16th Newsletter

Hi there 

This is your A.thentic Jong Hee

And this is the 16th Newsletter for you. 

How are you? How was your weekend? 

Hope you had a nice weekend. 🙏💜

As I posted on Instagram,  I moved my music studio a few days ago. 

Before the move, I had to find the right studio, look around, set up the moving day, pack all of my gear and instruments, and then re-set everything in my new studio.

After finishing the move and unpacking, I was literally exhausted from it all. But now, I’m slowly recovering, reorganizing my stuff in my studio.

I think it will take a few more days or a week to settle everything down. 

But I feel good, even when I write this letter to you. 

Like I posted on Instagram, I went to the Korean restaurant again on Sunday that serves grilled fish. There was a long line outside before I could get a seat.

The side dishes are served buffet-style, so you can eat as many as you want.

Their main menu items are Grilled Mackerel(고등어구이) and grilled Spanish mackerel(삼치구이). They are all healthy, well-being foods, but one minor thing I wouldn’t eat is the ‘white rice’, as I usually eat only multigrain rice and whole wheat rice.

But regarding white rice, firstly, since long ago in Korea, grilled fish has always been served with white rice. Secondly, I have been suffering from digestion problems recently, so I can hardly digest multigrain and whole wheat rice. 

Anyway, the dish is so good, and there's no need to feel guilty about it.

Ah, one thing, I’ve been too busy with various tasks, but as you already know, I released another new single, “Midnight Rain”. 

“Midnight Rain” 

Apple Music : https://music.apple.com/kr/album/midnight-rain-single/1752402596?l=en-GB

Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/track/3ZWoTWONNLPIXvuENWvWud?si=5656508e2ef24003

Okay, now, I will share the next part of the romantic story for Piano. It’s been a little too long since the previous part was shared with you. Despite my crazy schedule, I finished the next chapter of the story; 'the romance continues'. I won’t stop it. 💖💕

For this chapter, #4, "Confession of Love," the length might be too long for some of you; it’s twice as long as the previous chapter. 

So I have divided it into part 1 and part 2. Now I will share part 1, and I will share part 2 soon, as I have already finished the whole chapter. 

I’m just giving you a gap between part 1 and part 2.

Okay, thank you for reading. 🌹

I will see you soon. 

Have a nice week. 

Bye 💓

A.thentic Jong Hee

……………………………………………………………………………..

P. S. As you already know, this video will help you focus on the right mood when you read the story. 

Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ1Tzw0wkOw

(Or you can listen to the piece “Confession of Love” individually from any platforms you want.) 

#4. “Confession of Love” 

by A.thentic Jong Hee

Several days passed. 

In Hyun's house. Hyun's mother climbs into the pickup truck with Hyun's support.

"Be careful, Mom."

Hyun fastens her seatbelt after seating her in the passenger seat, then starts the truck. As they depart, Baekdu, who followed them, stands in the yard, gazing at them blankly.

"I'll be back soon, Baekdu. Take care of the house."

From the passenger seat, Hyun's mother leans out and speaks to Baekdu in a calming tone. Baekdu seems to understand, letting out a couple of barks before silently watching the truck depart.

A while later, the truck carrying them enters the town. The single-lane country road in front narrows, causing the car in front to stop, awaiting clearance to pass. Hyun's pickup truck slowly navigates through the village, coming to a halt as a local bus stops at the bus stop. At that moment, Hyun also stops the truck, waiting for the bus to depart. Another bus arrives from the opposite lane.

Then, someone gets off the bus. It's Jane. She is carrying her travel bag and waiting for the bus to depart so she can cross the street. At that moment, Hyun, sitting in the driver's seat of the truck, is asked by his mother,

"Are we still far?"

"We're almost there, Mom. The hospital is just up ahead. Please wait a little longer."

As he turns his head to answer his mother, Hyun doesn't notice Jane appearing on the opposite lane as a bus departs. Jane also doesn't recognize Hyun's truck yet, so she simply sees it as an unfamiliar pickup truck and doesn't give it a second glance.

