Living room table, dining table, study desk. The most suitable candidates were these three, but she hesitated and decided to be a little greedy. She would leave it in the bedroom. It was a story with a happy ending, and she hoped he would read it before going to sleep.

Creak

Standing at the door, as she turned the doorknob with great resolve, his scent was overwhelming. It was so intense that she almost thought he might really be hiding here. Although it was almost absent from her memory, this was a place where Hye Yoon had once rested for a night.

And as Hye Yoon moved her gaze to the bed, her mouth dropped open in surprise.

“How can this be……”

was already lying on the bed.

She approached it as if she were bewitched. Everywhere she looked, it was undoubtedly her book. Since it was published yesterday and he would have been working from dawn today, it was clear that he had bought it on the day of its release.

My goodness. She had hidden it with the intention of gifting it.

Hye Yoon put down the new book in her hand and picked up Ji Ho’s book that was placed on the bed. It seemed he was determined to only bring her surprises that were akin to happiness.

There were two pages with corners folded. The sentences written on those two pages were all the ones that Hye Yoon had written down with the most satisfaction in this book.

She gently touched the folded book page with her fingertips. She wondered with what kind of feelings he had folded the edge of this paper. As if she wanted to touch his heart.

She wanted to give him a present, but she didn’t expect to receive one like this. It was embarrassing but moving. Hye Yoon added a short note below the memo she had written on the first page.

[P.S. I’ll take the book you bought as my gift. I’m touched.]

Feeling like she could stay endlessly if she lingered, she left the room.

“I’m done with what I needed to do. Hmm……”

It was much too regretful to go home already. Hye Yoon returned to the dining table, took the map he had drawn, and headed to the place where one more star was drawn. She even bit into half of the croissant sandwich on the way.

His workshop cum study room.

Upon opening the door, one wall was entirely filled with bookshelves, and on the opposite side was a storage shelf full of trophies.

The bookshelf was mainly packed with scripts and scenarios. Novels and original books were placed here and there, and there was a graduation album in the corner.

“Huh? Wow.”

With ample time and no one to watch her, Hye Yoon sat on the floor and meticulously perused each person in the photographs, as if to see who would win. Thus, 40 minutes passed.

“Really…… wow……”

It wasn’t that she was surprised to find it, but rather she was astounded by his looks in those photos.

She could see Ji Ho’s face, slightly more youthful and clear than now. Suddenly, she recalled the sight of him in a school uniform on the first day of filming.

‘Mr. Ji Ho really doesn’t look like a high school student.’

‘Really? I used to be a school uniform model. Is it that bad?’

‘……Where on earth would you find such a handsome high school student? It’s unbelievable.’

No, it wasn’t. He really existed.

Hye Yoon, who had been staring long enough to draw the image even with her eyes closed, closed the graduation album with a good feeling and stood up from her spot. She then casually swept her gaze over the trophies that filled the storage shelf across the room.

The lightheartedness could finally become heavy when she saw the faded frame placed amidst the brilliance of gold and crystal.

“He really resembles his father……”

In the small picture, his father was holding a young Ji Ho, who looked like he was just starting elementary school. Both of them were grinning as if competing for who was happier.

“You both are so lovely.”

She slightly rubbed the faces of the two people with her thumb. A wave of affection seemed to stick to her fingertips.

This room also had one wall entirely made of glass windows. She felt like she had only been in the study for a brief moment, but she could already see the sunset casting a red glow over the river. The color of light she saw for the first time in this house, a color signaling regret.

For some reason, Hye Yoon thought of the eyes of a sad child. The innocent face of young Ji Ho she had seen earlier overlapped with the red Han River.

After watching the river a little longer, she left the study.

And before leaving the house, the last thing she did was take a deep breath. The scent of Ji Ho. Because sometimes, what you can’t see can be more vivid than what you can.

So, she decided to believe that they were together all day today.

Even after returning home, she was busy. Time flew as she read the responses to the newly released book along with the neighboring fairy tale books placed in a row. Adding the ideas that came to mind every now and then, the time already passed midnight.

Ding

At the sound of her mobile phone notification, she touched the screen. What had arrived was a familiar yet unexpected image of a rabbit from . From a welcome name.

[It reminded me of someone. (12:32 AM)]

And then, before she even had a chance to enjoy the small happiness, another message quickly followed.

[Thank you for the gift. I am also touched. (12:32 AM)]

His sincerity, intending to give her an even bigger happiness. Hye Yoon reached out her arms and grabbed the fairy tale book. Rectangle. Rectangle. Perhaps due to the excitement spreading to her fingertips, even the sound of turning the pages seemed as soft as the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings.

Click

[Right? Who does it remind you of? Dependable. (12:35 AM)]

The picture of the wolf from the fairy tale book made a modest appearance at the bottom of the screen. Hye Yoon burst out laughing. It was a late winter night, but she didn’t feel cold.

It didn’t feel like she was alone in this room. And every time she thought about whether he would reply again, he always gave more than she expected.

Rrrr Rrrr

Ji Ho’s name appeared on the incoming screen. She hesitated a bit before picking up. Because her heart was thumping.

“……Yes.”

You must not have slept yet.

The voice on the other side of the phone made her miss him even more.

“Did you just get home? You must be tired.”

It’s okay. Did you enjoy touring the house? There was no trace of you having been there.

“Yes. I saw the Han River…… And Ji Ho’s graduation album too?”

Hye Yoon contemplated whether to speak or not, but she decided to be honest. It was fun to say these things to the person involved, but she wanted to boast about her inflated heart.

Ah, really? Was the photo good…… I can’t remember.

“Yes! Very! I’ve never seen such a handsome high school student before!”

Hehe. I doubt I was that good.

His languid voice revealing laughter was pleasant to hear.

……Next time, come when I am also there. I’ll make up for not taking care of you today.

And the fact that he casually mentioned the wish she had been secretly hoping for made it all the more heartwarming.

Thus, the 30minute call made them forget about the night and their fatigue.

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