Nam Yoo In met her two friends Jae Hee and Ji Han at the high school she transferred to.

At that time, she was like a hedgehog with sharp spines all over her body, ready to prick anyone who tried to approach. The decision to transfer was not Yoo In’s will.

“Yoo In. Mom still hopes that you won’t give up. Like other kids, meet friends, complain about school life, whine about not wanting to study… Living normally. That’s all Mom wants.”

“…”

“It’ll be hard, but… Can’t we overcome it together with Mom, Dad, and your sister, my daughter?”

“…”

“Yoo In, I’m sorry. This is Mom’s selfish desire too… But can’t we try somehow, Yoo In.”

Mom, who looked even more hurt, pained, and agonized than Yoo In with her empty stomach and eyes that couldn’t swallow anything, hugged Yoo In and cried her eyes out.

When Mom’s tears, which were twice as painful as her own crying, seeped through the skin below her shoulder, passed through her heart and lungs, and pooled deep inside, Yoo In realized she couldn’t do anything about it.

So her parents abandoned the place they had settled for a lifetime and forcibly moved to Seoul at great expense.

The main purpose was a new environment, unfamiliar life away from familiar places, and Yoo In’s treatment.

And behind the cause and background was Nam Yoo Jin, Yoo In’s sister and a member of the girl group “Blue Sunset”.

Yoo Jin, who always sparkled like those stars in the sky that never lost their light, stood out and caught attention wherever and whenever.

Born leadership, cheerful and outgoing personality, outstanding looks, smart mind. Yoo Jin, who lacked nothing, was a local celebrity since her trainee days in middle school, and it was natural for the spotlight to pour on Yoo In, who had such a sister.

That tremendous interest and brilliant limelight became a clear poison, and that poison was directed at Yoo In after Yoo Jin made a successful debut and gained unprecedented popularity.

“It’s her, that girl. The one who acts up relying on her sister.”

“Ah~ Nam Yoo Jin’s sister? But she’s not much, considering. I heard she boldly rejected a confession from a third-year senior yesterday? Who does she think she is.”

“The kids in her class really hate her too. She’s so full of herself, pretending to be all that!”

“Ugh, so annoying. Just because her sister is a celebrity doesn’t mean anything.”

The shapeless rumors had no cause. Even if you tried to find where it went wrong, the starting point had already become dim and small and invisible, and while there was certainly a beginning, there was no end.

Every time she passed by, unpleasant sarcasm, malicious sneers, and spiteful criticism poured down as if they would swallow Yoo In.

One day she became the girl who rejected a senior’s confession she didn’t even know, another day she became a thug who extorted money from her friends, and another day she became a laughingstock with all her bags dumped in the toilet…

Her actions that she herself didn’t know about shook the school, and when Yoo In, who was thoroughly isolated, was about to collapse from the pain and suffering that had cruelly eaten into her mind, her family found out.

“Since when? Who started that crap? Who! Why did you just stay quiet until it got this bad? Are you stupid? Can’t you speak? Why didn’t you say anything? Why!”

Yoo Jin, who recognized everything as her own fault, screamed and raged more desperately and miserably than Yoo In.

Because she knew that the reason Yoo In was so vicious and unable to confide in anyone about the bullying was because of her.

Around the same time, Yoo Jin was also going through very difficult days with malicious rumors and overflowing false facts, perhaps because she had reached the peak of popularity too easily and in one breath.

On top of that, even her parents’ personal information was revealed, with interviews and reporters coming to the company, and it was a time of turmoil for the whole family.

After that, Yoo In had to receive psychiatric treatment for anxiety, depression, and panic disorder, and her parents changed jobs. That wasn’t enough, so they had to give up their home.

“Nam Yoo In. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure this never happens again. I’ll sit at the very top so that no one can touch our family.”

The expression on her sister’s face as she said those words was fierce and determined. Instead of saying sorry, there was a cold determination in her sister’s eyes as she promised to protect her. She overcame all the daggers aimed at her with her innate tenacity and defiantly showed her face on TV.