Shortly after the bus departs, Hyun starts the truck again.

A while later, inside a local orthopedic clinic. Hyun and his mother sit in front of the doctor. The doctor asks,

"Are you in a lot of pain, ma'am?" 

"I feel better after taking the medicine, but when I try to sleep, my knee hurts too much. But this morning it hurt unusually much, so we came to the hospital.”

Hyun listens with a worried expression as his mother responds.

"You'll keep feeling pain unless you undergo surgery. But if we give you stronger medication, it could strain your liver, so let's monitor you a bit longer."

"Okay..."

His mother replies weakly to the doctor.

"So, you'll take the injection and leave?"

“Yes, please. I've finished taking all the pills, so I'll get the prescription and also have a knee injection. After the injection, my knee won't hurt for a few days, which is great.”

"Okay, understood, ma'am. Nurse?”

As the doctor calls for the nurse, she enters quietly, and the doctor gives her some instructions. Then, the nurse guides his mother.

"Come this way, ma’am. I'll take you to the injection room."

Upon the nurse's words, Hyun supports his mother and follows the nurse.

Inside the house of the fertilizer shop. Jane unpacks in her room.

"Welcome back."

Her aunt enters the room and asks Jane.

“Thank you, Aunt. Nothing special happened, right?"

"Why would anything happen? It's only been a few days."

"What about Uncle? Is he in the store?"

"Yes, that's right. Besides, it's about time you came, but you didn't answer the phone, so he kept asking me to call you. You're seen more as a daughter than a niece."

"Well, I appreciate it. Uncle worries about me, and so do you.”

Jane responds with a smile.

"Don’t thank us. It’s nothing. Anyway, now that you're here, relax and don't worry about anything, okay?”

"Yes, Aunt.”

Jane's phone rings.

"Answer the phone. Have a rest."

Saying this, her aunt leaves the room. 

Looking at the number on the phone, Jane's expression stiffens.

Jane answers the phone coldly.

"Yes..."

"Have you arrived safely?"

Her mother's voice comes from the other end. Jane asks.

"Yes. How did you know I came here?"

"Why wouldn't I know? There are a few people around you... Why do you keep going there if you're not at home? Is someone there?"

Her mother says in a calm tone.

Jane's expression twists. Although her mother continues to say something on the phone, Jane shows no reaction.

"Don't come here. Then I'll disappear again."

Jane replies in a strained tone.

Still, her mother's words continue. Jane sighs and says again.

"I understand, stop it now, Mom."

"Don't just think about yourself, Jane. Think about our family."

Jane, who had been listening, makes a sound at that moment.

"No! I hate it! I hate it, Mom!”

Jane hangs up the phone and goes outside.

At the entrance, her aunt asks with a worried expression.

"Where are you going? You just arrived."

"I'll be back."

Jane answers shortly and leaves as if she were running away.

Jane walks straight across the road without any purpose of where to go, not having brought anything like a bag. She just came out to shake off her complicated mind outside. 

Suddenly, Jane realizes she is heading towards the pine forest. She discovers herself entering a residential alley with a path leading to the forest. As she walks through the residential alley and into the forest, she sees the distant pine forest. 

On a late spring afternoon, a slightly reddish aura hangs in the spring sunlight hidden in the clouds. Jane walks past a small field path and enters the pine forest.

Jane briskly enters the forest path as if being chased by something. Letting out a deep sigh, her pace finally slows down. She wears a relieved expression, as if finally escaping from somewhere. Above her head, birds perched on pine trees chirp, their songs echoing through the forest. Jane finds even greater peace of mind in the resounding bird songs within the forest.

As she continues down the path, Jane spots a bench in the distance. A faint smile appears on her lips. Glancing towards the bench, she finds it empty. She walks towards it, then suddenly halts and gazes into the depths of the pine forest.

"Was it this way…?

Jane murmurs as she walks into the forest. She wants to go to the field she went with Hyun. But she doesn't know the exact way, so she looks around here and there and enters the forest. 

