Chapter 10: Ryu Taesan

Lunch felt quieter than usual. It was just me and Dohyun, sharing a meal together in the cafeteria. I'd overheard Sera and Zixuan talking about going for ice cream, so I wasn't expecting to see them around. As soon as we sat down, Eunyeong appeared, her presence bringing a sudden tension to the air. Dohyun shot me a warning look, silently urging me not to make a scene. I bit back my frustration, deciding to keep my composure. Dohyun remained quiet too, watching the situation unfold with a steady gaze.

Eunyeong stepped closer, her expression troubled, and she began, "I need to tell you something, Taesan."

I didn't respond, letting the silence hang between us. Instead, Dohyun spoke up, his tone clipped, "Eunyeong, I kept things civil in the corridor earlier because our friends were watching. But now, do us all a favor and leave Taesan alone."

Eunyeong didn't budge. Her voice carried a hint of desperation as she pleaded, "Just give me a minute, guys. Please, listen to me."

I finally turned to her, my face expressionless, and said coolly, "Your one minute starts now."

She seemed taken aback by my words, hesitating. "What... Taesan, look—"

"Six seconds have passed," I cut in, my voice unyielding.

She took a deep breath, her shoulders sagging slightly, and then pushed on, "I broke up with you for a reason, Taesan. I had goals, dreams that I needed to chase, and I've achieved them now. But in the process, I realized my mistake. I know I was selfish. I left you behind, but... I did love you. I still do. Believe me. That's why I'm here now, hoping you'd give me another chance. I'll be better this time, I swear—"

I glanced at my watch, then back at her, my expression unmoved. "Sixty seconds are up. You can leave now."

Her face crumpled with frustration. "Taesan!" she cried out, her voice trembling with a mix of hurt and anger.

"You heard him," Dohyun interjected, his voice cold and final, leaving no room for argument.

Eunyeong's eyes flickered between us, desperate for some sign of softness, but she found none. "Don't you have anything to say, Taesan?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, as if clinging to a final shred of hope.

At that moment, my gaze wandered past her, catching sight of Sera entering the cafeteria with Zixuan. They noticed us too, their eyes meeting mine briefly before they settled down at a table in the far corner. Their presence felt like a reminder—of the people who had chosen to stay, and those who had moved on.

Eunyeong's shoulders slumped when she realized I wouldn't reply. Without another word, she turned and walked away, her steps hurried and filled with embarrassment. I watched her retreating figure with a sense of finality.

Dohyun leaned closer, patting my back gently. "You did the right thing, Taesan."

I exhaled deeply, my chest feeling lighter yet tinged with uncertainty. "Was I too harsh?"

He shook his head, his voice steady. "She deserves it, Taesan. Some mistakes can't be undone with a simple apology."

Eunyeong and I started dating when we were just 16. She transferred to our high school, and everything changed from the moment she entered our lives. Before her, I never had the urge to get close to anyone beyond Dohyun. He and I have been a duo since kindergarten—inseparable, like two sides of a coin. I never imagined I'd need anyone else by my side. But then, she arrived.

When she joined us in Grade 10, she quickly became a part of our small circle. She had this easygoing charm about her, and before I knew it, I felt comfortable around her. It was a new feeling—one I hadn't expected. I found myself laughing more, sharing things I never thought I would, and letting her into parts of my life I'd kept closed off for so long. But Dohyun always remained wary of her. He would pull me aside sometimes, telling me that there was something off about her, but I never paid much attention to his suspicions.

Eunyeong had this habit of borrowing all our notes before exams—my lecture notes, Dohyun's study guides, everything. I didn't think much of it. It felt like a small favor for a friend. But Dohyun saw things differently. He would scowl and tell me she was using us, but I brushed it off. I was too caught up in the feelings I had begun to develop for her. She was caring towards me, always checking in, always there with a smile. Slowly, those small gestures tugged at my heart, and I realized that my feelings for her had grown.