However, unlike her sister, Yoo In dug deeper and deeper inside. She couldn’t easily escape, couldn’t overcome. In what seemed like a lifelong nightmare, she pushed people away, pushed the world away.

What came to Yoo In then was Jae Hee, who had as bright and clever an aura as Yoo Jin.

“Hello? You’re really pretty. Your name is Nam Yoo In?”

On the first day of the new semester, Yoo In consistently ignored several classmates who approached out of curiosity, and Jae Hee was no exception. When she lowered her eyes with a cold, expressionless face and ignored her, at first Jae Hee seemed to just back off.

The problem was what came next.

“Nam Yoo In. Did you do your English homework?”

“Nam Yoo In~ Let’s go eat lunch!”

“Yoo In. I don’t want to do night study. Wanna go together?”

“Let’s go to the school store together, Nam Yoo In~.”

Han Jae Hee, who was unfazed no matter how much she was ignored, disregarded, and scolded, was like Mount Tai, unmoved by any wind, rain, or snow, not just tall in stature.

It was around the time when almost half a year had passed since Jae Hee started following Yoo In around.

“Why do you keep trying to stick by my side even when you’re being ignored like that?”

When asked one day, Jae Hee blinked her eyes as if surprised that a question had come out of Yoo In’s mouth, then moved her lips as if pondering for a moment.

“Yoo In. Have you ever disliked someone for no reason?”

“…”

“It’s exactly the same. There’s no reason for liking someone either. I want to be friends with you and I can’t help it. What can I do when my heart tells me to be by your side?”

Pure affection could be felt from Jae Hee’s face as she smiled brightly. Even without wanting to know, she naturally knew. Han Jae Hee’s sincerity.

Yoo In looked at Jae Hee and suddenly thought. With a face like that, no man would be able to refuse if she confessed. That was true for her too, and that was the beginning. Han Jae Hee had finally broken the lock that she had firmly closed, not letting anyone get close or in.

After that, Jae Hee, who had become close without boundaries, introduced an unknown kid at the end of the first year winter break, saying he was her closest friend who was most similar to her, and that was Yoon Ji Han.

A boy with a clear and peaceful aura like Jae Hee. A child who smiled softly like snowflakes falling from the sky.

How vivid that brightness was, it still remained in a corner of her mind. Those who were her comfort, friends, and gifts.

They were the most precious and valuable things to Yoo In. That was still true now. She thought they were an inseparable part of her that couldn’t be torn away no matter what cracks appeared.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

A cool fingertip gently tapped near the corner of Yoo In’s eye and passed by, and she finally awoke from the reverie she had been deeply immersed in down to her neck.

A faded memory like an old photo locked in an old box. It had been a really long time since she had deliberately tried to revisit the album she had worked so hard to bury.

In the luxury sedan with even its engine sound subdued, the man sitting in the driver’s seat was in a neat and tidy suit despite it being the weekend, with his hair cleanly slicked back with pomade, revealing his smooth facial lines.

When there was no answer, Ki Yeon’s eyebrows rose disapprovingly, then lowered.

“Why aren’t you answering. Still lost in thought?”

“It’s nothing, really.”

“I told you to only think about me when you’re with me.”

Languid eyes gave Yoo In a reproachful look before turning away.

“Did you go to work today too?”

Although she shifted her focus as he wished, his slightly furrowed cool gaze seemed to playfully consider whether to go along or not. Then he quickly raised the corners of his mouth and said.

“There are many places looking for me.”

“The director must be popular.”

“On a day like today, only Nam Yoo In needs to look for me. Won’t you agree?”

Ki Yeon smiled shamelessly.

Even now he’s so busy he can barely catch a breath, wouldn’t it be too hard if I looked for him too? While worrying unnecessarily, Yoo In smiled slightly along with Ki Yeon.

The weekend date he had promised at a slightly farther place arrived after driving on the outskirts for about an hour.

Just before stopping, they drove on an unpaved road for a moment, and when they got out of the car, a real forest path unfolded from Yoo In’s feet, on a different level from the artificial garden she had seen at SJ Hotel.

Yoo In looked around the vast scenery and let out a small exclamation.

