The Best of Tomorrow-Chapter 3.

□ ■ □

On the way home, I installed the V Live app on my phone. I added the artist Potato Pancakes and started opening their uploaded videos one by one. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

I tapped on a video uploaded on the 28th, and Baek In-hyeok appeared. He was talking to himself about this and that, and then he brought up Seon-jae. “Seon-jae has been sick with a cold lately,” he said, lowering the ends of his brows with a sympathetic look. “This part hasn’t changed,” I muttered and opened the next video uploaded on the 30th.

Woo Hyeon-seong and Seo Yun-jae showed up. I dragged the play bar to the middle. After reading a comment asking if his roommate had changed, Seo Yun-jae replied, “No, not yet,” making a crying face. “I don’t want to room with In-hyeok hyung anymore, it’s miserable,” he whined as he clung to Woo Hyeon-seong’s arm.

“I want to share a room with Seon-jae hyung,” he said.

To that, Woo Hyeon-seong shook his head. “Seon-jae’s no joke either,” he said, then brought up Seon-jae’s insomnia.

― “Seon-jae doesn’t sleep well. So I read books to him, but I’m so sleepy I’m about to pass out, and he still won’t sleep. I’m dropping the book because I’m so drowsy, and he still doesn’t sleep. And when I do that, he goes, ‘Hyung, just stop reading and go to bed,’ and puts in his earphones and listens to music. I’m thinking of recording Toji or something and playing it for him soon.”

Staring at the video with a gloomy expression, I let out a small laugh.

Maybe the reason Seon-jae is still alive isn’t because he remembered what I said—maybe it’s because Woo Hyeon-seong remembered.

A sigh slipped from my mouth. Ever since I returned to the original timeline, I’d been sighing more often. People say time heals, and maybe eventually even what happened with Seon-jae would fade and dull.

Thinking that, I looked out the window. The night scenery passed by in shades of sorrow.

□ ■ □

My eyes widened on their own.

Shim Won-jun, who had been hiding his face behind the cue sheet and laughing, extended his palm in front of my face.

With my eyes still round, I slowly looked up, and he puffed out both cheeks, trying to hold back his laughter.

“Sol-ssi, your eyes are about to pop out.”

“Ah, I—I was just really surprised.”

When I came to my senses, I realized I had leaned my entire upper body toward him. I straightened up and pressed my back against the chair, fixing my expression.

Shim Won-jun put the cue sheet down and asked with a grin,

“You must like Potato Pancakes, huh?”

“Eh? No, I mean, yes... No, it’s not like that...”

I fumbled a weird non-answer, and Shim Won-jun chuckled.

Before the meeting started, he and I had taken our seats early.

He handed me a pair of tickets and asked, “Wanna go see it?”

Wondering what it was, I examined the ticket—it was for a music program where singers cover songs by other artists.

The show had a lukewarm reception for over ten episodes until a just-debuted rapper rearranged a song by Deulgukhwa, and the performance went viral, skyrocketing the ratings.

“Okay, I’ll go. Who’s performing?” I asked.

He scratched his head and said, “There are three teams... but I only remember one of them.”

The only one he remembered was Potato Pancakes.

Even though I tried to keep a neutral face, I guess my surprise still showed.

Shim Won-jun rested his chin on his hand and asked,

“Baek In-hyeok is pretty handsome, right?”

What now? I stared down at the tickets, wondering if I could just hide in the audience unnoticed—maybe it’d be okay.

But at his comment, my head shot up.

“What are you talking about? Ryu Seon-jae is the most handsome, obviously.”

My expression was so firm that Shim Won-jun replied, “Ah, got it,” and nodded seriously.

□ ■ □

I ended up coming. But the seat wasn’t great.

In the past, I would’ve loved sitting this close, but now it felt burdensome.

When I found the seat number on the ticket Shim Won-jun gave me, the performer waiting area was right next to it.

“This is... really close, huh?”

I asked him, sitting beside me. He shrugged.

“I just got them from someone else.”

The day I received the tickets, I asked if we were going together since there were two.

He shook his head.

“I’m not really into that stuff. Go with someone you know.”

But just as I was about to leave work, he came running.

“Did you find someone to go with?” he asked.

“For what?”

“The ticket I gave you.”

When I said no, he let out a relieved breath.

I asked if I should return both tickets, thinking he was asking for them back.

But he shook his head and smiled.

“Grapegirl’s performing. I gotta go.”

He placed his bag on his lap, unzipped it, and pulled out an eyeglass case.

“Oh, you wear glasses?”

He shook his head as he carefully wiped the lenses.

“I got LASIK, so I don’t wear them normally. But I see better with them.”

