**Chapter 5: Shadows of the Past**
Jae-min wasn't used to feeling this good. As he strolled down the street the next morning, he couldn't help but think of how different things had been just a few days ago. Rock bottom had been his reality—a thankless job, a brutal breakup, and a future that looked like a dead end. But now, with Elyra's help, he'd taken the first few steps toward something better.
But just as he was about to cross the street, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced down, half-expecting a message from Mina, but instead, it was Elyra.
"Jae-min," she said, her expression more serious than usual. "There's something you should know."
"What's up?" he asked, suddenly feeling uneasy.
"I did a background check on Mina, just to make sure there's nothing troubling in her life that you might not be aware of. And I found… something you might want to consider."
Jae-min's heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"
Elyra hesitated, as if choosing her words carefully. "Mina has a large amount of debt. It appears that her family's finances took a hit a few years ago, and since then, she's been struggling to cover the expenses on her own."
Debt. That explained the long hours at the diner, the worn clothes, and the exhaustion in her eyes. He felt a pang of sympathy, and a renewed sense of purpose. It wasn't just about art for her—she was carrying a weight far heavier than he'd realized.
"Is there… anything I can do to help?" he asked.
Elyra's eyes softened. "That's up to you. But I should warn you—this is a major commitment. If you decide to help her with her debt, it will require a significant investment from the system account. But, given the progress you've made with her, I'm confident it would increase her trust and reliance on you even further."
Jae-min mulled it over. This wasn't what he'd expected when he agreed to this system, but if he was going to use its power, he wanted it to make a difference in people's lives. And Mina… she was worth it. She was hardworking, passionate, and had a light that the world kept trying to dim. He wanted to protect that.
"Alright," he said, steeling himself. "Let's do it."
---
Later that day, he found Mina back at the park, once again lost in her art. She was sketching a family playing nearby, her hand moving in smooth, confident strokes. There was a calmness to her that he found almost mesmerizing.
She looked up, noticing him watching her, and smiled. "Hey, Jae-min. You're becoming a regular at my art sessions, huh?"
"Can't help it," he replied with a grin. "You make it look easy."
She laughed, setting her pencil down. "Trust me, it's not. But thanks for saying that."
There was a brief silence, the kind that felt natural, like they didn't need words to fill it. Finally, Jae-min took a deep breath.
"Mina… can I ask you something?"
She blinked, looking a little surprised. "Sure. What's up?"
"I know things are rough for you," he began, his voice low. "With work, with art… and everything else."
Mina's expression shifted, a guarded look in her eyes. "It's nothing I can't handle."
"I know that," he said gently. "But sometimes, handling everything on your own doesn't mean you have to. You have friends, people who care about you." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "And if you ever need help… you can count on me."
Her eyes widened, and for a moment, he saw a flicker of vulnerability. But she quickly masked it, shaking her head with a soft laugh.
"You're too nice, Jae-min. I appreciate it, really. But I've learned the hard way not to rely on anyone but myself."
He could see the wall she'd put up, the reluctance to let anyone in. It was the kind of defense you built after being let down too many times. But he wasn't going to let it deter him.
"What if I told you… that I could help with more than just art supplies?"
Mina looked at him, her gaze sharp. "What do you mean?"
He hesitated, wondering how much he could say without revealing too much. "Let's just say… I've come into some resources. Enough to help with… other things. If you'd let me."
She shook her head, backing away slightly. "Jae-min, I can't accept that. I don't want to be a burden, and it's… it's too much. I barely know you."
He stepped closer, his voice earnest. "It's not about being a burden. It's about not having to fight everything alone. You've been doing it for so long… maybe it's time to let someone else shoulder a bit of that weight."
Mina's gaze softened, and for a brief moment, he saw the exhaustion in her eyes. But she quickly looked away, her hands clenching into fists.
"You don't understand," she whispered. "My family… they've sacrificed so much already. I can't just let someone else swoop in and solve my problems. It's not fair to anyone."
Jae-min hesitated, realizing that this wasn't just about money or debt—it was about pride, about the burden of responsibility she'd carried for so long.
"I get it," he said quietly. "And I respect that. But just know… the offer's there. No strings attached."
They stood there in silence, and he could feel the weight of her hesitation, the struggle in her heart. Finally, she let out a shaky breath.
"Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "I… I'll think about it."
It wasn't a yes, but it wasn't a no either. Jae-min took it as a step in the right direction.
---
That night, as he walked back to his apartment, Elyra's voice chimed in his ear.
"You handled that well, Jae-min. Sometimes, people need to be shown that help doesn't come with conditions."
He nodded, feeling a quiet satisfaction. "I just… I want her to know that I care. That she's not alone."
Elyra smiled, her voice warm. "And that's what makes you different. Genuine compassion is rare in this world, and it's something people like Mina crave, even if they can't admit it."
Jae-min glanced at his account, noticing that Mina's likability had risen to 70%. It felt strange, this system measuring something as complex as emotions, but he understood now that it wasn't just about numbers. It was about the connections he was building, the trust he was earning.
He lay in bed that night, feeling a sense of peace he hadn't known in a long time. He was still far from where he wanted to be, but for the first time, he felt like he was on the right path. And maybe, just maybe, he was finally doing something that mattered.