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[if ever ur in my arms again] - [Peabo Bryson]

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, spilling its warmth across the room. Iseul's mother bustled around the kitchen, her hands moving frantically as she packed a little too much food into Iseul's bag, as though the journey itself could be eased by extra snacks and cans of comfort.

"Eat, eat! You'll need energy for the road!" she insisted, pushing yet another jar into her daughter's bag.

Sohee, leaning against the doorframe, rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Mom, she's not going to Antarctica. Daejeon is like, one hour away."

Iseul nearly choked on the mouthful of food her mother had given her, eyes widening in surprise. She swallowed quickly and turned to glance at the clock. Panic swept over her face. "I'm going to miss my flight! It's too late!" she exclaimed, hurrying to gather her things.

Sohee, was already moving toward chaeryoung's car, lifting her suitcases with an easy grace, though his face was marked with a mix of concern and annoyance. Chaeryoung was there too, quietly helping, packing the car .

Meanwhile, the sound of traditional music rang out from the street. Yejin clapped and cheered as she saw Iseul leaving.

Iseul stood by the door, watching the chaos unfold around her. Her mother, her brother, her ex-mother in law. the noise of celebration—it all felt so surreal.

Her family was so full of love and life, and yet, she felt like an outsider in her own home. The ache of leaving, the weight of everything she was walking away from, made it hard to breathe for a moment.

Chaeryoung tossed Iseul a few flying kisses from the car window, her mischievous grin wide and bright. Iseul rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

Her mother called out to her one last time. "Iseul, did you pack those soft socks I gave you?" she asked, her voice high-pitched with concern.

"I did, Mom," Iseul replied with a sigh, the corners of her lips twitching upward.

Her mother wasn't done. "Call us, okay? Make sure to call us, at least once a week." Iseul nodded quietly, turning away before the emotion in her throat could overwhelm her.

She didn't look back as the car pulled away, but she could hear her parents in the distance, their cries muffled by the noise of the city around her. The thought of them clinging to each other as they cried, their hearts breaking at the sight of their daughter leaving, stirred something painful in Iseul's chest. Yet she didn't turn back, couldn't.

Soon, they were at the airport, and Sohee pulled her into a tight hug. Iseul held him close, her arms wrapping around him in a brief but intense moment of comfort. She could feel the familiar pulse of their sibling bond, the safety of it, before the world would take them in different directions.

Iseul pulled back first, her hand reaching for something in her pocket. She took out a small wad of cash, placing it gently into his hands.

"Take Yeji out on a date, alright?" Iseul whispered, her voice teasing but tender, her eyes already glistening with unshed tears.

Sohee smiled, a soft, affectionate smile that reached his eyes. He pulled her in for one last hug, holding her tighter this time. "You've got it," he said, the words carrying an unspoken promise. "Come back soon, okay?"

"Yeah," she said, pulling away and brushing her tears away quickly. "I'll come back. I'll be okay."

As Iseul sat in the crowded airport, the minutes stretched on endlessly. Her fingers drummed lightly against her phone as she called Sungchan, the impatience creeping into her voice.

"Sungchan, where are you?" she asked, her tone laced with frustration, though it was softer than she meant it to be.

"I'm stuck in a traffic jam," he replied, his voice tinged with exasperation. "I'm not sure I can get there anytime soon." Iseul could hear the frustration in his sigh, the helplessness that mirrored her own.

"Okay, I'm waiting for you," she said, trying to keep her cool.

Then, she heard him talking to the driver, his voice a little louder, more strained. "What do you mean the car isn't working?" he demanded.

Iseul raised an eyebrow, confused. "Should I wait for you?" she asked, feeling a tight knot in her chest. She was torn—should she stay or go?

"No, don't. Just go ahead and get on the plane. Don't be late." Sungchan's voice softened, trying to mask the frustration with concern.

Iseul let out a small sigh, biting her lip as she made the decision. "Okay," she said, her voice steady, but the loneliness creeping in as she ended the call.

She turned and walked toward the gate, her steps slow, deliberate. As she boarded the plane, she took her seat, adjusting her bag beside her. The hum of the engines filled her ears, the chatter of the other passengers around her blending into the background.

She glanced around, feeling strangely out of place. She wasn't alone—there were people around her, but in a way, she felt more solitary than ever. She was leaving, moving forward, yet there was something weighing on her chest, a part of her that remained tethered.

Iseul's heart skipped a beat as the announcement echoed through the plane, signaling that it would take off in five minutes. Panic surged through her as she quickly stood up, her mind racing. She had made her decision, but something gnawed at her, something she couldn't shake.

"Excuse me," she stopped the hostess, her voice a little more frantic than she intended. "I'm sorry, I have to get off. I can't get on this plane without my friend!" Her words rushed out in a tangled mess.

The hostess, her tone polite yet firm, raised an eyebrow. "Miss, this is a long process. You'll make hundreds of people wait."

Iseul let out a frustrated sigh, her shoulders sagging as she returned to her seat. She could feel the weight of her decision pressing down on her, but there was no turning back now. She stared out the window, her thoughts racing, trying to make sense of everything that had happened.

She wanted to get away, to leave it all behind, but a part of her—some stubborn, broken part of her—didn't want to let go of the past.

Just as she was about to settle in her seat, the loud thud of someone plopping down beside her made her jump.

"Finally, you're—" she began, turning to face what she expected to be Sungchan, but her words died in her throat when she saw who it really was.

"Sunghoon?"

Her heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening in disbelief. There he was, sitting next to her like he belonged there, that same confident, unmistakable presence that she had tried so desperately to escape. He smiled, a slow, knowing smile that sent an unexpected shiver down her spine.

"What are you doing here?"

Sunghoon's gaze softened just slightly, his lips curving into something that almost resembled regret. "You really thought you could just leave without me?"

Her voice faltered in disbelief, her gaze locking onto him as if he had appeared from nowhere.

The realization hit her with the force of a tidal wave: he wasn't letting her go. Not this time.

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