This guy had claimed he wasn’t into this kind of stuff, but his face now screamed:

‘I love you, Grapegirl. Can’t live without you.’

Watching him cheerfully polish his glasses, I suddenly felt like I was looking at myself.

Adjusting the focus dial with binoculars glued to my face... Was that how I looked back then?

The face Baek In-hyeok made at me flashed through my mind.

Once the audience had filled in, the MC who was handing out gifts earlier said a few thank-yous and stepped down. After a while, the stage lights came on and filming began.

“It’s starting,” Shim Won-jun said as he adjusted his glasses.

His expression was so serious that I almost burst out laughing.

Then, all humor drained from my face.

Seon-jae walked onto the stage.

Sitting stiffly with my hands on my thighs, I gradually slid to the edge of my seat, lowering my body bit by bit.

Shim Won-jun looked at me strangely.

“Is your seat uncomfortable?”

I shook my head with a strained smile.

The waiting area was right beside me—and in it sat Potato Pancakes.

From left to right: Kwon Seong-jun, Woo Hyeon-seong, Seo Yun-jae, Baek In-hyeok, and Ryu Seon-jae.

And of course, Seon-jae’s seat was closest to the audience.

Maybe I was imagining things, but it felt like our eyes kept meeting.

Every time I glanced over, his face seemed turned this way.

No way... right?

When it was Potato Pancakes’ turn, I borrowed Shim Won-jun’s glasses.

Partly for disguise, partly to see Seon-jae more clearly.

I adjusted the round frames on my face and straightened {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} up.

As the lights dimmed, the tension doubled.

The intro began.

Today, Potato Pancakes were performing Toy’s “Wish.”

Apparently, Kwon Seong-jun did the arrangement.

The first verse flowed from Woo Hyeon-seong’s mouth.

Some people in the audience sighed in admiration.

The song progressed to the latter half, where the pitch climbed. Seon-jae picked up the mic.

― Forgive my foolish wish, but the person I desperately needed... was you

I covered my mouth with both hands and listened.

Seon-jae’s voice rose cleanly, beautifully.

The time I’d spent with him passed through my memory like it was wearing a name tag labeled “REMEMBER.”

Memories still so vivid from just days ago.

The time I couldn’t close between Seon-jae and myself now felt so distant.

It was like that distance represented us.

Even though I was the one who jumped through time, it felt like Seon-jae was the one who drifted far away.

It ached. Until the moment I met him again.

Seon-jae furrowed his brow as he hit the high notes.

“You’re still so beautiful when you sing,” I thought, heart burning like the warmth in my palm.

□ ■ □

A dog that cries at the sight of Ryu Seon-jae—that was me, huh?

In the end, I started crying.

Shim Won-jun panicked.

“Wait, why? Why are you crying?”

He rummaged through his pockets and bag, then pulled out some tissues and handed them to me.

“Is work really rough lately?”

I shook my head as I wiped my eyes.

“Then why...?”

I’d been so absorbed in Seon-jae’s voice that I hadn’t noticed, but the lyrics started sinking in.

Like printed letters flowing in with sharpened edges.

It felt like Seon-jae was telling his story through the song.

Even though he was just focused on singing, and we hadn’t made eye contact since he stepped on stage.

He sang the final line.

So I can keep you forever in my memory—something like that.

For me, it had only been a few days. But for Seon-jae... I couldn’t even imagine how long it had felt.

That thought made my face flush.

Maybe it was natural for Seon-jae to forget me.

But it still made me feel so sad.

“Weren’t the lyrics just... so sad?”

“The lyrics? Honestly, I never pay much attention. I just go, ‘Ah, a love song. Ah, a breakup song.’”

I chuckled at that.

“I used to be like that too. I only listened to sad songs—never knew what they meant.”

I dropped my gaze to the tips of my shoes.

Just like always, Seon-jae’s face floated in my mind.

Forgive my foolish wish, but the person I desperately needed... was you

The line he sang kept looping in my head.

It felt so much like the feelings I had while time traveling.

Like my heart, here in this place, was shaking under its weight.

□ ■ □

The program was recorded every other Thursday, and today was a recording day.

It was filmed at the broadcast station where the show aired.

Just being allowed to enter the building had me buzzing with excitement since morning.

I hadn’t expected anything big to be assigned to me—but I didn’t think I’d immediately be sent out to get coffee, either.

“Eight iced Americanos, please.”

I placed the order and waited by the condiment bar.

Since this café was inside the station, I saw a few familiar faces from TV.

No one else looked particularly shocked—it must be so normal here.

So I tried to keep my face neutral.

Acting like nothing was surprising. Like I wasn’t amazed.

But my eyes were darting everywhere. Wow, this is so cool, I thought.

Carrying two four-cup trays, I stepped into the elevator.

