Episode 9
887 Words
After Choi Joon left, Shree couldn’t stop thinking.
Am I doing the right thing?
The question kept repeating in her mind.
Back home, I’ve taken care of my friends’ pets before… but that was only for a week or two.
And no one ever got the wrong idea.
But this is Korea… I don’t know how people here would see something like this.
I’m only doing this because he asked as a favor, she told herself. I’m just helping a friend. That’s it.
Meanwhile, in the elevator, Choi Joon leaned against the wall, lost in thought.
Should I have come up with some other excuse?
A small smile appeared on his lips.
…But this way, I’ll get more time with her.
A few days later, Choi Joon knocked on Shree’s door.
When she opened it, she saw him standing there with Yuki. A small travel bag hung over his shoulder.
Shree took a quiet breath and stepped aside.
“Come in.”
Yuki immediately began looking around, curious about the new environment.
Just then, Nila ran out of her room.
“YUKIII!” she squealed, dropping to her knees as she hugged and petted the dog excitedly.
Both Shree and Choi Joon couldn’t help but smile at the sight.
“She’s going to be so happy,” Shree said softly.
Choi Joon’s gaze lingered on Nila for a moment… before shifting to Shree.
There was a brief, unfamiliar tension between them.
“I wrote everything down,” he said, handing her a small notebook. “Her routine, what she eats, things she likes… and what to avoid. My number’s in there too.”
Shree took it from him.
Their fingers brushed.
Just a second longer than necessary.
She stepped back.
“I’ll take care of her,” she said gently. “Don’t worry.”
Yuki suddenly walked away from Nila and returned to Choi Joon, nudging his leg softly—as if she already knew.
He crouched down, patting her head.
“You, be good, okay?” he murmured.
Yuki let out a small whine.
Shree noticed.
“She knows,” she said quietly.
Choi Joon looked up. “Hmm?”
“That you’re leaving.”
He exhaled softly. “She might take some time to adjust… but she’ll be okay.”
Shree nodded.
“When are you leaving?” she asked.
“Tomorrow morning.”
“…Hmm.”
Before the moment could stretch further, Nila ran up to him and hugged him tightly.
“Ajusshi, are you going somewhere?”
Choi Joon picked her up in his arms.
“Yes, princess. I’m going for work.”
“For how many days?”
“A little long.”
Nila’s face immediately fell.
“Come back fast, okay?”
His expression softened.
“I will.”
When he set her down, his eyes met Shree’s.
And this time—
Neither of them looked away.
“I’ll come during breaks,” he said quietly.
It didn’t feel like information.
It felt like reassurance.
Shree nodded.
“Okay.”
A silence settled between them.
“I should go,” he finally said.
Shree gave a small smile.
“Yeah.”
He turned and took a step. Then another.
He didn’t turn back this time.
And for some reason… that hurt more.
The door closed.
Inside the house, Nila was happily playing with Yuki.
But Shree stood still, holding the notebook in her hands. Her eyes lingered on the door for a moment longer than necessary.
“…Seven months,” she whispered.
Then she looked at Yuki, a small smile forming.
“…Looks like it’s just us now.”
The next morning, after waking up, Shree checked her phone.
An article popped up—members of the K-pop group “ELIXAR” had departed for their world tour.
She walked over to Yuki, placing kibbles into her bowl.
“Looks like your dad boarded safely,” she said softly.
She glanced back at her phone.
“…Take care and come back safe.”
For the next few days, life settled into a routine.
One day, in the living room, Shree sat reading while Nila played nearby.
After a moment, Nila looked up at her. “Mumma, when will ajusshi come back?”
“I don’t know, baby,” Shree said gently. “But he said he’ll visit when he gets a break.”
“Where is he now? Won’t he miss me and Yuki?”
Shree smiled, lightly pinching her nose.
“He’ll probably be in America… and yes, he’ll definitely miss both of you.”
Nila pouted.
“Can I talk to him? I miss him.”
Shree hesitated.
“Baby… Mumma doesn’t have his number.”
Nila immediately replied, “Yes, you do! It’s in the notebook ajusshi gave.”
Shree paused.
I was hoping you didn’t notice that…
“But he must be busy,” she tried again. “We shouldn’t disturb him.”
“No, I want to talk to him. Please!”
Her expression made it very clear—if Shree refused again, tears were coming.
Shree sighed softly.
“…Okay. I’ll call him.”
She picked up her phone and dialed his number.
Her mind expected him not to answer.
But her heart… hoped otherwise.
The phone rang.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
“Hello.”
- Writer
