She didn’t remember how she’d fallen asleep.
All she knew was that she’d woken up to her mother’s rough beating, her short dress having ridden up in her sleep, now bunched around her chest like a top. Her white pillow was stamped with black smudges from mascara and foundation—a ghostly imprint of her face.
It was a peaceful Sunday morning. The whole family sat around the table, sharing a meal. But no one spoke a word.
The warm sunlight pouring in felt painfully out of place, clashing with the storm cloud hanging over Hyerin’s expression.
“Is this girl a human or a goldfish?”
Hyungwon poked at her puffed-up cheek while she miserably spooned bean sprout soup into her mouth.
Normally, she would’ve cursed and swatted his hand away. Today, she just muttered.
“A goldfish… Only a goldfish would keep confessing, knowing it’ll end the same every time…”
Her voice was sunken, as if submerged in water. Her parents sighed in unison.
They didn’t have to ask. They already knew what had happened.
Every time their bold and confident daughter returned home with this sickly pale face, it was always the same story: she’d been rejected by Jaeyoon.
It happened every year around his birthday. This year, it had just come a little early.
“If you’re a goldfish, what does that make your mom?”
“God, he’s told you no for how many years now? Stop making things uncomfortable. Find someone else. Of all people, why’d it have to be Hyungwon’s friend?”
Despite their words, Hyerin just quietly sipped her soup.
Jaeyoon had been like part of the family for years—so much so that her parents often called him their second son.
If they ever dated and broke up, the fallout could ruin everything.
It might damage Hyungwon and Jaeyoon’s friendship.
Living under the same roof as her parents, she’d probably start seeing less and less of Jaeyoon.
That was why her confessions felt selfish.
Because Jaeyoon genuinely cared—not just for her, but for Hyungwon and her parents, too.
“…I heard Jaeyoon’s mom is coming to Korea for a bit this year. Caught part of his phone call last night.”
A chill swept through the room at her words.
“Really? Been, what… five years?” her father asked, eyes locked on the table.
Her mother nodded.
“Ugh. She should come more often. You can’t just send money and call it parenting. I never liked either of them.”
“What can you do? They’ve probably got new families now. New kids, even.”
“Still. Jaeyoon’s always been the lonely type.”
Their heavy sighs spoke volumes. The affection they held for Jaeyoon was real.
His parents had both started new families long ago, leaving him adrift.
Maybe that’s why he started living on his own so early.
The fact that he found a place close to their house…
That he always came by on Parents’ Day to give carnations…
All of it pointed to where he found his sense of home.
“Ugh, is Jaeyoon not coming? Didn’t you two drink together? Tell him to come by and get some hangover soup.”
At their mom’s suggestion, Hyungwon glanced at his phone and shook his head.
“He said his stomach’s off. Doesn’t want breakfast. Let him be.”
Just hearing that one line sent Hyerin’s mind spiraling back into Jaeyoon territory.
Was it food poisoning from last night? Or stress-induced gastritis? …Appendicitis?
Worry ballooned so fast she reached for her phone on instinct—only to set it down again with a sigh.
She figured even a text from her might feel like pressure to him right now.
“Ah, what do we do about that?”
Their mom pointed her gaze toward the entryway, where a stack of food containers reached knee-height.
Hyungwon put two and two together, sighing as he shook his head.
“Seriously? I was wondering what that was. You packed that much? God, if nothing else, Mom’s generosity is Olympic-level.”
“What do you mean ‘that much’? That’ll last him a week at most. You know how much Jaeyoon loves our food.”
“He says that to make you happy. Besides, even if he came, how’s he supposed to carry all that himself? Looks like you’ll both need to go with him.”
“So yeah, I was planning for you and Jaeyoon to carry them together.”
As if it were the most natural thing in the world to treat him like a porter, Hyungwon tilted his head, puzzled.
“Wait, I am the actual son here, right? Feels like my priority status in this house just slipped a little… or is that just me?”
Even as he owlishly tilted his head back and forth, their mother ignored him and mumbled to herself.
“If nothing else, the bulgogi needs to be eaten soon.”
At that, Hyungwon scanned the side dishes on the table again. No matter how he looked, all he saw were greens.
“Wait… We had bulgogi?”
“Oh, your dad and I had it last night. You two were out drinking, remember?”
“But Jaeyoon was drinking with us. See? That’s weird. Hey, Joo Hyerin. Say something. Don’t you think the priorities in this house are a little messed up?”
Waving his hand in front of her eyes like he needed backup, Hyungwon urged her to chime in.
Without so much as blinking, Hyerin calmly chewed and swallowed a bean sprout before replying.
“Jaeyoon oppa gave Mom and Dad musical tickets.”
“………”
“Front row seats.”
“………”
“He’s better than their own kids at this point.”
That was enough to shut Hyungwon up. Resigned, he chewed on a bitter bellflower and let the silence return.
Hyerin stared at the stack of food containers by the entrance and said,
“Oppa. Once we’re done eating, let’s take those over to Jaeyoon.”
Hyungwon raised an eyebrow, staring at her.
“You sure you can handle seeing him? Don’t you usually need some pride-recovery time?”
Hyerin gave a small laugh and took a big spoonful of rice.
“I don’t even have pride left to recover anymore.”
“Tch. We really needed a third person for this.”
Hyungwon grumbled as he gathered the containers—now stacked high enough to block part of his vision.
They reached the door to Jaeyoon’s officetel and started ringing the bell to Unit 1501 over and over again.
Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
The clear chimes echoed into nothingness, and Hyerin turned to ask,
“Is he not home?”
“Maybe the guy’s asleep? He wasn’t answering my calls either. Just try entering the code.”
“Is the passcode still the same?”
“Yeah. He never changes stuff like that.”
Without hesitation, Hyerin flipped open the door lock cover and punched in the familiar digits.
With a clear beep, the door unlocked.
“Oh wow. If someone ever robs our house, I guess Jaeyoon oppa’s place goes down as collateral too.”
“Ugh, just hurry up and open it. This stuff’s heavier than it looks.”
Pressed by Hyungwon’s complaint, Hyerin pushed the door open and stepped inside, half-carried in by the containers.
It had been nearly three years since she’d last come here. But the faintly bitter woody scent by the shoe rack was still the same. His shoes were lined up in perfect order, just like always.
Kicking off their shoes, they opened the inner door and stepped into the living room, which greeted them with an unsettling chill.
