Hyun’s hand was urgent as he pressed the door lock passcode of Jin early in the morning. Last night, he had talked to Eun under his wife’s suspicious gaze. As he feared, she said she had fought with Jin.

When he met Eun and talked about Jin, the atmosphere was good, and conversely, when he met Jin and talked about Eun, the atmosphere was good too, so he couldn’t understand why they fought when they actually met.

He wondered if they still had unresolved feelings after 8 years. It seemed Eun was still interested in Jin.

Eun had been close with Jin since high school. Jin didn’t treat her kindly, but he didn’t dislike her either.

The two of them rapidly grew apart when Jin had an accident and shut himself in his room.

At first, when she visited only once a week, it was still okay. But as Eun became obsessed with his rehabilitation, Jin would change colors seven or eight times at her touch, and Eun would only cry.

Eun thought that was the way to help him, but at the time, Jin had difficulty accepting the fact that he couldn’t see.

But when she pushed him saying he needed rehabilitation, it was probably too much for him to handle.

Back then, it was hell for Jin, Eun, and Hyun.

Passing through the deathly quiet living room, Hyun slightly opened Jin’s bedroom door. Entering the spacious room, he saw his younger brother lying on the bed.

Seeing his sculpture-like straight face, Hyun stood still by the bed in surprise. Had he ever seen this child sleep so well?

He picked up Jin’s phone placed next to the pillow with earphones still plugged in and peeked at the call history. The most recent call was marked “Soo Young”. Moreover, the call duration was quite long.

It was surprising that Jin called first, but it was even more astonishing that they talked for so long. What did they talk about for such a long time?

Yeon Seo was worried sick that Jin and Soo Young’s relationship might break because of her, but it seemed that wasn’t something to worry about.

Even if not as a housekeeper and homeowner relationship, it felt like the two people’s connection would continue.

Above all, how long had it been since Jin opened his heart to a stranger like this? He had thought it would be impossible for a lifetime.

Hyun gently smiled and carefully placed his phone back next to the pillow.

Hyun’s footsteps leaving Jin’s room were lighter than ever before.

[This is the timeline separator]

After class ended, Yeon Ho packed his bag and called Soo Young.

Last time when he dropped her off, he saw that Soo Young’s part-time job location was in an apartment complex not far from the school where he worked. And it was a luxury apartment complex at that. It certainly seemed like a well-off household.

He called thinking of picking her up on his way home from work, but for some reason, she didn’t answer. Had she already finished and was on her way home?

A moment later, the phone rang again.

“Oh, Soo Young.”

– So sunbae. Did you call?

“Yeah. Is your part-time job over?”

– Yeah. That’s true, but…

Somehow the answer was lukewarm. It was already 4:30, 30 minutes past. His eyes narrowed, wondering if the owner kept making her work.

“I just finished class too, so I thought we could go together. I’ll come pick you up there.”

– Really? You don’t have to go that far.

However, thinking she could go comfortably, Soo Young got excited.

“You’re going to the library, right? I need to look up some class materials at the library too. Let’s go together.”

“Still, you’re coming all the way here on purpose.”

While saying this, Soo Young was secretly worried that Yeon Ho might say he’d just go then.

– It’s very close to the school where I work. It’s on the way, so don’t feel burdened. What do you think?

“Really? Then I’ll wait in front of the complex.”

Thinking she had declined enough, Soo Young quickly answered.

“No. Call when you come out. Got it?”

At Yeon Ho’s kind words, Soo Young hung up with a pleased smile.

Jin was quietly listening to her call with coffee in front of him. The two were sitting face to face spending time without much conversation because of Jin, who had asked for coffee to be made as soon as it turned 4 o’clock.

“So sunbae?”

Jin asked in his unique soft voice as soon as she seemed to have hung up.

“Yes. He says he’s coming to pick me up.”

“You must be close.”

“We’re… close, I guess.”

To Jin’s ears, the words that she was close with him didn’t sound very pleasant. Even if they’re not dating, being close… That means there’s always a possibility of developing into a romantic relationship.

