The next day, Min-Ji woke up at dawn, left a note saying, “Thank you,” and returned home. Before leaving, she gently stroked Do-Jun’s cheek and mumbled something under her breath, but it was spoken so faintly, almost swallowed, that it was impossible to make out the words.0

Meanwhile, Byeol was sneezing a bit too much. Do-Jun placed a hand on her forehead to check for a fever.2

“I’m okie. I just need to eat bluey,” Byeol said, sniffling.5

“Bluey?” Do-Jun asked.0

“Yeah, bluey! Where I lived before.”0

“Ah.” Do-Jun realized she was talking about the first floor of the Core. “Alright, then. Should we go there now?” he asked, ready to leave.0

“Let’s eat bwekfast first.”0

Do-Jun scratched his head awkwardly, knowing that Yoon-Hee, likely still exhausted from the previous day, was sound asleep and probably wouldn’t wake up for a while. This meant that making breakfast was entirely up to him. As he pondered what to prepare, his eyes landed on the blender.0

***0

“Don’t drink it too quickly,” Do-Jun cautioned Byeol.0

“Daddy, this is yummy.”0

“Glad you like it.”0

Byeol sipped a thick smoothie made with strawberries, bananas, and milk. Judging by her delighted expression, it seemed...1