Chapter 2

The Red Notebook — Episode 2: (The Trip)

Yuri stared at her parents with crossed arms.

Yuri: “I already said I'm not going. Why don't you understand?”

Mom: “Yuri, sweetheart, it's only a few days. We'll stay together, visit beautiful places, eat good food, and come back home.”

Yuri: “That doesn't make it better.”

Dad: “Come on, Yuri. Just give it a chance.”

Yuri rolled her eyes. “Fine! But I'm only going because you won't stop asking.”

Her parents smiled at each other.

Mom: “That's our girl!”

Yuri wasn't convinced. Something about the way her parents had insisted on this trip still bothered her.

The next Sunday arrived quickly.

After hours of preparation, the family finally reached Seoul.

The city was completely different from Yuri's quiet life. Bright signs covered the streets, cars moved constantly, and crowds filled the sidewalks. People hurried from one place to another while music and voices filled the air.

Yuri looked out of the car window.

Yuri: “It's even more crowded than I imagined.”

Mom: “See? Isn't it exciting?”

Yuri: “No.”

Her parents laughed.

They checked into their hotel, dropped their luggage, and went out to explore the city.

At first, everything seemed normal.

They walked through busy streets, visited beautiful shops, took pictures, and stopped at a small restaurant for dinner.

But Yuri noticed something strange.

Her parents weren't acting like tourists.

They kept checking the time.

They whispered to each other whenever they thought Yuri wasn't listening.

And every time Yuri asked where they were going next, they gave her the same answer:

“You'll find out.”

That evening, they returned to the hotel.

Yuri went toward her room, but suddenly heard her parents talking quietly in the hallway.

She stopped.

Dad: “Are you sure this is the right place?”

Mom: “Yes. It has to be.”

Yuri's eyes widened.

Yuri: “What are you two talking about?”

The voices immediately stopped.

Her parents turned around.

Mom forced a smile.

Mom: “Nothing, sweetheart. Go get some rest.”

Yuri stared at them suspiciously.

Yuri: “You're hiding something.”

Neither of them answered.

Yuri slowly walked into her room and closed the door.

She thought the strange feeling would disappear once she went to sleep.

But just before she turned off the light, she heard something from outside her room.

Three quiet knocks.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Yuri froze.

She looked at the door.

Then came a whisper from the other side.

“Yuri…”