Chapter 489. Epilogue (2/2)

“Kuhaaa!”

Tang! Dylan and Ian heaved out a gasp after putting down their bowls. Then, they simultaneously shouted.

“Another Seol Jihu Ramen Special, please!”

“Yes, sir~! Two Seol Jihu Ramen Specials coming right up!”

Seol Jihu replied cheerfully.

“Two Seol Jihu Ramen Specials coming right up~!”

Baek Haeju and Seo Yuhui also shouted back with cheerful expressions.

*

Time flew, and the afternoon arrived.

Seol Jihu Ramen? closed when the sun set. Except for the customers already eating, other customers were sent back with an apology. Only then did the restaurant become quiet.

“Udadada~! We’re done with another fruitful day!”

Seol Jihu stretched. Then, he felt someone poking him on his side.

“What’s up?”

Seo Yuhui hushed him with a finger on her lips. Then, she pointed at a table in the corner of the restaurant. There, a hooded person was eating his ramen.

Haa, haa. Pulling back the long hair that peeked out of the hood, the customer ate busily with delicate lips. Although a baggy robe covered her body, her bulging breasts and delicate fingers made it obvious that she was a woman.

Of course, Seol Jihu felt like he knew who she was. Although he had never seen her before, he could feel a strong aura of lust coming from her.

“Haa~”

The satisfied moan that escaped her mouth after she finished the soup was also exceptionally sensual.

Seol Jihu smiled and stared at the woman.

Did she feel his gaze? The woman did a double-take, fumbled around a bit, and then stood up.

“Thank you for the meal. I’ll leave the money here.”

“Noona.”

Hearing Seol Jihu’s call, the hurriedly leaving woman stopped.

“Come by often.”

“....”

“And later, we can again go to the zoo together.”

The woman slowly turned around. As if she was caught red-handed, an embarrassed smile appeared on her lips.

“Are you asking me out on a date…? Ah, no, okay. See you again next time.”

The woman suddenly jumped in fright and then ran off.

Seol Jihu tilted his head and looked back. Baek Haeju was grinding her kitchen knife, and Seo Yuhui was cracking her neck with her hands locked together.

“You two….”

“Oh, right.”

Baek Haeju cut him off with a bright smile.

“You didn’t forget your dinner appointment with the family, right?”

“Of course not.”

It looked like she was trying to change the subject, but Seol Jihu nodded his head.

After cleaning the restaurant and closing the door, the three of them walked to the warp gate side by side. Before stepping into the portal, Seo Yuhui looked at Seol Jihu and winked.

Seol Jihu also winked in return.

*

Earth was having winter as well. Seol Jihu put on warm clothes and left his apartment room to head home.

In the past, he would feel nervous and anxious when he thought about going back. Even after he went inside, he would stay timid and walk on eggshells around his family.

But that was no longer the case. Visiting and calling them frequently, his relationship with his family was slowly returning to the way it was in the past.

Hopping in the SUV that Kim Hannah gifted him, he hummed in joy as he started the engine.

Home was just as warm as always. Seol Jihu walked in with his hands full and sat around the dinner table with everyone to join a hearty meal.

“....”

Seol Jihu’s father barely touched the food.

Sitting silently in his seat…

“Iya….”

He was in awe at the gift Seol Jihu brought.

“It’s the first time I’m seeing this brand.”

“It should be. It’s not sold in Korea, so you can only get it in Europe or other foreign countries.”

What Seol Jihu brought was cognac. It was the perfect gift for his father, who had a hobby of collecting foreign liquor.

“With what money?”

“I got it when I was on my recent overseas business trip. It wasn’t that expensive because I got it from a duty-free shop.”

“Oho.”

His father nodded his head. Judging by the way the corner of his lips was curled up, he must be satisfied without a doubt.

“Anyway, I’m glad you found a new workplace.”

Seol Wooseok cut in while munching on food.

“It sounded like an amazing place to work. How did you get into a company like that?”

“It wasn’t by coincidence. Just connections. A former Sinyoung employee founded the company, and he hit me up.”

Seol Jihu smiled vaguely. The company indeed offered amazing benefits and conditions. That was only natural since Kim Hannah founded the company separately from Valhalla.