But so what? What does it matter?

His head was saying it didn’t matter, but his mouth spoke strange words.

“You, do you know about us? That So sunbae?”

“Huh? What?”

“The kiss.”

“Huh… huh… Why are you bringing that up now?”

Right. Why am I? Jin himself didn’t understand. So what if we kissed? But this damned mouth spoke inappropriate words again regardless of its owner’s will.

“We slept together too, didn’t we?”

“Wh-what do you mean we slept together?”

“You slept really well. In my arms.”

Ack! Soo Young almost spat out her coffee. Is, is this man blackmailing me about that time now?

She had a vague sense of how she had ended up rolled up like a spring roll last night. However, it was more of a feeling remembered by her body rather than a memory recalled by her head.

She bit her lips tightly and muttered inside.

I don’t know anything about it… I don’t remember anything…

“You should tell that So sunbae that it’s not true.”

“Why does that sunbae need to know about that?”

“No, just… I thought I should let you know if he has other intentions. Out of courtesy.”

Jin said, pretending not to know as he took a sip of coffee. What courtesy. The relationship would be ruined.

Then Soo Young said sarcastically.

“Did you tell that lady? About kissing me?”

“Lady?”

“That lady with the pure and pitiful voice yesterday.”

“…Would you like her to know?”

“Pardon?”

This was a new perspective. Do I want her to know? Me? No, why is the question turning out like this?

“If you want her to know, I’ll tell her. Even now.”

As Jin took out his phone from his pants pocket, Soo Young grabbed his hand in shock.

“Wh-what are you saying? You’re going to tell her over the phone now?”

“Yeah. You said you wanted her to know, didn’t you?”

“When did I say that?”

“You just now.”

“N-no, I didn’t!”

“Then forget it.”

He put his phone back in his pocket with a relaxed expression.

Soo Young trembled with her fists clenched. The dream couldn’t have been just about chestnuts. There must have been raccoon dogs too. Raccoon dogs.

She felt like meeting his mother once and asking her seriously.

“I’d like to meet Mr. Seol Jin’s mother. There’s so much I want to ask her.”

The thought came out of her mouth. Jin then showed a regretful expression.

“Go to India. She lives there.”

Huh? India? Not even America? It was such an unexpected country that Soo Young hesitated for a moment.

“Tell her if you meet her. That her husband is dead and her son is living while being punished for killing his father. Got it?”

It was definitely Korean, but Soo Young couldn’t understand and just stared blankly at his amber eyes, unable to answer.

Looking at him who sometimes said such scary things so casually, she wondered how familiar with pain one must be to be like that.

Knowing she was looking at him but pretending not to know, Jin kept drinking his coffee and then turned his gaze to her eye level and asked.

“The long-term contract conditions…”

“Yes?”

“Can’t it be something else?”

What were the long-term contract conditions again? She had forgotten with so much happening lately. So she just answered.

“No, it can’t.”

“…I see. Then let’s do that.”

Wondering what he meant by doing that, Soo Young stared at him.

“Exactly 5 minutes. I’ll come back in after 5 minutes.”

At the words ‘5 minutes’, Soo Young suddenly came to her senses. 5-minute walk. Outside. Is he saying he’ll do that now? Soo Young’s expression gradually brightened.

Eating, sleeping, and now even walking? Is this how a mother feels raising a child? But fearing he might rebel again if she reacted too strongly, she answered as nonchalantly as possible.

“Deal!”

Jin’s eyebrows immediately furrowed.

“Don’t use English unlike you. Your pronunciation isn’t even good…”

[This is the timeline separator]

Yeon Ho, standing with his car parked in front of the complex, looked quite like a working adult.

“Ooh… You look like a teacher.”

As Soo Young clapped her hands and said, Yeon Ho answered with a grin.

“The school is in an uproar saying a handsome bachelor teacher has come. Both the students and teachers.”

