“Hurry and get some rest. Tomorrow, our grandmother made bulgogi. Whether you come to eat it or not. Is it different from what you ate in Seoul?”

The man’s friendly tone was quite intimate. Eun-chae’s response was affectionate as well.

Kiju, rubbing her temple with her thumb, skimmed her lower lip. Her heartbeat quickened, and her head felt sticky.

It felt dirty. Very much so.

She had tried to ignore Eun-chae’s decision. She had tried to go on living because she had to.

But now, with those words saying it’s good, heavy shackles were placed on her feet.

Answering the man who asked if it’s good, the sound of laughter seemed genuine. All those situations seemed insurmountable to Kiju.

They walked side by side toward the direction with bright light, but Kiju went back into the darkness.

Knock, knock.

Haman knocked, but there was no response, so she tilted her head. She thought that a person with a fast reaction like her might open the door before knocking.

No way. Did she go? After eating or…

Haman went upstairs, recalling Kwon Kiju. The man she saw again after a few days didn’t have a recognizable face, absurd enough to pretend not to recognize with some lies.

With a little exaggeration. With that face, would he believe that it’s okay if he says only the words are okay?

Perhaps he’s asleep?

Haman cautiously opened the door, holding a bit of hope. In the sunlight streaming into the bed, the man, holding the phone to his ear, was barely standing.

“Yes, Mr. Park Jin-sung. The police officer who visited last time.”

Because of Kwon Kiju’s extremely pale face as he spoke, Haman didn’t even catch the content.

Kiju finished the call with just a few more words, finally lowering the phone.

“Oh, you’re doing this with this condition?!”

Haman first put down the porridge she brought. Then, before trying to support him, the sturdy man’s body leaned heavily.

“Team Leader Kwon!”

Haman, surprised, rushed forward. Kiju was sprawled on the floor.

Seol Woo-seok called Eun-chae. Walking together on a quiet narrow village street, they engaged in trivial conversation before getting to the point.

“I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“It’s already come to that.”

Even though it was a short time. Eun-chae thought that it wasn’t such a short time to get close to someone.

Now that she thought about it, even with Kwon Ki-joo, it didn’t feel unfamiliar from the first moment…

Eun-chae’s face stiffened at the memories that involuntarily came to mind. Woo-seok said it’s time for him to go, so she understood that he might be feeling regretful and asked.

“Is there more to stay for?”

“What? You must have your own schedule.”

In response, Woo-seok chuckled and said, “Honestly, whether you go or not, it doesn’t matter.”

“No!”

When Eun-chae vehemently denied it with clapping hands, Woo-seok looked at her as if to say he understood. In the end, she sincerely apologized.

“I’m sorry.”

Woo-seok sensed that those words were not a response to yesterday’s confession but rather an answer to a different confession.