Chapter 27
[You crazy lunatic bastard!]
That scream, shouted in unbearable rage, was the last memory of that day —
the day of Go Woo-ri’s funeral.
Pathetically enough, despite that outburst of emotion, we didn’t even dare to step out of the car.
It wasn’t a rational decision, like knowing we wouldn’t be welcomed there.
‘How could I walk in there?’
I just didn’t have the courage to attend my own funeral.
Admitting that I was dead was a fear far more dreadful than I could have imagined.
I didn’t regret not going inside.
Because if I had forced myself to walk in there and see my own coffin…
“…Ugh, I’m going to be sick.”
Just imagining it made my stomach twist, nausea rising up my throat.
Still, when Yoon-jae suggested it, I decided to go —
because I couldn’t go on living forever with “death” hanging over me like a shroud.
She had made up her mind to live as Joo Ae-jung now.
She couldn’t let herself waver every time she heard her old name.
A period.
This visit to the columbarium was meant to be the final full stop —
a chance to finally end the sentence of her past life.
I clenched my hands tightly together over my knees.
In the car heading toward the columbarium, the calm resolve she tried to wear
seemed to reflect even in the scenery speeding by outside the window.
“Ha Yoon-jae.”
Once the tall buildings disappeared and unfamiliar scenery stretched endlessly,
she finally opened her mouth — her eyes calm, poised, unshaken.
He didn’t answer, only turned his gaze toward her for a brief moment.
So she spoke again.
“…Should we not go?”
A perfectly understandable change of heart.
“You don’t have to.”
His quiet reply made it sound as though he really would turn the car around if she asked.
But after a moment, she shook her head.
“No. We’ve come this far. At least let’s step inside. Let’s go.”
“Suit yourself.”
“Wait—no. Maybe we should just go home?”
“…”
“But if we don’t go today, I’ll probably never go again. Still… maybe we shouldn’t.
No, no — we should.”
Wavering. Hesitating. Back and forth.
He’d thought her silence was stoic —
but apparently, she’d just been too busy arguing with herself to speak.
“…Haa.”
Yoon-jae couldn’t help letting out a short sigh.
She knew exactly why he sighed,
but she turned back to the window, unclenched her hands, and fidgeted nervously.
‘Who could possibly understand what it feels like to go see your own ashes?’
This restless, tangled feeling was something only she could know —
something she could only face by standing before it herself.
“Haa…”
As a long sigh escaped her dry lips,
the car that had been driving straight suddenly turned off to the side.
Her eyes widened as she spotted a wide parking lot ahead.
“Why are we stopping here all of a sudden?”
Without answering, Yoon-jae parked and stepped out of the car.
“Sort yourself out before we leave.”
“…”
Apparently, this was her final chance to make up her mind.
“I can’t tell if you’re being considerate or just annoying.”
Given what she already knew of Ha Yoon-jae, it was hard to say which.
Still, since he’d given her this brief window to waver,
she stepped out of the car too.
And when she lifted her eyes —
“Whoa… is this a café or a greenhouse?”
The enormous building before her was filled with greenery,
so lush and vibrant it barely looked like a regular café.
Whether by intention or coincidence, that one turn of the wheel
had taken her off the gray asphalt road into a world of green —
and somehow, the anxiety she couldn’t contain began to ease a little.
‘First things first — sedatives. In sugar form.’
“I want something sweet! Like, super sweet!”
She shouted after him as he walked ahead, her voice trailing playfully.
The inside was even larger and taller than expected,
so full of plants and trees it felt like stepping into a forest.
A path continued seamlessly from indoors to an outdoor garden trail.
She sucked through her straw with delight,
eyes widening at the richness of the space.
The mocha coffee, piled high with whipped cream,
filled her mouth with syrupy sweetness before sliding down her throat.
“Ugh— that hit the spot.”
Savoring the sugar high, she strolled along the garden path.
It was the perfect way to soothe a heart in turmoil.
‘Did he bring me here on purpose?’
Maybe the detour had been his way of handling his own frustration —
a small act of mercy for her indecision.
“…No, no, stop it. Enough useless thoughts.”
She shook her head hard, scattering the silly thoughts away.
Her emotions were swinging too wildly today — she wasn’t thinking straight.
‘This isn’t like me.’
And when you’re not yourself, you have to force your mind to focus.
