Himchan hadn't felt hope in a really long time.

Ever since he ended up in the orphanage, all he ever felt was loneliness, darkness, betrayal and anger.

Hope didn't exist nor did he believe that anything would make him happy.

Then came Haera.

This little ball of excitable, energetic, optimistic sunshine that forced her way into his life and made sure that he never had the chance to drown in sadness.

In the nearly 6 years that they spent together, growing so close that they were practically attached by the hip, she had really become his life raft.

All the lunches that she made him have with her on the front lawn or the times when she'd see him alone and jump on his back to make him laugh.

All the times when they'd stay up past curfew, sneak up to the roof and fall asleep while staring at the sky, counting stars.

All the times she'd lean her head on his shoulder when he was too engrossed in reading or writing to talk to her, she'd never rush him, she'd just wait for him.

All the times she'd pout when he wouldn't laugh at her cheesy jokes or the times he'd have her rolling on the floor clutching her stomach from a simple oneliner that slipped passed his lips.

All the times when she'd rest her head on his lap reading a book while he stared out at the yard with music blasting in his ears.

All the times she'd cower behind his back when other kids would pick on her and he'd scare them away for her.

He felt human again.

He felt like someone actually gave a damn about him and what he was feeling. 

He was starting to find a routine and someone who was consistent.

But things were starting to change.

He was starting to stare at Haera a lot more. His eyes would be drawn to the way she toss her hair over her shoulder, the way her eyes lit up when she smiled and the devilish way her lips would curl.

His heart would flip, three, four times in a row when she'd hold his hand or whisper a joke in his ear.

He wasn't sure, but he had a feeling that he was in love with her.

So when he woke up the next morning, the only thing on his mind was that he wanted to find her and tell her just how rude she was for stealing his heart.

He didn't think that someone could steal something that was never there in the first place.

But somehow she put a heart in his chest and then stole it back.

His blood was racing at a fearful speed as he walked through the orphanage, looking for the girl whose face would light up whenever she saw him.

He poked his head in all of the rooms, his frown deepening every time he couldn't see her. His footsteps started to pick up speed as he ran through the building.

He turned a corner, nearly knocking Halmoni over.

"Woah! I haven't seen you move this fast in a while. Where's the fire?"

Himchan looked at her while blinking fast, "Where's Haera? I can't find her."

Halmoni's smile faltered and her eyes saddened as she brushed her fingers against his cheek, "Sweetheart, I don't know how to say this."

"S-Say what? Did something happen? Is she okay? Is she hurt?" He asked in panic.

She shook her head, "No sweetheart, it's nothing like that. It's just…this morning, Haera was picked up by her adoptive parents. She was adopted."

Himchan didn't know what it was like to feel the world crash until that very moment.

"S-She got adopted? She's…she's gone?" He stuttered.

She nodded sadly but Himchan shook his head, "No. That can't be true, I saw her last night, she didn't say anything about being adopted. Those things happen months in advance."

"She didn't want to tell you because she didn't want you to be sad." Halmoni said quietly.

Himchan took a shaky step back, feeling his heart crush in his chest.

She just left.

Without a word.

Without a blink.

Without hesitation.

She was able to look him in the eye and say goodnight without even feeling bad that she was never going to see him again.

She was gone.

-----

Four years.

That's how long it took Sang Hee until she could stand back in front of the orphanage.

It took a lot of time, first to adjust to her new home and her loving new parents, but also, to adjust to life not as an orphan but as someone's actual child.

Time flew by and a few weeks became four years.

But never, not once, did Channie leave her mind.

She'd think about him before she fell asleep, before she got dressed, before she went to school and even when she went grocery shopping.

She had always wanted to tell him how she really felt but when she heard that a family had wanted her and when she went out on meetings with her adoptive family, she knew she could never tell him, not when she'd be leaving him. 

But she still missed him.

And she was worried about him.

At 18, she was finally able to get information about her biological parents and she was not thrilled.

The more she dug into it, the more scary it was but the moment she saw Woon's name, she almost had a panic attack.

And the first thing her mind went to was the fact that Channie was close to Woon. He was like his guardian. She was surprised the man didn't just adopt Channie himself.

But the more she looked into Woon's past, the more afraid she was for Channie.

His investigation left police officers dead and there were rumours that he had relations with gang members.

He was corrupt and dread filled her gut at the thought of Channie being dragged into his corrupt world just because he had nowhere else to go.

So the first chance she got, she drove to the orphanage.

And a part of her was excited to see the boy she fell in love with, all grown up. Just the thought made her heart flutter.

"Haera?"

That was a name she hadn't heard in a long time.

She turned, a smile grew up her lips before launching herself into Halmoni's arms, "Oh my god, I've missed you so much!"

Halmoni laughed when the girl lifted her up, "My dear look at you! You've grown up so beautifully.  My god."

Sang Hee giggled before kissing the woman on the cheek, "I've missed this place so much."

"How are your parents?" She asked.

Sang Hee smiled softly, "They're amazing. I'm…I'm so happy."

"I'm glad." Halmoni said while brushing her hair back. "So what brings you back here?"

Sang Hee's face flared up as she cleared , "I just thought I'd visit."

"Oh? You came all the way here for me?" She teased.

Sang Hee chuckled, "Of course…but…um…it wouldn't be so bad if I also got to see Channie."

"Channie? O-Ohh you mean Hi--yes. Well, Channie isn't at the orphanage anymore, sweetie."

Sang Hee blinked, "Oh, did he--oh my god, did he get adopted?"

"No sweetheart, when he turned 18, he had the right to leave the orphanage if he wanted and that's what he did. It was a few months after you got adopted, actually. One day he was here and the next morning all of his stuff was gone along with him." She said gently.

Sang Hee's heart dropped, "W-Where did he go?'

"I have no idea, he didn't leave a note, which is a shame because I really did love that boy. Now, come in and let's have some tea."

Sang Hee smiled weakly before following her inside. Her mind was a wreck as she tried to come up with the different possibilities to where he might be and she prayed none of them had anything to do with the man who was related to her parents death.

But beneath her worry, she felt her heart crack because at the end of day, the only real lead she had on him vanished which meant that her chances of ever finding him again would be dismal.

She spent 4 years never trying to stay in touch, how much did he hate her because of that? But that didn't change the sense of loss in her heart.

He was gone.

-----

"Haera. Oh my god." He said, stunned, as Sang Hee's fingers trailed across his cheek.

She let out a breathy laugh as she watched his eyes dart across her face in wonder, "I--" She shuffled around in her purse before pulling something out.

"Here."

Himchan's eyes fell to her palm where an orange bracelet with the letters HA RA were embedded.

"It's really you." He mumbled.

Yongguk strolled in, carrying Min Juk's carrier but slowed down when he sensed the strange air and spotted Himchan and Sang Hee standing close to each other while Eun Ah and Ah Young watched.

"Hey guys, what's going on?" He asked cautiously.

Himchan snapped out of his daze,  grabbed Sang Hee's hand, threw his keys at Eun Ah and pulled Sang Hee away, "Go in without us."