Jin-wook's phone rang unanswered—once, twice, then again.
No reply.
He lowered the phone, staring at the dark screen as unease crept into his chest. His thoughts spiraled despite himself, leaping toward possibilities he didn't want to name. Do-hoon's face surfaced in his mind, followed by the image of Hari's house, its lights on, its doors closed to him.
But the longer the silence stretched, the louder his worries became. His chest tightened, jealousy and fear tangling into something ugly and unfamiliar. He hated that his mind went there.
Still, he called again.
And still, there was nothing.
Jin-wook looked up slowly when he saw her standing there. His eyes were unfocused, his cheeks flushed, the smell of alcohol thick in the air.
"Oh… you're here already," he murmured, his words slurring together.
Hari frowned. "How much did you drink to end up like this?"
He laughed weakly, resting his head against the table. "I was just… trying to comfort myself. You ignored me all day. And I know you were with that guy, your friend." His voice dipped, jealousy seeping through the haze. "I thought you might leave me for him."
Before she could respond, his eyes closed. His body went slack against the table.
"Hey, wake up," she said, tapping his head harder than necessary. "You can't fall asleep here."
He groaned. "That hurts…"
Then he was out again.
Hari sighed. "Good. That was the point." She grabbed his arm. "Get up. I'm not leaving you here."
He stirred just enough to mumble, "So you are leaving… to go to him?"
"You're really drunk," she muttered. "What am I supposed to do with you?"
With effort, she hoisted him up, nearly losing her balance as his weight leaned into her.
"Why are you so heavy?" she complained under her breath.
"Because…" he murmured, half-asleep, "…my heart is full of love."
She froze.
"…Idiot."
Her grip loosened, and he dropped back down with a dull thud.
"Ouch," he whined.
"If you can talk like that," she snapped, "you can walk home yourself."
He raised a finger to his lips. "Okay. I'll be quiet."
She dragged him the rest of the way, breathless by the time she laid him on his bed.
"You're impossible," she muttered.
As she turned to leave, his hand shot out, pulling her back. She landed against his chest, his arms tightening around her instinctively.
"Stay like this," he whispered.
"I need to go," she said, trying to pry his arms away.
They didn't budge.
"How can someone this drunk be this strong?" she muttered, finally giving up. Exhaustion settled in, and despite herself, she rested against him, listening to the slow rhythm of his breathing.
Hari woke with a sharp inhale.
Where am I—?
The unfamiliar ceiling came into focus. Her eyes widened, and she clamped a hand over her mouth to stop herself from screaming.
What was I thinking… sleeping here?
"Jin-wook!" Mrs. Yoo's voice rang out from downstairs.
Hari scrambled upright, panic rushing through her veins as footsteps approached and she hid inside the closet.
"Wake up and come eat breakfast," Mrs. Yoo called as she entered the room.
Jin-wook groaned, turning away from the light.
Mrs. Yoo opened the window. "It smells here. Did you drink?"
Jin-wook gave no answer.
"Wake up before I drag you out myself." Mrs. Yoo said, then left the room.
A moment later, Jin-wook pushed himself up, holding his head. "My head…"
As soon as the door closed behind him, Hari slipped out of the closet, heart racing.
"How am I getting out of here?"
She spotted the open window.
Moments later, she landed in the yard barefoot.
She stared down at her feet. "…Whatever."
She walked home quietly, hoping no one noticed.
At breakfast, Jin-wook sat stiffly across from his parents.
"Have some hangover soup," his mother said.
"Thank you."
"Who did you drink with last night?" she asked.
"A friend. From high school."
She nodded, satisfied until his father spoke.
"I saw some unfamiliar shoes by the entrance."
Jin-wook froze.
"What shoes?" Mrs. Yoo asked.
His father lifted them.
Jin-wook stared, blood draining from his face.
"I… don't know," he said carefully. "I've never seen them before."
Mrs. Yoo raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"I'm done eating," Jin-wook said abruptly, standing. "I'll be in my room."
Upstairs, he rushed to the window.
It was open.
He pulled out his phone.
"Hari," he said when she answered. "Where are you?"
"At home. Why?"
"I didn't see you leave."
"You were asleep. I didn't want to wake you," she said calmly. "And you really should stop drinking."
"…Why?"
Before she could answer, her bedroom door opened.
"When did you come back?" her mother asked.
"Late last night," Hari replied smoothly, as she hung up the call.
After the door closed, her phone buzzed again.
"Where were you last night?" Do-hoon asked.
"Why?"
"Your mom called me. She was worried."
"I slept at Jin-wook's."
"…What?"
"Nothing happened," she said quickly. "He was drunk. I helped him home."
Silence followed.
"I'll call you back," Do-hoon said finally.
Do-hoon had never been jealous as he was right now before. He knew he was running out of time to confess his feelings to Hari.
Hari stared at her phone, unease settling deep in her chest.
Nothing had happened.
And yet, somehow, everything felt like it had changed. She couldn't believe she shared a bed with her late sister's boyfriend. And even though it wasn't intentional, she felt really guilty but she couldn't must up the courage to tell Jin-wook everything.