Joon-hyuk walked down the familiar yet distant streets of his old neighborhood. The air carried a strange mix of nostalgia and sorrow as he made his way toward the place he once called home. His heart pounded with every step, uncertain of what he would find.
When he finally arrived, his chest tightened.
The house was no longer as he remembered it. The once vibrant and well-maintained home had turned into an abandoned shell of its former self. The windows were boarded up, the paint had faded, and the garden his mother used to tend was now overgrown with weeds. The front door, which once welcomed him home every day, now seemed cold and uninviting.
Joon-hyuk took a deep breath and stepped closer. He reached out and placed his hand on the door, feeling the roughness of the wood beneath his fingertips. Memories flooded his mind—the laughter of his mother, the strict yet warm presence of his father, the scent of home-cooked meals. But those moments were gone, leaving behind only the echo of a past that could never be reclaimed.
"I'm home..." he muttered, though there was no one to answer.
After a long moment of silence, Joon-hyuk turned away. He had no reason to linger. The past could not be changed. With one last look, he left, carrying the weight of his memories with him.
Determined to move forward, he made his way to Mi-jin's house. It had been a long time since he last visited, and he wondered how much had changed.
As he arrived, he saw that the house still looked the same—warm and inviting. He hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door.
A few seconds later, the door opened, revealing Mi-jin's mother. She looked surprised at first, but then smiled warmly. "Oh, Joon-hyuk! It's been so long. How have you been?"
Joon-hyuk bowed politely. "I've been well, ma'am. I was hoping to see Mi-jin. Is she home?"
Mi-jin's mother shook her head. "Oh, you just missed her. She went out not too long ago."
"I see..." Joon-hyuk said, trying to hide his disappointment. "Do you know where she went?"
"She went to visit Yohan's house," she answered. "She and Yohan have been spending a lot of time together lately."
Joon-hyuk nodded. "Thank you. I'll go see her there."
Mi-jin's mother smiled. "It's good to see you again, Joon-hyuk. Don't be a stranger, okay?"
Joon-hyuk gave a small smile before bidding her goodbye. He turned and made his way toward Yohan's house.
Standing in front of Yohan's house, Joon-hyuk hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door.
The door opened, revealing Yohan's mother. She was a kind-looking woman with a gentle expression, but there was a noticeable tiredness in her eyes.
"Oh my..." she said, surprised. "You must be Joon-hyuk, aren't you? It's been a long time."
Joon-hyuk bowed respectfully. "Yes, ma'am. I apologize for coming unannounced. I was hoping to see Yohan."
She gave him a warm smile. "Come in, dear. You must be tired from walking around. Mi-jin is here too."
Joon-hyuk stepped inside and removed his shoes, following her into the house. As he entered the living room, he spotted Mi-jin sitting on a chair. She looked up, and their eyes met.
"Joon-hyuk?" she said, surprised.
Joon-hyuk smiled slightly. "Hey, Mi-jin. It's been a while."
Mi-jin blinked before quickly standing up. "What are you doing here?"
"I went to your house, but your mother said you were here," Joon-hyuk explained. "So I thought I'd come by."
Mi-jin crossed her arms. "And you didn't think to text me first?"
Joon-hyuk chuckled. "Would you have answered?"
Mi-jin paused before rolling her eyes. "Fair point."
Just then, Yohan's mother approached them with a tray of tea. "Here you go, dears. It's been a long time since Joon-hyuk visited. You two must have a lot to talk about."
Joon-hyuk accepted the tea with a grateful nod. "Thank you, ma'am."
She smiled but then sighed. "Yohan... he's been struggling a lot. But Mi-jin has been a great support to him. I'm really grateful to her."
Mi-jin shifted awkwardly. "It's nothing, really... I just... I just don't want him to go through it alone."
Joon-hyuk noticed the tension in Mi-jin's voice and the way she avoided eye contact. He could tell that things weren't easy for her either.
Before he could say anything, the front door suddenly opened with force.
A heavy silence fell over the room as Seong Yohan entered. His eyes immediately locked onto Joon-hyuk, his expression unreadable.
"Joon-hyuk..." Yohan muttered, stepping further inside.
Mi-jin quickly stood up. "Yohan, don't—"
But Yohan wasn't listening. He took a step closer, his hands clenched into fists.
Joon-hyuk remained still, waiting.
Then, after a long pause, Yohan let out a breath and turned away. "...It's good to see you again."
Mi-jin sighed in relief, and Yohan's mother gently placed a hand on her son's shoulder. "Let's all sit and talk. There's no need for tension."
For the next hour, they talked—about the past, about the struggles they had faced, and about what lay ahead. There was still lingering tension, but for the first time in a long while, Joon-hyuk felt like he had reconnected with a part of his past.
As the sun began to set, Joon-hyuk and Mi-jin left Yohan's house together. The atmosphere between them was lighter than before.
"You know, you really surprised me today," Mi-jin said, glancing at him.
"How so?" Joon-hyuk asked, tilting his head.
"Coming back like this, visiting everyone... I thought you'd just disappear again."
Joon-hyuk smirked. "I guess I've changed."
Mi-jin laughed softly. "Maybe."
They walked in comfortable silence for a while until Joon-hyuk suddenly said something that made Mi-jin blush.
"You look nice today, Mi-jin."
Mi-jin immediately turned away, covering her face. "W-What are you saying all of a sudden?!"
Joon-hyuk blinked, confused. "What? I was just saying—"
"Forget it!" Mi-jin huffed, walking ahead.
Joon-hyuk watched her, still puzzled, before chuckling to himself. He had no idea what he had said to make her react that way, but for some reason, he felt lighter than he had in a long time.
Maybe, just maybe, things were starting to change for the better.