Seoul, 1995
The mansion stood tall against the night sky, a grand structure that had witnessed countless tales of love, laughter, and now, a tragedy. Flames licked the walls, turning the night into a blazing inferno. Inside, a young boy and girl clung to each other, their faces smeared with soot and tears.
"Jehyung, I'm scared," the girl sobbed, her voice barely audible over the roar of the fire.
"Don't worry, I'm here with you. We will get out of here," Jehyung reassured her, though his own heart pounded with fear.
Every exit was blocked by the relentless flames, and the house was collapsing around them. Jehyung held the girl tightly, shielding her from the debris. The heat was unbearable, but the fear of losing each other was even more so.
A beam crashed down, pinning Jehyung to the ground. He cried out in pain as the girl desperately tried to lift the burning wood. Her hands were scorched, but she didn't stop until she freed him.
"Go... get out of here..." Jehyung gasped, his strength fading.
"No! I won't leave you! Someone will save us!" she cried, tears streaming down her face.
But there was no escape. The mansion exploded in a final, devastating blast, engulfing them both.
"NO!" Jehyung bolted upright in bed, drenched in sweat. The nightmare had returned, as vivid and terrifying as ever. His parents rushed in, their faces etched with concern.
"What happened, Jehyung? Did you see that nightmare again?" his mother asked, her voice trembling.
Jehyung hugged her tightly, seeking comfort from the haunting visions. "Mom, I... I couldn't save her... that fire..."
"Shh, it's okay, Jehyung. It's just a nightmare. It's over now," his mother soothed, though she knew the scars ran deeper than any dream.
Busan, 2024
Yeon stood by her mother's hospital bed, her heart aching as she watched the frail woman struggle to breathe. "Mom, how are you feeling now?" she asked softly, holding her hand.
"I'm tired, Yeon... so tired," her mother replied, her voice barely a whisper.
Yeon fought back tears. "Mom, please don't say that. We're going to find a way to make you better."
Her mother gave a weak smile. "Yeon, I don't have much time left. Promise me you'll go to Seoul and live your life."
"Mom, no... I can't leave you," Yeon protested, but deep down, she knew her mother was right.
The next morning, Yeon packed her bags, her heart heavy with grief. She wandered through their small house one last time, memories flooding back. "Goodbye, Mom," she whispered, touching the doorframe before stepping out into the world alone.
Seoul, 2024
At Seoul College, Jehyung was the center of attention, as always. Girls screamed his name, their adoration palpable. "JJ! JJ! JJ!" they chanted, hoping for a glance from the handsome, aloof student.
Jehyung barely noticed them. His mind was elsewhere, haunted by dreams of a girl he couldn't remember. "Why can't I see her face?" he thought, frustration gnawing at him.
"Hey, Jehyung, get a girlfriend already!" his friend Woobin teased, nudging him.
Jehyung shook his head. "They're not my type."
"Then what is your type?" Leehan asked, curious.
Jehyung's thoughts drifted back to the dream girl. "I'll know her when I see her," he said quietly.
Yeon stepped off the bus, her heart pounding as she looked around the bustling city of Seoul. The towering buildings and endless streams of people were a stark contrast to the quiet streets of Busan. She clutched her suitcase tightly, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of it all.
Her aunt's house was located in a quiet, upscale neighborhood. As Yeon walked up to the front door, she took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. Her aunt, Mrs. Park, was a strict woman who had never been particularly warm towards her. Yeon braced herself for the cold reception she was sure to receive.
The door opened, revealing Mrs. Park's stern face. "Yeon, you're finally here," she said, her voice devoid of any warmth. "Come in."
Yeon stepped inside, her eyes taking in the immaculate surroundings. The house was a stark contrast to the cozy, cluttered home she had shared with her mother. Everything here was pristine and orderly, a reflection of her aunt's rigid personality.
"You'll be staying in the guest room," Mrs. Park said, leading her upstairs. "I expect you to keep it clean and follow the house rules. No staying out late, no bringing friends over, and no making noise."
"Yes, Auntie," Yeon replied quietly, feeling a pang of loneliness. She missed her mother terribly, and the cold atmosphere of her aunt's house only made her feel more isolated.
Once she was alone in her room, Yeon sat on the bed and let the tears flow. She cried for her mother, for the life she had lost, and for the uncertain future that lay ahead. But deep down, she knew she had to be strong. Her mother had wanted her to come to Seoul and pursue her dreams, and she would honor that wish.
The next day, Yeon prepared for her first day at Seoul College. She was nervous but determined to make the most of this new opportunity. As she walked onto the campus, she marveled at the sprawling grounds and impressive buildings. This was a place of learning and growth, and she was ready to embrace it.
In her first class, Yeon sat quietly at the back, observing the other students. They all seemed so confident and self-assured, and she felt a pang of insecurity. But she reminded herself that she was here to learn and grow, and she wouldn't let her fears hold her back.
As the professor began the lecture, Yeon focused intently, taking detailed notes. She was determined to excel in her studies and make her mother proud. But even as she immersed herself in her work, a part of her couldn't shake the feeling of loneliness that gnawed at her.
Yeon navigated the busy halls of Seoul College, trying to find her next class. She glanced down at her schedule, then back up at the room numbers, her anxiety growing with each step. The campus was much larger than her previous school, and she felt like a small fish in a vast ocean.
As she turned a corner, she bumped into a tall, athletic guy who was laughing with his friends. Her books and papers scattered across the floor.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, quickly bending down to gather her things.
The guy knelt to help her, his smile friendly. "No worries. New here?"
Yeon nodded, feeling her cheeks flush. "Yes, it's my first day."
"Welcome to Seoul College. I'm Woobin," he said, handing her a stack of papers.
"Yeon," she replied, grateful for his help.
Woobin's friends joined in, one of them clapping him on the back. "Already making friends, Woobin?"
Woobin grinned. "Just being helpful."
Yeon smiled shyly, thanking them as she hurried off to her next class. She couldn't help but notice how easygoing and confident Woobin was. It was a stark contrast to her own nervousness.
As the day went on, Yeon found herself constantly on edge, trying to keep up with the fast pace of her classes. During lunch, she sat alone under a tree, eating a sandwich and observing the other students. They were chatting, laughing, and seemed so at ease. She felt like an outsider, unsure of how to fit in.
"Mind if I join you?" a voice interrupted her thoughts.
Yeon looked up to see a girl with a bright smile and long, curly hair. She was carrying a tray of food and looking at Yeon expectantly.
"Sure," Yeon replied, grateful for the company.
"I'm Minji," the girl said, sitting down. "You must be new here. I haven't seen you around before."
"Yeah, it's my first day. I'm Yeon," she said, offering a small smile.
"Nice to meet you, Yeon! Where are you from?" Minji asked, taking a bite of her salad.
"Busan," Yeon replied. "I just moved here to live with my aunt."
"Wow, Busan is beautiful. I've always wanted to visit," Minji said, her eyes sparkling with interest. "What's it like living there?"
Yeon felt a pang of homesickness but tried to focus on the positive. "It's peaceful and has a lot of nice beaches. I miss it, but I'm excited to be here."
"Seoul is great too. You'll love it once you get used to it," Minji assured her. "If you ever need anything or want to hang out, let me know. I can show you around."
"Thank you, Minji. That means a lot," Yeon said, feeling a bit of the weight lift off her shoulders.