Episode 31 – Things Left Unsaid
Bright cameras. Microphones thrust forward. Reporters speaking into lenses, city skyline behind them.
> "Breaking news: three kidnapped victims rescued in a daring mystery! Here they are, alive — but still shaken. Miss, did you see who saved you?"
Miran blinked, swallowing. Her throat felt raw.
"No," she whispered, voice barely above air. "We… we didn't see anyone."
---
Kevin stepped in, face carefully composed:
"They were unconscious, and when we arrived, we didn't see anyone else there."
Dohee, softly:
> "We only remember… running. And then Miran was hurt."
Flashes popped. Reporters scribbled. Guen stood beside Kevin, eyes down, playing her role.
---
When the interview ended, they stepped aside, breathless.
But the quiet didn't last.
---
Parents appeared.
Kevin's mother first — graceful, sharp-eyed, silk scarf around her neck.
> "Kevin Kang! Do you know what could have happened?!" she scolded, voice low but furious.
Kevin bowed slightly, murmuring, "Mother, please—"
---
Guen's father, a stoic doctor, frowned deeply:
> "How could you put yourself in such danger, Guen? Your work is in the lab, not in violence."
Guen's head dropped. "I'm sorry, Dad."
---
Dohee's parents clutched her hands:
> "What if you had died? What were you thinking?"
Tears streamed down Dohee's face. "I'm sorry, Mom… I didn't mean—"
---
Alex's father, a powerful CEO, his jaw tight:
> "Your mother and I trusted you, Alex. You promised to stay away from danger."
Alex lowered his eyes. "I know. It won't happen again."
---
Minjae's parents arrived last: tall, cold elegance, wealth radiating from their suits.
His father's voice was quiet but cutting:
> "Minjae. Are you trying to ruin our name? Must you chase danger everywhere?"
Minjae shrugged, half-mocking but tired. "Would you prefer me dead, Father?"
---
In a corner:
Miran stood alone.
She had no family to scold her, no parent to cry over her. Just silence.
Eyes stung, chest hollow. Slowly, she turned to leave — slipping away quietly.
---
But Minjae noticed.
He saw the lonely shadow moving toward the edge.
Guen caught his arm, met his gaze, and tilted her head — Go.
Minjae hesitated, exhaled, then walked over, steps quick.
---
He caught Miran's wrist from behind.
> "Hey. Where are you going?" he asked, voice low.
Miran startled, eyes wet. "I… I don't belong here."
Minjae frowned. Without warning, he dragged her back toward his parents.
---
Facing his powerful father and mother, Minjae said, almost defiantly:
> "She was there too. She's part of us. Scold her too — not just me."
Miran's eyes went wide, heart leaping. What…?
His parents looked at Miran — surprised by her plain clothes, gentle eyes, shy posture.
---
After a moment, Minjae's mother spoke gently:
> "Don't be reckless next time, dear. Danger isn't a game."
His father, stern but softer: "Take care of yourself. Stay alive."
Miran bowed deeply, voice shaking:
> "Thank you… uncle, auntie."
---
Then, Guen pulled her over to her father:
> "Dad, this is Miran."
The doctor's eyes softened. "You're very brave," he said. "Next time, run first, fight later."
---
Dohee's mother touched Miran's cheek:
> "Poor child… take care of yourself, yes?"
Alex's father nodded slightly:
> "Stay safe."
---
Miran's eyes overflowed. They were scolding her — but gently, like family. A warmth she'd forgotten burned in her chest.
---
---
Later, under gray skies, Miran stood by a quiet grave.
A stone marked with soft white flowers:
> "Beloved Grandmother, forever in our hearts."
Miran knelt, head bowed, tears falling onto the soil.
---
> "Grandma… I missed you so much," she whispered, voice small as a child.
> "I was so scared… a bad man had a gun… I got shot, Grandma. It hurt so much…"
She wiped her tears with shaking fingers.
> "Everyone had parents to scold them. I… I wanted someone to scold me too," she whispered. "Why did you leave me? I still need you."
---
Behind her, footsteps.
Minjae stood silently, dressed in black, a bouquet in hand.
He set the flowers gently on the grave.
They stood in silence together. Rain dripped from leaves above.
---
Finally, Minjae's voice, quiet but rough:
> "Let's go."
Miran turned, eyes still red. "Thank you… for before," she whispered.
---
---
Evening, in a small family restaurant:
Miran sat beside Minjae, opposite Guen and Kevin; Dohee and Alex sat close, heads touching.
Laughter mixed with relief. Steam rose from soup bowls.
---
Miran dug in her pocket, shy.
She pulled out a small, cheap chocolate bar, held it out to Minjae.
> "I… I don't have much money. But… thank you. For standing with me."
Minjae froze, brow lifted. "Chocolate?"
---
Miran nodded, cheeks pink. "I know it's childish, but…"
Slowly, Minjae took it. His thumb brushed hers, brief but warm.
> "Fine," he muttered. "But you owe me a better one next time."
Miran laughed softly, tears shining at the corners of her eyes.
---
They finished dinner quietly.
Outside, night deepened; neon signs reflected in puddles.
---
Miran walked home, hand brushing her healing wound. Pain was still there — but so were voices in her memory:
> "Take care of yourself." "Stay alive."
---
For the first time in years, she didn't feel completely alone.