When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 16

"We’re here," I announce, pulling the car to a stop.

Han Wool blinks, looking around.

"...The hell?"

I smirk, undoing my seatbelt. "What?"

"Where exactly is 'here'?" He gestures vaguely out the window, eyes scanning the area with pure disbelief. "Are we lost?"

I push open the door and step out, inhaling the crisp scent of damp earth and pine. “Nope.”

Han Wool slowly—very slowly—follows, stepping out of the car with an expression like he regrets every life decision that led him to this moment.

He looks around again. The place is thick with trees, the main road barely visible behind us. A light mist curls around the ground, giving everything an eerie, almost surreal quality.

His eyebrows pull together. “This definitely looks like a place where people get murdered.”

I roll my eyes and start walking.

Han Wool stays rooted in place.

"...Am I supposed to follow?"

I stop mid-step and glance over my shoulder. "And what, you’re just going to stand there?"

He crosses his arms. "If I can go back instead, that would be amazing."

I give him a deadpan look. “Follow me before I—”

"Oh please," he groans, already walking, "don’t finish that sentence."

I smirk to myself and continue forward, stepping over fallen leaves and branches as we move deeper into the forest.

Han Wool stays a step behind, glancing around warily. "So, are you actually taking me to my death, or are we just here to collect mushrooms and bond with nature?"

I snort. "Mushrooms?"

"I don’t know!" He waves a hand around. "Who the hell randomly takes someone into the woods without explaining why?"

"You’ll see."

"I hate that answer."

We keep walking, the sounds of the forest surrounding us—birds chirping, leaves crunching underfoot, the faint rustle of wind weaving through the trees.

Han Wool sighs, dragging a hand through his hair. “At least tell me how long we’re walking for. Is this, like, a trekking situation? Should I have packed food? A tent? A weapon to defend myself against you?”

"Stop whining."

"I’m not whining, I’m questioning! There’s a difference."

We walk for a little longer before the trees start thinning, revealing a glimmer of water ahead.

And then, finally—

We step into the clearing.

The lake stretches before us, smooth as glass, reflecting the overcast sky. The air smells fresh, damp, familiar.

I stop at the edge of the water, my heartbeat picking up.

Han Wool steps beside me, looking around with a raised brow. "Okay. This is... unexpectedly nice."

I turn to him. "Do you remember this place?"

He frowns. “Remember? What do you mean?”

I watch his face closely. “Think. Really think.”

His expression is blank. “No?”

A sharp pang twists in my chest.

I stare at him, waiting—hoping—for something to click.