The following week came with a quiet sense of awareness.
There was no need to bring it up again. No reminder written down or mentioned over breakfast. Still, both Kang Min and Ji Won moved through the morning knowing exactly what the day meant.
Ji Won stood in the kitchen, carefully arranging items into a small bag. She checked everything more than once—fruits, properly packed, and a few simple things she had insisted on preparing herself.
She adjusted the position of one container, then paused.
"Does this look okay?" she asked.
Kang Min glanced over from the living room, already dressed.
"It's fine."
She looked back into the bag anyway, making a small adjustment before closing it.
"You always say that."
"And it's usually enough."
She didn't argue this time. She zipped the bag and held it for a second before picking it up.
"I'm ready."
Kang Min grabbed his keys.
"Let's go."
The drive was calm.
The city moved as it always did—cars passing, people walking, nothing out of the ordinary. Ji Won rested the bag on her lap, her fingers loosely holding onto it as she looked ahead.
After a while, she spoke.
"I thought about what to say."
Kang Min kept his attention on the road.
"What did you come up with?"
"A lot," she said. "But now that we're actually going… I don't think I'll say everything."
"That's fine."
She glanced at him briefly.
"You're not planning anything, right?"
"No."
She smiled faintly.
"That sounds like you."
The sky remained clear for most of the drive, but as they approached the road leading to the cemetery, the weather shifted.
A drop landed on the windshield.
Then another.
Within seconds, the rain followed, steady and unbroken.
Ji Won looked up.
"…seriously?"
Kang Min slowed the car as they reached the entrance.
"Wait here," he said, reaching for the door.
"Where are you going?"
"There's a convenience store nearby."
She nodded.
"Okay."
He stepped out into the rain and moved quickly toward the street. Water gathered along the edges of the road, reflecting the dull gray sky.
Ji Won stayed in the car, watching the raindrops slide across the windshield. Her gaze drifted toward the cemetery gates.
Rows stretched inward, quiet and still.
She tightened her grip on the bag slightly.
Kang Min returned a few minutes later with two umbrellas. He handed one to her as she opened the door.
"That was quick," she said.
"Let's go."
They stepped into the rain together.
The umbrellas opened above them as they walked through the entrance.
The sound of rain filled the space, steady and consistent, blending with the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet.
Neither of them spoke as they walked.
They didn't need directions.
They already knew where they were going.
They stopped in front of the grave.
Ji Won stood still for a moment, her eyes fixed ahead. Then she slowly knelt, placing the bag down and opening it carefully.
She took out the fruits, arranging them neatly.
Kang Min placed the flowers beside them.
Nothing elaborate.
Just enough.
Ji Won sat back slightly, looking at everything they had placed.
"…we came to see you," she said quietly.
Kang Min stood beside her, holding the umbrella steady.
After a moment, he spoke.
"It's your remembrance day."
His voice was calm, steady.
"We didn't forget."
Ji Won's eyes softened slightly.
She nodded once.
"I've been okay," she said.
"I'm doing well in school."
She paused, thinking carefully.
"And I'm trying not to cause trouble."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Not always successful… but I'm trying."
The rain continued around them, tapping softly against the umbrellas.
Kang Min spoke again.
"I'm taking care of her."
"She's doing well."
He paused briefly.
"She's grown a lot."
Ji Won glanced at him, then back again.
"You don't have to report everything like that."
He didn't respond.
She drew in a slow breath.
"I thought I had a lot to say," she admitted.
"But now… I think this is enough."
Her voice softened.
"I miss you."
The words stayed there, carried quietly in the moment.
They remained there for a while.
No rush.
No need to fill the time with more words.
Elsewhere in the cemetery, Ara and her sister stood beneath their umbrella.
They had arrived earlier, spending time talking, remembering, and sitting with the presence of their parents.
Her sister adjusted her umbrella slightly.
"You stayed longer today," she said.
Ara looked down at the grave.
"It's their remembrance day."
Her voice was calm.
"I didn't want to rush it."
Her sister nodded.
"They would've liked that."
Ara gave a small nod.
"They always liked it when we came together."
After a while, they turned to leave, walking toward the entrance at an easy pace.
Kang Min and Ji Won had already started heading back.
Ji Won walked slightly ahead, her steps steady.
"…it always feels different after," she said.
Kang Min walked beside her.
"Yes."
She adjusted her umbrella slightly.
"Not lighter. Just… different."
He didn't argue.
As they approached the entrance, the two paths met.
Ara noticed them first.
"Kang Min."
He looked up.
"Ara."
Ji Won gave a small nod.
"Unnie."
Ara's sister smiled.
"Ji Won."
They stopped near each other, rain continuing around them.
"You came to visit too?" Ara asked.
Kang Min nodded.
"Yes. Our father."
Ara nodded in understanding.
"We came for our parents," she said.
Ji Won adjusted her umbrella slightly.
"It's their remembrance day too?"
Ara gave a small nod.
"Yes."
There was a brief moment of shared understanding between them.
No long explanation needed.
"How are you?" Ji Won asked.
"I'm good," Ara replied. "You?"
"I'm fine."
Her sister added lightly, "We haven't come this early in a while."
Ji Won nodded.
"Same."
They stood there for a moment, exchanging a few more quiet words.
Then both Kang Min's and Ara's phones rang.
At the same time.
They checked their screens.
Group call.
They answered.
Su Young's voice came through clearly.
"We have another victim."
Everything shifted immediately.
Kang Min's expression changed.
Ara straightened.
"Location?" Kang Min asked.
Su Young gave it.
Bong Soo's voice followed, "We need to move."
The call ended.
Kang Min turned to Ji Won.
"Go with them."
She nodded.
"Okay."
Ara glanced at her sister.
"Take her."
She nodded as well.
Kang Min turned back to Ara.
"Let's go."
They moved toward the car without wasting another second.
Rain still falling.
Doors opening.
Engines starting.
The quiet moment they had just left behind faded quickly.
Work had returned.