After a while, Jane realizes she is out of the pine forest and the path she expected is not there. Pebbles are covered, and in front of her is a small river flowing.

"Not here..."

Confused, Jane enters the forest again. In the meantime, there is a strong reddish glow of sunset circulating within the forest. Jane is a little confused, but bravely enters another part of the pine forest, thinking she can find that place again. 

After not a short time, she finds herself out again, but it's another road. Thorn bushes, covered with small rivers, appear again.

"Not here either... What should I do?"

she mutters, checking her pockets but realizing her phone wasn't with her. She ventures back into the woods, scanning around, but besides the pine trees, there is nothing in sight. The day gradually grows darker, and a sense of fear starts to envelop her.

Then, from afar, she hears unfamiliar footsteps approaching. Someone is coming into the woods, but their form isn’t visible. Jane, upon hearing the unfamiliar footsteps rustling through the low grass, starts to run. 

She decides to find a way out among the trees, running through the forest. Then, she hears another set of footsteps running. She feels increasingly scared and uneasy, her body tensing more and more, but she keeps running.

As Jane runs, she tries to find the path, but it isn't visible. Still feeling as though someone is chasing her, she quickly scans around, but there is no sign of anyone. 

Jane thinks she needs to get out of the forest, so she runs out, only to unfortunately find herself back on the gravel path she had just left. Jane turns back in despair, about to run again, when suddenly someone appears in front of her!

"Ahh!" Jane screams.

"Jane!"

Startled, Jane turns her head to see a familiar face standing before her. It is Hyun.

"Jane, it's me. Are you okay?" Hyun asks.

Jane looks at Hyun, still frozen, but gradually his face registers in her eyes. Finally feeling relieved, she manages to say, 

"Hyun... it's you..."

"Are you okay, Jane? I saw you and came running. It looked like you were lost," Hyun says.

Now feeling reassured by Hyun's words, tears well up in Jane's eyes.

"I'm sorry... for scaring you..." Jane manages to say.

"No, not at all. If anything, I'm more sorry. You were the one who got startled because of me, Jane.” Hyun calms Jane down.

"No, it's okay. It's okay," Jane says, wiping her tears with her sleeve, her expression finally brightening slightly as she tries to show a small smile to him.

Inside the Han’s house.

Han enters the house.

"Has Jane not come?" asks Han to his wife.

"She came. But she hurriedly went out again. She didn't even take her phone. She answered a call. I wonder what happened..." Jane's aunt replies.

"Ah, why didn't you stop her? Letting her go out without her phone."

“How could I stop her when she suddenly wants to go out? I thought she had something to do..."

"Unbelievable…" He clicks his tongue.

Back in the pine forest. The forest is filled with a reddish aura cast by the setting sun. Hyun and Jane are walking on a forest path.

"Are you feeling better now?"

“Yes..." Jane answers.

"It could have been dangerous..."

"Yeah. I just thought I wanted to go there impulsively..."

"You wanted to go to the field below Mt. Yongdu?"

"Yes..."

"I see... But it's late now, so next time…"

As Hyun replies, he recalls Jane bowing and apologizing to him last time.

"Oh... so it can't be..."

Hyun mutters quietly to himself. Sensing Hyun's feelings, Jane speaks after a moment.

"I'm sorry... It's all because of me..."

"No, you don't need to apologize."

"But still, because of me, you heard those things from Uncle and caused trouble in many ways..."

"No, it's because... I’m just a nobody.. so I just..."

"Don't say that, Hyun."

Jane's voice raises in response to Hyun's words.

"It was my mistake. Hyun, you did nothing wrong. And you? You gave up your life in Seoul, moved to the countryside to take care of your mother and must find farm work difficult, but you're doing well alone."

“…."

Hyun can't say anything in response to Jane. 

In the forest, the deep red glow of the sunset gradually turns darker. The two walk on the forest path without saying a word for a while.

"It's getting dark, so I'll escort you to your Uncle's house."

