That night, I had a dream where I saw her; it was a nightmare
And that day came
MONDAY 8:00 AM
Door Bell rang
"Coming…"
I opened the door.
When she saw me, her cheeks turned red like a tomato.
"S-Sir… y-you… why are you in a towel?"
"Oh, I was bathing," I answered.
"How can you say that so calmly?" she blurted out.
For a second, I froze—then realization hit me.
I shut the door.
"S-sorry… I forgot I'm still in a towel."
A blush crept onto my face.
Wait for a sec, I'll change.
A few minutes later, I opened the door.
She stepped inside—and froze.
"…Is something wrong with my suit?" I asked.
I was wearing a black suit, a crisp white shirt, and a black tie.
She looked me up and stared at me. "Why are you dressed like you're going to a funeral?"
I scratched the back of my head, feeling slightly awkward.
"Well… yeah, you could say it's like that," I replied. "But it's not a funeral."
She tilted her head. "Then what is it?"
I glanced away and opened the car door.
"Wait and watch, okay?" I said.
I got into the driver's seat. After a brief hesitation, she sat beside me, fastening her seatbelt.
"So… where are we going, sir?" she asked softly.
I sighed and started the engine.
"Don't call me 'sir' today," I said. "We're not at work."
She blinked. "Then… what should I call you?"
"Seo-jun," I answered after a pause. "Just Seo-jun. Okay?"
"…Okay," she said quietly.
I pulled the car onto the road.
"And to answer your question," I added, eyes fixed ahead, "we're going to Busan."
"Busan?" she repeated. "Your hometown?"
"Yes."
She turned toward me, clearly confused.
"Why Busan?" she asked quietly.
I let out a tired breath.
"Oh God," I muttered. "Why do you ask so many questions?"
She laughed softly and finally fell silent.
I drove for nearly two hours.
The scenery slowly changed—crowded streets faded into quieter roads. The air felt heavier somehow, calmer, almost solemn. Neither of us spoke much. The sound of the engine filled the silence.
Eventually, I slowed down and stopped the car.
We were standing in front of a memorial hall.
The building was quiet, stone-gray, and still. The name engraved above the entrance felt cold and permanent. This was the place where her belongings were kept.
She stared at it for a long moment, her hands trembling slightly in her lap.
"W-Why are we here?" she asked hesitantly.
Then, in a barely audible voice, she asked—
"…did someone die
"It's the anniversary," I said quietly.
"It's time I answered your questions."
She looked at me, surprised.
"You asked earlier why I never got married," I continued. "The reason is simple."
I paused.
"I'm already engaged to the girl I loved."
Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn't interrupt.
"It's a long story," I added. "Shall we go somewhere? There's a café nearby."
She nodded.
We entered the café and took a seat by the window. The place was warm, filled with the faint aroma of coffee and baked bread. After placing our order, she leaned forward slightly.
"So," she said softly, "tell me."
I wrapped my fingers around the warm cup in front of me, staring into the surface of the coffee.
"It was about twelve years ago…"
The scene shifted.
A classroom.
Sunlight streamed through the windows, dust floating lazily in the air. The sound of students chatting filled the room.
"Han Seo-jun!"
I looked up.
Yuri stood beside my desk, hands on her hips, her brows furrowed in anger—though she still looked cute, as always.
"Did you eat my lunch box?" she asked sharply.
I leaned back in my chair, completely unbothered.
"Your jjajangmyeon was delicious."
Her eyes widened. "Seriously?! Then give me your lunch box."
I shrugged. "I already ate it."
She froze. "…What?"
"There's nothing left," I added casually.
Her voice rose. "What?! When did you even eat it?!"
"When you were busy listening to the lecture," I replied with a grin.
Her face turned red with frustration—and something else.
"Han. Seo. Jun!"
I ran.
Behind me, I could hear her footsteps, light and hurried, chasing after me. I glanced back once and saw her smiling—wide, carefree, alive.
But who would have known…
That this smile would soon perish.
I turned a corner and finally slowed down.
Looks like I lost her.
I bent forward, hands on my knees, gasping for air.
God… my legs hurt. All this pain from just one run.
Then—
A voice came from somewhere behind me.
"Well, well."
My body stiffened.
It was Kang Tae-shik.
The bully.
My bully.