[Oh dear. Why are you getting angry? There are many hiking clubs these days. It would be nice to enjoy it with people, wouldn’t it? And in the process, you might find a boyfriend…]

“I’ll do my share and yours too. I’m hanging up now.”

[You always cut me off. Be careful.]

“Yes. Hanging up.”

The same old topic of boyfriends came up today as well.

Avoiding was the best strategy, so Su Ah quickly ended the call.

Then she finished packing her still unfinished luggage and left the house.

She arrived at the forest pension, which she had managed to book due to its popularity.

“I’m Su Ah Lee who reserved room 201 for today. I’d like to drop off my luggage.”

“Yes. Your reservation for room 201 has been confirmed. Here’s the key.”

Su Ah took the key, nodded her head in acknowledgment, and moved to find her room.

The room was more spacious than she had expected, and the view of the forest visible through the window was quite beautiful.

She could see why it was so popular.

Su Ah, after briefly inspecting the room, grabbed what she needed and started up the hiking trail.

A little later.

‘I regret coming. Instead of feeling refreshed, I feel like my energy is being sucked out.’

Does this mountain even have a peak?

Even after a good while since she started, she couldn’t see anything resembling a peak, let alone the summit.

Just when her legs and willpower were weakening.

“Miss, just a little further and you’ll reach the peak! Keep going! Fighting!”

A group of older ladies dressed in colorful hiking attire shouted out encouragement to Su Ah, who looked pitiful trying to climb the mountain almost on all fours.

“How much is a little? The gentleman I met 30 minutes ago also said it’s a little, when exactly does this ‘little’ end?”

Looking at the group of ladies who had already moved far away, Su Ah murmured weakly.

Should I just go down? She hesitated, looking back the way she came.

“No. There might really not be much left?”

Su Ah decided to try climbing for just 30 more minutes.

Just when she was mustering up her last bit of strength to take a vigorous step forward.

Something on a small path branching off the one leading to the summit caught Su Ah’s eye.

What is it? A wild animal? A deer? A boar? Surely… a natural monument?

…Should I just ignore it and pass by?

She hesitated, reminded of last year’s incident.

…Should I just take a quick look?

Of course. It was not like her, who prided herself on her overflowing meddlesomeness and curiosity, to just pass by.

Su Ah, as if entranced, approached the black figure.

A being standing at the edge of a precipitous cliff, as if it had been carved out.

It didn’t take long to realize that it was a person.

Is my vision getting worse?

Despite closing and opening her eyes two or three times, there was no doubt it was a person.

“No, don’t!”

A desperate voice automatically burst out at the sight of the man who looked as if he could disappear over the edge of the cliff any moment.

“……?”

Surprised by the sudden voice, Ha Joon slowly turned his head.

Su Ah’s earnest gaze met Ha Joon’s in midair.