As she finished work and prepared to head back, Director Ji’s words came to mind.

“Ina, will you be home a little early tonight? They’re having a barbecue party in the yard. I thought it would be nice if you joined them. Come back as soon as you’re done.”

Director Ji had told her before she left for her part-time job. They were planning a small party that evening.

Of course, she had already heard about it from Taeyun as well.

They must be doing it by now.

She used to work only in the mornings, but thinking she would need more money once she became independent, Ina had taken on a new job.

Today was only her second day.

By the time she finished and stepped outside, it was past six.

“It just won’t stop.”

She muttered as she looked up at the murky sky.

The snow had continued for three days straight. Though it had paused and started again, the roads were still in poor condition. With the temperature dropping, much of the snow had turned to ice.

Careful not to slip, Ina quickened her steps.

A sharp gust of wind slipped down the back of her exposed neck, and she instinctively pulled her coat tighter.

“It’s cold. Wear it. Don’t catch a cold.”
“The scarf and gloves too.”

For a moment, it felt as though she could hear his voice again.

The white jumper—so clean and beautiful. The warm-looking muffler and gloves flickered through her mind.

She had not even tried them on. They had felt too precious to touch.

“Winter’s almost over anyway.”

She muttered as she wrapped her coat more snugly around herself.

“I’ll wear them when I go to university.”

This year, no matter what happened, she had to be accepted into the university she had always dreamed of.

It was truly her last chance.

Passing would be the only way to repay Director Ji, who had raised her as though she were her own daughter.

And it was the only way to escape this wretched life.

“Oh!”

A bus appeared in the distance.

Ina raised her hand and waved it down.

***

“Want some more?”

“I’ve eaten a lot. I’m full.”

Yoonjin shook their head with deep satisfaction. Their small belly stuck out adorably, and a smile spread across Taeyun’s face as he watched.

“Then shall we have some strawberries?”

“Yes!”

At the word strawberries, their little eyes sparkled.

They had set up a barbecue area in the small garden at the front of the orphanage. They lit the charcoal they had brought and grilled meat over the fire. Worried that the children might be cold at night, the boys went into town to buy and pitch a tent. Thanks to that, everyone could eat somewhere warm.

“Thank you so much! The kids are so happy.”

Director Ji repeatedly expressed her gratitude. She was glad to see the children so excited, yet her heart ached at the same time. She was sorry that she had never been able to do something like this for them herself.

The orphanage was struggling financially, and there were never enough people to help care for the children. University volunteers came from time to time, but not frequently.

“I should be the one treating you.”

“We just wanted to do something for the kids. Please don’t worry about it.”

Tears welled in the corners of Director Ji’s wrinkled eyes. She quickly wiped them away, but Choa ran up and tugged at her arm.

“Mom, grapes. I want grapes!”

“I want strawberries!”

“Mom will wash the fruit and bring it right out. Wait a moment.”

Though she was closer to a grandmother in age, all the children called Director Ji “Mom” and followed her dearly. It had only been a few days, but Taeyun could already feel how sincere her love for them was.

“Sister! Sister!!!”
“Wow, Sister Ina!”

Suddenly, the children shouted and ran toward the entrance of the yard. Taeyun’s gaze followed.

Ina had just arrived.

She looked exactly as she had when she left that morning.

Her pale cheeks were chapped red from the cold.

Watching her quietly, Taeyun’s brows drew together.

“Sister, why are you so late?”
“Sister, we ate meat! We’re going to eat strawberries too!”
“Did you eat a lot?”
“Yes! Sister, you eat too!”

Her tone was cool as ever, yet the children followed her well. They must have known she treated them sincerely, like younger siblings of her own.

Just then, Director Ji came out with washed fruit and spotted Ina, offering a small smile.

“You’re back?”

“I’m home.”

Ina bowed her head politely.

“Go eat first. You must be hungry. Did you have lunch?”

“No, I wasn’t really—”

Before she could finish, Director Ji gently pulled her by the wrist and seated her across from Taeyun.

At that moment, something was suddenly placed in front of her.

Ina’s dark eyes lowered to it.

It was the hand warmer Taeyun had been holding.

As she stared at it blankly, his gentle baritone voice brushed her ear.

“Your hands and face are all red. It’s cold. Hold this.”

“Don’t concern yourself.”

“You’re really stubborn. You said you want to come to our university anyway. Just think of it as a senior looking out for you.”

