Chi-Woo stood fixed to the spot for a long time, not moving even an inch. The information he saw shocked him so much that he had to read it several times before he regained his senses. Then he became so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice that one flower petal had wilted, and another one hung loosely like it was about to fall off.

“It’s getting late now. We have to go.” Hawa broke Chi-Woo from his pondering and reminded him of the passage of time. Chi-Woo turned around blankly, and he staggered back to the path they had taken while keeping his mouth closed. Hawa walked forward and guided him from the front.

Meanwhile, Ru Amuh and Ru Hiana were beyond anxious and worried about their two companions. They argued among themselves, going back and forth with one saying, ‘We should wait a bit longer.’ And the other countering, ‘No, we should go to search for them right now.’ When they saw the bush in front of them rustle before Chi-Woo came out of it, they both sighed in relief. Of course, Ru Hiana was the one to complain angrily.

“Hey, senior! How could you come so late! Do you know how worried we were?” Ru Amuh tried to stop her, saying that they had to be quiet in this place, but Ru Hiana’s anger didn’t settle down easily. Since he knew he was in the wrong, Chi-Woo didn’t say much of anything else but a simple apology. Although his apology sounded insincere, Ru Hiana noticed the look on Chi-Woo’s face, and her rage quickly evaporated.

“Senior…did something happen?”

“What?”

“Your face…”

“Ah, it’s nothing. I was just thinking.”

“…You aren’t angry or anything, right?”

Chi-Woo made a weak smile. Ru Hiana worried if she had crossed the line, and from behind them, Ru Amuh glanced at Hawa and carefully observed Chi-Woo’s expression. Chi-Woo didn’t say anything back but instead stared at the empty space in front of him. Since only one flower petal...