“Oh my!”
Startled by the sudden voice, I instinctively pulled my hand away from Kang Biso and turned around. A woman holding a stroller was staring at me with wide eyes. Our gazes met, and as recognition lit up her face, she smiled brightly and walked over. Kang Biso, standing beside me, looked between us with clear irritation written all over his face.
His sullen glare made me feel a little guilty for letting go of his hand so abruptly, but right now, the woman in front of me took priority.
As she came closer, something about her face felt familiar.
…I’ve seen her somewhere before.
While I was trying to place her, she spoke first.
“You’re that person from back then, right?”
“Sorry?”
“At the bank! You helped me, remember?”
Helped her at the bank?
The image came rushing back all at once— A pale-faced pregnant woman, clutching her swollen belly.
Now that I saw her face clearly, I was sure of it.
It had been not long after I became Hwang Seol-bin. I went to the bank, and by pure coincidence, got caught in a robbery. There had been a pregnant woman there, and I instinctively stepped in to protect her. Back then, she had a large belly, so her figure had changed a lot since. That’s why I hadn’t recognized her immediately.
“Ah… You were that pregnant woman…”
“Yes! That’s right! I’m so glad you remembered!”
She lit up with a beaming smile, clearly touched. Even the baby lying in the stroller giggled along with her, as if it understood what was going on. It was such a sweet, heartwarming scene that I found myself smiling, watching quietly. That is, until I felt a light tug on my sleeve.
“Hyung…”
Only then did I remember Kang Biso was still beside me. When I turned to check his face, he looked… well, sulky was putting it mildly.
“I—I didn’t expect to run into anyone. Sorry.”
“Then let’s go somewhere else.”
“Um…”
I felt bad. Stopping so suddenly must’ve annoyed him. But after hearing the baby laugh like that… I didn’t want to leave just yet.
“Just a little longer. Please?”
“…Fine.”
“Thank you.”
I gave him a grateful smile and turned back to the woman, who was now gently rocking the baby as she looked at me.
“Are you doing okay now? How’s your health?”
“Yes, I’m doing great. Thanks to your help back then, the baby was born safely. I really can’t thank you enough.”
“It was nothing. Your baby’s absolutely adorable. Congratulations.”
I offered my congratulations and looked down at the baby again. Dressed in pink, the little girl beamed up at me, giggling nonstop.
After watching us for a moment, the woman checked the time, then hesitated before speaking again.
“My house is just around the corner. If you’re not too busy… would you like to stop by for a bit? I’d love to offer you a cup of tea, at least.”
“…Right now?”
The invitation caught me off guard. I glanced over at Kang Biso from the corner of my eye. He was already upset that our date had been interrupted. Now, with her inviting us over, he didn’t even bother hiding the scowl on his face.
Seeing this, the woman glanced his way, then chuckled softly.
“Of course, your friend’s welcome too. I really just wanted to thank you somehow. Please don’t feel pressured—I’d just be happy if you came by.”
“Well…”
Honestly, I wanted to accept right away. But Kang Biso’s displeasure was radiating off him in waves, and I couldn’t just ignore that.
Should I decline, since it clearly bothers him?
As I hesitated, I finally looked at him and asked, cautiously,
“…Would it be alright?”
He furrowed his brows and looked conflicted for a moment. But then his eyes met mine. After a sigh, he gave a small nod.
That was enough of an answer.
With his silent okay, I turned back to the woman, who was now smiling down at her baby.
“…Then we’d be happy to.”
“Oh, thank you. I should be the one saying that.”
She smiled warmly and began leading the way toward her home.
I followed behind, then quietly slipped back to Kang Biso’s side. I could feel his gaze on me—confused, maybe even annoyed—but I didn’t meet his eyes.
Instead, I simply reached out and took his hand, interlacing our fingers like he’d done earlier.
“Thank you.”
“…!”
Kang Biso stared at me with wide eyes, clearly stunned—like he couldn’t believe I was the one who held his hand first.
He stood there frozen, lips parted slightly, eyes full of surprise. The sight was so cute I couldn’t stop the smile tugging at my lips. Leaning in close, I whispered just for him to hear.
“Just… let this be enough for now, okay?”
I turned back toward the front without waiting for a reply and resumed walking. Almost immediately, I felt his grip tighten around my hand. His gaze still lingered on me.
…What kind of look is he giving me now?
I didn’t dare check. Something told me that if I looked into his eyes now, I might change my mind—might tell the woman we couldn’t go after all. So instead, I kept my eyes fixed forward and ignored the weight of his stare with everything I had.
***
“Please, come in.”
“…Thank you.”
Kang Biso and I followed her inside the apartment.
She led us to a cozy living room that was both neat and clearly designed for life with a baby. It was warm, inviting—lived-in.
“Go ahead and sit on the sofa. I’ll bring out some tea.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind.”