Hyun says.

"No. I can go alone once I leave the forest. If we run into my uncle, it will only cause trouble for you, Hyun."

Jane says.

Hyun can't say anything in response to Jane's words.

As the two silently walk on the forest path, they eventually turn onto a small road leading into town.

"It's okay now, Hyun. I can go alone from here."

Jane says.

"Are you sure...?"

Hyun asks with concern.

"Yes. Thank you for today..”

Jane bows to Hyun again. Her polite greeting seemed to create a sense of distance, causing Hyun to feel despair again in his heart. He forces himself to say something.

"No, don't mention it... then."

Hyun quietly nods and turns away to walk.

After he takes a few steps, a voice comes from behind.

"If you're okay..."

Hyun turns his head at Jane's voice.

"Could you take me there again tomorrow? Below Mt. Yongdu. Oh, if you're busy, you can refuse. It's no problem at all. I just thought if you had time..."

Hesitantly, Jane speaks.

"When shall we meet?"

Seeing Hyun's bright and cheerful expression as he speaks, Jane's face finally lights up with relief.

"Is tomorrow afternoon okay?" Jane asks. 

"Well then, how about the day after tomorrow? It's Saturday, so I'm free in the afternoon." Hyun says. 

"Oh, I see..”

Just then, Hyun's phone rings. Glancing at the screen to see who's calling,

"Shall we meet around 2 o'clock the day after tomorrow? There's something I want to show you." 

"Okay. That sounds good. See you the day after tomorrow then. Please answer your phone. Bye."

With that, she nods briefly to Hyun.

Hyun briefly bows his head to Jane.

"Yes. Please take care.” Hyun says.

As Hyun turns away, he answers the phone.

"Yes, Mom. No, I'm coming now. Yes... Don't worry."

Knowing that Hyun's call is from his mother, Jane turns around and smiles softly.

Inside Hyun's house. 

It's dinnertime. Hyun's mother is preparing dinner, and Hyun is sitting at the table.

"Isn't it time to eat dinner? When I came back from the hospital, where did you suddenly go?"

His mother asks with a worried expression as she places Hyun's meal on the table.

"I'm sorry, Mom. There was something urgent that came up suddenly."

Hyun replies as he picks up his spoon.

"Something urgent? Where to?"

"Just... on my way back, I saw a friend there and felt I needed to go. 

Please eat, Mom."

“A friend? Who's this friend? Where did you see him?”

His mother sits down at the table with her own plate, asking. But Hyun remains silent.

A little while ago, Hyun was driving his pickup truck home after dropping his mother off at the hospital. On the way home, he noticed a pine forest to the right. Driving absentmindedly, his attention momentarily caught by the pine forest, he saw a familiar figure entering the forest. Hyun immediately recognized the silhouette as Jane.

"At this hour... and the sun is about to set..."

Hyun murmurs to himself.

"What?"

His mother, sitting next to him, asks in confusion.

"Oh, nothing, Mom.”

Hyun continues driving without saying anything else.

A short while later, Hyun's pickup truck arrives in front of his house. As he and his mother get out of the truck, Baekdu happily runs out, wagging its tail.

"Let's go inside, Baekdu.”

His mother calls Baekdu while entering the house. Following them inside, Hyun is lost in thought for a moment and suddenly says to his mother.

"Mom, I'll be out for a while. I'll be back soon."

As Hyun tries to go back outside,

"Where are you going? You should eat dinner."

"I'll be back soon. Please rest in the meantime, Mother."

Hyun replies and starts running towards the forest. His mother watches his retreating figure with a worried expression.

Hyun runs all the way to the forest and enters. The forest already shows a reddish twilight and begins to darken gradually. Hyun continues running along the forest path. There are no signs of anyone on the road.

A while later, he reaches the bench in the middle of the forest path, but there's no one there. Hurriedly looking around, Hyun then rushes into the forest.

He runs towards the field below Mt. Yongdu, thinking Jane might have gone there.

