Seo-jin stepped into the main house’s open lounge, the sudden warmth and light a stark contrast to the driving rain outside. She scanned the space, her eyes quickly taking in the scattered groups, drinks in hand, laughter carrying easily as Soo-hyun animatedly recounted a story.

She found Min-su near the window, setting down his glass, his cheerful demeanor still intact.

"Have you seen Hyun-woo?" Seo-jin asked, her voice cutting directly to her concern.

Min-su furrowed his brows, shaking his head. "No. He was around earlier." He looked about the room, as if Hyun-woo might suddenly materialize. Seo-jin pressed her arms against her chest, the cold seeping in despite the warmth of the room.

"His bike’s not here either," she stated, her voice tight. "And this weather isn’t exactly ideal for riding."

A beat of heavy silence followed, the truth of her words sinking in. Seo-jin exhaled sharply, a frustrated, anxious sound.

"Absolutely not," Min-su agreed, his cheer fading into concern. "That damn bike will be the death of me. Let's call him."

Min-su held his phone to his ear, the distant ring echoing in the sudden silence of their interaction. It wasn't picked up. He stared down at the phone, his brow deepening. "He's not picking up. If he has his phone with him, that is. We don’t even have a car to find him either."

Seo-jin didn't wait for another word. She turned abruptly and walked away from him, her resolve hardening.

The garage, as expected, was pristinely kept and brightly lit. Seo-jin entered via the connecting door from the kitchen, the low hum of the lounge fading behind her.

In the middle of the spotless concrete floor sat a small electric utility vehicle. It looked new, its dark green paint gleaming under the fluorescent lights. She walked directly to it. On its passenger seat lay a large, workman’s padded jacket with a hood. Without hesitation, she pulled it on; it was giant on her slender frame, the sleeves swallowing her hands.

She sat in the mini truck and turned the key on the dashboard, and the instrument lights on the display came to life, silent. Electric. She jumped from the seat and quickly located the button to the side of the main garage door and pressed it. With a low whir, the massive door began to roll upwards, revealing the pouring rain outside. Seo-jin jumped back into the driver's seat and, with a soft hum, steered the utility vehicle through the opening doors.

As the door started to close behind her, Do-yeon appeared in the kitchen doorway, her eyes wide with alarm. "Seo-jin! Stop! Where are you going?"

Her calls were drowned under the door’s descent and the rain’s fury, leaving Do-yeon standing alone, watching the empty, rain-swept space.