Episode 13 of "Love Next Door" kicks off with a dawn of intimacy as Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo awaken in Seok-ryu's abode, only to be abruptly interrupted by the return of her parents from their journey. In a flurry of quick thinking, they pose as avid rom-com comic enthusiasts, pages flipping frantically to mask their true bond. Seung-hyo yearns to reveal their relationship's truth, particularly after overhearing the parents' musings about potential partners for each, yet Seok-ryu adeptly navigates him towards discretion. Their stolen moments together, shrouded from prying eyes, are filled with a warmth that only their companionship can provide.
Meanwhile, the air between Dan-ho and Mo-eum crackles with unresolved tensions as Dan-ho politely but firmly declines Mo-eum's mother's offer to assist with Yoon-du's care.
Elsewhere, Seok-ryu embarks on her cooking certification exam, her determination shining bright. Myeong-u, growing increasingly curious about Seung-hyo's secretive nature, intercepts Seok-ryu post-exam with a bouquet of flowers, his suspicions lurking beneath his polite demeanor. Together, they reunite with Dong-jin, who is accompanied by Na-yun, the youthful Atelier employee and Seung-hyo's junior. A bombshell is dropped by Na-yun—Dong-jin's once-proud protein powder has been exposed as moldy, sparking a social media furore.
Seok-ryu, unwavering in her sense of duty, informs her parents, prompting a stern reprimand for Dong-jin. Yet, as he bares his soul, revealing his insecurities and the desperate need to shine in his family's eyes, Seok-ryu's heart softens. She assures him of his worth, affirming that he possesses the same strength and determination that she does.
In a parallel narrative, Mo-eum attempts to repair the fractured ties with Dan-ho, but her efforts are met with another rejection, Dan-ho's confession that he never harbored romantic feelings for her ringing hollow in the air.
The following day brings a ray of sunshine for Seok-ryu as she learns of her triumphant pass in the certification exam, her first attempt a resounding success. Seung-hyo's congratulations are heartfelt, but fate has other plans. Later, at the columbarium, where Mo-eum pays her respects to a departed senior, an unexpected encounter unfolds—Dan-ho and Yeon-du, the latter a shocking revelation as Dan-ho's niece, shattering any preconceived notions.
Tragedy struck Yeon-du's family in a devastating car accident, leaving him as the lonely sentinel amidst the wreckage. Amidst the whispers and unsavory rumors that permeated their former community, they chose to uproot and start anew, with Dan-ho stepping into the role of a father figure to Yeon-du. Yet, amidst this shift, Dan-ho's steadfast resolve to maintain distance from Mo-eum remained unwavering.
On a parallel track, Seung-hyo basked in the glow of yet another accolade, eagerly anticipating the prospect of sharing this triumph with Seok-ryu at an upcoming event. However, faced with a string of job rejections, she reluctantly declined the invitation, fearing the revelation of their relationship to their respective families. Seung-hyo, too, chose to forego the festivities.
Elsewhere, Mi-suk grappled with the lavish plans of her friends for a cruise, an indulgence she could ill afford, her struggling snack business further burdened by a rival restaurant poaching her clientele. Meanwhile, Dong-jin underwent a transformation, atoning for his past missteps by apologizing to his mentor and resuming his duties at the gym.
Seok-ryu's encounter with her cooking classmates served as a stark reminder that her impressive credentials might ironically be hindering her entry into the workforce. As fate would have it, Seung-hyo returned from a triumphant meeting with a restaurant owner, his architectural masterpiece earning him recognition. Upon entering Seok-ryu's abode, he stumbled upon a brochure for a prestigious culinary school in the United States, sparking a pang of hurt within him. Seok-ryu, acknowledging her job struggles and the impossibility of sustaining herself solely on love, pleaded for some breathing room before departing.
Dan-ho's chance encounter with a forlorn Mo-eum, drowning her sorrows in alcohol, led him to escort her home. In a moment of emotional vulnerability before her mother, he bared his heart, confessing his affection for Mo-eum, leaving the inebriated her stunned and speechless.
The days that followed proved tumultuous for both Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu. Seung-hyo's visit to a construction site ended in misfortune, as he suffered a fractured arm in a minor mishap. Seok-ryu's rush to his bedside was met with an emotional outpouring as she confessed her love for him, finally dispelling their misunderstandings and embracing each other in a heartfelt reunion, marking the conclusion of Love Next Door's Episode 13 with a poignant embrace.