The furniture was warm-toned, and the sunlight reached all the way into the kitchen—everything looked cozy. But for some reason, it felt strangely cold. Cold enough to make her shiver.
The diffusers placed here and there filled the air with wood and grass scents. The white marble floor didn’t have a single strand of hair.
And more importantly, the person she was looking for was nowhere to be seen.
“Where’d he go?”
Hyungwon passed the hesitant Hyerin and headed to the kitchen. His arms were trembling—clearly reaching their limit.
But Hyerin’s thoughts were only on Jaeyoon. She didn’t even bother setting down the food and headed straight for his bedroom.
Anxious, she didn’t knock. She simply opened the door.
In the dim light, she saw a figure lying on the bed.
“…Oppa?”
One could’ve thought he was just sleeping, but the dense, heated scent of him filling the room pulled Hyerin in.
Jaeyoon was curled up like a shrimp, blankets pulled up to his chin. But something felt off—it didn’t look like sleep. His brows were tightly furrowed, and his forehead and hair were drenched in sweat. Between his labored breaths, the occasional groan escaped.
Without hesitation, Hyerin placed her hand on his forehead.
Heat radiated through her palm.
Maybe because of the cold touch, Jaeyoon’s tightly shut eyes slowly began to open. Through his damp lashes, his hazy eyes found her and wavered.
“…Joo Hyerin.”
His voice was hoarse and low. His large hand came to rest on hers, still pressed to his burning forehead.
The heat from both his skin and his touch was far from normal.
Hyerin froze, something about his condition feeling dangerously unwell.
“Hyerin-ah… I’m so cold.”
His voice, heavy with breath, trembled.
Snapping to attention, Hyerin dropped to her knees by the bedside, meeting him at eye level. She slid her hand from his forehead to gently brush his cheek.
Even in the dim light, the flush on his face stood out—redder than the rest.
Jaeyoon grasped her hand and rubbed his face into her palm.
“Feels nice.”
His murmuring still carried a faint tremor.
Just then, Hyungwon’s voice called from behind.
“What are you doing over there?”
Hyerin sighed softly and tried to rise to explain the situation, but Jaeyoon wouldn’t let go.
His grip seemed to plead—don’t go.
Clearly, he was desperate for anything to cool his fever.
In the end, she sat back down and gave him her hand. Looking over at Hyungwon, now stepping into the room, she said,
“I think he’s sick. He’s burning up.”
Seeing Jaeyoon panting, Hyungwon let out a deep sigh.
“Hey, Jung Jaeyoon. You okay?”
“…….”
“You said your stomach hurt, dumbass. Can’t even tell what’s wrong with you?”
Running a frustrated hand through his hair, Hyungwon turned on his heel and stormed out.
Hyerin, startled, looked back and forth between the two and shouted,
“Oppa, where are you going?”
“To get medicine! This place doesn’t even have the basics. If Mom doesn’t stock the fridge, it’s empty. If we hadn’t come, he’d be suffering all alone!”
He sounded angry—almost harsh. Then, with a long exhale, he added,
“He’s the most uselessly smart person I know, that guy. Ugh… Just put a cold towel on him or something. I’ll be back soon.”
With a glance back, Hyungwon left.
The door shut with a thud, followed by the sound of the lock clicking.
With Hyungwon gone, the house fell completely silent.
Cold towel…
She needed to cool his fever like Hyungwon said.
As Hyerin tried to get up, Jaeyoon tightened his grip again and rubbed his cheek against her warmed palm.
“Oppa, let go. I’ll get you a towel.”
“……”
She gently tugged her hand, but his grip only tightened.
Was it pain? Or something else?
Eyes closed, silent—he almost seemed like he was clinging to her, like a child.
“I have to go if I’m going to get it, okay?”
She soothed him like a child, brushing his eyes with her thumb.
At her touch, his lowered lashes slowly lifted.
“I… it hurts.”
Simple. One-dimensional. Like a child who just learned how to speak.
Hyerin smiled faintly and nodded.
“Yeah… it looks like it does.”
As if her response gave him some kind of permission, Jaeyoon spoke again.
“So don’t go.”
His voice was somehow firm and desperate all at once. Don’t go, he said. He was always the one pushing her away, and yet now he didn’t want her to leave.
She had never once walked away.
Hyerin let out a hollow laugh and brushed his cheek. Every time she tried to pull her hand away, he would clutch it tightly—but the moment she stroked him like this, he somehow knew to loosen his grip.
It was endearing in a way, like a seven-year-old trying to keep his mom close.
And it hurt to think he might’ve been enduring this kind of pain alone for a long time.
“If you were hurting, you should’ve just said so… Why did you lie?”
She glanced sideways at his phone, neatly placed on the nightstand.
The excuse he’d given Hyungwon—saying his stomach hurt—was clearly a lie. He was in such bad shape, he couldn’t even answer calls after that. Yet he told no one.
“Is it… because of me? Because I messed around yesterday? Were you trying to avoid me?”
“……”
“Ugh, I knew it. You gave me your jacket yesterday, and now look at you… caught a cold. Honestly, everyone’s just sick these days.”
Jaeyoon lay motionless, as if asleep.
With a quiet sigh, Hyerin brushed her fingertips over his lowered lashes and murmured,
“Don’t worry. Right now, I’m not the girl Jung Jaeyoon dumped—I’m just your friend, Joo Hyerin.”
“……”
“Oppa. Are you asleep?”
Still, he gave no reply. Just more of that feverish breathing.
Hyerin gently pressed his cheek with a finger.
His hot, damp skin clung to her fingertip before releasing, and a deeper flush bloomed where she’d touched.
God… I really shouldn’t be feeling things while he’s sick. But he’s kind of cute.
Was he really asleep?
Hyerin swept back his damp hair, then slowly pulled her hand away.
This time, Jaeyoon didn’t stop her.
He must’ve really fallen asleep.
Hyerin looked between his quiet face and her own heated hand, then stood and headed toward the bathroom.
The en suite bathroom was so empty it felt like a whole extra room—like a hotel.
She had assumed it’d be a little messy, since he lived alone.
But the matching row of grooming products lined up perfectly on the sink were suffocatingly sterile—completely devoid of personality.
Was he a neat freak?
But that didn’t match what she knew.
He used to lounge around in Hyungwon’s room, which only got cleaned when their mom yelled. He’d flop onto the gym floor after playing basketball without a second thought.
She shook her head at the memory, but a question crossed her mind.
