Junichi. Besides clearing up the reason he left Makiko 23 years ago, it should also rebuild the friendship among the 4 friends. Now Keisuki realised Junichi actually avenged for this father, and Naoto no longer needed to protect Junichi. So understandings are seems restored.
Might be there is only police internal disciplinary hearing on Junichi with the crime happened 23 years ago. But he has not been honest so result can be anything from suspended from duty (might not be allowed to contact all suspects in the meantime), to sacking.

That few seconds is hot. Seems building up the tension of eventually it happens, if all obstacles are cleared

So far this drama has 2 parallel paths, one the murder mysteries, the other the relationship between Junichi and Makiko. The 1st half of the 6th episode is mostly about the relationship side. The final confession of Junichi is both for Nara, and also to Makiko why he couldn't be with her 23 years ago. The character of his gf shown in this episode is not one with sympathy. So if anything happens to the job of Junichi after his confession, might be Makiko would be the one stays by his side now she understands not that Junichi rejected her 23 years ago. But of course she is also in trouble now. Pure guess.

This 6th episode to me, is the best episode (at least one of the best) I ever watched in any drama, Japanese or Korean. Condensed, no second wasted, multi- dimensional. Intensity built up so well done, reaching climax at the very end! Hat's off to the director, and the acting in particular Junichi, Makiko and Nara.

Hope virginity of fl is not in the equation.

The key reason watching this long weekender is the matching 2 leads, both in looks and age. And unlike so many dramas with all those arrogance, cold, ridiculous ceo mls (in the beginning), here comes a cheerful, warm, smart, independent thinking, humorous, matured man/boss right from the start! That's really refreshing.

Let me add that the 2 leads did act their hearts out in that emotionally suppressed, temptation of forbidden love phone call. Luckily this is only mid drama, if it takes place at the end would be a sad sad ending.

The 1st 5 episodes of this drama is very entertaining and fast moving. Great 2 leads and good supporting leads. Don't know how it can keep up with 45 episodes to come though.

Watching so many dramas and reading so many forums, it is always the case of seeing what you want to see. If one doesn't like romance arc in a drama one would just turn a blind eye to all romance hints given by the PDwriter. And if one like a certain lead one would always see the chemistry accordingly instead of the setup given by the drama.

By mid point the drama clearly shown Jeong U the smartest, clever and reliable one apart from Miss Hong. What matters most always the brain and the heart of course), not external looks?

Indeed anything can happen in the second half of the drama. Trust no viewer would believe Naoto actually killed his brother so who he tried to protect is the biggest mystery.
The real character of Makiko is yet to be disclosed. But because she is setup in the drama or novel as a single mom who put her young son as top priority right from beginning, might be her insecurity just caused by her worrying about her son not having the security of a proper family, which is understandable (and her next man has to be closed to her son. Money or power? None of those). Pure speculation here.

This drama is so amazing that the story can be made so complex with just a few characters. All characters are 'grey', mysterious which are the deciding factors of how the drama will develop, besides who is actually the killer of the shop owner.

Very very good analysis