episode_0064

The first thing Lee Ha-neul saw when she woke up was her sister kissing her own daughter.

When I saw that sight, I felt the urge to kick the door open and run out, but fortunately, Lee Ha-neul was a person who thought before he acted.

The person at the doorway is not my sister, but Haru.

The face, the hair, the heart.

A person who resembles her older sister, except her body type is slightly different.

I couldn’t figure out why Mirae and Haru were kissing.

Not only did I not know what kind of conversation was going on between the two, I couldn’t even see their facial expressions properly.

‘What is your future dream?’

‘dream…?’

The day Lee Ha-neul first met her sister’s daughter.

At the same time, I vaguely remembered the conversation I had with Mirae on the day I learned about the person named Iharu.

‘I’m getting married to Mom… Because I promised… I even wrote a memorandum… .’

Has it come true?

Or is it a process that is taking place?

Lee Ha-neul took his gaze away from them and slumped down against the wall.

My heart is pounding.

As I looked at them, it felt like a strong wave was crashing down.

No way… Are you jealous?

Are you saying that you are jealous of your nephew who is achieving a dream that you can no longer hope for?

Then why was his gaze only directed towards Haru?

It was full of things I didn’t know. I was hit with extreme stress like I’d never felt before.

‘You’ve had a hard time… ? Today, hug your sister and get some rest! And… when you’re tired, sometimes rest at home… and when you’re stressed, talk to Haru and get some advice… .’

When did this happen again?

My head started to hurt and fragmentary memories started to come to mind.

The rest were just fragments, too crushed to fit together.

Is this an illusion… .

Did I really overlap my days with yours that I had that kind of illusion?

Lee Ha-neul wrapped his head around his knees, pulled them close, and buried his face between them.

Crack─!

At that moment, a sharp sound flew into Lee Ha-neul’s ears.

Kuung─

At the same time, the front door slammed shut loudly.

When I peeked my head through the crack in the door in surprise, Haru, who had been standing blankly in the hallway, collapsed in place.

Lee Ha-neul is not oblivious.

At least I could tell that something was wrong between Haru and the future.

And I could also guess that Haru was going to be extremely difficult.

“Haa… Haa… .”

But Lee Ha-neul couldn’t move even one step.

My heart rate was increasing exponentially, and my breathing was also starting to get faster.

When I go out now and see Haru looking weak… I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen.

It seemed like he would end up hurting Haru because of his own mistake.

Thud─

That’s why Lee Ha-neul couldn’t move until the day he went out.

no….

He promised that he would definitely invest in his future dreams.

Besides, with this mindset, I can’t approach Haru just because she looks like my older sister.

Let’s just take a little more time, a little more time to calm down.

Lee Ha-neul stayed in place for quite some time.

Sister, I try to erase the day from my mind.

While waiting for the lingering uneasiness in my chest to subside.

* * *

“… How did you find out?”

A cafe located in a corner of an alley where not many people come and go.

In an already deserted cafe, we made a point of sitting on the second floor.

“I saw it when I went to throw away the trash. Your daughter.”

“I see… .”

Come to think of it, I didn’t even contact you.

You said you were going to Hanna Yeon’s housewarming party, but you must have been really worried because you didn’t come…

“Why didn’t you answer the phone?”

“Sorry… I fell asleep at the chairman’s house… .”

When Hanna Yeon showed a rare look of anger, he lowered his head and made an excuse that wasn’t really an excuse.

“Have you been looking for me all this time?”

“I was following along but I missed it in the middle and I’m late.”

Hanna Yeon nodded. She even showed a look of apology for finding it so late.

“Thank you, Hanna Yeon… .”

I guess it was a bit odd to say thank you at this time.

Hanna Yeon, who had been staring at me, awkwardly turned her head and tapped the table with her fingertips.

Knock knock.

The fingernails make a dull sound, perhaps because they are neatly trimmed.

That made me feel at ease again, and I suddenly felt the urge to hold Hanna Yeon’s hand.

“… Call me now. Before I report it to the police.”

As I was slowly stretching out my hand, Hanna Yeon opened her mouth.

At the same time, the hand that was crawling on the table stopped.

I tilted my head, avoiding Hanna Yeon’s gaze that seemed to ask, ‘What?’

“Police?”

“Because Auntie knows too.”

The fact that only Hanna Yeon came here means that the people waiting at home are still worried.

And even the aunt knows… I’m sure the house must have been turned upside down by now.

“Ah… .”

I hurriedly looked for my cell phone, thinking I had to contact you as soon as possible, but no matter how much I felt through my clothes, there was nothing I could feel.

I left it here.

I was sitting on the sofa when I met Yusoo Ah and immediately had a conversation with the chairman.

I think it was probably left on the sofa… .

“Why didn’t you come forward?”

“If you make a fuss in such a busy area, won’t you only get attention? And if it’s a really dangerous moment, I’ll try to get in the way… .”

At that moment, a familiar voice was heard from downstairs.

However, the tone was very different. Even if Yoo Soo-ah had become gloomy, the chairman’s voice, which had become high and sharp, felt a little out of place.

“Still… If by any chance, even one day, Yang gets hurt… .”

“Please trust me! I can protect you properly, just like I did to the chairman!”

The chairman mutters in a much calmer tone, and Yoo Soo-ah complains about the injustice.

My eyes met with two people who suddenly poked their heads out from the stairs on the second floor.

