Chapter 679 – Even If I am Not There (1) #PART1

 

Ah, the misery of being a working adult.

“Ugh…”

Shoved out of the evening rush hour subway, Yerim dragged her aching body along. She really wanted to stop by a nearby convenience store for an emergency dose of canned beer, but…

“…I have to hold it in.”

Today was family gathering day, after all.

Normally, the family home was occupied only by Lee Junwook, Choi Kanghee, and Lee Yerim. But since it was a gathering day, everyone except Hoyeol was expected to be there.

‘Arang said she’s already arrived, and I’ll probably get there before my brother-in-law, right?’

If so, maybe she could ask him to pick up something tasty on the way.

‘Obviously without telling my eldest sister.’

Yerim chuckled quietly.

“She’d definitely say not to buy anything.”

Work had been hectic and draining, but the closer she got to home, the warmer her heart felt. It was a shame Hoyeol couldn’t make it, though.

‘It can’t be helped.’

Yerim understood.

Right now, the one with the most complicated feelings was definitely Hoyeol. He probably had no mental space to think about anything. Maybe that’s why he had such an expression during today’s Space Time Duel.

‘Depending on the situation…’

If Hoyeol were doing fine, it might be different…

Was it really okay for her to be the only one knowing his secret? Yerim was conflicted. If anything happened to Hoyeol, she knew she’d regret her choice forever.

She murmured softly,

“I’m really sorry, but…”

That embarrassing ‘dark history’ notebook… it should be shared.

Of course, she had no plans to tell Mom and Dad about the notebook. They still apologized whenever the past came up, burdened with guilt they couldn’t shake off.

If they found out what was written inside…

‘They probably wouldn’t be able to sleep at night starting today.’

Yerim nodded.

‘But at the very least, my sisters should know.’

Because we’re siblings, right?

Yerim thought back to their childhood—so long ago it was hard to recall clearly. To the days when Hoyeol could barely talk.

Back then, it went like this:

—“Why are you crying?”

—“Hoyeol-ie looks even funnier when he cries.”

—“Yerim, I’m telling Mom!”

Just a year apart. If she’d been alone, she probably wouldn’t remember it all. But as Hoyeol knew, the three of them had always been together.

—“Hoyeol-ie says he’s hungry.”

They could tell what Hoyeol wanted just by the sound of his crying. He probably didn’t realize it, but even now, as fully grown adults, the three of them still talked about those days.

Maybe that’s why Yerim gave a bitter smile.

“…So it’s okay to cry in front of us when it’s hard.”

We’re not like we used to be, too caught up in our own lives, right? Anytime, Hoyeol—you can talk to us. Thinking that, she walked on, eventually reaching the alley in front of their house.

But something felt off.

A sense of déjà vu, maybe…?

‘Feels familiar somehow.’

Their house visible in the distance. The streetlight blinking erratically, more than usual. A stray cat hissing sharply in the background.

It all felt strangely familiar, as if she’d seen this scene before.

‘Maybe I’m just tired.’

Yerim brushed it off and kept walking. But for some reason, the strange familiarity gradually turned into unease.

…Tap, tap, tap!

Her steps quickened as unease shifted into dread. She didn’t understand why. She hadn’t had any nightmares lately, nor watched any horror movies.

But horrific images—ones she didn’t even want to describe—started forming in her mind, each thought feeding into the next. In just a short time, cold sweat beaded on her forehead.

Clack.

Yerim opened the front door with a pale face—and was met with…

“What the? Did you run over here?”

“…Sis?”

“Of course I’m your sister. What’s with you, did you see a ghost or something?”

“You’re really my sister… right?”

“See, I told you the youngest aunt is still a baby.”

Everything looked totally normal.

“Haaa…”

Swoosh.

Yerim collapsed right there in the entrance, letting out a deep breath. Her heart still throbbed with an unfamiliar dread she’d never felt before.

“Yerim, are you okay? You’re pale.”

“You stuffed yourself this morning like you were going to starve. That’s why you’re not married yet…”

“Ah, Mom!!”

Worried words from her eldest sister were followed by Mom’s sudden nagging. But despite herself, Yerim laughed. She was genuinely relieved.

‘Why did I even imagine something so horrible?’

It was strange, but at that point, it didn’t matter. Yerim finally let herself laugh.

And maybe because of that… she

completely forgot.

Forgot about the notebook still sitting on the desk.

*

 

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