Then, she did something I never expected. She confessed to me, with all the nervousness of a first love. I remember the way her voice trembled when she said she liked me, how she blushed as she waited for my answer. My heart raced, and before I knew it, we became a couple. Those early days felt like something out of a high school drama—innocent, new, full of shared secrets and shy glances.

But just when I thought we were growing closer, everything fell apart. It was right before the CSAT, the most important exam of our lives. Out of the blue, she decided to break up with me. She told me she needed to focus on her studies, that she couldn't afford any distractions. She said she needed a break from us. Her words hit me like a punch, knocking the air out of my lungs. She was leaving me at the very moment I needed her most.

That was the time when I lost my older sister, Ryu Jia. My world had already started to crumble, and Eunyeong's decision felt like the final blow. But I never told her about Jia. She had no idea that I was grieving the loss of my sister. I thought it would only add to her stress, that it would make her feel guilty when she had her own burdens to carry. So I kept it all inside. She focused on her studies, preparing to secure a spot in one of Korea's top universities, while I tried to piece myself back together alone.

I accepted her decision because I respected her dreams. I told myself it was for the best, even though it left a hollow ache inside me that I couldn't quite shake. But deep down, I knew I could never truly forgive her for leaving me when I was at my lowest.

Eventually, I forced myself to move on from my first love, but the scars she left behind never fully healed. I let her go, but that feeling of abandonment stayed with me, buried deep beneath my everyday smiles. And no matter how hard I tried, the memory of our time together lingered like a shadow, reminding me that love, once lost, could never be the same again.

Evening had fallen by the time the last class wrapped up, painting the sky in shades of deep blue and purple. I stepped out of the building, feeling the cool air brush against my face. Just as I pulled out my phone, a message from Kim Jongkook lit up the screen.

"Taesan, you told me to find a part-time job for your friend Sera. I found one at the café near your uni. She can start tomorrow."

A small sense of relief washed over me. At least that was taken care of. As I made my way through the campus grounds, I caught a glimpse of Sera in the distance. She was with Zixuan again, standing close to him, their conversation intense and hushed. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but the way they leaned towards each other spoke volumes. Moments later, they both got into a taxi, disappearing down the busy street together.

A pang of unease twisted inside me. Since when did they become so close? I wondered, feeling a strange tightness in my chest. They had been spending more and more time together lately, and though I couldn't put my finger on it, something about it didn't sit right with me. Still, I tried to push the thought away. "I'll tell her about the job later," I muttered to myself, trying to ignore the nagging feeling that kept tugging at my mind.

As I continued down the path, the road ahead seemed longer than ever. Usually, I'd have Dohyun walking beside me, but tonight, he was at a nearby café with Jiwon and Yujin. They had asked me to join, insisting it would be fun, but I declined. The thought of their cheerful laughter, the easygoing chatter, felt like a distant dream I couldn't reach tonight. My mind was too tangled, too restless.

The evening air wrapped around me, cold and heavy. The campus, which buzzed with life during the day, had grown quieter, and my footsteps seemed to echo louder in the stillness. I walked alone, the weight of unspoken thoughts pressing down on my shoulders. It was a rare feeling—one that I hadn't allowed myself to feel in a long time.

Just then, my phone buzzed, breaking the silence. The sound jolted me, making my heart skip a beat. I glanced at the screen and saw the name I'd been waiting for: Shin Yejoon. I hesitated for a moment, my fingers hovering over the screen before I finally answered.

"Hello," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, though a note of urgency crept in despite myself.

His voice came through, as direct and brisk as ever. "Meet me now if possible."

"Where?" My pulse quickened, a familiar sense of unease settling in my chest. There was always something heavy in Yejoon's calls, like he held the key to a door I wasn't sure I wanted to open.

"At my office. I'm sending you the address in a message," he replied curtly.

Before I could ask anything more, he hung up. A few seconds later, a message with the address came through. I stared at it, feeling a swirl of emotions—curiosity, anxiety, and something deeper, harder to define. I took a deep breath, slipping my phone back into my pocket. As I turned towards the direction of his office, the night seemed to grow colder, the air sharper, like a warning that something was about to shift. The darkness around me felt thicker, and I couldn't shake the sense that I was walking towards something I couldn't quite see yet—something that could change everything.

