Episode 5 of *A Hundred Memories* opens with a return to the bus stop, where Jong-hui is left utterly astonished to find Jae-pil standing right there. In a flurry of panic, she dashes away, leaving Yeong-rye to witness the unfolding drama with wide-eyed curiosity.
Jong-hui is consumed by a gnawing sense of guilt, as if she’s deliberately misled Jae-pil, and she can’t quite pinpoint why she didn’t just come clean from the start. Meanwhile, Yeong-rye throws herself into her work with fervor, only to be reprimanded by Mr. No in the aftermath of Jong-hui’s abrupt departure from her post.
Yeong-rye attempts to offer Jong-hui some comfort, but the relentless dispatch schedule leaves no room for contemplation or heart-to-heart conversations. Over on the buses, Sang-chul catches sight of Yeong-rye and immediately rushes to tell Jae-pil, treating it as if it were groundbreaking news. Of course, Jae-pil already knew, so the revelation falls flat. Yet, in an intriguing twist, Sang-chul finds himself wavering, debating whether to confess his own feelings for Yeong-rye.
Jae-pil, left to ponder this new information, tries to distract himself with tasks, but his mind refuses to cooperate. He spends most of the night jump-roping in a futile attempt to clear his head, then arrives at the bus terminal at the crack of dawn, determined to speak with Jong-hui.
When he finally confronts her, Jae-pil confesses that her job as a bus attendant doesn’t bother him in the slightest—but it does bother Jong-hui. In truth, her initial intention in seeking him out wasn’t to reveal her occupation, but rather to make it clear that she doesn’t harbor any romantic feelings for him.
Yeong-rye, ever the straightforward one, approaches Jae-pil later and offers a heartfelt apology for any impression that they had deceived him. Jae-pil, however, brushes off her words, still reeling from Jong-hui’s rejection, and walks away, leaving Yeong-rye standing there, her apology hanging in the air.
Meanwhile, the sinister man from the previous episode makes his reappearance, scouring numerous bus terminals in a frantic search for someone named Jong-yeon. However, the small photograph he clutches in his hand is unmistakably of Jong-hui. Eventually, his quest leads him to Cheong-A, where he confronts Yeong-rye with the picture. Her eyes widen in recognition, though she maintains her composure and feigns ignorance, but it's crystal clear that Jong-hui is in some sort of peril.
Upon learning of her brother's pursuit, Jong-hui springs into action, frantically packing her belongings in preparation for a hasty escape. It is then revealed that the menacing figure is none other than her own brother, a vicious individual from whom Jong-hui has been on the run for quite some time. Jong-yeon, it turns out, was her original name.
Yeong-rye, sensing the gravity of the situation, devises a plan. She advises Jong-hui to go into hiding, filing a sick day at work and arranging for her to stay at her mother's house temporarily. That night, however, Yeong-sik offers a starkly different perspective, urging Jong-hui to confront her problems head-on rather than fleeing from them.
Taking Yeong-sik's words to heart, Jong-hui bravely decides to return to work. But fate has other plans, as her brother materializes without warning, his face twisted in rage and seemingly poised to strike. In a moment of sheer defiance, Yeong-rye channels her inner Zinedine Zidane and delivers a resounding headbutt to the assailant's face!
The girls, united in their resolve, commandeer a bus and speed away from the depot, leaving Jong-nam to frantically steal a bicycle and give chase. The chase culminates in a footrace, with Jong-hui eventually forced to flee on her own two feet. As the drama spills over into the town square, Jae-pil and Sang-chul watch from the sidelines, their eyes fixed on the unfolding spectacle.
Jae-pil, unable to remain a bystander, jumps into the fray, his boxing prowess coming to the fore as he emerges victorious. Naturally, all four individuals find themselves at the police station before long. Jong-nam's criminal record is as colorful as it is extensive, boasting a laundry list of previous charges including gambling, theft, assault, and fraud.
It transpires that Jong-hui had taken his money, though in truth, it was Jong-nam who had squandered away the earnings she had rightfully earned. Eventually, Jong-nam is apprehended by the authorities, while Yeong-sik rushes back to collect his sister. His surprise is palpable upon discovering Jae-pil there, especially given that Jae-pil is obviously his tutor.
When Jong-hui bursts into tears and attempts to flee the scene, Jae-pil springs into action, chasing after her in a desperate bid to offer comfort. She feels utterly humiliated, reeling from the events that have just unfolded. Jae-pil, however, sees things differently. He gently consoles her, assuring her that her past means nothing to him. He even goes so far as to suggest that if a romantic relationship isn't in the cards, she could treat him as Yeong-rye does—like a friend. Admitting that he can't shake thoughts of her from his mind, Jae-pil's confession underscores the one-sided nature of his feelings. Meanwhile, poor Yeong-rye is left to watch her crush pursue her best friend, a sight that twists her heart and leaves her struggling to contain her sorrow.
After a restful night's sleep and the completion of her exams, Jong-hui appears somewhat more upbeat. She extends an invitation to Yeong-rye to join her in seeing Jae-pil, though Yeong-rye hesitates at first. Eventually, she agrees to tag along with Jae-pil and Sang-chul for an exhilarating bike ride. They spend their time learning to skim stones across the water's surface and sharing bowls of steaming noodles.
As they sit down to eat, a pang of jealousy washes over Jae-pil upon learning that Yeong-sik and Jong-hui had spent time together. Similarly, Sang-chul's eyes flicker with envy when he catches Yeong-rye tenderly tending to Jae-pil's hand after he spills noodles all over himself.
A sudden downpour forces the group to scatter. During this separation, Sang-chul and Jong-hui engage in a heartfelt conversation about Yeong-rye. Sang-chul confesses that he can sense Yeong-rye's lack of interest in him, a revelation that catches Jong-hui off guard. She begins to realize that her friend may harbor feelings for someone else.
Meanwhile, Jae-pil and Yeong-rye find themselves alone. They chew gum together, and when "Close to You" by The Carpenters begins to play, Yeong-rye takes it as a sign—a reminder of their earlier encounter in the drama. Seizing the moment, Yeong-rye decides to take a leap of faith. She confesses that she was the one he saved in the alleyway and at the movie theatre. She also reveals her feelings for him and asks for a chance, knowing full well that his heart doesn't beat for her in the same way. She sees this as a way to finally let go of her unrequited love.
Back at Cheong-A Transportation, Yeong-rye steps in to cover for another attendant. Jong-hui, curious, checks Yeong-rye's locker and discovers a Giants hand towel—a clear indication of Yeong-rye's affection for Jae-pil. Just as she comes to this realization, the scene cuts back to the bus Yeong-rye is on. It's not immediately clear what has transpired, but it appears that someone has fallen off the bus in a horrific accident caused by overloading. Could it be Yeong-rye?