She put Jang Maldong as its chairman to make it seem more legitimate, and Seol Jihu was given a believable role as well.

“I’m suspicious….”

Seol Jinhee observed Seol Jihu while fiddling around with her chopsticks.

“How do we know he’s not lying? Why would this person treat Oppa so well?”

“The chairman likes me a lot.”

Though that doesn’t begin to describe it. Seol Jihu chuckled.

“I’m not lying. You can come to see me at work if you want. Bring your friends too.”

With Seol Jihu going so far, Seol Jinhee had no choice but to back down.

“Thanks for the meal!”

Finishing her bowl of rice, she shot up. Their mother frowned as she saw Seol Jinhee run up the stairs.

“Jinhee!”

“Ah! I told you I have to be somewhere today! I’m going to be late for the movies! I have already delayed the meeting time for two hours!”

The door closed shut, followed by an angry shout.

“You know that the SATs ended yesterday, right?”

Seol Wooseok whispered from the side.

“Her boyfriend took the SATs yesterday, you see.”

“Huh? She’s dating a high schooler?”

Seol Jihu was startled.

“No, I think he just took a gap year. I’m not sure of the specifics, but she broke up with her ex about a month ago and has a new boyfriend now.”

“Wow, she’s popular, huh….”

“They must have hit it off on their first date. Anyway, try to understand. They’ve been planning this date for a while, it seems.”

Seol Jihu shrugged.

After finishing the meal and having a light chat, Seol Jihu walked up the stairs.

Tok, tok. After knocking on the door and opening it, he could see Seol Jinhee, dressed up pretty and applying her makeup.

“What?”

Seol Jinhee asked curtly after glancing sideways.

“Do you have time?”

“Make it quick. I have to go see my boyfriend.”

“I have a gift for you.”

“A gift? It’s not like it’s my birthday or anything.”

Despite saying this, Seol Jinhee’s eyes were already fixated on the shopping bag Seol Jihu brought.

“...You can leave it there.”

“Also.”

Seol Jihu also put down a white envelope.

“Here’s some allowance. I heard your boyfriend took the SATs yesterday. Tell him ‘good job’ and treat him to some good food.”

Seol Jihu waved his hand and turned back. After pretending to walk down, he went back up silently and peeked into Seol Jinhee’s room.

Seol Jinhee was busy doing her makeup with one hand and opening the gift with the other.

‘I feel like she’d be a perfect match with Kim Hannah….’

Seol Jihu couldn’t hide his shock at her dexterity, which neared the level of a god.

“Let’s see. 300,000 won, that’s a good amount. The wallet’s cute…. Fuck, a condom? He’s a virgin who only just mustered up the courage to hold my hand.”

Seonhwa Unni’s the problem. Seol Jinhee shook her head before shouting abruptly.

“Ah! A music box! They only sell this in Japan!”

Seol Jihu clenched his fist. He had planned the gift knowing that Seol Jinhee liked anime and manga.

‘Hehe, I knew I was good.’

He rubbed his nose and turned back.

“This is perfect. He was down because he didn’t think he did that well on the SATs. Maybe this will brighten him up a little.”

Seol Jihu staggered on his way down.

‘Well, I guess it’s okay if she’s happy.’

He walked down to the living room with a bitter smile.

“Then I’ll be off.”

“Huh? You’re leaving already?”

“I have somewhere to go too.”

“Where?”

Seol Wooseok turned and faced Yoo Seonhwa.

“Like a lost child~”

Yoo Seonhwa had suddenly begun to sing.

Seol Jihu coughed harshly.

“Uh… alright. Take this.”

Seol Wooseok gave him a bottle of pills.

“They’re pills to help you sober up.”

“Why, though?”

“Mother consulted a famous fortune-teller regarding you. She said you should be careful when drinking for the next three years and that you’d have a women problem if you didn’t. Have this with you just in case.”

“I’m okay…. Is this your company’s product?”

“Our company chairman developed it himself. Apparently, it has immediate effects. I brought a few as samples.”

“Oh, the guy with the two-syllable last name?”

Seol Jihu took the bottle.

“Even if I cry and beg you not to go~”

Meanwhile, Yoo Seonhwa’s singing continued.