“Oh, I forgot my phone. Was it… meddling?”

The chairman, holding my cell phone, approached me with a puzzled expression, and Yoo Soo-ah nodded and went back downstairs.

“Oh, no… Thank you.”

Somehow, it seems like the chairman can’t make eye contact.

Did you make a mistake while drinking?

There were many things that made me suspicious, but I put them aside for now because contact was the priority.

Above all, the chairman didn’t say anything, so there was no need for me to blow myself up by myself.

“Ugh… .”

I checked my phone and opened my mouth in shock.

89 missed calls. 62 of them were from the future.

Plus 45 texts in the name of the future.

[Why isn’t Mom coming?]

[Is something going on?]

[Dinner is ready. Come quickly.]

[where are you?]

[mom.]

[mom.]

[Reply now so I won’t get angry.]

[hurry.]

[mom.]

[mom.]

From then on, all the letters were just two letters: ‘Mom.’

“Sigh… .”

Originally, I would have accepted it as a daughter worrying about her mother, but now I couldn’t see it that way.

But I guess he sent the text because he was worried… .

As I thought about the future, my whole body became lethargic, and the tears that had barely stopped began to well up again.

“읏… .

I blinked a few times to wipe away the tears, then dialed the lady’s name on the missed call.

“Hello?”

[Haruya!! Are you okay? What should I do? Should I go to the auntie?]

The woman’s voice was heard before the beep.

I held the phone away from my ear slightly because I thought my eardrums were going to burst, but it was still loud as if it was on speakerphone.

[Seo-hoo’s mom! Should I call the police? I told you to buy me some bear repellent spray!]

The old man shouted from behind.

Bear repellent spray. I guess you were that worried.

I explained the situation with a sniffle and a choked voice.

“Oh, over there… I fell asleep at the chairman’s house… .”

[You slept?!]

Put your phone away for a moment again.

I’m worried that the grandmother living downstairs who is sleeping might get startled and jump up.

[Haa… I’m glad you’re safe. I was worried… ]

“I’m sorry… .”

[No. Oh, wait a minute. Seo-hu, you don’t have to get ready to go out.]

[Uh, yeah…]

It seems that Seo-hu was scheduled to be dispatched in person.

“I’m really sorry… .”

He bowed his head deeply into the air, apologizing repeatedly.

[You don’t have to apologize. Just come in carefully. That’s enough.]

“Sorry… .”

[Sorry, enough.]

The lady showed an unusually firm attitude, so I was slightly embarrassed and began to choose my words.

“Uh… Thank you for your concern… .”

[Haha, that sounds much better. Then I’ll hang up.]

“Yes, good night… .”

Fortunately, I think he liked it.

[Did you find your sister?]

[Yeah, they said they found it. You worked hard, Narin.]

The call ended with the sound of the door opening and Narin’s voice.

“I caused you concern… .”

“I am also responsible. It is something I should have taken care of in advance.”

As I put down my phone, muttering in a bitter voice, the chairman also showed signs of reflection.

Why are you trying to blame this on yourself?

I’m not a child anymore. It’s time for me to take responsibility for myself.

Well… Even my daughter, who I’ve spent my whole life with, couldn’t do anything about it and ended up like this, so what can I do if I’m still treated like a child?

We were left in such an awkward silence, killing time without anyone opening their mouths.

“Coffee is here. Would you like a warm cafe latte or an iced Americano?”

“Oh, yes… Thank you.”

“Yes, I put the straw next to you, so you can use it whenever you need it.”

The waiter put the tray down on the table.

The dark water in a tall glass is Americano, and the one in a plump mug is Caffe Latte.

And they even thoughtfully provided a thin straw for me. I feel like I’ll just spill it if I keep drinking it like this… .

“Ah, I should have ordered the chairman to do that too… .”

“It’s okay. I barged in suddenly in the first place. Then let’s go back now… .”

The chairman is about to leave in a hurry.

I grabbed the chairman’s clothes and pulled on them.

“Since you came all this way… Would you like to share it with me?”

It was just that I wish I had at least one more person by my side right now.

I think that way I’ll feel a little less depressed.

If I get any more depressed here, I feel like it’ll be too hard to get up again.

“I haven’t taken off the plastic for this day.”

While holding onto the chairman’s clothes, I moved my other hand to insert a straw, and Hanna Yeon took the straw out again, which was dipped in coffee.

“Ah, aha, I made a mistake.”

I bit the coffee-stained side with my teeth and peeled off the plastic.

“I only took off half of it… .”

Then, Hanna Yeon took out the straw again and threw it away, and this time she removed the rest of the plastic herself.

You’re so kind, Hanna Yeon… .

“I’ll leave the seat. Please… .”

Meanwhile, as the chairman kept trying to turn around, I held onto his clothes even tighter and looked up at him with pitiful eyes.

“Don’t go… .”

“I wonder if it’s just a hindrance to spending time with friends… .”

We argued quietly, whispering.

“So, what’s going on?”

And then, after a moment of thought, Hanna Yeon swirled the ice cubes with her straw, and then, in a voice like a gentle breeze passing by on a spring day, she asked a question that was no different from a bombshell.

“That, that kind of thing… What the… !”

The chairman was so surprised that he shouted and then bit his lip.

“The future… oh… !”

Even I, who was about to answer absentmindedly, quickly shut my mouth at the sight of the chairman like that.

But… why is the chairman reacting like that?