As we settled onto the couch, the woman gently laid her sleeping baby in a crib, then disappeared into the kitchen.
Only then did I glance at Kang Biso’s face.
Maybe holding his hand had helped, because his expression seemed more or less neutral again. Still, part of me worried.
He must’ve been looking forward to this date.
…Is he really okay with this?
Just as I was trying to read his mood, he suddenly turned to face me, catching me off guard. Our eyes met before I had time to look away.
He just… stared.
I had no idea what was going through his head, but his gaze didn’t waver. As I opened my mouth to ask what was up, the corners of his lips curled into a teasing grin.
“Aren’t you gonna hold my hand again?”
My face burned in an instant.
I quickly turned away, pretending to admire the room as if I hadn’t heard him.
Kang Biso let out a small chuckle, clearly enjoying my reaction.
Wow, this living room’s huge…
The room was full of things for the baby—a soft play mat on the floor, plush toys, and a bookshelf crammed with adorable little items. Some of the books were made of fabric instead of paper, which looked oddly thick and unfamiliar to me.
Wait, are those books? They’re not paper…
Everything I remembered about books involved paper. The sight of these puffy, cloth-bound ones felt oddly new. I moved closer to the bookshelf, curious—when one spine caught my eye.
It was different.
A real book. Paper. Just one.
Absentmindedly, I glanced at the title—and my breath caught.
…Book of Wishes?
I shot to my feet and rushed over.
“Hyung? Where are you going?”
I didn’t answer. My focus was completely locked on the book.
This cover… this symbol…
It wasn’t a mistake.
I opened the book, and the words on the first page confirmed it. This was the Book of Wishes—the same one I knew.
Why is this here…?
“What’s that book?”
“…Shit!”
I jumped.
When had he gotten so close?
Kang Biso was suddenly right next to me, peering down at the open book. I’d been so absorbed that I hadn’t even noticed. I quickly snapped it shut, but that only seemed to make him even more curious.
Of all times… why now? Why did I have to find it while Kang Biso was right here?
The timing couldn’t have been worse.
There was no way he didn’t know about the Book of Wishes. He must’ve heard about it during the same ZEC strategy meeting where I learned of it.
What do I even say…?
How could I explain this in a way that wouldn’t spark his interest?
But before I could come up with anything, I realized his eyes hadn’t left the book in my hands.
“This says… ‘Book of Wishes,’ huh?”
“……”
“You ran over the moment you saw it. Do you know something about it?”
I clamped my mouth shut.
“Back when I brought you to the hideout—and you tried to escape—we had a meeting. You heard about it then, didn’t you?”
“Well, that’s…”
“Here’s your tea! I brought some fruit too—it felt a bit plain to serve just tea.”
Saved by the interruption.
The woman entered with a tray and froze for a moment when she saw us both standing in front of the bookshelf, mid-conversation.
“…Is something wrong?”
Avoiding Kang Biso’s gaze, I turned to her and held up the book.
“Um… this book…”
“Yes?”
“I was wondering… do you remember where you got it?”
She tilted her head, thinking.
“I don’t remember exactly. But I think it’s just something we’ve always had? Probably been in the house since I was a kid.”
“…I see.”
My mind reeled.
If I hadn’t saved her at the bank that day, I never would’ve come here. I never would’ve found this.
Who in their right mind would think this book—something so important—was just sitting in a random home like this?
My fingers tightened around it without realizing.
I need this. No matter what—it’s the key to getting back home.’l
There was no other way.
But how do I ask?
How could I take it without making her uncomfortable?
Asking for it as a reward for saving her life… that would sound so wrong. So selfish.
…No, I can’t do that.
It wasn’t something I could just demand. Not like that.
While I stood there, panicking internally, trying to think of a good excuse—
The woman looked at me, then at the book in my hands, and said,
“If you need it… you can have it, if you’d like.”
“…Huh?”
I blinked at her, stunned.
She smiled gently.
“It seems important to you. But I’ve looked through it, and I still don’t know what it’s about. It’s not something my baby would need, either.”
I just stood there, stunned, staring at her. Was she serious?
She nodded again, still smiling like it was nothing.
“I was actually thinking of throwing it away soon. So don’t feel bad. Really.”
“…Thank you.”
I bowed deeply, pouring all the sincerity I had into that single phrase.
This book… It was worth everything.
Thank God…
Finally. Finally—I’d found the third Book of Wishes.
“……”
Then I felt it.
A sharp, searing stare pressing into the back of my head.
I didn’t know if it was directed at me or the book, but I could feel it.
Slowly, I turned and met Kang Biso’s eyes.
I can’t give this up.
There was every chance that he wanted it too. ZEC had been interested in it, which was reason enough. And as a Villain, he’d definitely be curious.
But no matter what he said…
Even if I had feelings for him—real ones—I wasn’t giving him this book.
Not now.
Not ever.