It was only the second floor, but the stairs were long and spiraled like a helix—it might as well have been the third.

With the trays in hand, I reached out to press the button—

And someone suddenly stepped in.

Se—Seon-jae.

I shut my mouth before it could drop open and shrank into the corner.

I didn’t even press the button.

The elevator wasn’t full yet, but Seon-jae hit the close button.

The voice calling out, “Ryu Seon-jae,” was cut off by the closing doors.

I pressed my back into the wall, staring only at my loosely tied shoelaces.

He must’ve pressed the floor button, because the elevator started moving.

It’s better to pretend not to know him, even if we meet face-to-face.

Baek In-hyeok’s words came to mind.

I waited impatiently for the elevator to stop and for Seon-jae to get off.

Staring down at my shoelaces, I cautiously lifted my eyes and looked at Seon-jae’s feet.

He was standing against the elevator wall, and his feet were pointed in my direction.

Just seeing his feet made me feel like I’d been caught looking.

Anyone watching would think I ran off with Seon-jae’s money or something.

The elevator doors opened.

I held the carrier tight and waited for Seon-jae to get off—but he didn’t move.

I hadn’t even checked the floor number.

The doors closed again.

The small space fell into complete silence.

Feeling suffocated, I frowned and wore a miserable expression, then quietly lifted my head.

Our eyes met.

Seon-jae, with both hands shoved in his pockets, was looking right at me—

as if he’d been watching all along.

I quickly lowered my eyes and bit my lip.

Just the two of us in this cramped space—my heart wasn’t just pounding, it was practically leaping out of my chest.

Awkward, tense silence packed every corner of the elevator.

As I adjusted my grip on the carrier, Seon-jae spoke.

“What floor are you going to?”

His voice pierced the silence, and my heart dropped.

I froze, eyes shifting everywhere, then slowly looked up.

In those brief seconds, a flood of thoughts swept through my head—

but the moment our eyes met, everything went blank.

Not a single thought remained.

Seon-jae’s face, looking at me, felt indifferent.

“Thought maybe you couldn’t reach the button.”

“Oh...”

I stepped toward the panel.

As I raised my hand, the carrier followed.

I stretched out my fingers, trying to press the button,

but with the four-slot carrier’s size, I just couldn’t reach it no matter how far I leaned.

Ah, damn it...

“I’ll press it for you. What floor?”

I stared at the buttons right in front of me, then turned my head.

My lips trembled like they were about to speak but held back.

Like my unstable feelings, my eyes wavered too,

but in Seon-jae’s, there wasn’t a trace of emotion.

I didn’t understand why it was so hard to get the words out.

“Second floor...”

Seon-jae’s hand moved.

My head turned naturally to follow it.

He was leaning sideways, staring right at me.

The moment our eyes met, I looked away.

His voice didn’t recognize me, but his gaze surrounded me as if it did—

I couldn’t breathe.

The elevator, which had come down from a high floor, arrived at the second floor.

I told myself I’d dash out the moment the doors opened—

but before I could move, Seon-jae’s voice broke through again.

“Haven’t we met somewhere before?”

The doors opened.

“Ah, no?”

The words flew out before I could stop them, purely from panic.

I rushed out.

I didn’t even check to see if Seon-jae got off behind me.

Seon-jae, you’re my favorite singer.

Your songs always gave me strength.

And everyone liked you.

I just... I hope you don’t carry only bad memories with you.

That was what I cried while facing him on the Jagam High School field,

as he looked at me with a sour expression.

That was the feeling I had before I traveled through time—

a pure, honest love for him.

Even now, that feeling hadn’t changed...

But its weight felt different somehow.

Seon-jae... I really am glad you’re alive, I am...

My face twisted into a helpless frown.

□ ■ □

Filming ended.

Back at the office, I organized labeled tapes and then left for the day.

My shoulders drooped.

More than the PD yelling, “Hey, rookie, can’t you do your job right?!”

what crushed me was the look in Seon-jae’s eyes earlier.

I thought about taking the subway but chose the bus instead.

Resting my head against the window, I stared at the night outside.

In the passing scenery, I kept seeing Seon-jae.

Even his voice—“What floor are you going to?”—lingered.

I smacked my head against the glass.

You’ve really lost it, I told myself.

At a red light, another bus stopped next to ours.

I glanced over and saw an ad on the side.

It was from a publisher promoting a revised edition of a book.

I’d never seen the cover before,

but the title was one I knew all too well:

It’s Okay, Even If You Can’t Sleep.

A giant exclamation mark followed the slogan below:

Recommended by Ryu Seon-jae of Potato Pancakes.

I laughed out loud, but as Seon-jae’s face flashed through my mind, my smile faded.

