Lovely Runner 2: Finding Grandma

Chapter 29: Don't Go

Locking eyes with Sun Jae, the girl yanks her hand away, pulls back the door, and runs out onto the busy, rain-slicked street.

Sun Jae chases after her as cars and hurried people rush by. She slips and falls onto the sidewalk, scraping her knee.

"Are you alright?" Sun Jae asks, worried.

But she doesn't answer, quickly getting up and sprinting toward the street.

"Wait!" Sun Jae calls, going after her.

A car speeds toward them, and though she dashes to the other side, the car blares its horn at Sun Jae. Sol comes up behind him, grabbing his wrist.

"Sun Jae-ah!" she yells, panicked, and pulls him back onto the sidewalk.

"Ryu Sun Jae!" she says, furrowing her brow, her eyes anxious. She places a hand on his arm and shakes her head. "Don't do that again! What if something happened?!"

"I'm okay, Solie..." he tries to comfort her.

"Yes, because I saved you," she says, gesturing to herself.

"But Halmeoni..." Sun Jae defends.

"Anniyo. I don't care..." she huffs.

"Solie..." he sighs, tilting his head back and rolling his eyes, weary of her scolding.

"Hyah!" Sol wags a finger at him. "Don't roll your eyes! Do you know how worried..."

She takes his hand, placing it over her racing heart. "Do you feel that? That's how worried I get..." Her voice quivers, and her eyes fill with tears.

For a moment, Sun Jae is silent, his hand lingering on her rapidly beating heart. He feels the rain on her cold skin, the anxiety coursing through her. Looking into her tear-filled eyes, he understands her fear; memories of watching him die still haunt her, and, especially now that she's pregnant, she's even more terrified of losing him.

"It's alright, Sol-ah," he says, pulling her into his arms and pressing her head to his chest as she cries harder.

"Don't leave me like that..." she whimpers, tightening her hold around his waist.

"I won't. I promise, Solie." He strokes her head. "Nothing is going to happen to me. Araseo?"

Raising her gaze to his, Sol's tear-streaked eyes search his face for reassurance. "Nae," she says, nodding shakily, shivering from the cold and her worries.

"Come here," he says with a smile and picks her up.

"Sun Jae-ah!" she says, chuckling.

"Let's get you dried off," he smirks, kissing her cheek.

"Nae," she whispers, looking at him with adoring eyes and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. She sighs, resting her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

After negotiating a room for a hefty price with Min Seok, they find themselves in an old but warm room.

"Here's the key," Min Seok says, handing it to Sun Jae. "Don't call me for anything at night. I have an exam tomorrow."

"What if we need..."

He points to a closet. "There are blankets, cleaning supplies, and toilet paper. Anything else, get it yourself. Araseo?"

"Araseo..." Sun Jae sighs.

But Min Seok doesn't leave, holding out his hand.

"What? What do you want?" Sun Jae blinks, frustrated.

"A tip," Min Seok replies, keeping his hand raised.

"A tip?" Sun Jae repeats, putting his hands on his hips.

"Nae," Min Seok says, gesturing to the room. "I put chocolates on your bed and roses on the nightstand. For your wedding."

"My—my wedding?" Sun Jae stammers, confused.

"Nae. That's why you have the silk hanbok." Min Seok lowers his voice, smirking. "But it looks like you were a bad boy..."

"What?" Sun Jae is even more confused. But when he looks at his Joseon-era outfit and Sol's pregnant belly, he realizes.

"Aish!" Sun Jae exclaims. "It's not what you think."

"Sure." Min Seok nods, extending his hand again. "Tip, please."

"Fine." Sun Jae gives him 1,000 Won.

"Have a good wedding night," Min Seok says, turning to the door and winking at Sun Jae as he leaves.

"Ha!" Sun Jae scoffs. "That punk!"

"Sun Jae-ah..." Sol calls to him, sitting on the bed.

"Yes, Solie?"

"Can you dry my hair for me?" She runs her fingers through her hair, smiling shyly.

A warm grin forms on his face, dimples showing. "Of course."

Grabbing a towel, he sits behind her, gently drying her hair. It's one of his favorite things to do since they started dating.

"Sun Jae..." Sol starts, munching on the chocolates. "Here..." She feeds him one, making his cheeks puff up.

"You look so cute when you eat," Sol chuckles.

"I do?" He blushes.

"Come here," she says, pointing to the floor. "Let me dry your hair too."

"Really?" His eyes light up.

"Mmm-hmm..." she nods, enthusiastic.

Taking a seat in front of her, Sun Jae hands her the towel, letting her fingers run through his damp hair, gently massaging his head.

"Do you like it?" she asks, smiling.

"Mmm-hmm." He nods, his gaze entranced by Sol's beauty, her face warm in the dim light.

"Sun Jae-ah..." she whispers, pressing a kiss on his forehead, then his cheek. "If it were the other way around...and I died instead of you...I know you'd do the same..."

His gaze softens with love and admiration. "Nae. That's right...I'd go back for you too."

Lowering her head, Sol presses a slow, deep kiss against his lips.

When they part, Sun Jae turns, kneeling at her feet, and takes her hand in his. "I love you, Sol."

She cups his face in her hands. "I love you, Sun Jae."

"I promise we'll catch her again..." Sun Jae says.

"Who?"

"The girl..."

"The girl?" Sol repeats, confused.

"Yes, Halmeoni."

Her eyes widen. "Halmeoni was the girl?!"

"You didn't know?" Sun Jae draws back. "She had the watch."

"Omo! Sun Jae-ah!" Sol exclaims. "But why is she younger?"

"Probably because we're in her timeline when her younger self was still living..."

"Ah..." Sol nods, deep in thought. "At least you saw her...but she might be harder to find?"

"Nae. But I think I remember how she looked..." Sun Jae assures her.

"I just...I wonder why she came here?" Sol muses, then a thought ignites in her eyes. She jumps to her feet. "Sun Jae-ah!"

"What?" He stands up too.

"I think I know why!" Sol claps her hands excitedly.