"I hope today is the last day"

03. Probability of Chance

"I hope today is the last day"

Episode 3. The Probability of Chance

Sarah carefully descended the stairs that curved around the pillars, and as soon as she stepped onto the first floor, she stopped and looked around.

Looking out the window, listening to the sound of the water flowing from the water mill that continues to turn in the corner of the botanical garden and the sound of the leaves brushing against each other,

White snowflakes falling softly.

Sarah, who had been watching the scenery in silence, smiled bitterly as she recalled the conversation she had just had with Jimin.

And then, naturally, my hand reached for my phone. To press the call button to call Jungkook.

"Yeah, I'm going to go now. Where are you?"

Sarah arrived at the restaurant at the address Jungkook had given her. It seemed like a lot of snow had fallen in that short time, as small, fluffy flakes piled up on her shoulders.

I carefully scanned the restaurant, spotted Jeongguk sitting at his table, and headed over. "Have you ordered your food?"

전정국

I ordered pasta and pizza. Is that okay?

한사라

That's okay. I like both of them so much.

Sarah wiped her hands with the wet tissue placed before her. Before she could even take off her outerwear, the food arrived. She paused, exclaiming in admiration as she stared intently at the food.

한사라

…Just by looking at it, I can tell the price range?

When Sarah cautiously looked at Jeong-guk, he smiled brightly, as if it wasn't his business. He waved the receipt in the air, indicating he'd already paid. "It's not my money, so what?"

전정국

If it seems insufficient, you can order more.

한사라

Oh, no, no. It's okay, not like that...

He was about to get up to call the staff again, but Sarah hurriedly sat him down. "Enough. If I eat all of this, I can skip breakfast tomorrow."

·

A casual conversation between two people. They are enjoying the moment, emptying their plates one by one.

At that moment, Jeongguk, who was staring intently at Sarah who was eating noodles wrapped around a fork, quickly put down his spoon and opened his mouth heavily.

전정국

… … I have something to say.

한사라

… …Huh? Right now?

Seeing Jeongguk's expression darken considerably, Sara also put down her fork and wiped her lips with a napkin. "What did you do to me?"

전정국

No, that's not it.

한사라

then?

Sarah must have been secretly anxious, staring only at Jeongguk. Finally, Jeongguk finally opened his mouth and apologized.

전정국

I think you'll have to go alone today.

Suddenly, a college senior from nearby contacted me. In a voice hushed by alcohol, he asked me to take him with him. He said he didn't know where he was.

한사라

Who? Is this the senior I know?

전정국

I don't know. We were in the same club.

한사라

… Shouldn’t you go right now?

전정국

There's another senior next to me. He said he has some work to do and has to go soon, but he'll stay with me until I pick him up.

Ah-. Sarah nodded at Jeongguk's words, took a sip of water, then put the glass down again and spoke to him.

한사라

…but why is that something to be sorry about?

전정국

Well… I can’t take you there.

한사라

What the... lol Since when did you take care of me like that?

"I like going alone. I'm really okay with it, so I'll decline the apology." "Pick," Sara said with a smile. Jungkook smiled as well.

전정국

Gilchi Hansara… I’m a little worried.

한사라

Okay, I just need to transfer to the subway or bus.

한사라

Don't worry about it, you're the one who's going to get home.

전정국

I have to drive that senior's car, what-.

Sara flinched at the sight of Jungkook, leaning back against the backrest and gulping down cold water. "Why was that senior driving if he was going to drink?"

전정국

What I'm saying is.

After a few more minutes of conversation, Jungkook's phone rang. He checked the screen and got up, gathering his coat. "I have to go."

한사라

Yeah - thank you for your hard work.

한사라

Oh, I'll email today's report to the team leader.

전정국

Okay, you go straight home too.

한사라

Hey, drive carefully-

Jungkook waved lightly at Sarah, then gradually walked away from the table… and before he knew it, he had reached the restaurant entrance and turned around again.

전정국

Go home and call me, don't go to sleep right away.

And then he was waving it next to my face, making the shape of a phone hand, still wearing his coat and draped over his arm.

It wasn't that cold. It snowed quite a bit, but... the wind felt unfamiliar against my skin, so it felt a bit chilly.

When I put my dry, cold hands into my coat pockets, things seemed a little better.

I quite liked this quiet moment of walking leisurely toward the subway station, along the snow-covered road that made a crunching sound.

Of course, excluding the lovers who pass by this road and flirt.

As I was walking down this street with my mind so blank... suddenly, I remembered the conversation we had earlier. Jimin, you know.

···

I knew a long time ago that your sincerity was contained in those few words: "Long time no see, us."

I'm sure you brought that up after much thought, but it also felt like a heavy burden to me.

한사라

……I know.

What was absurd and stupid was that I had no idea what to say in that situation.

As if you knew my true feelings, you spoke to me again.

박지민

… I just felt like I was a bit of a fool.

"Oh, this won't do." You, at a loss, tossed your head back, only to bite your poor lip repeatedly.

한사라

No, not at all.

With those exact words, we naturally looked away from each other as we stood facing each other. We knew all too well that we were both burdened by each other.

It's so trivial, but I'm at a loss right now because I don't know what to say to the people involved.

As expected, the words were exchanged.

박지민

how have you been doing?

한사라

… I’ve been doing okay. How about Jimin?

박지민

… Well, I don’t know.

That phrase has been running through my head ever since. I know it's my fault, so I feel even more sorry, it's driving me crazy.

I was lost in my thoughts for a moment, and then I came to my senses. I looked back at the path I had come, wondering how much further I had walked... I had come a long way.

I didn't even realize I had passed the subway station.

I was about to rush to the subway station when, suddenly, something irritated my toes. My gaze fell, and sure enough—my shoelaces were untied.

I came here wearing sneakers for nothing... I muttered to myself, bent my knees, and started tying the loose laces again.

한사라

… … I don’t feel well.

It's not like I have any particular jinx or trauma - but strangely, whenever my shoelaces become untied, I feel anxious.

As if what was going to happen next was going to be set in stone.

Leaving behind that uneasy feeling, I looked at my tightly tied shoelaces and thought, "It's time to get up." Then, another pair of shoes entered my field of vision.

I wondered why he was standing in front of me, when he could have just walked away. As I tried to raise my head... I heard someone's voice.

"It's still tied like that."

It was neither a familiar voice nor an unfamiliar voice…

Just… a voice that you can tell who it is right away just by its name.

In an instant, my whole body froze. I lost the strength to stand, and the familiar scent of perfume, carried by the wind, finally lingered in my head like a bell.

As if I had unconsciously realized that it was a scent I hadn't felt in a long time.

The person who has been constantly holding me back in my head is standing in front of me.

김태형

If you tie it like that, it will keep coming loose.

Kim Taehyung. The person who once stole my heart.

A person I missed, but didn't want to see.

The person who once dug into my memories, he was my first love.