Chapter 49. Devotion
Seong-han’s lips trembled as if he were holding back tears.
His face was tense with strain.
The innocent sounds of children roasting marshmallows around the campfire echoed nearby.
Yoo-ah didn’t want to draw attention or ruin the atmosphere.
Lee Joon, noticing only Yoo-ah’s troubled expression, moved accordingly without needing her to say a word.
He gently grasped Seong-han’s wrist.
“…Let go.”
“You’re trembling.”
“I said let go!”
Lee Joon let out a short sigh.
“Let’s not do this in front of the kids.”
As he tried to lead him away, Seong-han violently shook off his hand.
The children’s laughter faltered and their eyes turned toward the commotion.
Yoo-ah quickly stepped in and stood in front of Seong-han.
“…Let’s talk somewhere else.”
Her soft voice sounded almost like a plea.
Seong-han clenched his fists and lowered his gaze, avoiding Yoo-ah’s eyes.
Eventually, he turned around and began walking.
Yoo-ah followed closely behind him.
They ended up in front of a hill covered in shade.
“…You already knew, didn’t you?”
Seong-han asked in a shaky voice, not looking at her.
“…Yes.”
“…Since when?”
“Since the first day I saw you here.”
He let out a bitter laugh.
“…So that’s why you looked at me like that.”
He seemed like he would crumble at any moment.
Yoo-ah took a deep breath.
“I didn’t tell you… because I was afraid you’d disappear again.”
“…Afraid I’d disappear?”
Seong-han slowly raised his head.
His red-rimmed eyes, full of hurt and resentment, turned toward her.
“I was dying, Yoo-ah. I thought you’d left me behind to die.
I waited for days without eating, thinking you’d come back for me.
But no one came.”
Yoo-ah’s eyes welled up with tears.
“I… I tried to go back. I looked for a way. I really did.”
“…Why didn’t you just stay in your own world? Why come back here?”
“Because you were here.”
Her voice trembled as she confessed.
“I came back because I missed you… because I was worried about you.”
“…Liar.”
“I’m not lying.”
“Then why didn’t you look for me the moment you returned?”
“…Because I was scared.”
“…Scared?”
“Scared you’d hate me.
Scared you’d already given up on me…
Scared I was too late.”
Seong-han stood frozen for a long time.
Then, without warning, he sat down heavily on the grass.
“…I thought I was the only one who remembered.”
“I remembered everything.
Even if I tried to forget, I couldn’t.”
Seong-han stared blankly at the ground.
“…I should hate you. I really should.
But I can’t. I tried to forget you. I tried so hard.”
Yoo-ah silently knelt beside him.
“…It must’ve been hard.”
At those words, Seong-han’s body trembled slightly.
“…Yoo-ah.”
“Yeah?”
“If I follow you again… will you leave me behind?”
“…Never.”
“I mean it. If you abandon me again, I won’t survive it this time.”
“I won’t leave. I promise.”
Seong-han slowly leaned his head against her shoulder.
“…Then I’ll follow you. Wherever you go.”
Yoo-ah closed her eyes as the tears silently spilled down her cheeks.
