Lovely Runner 2: Finding Grandma

Chapter 30: Where are you?

Sun Jae blinks, searching her gaze for an answer. "Why?"

"Harobeoji!" she exclaims, using the Korean word for grandpa.

"Harobeoji?"

"Nae." She nods, shaking her finger and squinting her eyes. "She's here for him."

"For your grandpa?" His eyes widen as he connects the pieces.

Sol presses her thumb against her chin. "Nae. She hasn't been well, and this is the town where she met him..."

"Really?!"

"Nae." She nods before tilting her head, thinking. "I just..." Suddenly, her eyes widen, and she claps again. "I got it!"

Sun Jae's eyes dart, searching for an answer. "What?"

"Min Seok!" she shouts, a bright smile on her face.

"Min—Min Seok?!" He stutters. "That brat is your grandfather..." Sun Jae runs his fingers through his hair.

She scowls, teasing him. "Hyah! Be respectful. He's older than you."

"Ha!" Sun Jae scoffs. "Not here."

At that, Sol shakes her head and rolls her eyes at her petty husband.

"Araseo, araseo..." she says, shoving Sun Jae toward the bathroom. "It's time to get ready for bed. We have a lot of work tomorrow."

"Work?"

"Mmm." She narrows her eyes. "We have a runaway Halmeoni to catch."

Nodding, Sun Jae turns back to the bathroom.

After a few moments, Sun Jae and Sol are both wearing the pajamas that Min Seok gave them—notably marked with "Mr." and "Mrs." on the shirt pockets.

Sol lies close to Sun Jae, his broad arms enveloping her in his embrace. Her eyes are closed.

"Sun Jae-ah," she says, groggy and almost asleep. "Will you get me ice cream in the morning?"

"Nae." He smiles, brushing his finger over her forehead. "I'll make you a giant sundae."

Nuzzling against his chest, Sol grins. "Can I have a goodnight kiss?"

Amused by her request, Sun Jae chuckles. "Of course." He leans in and presses a kiss to her lips.

"Mmm." She pulls him tighter, feeling his strong frame beneath her hands.

"Sun Jae-ah, Sun Jae-ah, Sun Jae-ah..." she trails off almost unconsciously, her eyes sealed as if talking in her sleep. "You're not allowed to go anywhere, araseo? You're my Sun Jae. The only one in the world..." She yawns, falling deeper asleep in his embrace.

Glancing down at her with warm affection and admiration, Sun Jae presses a kiss against her forehead and checks if she's awake. "Solie?" he whispers.

But she's asleep. Turning off the light on the nightstand, he pulls her close, dimples forming in his cheeks as he falls asleep.

Soon, however, he finds himself in their present-day apartment, alone in his bed. It's strange and quiet.

Getting up, he goes to look for Sol in the kitchen, but she's not there. He checks the living room; she isn't there either.

"Sol-ah!" he calls out.

She doesn't answer. She isn't there. Checking his phone, he searches for her contact: gone.

Rushing back into their bedroom, he panics, searching for her colorful, vibrant clothes but only finds his own.

Panting, Sun Jae clutches his head, tears welling in his eyes as he rushes from room to room.

"Solie! No, Solie! Where are you?"