Mee Yoon didn't bat an eye as her thoughts wandered around the last day of autumn. She imagined herself among the falling leaves, with maroon hues strewn about. Dong-sun came with a yellow umbrella to share with her. As he was walking towards her, she saw their future-twin kids holding their hands; Youngsoo and Sun Hee were behind them, pushing a stroller with their own child in it.
"What do you want to tell me?" Dong-sun asked.
"In my whole life, I was never been this brave. But if it's you, I think it's worth the risk," she said, a sigh came out of her mouth. "Dong-sun... I love you. I cannot lose you."
"But you said-"
"Forget what I said. What's important is what I feel right now. At this moment."
"Are you sure? Or you are just afraid that I might fall for Sun Hee?"
"Should I take it back? Fine, then. I don't love you," she said. Mee Yoon marched away from him with a grumpy face. Dong-sun smiled and pulled her hand.
"You cannot unlove someone so easily, especially if it's me," he said.
"Hey, do you think we're in a movie? Don't hold me all of a sudden."
"Alright." Dong-sun let go of her hand. "I won't bother you anymore." He turned his back and ignored her. Mee Yoon was speechless. How could he give up like that?
"Hey! I said I love you!"
Dong-sun paused. He couldn't conceal the delight on his face, but he didn't respond to her confession. Mee Yoon went to him and hugged him from the back.
"You said no touching," he said.
"Stop fooling around and accept my love."
"Is that an order?"
"Stop playing hard to get." She tightened her hug around his waist. "Mee Yoon, stop what you are doing. It's my relationship advice."
Mee Yoon looked up at him. "Why? Am I in a relationship?" Dong-sun glanced at his watch. "As of 9:00 am, yes you are. Your boyfriend is not a gentleman, if that's what you think. So stay away from him." His ears turned red.
"Is that so?" Mee Yoon let go of him. He thought it was over, but she jumped on his back and wrapped his arms around his neck. "Hey, what are you doing?" Dong-sun bent so she could adjust her body and be in a comfortable position.
"I want to ride on my boyfriend."
"Wait, what?"
"What?" Mee Yoon thought for a moment and realized the dark meaning of her words. "I mean a piggyback ride."
"Start the engine."
"How?" He pointed to his left cheek. Mee Yoon pouted as she was about to kiss it. Dong-sun turned his head and kissed her lips instead. "Hey!" Mee Yoon struck his back, but deep inside, it was what she wanted.
Mee Yoon rolled on the bed because of excitement and landed on the floor with a loud thud. She caressed her back while groaning. Everything was all in her head, and she had yet to see him. She went down to the living room and mixed some coffee at 5:00 am.
"Good morning, my dear sister." Youngsoo came half-naked with a towel covering the lower part of his body. "Why are you so early?"
"To use the bathroom first." He grabbed the handle of the door but it opened, revealing Sun Hee in a bathrobe. It startled the both of them and Sun Hee immediately turned her head away after surveying his firm eight-pack abs.
"Get out of my face," Sun Hee said.
"Then why are you standing in my way? Move."
Sun Hee walked in slow motion, avoiding skin-to-skin contact with him. But her feet slip and she fell right into his arms. Mee Yoon threw up and spilled some coffee on her shirt while watching them.
Ever since the day they kissed, Youngsoo and Sun Hee have been in an awkward situation. They have been avoiding each other. They always come up with excuses to avoid eating together and staying in one area in the house. They both woke up early to use the shower, so they won't see each other. But they ended up in a dramatic and romantic scene, and Mee Yoon couldn't stand seeing them like that.
"What's wrong with you? Gosh, can't you see me?" Mee Yoon said. Youngsoo lifted Sun Hee, and she then walked away without a word. "I have to finish this case so the two of you can move out. We can't stay in the same house anymore," Youngsoo whispered.
***
The last day of autumn arrived with a soft melody. Mee Yoon took her time strolling in the middle of the empty road filled with dry leaves and pouring yellow ones. She sat on a bench and waited for Dong-sun. She smelled her breath through her palm and fixed her bangs. Mee Yoon was emotionally prepared.
On the other hand, Dong-sun stood in front of the mirror for 10 minutes. Various outfits were scattered in his room. His aromatic scent lingered in every corner.
"It's odd. I am ten times more handsome today than yesterday," he said to himself. He brushed his fingers through his new haircut. He looked like every handsome and young CEO in a novel-- dressed in a neatly ironed tuxedo, glimmering black shoes, broad shoulders, chiseled chest, and with the domineering and aristocratic vibe.
When he was ready, he grabbed a face mask. He was still a celebrity and had to be careful not to be seen in public places. The doorbell rang. He saw Youngsoo on the monitor, waiting outside in his office attire.
'Why is he here? To welcome me as his brother-in-law?' Dong-sun thought. He opened the door. Youngsoo examined him from head to toe.
"Are you going somewhere?" Youngsoo asked.
"Yes. Today is a special day."
Youngsoo smirked. "Today is extra special for me too." He waved his hand as a signal for the police to enter. They showed him an arrest warrant.
"What's going on?" Dong-sun asked. They splattered confusion on his face.
"You are under arrest for murder..."
Dong-sun went deaf as the cops muttered some gibberish, cuffed his hands, and took him.
"Come with us, Park Saeroyi. Or should I say, Dong-sun? Whatever your real name is, we have a lot to talk about. In jail," Youngsoo said. His sharp intonation pierced through his heart.
Dong-sun gazed at him with watery eyes. He filled his mind with Mee Yoon's image, waiting for him. Her laughter, sweet nuances, delicate hands, her ill-temper, and curses-everything was fading. A few seconds ago, he was in a state of euphoria. But in a snap, he was trapped in dystopia.
Before they got inside the police car, Youngsoo added, "And oh, of all the names you created, Park Jin Ae is the least I hated."