“Wow…”

The sound of mountain birds singing clearly could be heard, and in the center of the metasequoia trees stretching high as if touching the cream-like clouds, there was a lake with the clear blue sky fully reflected.

It had an exotic feel as if a photo of a foreign resort had been cut out and pasted, but the quiet and cozy atmosphere also felt like a leisurely countryside scene.

“Do you like it?”

Ki Yeon, who gently pushed Yoo In’s waist to guide her to the walking path, smiled brightly. Yoo In blinked her wide eyes and nodded sincerely.

“Yes, very much… How did you know about a place like this?”

“I studied.”

The man’s hand stroked Yoo In’s head a couple of times after giving a bland answer.

Although she responded saying “Is that so?”, in fact, Yoo In wasn’t really listening to his words. She was distracted by the gentle shimmer flowing on the lake’s surface, the air refreshingly enveloping her nose, and the leaves swaying in the mountain breeze.

When they had walked about halfway around the lake while thoroughly enjoying it, Yoo In was suddenly seized by a question. Why were Ki Yeon and herself the only people in such a beautiful and nice place?

Yoo In asked Ki Yeon, who was leisurely walking with her.

“But why isn’t there anyone else here? It seems like it would be all over Instagram and such.”

“Well. I wonder why.”

Ki Yeon smiled ambiguously and slowed his pace a bit more as he turned the question back.

“There’s something I’m curious about with Nam Yoo In.”

Yoo In met his eyes while slowly stepping to match his pace.

His pupils, calm and quiet without any hint of mischief or teasing, were as deep as the bottom of the lake.

“Haven’t you arrived yet?”

The round eyelids that couldn’t understand immediately blinked quickly.

“…Pardon?”

“You. I’m asking if you haven’t arrived at me yet.”

“…”

“Where are you at?”

Ki Yeon wasn’t smiling. He was asking sincerely. How much longer did he have to wait?

She knew this moment would come. Even though she knew in advance, her insides felt hot as if overwhelmed by a sudden fire.

The man who came to her, saying she no longer needed anything else in life, completely breaking her set course, giving her colorful yet intense, fragrant and deep addiction.

She wanted to do it for him, wanted to give it to him, and had chosen beautiful packaging for days, but now that this moment had come, she couldn’t bring herself to open her mouth.

Ki Yeon suddenly held out his hand in front of Yoo In, who had lost her words and forgotten to walk.

“I told you. I’ll protect you. I won’t let anything touch you.”

“…”

“Just stay by my side, Yoo In. Don’t be afraid. It’s all okay.”

Without her saying anything, without showing anything, Ki Yeon once again comforted and soothed Yoo In as if he knew everything.

It’s okay, he said. So come here, he said.

“You trust me, right.”

It was unclear whether he was asking or making a definitive statement, but.

His words were right. She trusted Ki Yeon. She was trusting him.

“…Yes.”

“How much.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m asking how much you trust me.”

The corners of Ki Yeon’s lips raised ever so slightly.

“…This.”

“Say it again so I can hear clearly.”

“…A lot.”

“Then do you like me or not?”

Yoo In’s face instantly turned as red as a ripe peach at the modified attack.

Ki Yeon’s smile grew deeper and more intense. The outstretched hand waved at Yoo In as if urging her. Give it to me, he seemed to say. Your heart.

Yoo In was helplessly overcome by the man who occupied and dominated her entire being. She lost everything she had prepared.

“I like you.”

At Yoo In’s words, Ki Yeon smiled more brightly than the sunlight. His gently curved eye corners, smoothly raised lips, and deep dimples all emitted a brilliant light.

To Yoo In, who was staring blankly at the perfect smile, Ki Yeon stretched out both arms, opening his embrace, and said softly.

“Come here. Let me hold you.”

This time, Yoo In didn’t hesitate and plunged into the wide embrace.

It finally became perfectly certain.

What she found after breaking through the darkness, passing through the dark and damp fog on the other side.

The ray of light she had wanted to find, and ultimately wanted to reach.

The end beyond the darkness. It was, you.