"Where did you run off that day?" Rian asked seriously to Yurim.
"Oh… yes. I wanted to talk to you about that too," Yurim said. Her expression turned serious.
"Something important happened that day."
Rian straightened, giving her his full attention.
"I found out how I came here," Yurim continued softly. "And how I can go back."
"What?" Rian's eyes widened.
"That tree brought me into this world," she said.
"And now it wants a sacrifice. Something valuable that I gained here. Only then can I return."
Rian froze.
His eyes stayed wide, shock and worry mixing together as he tried to process her words.
Then—
"Wait…" Yurim suddenly leaned closer and reached toward his head.
"There's dirt in your hair," she whispered, carefully brushing it away.
Rian flinched, slightly flustered.
"You're talking about something this serious, and you're worried about dirt?" he muttered, turning his face away.
Then he noticed something stuck in Yurim's hair.
"Wait," he said, reaching out.
He carefully pulled out a grain of rice.
"…Here."
"You scared me," Yurim sighed.
Their eyes met—and without realizing it, they both laughed.
---
Later—
The afternoon sunlight danced over the fields, crops swaying gently with the breeze.
"The soup will be ready soon," Mira giggled. "I can't believe the soup I made this morning finished so quickly!"
Yurim smiled, amused by her excitement.
---
Drop…
Drop…
"A beautiful day again," Grandfather murmured, looking outside.
It was raining while the sun still shone—a soft sun-rain. Not heavy, just light drops falling over the golden fields.
"What? It's raining?" Mira paused in surprise.
"Huh—?"
Before Yurim could say anything, Mira grabbed he hand and pulled her outside.
Rian and Grandfather stayed back, watching the two girls disappear into the shimmering light.
"Yurim!" Mira laughed, swaying as she held her hands. They spun slowly, faces lifted toward the glowing sky.
"This is magical," Yurim smiled.
The cool drops forced their eyes shut as they fell gently onto their cheeks.
Grandfather smiled quietly at the sight.
Nearby, Rian stood alone.
The rain dampened his hand, the wind brushing through his hair, his expression unreadable.
"Oh—my soup!" Mira suddenly gasped.
"Run, Mira! Run!" Yurim laughed.
Mira rushed back inside.
Still laughing, Yurim turned after her—but then her smile softened.
Her gaze stopped on Rian.
He stood there, silent and distant.
"Rian!"
She ran toward him, her face bright with the urge to share the moment.
Rian watched her approach.
Without a word, Yurim grabbed his hand and pulled him into the field.
She stopped, breathing hard, eyes shining.
Rian looked at her, confused.
"What?"
"You know," Yurim said curiously, "when it rains while the sun is out, people say it's a fox's wedding."
"A fox's… wedding?" Rian repeated, completely lost.
Yurim laughed at his seriousness.
She grabbed both his wrists, trying to spin him the way she had danced with Mira.
But Rian didn't move.
No matter how hard she tried, he stood firm like stone.
Slowly, Yurim's smile faded.
"That's why I don't talk to boys," she muttered dramatically. "I knew they were annoying."
She gave him a side-eye and looked down.
A quiet laugh escaped Rian.
He tried to hide it but —
"You smiled?" Yurim gasped.
He immediately looked away.
"You have gone mad today," Rian whispered.
But Yurim didn't let it go.
She started tickling him.
"Stop it," Rian muttered, but his voice was softer now.
"Stop it, Yurim."
She laughed and grabbed his hand again.
This time, he didn't resist.
He let her pull him into the rhythm.
For a moment, surrounded by the cool wind and gentle rain, he forgot his sadness.
They swayed together in the golden field, soft smiles and quiet laughter on their faces.
From the doorway, Mira watched silently.
Her face showed nothing—but in her eyes, a quiet, unfamiliar feeling began to form.