As soon as I opened my eyes, I looked at the calendar first.
Just as I’d checked yesterday, a red circle was over today’s date.
I buckled on my wristwatch.
Only after I ran my fingertips once over the crack in the glass did I leave the house.
Nothing happened at all on the way to work.
People, traffic lights, and the buses passing by were all exactly the same as usual. That somehow made me even more uneasy.
When I got to the office, Director-nim was busily moving back and forth with a stack of documents in his hands.
The accounting staff had shown up since morning and were poring over the ledgers.
"...The 200 million and 40 million is missing here, as you can see, right?"
I heard a strange man ask, thrusting documents at the director. The director’s face went pale.
"I-I definitely had it matched up……."
In the first run, I never heard this scene. This time, the hole was exposed to everyone before I was.
*
After lunchtime passed, Unhak came looking for me. His usual sly smile was gone.
"...Um, do you have a moment to talk?"
Unhak led me into an empty conference room and, after hesitating for a long while, finally spoke.
"...I got fired this morning. Out of nowhere."
"...Why?"
"I don’t know. They just said to wrap it up as of today from above. But before I quit, I thought I should tell you this."
Unhak lowered his voice.
"When today’s settlement is over, they’re going to erase this line altogether. Accounts, documents, people. So if you’re going to do anything today, you need to be even more careful."
"...People, too?"
Instead of answering, Unhak looked away. That was the answer.
"...Does Dōngmín know too?"
"I couldn’t tell my hyung. If I did, he’d obviously rush in first. I just thought you should know at least."
Only then did the face that had been smiling slyly until the very end finally look his age.
I couldn’t properly say thank you or sorry, and left the conference room.
*
At closing time, Dōngmín wasn’t standing in front of the office.
It was the first time.
Uneasy, I was about to pull out my phone when I saw an unfamiliar car stopped at the mouth of the alley.
It was a familiar sight.
That night, that van.
My legs gave out.
The moment I turned to run back, someone suddenly grabbed my arm.
"...It’s me."
Dōngmín, panting for breath, said urgently as he opened the car door.
"...Unhak contacted me. Hurry, get in."
My body froze in place.
"...I’m not getting in. I’m not getting in that car."
"This isn’t the time for that. That car is chasing us, I’m telling you."
"Even so, I’m not getting in. Absolutely not."
My voice was shaking badly.
I couldn’t explain why I was refusing this badly.
I could never, ever tell this person that I’d died inside a car.
Dōngmín looked at me with a flustered expression, then, without pressing me further, closed the car door again.
"...Okay. Then let’s just walk to the main road. We can go into a crowded area there."
Dōngmín tightly took my hand and started walking. After a few steps, he glanced back at me casually.
"...But why are you so against getting in a car? Did something happen?"
"...Nothing. I just don’t want to get in."
It was an answer that made no sense.
Dōngmín seemed to know that too, but he didn’t press me further and only tightened his grip on my hand.
"...Okay. Then don’t let go of my hand."
For some reason, that made me feel like I might cry.
Even now, this person was this kind.
I could hear the engine of that car slowly tailing us from behind, but there was no time to look back.
*
At the entrance to the main road, it was the moment I was catching my breath and waiting for the light to change.
A black sedan burst out from a side alley without slowing down at all.
"...Huh?"
That was all I got out.
Flash, and my vision went white.
With the sensation of my body going weightless, I was flung to the ground.
From the wrist that struck the asphalt, I heard the watch glass crack open again with a sharp snap.
Over that already existing crack, in the exact same place.
From far away, or perhaps very close by, I heard Dōngmín’s voice.
"...Hey, snap out of it."
My vision was blurry. I could barely make out Dōngmín’s face. There was blood flowing down his head too.
"No, no...... just once, please, just one more chance."
I didn’t even know who I was talking to. God, this world, or maybe just Dōngmín.
Dōngmín looked at me with dazed eyes, then gave a weak smile.
"...I, I’m sure somewhere...... this, before too......"
He couldn’t finish the sentence. His eyes slowly closed.
After that, there was nothing again.
The story development is.... hahaha
Are you flustered...??
Even the title is a spoiler again..... hahaha
There’s still a bit left until the end, so I’d be grateful if you keep reading and enjoy it!!🩷🩷
