The sound of a hair dryer filled the room.
Seo-ah sat quietly on the edge of the bed while Ji-hoon stood behind her, carefully drying her hair.
"You know I can do this myself."
"I know."
"Then why are you doing it?"
"Because I'm already here."
Seo-ah smiled.
His answers were always simple.
As though caring for someone was the most natural thing in the world.
Once her hair was dry, they headed to the kitchen together.
Ji-hoon chopped vegetables while Seo-ah sat nearby preparing ingredients.
For a while, the apartment was filled with nothing but casual conversation and the sound of cooking.
After lunch, Ji-hoon stretched his arms.
"Let's go for a walk."
Seo-ah looked up.
"A walk?"
"Yes."
"No."
"Why?"
"I'm tired."
"You haven't even moved."
"I moved from the bedroom to the kitchen."
Ji-hoon laughed.
"That's not exercise."
He walked over and flicked her nose.
"Ouch!"
"You're too lazy."
Seo-ah glared at him.
"I'm five months pregnant."
"Exactly."
"Exactly?"
"A little walking is good for you."
She crossed her arms dramatically.
"I refuse."
Ji-hoon grabbed her hand.
"Come on."
And despite all her complaints, she followed him downstairs.
The afternoon air was cool.
They walked through the neighborhood surrounding the penthouse.
Seo-ah complained every few minutes.
"My legs hurt."
"We just started."
"I'm thirsty."
"You brought water."
"I'm tired."
"You always say that."
Seo-ah narrowed her eyes.
"I think you're bullying a pregnant woman."
Ji-hoon burst out laughing.
The sound surprised even himself.
For a moment, neither of them realized how natural it felt.
How easy.
How peaceful.
By the time they returned home, Seo-ah immediately collapsed onto the couch.
"I'm never going outside again."
Ji-hoon shook his head.
While she rested, he cleaned the apartment.
When he finished, he found her half asleep.
Without a word, he carefully lifted her into his arms.
Seo-ah opened one eye.
"What are you doing?"
"Taking you to bed."
"I can walk."
"Not five minutes ago."
She couldn't even argue.
Across the city, Seong-woo sat nervously at a private garden.
Flowers surrounded the walking paths.
The location was far from crowds and cameras.
Far from curious eyes.
When Nari arrived, she immediately looked around.
"It's beautiful."
Seong-woo smiled.
"I thought you'd like it."
They walked slowly through the garden together.
At first, the conversation was awkward.
Two people trying to figure out what they were now.
Friends.
Former lovers.
Strangers.
Something in between.
Then Seong-woo stopped beside a flower bed.
He picked a flower carefully and handed it to her.
Nari stared.
"You still remember?"
"Of course I do."
The answer came too quickly.
Too naturally.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Nari looked down at the flower in her hand.
And suddenly all those years felt much shorter.
On the other side of the city, another person was visiting someone he loved.
Mr. Yun stood before a grave.
The fresh flowers he carried were her favorite.
As always.
He knelt slowly.
The stone was clean.
But he cleaned it anyway.
Brushing away dust that wasn't there.
Adjusting flowers that didn't need adjusting.
Anything to make the visit last a little longer.
"Seo-ah is doing well."
He smiled softly.
"She still works too hard."
The wind moved gently through the cemetery.
Mr. Yun continued speaking.
Telling his wife about everything she had missed.
The small things.
The ordinary things.
The things that only mattered because they once shared them.
As if she could still hear him.
As if she were only away for a while.
When he finally finished, his eyes were wet.
He wiped them quickly.
Then looked at the photograph one last time.
"I'll come again soon."
The smile on his face trembled.
"Wait for me a little longer."
The afternoon sun stretched across the cemetery as he quietly walked away.
Leaving behind flowers.
And taking his loneliness with him.