The divorce proceedings did not go smoothly as expected. Sarang's mother fought tooth and nail. She played dirty till the end but ultimately the divorce was granted leaving the child custody arrangement to be discussed next.
Sarang lived with her father for the time being. They have a total of four court proceedings to Sarang's custody. Although Sarang is old enough to choose who to live with, her mother made it impossible to reason with.
Sarang's father has given up overseas opportunities so he can focus on taking care of Sarang. Ultimately, the custody was awarded to Sarang's dad. Jin Woo and Mina's testimony regarding Sarang's mom work ethic was put into consideration.
Sarang turned 16 when all the court proceedings were done. It was not easy for her as she manages her acting projects and the controversy regarding her family. The management tried to keep her family affairs private but somehow more information gets leaked the more they try to keep silent.
They say bad publicity is still publicity since the issue surrounding Sarang's family has only made Sarang more popular in the media. It was a good thing that the public was mostly on Sarang's side and did not believe all the lies her mom spewed in public.
Sarang as kind and understanding that she is still wants to have a relationship with her mother and that is how the court granted her mother visitation rights. Her dad was worried, but he wanted to give his former wife a chance to become a good mother to her child.
Her relationship with her mother is still quite tainted but Sarang is still working hard to win her mother's love. Sarang tried pacifying her through expensive gifts and trips, but her mother was still cold to her. Her father tried stopping her and tried to talk his ex-wife into treating Sarang better as she has no fault in everything that happened, but the mother is not very forgiving. Sarang's father then limited her interaction with her mother to lessen her heart break. Her mother might not be with them, but they made sure that she lives in luxury.
With all the things that happened to Sarang's life in the past year, she was very thankful that Yejun has treated her the same. She would constantly request ice cream trips which Yejun happily complied. Yejun's popularity as an actor is steadily rising and became busier but would drop everything for Sarang.
As the years go by, Yejun and Sarang has shared more projects together, mostly on advertisements. They both became ambassadors of a popular uniform brand, the ice cream brand they constantly eat, a shoe advertisement and a popular clothing brand. Now that they are eighteen, there are more prying eyes looking at their progress in the industry.
Both of their careers are slowly skyrocketing, but the moment they graduated high school, Yejun decided to complete his mandatory enlistment. This shook not only the fans but people from Yejun's company as well. Usually, people from the industry enlists later most especially when their career is growing.
There was no special reason for Yejun to enlist early, he just wants to "get on with it." His only worry is Sarang. Sarang's mental health has never been the best the past few years. She is in therapy but her constant exposure to her mother is not helping. To add to her stress, now that she is older, it seemed to make it like a pass for haters to bully her more online.
There are a lot of accusations of Sarang as being not filial to her mother enough, having bad attitude and even a school bully. All those rumors have all been refuted as no evidence has been presented. Vloggers online who spread rumors has been prosecuted with the help of the company, but it does not seem to faze netizens to hate on the innocent actress.
What hurts the most to Sarang is that her mother is the number source of the rumors circulating online. Sarang was discouraged from seeing her mother, but the guilt is eating her up. She feels as though it was her fault her parents divorced and why her mother hates her.
Yejun does not want to leave Sarang in that state, but Yejun wants to finish his enlistment early, so he has more time for Sarang. A few days after the news of his enlistment broke out, he decided to talk to Sarang.
He thought talking to Sarang will go smoothly but Sarang was really upset she almost did not want to talk to Yejun. Good thing Yejun is persistent.
"What do you want to talk about? You are gonna leave me anyway." Sarang's tone was sharp, but her pouty face only made Yejun smile.
"You do know that I will eventually have to enlist right? It will not matter when, it is mandated. It's not like I will go to military forever. Can't you forgive me just this once? Hmm?" Yejun's puppy face started to get to Sarang.
"Why did you not tell me earlier? I only knew through the news." Sarang is almost teary now.
"I know. That is on me, it's my fault. I'm sorry. Can't you look at me just this once? I will be gone in two weeks."
Sarang finally looked at Yejun teary faced.
"I'm sorry Yejun, I know I am being immature right now. I know I will just feel lonely without you." Sarang said in between tears.
Yejun wiped Sarang's tears with his fingers.
"That is why I always encourage you to make friends. How did you live knowing I am your only friend?"
"You know its hard for me to make friends. It's hard to know if someone approaches me with good intentions."
"But I did approach you for my personal gain?"
Sarang's face turned red with Yejun's honestly.
"Aren't you tired of waiting? It's been years. You are even going to military now."
"I have been waiting for three years but I still like you. Even I surprise myself, I though my crush will also go away by the time we get older but Sarang, I think this is not just a crush anymore."
"Y-Yejun are you doing another confession right now?"
"And why are you flustered? Haha, this is not even the first time I told you my feelings. I couldn't even count how many times I told you I like you in the three years we know each other."
"But this time it feels different. You're confessing but will leave me soon. What is that?"
"It will only be eighteen months. I will spend my vacation days with you don't worry."
Sarang laughed. "What do you mean spend your vacation days with me? How about you family? Your mom will be sad to hear this from you."
"You know my mom will understand. She is basically treating you like her daughter-in-law."
"I'm sorry, Yejun. I realize I've been leaning on you a lot. I know you're worried about leaving me on my own, but I think it's time for me to grow without you by my side. I need to learn how to stand on my own now."
"Wow I don't know why it hurts listening you say that. I should be proud. In all honesty I like that you rely on me but at the same time I must let you become independent. This is your time to make friends." Yejun felt a little guilty for feeling sad over Sarang's resolve to be independent. He knows deep inside that Sarang needs to grow on her own and him being her only friend will not help.
"It's scary to meet other people but I will try my best. I know your worried for me. Eighteen months will go by fast."
"Yes, eighteen months will be nothing. But make to visit me as well, okay? And I will make sure to see you during my vacation."
"I am not that heartless not visit a friend in military you know! I will even bring you a packed lunch."
"Packed lunch? Is our Sarang learning how to cook now?" Teased Yejun.
Sarang blushed at Yejun's teasing and slapped Yejun's shoulder out of embarrassment.
"You don't have to tease me about it! I'm trying my best you know."
"I know. And I'm excited to eat the food you will be making. I promise I will not vomit even if it tastes awful!" Teased Yejun.
Sarang slapped Yejun's shoulder again while laughing at his teasing.
Weeks went by and it was now time for Yejun to enlist. His family was there to bid him farewell. Alongside his family is Sarang and his manager. Sarang was wearing a mask and a cap, but she still stands out. Many wanted to approach her, but it was a good thing that the military base has good security.
"Sarang why are you crying again? You're such a crybaby." Yejun teased.
"S-shut up! don't forget to write to me, okay?"
"You don't have to worry about that Sarang, I just know Yejun will only write and visit you on the course of his military service." Yejun's oldest sister jokingly told Sarang.
"Aaah noona! What are you saying? Of course, I will write and visit you guys."
"Wanna bet?" His second oldest sister said to their oldest.
"Oh, you guys! Yejun is now old enough to do what he wants. And he can write and visit Sarang all he wants!"
Yejun hugged his mom tightly and said, "Thank you mom, you always have my back!"
The family all laughed and hugged before finally bidding farewell to Yejun. Sarang also gave Yejun one last hug before he enters the base.