If Only Spring Would Come.

Inside the Artisan Workshop

Thunk! A car key landed on the workbench, tossed casually by Junyoung, who collapsed into a chair as if his legs had given out.

Something unbelievable had happened. That camera—capable of capturing pictures of the future—was already absurd enough, but to see that Bom would die?

Junyoung, his face half-dazed, pulled Bom’s photo from his pocket. No matter how many times he looked, it was nothing short of horrific. From the image, it seemed she had taken her own life by hanging herself. But why? Why in the world…?

In the photo, Bom wore a black dress and hung suspended in midair. The background was an unfamiliar house, with what appeared to be a rope tied to the banister of a staircase leading to an upper floor.

But what shocked Junyoung even more was a detail on one wall—a framed wedding photo. The oversized frame depicted none other than Bom in a bridal gown. The groom? Seo Dongwook!

Had it not been for Bom’s death, the marriage itself would have been a tremendous shock. But now, none of that mattered. The fact of Bom’s death consumed his mind entirely.

Why had she died? Why had she chosen to end her life?

After seeing Bom’s future, Junyoung agonized for two straight days.

At first, he wanted to deny it all. He couldn’t accept the death of Bom, who deserved nothing less than happiness. And he worried for Dongwook, who would surely be devastated after losing her. What kind of misfortune had befallen Bom? Financial problems? A falling-out with Dongwook? Or was it depression?

He turned over every possibility in his mind, but the photograph alone provided no answers.

Having seen her death, Junyoung knew he had to save her. But without a clear method, he felt utterly trapped. He couldn’t very well show Bom the gruesome photo or interrogate her about her reasons for dying.

Junyoung laid out the letter and photograph that had come with the camera, staring at them for a long time.

“P.S. It feels like spring and autumn are getting shorter and shorter. Winter will be here soon.”

The odd postscript that had initially struck him as peculiar now gnawed at his thoughts. Could it have been a clue? A warning that Bom’s days were dwindling, urging him to act quickly?

If he had taken a picture of someone else instead…

Junyoung shuddered at the thought. For the first time, he felt strangely grateful to have seen Bom’s death. If it hadn’t been him, she might not have had any chance to be saved.

Fortunately, there was still time. Bom was alive, and she hadn’t married Dongwook yet.

There had to be something he could do. But what?

As his restless fingers tapped the photo, a sudden thought struck Junyoung.

“Marriage!”

While he didn’t know the exact timing of Bom’s death, it was evidently after her wedding. If he could stop the marriage, wouldn’t he also be able to stop her death?

The wedding photo in the picture was the only tangible clue. Junyoung didn’t know for sure, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that it was a hint.

He had to alter the future somehow. For now, his best bet was to hope for the butterfly effect.

And so, Junyoung found himself at Yangji Art Academy, determined to meet Eunju.

If Bom was avoiding him, it would be difficult to meet her privately. He needed a legitimate reason to cross paths, and for that, Eunju’s help was crucial.

The jingle of the doorbell sounded as Junyoung entered the academy. The building was eerily quiet, as all the students had gone home. Bom had likely finished work as well, leaving only Eunju in the director’s office, waiting for him.

Last night, Junyoung had struggled to get Eunju to answer his calls. Only after sending a string of pleading messages, explaining that it was urgent and related to Bom, did he finally manage to speak with her.

“If this turns out to be nothing, you’re dead meat!”

“I’ll come to the academy tomorrow,” he had assured her. “I’ll wait outside. Please text me when Bom leaves.”

Knowing that the conversation might escalate into an argument, Junyoung had chosen the academy over a café.

Knock, knock.

Junyoung let out a shallow sigh before slowly opening the door to the director’s office. His eyes met Eunju’s sharp gaze. Was she still holding a grudge against him? Not that he could blame her; after all, it had been a year since they’d last spoken, and now he was suddenly asking to meet.

“It’s been a while, noona.”

Junyoung offered an awkward greeting from the doorway.

“We’re not exactly on friendly terms, so spare me the pleasantries. Just come in.”

As expected, Eunju’s response was cold.

Prepared for such a reaction, Junyoung closed the door and walked in with a composed expression.

“Thanks for making time for me.”

He sat down across from Eunju, separated by her desk.

“Let’s cut to the chase. What is it that’s so important? Say it quickly and leave. Meeting you behind Bom’s back is incredibly uncomfortable.”

Eunju wasted no time getting straight to the point as soon as Junyoung sat down.

“First, take a look at this.”

Junyoung braced himself for Eunju’s inevitable scorn as he pulled a camera and letter from his bag and placed them on the desk.

Eunju eyed the Polaroid camera and the single sheet of paper in silence.

“What’s this?”

“Read the letter first,” Junyoung replied, nodding toward it.

With a reluctant grimace, Eunju picked up the letter and quickly scanned its contents.

“Ha! Is this what you wanted to show me? You dragged me here for this nonsense?”

As expected, Eunju let out a derisive laugh.

“It’s absurd, isn’t it? You’re probably wondering what kind of lunacy this is. That’s exactly how I felt too,” Junyoung said, maintaining his calm demeanor.

“And?”

“A few days ago, that camera was delivered to me by courier. I don’t know who sent it.”

“…And?”

