The next few days felt like a blur, each moment blending into the next as Suyee tried to adjust to her new life. She spent hours staring at her reflection, studying the face of Jin-ah as if it belonged to someone else. The more she looked, the more disconnected she felt from the person staring back at her. But there was nothing she could do. She was stuck in Jin-ah's life, and the reality of her situation was slowly sinking in.
Her new "mom" kept checking on her, still worried but mostly content that Jin-ah was back to her usual self—at least on the outside. Suyee never fully understood how she could have fooled them all. The language she spoke, the mannerisms, the memories, it was all unfamiliar. But somehow, she was slipping into Jin-ah's life, pretending to be someone she wasn't.
"Jin-ah, are you sure you're okay? You've been so quiet lately," her mom asked one evening, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Suyee nodded. "Yeah, just... tired," she murmured, trying to sound as convincing as possible. She didn't want to worry anyone further.
Her "mom" gave a small smile, brushing a lock of hair from her face. "Alright, just remember, we have dinner with your friends tomorrow. You don't want to miss it."
Dinner with friends. The words lingered in Suyee's mind. Who were these people? Jin-ah's friends? They must have been important enough to be invited to dinner, but who were they, really?
The next day, Suyee was led to a trendy café in the heart of Seoul, a place that was bustling with the sounds of conversation, clinking cups, and the faint buzz of K-pop playing in the background. It was all so unfamiliar yet exhilarating. The café had a modern, sleek design, the walls adorned with trendy art, and the atmosphere was lively and full of energy.
Sitting at a table were two girls, laughing and chatting as they sipped their drinks. They looked up when Jin-ah—when Suyee—walked in, their smiles widening in recognition.
"Jin-ah!" one of the girls, a blonde with a friendly face, waved. "We thought you weren't coming!"
"Sorry, I was just a bit tired," Suyee said, taking a seat. Her voice was shaky, but she did her best to sound confident. She didn't want to come off as an imposter, even if that's exactly what she was.
"You don't look tired at all!" the other girl, a brunette with a sharp look, said with a teasing smile. "You look like you just stepped out of a magazine shoot!"
Suyee blinked. A magazine shoot? She wasn't sure what they were talking about, but she smiled awkwardly. "Thanks," she said, unsure how to respond. Were these people friends of Jin-ah? They seemed to know her well, but they also seemed to be very different from the simple, laid-back lifestyle she had known in Myanmar.
As the conversation went on, Suyee realized just how different this life was from the one she had left behind. The topics they discussed, the way they interacted, everything felt so foreign to her. They talked about school, celebrities, the latest trends, and the newest K-drama episodes—things Suyee had never been interested in before.
But one thing stood out in the conversation. They started talking about Jae-hyun.
"Did you hear Jae-hyun's new song? It's so good," the blonde girl said, scrolling through her phone. "I can't stop listening to it."
"Of course," the brunette chimed in. "He's on fire right now! Everyone's talking about him."
The name Jae-hyun struck a chord in Suyee's mind, like a forgotten memory surfacing. She had heard of him before, hadn't she? The connection she felt to him was undeniable, but why? Was it simply because of her new life? Or was there something more?
The thought lingered in her mind as she tried to smile and join the conversation. But as the meal wore on, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing—something crucial. Jae-hyun. There was something about him that she couldn't quite place.
As they finished up their meal and began heading out of the café, the girls invited Suyee to join them for a concert in a few days. "You've got to come!" the brunette insisted. "It'll be so much fun. And who knows, maybe we'll see Jae-hyun in person!"
Suyee's heart skipped a beat. Jae-hyun. Was this all just coincidence? Or was it fate leading her towards something—someone—she was meant to meet?
"Sure, I'd love to," Suyee said, her voice barely above a whisper. The prospect of meeting Jae-hyun in person made her heart race, but it was more than just excitement. It felt like something important, something she couldn't explain.
The rest of the evening passed in a daze. Suyee returned home, the weight of the day heavy on her shoulders. The events of the day, the unfamiliar life she was living, the strange feeling when she heard Jae-hyun's name—it was all too much to process.
But one thing was certain. This new life, this new world, was full of possibilities. Even if she didn't understand it all, Suyee couldn't help but feel like she was on the cusp of something bigger than herself.
And as she sat by the window that night, watching the city lights of Seoul twinkle in the distance, she realized something. She might be in a completely foreign life, but maybe—just maybe—this was where she was meant to be.
Tomorrow, things would become clearer. But for now, all she could do was wait for the next step in her journey.