Was he… adjusting to fit someone else?
The way he always neatly lined up his shoes. The way he never used a single curse word.
Maybe he really was.
She had first noticed him because he seemed out of place among Hyungwon’s usual crowd.
Hyerin was still lost in thought when Jaeyoon’s ragged breathing echoed from the bedroom.
She hurriedly looked for a towel—none were hanging.
Letting out a dry laugh, she opened the mirror above the sink.
Inside were neatly folded gray towels, stacked in perfect rows.
She took one, soaked it in cold water, and wrung it out firmly.
Even as she rushed out, the water droplets splashing around bothered her.
Once she noticed it, it was impossible to ignore. She felt like she was messing up his perfect little world.
If Jaeyoon’s been holding back this whole time…
Holding back, in the end, just means you don’t really like it.
The dark thoughts spiraled.
Maybe it was the lingering sting from being rejected by him the night before.
By the time she got back, the lines between Jaeyoon’s brows had deepened.
Hyerin knelt again at his bedside and gently patted his sweat-drenched face.
His features tensed for a moment at the cold towel, but then slowly relaxed.
Seeing that, she folded the towel and laid it across his forehead, then sank down to the floor beside the bed.
The container she had brought in earlier sat next to her.
Inside was bulgogi their mom had made—for Jaeyoon, more than for her or Hyungwon.
The bright red plastic container looked far too loud and out of place in this house.
It felt strange.
She’d been to this house a few times before, but it was usually just to wait near the entryway or linger in the living room. This was her first time really looking around his bedroom.
Maybe it was because of his job as a translator, but even with a separate study and workspace, there were still plenty of books stacked neatly along the bedroom wall. Between the books, sticky notes were wedged in, filled with handwriting she recognized as his. The scribbled cursive looked unexpectedly rough—so unlike his clean-cut image.
Just as she was starting to feel a strange sense of guilt, like she was peeking into his private world—
Huh…?
Hyerin’s eyes, which had been slowly roaming, stopped at one spot.
There, sitting alone in the center of the bookshelf, was a blonde doll.
How could she forget?
A Mimi doll—the first birthday gift she’d ever given him.
Why did he still have this?
Her prince doll, the matching one, had been thrown away without a word a long time ago.
You really don’t belong here either, do you…
Hyerin smiled softly, as if greeting an old treasure.
The discomfort and unfamiliarity that had been creeping in burst like a bubble and vanished in an instant.
It felt like confirmation—that he’d treasured her confession just as much.
He really was a surprisingly gentle person.
That’s why she’d liked him.
And that’s why she didn’t want to lose him.
“This house… it’s way too big for one person.”
She murmured as she ran her palm along the cold floor.
Now she understood why he would come over to eat dinner at their house, or even sleep over sometimes despite having a perfectly good home of his own.
He was fighting loneliness.
“But still… seeing it for myself today, I think I get it now. What Jung Jaeyoon needs.”
Words she hadn’t expected to say began to trickle out.
Just as she, Hyungwon, and her parents all cared for him, Jaeyoon had cared for them in return.
To someone who had grown up alone, a friend’s family—whom he’d met by chance—must have become a kind of refuge.
Their lifestyles and ways of thinking were worlds apart, yet they’d managed to stay close for twenty years without a single major fight.
“…No, the truth is, I’ve known for a long time. I just pretended I didn’t.”
Why he couldn’t accept her feelings.
What he was afraid of.
Maybe, deep down, she’d been preparing to let go all along—as her feelings grew stronger with time.
Not because she was tired, but because she could feel the weight of his discomfort.
Because she didn’t want to be the one to hurt someone she loved.
“Find someone good, okay? Someone who can really love you—a lot.”
Hyerin whispered, fidgeting with her fingers.
What Jaeyoon needed was Joo Hyerin, Hyungwon’s younger sister—not someone asking for his heart.
She was never meant to sit beside him.
It surprised her that she could now cheer on his love.
Maybe she hadn’t wasted all those years growing up after all.
Because the way she felt now—this had to be what people meant when they said, ‘If you really love someone, you’ll let them go.’
“What is this? I thought you were someone who never caused trouble for others, but you don’t even have fever meds in the house. And you kept this whole thing hidden. What a fake genius you are.”
Hyungwon had every right to be angry.
If a friend you’ve known for twenty years doesn’t lean on you when he’s sick, that’s a clear line being drawn.
Maybe the circle Jaeyoon had drawn around himself didn’t include anyone anymore.
Thinking that made her feel lonely, too.
She looked at his now less flushed face and went on.
“If nothing else, I hope you find someone you can whine to when you’re sick. Hmm… there’s Hyungwon, your friend of twenty years. My parents wouldn’t be bad. Or maybe a sweet lover who’s just like you…”
Jaeyoon’s brow creased again—maybe the headache was back.
Without thinking, Hyerin reached out and gently brushed his cheek to soothe him.
His face relaxed immediately.
The way he reacted to her touch was oddly endearing.
She couldn’t help but laugh softly.
Because of that, she was able to speak again in a brighter voice.
“Oh, right. There’s always the option of your friend’s little sister Joo Hyerin, too.”
To think she could still smile even as she brought this love to an end—
Loving a good person made even the final moment beautiful.
Just as Hyerin began to pull her hand away, he placed his over hers again, just like earlier.
His nose brushed against her palm.
She could feel his breath, soft and steady, like he was smelling her skin.
Maybe it was just sleep behavior.
She figured it wasn’t a big deal and let her hand go limp, letting him guide the movement.
But this time, his lips touched her fingers.
Soft, warm, faint—almost like kisses.
Was I imagining it?
It felt gentle, like a caress, and she wondered if she was reading too much into it because of how acutely aware she was of him as a man.
Her whole body tingled, every hair standing on edge. She instinctively tried to pull away, but like before, her hand wouldn’t budge.
“Oppa… it’s me. Hyerin.”
She said it without thinking, worried that maybe he was dreaming of an ex-girlfriend.
He wasn’t in his right mind, after all.
At her words, his resting lashes fluttered open.
Drowsy eyes focused on her face.
“…Yeah. Hyerin.”
He murmured again as if to confirm it, rubbing his lips against her palm.
Our Hyerin.
Every time his lips moved, they brushed her skin, his breath grazing her like a whisper.
Her body tensed; her legs curled inward.
That unfamiliar sensation rippled past her arm and straight to her chest.
Even unconscious, he was able to stir her heart like this.
