Yeon-woo momentarily parked the car and busily massaged her stiff neck and legs. No matter how she adjusted the driver’s seat, the rental car was uncomfortable.

“It’s been a while since I drove, so I’m a bit worried.”

Putting her hand back on the steering wheel, the back of her neck automatically tightened.

In Jeju Island’s countryside, there are many two-lane roads, and they are winding, making it somewhat difficult for beginners to drive. So intentionally choosing a place where there weren’t many cars, she found it strangely scary because it was too quiet during the sunset.

“Light, what was it, the light…?”

Found it! Yeon-woo pulled the lever next to the steering wheel in various directions and smiled with satisfaction.

The impulsive Jeju Island trip, which was supposed to be romantic, felt slightly distant from what she had imagined.

She had changed her vacation schedule abruptly during the busy season, and her team leader’s expression turned from bright to muddy. Pretending not to know, she stubbornly left on the trip.

She might receive some criticism behind her back, but now, such gossip was nothing to Yeon-woo. She had already been toughened by all kinds of rumors.

It seems it’s time to quit Roan Yul for real.

Arriving in Jeju Island, Yeon-woo enjoyed herself while thinking about her plans for changing jobs next year.
“Now, there won’t be anyone causing a scene in the HR department, unable to quit.”

······Thoughts of Jun-hwi, who used to press so well, suddenly came to Yeon-woo’s mind. She tilted her head and tightened her grip on the steering wheel.

As she promised herself to write a resignation letter as soon as she returned, the sky was dyed with vivid crimson hues.

“Wow. The sunset is really beautiful!”

The red light forming a clear boundary with the horizontal line of the distant blue sea. Enchanted by this beautiful sight, Yeon-woo parked the car on the roadside.

The sky changed constantly. Yeon-woo, captivated by the spectacle of the burning sun gradually being swallowed by violet darkness, stared absentmindedly.

“I’m glad I came to Jeju Island. Don’t you think so?”

Ah, right. I’m alone.

As if someone were there beside her, she habitually threw out the question. A startled Yeon-woo blinked her eyes bitterly.

“······Let’s go to a cafe. I need a change of mood.”

Biting her dry lips, she moved her lips like a Pusan accent and opened the navigation app.

······Actually, there was no need to be surprised. She had been in this state all along, ignoring it.

No matter what she did, no matter how hard she tried, the excitement lasted less than ten minutes.

Even the food that drew admiration involuntarily and the beautiful landscapes of Jeju became like faded pictures after some time, evaporating the joy.

Since then, memories of Jun-hwi became more vivid, displaying various colors.

Someone once asked Yeon-woo how she tamed the fierce Roan Yul. At that time, she denied such a thing and waved it off, but she secretly accepted it as a subtly pleasant compliment.

So, she thought she had the upper hand in this relationship. But now, having come this far, she realized that she, too, was dependent on him.

“······.”

So. Why is that?

Even if she realized it, nothing would change. The fact that they broke up won’t change.

Yeon-woo shook her head vigorously and started the engine again.

She just wanted to run away somewhere, as long as she could run.

But even that didn’t go as planned. Suddenly, a rattling sound came from the car, and click, the engine turned off.

“What? Why is it doing this?”

No matter how hard she pressed the ignition button, there was no change. It was a disaster.

Yeon-woo, who came out of the driver’s seat, looked around the car. But the exterior of the car was fine, and the problem wouldn’t be solved by a novice inspecting it.

“Hello. My car suddenly stopped, and I want to request emergency roadside service.”

In the end, Yeon-woo returned to the driver’s seat and sought help from the insurance company.

Customer, the location you are currently in does not appear to be within our service area.

“What? That can’t be.”

With a trembling voice, she called out the road name registered on the navigation again.

Leaving a message that they would check, the operator disappeared behind the waiting tone. The cheerful tune, completely inappropriate for the current situation, repeated several times, irritating the ears.
Thank you for waiting! We’ve confirmed the location, but since it’s far from our on-site support center, there might be a delay.

“Uh······ How long will it take?”

It’s hard to guarantee the exact time; we’ll try to hurry as much as possible. Please understand.

Come to think of it, where Yeon-woo was located was not only secluded but also almost devoid of buildings, just a rural field.

The only things nearby were dim streetlights sparsely lit and fields surrounded by low black stone walls.

The sun, which had been setting slowly, had already disappeared. The deep, dark dusk rapidly approached. The once beautiful sunset now seemed cruel.

Gotta wait. The insurance company’s vehicle will arrive soon.

The car, with the engine off, quickly became cold. Yeon-woo, feeling the coldness on her arms, put on the coat she had taken off.

“It’s not working.”

The car broke down. The scary part was not being stranded in the countryside.

If she stayed quiet alone, he would inevitably come to mind.

Right now, that was the scariest and most painful thing.

In the silence, with darkness spread around, it was a perfect atmosphere to think of the not-so-distant ex-lover.

······The problem was that it didn’t stop at admiring the beauty or reminiscing about memories.

What are you hoping for?

“No. Are you crazy? Who suggested breaking up first?”

Yeon-woo aimed a subtle jab at the other self who was quietly waiting.

If she made a sound, would this unreasonable expectation disappear? Yeon-woo repeatedly said no and buried her head in the steering wheel.

Kwon Jun-hwi always appeared splendidly whenever Yeon-woo was in trouble, resolving everything like a fairy-tale prince.

Whether it was when she felt embarrassed in the employee cafeteria or when she was sobbing, crouched down in misery because of Park Hyun-soo.

He always appeared like a savior, extending his hand.

“Please, stop thinking about it.”

Contrary to her determination, Yeon-woo’s anxious gaze kept lingering on the black screen of her phone.

Yeah, they’re in the process of breaking up, so naturally, various memories come to mind, and one can shed tears. It’s a common thing.

‘A lot of songs have lyrics about it.’

You have to let it all go to truly break up!

That’s how Yeon-woo was desperately trying not to think of Jun-hwi.

In the pitch-dark road behind, the flickering headlights illuminated the side mirror.