But he didn’t bother pointing it out. Nonexistent patience would eventually come to an end.

“The prosecution investigation isn’t over yet. If Song Eun-chae causes an accident, it’s entirely your responsibility. So find her as soon as possible.”

“…”

“And the project is over. Don’t indulge in role-playing games. Get out of this house.”

There was no need to insist; it was the way out. With a stern face, Ki-joo came out, leaving Kwang-il staring at him.

Getting into the personal car he had brought in advance, he started the engine. Reflecting on the neighborhood he frequented more than his home, he mulled over the project.
Role-play.

It’s all over. Like the curtains falling after the play, Song Eun-chae left.

The claim of knowing her location was a deception. If he answered that he didn’t know, KIS would surely form a team and investigate thoroughly.

Finding Song Eun-chae’s location domestically is something that could be done with eyes closed. But her request not to find her lingered like a spell. Don’t find her until she comes back.

I believe that simple statement, I do.

Ki-joo clenched the steering wheel and sneered. Regardless of how he got here or where he was, he arrived at his officetel.

“…”

He buried himself deeply on the dark living room sofa and closed his eyes.

Then the meaningless self-reproach begins. It goes back to the day when Song Eun-chae left.

If only he hadn’t wasted ten hours receiving scrutiny.

If only he had focused on finding her instead of waiting like an idiot.

If only he hadn’t been afraid of rejection.

Ki-joo lifted his eyelids as if frowning at his own thoughts. Being left alone unexpectedly was such a great loneliness.

When he turned his head back and looked up at the ceiling, Eun-chae’s contemplating figure appeared vividly on the ceiling as if she had been there all along.

If the woman who left wasn’t me. What would happen then?

When discarded without knowing the context, did Song Eun-chae feel this way too? Ki-joo covered his eyes with his forearm and laughed meaninglessly.

So. Before I go find you and make you sick of me.

You should come quickly, Song Eun-chae.

“Lunch is kalguksu, how about it?”

In response to that question, Eun-chae said yes in a word, and Geum-bun immediately came in with dried anchovies.

He said that kalguksu tastes good when eaten with anchovies soaked in water, and that doing this kind of housework is quick if done while watching TV. He even turned on the news.

Eun-chae assisted with her unskilled hands. Then, as the anchorman’s voice, which became an ice in the ear, resounded unexpectedly:

These days, Chairman Song Myung-hwan of DiOne Group has been causing a stir due to a scandal involving unfair profits through sponsoring politicians for ten years. He is receiving public criticism while appointing as many as twelve lawyers. The reason this is becoming a social problem is that companies…

It was a debate corner created to cover the Song Myung-hwan gate on the news channel.

More spotlight was focused on Chairman Song Myung-hwan than on other prominent candidates for the next presidential election like Representative Han Ji-chang.

With such concentrated public attention, it was a difficult situation to escape from like a water strider.

Eun-chae averted her gaze from Chairman Song Myung-hwan showing up at the prosecutor’s office. On the other hand, Geum-bun scolded the television and clicked his tongue.

“That rotten bastard. That’s why they all get sentenced to prison in Korea!”

Eun-chae, who somewhat sympathized with his awkward smile, raised her head at the sound coming from outside.

“Grandma. Are you there?”
The voice was that of a young man. Without even asking who he was, Geum-bun habitually opened the door and went out. Eun-chae, who couldn’t stop him in time, quickly followed, brushing off her hands.

Geum-bun’s house had no front door because it had been established here for a long time. Anyone could come and go if they wished. Concerned about this aspect from before, Eun-chae looked up at the fairly tall man as if wary of a large stature.

Kwon Ki-joo was unusually tall and had a broad build, but the man in front of her also had a considerable physique. Even if you generously estimated, he didn’t seem to be over his mid-twenties. It didn’t seem too young, either.

Perhaps sensing Eun-chae scrutinizing him, the man turned his eyes toward her. Unintentionally, their eyes met. Eun-chae, who had no resistance to making eye contact with strangers, lowered her eyes to avoid it.

Still, the man seemed to continue staring as if his gaze was pressing on her face.

“Oh, who’s this! Long time no see! What have you been eating to grow taller and taller? What happened?”

Fortunately, it seemed they were acquainted. Seeing Geum-bun happily patting the man’s broad shoulders, Eun-chae made a slightly awkward face. Maybe she had been overly cautious. He probably hadn’t noticed. While feeling embarrassed, she looked at the man who, in response, laughed with a voice that carried the scent of laughter.

“Our grandmother says you’ve been doing well.”

After saying that, the man leaned the cart he had brought against the wall.

His attitude was polite, but not submissive. It wasn’t a situation that called for humility anyway.

Generally, people of his age group were often awkward in dealing with the elderly unless they had a naturally good personality.

Awkward greetings, awkward laughter. Even Eun-chae, for instance, had been like that. However, the man seemed to be different.

“Wait there!”

Geum-bun, entering the kitchen quickly, was followed by Eun-chae. His busy wrinkled hands were full of steamed corn.

“I’ll carry it.”

Eun-chae said, reaching over and grabbing the basket. It was quite heavy. The sound of concern, wondering if she could carry it, came from behind.

In such situations, she found herself pretending to be stronger than she actually was. She replied loudly that it was light and left.

The man stared at Eun-chae walking over. His thick and neatly shaped eyebrows, the characteristic straight eyes with seemingly faint double eyelids, somehow seemed both cold and playful.

By now, Eun-chae felt a bit uncomfortable.

Although she hadn’t been entirely unable to socialize with boys of her age at school, boys were certainly different from those she had seen at school.

Eun-chae, without any courtesy, handed the basket filled with corn directly.

It was an unconscious action that came out due to her usual habit of hiding her face.

Fortunately, the man accepted the basket without any sign of discomfort and nodded his head without a word, then turned and left.