Then he laced his fingers through hers and blinked slowly.
“Don’t go.”
The fluttering in her chest quieted into something else—pity.
That was all this was.
He was sick.
He just needed someone by his side.
It didn’t have to be her. It could’ve been anyone.
She swallowed a breath and nodded slowly.
“You’ll… stay with me?”
Drunk on fever and sleep, he said things he’d never dare to say if he were fully aware.
To her ears, it sounded like a line pulled straight from a novel—so romantic it felt out of place in the real world.
“…Yeah, I’ll stay.”
Hyerin answered just as gently.
Even if his words were unconscious, hers were sincere.
She was ending this love to stay beside him, after all.
Somehow, his eyes looked faintly wet.
Hyerin slowly pulled her hand free from his and spoke like she was trying to convince him.
“I promise.”
Whether it was in response to those words or the sound of the door lock opening, the long, thick fingers that had been entwined around hers slipped away
And for a second—maybe she imagined it—there was a faint smile at the corner of Jaeyoon’s lips.
* * *
“Whoa, sunbae, stop!”
Hyerin threw her arms wide, stepping in front of Seongchan’s car just as it was about to speed out of the parking lot. The car skidded to a halt, barely missing her, and a pale-faced Seongchan stuck his head out the window, unleashing a string of curses.
“Are you out of your goddamn mind?! What the hell, you crazy lunatic! One second later and I would have hit you!”
“I had faith in your driving skills, sunbae~”
Hyerin flashed him a cheeky grin and strolled over to the passenger side. She tried the handle, but it rattled uselessly—it was locked. Seongchan rolled the window down halfway and glared at her, eyes swirling with suspicion and anger.
“What. What do you want, stopping a perfectly moving car?”
His tone made it sound like she better have a damn good reason. She didn’t.
“Give me a ride home.”
Not a request—practically a command. Seongchan’s brows furrowed deeply.
“No. I’m busy.”
Flat refusal. He even started rolling the window back up. Sensing it, Hyerin quickly grabbed the side mirror like she was hugging it, preventing the car from moving.
“Oh come on, what are you so busy with? You left work early!”
“Hyeyoung’s at her parents’ house. I’m going to see her.”
Ah. So that’s what the drifting was about.
Apparently, this man had rice cakes hidden at home.*
[*T/N: Meaning he has something precious that he hid from people at home]
She felt very validated for telling the girls in HR that he was obsessed with a weathercaster.
What else could you even call someone this whipped for Seo Hyeyoung?
“Oh come on. It’s not even that far out of your way. Just give me a lift!”
“No.”
“What about that dinner reservation I got you? You said it was a thank-you! And that perfume I picked out—your Hyeyoung said she loved it! Is this how you repay your debts? Seriously?!”
“I’ll repay you. Just not today! Do you think Seo Hyeyoung shows up every other day like clockwork?!”
“What is she, the once-a-year mega-sale or something? Geez…”
“She just started showing her face again, okay?! It’s been three years—!”
Given how long his one-sided crush had lasted, this was clearly a never-ending saga.
They both knew it, so their voices naturally lost steam before it became a shouting match.
With a sigh, Hyerin asked calmly:
“If I have a reason that makes it have to be today, will you drive me?”
“If it’s convincing.”
The words said “maybe,” but his eyes—half-lidded with zero energy—said “not a chance.”
Hyerin gently rubbed her aching belly and said plainly:
“First day of my period. Forgot painkillers. Cramps are killing me.”
Just as she felt satisfied by how concisely she’d explained it, Seongchan blinked a few times and let out a quiet, almost surprised breath, like something had just clicked.
“Oh, right… you’re a girl.”
It didn’t sound like a joke—more like he’d actually forgotten.
For a second, she cursed herself for thinking he was the sanest one on the team.
Seongchan was, in fact, the most hardcore otaku among the cluster of otakus that made up their team. A Seo Hyeyoung otaku.
Apparently, in his brain, the only woman on Earth was Seo Hyeyoung.
Hyerin sighed and smiled bitterly.
“So… how about it? Think you could give me a ride?”
“Take a taxi. I’ll pay.”
He was immovable. At this point, it wasn’t just coldness—it felt almost cruel. She’d been trying to convince him for five minutes now. Maybe there was no choice. She had planned to talk once they were in the car.
“Sunbae… the truth is, I wanted to talk to you about something on the way.”
“…Wait. Don’t tell me—you like me?”
“What? Are you—”
You little shit.
She barely managed to swallow the curse that rose to her throat. Seongchan wiggled his eyebrows, grinning like he was joking.
“You were setting a mood. I got curious.”
“I’m asking you a favor, so don’t even joke about that kind of BS. I know our company feels like a goddamn college club sometimes, but this is still a workplace, and I was this close to cussing you out for real.”
“Pretty sure you already did.”
“Anyway. If not today, you won’t have another chance to repay your debt.”
His joking demeanor faded. He focused on her and asked, more seriously:
“Why not?”
“I’m planning to let go.”
She said it plainly. After blinking a few times, he finally unlocked the doors and tilted his head toward the passenger seat.
“Get in.”
Victory, earned after a full seven minutes of combat. Hyerin climbed into the seat, and the car pulled smoothly out of the parking lot. The urgency from earlier had faded. She could feel he was ready to listen now. His tone might be rough, but there was a quiet kindness in him.
Without being told, she punched her address into the GPS, buckled up neatly, pulled a chick-patterned blanket from her bag and laid it across her belly and knees. Then, she took out some yarn and knitting needles. Seongchan glanced sideways at her fidgeting and asked:
“What’s with the blanket? You cold? Want the heater?”
“No, it’s not the cold. Women usually keep their bellies warm during their period—uh.”
A sharp cramp hit her, and she clutched her side before steadying her voice to continue. But—
“Come to think of it, Hyeyoung never said her stomach hurt. Maybe she doesn’t get cramps.”
“…”
She’d thought, for a moment, that he was paying attention to her. But every single thread of thought still circled back to Hyeyoung. If he were a machine, there’d be a serious bug in the programming. The sheer depth of his Hyeyoung-fanaticism was starting to really grate on her.
As her irritation boiled up, Seongchan’s attention seemed to shift back to her.
“Knitting? You sure you won’t get carsick?”
“Tch. Now you decide to be nice…”
“But you know, it doesn’t suit you. It’s like… Goliath knitting a teddy bear.”
