The next morning, a bright sunny day enveloped the small village. The usual countryside bustle began outside Elio's house—people pushing carts, laughing, and busy with their harvest.
Meanwhile, Elio was at school. He just realized it was Monday—and he had totally forgotten.
Worse, he didn't bring his phone. He couldn't contact Caramel to tell her they were supposed to meet that afternoon.
"Damn me..." he muttered.
"Ring... ring..." The school dismissal bell finally rang.
Without waiting, Elio bolted out of class and ran straight home, not caring about his confused classmates' glances.
"Liooo..." called one friend he passed.
"Why is he in such a hurry?" another wondered.
Elio ran full speed. His breath was heavy, his pace never slowed until he reached home.
When he opened the door, he was shocked. His mother stood in the doorway—holding a knife.
"Huhh... Mama..." Elio gasped in surprise.
"Why are you in such a rush?" his mother said, turning to head inside. Elio followed.
"Good thing the knife didn't pierce your stomach," she said, holding up the knife, still sounding bewildered.
"Ehh... y-yes, Ma... Sorry..." Elio swallowed nervously.
"Why were you run—"
Before his mother could finish the sentence, Elio slammed his bedroom door shut.
Inside the room, he quickly showered, changed, then opened his phone.
The screen lit up.
Eight missed calls. Fifteen messages from Caramel.
Her messages read: "Elio where are you?" "Left yet?" "Why aren't you replying?" "Did you forget?" "I've been waiting in front." "Liooo?" "Elioo?" "So are you coming out or not?" "Eliiii." "Liooo." "Okay, once you're off, I'll wait." "How far?" "Elio you what's wrong?" "Lio?" "Sorry I was called unexpectedly, maybe another time."
Elio froze. Panic filled his expression as he tried calling back, over and over.
But the phone was off.
"Aishhh..."
Without thinking, Elio threw open his door.
"Lio where are you going?" asked his mother, who was chopping vegetables.
"Just meeting a friend," he replied quickly, then shut the house door and ran to his motorbike.
He hopped on, put on his jacket and helmet, and sped off toward the city.
Forty-five minutes passed...
The sky darkened. Streetlights flickered on, as did the lights in the city's buildings. Evening turned into night.
"Aishhh... I'm such an idiot..." Elio muttered under his helmet.
The traffic light turned green. Elio accelerated toward CSA Town.
Once he arrived, he parked and dashed into the lobby. His heart pounded.
He kept trying to call Caramel. No answer.
Twenty‑five minutes passed. Still nothing.
Elio started sweating. He looked exhausted, bewildered, and frustrated.
Suddenly, a shoulder tapped him from behind.
"Oyyy..."
Elio turned and saw Caramel standing there—along with three of her friends.
"Wooow, so handsome," one friend blurted.
"Who is this?" another asked.
"You've been waiting long, right?" Caramel asked gently.
Elio just nodded. Caramel smiled, then told her friends to go inside first.
Then she led Elio to a nearby café.
They sat alone.
"Where were you?" Caramel asked.
"I... I forgot it was school today..." Elio answered nervously.
"True, I was dumb too for arranging a meetup on a school day," Caramel chuckled.
"Uh... no, not really..." Elio still looked guilty.
"Hahaha... sorry for the trouble," Caramel said, then called the waiter and ordered snacks and drinks.
While waiting, they chatted casually about their worlds.
Soon the food arrived.
"This is so much..." Elio exclaimed.
"Don't worry—it's my treat, for saving me yesterday," Caramel said with a wide smile.
Elio paused, then smiled back.
"Come on, what are you waiting for? Eat." Caramel grabbed fries and started eating. Elio did too.
"Why did you join idol training?" Elio asked.
"Because I love K‑pop. I have talent in this. So why not try?"
"When I auditioned... I got in unexpectedly," Caramel laughed and continued snacking.
Elio just nodded and listened.
After finishing, they left the café.
Heading back toward CSA Town, Elio grew curious.
"Caramel," he called.
"Hmm?" she turned while walking.
"I'm really curious about your talent. Can you show me just a little?"
Caramel stopped and looked at him.
"You can't. You'll see when I debut," she said, pinching his cheek before running toward the building.
Elio hesitated, then chased her. "Wait..."
That night ended with a smile.
Back at home, Elio changed clothes and lay on his bed. He opened his phone. A notification popped up.
"Elio, thanks for today. Let's hang out again next week."
Elio smiled widely.
"Let's go tomorrow," he replied.
Caramel, reading his message, rolled around on her bed giggling.
"Okay. Good night."
Elio read it in disbelief, eyes wide open.
"Wow... this is real. I might go crazy," he said, laughing to himself.
On a hot Sunday afternoon...
They rode rides at Dufan, ate together, laughed, shared food—even fed each other. That day felt perfect.
Every week, they went out together—to the beach, hills, lakes, rivers, waterfalls.
Two months passed.
One Saturday afternoon, Elio was off school and helping in the store. Suddenly, Caramel's chat popped up.
"Lio, let's go out tonight."
Busy stocking items, Elio quickly replied:
"Okay. I'll pick you up."
Night fell. The city lit up. Caramel sat at the bus stop in front of CSA Town, waiting.
Then her phone rang.
"Hello? Yes? Coach?" she answered.
"Tomorrow you must depart. Where are you going now?"
"Um... just stepping out briefly. Will be back soon."
"Take care. Don't drop tomorrow."
The call ended.
Just then Elio arrived.
"Hi," he greeted, handing her helmet.
"Hi, Lio," she replied, took the helmet and put it on.
"You okay?"
"Yeah... let's go."
On the motorbike, Elio asked, "Where to?"
"Just the city park," Caramel said.
They reached the park and Elio bought hot chocolate from Starling.
Caramel sat relaxed, glowing citylights in view.
Elio returned with the drinks. "Here you go."
"Thanks," Caramel sipped slowly.
"What's your biggest dream right now, Lio?"
"To own a tall building like that," Elio nodded toward the Autograph Tower.
Caramel looked at the tower, then at him. "I want to live on the top floor too."
Elio didn't realize Caramel was staring until he looked into her eyes—he was startled.
"Wh-why are you looking at me?"
Caramel stood. "What if one day we can't meet anymore?"
"Uh... why say that? Like we won't see each other?"
"Lio, I told you that..."
"Well then, don't disappear suddenly."
"Lend me your phone."
Elio handed it over. Caramel deleted his number from contacts.
"W-why delete?"
Caramel activated the front camera. "Let's take a photo."
They took two photos. The second one, very close.
"Seriously, why, Mel?"
"I'm okay. Let's go home."
The ride home was silent.
Caramel rested her head on Elio's back.
"Mel... you okay?"
"Just sleepy."
They arrived in front of CSA Town. Caramel removed her helmet; Elio did too.
"Mel, what's going on today?"
Caramel just handed him the helmet. As Elio turned to place it on his bike, Caramel pulled him into a hug.
"Lio... don't ever look for me after this."
Elio froze. "W-where are you going?"
Caramel released him and walked away.
"Caramel!" Elio shouted.
But all he saw was her back slowly fading, never turning around.
Tears began falling for both of them—silence and cold filled the night.
Caramel... vanished.