The street felt different when Nora stepped back onto it.
It wasn't quieter, brighter, changed in way she could point to—but something inside her had shifted, settled into place with a strange sense of certainty. Kimho's tracker warm in her palm, and breathed out slowly.
Taeyun walked her to the bus stop without speaking at first, hands in his pockets, his pace unhurried as though the day itself had agreed to slow down for them. The jacket still rested around Nora's waist, and every time she remembered why it was there, her ears warmed again.
"You'll be okay getting back?" he asked finally.
She nodded. "Yes. I know the way now."
He smiled—soft, restrained this time, his dimples making a brief appearance before he caught himself. "Good."
The bus arrived soon after. Nora climbed aboard, pausing at the steps to look back.
"Thank you," she said again, more firmly. "
Taeyun lifted a hand in a small wave. "Tell Bobae… she's not forgotten."
The doors closed before Nora could answer, but she nodded anyway, pressing her fingers against the glass as the bus pulled away.
---
The mansion greeted Nora with its familiar stillness.
By the time she returned, the sky had begun to darken properly, evening folding itself neatly over the estate. She slipped inside through the staff entrance, heart still beating faster than usual, her mind replaying everything that had happened—the torn skirt, the jacket, the house on Jwigunghan Street and Kimho's steady voice.
I'm coming for her.
The words echoed louder than the mansion ever could.
She didn't go to her room. Instead, she walked straight to the special wings, feet moving on instinct alone.
Bobae was seated near the window when Nora entered, the fading light casting soft shadows across her face. She looked up immediately, eyes sharpening with concern.
"You're back," Bobae said. "Did everything—"
Nora crossed the room in three quick steps and threw her arms around her.
Bobae stiffened in surprise, then relaxed, returning the hug.
"Hey," she murmured. "What happened?"
Nora pulled back, eyes shining. "Your family— she trailed off. What happened to them bobae asked with a hint of terror in her voice. They are fine but your mom cried. And your brother—"
Bobae froze.
"My brother?" she whispered.
Nora nodded and pressed the tracker into her hand. "He said I should tell you he came back three days ago. He said you should hang on. He's coming to save you."
For a moment, Bobae couldn't speak.
She stared at the small device in her palm, her throat tightening as something fragile bloomed in her chest—hope. The kind she'd been careful not to allow herself.
"Did he say anything else?" she asked quietly.
Nora shook her head. "But he meant it. I could tell."
Bobae closed her fingers around the tracker and exhaled slowly. She turned back to the window, blinking hard once before lifting her chin.
"Thank you," she said. "You did more than I asked."
Nora smiled, small but proud. "You're not alone anymore."
Bobae's lips curved faintly. "I think so," she said, almost to herself.
---
That night, long after the mansion had settled into its careful silence, Bobae lay awake in her bed.
The mansion were the same.The danger still lingered, subtle and patient.
But somewhere beyond the mansion, someone had stood up and said her name out loud.
Bobae pressed the tracker to her chest and closed her eyes.
For the first time in a long while, the future did not feel like a locked door.
It felt like footsteps approaching.
And this time, she was ready.