“At first, I thought it was ridiculous, just like you do.”

“And now you’re trying to tell me this thing actually takes pictures of the future?”

“Yes.”

“Ha! This is unbelievable. Cha Junyoung, what the hell has happened to you? Do you even hear yourself?”

Eunju let out a deep sigh, looking at Junyoung with an expression of utter disbelief.

“…I wish this was just nonsense.”

And he meant it. If this were nothing more than some absurd delusion he could shoulder alone, he’d gladly take that burden.

“Fine. Let’s say it’s real for argument’s sake. So what? What’s the point? Did you see your own future or something?”

Eunju’s face was filled with skepticism.

“Not mine… Bom’s.”

“Hah! Wow, this just keeps getting better. Why would you even take a picture of Bom? You two broke up a year ago. Or did you forget?”

“I know. I haven’t forgotten, but…”

Junyoung felt suffocated. He was willing to explain himself endlessly if it meant Eunju would understand his sincerity. But knowing it would likely be in vain, he decided to skip unnecessary details.

“That’s not what’s important right now. Bom’s future… it’s bad. No, it’s beyond bad—it’s the worst-case scenario.”

“What?”

Eunju’s face immediately darkened.

Ignoring her reaction, Junyoung finally pulled the photograph from his bag. Holding the harrowing image of Bom’s future in one hand, he spoke again.

“This is the photo. I don’t want to shock you, but I don’t have any other choice.”

“What are you even talking about?”

“Just look at it. Please, don’t be too alarmed.”

His words were futile. How could anyone not be alarmed by such a photo?

With a deep breath, Junyoung placed the photo on the desk and slid it toward Eunju. Her expression remained sour, her discomfort evident. Beneath his trembling hand, Bom’s tragic future awaited exposure.

Finally, Junyoung removed his hand.

“Ahhh!”

Eunju let out a shriek as soon as her eyes landed on the photograph. She recoiled, flipping the photo face down with trembling hands.

“W-What is this?! Cha Junyoung! Have you completely lost your mind? How could you pull such a sick prank—”

Eunju’s eyes now held a mixture of anger and disbelief, as if she were staring at a monster.

“This isn’t a prank, noona.”

“Then what is it?!”

Her sharp voice pierced Junyoung’s ears.

“I know how much of a jerk you think I am, but I’m not so heartless as to joke about Bom’s life! I couldn’t do that to her—never! If I did, I’d deserve to be struck down!”

Junyoung’s voice rose as he defended himself, his frustration evident.

A tense silence followed, the air thick between them.

Eunju, rubbing her temple as if to soothe a headache, glanced down at the overturned photo. Her face betrayed her inner turmoil.

Of course, she needed time to process it. It was natural for her to suspect manipulation, given that she hadn’t taken the photo herself.

After what felt like an eternity, Eunju finally broke the silence.

“You’re telling me this is real? That’s ridiculous.”

Though she shook her head in disbelief, there was a hint of reluctant acceptance in her voice. Her eyes drifted back to the letter.

“This postscript…”

“It’s strange, isn’t it? I didn’t think much of it at first, but after seeing the photo, I started to wonder if it was meant as a clue.”

“You think someone sent this to warn you about Bom’s death?”

“Yes. But I have no idea who that someone is…”

Junyoung shook his head.

“Noona, I feel like this is all my fault. If I hadn’t broken up with Bom, things might have been different. I let her go too easily. I should’ve fought for her, trusted her more. But back then, I was so exhausted…”

Junyoung’s voice trailed off, tinged with guilt and regret. His raw confession seemed to soften Eunju’s expression slightly.

“That time… the things you denied—were you telling the truth?”

For the first time, Eunju cautiously brought up what had happened a year ago.

“Yes, I swear to you!”

Junyoung’s voice was firm, his face resolute.

Though Eunju’s suspicion hadn’t completely vanished, her gaze wavered slightly. It was a small step forward, but to Junyoung, it felt like significant progress.

“I know it’s hard to believe. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t have trusted me either back then.”

“Ugh… What is all of this…”

Overwhelmed by the cascade of revelations, Eunju’s head spun.

Junyoung, desperate to gain her support, pleaded with her.

“Noona, please! Help me! We have to save Bom!”

“…What do you plan to do?”

“I’m going to stop her wedding.”

Junyoung’s face was resolute as he spoke. Then, without hesitation, he flipped the photo Eunju had turned over.

“You see the wedding photo there? That’s the only clue we have. I have to change her future somehow.”

Reluctantly, Eunju took a deep breath and lowered her gaze to the photo.

“…Dongwook?”

Finally noticing Dongwook’s face in the wedding picture, Eunju’s expression turned incredulous. Bom, marrying Dongwook?

The realization left her even more stunned.

“Yes. Do you know if they’re dating right now?”

“No? I haven’t heard anything about that.”

Eunju shook her head, flipping the photo face down again.

“Hmm…”

“Then again, I have noticed they’ve been meeting more frequently lately.”

“They might not have told anyone yet. Or maybe they’re not even officially dating yet.”

“Ugh… my head hurts. So, what’s your plan?”

“First, I need to stay close to Bom!”

“…What?”

Eunju looked at him, puzzled, waiting for an explanation.

“Noona, please enroll me in Bom’s class!”