Sleep did not come easy for Youngsoon. In fact, sleep did not come at all. After spending hours twisting and turning and kicking around, Youngsoon eventually gave up and pushed herself out of her bed, sliding down the stairs and grabbing a thick knitted sweater along the way as she drifted towards the balcony. If she was not going to visit dreamland then she might as well enjoy the sunrise.

Snuggling into the turtleneck of her sweater, Youngsoon slouched over the balcony railings. The city was still in a deep slumber and not even the birds were awake yet to greet the beginning of a new day. Left to her own devices and at the mercy of her thoughts, Youngsoon stared wistfully into the distance.

The image of Mark’s earnest yet firm gaze flashed across Youngsoon’s mind, pulling her back to the conversation they had yesterday which she wilfully cut short. It could be said that she was running away again but Youngsoon tried to convince herself that it was just temporary, just for now, just to buy herself more time to reach a proper answer for Mark.

However was there one correct answer available?

Maybe Youngsoon was making this more troublesome than it really was. Maybe she should just stick with her gut instinct. Maybe she was overestimating Mark’s reaction if she rejected his offer. Maybe, just maybe, it was all in her head.

Or maybe by not returning to California after graduating university, Youngsoon had unintentionally inflicted more pain on Mark and their parents than she had assumed. Maybe she had been fooling herself all along. Maybe it was time she returned to where she belonged.

But what was there to return to? Was Na Wa Sseo really the place for her to return to? Then what of Gureum? What of the world that she had created for herself? What of the position that she had carved for herself?

Letting out a long sigh, Youngsoon massaged her temples, bracing herself for the impending migraine from thinking too much. The tips of her fingers lingered on her forehead, triggering a wave of memories from the previous evening with Jinyoung as her fingers glided down her jaw and paused on her lips. So close yet so far. So little contact yet so much warmth and affection.

・・・

Jinyoung woke up extra early with the aim of being there to greet Youngsoon good morning and not give her the opportunity to slip away because she had a habit of forfeiting sleep and diving into work in her moments of stress.

Glancing at his watch, Youngsoon’s door opened at 8 o’clock on the dot, and the state she was in when she walked out proved Jinyoung’s suspicions to be correct. Heavy bags were hanging under her dark eyes and there was an air of melancholy clinging over her. For all intents and purposes, Youngsoon had a restless night and most likely no sleep at all.

Upon seeing Jinyoung, Youngsoon took half a step back and forced the corners of her lips to curl up in a pleasant smile but her facial muscles froze and what was produced was instead a contorted scowl. This sent alarm bells to ring in Jinyoung’s mind. If there was one thing that Youngsoon always had a command over was the trained and disciplined smile that managed to fool most people into thinking that she had everything under control. However the Youngsoon standing in front of him right now could not even muster that. It was as if the armour that she always wore had become rusty and refused to fit on properly, leaving her defenceless and open to attacks.

Youngsoon realised that as well because her eyes fell towards the ground, highlighting her lack of confidence to face the world. Jinyoung bit the inside of his cheeks as the gears started rolling in his head. Clenching his fists, Jinyoung nodded to himself upon reaching a plan of action.

“Today we are running away from adulthood and responsibilities,” Jinyoung announced.

Ignoring Youngsoon’s look of confusion, Jinyoung pulled out his phone and proceeded to make a phone call.

“Hey aunt? Youngsoon’s not feeling well today so she won’t be coming in. Don’t worry, I’ll look after her. Bye then.”

Youngsoon’s jaws fell but Jinyoung signalled her to remain quiet as he typed away on his phone. Once done, he slipped his phone back into his pockets and gave Youngsoon a wide grin.

“All sorted. No work for me today either. Now then, shall we go on a little adventure?”

Letting out a shaky breath, Youngsoon’s eyes darted from Jinyoung’s warm gaze to the phone inside his pockets before landing on his arm extended towards her. A small voice inside of her was scolding her for being tempted by Jinyoung’s offer. Closing her eyes, Youngsoon pushed that voice aside and to Jinyoung’s joy, she slipped her hand into his and allowed him to guide her wherever.

・・・

Jinyoung did not