However, even after reaching the spot where he was with Jane, she's nowhere to be seen. Hyun hesitates for a moment, then turns back and starts running again.

Hyun runs into the forest and tries running towards the opposite side, but Jane is still nowhere in sight. Helplessly, Hyun decides he must call out loudly to find her, but hesitates, realizing it might be rude to call out her name so loudly when she might not appreciate it.

He changes direction again and runs into the forest. As he passes a pine tree, his arm brushes against a sharp piece of bark, tearing his shirt and causing a slight cut on his skin. Despite the pain, Hyun continues running.

Then, in the distance, he sees Jane's back. Relieved, Hyun rushes towards her and calls out to her. Jane is initially startled but recognizes him and visibly relaxes.

"Are you okay, Jane?"

He asks, concerned, while noticing a scratch on his arm. Worried that Jane might unnecessarily worry, Hyun quickly covers the injured area with his arm, hiding it from her view.

Two days have passed since then. 

It's a Saturday afternoon filled with spring warmth, and Jane is standing on a quiet village street, where cars intermittently pass due to the weekend. She looks slightly expectant and a bit excited.

Shortly after, a pickup truck pulls up in front of her. Jane looks puzzled at the unfamiliar truck, wondering whose it could be, when Hyun steps out of the truck.

"Hello, Jane," Hyun greets her as he approaches.

"Oh, hello. So, this is your truck, Hyun?"

"Yes... My work sometimes requires this kind of vehicle..."

"I see. It's cool, though.”

"Would you like to get in? But it might be quite uncomfortable.”

Hyun gestures for Jane to get into the passenger seat. She smiles and agrees. Jane tries to get into the passenger seat but finds it a bit higher than expected.

"Um, how do I get in? Should I hold onto this?"

Seeing a handle near the passenger seat, Jane tries to grab it, but Hyun suddenly appears next to her and extends his hand.

"Since it's your first time, it might feel unfamiliar. Hold my hand here, and with your other hand, grab the handle up there to get in," Hyun suggests.

Blushing momentarily at Hyun's extended hand, Jane eventually takes it with her right hand and grabs the handle in front of the passenger seat with her left, then sits down. 

Jane looks a bit awkward and smiles for a moment. Hyun carefully closes the passenger door and gets back into the driver's seat.

"Are you very uncomfortable? I'm sorry," Hyun asks as he fastens his seatbelt and speaks to Jane.

"No, it's okay. It's fun," Jane replies, fastening her own seatbelt. However, during that brief moment, Jane can't shake off the feeling that Hyun's hand she just held was a bit rough but warm, causing her face to blush again.

"Shall we go?" Hyun starts the truck.

"Where are we going?" Jane asks.

"We'll be there soon. The village is small, so... I'll explain when we get there."

Hyun drives the truck.

A little later, their pickup truck carrying them passes by the fertilizer store. Jane glances anxiously, as if conscious of her uncle, wondering if he might be outside the store. Fortunately, no one is there.

Hyun drives the truck quietly along a small road.

"Have you never been here before?" Hyun asks.

"No, not yet..."

"We're here now.”

Hyun drives the truck across a small bridge over the river and parks it off to the side of the bridge.

"Would you like to get off now?" Hyun asks, opening the passenger door and extending his hand to help Jane get out. Jane holds Hyun's hand again and steps down from the truck.

"Come this way, Jane," Hyun leads the way and walks along the sidewalk next to the bridge. Jane follows along.

"Look over there," Hyun points with his finger. Jane looks ahead along Hyun's finger and sees the pine forest they visited earlier in the distance, with a meadow next to it and a river flowing beneath the bridge where they are standing.

"Oh, I can see the pine forest. And there's the meadow... and the river... It's beautiful... Even from here..." Jane says in a dreamy tone as she gazes at the scenery.

"It fits so well together, the forest and the sky. It wasn't easy for me to see the sky where I used to live..."

“So.. do you understand how the forest looks now?" Hyun says.

"Yes... I get it now," Jane nods.