I finally arrived at Shin Yejoon's office, my mind buzzing with anticipation and unease. The guard at the entrance eyed me suspiciously since I was an unfamiliar face. He stopped me with a stern expression and asked, "Who are you here to see?"

I hesitated for a moment before answering, "I'm here to see Shin Yejoon."

He raised an eyebrow but picked up the phone, dialing the number. After a brief conversation, he nodded and motioned for me to enter. "He's expecting you. Go on up."

I took the elevator, the silence inside it only amplifying the rapid beating of my heart. When I reached Yejoon's office, I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, and knocked on the door. A voice came from inside, warm yet authoritative.

"Come in."

I opened the door and stepped inside. Yejoon stood up to greet me with a smile that felt surprisingly welcoming. He extended his hand, and I took it, feeling the firmness of his grip before he gestured for me to sit down.

"You never came out of your room when I used to visit your house to meet with your dad," he began, leaning back in his chair, studying me with a curious look. "It's strange, isn't it? Despite our connections, we never really met. But since you're Jia's younger brother, feel free to call me 'Hyung.' I'd appreciate that. And I have to say, you really take after her. Tall, handsome—you even have her eyes. You're definitely siblings. She meant a lot to me."

I nodded, trying to stay focused on the reason I was here. "I'm not here for small talk, Hyung. I have a reason for coming."

He glanced at me knowingly, his expression growing more serious. "I figured. You're here to ask about Jia, aren't you?"

"Yes," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

Yejoon's gaze softened, a hint of sadness flickering in his eyes. "Jia was three years younger than me, and…"

As he spoke, my eyes wandered around the room until they landed on something that made my heart skip a beat—a small blue bird design on Yejoon's laptop cover. It looked eerily familiar, like something I had seen before. I interrupted him without thinking. "That blue bird drawing—how did you come by it?"

Yejoon's expression shifted, a touch of surprise crossing his face. "Oh, this? Jia loved bluebirds. She had a special connection with them. She gave me this cover as a gift. I've kept using it, even after she... even after she passed away."

My mind reeled as his words sunk in. Memories flashed through my head—Jia Noona's room, where I'd seen that same bird sketch. And then, the little girl in the park, who carried a drawing of the exact same bird. A chill ran down my spine as a realization hit me like a wave. Could it be that Jia Noona's spirit was still with me, guiding me even after her death? And then, in the dream about the future, I had seen Yoon Soobin with the same drawing. It was too much to process, and my thoughts swirled like a storm.

Yejoon's voice snapped me back to reality. "Are you okay?" he asked, frowning with concern.

I blinked, struggling to steady my breathing. "Huh… Yes, yes, I'm fine." I paused, gathering my thoughts before asking the question that had been gnawing at me. "Hyung, you were close to Jia Noona. Do you know why she was struggling so much? I need to understand. I never got the chance to really be there for her... I want to know what pushed her to make that choice."

Yejoon's expression darkened, his jaw tightening. "If you want answers, ask Yoon Soobin. He's the one I hold responsible for what happened to Jia. In my eyes, he's as good as her murderer. Jia was on her way to becoming a star in the K-pop industry, but he destroyed everything. And now, he's vanished without a trace. You'll have to find him first if you want the whole story."

A chill settled in my stomach. "You knew Soobin personally?"

Yejoon nodded, his gaze distant as he recalled the past. "We were best friends back in high school. And I met Jia because our fathers were close—business partners, even. That's how Soobin and Jia crossed paths. They got involved romantically, and things just got complicated from there. Jia never directly told me about the troubles in their relationship, but I'm certain Soobin is the reason she… she did what she did. There's no other explanation."

I absorbed his words, feeling a heavy weight settle in my chest. I had the information I came for, but a thousand more questions swirled in my mind, each one more confusing than the last. Yejoon glanced at me, his expression softening slightly as he added, "By the way, my younger brother, Shin Yujin—he's your friend, right?"