If he’d said it teasingly, it might’ve been cute. But his tone was deadly sincere.
“Sunbae. If you confess to our Hyeyoung unnie one day and she rejects you, just know—it’s probably that mouth of yours.”
“Look who’s talking. And for the record, I don’t swear in front of ‘our’ Hyeyoung.”
And just like that, Jaeyoon’s voice came back to her:
“Our Hyerin.”
He’d said it in a fever haze, but maybe that’s why it stuck so vividly.
It was the first time she’d ever heard it.
“Sunbae, that ‘our’ thing—when a guy says it about a girl, doesn’t it feel kind of… intimate? Or is that just me?”
“Why? Did someone call you ‘our Hyerin’?”
He was sharp as hell. When she didn’t answer, Seongchan smiled knowingly.
“He likes you.”
The reply came fast. Hyerin scoffed.
“Wow. My respect for your judgment just plummeted. Shouldn’t have asked a guy who’s never dated anyone.”
But Seongchan was unfazed by her scorn.
“You know that phrase has a bit of possessiveness in it, right?”
“Possessiveness? What do you mean by that?”
“‘Our Hyeyoung’ is just a roundabout way of saying ‘my Hyeyoung.’ You don’t see it?”
“That’s only because you like her. It could just mean you care about someone—like how our team leader said today, ‘our Hyerin did a great job.’ It’s that kind of nuance too.”
Even with that decent counterexample, Seongchan scoffed again.
“If it were just that, you wouldn’t be asking me about it in the first place, would you?”
“Ugh… You’re right, but maybe I feel that way because I like him… I don’t know.”
“A girl two years younger. Feels like a little sister? Hm… I wonder.”
“What’s there to wonder? Your situation and mine are completely different. I… I confessed again last weekend. Got rejected.”
Hyerin muttered while deftly working the yarn and needles. Her focus was impressive for someone knitting in a moving car.
“What kind of rejection makes a girl who’s been in love for twenty years finally think about giving up?”
“I’ve always thought about giving up, actually. I cried and begged that day, too—nothing unusual. I guess I just grew up a little. I started thinking maybe my feelings were a burden or a source of stress for him. So I thought I should really let go. I can’t stop liking him overnight. I’m not good at hiding how I feel. But I’ll try to bury it inside from now on.”
“Is that really letting go? Sounds more like hiding it.”
“…To me, they’re pretty much the same. That’s how hard it is. Let’s just say they’re close enough. I’ll let go… slowly.”
Seongchan sighed softly as he watched her painstakingly slow knitting despite her intense focus.
“Is this thing you’re doing—this doesn’t-suit-you craft—related to him too? That Jung Jaeyoon guy?”
“Of course. That’s what love does, right? It makes you do things that don’t suit you.”
Though Hyerin said it playfully, her sigh was heavy.
“His birthday’s in winter. I used to scrape together all the money I had to buy him expensive gifts, but… he’s already wealthy. So I thought I’d give him something meaningful instead. Maybe this will be the last gift from ‘the Hyerin who loves him.’ I want to pack it full of everything and hand it over, so I can finally feel free.”
Seongchan, who’d been quietly listening, let out a sigh while staring at the red light. Whether it was because he missed the signal or because of her words—it was unclear.
“That’s a heavy gift. I hope he’s the kind of guy who can appreciate it.”
“He is. Last weekend, I went to his place on an errand, and I saw the gift I gave him twenty years ago on the bookshelf in his bedroom.”
“Wow… seriously?”
“Yeah. Doesn’t it make sense I liked him all these years? He’s so kind—what girl wouldn’t fall for that? And on top of that? He’s good-looking, fit, tall…”
“He’s rich too, right?”
Seongchan added with a dry laugh, echoing her tone. But in Hyerin’s head, things weren’t so light. If that wealth came at the cost of his family, it suddenly didn’t seem like much of a reward.
“Well, I guess I don’t have the right to say this, but… you sure you’re not putting him on a pedestal because you’ve liked him for so long? The way you talk, he sounds more like a god than a man. Didn’t you say he translates books or something?”
“Yeah. He gives me books often, too… and honestly, that’s what makes it scarier.”
“What’s scary about it?”
“You know that saying—language is someone’s world? Jaeyoon is the kind of person who knows the difference between sunlight, sunbeams, and sunray. I get the feeling he understands his emotions way more clearly than I do… and that I won’t be able to understand him.”
Lost in thought, Hyerin kept moving her hands mechanically until suddenly, she let out a frustrated groan and leaned her head back.
“Ugh! So annoying!”
“What?”
“I just realized I made a mistake in the middle…”
Seongchan glanced over at her knitting, shrugged, and said:
“Even if one stitch is off, no one’s gonna notice. Just keep going.”
But Hyerin pulled the needles out despite his protest and began unraveling the yarn, shaking her head.
“It’s a gift for someone. It’s fine. Even if I have to redo it a few times… I planned ahead knowing this might happen.”
“Undoing it all and starting over, huh…”
Seongchan muttered, and Hyerin, still absorbed in the yarn, kept her ears open and asked.
“What? What did you say?”
“Sometimes I wonder if things would’ve been easier between me and Haeyeong if we hadn’t been friends. Just a thought. What do you think would’ve happened if that guy hadn’t met you as his friend’s little sister?”
If I hadn’t been Joo Hyungwon’s little sister… would Jaeyoon have seen me differently? Hyerin fell quiet, thinking for a moment, then shook her head.
“Probably the same. Actually, I feel like the only reason he’s kept me around this long is because I’m his friend’s sister. If I wasn’t, he might’ve dumped me right away and never looked back. He can be surprisingly cold, you know…”
“You’re that sure he would’ve rejected you?”
“Well, yeah. Even setting aside everything else, there’s that thing, right? Just like I don’t see you as a guy, Jaeyoon doesn’t see me as a woman. Simple as that—just not his type.”
“And your evidence?”
“Looking at the girls he’s dated… they’re all calm, elegant types. Basically, just like him. Not that any of those relationships lasted long, but still…”
Seongchan chuckled under his breath here and there, as if something had clicked.
“What are you laughing at?”
“Nothing. Didn’t you say you’ve dated before?”
“I did… thought maybe it’d help me move on, but… I told you, didn’t I? We broke up in less than a week.”
“There. You just said the answer.”
“…Are we playing a quiz game now? Why do you keep dropping hints like that? Come on, comfort me already. Even if I talk like this, ending a love that lasted twenty years is still… hard. You’re the only one I can get comfort from.”
