The Joseon sky that evening looked gloomy. Heavy clouds hung low over the Kang residence—like the world itself was holding its breath.
Eun-bi stood on the back porch, staring up at the sky."If it rains again, what if I get sucked back to 2025? But… why does it feel like I'm not ready to leave yet?" she murmured softly.
"Talking to yourself again?"That familiar deep voice came from behind her.
She spun around. "M-Master Kang! I was just—uh—communicating with nature!"
Jun-yeol sighed. "You're the only servant who talks to clouds.""Maybe the clouds will answer me someday," she replied quickly.
He looked at her, and for a split second, she thought he almost smiled. Almost.
"Why do you look so gloomy?" he finally asked.
"Nothing, really," she said, still gazing up. "It's just… it feels like something is about to disappear.""If you're the one disappearing, I suppose this house will finally be quiet," he said calmly.
Eun-bi turned to him, pouting. "That's the most honest yet the most painful thing anyone's ever said to me, sir.""But," Jun-yeol added softly, "sometimes a house that's too quiet feels… empty."
Eun-bi froze. That wasn't his usual tone—cold, measured, and efficient.This one was warm. Almost tender.
"Wait… did you just—""Don't overthink it," he cut her off and started walking toward the garden.
Before she could say more, rain suddenly poured down, fast and heavy.
Eun-bi yelped and ran into the courtyard."Oh no, not again! I am NOT getting swept into another river!"
From under the roof, Jun-yeol frowned. "You'll catch a fever if you stand there.""You don't understand, Master! This rain is dangerous! Last time I—"
A flash of lightning split the sky—bright and deafening.
Without thinking, Jun-yeol grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms, shielding her from the downpour and the sparks of thunder.
For a moment, everything was silent.Eun-bi could feel his heartbeat—not hers, but his—steady and strong against her cheek.
"A-are you all right?" His voice was calm, low, steady."Y-yeah," she stammered. "But, um… you just held me like we're in a prime-time romance scene."
He immediately stepped back, clearing his throat. "I was merely preventing a reckless maid from getting struck by lightning."
Eun-bi looked down, face burning red. "Right. Well, the reckless maid's heart just had a system crash."
They took shelter under a wooden pavilion. Rain drummed gently on the roof above them, filling the air with a soft rhythm. For the first time, the silence between them didn't feel awkward. It felt… peaceful.
"Strange," Jun-yeol murmured at last."What is?""The rain. It never falls this time of year."
Eun-bi smiled faintly. "Maybe the sky's rewriting its own schedule. Kind of like me, rewriting my own life."
He looked at her. "You always talk like a confused poet.""More like a lost writer," she said cheerfully.
Jun-yeol chuckled softly—really laughed this time.
Eun-bi gaped. "Oh my gosh, you just laughed! The end of the world is near!""Stop staring at me like that.""I can't. I just witnessed a once-in-a-century phenomenon in Joseon!"
He shook his head, a small smile still on his lips. "You're impossible."
"And you're smiling again," Eun-bi teased, eyes glinting.
He turned away, but the corner of his mouth betrayed him—it was still curved up.
The rain poured harder, but to Eun-bi, that moment felt warm.
She looked down at her hand, the one he had grabbed earlier, and whispered to herself,"Maybe… I'm not ready to go home just yet."