“Unni, why are you singing all of a sudden?”

“Hmm? No reason.”

As if to run away, Seol Jihu left the giggling Yoo Seonhwa behind and left.

*

The nighttime streets were chilly.

“Brrrr.”

Seol Jihu hunched his shoulders and walked quickly.

Several colors brushed past him.

Green, green, blue, green, yellow, orange, yellow, yellow….

Seol Jihu, who was waiting for the traffic lights to change, suddenly narrowed his eyes.

‘Red?’

He quickly scanned his surroundings. Soon, he saw a driver dozing off in a car parked halfway between the crosswalk.

Seol Jihu quickly walked up.

Tang, tang! When he hit the windows hard, the driver jolted up. The window went down, and a strong smell of alcohol wafted out.

“You shouldn’t be drinking and driving.”

“Hm? Ah, I….”

The driver looked more than a little flustered. He must have confused Seol Jihu for an off-duty officer.

What should I do? Seol Jihu pondered for a moment before taking out a bottle from his pocket. It was the bottle of pills he got from Seol Wooseok before leaving his parents’ house.

“Take this. It helps you sober up.”

When he opened the bottle and took out a pill, the driver took it and threw it into his mouth. His unfocused eyes became clear in a second.

“...Huh?”

“Park your car on the side of the road and get some fresh air. Call a chauffeur service if possible.”

Seol Jihu turned around only after confirming that the driver was parking his car and getting out.

The traffic light changed, and Seol Jihu crossed the street.

Just now, he had changed another future. Perhaps it would have been the future of dozens.

That was how futures were.

The same person might walk the same road and end up in a completely different place. One insignificant choice could be the factor in determining their destination.

For example, Seol Jihu and Seol Jinhee had yet to make up with each other completely. But Seol Jihu no longer worried about the matter. It was because he could tell things were getting better over time.

‘Golden Commandment.’

To treat others the way you want to be treated.

As long as he acted properly with the thought of repenting, he believed he would eventually arrive at the future he desired.

Black Seol Jihu said so as well. That he did not have a dream or the will to achieve it. That he was dragged around by fate without seeing what was in store for the future. That this was the reason, he failed.

Seol Jihu now understood what he meant.

And now, Seol Jihu believed.

That all futures were open to those, who had dreams and the will to achieve them.

*

SY Apartment. It was a multi-use, high-rise complex that was said to be among Korea’s most expensive apartments.

Seol Jihu stood at the entrance and blew on his hands as he waited for the person he was supposed to meet.

How much time went by? Suddenly, he felt a cold touch on the back of his hand.

Looking down, he saw a tiny, white crystal.

‘...Snow?’

Staring in a daze, the crystal quickly liquified and disappeared. Seol Jihu tilted his head up and looked at the sky.

It started snowing.

Seol Jihu heaved out a breath towards the falling snow. He could see his breath scattering like a puff of smoke.

“Excuse me.”

It was then.

“My apologies, but it is forbidden to smoke here.”

A calm yet warm voice spoke to him.

“There’s a smoking area a little away from here.”

Seol Jihu slowly turned his head.

“If you’d like, you can come inside.”

She was standing there.

A snow-like woman, wearing a white coat and a white scarf.

Their eyes met. For a moment, they just stared at each other.

“This is….”

Seol Jihu quietly said.

“This is the first time we’re meeting on Earth, right?”

Seo Yuhui smiled.

“...No.”

She shook her head.

“It’s… the second time for me.”

Her eyes became a little dim as if she was recalling the past. After a short silence, Seo Yuhui grabbed Seol Jihu’s hands. Her eyes glinting with an unknown expectation, she asked.

“What’s your name?”

Name.

Name….

Seol Jihu lowered his head a little and buried his mouth in his scarf. He didn’t want her to see him laughing. For some reason, smiles refused to leave his face.

The snow was flurrying down before he noticed.

Seol Jihu stepped forward. So did Seo Yuhui.

Inside the world of falling snow, Seol Jihu looked at Seo Yuhui, walking toward him step by step.

“My name is….”

Then, like the enormous snowflakes wishing the world happiness...

“...Jihu.”

He smiled brightly and happily.

“Seol Jihu.”