“Why would I comfort you? It’s not over yet.”
“What do you mean it’s not over? I’m literally knitting through tears right now—were you even listening to anything I said?”
“Yeah, through these ears.”
Seongchan’s smirk twisted at the corners of his lips, his eyes unreadable as ever.
“You said he’s still keeping a 20-year-old gift from you. He’s never had a long relationship. I can see it. Can’t you?”
Hyerin, immediately understanding what he meant, let out a dry laugh and shook her head.
“Pfft… I can see how that might look like something. But no. He cares about me like a younger sister. He treats me well. But it’s not romantic.”
[You have reached your destination. Guidance will now end.]
By the time the navigation’s sweet voice echoed through the car, they had already arrived in front of an apartment building. As soon as Seongchan brought the car to a stop, Hyerin exclaimed with a bright tone.
“Ah—!”
Naturally, his gaze followed hers to the front. Two tall men were walking toward the car. Without even glancing aside, Seongchan asked:
“Which one is he?”
He said it like he knew Jaeyoon was one of them, despite never having seen him. The two men, walking from afar, paused a bit at the sight of the car idling awkwardly in the lot, glancing toward it with suspicion.
He’s wearing it today…
Hyerin’s eyes lit up with an involuntary smile as she saw Jaeyoon wearing the sweater she had gifted him. That smile—soft and full of happiness—only confirmed Seongchan’s suspicion further.
“I said, who is he.”
“The one in the light blue top. Next to him is my brother. They probably just finished playing basketball.”
As the two approached, it was clear they’d spotted someone in the car—likely Hyerin.
“Thanks for the ride, sunbae. Sorry for taking up the time you could’ve spent with Haeyeong unni—”
“Hey. If you’re really giving up, wanna try trusting me once?”
“…What do you mean, trust you?”
Hyerin leaned in, curious, just as she unbuckled her seatbelt, trying to catch what he was whispering.
“Wanna run a little test? See if that guy sees you as a woman—or just a damn little sister.”
Suddenly, Seongchan cupped her cheeks with both hands and leaned in. His thumb grazed her lips, and his face came so close that his breath tickled her skin. Her eyes widened in surprise, locked on his face as he quietly said,
“Close your eyes.”
At the commanding tone, she obediently closed her eyes—but still spoke, ventriloquist-like, through barely moving lips.
“Could you explain what’s going on here? If it’s not convincing, I’m punching you in the face for sexual harassment.”
“Don’t breathe. Your breath is gross.”
Turning his head the other way, Seongchan leaned in again, as if to kiss her, and murmured softly.
“Have you ever seen the person you like kiss someone else?”
“What?”
“I have. Everything just goes black.”
“…What’s your point, doing all this?”
Their whispers, exchanged at close range, sounded like a tense interrogation between two detectives. Finally releasing her cheeks, Seongchan looked at her with a strangely gentle expression and said,
“Smile. Like you’re shy.”
“Explain first, then I’ll smile.”
Even as she said that, Hyerin covered her mouth with her hands and smiled with squinted eyes.
“You idiot. This is how you handle men. Not by running after them with gifts, but by lighting a fire under their feet.”
“Explain.”
“From today on, say you like me.”
“…God, the nerve of a guy with no dating experience. Still don’t know your damn motive, and it’s a bit late, but can I punch you now? Seeing your face up close was extremely unpleasant.”
“Same here. But still, I think I’ve paid off my debt with this. Look—he’s frozen.”
Looking quite pleased with himself, Seongchan gestured. Hyerin glanced toward the front of the car. Sure enough, the two men who had been walking so casually before were now frozen in place, staring at the car.
With a quick read of the situation, Hyerin shrugged as she gathered her things.
“Jealousy tactics only work when the other person has feelings for you. Rookie.”
“Guys know guys better. Besides, if you’re gonna give up anyway, might as well go out with a bang. Saying you’ve fallen for someone else is cleaner.”
Still half in character, Seongchan spoke with a smile that was far too fake to be sincere. Hyerin shook her head as she stepped out of the car.
“Yeah, whatever. The outcome’s the same either way. Still, thanks for the effort. Drive safe!”
With a mix of acting and genuine gratitude, she waved goodbye. Seongchan rolled down the window and called out in an exaggeratedly sweet voice:
“Take care! Text me!”
It was so soft and gentle it gave her chills—completely out of character for him. Smiling until the very end, Seongchan turned the car with practiced ease and drove off from the apartment complex. Hyerin stood there, watching the back of the disappearing car, muttering curse after curse under her breath. If she didn’t, the static crawling across her skin wouldn’t go away. Only then did she realize she had left her blanket in Seongchan’s car. More curses came naturally.
“Guess there was a reason I wanted to come home early today. Got something fun to show me?”
Hyungwon, approaching with his usual smirk, slung an arm around her shoulder and leaned on her casually. Of course, he added a few pokes to her cheek too.
“It was that guy, huh? The pretty boy on your team. No feelings? Just comradeship? You kiss your teammates now?”
This, presumably, was exactly the reaction Seongchan had hoped for. Hyerin couldn’t answer right away. A step behind Hyungwon, Jaeyoon had arrived, greeting her with his usual nod.
He had definitely seen it too.
“Hey, if you’re really giving up, wanna try trusting me once?”
After a brief moment of thought, Hyerin decided to just let things play out. Like Seongchan said, dating someone else would be proof enough that she was over her feelings. It wasn’t a bad idea.
“You dating him?”
At Hyungwon’s follow-up question, Hyerin shook her head—but with a faint, subtle smile.
“Not exactly dating. We’re just… talking?”
“Seriously? You’re kissing someone you’re not even dating? What’s wrong with kids these days…”
Speaking like he wasn’t one of “those kids,” Hyungwon naturally took Hyerin’s bag from her. Surprised by how light it was, he peeked inside and smiled again with quiet amusement.
“Doing stuff that’s totally out of character… Guess you’re really into him.”
He must’ve spotted the scarf she was knitting. Hyerin, catching Jaeyoon’s glance, quickly snatched the bag back from Hyungwon.
“I’ll carry it! It’s not heavy.”
She hurried ahead like she was running away, but Hyungwon easily caught up and asked,
“He’s the same age as me, right? Wait—what kind of 28-year-old drives a foreign car? Gotta be from a rich family.”
