Haman-daek solemnly extended her hand. Then, relaxing her expression, she recalled the past.

“When you were living there, every time we contacted you, you said it was fun. I was just curious and asked out of that.”

Instead of an answer, Eunchae smiled softly. Kijoo just watched Eunchae. When she finally gave a real response, it was another lovely morning.

Let’s go back to the countryside.

After saying that, when Kijoo looked at her as if asking for the reason, she added, “Because that’s our honeymoon house.”
Turning away and fleeing, was it when they returned to that place? Kijoo packed up without expressing any opinions, and they went down to the countryside.

After cleaning the house that had been untouched for a long time and bringing the delicious rice cake wrapper from Seoul, they found the straw rope tied to the roof, swaying gently, and Geumbun, holding it, laughed heartily, pointing to the persimmons hanging.

“Look forward to this winter, for those persimmons. I had a dream of big, plump persimmons in my dream, clearly. If not…”

Geumbun gestured towards Eunchae’s belly with her eyes.

“Did you get pregnant?”

Eating the honey rice cake, Eunchae paused, then smiled and pointed her hand. Geumbun, with her tongue tingling, advised as she licked her lips.

“You should quickly have children and raise them. I suffered a lot after giving birth. Oh, there’s no wrong in adult words!”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

When Kijoo responded, Eunchae, who met his gaze, turned her head in embarrassment.

Geumbun, leaving various words about pregnancy and children, left a strange atmosphere, supporting her body on the warm floor, she began to doze off.

The couple who quietly went outside returned home. When Kijoo, who had just received a call, brought Eunchae inside first and sat on the usual place, he held his phone.

Retired. Kwon Kijoo.

As soon as the call was connected, Ogunsuk brought up the main topic without hesitation, but even that, as expected, Kijoo just elongated his breath.

It was a natural reaction. Although it was voluntary resignation, the compensation for receiving five years’ worth of salary this year as a reward, by attaching the word “honorable,” is a benefit that can only be obtained if Kwon Kijoo receives it.

Congratulations on the short-term resignation. Already know, but regarding KIS, either take it to the grave or forget it.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

Whether it was a warning from the director or asking about the rules to be known as the one who left voluntarily, there was a moment of silence before Ogunsuk spoke.

Let’s never see each other again. That’s it.

Kijoo, who had been staring at the abruptly disconnected phone screen, briefly laughed.

There’s no joke like this. For a person who has returned as an ordinary citizen of South Korea, it was the best last words.

Brushing off his pants, he stood up from the floor in the usual way to enter the house. As he did, Eunchae, who had been waiting inside, came out with an umbrella.

“Who called?”

Kijoo moved Eunchae’s side hair behind her ear and said.

“I quit my job.”

“Really? Is it completely over?”

When Kijoo nodded, Eunchae’s face brightened. Kijoo, touching Eunchae’s cheek stained with a rosy hue, asked her with a smile.

“Now, what do you want to do? What would you like to do?”

Business or investment? Or maybe become a company employee. Adding a hint, Eunchae asked Kijoo.

“Could anything be what you want? Like being a doctor?”

“Isn’t it a bit strange for your husband to go to college now?”
In a voice mixed with laughter, Eunchae, who pondered for a while, parted her lips and looked up at Kijoo.

“Well, let’s give birth to a son like a rice cake frog, then.”

What? Kijoo tilted his head, narrowing his eyes. Eunchae, as if ignoring him, casually brushed her neck. It seemed that the spark thrown by Geumbun had grown considerably.

Ha. Kijoo, who smiled with one side of his mouth open in that state, responded in a hoarse voice.

“It’s amazing.”

“…You told Grandma Geumbun to remember it earlier. Why?”

Kijoo grabbed Eunchae’s embarrassed shoulder.

“I didn’t impulsively think about what Grandma Geumbun said.”

“Not entirely, but… We’re a married couple. It seems natural to have such thoughts… And although it’s not necessary to distinguish by gender, when I was young, I was curious about Kijoo’s appearance, so I think it would be better if it’s a son.”

Eunchae, who continued to speak for a moment, raised her eyebrows, stopping.

“But, what’s so amazing?”

“It doesn’t mean that.”

Kijoo closed his mouth and looked at Eunchae. Now that Eunchae realized that his reaction was awkward, her heart pounded.

It’s not that he dislikes it.

And although it’s sincere, she herself didn’t have a specific plan, so she had a bit of flexibility in her opinion.

“Well, it’s not like I’m going to do that right away. First, let’s go on a trip. We agreed to go on an overseas trip again. After that.”

Eunchae, looking at Kijoo, who seemed to be concentrating more than necessary on her words, added, as if she had remembered something.

“But Kijoo’s weakness. It’s going to happen again. Is it okay?”

“What’s my weakness?”

“Your love.”

Ah. Kijoo, who didn’t deny it with a calm appearance, leaned over and kissed her cheek. Whispering that everything from you creates, he leaned over.

Eunchae smiled.

The man who soon settled with me came over and hugged me, bending his back. As he spread his arms and embraced his large body, when his breath touched the back of his neck, it tickled. Is the scent of winter spreading at that moment an illusion?

Winter will come soon. Then, we can eat the dried persimmons from Grandma Geumbun. Perhaps because of this expectation, her heart trembled. Orange leaves fluttered and brushed against Eunchae’s cheek.

It was a warm autumn like winter. She wondered what kind of days the next autumn was waiting for.

Expectations arise in repetitive lives because of Kwon Kijoo. Eunchae waited for such a day every day. The man who once made her expect and brought despair was bringing eternal happiness.

Epilogue 完.