Episode 11 of "Love Next Door" kicks off with a nostalgic flashback, showcasing Seok-ryu and Mo-eun's class engaging in a baking extravaganza. As they conspire to present their sweet creations to the ever-popular Seung-hyo, they encounter a horde of high school girls with similar intentions, eliciting a mix of awe from Mo-eun and resentment from Seok-ryu.
Fast-forwarding to the present, where Seok-ryu's tears have dried, a new day dawns. At breakfast, Seung-hyo joins the family table, feeling a pang of loneliness as he observes their cozy camaraderie. Post-meal, Seok-ryu seeks his assistance in deciphering a French cookbook, turning the translation session into an unexpected nap session for both. Upon waking, she finds herself drawn to his peaceful slumber, her hand inching closer to caress his face, only for him to awaken and flee the scene, his exit marred by a comical head bump against the door as Mo-eun accidentally interrupts.
In a separate vignette, the impending expiration of the milk bottle hangs heavy in the air, known to both Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu but unspoken due to Seung-hyo's tender consideration for Seok-ryu's fragile state after Hyeon-jun's departure.
The next morning, Seung-hyo and his team dive into a thrilling project: designing a bookstore architecture tailored for a musician. Meanwhile, Seok-ryu's culinary endeavors are bolstered by her parents' unwavering support. Elsewhere, Dan-ho's domestic life takes a turn as he steps in to care for Yeon-du while their babysitter recuperates from an injury. Mo-eun's mother offers a helping hand, unwittingly setting the stage for an awkward encounter between Mo-eun and Dan-ho in Mo-eun's office. With Mo-eun's mother whisking Yeon-du away for a sweet treat, the two find themselves alone, forced to confront their impulsive kiss. They exchange heartfelt apologies, Mo-eun owning up to initiating it and Dan-ho acknowledging his failure to halt the moment.
Hye-suk extends a heartfelt invitation to Seung-hyo for a familial feast, igniting a spark of joy within him. He promptly secures a reservation, only to be met with a sobering revelation: his mother's impending departure and the shattering news of his parents' impending divorce. A haunting flashback unveils a heated exchange between his parents, centered on Hye-suk's relocation to Africa. In a fit of frustration, she utters words that cut deep, lamenting the very existence of Seung-hyo. The seven-year-old, an unwitting eavesdropper, internalizes this pain, even as Hye-suk's subsequent apology fails to erase the scar, for she truly hadn't meant it.
In the present, Seung-hyo's heart heavy, he abandons the dinner midway, seeking solace in the embrace of a tent restaurant's alcohol. It is here that he finds himself, intoxicated, pouring out his longing for a family akin to Seok-ryu's, confiding in her the bitter truth of his parents' separation. Seok-ryu, ever compassionate, guides him back to the safety of her office, where the untouched milk carton in the fridge serves as a poignant reminder of the fragile state of his world.
The following day, amidst the somber atmosphere of the family court, Seung-hyo's parents embark on a journey towards the finality of their divorce, only to be met with a month-long wait. Hye-suk, shoulders burdened, shares this burden with Mi-suk, her voice tinged with sorrow. As she prepares to depart, Seok-ryu, with a gentle touch, whispers of Seung-hyo's unspoken anguish, a testament to the depths of his emotional turmoil.
Meanwhile, Mo-eun's dreams are filled with fantastical hues, envisioning Dan-ho as Mudflat Man, a superheroic figure who comes to her rescue, their lips mere inches from a tender kiss before reality rudely interrupts. Together, they find solace in the warmth of the sauna, accompanied by Yeon-du, whose heart aches for the absence of a maternal embrace. Mo-eun, with tenderness and understanding, weaves a cocoon of comfort around the girl, soothing her sorrow with words of kindness and empathy.
The following day, we stumbled upon the revelation that Seung-hyo had taken refuge in his office, ever since the shattering news of his parents' divorce dawned upon him. The absence of even a single family photograph weighed heavily on his heart, casting a shadow of sorrow over his world. In a compassionate gesture, Seok-ryu unearthed a cherished memory from their childhood—a photo from their seventh year, which she tenderly bestowed upon him. As if adding another layer of complexity to the day, she gently reminded him that Hye-suk, too, would be departing that very evening.
Seung-hyo's call to his father, intended to confirm flight timings, unexpectedly unraveled a new drama. His father's unexpected presence at the police station sent a jolt through him. Together, Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu unraveled a troubling mystery: Hye-suk had vanished from the airport, her mobile phone abandoned within her suitcase like a forgotten clue. Their search for her became a frantic endeavor, their inquiries echoing through every corner.
Through a convoluted chain of events, Seung-hyo's father uncovered a rumored affair between Hye-suk and a colleague, but more alarmingly, he learned of her failing memory—a recent trend of forgetfulness. With Mi-suk's invaluable assistance, they embarked on a poignant journey to the serene Buddhist temple where Hye-suk sought solace through hiking. After an arduous search that seemed to stretch on forever, they finally laid eyes on her, bruised but alive.
In this tender moment, Hye-suk and her husband shed the veils of deceit, baring their souls to each other in a heartfelt confession of feelings long suppressed. Seung-hyo, his frustration boiling over, voiced his anguish at his parents' unilateral decision-making, his voice laced with a raw emotion. Yet, amidst it all, they found solace in each other's embrace, reconciling in a way that transcended their differences.
As they journeyed back, Seung-hyo's parents exchanged flirtatious glances, as if the weight of the world had lifted from their shoulders. Back at their home, united in purpose, they resolved to accompany Hye-suk to the hospital for a thorough check-up, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the indomitable bond of family.
Elsewhere, Seok-ryu stumbles upon the news that Seung-hyo is embarking on a two-week-long business excursion. Despite her initial assertion of nonchalance, a subtle emptiness begins to creep into her days. As she listens to Seung-hyo's French rendition of the cookbook they had jointly acquired, a surprise confession unfolds, whispered in the language of love. Her curiosity piqued, she decodes his words through a translation app, only to realize this tender moment had slipped by while she drifted off into a dreamy slumber. Seung-hyo's confession echoed with sincerity: his feelings for her would persist, even beyond the expiration date of their beloved banana milk carton.
Inspired by this unexpected revelation, Seok-ryu resolves to seek out Seung-hyo, borrowing Mo-eun's car with purposeful strides. She finds him amidst a vibrant flower field, where the blooms seem to mirror the blooming emotions between them. With courage in her heart, she extends an invitation for a date, sharing a bottle of banana milk as a symbol of their shared sweetness. Seung-hyo, captivated by her gesture, subtly takes the cue, and as the episode draws to a close, their lips finally meet in a kiss, surrounded by the fragrance of flowers and the promise of a future entwined.
