In Ji-Soo's house, the quiet felt different from the silence in the columbarium.
It was softer.
More familiar.
She had just finished washing her school uniform, the fabric neatly hanging on the line outside, still slightly damp as it swayed gently in the afternoon breeze.
Inside, Ji-Soo changed into a light white dress.
Simple.
Flowing.
It suited her in a way that made the room feel brighter just by her standing in it.
She stepped away from the window, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear—
Then paused.
Footsteps.
Behind her.
She turned.
Min-Jun stood near the doorway.
Ji-Soo's face softened immediately.
A small smile formed.
"You're here," she said gently. "What's the matter?"
Min-Jun shrugged slightly, hands tucked loosely into his pockets.
"I just came to see you."
His tone was casual, but his eyes stayed on her a little longer than usual.
Then his expression shifted slightly.
"Did you hear…?"
Ji-Soo tilted her head.
"Hear what?"
Min-Jun exhaled.
"That people from Ji-Woo's school…" he paused, correcting himself quickly, "I mean, from your school… are going to visit your sister's ashes."
The air in the room changed slightly.
Ji-Soo's smile faded into something quieter.
She nodded slowly.
"Oh… I heard."
A brief silence settled between them.
Then she added, almost carefully—
"And they're coming here too."
Min-Jun's brows lifted a little.
"Oh."
He looked around the room as if imagining it already.
"What will you do then?"
Ji-Soo turned her gaze toward the window again.
Her voice stayed calm.
"I'll just stay in my room until they're gone."
Simple.
Final.
Like she had already made peace with it.
Then she stepped closer to him.
Her expression softened again, but there was something more deliberate in her eyes now.
"Min-Jun," she said quietly.
He looked down at her.
"What?"
She hesitated for only a second.
Then—
"I need you to do something for me."
His lips curved slightly.
"What is it?"
Ji-Soo didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she gave a small, knowing smile.
"You'll see," she said softly. "Just… let them come."
Min-Jun stared at her for a moment.
Then chuckled under his breath.
"You're being mysterious now," he said, shaking his head slightly. "Hmm."
He lifted a hand and gently patted her head.
Ji-Soo's eyes softened at the gesture.
Then she smiled again.
Quiet.
Almost secretive.
"Mm."
--
The columbarium stood quietly at the edge of Ji-Soo's hometown.
It was a solemn building made of stone and glass, its halls lined with neatly arranged niches—each one holding an urn.
Inside each small compartment were framed photos, names, and dates.
Fresh flowers rested beneath many of them, some already dried, others still bright with color.
The air inside was cool, still, and respectful, as if even sound was softened out of consideration for the dead.
People spoke in whispers.
Steps echoed gently across the polished floor.
Ji-Woo stood with the others at the entrance of one section.
Mr. Yoo-Joon guided them forward in a calm voice. "This is where Ji-Soo's ashes are kept. Be respectful. Stay quiet."
They all stepped closer.
Ji-Soo's or believed to be Ji-Soo's space was simple but carefully maintained.
A framed photo of her sat behind glass—her face calm, youthful, and smiling softly like she had been caught in a moment of peace that no longer existed.
Below it, her name was engraved neatly.
And beneath that—
Her urn.
Ji-Woo stared at it without moving.
Mr. Yoo-Joon gently placed a flower into her hands.
"Offer it," he said quietly.
She took it slowly.
Around her, Ji-Ho shifted uncomfortably, then quietly stepped away from the main area, unable to stay long in the heaviness.
Mi-Sook exhaled sharply, clearly annoyed at being there—but even she eventually turned away, muttering under her breath, respecting the place enough not to cause trouble inside it.
One by one, space formed around Ji-Woo.
Until it was just her.
And Eun-Woo.
He didn't leave immediately.
Instead, he stepped closer to her first.
Without a word, he gently reached out and patted her head—slow, careful, grounding.
Not playful.
Not casual.
Just… comforting.
"Be strong," he said quietly.
Ji-Woo didn't answer.
His gaze shifted to the photo behind the glass.
For a moment, he just looked.
They really did look alike.
Not similar.
Almost identical.
A faint, thoughtful smile passed over his face—not amusement, but something softer, almost bittersweet.
Then he closed his eyes briefly.
And prayed.
Just once.
Silently.
When he opened them again, he turned slightly toward Ji-Woo.
"I'll be outside," he said.
Then he walked past Ji-Bok, who was standing a little apart with his hands in his pockets.
Eun-Woo paused beside him.
"Don't cause trouble," he said flatly.
Ji-Bok scoffed lightly.
"I wasn't planning to."
Eun-Woo gave him a final glance, then walked out of the hall.
Ji-Bok watched him go with a faint sneer.
Then, instead of leaving, he stepped forward again.
Back into Ji-Soo's space.
As Ji-Woo placed the flower inside.
He stood beside Ji-Woo now, looking at the glass case, at the photo, at the urn.
Silence stretched between them.
Finally, Ji-Woo spoke without turning her head.
"…Why are you still here?"
Ji-Bok's eyes stayed on the photo.
"I'm waiting for you," he said simply.
Ji-Woo frowned slightly.
"For what?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he closed his eyes for a moment, as if trying to understand something he didn't fully like.
Then—
"Why does this feel real," he murmured, "when it isn't?"
Ji-Woo's fingers tightened slightly around the flower stem.
"What do you mean?"
Ji-Bok opened his eyes again.
His gaze shifted—not to her, but to the photo.
"Look at your face," he said quietly.
"You looks like you're going to cry."
Ji-Woo's throat tightened.
She nodded slowly.
"I miss her, she's still alive though. That's good." she admitted.
Her voice dropped.
"And now I'm standing in front of what they say is my… ashes."
A pause.
Then she lifted her hand and lightly touched the glass.
"I remember when everything was normal," she said softly. "When I was just Alive, not living in someone else's identity."
Her voice wavered, but she didn't stop.
"I miss that version of my life."
Ji-Bok didn't interrupt.
He just listened.
Ji-Woo finally pulled her hand back.
A quiet sigh left her lips.
Ji-Bok glanced at the photo again.
"You look happy in this picture," he said.
Ji-Woo gave a faint, sad smile.
"I was happy," she replied.
A pause.
"But now it's just stuck as a memory."
Silence settled again.
Then she added, softer—
"At least… she's with mom now. I think she's happy there."
Ji-Bok nodded once.
Not agreeing.
Not disagreeing.
Just acknowledging.
After a moment, footsteps approached.
Mr. Yoo-Joon appeared at the entrance again, his voice steady but firm.
"We need to go."
Ji-Woo and Ji-Bok both turned slightly.
"There's still one more place to visit," he continued. "Ji-Soo's home."
Ji-Woo nodded quietly.
Ji-Bok pushed his hands back into his pockets.
And together, they followed him out.
Outside, Eun-Woo was already waiting.
The moment he saw Ji-Woo, he stepped forward immediately.
"How are you feeling?" he asked gently.
Ji-Woo looked at him.
Then, after a small pause—
"I'm fine," she said.
Eun-Woo studied her for a second, then smiled softly.
"See?" he said quietly. "You're doing great."