Jin-wook stepped into his bedroom, the steam from his shower still clinging to his hair. He set his luggage on the bed and began unpacking slowly.
As he pulled out a folded shirt, something slipped from between his clothes a photograph. He picked it up, his fingers brushing over the glossy surface. The image showed him standing beside a girl, her smile bright, her features uncannily similar to Hari's.
A small, involuntary smile tugged at his lips. He traced the outline of her face with his fingertip, a strange warmth stirring in his chest.
The bell above the door chimed softly as Mrs. Lee stepped into the shop.
"Hello," Jin-wook greeted her instinctively, lifting his head from the counter.
She stopped short, eyes widening as she studied him. A slow smile spread across her face.
"Oh my… who is this handsome young man?"
Jin-wook smiled back, slightly embarrassed. "I'm Yoo Jin-wook."
Her brows lifted in surprise. "Yoo? As in Mr. and Mrs. Yoo's son?"
"Yes."
She laughed, stepping closer as if to confirm it for herself. "You've grown so much. I didn't recognize you at all. The last time I saw you, you were still in high school." She reached up, patting his cheeks fondly.
"Hey, hey!" Mrs. Yoo emerged from behind the shelves, swatting Mrs. Lee's hands away. "What do you think you're doing? Do you want to ruin my son's handsome face?"
Mrs. Lee scoffed. "You wouldn't think he was your child. He doesn't look like you or your husband at all."
"What do you mean?" Mrs. Yoo crossed her arms proudly. "My husband and I were the hottest couple back in our day."
"Sure you were," Mrs. Lee replied dryly.
Mrs. Yoo narrowed her eyes. "So did you come here to buy something, or did you just come to start a fight?"
Mrs. Lee blinked, then laughed. "Ah, right. I almost forgot. I need a Mega Hair shampoo."
"Jin-wook," Mrs. Yoo said, already turning away, "get her one."
He grabbed the bottle from the shelf and scanned it at the counter.
"That'll be twenty thousand won."
Mrs. Lee paid, still smiling as she took the bag.
"Thank you," Jin-wook said, bowing politely as she left the store.
The bell chimed once more, and the shop returned to its quiet rhythm.
Jin-wook pulled out his phone and dialed Harin's number.
The call went straight to voicemail.
The number you have dialed is not available.
He tried again. The same message repeated.
"Who are you calling so much?" Mrs. Yoo's voice interrupted him as she stepped out of the store.
Jin-wook hastily lowered his phone, forcing a casual smile. "Oh, it's a friend," he said, ending the call before she could press further.
"Oh, okay… I'm going to Ms. Choi to collect my money. I'll be back soon." Mrs. Yoo said then left.
"Are you leaving already?" Do-hoon asked, glancing at Hari who was getting ready to leave.
"Ah… yes," she replied.
"Let me drop you off," he offered.
"No, it's fine. I want to walk."
"Then let me accompany you," he said.
"Alright… let's go."
They walked side by side along the quiet street, the late afternoon sun painting long shadows across the pavement. Hari tilted her head back slightly, letting her eyes wander over the sky.
"It's beautiful today," she murmured, more to herself than to him.
Do-hoon followed her gaze and nodded. "Yeah… it really is."
For a while, neither spoke. The only sounds were the soft shuffle of their footsteps and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze.
After a while, they arrive at Hari's house.
"Goodbye,"
"Oh… bye," Do-hoon replied
Hari stepped through the gate, Do-hoon stayed for a while, watching her enter the house, then he left.
Before leaving the house, Mrs. Kang handed Hari a small piece of paper. "Oh, before I forget, here's a list of things I want you to buy at Mrs. Yoo's store. I'm planning to make sundubu-jjigae today, so make sure you get everything."
Hari glanced down at the list and continued with her breakfast.
Mrs. Kang adjusted her shoes by the door. "I'm off," she said, then stepped out, the door closing softly behind her.
Hari pushed open the glass door of the store. The bell above jingled, but the place was empty.
"Hello?" she called softly but no answer came.
She picked up everything on the list her mother had left her and when she finished, she approached the till, expecting someone to appear at any moment. She waited, glancing around.
"Isn't there anyone here?" she muttered under her breath seeing no one coming to help her.
Then a moment later, footsteps emerged from the storage room. Jin-wook appeared, carrying a box of supplies.
"I… I'm sorry, I was--" he began, but his words faltered and he froze when his eyes met hers across the store, and for a moment, neither spoke. It was as if the world had slowed around them.