Run Away If You Can
The Girl Who Isn’t Allowed to Live
The living room is quiet except for the sound of Aera setting out two plates. Dawn filters through the blinds. Riku bolts out of his room, half-dressed, backpack hanging open.
Yam Riku
Noona—!! What time is it—?!
Yam Aera
You missed your alarm three times.
Yam Riku
I didn’t miss it—
(She slides a warm container toward him. Riku lifts the lid and eyes widen.)
Yam Riku
You made the ginger rice again?
Yam Aera
You said it helps when your energy spikes.
Yam Aera
And you nearly transformed in front of your professor last week.
(Aera’s voice is calm but firm — an older sister who has seen too much danger to tolerate carelessness.)
Yam Riku
Okay, okay. I’ll control it.
Yam Aera
That’s why I worry.
(Riku shoves a bite of rice into his mouth, slings his backpack on.)
Yam Riku
You should worry about yourself once in a while.
(He opens the door, pauses.)
Yam Riku
Your shift looked heavy on the schedule.
He leaves. The door shuts softly.
Aera picks up her hospital coat and stands in front of the mirror.
She exhales, just once, and heads out.
[The Blue House, Private Residence Wing]
The President’s home is silent, polished, suffocating. Hana lies on her bed, staring at the ceiling while the morning news plays on the large TV.
Han Hana
Why is my life like this?
The maid adjusts curtains, pretending not to react.
[NEWSCASTER]
“For twenty-four years, the President’s daughter has remained a national mystery.
No released portraits, no public appearances.
Citizens look forward to her first official reveal on Coronation Day.”
Han Hana
[sits up, annoyed]
Han Hana
What am I, a newly released smartphone model?
Maid
Miss Hana, people are simply curious. You’ve lived a protected life.
Han Hana
Protected is one word.
Han Hana
Caged is another.
(She flips off the TV with the remote and strides into the hallway barefoot.)
[Office of the President]
Han Junhee
[without looking up]
Han Junhee
Good morning to you too.
Han Hana
Dad. I need to do something.
Han Hana
Something outside these walls.
He finally looks up, studying her expression carefully.
Han Junhee
You have schoolwork. Languages. Security training. Responsibilities—
Han Hana
Assignments are not a life.
Neither is hiding.
Han Junhee
You know why we keep you out of the public eye.
Han Hana
Yes. Threats. Politics. Enemies.
Han Hana
I’ve heard it all since I learned how to walk.
But Dad…
Han Hana
Everyone talks about me like I don’t exist. And honestly… I barely feel like I do.
(Her voice cracks slightly — controlled, but honest.)
Han Hana
Let me volunteer.
At a hospital.
Han Junhee
Absolutely not.
Han Hana
Why?! No one knows my face.
Han Hana
I could walk in, work a shift, and leave without being recognized.
Han Hana
I want to feel useful.
I want to feel… human.
He breathes in slowly — the kind of breath a leader takes, not a father. After a long moment he closes the folder in front of him.
Han Junhee
you follow every rule.
Every protocol.
Han Hana
Yes. Anything. Just let me out of here.
Han Junhee
You will not choose the place.
I will.
(He hands her a sealed file.)
Han Junhee
Seoul Prime Medical Center.
Han Junhee
Private, secure, discreet.
Han Junhee
If anything feels unsafe, you quit immediately.
Hana opens the folder — volunteer forms, security passes, training schedule.
Her eyes fill with something she hasn’t felt in years: freedom.
(He watches her for a long moment — a rare softness in his severe expression.)
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