Ha-neul carefully climbed up to the rooftop, holding Tae-oh’s handwritten note. The sky was glowing with the colors of sunset, and Tae-oh was already leaning against the railing, looking oddly nervous.
“You came?”
Ha-neul nodded. An awkward silence settled between them. Tae-oh took a deep breath.
“I’ve… been wanting to say something for a while.”
Ha-neul’s heart skipped a beat—but she couldn’t help teasing him.
“Why so serious? Did the manager promise you extra chicken if you confess or something?”
Tae-oh gave a sheepish laugh. “No, it’s just… this time it’s real. My feelings.”
They shuffled a little closer. Ha-neul lowered her voice.
“So, what are those mysterious feelings?”
Tae-oh hesitated, then admitted quietly, “Whenever I’m with you, I keep thinking about you—even in my past life. Maybe I was such a jerk back then because I liked you.”
Ha-neul’s eyes widened. Tae-oh quickly looked away, embarrassed.
“Weird, right? I honestly don’t get it myself.”
There was a pause. Then Ha-neul grinned impishly.
“Well, guess we’re both weirdos. You keep popping into my head, too.”
Just as the air between them started to tingle with nervous excitement, the rooftop door burst open.
Su-jin and Ji-min barged in, grinning.
“What’s this? Secret rooftop meeting? Did you think you could escape us?”
Ha-neul and Tae-oh jumped, guilty as if caught stealing snacks.
Ji-min chimed in. “Tomorrow, three-person special mission! All partners—rendezvous here, same time!”
Su-jin nudged Ha-neul. “The three of us are a team now. If you thought jealousy missions were wild, just wait!”
Tae-oh looked baffled. “Three people? Seriously?”
Ji-min winked. “Seriously. Details tomorrow. Be ready for chaos.”
The four headed back downstairs, half laughing, half awkward. Ha-neul and Tae-oh kept sneaking glances at each other—the big confession moment totally interrupted. What kind of rooftop mayhem would tomorrow’s trio mission bring?
Tae-oh whispered, “Let’s really talk tomorrow.”
Ha-neul just smiled, a little giddy, as strange past-life memories shimmered between them once more.