The ride home was unsettling. Bomi could tell that Chorong was still crying, trying to stifle her sobs. She couldn’t help but worry about her and everything else that has transpired within the last two days. Was Chorong lying when she talked about her family? That can’t be, her sorrow felt so real. Bomi couldn’t put the pieces together, especially now when she’s already dead tired.

She parked her car inside the garage and opened the door on Chorong’s side. Not realizing that the journey was over, Chorong took a few seconds longer to finally get off.

The older girl still refused to look at Bomi even as they entered the house. How could she? She was feeling embarrassed, and guilty, and miserable, all at the same time. “I’m sorry for all the trouble. Please don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine on the couch.”

The state of the older girl was breaking Bomi’s heart. She couldn’t do anything for Chorong other than offer her home. “No unnie, you’ll sleep in this room.” She said as she held the older girl’s hand and led the way to the spare room.

Chorong didn’t realize that Bomi went out of the room until she came back carrying a set of clothes.

“Wash up when you can, then try to sleep for a while.” Bomi said but the older girl didn’t respond. She sat down beside Chorong and wrapped her in a warm embrace. “You must be having a hard time right now, but you have to rest first so you can figure this out with a clear mind in the morning.” Seeing that Chorong still didn’t respond, she stood up slowly and lovingly kissed the older girl’s crown. She didn’t know why she did, but it felt right. “I’ll be in the next room when you need me, Unnie.” She whispered as she took her leave.

Bomi couldn’t do anything but sigh, hoping she could breathe out some of the pain she’s been feeling. She mindlessly washed herself up and went to bed. Unfortunately, it was impossible to sleep that night.

“Chorong, please…”

She heard a man’s voice in her dream again. She was sure it was Changsub; but yesterday, she was also sure that she had a family. Chorong didn’t want to wake up, she didn’t want to face anything that awaits her when she does. Can I just stay in this darkness? But it was too late, she felt herself being pulled back into reality.

She stayed in bed for another half an hour, reading and re-reading her own document. It didn’t say much aside from her name, blood type, physical description, and her registered address. As she got up, she decided that she’d call the orphanage listed on her document. I have to at least confirm this.

“Bomi?” She looked around the house and saw that no one was there. But she noticed a note on the kitchen counter addressed to her.

Hey,

You must be really tired so I didn’t bother to wake you up. I went off to work, I’ll be back around five in the afternoon.

Breakfast is on the table.

Call me if you need anything. I’ll be at my dance studio.

Bomi

Beside the note was a cellphone with only one contact on the list. Bomi

Chorong couldn’t believe that Bomi would go to such lengths for a complete stranger. Just like that, she felt a new sense of admiration and gratitude towards the younger one. At least there’s one person who makes this situation a little more bearable. She’s not alone in this, she thought and smiled to herself.

“Oh. Bomi-yah. You’re early today.” Eunji greeted her friend who was making her way inside the office. “Is there something wrong? How’s Chorong-ssi doing?”

Bomi hesitated for a moment, then began. “That’s just it.” She sighed. “She said a lot of weird things yesterday, saying that everything wasn’t in the right place and it wasn’t how she remembers it.” Seeing that Eunji merely tilted her head in confusion, she continued. “We started to get to know each other and she told me about her parents. But after all the commotion about everything not being in the right place, we rushed to the SSC to get her documents and -” For some reason, this part was hard for her too. “She’s an orphan, Eunji, without any known relatives. I would think that she made up all those stories, but when she broke down on her document, she seemed so genuine.”

Eunji thought about it for a while. “It’s possible” Bomi looked up with expectation in