“I don’t know about handsome, but you’re right about being a bachelor. How is it? Are there many young female teachers at school?”

“Well, it’s a private school so male teachers overwhelmingly outnumber female teachers, but it seems almost all the female teachers except for the head teachers are unmarried.”

“Then you could catch one of them.”

“Hey, if you date at school, one of you has to quit. No dating within the school.”

“Really? That’s too bad.”

Soo Young chuckled as she got into the passenger seat.

“But why are you staying at that house for so long? Is there a lot of work?”

Yeon Ho asked as he started the engine, and Soo Young answered while fastening her seatbelt.

“I was chatting with the homeowner for a bit.”

Yeon Ho turned to look at her in surprise.

“With the homeowner? Why is the homeowner at home at this hour?”

“He works from home. Says he’s an unknown writer.”

“Don’t tell me, it’s a man?”

“Yeah. A man.”

“Hey! Kim Soo Young!”

Suddenly Yeon Ho shouted loudly. Soo Young was so startled she jumped in her seat.

“Ow, you scared me. Why are you yelling…”

“How can you work part-time at a house where the owner is a man! You’re really going to get in big trouble!”

“I understand what you’re worried about, but you don’t need to worry about that with this homeowner, so don’t worry.”

“Why? Does he have a wife?”

“No, that’s not it…”

“Then I should worry! Don’t you know all men are wolves? They’ll do it even if they just have the strength to hold a spoon!”

At his words, Soo Young glared at him and said.

“Then isn’t it dangerous to be alone in the car with you like this too? How do I know what you might do to me?”

Yeon Ho’s face turned red as he turned away.

“Hey, what do you take me for… What would I do in a car, with you…”

“The homeowner is like that too. So don’t worry.”

As Soo Young said indifferently, Yeon Ho sighed.

“You’re too naive about men. How much longer do you have left? Quit as soon as your aunt gets better. Now that I think about it, this was a dangerous part-time job.”

“I’m telling you it’s not.”

Soo Young smiled, gesturing for him to hurry up and go. Yeon Ho’s hands gripped the steering wheel tightly. What should I do with this clueless kid, really.

[This is the timeline separator]

Arriving at the library and sitting side by side looking at books, Yeon Ho glanced at Soo Young turning the pages. Her fair cheeks and penguin-like lips made his heart flutter for no reason.

He was planning to officially ask her out once he got a job, but for some reason, the words wouldn’t come out. Even when they ate tteokbokki together earlier, the words just lingered on the tip of his tongue but wouldn’t come out.

When should I ask her out? Should I wait until she gets a proper job? Come to think of it, does she even plan to get a job?

Even in the car on the way here, Soo Young said she might work at that house for longer. I don’t understand why a normal young person would want to be a housekeeper.

Is there something going on with the homeowner? If he can live in such a luxury apartment, the homeowner must be a somewhat older man. A middle-aged writer living alone.

The more he thought about it, the more twisted his mind became. This naive girl doesn’t even realize how dangerous her situation is and is only focusing on the short hours and high pay.

Two hours a day for 200,000 won was quite a lot of pay. How does an unknown writer have so much money? Does he invest in stocks?

No, that wasn’t important. It was too embarrassing to tell people that my girlfriend is a housekeeper. Should I talk to the vice principal and see if there are any openings at nearby schools? She does have a teaching certificate.

While Yeon Ho was worrying about Soo Young’s future and making various plans, Soo Young, unlike him, was replaying Jin’s voice she had heard earlier, with her eyes on the book.

– Exactly 5 minutes. I’ll come back in after 5 minutes.

What would it be like to take a walk with him? If we walk together with David, everyone will stare. What if they think I’m his rich short-term girlfriend?

But she didn’t mind. She felt impatient, thinking she should look up how to walk with a visually impaired person on YouTuX when she got home.

She wanted to do well since she was doing it. To the point where he wouldn’t want to come back inside.

However, Soo Young had to realize with her whole body from the next day that it was by no means an easy task.