The second jae-in

> 2:02 PM.

The sun was beating hard against the windows.

Ji-Han lay on the bed, eyes open, arms crossed over his chest. He hadn't moved in hours.

The bedroom door opened gently.

— "I brought you some tea," said Jae-In.

Ji-Han didn't answer.

— "You're not going to talk to me?"

Ji-Han slowly turned his head.

— "You were already here this morning."

Jae-In smiled.

— "And I'm still here now."

— "No. That's not it.

This morning, you wore a black shirt. You were smoking.

Now you're in a beige hoodie. And… you smell different."

Jae-In blinked. Took a step forward.

— "You think I'm not me?"

Ji-Han sat up.

— "I know you're not him. Not the one I know. You don't have the same eyes."

The boy stopped at the foot of the bed. A nervous laugh slipped out of him.

— "Maybe I'm… the one from before."

Ji-Han frowned.

— "What are you talking about?"

The other Jae-In stepped closer. He gently set the teacup on the nightstand. Then sat on the edge of the bed.

— "He trapped you here, didn't he?

The Jae-In who takes. Who bites. Who leaves marks.

He made you think you wanted to stay.

But you're waking up, Ji-Han. You're starting to see."

Ji-Han pulled back slightly.

— "And you… who are you, then?"

— "The one you loved before everything went to hell.

The one you forgot. Or maybe the one you recreated."

He reached out. Touched his cheek. Gently.

— "I'm what you wanted to keep. Not what you want to escape."

A wave of dizziness. Ji-Han felt his heart race.

He closed his eyes. The scent was familiar. But different. Less sweet. More real.

And when he opened his eyes…

The room had changed.

Smaller. More ordinary.

Worn-out curtains. A torn poster on the wall. A desk buried under papers. Empty coffee cups everywhere.

And him. That same Jae-In. Sitting there. Dressed, pale, exhausted.

His hands were shaking.

— "Are you… crying?"

Jae-In nodded.

— "Every day. Since you fell asleep."

Ji-Han brought a hand to his forehead. It ached.

His vision blurred. The world shimmered around him.

Then…

> "Irregular heartbeat… dropping pressure. Doctor, we're losing him!"

Ji-Han screamed.

Everything vanished.

He was back in the perfect apartment.

The other Jae-In stood there. Shirtless. Smiling. Motionless.

Like a doll.

Ji-Han burst into laughter. Or maybe tears. He couldn't tell anymore.