That night, as Seol's grandfather made his way home from the café, his steps were heavy with exhaustion. The streets were quiet, and the dim glow of the streetlights cast long shadows on the ground. Suddenly, figures emerged from the darkness, their movements swift and deliberate. Before he could react, they were upon him, and a gunshot echoed through the night, sending a searing pain through his chest.
Seol's grandfather collapsed to the ground, the weight of the world pressing down on him as life began to slip away.
Meanwhile, back at Seol's home, her driver was busy preparing a bowl of noodles, thinking of the long night ahead. He had planned to leave some food for Seol when she returned, but as he set the table, he noticed something that made his heart race—Seol's grandfather hadn't come back yet.
Seol's driver picked up his phone to call her, but just as he was about to press the number, the phone rang. It was a call from the hospital.
The driver's hands trembled as he answered the phone. "Hello?"
"Is this Seol's driver? This is the emergency room. We have your passenger here... It's your grandfather... We need you to come immediately."
The words sent a shockwave of panic through him, but then, a thought crossed his mind. "Wait," he said urgently. "You mean, it's Seol's grandfather who's been brought in, not the passenger?"
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, before the voice replied, "Yes, it's Seol's grandfather. He's been shot. You need to come right away."
The driver's heart sank. He grabbed his coat and keys, his thoughts racing as he rushed to the car. Seol's grandfather had been shot. Time was of the essence, and he had to get to the hospital as fast as possible.
Seol rushed to get dressed, her movements frantic. She quickly pulled on a white shirt, gray sweatpants, and a black jacket, barely noticing how the fabric felt against her skin. Her heart raced as she hurried out of her room, not even bothering to grab a bag or her phone. The only thing that mattered was reaching the hospital, though she already knew deep down it might be too late.
The drive felt like an eternity. Every minute that passed seemed like an hour, and the weight of uncertainty pressed down on her chest. She couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was waiting for her.
When Seol finally arrived at the hospital, the cold, sterile air inside did nothing to calm her nerves. She rushed to the emergency room, her breath shallow, her eyes scanning every face for a sign of her grandfather. But when she saw the doctor standing by, his face grave, she knew it was over.
"Seol," the doctor said softly, his voice heavy with sorrow. "I'm so sorry. Your grandfather... he didn't make it."
The words hit her like a physical blow. She staggered back, her world spinning. The person who had always been there for her, the person she loved and looked up to, was gone. A deep, gnawing emptiness filled her as the reality sank in.
Her grandfather was dead. And Seol was left alone, grappling with the loss and the dark questions surrounding his death.
The next day, after the funeral and cremation, which were customary in Korean culture, Haesung and So Myung left together.
So Myung stood outside, smoking a cigarette, while Haesung and Seol stood inside a high-rise building, looking out at the view through the glass windows. They were engaged in quiet conversation.
Haesung turned to Seol, his voice low. "So Myung and I... we're siblings, just two years apart."
Seol glanced at him, surprised by this revelation. She hadn't expected them to share a connection like that. Haesung, usually so composed and guarded, seemed to be letting down his walls, even if only for a moment.
"So Myung is your... brother?" Seol asked, her mind trying to piece together the complicated web of relationships.
Haesung nodded, though his expression remained stoic. "Yes. Our bond is... complicated, but he's family." He paused before adding, "Not all families are simple, Seol."
Seol didn't know how to respond, the weight of his words hanging in the air between them. There was so much more to this story, and Seol realized that the more she learned, the more questions she would have. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of secrets Haesung and So Myung were hiding, and how much of the past was still lurking just beneath the surface.
As Seol continued to process the revelation about Haesung and So Myung's sibling relationship, the tension in the air thickened. Haesung remained silent for a moment, his eyes still focused on the city below.
But then, a voice broke the silence. So Myung, having finished his cigarette, walked back inside with a carefree stride. He flashed a grin at Seol, his usual mischievous demeanor back in full swing.
"Hey, don't worry so much," So Myung said, his tone light. "You're making that face like we just told you we're secretly aliens or something."
Seol blinked, momentarily confused by his comment, then realized he was trying to lighten the mood. She gave him a small, almost reluctant smile.
"I don't think I can handle any more surprises today," she muttered, still trying to process everything.
So Myung chuckled, leaning casually against the wall. "Come on, Seol, you should know by now that we're nothing more than a family full of weirdos and bad jokes. Nothing to stress over."
Seol shook her head, her smile widening slightly as she appreciated his attempt to ease the tension. "You two sure know how to keep things complicated."
"So does the rest of the world," So Myung replied with a wink. "But hey, at least we're not aliens... yet."
The light-hearted moment didn't erase the gravity of the situation, but it gave Seol a brief respite from the storm of emotions and confusion swirling inside her. She let out a breath, grateful for So Myung's humor in a time that felt anything but funny.
Haesung, who had been quiet for most of the exchange, glanced over at So Myung, a subtle hint of a smile playing on his lips. It was rare to see him so open, but somehow, So Myung had a way of making everything seem less overwhelming, even for Haesung.
"Thanks, So Myung," Seol said, her voice softer now, the edge of tension fading a little.
"No problem," So Myung said, flashing a confident grin. "Just don't expect me to do this too often. I've got a reputation to maintain."
As the tension in the room gradually faded, Seol felt a strange sense of calm wash over her, though the weight of everything still lingered. She took a deep breath, trying to make sense of the chaos that had unfolded in the past days.
"So," she began, her voice a little more steady now, "what exactly is going on? Why all the secrecy, the lies?"
Haesung turned to face her, his expression serious once again. "There are things about my past... about our past... that need to stay hidden for your safety," he said quietly. "We can't afford to reveal everything right now. There are people watching, people who would do anything to keep certain truths buried."
Seol nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of his words. "I know," she said. "But I need answers, Haesung. I can't keep living in the dark."
So Myung, leaning against the wall with his usual carefree attitude, spoke up. "Hey, no need to get too serious. We're all in this together now, right?" He gave Seol a wink, trying to ease the tension again. "We'll get through it, don't worry."
Haesung glanced at So Myung with a look that was half-amused, half-annoyed. "You're right, of course," he said, his tone softening just a bit. "But it's not going to be easy. There's a lot at stake, and we're all going to have to make some tough choices."
Seol met his gaze, determination in her eyes. "I'm ready for whatever comes next. I just want to know the truth."
So Myung let out a playful sigh, "Well, look at you, all serious now. Fine, fine. Truth it is." He gave a dramatic bow, as if playing along with Seol's newfound resolve. "But remember, you asked for it."
As the three of them stood there in the high-rise, staring out over the city below, the weight of what lay ahead felt more real than ever. But for the first time in a long while, Seol felt like she wasn't facing it alone.
And that made all the difference.