Chapter 11 - the sky above the river
The Han River – 11:45 PM.
The city lights shimmer brokenly on the black surface of the water. HAEYOUNG stands leaning against the railing, away from her car. Her hands are finally still, but her eyes are hollow. She reaches into a small packet in her pocket, pulls out a cigarette, and lights it.
The smoke curls into the humid night air. She looks like a beautiful, tragic noir film star.
"Why did you overreact, Haeyoung?" she whispers to herself. "It's his life. He's just your best friend, not your lover. One day, he'll fall in love. One day, he'll marry. He'll have a family that isn't you. Accept your limits."
A single tear escapes, trailing down her serious face, but she doesn't wipe it. She just stares at the dark horizon. Then, the sky breaks. A slow drizzle turns into a heavy downpour within seconds. Haeyoung doesn't move; she lets the rain wash over her—until the water stops hitting her shoulders.
She looks up. A large black umbrella is tilted over her. Standing beside her, his coat already getting soaked, is JUNGHAN.
They stare at each other in a heavy, charged silence. Junghan's eyes are full of unspoken questions: Why are you here? Why were you running? Do you smoke? Haeyoung's eyes are guarded: Why did you follow me? Did you see me break?
Midnight Cafe – Near the Airport.
The windows are fogged with steam from the coffee machine. JAE-WON sets two steaming cups on the table as the rain drums against the roof.
Jae-won: "It got cold fast. Drink up, Hyuna-ssi."
Hyuna looks at him, her eyes still red but her breathing calm.
Jae-won: "Don't worry, I won't pry. I won't ask what happened. But if you ever want to share... you can trust me. I'm a good vault for secrets."
Hyuna: (Slightly smiling) "Are all pilots this kind?"
Jae-won: "Hmm... maybe? Or maybe it's just the ones who spend too much time in the clouds. We see how small the world is from up there."
Hyuna: "Thanks for the hug, Jae-won. It's been a long time since someone just... held me."
Jae-won: "Same here. I haven't hugged anyone in a while."
Hyuna: "Not even Haeyoung?"
Jae-won: (Laughs, shaking his head) "Hug? Haeyoung? She's not the hugging type. I've never hugged her. She'd probably put me in a headlock."
Hyuna: "She seems so serious. Almost scary."
Jae-won: "She doesn't show it, but she's the kindest person I know. Her heart is sweet—you just have to earn the right to see it. And her smile? It's the rarest, most beautiful thing in the world."
Hyuna looks at the table. "I wish I could see it. But what made me cry... I just realized I've been running after someone for years. And they weren't even looking back."
Jae-won: "I understand. Well... I don't fully understand, but I get it. Here." He slides a small cake toward her. "Make a wish. It's still your birthday for a few more minutes."
They cut the cake together, their hands briefly brushing. Jae-won looks at her seriously.
Jae-won: "If you ask me... you shouldn't run after anyone. You deserve more."
Hyuna: "What does 'more' mean?"
Jae-won: (With a playful, heart-fluttering grin) "I mean you deserve to have someone running after you for a change."
Hyuna feels a blush creep up her neck. For the first time all day, she feels like the main character of her own life.
The Han River.
Haeyoung breaks the silence, flicking her cigarette ash into the rain.
Haeyoung: "What are you doing here, Director?"
Junghan: "My penthouse is this way. I saw your car and thought... well, I thought you'd get wet. I didn't want the Pilot of the Year catching a cold."
Haeyoung: "You didn't need to stop."
Junghan: "Your eyes are watery."
Haeyoung: "My eyes always look like this. It's the wind."
Junghan: (Smiling softly) "They're beautiful eyes. Regardless of why they're wet."
Haeyoung looks at him, then back at the river, taking a long drag.
Junghan: "So you smoke? Since when?"
Haeyoung: "Who are you to ask me that? We're work partners, not confidants."
Junghan: "I'm 'nothing' yet. But if you told me... maybe I could be 'something'."
Haeyoung looks at him with a flash of her usual steel. "I don't want to be rude, but aren't you interfering in my life?"
Junghan: "I haven't even started doing anything yet, Captain."
Haeyoung: "And what exactly can you do?"
Junghan: (Laughing) "Maybe nothing. But I can stay here with the umbrella." He pauses, watching the rain. "Who's your favorite influencer, by the way? Everyone in the office follows someone."
Haeyoung: "No one. I don't have time for social media."
Junghan: "Really? That's a shame. I follow one person. I don't even know who they are, but they post the most incredible photos of the sky. It's like they see the atmosphere the way I see art."
Haeyoung: (Intrigued) "The sky? You like the sky that much?"
Junghan: "I love it. Don't you?"
Haeyoung: (A ghost of a smile appearing) "Who can love the sky more than a pilot? But don't love it too much. It's dangerous when it rains like this."
Junghan: "You're telling me that a bit late, aren't you?" They both share a small, genuine laugh—the first real connection between them. "The account name is @hong_way. Do you know it?"
Haeyoung freezes. Her heart skips a beat. That's her private account. She looks at him sharply, but his face is innocent, staring at the river. She hides her shock behind a cool mask.
Haeyoung: "Oh... nice name. I'm going. Goodnight, Director Kim."
Junghan: "Goodnight, Miss Hong."
As she drives away, Haeyoung grips the steering wheel. He's been following her soul through her photos without even knowing her name. And Junghan stands in the rain, watching her taillights, a lingering smile on his face.
[FADE OUT]