As the days turned into weeks, Yeon slowly started to find her footing at Seoul College. She spent most of her time studying, determined to excel in her classes. Minji became a good friend, often inviting her to study sessions and introducing her to other students.
One day, while Yeon was at the library, she noticed a familiar face. It was Woobin, the guy who had helped her on her first day. He was sitting at a table, deeply engrossed in a book.
Yeon hesitated for a moment, then gathered her courage and walked over. "Hi, Woobin."
Woobin looked up, his expression brightening. "Yeon! How's it going?"
"Good, thanks. How about you?" she asked, taking a seat across from him.
"Pretty good. Just trying to get through this reading," he said, holding up the thick book.
They chatted for a while, and Yeon found herself feeling more comfortable around him. Woobin was easy to talk to, and his friendly demeanor made her feel at ease. They talked about their classes, their interests, and their plans for the future.
As they were talking, another guy joined them, sitting down with a casual smile. He was tall and handsome, with an air of confidence that was hard to ignore.
"Hey, Woobin. Who's your friend?" he asked, glancing at Yeon.
"This is Yeon. She's new here," Woobin introduced her. "Yeon, this is Jehyung."
Jehyung's name sent a shiver down Yeon's spine, though she couldn't explain why. She felt an inexplicable connection to him, as if she had known him before.
"Nice to meet you, Yeon," Jehyung said, his eyes locking onto hers. There was a moment of silence, a strange tension hanging in the air.
"You too," Yeon replied, feeling her heart race. There was something about Jehyung that drew her in, something familiar and mysterious.
The weeks went by, and Yeon's circle of friends grew. She spent more time with Minji, Woobin, and Jehyung, finding solace in their company. They studied together, shared meals, and explored the city. For the first time since her mother's death, Yeon felt a sense of belonging.
One evening, after a long day of classes, the group decided to grab dinner at a popular restaurant near campus. The place was bustling with students, the air filled with laughter and the smell of delicious food.
As they settled into a booth, Minji nudged Yeon playfully. "So, Yeon, any guys caught your eye yet?"
Yeon blushed, shaking her head. "No, not really. I've been too focused on school."
"Come on, there must be someone," Minji pressed, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Leave her alone, Minji," Woobin laughed. "Not everyone is as boy-crazy as you."
Minji stuck her tongue out at him, making everyone laugh. Yeon felt a warm glow of happiness. These moments of camaraderie were what she had been missing.
As they ate, Jehyung's phone buzzed with a message. He glanced at it, his expression darkening for a moment before he put the phone away.
"Everything okay?" Yeon asked, noticing the change in his demeanor.
"Yeah, just some family stuff," Jehyung replied, forcing a smile. "Nothing to worry about."
Yeon sensed there was more to it, but she didn't press. She knew everyone had their own struggles, and Jehyung was no exception.
After dinner, they decided to walk back to campus, enjoying the cool evening air. As they strolled along the river, Yeon found herself walking next to Jehyung. The two of them fell into a comfortable silence, the city lights reflecting off the water.
"Thank you for being so kind to me," Yeon said quietly. "It means a lot."
Jehyung glanced at her, his expression softening. "You don't need to thank me. I'm glad we met. You're a good person, Yeon."
Yeon smiled, feeling a strange warmth in her chest. There was something about Jehyung that made her feel safe and understood, even though they had only known each other for a short time.
As they reached the campus, Jehyung's phone buzzed again. He sighed, checking the message. "I have to go. My family needs me."
"Is everything okay?" Yeon asked, concerned.
"Yeah, just some things I need to take care of," he replied, his tone distant. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Yeon watched him walk away, a feeling of unease settling over her. She hoped everything was okay with his family, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Jehyung's story than he was letting on.
Yeon's days became a routine of classes, study sessions, and spending time with her friends. She found solace in the predictability, though her thoughts often drifted to Jehyung and the mysteries that surrounded him.
One evening, as she was walking back to her aunt's house, she decided to take a detour through a quiet park. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the trees and flowers. Yeon found a bench and sat down, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.
She had always loved the peace of nature, the way it calmed her mind and soul. As she sat there, memories of her mother flooded back, and she felt a pang of longing. She missed her mother's gentle voice, her warm embrace, and the way she always knew how to make everything better.
"Mom, I wish you were here," Yeon whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks. "I feel so lost sometimes."
As she wiped her tears away, she noticed a figure approaching. It was Jehyung, looking concerned.
"Yeon, are you okay?" he asked, sitting down beside her.
"Yeah, just... missing my mom," she admitted, her voice trembling.
Jehyung reached out and took her hand, his touch comforting. "I'm sorry, Yeon. I can't imagine how hard it must be."
"Thank you," she said, squeezing his hand. "It's been tough, but I'm trying to stay strong."
They sat in silence for a while, watching the sunset. There was a sense of peace in the air, a feeling that everything would be okay.
"Do you ever feel like you've known someone before, even if you've just met them?" Yeon asked, breaking the silence.
Jehyung looked at her, his eyes searching hers. "Yeah, I do."
Yeon's heart skipped a beat. There was an intensity in Jehyung's gaze, a connection that went beyond words. She felt a surge of courage, wanting to tell him about her dreams, about the fire and the girl she couldn't forget.
"I... I've been having these dreams," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "About a boy and a girl, trapped in a fire. I don't know why, but I feel like they're connected to us somehow."
Jehyung listened quietly, his expression unreadable. When she finished, he looked away, his thoughts seemingly elsewhere.
"I've had dreams too," he finally said, his voice low. "About a girl I couldn't save. I don't know who she is, but... there's something about her that feels familiar."
Yeon's heart raced. Could it be possible that they were dreaming about the same people, from a past life? The idea seemed both unbelievable and strangely comforting.
"Maybe... maybe we're meant to figure this out together," she said hesitantly.
Jehyung looked at her, his eyes softening. "Maybe we are."