Lovely Runner 2: Finding Grandma

Chapter 27: Who are you?

Later that night, a drunk In Hyuk stumbles through the door. His hazy eyes scan the room, and he sees doubles of Sol and Sun Jae lying on the floor.

"Ay! Chincha? I drank too much," he mumbles, clutching his pounding head. "I'm seeing double now..." In Hyuk shakes his head, not realizing there are really two Sols and two Sun Jaes.

Dismissing his confusion, In Hyuk heads to his room and flops onto his bed.

The next morning, Past Sun Jae wakes up, wincing as he stretches and takes in his surroundings. He blinks, recognizing where he is. "In Hyuk's house?"

His eyes widen when he sees Present Sol and Sun Jae curled up together and Past Sol sleeping on the opposite side of the room. "Omo!" He smacks his forehead, feeling his temperature. "I must have a fever."

Present Sol wakes up and turns to her side, meeting his gaze. "Good morning!" she smiles groggily, still trying to distinguish him from her own Sun Jae.

Past Sun Jae jumps back, covering his face with a blanket. He's not sure how she can speak if she's a hallucination, and it makes his heart race.

Present Sol pokes Present Sun Jae, waking him up. When Present Sun Jae sits up and rubs his eyes, he comes face to face with his terrified past self.

"Omo!" Past Sun Jae exclaims. "I died?!"

His exclamation makes Past Sol shoot up. When she locks eyes with Present Sol, she screams and jumps to her feet. "Ahhh! Goblins!"

Both Present Sol and Sun Jae furrow their brows, looking at their past selves and then at each other. "Goblins?"

"Oh, Sun Jae-ah!" Past Sol rushes to Past Sun Jae's side, clinging to his arm. She recognizes him by his unmistakable long hair.

"It'll be okay, Solie," Past Sun Jae pulls her close, shielding her.

"We're not goblins," Present Sun Jae says, shaking his head and chuckling.

"We're your future selves," Sol explains with a smile, standing next to her husband.

"F-future selves?!" Past Sol and Sun Jae repeat simultaneously.

"Nae," Present Sol nods happily. "We saved you last night."

"Saved us?" Past Sol echoes, blinking in confusion.

"Ani! I'm not that ugly," Past Sun Jae says finally, scowling and crossing his arms. Both versions of Sol turn to him with puzzled looks.

"What?!" Present Sun Jae's head whips toward Past Sun Jae before pouting to himself. "Me?!"

The other Sun Jae gives a slow nod, glancing up at his future self with disgusted disbelief. "Yes. You."

"Ha!" Present Sun Jae scoffs. "I look just like you."

"Ani," Past Sun Jae shakes his head. "I'm more handsome."

"M-More handsome?!"

"Nae," his past self continues, crossing his legs and straightening his shoulders with confidence before running his fingers through his black silky hair. "My Sol loves it."

Hearing that, Present Sol flinches. Past Sun Jae still thinks that Past Sol braided his hair for him, she hopes the truth won't come out. It was a terrible distraction technique she used earlier and she regrets it.

"Haha, okay. Your luscious locks are all you've got. I married my Sol. You're her servant— not even in the friend zone," Present Sun Jae smirks, crossing his arms proudly.

"Oh, really?!" Past Sun Jae jumps to his feet, provoked, and steps toward Present Sun Jae. "Well, I'm a musician."

"Ha!" Present Sun Jae scoffs again. "Well, I'm a singer and a millionaire. What do you have?"

At that, Past Sun Jae grabs his future self by the collar. Both Sols intervene, stretching their arms between the men. "No, Sun Jae-ah!" they say in unison.

"Araseo!" The two Sun Jaes back down, listening to their Sols.

"Are you alright?" Past Sun Jae asks, noting the bruise on Past Sol's cheek, brushing his finger over it.

"Mmm-hmm," she turns to him, her eyes glossy with affection and tears. She places her hands on his arms and searches his face and body for wounds. "Are you okay too? Did they hurt you badly?" Her hands tremble as she cups his face, noting the scars from his beating.

"Nae, Agassi," he smiles, taking her hands and kissing them. "I'm alright now." His gaze shifts to Present Sol. "Your future self saved me."

"And me too!" Present Sun Jae cuts in, rolling his eyes and stomping his foot.

"Shhh!" Present Sol uses her hand to fan her angry husband, employing his own technique against him.

"Sun Jae-ah," Past Sol says, pressing her head against Past Sun Jae's chest in remorse. "I'm so sorry for treating you so coldly, for ignoring you when you were kind to me. You're not just a servant to me anymore." She wraps her arms tightly around him, gazing up with soft eyes. "You're someone I love deeply. I don't have enough words to tell you."

Past Sun Jae strokes her cheek, cupping her head in his hands. "It's okay, Agassi. I forgive you. All these marks and bruises were for you because I love you. I love you, Sol."

Before he can say more, Past Sol seals his lips with a kiss, her warmth and love radiating through him.

"Aw! How cute!" Present Sol remarks, beaming and bashfully folding her hands. "We look so good together."

"Yeah..." Present Sun Jae replies unenthusiastically, rolling his eyes. He doesn't find this version of himself very charming.

The moment is broken when In Hyuk stumbles out of his room, gaping in shock. "Omo! I really shouldn't drink again! Maybe I was poisoned?!"

"Haha," Present Sol laughs. "Yeah... maybe." Then she grabs Present Sun Jae's hand with a smile, speaking through her teeth. "Let's go!"

After leaving, they reach Halmeoni's hideout. But when they enter, they find it empty. Panicked, they search every room, calling out for her, but she's not there.

When they spot Hyun Joo coming down the hall, they rush to her, frantic.

Sol grabs her arm. "Have you seen Halmeoni?!"

"Ah, nae," Hyun Joo nods. "This morning."

"This morning?" Sol's eyes widen, hopeful.

"Yes." She holds out a folded piece of paper. "She wanted me to give you this."

With trembling fingers, Sol unwraps the message, scanning it with anxious eyes.

It reads: "See you in '67! ;)"

Both Sol and Sun Jae turn to each other in disbelief. This was not the end of their journey to bring Halmeoni home. She was headed back to 1960s Korea, the days of her youth, but they can't understand for what purpose. All they know is their mission isn't over yet; in fact, it's just getting started.