She expected the attention, but it was even more intense than she’d thought. Without answering, Hyerin glanced over at Jaeyoon walking silently beside Hyungwon. He seemed just as curious about her response.
“…Yeah, something like that.”
Maybe it was because she’d never dated before, but Hyungwon was firing questions at her like a machine gun, and lies were piling up one after another.
“What’s he like?”
“H-he’s sweet. Real thoughtful…”
Even lying was hard when she kept picturing Seongchan’s face yelling in her head about how sloppy she was. She stammered through her words, but Hyungwon seemed to buy it. Then again, if he’d seen them kissing, it probably never even crossed his mind that it could’ve been an act. Why would anyone fake that?
Hyungwon, seemingly satisfied after his impromptu character analysis, nodded with approval.
“Good looks, money, same company, sweet too… Not bad. Just a bit fast on the physical side.”
He nudged her shoulder playfully as he spoke. But despite all the lies she was telling, Hyerin’s attention was completely on Jaeyoon—expressionless, staring silently at her. This whole bizarre play had been to see how he would react.
Then, after a long silence, Jaeyoon finally smiled faintly and spoke to Hyungwon.
“She’s an adult. Let her be.”
That opening line, as if defending her, already felt wrong.
“You two looked good together, Hyerin.”
Her instincts hadn’t been wrong. His gentle voice—usually her favorite—dug painfully into her chest today. Wearing the same soft smile as always, Jaeyoon turned his head away. She was only confirming what she already knew, but her nose burned and her vision blurred anyway.
“See? What more do you need to know…”
Just then, as resentment toward Seongchan welled up inside her, Hyungwon’s arm wrapped around her shoulders and he whispered,
“Guess… the cicada finally died, huh?”
At that, a line she once said flashed through her mind:
“I’m like a cicada screaming at the end of summer, right before it dies. Just let me be for a while…”
She had once compared her love to a cicada at the tail end of summer. Looking ahead at Jaeyoon walking a few steps in front of her, Hyerin gave a quiet nod.
“Yeah… made a whole damn racket. Then died.”
* * *
Since she used to cry and make a scene whenever she got rejected, she thought letting go of him would be an emotional rollercoaster. But oddly enough, it was the opposite—calm and quiet. Before she could dwell on her feelings, work had piled up, keeping her too busy to breathe. On her commute, before bed, even in between tasks, she kept knitting. Now that she thought about it, she hadn’t checked Jaeyoon’s SNS in days. Hyerin was steadily carving him out of her time.
It was a Friday evening, the week their big project had finally wrapped up. The scarf was almost finished. Tomorrow was Jaeyoon’s birthday.
“Tomorrow?”
Hyerin repeated, smiling as she laid out the completed scarf. On the phone, wedged between her shoulder and ear, Seongchan’s voice came through, sounding tired.
— Yeah. Everyone said they’re free tomorrow.
It was about Seongchan’s housewarming. He’d recently moved into an officetel near the office and had been fending off constant pressure from friends to host something. Though he seemed too caught up in his love life to care about much else, he was at least offering up a place to drink. With back-to-back overtime, the team was burnt out and needed an excuse and a space to blow off steam.
December 14th. For the past 20 years, it had been the most special day of the year for her. Hyerin absently touched the scarf and stared at the calendar on the wall. A large star was drawn over the number 14. When she marked it earlier in the year, she never imagined things would end up like this.
“Okay, got it. I’ll come too. Might as well get drunk out of my mind. Numb everything.”
— Yeah.
His reply was as flat as if he were digging into the ground. Just as Hyerin flinched at the silence, Seongchan spoke again.
— Hey… you’ve been through it already, right? Tell me something. If you let go… do you really forget? Can you really move on?
It seemed he hadn’t heard from Hyeyoung ssi in days and was starting to spiral. Hyerin looked down at the scarf, so densely woven, and swallowed the sigh rising in her throat.
“I don’t know… I can’t tell if I’ve actually forgotten, or if I’m just pretending I’m fine to protect myself. I don’t even know when it started being love, or when it stopped being love. I don’t know anything.”
— …
“But lately, my heart’s been still. Feels like I might be okay now. Though… I’ve been avoiding seeing him too much, in case I waver. The guy’s just too good-looking.”
She let out a small laugh, keeping her tone light. A quiet chuckle followed from the other end of the line.
— Yeah. Thanks.
“What for? You were hoping I’d give you a definite ‘yes.’ Sorry. I still don’t know.”
Just then, Jaeyoon’s voice drifted faintly from outside her room. He must’ve been leaving from Hyungwon’s room to head home. Hyerin swallowed hard and continued.
“Hey… today’s the day. Wish me luck already.”
She gently folded the scarf and placed it neatly into the shopping bag she had ready, then grabbed her coat. As she glanced at herself in the mirror and took a deep breath, Seongchan’s soft voice came through again.
— You got this. Don’t get scared.
Stepping out of the room, Hyerin gave her partner-in-unrequited-love a final farewell.
“Thanks. See you tomorrow.”
It felt like both she and Seongchan had finally reached the end of a long chapter of one-sided love. And she was the one holding the scissors. Tonight would be the final page of this brutal love.
Hyerin ended the call and quickly crossed the living room. Jaeyoon must’ve already left—his neatly placed shoes were no longer by the door.
“Where are you going?”
From the kitchen, Hyungwon approached with a steaming mug in hand.
“I’m… just heading to the store down the street.”
“…And then?”
Hyungwon glanced her over and raised an eyebrow. The short dress showing off her legs, the coat thrown over it—it was probably obvious to anyone she wasn’t just heading to the corner store.
“That weird?”
“…I mean, it’s great you’re trying a new style, but isn’t it still winter? Anyone would think it’s spring.”
She wore something she normally wouldn’t, because she didn’t want regrets. It didn’t suit her—she knew that. But it was a look similar to the girls Jaeyoon used to date. The dress was something that would’ve been more fitting on one of the Mimi dolls she’d loved as a child.
“Just let me act like a crazy girl for today.”
“What?”
“I’m going. Want me to grab you anything?”
As Hyerin struggled into her high heels, she threw the question lightly over her shoulder. Hyungwon, however, silently pulled a strand of hair from her lips with a serious look on his face.
“Jaeyoon walks fast. Don’t trip. Be careful.”
Acting like he didn’t know when he clearly did—Hyerin shot him a sharp look. Hyungwon just shrugged, feigning innocence. Still, his presence made her feel like everything would be okay. Even after tonight, nothing would really change. She’d still be Joo Hyungwon’s sister. Jaeyoon would still be Joo Hyungwon’s friend. What was there to be afraid of?
