Evi and Rex returned to their homes after eating.
When Evi stepped inside her house, she paused.
It was… empty.
A faint silence lingered in the air.
She frowned slightly—then suddenly remembered.
Her mother had told her to come to Waz Hotel… but never explained why.
Her hand moved quickly to her phone.
As soon as the screen lit up—her eyes widened.
So many missed calls.
From Herry.
From her parents.
Her heart skipped.
She quickly called her mother.
Evi (guilty): "Sorry… I didn't see the calls."
Her mother (hurried): "Just come now. Change your clothes and come quickly."
The call ended.
Without wasting another second, Evi rushed to change and left.
When she arrived at the hotel, the bright lights and soft chatter of people filled the space.
And right outside—
Herry was standing there.
Waiting.
The moment her eyes landed on him, her expression hardened.
She looked away—
and walked past him.
As if he didn't exist.
Herry blinked, startled—then quickly followed her.
Herry (tense): "Why weren't you picking my calls?"
Evi (cold): "I had things to do."
Herry clenched his jaw slightly.
Herry (frustrated, voice tightening): "I already said I'm sorry… how long are you going to keep punishing me for it?"
Evi said nothing.
Not even a glance.
She just kept walking.
That silence… hit harder than any words.
When they reached the table, both families were already seated.
The moment Evi arrived—
her mother and Herry's mother exchanged a look.
And deliberately—
left a seat next to Herry.
Evi froze for a second.
Herry, on the other hand, felt a small spark of hope.
But Evi's expression turned visibly irritated.
She immediately turned to her brother.
Evi (annoyed): "Change seats with me."
He shook his head instantly.
Brother: "No."
Evi exhaled sharply, forced to sit beside Herry.
The distance between them felt… suffocating.
During dinner, Herry's mother kept signaling him—
Give her the gift.
Herry noticed. His fingers tightened slightly.
But before he could do anything—
Evi suddenly spoke.
Evi (flat): "Why are we having dinner today?"
Her mother smiled casually.
Mother: "Herry planned it."
Evi (flat, without looking up): "…I see."
That was it.
No reaction. No interest.
She just continued eating.
After finishing her food, she stood up.
Evi (tired): "I'm going home."
Herry's mother leaned closer to him again, whispering urgently.
Mother (whispering): "Give her the gift."
Herry looked at the small box in his hand.
His grip tightened.
But when he looked at Evi—
walking away without even looking back—
his courage… disappeared.
So instead—
he quietly slipped the gift into her jacket pocket as she passed.
A silent action.
Unnoticed.
After Evi left, the table fell into an awkward silence.
Everyone slowly turned to Herry.
Their expressions said everything.
Now they understood.
Herry avoided their eyes.
Herry (low): "Nothing… it's nothing."
Without waiting for more questions—
he stood up and left.
The night air felt colder than usual.
The streets were quiet.
Herry walked alone.
His hands in his pockets… his steps slow.
Memories filled his mind—
Evi laughing, teasing, smiling.
Moments that once felt normal…
now felt distant.
A hollow feeling settled in his chest.
Then suddenly—
his phone rang.
It was his mother.
Mother: "Go to the convenience store. Do a shift instead of your sister."
Herry sighed softly.
Herry (tired): "…Okay."
On the other side—
Evi entered a convenience store, looking for snacks and drinks.
The soft hum of refrigerators filled the space.
Then—
she saw someone.
Rex.
Her face instantly lit up.
Without thinking, she rushed toward him.
A sudden burst of energy—
She covered his eyes from behind.
Evi (playful, changing voice): "Tell me who I am."
Rex froze.
Confused.
Rex (uncertain): "I think… you're mistaken. You might be confusing me with someone else."
Evi huffed softly.
Evi (teasing): "No. You're exactly who I know."
Rex quickly turned—
but in that sudden movement—
Evi lost her balance.
She slipped—
—about to fall—
WHOOSH—
Rex caught her just in time.
Their faces close.
Too close.
Rex blinked.
Rex (soft, surprised): "Evi… it's you."
At that exact moment—
Herry walked in.
And saw them.
That position.
That closeness.
He froze.
For a second, something flashed in his eyes—
anger… pain… something sharp.
He almost stepped forward.
Almost.
But then—
he stopped.
His jaw tightened.
And silently—
he turned away.
Avoiding them.
Back at the counter—
Evi and Rex quickly pulled away.
Both slightly flustered.
They avoided eye contact—
awkward smiles forming.
Silence.
A weird, heavy silence.
After a moment—
Evi spoke.
Evi (awkward): "What are you doing here?"
Rex (casual): "Just grabbing something… snacks, drinks. You?"
Evi (soft smile): "Same."
Their conversation slowly became normal again.
Light. Comfortable.
When they went to pay—
Evi's eyes shifted—
and she saw him.
Herry.
Standing there.
Working.
Her lips parted slightly.
She wanted to ask—
Why are you here?
But no words came out.
Then she remembered.
His sister works here.
"…Right."
She stayed quiet.
Rex and Evi stood at the counter.
Herry didn't look at them.
Not once.
He quietly handled the payment.
Silent.
Distant.
As if they weren't even there.
After leaving the store—
Herry picked up his phone.
Herry (flat): "I won't do the shift."
He cut the call.
Outside—
Rex glanced at Evi.
Rex (gentle): "Is something wrong?"
Evi shook her head.
Evi: "No… why?"
Rex hesitated.
Rex: "You and Herry… don't talk like before. Did something happen?"
Evi looked away.
Evi (avoiding his gaze): "It's nothing… don't worry about it."
Rex didn't fully believe that.
Inside his mind—
a thought formed.
"So… the obstacle is gone."
A quiet satisfaction.
He stepped a little closer.
Rex (calm): "You can tell me… we're on the same side, right?"
Evi hesitated.
Then slowly—
she told him everything.
Her voice wasn't loud.
But it carried weight.
Rex listened carefully.
And gently—
comforted her.
After some time—
his phone rang.
Rex (picking up): "Yeah… I'll be home in ten minutes."
The call ended.
They both stood there for a moment.
Then—
Evi (soft): "Bye."
Rex nodded.
Rex: "Bye."
As Rex walked home—
a small smile appeared on his face.
A quiet thought echoing in his mind—
For the first time in a while… things felt easier.