So she brushed off the thought of Yoon-jae, who had gone somewhere with his coffee,
and walked along the tidy path alone.
She might be shaken, yes — but she already knew how this would end.
“Because I know.”
Her breath came in slow, shallow pulls through clenched teeth,
as if bracing herself for a pain she couldn’t avoid.
Just then — while she was sipping her coffee as though to drain it dry —
someone waved at her.
“Excuse me!”
It was a man, kind-faced and plain, standing in a photo spot with a cheerful smile.
“If you’re not busy, could you take a picture for us?”
He held out his phone politely.
“Oh, sure.”
“Thank you! Honey, over here—”
As she took the phone, the man turned to call his wife—
then blinked in confusion.
“Uh? Where’d she go?”
“The screen’s locked,” she said, tapping the phone.
“Oh, sorry! It’s a pattern lock—”
He reached for the phone just as the screen went dark again.
Tap.
But before his hand could touch hers,
another hand suddenly intercepted — gripping both her hands, phone and all.
It was Yoon-jae.
“…Who’s this?”
His eyes held a quiet, unmistakable displeasure.
She blinked, startled.
“Oh, there she is! Honey!”
The husband, oblivious to the strange tension, waved brightly at his wife.
“…”
As the man hurried to his wife, clinging to her like gum,
Yoon-jae slowly released her hand and stepped back.
What… was that?
She tilted her head slightly, confused.
“What are you doing?”
He didn’t answer — just moved a little farther away.
He couldn’t very well explain that from behind, it had looked like
some random guy trying to hit on her.
She was left full of question marks,
but still, she took the photos for the couple as promised.
Click after click, she smiled behind the camera.
“Don’t overdo it,” Yoon-jae murmured from behind her.
“Just a sec.”
The couple, lost in their own bliss,
looked so happy it was infectious.
She grinned softly.
“They look lovely. I’m jealous, honestly.”
That kind of obvious, radiant warmth —
it was one of the things she admired most.
“Thank you so much!”
The husband, delighted with her dedication,
looked through the twenty or so photos, then smiled.
“Let us take one for you two as well! Stand over there!”
Caught off guard by the offer, she waved both hands.
“Huh? No, that’s really not necessary!”
“This is actually a famous photo spot,” he said enthusiastically.
“Usually people line up for it, but there’s no one today! Come on, just stand there.
Here, hand me your phone for a second.”
“No, really, it’s fine—”
“Honey, let’s make room for them.”
“Yeah! Over here, please!”
The overly friendly couple practically dragged them into position,
eyes shining with excitement.
Before they knew it, she and Yoon-jae were standing in the exact same spot
where the couple had just been.
“This isn’t necessary, really…”
What was more surprising —
Ha Yoon-jae actually didn’t refuse. He just stood there, silent.
“…”
They stood far enough apart that someone could easily fit between them,
but the couple, brimming with creative passion, wasn’t satisfied.
“Could you stand a little closer? The background won’t come out otherwise.”
“A bit closer… yes, just a little— maybe the boyfriend could put his arm
around the girlfriend’s shoulders? Like this?”
The husband demonstrated by wrapping an arm around his wife’s waist.
Startled, she waved both hands.
“No, no! This is fine!”
Her reaction made him lower the phone in embarrassment.
“Oh— so you two aren’t… like that?”
Realizing their mistake, the couple looked flustered.
The air turned awkward.
She wet her dry lips, unsure what to say.
Then, quietly — Yoon-jae spoke.
“We’re married.”
The blunt answer made the couple’s faces instantly brighten.
“Oh, you’re married!”
“No wonder she looked so shy!”
“Totally understand — I mean, it’s family, so…”
“What?”
“Oh, nothing.”
The couple’s silly banter made her chuckle softly.
‘Right. We are married.’
Real or not — they were a married couple.
Suppressing the strange emotion rising in her chest,
she stepped up beside him.
Then — grabbed his arm.
“…?”
He looked down at her in surprise.
“Just play along,” she whispered.
“No need to advertise that we’re getting divorced.”
Her tone was teasing, but her expression — almost pleading.
Yoon-jae looked at her for a long second,
then down at the pale hand resting on his arm.
And without a word — he pulled her closer.
“…!”
Her eyes widened as her body pressed against his.
Her arm naturally wrapped around his in surprise.
Yoon-jae’s lips curved slightly.
“What? Not like this?”
Click!
The flash went off.
