Summary: Se-ri excels at school. She's at the top of her class and she's earned more Maths Olympics prizes than both her older brothers combined. She knows how to count to one thousand, so one hundred should be a piece of cake.

Still, as she sits alone on a cold, empty beach, the young girl keeps losing count before reaching the last number. But it's okay, she doesn't mind starting over again.

And again, and again, and again.

[Missing scene from episode 12].

Count-up till Sunrise

Yoon Se-ri is 8 years old and family is the most important thing in the world to her.

It's true that Father is hardly ever home, because he's busy building an internationally acclaimed company and doesn't have time to waste on childish things, and that First Older Brother and Second Older Brother never allow her to join in their games, because apparently she doesn't know when to shut up, and that Mother is always scolding her for one thing or another, because Se-ri is such a disappointment and never does anything right, and why did she have to come and ruin everythi–

Still, this family is the only family Yoon Se-ri has ever known, and so she loves them unconditionally and tries her best to make them happy.

It's almost midnight and the young girl knows she's supposed to be asleep already, but it'll be her birthday in a few minutes and you only turn 9 once in a lifetime.

Se-ri is not particularly excited for what tomorrow will bring, however, for every year is the same. Father will gift her a nice, expensive present, but won't be able to deliver it himself due to a last minute meeting or other work-related crisis. Se-jung will wish her a happy birthday at the breakfast table, but will soon forget her existence in favor of texting his newest crush. Se-hyeong will sulk the whole day, thinking it unfair that it's not his birthday. Mother will either remain locked away in her room until the day is over or leave Se-ri with a babysitter in order to go out and do what grow ups do when they want to have fun.

Therefore, the raven-haired girl is caught completely by surprise when she's woken up a couple of hours later by someone turning on the lights of her bedroom. Mother stands at the foot of the bed, staring intently at her, not saying a word.

"Mom?" Se-ri asks sleepily, sitting up on the mattress.

"Get up and get dressed," Jeong-yeon orders sharply. "We're going to the beach."

The now 9-year-old knows it's better not to argue, lest she anger her mother. She simply does as she's told.

"Should I wear my winter coat and gloves?" Se-ri wonders out loud. It's not the kind of clothes one usually wears when going to the beach, but the night is so cold that a swimming suit seems like a bad idea.

"It doesn't matter," Mother replies impatiently. "Just hurry up and keep your voice down, you don't want to wake up your brothers or your father."

The young girl nods. Indeed, Se-jung and Se-hyeong are invariably grumpy when they wake up early, and Father has so few precious hours of sleep that it wouldn't do to disturb him.

As the pair gets into the car and Jeong-yeon starts driving, Se-ri tries to puzzle out what can possibly be happening. When she finds her answer, she almost squeals in excitement and joy (she doesn't actually make a sound, because Mother doesn't like to be unduly distracted by her when she's otherwise occupied).

"Is this a surprise for my birthday?" The girl inquires, fighting to keep too big of a smile on her face, for it wouldn't do to appear scandalous, as the older woman does not approve of such behavior.

Jeong-yeon hums noncommittally, but Se-ri reasons that such a response is understandable. After all, it wouldn't be a surprise if Mother revealed the details so soon.

The young girl tries to keep herself entertained by singing quietly on the backseat, but after long minutes have gone by, she's just too curious not to ask:

"Mom, where are we going?"

"I told you," the adult woman replies neutrally, keeping her eyes on the deserted road. "We're going to watch the sunrise alone."

Mother hadn't said as much before, but Se-ri is not going to complain. She's never done something this fun and special on her birthday, and she won't ruin it by saying the wrong thing. But still, she has to be sure, because it seems too good to be true:

"Only you and me, without my brothers?"

Jeong-yeon doesn't answer. From the backseat, Se-ri notices the way her mother's hands shake where they grip the wheel. The girl decides it will be better not to voice any other questions nor ask about her mother's actions for the duration of their first adventure together.

