After staying for three weeks in Japan, Minjin and Tae-sung’s family arrived at Incheon International Airport.

They made their way past immigration and headed toward the baggage claim.

Minjin quickly put on a pair of sunglasses and pulled a bonnet over her head.

While Tae-sung and Kim Bon-hwa took charge of carrying the luggage, they instructed Park Micha to hold onto Minjin’s hand.

The couple led the way, with Minjin and Micha following closely behind.

As they moved towards the arrival area, Lee Deji spotted Tae-sung from a distance and immediately raised her hand.

“Oppa!” she called out.

The group came to a halt as Lee Deji stood with a man beside her.

Lee Deji excitedly rushed toward Minjin and pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Omo! I’m so happy to see you, Minjin-ah!”

Minjin gently pushed her, letting go of Park Micha’s hand. “Nado, unnie,” she replied.

Lee Deji then turned to the man beside her, taking his hand and pulling him forward. “This is my boyfriend, Lee Juwon. Oppa, this is Park Minjin.”

Lee Juwon extended his hand to Minjin and bowed respectfully. “Annyeong haseyo, gyusanim.”

Minjin accepted his handshake and returned the bow. “Annyeong haseyo, I’m Park Minjin. It’s nice to meet you.”

Lee Deji playfully nudged her boyfriend. “See? I told you we’re friends, oppa! ”

Lee Juwon let out a soft chuckle. “I always believe you, Deji-ah.”

Tae-sung watched them, and he could not help but smile. “Let’s keep moving. We’re starving.”

As they exited the airport and stepped onto the main road, Minjin instinctively scanned the area for paparazzi. She spotted a few at a distance. She quickly diverted her gaze and fixed her eyes straight ahead.

Park Micha clung to Minjin’s hand while Lee Deji walked beside her, observing her cautious demeanor.

She leaned to her and whispered, “So, no one knows you’re back? ”

Minjin responded in a hushed tone, “Yeah. Make sure your boyfriend doesn’t spread the news, araso? ”

Lee Deji tugged on Lee Juwon’s hand, pulling him closer. “Oppa, you have to keep it a secret that Park Minjin is back in Korea, araso? ”

“Why? What’s going on? ” Lee Juwon asked.

Lee Deji leaned in to whisper, “She doesn’t want any media attention.”

Lee Juwon nodded. “Araso, I got it.”

Minjin offered a polite bow. “Gamsahamnida, Juwon-ssi.”

Lee Juwon gave her a friendly smile. “You can be casual with me, gyusanim.”

Minjin hesitated for a moment before smiling. “Can I just call you Hyung instead? ”

Lee Deji rolled her eyes while Lee Juwon turned to her in amusement. “Just agree, oppa,” she told him.

“S-Sure, gyusanim.”

Minjin chuckled. “You can be casual with me too, Hyung.”

Lee Juwon replied, “I… I don’t think I can do that.”

Minjin let out a soft laugh. “It’s fine, Hyung. I’m used to people just calling me by my name.”

After a moment of hesitation, Lee Juwon relented. “Araso, Minjin-ah.”

Minjin and Lee Deji exchanged glances before giggling. Watching Minjin’s nose wrinkle as she smiled, Lee Deji couldn’t help but remark, “I missed seeing that nostalgic smile of yours, Minjin-ah.”

“Well, you’ll be seeing it more often now, unnie,” Minjin replied.

“Since you want to keep your return to Korea low-key, are you planning to tell Kim Aecha and the others that you’re back? ” Lee Deji asked.

Minjin smirked. “If I tell you not to, will you listen to me, unnie? ”

Letting out a sigh, Lee Deji conceded. “Fine, I’ll keep it from them. But you can’t hide from them forever.”

Minjin offered a faint smile. “I know, unnie. I just need some time for myself.”

As they approached the parking lot, Lee Deji continued, “So, how long are you staying? ”

Minjin exhaled deeply. “Molla. I just want to be with oppa.”

Lee Deji linked arms with her. “Just keep me updated, and don’t ignore my calls and messages, araso? ”

Minjin chuckled and nodded, “Araso, unnie.”

Minjin sat by the car window, quietly watching as they left the bustling city of Seoul behind.

A wave of emotions washed over her, though she fought back the urge to cry.

It dawned on her just how long she had avoided returning, and a deep sense of regret settled within her.

As the scenery blurred past, snowflakes suddenly began to fall. She instinctively lifted her head, her lips curling into a faint smile.

Snow had always reminded her of Minjun.

She gazed ahead and found herself wondering—had he forgiven her by now?