Hye-jin sat on the floor, phone pressed to her ear.
"Why did he give that?"
On the other side, her mother sighed.
"He just handed it to your father… said it's an apology."
Hye-jin frowned slightly.
"…What did Grandpa say?"
Her mother turned and glanced at Gyu-seok, who was silently reading the documents as if they were a newspaper.
"…Nothing," she replied.
Hye-jin let out a breath.
"Send me a picture of it, ma. I'll call you later."
"Hmm."
The call ended.
Hye-jin leaned back in her chair just as her aunt walked in, placing breakfast on the table—
Steamed rice.
Kimchi.
Doenjang jjigae.
Grilled fish.
Rolled omelette.
The smell hit instantly.
"Hmmm…" Hye-jin inhaled deeply, eyes softening for a second.
Her aunt sat down beside her.
"What happened?"
Hye-jin took a bite, chewing slowly.
"Joon-ho went to our house… gave the documents back. And gifts. Said it's an apology."
Her aunt nodded.
"So… it's done?"
From the side, her uncle spoke calmly—
"Don't underestimate them."
Hye-jin nodded while eating.
Just then—
Her phone rang.
She glanced at it.
She picked up.
"I need a burger. Now."
Hye-jin choked.
"COUGH—!"
Her uncle immediately handed her water.
She drank quickly, still coughing.
Then got up.
"I need a burger. I'm starving."
Hye-jin rubbed her forehead.
"I brought you groceries. The villagers are feeding you—"
"They gave me tomato soup and cabbage pancakes for three meals!" he complained.
"I need something… human. Please."
Hye-jin closed her eyes.
"…Fine."
She turned to her uncle.
"Uncle… where's McDonald's?"
Silence.
Her aunt and uncle looked at each other.
Then—
They laughed.
Her uncle shook his head.
"You should remember… you're in a village now. We have fresh food, healthy meat, vegetables…"
Hye-jin laughed along.
Awkwardly.
Very awkwardly.
Cut To —
A small mini truck is driving down a rural road.
Hye-jin sat in the passenger seat.
"Thanks…"
Seul-gi scoffed.
"If you wanted a burger, you could've just asked me. I can make one."
Hye-jin looked at her seriously.
"I don't want to die from diarrhea."
Seul-gi gasped dramatically.
"Wow."
Then pointed ahead.
"Five more kilometers. Make a list. We'll buy everything from town."
Hye-jin nodded and quickly dialed Se-Jun.
Meanwhile—
Se-Jun was walking around the village with the village head, acting like he owned the land spiritually.
His phone buzzed.
"One second," he said calmly, stepping aside.
He picked up.
"…You got it?"
Hye-jin rolled her eyes.
"Tell me everything now. I'm not going to town every day."
Se-Jun thought seriously.
Then—
"I need shaving cream. I forgot it. Two pairs of shorts… mosquito repellent…"
Hye-jin scribbled quickly.
"And chocolates."
She paused.
"…Chocolates too?"
Se-Jun smiled like a child.
"…Essential."
"Anything else?"
"I'm in the middle of a spiritual tour. Bye."
Click.
Hye-jin stared at her phone.
Then at the list.
Seul-gi leaned closer, peeking.
Seul-gi smirked.
"That was a man's voice."
Hye-jin looked straight ahead.
"…Just drive."
Se-Jun walked calmly beside the village elder, hands behind his back, fully in "Il-sung mode."
Suddenly—
"Shaman Il-sung!"
A woman came running, breathless.
"My daughter—she has a high fever! Please, come!"
Se-Jun and the old man rushed inside.
A little girl lay on the bed, sweating, face burning red.
Se-Jun stepped closer, gently placing his hand on her forehead.
His expression changed instantly.
"She's burning," he said firmly. "Take her to the hospital. Now."
The mother hesitated.
"If you bless her, she will—"
Before she could finish—
Se-Jun lifted the child into his arms.
"Hospital first."
He walked out without waiting.
The old man hurried behind him.
"Il-sung! Il-sung!"
Outside—
A car suddenly stopped in front of them.
Se-Jun paused.
The door opened.
Sang-Ook stepped out.
The two locked eyes.
Silent tension.
Then—
Cut To —
Hye-jin and Seul-gi are sitting in a small roadside shop.
Both are holding burgers.
Big bites.
"Hmmm… hmmm…" Seul-gi mumbled happily with her mouth full.
Hye-jin wiped her lips.
"Yah, don't talk while eating."
Seul-gi gave a thumbs up instead.
Hye-jin's phone buzzed.
SPS Group Chat.
Director: "Where is that guy?"Staff: "He's not reachable, sir."Director: "What?"
Hye-jin calmly flipped her phone face down.
Took another bite.
Seul-gi looked at her.
"All okay?"
Hye-jin nodded casually.
"So… when did you come back? I heard you went to Germany."
Seul-gi chewed slowly.
"I quit."
Hye-jin blinked.
"What? Why?"
Seul-gi shrugged.
"It got too much. Stress, drinking, smoking… I wasn't taking care of myself."
She smiled lightly.
"So I came back. Started a flower garden. At least here… I can breathe."
Hye-jin nodded quietly.
Cut To — Hospital
The doctor checked the child and looked relieved.
"You brought her in at the right time."
Se-Jun nodded.
A nurse handed over medicine.
The mother looked at the bill, worried.
Se-Jun stepped forward.
"I'll take it."
He took the bill and walked to the counter.
Paid.
The old man watched, impressed.
"He's a blessing to our village…"
Se-Jun returned and handed the medicine.
"She needs to stay today. I paid for the bed too. Stay with her."
The mother nodded repeatedly, eyes filled with gratitude.
Se-Jun gave a small nod and walked out.
Sang-Ook followed.
"Let me drop you," he offered.
Se-Jun shook his head lightly.
"Thanks for asking. I'll take the bus."
A small pause.
"Thanks for the lift… Mr. Sang-Ook."
And he walked away.
Sang-Ook stood there, watching him—
thinking.
Cut To — Road
The mini truck bounced along the road.
Hye-jin's phone rang.
Se-Jun.
She picked up.
"Hello?"
"I'm at Goun-ri street."
Hye-jin frowned.
"Goun-ri?"
Seul-gi glanced over.
"That's nearby."
Hye-jin looked back at the phone.
"Why are you there?"
"I'll explain later. I'm near Motherland Hospital."
Click.
Call ended.
A few minutes later—
The truck stopped.
Seul-gi leaned forward, squinting.
"…Is that him?"
Se-Jun stood there.
Seul-gi blinked.
"…Shaman Il-sung?"
Se-Jun gave a polite nod.
"Hello."
The three of them got in.
Now Se-Jun was driving.
"Sorry for troubling you both," he said calmly.
Seul-gi smiled.
"No, no—we came to buy things for—"
She paused.
Looked at Hye-jin.
Then smirked.
"…her boyfriend."
"HEY—!" Hye-jin snapped instantly.
Se-Jun slowly stopped the truck.
Turned.
Looked straight at Hye-jin.
"…Who is that, Ms. Hye-jin?"
Hye-jin stared back.
She knew exactly what he was doing.
And he was enjoying it.