Maybe if she behaves really well, it won't be the last.

Soon, they arrive at a beach and park the car. There is no one else for miles upon miles of sand. Mother and daughter are alone but for the lulling music of the sea and the soft glow of the moon.

Jeong-yeon strides forwards in long, determined steps. Se-ri watches happily as her mother walks away, probably looking for the best place from which they can watch the sunrise.

The girl sees that the moon is high in the sky, and it doesn't look like the sun will be coming up any time soon, but she is content to wait, especially if it means spending more time alone with Mother.

A shiver runs down Se-ri's spine, and she feels very proud of herself for remembering to put on her gloves – the night is bitterly cold.

At that moment, she notices something that almost makes her heart stop: Mother's fingers are naked against the freezing sea wind.

Se-ri runs back to Jeong-yeon's side, grabbing her hand tightly in an attempt to warm the adult's cold digits. She's very confused when her mother inexplicably twists away from her grip.

"Do you want to wait here while I get something warm to drink?" Mother asks, voice void of emotion.

The young girl doesn't want to be left alone, not really, but she imagines a cup of hot chocolate would do wonders to keep Mother's hands warm, even without gloves.

"Okay," Se-ri agrees.

Jeong-yeon walks in the direction they came from. The birthday girl is certain her mother will look behind her shoulder to wave 'see you soon', but she gets further and further away without doing so.

Something unnameable clenches in Se-ri's stomach and she's suddenly afraid that there is something very, very wrong.

"Mom!" She calls, waiting for something to break.

Jeong-yeon slowly stops and slightly turns to face her.

The young girl smiles in relief and happiness. She's just being silly, after all. Se-ri raises her arm and waves.

Mother does not wave back.

After the raven-haired girl watches the older woman disappear into the night, she decides to play on the sand for a bit, drawing funny shapes with the corners of her boots. Soon, though, she grows tired of the game and sits down to rest.

Se-ri feels herself nodding off, but shakes her head to remain alert.

"Don't fall asleep," she tells herself, resolute. "Mom will be here soon."

Her gloved fingers are numb with cold, so she struggles for a moment to close the zipper of her jacket. She wishes her mother had left her with a blanket.

How long till Mother returns? Se-ri wonders. It must be hard to find an open coffee shop this far away from the city and this late at night, but surely she will manage.

"She'll be here by the time a reach 100," the young girl decides, and starts counting.

Se-ri excels at school. She's at the top of her class and she's earned more Maths Olympics prizes than both her older brothers combined. She knows how to count to one thousand, so one hundred should be a piece of cake.

The 9-year-old says the numbers as slowly as she can without falling asleep in between. She wishes she knew how to find constellations in the night sky, for then, maybe, she wouldn't feel so lonely.

Se-ri amuses herself by imagining what type of hot chocolate her mother will bring her. She starts to fantasize about the birthday cake that's sure to accompany the beverage. Maybe Mother has gone back home to get Father and First Older Brother and Second Older Brother and they'll celebrate together.

When she reaches 99, Se-ri is as alone as she was at the beginning. With a start, she realizes she's just forgotten what number is supposed to come now. There is nothing she can do but go back to 1. After all, Mother must come back before she finishes counting so they can watch the sunrise together, there is no other possibility.

Se-ri excels at school. She's at the top of her class and she's earned more Maths Olympics prizes than both her older brothers combined. She knows how to count to one thousand, so one hundred should be a piece of cake.

Still, as she sits alone on a cold, empty beach, the young girl keeps losing count before reaching the last number. But it's okay, she doesn't mind starting over again.

And again, and again, and again.

.

Yoon Se-ri is 9 years old and when she wakes up on a hospital bed the sun has already risen but she is still alone except for the dozens of hot water bags cradling her shaking body.

For such a bright student, she has been an incredibly stupid girl. She realizes now that Mother is never coming back for her.

"100," Se-ri says out loud, and is not surprised at all when no one appears by her side.