Lovely Runner 2: Finding Grandma

Chapter 24: Switching Roles

She steps in front of him, flustered.

"Oh... uh... Sun Jae-ah," she stammers, nodding her head. "I-I have to go..."

Quickly, she slips out the door, running straight into present-day Sun Jae. Grabbing his hand, she pulls him down the hallway into the lantern light. He looks at her, stunned and confused.

When she glances back at him, she notices a bruise on his cheek and that his hanbok is dirty with powder and other substances.

"Sun-Sun Jae-ah?!" She grabs his face, turning it left and right in concern. "Are you... okay?"

"Nae..." He nods, gently lowering her hands. "She's tougher than I thought."

"She?"

"You," he replies, his voice tinged with a hint of bitterness, still reeling from being bested by a woman half his size.

"Me?"

"Mmm-hmm, past you," he confirms with a nod.

"I—Past Solie did this?" Her eyes widen as she takes in the messy state her present-day Sun Jae is in. "What happened?"

"Well..." Sun Jae begins his story.

---

**Sun Jae's POV:**

Walking down the dark hallway, he finds a well-lit and elaborate room. It's as though he's stepped into the quarters of a Joseon princess—extravagant curtains and silk, a vanity with jewelry and ancient makeup, and a small table for tea.

In another section of the room, Sun Jae spots Past Sol halfway out the window. Her eyes widen when she sees him. "Go!" she says, waving him away.

Concerned, Sun Jae lunges toward her, grabbing hold of Past Sol and pulling her back inside.

"Hyah!" she shouts, smacking his back. "Let me go!"

He sets her down on the bed, baffled. "What? What are you doing?!"

She scowls up at him. "I'm going to see my Tae Sung-ah!" Past Sol shouts, crawling back toward the window.

Spotting the watch on her wrist, Sun Jae grabs her arm. "Ani! You can't!"

"What?" She furrows her brow and smacks his head. "I can't?!"

"Ah!" He flinches. This is not the Im Sol he knows and loves. This Sol is spoiled and bratty.

Past Sol sticks her tongue out at him and turns back to the window. He grabs her wrist, refusing to let go.

"Are you crazy?!" he asks, gesturing to the pitch-black night outside with his head. "It's not safe out there for you."

"Ha! What does a servant like you know?" She yanks her hand away.

"Ha!" Sun Jae scoffs, putting his hands on his hips. "Excuse me, Miss Princess, I'm not a servant."

She becomes red-faced, provoked. "How dare—"

"How dare? Do you know anything about Tae Sung?" He fires back. "I'm sure he's not good in this life."

"Oh ho ho!" Sol fumes. "Just because Oemma and everyone else doesn't like him doesn't mean he's bad to me." She crosses her arms.

Seeing her cute, pouty face, Sun Jae is reminded of his own Im Sol, but this one is much more aggressive—at least toward him.

Sun Jae scoffs. "Either way," he says, crossing his arms. "I'm not letting you go."

"You—" Sol points at him, laughing in disbelief. "You're going to keep me here?"