I couldn’t tell if that face today had been one that remembered me or not.

If he did remember, then maybe that unpleasant expression... was because of me.

I sighed.

After returning from the past,

I didn’t even feel like I was his fan anymore.

It’s weird. Really weird.

I closed my eyes and exhaled one long, sunken sigh.

□ ■ □

Work, home, work, home—on repeat.

I was so busy that the time travel started to feel like a dream.

Working late felt like hell,

and hell took up half the week.

My stomach growled.

It was already 8 p.m.

I hadn’t eaten since lunch.

I’d planned to finish quickly and go home without dinner,

but now I was certain I’d miss the last train.

I gave up on the idea of catching the last bus

and grabbed my wallet.

First, I needed food. My stomach was raging.

I stepped into a convenience store and grabbed some ramen.

Then I stood in front of the refrigerated section,

debating between a triangle kimbap or a roll.

Having chosen triangle, I then faced a second dilemma—

Tuna mayo or Jeonju bibimbap flavor.

“Hmmm...”

I was deep in thought when a dark figure appeared beside me.

Someone in a padded jacket with the hood up

started sweeping all the chocolate milk into their basket.

I’d planned to grab one after picking my kimbap—

but this person was taking them all.

My eyes widened.

I hurried over and snatched the last remaining chocolate milk.

The man, arms full of milk, turned to look at me.

What is this, a bulk order? What the hell...

I narrowed my eyes and glared—

but my expression instantly vanished.

It was Seon-jae.

Maybe it was because I hadn’t seen him in weeks,

but my heart dropped, like the first time I saw him after returning from the past.

I turned my eyes away fast and walked to the counter.

I hadn’t picked up any kimbap.

But I couldn’t go back.

I placed the items on the counter and opened my wallet,

only to see the clerk changing out the receipt paper.

“Just a moment, please.”

I nodded.

Bouncing my knee impatiently,

I felt someone stand behind me.

I didn’t turn around.

Even without looking, I could tell it was that long, dark silhouette.

A Lee Moon-sae song played in the store.

Lee Moon-sae, in a convenience store? What kind of fate is this?

But it was just the radio on the clerk’s phone.

“When Love Passes By” echoed like a confession.

I stood at the register, listening.

The clerk took his time changing the paper,

even with two people waiting.

If I were the manager, I’d be losing it right now, I thought,

fidgeting with my wallet.

― Even if you know me, I won’t remember you

Why did that lyric hit so hard?

My nose tingled.

I’d thought that if Seon-jae stayed alive, I’d be able to see his face freely.

But it wasn’t that simple.

It wasn’t about the opportunity—it was a matter of the heart.

Even seeing his photos made me choke up.

I remembered standing on the bridge with him, listening to music.

His deep eyes wouldn’t leave my mind.

It was painful.

The clerk finally finished loading the receipt paper and scanned my items.

Beep. Beep.

Ramen and milk prices popped up on the screen.

I bowed my head and handed over my card.

“Please insert it into the front slot.”

“Ah...”

I slid the card into the machine.

“Uh... this isn’t a payment card.”

“...What?”

The clerk pulled it out, looked at it, then handed it back with a baffled face.

“This is your company ID.”

My face burned.

I shoved it back into my wallet and took out my actual credit card.

When I handed it to the clerk, he repeated,

“Please insert it into the front.”

I bit my lip and inserted it.

The swelling in my chest evaporated instantly.

All that was left was embarrassment.

Just as the payment processed, the door opened and someone walked in.

I instinctively looked up.

Seo Yun-jae walked in.

He didn’t even recognize me,

but I still lowered my head out of nervousness.

“Whoa, hyung, are you super stressed lately? Quit drinking so much chocolate milk.”

He must’ve spotted the stash.

“It’s not like that. I just had a sugar craving.”

“You eat sweets when you’re in a bad mood. It’s better than drinking, I guess. Still not a great sign.”

As the payment finished, the receipt printed out.

I quickly pulled my card from the terminal and shoved it into my wallet,

ready to leave.

But the clerk called out, “Excuse me!”

“...Yes?”

I turned at the door.

Everyone—inside and outside the counter—was looking at me.

I stood frozen, their eyes awkwardly focused on me.

Seon-jae, who had placed his chocolate milk on the counter,

tapped the ramen next to it.

No way.

I turned around and returned to the counter.

I picked up the ramen and chocolate milk.

But beside me, I could feel Seon-jae staring straight down at me.

Was I imagining it?

I wanted to confirm—

but I couldn’t look up.

I walked out of the store without turning back.

Outside, the cold air struck my face.

The heat rising in my body was instantly cooled.

Winter wind really is harsh, I thought as I headed back toward the office.