However, the atmosphere was gloomy because of their soccer volleyball defeat.

The shock is greater when a consistently winning athlete loses to someone they’ve always defeated.

With the tug-of-war marking the end, the two-day outing concluded.

“Everyone, travel back safely and rest well over the weekend. In celebration of our soccer volleyball victory, I’ll treat everyone soon, so look forward to it.”

“Yes, Team Leader!”

The voices of the Development Planning Team members resounded energetically.

Other teams, envious, gradually left the parking lot.

Do Han and Sa Rang also got into their car.

“How does it feel to be a hero?”

She asked, still buzzing with excitement, as she fastened her seatbelt.

“Well, it’s not bad.”

The actual hero seemed too calm in contrast.

As Do Han smoothly steered the car out, Sa Rang leaned back in her seat, relieved that it was finally over.

“Aren’t you tired? We still have to drive to Seoul.”

“Feeling a bit tired since I got up early.”

“Should we rest a bit before going?”

“……What?”

He braked suddenly, causing Sa Rang to jolt forward.

“Sorry. Are you okay?”

“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”

She was a bit startled but nodded lightly.

“I think there’s a beach nearby. Let’s park there and rest for a while. I’ll watch the sea while you sleep.”

Do Han, looking into her clear eyes, cursed himself internally.

He had misunderstood her innocent suggestion to rest.

Worried she might realize his impure thoughts and immediately want to get out of the car, he hurriedly resumed driving.
The original Korean paragraph contains 35 lines. Here is the verbatim English translation, keeping the same number of lines:

His heart couldn’t calm down from her words, and he even let out a secret sigh.

“Why are you so good at soccer volleyball?”

As Sa Rang changed the navigation destination to the nearby sea, she asked.

“I played a bit of soccer and volleyball when I was young.”

“Seeing you play today, your athletic skills are exceptional. Why didn’t you become a professional athlete?”

“I like sports, but I didn’t like the training. Moving according to a fixed schedule didn’t suit my nature.”

Sa Rang let out a soft chuckle.

It seemed his personality to do things his own way was the same even when he was young.

“I thought buying soccer volleyball shoes was a waste of money. But it turned out to be a worthwhile investment of 300,000 won. The team leader said he will give you that money as a thank you for winning.”

“If he gives it, I should gratefully accept it.”

It was unexpected for him to accept the reward.

That made her laugh again.

“Are you happy about it?”

“Of course. Didn’t you see Manager Park’s face? Though it was unfortunate that he fell, everyone was so exhilarated inside. We have been on the receiving end for so long.”

“Then we must win again next year.”

“Of course! It’s just the beginning. Your shoulders will be heavier from now on, Ji Do Han.”

They laughed and chatted, and soon the sea came into view.

They quickly arrived as the sea was just slightly visible from the second-floor window of the pension where the outing was held.

As Do Han parked the car, Sa Rang was the first to unbuckle her seatbelt.

“Get some rest. I’ll call you when I wake up.”

She opened the door and got out.

The sea was refreshing after a long time. But then she heard Do Han following her from behind.

He had given up his space for her to rest comfortably, yet he approached her side.

“Don’t worry about me. Go and sleep. I usually wander around well alone.”

“I came out to see the sea, too.”

“You said you were tired.”

“I’m not tired when I’m with you.”

His talent for leaving her speechless made Sa Rang close her mouth.

Reluctantly, they walked side by side on the sandy beach.

It was a weekday, so the beach was peaceful enough for a leisurely view.

Sa Rang suddenly remembered Do Han’s voice saying he would grant her a wish if they won the soccer volleyball game.

She had completely forgotten it.

Caught up in the joy of victory, she hadn’t thought about it.

“So, what’s your wish? Tell me since we won at soccer volleyball.”

She nervously anticipated his wish might have something to do with Yun Jae.

Do Han stopped walking, prompting her to stop as well.

With an unreadable expression, he slowly spoke.

“Allow me to call you by your name.”

Her eyes widened in shock, an utterly unexpected request.

“Your name. I want to call you by it.”

Sa Rang had once told Do Han that if he called her by her name one more time, she would quit the company.

Afterward, when he accidentally called her by name while driving her home with an injured hand, she had unbuckled her seatbelt in the moving car.

Seeing her eyes filled with rage then, Do Han never called her by her name again.

Realizing the reason behind his earnestness in soccer volleyball today, Sa Rang was at a loss for words.

Thus, his heartfelt wish disappeared with the sound of the waves into the sea.

In the dim evening, they arrived in Seoul.
The original Korean paragraph contains 34 lines. Here is the verbatim English translation, keeping the same number of lines:

Throughout the ride, only the sound from the radio filled the car.

Sa Rang, who had been excitedly chattering since leaving the outing site, fell silent after returning from the sea.

Hearing his wish had left her deep in thought.

From the first time she met him five years ago to their separation, and the times she suffered and longed alone, everything unfolded sequentially in her mind.

She hadn’t allowed him to call her by name because she hadn’t forgiven him.

She couldn’t forget the miserable moment of being abandoned and hence, didn’t permit him to use her name.

But now, meeting him again, she wasn’t sure what her feelings were.

When they met again at the office, it was so hard to face him; he was detestable and resentful.

Just hearing his voice was overwhelming, and she pushed him away when he approached.

But now, being in the same space wasn’t uncomfortable or unpleasant.

In fact, it was as comfortable and pleasant as it had been before, sometimes even making her laugh.

Does that mean she had forgiven him?

Was she starting to like him again?

Uncertain of her feelings, Sa Rang let out a small sigh. Soon, the car came to a stop.

“We’re here.”

It was only when they arrived at her house that she finally spoke.

Sa Rang unbuckled her seatbelt and hesitated for a moment.

She needed to get out but hadn’t yet given him an answer.

Eventually, she offered only a brief farewell.

“Goodbye, take care.”

Sa Rang wanted to leave quickly, hoping not to discomfort Do Han any further.

But his voice from behind held her back.

“Sa Rang.”

As she was about to open the door, her hand froze, and she stood motionless.

Time seemed to stand still; she was unable to move.

Then, his voice reached her again.

“Sa Rang-ah.”

Sa Rang slowly turned her head towards the driver’s seat.

Her eyes, already filled with tears, blurred his face.

“Since I promised yesterday. Now, to me, you are ‘Sa Rang’.”

Though he meant it just as a name, it sounded like the word ‘love’, feeling like a confession.

No matter what it meant, Sa Rang’s heart no longer ached.

It was as if the half of her heart he had taken was returning.