As Kijoo walked, taking two cups of coffee from the airport cafe, his steps gradually slowed down. Sung Eunchae, sitting on a chair, had an excited expression.

Is it really that good?

Being in the sending-off position, he had a somewhat awkward smile. Whether she knew it or not, when Eunchae noticed him, she raised her hand and smiled.

Kijoo approached with his long legs. Offering an iced Americano to Eunchae, who wouldn’t even look at a hot drink in the middle of winter.

She accepted it with a nod, took a sip with a straw, and sucked it down in one go.

“It’s the first time we’ve been apart for so long.”

When he spoke with an empty voice, Eunchae, swirling the straw, replied.

“Why. There’s a two-year gap.”

Until when are you going to worry about it?

Kijoo brushed his hair back and let out a bitter laugh.

“Let’s put that aside.”

“Yes, well. If you want.”

If you want.

Following Kijoo, who always said that, Eunchae laughed playfully. It seemed she was in a good mood, continuing the banter.
“Since arriving, you shouldn’t trust anyone.”

He was still in a state where he hadn’t taken a sip of his coffee.

“People asking for directions, offering you a ride, approaching you to take a picture. You have to be careful. If you completely ignore them, they might take offense and target you, so moderate ignorance is better.”

“I’m not a kid….”

Even though she tried to complain, it didn’t work. He was now more serious and solemn than ever.

“There’s no country safer than Korea. If something happens, seek help from the embassy, or… forget it. Just call me.”

The lecture was severe, too severe. His polite and calm voice made it somewhat bearable, but without that, a real fight might have broken out.

Eunchae suppressed her boredom, nodding diligently.

“Yes. I understand.”

This is the way to go. He thought that if he acted uncooperative, he might get caught up in traffic and miss the road before entering the gate.

While he was cautiously observing, a savior-like voice from the future rang out.

“Eunchae! It’s time, we have to go in now!”

Upon hearing that, she stood up as if waiting. Ki Joo narrowed his eyes at her unusual reaction speed.

“Take care.”

Now really time to go, Eunchae walked toward the gate. Feeling an unusual aura from both of them, the future sent a meaningful glance, saying that he had already entered.

Looking at Eunchae moving away, she also sent a gaze telling her to do the same.

Ki Joo’s expression had almost disappeared by now.

“Please don’t worry too much.”

How can I not worry?

Suddenly, that thought came to Ki Joo’s mind. But speaking it out loud might really provoke Eunchae’s anger, so he held back.

“Call me when you arrive.”

That was all he could say.

“Yes.”

Shaking hands and watching Eunchae walk away, Ki Joo approached as if wondering whether it was okay to get closer. No, just a little more distant, then again. She sighed, looking down at the hand that was about to wrap around her wrist.

“Miss Eunchae.”

By this point, people were glancing at them. Kwon Kijoo wasn’t someone who cared about such things.

He lowered his head as if he was going to kiss her. It was so natural that Eunchae almost forgot that this was a crowded airport.

“Mr. Kijoo….”

She teared up. Even though Ki Joo failed to kiss her almost successfully, he was nonchalant. Instead, he said while threading his fingers through the gaps.

“I’ve signed a contract for a house near Her Majesty’s grandmother’s place.”

At those words, Eunchae suddenly looked up.

“Waking up to the sound of a rooster, getting up from sleep in a drowsy state, eating breakfast prepared by Miss Eunchae, and going for a walk around the neighborhood. While taking a walk, if you happen to encounter a neighborhood dog, Miss Eunchae might suggest raising a dog. I would say anything other than a cat is fine.”
Eunchae, who was listening attentively, felt a tingling sensation at the tip of her nose. What he was talking about was the daily life in the countryside. The yet-to-come daily life sounded so good.

“For lunch and dinner, I’ll prepare a nutritious diet. Of course, you’ll probably complain that it tastes bad. And I’ll let Eunchae taste it, who complains.”

While listening to those words, Eunchae imagined Ki Joo standing in the kitchen. Showing off his well-defined back muscles and skillfully handling the frying pan.

“Such a life is not bad either. Immersed in happiness, even if someone attacks from behind, you might just let it stab you.”

“……. ”

“After your trip, live with me like that for the rest of your life.”

At those words, Eunchae’s pupils expanded greatly. She had vaguely considered spending her life with him, but she had never thought it would be so concrete.

Because she guessed that he didn’t like being tied down to something.

Unconsciously, hot tears welled up in her eyes. Ki Joo’s hand gently covered her trembling back. Slightly pulling her closer, he kissed her wet eyelids, then matching her red nose, he kissed her lips in the end.

Like this, really.

To prevent him from feeling pain in his chest, Eunchae gently hit his chest. It was to accommodate him as he had to bend down a lot due to the height difference.

As expected, the quick-witted Ki Joo immediately leaned in for a kiss. Considering it was an airport, he deeply suppressed it before separating.

When Eunchae looked up with clear regret in her eyes, he patted her head.

“It will be late.”

He laughed, bouncing on his toes.

Eunchae took regretful steps. Turning around several times as she moved away, she ran toward him and hugged him tightly.

Suddenly encountering her lover, Ki Joo opened his arms wide to receive her.

“I love you.”

Her trembling voice entered his heart rather than his ears.

Surprised, the stiffened Ki Joo leaned his upper body towards her.

“I love you too.”

Whispering in her ear and patting her back, it was now really time to go. Of all times, it had to be at this moment.

Leaving tear marks on his shirt, Eunchae turned around.

Suppressing the urge to pull her in and hug her, Ki Joo shook hands. With a red nose, Eunchae, who smiled with a grimace, walked into the gate.

After standing there as if stuck for a few minutes, Ki Joo crossed the airport.

The moment he came out, he saw a plane splitting the sky and ascending. Following its movement with his eyes, it was dazzling under the sunlight.

‘Don’t you want to settle down now?’

Song Eunchae’s melancholic voice echoed in his ears like a breath.

“……. ”

Ki Joo took out wireless earphones and plugged them into his ears, then dialed a familiar number on his phone.

“This is Kwon Kijoo.”

Staring at the cars rushing past in front of the crosswalk, he spoke.

“Check the third drawer of the desk. It’d be good if you could fix it within two weeks.”
Threats to tear up this paper or curses like tearing you apart before tearing up the resignation letter burst randomly from the receiver. Kijoo wrapped the cord around his finger before tearing up such a piece of paper or cursing.

The blue light of the traffic signal blinked. Kijoo raised the corners of his mouth, smiling, and stretched out his leg.

The sunlight shone strongly behind him as he moved forward without hesitation.

It was a brilliant day.

完.