23.
1108 Words
The morning felt quieter than usual.
Not because the town was silent.
But because something inside Ara felt different.
She woke up before the sun had fully risen.
For a moment, she stayed in bed, staring at the soft light coming through the window.
Today…
Jin Woo would leave.
She had known it for days.
She had prepared herself.
She had told herself it was normal.
But now that the day had come…
Her heart did not listen.
—
At the market, Ara worked as always.
Her hands moved quickly.
Her voice sounded steady.
But her mind was somewhere else.
Minho watched her for a while.
Then he said,
“You don’t have to act strong all the time.”
Ara didn’t look at him.
“I’m not acting.”
Minho sighed.
“He’s just going to the capital. Not disappearing forever.”
Ara forced a small smile.
“I know.”
“Then why do you look like this?”
Ara stopped for a second.
Then she said quietly,
“Because… I don’t know when he will come back this time.”
Minho didn’t joke this time.
He just nodded.
“That’s fair.”
—
Jin Woo arrived later than usual.
He had already packed his things.
Some people greeted him respectfully again.
He answered politely, but without much interest.
His eyes were already searching for someone.
When he saw Ara…
He slowed down.
She was standing there, just like always.
But somehow…
She looked smaller today.
Quieter.
He walked toward her.
“Ara.”
She turned and smiled.
“You’re late.”
Jin Woo nodded.
“I had things to finish.”
Ara looked at him carefully.
“Are you ready?”
Jin Woo gave a small nod.
“Yes.”
A short silence followed.
Neither of them spoke.
Because both of them knew…
This moment was coming.
—
After the market work ended, they didn’t go to the hill.
Or the river.
Instead, they stayed near the quiet street behind the market.
A place where fewer people passed.
Ara leaned lightly against the wall.
Jin Woo stood in front of her.
“I’ll leave before sunset,” he said.
Ara nodded.
“Okay.”
Jin Woo watched her face.
“You’re too calm.”
Ara gave a small smile.
“If I cry, will you stay?”
Jin Woo didn’t answer.
Because he couldn’t.
Ara looked down.
“That’s why I won’t cry.”
Jin Woo stepped closer.
“You don’t have to hide your feelings.”
Ara shook her head gently.
“I’m not hiding them.”
She looked up again.
“I just don’t want this moment to be sad.”
Jin Woo’s eyes softened.
“Ara…”
She took a small step forward.
“I want to remember this day… as something warm.”
Jin Woo slowly nodded.
“Then let’s do that.”
—
They walked together again.
Slowly.
Without any rush.
They passed the small shops.
The quiet houses.
The places that held their memories.
“This is where you first helped me carry things,” Ara said.
Jin Woo smiled slightly.
“You dropped everything.”
Ara frowned.
“It was heavy.”
“You were stubborn.”
“You didn’t help properly,” she replied.
Jin Woo chuckled.
“I did.”
Ara shook her head, but her smile returned.
They kept walking.
Holding onto small memories.
Because both of them knew…
They were trying to make this moment last longer.
—
By the time they reached the edge of the town, the sky had started to change colors.
Orange.
Soft gold.
A quiet evening.
Jin Woo stopped walking.
“This is where I go.”
Ara nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
Her hands tightened slightly.
Jin Woo looked at her.
“I will send letters.”
Ara smiled.
“I’ll wait for them.”
“I will come back.”
“I’ll be here.”
Jin Woo took a deep breath.
Then he stepped closer.
Very close.
“Ara.”
“Yes?”
For a moment, he just looked at her.
As if he wanted to remember every detail.
Then he gently touched her face.
“I don’t want to leave you.”
Ara’s eyes softened.
“I know.”
“But I have to.”
“I know that too.”
Jin Woo let out a quiet breath.
“You always understand.”
Ara smiled gently.
“Because I believe in you.”
Those words stayed in the air.
Heavy.
But warm.
Jin Woo slowly leaned forward.
And kissed her.
This time, it was not just soft.
It carried something deeper.
Something heavier.
A mix of love…
And reluctance.
Ara held onto his clothes lightly.
As if she didn’t want him to go.
But she didn’t stop him either.
When they finally pulled apart…
Her eyes were slightly wet.
But she was still smiling.
“Go,” she said softly.
Jin Woo nodded.
But he didn’t move.
Not yet.
“Ara…”
“Yes?”
“Wait for me.”
Ara nodded again.
“I will.”
Jin Woo finally stepped back.
One step.
Then another.
His eyes never left her.
Until the distance between them slowly grew.
Ara stood there.
Watching him walk away.
She didn’t move.
Even when he became smaller.
Even when he almost disappeared.
Only when he was completely gone…
Did she take a slow breath.
The smile on her face faded.
Her eyes lowered.
And this time…
She didn’t stop the tears.
—
Night came quietly.
The town returned to its usual calm.
But something felt missing.
Ara walked back home slowly.
Each step felt heavier than before.
The streets felt emptier.
Colder.
She opened her door and stepped inside.
The room looked the same.
Nothing had changed.
But it didn’t feel the same anymore.
She sat down quietly.
Her hands resting in her lap.
“He’ll come back,” she whispered.
As if she was reminding herself.
She looked at the small things around her.
The simple life she had always known.
And now…
She was waiting.
—
Far away, on the road to the capital…
Jin Woo continued his journey.
His expression was calm.
But his mind was not.
Every step forward felt heavier.
Because something inside him…
Did not feel at ease.
He didn’t know why.
But a strange feeling stayed in his chest.
Like a quiet warning.
—
And somewhere, hidden in the darkness of the night…
A figure stood watching the empty road behind him.
Still.
Silent.
Waiting.
Then slowly…
The figure turned away.
And disappeared into the shadows.
As if something had already been decided.
- Writer