"Look over there on the right. That mountain," Hyun points with his finger again. On one side, there is a cliff, and in front of it, a small mountain juts out bluntly.

"That's Mount Yongdu. It looks like a dragon's head from here. That's why it's been called that for a long time," Hyun explains.

"Oh, I see... So, this is Mount Yongdu... It's beautiful, the mountain..."

"You must have seen it coming. As we followed this road out of the pine forest, we came to this meadow that stretches out. There's a field over there to the right, and if you see the slopes of Mount Yongdu from the forest, the field we went through on the left comes into view. And If you go back, you'll see a meadow with pebbles in the opposite pine forest. If you go right there, you'll see the meadow and the river we went to."

"Oh... I see now..."

Jane replies. Hyun points to the road.

"If you go further this way, you'll reach another neighborhood downtown where there are some small cafes. You can have coffee there."

"Oh, I see."

"Do you want to have coffee now?" Hyun asks.

"No, not now. I had some at home before coming."

"I see," Hyun nods.

“Then shall we go to the opposite side of the forest?"

He leads Jane back to the truck, takes her back in, and starts driving again.

"From here, looking at the entire forest," Hyun says while driving. "Do you understand what the forest looks like and which way it is?"

"Yes... I think I do."

Jane answers while looking at the scenery outside the window.

By the way, showing me around here..." Jane says. 

"Ah... I get it now! You're showing me the way so I won't get lost in the forest, right? Is that it?"

Jane looks at Hyun's profile again with a bold expression. Hyun just smiles softly without answering.

"I see... No wonder you kept mentioning which way the forest was forming..."

Hyun continues driving silently, smiling to himself.

"By the way, this is the first time I've seen you speak so much. You're good at talking, aren't you?" 

Jane says playfully with a mischievous expression.

Hyun smiles without saying anything.

"How about your arm wound? Are you okay?" Jane asks suddenly, surprising Hyun.

"Arm wound? What...?"

"I saw it that day. You were running around looking for me and got caught in the tree... your clothes were even torn apart…

"Oh... You saw that..."

"I felt so sorry. It was because of me..."

“No, no. it's my fault. And it's just a scratch on my arm. My clothes were just torn."

"But I saw blood..."

Then Hyun says nothing.

"Okay. And from now I won't lose my way. Don't worry, Hyun."

Jane says, holding out her fist. 

Hyun steals a quick glance at her beside him, then swiftly turns his eyes back to the road ahead. Because she looks so cute and lovely that he wants to hold her small hand in his own.

The truck they are in passes the fertilizer store again and drives a little further down the road before Hyun says, “Jane."

"Yes?" Jane answers.

“That is my house..”

Hyun points to the left.

"Oh, really? Wow... It's beautiful.”

Jane looks out the window, seeing Hyun's house. It's a one-story house with a wide yard and a large living room window, fitting perfectly with the white house wall. The clear spring sunlight reflects off the living room window.

“Not really…” Hyun answers.

“Yes it is, really. The house is beautiful. It's so close to the forest, so you often come to the forest... Wow, it's beautiful… What would it be like to live there?"

Jane continues to admire Hyun's house scenery. 

"If you look over there, there's a stable behind the house. Can you see it?"

"Oh, there... Wow, there's a stable.” Jane says.

"But with all the livestock out there, is it okay for you to be out like this?" Jane asks.

"Oh, on weekends, there's a part-time worker who looks after my livestock. I only use it on weekends. Right now, he should be working inside," Hyun replies.

"I see…" 

"I was working until just earlier. And the CCTV is connected to my phone. My mother is at home. If anything happens, the part-timer will contact me.”

"Oh, I see. That's a relief. So you're saying you're available this weekend..” Jane remarks.

“Yes.” Hyun answers.

Just as they seem to engage in a brief conversation, Hyun says,

"We're here, Jane."

"Oh, here? Where is this?”

After parking the truck, Hyun turns to Jane and says,

"Would you like to get off?”