“……”

At that single remark, her words faltered.

Korea University’s College of Pharmacy—the place she longed for more than anything. She could not afford the luxury of medical school, so pharmacy had been the compromise she made with herself.

“Ask Taeyun lots of questions. He’s the department president, you know. How lucky is that? Where else would you get an opportunity like this?”

Director Ji set a plate of freshly grilled pork in front of Ina. She had barely eaten lunch, so the sight of the well-cooked samgyeopsal stirred her appetite instantly.

But with him sitting there, watching her openly, she found it hard to pick up her chopsticks.

‘Why is he staring at me like that?’

As Ina hesitated awkwardly, Taeyun noticed and stood up.

“I’ll go play with the kids. I’ll come back to help clean up later.”

“Thank you.”

After a brief word to Director Ji, he left the table first.

“Go on and eat. Want some more rice?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Try wrapping it in lettuce too. You don’t know how good his character is. He takes such good care of the kids—upright, responsible. It’s hard to find young men like that these days. How he ended up all the way out here in the countryside… I’m just so grateful.”

All the while she grilled the meat beside them, Director Ji praised Taeyun until her lips nearly dried from repeating it.

When Ina turned her head and glanced at him, he was playing with the children, looking after them alongside the younger students.

Recalling what he had said earlier, Ina quietly finished her meal.

In her other hand, she tightly held the hand warmer he had given her.

***

“Haa… haa…”

Ina bolted upright, gasping for breath. Cold sweat beaded across her round forehead.

Sometimes she dreamed.

That terrible dream from her childhood.

It had been nearly fifteen years, yet whenever it returned like this, it felt as vivid as if it had happened yesterday.

“……”

She buried her face in both hands for a moment, steadying her breathing. Then she rose, grabbed the jumper hanging nearby, slipped her arms into it, and hurried out of the room to get some cold air.

“Haa.”

She hurried down the stairs and flung open the front door of the building. A sharp gust of wind wrapped around her entire body.

Only then did the tightness in her chest ease slightly.

She dragged her slippers along the ground as she walked over to a bench and sat down.

The icy wind cooled her overheated cheeks.

Taking a deep breath, she bit down hard on her lower lip.

“……”

Why were it the bad memories that never faded?

She had only been five.

Yet the memory remained painfully clear.

Back then, she had been overjoyed to be adopted.

But not long after, she was returned.

As the memory replayed in her mind, the rims of her eyes turned red.

Whenever she had this dream, she would go outside and sit alone until the suffocating weight in her chest subsided.

Until her breathing steadied.

Until her heart calmed.

“Ah, it’s cold.”

The silence was broken by a familiar voice.

She turned towards the sound.

Taeyun had just stepped onto the grounds of the orphanage when he spotted her and paused in his tracks. He was carrying a bag from a convenience store.

Their gazes locked at close range.

Why did it always have to be him?

The orphanage wasn’t big, yet she kept running into him everywhere. Strangely so.

She wished he would simply go inside without acknowledging her.

She didn’t feel like speaking to anyone.

But her hope proved futile.

“Why are you out here? It’s cold.”

She turned her face away without answering. Taeyun approached and sat down beside her without asking.

“Barefoot in slippers, too.”

Ina closed her eyes slowly, irritation flashing across her face. A quiet sigh escaped her as her brows drew together.

Then something was suddenly wrapped around her neck.

Startled, she whipped her head around.

“You’ll really catch a cold like this—”

She yanked the muffler off in annoyance and shoved it back into his hands.

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Taeyun’s face.

“Are you always this meddlesome?”

“No…”

“I told you, didn’t I? You’re leaving tomorrow. So stop pretending to be kind. Stop acting considerate. We’ve seen too many people like you—people who pity us. It’s not even surprising anymore.”

Even as she hurled harsh words at him, Taeyun remained silent.

His lips parted slightly before he spoke, calm and steady.

“You said it was a one-time thing. That I shouldn’t act sincere if I wasn’t coming back.”

“……”

Those were her words.

She had seen countless people like that. They all said they would return. Not a single one had kept that promise.

“I’ll come back in two weeks. On the weekend.”

A faint smile curved his lips as he slowly stood.

He stepped in front of her, facing her directly.

Meeting her guarded gaze, Taeyun gently draped the muffler around her neck once more.

“So watch and see.”

His voice was quiet, but certain.

“See whether I come back or not.”

A soft smile lingered on his face as he looked at her.