In the videos, the man seemed to have no flaws.

[Clip] We can do this. Let’s leap forward once again.

His appearance, attire, manner of speaking, expressions, even the way he managed his gaze, everything was perfect. He never even stuttered while speaking.

He appeared as if he had never laughed, cried, or made a mistake in his life. It seemed as though he might have never even wet his diaper as a baby.

In simple terms, he was like the personification of the word ‘perfection’. He was admirable, but honestly, not the type of person one would want to get involved with.

…The problem was that this man was himself.

“Ha…”

Seungju sighed. No matter which video he watched, it was the same.

[Do your utmost to be off-putting. Make sure that the listener feels completely disconnected. Understand?]

Now he understood why Eunseo had coached him like that when they first spoke on the phone. It was a remarkably accurate description.

‘Why did I become so disagreeable?’

Seungju rubbed his head. He was a model student recognized by others, but he wasn’t devoid of human warmth. Before his mother went missing, he even skipped self-study at night to go to PC rooms, and he occasionally jumped the school fence when he was late.

It was a mystery how he had changed so much in 15 years.

Regardless, he now had to act like that man in the videos.

As he watched a few more videos, an alarm went off. Seungju sighed, closed his laptop, and got up. He found it easier to memorize financial statements and such, but mimicking that man’s behavior was truly daunting.

“It’s tough…”

With a heavy heart, Seungju headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner before Eunseo returned from work. After learning that Eunseo didn’t properly take care of her meals not because she didn’t like eating or was dieting, but for other reasons, Seungju became more focused on feeding her.

[Didn’t I tell you not to cook?]

Even though Eunseo would scold him, she always ate his cooking deliciously.

Seungju’s cooking repertoire was quite limited, as one might expect from an 18-year-old boy. Most of his dishes ended up either burnt, bland, or too salty.

Despite this, Eunseo always ate them saying they were delicious. He loved seeing the small and thin woman eat well. He secretly wished she would gain some weight.

Wanting her to enjoy the food more, he became more interested in cooking. Smartphones proved to be a great aid, providing recipes to follow.

Today’s menu was jjimdak (Korean braised chicken). He had marinated it early in the morning because the flavor deepens if it’s marinated in advance.

Back when he lived alone, he cooked reluctantly, worried that his mother would be concerned if he didn’t eat. But cooking for Eunseo was different. Imagining her enjoying the food, he became extra careful with even the smallest details like seasoning.

To Seungju, Eunseo was everything. He followed her instinctively like a baby bird that imprints on the first thing it sees. Practically, she was the only person he could rely on and talk to.

Although there was Seonah, she felt different. He sensed some personal interest in her behavior towards him. It wasn’t unpleasant but slightly uncomfortable. To Seungju, Seonah was much older, almost like an aunt.

On the other hand, Eunseo was straightforward. She always treated Seungju as an 18-year-old, a younger brother, never showing any hint of personal feelings… which was slightly vexing.

‘Did I really have feelings for her?’

It seemed likely, but Eunseo firmly denied it. Well, considering she tried to evict him before the contract was even up, it really didn’t seem like it.

The unknown aspect was why he had been so cruel, even if he didn’t like her. Even if he had to evict her, there was no need to advance the construction schedule and force her out.

Seungju was now intent on making a delicious jjimdak, imagining Eunseo eating it with delight. For him, Eunseo was the only person under the sky.
‘Why did I treat someone as kind as Eunseo like that?’

I wanted to shake myself by the collar and ask, but not remembering was something I couldn’t help.

‘Why was I such a bad person…?’

Even though I lost my memory and it was clear what I did, Eunseo didn’t blame me.

[Just you wait. Once my memory comes back, I’ll definitely ask why you did that.]

I understood that her saying, “It’s not your fault,” was her way of comforting me.

Seeing with my own eyes who I originally was, I realized how hard it must have been for Eunseo to separate me from ‘Kwon Seungju.’

That’s why I was endlessly grateful and deeply sorry to Eunseo.

I didn’t want to forget these current feelings. I wanted to cherish them and repay her when my memory returned. I hoped my memory would come back, but I didn’t want to lose the memories I was making now.

But, just like one can’t forget memories at will, one can’t retain them just by wanting to.

If I remained passive, the original me might mistreat kind Eunseo again. After all, it’s easy to just reverse a demolition promise.

What should I do? Then, an idea came to mind.

After marinating the chicken, I went to my room. I opened one of the blank notebooks Eunseo gave me and, after pondering for a while, wrote the first line.

[To] Kwon Seungju.

[Star Icon]

The well-marinated jjimdak was surprisingly delicious.

“Wow, this is good.”

“I made it with store-bought sauce.”

“That’s why it’s delicious. You know that’s developed by dozens of corporate researchers, right?”

It was genuinely tasty, but even if it weren’t, I had to find it delicious. How grateful it is to have someone cook just for you.

“Eat more. There’s plenty.”

Even though he said there was plenty, Seungju hardly ate, focusing on feeding me.

“Did you watch the videos?”

“Yes.”

“How was it? Think you can mimic it?”

Seungju shook his head with a gloomy face.

“I’m not confident. He really is annoying and off-putting.”

I laughed, spoon in my mouth.

“See, I was right.”

Him admitting it was incredibly satisfying. If the original Kwon Seungju were here, I’d love to stick my tongue out at him.

While transferring another piece of jjimdak to my plate, Seungju suddenly asked.

“But Eunseo, why one year?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You said you came to me asking for a delay in the demolition. Do you think there’s a reason your brother will come back within a year?”

“Oh, that.”

I pointed with my chopsticks at the apple tree in the yard and explained the story related to it. A reputed fortune-teller had told my mother that when the tree bore fruit, Eunho would return. Next year, the tree would finally bear fruit.

“Do you think that’s true?”

“I don’t really believe it, but since it’s mom’s last wish… I feel like I should honor it.”

I swallowed any further reasons.

“I hope it’s true.”

Seungju murmured thoughtfully.

[Star Icon]

When the fall typhoon forecast came, the rain poured down as if the sky had opened. The thunder and lightning were so intense that the house seemed to shake with each clap.

Being accustomed to living alone for a long time, I wasn’t too scared, but I couldn’t help waking up with every loud noise. As the wind grew stronger, the screaming wind kept me dozing and waking until dawn.

In a half-asleep state, my heart suddenly sank.

‘The apple tree!’

I hurriedly ran out of my room.

The sound of the wind, like a tearing scream, echoed beyond the glass walls of the living room. The apple tree’s branches were wildly shaking in the wind, and the tree trunk looked unusually thick in the darkness.
What on earth is happening? Eunseo peered intently into the darkness.

As her eyes gradually adjusted to the dark, she finally realized the reason. Amidst the raging storm, someone was tightly hugging the tree.

In the next moment, a scream burst from Eunseo’s lips.

“Seungju!”