I felt exactly like I was in *Mission Impossible*. We had a problem, but solving it was going to be fun. The plan was as follows:

1. I had to convince my parents that Sana and I would be studying at her place late into the evening. — The easiest part, so far. *Mission accomplished.✓*  

All I had to mention was the important upcoming exam and, of course, Sana’s name. The perfect combination for their ears.

2. I needed to find the key to the front door of our old house in Daegu. — *The problem.*

Who goes anywhere on weekends? Certainly not my parents. There was no way I could sneak in and grab the key without being caught. I didn’t even know where it was, which meant I needed time. And that’s where “Operation Sana” came into play.

"Mr. and Mrs. Hyun, hello!" Sana was welcomed with open arms by my parents. It wasn’t the first time I had brought her over, but every time I did, they couldn’t get enough of her. The perfect distraction.

"Keith, why didn’t you say Sana was coming? I would have prepared..." my mom grumbled, while my dad chuckled.

"You still can. Get the girl something to drink. Slice her some fruit to snack on too," my dad said, while Sana waved her hands, repeatedly saying, "No need," as if anyone would listen.

I didn’t have time to waste, it was now or never. It felt like a matter of life or death. My excitement was showing—I was worried about getting caught, but at the same time, the adrenaline and my desire to uncover what was hidden behind the walls of our old home pushed me forward.

"I'm going to my room, I’ll be back in a bit. While I’m gone, don’t do anything weird to scare her!" I said, laughing, as my mom gave me a playful frown.

I headed up the stairs, but once I saw that everyone was distracted enough not to notice my absence, I quickly changed direction towards my parents' room. I opened the door slowly and immediately began searching every possible place—drawers, nightstands, the wardrobe. But everywhere I looked, the same result: nothing.

Just when I was about to give up, something clicked in my mind. If I were my parents, where would I hide something that wasn’t needed anymore but still had to be kept safe? I lifted the mattress on my mom’s side, and there it was—the key, inside a small box without a lid, along with a silver bracelet. My initials hung from the bracelet, so I decided to take it as well. It must have been just as important as the key, considering they were hidden together.

With a little luck and thanks to Sana, of course, the second part of our plan was also a success.

2. I needed to find the key to the front door in Daegu. *Mission accomplished.✓*

3. Wake up early and not oversleep like I usually do. — This was also easy. Even if it meant setting ten alarms. *Mission accomplished.✓*

So, all parts of the plan were now complete. Sana quickly found an excuse to leave and managed to slip away from my parents the moment she learned I had the key.

That night flew by in seconds for me. My excitement didn’t let me sleep, and questions spun in my head like a film reel. "Whose initials were those, and why did my mom have the bracelet? Was she hiding it?" I probably wouldn’t find any answers, at least not yet.

Believe it or not, the next morning, Sana was in shock when she was greeted by me. She had expected me to oversleep as usual, but clearly, there’s a first time for everything.

"I haven’t slept. Don’t think I woke up on time!" I cut off Sana before she could comment on my early arrival.

"I can’t believe you still manage to surprise me, Keith Hyun." She smiled as I slowed my pace to walk with her, not ahead of her.

We were going to travel by train, and the journey would take about two and a half hours. First to the station, and then to Daegu. I was returning to the place my parents had wanted to escape from. The secrets behind those walls were waiting for me, and the key in my pocket was the only way to unlock them.