That night in the dining room, the atmosphere is tense. Ji Hoon sits with a serious face, while his mom and dad discuss yesterday's incident-where Ji Hoon invited Soo Jin to their house, and the caste difference issue is brought up again.
Ji Hoon's father looks very stern. "Ji Hoon, yesterday you took that girl, Soo Jin, too far. You know very well that our status and hers are very different. Don't forget that. There are boundaries that must not be crossed."
Ji Hoon looked at his father with a slightly angry look. "Do you guys really care about caste and status differences so much? Why is it always the most important thing in your life? You guys are too selfish! I don't need this wealth. I've worked hard myself to earn money, I can pay for my schooling without you!"
His mother was silent, shocked by Ji Hoon's statement. Ji Hoon's father, who is usually full of authority, looks confused this time, not knowing how to respond.
Ji Hoon continued, his voice full of emotion. "Have you ever thought about me? About my feelings? You only see what's on the outside-I always look cheerful, happy, like life is easy. But you never know how hard it is to live with your high expectations. You only think about status and wealth, but you never care about me, what I feel, or what I want."
The atmosphere in the dining room was silent. Ji Hoon felt a heavy pressure in his chest, as if the burden that he had been harboring was finally coming out. He felt trapped in a world full of expectations and pressure from his parents who never really saw him as a different individual.
Ji Hoon's mother, after a few moments of silence, finally said softly, "We only want the best for you, Ji Hoon. We want you to be able to have a better future."
"But it's not about what's best for me, it's about what you guys think about the future!" replied Ji Hoon irritably. "I just want to be understood. I want to live with my own choices and decisions, not always follow what you guys want. You never saw me as Ji Hoon, your son. You only saw me as the heir to this fortune."
With those words, Ji Hoon stood up and left the table. That night, he felt further away from his family, feeling more isolated and sandwiched between his own desires and the high expectations his parents had always given him.
After leaving the dining table, Ji Hoon returned to his room with mixed feelings. He felt heavy, as if an invisible weight kept adding to his shoulders. He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the rapidly opening screen of his phone. His mind drifted, remembering everything that had just happened - the confrontation with his parents, the unspoken yet imprinted words.
With a heavy sigh, Ji Hoon opened the lodging search app on his phone. He started looking for a place that could give him freedom, away from the strict rules of his parents, away from the pressure to always look perfect. "I need a place that makes me feel comfortable. A place where I can not only sleep, but also give me space for myself," she muttered to herself.
For hours she checked out various lodging options, from simple boarding houses to small, more expensive apartments. She wanted something close to the school, which could provide her with convenience but still be reasonably priced. With each option that came up, he pondered for a moment, trying to imagine living there - would it be enough to give him the peace of mind he had been looking for?
Ji Hoon finally finds one place that catches his eye. A small inn on the outskirts of town, which was simpler but looked warm and cozy. The place looked like a home, with a simple design and a calm atmosphere. Without much thought, Ji Hoon called the number and booked a room for the next few weeks. He knew this was the first step to getting the freedom he needed.
After confirming his lodging, Ji Hoon sat back in his chair, staring at the open window of his room. That night, the air outside was cooler and fresher, giving him a new sense of hope. "Finally, I'll have some space to myself," he thought with a faint smile.
Although the feeling of anxiety was still there, Ji Hoon felt a little more relieved. Perhaps this was the right step to start a more independent life - a life not controlled by family expectations and pressures. At the inn, perhaps he would find the peace he had been looking for.
The next day, Ji Hoon wakes up feeling lighter. Although there were still worries about the decision he had just made, he felt more prepared for the new challenge. That morning, he prepared the things he would take to the inn, even though his parents didn't know his plans yet.
After finishing preparing, she decided to go to school first, as usual. However, her mind kept drifting to the inn she had booked. She felt like she was taking a big step in her life, and although she was a little anxious, she also felt that it was the right thing to do.
At school, the atmosphere was somewhat different. Ji Hoon tried to stay focused, but underneath his smile, he knew there were things that were still bothering him-especially about the relationship with his parents that was getting strained. However, he chooses not to think about it too much just yet. For him, the most important thing now is to find a space for himself, a place where he can start building his life without being trapped in binding rules.
In the afternoon, after school, Ji Hoon decided to visit the inn he had booked. He wanted to see it in person and make sure everything was as he expected. When he gets there, a calm and simple atmosphere greets him. The innkeeper, a middle-aged man, greeted him kindly and showed him the room that had been prepared for him.
"This is the room we have prepared for you, Mr. Ji Hoon. I hope you feel comfortable here," the innkeeper said with a warm smile.
Ji Hoon nodded and looked around the room. Although it was simple, he felt that there was comfort in an atmosphere that was not too luxurious, but felt like home. He placed his bag in the corner of the room and sat on the bed, breathing a sigh of relief. It felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
After some time at the inn, Ji Hoon finally decided to call his parents. He knew this was a difficult step, but he had to tell them about his decision. Carefully, he explained that he would be staying at the inn for a while to focus on school and some other personal matters.
Her parents' words over the phone made her a little anxious. They disagreed with his decision and tried to convince him to return home, but Ji Hoon remained firm on his stance. "I need some time to myself, and I hope you can understand," he said, although in his heart there was a heavy feeling of having to deal with their disapproval.
After the call ended, Ji Hoon sat on the edge of the bed for a moment. He knew his decision would not be easy, but he felt it was a necessary step. With a deep breath, he resolves to live his new life with confidence, even though the road ahead may not always be smooth.