Sunset 5:43 pm. Current time 6:45 pm.

Bomi swung the door open, stepping aside to let Jenny in. “Welcome to my castle,” she declared, motioning at the bare room with a few scattered boxes.

Jenny slipped off her shoes, giving the apartment a quick once-over. “This is actually bigger than I expected,” she said, nodding in approval. “For this neighborhood, you got lucky.”

Bomi grinned. “You know my eye is the best when it comes to finding deals.”

Jenny’s approving expression wavered. She turned toward the door, her lips pressing together. “Yeah, but… how safe is this area?”

Bomi waved off her concern. “Oh, please. It’s not like I moved into a crime drama. It’s mostly just quiet neighbors, a few stray cats, and old drunk men arguing about politics at the convenience store.”

Jenny crossed her arms. “And at night?”

Bomi shrugged. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

Jenny gave her a pointed look but let it go, rolling up her sleeves. “Fine. Let’s at least get this place looking less like a storage unit.”

They had barely started tidying when Bomi’s phone buzzed on the counter. She grabbed it. “Hello?”

A deep voice crackled through the line. “Miss Kim? This is KM Moving. We’re outside with your stuff.”

Bomi vaulted over a box and rushed to the door. “Be right there!”

She and Jenny stepped outside as a moving truck backed into the narrow driveway. The movers hopped out, efficiently unloading furniture and stacking boxes by the door.

“Where do you want the bookshelf?” one asked. 

“Uh… there?” Gomi gestured vaguely at a wall. They followed up with bringing her bed, desk, sofa, and dining table.

The man set it down with a grunt. “Alright, that’s the last of it.”

She handed over a tip, thanking them as they drove off. The moment the truck disappeared, she and Jenny exchanged glances.

Jenny sighed. “This is going to take forever.”

“I’ll start in the living room,” Bomi suggested, stepping over a pile of boxes. “You can start with the kitchen supplies.”

Jenny grabbed a roll of bubble wrap. “Sounds good. You order food while I do this.”

Bomi nodded, already pulling out her phone. “Jjajangmyeon?”

“Don’t forget the ttangsuyuk.”

With the order placed, Bomi turned back to the mess and started shifting boxes. She lifted one marked kitchen and set it near Jenny, but as she reached for another, a thought struck her.

“Hey, have you seen a small black box anywhere?” she asked.

Jenny ripped off a piece of bubble wrap, setting a plate down. “Black box?”

“Yeah, about this big.” Bomi gestured with her hands.

Jenny shook her head, still unwrapping dishes. “Haven’t seen it yet. What’s in it?”

Bomi hesitated. “My mom’s tea set.”

Not wanting to seem dramatic, she crouched down, scanning the pile of boxes again. She pulled one open, rifling through clothes and miscellaneous items. Not here.

Her heartbeat picked up.

She moved to another. Then another.

Still nothing.

“Jenny,” Bomi said, her voice tight, “it’s not here.”

Jenny glanced up. “Maybe you just haven’t unpacked that box yet?”

“No,” Bomi muttered, flipping open a suitcase, searching pockets and zippers. “I know I packed it. It should be here.”

She ripped through more boxes, her movements becoming more frantic. Her breath came quicker, the back of her neck damp with cold sweat.

Jenny stood, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Hey, calm down. It has to be somewhere.”

Bomi wasn’t listening. She grabbed her phone and dialed the moving company.

Two rings.

Three.

Click.

“KM Moving Services, how can I help you?”

“My black box,” she said, her voice sharp. “It’s missing.”

A pause. “Can you describe it?”

“Small. Black. About the size of a shoebox.” Her fingers drummed against the counter. “It has personal belongings in it. I need to know where it is right now.”

“Please hold.”

Bomi clenched her jaw as soft music played on the other end. Jenny chewed on her lip, watching with concern.

Minutes ticked by.

Finally, the voice returned. “It looks like your box was mistakenly sent to one of our facilities in Mapo instead of your apartment. We can ship it to you—”

“No,” Bomi interrupted. “I’ll come get it myself.”

“Are you sure? The facility closes at 10:00 p.m.”

Bomi checked her phone. 8:42 p.m.

“I’m on my way.” She hung up before they could protest.

Jenny exhaled. “Okay, slow down. It’s late. Why not just go in the morning?”

“No.” Bomi zipped up her jacket, her expression firm. “That tea set it really important and fragile. I have to get it tonight.”

Jenny hesitated. “Then let me come with you.”

Bomi shook her head. “The food will be delivered soon. Just start without me. I’ll be back soon.”

Jenny frowned but didn’t argue. “Be careful.”

“I will.”

Bomi grabbed her keys and slipped out the door.

The night air hit her as she jogged toward the bus stop.

Next stop—Mapo-gu.