The fear of losing her only mother, the emptiness of having only a stepbrother to take care of her. A sense of urgency that suddenly had to go out into society. It felt like the desperation of having to leave.

As Jiho swept away the diary with nothing written anymore, he thought of Lajin.

Her world could be heavier and darker than he thought. Lajin’s fears of Kim Yujun and Oh Jonghyuk might be natural results. An indescribable emotion overwhelmed him, something beyond mere regret.

Jiho glanced at the diary full of blanks. With a somewhat empty corner of his heart, he turned the paper over and over, further and further.

Wanting to see the once peaceful life of Lajin, Jiho read any random notes and moved down. Wit that made his forehead tap, and somewhere, a witty and stern reprimand. Jiho once again immersed himself in the world inside the diary.

Among the papers flowing through the diary, an old receipt fluttered and fell. Jiho’s gaze, reaching out to pick up the fallen receipt, suddenly stopped.
”

Jiho’s senses sharply heightened at a short note written in the diary. Although everyone has it, Jiho’s unusually sensitive senses flickered like a warning light.

Without hesitation, Jiho quickly turned to the next page of the diary.

Carefully peeling off the edge of the old receipt, he diligently searched for another note.

What on earth happened at that time? Jiho chased Kim Yujun’s traces, going through the diary from the first page to the last, carefully searching for clues like a puzzle.

“Three times. Kim Yujun appeared only three times. What’s this?”

In the three diaries, Kim Yujun’s mention was only in the last one. Whether Chairman Myungjin played a role or it was due to the traffic accident three months later. Kim Yujun didn’t appear in her mother’s diary anymore.

‘An unexpected accident and a significant note…’

Is it an occupational hazard?

Although Jiho knew that it was unreasonable to make connections, suspicion slowly crept into a corner of Jiho’s heart. While pondering about it at that time, the sound of someone coming down the stairs was heard.

“I’m ready.”

Lajin appeared with a large backpack and a thoughtful expression.

“The rural nights are chilly. Did you bring thick clothes?”

“Oh! Wait a moment.”

Lajin quickly put down her bag and ran upstairs.

Jiho alternated between looking at the bag she left behind and the one she took. He hung Lajin’s backpack over his right shoulder and Lajin’s mother’s diary over his left arm.

Thump! Thud! Clang, clang, clang.

Lajin’s busyness, as if preparing for autumn like a squirrel, and her urgency running up and down the stairs were palpable.

“Is this enough?”

Wearing a lightweight padded jacket that reached her waist, she asked as if undergoing an inspection.

“Perfect. But if it’s cold, I’ll wrap you in a blanket.”

“Is it that cold? Where is the rural house?”

“There’s no traffic, so it’ll take about an hour and a half from here.”

“Oh, it’s not that far, thankfully.”

Though it was a word thrown out of the desire to somehow hold onto her, the eyes filled with anticipation were unexpected. Jiho laughed as he pulled up the shoulder strap of the backpack.

“If I call, will you pick up? I’ll bring the car here.”

“Shall we go together wearing hats?”

“I parked the car far away because there’s no parking space. Don’t walk too hard.”

Jiho, who sat Lajin on the sofa, lightly tapped her bag.

“In case Lajin changes her mind. I’m taking this bag as a hostage.”

“No, I like the rural house.”

Feeling unjust, Lajin mumbled, and Jiho burst into laughter.

”
“It’s like the night before Children’s Day. Or maybe it’s like Christmas Eve.

Right now, Lajin’s feelings are indescribably excited. It feels as if she’s not riding in Jiho’s car but on an amusement ride where her feet are dangling.

Since taking on the profession of an entertainer, she always moved following a schedule, from daily plans to next year’s shooting schedules. The psychological pressure of having a pre-arranged schedule, the stress of not messing up. She always followed meticulously planned routes, but going on a trip like this, and at midnight, no less.

It felt like the memory of using exam preparation as an excuse to eat cup ramen late at night. A small deviation, a bit of thrill, a strange exhilaration that cannot be described in words.

“Aren’t you cold?”

Jiho asked while pressing the heated seat button.

“I’m fine. I’m wearing a lot of clothes like this.”

“If you get sleepy, just sleep. I’ll wake you up when we arrive.”

“I’m not sleepy at all. Actually… I’m quite excited right now.”

At Lajin’s words, Jiho’s smile widened.

“What’s so exciting?”

“When I debuted as a child, there wasn’t much I tried. I passed on getting known as an adult because my face became known.”

“Oh, I see.”

In fact, not having an unknown period was fortunate for Lajin. Everyone had a hungry rookie period, and it took at least three to four years to make a name for oneself.

But whether it was fate for an actor or because she was in a situation where she had to bear hospital expenses at a young age. Lajin could make a name for herself quite early. She played a significant supporting role in her first work, and from there, it took off.

There were plenty of articles during the middle of the drama, and soon the advertising industry responded. Various ads featuring her face followed, and this time, drama and movie scripts poured in. As she remembered the time when she was buried in work, Lajin smiled silently.

“Welcome party for new students, company retreats, company dinners. I’ve only acted in those. Like everyone who has done it all.”

“Actually, there’s nothing special. In the end, we just end up drinking.”

“Still, there’s that thing, you know. It’s not much, but you feel regret because you haven’t done that not-much thing.”

After saying it, Lajin turned her head to look out the window, as if thinking it was a useless complaint.

“Tell me what you’ve always wanted to do.”

“What if I say something weird?”

“That’s not bad. Let’s try everything without thinking. Today.”