"You haven't changed a bit, Park Eun Ho… still the same," Min Haejin said wistfully.
Eun Ho didn't turn around or reply. He simply walked away, leaving her standing there with a faint smile tugging at her lips.
---
"Why are you only telling me this now!?" Director Jung barked at the assistant director.
"Uh… I-I…" the assistant stammered, nearly dropping his clipboard.
"That prop is vital for the closing scene! We're supposed to shoot it first thing tomorrow morning. If it's not here, what am I supposed to do? Pull it out of thin air!?"
"I… I'll get it here, sir. I'll make sure it arrives first thing."
Director Jung pinched the bridge of his nose. "Aish… as-shibal… just when I thought things would go smoothly for once." He huffed. "Fine. We'll wrap it here for tonight. And you!" He jabbed a finger at the assistant. "If that prop isn't here by tomorrow morning, you'll be scrubbing bathroom floors with a toothbrush, arasseo!?"
"Y-yes, Director Jung!" the assistant squeaked and scurried off.
Minjae approached Eun Ho cautiously. "Hyung, let's head to the hotel. You can get some rest."
Eun Ho gave a tired nod. "Uhm."
---
Next Morning — Seoul
Eun Jung and Taeri had spent the previous night binge-watching dramas and stuffing themselves with chicken. Empty cans and snack wrappers were scattered across the living room floor.
The shrill ring of Eun Jung's phone broke the morning quiet. She groaned, dragging the phone to her ear without even checking the caller ID.
"Who's calling this early…?" she mumbled sleepily. "Hello…?"
"Good morning. Am I speaking with Miss Kim Eun Jung?" a soft female voice asked.
"Yes, this is she," Eun Jung replied, sitting up groggily.
"My name is Seo Mira. I'm a content acquisition manager at Silverlight Entertainment. One of our directors, Director Bo, recently recommended your novel. While it wasn't selected for his project, our team was impressed with its potential. We were hoping you could come in today to discuss a possible drama adaptation."
Eun Jung blinked, fully awake now. "W-what? Really? Oh my God—yes, yes, I'll come! Thank you so much!" Her voice cracked with emotion, tears blurring her vision.
As soon as the call ended, she screamed.
"Ahhhhhhh!!!"
Taeri bolted upright, tangled in a blanket. "What!? Is there a fire!? Fire!? Where!?"
"Yes, Taeri-ah, a spark has finally ignited in my miserable life!"
"Fire? FIRE!?" Taeri shouted, stumbling around half-asleep.
"No! Not an actual fire!" Eun Jung grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "I just got a call from Silverlight Entertainment — they want to adapt My Winter First Love into a drama!"
Taeri's jaw dropped. "Ahhhhhh!!! Are you serious!? Oh my God, yes!!!" The two of them jumped up, dancing wildly in the messy living room.
---
Later that Afternoon — Drama Set
Director Bo barked orders as the crew set up equipment. "Hey, careful with that prop! That's expensive!"
He rubbed his hands together with a grin. "I swear, this drama's going to be a hit." His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he answered.
"Good afternoon, Director Bo."
"Yes? Who's this?"
"It's Kim Eun Jung."
His face lit up. **"Ah, Eun Jung-ssi! How are you?"
"I'm good. I just wanted to thank you for recommending my book to Silverlight Entertainment. They called me this morning and said they're interested in adapting it."**
Director Bo chuckled. "It was nothing. Your book deserves it. Congratulations."
"Thank you so much!"
"Alright then, Miss Kim. I'll look forward to seeing your name in the credits soon." He ended the call with a smile. "Lucky girl… I wonder how she even knows the big boss to get me roped into favors like this. But hey — orders are orders."
He turned, catching a crew member fumbling with a light fixture. "Yah! That's not how you fix that! Aish… do I have to do everything myself around here?"
---
Back at Eun Jung's Place
Taeri plopped onto the couch with a soda. "Wow, I still can't believe this. We're gonna be rich!"
Eun Jung grinned. "Right? We should celebrate."
"Obviously. Let's call Min Soo — we'll get wasted tonight!"
"Oops… forgot to tell you."
Taeri narrowed her eyes. "Tell me what?"
"Min Soo texted me yesterday. He's out of the country. Went to Greece for his monthly vacation."
Taeri snorted. "Of course. Rich kids. What's he even doing there?"
"He said he wanted to visit Santorini and find out if the water really is bluer."
Taeri burst out laughing. "That idiot. He's unbelievable. But hey — we'll celebrate without him."
---
Meanwhile in Greece
Min Soo stood on a bustling street corner, peering at a map with a confused look.
"Uh… scusi… where is uh… blue water… uh… famous island? Santori…?"
A pair of smooth-talking locals spotted him instantly. They approached with wide smiles.
"Ah! My friend! You are looking for special Santorini shortcut? Very famous, very secret. We show you!"
Min Soo's face lit up. "Really? Wah, thank you!"
They led him through winding alleys, pointing out fake landmarks. Within minutes, they'd relieved him of his wallet, phone, and even his suitcase — and vanished.
Realizing too late wha
t had happened, Min Soo looked around in panic.
"A-Abeoji…" he whimpered, tears pricking his eyes as the sun began to set.