He moves from the driver's seat to the passenger seat and opens the door for Jane. Jane unbuckles her seatbelt and this time, without Hyun's help, lightly hops out of the passenger seat. Hyun finds her movement very cute and pretty.

"Is this the other side of the forest?" Jane asks as she looks around.

"Yes, that's right. Shall we walk over there?" Hyun suggests, stepping onto the gravelly field. Jane follows behind him.

"So, if we go around this way, following the forest to the right..." Hyun guides Jane.

A while later, they can see a field and beyond it, far to the right, they catch sight of Mount Yongdu.

"See? Can you see the field here? And there's the river, and over there is Mount Yongdu," Hyun points with his finger towards Mount Yongdu.

"Oh, I see... So this is where it was. I was so lost and confused back then," Jane recalls.

Hyun smiles at Jane's words.

"Let's go further in that direction. I want to see the river," Jane says without hesitation, walking briskly towards the riverbank. Hyun follows behind her. 

The two of them walk along a dirt path between low grassy fields. In the distance, they hear the chirping of birds echoing through the mountainside. Besides the sounds of birds, the rustling of leaves touched by the wind, there is nothing else to disturb their quiet moment together.

"It's really quiet here... I wonder if it's possible for such a beautiful place to have no people..." Jane marvels.

"My mother used to say that this place used to be bustling with people. Especially during the summer holidays, many people used to come here to play and then leave. Now, no one comes anymore..." Hyun explains.

"I see... Wow, it's really beautiful here," Jane says.

Eventually, they reach the edge of the riverbank. The steep slope of the mountainside across the river unfolds before them. They stand quietly for a moment, gazing at the river and the lush green mountains.

"The river is so clear and beautiful. I think I can see the fish," Jane exclaims, peering into the water.

Jane bends down to look closer, and suddenly says,

"I want to go in."

"It's dangerous, Jane. The rocks under the river are slippery," Hyun warns.

"It's okay. Wow, look at the river. Oh, there! I see fish. Look over there!" Jane exclaims with excitement. The water reaches up to her ankles.

"Please be careful, Jane," Hyun says cautiously.

"It's okay. Hyun, come in too. Look, there are fish. Come and see," Jane urges.

Unable to refuse her, Hyun takes off his shoes and steps into the water.

"Oh, there they are. The fish. They're here too," Jane points out.

Jane carefully steps closer into the river as if she wants to catch the fish with her hands. Hyun finds her actions incredibly cute and lovely.

"You might slip, Jane. Be careful," Hyun warns again. Just then,

"Oh!" Jane exclaims.

Jane is about to slip and fall on the slippery rocks under the river, but Hyun swiftly wraps his arms around her waist from behind, as if embracing her, and catches her before she falls into the water. He stands her up straight and quickly lets go of her.

"Are you okay?" Hyun asks, finally finding his voice.

"Yes... I'm fine... I'm sorry..." Jane apologizes.

"No, it’s okay. You almost fell over. The stones here are slippery, so you have to be careful. Shall we go out now?" Hyun suggests.

“Yes..."

Jane walks out of the river, feeling the warmth of Hyun's embrace still lingering on her. Her face blushes slightly. Then suddenly,

"Oh!" A sound and a splash are heard.

Jane turns around to see Hyun, who was following her, slipping on a rock and falling into the water with his buttocks hitting the water. Wetting his pants.

"Oh my!" Jane is shocked at the sight.

Hyun quickly stands up again, but his pants are already soaked.

"Oh no, what do we do..." Jane covers her mouth, surprised.

Hyun stands there awkwardly, his face flushed. 

Suddenly, laughter starts to escape from Jane's covered mouth. Gradually, her laughter grows louder until she can't contain it anymore. Jane bends over, laughing so hard that it becomes uncontrollable.

"I'm sorry, Hyun... It's just... your pants..." Jane manages to say between laughs.

"It's okay. My house is nearby," Hyun says, trying to hide his embarrassment.

Jane continues to laugh heartily for a while, then finally calms down.

