The black car slowed to a stop in front of the grand gates of Jun's Mansion. The large house stood tall and silent under a sky that had turned unusually dark for the afternoon. Thick clouds rolled in, heavy and gray, promising rain at any moment.
Meelie turned in the passenger seat, her soft blonde hair falling over one shoulder as she looked at Min-jun with hopeful eyes. "So, Min… will you join us?"
Her voice was gentle, almost careful, as if she still believed the years might have softened him.
Min-jun didn't even look at her. He stared straight ahead, jaw tight. "Meelie, you know everything, so why are you even asking?" His tone was sharp, the question clearly bothering him more than he wanted to show.
Esler, sitting in the driver's seat, exhaled quietly. "Okay, now cut it out." His voice was calm but firm, leaving no room for further argument.
Min-jun pushed the car door open without another word and stepped out. He didn't look back as Esler drove the car through the gates and into the mansion grounds. The heavy iron gates closed slowly behind them with a soft metallic sound.
Left standing alone on the sidewalk, Min-jun stared at the mansion for a long moment. The place still felt cold to him, no matter how many years had passed. His eyes lifted to the darkening sky. The wind was picking up, carrying the smell of rain.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Jin.
"Can you come pick me up?" he asked the moment the call connected.
There was a short pause on the other end before Jin's calm voice replied, "Where are you?"
"Outside the mansion."
"Got it. Stay there. I'm on my way."
Min-jun hung up and slipped his hands into the pockets of his gray hoodie. The first few raindrops began to fall, darkening the pavement around his sneakers. He didn't move. He just stood there under the growing rain, waiting.
Across the city, Jennie stood at a bus stop, holding her phone and glancing down the street every few seconds. The sky above her was also turning gray, but she hadn't noticed yet. Her mind was still full of everything that had happened the day before — Min-jun's unexpected honesty, Esler's quiet presence, and the strange sense of calm that had followed.
A hand suddenly landed on her shoulder.
Jennie jumped slightly and spun around.
"Girl, you scared me," she said, placing a hand over her chest as she let out a breath of relief.
Luna stood there with her long red-pink hair slightly messy from the wind, wearing her usual black jacket and an amused smile. "Sorry, I got stuck in traffic."
Jennie shook her head, still smiling. "Where were you?"
"I told you — traffic." Luna linked her arm with Jennie's. "Anyway, Saturday shopping day, right? Let's go before it starts pouring."
The two girls began walking toward the nearby shopping street. The air felt cooler now, and the clouds above were growing heavier.
As they walked, Jennie glanced at Luna. "I need to tell you about yesterday."
Luna raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."
Jennie took a deep breath. "Min-jun talked to me again. He was… different. Calmer. He even said I should get to know Esler better."
Luna stopped walking for a second, clearly surprised. "He said that?"
"Yes. And he already knew that Esler told me about their family."
Luna whistled low. "That's progress. Big progress."
They continued walking past store windows filled with clothes and accessories. Soft music played from the shops, mixing with the distant sound of approaching thunder.
"There's more," Jennie added quietly. "Esler and Min-jun seem to be talking again. Like… actually talking."
Luna studied her friend's face carefully. "And how do you feel about all of this?"
Jennie looked down at the engagement ring on her finger. The silver band caught the dim light. "I don't know yet. Everything feels less heavy than before… but also more complicated."
Before Luna could reply, the first real raindrops began to fall. Within seconds, the light drizzle turned into a steady rain.
"Oh come on," Luna groaned, quickly pulling Jennie under the nearest shop awning. "Of course it starts raining the moment we decide to go shopping."
Jennie laughed softly, brushing a few drops from her hair. "Maybe we should just get coffee instead."
Luna grinned. "Now that's a better plan."
They hurried into a nearby café, the warm lights and smell of coffee welcoming them as the rain grew heavier outside. Once they were seated by the window, Luna leaned forward with a serious look.
"Okay. Tell me everything. From the beginning of yesterday until now. Don't leave anything out."
Jennie wrapped her hands around the warm cup of tea that had just been placed in front of her. Outside, the rain poured against the glass, blurring the city. Somewhere across town, Min-jun was still standing in that same rain, waiting for Jin. And inside the mansion, Esler and Meelie were walking through halls that held too many memories.
The sky had turned completely dark now, even though it was still daytime.
Something was shifting again.
And none of them could fully see what was coming next.