---

The soft hum of the piano echoed through the grand hall, mixing with the quiet murmur of conversations. I held a glass of champagne in my hand, but I hadn't taken a sip. My fingers were tight around the delicate stem, my palms slightly sweaty.

It was supposed to be the happiest night of my life.

"Taehyung," Bogum's warm voice broke through my wandering thoughts. He slid his arm around my waist, smiling like the world was at his feet. "They're waiting for us to say something."

I blinked, realizing the room had fallen quiet. Dozens of faces were turned toward us, glasses raised, smiles eager. I glanced at Bogum, who gave me an encouraging nod.

"Right," I muttered, clearing my throat.

My lips stretched into a smile—the kind you practice in the mirror until it looks real. "Thank you all for being here tonight," I said, my voice steady. "Bogum and I are lucky to have so many people who care about us. We're excited to start this journey together."

The crowd cheered and clapped, and Bogum kissed my temple, whispering, "Perfect."

I smiled again. But deep down, I wondered if I believed any of it.

---

The drive home was quiet. Bogum drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on my knee. His thumb moved in small, soothing circles, but my mind was elsewhere.

The weight of the ring on my finger felt heavier than it should have. I twisted it absently, watching the city lights blur as we passed.

"You've been quiet all night," Bogum said gently.

"I'm just tired," I replied, leaning my head against the window.

He didn't press further, and I was grateful for that. Bogum was good at knowing when to leave things alone.

But my silence wasn't just tiredness. It was something else—someone else.

I hated how his memory still lingered, even after all these years. I hated how the sound of laughter, the clink of glasses, and even the faint scent of cologne from a guest tonight had triggered flashes of the past.

Five years. That was supposed to be enough time to let go. To forget. But it wasn't.

It wasn't enough to forget him.

---

The rain started halfway home. Soft at first, then heavier, until it was pounding against the windshield. Bogum tightened his grip on the wheel, his jaw tense.

"Let's take the back road," he said. "It's quieter."

I nodded, barely listening. My fingers played with the hem of my jacket, my thoughts spiraling into places they shouldn't go.

Then, it happened.

The headlights of an oncoming truck blinded me, and Bogum cursed under his breath, jerking the wheel. The car spun, tires screeching against the wet pavement. My heart leaped into my throat as the world tilted, the sound of metal crunching against metal deafening.

And then… nothing.

---

When I opened my eyes, everything was bright. Too bright.

I sat up slowly, blinking against the light. The air was crisp, almost unnaturally so, and the ground beneath me shimmered like marble. I wasn't in the car anymore.

"Where… am I?" I murmured, my voice echoing slightly.

"You're in between," a voice said behind me.

I turned sharply. A figure stood there, dressed in white with a calm expression that seemed too perfect to belong to a human.

"What do you mean, 'in between'?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"You're no longer alive, Taehyung," the figure said. "But your time isn't finished yet."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. "No," I whispered, shaking my head. "No, I can't be dead. I was— I was with Bogum—"

The figure raised a hand, their expression softening. "Your time on Earth is over. But you've been given a choice."

"A choice?" I repeated, my voice hollow.

The figure nodded. "You can move on, or you can return temporarily to complete a mission. Only once your mission is fulfilled will you be allowed to move forward."

"A mission?" My chest tightened. "What kind of mission?"

"That is for you to discover."

I hesitated, my mind racing. "What happens if I go back?"

"You will remain on Earth until your mission is complete," the figure said. Their tone was firm now, like a warning. "But you must remember: once your mission is fulfilled, you cannot stay. You cannot wish to stay. No matter what you find there, no matter what ties you feel, you must return here. Do you understand?"

My throat tightened. "I… yes. I understand."

"If you break this promise," they continued, their gaze steady, "it will bring great pain to you and those around you. Don't let that happen."

I swallowed hard, the weight of their words settling deep in my chest. "I'll do it," I said finally.

The figure gave a small nod. "Very well."

Before I could ask another question, the light around me began to blur and fade, and a strange heaviness pulled at my chest.

---

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a bed.

I blinked up at the ceiling, my mind foggy and my heart pounding. This wasn't my bed. The air smelled faintly of coffee and something musky, something familiar.

I sat up slowly, the sheets falling from my chest, and looked around. The room was small but cozy—warm-toned walls, scattered books on the desk, and a worn leather jacket slung over the chair.

And then, the door creaked open.

Someone stepped in, their eyes widening the moment they saw me.

For a long moment, we just stared at each other. I didn't say a word, and neither did he.

But the look in his eyes—the mix of shock, confusion, and something I couldn't quite place—made my heart skip.

"Taehyung?" he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.

I didn't know what to say. My lips parted, but no sound came out.

Because standing there, in the doorway of the room I thought I'd never see again, was the one person I hadn't been able to forget.

---

To be continued…