I nodded slowly. "Yes, he is."

A small smile tugged at his lips. "He showed me a group photo of you all once. Introduced me to each name. I recognized you from that."

I managed a weak smile in return. "I see… It's nice to meet you properly, Hyung"

"Likewise," he replied. "Feel free to reach out if you need more information. But I'm curious—why dig into this now? It's been over a year since Jia passed."

I looked down, the weight of the past year pressing on me. "There are more connections here than I first realized. I need to find the truth. For her... and for myself."

Yejoon hyung nodded, his expression thoughtful but devoid of the warmth from earlier. As the silence stretched between us, I realized that the answers I sought were only going to lead to more mysteries, deeper secrets buried beneath the surface. And the path ahead felt darker than ever.

I took the bus, the last one of the night. The empty seats stretched out around me, making the quiet feel even deeper. I leaned my head against the cold glass window, trying to shake off the unease that had been following me like a shadow. But then, just when I thought I might finally get a moment of peace, it happened again—my vision blurred, and the future flashed before my eyes.

My breath caught, and I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself to see more clearly. In the vision, I saw someone following me. This person wasn't tall; in fact, rather short, stood right in front of my house, wrapped in mystery—wearing a black hoodie, a black cap pulled low, and dark glasses that hid their eyes. I strained to make out his or her face, but it was like looking through fog—impossible to see through.

Then the scene shifted. I saw Dohyun's parents too, sitting at a dinner table with that mysterious figure. The atmosphere was tense, and the air felt heavy with secrets. My frustration grew—I needed to know who this person was. Was the person a boy or a girl? But my vision stayed blurry, and all I could gather was the sense that this person was young, almost like a kid. And then, a voice echoed in my mind, faint but clear, "I have come to find you." It was a girl's voice.

Before I could grasp any more, I felt a jolt, as if I'd been shaken awake. Only, I hadn't been sleeping. The bus driver's voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality. "Hey, kid, it's your stop!" he said. I stumbled off the bus, my mind still reeling with the fragments of my vision. I stood on the sidewalk, cold air nipping at my skin, trying to make sense of what I'd seen. Who was this girl? Why was she looking for me? And what was my connection to her? The questions twisted in my head, making me feel like I was caught in a maze without a way out.

As I walked towards my house, I saw familiar faces—Sera and Zixuan. He was walking her home, and I could see him turning back in the direction he came from after they reached her place. Sera noticed me and waved, a bright smile on her face. I didn't have the energy to wave back, but I forced a small smile as she came over, practically bubbling with excitement.

"I got a job!" she announced, her voice brimming with joy. "But I need to take some classes for it. Since I'm good at cooking, Zixuan offered me a position at the famous five-star restaurant, THE VELVET FORK! His aunt is a partner there for their Chinese dishes. And I owe you a thank you too—you really helped me when I was starting out. Zixuan took me to meet his aunt at the restaurant, and guess what? She even speaks good Korean! Taesan, I'll treat you to a big meal once I get my first salary, I promise!"

She was practically glowing, her happiness radiating off her in waves. It had been three days since we met, for the first time I'd seen her smile like that, so free and unburdened. I knew then that I couldn't bring up the part-time job I'd wanted to offer her. She didn't need it—she'd found her own way, and it felt good to see her so excited about this new chapter.

"Congratulations," I said, trying to match her enthusiasm with my tone. "And best of luck with everything."

Her smile widened even more, if that was even possible. "Thanks, Taesan! See you tomorrow! Good night!"

"Good night," I replied, watching her walk away, her steps light as if the world was finally treating her kindly.

As her figure faded into the distance, I was left standing alone under the dim streetlights. The mystery of the girl in my vision lingered, filling the night air with an unsettling chill. But for a brief moment, seeing Sera's happiness made the weight of my own confusion feel a little lighter. Yet, deep down, I knew that whatever was coming, it was far from over.