“Thanks.”
She offered a short word to the one who stayed behind and quickly left the house. Her heart was racing, but her mind was calm. If she just kept running and running, it felt like she might actually catch up to him—that baseless confidence carried her.
She rode the elevator down, then began running through the snow that had quietly begun to pile up. Occasionally, her high heels slipped on the icy ground, making her stumble, but she never stopped. She just kept following the footprints in the snow, wondering if they might be his.
She didn’t know how long she’d been running. As she passed the park near his apartment, she spotted Jaeyoon standing by the snow-covered basketball court, oddly enough, facing her direction. She barely had time to register the surprise before relief and excitement surged through her. She picked up speed.
At the very end, nearly sliding on the slick ground, Hyerin was caught and steadied by Jaeyoon’s hand. She looked down, catching her breath, noticing how red her knees had gotten from the cold wind. Even just seeing her knees and the hem of her coat, she felt the dress looked ridiculous on her, which made her chuckle to herself.
She gently pulled her wrist free from his grasp and looked up.
When she smiled, Jaeyoon gave a faint smile back.
“Why were you standing there? Weren’t you heading home?”
“Ah…”
He looked a little dazed as he held out his phone to her. On the screen was a message from Hyungwon.
[Pickpockets are trending these days]
[Look behind you while you walk]
It was clearly a message meant for her. And Jaeyoon must’ve stopped walking because of it. Both of them—such considerate men.
Hyerin nodded and said playfully, “Oppa, you were waiting for me, huh?”
Her voice trembled slightly, maybe from the cold, maybe from nerves. She was wearing spring clothes in the middle of winter—of course she’d be shaking. Maybe wanting to match her lighthearted tone, Jaeyoon let out a small laugh and replied,
“Yeah, I was waiting.”
At the warmth in his gentle voice, the tension in her shoulders finally eased.
Hyerin held out the white shopping bag she’d been clutching the whole time and smiled.
“Tada! Birthday present!”
Jaeyoon looked surprised at the sudden gift, but soon his brow furrowed as he took her hand. The back of her hand was red, raw from the wind like she was wearing rubber gloves.
“Your hands…”
“Oh, shut up and take it already. My arm hurts!”
When she shook her hand with exaggerated annoyance, Jaeyoon let go and took the bag instead. He peeked inside and, seeing the scarf, his expression shifted into something indescribable.
“Oppa, even if it doesn’t look like much, there’s only one of those in the whole world, you know? Rare things go for any price, right? Made by Joo Hyerin. What do you think? You’re super grateful, right?”
Hyerin chirped in her usual cheerful tone, but Jaeyoon, still looking down at the scarf, seemed quieter than usual.
“Why aren’t you saying anything? At least fake it a little. You probably don’t know, but this was my first time knitting, okay? I made tons of mistakes finishing this. But still, the result and the process… I don’t regret any of it.”
It was her first time—she was clumsy, it took forever, and she poured all of herself into it. That’s why Hyerin could love both the scarf and the love that came with it. Jaeyoon, who had made her stay when she never stuck with anything, this was something she saw as his—so she finished it to the end.
“It’s a perfect scarf.”
Hyerin smiled brightly, her whole face lighting up. Even if her brilliant love was about to end, she had laughed and cried enough to deserve a standing ovation. That was enough.
“My birthday’s not today.”
Jaeyoon said, running his hand gently over the scarf. Hyerin nodded as if she knew—because she did. She would never confuse a date she had treasured more than any other for twenty years.
“I know. But we won’t see each other tomorrow. So I’m giving it early.”
His eyes, which had been fixed on the scarf, finally turned to her.
“Why?”
“I have plans.”
Their eyes met briefly before his gaze dropped to the ground again.
“With that guy?”
That guy—probably Seongchan, the one Jaeyoon had seen in the car that day. And yes, it was true she was going to his housewarming tomorrow, so Hyerin gave a short answer.
“Yeah.”
After saying it, she stepped back two paces and spun in a circle. The hem of her dress and coat flared like dragonfly wings, then gently fell like petals. Jaeyoon watched her quietly, not saying anything. Her legs were frozen from the cold, and she kept sniffing because of the out-of-season outfit.
“I really don’t suit this, huh?”
“……”
“I know. Me too… So it’s okay.”
The clothes didn’t suit her. She didn’t suit him. So she’d stop. Stop wearing silly outfits like this, stop shivering from the cold.
Did he understand these strange words of hers? Jaeyoon’s eyes looked uneasy. No doubt, he was worrying again. About her. Even though she was really okay.
“Oppa, happy birthday.”
It was the calmest birthday wish Hyerin had ever given. Heavy with sincerity, solid enough not to be blown away by the bitter wind. There were no more words left to follow.
As always, she quietly captured him and the scene around them in her mind, like taking a photograph. Her love, still beautiful and dazzling. This would be her last memory—of Joo Hyerin, who loved Jaeyoon.
“Sorry for stopping you in the cold. Make sure you have seaweed soup tomorrow morning and have a fun birthday. Take care!”
Hyerin waved with a bright voice, just like always, stepping back two paces before turning around. The walk back wasn’t as frightening as the way there. The snowy path was still slippery and she still had to navigate it in high heels, but there was no one left to chase after, and her hands, once holding the scarf tightly to her chest, were now empty and free.
So there was nothing to fear.
‘Ugh… It’s freezing as hell.’
All she wanted now was to get out of this dress flapping in the wind. You’d think she’d be lost in thought after ending such a long love, but even that chance was snatched away by the flood of text messages lighting up her phone.
[Hey, grab some cup noodles on your way back. Suddenly craving a late-night snack.]
That one was from Hyungwon.
[Housewarming food is Jokbal. No objections.]
And that one was from a sunbae at work. Everything felt so normal, she couldn’t help but let out a dry chuckle. To think she gave him a birthday gift and didn’t cry—it left her with a strange feeling. Around this time, she’d usually be crying, yelling at him like a tantrum, and Jaeyoon would calm her down until she stopped.
‘Joo Hyerin, you’ve grown up.’
Just as she was quietly feeling proud of herself, snow began to fall. Hyerin looked up at the snowflakes drifting down from the dark sky and carefully stepped forward, mindful not to slip.
She didn’t look back—and never noticed Jaeyoon, frozen in place behind her.