"Thank you, Hyun," Jane says in a calm tone at that moment, still smiling.

"...What?" Hyun asks unexpectedly.

"For making me laugh," Jane explains, still smiling.

Hyun is momentarily speechless. Jane calmly continues,

"You... make me laugh…”

Jane looks into Hyun's eyes and speaks calmly. Hyun remains silent for a moment, gazing at her. Then, he speaks.

"No... I'm the one who should be thanking you..."

“…..” Jane asks again, 

“What for….?"

"The person who made me laugh is you…"

"......"

Jane is stunned by Hyun's unexpected comment.

"The person who made me laugh... who made me think that my everyday life is important... is you, Jane…"

She is momentarily at a loss for words as Hyun speaks calmly in front of her. Then,

"I like you... a lot," Hyun says.

Jane stands there silently, meeting Hyun's gaze.

"I... really like you..." Hyun repeats, looking into her eyes as if he can no longer hide his feelings.

"I... I like you too, Hyun. You're a good person... that's why we…." Jane replies.

“I’m in love with you..,” Hyun says.

Jane is surprised to hear the word 'love' come out of Hyun's mouth.

"I can’t … hide my feelings anymore..."

Hyun says. Jane, who has been standing there silently, finally speaks.

"You still don't really know me well. You don't know what kind of person I am..." 

Jane says.

"What kind of person you are, or where and how you've lived, doesn't matter to me..." Hyun calmly replies.

Jane is unable to say anything more, realizing the determination in Hyun's calm yet firm tone. She stands there, speechless. 

Hyun continues,

"It may seem funny for me to look like this right now, so it's hard for me to continue talking... Can you meet me again at that bench tomorrow at this time, Jane? I will express my feelings properly then.”

Jane stands there speechless at his words. Above them, spring sunlight pours down, and a gentle spring breeze filled with the scent of flowers passes between them.

And the next day arrives.

From early morning, Hyun was busy with farm work, finishing his day's tasks well before afternoon. After showering, he dresses in a suit jacket and shoes. His mother, seeing him dressed up unusually early, asks curiously,

"Where are you going all dressed up?"

"I'll be back soon, Mom."

"What's going on?"

"Nothing. I'll tell you later. I'll be back soon.”

With that, Hyun leaves the house, gets into his pickup truck, takes out the single rose he bought in town during lunch, and heads towards the trail. Baekdu, who is out in the yard, seems surprised, wagging his tail as he watches Hyun's departure.

Hyun crosses the riverbank and enters the forest trail. The gentle breeze of the quiet forest touches his face. Then, a fragment of memory echoes in his mind, a piece of a woman's voice, 

"If you don't express love, it's not love.”

As if trying to shake off those tearful words of a woman, he briefly closes his eyes and then continues walking down the trail. Soon, a bench appears in front of him.

Approaching the bench, Hyun carefully places the rose he brought on it, takes a deep breath, and sits down beside it. He glances in the opposite direction of the path. No one is there. Still, though his expression remains calm, inside, he can't contain the trembling in his heart. Then, another voice echoes in his mind, 

"So you're cruel... You know that? What exactly can you do for me? What can you do?"

A tearful voice of a woman mixed with sorrow. It has been over ten years, yet every time he recalls it, Hyun feels his heart ache. 

And during the considerable time he had worked on his parents' hometown farm, he came to realize that he had met the person he would love wholeheartedly for the first time. He knows very well that he has come out to this place to declare that he will throw everything he has in front of this person who gave him the courage to love from now on.

Some time passes. Hyun looks at the opposite side of the trail once more. No one is visible. Nevertheless, Hyun makes a resolution. If this person comes out before him again today... if only she accepts his heart...

Then Hyun's mobile phone rings. A phone call from his mother. He doesn't pick it up.

Hyun picks up the rose he put down beside him. And he stares at the rose for a long time.

The sunset, which is as red as the roses in the forest, is gradually getting darker. The slightly chilly night wind passes by his face and chest as it goes by.

<The end of Part 1>