He bought some coffee from the convenience store in front of the apartment complex. Some warm coffee was a great companion that allowed him to last through the cold. He sat at the table under the parasol with the coffee in hand, then started counting the apartment floors in front of him. One, two, three…. The lights were off. Gaeul had gone to Jeju island, so it would be a big problem if the lights were on. It was 9 p.m. Maru called Yoojin, who was in Japan, through the messenger app. It seemed that she was on her phone as she picked up immediately after the first ringtone.

-What got into you that would make you call me?

“Some business. You aren’t busy, are you?”

-I picked it up because I’m not busy, don’t you think?

“Are you resting?”

-Yeah. I’m just gazing at the ceiling while in bed.

“Good.”

Maru opened the canned coffee and wet his lips. The things he was about to say now would hurt Yoojin. She might even snap out at him, asking him how he could do such a thing as a friend.

“I have something to talk about regarding your mother.”

-Wait a sec.

He could hear the door close over the phone. A few...